Previously:
''Shh man,'' Skills soothed his friend. ''Roe's insane...but he's not stupid. He won't get your girl.''
''Why not?'' Nathan responded weakly, not realizing that he and Peyton were still just friends at this point, and he didn't realize the door was opening behind him.
''Because,'' Skills replied easily, spotting the person hovering behind Nathan, ''she's right behind you, and by the way she's looking at you man, there's no one else she's interested in...''
Part Three.
Nathan whipped around, more than fully surprised to see his best friend standing there, looking almost as confused as he felt. His blue eyes were wider than they'd ever been, and as Skills excused himself for a class he had to get to, the best friends were struggling to figure out how they'd pretend to be interested in each other when obviously? Neither was pretending anymore...
''I-I took the earliest flight, just in case you needed me sooner,'' Peyton explained suddenly, her breath catching a little as she trailed off towards the end.
Nathan, unable to say anything, took two long strides until he reached her side. His arms automatically wrapped himself around her waist and before he realized it, their lips were meeting over and over again, and he suddenly forgot that he'd initiated it. The time stood still between them and it didn't feel wrong like it should've. No kisses had made his knees weak until he found his forehead resting against Peyton's, her hand soothingly resting on his cheek. ''Peyton, I...''
Peyton shushed him, knowing they didn't need words. She stared into his midnight blue eyes and felt herself sinking. It remained like that until a knock on the door startled him, and though they pulled back from each other, Nathan kept a firm grip on the blonde's hand, not caring who saw anymore. ''Skills, you forget something?'' He asked.
''No,'' came the voice, and both were surprised to see Haley stepping into the dorm. Nathan immediately tensed up, and Peyton instantly closed the distance between them, her arm tight around his waist as he leaned against her shoulder. ''I-I was hoping we could talk...you and me, Nathan...''
Peyton sensed his fear and shook her head, suddenly strong. ''He's not ready to talk to you. And tell that boyfriend of yours to keep his damned mouth shut! If he tries one more time to hurt my boyfriend, he's gonna pay!''
Haley looked on, very surprised to see her ex already had another girlfriend. She briefly remembered Peyton, though the two had been inseparable during the two years she and Nathan had been together. She felt her heart break a little and cast her brown eyes downward. ''Yeah, uh, that's the thing...He's not my boyfriend anymore; we broke up. He was cheating on me and I just...couldn't take it so I left him.''
Peyton looked between Nathan and Haley, suddenly feeling like a third wheel but as she attempted to give the two their space, Nathan's hand squeezed hers and pulled her back flush against him. He clenched his jaw angrily, unsure of how to handle the situation. He was late for class as it was and the two women he had ever fallen for were standing in his dorm room, expecting him to make the next move.
''Look, Hales, I'm sorry Roe cheated, really I am, but I'm...I can't do this right now.'' He paused to continue and were suddenly met with brown eyes that he used to be in love with. He held up his and Peyton's combined hands, and to the petite brunette's dismay, she could see the love reflected in his gaze. ''I-I'm in love with someone else now, Haley. You hurt me bad when we broke up, and even worse when I found out you and Roe were dating...but I won't let myself get hurt again, a-and Peyton would never and could never hurt me. I-I'm sorry but I really think you should go...''
Haley remained quiet. She watched the connection Nathan and Peyton had and wished she hadn't given up hers with him. Especially for Lucas. Realizing it was really over, she gave in and said a small goodbye before leaving the room. Nathan, not really feeling in the mood for class, just opted for him and Peyton cuddling in his dorm all day as they watched movies and caught up. Before he knew it, Peyton had fallen asleep in his dorm and he really had to use the bathroom, so he softly kissed her forehead and excused himself to search out the bathrooms. Suddenly he found himself wishing he'd just held it.
''N-Nathan?'' Peyton asked sleepily a minute later. She awoke to his absence and felt herself becoming even more confused. She pushed herself into a sitting position and noticed not even Skills was there. Deciding to take a short walk to look for him, she found herself crossing the quad when someone startled her, and automatically she tensed.
''Well, hello beautiful,'' He murmured in greeting, his blue eyes checking out her lithe frame appreciatively. She felt herself getting sick. ''I'll say this for Scott, he sure can pick them... Too bad he always seems to lose them, though, to me... You might want to stop while you're ahead and give the two of us some time to get to know each other...''
