When they left the house, Logan drove to the Rivercourt, where he had set up a nice picnic of her favorite foods. They sat on a blanket on the court and ate, talking the whole time. It was just easy with them, the same way it had always been. It was the best first date Audrey had ever been on. She was glad to be here with Logan, glad that both Kristine and Justin had lived through the car accident, and glad that her parents didn't seem to be mad at each other anymore. She actually had a feeling they would be getting back together soon.
After the pair ate, Logan took her to Tric, and for once she actually was able to dance with her date the whole night. She didn't have to worry about him dancing with someone else, or leaving her on her own while he hung out with his buddies. She had never been to Tric with Justin, but she was beginning to think it wouldn't be as good as being here with Logan was. Audrey was beginning to admit to herself that maybe Justin had been right. She should be with Logan. She began to wonder what it would be like to kiss him, as that would be the final telling sign of whether or not they should be together. Either the chemistry would be there or it wouldn't be.
Audrey didn't have to wait long to find out what it was going to be like to kiss Logan. They were dancing to the song, Forever and Always by Parachute, and Audrey had been staring up into his eyes when he had suddenly leaned down and kissed her, right when she was in the middle of saying how much she loved this song. She felt as if everything in her world suddenly kicked into place. She felt the butterflies, the weak knees, the heart racing, every single cliché thing one could think of. She had never experienced a kiss like this before, and she suddenly realized that this was exactly where she should be. She was going to have to let Justin down easy, but she didn't even think of that right then, because she was too lost in her best friend.
The next day, Audrey knocked on Kristine's door frame only to walk in and find Sean already over, sitting next to her bed and holding her hand as he tried to teach her the recent material they were going over in school. Her face fell. She knew Sean was over every day, but she had been hoping she would get there before he did, so she could talk to Kristine alone.
Sensing that Audrey had wanted alone time, Kristine pulled her boyfriend closer by their joined hands, and whispered in his ear that he needed to leave for a while, and she'd call him when he could come back. He took one look at Audrey, nodded, gave Kristine a kiss on the forehead, one on the hand just because, and then grabbed his stuff and headed for the door. Audrey noticed how sweet he was with Kristine, in a way he had never been sweet before, and she couldn't help but hope for Kristine's sake that he really was changing. "So, I know it was only one date, but I think I'm in love with Logan, and I have been for a while," she said, sitting down in the chair Sean had just vacated.
Laughing, Kristine had realized this already, Audrey saying yes to going out with Logan had already confirmed it. She had known the feelings were there when Audrey had even contemplated the date, but she was surprised by the fact that Audrey had realized it so soon. "I think it was obvious to everyone except the two of you. So now you just need to fill him in," she said in response to Audrey's bewildered look at her laughter. She continued to laugh at the look of disbelief that now appeared on Audrey's face. "I know you do have real feelings for my brother, or I would have told him to break up with you ages ago, but I could tell that you've had hidden feelings for Logan since I got here," she added.
Grimacing at Kristine's amusement at her situation, Audrey crossed her arms and just sat there until she could take it no longer. She got up and left the room, intending to go talk to Justin about it. Maybe she wouldn't mention that she was in love with Logan, because she knew that would hurt him, even if he had expected it, but she would tell him that she felt like she had to pursue her relationship with Logan. She had meant it when she said she cared about Justin. She really did, and she didn't want to hurt him, but she'd end up hurting him more if she got back together with him when she knew she had these feelings for Logan.
When she got to Brooke's house, she hesitated. She had never been over when Brooke was home before. And she knew Brooke would be home, because she had taken time off to take care of Justin as he recovered. Audrey knew she had to talk to him, though, so she knocked. Brooke opened the door and just stared at her for a minute, before offering her a smile and opening the door wider. Audrey wondered if Brooke would still be smiling at her if she knew what Audrey was coming to talk to Justin about, but she didn't dwell on that thought, just smiled back and made her way through the house to Justin's room.
At the doorway, she paused. He was looking better. He had most of his color back and he looked almost normal, except for the fact that he was stuck in bed the same way Kristine was, though without all the broken bones. She stepped in slowly, noticing he was asleep, and decided she would just sit at his bedside and read some of the book she was reading in English until he woke up so she could talk to him. She had only read a few pages when he started to stir. She glanced up and saw those brown eyes she liked so much. She was tempted to just forget about going out with Logan, but she knew that was just her fear talking. "Hi," she said simply when he noticed her.
