AN: Thank you so much to: jeytonlover, jennyblueEyes (I made Peyton say that Jenny has Jake's eyebrows cuz she says it in one episode of OTH, so ya, but I don't really get it either. Lol), 2060mipy, OTHlover04. Your replies really really encourage me to continue, so thank you guys so much and please keep reading and reviewing!

Chapter 8: The Party

The next five days at school actually went by fast for Peyton. She tried avoiding Jake. It was weird because they had never actually been friends. They just skipped that part along the way. Jake had said to Peyton at school one day that he wanted to be friends and she had agreed but it was all just too weird and hard for her to take. It would take some time for her to feel at ease around him. So for that week at school she simply surrounded herself with Haley and Brooke. Nathan and Lucas completely understood and let Peyton borrow their girlfriends for the week. Besides, they decided that they should find out what happened from Jake's side too. But Jake wouldn't tell them. He simply said that there were some new "complications" in his life and it just wasn't the right time. He said that Peyton deserved to get all of a man's attention and that he couldn't give that to her right now.

They all knew about Jenny by now. Jake had decided that he didn't want to keep it a secret anymore. That and, he didn't feel comfortable asking Peyton to baby-sit anymore (it seemed like she hated him now, he thought) and he didn't trust anyone else to, so he started bringing Jenny to practice. All the cheerleaders rushed around to take care of her and although Jake didn't really trust them much, he was grateful that Jenny got some attention that she deserved while he was busy. His heart hurt so much when he say Peyton play with Jenny at practice. She acted like everything was fine, but Jake could tell that she felt a little uncomfortable. But she didn't let that get in the way of her time with Jenny. Jake had to constantly remind himself that their break-up was for the best. Best for Peyton and best for Jenny. Best for him? He wasn't so sure...

It was Friday after school and the girls were hanging out at Peyton's house. Her father was on a business trip, like he always was, and the girls liked the privacy so they always went to Peyton's place. Peyton, for once, was actually happy that her father wasn't here that week. She didn't want him to know how sad she had been lately. And right now especially. They had gotten to her house from school fine and talked a little and that was all fine. But Peyton knew that they were just avoiding the topic of Jake and her's break-up. She hadn't told them about it yet and they didn't ask, knowing that when she was ready she would tell them. Feeling that it had been a long enough wait for her friends, she told them what happened. With Nikki, and everything.

Haley and Brooke were hugging her on both sides and Peyton had started to cry half-way through her story. She still had trouble understanding why they had to break-up!

"I'm so sorry, Peyton." Brooke said.

"Yeah, me too," said Haley, "I wonder what it's all about though."

"Yeah, me too." Peyton whispered.

"You know, I don't really know Jake. But from what I do know," Brooke said, "He seems really sweet. And it seems like he really cared about you. So, I don't know, he probably had some sort of reason to do this, don't you think?"

"Yeah, I know," Peyton said, "I just wish he would tell me what's really going on. I think I deserve to know."

"I know, I know, honey." Brooke said. She didn't even understand why Jake wouldn't tell her why he needed to break up with her. It was like the rules of breaking up! The person that has been broken up with deserves to know why! Only complete assholes don't give the actual reasons, unless you're in junior high! She did not want to think of Jake as one of them. She knew he wasn't.

"Look, I don't know if this is the right thing to say or the right time," Haley said, "But there is a bright side. Peyton, you are gorgeous, you are surrounded by so many friends that love you and are there for you, and there is a party tonight! We are going to get ready together, go together, and have so much fun there together! You will forget all about this!" Peyton gave her a smile and hugged her. She was actually happy to be having a party. She was tired of crying herself to sleep. Tonight, she'd either be too drunk, or tired to even have time to cry before falling asleep. Besides, she had already cried once today, and once was enough!

"Jake, dude, we were starting to think you weren't going to show!" Luc said as Jake entered Nathan's beach house. He was suppose to be there an hour earlier to help them set up for the party. Now the house was all set up and Nathan, Luc, and Tim were just playing PS2 while waiting for the party to start.

