A/N: So i had these last two chapters posted backwards... so i deleted them and put them back on here so if the links that you got didn't work i apologize! i aparantly didn't post the 4th chapter when i thought i did and then they got mixed up so i hope you got to the story! SORRY! MY FAULT!
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Chapter 5: So We Meet Again
School had been going great. I was finally getting back into the swing of things. I was talking to my friends again. I was hanging out with Nathan more. I still couldn't get back to how it was but it was still good to be around him again. It was like everything was finally getting back on track. I had to make the best of it to because this was the last semester. I will graduate this year and who knows where I'll end up and where everyone else will end up.
Cheerleading was starting up again for basketball season. We finished up football season with an undefeated season until we went up against the Wildcats and they kicked our asses, 47-13. Not a bad season but we still wanted to win state. Basketball season was always something I looked forward to. Mainly b/c I got to watch Nathan play. He loved the game and it showed when he played. Plus he was great to look at.
Classes were going pretty good. I was passing all of my classes. I got caught up on my work pretty fast. Mr. Parker was the one I was gonna have to watch out for. If I missed one thing in his class I was sure to fail. Mr. Browning... easy. Mrs. Cornelius was awesome. She was fun and that was the best part. The class was never boring. And Mrs. Vick... she was, and still is, my favorite teacher. I passed the test on the 'Scarlet Letter' and I was happy about that. I wasn't sure what to make of that test.
Jake was finally back at school. He had left town shortly after I left. No one really knew why but I did. He'd been having some problems at home with his mom and he just needed to get away. He usually came to my house when he was having problems but with me gone he had nowhere to go. He had a new girlfriend that no one liked at all. I just figured she was misunderstood. Kinda like me. Her name was Rachel and she had a bit of an attitude. Mainly with the girls. Which I can understand b/c most of them are fake. I get along with her really well. She's fun to hang out with and there's never a dull moment. I think she's the reason I'm starting to get back to normal.
My best friend Haley had a new boyfriend as well. His name was Chris Keller and he was about as arrogant as they come. He had a sarcastic comment for everything, but Haley like him so I put up with it. He was an awesome musician. I give him that. He can belt out a tune like no other. He has this scratchiness to his voice that you can't help but love. Haley's voice is more soft and innocent. Their complete opposites and when they sing together it's beautiful.
Brooke was still Brooke. She hadn't changed at all. She still didn't have a boyfriend. Not sure if she wanted one. I think she has to much fun hooking up with guys to actually settle down and choose just one. I still think she has a thing for Nathan. They dated during Sophomore year for a little while and I don't think she really got over him. He was the first guy she had ever fallen in love with and he broke her heart. I'm not sure if he meant to do it but he did. His excuse was that they drifted apart and she was to much of a partyer for him. Naturally Brooke went back to her old ways, seducing guys and throwing her killer parties.
As for me... I was as close as I could get to being happy and comfortable with Nathan. I still can't kiss him without bringing back those horrible memories. But I can hug him and lay with him without thinking about it. I'm not sure why I can't kiss him, but it's like every time I do I freeze up and then freak out and run off. He's dealing with it pretty well though. He's been so great about this whole thing and I'm not quite sure how to take it. Is he not in love with me anymore and that's why he doesn't care. Or is it that he loves me enough not to push me?
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I was over at Brooke's house on Friday night after school getting ready for this party she was dragging me to. I'm not quite sure whose party it was, but it was supposed to be one hell of a bash they were throwing. It was two towns away so I'm assuming it was a Forest Park party. They always threw the best ones. They were always full of life and that's what made them so fun. They weren't like these highschool parties that were nothing but drunk guys trying to land the girl and girls who get into fights because this one said she was a bitch.
Brooke walked back in her room after taking a 30 minute shower. She walked over to her closet and immediately began throwing clothes out. "I can never find the right outfit to wear." She screamed frustratedly. She always did this before a party. She could never find the right outfit or the right shoes. Her makeup was never right and her purse never matched. It was a never ending story but it was Brooke.
"Try the lacy black top... The low rise blue jeans, with the awesome design on the back pocket. The black pumps, and the silver bag." And there was me, always helping her with what to wear.
"Awesome choice goldilocks." She came out of the closet a few minutes later in the exact outfit I had just chose for her. She looked at me with a disgusted look. "Where going to have to work on that one." "What's wrong with what I have on" I asked defensively. "I don't think there's anything wrong with what I'm wearing." "C'mon goldilocks, you're wearing jeans and t-shirt. You have on those awful shoes and no makeup. C'mon" She dragged me into her closet and threw me a red halter top. The top half of the back was open and it had a tie in the back. It was a very cute shirt that I had just happened to pick out one day on our shopping trip. I put it on as she threw me a pair of black heels. Open toe... just the way I like 'em. She drug me out of the closet as she sat me on her bed and began doing my makeup.
