Title: Will You Fall for Me?
Show: One Tree Hill
Pairing: Peyton/Jake
Chapter Ten: Corruption
"So on again, are we?" Brooke raised an expectant brow. "I may not have liked him in the beginning, but the guy's taste has definitely improved.""What?" Peyton asked, unsure of what she meant.
"Hey, I offered and the man turned me down!" she exclaimed incredulously. "But I guess he can't be all that bad if he had the brains to pick you up on the sly. I mean if he hadn't swept you up in his arms like he did, I think the gay question would have come into play again."
"Brooke!" Peyton couldn't even believe her ears, as a gasp escaped her lips. "I think Jenny cleared up any question."
"Hey, people have been known to turn." Brooke tapped her bottom lip with her index finger. "Though I may have just seen that on T.V.?" she said absentmindedly. Shaking her head, Brooke dismissed the thought and turned her attention back to her best friend. "But as that isn't the case, tell me - good kisser or sloppy seconds?"
"It's not nice to kiss and tell," Peyton chided, picking up her pace as they walked towards class.
"And how is that a problem for you?" Brooke said mischievously. "You're not nice."
"True." Peyton grinned wickedly. Glancing around to make sure there wasn't anyone within earshot of their conversation, she leaned in as if revealing something top secret. "He makes my knees weak and my heart race every time."
"Peyton, is this you becoming a romantic?" Brooke eyed her up and down and smiled, genuinely surprised at the way Peyton talked about Jake. "I think the sky is falling!" she teased.
"No, that would be if and when these words came tumbling out of your mouth."
"Still, a news-breaking event."
Peyton felt the blood rush to her face as Brooke continued to tease her about her feelings about Jake. It was something new. Similar to the beginnings of what she felt when she thought about Lucas; but this had nothing like betrayal or lies overshadowing it. It was pure joy that filled her heart. "Don't blow it out of proportion," she warned, pointing a cautions finger at Brooke. "I don't want this all around the school, like some celebrity gossip."
"Me?" Brooke's hand fluttered to her throat. "Now would I ever do a thing like that?" she asked innocently.
"Right." Peyton rolled her eyes and shook her head and laughed. "Just know that if I hear one cutesy or snarky comment I'm coming straight for you," she said, wrapping her arm around Brooke's neck.
"Hey, watch the hair," Brooke exclaimed irritably, as they entered the class room.
-
"So you took my advice?" Lucas asked, leaning against the locker next to Jake's.
"What do you mean?"
"Rumor has it that Peyton's hooked up with another member of the Raven's basketball team?"
"Wow." Jake shook his head and laughed. "I forgot how fast word gets around school," he sighed. "Not that I was ever popular enough to rate."
"Congratulations Jagielski!" Lucas slapped him on the shoulder. "Join the group of elite people who get ogled and whispered about behind their backs," he said drolly. "It's good times."
"Thanks a lot." Jake slipped his gym bag over his shoulder. "Still, sometimes I can't believe how bored people can be to actually care what happens in my life," he groaned. "Like the inner workings of changing a baby's diaper is all that exciting."
"Oh dude," Lucas cringed, "too much information."
"Sorry." Jake laughed. "It's just that me and Peyton haven't even really gotten off the ground yet and I hear that everyone in the school knows?"
"Talk about pressure."
"I'm sure you can handle it," Lucas chuckled. "I'm sure it's such a chore."
"True." Jake grinned. "So how about you? Are you out of the doghouse with the women of Tree Hill?" he asked, raising a questioning brow. "Or do all the girls still give you dirty looks?"
"Only one," Lucas sighed. "Which is understandable."
"Does that still bother you?"
"I just hate that I hurt her that much."
"Well you just might have to accept the fact that she might never forgive you, Luke," Jake said slowly. "I mean I don't know Brooke well or anything, but you were seriously the first guy that lasted more than a couple of days before she was scouting for other prospects."
"I know." Luke pushed against the locker room door. "And I hate that she's practically throwing herself at these guys to spite me.
"Her choice."
"But my fault."
Jake nodded, understanding that Lucas' guilt would not be assuaged easily. He couldn't imagine getting himself in a fix like Lucas did, but he didn't condemn him either. People made mistakes; but he believed that things worked out for the best. What else could he think when he was happier than he had ever been?
His thoughts trailed to Peyton and their talk on the beach. It hadn't started out so well, but it ended better than expected. It was an unexpected surprise.
"Thinking about Peyton?" Lucas laughed, as he watched his closest friend zone out.
Seeing Jake so upbeat and happy made the sting of the relationship more bearable. He knew that Peyton and him were doomed after the debacle with Brooke. It was over before it began.
"Uh, sorry."
"You look really happy, Jake."
"Yeah," Jake nodded thoughtfully. "I am. I'm in a good place."
"I'm glad."
"Really?" Jake studied Lucas carefully.
"Really."
