AN: OK guys, that last update was really short, and this one isn't that long either, but I felt like since that one was so short I was going to post this one earlier than I had planned. You guys, the reviews blew me away! Seriously, I really didn't think that this many people would be interested in this fic, but you guys seem to be and I'm so grateful for that! Thank you all so much!

You guys rock: Kaitlan, angel6 aka trinigyal, jeytonlover, CCScott23, jennyblueEyes, jacqueline22393.

jennyblueEyes: ya I completely see what you mean. The thing is, I wrote this fic a while ago and it was my first, so that's probably why it's not the greatest and it seems a little rushed. I've written more since and I think my writing has gotten better, but I completely agree, looking back on this fic it does seem a little rushed. But it's already finished, I don't know, I'll probably look into the chapters and try to make them better. Thanks so much for pointing that out!

Chapter 10

Brooke finally turned the corner onto Peyton's block. As she had guessed and dreaded, Jake was standing infront knocking on the door.

"Hey! Jake!" Brooke yelled as she ran to him. She was so out of breath from running the whole way but somehow she was still able to yell. Jake stopped knocking and turned towards her.

"Brooke, hey. Do you know if Peyton's home?"

"She told me what happened, Jake. And if you think that I'm going to help you find her then you're dead wrong."

"Look, Brooke, I just want to explain-"

"That's nice, Jake, really really nice! But save it! 'Cause she doesn't want to hear it! Look, Jake," Brooke said, softening her voice, "When you broke up with her, she was devastated... You know the feeling right? You know: when you're thinking that things can't get any worse? Do you have any idea what it feels like when things actually do get worse, much much worse? It hurts, Jake. It kills. You have no idea all the damage you did, Jake, even if you didn't mean to. That doesn't matter. There is nothing you can say to make the situation any better. If there is even any chance that you can fix things with Peyton, it's not by just coming by the day after you screwed-up just to 'explain'. It takes way way more." When Brooke finished, Jake sighed. He knew she was right.

"I know, I know." He said, more to himself than to Brooke. "God, I really screwed up this time too! The only thing that matters that much to be other than Jenny, and I just... ruin it." Jake sighed again. How could be so reckless? he asked himself. He hung his head low and walked away. His eyes glistened from tears threatening to fall. This did not go unnoticed by Brooke.

Just then the door opened to reveal a disheveled-looking Peyton. Brooke walked into her house and hugged her best friend for what seemed like hours but still wasn't enough. It was obvious that Peyton had been crying and only a few seconds after they pulled apart, she started crying again.

"Peyton, hunny, did you hear?" She was referring to her and Jake's little conversation out on Peyton's porch. Peyton nodded her head. "He was crying you know." Brooke said. Peyton looked a little shocked to hear that.

"I don't know if I can forgive him, Brooke." She whispered as she was starting to ease up with the tears. They sat down on a nearby couch. "When I hear his voice, I don't think of the sweet, charming guy that I fell head-over-heals for, I only just get reminded of that night with him and Nikki." Tears welled up in her eyes once more but she didn't let them fall.

"I know, hun." Brooke said, thinking that now was obviously not the time to tell her best friend about her and Lucas's 'I love you's'. "Maybe you should just give it time. It probably feels like you'll never get over it know, but I guarantee it'll get easier over time." Peyton just nodded. She loved having her best friend there to comfort her. She thought she would just lock herself in her room all day but hanging out with Brooke was way better. She needed to get out of the house, she thought.

"Brooke, do you think we could go to the mall or something?"

"You'd think you knew me better than that, P. Sawyer. Do I ever say no to shopping?" And with that Peyton grabbed some change and they left the house, arms linked.

Before Haley could even knock on the door, it was opened by an eager Nathan.

"Haley!" He yelled a little too loud, considering she was about a foot away. "Sorry. Come in." He saw that she was about to protest so he added, "Come on, Haley, just... talk to me?" He pleaded and she accepted and stepped into the beach house.

"Nathan, I want to talk, really I do. I want to know what you're thinking about my...," Why couldn't she said it? TATTOO! The word just wouldn't come out of her mouth, it sounded too weird. "About what we talked about before. But I'm still mad about what you said."

"I know I know, Hales. And I'm sorry. So SO sorry. Look, I'm just trying really hard not to pressure you and to become a better guy. But I guess... The guy that I used to be, is still in there somewhere. I don't want him to be, but that's just... how it is. I like you; who you are. It's not about sex with me. Honestly, I have no idea why I even said... what I said before. I didn't mean it." Haley was silent so Nathan felt he had to ask, "So, do you forgive me Hales?" Haley took a few deep breaths and really thought about what Nathan had just said. She really believed him, from the bottom of her heart she knew she was being honest. But for some reason she still felt bothered by the whole sex-issue. But she decided to ignore it, knowing that it would come back to haunt her later.

