Author's Note

I'm so sorry about the delay. I meant to post this chapter two weeks ago, but I was having computer problems.

Thanks for all of your reviews!!! I hope you enjoy the next chapter

Disclaimer

I own only what you do not recognize

-

Emily stood in front of her locker and sighed. Today was Monday and she absolutely hated Mondays. Plus, she was extra tired today. Yesterday had been a really a exhausting day. She had returned home and had to catch up on her house work, take care of mother, and finish up Robin's homework.

She felt the presence of someone behind her and turned around. Emily was surprised to see Nathan and Haley.

"Hey Haley, Hey Nathan" Emily said, with a yawn.

"Wow. Don't sound too excited there, squirt" Nathan said, amused.

"Oh no, it's not that I'm not happy to see you. It's just…I had a late night yesterday." She replied, resisting the urge to sigh.

"Are you okay" Haley asked, genuinely concerned.

"Absolutely. Umm ready to go to lunch?" Emily added, changing the subject.

Haley and Nathan exchanged looks before nodding and following Emily to the cafeteria.

Once the trio was seated, Nathan slid Emily a tray of lunch food.

"Eat up" Nathan smirked

"I thought you said that it was for Haley" Emily said, confused.

"Me and Haley can share. Plus, I don't think I've ever actually seen you eat lunch"

"But…" Emily started.

"No buts. Now eat the food or else." Haley ordered.

Emily gulped, and quickly took a bite of the ham sandwich.

"Good girl" Haley smiled.

"Where's Brooke" Nathan asked.

"Umm…Brooke had a student government meeting" Haley answered.

"Speaking of Brooke" Emily said, "…her Peyton were pretty talkative on Saturday."

"I wouldn't get my hopes up, squirt" Nathan started. "It's gonna take a lot more than a few minutes together to get them back as best friends."

"Well what if they were stuck together for a long period of time. You think they could work out their issues then?" Emily asked, a mischievous grin appearing on her face.

"Maybe. Why? Emily…what are you thinking?" Haley asked, as her and Nathan leaned in closer to Emily to hear her plan.

-

Peyton zoomed down the hallway. She was headed straight for the library, when all of a sudden; someone collided with her, knocking her to the ground. Peyton looked up and saw the other person was on the ground, as well.

"Brooke! What are you doing?!"

"Sorry, I was in a rush. Emily texted me and said it was an emergency and that she needed me in the library." Brooke replied, hastily.

"She texted me the same thing." Peyton responded, getting more worried with each passing second .

Brooke and Peyton both got up quickly and ran to the library.

"Emily!" Brooke and Peyton called out, looking around the library for any sign of Emily. They noticed it was empty and found this to be strange.

Suddenly the library door closed. They both rushed to the door and saw Emily locking it from the outside. Under the window on the door was a sign that read:

"You guys have some things you need to talk about and I'm not letting you out until you do. You will find various cards around the library. Do what each card says and you'll be one step closer to getting out the library."

Love, Emily.

After reading the library Peyton and Brooke looked at each other.

"She set us up." Peyton said, stunned.

"No offense Peyton, but if we ever get out of here…I'm going to kill her." Brooke declared, angrily.

"I'll help" Peyton agreed.

"I found the first card."Brooke said, holding up a red index card "It says: Name on thing you like about each other."

Peyton rolled her eyes. "Let's get this over with"

-

Nathan had just finished basketball practice. The team was coming along great. With Skillz, they appeared to be unstoppable. According to Emily's plan, Nathan was supposed to free Brooke and Peyton after practice. She figured three hours was enough time for Peyton and Brooke to settle their disputes. To open the door Nathan would use a key Emily borrowed from Haley. All tutors had it.

As Nathan opened the door, he braced himself for the worst. He was stunned to see Peyton and Brooke seated on the floor smiling and joking around with each other. Both girls had red eyes, and it was evident that they both had been crying at some point.

During their talk Brooke forgave Peyton, admitted she had no feelings for Lucas, and said it was okay for Peyton to date Lucas. Peyton apologized for kissing Lucas and admitted that she loved Lucas. Like that, they both were best friends again.

"I guess Squirt's plan worked after all" Nathan said aloud.

Peyton and Brooke quickly got up and ran over to Nathan, happy to finally be free.

"And what exactly was Emily's plan?" Brooke asked, raising an eyebrow.

"She figured that if you two were forced to talk you would become friends again. I'm guessing it worked, right?"

"Yep" Peyton smiled

"We're best friends again" Brooke confirmed, smiling as well.

"Where's Emily?" Peyton asked.

Nathan smirked "Somewhere safe from you two."

"Oh come on Nate! We just want to talk to her" Brooke whined. When she realized Nathan wasn't going to give them any information, she walked over to Peyton.

"Okay" she whispered "We can try your plan"

Peyton smiled. Suddenly, she charged at Nathan.

"Tell us where Emily is or else" Peyton growled. This side of Peyton had always scared Nathan. He looked at Brooke for help. She shrugged.

"Okay…okay…she's at Brooke's place." Nathan admitted. Peyton smiled and released him.

"Why would she go to my place?" Brooke questioned.

"Rachel's away and Haley had the key you gave her. I was supposed to call her when I released you two. So she could have enough time to get away" Nathan sighed.

"Call her and die, dude" Peyton said to Nathan. "Come on Brooke, let's go."

"Can we eat first?" Brooke asked "I'll need energy for our talk with Emily"

"Oh, definitely" replied, Peyton, as the two friends left the library, leaving Nathan on the ground.

-

Emily woke up with a start. She looked around Brooke and Rachel's bedroom and guessed she had fallen asleep. She could help it. The beds were much more comfy here, than at her place. Emily heard the sound of the TV playing in the living room. She quickly brushed of the feeling of paranoia and went into the living room. When she got there she almost fainted.

She saw Peyton and Brooke seated on the couch watching TV. She quickly turned around and headed back to the bed room, but it was too late, she had been spotted.

"FREEZE" Peyton called out.

"Have a seat" Brooke said, patting an empty space on the couch between her and Peyton.

Emily sighed and did as she was told. "Before we get to the killing, I have one question."

Brooke and Peyton nodded and Emily continued.

"Are you guys friends again?"

"No" Brooke said.

"We're best friends" Peyton finished.

"Wait!" Emily said standing up. "Since my plan worked, there's no need for violence, right?" she asked hopefully.

"Wrong." Brooke said, smiling. Emily sighed.

"We'll give you a ten second head start" Peyton smirked.

Emily quickly ran down the hallway and into the bed room.

"I love that girl" Peyton said getting of the couch.

"Me too" Brooke said as the pair stormed into the bedroom.

-

(Author's Note)

That's the ninth chapter. What do you think? Please review and tell me.

In the upcoming chapter Peyton will discover the truth about Emily's mom and Emily will finally confront her!