Sighing, Audrey finished changing into her uniform with the rest of the squad and they went out to meet their coach. She had a quick word with the coach before sitting at the table, which already had her clipboard and CD player on it. A couple of the girls sat with her at the table, and the rest started stretching on the floor. She was already stretched, and these were just try outs, so she wouldn't be doing much anyway. She looked out at all the prospective cheerleaders, noticing one person who hadn't been at the try-outs this summer.
Looking at the coach, she really wished they could just do what she had wanted in the first place. She was going to just let the person who had been closest to making the team last time on the team and be done with it, but the coach had insisted on everyone trying out again. She hoped that Kristine sucked at cheerleading, but since she had been on the squad in New York before coming here, she wasn't counting on that. She was just going to have to hope that Kristine wasn't the best. She would be pissed if Kristine made it onto her squad.
When the try-outs ended, and everyone else agreed that Kristine should be the new addition to the squad, Audrey almost quit right there, but she held onto her self-control, forced her best cheerleader smile, and agreed, to keep the peace. She didn't see any other way she could control this without appearing to be a spoiled brat. She would just have to find a way to make this work out in her favor, and get Kristine off her squad as soon as possible.
After she had gotten dressed, she walked out of the locker room, passing the coach's office, where she heard Kristine's voice. She stopped, since the door was cracked, and couldn't help but eavesdrop. She listened for a few minutes, and then laughed. She didn't have to do anything. Kristine would probably get herself kicked off the squad all on her own. She barely had the grades to get on the squad in the first place. One slip up with her grades and she would be kicked off. Audrey could think of something to make sure Kristine did slip up. She was going to win this round.
Glancing at her watch, she realized she had to get to her new after-school job. She had taken a job at the library in town, because she had always loved books, and she figured if she couldn't have her first choice of job anymore-which was the job she had at Tric-she could work her second choice of job. She was headed for the parking lot, and her Comet, when she saw her boyfriend standing at a locker that didn't belong to him. She ducked around a corner, wondering just who he was waiting for.
The blonde didn't have to wait long before Kristine walked down the hallway, right to the locker Sean was standing at. She looked surprised, albeit pleased, to see him. "What are you doing here? Shouldn't you be with Audrey somewhere? She doesn't like us hanging out together, you know. We should stop hanging out," she said resolutely, as she twirled the lock on her locker.
Shrugging a shoulder, Sean grinned at her. "I heard you made the squad. I knew you could do it, Kris," he congratulated her, pulling her into a hug which she reluctantly accepted, after looking around to make sure no one was around. "Would you stop acting like we're sneaking around behind Audrey's back. We're not doing anything wrong, Kristine. I'm allowed to be friends with whoever I want. She just doesn't like you because she's mad at her mom and the way things happened. She'll get over it," he said confidently.
Sighing, she couldn't help but smile. "Well thanks, but I'm going to be screwed if I don't get my grades up. I'll be kicked off the squad and Audrey will have exactly what she wants," she ran a hand through her raven hair and grabbed her books so she could close her locker and begin walking down the hallway. "I think I'm going to have to take Haley's advice and get a tutor, unfortunately. I mean, I have nothing against tutors, but it's going to take a lot of time, I'm sure, and I don't want to be stuck with someone I can't stand, or someone who can't stand me," she said as he walked with her.
Sean stayed silent for a minute, before he thought of the perfect solution, and he stopped again, pulling her to a stop next to him. "Why don't I help you out. I mean, I'm somewhat good with the books and stuff, and you wouldn't have to be stuck with someone who can't stand you," he paused and she tilted her head as she studied him, trying to decide if this was a good idea. "Come on, Kris, it'll be fun, and you'll be able to stay on the squad. Nothing could go wrong," he coerced.
Taking another moment to consider, she just couldn't say no to him. She found herself nodding and the two of them continued down the hallway, towards the parking lot. "I'll give you a ride home, too, how about that," he offered and then they were out of Audrey's earshot as they grew further away. Audrey waited another couple moments before she hauled off and punched the locker. She stalked down the hallway to her car when she was sure he had driven away, but she wasn't happy. Not at all.
