Chapter 5. The Winter of Our Discontent

"I can't believe that Lucas isn't interested in me! I mean, I winked at him like five times in History class, and he didn't respond or anything!" Brooke tossed her head back against the passenger seat and let out a dramatic huff. "He's not playing fair. All the guys want me and the one I want for once, isn't interested. How screwed up is that?"

Peyton who had been trying to ignore Brooke's outburst as she drove responded in a deadpan tone, "since when is Lucas in your History class?"

She cringed as she shifted in her seat. "Yeah, since always. I can't believe I haven't seen him before."

"You are one weird girl."

"Shut up! Anyway, how are things going with the tutor?"

Peyton turned her head around to face her friend. "If you'd help me, you'd know how things are going." She snapped as she turned back to keep her eyes on the road.

She sighed. "I'm sorry, I know I said that I would help you, but I'm just so busy all the damn time."
It was the truth. School was becoming harder and harder and it was not like she ever paid attention in class, but still… Homework meant trouble. She was also trying to ignore Nathan, who tried to talk to her every single day. It was annoying mostly, but also a bit sweet. Maybe, maybe she had to let him. She had to admit she was fucking curious about what he had to say.

"That's no reason for not helping me. I'm busy too. You promised me Brooke!" She was almost screaming at the top of her lungs. Brooke just watched her with one eyebrow raised. Peyton was getting weirder every day.

"God damn it. You're unbelievable." Peyton mumbled and stopped the car when the stop light was red. She turned her head again to find her best friend looking at her suspiciously.

"What was that Peyton?"

"Nothing." She hissed as she pulled up the car.

"Okay." She shrugged, already knowing that Peyton wasn't telling her anything if she didn't want to.

"It's just that… No, never mind." She shook her curly hair and stopped the car when they reached her house.

Brooke rolled her eyes. This was the annoying Peyton. First she'd tell that there's 'something' wrong, and when you'd ask about it, she wouldn't say anything.

"Fine, I don't care about your shit anyway." Brooke spat irritated. She had had enough! So what they were friends since they were like five or something, Brooke had the sudden urge to smack her. If she had something to say, she had to tell her.

Peyton slammed her hands down on the stirring wheel and shouted out in frustration "cause you're so God damn selfish! It's always about you! You can't keep your promises cause you're too busy flirting with that stupid blonde guy. You know how much I hate his friend and I can't destroy her on my own Brooke. I need your help. And I told you that and all you care about is getting a good fuck! You're the one who's full of shit! I offered you my boyfriend, because that's the only way to get your attention. You're nothing but a fucking slut!"

Without another word Peyton bolted out of the car leaving a speechless and open mouthed Brooke behind.

"Now that was rude." She murmured.

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She and Peyton hadn't shared a word for three days since their fight. When Brooke was walking trough the halls of Tree Hill High alone, people were staring at her. When she listened closely, she could hear a few people saying something like 'Where's the blonde girl?' or 'I heard they were having a fight about her and some guy. I thought that she was pregnant with the blonde's boyfriend!'

Brooke rolled her eyes in a bored way. If they wanted to gossip about her, at least tell something that people believe.

She was feeling kind of lonely without her best friend. Yeah, she had plenty of other friends, but they weren't Peyton. Maybe she owned Peyton an apology.

Nah. That wasn't her thing.

Peyton would come to her tomorrow and if she was lucky, today, and she was ok with that.

"What are you brooding about?"

Brooke jumped up and caught herself with her hand on her heart when she heard the male voice. God, he had scared the shit out of her.

"Didn't want to scare you." He smiled sweetly.

"You did anyway. And by the way, I'm not brooding."

He smiled again and Brooke felt her knees go weak. Was it normal to feel something like that? Ever?

"Yes you were."

"No I wasn't. Brooding is not lady like."

"Brooke, we all know you're anything but a lady." He laughed out loud which deserved a smack on the back of his head.

"Bite me Nate. Anyway, why are you talking to me again?" His puzzled look made her explain further "I didn't think your girlfriend would let you."

He nodded his head weakly, letting her know she was right. "I don't care. I do what I want, as you know." He winked at her before asking "how did that work out anyway? The fight I mean. Peyton told me a little about it, but she said she didn't want to talk about it."

"Oh yeah that. We were uhm, arguing about something that led to a big fight. It's nothing really."

