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Make It All Better, pt 6.
Previously -
''Hi, what can I do for you today?''
Peyton sighed and readjusted her purse on her shoulder, reaching for her credit card. ''Yeah, hi. One round-ticket for Los Angeles, please?''
MIAB, part 6.
Nathan ran past Brooke, surprised when an arm reached out and pulled him so hard he felt his shirt rip. ''Brooke!'' He yelled, angry. ''What'd you do,--''
''You, Me, Talk, Now,'' Brooke ordered, dragging her brother off to where they could be alone. Skills and Lucas stared on, afraid of the tiny brunette all of a sudden, and with good reason. Once they were alone, Brooke lowered her voice and softened it. ''Nate, you're supposed to be making everything up to Peyton...and you're suddenly kissing Haley? Do I have to stay in North Carolina and monitor you full time now?''
''Brooke,'' Nathan replied, sighing. ''I'm in love with Peyton! I kissed Haley to see if there was anything still there -- but there wasn't. You didn't see me ending it with Haley, did you Brooke?''
''Well, no, but,'' Brooke started, but Nathan shook his head, cutting her off. ''We've got to find her, Brooke. I haven't seen her since she left me this morning and I'm going insane without her. Please help me find our best friend?''
Brooke started to speak again, but was surprised when Haley came over suddenly, shock all over her face. ''S-She's at the airport,'' The petite brunette said suddenly. ''I-I heard from a friend that just called who's waiting to catch a plane that she saw her there. Hurry!''
''Thanks Haley,'' Nathan responded casually before he started in a sprint towards the parking lot. Brooke followed, as did Skills and Lucas, all searching for their cars and traveling an hour's ride toward the airport in North Carolina. When they all arrived, Peyton was sitting down listening to her iPod as she awaited the plane to board. Her eyes were closed and her blonde curls were the only thing the foursome could see as they were facing her back.
''Great, Nate, now what are we gonna do?'' Brooke complained. Nathan grabbed his sister's hand and approached the blonde, his eyes lighting up at the sight of her. Lucas followed, also entranced by the curly-haired blonde who looked to be half asleep. He pushed Nathan aside and got to his knees in front of her, his blue eyes searching her green as she suddenly opened them when she felt a pair of hands touch her own. ''P-Peyton, I get that you're all for Nathan, but please -- just one date? That's all I ask!''
Brooke realized how confused Peyton was and easily dragged the blonde to his feet, giving him five dollars to get a clue and a cab ride back to UNC. She crossed her arms and watched the scene unfold, realizing that her brother had to figure this one out on his own. She heard Skills step up beside her, his brown eyes dancing with warmth as he braved a look at her. ''Think Nate's gonna get his girl after all, Brooke?'' He asked, still unsure.
Brooke smirked. ''I guess we'll just have to see, now won't we Mr. Tanner?'' She replied with a wink.
''Nate?'' Peyton asked, still somewhat shocked. No one had known she was at the airport before she arrived, and awakening from her brief nap, she was suddenly surrounded by people. Including a really desperate Lucas...Like she'd really go out with him. She pulled the iPod out of her ears and tucked it away inside her pocket before she felt Nathan take her hands in his, and this time, she welcomed the comfort. ''Nathan, what's going on? I was supposed to be in L.A. by now...''
Nathan sighed and pulled up a chair, still rolling his eyes at Lucas's lame attempt but knowing he'd try exactly the same thing to get Peyton Sawyer's attention. He just stared at her for a few moments, studying her like he'd never wanted to see anyone else ever again. He sighed and tried to find the right words. This was his big moment.
''Peyton, I love you,'' He blurted out suddenly. Her green eyes were wide and he tried to hide the blush that formed on his cheeks. ''Brooke and Skills saw me kiss Haley, and honestly when I did, there was absolutely no spark there anymore. All I could think about was you. And I know I don't deserve you and I realize that you should move on and dedicate yourself to someone else much more worth it than me -- but I'm fighting for you not to, because I'm in love with you Peyt, and I've never needed anyone more than I need you...''