OTH OTH OTH OTH OTH OTH OTH OTH OTH OTH OTH OTH OTH OTH OTH OTH OTH OTH
Walking out of her office, Peyton saw Haley and Kristine in the bar area. Haley spotted the blonde and the two brunettes stopped walking as Peyton drew closer. "Peyton, just the woman I was looking for," Haley spoke up, gesturing for the young woman to wait while she pulled Peyton to the side. "I know you have a spot on your younger staff open because Audrey quit. I think Kristine needs to start working, if she's going to live with us, because we've required James to work since he was sixteen. I just think its fair," she said, and she didn't need to continue for Peyton to know where this was going.
Of course, the position was open, but Peyton hadn't really been planning on filling it. Part of her hoped that Audrey would still come back. She knew it wasn't likely, though, and if she said that to Haley she would get nothing but pity. So she forced a smile and nodded. "Alright, Haley, I think I can do that," she stopped and gestured for the young woman to come over. "So, Kristine, you want a job?" she asked, and the brunette kind of shrugged and nodded. "I'll have to go make a schedule for you, and I'll give it to Haley. You'll start tomorrow," she said, before heading off to make the schedule.
Following after her friend, Haley entered Peyton's office, closing the door behind her. She sat down in front of the desk as Peyton took her seat at her computer. She looked over at the brunette as if wondering why she was there. Haley knew she was going to have to be the one who brought it up. "So, what happened between you and Lucas? Anytime someone's brought him up in the past few weeks, you just become surly and change the subject. When did it end, and why?" she asked, because she knew that her problems with her daughter weren't the only things bothering her.
Sighing, Peyton closed her eyes momentarily, but then she opened them again and opened the program so she could make up Kristine's schedule. She stared at the computer screen while she tried to figure out how she was going to answer. "Well, it ended that night that Brooke came to Tric. I don't know, Haley, we just didn't work out. I wish we had, I really do, but we didn't," she said, trying to look unaffected. She wished she had answers that she could give her best friend, but she really didn't. Audrey had asked her not to tell anyone that Lucas was her father, so she wouldn't. "Why don't you ask him?" she tossed, finally looking at the other woman.
After staring at the blonde for a few moments, Haley let out a sigh of her own as Peyton turned back to her computer screen. "I've tried. I haven't gotten anymore answers out of him than I got out of you. I just don't get it, though. You guys were perfect, not just in general, but that day in particular. You weren't fighting that day at all. You had just been sticking your tongues down each other's throats and acting like teenagers for goodness sake. I just don't get what happened to change it all so quickly," she started at Peyton, who obviously kept her green eyes averted, but she got no more answer from the blonde.
Realizing that Peyton had said all she was going to say on the subject, Haley decided to let it go and change the subject to another topic. She was relatively sure that this subject wouldn't be any easier on the blonde, but she might be able to get a little bit more out of her. "How are you doing without Audrey around?" she asked, and noticed the blonde's wince. "Come on, Peyton, I know it's hard, but you can talk to me, you know. I wasn't sure you would give up Audrey's spot to Kristine, to be honest," she added.
This time Peyton had to reach up to wipe away the tears that wanted to fall. She had been trying to go on about her life, like her daughter hadn't moved out, but really, the house was so different, so lonely, without her teenaged daughter in it. She had been spending all her time at Tric mostly, doing way more than necessary just so she didn't have to spend time in her empty house. "It's hard, Hales. I don't like living in an empty house. I'm not used to the silence in this house. My little girl left, Hales, two years earlier than she was supposed to," she stopped herself, before she started crying.
