Julian walked down the hallway consumed in his thoughts. He just couldn't get those words that his father said out of his mind You're going to regret this, son. Julian isn't regretting anything, not for a second. But would his father do something to make him regret his decision not to move back to LA with him?

Brooke had cheered him up, like she always does. And she had kept his mind from drifting to Paul Norris, and replaced his thoughts with ones of her. But she's not here all of the time, so he can't help but think of his father and what he might do.

Suddenly he felt something shove his side. Someone.

''Watch is loser.'' the guy said rudely, glaring at Julian and continuing on his journey.

Julian started to follow the guy. ''Who do you think you'r-'' he was stopped when he was pushed back by someone, Lucas. He pushed him back and stopped him at the lockers.

''Are you crazy?'' Lucas asked. ''He'll kick your ass.''

Julian shook his head. ''I just hate that he thinks that he can just shove me and get away with it.''

''Well, that's high school.'' Lucas sighed, and started to walk down the hallway. Julian walked next to him, and they started to walk together.

''It's okay for you though,'' Julian insisted. ''you're the most popular guy in the school, well...'' he trailed off, unsure whether to say second most, because Nathan probably is the more popular than Lucas.

''Second most popular.'' Lucas said, then shrugged. ''It's not a big deal.''

''Not a big deal? No offence, but you sound ungrateful.''

I take offence to that Lucas wanted to say, but he couldn't be rude to Brooke's 'boyfriend' or whatever he was, she would kick his ass. ''I never asked to be popular, it just kind of happened.''

''How?'' Julian asked. As sad as it sounded, he wanted some tips.

''Being Nathan Scott's brother.'' Lucas chuckled. ''But also because of basketball, I guess. Me and Nathan always wanted to be on the team, so when we joined, we realised we were better than everyone else. Well, I did. Nathan always thought he was better anyway, turns out he was right. Then after that, people just started talking to us, moving out of the way in the hallway, smiling, asking us out, inviting us to parties. And before we knew it, we were popular.''

''How does Brooke, Haley and Peyton fit into this?'' Julian asked, he had always wondered.

''Well Brooke was awesome at cheerleading, and because Peyton and Haley were her best friends everyone just loved them too, they were cheerleaders also, so it was bound to happen.'' Lucas explained, remembering his freshman years.

''Cool,'' Julian said lamely.

Lucas laughed in responce.

''You'll get it though, the popularity, you're dating Brooke Davis, man.''

''Um, we're not dating.'' Julian said instantly, he didn't want Lucas saying this infront of Brooke and making her uncomfortable. He wants to be her boyfriend, but since their date last week, they've not said much about it. They act like they are, but no one has said it. Weeks ago she said she liked it how it was, and he doesn't want to pressure her into anything she doesn't want to do... and he's scared.

He can't lose her, but he can't drive her away.

''Really?'' Lucas asked in surprise. ''I thought you were, you guys act like you are.''

Julian nodded. ''I don't think she wants that.''

Lucas snorted. ''Believe me, she wants that.'' he patted Julian on the shoulder. ''Later, man.''

Peyton Saywer sat in her Art class, completely bored. Today the teacher was just talking about the history of art, and Peyton wasn't allowed to actually do anything, except listen. She couldn't draw, paint or sketch in her sketch book. Which was completely unfair.

But then something from the back of the room caught her attention.

''Soo... did you see Lucas talking to that guy this morning? Cute.'' the voice of Alex Dupre whispered to her friend from the table behind the one Peyton's sat at.

Peyton's fist clenched, was Alex talking about Jake. Oh, I am so kicking her ass...

''That Jason guy? I thought he was dating Brooke?'' another voice asked.

Julian? Peyton wondered. Jake was one of the most popular guys in the school, they would know that he was dating Peyton, and they would definitely know his name. But if they were talking about Julian.. then that was bad.

