Mercedes POV
I woke up the next day going over everything that had happened the night before. I don't think I want to admit it but… knowing that Nathan liked me… It made me think that maybe I did like him. I really wanted to see him. I don't really know why but… I missed him, his blue eyes just… everything. I woke up early and decided to make Brooke some breakfast. I headed down to the kitchen and realized that the only thing in the frige was leftover pizza and a few soda bottles. Just then Brooke came downstairs ad saw me sitting on the stool leaning on the kitchen island.
"What are you doing up so early?"
"I heard you get up so decided to come down with you. You know… keep you company"
"Awe… thanks."
"So what are you doing today?"
"Well I was gonna make you some breakfast but… as you know there's no food."
"Right. I know… I have to go grocery shopping. But since my parents are never home it really didn't matter."
"Yes. But now I'm here so I'm gonna teach you how to cook and stop eating all this junk food."
"Thank you. Ok how about this… we'll go get ready and then we'll head over to the café grab some food and then go grocery shopping. Sound good?"
"I thought you had plans with Peyton?"
"Well I do but not until 1 so come on lets go get ready."
"Ok let's go."
Nathan POV
God! Could this car ride be more boring! All my parents are doing is yelling at each other and we still have a while until we get there. But all I can think about right now is Mercedes. I don't know why but I can't get her out of my head. I just go back to yesterday that I was holding her in my arms, even if it was just for a moment. I want to go back and see her. I'll call Brooke when we get to the hotel. Just to see if she's ok.
Mercedes POV
"Brooke are you ready?"
"Yep lets go."
"You take your car I'll take mine."
"Ok."
I followed Brooke to the café and we went inside.
"Hey Karen. This is my cousin Mercedes."
"Nice to meet you Mercedes." Karen gave me a hug and I returned it.
"Nice to meet you to."
"So what are you two doing here so early?"
"It's not that early Karen. It's 12:30 already."
"Well it's early for you Brooke. Especially after a Friday night."
"Well that's true. But anyways, we were wondering if we could get something to eat."
"Of course. Please sit down."
Karen was so sweet as she guided us to the counter.
"What can I get for you?"
We placed our order and she when into the kitchen to make us our food. She returned minutes later with our food and set it down on the counter.
"Enjoy."
"Thank you." Brooke and I both answered her at the same time and she smiled down at us.
"Well I'll let you guys eat, and if you need anything just let me know. Ok?"
"Ok. Thank you." I said to her as she walked away.
Karen walked around the café attending to her other customers while Brooke and I finished our breakfast. She returned and leaned against the counter to get the coffee pot.
"More coffee girls?"
"Sure I'll have some."
Brooke handed Karen her cup and she once again filled it with coffee.
"How about you Mercedes?"
"Oh no thank you. If drink any more I think I'm gonna explode. But thanks anyways."
Just then Lucas walked in and walked over to us.
"Hey guys. Hi mom."
"Hey sweetie." His mom said handing him a cup of coffee.
"Oh. Thanks mom."
"Ok well… I'm gonna go. Brooke don't worry about grocery shopping. I've got it covered. I'll see you back at the house."
"You sure?"
"Yeah. Karen the food was delicious. Thank you."
"Thanks."
I grabbed my purse and left.
Lucas POV
"Does she hate me? 'Cause it seems like she hates me."
"I'm sure that's not it. She just has things to do."
"I don't know Brooke. I mean yesterday when I met her… it didn't seem like she did. And now again today…"
"Well I don't know…"
I know that Brooke knew why. I could tell. She just fidgeted with her coffee cup, and she wouldn't look at me when she was talking.
"Brooke…"
"Alright. Alright. I told her about what happened with Peyton.
"Brooke! I thought you were over that."
"Well I am. I just don't think she is. She doesn't have a very high tolerance for cheating. Trust me."
I wondered what she meant by that. But at least now I know why Mercedes doesn't like me.
"So that's why then."
"I'll talk to her about it."
"Yeah. Thanks Brooke. Aren't you supposed to be with Peyton right now?"
"Oh crap! What time is it?"