''Buzz off,'' She replied bitterly as her green eyes searched the college-goers for her boyfriend slash best friend. She missed him already and she felt herself getting nervous just being alone with this guy. ''I'm counting to three. If you're not gone by two and a half, you'll be sorry you aren't...''
Lucas smirked and approached her, getting closer to her. ''God you really are beautiful,'' he whispered to her, and she instinctively whirled around and punched him in the nose.
''That's for Nathan!'' She replied angrily, even as he smirked at her from the ground. He slowly got to his feet and she punched him again. ''And that's for Haley, you dirt bag!'' She leaned over him and her green eyes grew dark with anger and rage. ''And if you ever make my boyfriend's life any harder than it needs to be, I'll make yours a living hell!''
Lucas chuckled from his position on the ground. He got to his feet and in one fall swoop, his lips were on hers and he was surprised at the emotions she provoked in him. Peyton pulled back angrily and punched him in the stomach, this time making sure he wouldn't get up. Skills came up behind her, noticing Lucas on the ground with a bloody nose and a black eye and a pissed off Peyton and put two and two together. ''You have a lot of nerve hitting on someone else's girl, Roe,'' he said in disbelief.
Lucas noticed Skills and clutching his stomach, he got to his feet again, albeitly much much slower. That girl could really throw a punch. ''Yeah well, she's hot and she seems perfect for me,'' he shot back bravely. He and Haley hadn't worked out because he had solely meant to hurt Nathan by dating her though, actually, he hadn't wanted to cheat when he was with her, but something just told him they weren't right. It had all started out as revenge but as he looked up at Peyton staring down at him angrily, he realized he wanted her for his and wouldn't stop until she was. ''It's not my fault Scott's just holding on to her for me...''
''Oh, that's it, scumbag,'' Peyton responded angrily. Poor Nathan, she thought sadly, that he had to deal with this idiot everyday. Skills held Peyton back and she sighed, wanting nothing more than to kidnap Nathan and take him back with her to LA. Or New York possibly; Brooke wasn't answering her cell lately and it was pissing her off. ''Who the hell do you think you are, anyway? You're a geek who joined the basketball team, and all the charming in the world would not make me trade Nathan for you. Ever!''
Skills chuckled behind Peyton, liking this girl already. He gradually pulled her away from Lucas as the two went to find Nathan, and as they were walking past the bathrooms, Peyton had a sudden inkling to have Skills check the male's bathroom. He'd obliged willingly, the sight of Haley pushing Nathan up against a stall with her lips on his enough to make him grow a little braver. ''...The hell?'' He said a loud, startling the two. Nathan shot Skills a wide-eyed look, trying to get his newfound friend to believe she'd kissed him. Skills just shook his head and angrily started back out towards Peyton, feeling the sudden need to protect her. ''C'mon, let's go...somewhere else...''
''What? Where's Nathan?'' Peyton asked, but as Skills dragged her off somewhere other than there and Nathan came running in a full sprint after them, she realized something had happened. ''Skills, wait, slow down,'' she requested softly. She didn't even know this guy's last name but she could tell he was a trustworthy guy and she liked that. ''What happened in the bathroom just now?''
Skills sighed. ''I saw Haley and Nathan kissin', Peyton. Look, I haven't known you or Nathan or even Haley for very long...but the guy's got game like it's no one's business and I know he really likes you so I'm confused now too. God, man, this whole situation sucks!''
Peyton saw Nathan catching up with them, suddenly unsure herself. She thought he understood why she hadn't been sure about coming to UNC and posing as his girlfriend in the first place, and now, after she'd defended both of them, Haley was making moves on her boyfriend? ''Nate, please,'' She begged when he approached, ''please tell me you didn't kiss her first...or back, or anything that involved your lips with hers!''
''I didn't, Peyt,'' Nathan responded honestly. ''I went in there to use the bathroom and she snuck in and told me that she should've never let me go and before I could tell her again that I love you, she was kissing me and that's what Skills walked in on!''
Skills groaned. ''Yeah man, like you honestly expect me to believe that?! I just saved Peyton here from Roe so Haley either has perfect timing or both of them aren't really right in the head...''