Standing up and walking around the desk, Haley pulled Peyton into a hug, letting her regain control of her tears. She pulled back and leaned against the desk while Peyton went back to writing up the schedule for Kristine. She printed it up a few minutes later and turned to Haley, her tears completely under control. "What about you, Hales? What is it like, having a teenaged girl in addition to your teenaged boy and two younger children? It's gotta suck, knowing Nathan has a child that's not yours. How are you doing with it all?" she asked, turning her attention to the other woman.
Looking like she now regretted bringing up any uncomfortable topics, Haley took the paper and moved around the desk, sitting back in her original chair. "Of course it sucks, but Kristine really is a good girl, and this was Brooke's fault, not hers, or Nathan's. James and Kristine get along alright now, and Kristine really does a good job with her new little siblings. I thought it would take longer to get into any kind of schedule, but really, it's not as hard as I thought," she answered.
Looking a little bit uncomfortable again, Peyton wanted to bring up something, but she wasn't sure it would be well-received. She opened her mouth anyway, because Haley was her friend, and they had always been able to say anything to each other. "Haley, this is not easy on Brooke, you know. She lost her daughter, kind of like I did. She should have come clean, yes, but she was doing what she thought she had to do. She wanted what was best for her child, Haley, like you, like me, like any good parent," she bit on her lip as she could she the comments Haley wanted to make practically written on her forehead.
Opening her mouth, Haley thought a minute, before deciding to close it and think some more. She nodded, and blew out another sigh. "I guess you're right, Peyton, but that doesn't mean I'm just going to forgive her like she did nothing. I don't blame you, if you let her back into your life. I know she was your best friend, and all, but really, I don't want anything to do with her for a while, if ever. The only time I want to talk to her is if it's something to do with Nathan's daughter, and most of the time I'm going to leave that to Nathan," she said honestly.
Before long, Haley had to get going, and she invited Peyton over for dinner. The blonde thanked her friend, but had to decline. She wanted to stay and listen to some demos, because they had been piling up lately, and she wanted to know if there was any talent worth signing around town. Haley didn't take no for an answer, though, and eventually coerced Peyton into going with her. She closed up her office and followed Haley to her house. She almost turned around when she saw his car.
Getting out of her own car, Peyton walked up to Haley, who held up her hands in surrender. "I had absolutely no idea he would be here. Nathan must have invited him. I didn't know, Peyton, but really, you guys were friends. There shouldn't be any problems, right? Come on, Peyton, please don't leave," she pleaded, and Peyton stared at that car for a long moment before she finally nodded, and the two older women followed the younger into the house, because Kristine had gone inside as soon as she had got out of the car.
When Peyton followed Haley into the house, Lucas sent an accusing look at Nathan, who just held up his hands. He glanced at the blonde, who was standing in the doorway, as if she didn't belong, and then back at his brother. "Can I talk to you, Nate?" he asked, and then stalked out of the room. Nathan sent an apologetic look to Peyton before following his brother. "I can't believe you did this to me. I told you, we just didn't work out. You and Haley can't just force us together and expect us to forget the reason we can't be together," he said, probably louder than he should have.
Glancing over his shoulder, and hoping the women in the living room didn't hear his idiot brother, Nathan gestured for Lucas to lower his voice. "You know what, Lucas. I don't know what reason you have for being so mad at Peyton, but I didn't plan this. Haley probably invited her over because she's been doing nothing but working since her daughter moved out. I'm not going to tell her she has to leave, and you're not leaving either. She's been though enough without having to worry about you, too," Nathan paused for a minute.
Lucas opened his mouth to speak, but since he didn't look like he was going to do anything but argue with what Nathan had just said, Nathan went on. "No, Lucas, she just lost her daughter, okay. You don't know what it feels like, because you don't have kids, but surely you can attempt to understand. Whatever your problem is, suck it up, and act like a grown man. Stay and have dinner with your family, and don't act like a jackass to your ex," he said before turning and walking back into the living room.
