Ok, so... I think this is a good chapter if I do say so myself.(hehehe) Anyways... here's chapter 30!

General POV

Peyton and Mercedes walked out of the classroom together talking and laughing.

"I think I need a shower." Peyton said squinting her face and wiping her arms in disgust.

"Oh, I know! Mr. Underwood is like a freaking sprinkler when he's talking."

"I know!" Their laughter began to fade as they tried to catch their breath. "By the way... did you get the psychology homework?"

"Yeah. Did you?"

"Not really."

"How bout you come over tonight and we work on it together? Sound good?"

"Definitely. Thanks. But if you have plans with Nathan tonight I understand. I can always figure it out on my own."

"Well... I did tell Nathan I would do something with him tonight but I promised Brooke I would help her with her English paper. So... Nathan can come chill with us while we work."

"You always keep your word don't you?"

Mercedes smiled and looped her arm trough Peyton's.

"For a long time in my life... my word was all I had. And... my mother taught me well. Even if I only had her for three years... she always told me that in this world your word is who you are. Keeping your promises is who you are. And... I feel like I owe it to her to be the kind of person that she wanted me to be." Mercedes said smiling sadly at Peyton.

"I know how you feel." Peyton said smiling back.

They walked out into the courtyard and found Brooke at one of the tables reading a book.

"I think this is a first." Peyton said in awe as they sat down next to her. "Brooke Davis are you reading?"

"I've decided to turn over a new leaf. Besides... it's a good book."

"Does this mean your not gonna be the same Brooke anymore?" She asked playfully batting her eyelashes.

"Please, Just because I read doesn't mean that I cant be the same person that I used to be. With a few minor changes. But I'm still Brooke Davis captain of the cheerleading squad and your best friend."

The three girls sat talking while lunch began.

Haley walked down the hall and spotted Lucas at his locker. At that moment the mornings events faded away and a smile crept on her face. Just seeing him made her happy. She walked over to him a little faster.

"Hey." She said leaning against the lockers.

"Hey" he said flatly, shoving something into his locker.

Haley locked eyes with him for only a second before he returned his gaze back to his books but... when she looked at him she saw... nothing. Just a blank stare.

"How was your weekend?" She asked cautiously

"It sucked. But then again... you would have known that if you would've called me back."

"I'm sorry Luke. It's just Chris..."

"Chris." He said in dry laugh. "How did I know that he had something to do with it?"

"It's not like that Lucas. He had some studio time. He asked if I wanted to work on something with him. That's all it was. I'm sorry that I didn't call back."

He looked at her and heard the sincerity in her voice. He thought back to the conversation with Mercedes the night before. He remembered she had asked him to try and see how hard things were for Haley. And honestly... he missed her like crazy while she was gone. He wanted to tell her everything that had happened.

"Ah... come here." He said pulling her into a hug, while rolling his eyes. "You drive me crazy sometimes Haley."

At first she was surprised at how quickly he had gotten over it. But what did it matter? The point is he's not mad at her anymore.

"I'm sorry Luke."

"Come on... let's go somewhere and talk" He said placing his arm around her shoulders.

"Ok. So... what happened while I was gone?" She asked as she placed her arm around his waist.

They walked down the hall together as Lucas explained everything that had happened on his trip to LA, and about everything that had happened with Peyton.

Meanwhile... back in the courtyard Mercedes, Peyton, and Brooke sat talking.

"I wonder where Nathan is." Mercedes said flipping open her cell to check the time.

"He'll be here." Brooke said. "But in the meantime... let's talk about the party." She said excited.

"What party?" Peyton asked curiously

"It's Z's birthday on Saturday so she want's to plan a party."

"No... a small get-together." Mercedes corrected.

"Yeah, whatever." Brooke said dismissing it quickly. "Point is... we have to find a great space for Saturday."

"Actually... it's for Friday. I have a photo shoot in LA on Saturday."

"A photo shoot?"