Peyton, Brooke, and Skills all watched wide-eyed at Nathan's sudden emotion. If Peyton looked close enough, she thought she saw a tear run down his cheek. ''N-Nate...'' She started, but he started again. ''I know this'll change things. I know our friendship is possibly or irrevocably at risk if we admit to more-than-friendly feelings, Peyt, but we've already done that because you're in love with me and I can't stop thinking about you...''
Peyton sighed. She felt the air rush out of her lungs and the nervousness take over and she needed some air. Excusing herself, she went to check on her flight before she walked off in the direction of the coffee bar. Nathan and Brooke exchanged worried looks, and Skills just stood there in confusion. Suddenly Nathan spun around to Brooke. ''W-Was that too much? Did I say too much all at once?''
''Maybe,'' Brooke replied sympathetically. She let her brother rest on her shoulder and patted the back of his head softly, her brown-green eyes still watching Peyton's inner struggling not too far away. She watched Skills, realizing he was anxious too. This was all too much. ''Nathan, are you really in love with her or do you just think you are?''
Nathan's eyes widened against her shoulder, but he sighed. ''I don't know, Brooke! I mean, I was only in love with Haley...or what I thought was love; the feelings I have for Peyton are overwhelming, but they're more than what I ever had with Haley. God I'm so confused...''
''It's OK, it's OK,'' Brooke comforted. She kissed the crown of his head before she let him go and excused herself to go after Peyton. When she got there, the blonde was quietly sipping her grande Caramel Macchiato, a look of confusion worrying her features. She sighed and went to sit down beside her. ''P.Sawyer?''
''Oh, hey B.Davis,'' The blonde replied easily, leaning over to kiss the other girl's cheek before she returned to her thoughts. Brooke wondered what had just happened and quietly stared at her lap, still uncertain. ''So, uh...Are you still in love with Nathan?''
Peyton nodded, but she still looked so confused. ''Okay, well, I know this is all confusing, trust me, but he kinda loves you back so it doesn't all have to be bad news...''
The blonde chuckled at Brooke's words, but she sighed and diverted her eyes. ''Yeah, got that part, but it's soo strange Brooke. I mean, he asks me to come down and fix things so Lucas'll get off his back, and I do. And we're fine, besides the fact I've had an intolerable crush on him for years... Then, next thing I know, you're down here trying to get us together and Lucas is after me and Nathan is kissing Haley, and...what? Now he loves me?''
Brooke nodded and grabbed for Peyton's hand, soothing her. She understood it was hard; part of which was why she'd flown down to Tree Hill as soon as she could get a flight out. Peyton needed her -- and Nathan needed her. She was always there for her family...
Peyton put down her coffee, instantly resting her head in Brooke's lap and closing her eyes. Her plane was leaving in fifteen minutes and she couldn't figure anything out.
It was quiet for awhile before she finally spoke. ''I love him, Brooke. Like the love in those cheesy chick-flicks we always watch together when we can't sleep, and if he's just saying it back to get my attention then I don't want or need it.'' She sighed and stared up at her friend. ''I'm going to LA for a while...I have a friend in music up there, and who knows I might run into Jake. I guess...need to clear my head OK?''
''Ok, P.Sawyer,'' Brooke agreed. She leaned down and kissed her friend's forehead and watched as she got up and disappeared towards boarding. She heard her promise to call and agreed before she returned to an even more anxious Nathan and Skills.
''Brooke!'' Nathan yelled, gesturing toward Peyton. ''S-She's getting on the plane, Brooke! You didn't talk her out of not boarding the damned plane?!''
Brooke just sighed, approaching Skills who seemed to read her mind and opened his arms so she could step into them. He felt how tense she was and tried to calm Nathan down, but to no avail as the brunette stormed off and his sister and roommate were left even more lost.
''Think he'll be OK?'' Skills asked quietly and for once, Brooke wasn't sure how to respond.
A/N: I know – She left! She left! What now?! Next chapter should fix everything…;)