: School Hallway :

The bell rings and students come running out of the classrooms. Haley and Brooke are making their way through the hallway, getting bumped into along the way.

Haley: "Jeez, what's with all the commotion?"

Brooke: "It's a beautiful day outside, when the lunch bell rings people try to get out of school as soon as possible. The jocks play their football games outside, with adoring female fans watching and deciding which one they will fantasize about tonight in their little x-rated dreams. The-"

Brooke looks at Haley and smirks.

Brooke: "Intellectuals such as yourself, run to the nearest study point to catch up on some extra credit material, which by the way is a complete waste of a lunchtime especially when the sun is shining so bright…I mean you could be watching the jocks play football and get a tan at the same time. Two things, which I love to do: watch cute guys and stock up on my tan. It's the perfect school day, just too bad we actually have to go to class."

Haley: "Please, the fact that probably 1/10 students bring sun lotion into school, will only cause the risk of skin cancer to increase in years to come and the intellectuals who study 24/7 will probably go into top rated colleges around the country, earn millions and live a happy life."

Brooke and Haley stop and stare at one another for a moment, they both smile.

Brooke: "Truce?"

Haley: "Absolutely. By the way when you were calling me an intellectual, I understood the meaning…"

Brooke looks at her.

Haley: "You were calling me a dork."

Brooke: "I was not!"

Haley laughs

Haley: "You were too."

Brooke: "Well….okay, maybe your not a dork because you totally skipped school with me today, which by the way was totally nice of you, but you can't deny you have a decent sized brain in that head of yours."

They reach the end of the hallway and walk into the school courtyard. Lucas is sitting underneath a tree, listening to music and eating his lunch. They walk over to him.

Haley: "Luke…what you doing?"

Lucas: "Eating lunch."

Haley: "Obviously, why aren't you sitting at the usual table?"

Lucas looks over to the table and sees Nathan and Kate sitting there, eating lunch. Haley and Brooke follow his stare.

Brooke: "Oh I get it, you think by not sitting at the same table you can be broody and stalker boy all at the same time."

Haley looks at Brooke, raising an eyebrow. She turns back to Lucas and kneels down next to him.

Haley: "Spoke to her yet?"

Lucas: "No, not technically."

Brooke: "Shouldn't have told her."

Lucas looks at Brooke.

Brooke: "What? All I'm saying is if you hadn't of told her, you wouldn't be in this mess."

Lucas: "Honesty is always best with people you love."

Brooke looks hurt. Haley looks at her.

Brooke: "Really? I thought lying was your trait, we all know how good you are at that."

Brooke walks away. Haley sits down next to Lucas.

Haley: "Luke"

Lucas: "What?"

Haley: "That was a little harsh don't ya think?"

Lucas looks at Haley and then looks down.

Lucas: "I know…man, what am I gonna do Hales?"

Haley: "Well first, you could get up off your backside and apologize to Brooke, because she didn't deserve it. Secondly, you could try and get back to normal. Stop following her around, like a little love torn puppy dog and actually do something about the mess your in."

Lucas raises an eyebrow. Haley covers her mouth.

Haley: "Aw Luke, I'm sorry. I should just keep my mouth shut, it's none of my business."

Lucas: "No, Haley youou told me what I needed to hear. It's time to get back to normal."

Haley and Lucas smile at one another, Lucas then leans in and hugs her.

Lucas: "I'm gonna go and talk to Brooke."

Haley: "Good, great. Hey, if you could leave the rest of your sandwich here, I would promise to guard it with my life…well, that or eat it."

Lucas smirks standing up, giving Haley the rest of his sandwich. He walks away as Haley picks up the sandwich and takes a bite. Nathan and Kate walk to Haley.

Kate: "Hey Haley. Wow, you look like your enjoying that sandwich."

Haley: "You know it food always tastes better when it's someone elses."

Kate looks next to Haley seeing Lucas's backpack.

Kate: "Oh, where is Luke?"

Haley: "He went inside."

Kate starts to walk off.

Haley: "But – Oh."

Nathan watches Kate walk away and looks at Haley.

Nathan: "But?"

Haley: "Nothing. Want a bite?"

Haley offers Nathan a bite of Lucas's sandwich he shakes his head, smirking.

Brooke is standing in the hallway at her locker. Lucas walks up to her.

