"Anna, dinner was delicious", Haley smiled. "I'm serious. You're a great cook. How did you learn?"
The traditional homemade Mexican dish was scrumptious and a nervous Anna had paid extra attention and taken extra care when preparing it.
"Thanks, Hales. My mom taught me."
"Well, we'll have to definitely trade recipes. That homemade salsa was to die for."
"It was okay", Brooke shrugged. "The meat was a little rich for my blood but…"
"Brooke!" Peyton admonished.
"What? Well, it was. I wasn't being rude, just honest. The food was good, Anna."
"Glad you approve, Brooke."
"Maybe you can give Peyton lessons", Lucas joked.
"God knows she's over here enough", Brooke commented. "Hey, is that your computer?"
The moment had arrived. Anna and Peyton looked nervously at each other.
"That's what I wanted to talk to you about, Brooke. That's why Anna and I invited everyone over. We have an announcement to make. Everybody I…I moved in."
Lucas and Nathan's eyes widened. If they got the gist of what was going down, their poor girlfriends were absolutely clueless. Haley looked confused while Brooke was way off in left field.
"Why? Peyton, that's silly. This is a one bedroom. And look at all the crap you have. Where are you gonna put it? Where are you gonna sleep? I know you're anxious to leave your dad's but come on."
"She'll find storage", Anna shrugged. "And as far as sleeping arrangements? Well, Peyton stays in my room…in my bed…with me."
Haley, finally catching on began to choke on her iced tea.
"That's dumb", Brooke scoffed. "Why would you two sleep in the same bed?"
"Because", Peyton sighed. "Brooke, everybody…this is really new and weird and totally unexplainable but Anna and I have found true love…with each other. We're together and we wanted to tell you guys."
The girls held hands and smiled at each other. Lucas, Nathan and Haley were stunned. Brooke on the other hand, howled with laughter.
"Brooke…"
"I get it. Gosh, you guys are nuts! Broody, are you in on this too? Haley? Nathan?"
"Babe…" Lucas grabbed her hand.
"It's cool. I get it. I'm a sport. I can take a good joke. Ha ha, Peyton and Anna. Very funny."
"Brooke…"
"You guys think I'm jealous about your friendship and you're all sore at me so you guys concoct this little plan pretending to be lesbian lovers to teach Brooke a lesson."
"Brooke!"
"Real cute. I'm impressed."
"Brooke…"
Brooke laughed out loud. What a joke! What a bunch of pranksters! They had gotten her good. Her ribs hurt she was laughing so hard. Tears were springing to her eyes. Then she realized she was the only one laughing. For the first time she noticed the expressions on everyone's face.
"This is a joke, right?" she laughed.
Silence.
"Guys…"
More silence.
"Oh. My. God. This isn't a hoax. You guys are for real?"
"For real", Peyton confirmed.
"Oh God! Like since when? Peyton, you're a lesbian? Like a real one like Ellen and Martina and Melissa Etheridge or a curious one like those Girls Gone Wild sluts on Luke's DVDs?"
Everyone laughed softly to themselves. Leave it to Brooke.
"I don't know, Brooke. You can't label it. I'm not gay. I didn't fall in love with Anna because she's a woman. I fell in love with the person inside."
Brooke wasn't buying it.
"So…how long have you been a lesbian?"
"Brooke!"
"Oh God! All those sleepovers and skinny dips. Were you…Jesus, P. Sawyer, were you checking me out?"
Peyton laughed out loud in disbelief.
"No, dude!"
Brooke frowned, obviously hurt.
"Why not? I'm not good enough? Anna's prettier? What?"
"Brooke, you're being silly. Look, it just happened."
"We wanted to be honest and open", Anna added. "It might be weird at first but please try to understand. You guys are our friends and even though it's not supposed to matter, your opinion does."
"Gosh, I'm…I am shocked you could say", Haley blushed. "But I'm happy for you. This is…wow, out of the blue but go for it. Who are we to judge?"
"Really?"
"Yeah", Lucas agreed. "We're here for you. Both of you."
"Absolutely", Nathan agreed. "And if you guys feel like some company, Hales totally has my permission to join in and I will be happy to watch, video tape, join in myself…whatever you're comfortable with…"
"Perv!" Anna and the others laughed as Haley smacked him.
Brooke looked absolutely devastated.
"Does this mean you guys…you know…"
"Have sex?" Peyton laughed.
"Iiiieeeww but yes."
"We do, Brooke. Just like you and Lucas. Well not exactly the same way but you get it. We're in love so we make love."
"But neither one of you has a…"
"Uh, Brooke, we know. Thanks, hon."
"Oh my God."
"Brooke, you and I have been friends a long time", Peyton began. "We've been through a lot. You're like a sister to me. This may be tough to understand but I need your support on this. Please. You don't have to like it and I promise not to throw it in your face but try to accept it. Accepting me means accepting Anna as an individual and as my lover."
Brooke shrugged.
"Okay. Whatever. P, you're my girl. Anna, we've had our ups and downs but I'd never turn my back on either one of you. This is just gonna take some getting used to. Like seriously. I'll give it a try but I can't promise that I won't laugh or anything like if God forbid, you two start making out or something."
"Thank you", Peyton hugged. "We thank all of you."
"To friends", Haley proposed a toast.
All raised their glasses and clinked them.
"And to lovers, too", Anna winked.
