Just…Beautiful

Thanks all you guys for the reviews: CrAzY4tHeSuN, OTHlover04, gannonsgirl, Maggie, Mony19, Swedishblonde, Chasity03, and nookie forever.

nookie forever- Michelynne is exactly who I am modeling this character after! I just thought Michelynne was a very pretty girl, and just would be perfect as a "Riley" so thank you for getting where this story was going.

Okay, in this chapter you readers are probably going to have some questions, so I am just going to answer them now. Riley has been to Tree Hill before, when she was younger, that's how she knows Lucas; your probably going to wonder why Lucas didn't talk to her after basketball practice when Whitey introduced her to everyone, and it's because he had already seen her leave. Riley and Lucas are going to take on the Haley/Lucas role as best friends. And I know you think that two people can't be this close after years of not seeing each other, but believe me they can, especially when they're so much alike. Also, for all you Brucas lovers, Riley and Lucas are strictly friends. You're welcome! And correction; no Jake and Jenny in my story.


Riley walked out of the cemetery and began to walk back into town. It had been weird being so close to Peyton; a person that she was expected to hate. Brooke obviously had history with Peyton, but Riley knew that Peyton had done some serious damage with their friendship.

Riley sighed and walked into a cute little café, called Karen's Café. She looked around and immediately saw a face that she recognized, "Lucas!" She squealed, as Luke turned around and smiled.

Riley ran up and jumped into his arms, "Hey you," he said with a smile as Riley gleamed up at him, "I was going to talk to you after practice, but you and Whitey were already headed out…How is everything?"

"Fine," Riley lied, "I just came back because I decided I wanted to live with Whitey."

"Miss. Riley gave up her life of money and glamour to live down in old Tree Hill?" Lucas mocked, "Should I bow to you?"

They both walked out of the café, and Riley smacked him in the arm, "No, but you can kiss my ass!" She said and then stuck her tongue out.

"Nice mouth," Lucas said, "You little bitch," he teased.

Riley playfully pushed him, "You kiss your mother with that mouth?"

"God no," Lucas exclaimed, "What kind of sicko do you think I am?"

Riley laughed out loud and sat down on the bench, "It's so awesome to see you, dude! It's been forever…"

"Yeah I know," Lucas said as he sat down beside her, "Ever since that one day at the playground you kissed me on the lips!"

Riley groaned, "Luke, I was like 8 okay?"

"You knew exactly what you were doing!" Lucas said, blaming her, "You knew that if you got me into that club house that I would be forced to kiss you!"

Riley mocked hurt, "Okay. You are the one who came towards me; you tried to shove that 8 year old tongue down my throat!"

"Whatever," Lucas said as his laughter softened, "You know…I haven't laughed this hard in forever."

Riley smiled, "I'm glad I can be of help," she said.

The two of them sat there laughing, and Brooke barged up to the two of them and stood there with her hands planted on her hips, "Riley how can you be talking to him?" She asked with a little hurt in her voice.

"This is Lucas," Riley said, slight confusion overcoming her expression, "We've been friends since we were like 8…" Riley could feel the tension between Brooke and Lucas and mentally kicked herself, "Oh my god…" She said softly, "Lucas is the guy that went behind your back with Peyton…"

Brooke nodded her head and looked away from the two of them, "I guess Lucas left that out."

Riley looked at Lucas with disappointment, "I was going to tell you," Lucas began, and then got up from the bench and walked away.

Riley stood up and put her arm around Brooke, "I'll take you out for drinks," she whispered in her ear.

xxx

Brooke took another shot and leaned on Riley's shoulder, "I don't feel so good," she moaned.

"You've had like seven shots," Riley said with a small laugh, "Come on let's get you home," she said as Brooke hung onto her.

Riley got Brooke inside the car, and then started the car. Brooke started giggling and looked out the window, "You know I actually loved him," she slurred, "I gave him everything, my body, my soul, my heart…And he just stepped on all of that and screwed around with my ex-best friend," she said bitterly.

"People make mistakes, Brooke," Riley said.

"I know that Lucas is your best guy pal or whatever, but he's an ass," Brooke said.

Riley chuckled softly, "He might be an ass sometimes, but if he's the Lucas I know…Then he's a really good guy."

"I really loved him," Brooke said as she broke down in tears.

Riley felt Brooke's pain and put her hand on Brooke's shoulder, "Hun, you know that he really loved you too…"

"But he went behind my back with my best friend," she said; raising her voice, "How can that be love?"

