Chapter Eight: Shattered Dreams

Peyton smiled to herself as she walked into Jake's house and called out to him. They were beyond locks, keys and even knocks, as far she knew.

He didn't answer when she called him, even thought she knew he was around. She ran up the stairs to his bedroom, looking for her best friend.

She gasped theatrically when she opened his bedroom door. She was used to the sight of Jake without his clothes. She'd had to be, after all their long years of asexual sleepovers. But a sight she'd never be used to was Jake with a woman astride him, completely naked herself. A woman pressing forward her hips to welcome his thrusts, a woman who was calling out his name in desire.

"Jake!" called out Peyton. Ever after, she'd wonder how he could distinguish this from the cries of desire.

He withdrew from her in one smooth movement, and she fell awkwardly onto the bed, revealing her face. Peyton recoiled in surprise, recognizing the long dark hair, the hazel eyes, the full pouty lips.

"Davis," she whispered. They met eye contact. It was all Peyton needed.

She ran.

Jake leapt out of bed and pulled on his boxers and then his jeans, before running around in search for his shirt. Davis wrapped herself in his sheets.

"Told you she was your girl," said Davis.

"Shut up. I need to go after her. Where the hell is my shirt?" he said desperately.

"Whatever. What kind of person doesn't knock?" wondered Davis.

"A person who's never had to before. Be out of here by the time I get back," he said, abandoning his search and running out topless.

Peyton ran down the stairs, blinded by her tears. She didn't know why she felt so betrayed. Jake wasn't a virgin. He'd been with many girls, been serious with none of them. To her knowledge, he'd never screwed another man's girlfriend though.

"Peyton!" he called out. She increased her pace before he caught her arm in an iron grip by the door.

"Go away, Jake. She's waiting for you," said Peyton angrily.

"She's not. She doesn't matter," said Jake. Peyton struggled against his grip and he took her other arm in his other hand to face her.

"You can't say that," said Peyton.

"I can. She doesn't. Nothing matters except you," he said.

"What?"

"I love you. I always have. Don't you know that yet?" Peyton shook her head slowly as her tears slowly dried.

"I love you too, Jake," she said in confusion. He didn't even get excited by this. He knew the look in her eyes all too well.

"Not like that. More than that. Much more," he said. His grip loosened and slowly she eased herself away.

"I can't trust you like that anymore," she said slowly. She put her arms loosely around his neck and kissed his cheek gently, noticing for the first time his hard stomach muscles beneath her.

For a moment, he considered turning his face to make their lips meet, but he knew it wasn't time. For the first time in years, he was absolutely certain that their Time would never come.

XxxxxxX

Haley sat beside Nathan, completely unaware of how her world was being deconstructed at that very moment.

"I didn't even bring a toothbrush," she said, looking sideways at him.

"I'm pretty sure they have those in LA," said Nathan, smiling.

"Or like anything to wear. And people are going to be taking lots of photos, aren't they?" she said curiously.

"Lots of photos. I'll take you shopping," he promised.

"You're being nice. It's disconcerting," she informed him.

"Thanks, Princess," said Nathan.

"Don't you "Princess" me. Your girlfriend is freaking royalty," said Haley.

"You really don't like you, do you," stated Nathan.

"What gave you that clue?" she asked sweetly.

"Nothing in particular. Do you?" he pressed.

"Not nearly as much as I dislike you," she said, looking ahead of her to avoid his eyes.

"Well, of course not," said Nathan.

"She's merely annoying. She's got nothing on you," said Haley.

"We're going to be a very convincing couple, don't you think?" he asked.

"Heck yes," she said, her face completely serious before she burst into uncontrollable laughter.

Brooke Davis, back in Tree Hill, smirked when she realized what had happened. No one else seemed to realize. No one understood Haley like she did, no one understood the thirst for rebellion under her innocent exterior.

She wished Chris was in town so he could notice her absence, and so Brooke could rub it in his face. She's always predicted this would happen, that Haley would eventually see the light. She'd just never predicted it would happen with Nathan Scott.

Brooke all but skipped over to Lucas' hotel. She banged repeatedly on the door until he opened it, obviously having just woken up from a midday nap.

"Hey babe. Haley's missing," she said in elation. He raised his eyebrows and let her in.

"Uh, goody?" he said, as Brooke kicked off her shoes and bounced onto his head.

"So's Nathan. I figure they ran away to LA," said Brooke.

"Huh. Guess there's more to her than I thought. Who knew? You seen Davis?" he asked. Brooke frowned.

"No. But apparently she slept with Jake. Peyton's heartbroken," said Brooke.

"Why?" asked Lucas in surprise.

"What do you mean, why? Why shouldn't she be?"

"Because they're just friends, and it's just sex. He didn't cheat on her, Davis isn't a hooker, Davis won't give him an STD or get pregnant. Frankly it's not even her business," said Lucas. Brooke frowned.

"Do you like her? And of course it's her business. He's her best friend. He's in love with her," said Brooke.

"Is she in love with him?"

"No. But she should be. And she will be. So don't you mess with them," said Brooke warningly.

"Then I guess I'm going to have to keep myself entertained else where," he said. She smiled, stood up and wrapped an arm around his neck.

"Got any ideas?" she asked before he kissed her and lowered her onto the bed underneath him.

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