Chapter Fourteen

This chapter is dedicated most definitely to lysser8312, who wanted this update tonight. She encouraged me to do so-otherwise I would have gone to bed.

"Do you want me to wait up for you?" he asked. I detected a shred of hope in his voice and stared at him for a beat.

"No. You go, I might be a while. Go, sleep," I instructed. He went up the stairs as I led Brooke into the kitchen and sat her down.

"Tell me everything," I told her. She still looked shell shocked.

"It was so weird. He came over and we started to watch this movie because I'd seen him earlier that day and he seemed so lonely. So we were lying on my bed and I looked over at him and I just realized how great he was-and how I was so sure he'd never hurt me. And then I noticed how he wasn't really attractive but he'd not that hideous or anything and he's hardly even little anymore. He's grown, you know? He's kind of lanky. And so I was propped up on my elbow, looking at him and thinking about all this stuff and suddenly he looked back and he was like "what?" and I kind of moved closer and kissed him-like really kissed him-and it felt so good, and we know each other so well. And then what came next just seemed so natural," she said, a trace of happiness in her voice.

"And was it good?" I asked. She contemplated this.

"It's weird, you know? How sometimes you sleep with a guy and he knows how to do everything perfectly and when to start and makes you feel great, but your heart doesn't respond? Well Mouth wasn't like that-he was kind of awkward because I'm pretty sure he was a virgin. But he's just so right somehow," she said.

"And after you were done, what happened?" I asked greedily.

"Well we stopped and we kind of just lay for a little while-I think he was as surprised as I was. And then he just turned to face me. And he told me "I love you" and I knew it was true. Who knew he liked me?" she asked.

"Everyone! It was completely obvious! What did you say?" I asked.

"I think I said it back," she said.

"Is this a good thing?" I asked her.

"I don't know! I mean I think so-it was nice. But am I really ready to get involved with someone like him? And he might want more than I can give him. I've been doing no strings attached for so long, and he's the kind of guys who'd always want strings. Maybe he'd only want strings. I mean he's not exactly a ladies man. Maybe tonight was just a one time thing and after this he'll only want a real relationship. Can I handle that? And I'm moving away in like three months. And I'd planned on meeting lots of new guys there and doing lots of new things. So what could I do with a boyfriend to tie me down? But what if he doesn't want a relationship? What if he just wants sex? I don't think I've ever come out of a relationship and not been hurt. So what do I do?" she asked, dropping her head onto my lap. I pushed her straight dark hair away from her face.

"First you stop freaking out. Mouth is in love with you. He wants more than just sex, though I don't think you need to worry about him not wanting to have sex with you. And yes, you're ready to get involved with someone like him. I've been hinting for months that you should only get involved with guys like him," I said.

"Like you're one to talk. Nathan Scott, Lucas Scott and Jake Jagielski. Do you notice a trend here? And how did you know he liked me?"

"Didn't you ever wonder why he took you home from nightclubs? Why he always hung around you? Why you were his only female friend? How he always comforted you when you broke up with someone?" I asked.

"He was just being a friend," she said.

"No, he's always wanted to be more than that but hasn't pressed because he was so afraid you'd reject him. He's not like the guys you usually date, B. Davis," I said.

"Usually I notice an attraction, you know? Usually I fall for someone, go for them and they always turn out to go for me. But this was so surreal, so subtle," she said.

"I can't believe it actually happened. He must be so happy," I said.

"Yeah. Where were you today?" she asked.

"At the beach," I answered.

"You let him kiss you?" she asked

"He tried," I said sadly. "But good news! The lawyer called. The trial's been postponed because Nikki has to go to Utah to spend three years in an all female minimal security prison," I said excitedly. How had something that had taken up so much of our lives ended so quickly? She squealed in surprise and delight.

"That's so good! In three years Jenny'll be like five," she remarked. I jokingly covered my ears.

"Don't say things like that."

"Sorry. How will I face him tomorrow?" she asked me.

"You should talk to him. As soon as possible told him what you told me-how you think you might have hidden feelings for him and you think he's a great guy. I'm happy for you," I said fondly.

"I know. It's all coming together now-Haley and Nathan finally being married again, you getting married, Karen and Keith getting together, Nikki going to a lesbo lockdown. Do I get my share in the happily ever afters?" she asked.

"Yeah. Oh, and have you heard from Nathan and Haley, speaking of which?" I asked. I flinched, remembering the things I'd said.

"Yeah, Haley called. Told me to tell you that everything's okay. And then she started giggling and dropped the phone-those two are sickening," she said.

"Like rabbits," I agreed.

"Well, someone's got to," she said sleepily. I poked her side and she giggled, lacking the energy to move away.

"You and Mouth. Huh. Do you think you'll start calling him Marvin?" I asked, giggling. She snorted.

"As if. No one does that. Oh, at school today! You missed it!" she said excitedly.

"What did I miss?"

"The ballot thingies came out! For Prom Queen and King! And guess who's nominated? It's completely predictable," she warned me.

"Lucas, and Nathan, you and me?" I asked her.

"Yeah. And Jake, and a few other people who aren't going to win," she said.

"Okay, I'm just going to say right now that I couldn't care less and honestly hope you win," I said.

"Good, because I will. But you and Jake-wouldn't that be way more romantic?" she asked.

Author's note: I hope you aren't getting annoyed with my author's notes. Anyway. I've been thinking about the whole sequel/spinoff thing. The interest for a Naley spinoff is far greater but I'm more interested with a sequel. So I'm compromising-it will be a sequel to this based around Haley and Peyton and their partner people. I've just decided on the end. It's going to be awesome. Thanks for the reviews! Hope you like the Brooke/Mouth pairing!