I walked into the party with Hailey by my side. As we entered we saw Brooke in the corner of the room talking to some girl, and we started walking toward her.
"Finally! You guys took forever. Where have you been?"
"Sorry. We had to put gas in the car."
"Oh, its ok. Where are the guys?"
"You know them, always late. Plus you know they're back to hating each other again. Ever since…"
I looked Brooke in the eyes and we both glanced at Hailey. She looked at them with a sad look on her face.
"I know." Brooke said rubbing Hailey's arm.
I looked at the new girl who was just standing back and taking everything in.
"This your first college party?"
"No…"
"Oh… Sorry guys, I totally forgot. This is my cousin Mercedes." Brooke said cutting her off.
"Hi" She said as she waved her hand back and forth.
Hailey and I waved back.
"I'm gonna get a drink."
"Good idea" Hailey said as she followed behind me.
"Brooke you wanna come?"
Brooke looked over at Mercedes who just shook her head signaling her to go. She followed behind as she shook her head in agreement.
"Is she the one who you stayed with in LA last summer?"
"Yeah she is. You guys are gonna love her!"
I just smiled and shook my head.
Nathan POV
"Damn she's fine!" I said as I looked at the girl in the corner of the room.
"Yeah she is" Lucas said walking up behind me "But look at all the guys around her. She looks a little uncomfortable"
"I never asked for your opinion!" I said as I walked away.
"Whatever. I'm gonna go find Peyton."
"Fine, go look for your girlfriend. Just stay the hell away from me."
As I walked toward her I figured out a way to get her alone and get me on her good side. I pushed my way past a few guys and put my arms around her waist, pressing her against my chest. I felt her try and push away so I leaned down and whispered in her ear.
"Its ok. You look a little uncomfortable so I'm gonna help you out."
I felt her relax in my arms and she put her arms around me. Her aroma kept me in a trance but I had to snap out of it if I was ever gonna get her alone.
"Hey baby. Sorry I'm late." I said as I kissed her nose and turned to face the guys. Just as I had suspected most of them had already left.
"Who are your friends?" I asked as I gave them a few dirty glances.
"Oh. This is Brandon and this is Justin."
Wow! Even her voice was beautiful. She had me in such a trance. But the sound of the guys talking snapped me out of staring at her and looking up at them.
"We'll catch you later." And they both walked away
I let her go, although I really didn't want to.
"Thanks. I owe you." She said smiling.
"No problem. Nathan Scott."
"Mercedes Davis."
I couldn't stop looking at her! She looked amazing. She was wearing high black heels and a short black mini-skirt and a light pink halter. Just then I heard Brookes voice
"Take a picture Nate. It lasts longer." She said as she walked up to us with Peyton and Hailey.
" Ha, Ha. You're funny Brooke." I felt my cheeks burn.
"Here cuz I got you a drink." Brooke handed Mercedes a cup.
I looked at Brooke confused.
"She's your cousin? You're her cousin?"
I looked at Brooke and then at Mercedes.
"Yeah I am."
"Oh… well…ok then. I'm gonna go get a drink."
I walked away from them as Lucas came up.
Mercedes POV
"Wow. He's gorgeous. I remember the picture you showed me Brooke but… he looks so much better in person."
"Who! No way! You like him?"
" I don't know if I like him. I don't know him. I just think he's gorgeous."
"Huu…right"
"Hey baby. I've been looking for you." Lucas said as he wrapped himself around Peyton and kissed her lightly. She smiled and kissed him back.
"Hey guys. What were you talking about?"
"Nathan." Brooke answered as she looked at me and smiled.
"Oh. What about him?"
"Mercedes thinks he's gorgeous." Hailey said.
I could hear a hint of hurt and sadness in her voice and decided to investigate it later.
"Who's Mercedes?"
"That would be me." I looked at him and took a drink.
"Oh hey, I'm Lucas Scott."
"I know who you are."
Brooke had told me what had happened between them and Peyton. After she told me I thought that he was an ass. But it looked like she had gotten over it because she didn't look bothered by their very graphic PDA.
Lucas looked at Hailey and he could tell she was hurt.
"You ok Hales?"
"Yeah I'm fine. I think I'm gonna head out though. I don't feel very well."
