Dark had set in and practically everyone had left the beach except for the nine of them. They had built a fire and were sitting close to it for warmth. The night had brung a cold breeze with it making the temperature fall to about 25 degrees with a wind chill of about 60 percent. Lucas had brought marshmallows and everyone was making smores. The girls sitting close to one another while the boys were on the other side in their own little clique except for Lucas and Nathan who had gone to the restroom and to Lucas' car for more graham crackers.
"So Jill how do you like Tree Hill so far?" Brooke asked Jill who was sitting on Peyton's other side.
"It's not the city but it's pretty cool. I mean I miss my friends back in Charlotte but you guys are so nice, it makes me feel much better."
"That's good, we're here for you if you need anything. We're your friends now."
Brooke smiled at her and Peyton nodded.
"Thanks guys. You made me feel so at home."
"Don't worry about it, you're cool and plus you're Nathan's friend or maybe more," Brooke trailed off when saying 'maybe more' making Peyton hit her.
"Umm sorry I didn't get what you said last?"
"You and Nathan seem pretty close. Is there you know anything going on between you two?"
Jill laughed, "Who me and Nathan? Oh no we're just friends."
"Are you sure?"
Peyton jumped in, "Don't mind Brooke she likes to be nosy," looking at Brooke, "Don't you Brooke?"
"I'm sorry I don't mean wrong by it, I just wanted to know."
"Oh it's okay, but no nothing's going on between Nathan and I. We're just friends, nothing more," breaking off from her sentence by the cold breeze," Oh my goodness it's so cold."
Jill was rubbing her shoulders while Peyton and Brooke scooched closer to one another. Just then Nathan and Lucas came back.
"Here you go," Nathan came from behind Jill putting his sweater over her as he walked by.
"Thanks," she smiled gently at the tall brunette who smiled back before joining the other guys.
Brooke nudged Peyton, "See told you, what was that?"
"Don't nudge me Brooke and plus you heard her they're just friends. Besides she just came out of a bad relationship with Vegas, Nathan comforted her."
"Vegas?" Brooke yelled slightly then looked over at Jill," You went out with Vegas?"
Jill's eyes grew larger then settled down to a more sad look, "Yeah unfortunately."
"How did that happen, I mean how did you guys meet?"
"We umm met in Charlotte. I was at this jam that I wasn't enjoying very much so I decided to go out for some fresh air and there he was."
"Oh my!"
"Yeah I know. I thought he was this nice sweet guy but little did I know he was just putting on an act. My girls told me to leave him but stupid me stuck around, and now I'm left heartbroken."
"First off, Vegas in no where near nice or sweet, arrogant and a prick yes, not never nice or sweet. And second he broke your heart?"
"Well I broke up with him but the pain he put me through will just stick with me forever and relationships now just seem irrelevant. I don't want to get hurt again, not like that."
"Trust me we know how you feel," Brooke looked at a nodding Peyton.
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Over at the boy's side of the fire, they had moved a little father because they wanted to rest on the ramp of the lifeguard station. Mouth had fallen asleep by the girls earlier. Fergie and Skills sat in the lifeguard station playing cards, leaving the other three sitting on the ramp.
"So you and Jill are getting pretty close huh?" Lucas questioned his little brother.
"Yeah man, what's up with you and sexy thang?" Tim included himself as he watched Jill from afar.
"Nothing."
"Are you sure? You two have been spending a lot of time together this past week."
"Yeah! You two doing things together? I mean it's cool if you're not cause that means The Timinator can get some of that ass."
"Tim shut up," Nathan scowled.
"What?"
"Dim be quiet."
"Aww you guys are no fun," Tim scoffed before heading up the ramp to join Skills and Fergie.
"A little harsh Nate don't you think?"
"Sorry. It's just he was being an ass."
"Do you like her?" Lucas interrupted him.
"Like who?" Nathan tried to play it off.
"You know who I'm talking about Nate, Jill."
"Nah we're just friends."
"Okay it's just you two seem pretty close?"
"Well we did open up to one another when we met so that about answers your question."
"Nate..."
"No Luke I just came out of a relationship myself well more like a marriage. I'm not ready to get back in there and let my heart dangle on the line."
"It's cool It's cool, I was about to say I'm here for you if you need anything."
"Oh...thanks."
Lucas nodded and both stared at the waves as they hit the shore for a bit.
"She came out of a relationship too."
Lucas looked at Nathan, "With Vegas."
"Yeah and she got hurt like I did. I know how she feels. I've been through it. When Haley and I ended it I didn't want to get into another relationship for the fear of getting shot in the heart again. She feels that way too but..."
"You like her."
"I-I don't know man."
"It's okay. Both of you don't want to get hurt again. To you guys, a relationship means heartbreak and neither of you two are ready to gamble on it. Since hers is more recent she's fresh to all this pain while, you are well not used to it but more accustomed. You like her but you're afraid she may not feel the same way which would lead you back into the pain cycle."
Nathan nodded and grinned, "Since when were you Dr. Phil?"
Lucas laughed, "Nah man, Oprah's where it's at."
Both laughed.
"What should I do?"
"Do you like her a lot?"
"I don't know. I mean I like spending time with her and all which is not what I can say for any other girl besides Haley," Nathan turned to face Lucas, "Dude she gives me this special feeling that I only felt with Haley."
"Wow, that's something."
"I know man, so what?"
"I don't know, I guess play it by ear. Take things slow and figure out how she feels about you too."
Nathan nodded, "Yeah."