"1:30"
"Ok I'm late. She's gonna kill me. Thanks for breakfast Karen. See ya later Luke. I'll talk to Mercedes."
And with that Brooke left the café and headed to the mall. I turned to my mom who was standing there looking at me.
"So what do you think of Mercedes?" I asked as I took a sip of my coffee.
"She seems like a very nice girl. She's very pretty to. Don't you think?"
"Yeah she's hot."
"Lucas." She said as she hit me in the arm.
"Ok mom I gotta go. I'll see you at home later."
"Ok. Bye honey."
I left and headed to work with Keith.
Brooke POV
"Oh my god. Peyton I'm so sorry. I lost track ok time."
"Where the hell have you been? I've been waiting for like an hour. I was about to leave."
"I'm sorry. I was having breakfast with Mercedes at the café."
"Alright I forgive you. This time. Let's shop."
"Ok let's go."
I put my arm trough hers and we walked along the mall. About a half an hour into our shopping adventure my phone rings.
"Hey Brooke."
"Oh. Hey Nathan. How's the family trip?"
"A disaster. I don't know what my dad said to my mom as we were checking in but now she's locked herself in her room and my dad's downstairs at the bar."
"I'm sorry Nathan."
"Yeah me to. But that's not the reason I called."
"I thought it wasn't. You never call me on my cell. Actually you never call me at all. How'd you get my number?"
"Shut up Brooke."
"I'm kidding. What's up?
"How's Mercedes?"
"She's fine. She's at home right now. You can call her if you want to."
"No. It's ok. I was just wondering how she was."
"Been thinking about her a lot?"
"Honestly? I can't get her out of my head. I just keep thinking about what happened last night."
"What do you mean what happened last night?"
"She didn't tell you?"
"Obviously not. What happened?"
"Sorry Brooke. I don't think I'm the one to tell you. Sound familiar?"
"You suck Nathan. You know that?"
"Whatever you say Brooke. Can you just tell her I said hi?"
"Sure."
"Ok. Thanks."
"I'll see you later. Go look after your mom."
"I will. Bye."
"Bye"
I hung up and turned to look at Peyton.
"Nathan?"
"Yep. Just checking up on Mercedes."
"Mercedes? He's really into her isn't he?"
"Seem like it. I told her yesterday that he said he liked her and she was really sad."
"Sad? Why?"
"Because of Hailey."
"Hailey. Right."
"She told me that she talked to Hailey last night and she said that if she liked Nathan that she was ok with it."
"Then what's the problem?"
"She's not sure Hailey was telling her the truth. I told her I would go talk to her today. Will you come with me?"
"Sure. I think that Nathan and Mercedes would make a cute couple."
"I think you should say that to her. She seems to think you don't like her."
"Why would she think that?"
"You weren't very friendly last night."
"I had just met her. I didn't know what she was like. But I like her now."
"Good I'm glad. Come on lets keep shopping."
Peyton and I began walking again and found a store that we both liked and headed in.
Mercedes POV
The whole day had passed quickly. After going and getting the paint and things I needed for my room I headed back to the house and helped the painters. After the paint was dry I asked the movers that I had hired to move all the furniture in. After putting everything away I headed downstairs and plopped down on the sofa to watch some TV.
Hailey POV
Last night had been a realization for me. I finally realized that I was never gonna get Nathan back. I broke his heart and he deserves to be happy. I like Mercedes. I think she would be good for Nathan. I heard the doorbell ring and I headed downstairs.
"Hey guys. What are you doing here?" I said as Brooke and Peyton came in.
"Its not to late is it? We kinda lost track of time."
"No. Come on in." I headed to the couch and pulled up a chair. "What's up?"
"We came to talk to you about Nathan and Mercedes." Brooke said as she took my hands.
"Ok. What about them?"
"I don't want to hurt you Hailey. And Mercedes doesn't want to either. But at the party last night Nathan told us he liked her."
"I kinda figured."
"I told Mercedes last night, and she was really upset. She told me that she had talked to you and you had told her that it was ok with you, but she wasn't sure if you were telling her the truth."
"Brooke I told her the truth. I want Nathan to be happy. If she wants to be with him it's ok with me."
