Chapter Four: A Simple Mistake

Chapter Notes: Chapter's title is a lyric from "Chocolate" by Snow Patrol. Also, Snow Patrol just put out anotherCD called Eyes Open, you should get it because it's amazing. I got to represent since they're pretty amazing.

Seeing him so soon caused Peyton's fears to be confronted sooner than she had hoped for; much sooner than she would've liked them to, which is why she quickly sunk back into the shadows next to the bleachers.

"Oh God!" Peyton whispered to herself angrily as she watched Lucas turn back around to look for her. Luckily, he hadn't seen her sink off to her undisturbed hiding place. A small content smile slid onto her lips, but after a few seconds of watching him intently search for her brought back old feelings… feelings she thought had been long gone.

Now, with a sour grimace in place of her smile, Peyton wanted to get out of this hell hole as soon as possible, but she didn't want to risk walking out in the open since Lucas was still in searching for her. So she walked underneath the pulled out bleachers to the far end of the gym. Streams of colorful light splashed in horizontal streaks that helped Peyton see where she was putting each foot before her as she quickly stalked over to her destination. She was surprised not to find any spontaneous couples making out under there, but happy that she didn't have to witness such PDA. When she finally made it over there, she swung the gym door open with a fury—not really caring if it smacked a fellow graduate in the back of the head or not.

"Why did I come?" She silently berated herself for the millionth time that day. "Why the hell would I want to reopen old wounds and rub salt in them?" There was no aim in her next awaited stop, Peyton just walked around the halls trying to figure out why she was so ignorant in coming.

Slowly, she started to calm down. With each passing locker, more memories seemed to flood her and she couldn't help to wear a small smile because no matter what had happened in the past, those events made her who she was today. No matter how great or small the trial was it helped influence her art… her passion for expression. And that's when she made it to the library.

Staring wide eyed at the doors, the many memories of him started to invade her nostalgic thoughts. Even though the library was seen as boring or the best make-out spot in the school to any other ex-student in the building, she couldn't count how many times she and Lucas shared their heart with one another in that specific area of the school… and because of that, it was more than just a room to her. It was where she always seemed to confront what her heart was screaming.

Feeling as if she should commemorate the moment more, Peyton cautiously opened one of the door. The smell of old books met her senses, a smell which she cherished. Every time when she looked back on the frightening memory of the school shooting, that one poignant smell always came to mind for some reason. It must've been because this place was her one place of sanctuary in all its chaos.

She continued to think of all the times she spent in there drawing or even quietly reflecting her life's many problems, but right when Peyton decided to leave, she heard the library's doors creak in opening.

"Peyton?"

The one voice that sent butterflies to flutter crazily about in her stomach and sent her heart racing had finally spoke… the one person she was trying to avoid had finally come to a head with her. Peyton slowly turned around to see his silhouette against the outside halls' lights.

Taking a ragged breath, she softly responded, "Hi Lucas."

Haley didn't know if this was the most awkward thing she had experienced or not, but it was definitely one of them. The only time she had stood before Nathan like this was when she finally came back from tour and surprised him on his parents' porch. But that moment was more frightening because she was at fault for their tattered marriage… this time she wasn't.

"You look nice, Hales," Nathan mumbled without looking at her straight. She could tell that he was very nervous.

Crossing her arms and looking sideways, she thanked him accordingly. "Thank you. You don't look too bad yourself." And she wasn't lying. She thought he always looked nice in a fitted black suit and tie; he cleaned up nicely for an 'all about ball' kind of guy, but then again, Haley had taught him a thing or two being his wife.

Nathan looked up at the gym's ceiling as if asking the Heavens to help him out a bit and then back down at Haley pleadingly. "Look, Hales. I know I've messed up. I had no right to yell at you or say such terrible things to you… it's just… it's just…"

Haley was more than willing to listen to him, but if he didn't even know what the cause was for his bitterness towards her that scared her beyond belief.

When Nathan looked like he was finally going to continue on, his shoulders dropped and he shook his head in defeat.

Her fear consuming her now, Haley exasperatedly shouted, "What Nathan? What is it! What has turned my sweet, loving husband into his father?" As soon as Haley said that, she quickly regretted it. She didn't know what overcame her. It could've been many things, but they all pointed to the pent up anger that had gotten a foothold in her heart where he used to stand… where he still did.

Pain swam in his eyes as he looked at her incredulously. After a few seconds he nodded sullenly, "All right. That was all I needed to hear," and brushed past Haley and out to the parking lot.

Tearing stinging her eyes, Haley turned on her heel and followed after him.

Both Brooke and Mouth were pretty exhausted from all the dancing that they were doing by the time Mouth finally announced he needed some punch.

Escorting Brooke over to an open table, he asked her, "Would you like me to get you a cup, too?"

Smiling up at him, Brooke nodded, "Why thank you, Mouth. I'd really like that."