"I almost wasn't going to show." Jake said honestly, and Luc didn't ask why because he knew he wouldn't get much out of him. Nikki had shown up at Jake's house earlier that day. He had been able to brush her off but he knew it was only a matter of time until she came back so he had decided to skip the party. But then, he thought that maybe the right thing to do was not to let Nikki intimidate him and to actually have fun for once. He explained the situation to his parents and they all agreed that even though they would be home that night, keeping Jenny at their house where Nikki could always come, wasn't the greatest idea. So Jake took Jenny to the only place he trusted other than Peyton, Karen. She had agreed to baby-sit her that night because she was closing the cafe early and she thought that Jake deserved a night to have fun with his friends.

Jake walked into the huge house and started hanging out with the guys. He felt better already, but he knew that good feeling would leave once he say Peyton walking through that door. Don't get me wrong, one of the only reasons he came was just to see Peyton, but he was scared that he might not be able to resist. She would look all hot and just... mess up his mind. He didn't want to ignore her the whole night, but he didn't see any other way for him to keep his cool!

The girls took a little longer than planed to get ready. They were supposed to get to the party early but they knew they would get there late. The guys knew it too, so they didn't worry.

Haley looked stunning in a cute but conservative outfit: A T-shirt that showed her midriff a little and jeans. She had decided to keep it casual. Her hair was down in loose curls.

Brooke looked glamorous; she wouldn't have it any other way. She wore the pink halter top and black mini skirt that she had gotten from Forever 21 with Peyton the weekend before. He hair was also down and straight.

Peyton chose to go with her outfit from Forever 21. Keeping her vintagy look with her vintage T-shirt and jean skirt. She looked beautiful, and no one except Brooke and Haley would be able to know that not long ago she had been sobbing.

When the girls arrived at Nathan's beach house, the party was already in full swing. When they opened the door they were happy to find the guys waiting there for them. At least Haley and Brooke were... They walked off with their boyfriends, but first making sure that Peyton was going to be OK, Peyton nodded and watched her best friends walk off with their perfect boyfriends and she sighed. Jake was now talking to Tim and some girl (Tim had his arm around her) who she could only assume was Tim's next victim. Poor girl, thought Peyton. She smiled and wondered if Tim would ever change? No, she thought, probably not.

Peyton looked around: on the dance floor EVERYONE was paired up. She saw Nathan and Haley dancing there. She decided she couldn't go there, she would seem weird with out a guy. And she didn't want some greasy guy that all the other girls rejected to come up all close to her so she passed. She saw a corner where some guys were already drunk, close to them she say Brooke and Lucas heavily making out. Wow, she thought, we've only been here 5 minutes! So, she had been excited to come to this party why? she asked herself. She sighed and headed for the bathroom.

"Hey, Nathan!" Tim yelled to Nathan. He had to yell over the music. Nathan and Haley had stopped dancing and Brooke and Lucas had taken a break from making out and not Nathan and Lucas and Tim were all talking while Brooke and Haley talked.

"Yeah, man." Nathan answered.

"Dude, how'd you get her to do it?" Tim asked.

"Tim, what are you talking about?"

"You know what I'm talking about. Dude, everyone is talking about it. How'd you get Haley to do it?"

"What?" Nathan yelled, misunderstanding what Tim was talking about, "Not that it's any of your business, but we didn't have sex!"

"Hey, calm down, man. I didn't mean that. I'm talking about the," he lowered his voice, "t-a-t-t-o-o." he spelled it out.

"Tim, no one is listening you can just say tat-" He only then realized what it was Tim was spelling out. The shock hit him all at once. "The WHAT?" He yelled. Just then he scanned the crowd for Haley. Just when he saw her she bent down to pick something up and there it was: 23 written clearly right above her a$$. He was so surprised that Haley, HIS Haley would do something like that. He was so dazed that he didn't even notice Tim saying:

"Wait a sec? You didn't know? Dude, like EVERYONE is talking about it." Tim patted his friend on the back. "Good luck, man."

