Chapter 15:

"Brooke, Lucas is Haley's best friend, you do know that, right? How would he not take her side?" Rachel crossed her arms and looked questioningly at Brooke.

"Yeah, but Haley hasn't slept with Lucas. I have. Not even Peyton can say that. That has to count for something."

"Yeah, it says that you're a slut."

"Hey!"

"Seriously, what were going to do? Sleep with him again to get to his brother? Lucas has little Miss Dark and Mysterious now, remember?"

Brooke sighed, "I don't know."

"Just talk to him. If he and Haley are really happy, maybe you should just leave it. Remember how happy you were with Lucas? And how much you hated me for almost ruining that?"

"Ok, who are you and what have you done with Rachel?"

"I told you, I really not a bad person. Except when I want to be."

"Me and Lucas ended up ruined anyway. And now he's happy with Peyton. Maybe I'm supposed to end up with Nathan."

"Right. You keep thinking that. Look, just talk to him. Don't take it too deep, just as friends."

Brooke studied Rachel for a minute, "Where are you getting this? Do you have a book in you pocket? Or some ear phone thing with someone telling you what to say? Cuz this doesn't sound like the Rachel I know. The Rachel I know has tried to sleep with just about every guy that passes through Tree Hill, including Nathan and Lucas's uncle, may I add."

Rachel rolled her eyes, "No. I just know how to be a good friend. I've got your back. Unless I want your boyfriend again, then you're on your own. But for now, seeing as a boyfriend doesn't exist in your world, I'll help you get one."

"Thanks, Rachel, really. Normally I'd talk to Peyton or Haley about this stuff, but I think they'd be a little biased."

"Yeah. Listen, I happen to know that Nathan will be going to the library today fifth period to get some books for class. Since you happen to have lunch that period, you should just happen to run into him in the library. You might get to talking."

"Ok, seriously, who is telling you what to say?"

Rachel shrugged, "I have class with him. Kinda ruins the whole spy thing, doesn't it?"

Brooke laughed, "Yeah, like you could ever be a spy. You like to talk WAY too much."