I'm back... no more small talk... here's chapter 20!

Nathan POV

Finally I was able to calm down after blurting out to Peyton and Brooke about loving Mercedes. But... I know there are not other words to describe how I feel about her. I love her plain and simple. I walked into the somewhat deserted hallway and saw her putting something in her locker. I took a deep breath and walked over to her as casually as possible.

"Hey" I said as I leaned against the lockers

"Hey." She said turning and smiling at me brightly.

"I thought I wasn't gonna see you all day."

"I know I was beginning to wonder." She said closing her locker.

"So... I was wondering what you were doing after practice tonight."

I tried to be as covert as possible but I think she saw through it and smiled at me. Her smile faded and it began to get me worried.

"Tonight?...I'm kinda busy tonight."

"Oh yeah? What are you doing?"

She was probably doing something with Brooke but if that was the case I could get Brooke to cancel so I could spend some time with Mercedes.

"I'm going to dinner with Tim."

Ok, there was something I wasn't expecting. Why was she going to dinner with Tim?

"What? How did that happen?"

"He asked me out to dinner last week but then I left and I didn't tell him anything. So he asked me again today and I said yes."

"So you're going on a date with Tim?"

"It's not a date. It's just a couple of friends hangin out."

"If it's just a couple of friends hangin out can't you do it another time?"

"I can't Nathan. I promised him I would go. I can't go back on my word. I'm sorry."

"Alright. But you're mine tomorrow night."

"Ok., tomorrow night."

I really wasn't takin this Tim thing seriously. She wanted to be nice... and she did give him her word. That's another thing I love about her. She always does what she says she's gonna. Not many people keep their word these days. The bell rang and people started pouring into the hallway.

"Here... How about I take you to class?" I said taking the book from her hands.

"Thanks but... I don't have a class right now."

"What do you mean you don't have a class right now?"

"I have a free 5th and 6th."

"Really?"

"Yeah. I'm ahead in all my credits so... I have a few free periods."

"Wow... I didn't know you were that smart."

"I'm full of surprises." I laughed and she did too. "How about I take you to class?"

"Sounds good to me."

We walked down the hall and silently stole glances from each other. When we arrived at my class we stopped next to the door.

"So... I'll see you at practice." She said leaning against the wall.

"What are you gonna do right now?"

"I don't know..." She looked down at her watch. "It's still a few hours before practice so... I'll probably go into town and do some shopping before coming back."

"Right. No wonder you and Brooke get along so well."

"Hey!" She said hitting my arm playfully. "Shopping's fun."

"Alright. Whatever you say."

"Whatevers... I guess I'll see you later then."

"Ok, later."

She leaned in and hugged me. I could feel something pulsating through my body and I felt like our bodies were melting into each others. The sent of her hair was filling my senses and it was killing me to know that I couldn't just kiss her right then but... I had to control myself.

"Bye." She said walking away.

"Bye"

I waited until she was no longer in sight before going into class. After class was over I went to the locker room to get ready for practice. I walked out to the gym and saw Peyton and Mercedes talking to each other.

"Hey Nate." Peyton said as I walked up.

"Hey."

Just then Brooke ran over to us with an armful of books.

"Hey Z? I was wondering if you could help me with my English paper?"

That was surprising. I never knew Brooke Davis did school work

"When is it due?" Mercedes asked

"Oh, don't worry. I wasn't gonna make you help me tonight. I wouldn't wanna do anything to have you cancel your date with Tim."

"It's not a date."

"Anyways... you can help me with it tomorrow."

"Alright tomorrow then."

"Great. Now I have to go get dressed. "

"So should I."

"We'll be back."

Mercedes grabbed a few brooks from Brooks arms and walked with her into the girls locker room. I watched her leave and then turned my attention to Peyton.

"What's up with Brooke?" I asked.

"I don't know. She's been different ever since she came back from LA but she's never explained why."

"That's weird."

"I know."

Lucas walked into the gym and walked right by Peyton and I. I didn't care that he didn't say anything to me but I could tell that Peyton was upset by it.

"What's up with him?"

"I don't know. He's been really distant lately."

"Why?"

"I'm... not sure." She said looking down at the ground.

"Ok, if you don't wanna tell me it's cool."

"It's not that Nate. It's just... I really don't know what's going on with us. Sometimes we're good and sometimes we're not."

"Oh."

"This is a little weird. You've never asked me about my relationship with Lucas before."

"I may hate Lucas but I want you to be happy Peyton"

"Thanks Nate."

Mercedes POV

"I'll be outside. I have to get the CD from my car." Brooke said closing her locker.

"Ok, I'll see you out there."

Brooke left and I finished getting dressed. After I was done I walked out into the hallway and saw Lucas walking out of the boys locker room. I stopped walking to let him catch up to me.

"Hey friend." I said as he walked up.

He was looking me up and down and I looked down at myself and looked back up to him.

"What?"

"You're wearing basketball shorts and a jersey?"

We began walking to the door.

"Yeah, why?"

He opened the door and we walked into the gym.

"I just thought you'd be wearing something else."

"Like what?"

His gaze directed me towards the cheerleaders as they were stretching.

"Are you kidding me?" I asked putting my hands on my hips

"Why not? You kicked Nathan's ass in a skirt."

"Yeah but... I had no choice then. Brooke and Peyton are cheerleaders. I'm a b-ball player. My job is to get that ball into that hoop. Their job is to cheer for the team. If they can do that and look good doin it more power to them."

"Good point."

We heard a whistle blow and we turned to see Whitey on the other side of the room. We ran over to him and Whitey signaled me to go stand next to him.

"As most of you already know, we have a new member on the team. I think it's time for proper introductions."

He lined the guys up and walked me down the line introducing me to them one by one. We were nearing the end of the line and there were only 4 guys left.

"Hey Tim." I said smiling.

He waved at me as I walked by.

"Mercedes I think you already know Lucas." Whitey said gently pushing me past him

"Hey buddy." I said looking back at him.

He smiled at me and I turned my attention to the guy that Whitey was introducing me to. He was pretty cute. Tall, brown hair, nice body. Plus he was giving me the shy 'I wanna get to know you' look.

"Mercedes this is Jake."

"Hey Jake" I said shaking his hand.

"Mercedes."

"Call me Z, k?"

"You got it."

The last person in line was someone I had been waiting to see.

"I think you know who this is." Whitey said stepping back.

"Hey cutie." I said looking him in the eyes and sightly caressing his arm.

He blushed and looked down at the ground.

"Alright! Time for drills! Suicides, Now!"

Practice that day was not easy. They did things a lot different here than they do it in LA. After practice was over I was spent. But I knew that I still had a long night ahead of me. I walked into the locker room with Peyton while Brooke stayed behind to talk to Nathan.

Ok... there it is! Chapter 19 done. I hope you liked it! I already have chapters 20-23 done as well so... keep those reviews commin and I'll keep the story commin. It's all about teamwork, right? (HeHeHe!) Nah, but really I hope you don't think I sped things up with Nathan too fast. Things will start going a little faster now... just letting you know something exciting is coming up in the next two chapters. Anyways... Thanks again to Newyorkchicka for reviewing! You're awesome!