"That's much better" I stood up and walked over to her vanity. I stared at myself in the mirror and smiled. This is the Peyton Sawyer I was used to seeing.
"I take it you like it?"
"Always" I gave her a hug and we walked out of her room.
"So what time is this party anyways" I asked before taking a seat on her couch.
"I think it starts at 8 but you know me..."
"Fashionably late" I said finishing her sentence "I know."
She smiled at me before throwing a throw pillow at me.
"Watch it Davis... You just did my hair and makeup... would you like to do it again" I said smartly. She shook her head before walking into her kitchen.
"So what's up with you and Nathan anyways. Are you getting any more comfortable around him."
"If you're asking me if I've kissed him yet... the answer is no. I still get those memories when he gets remotely close to kissing me"
She walked back into the living room and took a seat beside me.
"Just give it time goldilocks... You'll be back there."
"Ok... can we lay off of the goldilocks tonight... please" I pleaded with her knowing she would agree but then call me goldilocks all night just despite it.
"Ok" She flashed me a smile before standing up. "It's time to go"
We walked out to her car and got in.
"So whose gonna be there tonight anyways" I asked as I looked in the mirror to check my makeup
"Jake and Rachel are coming... I'm pretty sure Haley and Chris are coming. Nathan of course. Bevin and Skills might make an appearance assuming she can drag him away from the 'Notebook'." We both laughed at this. Who could forget the time Bevin made him watch the movie and he actually cried at the end of it. Ever since then he's been obsessed with the movie. "And of course... you and me... the 2 hottest girls there"
"Yea yea." She looked over at me and smiled before looking back at the road.
FOREST PARK... HERE WE COME.
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We pulled up to the party around 9 o'clock. We got out of the car and looked around to see if we saw anyone we knew. I glanced over towards the keg and spotted Jake and Rachel. I ran up to Jake and wrapped my arms around his neck. This was the first time I had seen him since he came back a couple days ago.
"Hey there blondie"
"What's up buddy" I pulled away and smiled and looked towards Rachel
"Hey Rachel" I said before hugging her
"Hey Peyton... Where's Nathan?"
I looked around before looking back at her. "I'm not sure... I came here with Brooke. He's supposed to be here though" I looked back towards Brooke as she shot me an evil glare. "I better get back to Brooke before she's dies of a heart attack from waiting to long"We shared a laugh before I walked away.
"Impatient aren't we" I said walking back up to Brooke
"You know I don't like that girl" She said with a nasty look on her face.
"Why? She's awesome"
"Whatever you say" She grabbed my hand as we made our way through the crowd.
"Look... there's Haley and Chris" She started walking faster as I almost tripped and fell over some guys foot.
"Okay Brooke can we slow it down a notch I don't wanna become tread on some guys shoe"
"Fine" She slowed down a little but it wasn't enough to make a difference
"Hey Haley" She flung her arms around Haleys neck as Haley shot me a glance. I shrugged my shoulders and Haley looked back towards Brooke.
"Nice to see you to Brooke"
"It's so great to see a familiar and friendly face" She shot me a look as I laughed it off.
"Whatever Brooke... Hey Chirs"
"Yep... that's me... the one and only Chris Keller" And there it was his cocky attitude yet sarcastic remark.
"Chris... can we lay off the 'I am god' Spiel today... it's so overrated" I laughed as he nodded his head slightly meaning "fine... I give up"
"Hey Haley" I gave her a hug when Brooke finally released her grasp.
"Hey Peyton... Have you seen Nathan... we've been looking for him since we got here"
"No... haven't seen him... we just got here."
"Eh... he'll be here sometime" Chris chimed in.
We left Haley and Chris as we began to walk around a little more. We went inside and looked around. This house seemed vaguely familiar but I just shook it off. It wasn't until I saw the brick red walls that I remembered where I had seen it before.
Flashback
I looked around and admired his house. I wasn't typical colors or furniture. It was way different than that. There was artwork all over the walls. The walls that I could see were this deep red color. I though it was beautiful. It was kinda like my room which made me that much more comfortable.
END FLASHBACK
It was his house. I stood there in shock for a minute before I finally realized Brooke was staring.
"What's wrong with you?"
I shook my head "Nothing"
"Okay" She left my side and began walking around a little more. I looked around and tried to make sure it was the right house and I wasn't just seeing things. But then I saw the pictures on the walls and knew it was the same house... which meant... their house was a mile up the road. They could be here right now and me not even know it.
I ran to find Brooke to tell here we had to leave... That we couldn't be here. I hadn't made in anymore than a few steps before running into some guy.
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"So how's it feel to be back" Rachel asked Jake as she handed him a cup of beer from the keg.
"It feels pretty damn good actually... Glad to see Peyton's okay to... I was really worried about her."