"I'll take you home." Peyton said as she parted ways from Luke's arms.
"No, Its ok. I'll call a cab."
"Please. I brought you so I have to take you home."
"Ok I'll wait for you in the car."
"Ok. I'm just gonna grab my coat."
"Alright. Take your time."
Hailey headed toward the door and I turned to face the others. I had some questions that I needed answered.
"Did I say something wrong?"
"It's just that her and Nathan broke up a few weeks ago and I'm thinking it still hurts her to be around him." Brooke answered
"Great. And what I said made it so much worse."
"Don't worry about it. I'm sure she'll be fine." Lucas said to me in a reassuring voice.
"I'm gonna go get my coat."
"You want me to go with you?" Lucas told Peyton as he pulled her into his arms once more
"Peyton do you mind if I take Hailey home? I just wanna talk to her." I interrupted.
"You sure you want to?"
"Yeah. I'm sure."
"Ok"
"Ok. Brooke I'll be back soon."
"Alright then. Be careful. Call me if you need anything." She said to me as I walked away from them.
Hailey was waiting by Peyton's car when I got to the parking lot. I walked over to her and noticed a tear roll down her cheek.
"Hey Hailey. Peyton decided to stay and I asked to take you. You ok with that?"
"Oh. I don't want to cause any trouble. I'll just call a cab."
"No…I wanted to talk to you. Just let me give you a ride home."
She looked at me for a second contemplating my request.
"Ok."
She agreed and we began to walk to my car.
"Go ahead. The doors open."
"You drive an Escalade?"
"Yeah. Birthday present from my dad."
"Nice."
She got in and I started the car.
Brooke POV
"I hope that Hailey feels better."
Lucas looked up at me and smiled.
"She'll be fine Brooke. Don't worry about her."
"Yeah Brooke. She just needs some time to get over Nathan."
Peyton said grabbing Luke's attention once more.
"Yeah your right. Speaking of Nathan… Where is he?"
"He said he was going to get something to drink."
"Lets go look for him."
Peyton and Lucas followed me into the kitchen and we began to look for Nathan.
Mercedes POV
The first few minutes of the car ride were spent in silence, I finally decided to say something and clear the air.
"I'm sorry Hailey."
"Sorry? For what?"
"For saying what I said about Nathan."
"Oh… don't apologize. You didn't know. Besides there's nothing going on with Nathan and I anymore."
"Maybe not. But it still hurts you."
"No it doesn't."
"Oh yeah? Then tell me why you were crying when I found you in the parking lot."
She sat there in silence. I knew it hurt her, and I didn't mean to upset her.
"I didn't mean to upset you Hailey. Look… I know that I just met you tonight but… I want us to be friends. And I don't want to screw it up before it even starts. I'm sorry about Nathan. I really am."
"It's ok. Don't worry. I want to be friends with you to. Look… when I saw Nathan tonight… the truth is… it broke my heart. Not because of all the other obvious reasons but because I saw the way he looked at you."
I looked over at her. I knew that she was about to break down.
"Hailey…"
"He's into you. I know he is. It's not like you need my permission or anything… but if you like him then…"
"I don't know him Hailey. I don't know if anything is gonna happen between us. It's just… I don't want to hurt you."
"I want Nathan to be happy. If you make him happy then be with him. And if he's happy I'll be happy"
"I don't know if anything will come out of this. But I do want to get to know Nathan better."
"I think that's a good idea. Well… this is my home. Thanks for the ride."
"No problem."
As she got out of the car she turned back to look at me.
"Hey Mercedes."
"Yeah?"
"Thanks"
"For what?"
"For talking to me about this before you did anything."
"That's what friends are for, right?"
"Right. I'll see you later."
"Ok. Bye."
She closed the door and I waited until she got inside before driving off.
Brooke POV
"Hey Nathan. There you are."
"Hey Brooke. Where's Mercedes?"
"She took Hailey home. Why do you ask?"
"Just wondering."
I knew he was lying. I could tell that he was interested in her. I just needed him to say it. And I was going to find a way to make him confess.
"Sure"
"What do you mean sure?"
"Come on Nathan! You were basically staring a hole right through her!"
"No I wasn't!"
"Yes you were."
Peyton and Lucas said as they walked up to us.