Haley turned around to see Nathan's shocked expression and she knew what it was about. It was only a matter of time until he saw it... her tattoo. She wanted to tell him, she was just scared of how he would react. But now, seeing his face, she knew she should have told him before. She walked towards him and he didn't budge. He was probably still too stunned to move.

"Can we just... talk about this in private?" Haley asked. Nathan came back to earth and realized that Haley was standing right in front of him and what she had said. He nodded and they walked to an empty room.

Peyton dug through her purse and took out her iPod. Yes, she thought, real good music will do the trick! She just sat herself in the tub and listened.

Take my photo off the wall
If it just won't sing for you
'Cause all that's left has gone away
And there's nothing there for you to prove

Nathan and Haley had been sitting in the room in complete silence.

"Nathan please say something," Haley pleaded. She really hoped that he wouldn't be mad. She didn't regret getting the tattoo.

"What do you want me to say?" Nathan was obveously mad.

"Nathan, I'm sorry OK. I'm sorry I didn't tell you about it before. But I'm not sorry that I got the tattoo."

Nathan took several deep breaths. "OK." was all he could say.

"Well, what are you feeling? Does it bother you?" Haley asked.

"I'm just confused as hell! It's so unlike you, Haley. And to have to hear it from Tim? I just... I don't understand."

"Nathan, I'm sorry about the way you found out about it. But you need to know, that I did this because I wanted to. And I don't regret it. I don't know if it creeps you out or if you're flattered by it."

"I guess neither. Haley, I am trying my best to understand all this but I can't! I mean, you'll do something that permanent to yourself, but you won't have sex with me?" Right when he said it he realized it was the wrong this to say and he wished he hadn't said it. It was just a spur of the moment thing. He was pissed so he spat out something he really didn't mean.

"Nathan that's not fair." Haley said in a low voice, as she got up, "And you know it." She said before she left the room. Nathan sighed and followed her. But he didn't get a chance to talk to her because he noticed someone he had never seen, someone that didn't belong here, at the door.

A tall brunette in tall black boots appeared at the door.

"Well well well, Look's like a party. Did you forget to invite me?" Jake recognized the voice right away.

"Nikki, what are you doing here?" He said as he walked towards her. He didn't want to make a scene, this wasn't even his party to ruin.

"I came to see you, Jake. We need to talk." A couple of people had stopped dancing and looked at them. Lucas and Nathan gave Jake 'what's going on?' looks and Haley and Brooke got all worried. Maybe this had something to do with Jake's hidden reason for the break-up? they thought.

Oh, look what you've done
You've made a fool of everyone
Oh well, it seems likes such fun
Until you lose what you had won

Tears built up in Peyton's eyes but she didn't let them drop. Why had she chosen to listen to this song? Sure it was a great song, but 'lose what you had won'? I mean, if any song could remind her of the break-up, this one would be it. She really cared for Jake. She decided that she should maybe try, I mean really try, being just his friend. They weren't going to get back together by her just sulking all the time. She got up from the tub, straightened out the folds in her skirt and checked her hair in the mirror. She decided to keep the song going because she liked it way more than the music at the party.

Give me back my point of view
'Cause I just can't think for you
I can hardly hear you say
What should I do, well you choose

Jake and Nikki found an empty room to talk in. Normally Jake wouldn't even consider talking to Nikki, especialy sense he had had a few drinks and wouldn't be thinking completely straight, but he didn't want her to ruin the party, which he knew she would do if he didn't agree to talk to her. Jake sat down on the bed in the room and Nikki sat real close to him, on purpose. She could smell the alcohol on his breath and she knew that this would make it way easier for her.

Oh, look what you've done
You've made a fool of everyone
Oh well, it seems likes such fun
Until you lose what you had won

"Jake, I still love you, you know." Nikki said as she started kissing his neck.

