''That cast looks so cool.'' Nathan said in excitement, looking at it with a big smile. ''Damn, I wish I was weak and could get one of those. They make you look like a total badass.''
They're currently at the Scott house, at their 'slumber party'. The air quotes are for the simple reason that Nathan and Lucas, the two most popular guys in the school, would never have a slumber party. It's just a friend of theirs, staying at their house while they play video games and eat pizza and talk about their girlfriends. Or in Lucas' case, just girls in general.
Lucas rolled his eyes. ''Nathan, you've told him that four times. He got it two days ago.''
Nathan scoffed at his brother, and turned back to the mathlete in front of him. ''How long do you have it on for?''
''Three weeks.'' Julian told him, slightly proud of himself. ''But if it doesn't heal then I have to get surgery on it.''
Lucas and Nathan's eyes went wide in surprise. ''It sucks that you're right handed, man.'' Lucas told him.
''Yeah, I bet you wouldn't be able to write with that thing, you wouldn't have to do any work. Sucks for you man. You should learn to punch with both hands, if you do it again.'' Nathan said.
''I don't think I'll be punching anyone anytime soon.'' Julian said with a chuckle as he remembered Brooke's rant at the hospital when he was getting his cast, when she said that if he has another fight again, then she will kick his ass.
''Why?''
''1) Because it hurts too much. 2) B-''
''It doesn't hurt.'' Nathan interrupted him with a scoff.
Julian rolled his eyes. ''Says the captain of the basketball team. You hands are, like, made of steal.''
''Co-captain.'' Lucas corrected. ''What's number two?''
''2) Brooke will kill me if I get into another fight, she was so afraid when they told me I had to get a cast on my hand. She's still blaming herself.'' he said, feeling the guilt form in his stomach. But he feels the same way Nathan said, he doesn't regret defending her honour, and he probably never will. It's his job to protect her from some of the hurt in this world.
Nathan laughed. ''You're scared of Brooke?''
Julian scoffed. ''You can't say anything. You looked petrified when Haley was screaming at you when she thought you were the one that beat up Jimmy.''
Lucas chuckled at the comment. ''Damn, I'm so mad that I missed it.''
''Where were you anyway?''
''I was with Peyton. We went to the record store to see Max, and get some new records.'' Lucas told them with a smile as he thought about the memory when they saw Max, the guy who owns the record store which they go to almost every weekend, and sometimes in the mornings. They had a blast; Peyton was smiling and laughing at Lucas and Max's lame jokes. She was being herself. Maybe a better version of herself than before.
Nathan snickered. ''Dude, what's with the creepy smile?''
''My smile isn't creepy.'' Lucas denied. ''And you've been hanging around Haley too much, dude.''
''Well I like hanging out with my girlfriend.'' Oh, how he loved to say that. ''And yes your smile is creepy. It's the same smile you get when you like someone. Who is it?''
Lucas shook his head stubbornly, feeling jealousy at the word girlfriend. He's the one who was dying to get Nathan and Haley together, and he isn't into Haley or anything, he just wishes he had something what they had. Now that Brooke and Julian are in love, and his brother and best friend are also insanely happy with each other, he can't help but get lonely. He has Peyton, and he actually has been a little too happy when he's around her. But he can't like Peyton, can he?
''Is it Peyton?'' Julian asked, judging by Lucas' smile earlier, he presumed it could be.
''Peyton? Are you serious?'' Lucas asked with a scoff. ''She's my best friend.''
''And so is Haley, and look at us now.'' Nathan said with a grin. ''Do you like Peyton?''
Lucas rolled his eyes. ''No, I don't. We're just friends who have been hanging out more because you two are with your girlfriends.'' he denied, but that question still stayed in his mind.
Do I like Peyton?
''Okay... we have, Cookie Dough, Chocolate Fudge Brownie, Cheesecake Brownie and... Half Baked.'' Brooke announced walking back into the living room with four tubs of ice cream and spoons.
''I call Cookie Dough!'' Haley shouted in delight.
''Half Baked!'' Peyton said, under a second after Haley finished speaking.