Putting her book back in her bag, Audrey took her time before straightening and meeting those brown eyes again. "I need to talk to you," she said, and she could tell he knew what was coming. He had known that she was going out on her date with Logan the night before. She continued before he could say anything. "This doesn't diminish my feelings for you at all, but I think you were right. I need to pursue my relationship with Logan. Last night really opened my eyes to that, and I know that if I didn't, it wouldn't be fair to either of us, especially not you. You deserve someone who can love you right, and I dunno if that can be me anymore," she said quickly.
Taking a deep breath, Justin just nodded. Audrey could tell he was still tired. So she leaned over and gave him a kiss on the forehead. "I'll let you go back to sleep. But I'll come back to visit. We're still going to be friends, Justin, I promise. That's just all we can be," she said somewhat sadly. She left the room, passing the living room, where Brooke was sitting on the couch sketching her new line. "Listen, we all make mistakes, I know from experience. Just," she paused and Brooke wondered where she was going with this. "Just don't hurt my mom. If you want to be her friend again, fine. But I don't want her getting hurt. Or Justin. Or even Kristine. So, uh, try to do better, I guess. This is a good family, and they deserve the best," she finished and left the house before Brooke could say anything.
At Tric, Peyton was sitting in her studio. She had decided to get some work done, since Audrey was out on her own for the afternoon. She had agreed very reluctantly to let her daughter have some freedom, only because she knew Audrey needed to talk to Justin. She looked up when the door to her office opened, and Haley and Karen came into the room. She tried to hide her grin, but couldn't, so she decided to just tell them. "Lucas and I are back together," she said, her grin covering her whole face.
Both Karen and Haley were glad to hear this, and the three women sat gossiping for a while, before the office door opened once again. Peyton looked up, expecting one of her artists or someone else to come talk to her about the label, but she saw Brooke. Haley and Karen didn't hide their dislike for the brunette, but Brooke didn't let this deter her.
Clearing her throat, Brooke worked up the courage to say what she needed to say. "I've made a lot of mistakes, I know," there was a snort from Haley, but Karen and Peyton remained silent, and Peyton sent Haley a look. "But I'm trying my best now. I want what is best for both of my kids, and I," she paused again and they waited. "I want my friends back. I know I don't deserve a second chance, but I'd really appreciate it if you guys could find it in your hearts to give me one. I promise, no more secrets, no more lies, and I'm doing my best to be the best me I can be," she said, and it was so heartfelt, that all three women could see she was telling the truth.
Looking at Karen and Haley, Peyton shrugged, leaving what they decided up to them. She had already forgiven Brooke, because Brooke had basically done the same thing that she had done, run off with her child to try to give that child her best chance. Karen, who had always had a big heart, looked ready to forgive her too, leaving it up to Haley. Haley was still somewhat angry, but she decided Brooke was being sincere enough, and she always had taught her children to give second chances, so what kind of mother would she be if she didn't do the same? "Alright, you can come to dinner tonight, as sort of a trial run, but I better be able to see the change in you Brooke. If I don't, you can forget all of this," Haley finally said.
Smiling with relief, Brooke nodded, and stepped forward for a hug. Peyton, Haley and Karen stood and met her in a group hug, albeit, a little reluctantly on Haley's part. She was going to have to go home and talk to her husband about this, but she knew he would trust her judgment. Brooke had to go pick up Justin, so she left. Haley and Karen both went to get ready for dinner, and Peyton went back to doing a little bit more work before she left the office. She wanted to finish listening to the pile of demos on her desk before she took off.
When they all met for dinner, everyone made an effort to be nice to Brooke, who, indeed, was on her best behavior. Lucas and Peyton sat next to each other and everyone could tell they were back together before the couple even announced it. Audrey brought Logan with her, and sat in between Kristine and Logan. Sean was there as well, and Justin was there of course. It had the potential to be awkward between the teenagers, but they all showed their maturity and got along quite well. It was a nice night, despite all the potential tension.
A/N: Here's a little New Year's Eve present for all of you. And as an added bonus, I've decided not to end this fic here. I've got some more ideas for it. The next chapter will jump forward six months though. I've started writing it already, so maybe expect it in a few days, possibly less if I get some good reviews. Thanks to everyone who reads and reviews this fic. I really appreciate it.
Disclaimer: I don't own anything.