''Game night, people!'' Brooke shouted in the hallway, in her cheerleading uniform handing out leaflets to anyone who passed. Haley was stood by her side, with Peyton at the other. ''Ravens vs. The Bear Creek Warriors! First game of the season.''

Brooke smile widened when she felt a pair of arms wrap around her waist. ''Hello,'' she heard Julian's soft voice whisper in her ear. She got tingles when his lips kissed her cheek. ''nice outfit.''

She turned around so they were face to face. ''Well hello,'' she smirked. ''are you coming to the game tonight?''

''Of course, with your amazing cheering, how can I refuse?''

''Good.'' she grinned, and brought her lips to his.

''Ahh! My eyes!'' Nathan voice interrupted them. When they broke apart they saw the younger Scott stood next to the smallest best friend with his hands covering his eyes, with a shocked expression on his face.

Brooke giggled. ''Nathan, it's nothing you haven't seen before.''

Nathan removed his hands from his eyes are glared at Brooke. ''Not funny, I'm not like that anymore.'' he reminded her, also reminding Haley.

Ever since their kiss on Friday they've just forgotten about it, well, obviously not, they probably would never be able to forget that kiss. But they were pretending that it didn't mean anything. It meant everything though, it was the best kiss both of them have ever experienced. It was also the moment Haley realised that she did love Nathan, and that she was completely in love with him. And for Nathan, well, it was the greatest moment of his life.

''How long has it been now, Nate? Three weeks without sex, must be killin' ya?'' Peyton said, patting him on the shoulder teasingly.

''Funny.'' he said dryly, causing for them all the laugh, except Haley who had a dissapointed expression on her face. ''Whatever.'' he muttered, and stormed off.

Everyone looked at his retreating figure in confusion, except Lucas. He knew his brother like the back of his hand, he knew that Nathan was especially defensive over this subject. ''I'll talk to him.''

''Is he okay?'' Julian asked Brooke quietly.

Brooke nodded. ''He'll be fine, he's Nathan, he just likes to make a big deal out of everything.'' she rolled her eyes.

Julian nodded, but couldn't help but think it was something more. He knew guys like Nathan, the popular guys from his old school were like him. They liked to be mean to people to make themselves feel better, but he could tell with Nathan that it was different. He could tell that Nathan didn't like being mean, he only did it to defend people he cares about. And he could tell that there was more to Nathan than everyone else could see. Something that bothered him, something that not many people knew about.

He couldn't help but be curious as to what that was.

''Be aggressive. Be. Be. Aggressive.'' Theresa cheered in the changing rooms. The cheerleaders were getting ready for the game tonight, and Theresa was being especially Theresa today. It was beginning to get on everyones nerves, without a summer of her being there, they'd forgotten how annoying she can be.

Peyton had definitely had enough. ''If you don't shut up, I'll show you how aggressive I can be.'' she warned, tying her shoelaces.

''Well it's someones time of the month.'' Theresa said with an eyeroll.

Peyton just shown Theresa her favorite finger with a glare, causing Brooke and Haley to giggle.

''So Brooke, what's with you and the nerd?'' Theresa asked, turning her attention the the head cheerleader. Some of the other cheerleaders looked too, also wanting to know the answer. They've wanted to know it ever since they saw Brooke and Julian kissing this morning.

''He's not a nerd.'' Brooke said instantly in defense. Julian and her aren't officially boyfriend and girlfriend or anything, but she's not going to let Theresa bad mouth him right infront of her. He didn't deserve it, and neither did she.

Theresa laughed. ''Okay, what's with you and the mathlete?'' she corrected, rolling her eyes again.

''It's none of your business.'' Brooke snapped. Theresa was never someone Brooke considered as a friend, she knew that Theresa was only talking to her to get gossip which she good spread around school. Brooke wasn't going to let her do that, it wasn't fair.

''So... you slept with him and now he wants nothing to do with you? Typical.'' she said, with eyeroll number three.

''You better watch it.'' Peyton warned.

Brooke was pained by Theresa's words, was that really what everyone thought about her? ''No, we haven't slept together. It isn't like that, he isn't like that, I'm not like that anymore.''

