A/N: Ok, sorry this is short...but it's a slow day for Peyton. I'm hoping I'll be able to post a chapterevery night.
Disclaimer: I don't own One Tree Hill or "How to Save a Life" by the Fray.
Chapter Three: Saving Your Life
January 23rd 2006
I hate this place when it's not night time. I especially hate it when there's no music playing, but I have to be here. Bevin and Rachel have a later cheerleading practice than usual and that leaves no one to set-up TRIC for its Friday night rush. Rachel would have gladly skipped, but I wouldn't let her. She loves cheerleading, and I won't let her sacrifice that because I'm an emotional wreck. I can handle myself.
I forgot to mention I quit cheerleading. The only reason I did it in the first place was because it was what my mom and Brooke loved to do. But I actually hate it. I didn't think I did at first, but I do. And seeing as Brooke and I aren't on speaking terms anyways, why the hell should I keep doing something I basically see as torture? Now, I'm going to live for myself, now. In fact not that I think about it, the only thing I miss is the rush of the basketball games. I was never crazy about basketball, but it's something about those games. The adrenaline just sort of flows through me and I feel happy, if only for an hour. When you're at a game, you can forget. And I could really use some forgetting.
"Hey stranger," says a chipper voice from behind me. I'm awoken from my musings on cheerleading.
"Hales?" I ask, "Aren't you a little early?"
"Only an hour," she says sheepishly.
"Oh. What about cheerleading practice?"
"Brooke told me to take some time to prepare for tonight," she seems almost reluctant to mention Brooke. She should be. Just the name Brooke makes me glare unconsciously. "Well, did you decide what you're going to sing?" I ask, trying to change the subject.
"No, that's the thing. I needed some time to think about it."
"Ok, well just let me know. I've got to work on some stuff in the back." I really don't, but I feel uncomfortable just standing there with a girl I used to consider a good friend. I mean I know it's the right thing not letting her in. If I do, then she'll lose Brooke and Brooke was really there for her when all that Nathan drama started and I was busy being angry with her. I really let her down, I guess. But Brooke was there and I don't think it's fair that she risk that. Because I know Brooke is vicious when it comes to these things. You're either with her or against her and God help you if you're against her.
I'm just heading to the back room, trying to ignore the frown on Haley's face when Rachel and Bevin burst into TRIC. They look angry. No, I take that back. They look furious. I set my box down on the bar.
"What happened?"
"That bitch kicked us off the squad!" Rachel yells.
"What?" I ask incredulously.
"She said that the most important part of a squad is loyalty," Bevin supplies, "So she asked that all the cheerleaders make a pact that they were loyal to her and her only. That we'd have her back no matter what seeing as she's captain and all."
"So, me and Bevin refused to sign it. She said whoever didn't sign was off the team."
"Guys," I sigh, pinching the bridge of my nose, "You didn't have to do that. I know how much cheerleading means to both of you."
"We've got your back, Peyton," Rachel says immediately, "You've been here for both of us. A real friend doesn't dessert her girl in a time of need."
"Exactly," Bevin smiles, "And besides, without you there to keep Brooke under control, cheerleading's become a whole lot less fun." I smile at the thought of their crazy cheer captain.
"Well thank you for your loyalty." I give them both big hugs, trying to suppress my tears. I can't believe it. For the first time in a long time, it feels like someone's really got my back. I look up and see Haley watching us. She gives me a sad smile before turning away. Whether she likes it or not, Brooke's going to make her sign that pact. If she refuses, she loses Brooke. If she signs, she's no longer neutral.
Two hours later Haley's getting ready to go on. She still hasn't told me what she's playing, but Rachel just went to find out. I'm sitting on my usual stool with my usual bourbon. Lucas, Brooke and Nathan are here, in their usual booth. Brooke looks like her normal, skanky self. Super short skirt, extremely low cut top, stilettos and bold make-up. Lucas looks incredibly sexy tonight. I hate saying that, but he does. His hair is a little more disheveled than usual. He kind of looks like he did during early junior year. The thought sends chills down my spine, and I immediately take another shot to suppress the thoughts. Rachel joins me at the bar not long after. She orders a water bottle.
"Haley chose a song."
"And it happens to be?"
"A surprise," Rachel says, "Just watch."
"You mean listen," I quirk. She gives me that look, the one that says, 'Shut the hell up, Peyton! You know what I mean!' Bevin has done the honors of introducing Haley to the crowd. Now, she heads back to our little corner.
"Hey girls," Bevin says scooting onto the barstool on my other side.
"Bevin," I nod, as Haley takes her place on stage. She sits down in the center of the stage at the piano. She fixes the microphone so it's even with her mouth.
"I'd like to dedicate this song to my good friend, Peyton Sawyer. It's a popular song by the Fray which I'm sure most of you have heard." Haley began, "It's called How to Save a Life."
"Step one you say we need to talk
She walks you say sit down it's just a talk
She smiles politely back at you
You stare politely right on through
Some sort of window to your right
As she goes left and you stay right
Between the lines of fear and blame
And you begin to wonder why you came
Where did I go wrong, I lost a friend
Somewhere along in the bitterness
And I would have stayed up with you all night
Had I known how to save a life
Let her know that you know best
Cause after all you do know best
Try to slip past her defense
Without granting innocence
Lay down a list of what is wrong
The things you've told her all along
And pray to God she hears you
And pray to God she hears you
Where did I go wrong, I lost a friend
Somewhere along in the bitterness
And I would have stayed up with you all night
Had I known how to save a life
As she begins to raise her voice
You lower yours and grant her one last choice
Drive until you lose the road
Or break with the ones you've followed
She will do one of two things
She will admit to everything
Or she'll say she's just not the same
And you'll begin to wonder why you came
Where did I go wrong, I lost a friend
Somewhere along in the bitterness
And I would have stayed up with you all night
Had I known how to save a life."
As she finishes, the crowd goes crazy clapping and cheering. The only one not clapping is Brooke who's glaring daggers at Haley. But even Brooke has to admit, Haley did a great job. I'm probably clapping the hardest out of anyone and these tears are flowing out of my eyes like crazy. I feel so strange at this moment. It's like besides clapping I don't know how to react. So I wait until she's done and head backstage. And to my surprise, she's gone.