Summary: Things are moving forward for Lucas and Peyton, Jake and Haley in the most unexpected ways.

Disclaimer: If I owned OTH the show would be like my fic. Therefore I don't own it.

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Chapter Five: The Way Things Are

Peyton sat in her car, letting the guitar strums from the radio flow over her. She wasn't ready to face the unanswered questions on the walls of her life. She just wanted to sit in her car and avoid it. To just live in her own world where only the music existed. She closed her eyes and let herself get lost in the words. The world closes around me and you're all I see. A hero from the night, flying into tomorrow. What if Lucas hadn't showed up when he had? Would she be alive right now? Or would she still be at the bottom of that pool, choking on the chlorine? She had never asked for a hero or even expected one. She didn't know how to react to him after the other night. She had let herself become vulnerable to him, if even for a moment and it made her feel naked. It had been easy to expose herself to him in the night, but with the light came back the feigned indifference. She had muttered a small thank you and practically forced him out the door. How was she supposed to face him today? Just thinking about it made it harder to breathe; she didn't want him to think of that small vulnerable mess that he had pulled out of the pool. And then there was Haley and Brooke. She wasn't sure how to approach them either after her tirade the other night. She couldn't remember what happened, but when she was drunk she was hateful. She groaned and rested her forehead against the steering wheel.

"Why, P. Sawyer you are alive." Peyton lifted her head and saw Brooke standing beside her door, flashing her trademark grin. Her reddish brown hair hung around her bare shoulders, touching the top of her yellow tube top. It didn't matter how cold it was, Brooke Davis would show off as much skin as possible as long as she could.

"Brooke," she let her best friends name hang on her lips, unsure of what to say next.

Brooke's mind traveled to the night of the party when she had tried to kiss her. She was slightly embarrassed that she had ever tried that, drunk or not. If it had been some other girl she would have shrugged it off more easily, but this was her best friend. "I'm not into you or anything if that's what your thinking." She lifted her bare shoulder and turned her head slightly to the side, "Vodka makes you do some crazy shit." She chuckled, turning the event into something entertaining.

Peyton nodded, her golden curls moving with her head. She knew this was Brooke's way of apologizing, words she would never say, but the emotion was there. "Let's just forget it,"

Brooke smiled, relieved that the subject had been dropped, "Well get your lazy ass out of your car," Peyton laughed and opened her door, linking arms with Brooke. They walked towards the school and Brooke said in a low tone, "What happened with wonder boy?"

Peyton threw her a look of uncertainty, for the first time unwilling to share the intimate details of her life with the brunette beside her. Every moment she spent with Lucas felt like a secret she wanted to keep to herself. He wasn't just another boy. He wasn't her friend and he certainly wasn't her lover. So what was he exactly? Would they ever be more than what they were or less? She didn't know what to say because the truth was she didn't know what happened. If things had changed between them or if they were the same as they had been Friday night. If the wall she had built around herself would stay intact or end up crumbling. She shrugged, "Nothing."

"Nothing?" Brooke gave her a look of disbelief, "I know you better than that P. Sawyer."

Peyton stared at her in silence for a moment, trying to find a way to distract her. She saw Nathan talking to Tim in front of the doors as they approached. She lowered her voice, "What happened with you and Nathan?"

Brooke stared at Nathan before answering, "Nothing," she said emotionlessly and lowered her eyes to make it appear she wasn't paying attention to him. She grinned mischievously when his eyes drifted towards her as they approached, she raised her eyes and their gazes connected briefly before he looked away, "yet."

The exchange hadn't gone unnoticed by Peyton; she knew them both too well to believe they weren't attracted to each other. With Brooke it was obvious, she wore her lust out on her sleeve, but Nathan was subtle. She shook her head as they walked through the glass doors, "I can't believe you're trying to land Nathan."

"Like you, I have a thing for Scott boys," she paused and wrinkled her nose at the sight of Lucas and Haley walking down the hallway, "bad Scott boys."