Theresa scoffed. ''You're Brooke Davis.''

''You do know who you're talking to, right?'' Haley asked in disbelief, getting more annoyed by each word Theresa said with her stupid little mouth. ''She can kick you off the squad, so shut your mouth. Whore.''

''Hey guys, how long 'til the game starts?'' Jake asked, running into the boys locker room, desperately hoping that Whitey wouldn't realise that he was late.

Lucas raised his eyebrow. ''Late again, Jake?'' he asked in suspicion. Jake has been acting strage lately, he's been more moody than usual, he's been cancelling on Peyton, and he's been late to a couple of practices. What's he up to?

Jake nodded. ''Yeah, sorry. Jenny isn't feeling well.''

''Well hurry up and get ready Jake, game starts in twenty minutes.'' Nathan said. ''And Whitey hasn't even talked to us yet.''

The guys continued to change into there uniforms, the ones who already had left the lockers. Some went to see their friends in the gym, others went to see their girlfriends in the locker room. Nathan and Lucas stayed in the boys locker room, Lucas started reading his book, and Nathan put his earphones in to listen to his music. If a stranger saw those two, they couldn't imagine that they were related, no one would ever think that they were twins. They're just so different.

''So, who's the guy who Brooke was kissing in the hallway this morning?'' Damien West asked, trying to start a conversation. He was the only one left in the changing room, except from the Scott's and Jake. He wants to make a good impression with them, he knows they don't like him. The first day of high school, he flirted with Haley, slapped Peyton on the ass, and kissed Brooke. Damien wants to start again, start fresh, maybe they could be friends?

Lucas looked up from his book, he closed it and put it in his locker. ''His name's Julian.'' he said blanky, before Damien could make up any rumours.

Nathan took his earphones out, wondering where this conversation was going. ''What's it to you anyway?''

Damien shrugged. ''I was just wondering. If I knew Brooke dated, I would have asked her out years ago.''

Nathan snorted. ''Yeah, good look with that. Maybe if you grow your hair a little, and become a mathlete. Then she might date you,'' he said jokingly, then looked Damien up and down. ''nah, probably not.''

Damien sighed. Looks like the Scott's aren't going to be his friends anytime soon.

Julian ran down the stairs as fast as he could, when he got home he fell asleep, and now he has to get to the game, he's already late. ''Mom, I'm going to the game.'' he shouted, grabbing his car keys from the little bowl.

Sylvia walked out of the kitchen and leaned against the wall in the hallway.''What game, sweetie?'' she asked nicely. It was nice that Julian's making friends, and doing more schooly things. He never really did that at his old school, he kind of kept to himself with his friends, he never really did things for the school, he normally couldn't wait to be out of it.

''Um, basketball.''

His mother laughed. ''You don't like basketball.''

Julian laughed too. ''Yeah, but it's Brooke's first game. She's the head cheerleader, and she asked me if I was going so I said that I'd go.''

Sylvia didn't like that he was going for Brooke, she still doesn't like the girl. She doesn't like that someone else is putting a smile on her little boy's face, she also didn't like that Julian was running around doing things for her. ''Why? Can't she cheer without you there to tell her she looks pretty?''

''No.'' he said instantly, shocked by his mother's words. ''Her best friends are both co-captains of the team, so she asked me if I was going, not to go. What's wrong with you, Mom? Why don't you like her?''

Just as Sylvia was about to answer, a knock on the door interrupted her.

Julian opened the door and wasn't expecting him to be on the other side. ''Dad, what are you doing here?'' he asked in shock. He's not saw his Dad in almost a month, why the hell was he here now? What did he want?

Paul Norris smiled. ''Julian, that's not a nice way to talk to your father.''

''I'm Marvin McFadden, and this is RavensHoops. Tonight it is the Ravens vs. Bear Creek Warriors. Here come the Ravens!'' he called into the microphone. When Mouth joined Tree Hill High, he made this website for people to see the scores if they miss the game, or to just let people know of any new news for the Ravens. So Mouth commentates ever single game, without fail.

The boys stepped onto the court, getting cheers from everyone around them. They smiled and got into their positions, getting ready for the game tonight.