"It doesn't look like nothing. I mean, I don't want to be an ass or something but you guys don't exactly talk."

"So what? We had an argument, it was no big deal. If you don't shut up now about it I'm going to kick your ass so you better shut the fuck up!" She hissed while pointing his index finger at him. Much to her annoyance, he only smiled.

"You know what's funny?"

"What?" She snapped. She really wanted to yell it out cause he was so damn calm about this. It was pissing her off so badly!

"Peyton said the exact same thing earlier."

Brooke wanted to give him a kick ass comeback but the words just didn't come out. She opened her mouth but shut it right after that.

"She-She really said that?"

He only nodded, still wearing that stupid smile.

"I guess I have an apology to make."

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After Brooke talked to Nathan she began searching for Peyton. She finally found her friend by her locker. She had to laugh a little when she saw Peyton's face. Red and angry. If was funny to watch. Her mouth was already open to scream her friend's name when all of a sudden someone caught her eye.

A cute, blonde boy was sitting in the library. All focused on the big bad book in front of him. As she studied him she saw him frowning as he quickly switched the page to read the next one. It was like he was in his own world where nothing mattered. Why was that damn book more interesting than her? She wanted to grab that book out of his hands and throw it in the fireplace. As she took one step in the place she had hated the most for years, she realized that this wasn't the thing that she was supposed to do.

Looking back at her friend, who was literally throwing books in her locker, she sighed. What was more important right now, getting to know her soon to be fuck, or making peace with your best friend?

A hard decision, but her friend would have to wait.

Looking up to see the big sign that said Library, Brooke took one last deep breath and walked in with her eyes closed for a few seconds. She was not nervous, this just wasn't the right place to flirt with a guy. She wasn't her normal confident self; she was insecure in here.

Oh my God, who was she kidding. She was Brooke Davis for Christ sakes! No reason to be afraid or anything.

When she spotted him, she started to walk faster. She had to get this over with, the soon the better. She wanted to get out of this place as soon as possible.

He was too deep in the book to notice her standing behind him, but when he felt hands slowly sliding down from his neck to his chest, he quitted reading. He scoffed as he looked up to see who it was. Brooke Davis. Who else. He could have known. Nobody had softer hands with the most perfect manicured nails than her.

He would never admit it to his best friend, but he thought Brooke Davis was quite attractive. Who was he kidding. That girl was the most beautiful, sexiest girl he had ever seen. She was every guys' fantasy. On top of that, she was interested in him.

Him.

He fought back a smile, only to be loyal to his friend. He knew what Brooke and her blonde friend were doing to her, and he didn't liked it one bit. He knew what they were capable of; they meant trouble.

"What're you doing cutie?"

"Reading."

She ignored his sarcasm. "I see that, but what are you reading?"
He flashed her the cover of the book just long enough so she could read it before turning back to the right page.

Brooke rolled her eyes as she sat down next to him. He hadn't looked up at her once, their eyes hadn't locked once. She had to try harder to get his attention.

"You're quite something you know that?"

He continued reading before replying, "and why is that?"

"Most guys would feel honoured when they get my attention." She smiled to herself. She knew she was being cocky and annoying, but this was the only way to get his attention. Only because it pissed him off.

"You're so full of yourself, you know that right?"

"Of course." She stood up and walked away. She could practically feel his eyes on her, so she turned around to see if she was right.

Bingo.

"Oh and Lucas, if you want to read a real good book, try 'The Winter of Our Discontent' by John Steinbeck. I thought you should know that before I leave you and your dear book alone." She chuckled when she saw his confused look, just the way she planned it.

This was going to be easy. He was hers in a week, maybe a few days if she was lucky.

Maybe she and Peyton could make a wager on this one. That was fun.

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For the second time, she was looking trough the halls of Tree Hill High in search of her friend. When she was about to give up, she felt a tap on her shoulder.
She smiled when she saw her best friend standing there with a look that said 'please forgive me'. Before Peyton could say anything she hugged her friend tightly.

"I'm sorry Peyt, you were right. I was selfish, I still am. I guess that's just a part of me. Hope you can forgive me."

Peyton shook her head. "No, I'm the one who should ask for forgiveness. I mean, I called you a slut!"

"But babe, we both know I am a slut." She winked at her as they both started to laugh.

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Love,
Helen