"The one rule in life is: never apologize."

"I can't believe we have detention," Rachel said coldly as she put her head down on the desk in front of her. We had a half an hour, just the three of us, in an empty classroom. No teacher was watching us for some reason which was kind of bad: we didn't have to sit in silence.

I had gotten there after Rachel. She had chosen a seat in the back left corner, so I picked one in the middle of the front row. Lucas had walked in a few minutes later and sat next to me.

Rachel gave us both an evil glare, seeing Lucas sit with me. "So what are you two? Like, friends with benefits? I mean, it makes sense, you live in the same house..."

"Rachel, could you relax for five minutes?" Lucas said, glaring back. "We all know you're hot, just let it go!" He sighed and laid back in his seat to look at the ceiling.

"We're not friends with benefits... over my dead body," I mumbled.

"Oh really? That's not what you said at the beach party..." Lucas interjected.

Rachel rolled her eyes and put her head down on the desk in order to ignore us.

"Pathetic that it takes a detention for us to talk," I said quietly to Lucas and chuckled.

"It's not like I don't want to talk to you, gorgeous. It's that you act like I'm so much worse than you with my games, when in reality, you're the same way. First me, then Nathan, now Adam Reed. You're a hypocrite."

Those last words stung me. I was not a hypocrite. I was confused, and I was put in a bad situation: between two brothers who I happened to be living with. And both of these brothers were gorgeous, but that's besides the point.

Lucas lived his whole life playing these games, I had just been introduced to them by force. "No, you see, here's the difference between us... You've done this your whole life. I just started this, and not even on purpose. Because you pushed me to it!"

"Blame it on me all you want, it still doesn't change what you did," he smiled mysteriously.

"It was a mistake Lucas. God! Grow up!" I said getting frustrated. Why was he smiling!? Did he know how badly I wanted to kiss him at that moment and I had to use all the force in my body to stop myself?

"Yeah, well, you shouldn't be critisizing me for my 'mistakes' when you make the same ones," he said nonchalant. He was acting as if my one screw-up with him and his brother was equivalent to every girl he'd ever used, every girl he'd ever promised the world and acted like he had feelings for just to get in their pants and let them down. Why couldn't he just be a good guy so I could kiss him!?

"Remind me why you care so much?" Part of me wanted to hear he did care, but I knew it was unlikely for him to say that.

"Do you think people can change?" he said, changing the subject completely. He was no longer looking at me. He had his attention gazed at the chalkboard. I saw Rachel watching us out of the corner of my eye.

Mrs. Carter walked into the room as I opened my mouth to answer. "Time's up, ladies and gentelman. This was only a half hour, but next time you decide to act out, it will be on your Saturday morning bright and early! Got it?!" She stormed out of the room. Rachel got up and left, but not without giving us, Lucas especially, a dirty look.

"No, I don't," I answered Lucas as we walked out together. After I had answered, I picked up speed so I wouldn't have to walk out with him. I felt his eyes on me as I stormed down the hallway and as I turned the corner, out of the corner of my eye, I saw him smile and shake his head.

"Don't hate the player, hate the game."

It was the night of Cooper's party. Adam, or Reed as everyone referred to him as, called me two nights earlier to make arrangements for when he would pick me up and what-not. We decided 9:15PM was a perfect time. It was a warm night, so I picked out a short white-jean skirt and a black tanktop. I put on a huge, black plastic Chanel cuff with their famous intertwining C's which were white embossed into it. I felt very stylish and Coco Chanel-esque. However, my stomach flipped and flopped.

Would Adam like me? Were Lucas and Nathan gonna be there? Would Lucas, I mean Adam, I swear, think I look good? I knew Peyton was going to be there, but would she have my back if I needed her? Would Rachel start up with me? Should I drink? If I drink, will Adam judge me? Will Lucas? So many questions ran through my mind as I put on my mascara and lipgloss in the bathroom mirror. The last few days of school had gone well, and I didn't want the weekend, this party, to mess it up.

"Hey, you look great," Nathan said from the doorway.

"He speaks!" I said in shock.

"Very funny, William Shakespeare. But I believe it's she speaks," he smiled.

"Whatever, I though it was funny," I smirked. "Nice to know we're okay," I said seriously.

"Yeah, for now," he winked and walked out. "See you at the party!" he called from down the hall.

So, Nathan was going. Was Lucas? My watch read 9:10PM, so I went downstairs, nervous about my first 'real' Tree Hill date. This would definetly be an interesting night.

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Okay I updated! And I might do another chapter, just 'cause I feel bad I didn't write about the party in this one!!! Thanks for all the amazing reviews and well-wishes about my back. But since I'm stuck in, I'm gonna go work on this chapter. I'm only home for 4 more days, so I gotta get it done before I leave otherwise I'll probably lose readership:( I'll start a new story when I get home though! Reviews are loved ! xoxoxox