A/N: I normally just read my reviews in my inbox without coming to the site so I hadn't realised that I'd surpassed 100 reviews already! Thank you guys so much!

Chapter Eight

Peyton took in her surroundings as the waiter showed her and Jake to their table. The wallpaper was a deep red, but although she wasn't a fan of the colour, it fit in with the rest of the furnishings. Even through the noise from the hustle and bustle of the restaurant, she could hear the soft mood music in the background. As she sat down in her chair she looked over at Jake who she noted look very nice in his suit. Sometimes he did wear a tie to school, but it was something about seeing him outside of school, away from the work and the students that made her appreciate it more. And the romantic atmosphere of the restaurant he had chosen for their date certainly helped.

"Is this place okay?" Jake asked.

"Yeah, it's great. I really like it here." In fact, it was probably one of the best restaurants in town, she noted, wondering how he knew after having been in Tree Hill for such a short space of time.

Jake grinned, mentally thanking Haley for her suggestions of where to take Peyton out. He was about to start talking when the waiter re-appeared with their menus. After he had left, Jake began, "So I can't get over your hair." Whereas yesterday it had been past her shoulders and curly, now it was straight and the ends just curved out slightly behind her ears. Her hair also looked a little lighter, and the effect opened her face up more, making her look younger.

Peyton reached a hand up to touch it and giggled. "I had actually been planning to cut it for a while, but I forgot about my appointment this morning until last night when the salon called me to remind me."

Jake ruffled his dark brows. "Do they do that often?"

"Not really. But my hairdresser knows me well and that I always forget."

Jake chuckled. "It looks really nice."

"Thanks." Unsure of where to turn the conversation, Peyton looked down at her menu and started recommending dishes. As she flipped through the menu she crossed her legs and her lower leg accidentally brushed against his trouser. "Sorry," she blurted out and moved her legs back towards her side of the table.

"It's okay," he replied, only briefly looking up from his menu.

Just then she realized that maybe she should have kept her leg there. It wasn't like he had jerked away when she touched him. Or was that too forward on a first date? But it wasn't like they didn't know each other… Peyton started to think, what would Haley do? and then remembered that Haley was far too shy to try any moves even on a fifth date. Deciding to go for it, Peyton slowly switched her legs that were crossed under the table so her left foot came into contact with the side of his trouser.

Peyton watched Jake over the top of her menu and notice his eyebrows briefly rise when she first touched him, but then go back to normal, without him making any move away from her. Yes! Peyton mentally began to do Haley's happy dance.

Just then, a man tried to squeeze in between Peyton and the person sitting at the table behind her. There wasn't enough space so Peyton had to tuck her chair in further and, forgetting to move her leg, ended up poking Jake in the leg with the three-inch heel of her shoe, causing him to yelp in pain.

"Oh my god! Are you okay? I'm so sorry!"

Jake grimaced. "Yeah, I'm fine."

"Oh, god." Peyton blushed with embarrassment. "I'm so so sorry, Jake."

"It's okay, I'll be fine."

The waiter came up to them again and inquired, "Are you ready to order?"

Jake nodded, one hand still on his leg, while Peyton buried her face in her menu.

Nathan received his soda easily, but had to flash his ID to the bartender before getting the drink Lucas wanted. He had promised Nathan only one drink, and the next time they went out Lucas would do the driving home. Lucas had convinced him to come to a club with him, but the only reason Lucas wanted to come was because Brooke had said she was going to be there. Now Lucas was off searching for her, while Nathan mooched around the bar, bored out of his mind. While taking a sip of his soda, he was aware of someone walking up to the bar and standing next to him before ordering a round. Nathan recognized the voice and sharply moved his head to the other side, but he had already been seen.

"Nate!"

"Mr. Keller," Nathan grumbled into his glass.

"Can't go anywhere without bumping into kids these days. Drinking, are you?" Chris chuckled, noticing the drink Nathan had ordered for Lucas. "Have to say I did the same when I was your age. Don't know what I would have done without that good old fake ID."

