"Could things possibly get any worse?" Brooke said, to no one in particular. And at that very moment, it started to rain...
Chapter 3
"Damn," Brooke said, her face upturned. "So much for my mascara."
"I think," Peyton said, "that we have bigger problems than your eye makeup right now. What are we going to do?"
"Obviously," Brooke said condescendingly, "someone will have to go for help, and someone will have to stay here with Lucas. I, of course, will be staying here."
"Oh no you don't. If you are staying, then I am staying as well," Peyton replied. "I am not leaving you here alone with Lucas."
"STOP IT!" Haley yelled. "Again with the catfight!" Both Peyton and Brooke immediately took to examining their shoes, avoiding eye contact at all costs.
"Hey, guys," Nathan said a moment later, as he looked out into the woods, "not to be the overly-negative one here, but I've been thinking. That arrow had to come from somewhere. I mean, someone had to shoot it. What if they're still around? What if they're still shooting? I assume it was an accidental shot, from a hunter. But, still, it could be dangerous to stay here. Beyond that, it could take a while for whoever goes for help to reach civilization. Remember how long we were driving through the absolute middle of nowhere?" He sighed. "Whoever stays here could be stuck for a while. I really think it would be safer for me to stay behind. You guys go for help."
"As much as I hate to admit it," Peyton said, "I think he might be right." She paused. "Scratch that, I know he's right."
Brooke nodded slowly. "Alright, let's get going. Come on Haley," she said.
"Oh no you don't," Haley said. "I am not leaving my best friend and my boyfriend in the middle of the woods just to referee you two. You go. And fast."
"Alright, it's settled then," Peyton said. "Let's go Brooke." She bent to speak to Lucas. "Hold on, buddy. We're going for help, and we'll be back really soon. You're going to be just fine, ok?" She stood, wiping something from her eye—was it rain, or was it a tear?