Hi guys... I'm sorry thatI haven't been updating latley. It's just that... I'm really sick, andI feel like sleeping forever. Anyways... enough about me... here's chapter 38.

General POV

The next morning Brooke, Peyton Lucas and Haley all stood by Mercedes' locker while she put her things away. As they talked Nathan walked up behind Mercedes and kissed her neck while wrapping his arms around her waist.

"Good morning." She said turning around in his arms to face him.

"Hey." He said kissing her.

"Hello? We exist too." Brooke said catching Nathan's attention.

"Sorry." Nathan said smiling at Mercedes but looking at Brooke. "Hi to you too Brooke."

"You know what? .. I'm gonna go. Peyton you coming?" She said never taking her eyes off Nathan.

"Yep, let's go Brooke." Peyton said stepping next to Brooke.

"Guys, don't forget to meet me in the library at lunch ok?" Mercedes said turning her gaze from Nathan.

"Uh huh. Well be there." Brooke said smiling at Mercedes and returning a pissed glance at Nathan.

"Bye guys." Peyton said as Brooke turned on her heel and left.

"She's mad at me isn't she?" Nathan said catching Mercedes' attention.

"She'll get over it." Mercedes said running her fingers through his hair. "Are you feeling better?"

"Now that you're here... I'm perfect." He said kissing her.

"By the way... your surprise will come later on in the day so..."

"What is it?"

"You'll just have to wait and find out." She said as the bell rang. "I have to go. I gotta go talk to Mrs. Barry."

"Alright, I'll see you at Lunch." He said pulling her closer to him.

"Actually... the girls and I have some planning to do for this weekend so..." He looked at her with his smile slowly disappearing. "Babe... don't...be... sad." She said kissing his lips softly between each word. "I promise I'll make it up to you, ok?"

"Ok." He said simply. "I'll see you later then."

"Alright." She said pulling away from him, and looping her arm through Haley's. "You ready to go Hales?" She said looking at her.

"Yeah." Haley said quietly. "I'll see you later Lucas." She said turning to look at him.

"Later Luke!" Mercedes said over her shoulder as they turned to walk away.

"Bye guys." Lucas said and then turned to see Nathan staring at Mercedes as she walked away. "A little weird don't you think?" Lucas said snapping Nathan out of his thoughts.

"What do you mean?" Nathan asked looking at him.

"I mean... your ex-girlfriend, and your new girlfriend."

"Tell me about it." Nathan said smiling.

"What's gonna happen with you and Haley?" Lucas asked as they walked to class.

"I really don't know Luke." Nathan answered sincerely. "I mean... I'd like to be friends with Haley. I'm just not sure I'm ready for that yet. What about Peyton?"

"What about her? We've already talked and we agreed that we were gonna be friends."

"Well... what can I say... I guess we'll have to see where things go."

"I guess so." Lucas said as they stopped to go in opposite direction.

"Aright... I'll see you later man." Nathan said walking away.

"Hey Nathan!" Lucas said catching his attention back. "Listen.. Do you wanna go shoot some hoops at lunch or something?"

Nathan hesitated before he nodded his head. "Sure. Later." He said walking away.

Lucas smiled to himself and walked to his class.

After the first classes of the day Mercedes and Peyton headed to the library to meet Brooke and Haley. When they arrived they found them sitting at a table and they walked over and sat in the two empty seats.

"Hey guys." Mercedes said sitting down.

"Hi." Haley answered smiling.

"So... what's the deal Z?" Brooke asked sitting back in her chair.

"Ok, so... I called Andy and everything's set."

"Ok. What's gonna happen?" Haley asked.

"Ok... we leave right after Tric. Oh! Peyton there's something that I have to tell you!" Mercedes said excitedly turning from Haley to Peyton.

"What is it?" Peyton said smiling.

"I got a call from Ciara yesterday and she told me that she's recording in Florida on Thursday with Missy. Don't worry, she's still doing Tric on Friday. It's just that... she was telling Missy about it and Missy want's to come preform with her."

"Z that's awesome!" Brooke said so loud that the librarian shushed her.

"That's great Mercedes." Haley said almost as excited as Brooke.

"You have no clue who I'm talking about do you?" Mercedes asked Peyton smiling.

"Sorry." Peyton answered somewhat embarrassed.

