A scream.
Well, a squeal.
That was what the students at Tree Hill High heard suddenly from the car park, as they made their way into the building. The students were curious as to what the fuss was about, but they couldn't be late. Obviously, the people in the car park don't care about that right now.
''You guys are together!'' Brooke exclaimed, squealing again. This caused her best friends and boyfriend to cover their ears. Why was Brooke Davis so squeally?
''You're in love!'' Peyton stated, grinning like an idiot. Even though her love life sucks at the moment, at least her two best friends have found the happiness she's always wanted with eachother. She's not spoke to Jake since last night, when he hung up on her. And she doesn't plan to either, not until he explains what is going on.
''Finally!'' Lucas breathed, pulling his brother and future sister-in-law into a group hug. Of course, they're not getting married anytime soon. But Lucas knows that it's going to happen one day, and that day is going to be awesome.
Brooke and Peyton joined in the hug, while Julian stood awkwardly at the side. He wasn't really part of the amazing ten year friendship, and didn't want to ruin their moment.
Lucas, Brooke and Peyton let go of their best friends, who's fingers were still intertwined.
''So, what happened? Spill.'' Brooke demanded, her dimpled smile not faltering, not for a second.
''Brooke, we have to get to homeroom.'' Haley insisted, already taking a step toward the building, still not letting go off Nathan's - her now boyfriends - hand.
''So? This is more important!'' Lucas said. He needed to know what happened now, he's been waiting for this day for years. He's not just going to walk away now without knowing all of the details.
''So, what happened?'' Peyton repeated Brooke's words from earlier, crossing her arms across her chest.
Nathan and Haley glanced at eachother, and smiled. Haley nodded at him to tell them, she just knew he was dying to.
''Well...''
Flashback-
They both broke away from eachother breathlessly, still shocked with what has just happened in the past ten minutes. The Friends episode had now finished, and another show was playing on the television, not that any of them cared.
Nathan leaned his forehead against hers. ''I mean it Hales, I love you. I'm in love with you.'' he whispered, kissing her again softly. He's waited ten years for this, and he's going to take advantage. Because she loves him, she actually loves him!
''I'm in love with you too.'' Haley whispered back. She brought her hand up and placed it softly over his heart. ''It's beating really, really fast.'' she observed, un able to wipe the smile from her face.
''Well that's what happens when I'm around you.''
''Where does this leave us?'' she asked him. She was trying to let herself not be effected by his words, but of course they did, it's Nathan.
Nathan thought about it for a moment. He doesn't want to scare her away, but he also can't lose her. So he decided to just speak the truth.
''When I imagined this moment in my mind... I asked you to be my girlfriend.'' he admitted, still not moving his forehead for hers.
Haley smiled coyly. At least it wasn't just her who had dreamed of this moment right now, when they admitted their feelings. ''Really?''
Nathan sighed playfully. ''You're really going to make me ask, aren't you?'' he asked her, receiving an eager nod in response. ''I don't think I have anymore romantic speeches left in me today.''
''It's been ten years, Nathan. Find some.'' she demanded, with a smile on her face so he would know that she was teasing.
Nathan took a small step back and took Haley's hands in his, intertwining their fingers loosely. ''Haley James. I love you more than anything else on the planet. More than basketball. More than Friends. And more than Joey Tribbiani. I know that we are meant to be together, we always have been, and we always will be.''
Haley felt tears for in her eyes. Happy tears. She just felt so happy right now, she felt so dizzy with emotion, she felt like she was going to faint. But she really didn't want to; she wanted to listen to more of his gorgeous words.
''Always and Forever.'' she said, barely above a whisper.
''Exactly. So why can't forever start today?''
Haley nodded eagerly. She wrapped her arms around his neck and pulled him down to her and kissed him. That kiss only meaning one thing:
Yes.
Flashback over-
A Scream.
Well, a squeal.
That was all Brooke Davis' best friend and boyfriend could hear when Nathan finished his story. Causing them to wince and cover their ears, again. Can't she give it a rest?
''This is so perfect. We have Naley, Brulian and Jeyton! This is so cute. We're like, super couples. We should, like, triple date, with Routh. Oh my god, I wonder how their date went.'' she rambled, causing her friends to shudder at the words triple date.
Except Lucas, who couldn't help but wonder what about me?