And even though it was not the whole truth, just seeing both Jake and Peyton happy as they were, Lucas knew it would be.
Soon.
-
"Does it feel like the whole school is watching us?" Peyton glanced around as she walked out with Jake after they had finished with both their cheerleader and basketball practices. Even though she hadn't even made eye contact with Jake, Brooke and the other cheerleaders managed to find ways to bring him up to her. "Oh, and remind me to kill Brooke," she muttered.
"O-kay," Jake said, unsure what the last remark meant.
"Sorry," Peyton sighed, shaking her head. "Long story."
"I guess that's a Brooke thing?"
"Yeah, I guess you could say that," she laughed, pushing the school doors open. "I can't tell you how much fun she is having over this," she gestured between them. "I think she's getting a lot more out of this than I am at the moment.
"Really?" Jake furrowed his brow. "I think that's definitely not a good sign," he teased, stopping her in the middle of the parking lot and tugging her closer. "Now you say she's getting a lot more out of this relationship than you are?"
"Well, right now, I'd have to say that the answer is yes." Peyton's eyes twinkled. "Perhaps you'd like to change that?" she said huskily. "Because I'm all for that."
Tilting his head he captured her lips with his in a slow lingering kiss. His fingers tangled in her curly locks as the kiss deepened. He had never felt himself get lost in the moment so quickly as he did with Peyton. Nothing existed when her body was pressed up against his and her fingers trailed up and down his back. He didn't want it to end.
And exactly for that reason he forced himself to pull away from her. His breathing was heavy and labored, as was hers. "Sorry, I got carried away," he mumbled, embarrassed at how that kiss had escalated so fast.
"No complaints here." Peyton bit her bottom lip, trying not to smile at the way he made her feel, let alone the way she could make him feel. He was always so controlled and thoughtful. She knew Jake had to be responsible because of Jenny, but part of her wished he wouldn't over-think things and let things happen.
But isn't that what gets you into trouble?
"Well," he said, smiling awkwardly. "I should get going. I have a six o'clock shift."
"I guess I have to let you go," she sighed, looking slightly forlorn. "This is getting to be a habit."
"Well I could try making it up to you on Sunday night?" Jake offered. "Since I do have the day off."
"Sounds promising. What do you have in mind?"
"Can it be a surprise?"
Peyton eyed him slyly. "So translation, you have to plan it?" she smirked, walking over to her car.
"Uh, yes?" Jake laughed, troubled that she could read him so well. "Does that mean you're backing out?"
"Oh no." She shook her head. "I just wanted to see that deer-caught-in-headlights expression on your face," she said with a twinkle in her eye. "I'm just evil that way."
"And yet somehow I find myself sort of drawn to that," he teased, slinging his bag over his shoulder.
"I knew there was dark side to you, Jagielski."
"You just bring it out in me."
"I'm good at corrupting the innocent," Peyton explained mischievously. "Ask anyone."
"I think a little corrupting is all right." Jake leaned over, trapping her between him and her car. "Besides, I wasn't that good to begin with," he whispered softly into her ear.
Peyton looked at him with slight disbelief. "Yeah," she nodded her head slightly, "you were."
"Hey!" Jake feigned offense.
Laughing Peyton grabbed the collar of his jacket and pulled him into a brief kiss. "Don't worry Jake," she said huskily. "It's not as bad as you think."
"Really?" Jake breathed, leaning into her.
"Yeah," Peyton grinned. "It's kind of fun kissing it out of you."
-A/N-
klm: Thanks so much for the constant feedback. Whether it is about vids or fanfic. Your words are appreciated
rayn: OOh newbie. Hehehe. rubs hands Goodie. Thanks for the words. I appreciate new readers and finding out that people appreciate the work I have put into it.
amber: Yup. I'm here too. Lucky me! Or you? Maybe both? P I'm glad. It's hard to kind of hard trying to get it right. I hope I am. Not sure where I'm going to go with this now though. I mean, they're together now! Now it's the hard part!
Lindsay: Heehee. You reviewed in TWO places! Now that's dedication! I'm so glad that you liked it! I'm kind of at a loss at where to go now...I mean your words have left me in a tough place. Eek. NOw I have to keep a standard...dang it.
Gretch: Eeek! Now a fav? The pressure...the PRESSUUUUUURE! LOL
Val: Thanks so much. I'm glad you like it. I'm sure it's more Jake/Peyton...than my writing. Really. (that's my attempt at being humble)
Alex: Okay one last thanks. I mean you wrote like 3 whole lines of review...heh. But really appreciate it.
But really I appreciate the feedback guys. It's nice to know where I might be going wrong or right. Though so far, it's been good feedback (thank God) and it's nice to know that everyone appreciates the effort I put into the craft. Okay now, I'm freaking out because I have no idea where to go with this... Darn you readers! shakes fist Daaaaarn yooooou! listens to echo