Brooke sighed. ''You suck, Tutor Girl. You know I love Cookie Dough.''
Haley smirked. ''Well why don't you and Julian do some more baking?'' she teased. Peyton nodded teasingly in agreement.
Brooke sighed, thinking they were serious. ''He can't really do much with that cast on his hand. So we won't be doing much baking for a while.''
The other two girls burst into a fit of laughter.
''We weren't serious, B.'' Peyton told her.
Haley sighed. ''I wish that Nathan would make cookies with me. He'll sit there while I make some, and he'll eat some of the cookie dough, and most of the cookies when I'm finished. But he said that he's to macho for baking.'' she told them sadly.
Brooke laughed. ''Could you imagine Nathan wearing an apron, though? Really?''
Both girls raised their eyebrows.
''Julian wears an apron?'' Peyton asked, trying not to let her laughter escape, but failing miserably.
''No,'' Brooke lied, crossing her arms over her chest and looking anywhere but her two best friends. ''Of course he doesn't.''
''Oh my god! He's Apron Boy!''
Nathan lay on his bed, his head hanging off the edge as he watched TV upside down. Julian and Lucas are both on air bed next to his bed. Nathan's room is slightly bigger than Lucas', so they decided to sleep there tonight.
''You know, if you keep on doing that, Nathan. All the blood will rush to your head and come out of your nose.'' Julian told him as him and Lucas tried to hide their laughter.
Nathan stood up in a flash. ''What? Are you serious?''
Lucas laughed; his brother was so naïve sometimes. ''Of course not.''
Nathan glared at the two. ''You guys are nerds.''
''Okay, Tutor Boy.'' Lucas teased. ''You know, I think I should suggest that to Brooke. Because you hate Hot Shot and Boy Toy, maybe this one is better.''
''You better not Pucas.'' Nathan warned. He hates Brooke's nicknames, but he likes the ones she has now better than Tutor Boy.
Just as Lucas was about to respond, a sound interrupted him.
Knock. Knock.
''Who's that?'' Nathan asked. He wasn't expecting anyone to come to his house tonight, and their pizza had already arrived. So what else could it be?
Lucas rolled his eyes. ''How am I supposed to know, Nate? They only just knocked on the door.''
''Sorry,'' Nathan smiled sheepishly. ''I thought you might have invited someone over. Did you invite anyone Julian? You better have not invited that Grubbs kid, I don't like him.''
''I didn't,'' Julian said, he doesn't even like Grubbs. ''I didn't invite anybody. Maybe it's the girls?''
Nathan shook his head. ''They just walk in, and if the door's locked they know where the spare key is.''
The knock then turned into a BANG and another BANG as whoever was outside continuously pounded of the front door. Whoever it was, certainly was impatient. Or were just desperate to see all or one of the boys inside the Scott house.
They all looked at each other in confusion, still wondering who could be at the door.
''I'll get it,'' Nathan finally said. ''You pair of girls.''
''I miss Julian.'' Brooke wined from her spot on the couch, eating her Chocolate Fudge Brownie, Ben and Jerry's ice cream.
''You always miss Julian,'' Haley said in a bored tone. ''It's not exactly news, you've been saying it every five minutes.''
Peyton rolled her eyes. ''I miss Jake, you know.''
Brooke instantly felt guilty. Peyton isn't going to see the guy she loves again, but Brooke's going to see Julian tomorrow. She could never even imagine him suddenly not being here everyday. It would completely break her heart. And that's probably how Peyton felt, and still feels right now.
''Sorry P. Sawyer.'' she said, patting Peyton's shoulder softly. Peyton was leaning against the sofa, sat on the floor, eating her Half Baked ice cream.
Peyton smiled slightly. ''It's okay. You love Julian, right?''
''More than anything.''
''Then don't lose it, don't argue over stupid things. Be there for him, spend time with him. Because when you lose it, it hurts like hell. So just try not to lose it, okay?'' Peyton advised her softly. She would never wish the pain she felt on any of her best friends, if she did then she would be a horrible person. ''You too, Hales. Don't take Nathan for granted. You guys love each other.''