''Nope, I heard her telling her friends that they were just seeing how it goes.'' Alex answered. Peyton could practically hear the smirk on Alex's face.

''Why would you care?''

''Because he's hot.''

''But he's a mathlete?''

''A hot mathlete.''

Okay, so this is definitely bad.

Gym. Julian Bakers favorite lesson.

Not.

''Well, today is a surprise. Miss. Andrews isn't here to take the girls gym class today, so today we'll be mixed.'' Whitey Durham announced to the group of boys and girls who were all stood in a line listening to him. ''And today we will be playing basketball,'' the girls groaned, and so did most of the guys, some didn't because they sucked at it, including Julian Baker. ''the captains are Lucas and Nathan. Guys, pick your teams.''

Nathan and Lucas walked infront of the group.

Nathan went first. ''Haley.'' he said instantly, even though Lucas will now pick a good player, he doesn't mind. He would rather have Haley on his team than anyone else, and he'll take that over winning anyway.

Haley squealed and ran over to him, giving him a hug. He hugged her back and lifted her up in the air.

She didn't even know why she was this excited. Maybe it was because she had never been picked first, except when Brooke or Peyton were the captains, they always picked her first. Or maybe it was because Nathan picked her first, before his friends, and the other girls in her gym class.

''Okay, break it off, love birds.'' Whitey shouted. ''You have time for that later.''

Haley blushed, and Nathan just grinned. The other people in the gym just laughed, while some girls glared in jealousy.

''Okay..'' Lucas said. ''Jagielski.''

''Lucas!'' Brooke and Peyton exclaimed, receiving an confused look.

''Nathan just picked Haley, you're supposed to pick us. We're your best friends.'' Brooke explained, glaring at her so called best friend.

Lucas just shrugged. ''But I'm not in l-'' he stopped mid-sentence, realising what he was about to say. ''I'm not... capable of making a good decision when it comes to choosing teams.'' he said slowly, making it all with each word he said.

Nathan glared at his brother, and gave him a you're a jackass and I'm so kicking your ass later look.

Brooke rolled her eyes and smiled when Julian wrapped his arm around her shoulders, she loved when he did that.

''Skills.'' Nathan said, ignoring the glares from Brooke and Peyton. He needed to get at least one good player before Lucas got them all, he wouldn't do that if Peyton and Brooke were on his team. He had saw Skills play at the river court a couple of times, and they talked too, but they never really achnowledge eachother at school, except for now.

''Fergie.'' Lucas said.

''Junk.''

''Peyton.'' She smiled and walked over to Lucas' team, her smile widened when Jake took hold of her hand.

''Brooke.''

''Mouth.''

''Damien.'' Nathan said. Haley glared at him, she couldn't stand Damien West, but she knew he was a good player, a really good player, and that was why Nathan chose him. But he was just so disgusting, he made her uncomfortable.

''Alex.'' Lucas said, receiving a slap on the arm from Peyton. Woops.

''Chase.'' Nathan chose, after Haley whispered it to him.

People continued to be chosen, until there were only three people left. Michael Grubbs. Rachel Gatina. And Julian Baker.

''Um..'' Lucas thought about it, he didn't know who to pick, they all sucked. He ruled Julian out, because if Nathan picked him then he and Brooke could be together. Also, Julian was mouthing 'pick me!' continuously, and it was annoying. Michael looked bored, so he wouldn't play good. And Rachel looked... like she would be up for putting effort in the game. ''Rachel.''

''Michael.'' Nathan chose, receiving a smack on the back of the head from Haley and Brooke. ''Ow,'' he moaned in pain. ''what was that for?''

Julian sighed and walked over to Lucas' team. ''Gee, thanks for Luke. I sure feel wanted.'' he grumbled.

Lucas laughed. ''Sorry, man. I thought Nathan would pick you, I wanted you to be on Brooke's team.''