Lucas: "Sorry."

Brooke: "No my fault, just a little PMT I guess. Its just when you honesty was the best policy with the people you love, it hit me...you weren't in love with me."

Lucas: "I-"

Brooke: "There's no need to explain Luke, I guess all of this is just bringing back memories. I mean when I saw you kissing Peyton last night...it hurt, which is really stupid because we're not together and I don't want us to be together or anything but, none the less it still hurt."

Lucas: "Brooke, I may not have loved you the same way you loved me….but you opened my eyes to world which I had never experienced before, you brought laughter and fun into my life and I will always be grateful and now you're a true friend to me Brooke."

A tear falls down Brooke's cheek and she smirks.

Brooke: "God, I feel so stupid."

Lucas leans in and hugs her kissing her on the forehead. Standing at the end of the hallway is Kate, watching. She turns the corner and leans against the wall.

: English Class :

The teacher is standing at the front of the classroom. She picks up a copy of Romeo and Juliet.

Teacher: "One of Shakespeare's greatest and most respected plays, Romeo and Juliet. We've read the play, you have all given presentations and today in class, I just want comments about people's thoughts on the play…or any of the movies they've seen, including the most recent with the blonde haired heart-throb Leonardo DiCaprio."

Brooke scoffs.

Teacher: "Miss Davis?"

Brooke: "Sorry, just Leonardo DiCaprio a heart-throb, maybe last century!"

The class laugh.

Teacher: "Fair enough. Now getting back onto topic, would anyone care to share their thoughts of the play? Note, I am actually giving you a chance to have a kick back and care hour before our next class when we will begin on a new book."

The class seems awfully silent, as the teacher starts writing on the board. Brooke and Haley both turn to look at Nathan and then look at one another. Peyton is staring outside of the window, not really paying any attention. Lucas turns to his side and looks at Kate, she turns and looks at him. He smiles sweetly at her, she sighs and turns back to face the front of the class. Lucas raises an eyebrow confused.

Kate: "They were fools."

The teacher turns around and looks at Kate.

Teacher: "I beg your pardon?"

Kate: "Romeo and Juliet, they were both idealistic fools. They put their family and friends through complete and utter misery by thinking of only themselves. Romeo was a player, I mean at the beginning of the play he proclaims his love of Jocelyn and then the next day he is whispering sweet nothings to Juliet. He was just after what he couldn't have, the thought of danger excited him, the thought of doing something wrong and the possibility of getting caught was his real turn on. Juliet was just a toy he liked to play with, eventually he would have got bored with her and Juliet, she was young and naïve thinking she could trust him, she should have known better…she knew about his past."

Teacher: "That's a good-"

Lucas: "You've got to be kidding. Before Romeo clapped eyes on Juliet, he was a lost soul. He had never felt the real meaning of true love. His life was filled with loneliness because he had never really opened himself up to anyone, and that all changed when Juliet, the vision of beauty walked into his life. He was mesmerized by her, because hidden deep within her beauty was another lost soul, searching for something more. He saw something in her that no had done before, he looked past her exterior beauty which others hadn't and he saw a light that burned so bright. They were so alike, filled with ambiguity which was a part of their demise. "

Lucas and Kate look at one another, followed by the rest of the class staring in their direction.

Teacher: "Wow – two very real and very good arguments."

As the teacher is making her comments, the door opens and Jake is standing there. Peyton looks over to Jake and half smile.

Teacher: "Mr Jagielski long time no see, are you here to pull up a chair and take part or just having a fly by visit?"

Jake: "Your asking me whether I'm here to stay for good, or if I'm just passing by.."

Peyton looks at him, as do the rest of gang anticipating his answer.

Jake: "Looks like I'm here to stay."

Teacher: "Marvelous. Please take a seat and I wonder if you would give us your input on Romeo and Juliet."

Jake walks over to the empty desk behind Peyton and sits down. Lucas turns around and looks at Jake smiling at him, Jake smirks back and nods. Jake then turns to look at the back of Peyton and smile to the teacher.

Jake: "A timeless love story that has a needless tragedy."

Peyton smirks.

Peyton: "With a great soundtrack."

The class once again laughs. The teacher resumes talking about the play Romeo and Juliet.