Lucas looked around the court, and turned to his brother. ''Hey, wasn't Julian supposed to be here tonight?''

Nathan shrugged. ''I don't know, man. He might just be running late.''

''Hales, where is he? It's half-time, we have to perform soon.'' Brooke said in a panic. Julian has always been on time, he's always arrived when he said he would. ''What if something's happened?''

Haley touched her arm comfortingly. ''Hey, he's probably fine. He'll be here, and if he isn't we can get Peyton to kick his ass.'' she said teasingly, hoping that Brooke would feel a little better. She was worried about Julian too, but she knew if she over thought it then she would get in a state like Brooke.

''Brooke, just smile. We have to go on in two minutes, it's going to be okay.'' Peyton said sternly.

Brooke tried to believe her, she really did. It had to be okay, it had to be.

Jake sprinted across the court, dribbling the ball. He quickly passed the ball to Damien, who immediately threw it to Lucas. Lucas ran closer to the net, knowing that he couldn't get it in, he was so far. Lucas then saw that his brother was open, so he threw the ball to his brother.

Nathan ran to the net, and dunked the ball. Right when he buzzer buzzed.

He immediately felt someone hugging him, he looked down and saw that it was Haley. He grinned and hugged her back, feeling his heart race frantically. He just hoped that she wouldn't feel it, as he head was on his chest, that would definitely cause an awkward moment.

''Well done, Nathan.'' she said softly, she looked up at him and kissed his cheek.

Nathan smiled. ''Thanks Hales.'' he said, while his heart started to race even more.

The feeling returned in Haley's stomach, so she just hugged him again. She needed to be sure that it was love, she needed to be sure that if she told Nathan how she felt, she wouldn't be wrong. Haley knows that she wont be able to keep it a secret for long, which means it wont be long before she loses her friendship with Nathan. They wouldn't work being friends if she told him, and she wouldn't be able to bear that.

''Dad, can you just leave?'' Julian finally asked. Paul had arrived an hour ago, and he's been walking around the house, making himself a drink, and saying that Julian's life would be so much better if Julian moved back to L.A. Sylvia had gone upstairs, not wanting to be in the same room as her awful ex-husband.

''No, I'm not leaving unless you come with me.''

Julian sighed. ''Dad, I'm not coming with you.''

''Why? What's so important about this little town?'' Paul asked. He really wanted to know why Julian would want to stay in a small place like this and not a fun, lively place like Los Angeles.

''I've made friends.'' he said. ''More than what I had in L.A.''

Paul looked at his son in disbelief. ''Name them,'' he said, thinking that his son was lying. ''come on, tell me what their names are.''

''Um, Mouth. Skills. Junk. Fergie-''

Paul scoffed. ''You're just making up words. Julian, you're coming to L.A. with me.''

''Why? Why do I have to come? You've practically ignored me most of my life, why do you think I changed my last name? Why do you need me in L.A.?'' Julian demanded. He feels like he's releasing some of this anger that has been bubbling up inside him for years, and it's all spilling out.

Paul was left speechless, Julian has never spoke to him like that before, not once.

''Come on, answer me. There has to be a reason why you suddenly need me home. Do you remember what you said to me when we said goodbye? No. You said Bye son, I'll call you later. You never called. I tried to call you, and you're always busy. So why do you need me now?''

''J-''

''No!'' he snapped. ''I know why. The divorce was bad for your reputation with all of your stuck up friends, so you have to show that you've got something. And that Mom didn't beat you. You want me back to make you look good.'' he accused, knowing that he was exactly right.

''Julian, just help me out, please.'' Paul said with a sigh. ''Is it money? Is that what you want?''

Julian stared at his father in shock. ''Get out.'' he demanded. ''I'm not just an accessory to make you look good. I'm happy, did you know that? For once in a long time, I'm happy. So just leave, because the more money you offer, the more I'm going to hate you.''

Knock. Knock.

Paul stormed over to the door, and opened it aggressively, causing the girl on the other side to jump back. Paul thought he recognised her, she had brown straight hair, and was wearing a cheerleading uniform. He just couldn't remember where he had seen her before.

