Chapter Eighteen

Game Time

Brooke stood outside the restroom door in the locker room."Come on Tutor Girl. Your gonna have to come out sooner or later."

"No."said Haley through the door."I can't do this. I'm sorry. I look ridiculous."

"I highly doubt that. Come on just open the door. Look if you don't want to come out, then at least let me come in."she heard the door unlock and quickly walked in closing the door behind her."Oh my god Haley, you look amazing. Nathan is so gonna to owe me for this."

"You really don't think I look ridiculous?"

"Of course not. Lets just hope you don't look ridiculous doing the cheer I taught you."she said with a smile, then stopped when she saw Haley's face.

"That's another thing Brooke. I don't think I'm ready. I only had two days to learn it and I don't think I did. That's just not enough time."

"That's more then enough time to learn one cheer. You'll do fine, I know it. Now come on Shy Girl, lets get out there. The games gonna start soon and I can't wait to show you off."she said as she swatted her behind and exited the restroom.

As they were walking out of the locker room they past Theresa, who was talking to Kelly."Wow Haley, you look bitchen. Welcome to the squad."

Haley smiled at her sheepishly."Thanks."

"Okay girls that's enough talking. We need to go and start stretching."Peyton walked through the door."Your late, hurry up and get changed. You have five minutes to be out in the gym, if not you'll be a permanent bench warmer."

Peyton rolled her eyes and turned to Haley."So your on the squad now?"

"Yeah."

She nodded."You look good."

"Thanks."she again nodded and walked over to her locker.

Brooke looped her arm through Haley's and they walked out into the gym together."I can't wait to see Nathan's face when he sees you. It's going to be priceless."laughed Brooke.

Haley groaned."I can't believe I let you talk me into this."

"Well believe it. It's too late to turn back now."she saw Nathan standing around talking with Lucas. He was always with Lucas now."Hey Nathan."shouted Brooke. He turned around and an evil smirk came across his face."You see, I told you. Priceless."she laughed.

Nathan and Lucas both walked up to them."Wow Hales I can't believe you actually went through with this."said Lucas shaking his head.

"Well I for one am glad."said Nathan as he walked up to her and wrapped his arms around her waist and kissed her.

Brooke and Lucas both stood there awkwardly as the two continued to kiss. She couldn't take it anymore. She cleared her throat."That's enough you two. Save it for the party. Just make sure you wash the uniform after you two fulfill Nathan's fantasies tonight."she laughed.

Lucas couldn't help, but stare at her. He loved the sound of her laughter. For the first time he envied Nathan for being able to hold on to the girl he loved. He wanted more than anything to be holding onto Brooke and laughing with her, but that wouldn't happen. She wouldn't even look at him and he had to admit that hurt.

Peyton walked into the gym and sat with Debbie and some other girls and started to stretch. She happened to glance at the gym doors and was happy she did."Hey Brooke."Brooke turned to face her."Your boyfriends here, you know the one I saw you kissing earlier."she smiled at her and then to Lucas.

"Peyton shut the hell up."she looked at the gym entrance and saw Jack standing there waving at her. She waved back before turning to look at everybody."Okay Nathan let go of Tutor Girl, she needs to stretch and I'll be back in a minute."she turned and walked to Jack."Hey, you actually came."

He leaned in and gave her a kiss on the cheek."Yeah, I said I would. This should be interesting. I've never been to a game before."

"It is definitely worth the time spent. I promise."

"Well just being in the same room with you is enough for me, it's a bonus having you wear that."he smiled at her.

She smiled back at him."Are you flirting with me?"

"Well if you have to ask, then I'm not doing a good job of it."

Brooke couldn't help, but laugh. He was fun to be around."No, your doing just fine. You should go find a seat and I'll talk to you during half time. I need to go and stretch."

"Sure."he leaned in once again, but this time kissed her on the lips.

This was the last thing she expected, but at the same time it was kinda nice. It was nothing compared to how she felt when Lucas kissed her, but still it was okay. She smiled at him.