: Gymnasium :

The basketball team are practicing, with half of the team wearing red colour bibs and the other half wearing blue. Nathan and Lucas stand next to one another, Lucas in a red bib and Nathan in a blue both are breathing hard. Tim walks up to Whitey and mockingly falls down in front of him. Whitey looks down at Tim and raises an eyebrow.

Whitey: "Tim…the girls basketball team practices on Thursday, if you can't handle a few simple drills then I suggest you ask to join their team."

Nathan: "Wasn't that like your ultimate fantasy?"

Tim stands back up and looks at Nathan and then back to Whitey with a cheeky grin.

Tim: "Yeah, just not with the girls who play on our basketball team. Try a team of Scarlet Johansson and I'm there everyday."

Whitey: "Well how about 10 laps around the gym, at the end you might pass out and you can have your dream….no, well I suggest a little less talking and a little more defense."

After the game, Nathan's team wins 12-9. Lucas walks up to Jake, both of them tired from pracitse.

Lucas: "Hey Jake."

Jake: "Luke."

Lucas: "Are we cool?"

Jake: "Cool as ice."

Lucas smirks and knocks his knuckles against Jake's. They start to walk to the locker rooms.

Lucas: "So how are things?"

Jake: "Good, my parents and I had a long talk last night and when I say long, I mean they could challenge Brooke to a gossip contest and win hands down."

Lucas smirks.

Jake: "We're gonna take it slow, see how things develop with the whole Nikki thing. By the way I'm sorry if that all resurfaced, did it effect your relationship with Kate much?"

Lucas: "That didn't, the whole Peyton thing did."

Jake: "She didn't take it well."

Lucas shakes his head and hangs in head low. Jake pats him on the back.

Jake: "I'm sure everything will work out."

Nathan and Tim walk up to Jake and Lucas as they reach the entrance to the locker rooms.

Tim: "Sup, yo. Basketball tonight, at the court? You guys in?"

Jake: "Sure, I am. Probably can't stay for long, but I just need to kick back and relax, act like a normal teenager for once."

Tim: "A normal teenager with a kid?"

Nathan: "Hey! It's normal amongst today's youth."

Tim: "Right, right. Okay, so 6 til late. Just a little bit of this and that. Skillz, Junk…Lucas, man why do your friends have weird names?"

Lucas shrugs. Nathan hits Tim around the back of the head as they walk into the locker rooms.

Lucas: "Nathan…"

Nathan turns around and looks at Lucas and then to Jake. Jake walks past Nathan and into the locker room. Nathan takes a step closer to Lucas.

Nathan: "What?"

Lucas: "…Um, have you spoke to Kate?"

Nathan: "Yeah."

Lucas: "Did she say anything about …?"

Nathan: "I don't wanna get caught in the middle. All I know is that your not in her good books at the moment and that she went to talk to you earlier."

Lucas: "Okay…wait, what? When did she come to talk to me?"

Nathan: "After lunch"

Lucas: "When after lunch? Be specific."

Nathan raises an eyebrow.

Nathan: "Haley had just started eating your lunch, Kate went off to find you and by listening to her little speech in English, I'm guessing she either didn't talk to you or she did and it didn't go well."

Nathan turns around and heads back into the locker room, Lucas watches him go.

: Karen's Café :

The Café is fairly busy, only a couple of spare tables. Haley is standing behind the counter, wiping it down. Peyton is sat down at one of the tables drawing. Haley walks over with the pot of coffee and pours some into Peyton's cup. Peyton looks up and smirks.

Peyton: "Funny, I didn't know the service was this good…I didn't have to speak to get a cup of coffee."

Haley: "Yeah, well I just wanted to come by and talk, you know give me a minute break from the chaos."

Peyton looks around and smirks.

Peyton: "You need me to jump in and be super girl again?"

Haley: "Unfortunately not today, Karen's working. So how's it going troubled artist?"

Peyton: "Good, I can't complain. My dad came home last night which is just a huge relief to me, to finally have someone else in the house and Jake, well you heard. He's staying."

Haley sits down next to Peyton.

Haley: "Right, didn't you want him to leave?"

Peyton: "Yeah, but only because things got complicated with Nikki being around. Jake talked to his parents last night and they said they would figure something out, anything to keep Jake and Jenny in town."

Haley: "Wow, that's good news right?"

Peyton hesitates.