''You're going to regret this, son.'' Paul told Julian, and walked out of the door past the cheerleader.

Julian sighed and ran his hands over his face tiredly. He walked over to the door, and the second he saw her, he knew that he was already starting to feel better. Just the sight of her brightens his day.

''Hi Brooke, sorry about that.'' he said.

Brooke sighed in relief. She had been so worried, she didn't know what had happened, she thought that something bad could have happened to him. And she wouldn't know what to do if that happened.

Brooke smiled politely. ''It's okay.''

''You wanna come in?'' he asked, opening the door a little wider.

Brooke nodded. ''Thanks.''

She walked inside and went through the hall and into the living room. She stopped when she reached the middle of the room, and looked at the photos on the fireplace. They were mainly of Julian, but some of them had his Mom in. Brooke noticed that none featured Paul, not that she was surprised, he looked like a horrible man.

Julian followed her into the room. ''I'm sorry for not coming tonight, I was going to, I promise. But my Dad showed up, and he's an ass, and you can only guess how that turned out.'' he said, rolling his eyes.

Brooke nodded. ''Trust me, I'm a expert on crazy parents.''

''He wants me to go back to L.A.'' Julian admitted. He didn't even know why he told her this, he just did, maybe it was because he knows that she'll support him. Or maybe it's because he wants her to beg him not to go, as selfish as that is, he just wants to be sure she even likes him.

Brooke looked at him in panic. ''You're not gonna go, right?''

'''Course not. He just, he gets me so angry.''

She put a comforting hand on his shoulder. ''It's going to be okay, Julian. He's gone, hasn't he?''

Julian nodded. ''But you don't know my Dad, he always gets what he wants.'' he sighed.

Brooke wrapped her arms around his waist and gave him a hug. She wanted to comfort him and let him know that it's going to be okay, that they're going to be okay. She wasn't going to let Paul Norris take Julian away from her, not now, not when they're both happy.

Julian hugged her back, causing his heart to beat rapidly against his chest. Why did she have this effect on him?

Brooke kissed his chest through his T-shirt. ''He's not taking you away.'' from me.

''Thanks for the ride, Nate.'' Haley said, as Nathan pulled the car up infront of her house. She just needed to get out of the car, she felt like she couldn't breath. She needed to get away from him, he was making her so nervous, which has never happened before. They decided to forget the kiss happened, he said that it didn't mean anything. But to her it meant everything and she can't stop thinking about it. Every time she's around him, it's like she's going to burst into tears. Because she loves him, she's finally admitted it. But he doesn't love her, or so she thinks.

''Hales, are you okay?'' Nathan asked. He wasn't okay, that's for sure. The kiss they shared wont leave his mind, it's like it's haunting him, showing him what he can't have. But now it's worse, because she can't stand to be around him, and it hurts so much.

Haley nodded and laughed nervously. ''Yeah, why wouldn't I be?''

''Never mind.''

''Okay, see you tomorrow.'' she said quickly, opening the door and climbing out of the car as fast as she could.

Nathan sighed and started to drive away.

She didn't invite me in, she always invites me in after a game.

He's losing her. Fast.

''Are you okay?'' Brooke whispered, they were now sat on the couch. Julian's arms are firmly wrapped around her, keeping her back pressed towards his chest, and she's sat between his legs. He didn't want to let go of her, he never does.

''I am now.'' he whispered back, kissing her hair.

''I don't want you to be sad, he shouldn't have that control over you.''

Julian shook his head, even though she couldn't see. ''He doesn't. He just makes me mad, like I'm two inches tall.''

''Whenever you feel sad, or angry, or when Paul contacts you and it gets to you. Call me, and I'll be here. I'm always gonna be here, I'll be here for as long as you'll want me.'' she said softly, taking one of the hands that were wrapped around her, and kissing it.

''I'm always going to want you.'' he said. ''Thank you.''

''Anytime.''

AN: I'm really not impressed with this chapter, but I hope you liked it.

Okay, so I know people may think that the Naley is getting ahead of the Brulian, and I'm sorry about that, I just get really carried away. Oh, and I know you all hate me for making them act like everything's normal but they'll be together... soon.

Please Review:-).