''Rach-ho!'' Brooke called, chasing her down the hallway. Why does it seem like she's always doing that? ''Rachel! Rach!'' she continued to shout. As she got nearer, she realised that her new friend had earphones in. So she grabbed her arm, turning her around. ''Gosh, what is it with mathletes and ipods?''
Rachel smiled at the head cheerleader. ''Hey bitch. What's up?''
''How did it go with you and Mouth last night?'' she asked, winking suggestively.
''It was... good.'' Rachel said teasingly. She knew what Brooke had done, she had saw Julian's car from across the road, she had also saw the two figures making out inside. So it was obvious that it was a plan to set them up. Even though she wasn't showing it, she was extremely grateful.
Brooke huffed and stomped her foot. ''Rach-ho! Tell me.''
Rachel raised an eyebrow. ''Did you seriously just stomp your foot?''
Brooke rolled her eyes. ''Stop avoiding the subject. Tell me what happened!'' she demanded.
''Why don't you just spy on us? That way you'll find out.'' she teased, giggling slightly and walking in the opposite direction. Rachel turned around, and started to walk backwards. ''By the way. You're not finding out from me.''
Brooke just had to laugh, and rolled her eyes playfully. ''I'll find out, Rach-ho. You know I will.''
''Whatever.''
''What the hell is the world coming to?''
Peyton heard those words as she walked into the girls bathroom, she decided to listen to what the girl was talking about, so she just stayed still, so the girl wouldn't know that she was eavesdropping.
''I know, Alex. It's crazy.'' another voice agreed.
Alex, again. Peyton decided to keep listening; she wanted to know what this girl is up to. Maybe it's nothing, but Peyton can't help but wonder if Alex is about to cause some drama involving her best friends. So this makes in her business.
''Nathan Scott has a fricking girlfriend. He's dating Haley! This is so insane.'' Alex ranted. Peyton could imagine her running her hands through her hair in frustrating. She didn't see how it was a bid deal, it's not like Nathan would ever have considered hooking up with Alex in the first place.
''I know, it's like, they're in love or something. Please.'' the other girl scoffed.
''And now Julian is dating Brooke.'' Alex continued. ''It's like anyone can join their little group.''
''Well, why don't you sleep with Lucas? Or date him?'' the other girl suggested. ''That way you can be more popular. Ever since you've been kicked off the squad, no one really cares about you anymore.''
Alex sighed. ''I know, it's so irritating.'' she said. ''But I tried, he's not interested.''
Peyton just had to smile at that, but she had no idea why. Like his brother, Lucas wouldn't ever be interested in hooking up with Alex. Peyton knew that, maybe she just liked hearing those words out loud. He's not interested, Peyton liked the sound of that. But why?
''...I thought maybe Nathan would be, because he always is. But now that's out of the window.'' Alex continued. ''I don't think Julian and Brooke are in love, yet. I might still have a chance.''
The bell suddenly rang, signalling the beginning of lunch.
Which meant Peyton's second eavesdropping session featuring Alex Dupre was over. But now that Peyton knows what Alex is up to, it definitely won't be the last one. That's for sure.
''Everyone is talking about you guys.'' Julian stated, sitting down at his new lunch table. ''People have even been asking me if you guys are together. And why, and when, and how...''
Lucas rolled his eyes. ''I know, they've been asking me too.'' he said, then let out a snort. ''A freshman walked over to me in the hallway and said is it true? Has Nathan Scott got a girlfriend? and I nodded. So she ran away! It was like I had just told her that Father Christmas wasn't real. It was hilarious.'' he told them, still laughing from the memory.
Nathan chuckled. ''It's ridiculous.''
Haley stayed quiet, and continued to pick at her food, hoping that Brooke and Peyton would arrive soon so the subject would change. She didn't want to talk about what everyone was saying; it just made her want to cry, again.
''You okay, Hales?'' Lucas asked her, noticing how her face didn't light up when her new relationship was mentioned.
Haley shrugged and smiled weakly. ''I'm fine, just tired.'' she lied, continuing her task of staring at her pasta.
Nathan turned to his girlfriend. It was strange how yesterday they were best friends, and now in a relationship. It was strange, but amazing. ''What is it, Hales?''
He just received another shrug in response.
''Haley.'' Nathan prodded, desperate for an answer. He only called her Haley when he was serious, he's extremely serious. He wants to know who's upset his girl.
''People have been saying things, that's all.'' she said softly, shrugging again.
''Like what?'' Lucas asked. Haley is still his best friend, if someone has done something to upset her, then he'll be involved in the ass kicking.