"Missy Elliot? Ring a bell?" Brooke said looking at her. Peyton's face stayed expressionless and Brooke nodded her head. "We really have to expand your musical horizons."

"I agree." Haley said smiling.

"Hey! What do you mean by that Haley? Are you saying my music sucks Brooke." Peyton protested.

"Ok, ok." Mercedes said laughing. "How about we make a deal?" She said looking at Brooke and Peyton. "Brooke... you'll listen to Peyton's music for a week and Peyton you'll listen to Brooke's music. Sound fair?"

"I guess." Peyton answered glaring at Brooke.

"If I have to." Brooke answered in a winy voice.

"Alright."Mercedes said laughing. "So anyways... what do you think Peyton?"

"I think it's great. I mean... a lot of people like them so... I'd love to have them both." Peyton said sincerely.

"Good. I was hoping you'd say that. They're leaving right after the performance though. They're both flying out to LA, and she told me that a lot of people are flying down for the weekend. Weird huh?"

"Yeah. Weird." Brooke said looking from Haley to Peyton. "Anyways... What else is gonna happen Z?" She urged to change the subject.

"Umm... well... We leave for LA right after Tric and then you girls are coming with me to the photo shoot. The guys will meet us there later, cause it'll be to early for them. After that.. I don't know... we can do something else. We can plan something there-"

"Actually..." Brooke said cutting her off. "Q called and he already planned for all of us to go to dinner Saturday night."

"Ok. Well... I guess we're going to dinner then." All of a sudden her face lit up. "Which means that we'll have to get new outfits." The girls laughed. "But we won't have time to shop after the photo shoot so..." She pulled out her cell and quickly punched in some numbers. She waited patently while it rang.

"Hello?" Answered a female voice on the other line.

"Alex ... It's me!" Mercedes said happily.

"Holy Shit! Z! How are you! Oh my god... I haven't talked to you in forever! How's North Carolina?"

"I'm fantastic, and North Carolina... well... it'd different from LA. But the guys are hot."

"Really? That's always good."

"You bet your ass it is. What about you? How's everything going over there?"

"Life is boring without ya Z. I'm tellin ya... the parties aren't the same."

"I'm sorry." Mercedes said laughing.

"But what's up? Can I help you with something?"

"It's right to business with you isn't it?"

"You know how it is." Alex answered laughing.

"Actually... yeah, there is something that you can help me with."

"What's up?"

"My friends and I are going down to LA for the weekend. I have a photo shoot and we're going to dinner afterwards."

"No problem. Just tell me what you want. How many people?"

"Well... there's me, Brooke, Peyton, Haley, Nathan, Lucas, Jake, I think Q and D already have their things. Oh! And then there's... Ciara, Monica, and Jorge. Is that ok?"

"Fine. I just need whomever measurements I don't have."

"Ok. I'll send them to you tonight."

"Perfect. By the way... what look are you going for?"

"Umm... you know me... sexy, and sultry. But not too over the top and defiantly not slutty."

"You got it. No black right?"

"No, noblack."

"Got it, and do you want me to take it to the shoot?"

"Yep."

"Alright. I'll be waiting for those measurements."

"Ok. Thanks so much."

"No problem. Take care of yourself Z."

"You too Alex."

"Thanks. Bye."

"Later."

Mercedes hung up and looked at Brooke.

"How did I know you were gonna call Alex?" Brooke said leaning on the table.

"You know me too well." Mercedes answered smiling.

"Who's Alex?" Peyton asked

"Alex is Z's personal shopper." Brooke answered playfully.

"You have a personal shopper?" Haley asked surprised.

"It's really not a big deal." Mercedes said looking at her. "But speaking of shopping... that's what we're doing for the rest of our trip in LA. The guys are going to go and do something with my brothers, and Jorge and we're gonna go shopping. I already arranged everything. Then we leave LA at about 10 and we come back. That sound good to you guys?"

"Perfect." Brooke said smiling.

Mercedes looked at Peyton and Haley and they both smiled.

"Well... I gotta go find my boy toy." Mercedes said getting up.

The girls laughed and waved as she left.

"Bye guys." She said laughing as well and leaving the library.

There it is people...I hope you guys like it! Thanks to...OTH-Mrs. BroodyNewyorkchicka, and brathanfan for your last reviews! You guys rock! By the way... jeytonlover... whered you go? I hope you'll still update... if your still reading that is... well... i hope you come back...Bye peeps. I'll update soon.