Lucas watched as Jack and Brooke kissed. He felt a pain he had never felt before, like a thousand needles poking at his heart. He didn't want to see her with him, but at the same time, he couldn't tear his eyes away from them.

Haley nudged him."Hey, are you alright?"

He shook his head."She's really moving on huh?"it hurt him just saying the words.

"I'm sorry Luke."

"It's okay. I knew it was going to happen sooner or later."he turned and walked away.

Haley shook her head. She needed to talk to Brooke.

Peyton looked on with a smile. This was perfect. Lucas was hurting and it was all Brooke's fault. She was doing everything herself. She couldn't wish for anything better, well except for what she had planned for the party.

Haley waited until Brooke walked toward her before meeting her halfway.

Brooke saw the look on her face and knew that something was wrong."What's wrong Haley?"

"Look Brooke, you know that I've mostly stayed out of everything and I want to continue to do so, but I have to say this."

"Say what?"Brooke was confused.

"Okay, I know you hate Lucas and don't get me wrong, you have every right to, but you don't have the right to hurt him just because he hurt you. You know that he loves you, so please don't go around kissing Jack in front of him. Be the bigger person we all know that you are Brooke."

"I didn't know that he was going to kiss me okay, but even if I did, Lucas and I aren't together anymore. At least I had the decency to wait until we broke up to kiss other people. We all know he didn't."

"So what, now your going to punish him."

"No, of course not. I'm not that petty. I'd never do something like that."

"I know, I'm sorry. I don't want to argue with you about this. I just hate seeing Lucas hurt so much. He loves you and seeing you with Jack is killing him."

"I know and I'm sorry. I'll be more careful. Now enough lecturing me, lets go warm up Tutor Girl."she pulled her down to the floor with her.

It was now half time and the girls were getting ready to do their cheer.

"Brooke, I don't know if I can do this."screeched Haley.

"Oh, hush Haley. You'll do fine. Just concentrate and try to remember everything I taught you."

Peyton walked up to them."You'll do great Haley."

"You see, even the back stabbing, bleach blonde, bimbo, thinks you'll do great."she smiled.

Haley had to laugh, Brooke and her nick names."Okay, lets do it."

Peyton started the music and everybody fell into step. Haley was a little off beat, but soon found the rhythm and moved with ease. For being a klutz half her life, she was doing great. She didn't have to do any complicated jumps or back flips yet, so she was happy about that. The song ended and Haley fell into position on the floor. It wasn't as hard as she thought it was going to be. It was even a little fun. Seeing Nathan stare at her longingly as she moved was definitely a plus for her.

Brooke ran up to her when it was over."You see, you did great, just like I said you would. Now I can tell that your boy toy totally wants some alone time with you so I'll leave. You really did great."

"Thanks Brooke."

Haley walked up to Nathan."So how did I do?"

He lifted her up and spun her around."You were amazing. You have never looked sexier. I can't wait to get you alone later."

She hit him."Your such a guy."

"I know, so are you going to make Brooke happy and stay on the squad?"

She shrugged."I don't know yet. It wasn't totally bad, I actually had fun, but I'm not sure yet. I think I should give it one more try before I make my decision."

Nathan nodded in agreement."Well as long as you get to keep this uniform, I don't care what you do."

She hit him again as Lucas walked up to her.

"You were great Hales. You were a natural."

"Oh stop it. There's no need to lie."

"I'm not."

"He's not. You really did great babe."

Haley smiled at the two. She was never one who looked for praise, but it did feel good to hear compliments from time to time. She saw Lucas' eyes wonder and she followed his gaze and saw that he was once again looking at Brooke who was with Jack."Stop torturing yourself Lucas. Don't look."

"I can't help it. I need something to drink. I'll be back."he left to go get some water and he heard someone come up behind him. He looked up from the fountain and saw Kelly looking at him.

"Your really amazing tonight Lucas. I love watching you play."

"Thanks. Your not too bad at what you do either."

"Well thank you. So I was wondering if you were going to Nathan's party tonight."

