Ch. 4 Bonding and Advice

At the Rivercourt

"This is quite a place you got here" the male brunette said to his blond brother. Lucas responded "Yeah, whatever. What do you want? I mean besides Haley?" Nathan replied a little pissed off, "What do you want to do with Peyton?" Luke responded, "You saw her back there? How can you act like nothing has changed?" Nathan responded by saying "I know times have changed but I am still her friend and I know that to be friends with her I will do anything she asks from me; including being nice to you." "Wow Nate, I feel so special." Luke blurted out. Nathan replied "You know what; I came here to try to put some sense into your head. But you're just acting like a complete jackhole, no wonder Peyton left and no wonder Haley is going towards my side." After Nathan says this Lucas reaches his breaking point and punches Nathan. Lucas responded by saying, "Shut up man! You have no idea what you're talking about. Peyton came out of nowhere and expected everything to be normal and that's why I'm mad, but I still care for her the way you care for Haley." Nathan replied "I protect Peyton the way you protect Haley, so if what you're saying is true then don't hurt Peyton."

At Karen's Café

As Peyton was sitting lonely on a stool Karen walked over to her. Karen spoke to Peyton and said, "It's good to see you around here again Peyton." Peyton replied, "Thanks Ms. Roe." Karen responded, "You know you can call me Karen. So how have you been doing?" Peyton gushed out, "Well, seeing the greeting Lucas gave me, I'm not doing so well." Karen with a surprised look on her face asked, "So you still have feelings for my son?" Peyton who was blushing when she realized who she disclosed this piece of information said, "Yeah, I mean seeing him today just brought back so many memories, and none of them were bad." Karen who was smiling replied, "Good, you like my son; look don't take what happened today personal. He just broke up with his girlfriend and seeing you for the first time in nine years just brought back so many memories to him and some were painful, because they didn't include you." Peyton replied, "Yeah I know they were painful because those years I spent away from here basically were the worst but I have to take what he said personal because he was right, I should have called, and I should have kept in touch. I should have told them both how I was doing but calling meant looking back and reliving my mother's death and I just couldn't bring myself to do that." Karen responded, "Oh Peyton. I'm so sorry, but you know what? I'm here for you whenever you need. I know I'm not your mother and that those are big shoes to fill but I'm here for you." Peyton who looked genuinely grateful said "Thank you Karen." Karen replied, "Anytime. Listen I have to get back to work, but like I said just give Lucas time." And with that Peyton was left alone once again.

Back to the Rivercourt

Lucas who was thinking about what had happened asked Nate, "How can you go back?" Nathan who was confused asked, "Back to what?" Lucas stated, "Back to being best friends after all this time." Nathan responded, "I can go back because deep down we're all the same. She is still the old Peyton I used to play around with, I'm still the same Nathan and you're still the same Lucas, the one I was brothers with and the one I am hoping can forgive me for all I've done."

At the Café

It seemed like today was talk to Peyton day because Haley was now walking over to Peyton. When Haley reached her they both greeted themselves with heys and Haley started up the conversation. "Look I'm best friends with Luke but I know how he is and I know you will be good for him, he just needs time to sort things out." Peyton replied, "It seems like everyone is saying that." Haley responded "I know that we aren't close or anything but how about we have this chat at the mall." And the two left towards the mall.

Rivercourt

Lucas who was stunned by his brother's admission asked, "You want to go back to being brothers?" Nathan, who knew where he was coming from said, "I know there's a lot of history between us, but I want to try, maybe a fresh start." Lucas, who was unsure responded, "I don't know." Nathan who was not going to give up replied, "Remember when we were 6 and we found out that we both had the same dad. We were going to hate each other and Peyton came to us and said that if we could be best friend brothers and then she said that if that didn't change our minds, to do it for her." Lucas, knowing where this was going stated, "She said that if we didn't get our acts together she wasn't going to be friends with either of us." Nathan replied, "Yeah, so we stayed friends and it was great. Look Luke I know you still have feelings for Peyton and as far as I can tell she still has them for you so let's go back and start over. Let us be best friend brothers again, deal?" Lucas who was seeing more clearly said "I guess."

At the mall

Haley turned to Peyton and asked, "So how do you feel?" Peyton responded, "Honestly, I feel like crap. I didn't expect Lucas to react like he did." Haley who nodded in understanding, replied "Yes, but you have to understand where he is coming from." Peyton quickly replied, "I do. I guess in my mind everything would go back to how it was before I left." Haley replied, "Well that was a lot to ask for." Peyton responded, "I know that now. I was so thrilled that I was able to work things out with Nathan and I'm glad you and I can become friends, but I'm just so depressed that I couldn't do the same with Lucas." Haley replied, "You two really need to talk, and not a talk with a lot of yelling but a conversation where you two can get past everything that has happened. I'm rooting for you two, not as much as I'm rooting for Nathan and me, but I am rooting for you two." Peyton who looked grateful said, "Thanks! I'm glad I got to know you and I'm glad Nate has found a great girl like you." Haley replied "Thank you that means a lot to me. I'm glad Lucas has found you two; hopefully he won't let you go." The duo put their sodas together and at the same time said "friends."

Rivercourt

"So about Haley, are you just messing with her?" the blond asked his younger brother. Nathan replied with all honesty, "No. At first I thought this is the perfect way to get back at you, but I really like her. She has been the only one to get me, to understand me. Hales doesn't see me as a cocky, brainless jock, she sees through all that and that's why I've fallen for her." Luke turned his head when he heard this and exclaimed, "Wow!" Nathan replied "Yeah, I never thought I'd tell you that and since we're doing this whole new fresh start there's something I have to tell you." Luke, who was curious responded, "Alright, shoot." Nathan let out in a quick gust, "Haley and I have been dating for about two weeks. Now don't get mad." Luke was shocked and responded "What! I can't believe this!" Nathan who was trying to calm him down replied, "Haley was afraid to tell you because she was afraid you would disown her. Please don't hate us." Luke's faced changed from anger to one of guilt as he replied, "I could never hate her. It's just that I always expected her to tell me everything. Hales is the one of the people I love most in this world, so just don't hurt her or I'll have to kill you. And I can't hate you because I still like Peyton and she's your best friend, so we're both in the same situation." Nathan replied, "Yeah, that's true. Who knew you and me would be confiding in each other right now when just last week we were getting into fights." Luke laughing said "We're still getting into fights." Nathan who was laughing said "That's true!" the two got serious and Luke spoke first, "I never realized how much I missed hanging out with you little brother, until now." Nathan then replied "I know what you mean, but now we're back on track and that's all that matters."