''Is it people saying that you guys are going to break up soon? Don't worries, we all know that you guys are meant to be.'' Julian said, hoping to cheer his friend up.
Nathan glared at him. He didn't know that people had said that.
Haley shook her head. ''I know, but it's not that. I'm just being silly, never mind.''
''No you're not, what did they say?''
''Alex said that you're only with me because you feel sorry for me, with what happened with Chris, and that you would never willingly date someone as ugly as me. Because you're Nathan Scott, and you wouldn't be with me without a reason.'' she said, barely above a whisper. Her throat suddenly became dry and the tears began to form in her eyes. Not again.
Haley heard a gasp behind her, and turned to find Brooke and Peyton were stood there, fuming with anger.
''She said what?'' Brooke exclaimed. ''Where is the fugly slut? I'm going to kick her fat ass.'' she almost shouted. Right now she is definitely angry, how dare that bitch called her best friend ugly after everything she has done.
Peyton normally would have agreed. But Alex is up to something, she doesn't want to mention it in case Brooke makes in worse. And if she and Brooke provoke her even more, then Alex could continue with her plan. Sure, she doesn't know this plan, but she knows that it's involving her best friends, and she can't just ignore it.
Haley wiped her eyes, and sighed. ''Brooke, don't say anything, you'll just make it worse.''
''Tutor Girl, I can't let her get away with that.''
''It's okay, I'm fine.'' Haley lied, smiling weakly.
''No you're not.'' Nathan objected. ''You know it's not true, right? You know that I'm with you because I love you, that's the reason. And you're the sexiest girl I know, Brooke's right, she's a slut with a fat ass. She's got nothing on you.''
''Exactly,'' Peyton chipped in. ''so we can just leave it now, okay?''
Haley smiled a real smile this time. ''Peyton's right. Just leave it. Brooke, sit down.'' she said, leaning into Nathan's shoulder.
Brooke nodded, and sat down in between Haley and Julian. ''You're to nice.'' she told her, quickly kissing her boyfriend and turning back to her best friend.
''But we love you.'' Peyton added, sitting in between Lucas and Nathan. ''Anything Alex says, just ignore it. She's just jealous of you, like the rest of the female population of Tree Hill High. Except me and Brooke, of course.''
''I didn't know Ms. Harris had a thing for me.'' Nathan joked, effectively making Haley laugh.
''In your dreams.'' Haley said, hitting him lightly on the arm.
Nathan wrapped his arm around her shoulders and kissed her on the forehead. ''You're the only girl in my dreams, baby.''
''You guys are so cute,'' Brooke gushed, clapping her hands together excitedly. She turned to her boyfriend and glared. ''why do you never say things like that to me?''
Julian looked at his crazy girlfriend in surprise. ''Why do you keep forgetting about my will you be my girlfriend speech?'' he asked incredulously, raising his eyebrows in annoyance. Yesterday she said that Mouth and Rachel were the cutest thing she had saw all week, and now she's accusing him of not being cute.
''Oh yeah,'' she remembered, with a dreamy smile on her face and she replayed his words from three days ago in her mind. ''that was sweet.'' she said, then punched him in the arm.
''Ow!'' Julian exclaimed in pain. ''what was that for?''
''You stole it!''
''I stole what?'' he asked, rubbing his arm in pain, glaring at her. Brooke was sometimes so hot and cold, it was hard to keep up.
''Your speech. I was watching a glee re-run last night, and Sam's speech was so similar to yours. You didn't make it up.''
Nathan, Lucas and Peyton laughed.
''Dude, Glee? Seriously?'' Nathan asked him with a snort. Brooke had told him about the Grease 2 thing, but Glee too? That was just hilarious.
''Hey, it was one time.'' Julian said, lifting his arms up in defence.
''Nathan, don't act like you've never seen it before.'' Haley said playfully. One time when Nathan was at her house, it was the day the show was premiered, and she had made him watch it with her, because he didn't want to go home yet, and she didn't want to watch it alone.
''Hey, it was one time.'' Nathan repeated Julian's words from a couple of seconds ago. ''And I was forced.''
Haley rolled her eyes. ''Whatever.''
''We're going off topic here.'' Brooke announced. ''Julian, you copied his speech!''
''I edited it.'' Julian corrected, rolling his eyes. He didn't see what the big deal was, he thought it was more romantic that he copied it; it was like a metaphor, like he was implying that they were as epic as a cheesy TV couple.