Haley scooted closer to Peyton and gave her a side hug. ''I won't.''
''Me neither.'' Brooke promised, climbing of her sofa and sitting on the other side of Peyton and resting her head on Peyton's shoulder. ''You're going to be okay, Peyt. We're here for you.''
Peyton wiped the tear from her eye and smiled. ''Enough of this soppy stuff. I know you two miss your boyfriends, so why don't we go over to Nate and Luke's? We could stay over. I want to see Lucas anyway, I need to borrow a record from him.''
Brooke smiled. ''Want to go and see Broody, huh? Do I hear a Leyton?''
''Don't be stupid Brooke, it's not even been two weeks. I can't move on that fast.''
Or can she?
Nathan walked down the stairs quickly, wanting to shout at whoever was banging on his door like a maniac. When he opened the door he was pushed back instantly. The guy who pushed him shoved him again, into the wall in the hallway. The guy got Nathan by the collar and held him up tightly. Nathan slightly recognised him, it was the guy who his girlfriend had called cute. He knew that he could kick this guys ass, but he knew it would be a hard fight.
''What the fuck?'' Nathan gritted in anger, pushing the guy away from him roughly. Damn, he's strong. ''Who the hell do you think you are, man?''
''Who do you think you are?'' the guy demanded.
Nathan looked at him in confusion. ''I haven't done anything, you're the one who's just burst into my house.''
''And you're the one who beat up my cousin.''
I haven't beat up anyone since... Chris. ''You're Chris' cousin?''
''Who the hell is Chris?''
''Your cousin?'' Nathan asked, getting more confused by the second. ''You tell that little punk-''
''I'm Jimmy's cousin!'' the guy shouted in annoyance. ''You beat up so many innocent guys you've lost count, huh?''
Nathan rolled his eyes. Damn it Julian. ''I didn't beat up Jimmy. And so what if I did. What makes you think you can just come in here and hold me against the wall?''
''So what if you did?'' the guy repeated questioningly. ''You better stay away from my cousin, or I'll kick your ass.''
Nathan scoffed. ''1) You can't kick my ass. 2) If your cousin says anything about my best friend again, I'll be the one kicking his ass this time.'' he told him, grabbing his by the arm and chucking the guy out of the door. ''Don't come here again.''
Nathan turned around and headed back up the stairs, when he heard the door open again. ''I told you not to come here again.''
''Nathan?'' a sweet voice asked. ''What's going on? Who was here?''
He turned around instantly and saw the worried face of his girlfriend, who was stood next to Brooke, Peyton had also just walked through the door. All dressed in their pyjamas. Haley was wearing a simple light blue tank top, with blue and black stripy bottoms. Brooke was wearing a pink hooded sweatshirt, with pink pyjama bottoms. Peyton was just wearing her Finding Emo t-shirt, with black pyjama shorts.
Nathan shook his head and smiled. ''No one, sorry. Hey baby, what are you doing here?''
Haley let it go for now and grinned. ''We're having a sleepover here instead. Brooke missed Julian.''
Brooke whacked Haley on the arm. ''You missed Nathan too!'' she exclaimed, feeling incredibly embarrassed that the boy who teases her the most will have something else to tease her about now. Great.
Haley blushed. ''Shut up.'' she muttered.
''Hey Nate, why was Clay Evans just here?'' Peyton asked. ''I saw him climbing into his car and driving out of your driveway. He looked pretty pissed off.''
''Um, he's Jimmy's cousin. He kind of thought that I was the one who hit Jimmy, and he was mad.'' he said, acting like it wasn't a big deal, which it was. This Clay Evans kid had just threatened him.
Haley walked over to Nathan and cupped his cheek. ''Are you okay? He didn't hurt you, did he?''
Nathan scoffed and rolled his eyes. '''Course he didn't.''
''Wait,'' Brooke spoke up in panic. ''He doesn't know it was Julian, does he? Julian can't into another fight with his broken hand. Oh no, what if he hurts him?''
''Relax, B. I didn't tell him. I just threw him out.''
''This isn't good.'' Peyton muttered with a sigh.
