Author's Note: lol Who thought it was Jill he was talking to! Come on fess up. lol just kidding. I had to put in a little Haley here and there, you know to keep you guys on your toes, if that even had that effect on you guys. lol

brathanfan- we all await the day until those two hotties hook up. lol Soon soon!

FastFuriousChick- really! You knew he'd call Haley? Am I that obvious? lol they have spent a lot of time together haven't they? lol she'll realize. Ooh and the Vegas getting hit by a car idea sounds very tempting, very good suggestion. hhaha he'll get his just desserts soon, you'll be happy with the outcome.

In an effort to keep his students from slacking off and not completing their murals Mr. Morrison arranged to have his art class work outside for the afternoon, the object to study for today was of course completing their neglected art pieces. Even the two most artistic enthusiasts Peyton and Jill had been holding off on their mural. They had that one Saturday to start it then all of a sudden that was it. Never again did they touch their work until today.

Eveyone was bundled up due to the harsh winds blowing over Tree Hill. The forecast predicted sun yet it forgot to mention the wind chill. It was pretty normal weather for the beginning of November except for the minor exception of a little more chill this time around.

Jill wasn't used to the coldness, it was always a little more warmer in the city. Probably from all the pollution and what not. She came prepared though, all bundled up in a large grey pullover sweater with her maroon scarf wrapped around her neck, and vintage jeans she sat cross legged on the ground. She took off her Ked's and let her socks feel the nip of the cold air, she hated when they were all stuffed up in shoes. If she could wear flip flops all year round she would.

She looked up at Peyton who was propped on the ladder as she painted in the top corner of the mural.

"Will you pass me the white paint?"

Gladly obliging the blonde passed it down. She had it with her due to the large amount of white paint she needed to finish her piece. Peyton always worked with black and white. She was pretty content that way, not including any color into whatever she drew. Jill on the other hand was open to monochromes as well as the whole color wheel caboodle, but in an effort to compromise with Peyton she allowed their mural to be black and white with an exception of a couple coloured pieces. She couldn't just agree with out a fight, that's how Jill was, never was she one to give anyone power to everything. Not even her parents!

Everyone shared in a light conversation, mainly speaking to those they were working with as the teacher observed their progress as well as mark a couple of their critiques that were due the day before. Jill and Peyton shared a little banter here and there as they concentrated on their work, but nothing that dealt with Nathan and Jill's situation and the outburst that happened on Wednesday. Everyone wondered why Jill continued to ignore Nathan when it was obvious he did it in his best intentions. Some even thought Jill was being immature, but Peyton knew there was something more on her mind and she made it her responsibiltiy to get down to the source.

Cleaning off her brushes she set them on one of the steps.

"So, you going to tell me what's going on between you and Nathan or am I going to have to keep small talking you until you accidently blurt it out?"

"Peyton what are you talking about?"

The blonde laughed knowing Jill was trying to play around the subject.

"Oh come on dude, you know very well what I'm talking about. The whole situation last Wednesday that caused you to storm out the gym almost in tears leaving behind a raged Nathan who might I add also stormed out of the gym. Possibly almost in tears as well, but you know how guys are with hiding their emotions."

"Ha ha funny," knowing Peyton was trying to make her laugh. It seemed after the whole debaccle Jill had been a little aloof, "I umm I was hurt that's all."

"By what?"

"Uhh newsflash, finding out someone you had gotten so close with to a point where you trusted them and built this special connection with, only for it to be broken with the words 'he was planning on banging you then leaving you' ring a bell?"

"You didn't believe all that did you?"

"Believe what?"

"What Vegas said, you know it was a whole lot of crap he spit from his mouth right?"

"Of course Peyton. I'm not stupid and I'm not naive like you guys think I'm being right now."

"We don't think that."

"Yeah you do and I don't blame you. I never exactly said my piece. I pretty much shut up and just distanced myself, but I know. I know Nathan wasn't trying to do that. He's a great guy and I know he'd never do anything to hurt me. He tried to protect me because that's how he is. I would have been happier if he told me what was going on rather than take it into his own hands which lead us to where we are now, but I get it. I'm not mad at him."

"Then why are you ignoring him, if you knew he was just trying to help?"

Jill put down her palette and looked up at Peyton.

"Because he did it for me."

Peyton looked confused, what did she mean?

"I don't get it."

"Before I came to Tree Hill Nathan hung around with everyone. He used to hang out with his basketball buddies including Vegas, you guys, and pretty much everyone else. Come on he's MVP and captain of the basketball team. Then I came and all of a sudden it was just him and me. He ditched everyone else to hang around with me. He hardly hangs out with you guys, and hanging out with his boys just isn't part of his schedule anymore."

He's not that popular," Peyton joked.

"Peyton!"

"Sorry sorry, okay back to the problem. Jill we don't mind that Nathan hangs around you. We actually like that he has someone to connect with like that. We haven't seen him this happy since Haley. He needs someone like you. Plus with all the time he spends with you means less time he has to bug us soo.."

Jill scoffed playfully throwing a small brush at Peyton who laughed dodging it.

"What about Vegas and the rest of the guys?"

"He wasn't really all that close with Vegas to begin with."

"You said so yourself. All of you guys grew up together forming friendships. Vegas was part of that group too don't deny it."

Peyton sighed.

"Okay big deal Vegas grew up with us, it didn't mean we liked him throught the years. I for one can live without him if I had the choice."

"Maybe so, but the point is they're friends and you know it. The pictures of them on his wall throughout the years speak for themselves. I was selfish when I came hogging all of Nathan's time. I clung on to him and I never gave him breathing space."

"I don't think he minds."

"That's because he's too nice. I should've noticed all of this sooner but I didn't. Now I know and I want to change all of this. God Peyton they fought because of me and now they're not even friends anymore. And why you ask? Because I had to get in the middle. When I found out Nathan knew Vegas I should have just backed off."

"Don't see it that way."

"Peyton you out of all people should know what I'm talking about. What happened between you, Brooke, and Lucas. You let a guy come in between and it cost you to lose Brooke for awhile, she meant more than any guy. That's what's happening now. Maybe not just with me, Vegas, and Nathan. What if along the way a problem like that arises again? I don't want to come in between friendships. Those mean more than any guy or girl. I already cost him to break fences with Vegas, I don't want me hanging around with him to cause anything more."

Peyton understood what Jill was saying. It was weird but she understood.

"What about what you and Nathan have?"

"It's nothing compared to what he has with friends he's had longer than he's known me"
"Are you sure about this?"

"Yeah, I just need to let him go back to being himself. I don't want to croud around him and take up his time. It's better this way. Besides we're just friends so it might not be hard."

"You should tell him," Peyton climbed down the ladder and sat next to Jill, "I know you've got everything worked out but just keep this in mind. I'm with Lucas now and Brooke she's good with it. Maybe what you and Nathan have is worth more than anything he's had with Vegas or those other fake posers."

Jill sighed turning around to continue with her piece.

"Yeah I know," she said under her breath.