Peyton: "Yeah."

Haley: "You don't sound so certain."

Peyton: "It's great that Jake is staying and I do love him, more than I've ever loved a guy before but it's and I feel so bad for saying this, but it's a little suffocating."

Haley: "Well he has a lot of responsibilities, naturally you'd feel overwhelmed but if you ever feel too overwhelmed or like you need a break, Jake would understand."

Peyton nods. Haley looks to the counter seeing people lining up.

Haley: "Jeez, looks like duty calls."

As Haley stands up, Kate walks into the café.

Haley: "Uh, I think you might have company. No fights please, its too hot to clean up the mess."

Haley walks away, Peyton turns and looks at the door and shares eye contact with Peyton. Kate slowly walks over and sits down where Haley was sat.

Kate: "Hey."

Peyton: "Hey."

Peyton looks down to her drawings and then looks back up at Kate.

Peyton: "Listen if you wanna slap me or anything, please go ahead. You have no idea how guilty I feel for causing a rift between you and Lucas, he was just trying to help me to get Jake to leave and I know that sounds like a stupid reason."

Kate: "Whoa calm down, you sound like your about to hyperventilate."

Peyton: "I'm just really sorry."

Kate: "I know and it's okay."

Peyton: "It is?"

Kate: "Well no, but you've been through a lot so I'm giving you some slack."

Kate looks down at Peyton's drawings, one of Jake entering the classroom like he had done earlier. One of Lucas and one of Kate, sitting next to one another with a speech bubble 'Romeo and Juliet.' The last is of Peyton and her father, hugging. Kate sighs.

Peyton: "Stupid question, are you okay?"

Kate: "I dunno. – Do you ever feel like your stuck in a rut? That your unsure of what you want?"

Peyton: "Honestly, you just described how I feel right now."

Kate looks at Peyton and they share the same saddened look.

Peyton: "You and Lucas?"

Kate nods.

Kate: "Its just, something always seems to happen with us. It seems everyone else shapes our relationship and I just want to be in control of my own relationship."

Peyton: "But we're never really in control…"

Kate: "True."

Kate laughs.

Kate: "Look at us, we sound like desperate housewives."

Peyton: "God I hope not."

Haley walks back over to the twosome, carrying three chocolate muffins.

Haley: "I come baring chocolate muffins."

Peyton: "Works for me."

Kate: "Me too."

Haley: "Phew, I was about to die on my feet."

Haley sits down at the table.

Haley: "So, now that my shift is officially over I am as free as a bird. So, anyone up for doing something?"

Peyton: "I was actually planning to go the river court. The guys are playing basketball and Brooke is taking a baseball bat and ball down, we figured the girls could try their hand at a little baseball."

Haley: "Sounds good too me."

Peyton: "Kate you in?"

Kate: "I don't know."

Haley: "Come on, just because you and Lucas aren't exactly on the best of terms at the moment, doesn't mean you can't come down and kick all your friends asses at baseball."

Kate smirks.

Kate: "Actually, I'm not that great at baseball."

Haley: "Good then, I'm definitely in. I need to be better than you at one sport."

Peyton packs up her art stuff and stands up.

Peyton: "Not likely."

Haley: "Hey!"

Peyton: "My car is outside, I'll drive."

Peyton starts to make her way out of the café, Haley and Kate both stand up and as Kate starts walking out of the café, Haley puts her arm around Kate neck and they walk in line with one another.

: The Court :

The guys are playing basketball on the court. Nathan, Tim and Junk against Lucas, Jake and Skillz. There are a bunch of guys watching at the side of the court, including Mouth who is commentating on the game. Brooke and the girls are at the other side of the court, on the grass setting up the pitch, using their jackets as bases.

Brooke: "Damn it, where's all things Peyton Sawyer."

The girls start to play their game of baseball. The guys after having scored, keep looking over and watching the girls play out of amusement. Peyton's car pulls up at the court, with Peyton, Kate and Haley inside. They get out of the car and walk down to where the rest of the girls are playing baseball.

Brooke: "Great, Kate's on my team. The other team can have Peyton and Haley."

Peyton: "Hey!"

Brooke: "What, one of Kate is equal to you and tutor girl. I mean she's little miss sports girl."

Peyton: "HA! Well, just to let you know, baseball isn't really her sport."