Peyton watched Lucas walk by from the corner of her eye. He looked at her in silence, his eyes were guarded, but curious. She moved her eyes away from his and turned back to Brooke, trying to focus on what they had been talking about, "And it doesn't bother you that we just broke up?" She knew her voice sounded unsteady, the brief exchange shook her heart in ways she hadn't expected.

They reached Peyton's locker and Brooke released her arm, and grabbed her shoulders before Peyton had a chance to open her locker. She looked into the eyes of her best friend, "Does it bother you because if it does, I'll stay away from him." Her tone was sincere and full of concern. She realized she had been selfish this weekend; first she had tried to hook Nathan back up with Peyton, then she had turned around and decided to chase after him. She hadn't really asked Peyton how that made her feel, she had just expected her to lose herself in wonder boy. "You're more important to me than any guy, hoes over bros always." She offered her a small smile.

Peyton stared at her friend, realizing that the thought of Nathan being with Brooke didn't bother her. Maybe it should, but it didn't. Their relationship had been dead way before it ended, "Fine with me, just beware, those Scotts can really crawl under your skin." Her grin was sarcastic, but her voice held a hint of sadness.

Brooke pulled her into a brief hug and then leaned back, "That's what I'm hoping for." She grinned wickedly and raised her eyebrows suggestively.

Peyton feigned a shudder and gave her disgusted look. "Thanks for the imagery,"

"Anytime, friend."

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"Be careful you might get whiplash," Haley rolled her eyes at Lucas as Peyton and Brooke walked by.

Instead of letting himself throw her a brief glance he had been openly staring at her since she had come into the school. He stared at Peyton's retreating back, hoping she'd look back at him, smile at him, anything, but she didn't. He suppressed a sigh of defeat and turned back to Haley, "What?"

"Could you be any more obvious?" Haley stopped at her locker, which for some strange reason was located right next to his and turned the lock. She pulled out the books for her first few classes and placed them on her left arm.

He shrugged and put his books in his locker, "I don't know what you're talking about." He felt a faint blush rise to his cheeks at her words; he hadn't realized she caught him looking. When Peyton was around, he couldn't stop himself from looking at her.

She opened her mouth to retort when she heard a familiar voice behind her back, "Hey Haley."

She spun around rapidly, her eyes wide in shock, "Jake, hey!" She knew she sounded too excited and she was moving too fast. Her inexperience and nervousness was showing. She hadn't talked to him since the party and wasn't sure what to say now. Out of the corner of her eye she saw Lucas smirk and she made a mental note to smack him later.

Lucas cleared his throat, "I better get to class, I'll see you guys later." As he walked by Haley he winked and offered her a secret and small smile that was completely missed by Jake.

Before she could say anything Jake spoke, "You forgot this in my car the other night," he held out the plastic bracelet that Nathan had given her a few weeks ago. She reached out to grab the beads with her free hand and her fingers lightly touched his. A thrill of excitement tingled up her arm at the contact and she offered him a shy smile. "Thank you,"

Jake grinned at her, enjoying the softness of her face and the way she was looking up at him. Her eyes seemed to shine in the dim light of the hallway, the way they had glittered in the moonlight the other night. Something had changed between them from Saturday night to now. "The bracelet seems to be a little elementary school," he teased.

"It's lame I know." She shook her head and laughed, hiding her embarrassment at his comment.

"No, actually, it's cute." He blushed at his abruptness, "I mean, it just makes you unique."

"Jake about the bracelet—" she paused, unsure of how to tell him. How to explain that something that had meant something to her the other day was now just a bracelet out of Cracker Jack box. She stared at the bright beads until the colors started to blend together. It wasn't the same as it was before, she wasn't sure how things had changed so fast but the had. She laid the bracelet on top of the books in her arms, "Nathan gave it to me."

"Oh," his tone was low and he looked crestfallen.

"It isn't like that, not anymore. I meant what I said at the party Jake," she watched Nathan walk by with Tim, he didn't even bother to glance her way, "the two of us are on different planets."