Rachel shot him a sad glance
"It's not like that... Peyton and I have been best friends since Elementary School... She's like my little sister... When she disappeared I thought I'd lost her. When I left I felt awful, but knowing she's okay right now makes me very happy" He wrapped his arms around her waist and gave her a kiss on the lips.
"Mmm... Now that's more like it" She said as she pulled away.
"Yea?" He said seductively
"Oh Yea." She grabbed his hand and led him to one of the rooms. She knocked first making sure no one was in there before opening the door.
"You seem to be a pro at this." He said sarcastically
"Well I've been to a party or two in my time" She said before pushing him on the bed. "Now where were we"
He moved his lips towards hers. "Right... about... her" He said slowly before bringing his lips to hers. She straddled himas he fell backwards on the bed.
"I agree." She mumbled against his lips before deepening their kiss.
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"C'mon Haley... lets get out of here." Chris moaned as she drug him by his arm towards the keg
"We're staying Chris... Besides it was you're idea to come to this party anyways"
"Well that was before I realized how many guys there were here" He stopped abruptly which made her fall backwards into him. He wrapped his arms slowly around her waist and brought his face up to hers. "I don't want one of them thinking they can touch you... I just might have to hurt them."
"And what are you going to do buddy. Beat them with your shoe" She loved making fun of him. He was so protective but she knew that when it came down to it they'd stomp his ass into the ground.
"Hell yea" He replied with a large grin on his face.
"If you want to go... we can... just let me find Peyton before we go. I don't want her thinking anything happened to me"
"Ok... that sounds like a plan to me" He pulled her in for a kiss before letting her go.
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I apologized quickly to the guy I just ran into without looking at him. I went to walk away and I felt a slight tug on my arm. I looked down at it before looking at the face whom the arm belonged to. I was shocked to see whose face it was.
"Peyton right?" He asked me as I nodded my head.
"Lucas Scott?" I questioned making sure I had the right name
"Yea... What are you doing here?"
"Just leaving actually" I went to walk away again but he stopped me once more.
"You should stay you know. These parties aren't as bad as you might think."
"It's not that... I just need to leave." I looked down at the floor and I could tell he knew something was wrong with me. After all... I never did a good job at hiding my emotions.
"What's wrong... Did someone hurt you?" He asked me and I could tell there was a bit of anger in his voice.
"No... no one hurt me... it's just... I didn't know that this was were the party was. I didn't know I'd be so close to..." I let the last words trail off as I looked back towards the floor.
"They were arrested you know. Right after you left. They're not gonna be here if that's what you're worried about."
"It's not that... it's just... being so close to that place... It's just not that easy"
"I understand... but you really should stay."
I looked back up at his pleading eyes. He really wanted me to stay and I couldn't figure out why.
"Fine... I'll stay" I gave in... how could I not. His eyes were so pleading and I couldn't resist.
"Good. Can I get you a drink" I looked over towards the door and saw Nathan walk in.
"No... thanks anyways." I walked away and made my way towards Nathan. I could feel Lucas' heavy gaze on me the entire time, but knew if I turned around I wouldn't talk to Nathan and that wasn't the best thing to do right now.
"Hey Nate"
He gave me a solemn look and a fake smile. "Hey Peyton."
I looked at him oddly and I could tell something was wrong
"What's wrong Nathan?"
"Can... we talk for a second?"
"Yea... sure" We made our way down the hallway looking for a quiet room. We opened the first door we came to and walked in only to be blessed with the sight of a half naked Jake laying ontop of a very naked Rachel.
I covered my eyes quickly as Nathan did the same. "I... AM SOOO SORRY" I walked out the door as fast as I could and shut it behind me.
"That was a treat" Nathan said sarcastically.
We knocked on every door after that and finally found one that wasn't occupied.
"So what's up Nate"
He sighed deeply before looking at me.
"I don't think this is gonna work Pey... I mean... you won't let me near you anymore. I've tried my best to let you become comfortable with me but I don't think you can. I think you need to deal with this on your own. I can't help you do it and I know that. So I'm suggesting that we break up."
I looked at him furiously
"Are you serious?"
"Sadly... yes I am. I mean Peyton... you don't even look at me the same. It's like all we are is friends and that's fine... but I'd rather not be under the title of boyfriend and girlfriend while it's going on."
I completely understood where he was coming from, but that didn't mean it hurt any less.
"I understand Nate... I do... but... don't stop talking to me over this... I still want to be friends."
"Then that's what we'll be"
The conversation was short and sweet and right to the point, just like they always were.I stood up as he followed close behind. I gave him a hug and walked out.
"So how about that drink?"
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So there is your second chapter of the night! I finally got Lucas in there... He'll start coming into the chapters more and more as time goes on... I hope you liked it! Let me know what you think!
LOVE SHELL