Disclaimer: I do not own the show OTH, or its characters, or Chad Michael Murray, much to my dismay.
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Chapter 2: Phase 1Peyton walked towards Brooke's front door. She didn't know what to say to her, or how she would react to this. She's with Felix now, she thought, so she's going to be okay with it. She knocked on the door, only to be opened by Felix.
"Um, Hey." He greeted bluntly.
"Whatever. Is Brooke there?" she asked.
"Yeah, she's inside." He said, walking away from the door. Peyton turned towards him.
"Look. If you try to hurt Brooke again, Felix—" she said with a glare.
"I won't. I love your friend, Peyton." He said sincerely, then walking out into the street.
Peyton turned around and headed for Brooke's room. She wasn't sure on how she'd tell her. But she already agreed to what Lucas suggested.
"Brooke, I need to tell you something." She said.
"Peyton," she said, sitting down on the bed, patting the space beside her to motion Peyton to sit, "What's wrong?"
Peyton sat down beside Brooke. "Nothing. Just don't freak out, okay?" she asked.
"You're moving out of Tree Hill?" Brooke asked, in shock.
"No." she replied with a light chuckle. "Lucas and I—"
"Are going out?" Brooke squealed with delight. "Oh my gosh Peyton! Congratulations!" She said, giving Peyton a tight hug.
"Not exactly." She said, causing Brooke to let go of the hug. Brooke stared at her questioningly. "Lucas said something about he not being there for me, and then he told me about the idea that we should pretend to be going out to dismiss the rumors."
"And you agreed?" Brooke asked. "Peyton, I hope you know what you're getting into." She said cautiously.
"Well, yeah. It's all going to be some sort of acting, right?" she asked, waiting for some kind of blessing from her friend.
"You're getting into a fake relationship," Brooke said, "With the guy you almost had a real relationship with."
"I know. He told me it's going to work." She said.
"Please be careful, Peyton. I don't want you getting hurt." She said, giving Peyton another hug.
"I won't." I hope.
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"Haley." Lucas greeted as he walked in his mom's café. He saw Haley cleaning up some coffee mugs.
"Hey Luke." She said, going to the back and leaving the mugs on the sink. "What's up?"
"I need to tell you something." He said, sitting down on the chair near the counter. Haley wiped her hands with a cloth and leaned toward Lucas.
"What?" she asked.
"I asked Peyton to get into a fake relationship with me." He said plainly. Haley looked confused.
"Fake…" she asked, giving Lucas a quizzical look.
"I mean, just to, you know. To let the rumors about her end. I mean, I know I was such a terrible friend to her, and I need to make it up." He explained.
"So you thought that pretending to date her would be a swell idea." Haley said, walking out of the counter and sitting beside Lucas.
"It will work." He said.
"Anna?" Haley asked.
"It's over." He said.
"What will you do at the end of all these? I mean, when the rumors are gone?" she asked Lucas with a concerned tone.
"I really don't know. I'll think of something." He said.
"Luke, I don't want to see anyone getting hurt." She said, "Not you, Not Peyton."
"We won't." Lucas assured her. "So," he said, trying to change the topic. "How are things with Nathan?" he asked.
Haley sighed. "Look, don't tell Nathan, okay?" she started, "I went to Chris the other night. I mean, to the bus station." She said sadly.
"Why?" he asked in a gentle tone.
"I don't know. I was on my way home to Nathan, and then I found myself talking with Chris." She said, obviously confused.
"Do you want to go with Chris?" Lucas asked.
"My dreams do, but my heart doesn't." she said, and Lucas pulled her into a hug. "I mean, Chris showed me the possibility of a new life, a life living my dreams." She said, and pulled out of the hug. "Nathan was always there for me. He waited for me. I love him too much. I mean, he dropped out of the basketball camp for me. Then I'll go off running to New York City? What kind of wife would do that?" she asked, with tears in her eyes.
"Haley, are you happy with your decision to stay with Nathan?" he asked.
"Yes. I get to live my life with the man I love. But on the other hand, I get to forfeit my dreams." She said sadly.
"A career is easier to get by than true love, Haley." Lucas said.
Nathan entered the café. "Haley?" he said, and Haley turned towards him.
"What's wrong?" Nathan asked in a concerned tone.
"Oh," Haley said, wiping the tear that fell from her eye. "Lucas is getting into a fake relationship with Peyton." She said with a laugh.
"And you're crying because," Nathan asked.
"They might get hurt—again." She went towards Nathan and pulled him into a hug. Nathan kissed her head. "I'll tell you the rest at home."
"Nathan," Lucas said, "Haley, Please don't tell anyone."
"Your secret's safe, man." Nathan assured, and he went out of the café with Haley, arm in arm.
Lucas got up, and headed home. He needed to think, to clear his head.
What will you do at the end of all these? I mean, when the rumors are gone?
"What am I going to do?" Lucas asked himself.
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The next day…
Peyton walked towards her locker. She could again feel eyes gazing into her. But this time, she heard different whispers, particularly about the scene with Lucas yesterday.
"You sure she's a dyke?"
"Lucas Scott kissed her yesterday."
"Hey Trish, she kissed Lucas yesterday."
She walked on, ignoring the stares and the whispers. She then thought of Lucas. We should have formulated some sort of plan for today, She thought. How was she going to react? What was she supposed to do?
"Just whatever." She whispered to herself. She sighed, and turned to her locker. As she was opening it, she heard someone say:
"Hey."
She turned around, and saw Lucas. She saw him mouth You ready? And she replied with a nod. Well, let the acting begin.
"Hi," she greeted back with a seductive smile. Lucas leaned in and kissed her, and she kissed him back.
Man, I should stop with these kisses, Lucas thought.
Peyton pulled away, took Lucas' hand, and grabbed her books. She shut the locker and walked to class. Everyone is staring at us right now, Peyton thought. They met up with Brooke, also walking to class.
"I saw that." She said to Peyton with a wink. "You guys are pretty good. Ever considered Hollywood?" she said jokingly. "Oh wait, there's Felix. Bye Peyton, Bye Luke!" she said, and walked towards Felix.
"She seemed to take it pretty well." Lucas said, his arm still around Peyton's waist.
"She did." She also warned me that I might get hurt. "So, you told anyone?" she asked.
"Haley and Nathan." He said.
"How'd they take it?" she asked.
"Okay." Except that Haley told me we might get hurt.
"Cool." Peyton replied.
"Um,"
"Yeah?" Peyton asked.
"We should have some conversation pieces. It's kinda awkward, having nothing to talk about with your girlfriend." He said.
Peyton laughed. "Okay, why don't you and I meet up later at my house? We really need to plan this thing."
"Good idea."
Silence.
"Well, see you later." Peyton said.
Lucas smiled, and leaned in and kissed her lightly on the head. "You too."
I have to stop kissing her. Why do I keep on kissing her?
Lucas walked to his class. Still confused, he bumped into another person, causing that person's books to fall down.
"I know what you're up to, Lucas Scott."
Well, as usual, hope you loved that chapter. Please review if you want me to continue the story! Love Ya'll!