Dangeron the Horizon?
A second tinkling of bells announced the arrival of another person coming into the café a few minutes later.
A flash of a Burberry patterned umbrella and a swish of dark auburn hair identified the person as Brooke Davis. Shaking out her umbrella over the doormat as she ran a hand over her clothes to smooth them down, she spotted her best friend, Peyton, looking distraught.
"P.Sawyer! I thought I'd find you here. You know I've been running all over town looking for your skinny butt?" She gave her an accusatory glare and then smiled brightly.
Peyton returned it with a faint smile of her own and shrugged, turning to go sit back down in her chair.
"I'm sorry…did we have plans today? Maybe I forgot. I was just sitting here, reading my book, watching the rain, you know not really doing anything, minding my own business—''
"Peyton!" Brooke exclaimed holding up her hand to stop her. "Sloooooow down. What's wrong? You're rambling a mile a minute."
She sighed, putting her head in her hands and then looked up at Brooke, her eyes troubled. "It's Lucas. He came back and he was here at the café. Just five minutes ago." She looked down at her hands, which were now clasped in front of her. Slowly opening them, she fiddled with a slim silver ring on her thumb. She recalled how distant he'd been; he'd practically ignored her! And she could sense that he had been about to leave without speaking to her at all, until his mom foiled his escape. Escape. Yeah, that's what it was. He was trying to escape her.
"You're kidding! You have to be. That bro ho actually set foot in this town and spoke to you after what he did? Sleeping with psycho strangers, leaving town without a word, cheating on his girlfriend—sorry, best friend, but that was messed up—who does he think he is!" Brooke had flown from the couch she was perched on and was now pacing the room, hands flying wildly as she spoke. She was about to start another small rant when she stopped and paused, thinking.
"Why did he come back anyway?"
"I don't know, he was avoiding me like if I even looked at him he'd burst into flames or something. It was so weird."
Brooke studied the girl in front of her. She could tell when Peyton was upset. Months ago she had been blind to her best friend's anguish over her relationship with Lucas, but now she realized how much she took Peyton for granted then. She didn't want to do that again. "P, what's say you and me get out of here? Let's go rent some movies with beautiful men in them and pig out on ice cream. It's the perfect day to stay in." She pouted a bit, but with hopeful eyes and Peyton gave a sigh and then nodded yes. The brunette squealed and threw her arms around Peyton in a big hug.
"Ok, let's go!"
The two girls ran out of the café, trying to both fit under Brooke's umbrella. After renting a bevy of hunky men movies and stocking up on terribly fattening, but terribly delicious food, they made their way back to Brooke's house.
After they got through the door coming out of the rain, they shook out their wet things and headed for the kitchen. It was decided that Brooke would be in charge of the food and Peyton the hunky men movies. She left the kitchen and sat down in the spacious living room in front of the TV and finally decided on one, sticking it in the DVD player and standing up.
"Brooke, hey, you coming or what?" Peyton yelled. She heard Brooke's faint cry of "yes" and was about to sit down when the door bell rang. Peyton waited, though she didn't know why, for Brooke to answer the door and when Brooke didn't she pulled herself up and walked to the door.
"What are you doing here?" She asked, looking slightly disgusted, when she realized who it was.
"Relax, Blondie, I'm just here to see my girl," a dark-haired boy with blindingly white teeth snapped back as he shoved inside past her.
"All right, P.Sawyer, here I come! Ready to gain 10 pounds and drool all over the tab….Felix? What are doing here?" Brooke asked as she came into the room. She looked from Peyton, who was standing with her arms crossed in front of her looking agitated to Felix who was, as always, posing because he thought he was oh so fine.
"Yuck, déjà vu. Blondie here just asked the same thing. I'm here for you, baby. You know we have arrangements," he replied, raising an eyebrow.
"Oh, right. I completely forgot. Peyton, I'm so sorry…but maybe we could—"
"No, Brooke, it's fine" she interjected. "We have the movies for, what, 5 days? We'll watch them another time. Have fun…call me later with the—well, no don't call with the details." She finished glaring at Felix.
Brooke looked torn, but finally nodded and gave her slim blonde friend a hug before she left.
Outside, Peyton wondered what she would do now. So much for their fun night in. She sighed pulling her leather jacket tight around her body and walked to her car. Being alone gave the events of the afternoon a chance to enter her mind again and once more she felt confused, sad and angry. Sitting at the wheel of her old Comet she reached for her cell. If Lucas and Brooke wouldn't be there for her, someone else, something else…would.
AN: Ok, well, here's a note..I don't know if Peyton's car is a Comet, but I read once I think that it was. So there it is. If it's not, I'm sorry!
You guys, it's so exciting to see you all liking this story so much, or at least liking it enough to read it. So...
bitterkidxsweety: Esther, your comments were so sweet. I'm glad that you like the way I'm writing this. I think you're very talented, so it means a lot to me for you to say that.
NatessaScott: Nice to see you!I think that was your first post so I want to say welcome to my story! I'm glad that you like it and believe me, I'm having LP withdrawals too! That's why I write and read fics...so I can imagine! Hopefully we won't have to imagine much longer... ;)
writie: Nonna, first off, no I haven't chosen a pairing for Brooke, I don't know if she'll have one period. This is mostly an LP story. Sorry, if you thought I'd be NB. evil cackle I'm sorry... :) Thank you so much for reviewing and reading. I think Lucas will realize that he's wrong too, but not before other things happen. Just wait and we'll see.
Lumifan5: Kayla, thanks for the review. I noticed it's on your fav list and I rejoiced. That's so exciting to me. Thank you for that compliment. Hope you enjoyed this chapter.
cabot007: Thanks for sticking around! I love you loyal readers. :)
Jessica: The same goes to you as for cabot007! I'm so glad to see you're still reading and reviewing.
Kelly: I'm so glad you came over and checked out my story. :) Also that you took the time to review. I hope that you'll continue reading and liking it. hug
Laurie: Laur, Laur, Laur...I have a reason for Lucas being the way he is. It has its purpose. Coming back wasn't exactly distancing himself, but we're assuming he didn't have a choice and now that he's there he's going to try to leave Peyton alone. He thinks he hurt her too much by being in her life. There are many things to come, my dear. Many places to go. I hope you still liked the chapter and this new one even though you thought Lucas was being a git. :) I appreciate you reading at all.
Mon: I wish I talked to you more often! I miss you! But I'm so happy you're liking the new story. I think it's going over better than TTTMU is. You always have such sweet things to say. hug I hope you enjoyed this last chapter.
drown-in-fate:I'm sorry I confused you! How so? I hope you still liked the last chapter anyway.
Ok, I hope I didn't miss anyone. I know this chapter was mostly BP, but I like them as friends and it's going to set up other things. Ok? Ok! Hope I hear from you all in the reviews and hopefully new readers too!