"What about us?"

"We just might both live on Earth." She said softly.

He smiled at her, "Mind if I walk you to class?"

She shook her head and smiled, "Not at all," the bracelet fell onto the floor, but she wasn't aware of it because she was lost in the words of the boy at her side.

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Lucas walked away from Haley and Jake with a small smile playing on his lips. He had always had a bad feeling about Nathan and it would have killed him to see someone as great as Haley with a jerk like him. He liked Jake, he considered Jake to be one of the best friends he had made on the team. He deserved someone as great as Haley. He hoped they'd work things out, he could see something there between them. A spark that could easily be brought to life given time. At least things were going well with one of them; he still didn't know what to think when it came to Peyton.

He saw her and Brooke standing at her locker, her blonde curls swaying with the movements of her head. He could almost hear her quiet laughter and see her sarcastic grin. It had been hard not to stop by her house or call her since he had left the other morning. He had promised himself he wouldn't; he wasn't going to push her. Some girls needed to be openly fought for, but that wasn't the case with Peyton. Against his better judgment he stopped at her locker, "Hey Peyton," he stared at her hair until she turned her head and looked into his eyes. Fear and apprehension flicked through her hazel eyes briefly, but were the emotions were quickly replaced with indifference. She nodded her head at him lightly and without looking Brooke's way he said, "Hey Brooke."

Brooke rolled her eyes, "Wonder boy," she snapped, wishing she could slam his head into the locker beside her. He was really in the way of her getting more dirt on Nathan. She was having a hard time remembering why she had been so fascinated by this proverbial geek. She didn't have the patience or time to seduce the virginal star player. She had been down that road and deflowering fumbling virgins wasn't her thing. Peyton and Lucas seemed oblivious to her presence; they hadn't stopped staring at each other since he had arrived. She definitely didn't need a boy like that in her life; he was too much of a brooder. "I need to get the answers to the chemistry test, I'll see you girls later." She smirked and stalked off before they had a chance to respond.

Peyton lowered her eyes and turned back to her locker, "Did you have a good weekend?" She knew it was the lamest thing to say, but she wasn't sure what else to say. How to find a way to thank him for everything he had done for her.

He hesitated and stared at her back, "Uh…it was okay. I saw you for most of it." She froze and he instantly regretted his words, "Peyton, look—"

"Luke….Lucas," she stopped and stared at the books in her locker, running her hand along the edge of one that protruded out of her locker, "I owe you." Her voice was so quiet he barely caught the words.

"For what?" He frowned in confusion at her words. It was difficult not to grab her shoulders and make her turn around, to face him. To tell him what she had to say while looking into his eyes. He could feel her hiding from him, hiding from her feelings for him.

"You know," she shrugged, "For saving me from drowning…whatever." She felt like her heart was being torn in half at her own words. She had never wanted to be the damsel in distress, the girl that needed to be saved by the white knight. She didn't know how to thank him when inside she was so angry at herself for letting herself get so drunk she couldn't function. She had watched Brooke act that way countless times and each time she ended up keeping Brooke out of harm's way the more she felt she owed her. The more she felt she had to be the one to save her. She loved Brooke, but sometimes she felt obligated to take care of her. She didn't want Lucas to feel that way about her, to look at her with duty and pity.

Lucas' heart contracted at the resignation he heard in her voice. More than anything he wanted to turn her around and pull her into a hug. To reassure her that whatever it was that was going on inside her head wasn't true. He could feel her struggling with her emotions and he just let her, even though it tore at his insides not to do anything. "You don't owe me anything, Peyton." He said softly, "We're friends."

"Are we?" She turned around and he was shocked to see the pain in her eyes, this time it lingered there a few moments before disappearing.

He nodded, "We're whatever you want us to be, Peyton." She stared at him incredulously, unable to respond to his words, "I'll be seeing you." He smiled sadly and turned and walked down the crowded hallway leaving a stunned Peyton behind.