"You sure Hailey?" Peyton looked at me and asked.
"Peyton have I ever lied to you?"
"No, you haven't"
"Then what makes you think I'd start now?"
"Hailey we just wanted to make sure you were ok with it."
"I am. You guys have to stop worrying about me."
"That's what friends do Hailey."
Brooke pulled me into a hug and Peyton did the same.
"Peyton we should go. I haven't seen Mercedes all day."
"Ok."
We all got up and headed to the door.
"I'll see you guys later." I said to them as they got into their cars and left.
I closed the door, took a deep breath and headed to bed.
Brooke POV
Peyton and I got back to my house and she helped me get all the things out of the car. We got inside and found Mercedes sitting on the couch.
"Hey taking a break from your room?"
"I'm done"
"You're done!"
"Yep. Finished like half an hour ago."
"Wow. Didn't take you long."
"Sure Brooke. Hey Peyton."
Peyton smiled and waved.
"Come here. Sit with me."
We put the things down and walked over to join her on the couch.
"So what did you guys buy?" She asked as she turned of the TV.
"All sorts of things. We picked up something for you actually." I started looking through the bags trying to find the bag that had her things in it. I found it and handed it to her.
"Prada? Oh this is gonna be good."
She was about to open the bag when she suddenly stopped. Peyton and I looked at each other and than looked at her.
"What?" I asked as I looked at her.
"Lets go up to my room. I want to show it to you."
"What about what I bought you?"
"I'll open it upstairs. You can show me what else you bought. Besides I wanted to talk to you guys to."
"Ok."
We all got up and gathered the bags.
"Hold on." She said. We both stopped and looked up at her. "To get the full effect I have to go do something first. Ok?"
"Ok." Peyton and I looked at each other. "We're gonna go get a snack. Just call us when you want us to come up."
"Ok." She headed upstairs and Peyton and I smiled at each other and headed to the kitchen.
"Oh Brooke…" She yelled down.
"Yeah?"
"There's a box of cookies in the pantry. On the right."
"Ok. Thanks."
I opened the pantry door and found that it was fully stocked. I looked at Peyton and we both had the same shocked look on our faces.
"Wow. I don't think I've ever seen so much food in this kitchen. Even when your mom was here."
"Me neither. But Mercedes is a great cook."
"Is she?"
"Yep. You want something to drink?"
"Sure."
I opened the fridge and that to was full. I pulled out three soda cans and handed two to Peyton.
"You can come up now!" Mercedes yelled down.
"Ok we're coming. I grabbed some of the shopping bags and the box of cookies and headed upstairs with Peyton. Mercedes was standing outside her room.
"I brought you a drink." Peyton said as she smiled and handed Mercedes the can.
"Thanks." She took it and smiled. "Ok you ready?"
Peyton and I looked at each other and then turned to look at her.
"Yep" We both said.
She opened the door and we walked inside. Her room was amazing. It was painted back with bright red curtains and red silk bed sheets. She had lit all her candles that matched the colors of the room. On the wall that you saw when you came in she had drawn her name in silver, and white, and black details. The writing reminded me of the writing that I had seen on the walls of the streets when I had stayed with her in LA. There was a chandelier hanging from the ceiling and the lights were dimmed. On her walls she had many drawings that I had seen in her room before. Just then she turned on the lights and turned to look at us.
"Well what do you think?"
"I love it." I said as I looked over at Peyton.
Peyton walked over to the wall with Mercedes' name on it.
"Who did this?" She asked as she stared at the wall.
"I did" Mercedes answered.
"Is it airbrushed?"
"Yeah it is. How do you know about airbrushing?"
"I've always wanted to learn how."
"I'll teach you if you want me to."
"Yeah?"
"Sure."
"Ok. This is amazing." Peyton walked from one side of the wall to the other where she stood admiring the drawings.
"And these?"
"The two on the top are from my brother. The bottom one is mine."
"You draw?"
"Yeah."
"So do I."
"You do? You'll have to show me your work."
"I will. There no where as good as these though."
I lay down on the bed as they talked. The bed was huge, it could fit at least 8 people, and it was so soft. The sheets felt smooth across my skin. I could have fallen asleep right there.