"You know what… whatever."
"Don't get mad Nathan. But you know it's true. You like her."
"Fine! I like her. So what?"
Peyton, Lucas and I just starred at him. I think we were all pretty surprised that he confessed and let his guard down so fast.
"Stop looking at me like that. You're freaking me out."
We began to laugh and my phone started ringing.
"Hello?"
"Hey Brooke. It's me."
"Oh hey cuz. Where are you?"
"I'm on my way home."
"Home? Why are you going home?"
"I'm really tired Brooke. I'm gonna turn in. Just call me when you want me to pick you up."
"Hold on."
"Ok."
"Hey Peyton…"
"Yeah?"
"Can you give me a ride home?"
"I'll give you a ride." Nathan turned and said to me.
"Ok. Thanks."
"Nathan said that he would give me a ride."
"Nathan?"
"Yes Nathan. Don't worry about it. Just get some rest."
"Ok. I'll see you at home later."
"Ok bye."
"Bye"
I hung up and turned back to a very sad looking Nathan.
"So I'm guessing that she's not coming back."
"No Nathan. She's not."
"Damn."
"Oh shut up. Lets party."
I knew that there would be a better time to discuss this. Right now it was time to party.
General POV
The night passed and Brooke, Nathan, Peyton, and Lucas had a blast at the party. Hailey was lying in bed thinking about the decision that she had made. Mercedes was at home thinking about the world that she had left behind and about the world that she would create in Tree Hill.
Nathan POV
"You ready to go Brooke?"
"Yep. Let's go Nathan."
We got in the car and began to drive off.
"So… why is she here?"
"Who?"
"Mercedes"
"She came to get away."
"From what?"
"I don't think I'm the one to tell you that Nate. You'll just have to ask her."
"Thanks Brooke. You're a lot of help."
"My pleasure."
I turned and smiled at her.
"You'll see her this weekend. You can ask her then."
"Ah… that where you're wrong. I'm going away for the weekend. Remember?"
"Oh yeah. That trip with your parents."
"Yeah."
"Well she starts school on Monday. You'll be back by then right?"
"Yeah. I guess I'll see her then."
"Yep. Ok well… Thanks for the ride."
"Hey Brooke..."
"Yeah?"
"Can you tell her I said goodnight?"
"Sure. Goodnight Nathan."
"Night Brooke."
And with that I took off and headed home.
Brooke POV
I unlocked the door and walked in. All the lights were off but there was a noise coming from the living room. I walked in to find Mercedes flipping through channels on the T.V.
"Hey. What are you doing up?"
"Hey. I couldn't sleep. How was the party?"
"It was great. You should have come back."
"Good I'm glad you had fun. I didn't feel like partying tonight. Sorry."
"It's ok. You wanna hear a secret? I know you do."
She laughed as I sat jumped on the sofa with her and told her.
"Sure. What is it?"
"Nathan said he likes you."
She looked at me with a sad look on her face.
"What? You don't think that's a good thing?"
"It's not that Brooke… but… how does he know that he likes me? He doesn't even know me."
I looked at her and noticed that there was something else going on. She looked at me and then looked down at her hands.
"What's up?"
"Nothin."
"I know it's not nothin. Tell me."
"I talked to Hailey."
"What did she say?"
"She said that if I liked him that it was ok with her."
"Then what's the problem?"
"I'm not sure if she was telling me the truth."
"Do you want me to talk to her?"
"Would you?"
"Sure. I'll talk to her tomorrow. Peyton and me are going shopping so we'll stop by. Do you wanna come shopping with us?"
"You and Peyton? No. It's ok. I don't think she likes me very much. Besides I'm re-doing my room tomorrow."
"She does to like you. She just has this wall that you have to break down before she shows you that she does. Do you want some help with your room?"
"No. It's ok. You go with Peyton. I want it to be a surprise."
"Ok. Lets go to bed then."
She turned off the TV, and we got off the couch and headed upstairs. Her room was right next to mine and I opened the door to my room as she did the same to hers.
"Goodnight Brooke."
"Night Mercedes. Oh… by the way Nathan told me to say goodnight to you for him."
"Thanks."
She smiled at me and headed into her room. I did the same. Finally my bed!