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Brooke scanned the lunchroom and grinned in pleasure when she saw Nathan sitting at a table alone in the middle of the cafeteria. She strode over to him purposefully, confidence in every step and movement of her body. She could feel the male, and even some female, eyes rove her body as she approached Nathan. She noticed him slyly glance up at her without moving his head, trying to resist her charms. She leaned over the table, flashing a bit of cleavage as she did so, "Hey hottie," He silently nodded his head and popped a French fry in his mouth. "Mind if I sit here?"

He shrugged and continued wordlessly throwing French fries into his mouth. She wanted to growl in frustration, catching onto his game of silence. Two could play at that game. She plopped into the chair beside him and leaned over his body, making sure her breasts brushed against his chest as she did so. She snatched a French fry off his tray and slowly pulled back. She could feel everyone starting at them, whispering about her wantonness, but she didn't care. She didn't give a damn what anyone in this school thought about her. She brought the fry to her lips and nibbled on it slowly, making sure her lips puckered around it as it entered her mouth. His eyes were glued to her mouth until it was gone, then he looked away.

The leaned back in her chair, letting a cat-like grin fill her face, "The silent treatment, Nate, you're too creative for that."

"What do you want Brooke?" He felt his body harden with desire which only made the annoyance in his voice more pronounced.

"By now you should realize that I want you." She purred.

"You'll just have to keep wanting me Brooke because you're not getting anything from me." He started to stand up and she put her hand on his, he stared down at her wordlessly, "Don't," for a moment he saw the vulnerable girl he had seen a glimpse of the other night, but as quickly as it appeared it was gone. "Fine, but you're still not getting what you want."

She pulled her hand back and raised her eyebrows, "We'll see."

He had never met a female with as much confidence as Brooke Davis, despite his resistance, he couldn't help but admire that in her. He leaned forward, his face almost touching hers, and said in a low voice, "What makes you think that I want you?"

"I haven't been innocent in a long time, Nathan," she shrugged, "I can tell."

He didn't want to want her this way, not after everything that she had done. He found it frustrating that she was right. He growled, "After the bitchy thing you did at the party you expect me to fall for your little games."

She waved her hand in dismissal, "Tutor girl is not worth worrying about."

Her words hit a nerve and he stood up abruptly, "That's why you're never going to get what you want with me Brooke," He stared down at her with cold eyes, "you're heartless." He stalked away and everyone in the cafeteria stared at her. She shrugged her shoulders and followed him.

"Nathan!" Brooke shouted down the empty hallway outside the cafeteria doors.

"What?" He turned and looked at her with hard eyes.

"Has anyone ever told you that you're a dick?"

"Has anyone ever told you that you're a bitch?" He retorted.

She had heard the words countless times, but hearing him say it brought her a pang of pain. She wasn't sure why his opinion mattered because before Saturday night it never had. "You don't understand…"

"What is there to understand?" He practically shouted, "Haley is a nice girl she never did anything to you." With those words he realized why he was so angry, he had been using Haley the same way she was trying to use him. It had all been an elaborate game and he didn't like to be a pawn.

"She never did anything to you either, but you were using her to get back at Lucas and Peyton." He wanted to deny her words, but they were true. "It killed you to see her kissing Lucas the other night didn't it?" She snapped, "You just couldn't stand that. The best way to hurt Lucas was to hurt Haley."

He stood speechless for several moments and finally said quietly, "How do you know that?"

"You and I—" she paused, "We're more alike than you think." She spun on her heel and walked back into the lunchroom.

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A/N: Thanks to all my loyal readers and reviewers. Sorry this update took so long, things have been hectic with school, but I haven't forgotten this fic. I hope you enjoyed the latest update, I appreciate all the feedback I get. This part may be a little frustrating, but I'm trying to buildup each relationship. Brooke and Nathan are very explosive characters who share more similarities than differences. That realization is what is going to bring them closer together.