"Yes, Nathan. And do you forgive me? For not telling you about my... my tattoo?" She had said it!

"Yes Hales. It just shocked me... that's all." Nathan smirked, "I actually think it's kind of sexy." Haley smiled.

"Really?" Haley asked as she approached him and wrapped her arms around his neck. She reached up and kissed him hard on the lips. As the kiss deepened both Haley and Nathan felt their hearts jump about in their chests. A surge of electricity flew through both of them. Haley wasn't an idiot. There was a reason she got his jersey number tattooed on her and their was a reason she was feeling what she was feeling every time she was around him. She was in love with him. And she wanted to tell him. She just hoped he felt the same way.

When they broke apart, she gazed deep into his eyes and she knew she could no longer keep her feelings for him to herself.

"Nathan, there's something I need to tell you." Please let him feel the same, she thought! And just as she was about to say it, her cell phone rang. Normally she would think it wasn't important and just not answer, but the moment was killed and she got too embarrassed so she picked it up.

"Hello?" She said into her phone. She mouthed 'sorry' to Nathan. He seemed fine with it.

"Tutorgirl! We need you pronto!" Brookes voice said.

"We?" Haley asked, hoping she didn't mean her and Lucas. Lucas was like a brother to her and she did not enjoy watching him and Brooke make out.

"Yeah, me and Peyton. We're at the mall, come and join us for a girl's shopping day! We haven't hung out in forever!" Brooke said, knowing perfectly well that they had hung out just the night before while getting ready for the party.

"Oh my God! I just remembered what happened with Peyton and Jake yesterday! Is she Okay?" Haley asked.

"Well... She will be. Just get your a$$ over here!" They hung up. Haley looked apologetically at Nathan who had heard the whole conversation.

"It's okay." he said before Haley even said sorry. "But was there something you wanted to tell me?" Haley bit her lip.

"Umm, you know what? It can wait. Girl-time duty calls! I'll see you later." She gave him a peck on the lips and was off.

Lucas decided to go visit Jake. He didn't really know what was going on and he wanted some answers. Brooke was busy for the day talking with Peyton so he decided to talk to Jake and get his side of things. He wondered where Nikki was in all this. He really thought that Jake cared a lot for Peyton. He didn't know the reason for their break-up but he doubted that Jake could actually like Nikki enough to want to hook-up with her right after his break-up with Peyton. What was going on?

He reached Jake's house and found Jake sitting on the front steps with Jenny in his arms, sleeping.

"Hey man." Jake said, not even trying to smile. His tone said everything. How crummy he was feeling.

"Hey. What's going on?" Lucas asked.

"More than you could ever imagine, actually." Jake said and Luke gave him a confused look. So Jake felt the need to explain. "Nikki's Jenny's mother. She left right after giving birth and then just showed up about a week ago. Now, all of a sudden she wants custody of Jenny and when she found out I was seeing Peyton she threatened to do something to her and I just couldn't bare that thought so I-"

"Broke up with Peyton." Luke finished for him. It was all starting to make sense for him.

"Yeah. And then at the party. I was kind of... well, drunk, not that that explains anything. But Nikki found me and kind of... took advantage of the situation. I was week and well... you can guess the rest." Jake looked up at Luke.

"Damn, Jake. You slept with Nikki only a week after you broke up with Peyton?" Lucas almost yelled.

"Nah, man, nothing like that. We just started kissing and I don't know... I was week, like I said, and lonely and drunk and just... stupid. Look, I messed up, BIG time, I know. But I need her, Luke? I mean, you know what it's like... to be in love?" Lucas nodded and although he realized that Jake had been a jackass for doing that to Peyton, he did feel sorry for him. He couldn't imagine not being able to be with Brooke. And he knew how seductive Nikki could be, with Jake drunk and all she could really mess with his mind.

"Well, you got to get her back, man!" Lucas said. "I know how you feel about her. And I know that what you guys have can make it though this. But first, you have to get rid of the bad. Which means"

"Get rid of Nikki," Jake finished for him. Lucas nodded. "So, if somehow, by some miracle I can get rid of Nikki, then I will still need to get Peyton to talk to me." Jake sighed, he was talking to himself now and Lucas knew it.

"I'm going to head back to my house now. Leave you to your planning." Lucas said smiling.

"Alright man. Thanks a lot for this little... heart-to-heart." Jake and Luke laughed. "I better go start brainstorming how to get Nikki out of my life and Peyton back into it." And with that Lucas left and Jake walked back into his house, Jenny still sleeping peacefully in his arms.

AN: I would really appreciate reviews! I really want to know what you guys think, good or bad! Thank you so much! Much Love!