Nathan wondered whether he could arrest him for that, even though it was a few years ago. He'd have to check up on that. He gave him a tight smile and concentrated on his drink so he'd have an excuse not to talk to him.

"Here you go." The bartender returned with Chris' beer.

"Cheers, Nate." Chris raised a glass to him which Nathan half-returned before he left.

Glancing at his watch, Nathan wondered whether Lucas would mind if he took off. He had probably found Brooke by now, and Nathan would prefer not to be a third wheel, but if he took the jeep home, then Lucas would be without a ride back. Not knowing what else to do, Nathan took out his cell phone and called Jake, but his phone was off.

The music wasn't too loud so Nathan could hear someone else walking up to him. Just in case it was Keller coming back Nathan turned his body away from them. However, instead of hearing Chris Keller, it was a soft female voice that spoke to the bartender. "Miss James?"

"Nathan?"

"Lucas!"

Hearing Brooke call his name, Lucas turned around and saw the brunette smiling at him, a little more widely than usual. "Hey, Brooke."

"Hey yourself," she beamed, her cute dimples showing. Lucas noted that in her short skirt and long-sleeved top she looked even better dressed up than she did normally, which was saying something, but he didn't have much time to appreciate the view. Brooke half-sauntered, half-hopped the few steps towards him and then jumped up and hugged him. "Hi!" she giggled.

"Brooke, are you okay?" Lucas pulled back, slightly concerned by her behavior.

"Of course I'm okay, silly." Her hand reached out to playfully slap him on the shoulder, but then fell mid-air. "Wanna dance?"

"Are you sure you're alright to dance –"

"Come on, handsome!" She pulled him onto the dance floor and for the next five minutes seemed fine as they danced together. But suddenly, she stopped dancing and put her hand to her head.

"Do you have a headache?" Lucas asked, stopping as well.

She sighed heavily, and her shoulders moved as well. "I think I need to sit down."

Lucas nodded. "Hold my arm," he told her and he helped her support herself. "How much did you drink tonight?"

Brooke raised her left arm in the air and put her thumb and index finger close together, but not touching. "That much."

"It has to have been more than that."

"Maybe a little more than that," she conceded. "But not much."

Haley and Nathan both looked at each other for a few moments. Haley started to laugh nervously. "So…this is awkward."

Nathan smiled. "You don't bump into many students?"

"Sometimes, but not many. It's always equally awkward."

He nodded, remembering the one time he bumped into one of his teachers when he was at school.

"Can I get you anything?" the bartender asked Haley.

"I'll have a coke," she told him.

"You don't drink?" Nathan asked before he could stop himself.

Haley shook her head. "But I see you do," she observed the glasses in front of him.

"That's actually Lucas' drink," he said quickly. "I'm driving tonight."

"But, how did you-" she stopped herself when the bartender came back with her drink. He soon went over to the other side of the bar and Haley said softly, "You're using a fake ID?"

Nathan could only nod. "Yeah," he lied, cringing at the look of disappointment on her face.

"Well…"

"Hi Nathan! Miss James?" Brooke exclaimed when she caught sight of her lit teacher standing next to Nathan.

"Hi Brooke. Lucas." Haley grew more embarrassed by the second.

Lucas just smiled uncomfortably.

They all stood there – or in Nathan's case sat there – saying nothing for a moment until Haley finally picked up her glass and said, "Well I'll see you in school."

"Okay." Lucas nodded.

Haley sent a final smile at Nathan, who returned it, before she walked away. Nathan kept watching her as she returned to her table, which was also occupied by a few other people who included, Nathan sadly noted, Chris Keller. Remembering he wasn't alone, Nathan turned back round to the bar to face his friends just before Lucas noticed, but not before Brooke did.

A/N: That's the end of this chapter, but the night will continue in the next chapter (which will be quite long) with some drama to come!