"Yep. And I was kinda hoping that you guys would come with me."

"I am so in!" Brooke said happily

"What about you Peyton?"

"I don't know..."

"Please Peyton, please!"

"Oh, what the hell. It'll be fun."

"Yea! That just totally made my day." Mercedes said happily.

"Ok, now... back to the party." Brooke added hastily "Who are you planing to invite?"

"Umm... well... there's you two, Umm... Lucas, Haley, Nathan, Karen, and well... I talked to Ciara earlier and she's flying out with Jorge. My brothers will be back by then... and ... I was thinking of inviting Nathan's parents."

"Are you serious?"

"Yeah."

"Why would you want to do that? I mean... I love Deb. Don't get me wrong... she's a sweetheart but... Dan?

"According to everyone else... Dan's an ass."

"That's because he is." Brooke and Peyton said in unison.

"But I don't know him guys. I'd like to meet the man."

Brooke hesitated a moment before realizing she had no choice but to let Mercedes find out what kind of "man" Dan Scott really is on her own. Plus it was clear that she wasn't going to be changing her mind anytime soon.

"Alright. If that's what you want."

"It is... I think."

"So about the space... anything in particular?"

"Anyplace where there's music is ok with me."

"Tric." Peyton said suddenly.

"That's perfect!" Brooke said raising her hands in triumph.

"Wait... what's Tric?" Mercedes asked confused.

"It's the night club that Karen owns." Brooke explained.

"And it falls on all ages night." Peyton added.

"Great. Then it's settled. The party's at Tric."

Just then Tim walked over to them with Nathan.

"Hey dude. I'll see you later." Tim said as he looked sadly at Mercedes.

"I thought you were gonna hang." Nathan said looking at Tim.

"Maybe some other time." Tim said walking away.

Mercedes looked up at Nathan saddened by the event. All of a sudden she raised from her seat and ran to catch up with Tim.

"Tim, wait up! Please!" She yelled after him

He turned around to face her and waited for her to catch up.

"Tim... last night you said that you didn't think we could be friends anymore. Please tell me you weren't serious."

"I was Mercedes."

"I'm sorry ok? I'm sorry if I led you on in any way. I didn't want to hurt you."

"Look... Nathan told me about you two hooking up last night. I'm happy for the two of you but... I don't think that I can still be friends with you. At least... not until I sort my feelings out. Please... I don't expect you to understand what I'm going through. I just..."

"Ok. If that's what you want... then ok." Mercedes said looking at him sadly.

He nodded and turned to walk away from her. She shut her eyes tightly and was suddenly comforted by two arms wrapping around her waist tightly.

"It's ok baby. He'll get over it." Nathan whispered in her ear as he placed a small kiss on her neck.

She placed her arms over his and then turned around to kiss his lips. They parted ways and he held her hand as they walked back to the table in which Brooke and Peyton were looking over at them as they walked back.

Nathan sat down and pulled Mercedes into his lap. It was silent for a moment before Brooke decided to break the silence.

"So... where were ya Nathan?" She asked.

"Oh... I was talking to Mr. Murphy. He gave me a great big list of missing assignments that I have to turn in."

"Oh, that sucks."

"No it doesn't." Mercedes said looking at her.

"It doesn't?" Nathan asked looking up at her.

"No. Cause now you have something to do tonight when you come over."

"I'm coming over?"

"Unless you don't want to."

"Oh, I want to. But... not to do homework." He said caressing her bare knee under the table.

"Well... I'll just have to make sure that you get all your homework done." She said as she leaned down. "Even if it takes all night." She whispered in his ear.

Her sultry voice sent shivers up Nathan's spine, and he pulled her into a soft kiss.

When they parted they saw Brooke and Peyton starring while they leaned against the table.

"You guys just make the cutest couple." Brooke said with a big sigh.

Mercedes and Nathan lightly chuckled at Brookes comment and Brooke got up and gathered her things. Peyton following after her.