''Wait what!'' Nathan shot out upon hearing Lucas hit on Peyton. Looking around at the crowds of people heading to campus, he suddenly saw Lucas walking past and next thing he knew he was sprinting towards him, easily taking him down with his weight and securing him to the ground. ''You have some nerve going after my girlfriend, Roe,'' he said angrily as his fist went to the other male's throat. Lucas groaned, moaning upon impact as the pain intensified. He weakly tried to flip the other male over but he failed, showing himself weakily for the first time since Nathan had met him. His nose was bloody and looked broken and his right eye was forming into a black eye from Peyton's punches earlier.
''Yeah okay, j-just let me back up man, c'mon,'' Lucas begged weakly. He didn't sound anything like the conceited Lucas he'd met earlier, but Nathan didn't let up. Peyton and Skills, however, ran after the brunette and watched Roe lying helpless underneath Nathan. ''Nate, man, c'mon let him up!...'' Skills said suddenly.
''No!'' Nathan shot back, full on angry. He didn't care that Lucas was bruised; he cared that he'd lost Haley to him and then found out that the other male had cheated on her, and on top of that, he'd just found out this pervert had hit on Peyton also. Peyton who was in love with him, his best friend since six -- that Peyton! -- and it was obvious he was questioning his feelings for her, too. Man if Brooke found out all of this she'd kill him for sure. ''This loser got Hales and cheated on her and suddenly feels brave enough to hit on you, Peyton, and I'm supposed to just let it go?!''
''No, Nate,'' Peyton responded. ''But you can't keep beating him up and I can't let my best friend who's supposed to be my boyfriend now keep getting upset over Haley! I mean, I get that you guys dated two years Nate...and I'm honestly sorry she left you and then came here and started dating Lucas, but you have to let her go if you expect any kind of future for us! I mean, I dated Mouth for years back in high school, Nate, and in the end he ended up going to school for broadcasting and breaking my heart, remember? You don't think that hurt, Nate? He was the first guy I'd ever said I love you to, the first guy I'd ever kissed...I get that Haley hurts you every time you see her, but you have to let her go and figure out what the hell you want because I can't keep doing this to myself...''
''Peyton!'' Nathan ran after her, but a hand on his chest by Skills stopped him. ''Skills, you don't understand...''
''Oh, I don't understand, Scott? You intent on having everyone you like hate you now, man?'' Skills responded tiredly. It was only noon and he still had three classes left. He sighed and approaching Lucas, he quickly helped the other guy to his feet. ''You know, this whole thing is ridiculous. You're an idiot because you're leading Peyton on but you're still not fully over Haley, and you're an idiot,'' he continued, pointing to Lucas, ''because you couldn't just leave good enough alone. You had to start hasslin' Nate and date Haley because she's his ex and then cheat on her to prove you got some weak game left in you. You're both morons...and I'm late for class as it is. Peace!''
Nathan and Lucas were left staring at each other. Lucas spoke first. ''I never meant to hurt Haley,'' he admitted. ''In fact, I realized the other night I might just love her. But today I met Rachel Gattina and the last thing I knew, I was kissing her and regretting every time I did.''
Nathan sighed. ''Well you did, Roe, and now we're both having problems because my best friend doesn't even want me anymore. She's known me since we were kids and...After Mouth in high school, she tells me one day after practice coincidentally, that she's in love with me. I never realized how much it was taking its toll on her until I kissed her today...but I guess I've blown it too, so it's obvious you have no reason to envy me so much anymore...''
Lucas shrugged. ''Still do, Scott. You're an incredible ball player. I've heard about you since forever, and knowing I wasn't captain anymore, that I had someone better coming, that just killed me. And by the way, both Haley and Peyton are great girls. You really do know how to pick 'em...''
Nathan found himself sighing and letting a loose laugh emerge from his lips at that remark. ''Yeah, yeah they are.'' He noticed Lucas's bruising in more detail, an eyebrow raising in appreciation of Peyton even more and he felt his heart clash against his ribs at just the thought of her. ''She really did all that?'' He asked in awe.
Lucas nodded, wincing at the pain. ''Oh yeah, every last bit. And on all records, I deserved all of it...'' He heard the bell ring for next class, and as bravely as he could, he placed his backpack onto his shoulder, awaiting Nathan to speak. ''Class...but see you in practice later?'' He asked.
Nathan just nodded and watched the other male hobble off, internally debating the power of women as he made his way to Anatomy 101.
End part three!! THANK YOU soo much for the constant reviews!! I'm so honored and flattered! :)