''I think it made it sweeter, I mean, he said something adorable that millions of girls wished that guys would say to them.'' Haley reasoned, unknowing repeating Julian's thoughts. ''Right, Peyton?''
Peyton snorted. ''Do I really look like the type of person who would watch Glee?'' she asked, raising an eyebrow.
''Exactly.'' Julian said, ignoring Peyton's comment. ''So, are we cool?'' he asked his girlfriend, who he could see was trying to fight the smile on her face as she considered Haley's words.
''Did you really mean it, all of it?''
''Of course.'' he said sincerely, taking hold of her hand and kissing it softly.
Brooke grinned as her heart fluttered. ''Then we're cool.''
Nathan spotted Alex Dupre at her locker, pulling her books out for her next lesson. That surprised him, he wasn't even sure if she could red. He walked over to it, and slammed the locker door shut, causing her to jump. Good he thought. It would have even made him smile, but he's too angry to smile.
Alex smiled coquettishly. ''Hey Nathan. What's up?''
''Stay away from my girlfriend. Don't talk to her, don't even talk about her. If you do, I'll find out. I want her, no one else. So grow up.''
Alex was taken back; she didn't think that Haley would say anything. She didn't even say it to Haley's face; she just said it loud so Haley would overhear her. And she wasn't expecting her to say anything to her friends; she thought that Haley would even care. But she obviously doesn't know how insecure Haley feels around Nathan.
''Well, I didn't think Nathan would hurt a girl.'' she smirked, leaning against the locker.
''I'm not going to touch you, but that doesn't mean Brooke or Peyton wont.'' he responded. ''They've hurt you before; Haley had to convince them not to again. So stay away from her.''
''Cookie craving. Cookie craving.'' Brooke mumbled, running down the stairs, two steps at a time. She had been sitting in her room when she suddenly really wanted some cookies. Peyton had came up with the name cookie craving for when they wanted some, so they and Haley say it all the time.
Brooke ran in her kitchen, opening the cookie jar and realising that they were all gone. Damn you, Luke.
She glanced to her body, remembering that she was in her pyjamas. She was wearing no make-up, and her hair was still damp from her shower. She could go to the store like this. And then something popped into her mind.
I promise to come over, when ever you want me too.
Brooke flipped open her phone, and pressed the number seven on her speed dial.
''Julian? Can you come over, like you promised?'' she asked him, the second she stopped hearing ring ring.
''When did I promise this?'' he asked in a confused tone.
''On Tuesday. Or was this just another thing you copied from Glee?''
Julian chuckled. ''Oh yeah, well I can't remember, but I meant it. Um, what do you want to do when I come over?''
''I want to make cookies.'' she told him. ''So can you pick up some sugar on the way, I've not got any.''
''You don't have any sugar? Babe, you don't need me to go to the store for that. You've got me right here.'' he joked.
Brooke giggled at his lame joke. ''Yeah, but I don't really want to eat my boyfriend. I have a cookie craving, so hurry.'' she demanded playfully. ''I'll see you later.''
''I'll be twenty minutes, bye.''
Brooke grabbed all of the ingredients and placed them on the counter. She just couldn't help but smile successfully as a thought entered her mind.
Cookies + Julian= Perfection.
Knock Knock
Peyton sighed and walked down the stairs to answer the door. Today sucked. Jake wasn't in school, Alex is planning something bad and Haley cried. The only amazing thing that happened was Naley, it still didn't cheer her up though.
She opened the door and gasped. ''Jake, what are you doing here?''
Jake fiddled with his hands nervously. Normally he would smile at the sight of his gorgeous girlfriend, but right now he can't, because this is probably the hardest thing he's ever had to do. ''I came to say goodbye.''
''Goodbye?'' she asked, tears already forming in her eyes as she felt like her heart was crumbling into millions of little pieces.
''I know I've been distant lately, and there has been a reason for that. Nikki's been around, Jenny's mom. She's been trying to get into the house, and she's been bothering my parents. She had a job, and she's raised enough money for a lawyer. He's going to take Jenny away, Peyt. I can't let her do that, besides you she's the most important person in my life. I have to go, or they'll take her away.'' Jake explained weakly, his throat dry.
Tears ran down her cheeks. ''Jake, you can't leave!''
''I have to, Peyton. The judge who's going to run the case always gives the mother primary custody. I can't just see Jenny on weekends, she's my daughter!''