"Nikki, don't do this. I have waited so long to hear those words come out of your mouth. But now? Now, I just want you to leave me alone!" Jake said, trying to push her away. Damn, he missed Peyton. But he also missed Nikki. She used to give him such happiness and satisfaction. He missed that. He had no female role in his life story anymore, besides Jenny. Maybe he wasn't over Nikki, or maybe it was just the alcohol getting to his brain, but for a second he considered giving in to temptation.

Oh, look what you've done
You've made a fool of everyone
A fool of everyone
A fool of everyone

Peyton walked out of the bathroom and into the main room of the party. She looked around but couldn't find Jake anywhere. She decided to keep looking around the house. Maybe, just maybe, he was as lonely as her and had decided to keep to himself in an empty room just like she had moments before.

Take my photo off the wall
If it just won't sing for you
'Cause all that's left has gone away
And there's nothing there for you to do

"Come back to me, Jake." Nikki said as she kept kissing Jake's neck. She noticed that he was getting weaker and weaker and she took his silence as her chance. She kissed him on the lips. He kissed back. And then pulled back. When he was about to say something, she pulled him in again to continue their kissing and he gave up and kissed her back. He was weak, and he knew in his gut that it was wrong, but he head was confused and drunk and he gave into temptation. He just kept kissing her back.

Oh, look what you've done
You've made a fool of everyone
Oh well, it seems likes such fun
Until you lose what you had won

"Oh, sorry, I was just looking for someone!" Peyton was so embarrassed. She was just looking for Jake in one of the rooms and she had walked in on a couple making out. She smiled, sure she felt bad, but the situation was quite funny... unill she realized who she had walked in on. The couple pulled apart to reveal that slut that had pushed Peyton infront of Jake's house and... Jake. Peyton's heart skipped a beat. And she didn't turn around and run away fast enough for Jake not to see the tears in her eyes and fall down her cheeks. Her heart broke, more than it already was. His heart broke. Nikki smirked.

Jake got up. "Peyton! Hold up!" He ran after her and Nikki ran after him.

"Jake, just let her go! You already broke her heart!" She yelled after him when they were in the main room. Peyton had already ran out the door and Jake knew that now, when he was drunk, guilty, and all other negative things, it was not the right thing to keep chasing after Peyton right now. Nikki relaxed when she saw that Jake had stopped. Everyone in the room was starting at them. Someone in particular caught Nikki's eye. Nikki was slightly drunk, bitter to see Jake run after some random girl trying to take her place, and she was out to get her next victim. She smiled an evil grin.

"Well well well. If it isn't Lucas Scott!" She sniggered. Lucas glared at her. Brooke looked at Lucas.

"Do you know her?" Brooke asked.

"No, he doesn't know me." Nikki said for him, "and all I know about him is that he's great in bed. Wouldn't you agree?" She said to Brooke with a smile on her face. Brooke's expression turned from shock to anger to just plain sadness. She couldn't even muster up one word.

"Nikki..." Lucas said, warning her with his tone.

"What? Afraid your little girlfriend here will think I'm competition? Well don't worry," She turned to Brooke, "I'm not interested. With Lucas it was just a one-night-stand type of thing. Besides, I'm with Jake now." Brooke was speechless. She couldn't face Lucas right now, or anyone. She grabbed Haley and they ran out the door to go find Peyton and go home. Lucas would have ran after her but he heard an engine running already and when he looked out the window he saw Haley, Brooke and Peyton in Brooke car, speeding off. He sighed. He knew that this one mistake would come back to haunt him.

"Nikki, you've done enough damage for tonight. Just go." Jake was tired so he wasn't yelling. He was begging. And Nikki just got pleasure out of it. But she had came and did what she had to do for tonight, she thought. So she did as she was told and walked out the door, smirking. A tear streamed down Jake's cheek as all the previous events all came crashing down on him. "What am I gonna do?" He said silently to himself as he leaned against the wall and slid down so he was sitting on the floor, crying.

Oh, look what you've done
You've made a fool of everyone
A fool of everyone
A fool of everyone


AN: OK that's all for now! That song was Look What You've Done by Jet. PLEASE REVIEW! It would mean so much to me! Thanks so much!