"Well... we'll just leave you guys alone." Peyton said as the turned to walk away. "We'll see ya at practice."

They walked away and Nathan looked up at Mercedes with hunger in his eyes.

"Well... looks like we have 15 minutes left for lunch. What should we do?" he said teasingly.

"I'm sure you can think of something." Mercedes said brushing her lips against his.

"Come on." He said lifting her off his lap.

She gathered her things and he slung his backpack over his shoulder as he led her into the hallway and then into the library. He pulled her into the corner table farthest away from the librarian and behind the big bookshelves. They threw their things on the floor and Mercedes sat him on the chair and straddled his lap. He kissed her passionately as their bodies melted into each others. Somehow they ended up on the floor Mercedes under Nathan's body as her kissed her. She ran her hands under his shirt and suddenly parted her lips from his.

"What?" He asked out of breath.

"You have your nipple pierced?" She asked looking up at him.

"Oh. Yeah." he said somewhat embarrassed

She looked at him and then kissed him hard. Arching her back to get her body closer to his. They kissed for a while caressing each others bodies.

"Oh my god! I'm so sorry! I didn't think anyone would be back here."Jake said covering his eyes.

Mercedes and Nathan stopped what they were doing and immediately shot up and adjusted their clothing. Jake uncovered his eyes and looked down at the ground.

"It's cool Jake. Don't worry about it." Nathan said buttoning his pants.

"I didn't think there would be anyone in here. The bell rang like 10 minutes ago."

"It did?" Nathan said looking up at him

"Yeah."

"Crap! I'm late." He said looking at Mercedes.

"Go." Mercedes said sitting on the table.

"Ok." He grabbed his backpack and kissed her quickly. "I'll see you later babe"

"Ok." She answered and kissed him once more.

"Later Jake." Nathan said as he ran out of the library.

"What are you doing in here Jake?" Mercedes said sitting in a chair and pulling her compact out of her purse.

"I just wanted to catch a few z's before practice." He said sitting in the chair across from her.

"Long night?" She asked applying her lip gloss.

"You could say that." He answered

"Who's the girl?" She asked putting her compact away and leaning back in her chair.

"You don't know her." He said looking up at her. "So... looks like you and Nathan are a thing now. When did that happen?"

"Last night."

"I knew you guys were vibing on each other."

"What can I say?" She answered laughing. "Hey... what are you doing this weekend Jake?"

"I haven't made any plans. Why?"

"Well... it's my birthday on Saturday... and I'm having a party on Friday at Tric. I was wondering if you wanna come."

"Sure. But... why are you having it on Friday if your birthdays on Saturday?"

"I'm gonna be in LA on Saturday."

"Oh, yeah? Why?"

"I have a photo shoot."

"You model?"

"Yep."

"I knew you looked familiar."

"Yeah." She said chuckling. "Hey... do you wanna come to LA with me? Brooke's going. So is Peyton, and Nathan. And hopefully Haley and Lucas."

"Umm..."

"Hey don't worry about the money. Everything's totally on me."

"It's not that... I can make the party at Tric but I don't think I can make LA."

"Why not?" She asked sadly

"Obligations." He said simply

"Obligations? What kind of obligations?"

"It's... complicated"

"Ok... it's cool if you don't want to tell me." She answered getting up. "Listen... I'll let you get some sleep and I'll see you at practice." She picked up her things. "Bye." She said walking away.

"Wait! Mercedes... wait." He got up and walked over to her.

"Yeah? What's up?"

"Look... what are you doing after practice tonight?"

"Right after? Nothing. Why?"

"Do you want to come over after. It won't take long."

"Ok, sure."

"Ok."

She smiled at him and walked away.

There it is people! Hope you liked it! Leave me a review please! Thanks! By the way... what's happening with my regular review people? Like... OTH-Mrs. Broody and Newyorkchicka... where'd you guys go? I hope I get some reviews from you guys soon! Thanks! Bye! And thanks to brathanfan for your last review! You rock!