She took a seat when he left her side and happily watched as her fellow peers meandered about talking, dancing, and some of them flirting with past flames. After a minute or two, Mouth returned with both punches in hand.

The conversation seemed to flow easily as if they had been the greatest friends for the past ten years… as if a decade had never separated their teenage wants, goals, and hopes. All seemed to be well until a certain red head tapped Mouth on the shoulder. Brooke hadn't seen her come up because if she had, she would've spat the fire first.

"Hey Mouth," Rachel said as cordial as ever and then sneered, "Brooke, you look a little on the heavy side. Have you been eating too much pie lately?"

Brooke immediately knew what she was talking about— Operation Fat Rachel. Brooke gave Mouth a menacing glance, but then regained her composure and replied, "Rachel, I didn't know you still lived in the past. Well, I guess that explains why you're wearing that dress then."

Rachel rolled her eyes and pretended as if the joke didn't get at her. "Mouth, I came over here to see if you wanted to dance." While she finished asking him, Rachel stared at Brooke as if saying 'bring it.'

Mouth looked confused. He was obviously wondering if this would cause Brooke to be mad at him for dancing with Rachel, but then he didn't want to hurt Rachel because he was too worried about Brooke's favor over him. Deciding that this wasn't high school any longer, Mouth stood up and took Rachel's hand. "I'd love to!"

Brooke's jaw drop as she heard his response, but that was quickly covered by a mask of anger as she stared daggers at Mouth. "I'll be back in a minute, Brooke," he promised her, pleading with his eyes to forgive him before Rachel pulled him over to the dance.

She didn't know why she was so pissed off at seeing those two together. After all, this was Mouth! The sweetest guy that she ever had the pleasure of heart to heart with and being his friend, so why was she so territorial over him if he was just little old Mouth McFadden?

Rachel was obviously throwing herself at Mouth, and Mouth being the nice guy was telling her to stop but to no avail. Getting angrier and angrier as she witnessed this, Brooke didn't have any understanding in why she was watching Rachel try to torment her by messing around with Mouth. Finally, when Rachel kissed Mouth's neck, like she had done with Lucas the first time she noticed Brooke watching, Brooke decided that it was time to break up this little love fest.

Brooke stalked out on to the dance floor and pushed Rachel off of Mouth. "Okay, if you some action, go call a male escort because if you haven't noticed, Mouth's not interested in you!"

"Oh, and he's into you, Ugly-ass?" Rachel spat back rapidly.

By this time many people on the dance floor had stopped dancing and formed a circle around the three. Some were saying 'ouch' or 'oh snap' after hearing Rachel's come back.

Brooke laughed as if she couldn't believe her eyes. "Okay, okay. And you're pretty good looking… for a gorilla, that is."

The bystanders erupted with cheers and laughs; Mouth even had trouble holding back laughter.

Rachel just stood there for a moment staring at her, probably cursing her beyond oblivion, but Brooke didn't care because she had one this round. Finally, Rachel sauntered off the dance floor and out of the gym.

Feeling especially chipper now, Brooke grabbed Mouth's hand and dragged him over to the nearest bathroom and ushered all of the women out of it. Once it was deserted all save for the two of them, Brooke locked the bathroom door behind her. She turned around and leaned against the door and looked over at Mouth, who seemed a little uneasy. 'Good,' Brooke thought as she bit her bottom lip in a mischievous manner. Mouth must've noticed this change in her mood because he was never on the receiving end of this Brooke before, the flirty one.

Taking his nervousness as a sign to initiate, Brooke gently pulled on Mouth's black tie and pulled him into a leisure kiss.

Author's Notes: Haha, well I thought I had to end this chapter on a promising note since the rest of it was kind of angsty: Leyton and Naley. Um, it's been what? Seven months since I've last updated. Well, to tell you the truth cut that time in half because I did have a fourth chapter written a while back, but I thought it was so terrible and unworthy of your guys' eyes, I didn't post it. I didn't want to insult you guys and lower your expectations for this story. So thank you for reading this after such a long writer's block!

It means a lot to see that you guys are still willing to read it. Hopefully it's not asking too much of you to review since this chapter is practically a reconnecting one for us from a writer to reader kind of thing. Does that make any sense? Well, I just really need to hear your opinion on this chapter because it's vital to know that you all are still out there and if you guys like the direction this chapter is going. So with that said, please send me a review! Especially if you have an opinion on the storyline, on the pace, or on my writing overall.

You all are so awesome! I'm such a lucky writer to have such gracious readers for a story. Ya'll aren't thanked as much as you all should be, so thank you times a million and more! You guys are the backbone of the reason why I write. If the first story I posted wouldn't have gotten a review, I probably wouldn't have continued writing at all. So if you like the writer I'm becoming, it's because of you guys out there taking the time out of your day to read my story and encouraging me with your amazing reviews and feedback. So thank you!

I'll start writing the next chapter tomorrow or Tuesday because I don't feel a block coming on. So yeah, the next chapter might be up in two to three days hopefully. So see you all soon!