MIAB, Part Seven.
Previously -
''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 week went by, and Nathan was having a terrible time without Peyton. He hadn't heard her voice since she'd left for the plane, and even worse, his grades were failing. Brooke, unfortunately, had left once more for New York a couple days after Peyton's departure, leaving both Nathan and Skills in bad spirits. Thank GOD it's Friday at least, Nathan thought. His last class of the day was just ending and he was on his way back to the dorms, needing some much needed de-stressing. He wasn't surprised when out of the blue Haley appeared beside him, and they managed to have a decent conversation together. In Peyton's absence, they'd managed to become friends, and it helped that she understood his feelings for the blonde. He'd even heard she was dating again, and no it wasn't Lucas...no, this time it was a senior who was majoring in mathematics named Sam. He was happy she'd moved on.
Finally arriving at the dorms, he slipped inside and dug around for his iPod, needing a change of pace, and changed into his running gear. He was halfway down the sidewalk when he heard his cell going off, the sound of Brooke warming his spirits a little.
''Hey sis, how's everything since you got back? Have you heard from Peyton?'' He asked anxiously.
''Hey yourself,'' Brooke greeted easily, sighing. He could tell she wasn't in the best mood just from her tone. He imagined she was busy working on the two shops she now managed; one in New York, and the fledling she was developing for Tree Hill. ''It's goin'. And yes, I've heard from P.Sawyer, we've had a few good talks this week...''
Nathan suddenly felt his anger rising, but tried for her sake, to settle it. ''And you haven't told me because...?''
Brooke sighed again, and this time he heard the sound of papers rustling in the background, and people and loud music. ''God Nate, I tried. Everytime I called, you were at practice or in class...It's not like you're not busy, and I know it's been hell for you without Peyt, so I'm really sorry...''
Nathan sighed, feeling his anger dissapate. He couldn't stay mad at his baby sister! ''Yeah well I'm sorry too. It's been crazy here, what with finals coming up and basketball. I've been away a lot...we beat a rival school across town by like, 10 points...'' He stared around the campus, briefly watching his fellow students marching off to classes and/or whatever else people his age did, before he continued. ''I'm just scared, Brooke. She hasn't called me in a week and before this whole mess we talked every day at least once. I really do love her, sis. And I've never felt that for anyone before...''
Brooke smiled, and mentally thanked her big brother for making the comment that suddenly made her whole day. ''Well, I knew you did, big bro. I've known you'd fallen hard for our dear P.Sawyer since the minute she left for L.A. The way you've been acting since...you can't fake that...''
Nathan nodded, taking it all in. He hated that he had to get off the phone, but he had to finish his laps so he could get ready for the big game that night. ''Thanks Brooke. I hate that I have to leave considering this conversation has been the highlight of my week thus far, but I really have to. We're versing one of the colleges again tonight, and I need to get my head in the game...But call me later? Doesn't matter when... And please tell me when you hear from Peyton again...''
Brooke smirked, though he couldn't see that. His brother was whooped. ''Gotcha, big bro. And show that school exactly why UNC gave you a scholarship!! Don't let anything get you down tonight, OK? Oh,'' She looked up from her designs, suddenly shy, and she bit her bottom lip before she continued. ''And can you tell Skills I say hi? He's been such a good friend since I went down there to rescue you and Peyt from Lucas that I've felt bad not keeping in touch. I still have to get his number...''
Nathan gave her his roommate's number and wished her good luck before he hung up and continued running, various hip hop and popular mainstream attempting to blur Peyton's head from his mind... and failing badly.
--
Meanwhile in LA.
Peyton awoke with a start, wandering the two-story house her friend was letting her crash in whilst she was in L.A. and a long way from home. She smirked when she saw him concentrating on another music track, his mind and body deep in thought and focus.
''Mornin','' She greeted, and he broke focus to smile in return. ''Thank you for letting me stay here...I just needed to figure things out some before I go back home...''
''Oh no problem, no problem at all,'' He replied, spinning in his chair to face her. His face turned serious, and she sat down on the built-in desk in the corner. ''I'm glad you're here, Peyt. It means a lot that you picked me to help you figure things out,'' he added sincerely.
Peyton smiled. He was a good friend, that's for sure. Back in high school, before she dated Mouth, they dated briefly but unfortunately their chemistry hadn't been strong enough to make it. Luckily for her, she'd gone to Brooke and Nathan and spilled her guts...and like usual, her best friends had helped her get through it. Then she had met Mouth and well, the rest was history. Well, until he left for to move to California... she was still bitter about that. Realizing he was still staring at her, she blushed and moved to a chair, hoping to get the focus off her. ''So, uh, how's the music going these days?''
He grinned, automatically playing some of it for her before he turned to face her again. ''I can't complain, I have a great life here. My girlfriend thinks I'm this big deal but really? It's not like that at all. I was just lucky they had colleges for music otherwise I would've been doomed...'' They shared a laugh and caught up on things. It had been so long since the two had been together, and between their crazy lifestyles, time hadn't always been their best friend. She realized she'd have to go back to North Carolina sooner or later, and deciding to get things over with, she quickly checked flights from his laptop and booked the earliest one out. He continued making his music and she just watched him for a few moments, her knees tucked up to her chest and an unsure expression on her face.
''Jake?'' She asked quietly. He looked up from his track, and she remembered why she'd fallen for him so hard so long ago. But now my heart belongs to Nathan, she thought, before her unsure green eyes met his comforting brown. ''What if he doesn't want me anymore? What if I mess it up?''
Jake took that moment to get to his feet and he made his way over to her and bent at the knees to study her. He took her hands in his and met her eyes, his heart going out to her. ''Look, Peyt. I know that Nathan and I haven't talked since graduation, but please know that you could never, ever mess it up. Nathan's a good guy and I know you're a great girl...you two will figure things out. And if you need any help, you've always got me and Brooke to help you through it, OK?''
Peyton nodded, feeling tears running down her cheeks and throwing herself into a bearhug with the brunette. He smiled against her shoulder and placed a chaste kiss on her cheek before she realized what she had to do and quickly left him to his music once again. Time for Plan B, She thought determinedly.
A/N: End of part seven. And yes, I had some Jeyton because they're my favorite next to Neyton. 3 And there's some slow Brills or Skooke(hee!) to follow. Let me know what you think! And thank you so much for the continual reviews you guys are the greatest!