"I was thinking about it, why?"

"Well I was going with Theresa, but she just decided that she didn't want to take her car. She wants to drink and not have to worry about her it. So now I don't have a ride. I was thinking that if you were going, maybe you could give me a ride."

"Sure, I'll give you a ride, as long as you don't mind riding in a tow truck. That's the only car I've got."he hated to admit it, but he was still a little embarrassed when he had to say out loud that he drove his uncle's tow truck because he couldn't afford a car. It was funny because Brooke being as rich as she was, he was never embarrassed around her, he was always at ease. She liked him for him. "Damn, how could I screw that up."he thought to himself.

"No, I don't mind. If it gets us to where we need to be, who cares."she laughed."

"That's what I always say. I should go back in. I'll find you after the game."he smiled at her then turned to leave.

She watched him walk away before jumping up excitedly. Who would have thought that after Brooke had one of her fits and made her switch partners in class, this would be how things turned out."Thank you Brooke."she said out loud.

Brooke sat down next to Jack.

"You were amazing you know that?"

She smiled at him."Yeah I do. I'm always amazing."

He laughed."Your not too full of yourself, I see."

"Me full of myself."she placed her hand over her heart."No, never."she laughed."So are you having fun?"

"I guess so. I'm just not that big a fan of basketball. The highlight for me was watching you."

"Thanks. I should probably get back. I just wanted to come over and say hi."

"Well then hi back."

"Yeah, hi. I'll see you after the game."she saw him about to lean in to kiss her, so she jumped up before he got too close. Haley was right, she didn't need to hurt Lucas. He was the last person she wanted to hurt. She walked back to the floor and met Haley. She was about to ask her about Nathan, when she heard someone run in and start to talk excitedly.

"Oh, my god Theresa. You will never guess who I'm going to Nathan's party with."

"Who?"

"Lucas."

"Scott?"

"Yep. I never thought that would ever happen, but it did. I am going to have so much fun tonight."shrieked Kelly.

Brooke couldn't believe what she just heard. She knew she shouldn't care, she was going with Jack, but she did. Lucas wasn't supposed to take anyone, he was supposed to still want her. She knew she was being stupid, but she didn't care. This wasn't supposed to happen. She didn't want him to be with anybody, especially not a cheerleader on her squad.

Haley caught the look on her face."Hey, don't be upset. I'm sure it's nothing. Besides your going with someone else too. What was he supposed to do?"

"I know, I'm being stupid, but did he have to choose Kelly?"

"Come here."Haley pulled her into a hug.

Lucas watched as Haley and Brooke hugged. He smiled to himself.

"They sure have come a long way. Hell we all have."said Nathan coming up behind him.

"Isn't that the truth. I'm really happy for them. They seem to be happy with their friendship. It's like the perfect combination, so different, yet so alike."

"I know. Brooke has always been a wonderful person, no matter what people think about her."said Nathan.

"Yeah, and Haley may be sensible most of the time, but she has a bad side too, and I'm sure Brooke wouldn't mind helping her explore it."

They both laughed a little at the though of that.

"So are you going to the beach house tonight? You could ride with us if you want."said Nathan. This being nice thing was still a little hard for him, but he was trying, for Haley's sake. He'd do anything for her.

"Na, it's cool. I don't need a lift. I'm taking the truck and Kelly's going with me."

Nathan's eyes widened."Since when?"

"Since about five minutes ago."

"What about Brooke?"

"What about her? She has Jack taking her, remember?"

"I don't think she's gonna like this man."

"What's there not to like? Kelly needed a ride and I'm giving her one. That's it. It's not like we're going together."

"No, that's exactly what your doing, going together."

"Whatever. Lets just get back to the game."

A/N:Thanks for all the reviews. I really love them all. They mean everything to me. I hope you enjoyed this chapter. Let me know what you think. Please read and review. Thanks.

Coming Up:

The party.

Brooke and Lucas talk.

Peyton has a plan to keep Brooke hating Lucas.