"Rules are made to be broken."

A few days later, I was unpacked and comfortable(ish) in the Scott house. Lucas was doing his best to ignore me, but every now and then he'd let a cocky comment slip accidentally, which made it clear to me that everything would be okay...eventually. I was sitting in the den watching TV when he walked in, grabbed something off the table, and walked out without saying a word. I assumed it was his iPod since wherever he went he carried it.

"He's still giving you the cold shoulder, I see..." Nathan said as he walked in.

"Yeah, but I guess that's lucky me, right?" I said. I was a little hurt that Lucas wouldn't give me the time of day, but Nathan and I had gotten very close because of it.

"I've never seen him like this. It's weird not to hear him talking and showing off around a hot girl. A nice change, if you ask me. What are you doing today?"

There were times it seemed like Lucas and Nathan were best friends and others that seemed like they hated each other. But other times, you'd think they were worst enemies. "Well, Peyton just called me. She asked me if I wanted to go to lunch with her and a few of the girls."

"That's good. I've never seen Peyton Sawyer being so nice to someone, it's another nice change. You've just been sparking them wherever you go."

"I think it has something to do with me turning Lucas down. Did they have some kind of history?"

"Lucas has history with everyone. When he was with Peyton, he was playing his games, but a little differently. He'd pretend he was legit into a girl to get them in bed. And he broke a lot of hearts that way."

I liked hearing about Lucas. I knew underneath that sexy exterior there was a sensitive person who was only acting like an asshole because he had some serious walls up. I nodded at Nathan.

"So, tell all those girls you go to lunch with today that there's a huge party here tonight and to come around 9. I'll catch ya later California," he winked at me and walked out of the room.

Nathan was so sweet to me. He had been helping me adjust to being in Tree Hill better than anyone. And he was genuinely nice, unlike Peyton who, although she was helping me adjust, she was only doing it because I had come to that party with Lucas. Nathan and Lucas had both taken up calling me California without even thinking about it. I called Lucas "Cocky" and Nathan was "Natey Boy."

I watched Nathan walk out of the room. Although Lucas was definetly the more flirtacious one, I couldn't help but wonder what it was like to kiss Nathan. He had an amazing body and green eyes to die for. But, there was something about Lucas that just attracted me to him whether he was talking to me or ignoring me.

I watched TV for a little longer and then went upstairs to get ready for lunch. Karen had called the other day to check in on me and gave me full permission to use her Mercedes while she was gone. It was a gorgeous car, so I had no problem with that little rule. It was fire engine red and fast.

I went upstairs, threw on faded, ripped, and worn out jean shorts from a million years ago with a white C&C tank top. I put on some make up quickly, just mascara and lipgloss, and grabbed my Chanel sunglasses, cell phone, wallet and keys from the night-table in my room. I yelled a quick, "Bye Natey and Cocky," and left, locking the door behind me.

I got into the car and drove to where Peyton told me to meet her and the girls. Sure enough, sitting outside the boardwalk restaraunt were Peyton, that Rachel girl (that Lucas had brought home after the beach party), some girl named Bevin and another named Haley. They were sitting at a table with an umbrella over it. I parked my car and got out.

"Life's a bitch. You've got to go out and kick ass."

"Nice wheels girly," Peyton said getting up to greet me. "You guys, this is Brooke, if you don't remember."

Everyone said a quick hey, complimented my vintage jean shorts, and I sat down.

"So, tonight's the Scott 'our-parents-are-gone-'cause-we-have-amazing-lives' party," Haley announced.

"How'd you know already?" I asked, unable to comprehend how by 12PM everyone already knew about the party.

"Word travels fast in a small town," Rachel explained with an attitude. "So, me and Lucas had a great time the other night," she said boasting to the group.

"Chill out Rach, we've all gotten with Lucas," Bevin said. "Weren't you just with him the other night, Brooke?"

"We made out, no big deal," I said non-chalant. "He brought Rachel home that night. What he couldn't get from me, he got from her," I smirked.

"So not true!" Rachel said defensively.

"Ok, new subject... What's everyone wearing to the party tonight?" Peyton said practically holding Rachel down from strangling me.

"No idea, but I have to look hot, for Luke," Rachel announced.

"And I need to look hot for Jake," Peyton nodded in agreement.

"Hm, I think Tim seems like a good goal for tonight," Haley said.

"Gotta look good for Skillz," Bevin said proudly.

"How about you, Brooke? Who are you trying to impress?" Rachel asked.

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