In the living room, both Haley and Peyton had heard the exchange, but when Nathan walked in, they pretended they hadn't. Nathan walked up to the blonde and pulled her into a hug. "Hey, Sawyer, how are you doing?" he asked. Peyton sent him a grateful look and he just waved it away. "You're my best friend, Sawyer. He's just my idiot brother who makes mistakes. He can deal with it," he lowered his voice so Lucas wouldn't be able to hear him.
Wishing that what Nathan had said was true, Peyton was ready for a subject change, so she was glad when Lucas re-entered the room. Lucas wasn't the one who had made the mistake, and she wished she could be honest with her friends, but her daughter had asked her not to be. She knew that Lucas wasn't the bad guy, and he could tell the truth and change their positions, but he didn't. He chose to be the one that their friends were mad at, and she was really grateful that he did that. It made her love him all the more.
A little while later they all sat down for dinner, and for the most part, Lucas ignored Peyton. Peyton tried to act like nothing was wrong, and she talked to Kristine, telling her what she would need to do at Tric, and asking her about her classes, her mom, her life. She was just trying to keep conversation up, so she wouldn't pay attention to the fact that Lucas hadn't looked at her once. She wanted to say something, but there was nothing she could say, not without alerting Nathan and Haley that something was up. So she didn't say anything to him, instead getting to know Kristine.
When dinner was over, Kristine said she was going to the Rivercourt. James said he would give her a ride, since he was about to head to the movies anyway, and she went to her room to get some stuff before the two teenagers left. It was time for the little ones to be getting their baths, so the parents disappeared, not giving either blonde time to say they were going to leave. Peyton sat at the table, knowing that while Haley and Nathan hadn't planned inviting them over to dinner, they still were going to play the blondes the best they could.
Without looking directly at him, Peyton studied Lucas in her peripheral vision. He was staring at the doorway where his brother and best friend had just disappeared, and he did not look happy. Peyton wanted to say something, but she had no idea what to say. She finally decided that nothing could be worse than the silence. "Lucas, I know you're mad at me right now, and you probably hate me, but thank you, for not telling them the truth. I'm sure it's hard for you," she said, finally looking at him.
For a moment, Lucas was unable to say anything. He didn't want to start yelling and alert Haley and Nathan. He had to control his tone of voice. "Peyton, it's not about hating you, or being mad at you. I could never hate you, to be honest. I'm disappointed. I'm a little mad right now, yes, but I'll get over that. You don't have to thank me though, because I'm not doing this for you. I'm doing this because my daughter asked me to, and that's the only reason I'm doing this. I'm not ready to pretend this whole thing didn't happen at all, though, so can we just not pretend, right now," he said shortly.
Underneath the anger, Peyton thought she could see the hurt she had caused him by keeping his daughter from him for so long. She didn't mention that, though, because she wasn't entirely sure that it was hurt in his blue eyes, and she didn't want to upset him even more by mentioning it. She wanted to say something, but she knew it wouldn't be well received. She decided to say it anyway. "You still have a chance with her, Lucas. She didn't divorce you as her parent. You can still get to know her, be a part of her life," she cut herself off, because she wished she still had the chance that she did with her daughter.
Staring at her, Lucas could see just how much she was hurting because their daughter had emancipated herself. He wished he didn't care, but he'd never been able to not care about Peyton. He stood and walked over her, pulling her to her feet and into a hug. "It'll be alright, Peyt. She'll get over this. You're her mother and you've always done what was best for her. She'll realize that soon enough. She does love you. She's just rebelling. It'll be alright," he said as he hugged her, rubbing her back. They both knew that this didn't change things between them, but they also knew the feelings between them hadn't changed. It would just take time for each of them to get over things.
A/N: It's been a while, I know, but I'm here now, if anyone still wants to read. I'm hoping I'll be able to continue writing again, and that my writers block is gone. I'm not making any promises, but hopefully soon a couple of the fics I'm working on will be done, and it'll be easier to manage updating the ones that are left. What did you think of this chapter? Is anyone still reading? Let me know if you are, and what you think. Thanks for the reviews I have received. I appreciate them all.
Disclaimer: I don't own anything.