Brooke: "Yeah, we'll see…so I say bring it on –b-i-athces."

Peyton and Haley both laugh and go the bating area. Kate walks out to join the girls in the field. Peyton looks over to the court and smiles at Jake, who smiles back at her. The girls start playing again.

Later

The guys have now joined the girls and started playing baseball. Nathan, Tim and Junk have joined the Peyton and Haley's team while Lucas, Jake and Skillz have joined Brooke and Kate's team. Lucas keeps looking over to Kate, trying to get her attention. Jake, the pitcher watches as Peyton steps up to bat.

Peyton: "Think you have what it takes to strike me out Jake?"

Jake smirks and throws the ball, Peyton hits it but it's caught by Jake. Jake walks towards Peyton and hands her the ball.

Jake: "No strike you out, catch you out."

Peyton laughs, the team changes. As Haley and Peyton's team goes out to the field, Brooke and Kate's team goes to bat. Lucas walks up to Kate, taking her arm.

Lucas: "We need to talk."

Kate: "Not here."

Lucas takes Kate's arm and walks her a little bit away from the game.

Lucas: "What's going on? You said you were going to talk to me earlier and now your hazing me? I can't stand you being hot one minute and cold the next. I need an answer."

Kate sarcastically: "You haven't asked me a question."

Lucas: "Are you really that worked up over the stupid kiss between me and Peyton?"

Kate: "Yes, no. I don't know."

Everyone stops playing and can't help but watch and hear what's going on.

Lucas: "It was just a kiss."

Kate: "Oh my god, you just don't get it do you? It wasn't just a kiss, it was a kiss between two people who were in love, who shared a connection with one another which can't be compared to."

Lucas and Kate are somewhat speaking ,loudly, almost yelling at one another.

Lucas: "It was JUST a kiss!"

Kate: "You just don't understand how it feels, well how about I show you"

Kate walks away from Lucas and up to Nathan, grabbing him and kissing him passionately. For a moment, Nathan can't help but kiss back. Kate pulls away and looks over at Lucas, who looks destroyed.

Kate: "How does it feel? Huh? Knowing that Nathan and I once shared a connection, how does it feel to have shoved in your face. I could say it was just a kiss, but it's never just a kiss, not between ex's. It's always something more."

Lucas walks over to her, his facial expression changed from destroyed to angry.

Lucas: "It was nothing more and you know it! Your just hiding because you've never experienced something like this before, so your running scared and looking for excuses. If it wasn't the thing that happened with Peyton, it would have been something else. Why don't you just be honest."

Kate is looking at Lucas, she's close to tears because she knows he's right. She's been turning away from him because she's scared.

Lucas: "Here's your out, take it. I know you want to, so go, go kiss, sleep with as many people as you want."

Kate walks up to Lucas and slaps him across the face.

Kate: "I think your confusing the two of us, I don't screw people over."

Kate walks past him, nudging him on her way, Lucas watches her leave and puts his face in hands, covering it. Nathan walks past Lucas and follows Kate. Haley, Peyton, Jake and Brooke all walk over to Lucas, everyone else disburses. Haley, leans in and hugs Lucas. He rests his head against her shoulder.

Haley: "It's okay."

Lucas: "No it's not,

Kate is walking along beside the river, Nathan catches up to her. Stepping in front of her, she walks past him. Once again, he stands in front of.

Nathan: "Kate, don't. Talk to me."

Kate: "About what? About me apparently being a slut? Obviously that's what he thinks. That'll I go sleep with the first person I meet. Nathan, I am so mad right now. Why did he have to bring it up in front of everyone like that?"

Nathan: "I dunno, maybe because you weren't speaking to him? And I don't think the whole kissing me really helped much."

Kate: "I know, I just wanted to hurt him the same way he's hurt me…"

Nathan: "And how do you feel now."

Kate: "Like the devil."

Nathan smirks.

Nathan: "You're not the devil, maybe one of his naughty but very cute helpers."

Kate rubs the tears away from her face and laughs and then hits his shoulder. They walk over to the river and look out over it.

Nathan: "You kissed me."

Kate: "I was there"

Nathan: "I know, but you kissed me and you've been dying to do it for months."

Kate: "Weeks maybe, how'd ya know?"

Nathan: "Cause I've wanted to kiss you to, what do we do now?"