Whitey walked back over to them, seeing that they were all in teams. ''We wont have positions, you can just all spread around the court. I'm not spending my time teaching the girls the rules and positions of basketball, because they've not been doing that this year. So all just play, and if I see anyone not putting in any effort. Detention.'' He then blew his whistle. ''Spread out in your teams! Nathan's team, put on your bibs!''

After Nathan's team put on their bibs, everyone stood on their side of the court, waiting for Whitey to throw the ball in the middle.

The whistle blew and an orange ball landed between Nathan and Lucas.

''Play!''

Haley fell over twice. Brooke threw the ball at Nathan's head four times. Chase passed the ball to his new girlfriend Mia, who was on Lucas' team while he was on Nathan's. Julian had dropped the ball when he was trying to dribble it. Damien had smacked Peyton's ass, causing Jake and Lucas to almost kick his ass. And the score was now 24 - 18. Nathan's team winning, for now. And it was only half way through.

Lucas raced down the court, he was not losing to his brother, no way. But as he dribbled the ball Haley quickly ran over - without falling- and snatched it out of his hands. Whitey wasn't watching the game properly, so he had no idea what was going on. Nathan ran behind her and scooped her up so that she was sat on his shoulder, with her hands firmly on his shoulders so she wouldn't fall. He ran quickly, but not so fast that she would fall or drop the ball. One of his hands was on her waist, so she wouldn't tip off his shoulder.

They reached the net and Haley effortlessly put the ball through the net, scoring another basket. ''Wooo!'' Haley cheered, pumping her fist up in the air while Nathan ran around the court in circles with a huge smile on his face, with her still placed on his shoulder.

Nathan finally placed her on the ground, he quickly kissed her forehead and ran down the court.

She was so beautiful it was making his heart ache. He just had to distract himself, and the nearest thing was a round orange ball.

Brooke grabbed the ball from Fergie's hands and ran down the court, not bothering the bounce the ball, it's not like Whitey was watching. She ran to the net that she was supposed to be scoring in and threw the ball. It hit the rim and span around it. As if in slow motion, it finally went through the net, making a perfect swoosh sound.

''Oh my gosh! I did it! Did you see?'' she squealed to whoever was nearby, with the biggest smile on her face. She had never scored a basket before, she was so proud of herself. Even though the two of the most important people in her life were in love with the sport, she could just never get the ball in the net. Peyton could, Haley could (after two training sessions with Nathan, she finally got it), but she could never aim right.

Julian ran over to Brooke and gave her a bone crushing hug, kissing the top of her hair.

''Julian- I... can't... breathe.'' she mumbled, fighting for breath.

He blushed slightly and let go of her. ''Sorry,'' he said sheepishly. ''I'm just proud of you.''

Brooke got the biggest smile on her face. ''Thanks.'' she said. What do you say to that?

Julian wrapped his arm around her waist. ''That was kinda hot...'' he said huskilly, with a smirk.

Brooke smiled coyly, not bothering to reply. She just kissed him, he happily responded.

''Gross!'' Four different voices all said at once, after spotting the couple practically making out in the gym, infront of everyone.

When they broke apart for breath, they realised who those voices were. Haley. Nathan. Lucas. And Peyton. Her best friends, who she loved more than anything else, but they could also annoy the hell out of her. Which they were doing right now.

Nathan shook his head, trying to erase what he had just seen at of his mind. ''Brooke, come on. You're on my team, make out with him later.'' he ordered in determination. He had to beat his twin at this game, he had to. Even though he was already in the lead. He didn't want to risk it.

''Woo! We won.'' Brooke cheered for the tenth time that day. She had just spotted Julian in the carpark walking to his car, and she decided to talk to him. It is Julian after all. She would do anything to talk to him, heck, she would do anything just to see him.

Julian chuckled and turned around, spotting his favorite person walking over to him with a huge smile on her face, causing his to widen.

''Hey Brooke.'' he greeted. ''I told you I suck at sports.''