"Comfortable?" Mercedes asked as she sat down on the bed.
"Hell yes! Peyton come here and feel these."
Peyton walked over and sat on the bed. Her reaction was the same as mine.
"How bout we see what you bought."
I shook my head in agreement and got up to get the bags.
Lucas POV
I miss Peyton. What I wouldn't give to be with her right now. Maybe I should call her. I picked my phone up off the dresser and stood there contemplating my decision for a minute. It's late maybe I shouldn't. It's only 11 though. Oh what the hell. I dialed her number and she picked up on the 2nd ring.
"Hey baby" I said as I lay down on my bed.
"Hey."
"What are you doing?"
"Just hanging out with Brooke and Mercedes."
"Oh. Maybe I should call you later then."
"No. Why don't you come over? Were at Brookes."
"I don't think Mercedes wants me there."
"Hold on"
"No Peyton… Don't tell her."
Before I could say anything else I could hear Peyton talking to Mercedes. She came back to me.
"She said she doesn't care. Just come. I need to see you. I miss you."
"Alright. I'll be right there."
"Ok. Love you."
"Love you to."
I hung up with her grabbed my car keys and left. When got to Brookes I rung the doorbell and Peyton answered the door.
"Hey baby. I missed you." She said as pulled me in and into a soft kiss.
"I missed you to."
"Alright already! Enough with all the mushy crap. We gonna try on the clothes or not?"
Peyton grabbed my hand and pulled me up the stairs right behind Brooke. When we got to Brooke's room She looks over at Peyton and Peyton turned to look at me.
"Go inside. Mercedes is in her room. We're gonna go change."
"I don't think that's a good idea."
"What? You don't want me to model for you?"
"No. It's not that. I don't think leaving me in a room with Mercedes is a good idea. She doesn't like me Peyton."
"Just do it Luke. Please?"
She was giving me the puppy eyes. The ones I could never say no to. I gave in and shook my head. Peyton headed into Brookes room, and left me in the hallway. I took a deep breath and opened the door to Mercedes' room. I walked in and she was sitting on her bed. Her room was awesome. It was really sexy. A lot like her.
"Hey" She said as she turned around to look at me.
"Hey I said as I closed the door. I put my hands in my pockets and stood in place.
"You can sit down Lucas. I don't bite, well… I do but only if you ask nicely."
Was she flirting with me? No, that couldn't be it. She hated me for what I did to Brooke. I headed to the bed and sat down.
"Mercedes…"
"Yeah?"
Just as I was about to say something her phone rings.
"Hold on." She said as she leaned over me to get her phone off the dresser.
I sat there listening.
"Hey Q. What's up?"
I could only hear her side of the conversation but it sounded like she was talking to a guy.
"I'm fine. Yeah, I'm having fun. I miss you to. Ok. I'll call you tomorrow then. Ok I'll tell her. Yes I won't forget. Bye. Love you to."
She hung up and turned back to look at me.
"Was that your boyfriend?"
"No. It was my brother."
"You have a brother?"
"Yeah. Two actually."
"Oh. Are they older or younger?"
"Older, both of them. My oldest brother is 21. His name is LaQuise. But everyone calls him Q. And Darrel is 19. We usually just call him D."
"Oh. Well that's cool."
"Yep."
"Look Mercedes… I know that you don't like me because of what happened with Brooke. But she's gotten over it. I really want to be friends with you. And I'm not sure you want to be mine."
"What you did to her was low Lucas. I know what it feels like. You hurt her a lot."
"You know how she feels?"
"Long story. But that's beside the point. I guess if Brooke can forgive you so can I."
"Friends then?"
"Friends."
I stuck my hand out and she pulled me into a hug. Just then Brooke and Peyton walked in. They stood there looking at us for a second.
"She doesn't hate me anymore."
"Looks like it." Peyton said.
"Just friends Peyton. Don't trip."
They came in and closed the door.
"So… Please tell me who are you wearing?" Mercedes said pulling her hairbrush to her mouth and using it as a microphone.
We all started busting up laughing. The rest of the night went by fast and we all ended up falling asleep in Mercedes bed.