Author's Note: I've been away for a bit but I'm back if you guys haven't abandoned me yet. lol Haven't let this story go!

Lucas stretched his legs before departing the vehicle. The gang had finally arrived at their final destination...home. The ride back was much more hassle free than their first ride. Of course with the help of Peyton this time around manning the map as Lucas drove.Brooke kept them awake with her banter, it was annoying but hey it kept their eyes open so they never complained.

"Alright guys rip your asses out of those seats, we're home," Lucas quipped as he headed for the trunk.

He was accompanied by everyone prying themselves out of the car letting it be known how tired they were with each pain striking groan. Jill stayed behind still glued to her seat as she watched everyone grab their bags. She had too much on her mind to even worry about being groggy much less that they were home. It never changed how she reacted to things or what happened. It seemed nothing could distract her from her thoughts. Over and over her mind replayed waking up in the morning finding herself in Nathan's arms up until the hand holding that lasted practically the duration of their trip back. It seemed simple enough, she liked him he liked her what was there to worry about? For Jill however, it was far from simple. No matter how much she wanted what her heart desired she couldn't help but feel that etching pain of daggers stabbing away. Stab stab, the rythmic feeling everytime she was happy. It was as if the more she longed for romance the more the stabbing sensation doubled. What was wrong with her?

"Hey chickie, give your butt groove a rest and come out of the jeep already."

Jill jumped up with a jolt before calming down. She simply smiled at the curly blonde by her before obliging to her commands, not wanting her to read her thoughts. If that was even remotely possible.

"I've been sitting here so long I've lost all sensation."

"Well nothing like a good stretch and prancing to calm the tingles," Peyton smiled linking arms with her.

The girls ran over to an awake Brooke, the result of espresso bites. Without them she wasn't a happy camper. Thank goodness she had a whole life's supply safely packed in her tote.

"Model Girl, bestfriend just in time. I was just looking at my palm pilot and guess what?"

Both looked at her with questioning looks. Too lazy to give an answer.

"Okay no answer, I'll tell you guys anyways. My dad just loaded my visa so you all know what that means?"

"You're going shopping?" Jill squinted.

"Bingo and not just any shopping. I need a whole new winter wardrobe seeing as Christmas is just around the corner."

Peyton looked at her bestfriend weirdly.

"Didn't you just go shopping like last week?"

"Yeah so? That was end of season shopping. A whole new season is starting so that calls for a whole new line of clothes. I'm thinking of doing some purchasing online, you know the independant brands like Nanette Lepore and all that's good online. THEN I so need to hit up Hollister and Macy's. Who's up for the shopping challenge?"

Jill and Peyton looked unamused. They didn't really feel like joining in any major shop treatment and card damage right after a long trip.

"I think I'll pass, Lucas wants to hang out and watch a movie at my place."

Brooke held her heart dramatically for special effects.

"Ditched by the bestfriend once again, I can deal with it," she exhaled, "what about you model girl you in?"

She shook her head reluctantly.

"As much fun as that sounds I too am going to pass. I think I'm just going to stay home."

"Borring, you two are no fun," she pouted, "let me go torment Lucas into letting you come."

And with that Brooke ran hollering towards Lucas who bore the face of someone about to get jumped. Brooke had that effect on people. Peyton just shook her head as she went after her.

"Brooke get back here."

Jill watched the three from across her lawn before searching for the missing link. Her eyes found him rifling through his gymbag, the contents practically falling everyhwere.

"Digging up a storm I see," she said walking over to him a little hesitant.

He met her gaze with a smile as he began to load his bag again.

"My ipod ran out of batteries," he held up his spare pack.

She nodded eyeing the package, small tension building up between the two.

"So umm I was going to ask you something but never mind,it's stupid" she went to grab her bag.

"It won't be, tell me."

She looked up into his eyes. Trying to muster up words, something to make things better between them. Love or misery, which will it be?

"We umm what happened between us over the weekend, that was just because you and I are good friends right?"

She chose misery.

He looked at her not knowing what to say, a little confused actually.

"Umm yeah sure."

"Good, just wanted to make sure you know. I didn't want to give the wrong impression, but I'm glad you and I see eye to eye."

He nodded.

"Yeah eye to eye."

She half smiled before leaving him alone by himself. He didn't move from his spot, just stared as she disappeared into her house. All in one day, well not even one day more like a morning, they managed to show their feelings and actually take a step ahead but it was rather shortlived. Just like that she burst the bubble and left him in the cold. Why?

Jill walked in her house, although if she had a choice she would've ran but that would've been too obvious. Nothing was going to stop the numb feeling she was harbouring nor the fresh sting of tears rushing down her face. She ruined a good thing and she knew it.