Brooke giggled. ''I know, even Haley is better than you.''

Julian nudged her weakly. ''You're probably right about that. It was funny when she tripped over her own foot though.''

Brooke snorted. ''Yeah, but if she would have cried then I probably would have cried too. Haley, she's my sister, I can't bare to see her hurt.'' she told him, her voice now softer than before. It was filled with love, love for her best friend.

''Do you want a ride home?'' he asked once they had reached his car.

''Well... my car's still here. That would mean you would have to give me a ride to school too...'' she trailed off coyly with a smirk.

''I don't mind.'' he said instantly. He would take Brooke to the end of the world and back if she asked him too, giving her a ride in the morning was nothing. He just wanted to spend time with her, as much as he can.

Brooke smiled his favorite dimpled smile. ''Good.''

''Let's go then.'' he said, opening the passenger door for her and shutting it once she climbed inside.

Haley walked into the Scott house, thankfully Nathan wasn't there. She knows that they're pretending that the kiss didn't happen, but she just can't stop thinking about it. Everytime she sees him, she just wants to kiss him again. And again and again and again. But she can't, because Nathan even said it, he even said it didn't mean anything. So she has to except it, but she loves him, and it hurts like hell.

She walked into Lucas' room, and saw him sat on his laptop, tiping away furiously.

''Hey buddy.'' she said with a sigh, and lay down next to him on the bed.

Lucas smiled at his smallest best friend. ''Hey Hales,'' he greeted, then noticed her sad expression. ''you okay?''

Haley shrugged. ''I guess.''

''You guess?'' Lucas asked. He placed his laptop on the little table beside his bed and turned to face her.

''Nathan kissed me.''

Lucas' face brightened. Oh, wow. This was it, the beginning of Naley, the day Lucas has been waiting for, for years.

''Really? When? Where? What did he say? Are you guys together now?'' he asked eagerly, not being able to contain his excited. He could already see it now, Haley James Scott, my sister-in-law. And his brother could finally be happy, this was just amazing.

Haley looked at him like he had two heads. ''Wow, sorry Brooke. I thought I was talking to Lucas, I'll just go and talk to him.'' she teased, giggling slightly. Lucas has just sounded like her other best friend, but with a deeper voice. He was definitely acting... strange lately.

''Ha.'' he deadpanned. ''Seriously, when did this happen?''

''Um, last week at the cafe, the day he helped me out.'' she admitted, blushing at the thought of their kiss. ''We started attacking eachother with bubbles and water, then he just... kissed me.''

''Wait, last week?'' Lucas' face scrunched in confusion. ''So you guys aren't together?''

Haley shook her head. ''I ran home after the kiss. Later on he came to my house, and told me that it didn't mean anything, so we should carry on being friends and forget it ever happened.''

Nathan, you idiot! ''Well... why did you tell me this if you guys are pretending it never happened?''

''Because I had to tell someone.'' she whispered, feeling the tears well up in her eyes?

''Why?'' he prodded. He needed to get to the bottom of this, for Haley and his brother. They are two of the most important people in his life, and Brooke and Peyton of course.

''Because I love him, okay?'' she snapped, the tears now falling down he face. ''It hurts, Luke. He doesn't love me back, and it really hurts.''

Lucas grabbed Haley and pulled her into a hug, holding her tight afraid that if he let go then she would completely pull apart. He didn't know what to do, his best friend was hurting, and so was his brother. But he couldn't betray his brothers trust and tell Haley that Nathan loves her too. And he also couldn't tell Nathan that Haley loves him back, because he can't betray her either.

So he just continued to hold her as the tears soaked his shirt.

''You wanna come inside?'' she asked shyly, once he arrived in her driveway. Brooke normally wouldn't be nervous when she invited someone inside, but this wasn't just someone, it's Julian. And she doesn't want to screw it up with him. He's to important to her.

Julian nodded. ''Sure,'' he said nonchalantly, though his heart rate sped up.