''Then let me come with you.'' she begged.
Jake shook his head. ''I can't. I'm not going to ruin your life, I'm not going to take you away from school and your friends, and I know they mean everything to you.'
''You mean everything to me! I love you, Jake. Please let me go with you.''
A tear fell from Jake's eye. ''I love you too, Peyt. I'm going to miss you so much, I'm sorry.''
Peyton shook her head. ''No, no. This isn't the end, this isn't goodbye.'' she said stubbornly. Jake is hers, she can't lose him. Just the thought of it made her feel physically sick.
''Of course it's not. We're going to see each other again; I just don't know when that's going to be. Don't be afraid to move on from me, you're going to meet someone and fall in love. You don't need Me.'' he said softly, wiping the tear away quickly.
''But I don't want to move on.''
''You will though, you're to amazing for someone not to fall in love with you.'' he said, smiling weakly.
Normally she would have smiled at the compliment, but she's in so much pain. ''Jake, please don't go.''
''I have to, baby. Jenny's in the car, and Nikki will catch up with us soon. I'm so sorry, Peyt.''
Jake pulled her into his arms, and squeezed her tightly, never wanting to let go. But he had to, because his daughter was in danger. So he kissed the love of his life on the forehead lightly, and let her go.
''I love you, Peyton.'' he whispered, and turned around.
Peyton stood their frozen. She thought that her heart was crumbling into millions of little pieces before, but she was wrong.
It is now, and it hurt so much more.
Brooke mixed the batter in the bowl, as Julian got a tray out of the cupboard where she could put the mix and he could place it in the oven.
''Julian, can you pass me the sugar please?'' she asked sweetly, giving him a quick peck.
Julian grinned his usual grin and handed her the bag.
Brooke gasped as she looked at the bag. ''Julian, you bought salt!'' she exclaimed in frustration. ''Now we can't have cookies.'' she said with a pout, getting a handful of batter and throwing it in his face. She then put her hands over her mouth in shock, she didn't mean to do that... it just kind of happened.
''I can't believe I just did that.'' Brooke mumbled. She looked at her boyfriend's face and saw the lump of cookie batter on his cheek. The sight of that caused her to burst into a fit of giggles.
Julian smirked and wiped the batter from his face. ''You think that's funny, huh?''
Brooke nodded, unable to form any words because she was laughing so hard, she could hardly breathe.
Julian grabbed the bowl with the remaining ingredients in, and placed it over her head. He tipped it upside down and left it on her head, causing all of its contents to go in her hair.
Brooke gasped, but still couldn't stop laughing. She would normally kill anyone who messed up her hair, but this was Julian, so she didn't care. Because she had covered his face with batter, it was fun.
He wasn't finished there. So he grabbed her waist and started to tickle her quickly.
''J- Julian! Stop, please!'' she begged, still not being able to control her laughter. It didn't help that her boyfriend was tickling her, and not stopped when she begged him to.
''Say sorry.'' he whispered huskily into her ear.
Brooke threw the bowl from her head, feeling the sticky mess in her hair. But that still didn't stop her giggles. ''Okay. Okay.''
Julian stopped moving his hands, but didn't move them from her waist.
''I'm sorry for putting cookie dough on your face.'' she apologised, still giggling.
Julian grinned that grin, the one that caused her knees to go weak. And pressed his lips to hers hungrily.
Brooke kissed him back with the same amount of force, just wanting to feel him completely. Kissing Julian, that was her new favourite thing. It was just so addictive; it was something that she never wanted to give up.
When they broke away breathlessly, Julian looked at her hair that was a complete mess, with cookie dough tangled in it. That was probably going to take at least three showers to get out. ''I'm sorry for messing up you hair.'' he apologised sheepishly.
Brooke felt her hair, and grimaced at the feel of it. ''I'm going to get you back, Baker.''
''Looking forward to it.''
She then realised that she was wrong, instead the equation was:
Brooke + Julian=Perfection.
AN: Wow, it took me all day to write this. Sorry for the lack of Brulian, I know there wasn't a lot, but I feel like this story's building up.
Thanks to kaya17tj for giving me the idea of the Brulian-ness. I had some writers block and didn't know what to do. So thanks again!
Jeyton/Leyton fans- Well, Jake's gone. I actually wasn't planning to do it yet, but I just felt right. What did you think?
Please review! Previews will be late because I've only just started writing the next chapter, but I promise to send you them if you review:-).