Riley sighed and pulled into Brooke's driveway, "Ignoring him isn't going to make the situation any easier Brooke."

"I know," Brooke said as she cried in her hands, "It's just…When I see him I want to be the girl that he kisses and hugs…Ignoring him just makes it easier to pretend…"

"Pretend to what?" Riley asked.

Brooke wiped her eyes, "It makes it easier to pretend that I don't really need him…"

"Have you told him any of this?" Riley asked as she helped Brooke up into her room.

Brooke laid down on her bed and shook her head, "I don't want anything to do with those backstabbers," she said and then rolled over on her side and let her eyes close slowly.

xxx

Riley sighed and pulled a blanket over Brooke. She walked out of the house and got back into her car. Riley drove past the river court and saw someone shooting around. Riley parked her car and walked down to the court; she saw Nathan shooting around.

For a moment she didn't see the cocky jerk. She just saw Nathan Scott; the basketball player; the normal guy. Riley sat down on the bleachers and clapped her hands when Nathan dunked.

Nathan turned around and gave her a half smile; he walked over and wiped his brow, "I didn't know I had a cheering section."

"I thought you'd still be at the party," Riley said as she raised her one brow, "Pool girl not leave you satisfied?"

Nathan laughed, "While we were making out I thought about what you said…About how I'm alone, so I stopped myself and got out of the pool…"

"I'm impressed," Riley said with a smile.

Nathan took a drink from his water bottle, "Thought you would be…"

"So what's your story?" Riley asked as Nathan sat down beside her.

Nathan chuckled, "What makes you think I have a story?"

"I just do," Riley said slyly, "So…"

Nathan groaned, "Well, my parents are getting a divorce…My dad cares more about my basketball career than whether or not I'm breathing. My mom used to be off on business meetings, but then she came back. Um, I found out my mom cheated on my dad, and now they're fighting over me," he said and then caught his breath.

"Wow," Riley said soaking it all in, "I'm sorry Nathan…"

Nathan smiled, "No witty comebacks?" He asked.

"Not this time," Riley said as she cleared her throat, "I guess I kind of judged you too sonly…"

"Most people do," Nathan said with a shrug, and then sighed, "So what's your story?"

Riley laughed, "This was sharing time for you, not for me!"

"That's not fair," Nathan said as he nudged Riley, "Come on, what's wrong with your life?"

Riley saw a pair of headlights flash behind them, and she saw Peyton walk out of the car and walk towards the two of them, "Hey sorry if I'm walking in on anything," Peyton said apologetically.

"You weren't," Riley said, but Nathan disagreed.

Peyton smiled quickly and then crossed her arms, "I kind of needed to talk to you Riley…"

"Okay," Riley said and then looked at Nathan, "I'll talk to you later," she said with a smile and then got in her car and followed Peyton back to her house.

xxx

"Artsy room," Riley awed as she looked at the drawings on Peyton's walls, "So what's up?"

Peyton entwined her fingers and paced around the room, "I'm sorry for coming off like a bitch to you at the party tonight…"

Riley looked at the clock and it read 3:30AM, "Well…you mean last night," she said with a smile.

"Yeah," Peyton said with a small laugh, "I just…I didn't mean to come off like a bitch."

Riley smiled, "It's okay…I would've been the same way if I were in your shoes…"

"So we're cool?" Peyton asked.

"Definitely," Riley said and then gave Peyton a hug, "Now all we have to do is work on this whole you and Brooke thing," she said before she left.

Peyton laughed sarcastically, "Yeah…Right."

xxx

Riley pulled into Whitey's driveway and walked into the front door. She tried to sneak to her room, but the living room light came on. Riley groaned and walked into the living room guiltily. Whitey sat there in his pajamas and looked at his watch, "Now my eyes may be going because of my old age," he began, "But I do believe it's about 3:39," Whitey said and then looked up at Riley, "Do you not know how to read a clock?"

"I'm sorry Whitey," Riley said with an apologetic smile.

Whitey kept a stern face, "Now I know that you've only been here a couple days, and we haven't been able to go over the ground rules so…" He began, "Curfew. 11:30," Riley groaned, "Deal with it," Whitey said, "Also, no boys allowed in the house."

"Fine," Riley groaned and then headed towards her room, but turned around and peeked into the living room, "I love you Whitey," she said with a smile and then walked back to her room.

Whitey sighed, "I love you too," he said with a smile.

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