They walked inside his house, and into the living room.

''I had to give Lily back her Grease 2 DVD, but I have the original. We could watch that?'' she suggested, slightly teasingly.

Julian chuckled. ''Sure,'' he said. ''but next time we have to watch something you actually like.''

Brooke grinned at the words next time, now that would be nice...

''Deal.''

''Tell me more.. tell me more. Was it love at first sight?'' Brooke sang along with the film as it played. Julian had his arm wrapped around her shoulder and she was leaning into him with a smile on her face, it felt nice.

Julian laughed. ''You can't sing.''

''Hey!'' she objected. ''That was mean.''

''It was true.'' he disagreed.

Brooke snorted at his honesty, she loved that he could just tell her things and not be worried if she would be offended. She would be mad if he said something offensive, but she knows that she can't sing, she's known that for years.

''It's so catchy.'' she defended.

''Wonder what she's doing now...'' Julian sang along, completely out of tune.

Brooke laughed. ''And you say that I can't sing? You're hopeless! You sounded like you were dying!''

Julian had to laugh at that. ''You're something else, Brooke Davis.''

Brooke raised a brow at him. ''Good, or bad?''

''Good, definitely good.'' he whispered huskily into her ear, making her go crazy.

Brooke turned to face him properly, turning to face him propely. The movie was now completely forgotten. ''Good,'' she repeated in a whisper.

Julian placed his lips on hers softly. Brooke grabbed the back of his neck, pulling him closer and deepening the kiss.

''I got you something..'' Julian announced after a while of comfortable silence.

''Really?'' Brooke asked in surprise, sitting up in excitement. ''What is it?''

''Um, it's not amazing. I just saw it and thought of you.'' he said. Julian grabbed his backpack from the floor and opened it up, he searched inside for a moment until he found what he was looking for.

Brooke stuck out her hand and opened her palm.

Julian placed it on her palm. It was a star, a small plastic gold star.

Brooke looked at him in confusion, so he decided to explain.

''Okay, I know it's not much, and pretty tacky. But I think you're a star, and if you would let me, I would love for you to be my star.'' he said softly. ''I'm crazy about you, Brooke Davis. And this is kind of like my personal promise ring. This is my promise. I promise to always be here for you, when ever you need me. I promise to make you feel proud when you walk down the hall and say, That dude's my boyfriend. I promise to come over, when ever you want me too, if you feel sad I'll be there, and if you're happy, I want to be by your side to see your smile. I promise you Brooke, so will you be my girlfriend?''

Brooke looked at him with tears in her eyes, and nodded furiously. ''Yes, yes. I want to so much.'' she breathed quickly. Right now she feels like she's having a heart attack, because it's just quickened it's pace with every word that came out of his mouth.

Julian crashed his lips to hers, as soon as those words left her lips.

When they broke away for breath they just smiled at eachother.

''Nice kiss,'' Brooke whispered breathlessly. ''boyfriend.'' she added cheekily on the end. She already knew that she would get tired of saying that, not anytime soon. Julian Baker, her boyfriend. Perfect.

''Anytime, girlfriend.''

''I'm holding you to that.''

AN: I update early! I was just in the mood... mainly because I didn't get many reviews last chapter. Even though I know it was crap. Hopefully you thought this one was better, so please review for early updates? I'm actually planning on updating both of my stories more often, because I'll be having more time. Also, sorry for not replying to everyone who reviewed. So thanks guys!

Hope you liked it, I know it was short but I just thought it was a good time to end. I had been planning to do the 'gym' thing when Naley get together (which is soon), but I just really wanted to write it. It was inspired by the Thanksgiving episode, but basketball/highschool style.

And yes. I got the Julian 'boyfriend' speech from Sam.. is it Evans? From Glee. I'm not even a Sam/Quinn fan, I just loved that.

Please review, they make me smile:-) - - see. So can you make me smile?