Author's Note: lol brathanfan and slimshadyzlady...yeah Dan is one force to be reckoned with. He gets on my nerves sometimes too!
"Okay, remind me again why our asses are out on the streets Christmas Eve? I could swear this is the day where you stay home acting all lazy while your parents fix up a gigantic dinner and make you take an oath to stay in your room so they can finish wrapping your presents. Of course they wouldn't tell you they were gift-wrapping because that would've been too easy. Instead they'd say something stupid like 'mommy and I are going to finish up some business in our bedroom, don't disturb us please'. Like I could've cared less if they were keeping me in suspense, I would've already had a peek the week before when my gifts were hiding in the linen closet. Parents are so naïve, and so gross for using that line, like I want to know what business is going on in their room."
Peyton rolled her eyes and laughed as she trudged a few steps ahead of her already whining best friend.
"I already told you there's this really cool indie band in town doing a mini press conference."
"Oh yeah, what's their name again, Radio?"
"It's Cradio. But yeah, they're staying at the Hilton Riverside for a week working on a couple of demo tracks in their own personal studio somewhere around here."
"Hmm Cradio got it! P.Sawyer you're like some crazed music psychic. For some odd reason you know where to track down bands up the wazoo. You've got us searching for a possibly fake studio on Christmas Eve for God knows why."
"God blessed me with the ability to track down bands what can I say," she grinned big.
"Yeah well even so, I still think it's freaking crazy of us to be stalking them the day before Christmas. I mean why are we doing this again?"
"Brooke I really want them to play at TRIC for New Years Eve."
The brunette's eyes widened to the sound of a possible party.
"TRIC? Are you implying some sort of soiree?"
"Yeah I am, and I want Cradio there."
"Why?" She looked confused but then took back her question, "never mind I know. The whole low stream rock is what you look for. You and Model Girl got that thing down pat."
"Well yeah and plus they're really good, besides who better to throw a New Year's bash than TRIC. I talked to Karen about it and she's cool with it, it's going to bring the club a lot of money and she isn't doing anything with the place on that day anyway so it's free for the taking."
"Well I'm certainly not complaining. Anything that deals with parties my name is written all over it, but why do we need to be lurking around on a day like this?"
Peyton looked at her as she kept her hands in her leather jacket pockets.
"Did you have plans today?"
She scowled.
"Unfortunately no."
"Same. I figured since it was a free day and Cradio was in town why not try searching for them. All their fans are probably at home celebrating with their families so no long line ups. All we need to do is find them and then persuade them."
"True and true…boy you've got a knack for this stuff. Okay I'm just going to shut up now. Let's look for this Cradio and convince them to play at the club."
Peyton laughed.
"Good idea."
"I thought so."
Both girls smiled at one another reaching for the other one's arm in a link. They continued to walk down the streets solemnly, trying to spot a studio called Ace. The weather was a little chilly causing both girls to wear light jackets and scarves. The scarves were more for decoration than protection. It never really got cold in Tree Hill unless cold was defined as a light breeze.
"Umm Pey can I ask you something?" Brooke finally spoke after an almost silent five minutes.
"Yeah, shoot," her eyes focused before her.
"Why are you out looking for a band and not at home spending Christmas with your dad?"
Peyton sighed as the breeze grazed her face.
"He's out at sea. They called him last minute to watch a patrol boat up near Virginia; he won't be home this holiday like all holidays."
"Oh, well it's not so bad right?"
"No I know, I totally understand. It's his job and he's really good at it that's why they always look to him to run things. It's just I don't know he promised he'd lay off work for awhile which I know is stupid because where will the money come from, but I wish he was around more you know."
"I can totally relate. You want to know why I'm not at home right now."
"Why?"
Brooke looked down as she dusted a piece of lint off her jacket.
"Because my parents decided to go to a resort in the tropics together instead of here with me."
Peyton's eyes widened. Looking at Brooke she could understand how she felt.
"Really?"
"Yeah, a delivery boy came this morning and dropped off a bunch of presents and a letter telling me where they were."
"I'm so sorry," she hugged her best friend who looked so distraught.
"I just, I just don't get it you know. I'm happy they're showering me with gifts, but what good is it if I can't spend it with them?"
"I know how that feels."
"All my life Pey, it's been like this. You'd think I'd be used to it now but when I look at other families like you and Larry, Jill and her large family in Canada, Lucas and Karen, even Nathan's family. I know his is screwed up but what I would give for that attention. It makes me sad."
"Brooke," she hugged her even tighter.
"Yeah there's that saying 'you want what you can't have', but I did have it. When I stayed with Karen and Lucas last year she was like a mother to me. Yeah at first it was dumb how I always got in trouble and I had a curfew and all, but deep down I loved it. I want that."
"Did you tell your parents?"
She exhaled.
"No."
"Well at least they're away because they don't know, my dad, he knows yet he's still out there."
"I guess you and I are kind of on the same wavelength."
"Kind of? Girl we're right on."
Brooke rolled her eyes playfully slapping Peyton's arm.
"What am I going to do?"
"Tell them."
"And you?"
"Same goes for me too."
She nodded, observing her surroundings
"You know what?"
"What?"
"We may be best friends but I consider you more than that. You're more of a sister, like my family. You're always here for me."
"Ditto. We've been through too many things together, we might as well," she stuck out her fist," hoes over bros?"
Brooke grinned knocking back, "hoes over bros."
"You think we played out that line yet?"
"What? Never, this line is classic, It's our trademark."
Peyton smiled. They had that philosophy since the day they met. Come to think of it, the reason they made it up was because they were still at the hype of their cootie days. Well except for Brooke, she was just mad at Jeremy Tucker for not sharing his pudding snack with her that day. It only lasted a couple of minutes, but it was the longest she had ever stopped liking boys.
"It is our trademark," she paused, "you know what?"
"What?"
The blonde smiled.
"We're here."
Brooke looked to her left and read the Ace sign in black lettering.
"Hmmm," a grin growing on her face, "let's go get that band," and with that she grabbed Peyton as they rushed into the studio, hand in hand, just like family.