And she was right. Because it definitely wasn't going to be.
''He threatened you?'' Haley exclaimed. They are all in Nathan's room. Brooke and Julian are sat on the beanie chair, Brooke sat in between his legs. Peyton and Lucas are lay on the little pile of duvets next to each other, Lucas had made the 'duvet bed' because it would be more comfortable than lying on the floor. And Haley and Nathan are just cuddling on his bed.
''He said that he would 'kick my ass' if I don't stay away from Jimmy.'' Nathan said, using air quotes. Clay Evans so couldn't kick his ass.
''Sorry, Nathan.'' Julian apologised. He felt so guilty for getting Nathan into this mess, but he still doesn't regret what he did.
Nathan shrugged. ''It's okay, I didn't like the guy anyway. It's not like Clay and I were going to be friends or anything.''
''Still, I feel really bad.''
''What if Jimmy tells the Principal it was you?'' Peyton asked Nathan. She figured that Jimmy had told Clay that it was Nathan who had punched him (three times), so that's why he came over and threatened him earlier.
''Then I'll tell him it was me,'' Julian said. ''It's not like they won't believe me.'' he waved him arm that was in a cast in the air to prove his point.
Nathan smiled. ''Thanks man.''
Maybe he's not as bad as I thought.
Even though the Scott house is big, there are only four bedrooms. The other rooms have been turned into weight rooms, and game rooms, and closets. So Brooke and Julian stayed in the spare bedroom. Nathan and Haley were in his room. Leaving Peyton to have no choice other than to sleep in Lucas' room with him. She didn't want to sleep in Dan Scott's bed. Gross.
''How you doin', Peyt?'' Lucas asked, climbing into the left side of the bed.
''I'm good,'' Peyton replied honestly with a smile. ''I'm better than yesterday, and ten times better than the day before. Thanks for cheering me up Luke, it gets kind of hard seeing Nathan and Haley and Brooke and Julian all of the time.''
''You've got me. You'll always have me.'' he said sincerely, and held her hand out to her.
Peyton took hold of her hand, intertwining their fingers.
''You'll always have me too.''
''I think it's official,'' Brooke said as she snuggled into Julian's chest. They've not spoken much, they've just been lying on the spare bed, content with being in each others arms. It's past midnight, and they're getting tired. They have no energy to have a two hour conversation, which sometimes happens when they got to into it. ''They all like you.''
''Didn't they all like me before?''
''Yeah,'' she said. ''But Nathan was a little cautious. He's defended you, and he called you his friend.''
Julian chuckled a low chuckle. ''Does that mean I'm accepted then?''
'''Course.''
''Good. I love you, Brooke Davis.'' he said softly, kissing the top of her head.
''I kind of like you too, Julian Baker.'' Brooke teased with a giggle.
Julian laughed. ''If I didn't have one hand in a cast then I'd tickle you right now.''
''Well, looks like I'll have to tickle you instead.'' she said flirtatiously.
''Huh? Wait, B-'' he couldn't walk anymore because his words were replaced with laughed as Brooke started to tickle him all over.
God, he loves her. And if she wasn't here anymore, then he wouldn't know what to do.
Jimmy Edwards walked through the empty hallway of Tree Hill High. Of course it was empty, it's Saturday night. Jimmy had gotten in by the window, which someone must have 'accidentally' broken. And the school doesn't have CCTV anyway, so no one will find out that he's here at this time.
He walked into the Principals office and walked to the wall, where the small cupboard was and opened it.
Inside there were keys, for all of the rooms in the school. So Jimmy grabbed the two that he needed.
Math Room 105 and Tutoring Centre.
AN: Hello readers! Thanks for all of your reviews. This chapter was mainly friendship, and bonding. But the next chapter will be the mathlete competition. I'll try and update tomorrow, if not then it will be Monday because I won't have time over the Christmas weekend. So if I don't update until Monday... Merry Christmas!
Please Review!
P.S. I'm super excited about the next chapter;-). And check out my one-shot/song-fic 'Last Christmas', it's Naley with a tiny bit of Brulian. Please let me know what you think of it.