Kate: "Well, it was a good kiss."

Nathan: "A great kiss under the circumstances."

Kate: "But-"

Nathan: "You still love Lucas."

Kate: "Yeah, the fricken ass. What about you? You in love with me?"

Nathan: "Of course I am."

Kate: "But, you still like someone else also."

Nathan: "How'd you know?"

Kate: "I'm your best friend aren't I? Just go for it Nate, you only live once. The heart wants what it wants, right?"

Nathan smirks.

Nathan: "I think I will. You'll be okay?"

Kate: "No, but I will be."

Nathan leans in and kisses Kate's forehead. He turns and walks away, Kate watches him go and then looks back at the River.

Brooke is picking up her jacket from the court and the baseball bat. Nathan walks up behind her, she turns around and jumps.

Brooke: "Nathan, whoa you scared me."

Nathan: "Sorry, where is everyone."

Brooke: "Peyton, Haley and Jake drove Lucas home. I said I would take the baseball bat back to school and what not. Is Kate okay?"

Nathan: "No, but she will be. Lucas was a bit of an ass."

Brooke: "Kate's no angel, after all she played tonsil hockey with you in front of everyone. The real reason they weren't communicating was because of jealousy and insecurity. He was jealous that she was falling for you and she was insecure that he was falling for back in love with Peyton, which being on the end of that whole love triangle I can completely understand and sympathize with her."

Nathan picks up the baseball bat and ball and walks over to Brooke's car, Brooke follows putting on her jacket.

Brooke: "So what was it like kissing Kate? Was she right, is it always something more when kissing an ex?"

Nathan: "Not when you like someone else. Brooke, I'm tired of playing around. This thing between you, Haley and me has to end. I know we all said we didn't wanna be with one another, but that wasn't true. Kate was right, the heart wants what it wants."

Brooke: "So what does your heart want?"

Nathan: "A date, an official date, no sneaking around, just you and me on a date. Simple."

Brooke: "Well how can a girl say no that?"

Nathan and Brooke smile at one another.

Brooke: "You need a ride home?"

Nathan: "Yeah, that'd be good."

Brooke: "Great."

Brooke gets into the car, followed by Nathan. She pulls away from the now deserted river court.

Next On One Tree Hill

Peyton, Jake, Haley, Nathan and Brooke are sat at a table in the cafeteria. Lucas walks in from one corner and Kate from another, they both walk towards the table and sit down opposite one another. Silence on the table.

Kate: "Nathan could pass the salt?"

Nathan: "It's nearest Lucas, who is opposite you. Ask him."

Kate: "Fine, male slut can you pass me the salt?"

Lucas passes her the salt.

Lucas: "I shouldn't be surprised you asked Nathan first. You seem to run to him whenever the going gets tough."

Kate: "That's what friends do for one another, or in your case they share a saliva trail."

Lucas stands up.

Lucas: "Whatever."

Kate stands up.

Kate: "Back at ya."

They both turn and walk away leaving the gang in silence.

Nathan catches up with Haley in the hallway.

Nathan: "Haley can I talk to you?"

Haley: "Sure."

Nathan: "I wanted you to know first and I wanted it to come from me so you wouldn't be shocked or anything."

Haley: "Spill it."

Nathan: "I asked Brooke out, on a date."

Haley: "Oh, okay."

Nathan: "That's it?"

Haley: "Sorry there's no song and dance routine Nathan, we decided to move on and we haven't dated in a while."

Nathan: "Just so long as your cool with it?"

Haley: "Of course I'm cool with it."

Haley is in Lucas's bedroom.

Haley: "Of course I'm not cool with it. Man. Stupid Nathan. Stupid Brooke."

Peyton is helping Brooke get ready.

Peyton: "Are you nervous?"

Brooke: "Yes! I haven't exactly been on many dates, I've dated but never been on dates. Besides he's taking me to a fancy restaurant and I wanna look the part. I'm coming out."

Brooke emerges from the bathroom.

Brooke: "How do I look?"

Peyton: "Happy."

Note: Helloo to all. Thank you for the reviews, they are much appreciate especially since this particular fanfiction always has some melodramatic or at least dramatic goings on. I just like to keep shaking things up...again thank you for the reviews I do love them, would love any suggestions on stories, characters etc. Thanks, Lauz :)