A/N: So, I have been getting hounded on lately. Apparently this next chapter is in high demand. Well here it is everybody. Hope you enjoy it.
Chapter Five: Secrets
"Secrets are made to be found out with time."
Aria Lucy O'Malley was born to ordinary parents in the city of Tree Hill, North Carolina. Her parents are Jason and Amanda. Jason works in a small business and Amanda, a nurse at Tree Hill Memorial. To the outside, they looked like the perfect family. Neighbors would walk the street and see Jason tending to his lawn and Amanda washing windows or the car. Aria would sit on the steps with a notebook and pen, but what they wouldn't see was what came afterwards.
The abuse didn't start until Aria was ten. Her parents were in the middle of a divorce and a custody battle was pending. She would get hit once in awhile, but nothing to serious, until the divorce didn't happen and the custody battle was stopped. By fifteen Aria had found counsel and retained a lawyer that got her out of her messy situation.
For the past two years Aria has been on her own. She reached adulthood earlier than most. She had to prove she could take care of herself. It also helped that she had gotten access to her trust fund early. At sixteen, Aria got a job as a waitress at the local diner. She bought a used car. She moved out of her friend's basement and into her own apartment. She joined the basketball team at school and gained friends, but what was missing was a companion, a family, someone to really confide in. She didn't have any of that, until she met Sam.
One thing someone should know about Tree Hill was that it was a town that talked. News of Aria's emancipation hit the whole town by noon that day.
Last year, news about Brooke Davis becoming a foster parent was the highlight of the town and Samantha Walker being said foster child by association.
Aria could remember the first time she spotted Sam. She had been sitting in the quad and from out of nowhere a girl fight had broken out. One brunette was in the middle of it all. Haley James-Scott had broken it up and wrote everyone up, but what got her laughing and smiling was when said brunette had called Haley, Tree Hill's resident rock star, Hannah Montana. Aria had made it a mission to find out everything she could on Samantha Walker.
It really broke her heart when she found out that Samantha was just like her.
"I just realized that it's not even noon yet. You're supposed to be in school."
Sam's voice broke Aria out of her thoughts, Aria smiles at her new friend.
"I was worried about you and I'm glad I came because it seemed that my talents were the only thing that could get you to snap out of your head."
"Why do you think your kisses snapped me out of it?"
Aria grinned cheekily at Sam.
"I think it's because you like me."
Sam smiles slightly. It was true. She really did like Aria. Sam couldn't understand it. She had never had feelings for another girl before and the only other time she had feelings for somebody was for Jack. It was different, but right now her state of mind couldn't handle a relationship.
"I like you Aria," At Aria's smile Sam had to continue. "You're my savior. I can't date you though." Sam closes her eyes at Aria's hurtful look. Sam opens her eyes again and Aria is still sitting there. "I have to deal with me first. I know it sounds like a line, but I'm just lost right now. I don't want to hurt you."
Aria understood where Sam was coming from. She was just excited that Sam actually liked her back. That means there was still hope for her. Aria grabs Sam's hands and kissed the back of them. She smiled when she saw Sam's eyes flutter closed.
"I understand, believe me, I do. I just want you to know that no matter what happens I will always be your friend. That won't change. I like Sam and I'm going to be here for you. I promise."
Sam smiles and scoots closer to Aria. Aria rests her forehead on Sam's and was surprised when Sam's lips connected with hers.
-Complications of the Heart-
"Lucas is sleeping with Lindsey."
Brooke snaps her attention from the floor and up to Peyton. Peyton locks eyes with Brooke and nods her head.
"I think it started after we moved to New York. I knew Lindsey being his editor was going to ruin my life."
"Face it Peyton, you love Lucas."
Peyton shakes her head.
"There was a time when I loved Lucas. That part is true, just like there was a time in your life where you loved Lucas as well. What I have with him is different, we share a child."
Brooke nods her head in understanding. She really loved Sawyer.
"What makes you think that leaving Lucas now will make just fall into your arms?"
Peyton shrugs her shoulders.
"I don't," Peyton replies honestly.
"Then why are you trying so hard?" Brooke cries out.
"If there is even a little bit of a chance that I get to be with you then I'm going to fight like hell to make sure it's me on your arm and me sleeping next to you and me taking care of you and Sam. I want that to be me."
Brooke hides her face in her hands and cries softly.
"Why do you have to do this to me? Why?"
Peyton crawls over to Brooke and Brooke buries her head into Peyton's shoulder and continues to cry.
"Why d-does everything bad always happen to me?"
Peyton grasps Brooke's hand and interlocks their fingers together while tears fall from her cheeks. She didn't know Brooke was hurting this badly. And she felt like a complete bitch.
-Complications of the Heart-
Haley walks into her home after school with a sigh. Sam didn't show up and she was worried. She couldn't remember being that worried. Deep down inside she knew something was wrong. Haley spots Lucas and Nathan facing each other in a stand-off not really knowing what they were doing, Haley smiles.
"Lucas, what are you doing here?"
Lucas turns and smiles at his best friend.
"It was a surprise visit," Lucas says before bringing Haley into a hug.
Nathan just shakes his head. He says something before leaving the room.
"He cheated on Peyton."
Haley pulls away from Lucas and slaps him in the face.
"Ow, Haley," Lucas whines as he palms his cheek.
"You deserve more done to you."
Haley crosses her arms over her chest in a protective manner.
"I screwed up, okay, I get that, but I can't change it."
"Yes, you can Lucas. You can stop and make things right with your wife."
Lucas sighs and shakes his head.
"I can't do that Haley."
"What do you mean you can't?" Haley demanded to know.
"Lindsey's pregnant and it's my child."
Haley shakes her head and bites her tongue.
"Does Peyton know?"
Lucas shrugs his shoulders without a care in the world. Haley glares at her best friend.
"Since when did you become so heartless? You're like Dan."
"God, how many times do I have to hear that, first Nathan and now you? I just figured me friend would have my back."
Haley steps back and looks at Lucas in disgust.
"I don't condone adultery, Lucas."
"Says the girl that kissed Chris Keller."
"That's low."
"No, it's the truth."
Lucas looks away from Haley and walks towards the fireplace in their living room. A picture on the mantle caught his eye. It was one of Haley, Peyton and Brooke huddled together on top of Peyton's car. Brooke's face was turned into Peyton's shoulder.
"Nobody tells anybody anything anymore," Lucas says as he looks away from the picture.
Haley sighs and sits down on the couch nearest her. She couldn't help, but listen to Lucas.
"It's true. Nobody tells the truth anymore. I mean you didn't tell Nathan about that kiss until he asked you," Lucas turns and faces Haley. "Dan never told Deb about me or my mom. I haven't told Peyton about my affair and you haven't told your best friend that during high school, his relationship with Brooke Davis and Peyton Sawyer was just a bunch of crap."
Haley's eyes widen in surprise. Lucas nods his head.
"Why didn't you tell me that Brooke and Peyton were together behind my back during the times I was with both of them?"
Haley winces and places her head in her hands.
-Complications of the Heart-
"What the hell is going on here?" Haley yells in demand as she enters the apartment.
Brooke and Peyton pull apart fast and Peyton starts buttoning her shirt. Brooke wipes at her lips and fixes her hair.
"Haley, you're not supposed to be here."
"Like that matters Brooke. What matters is the fact that Peyton is cheating on her damn boyfriend with her best friend, that's a girl."
Brooke looks at Haley in confusion.
"Are you mad that Peyton is cheating on Lucas or that she's cheating on him with a girl?"
Haley furrows her eyebrow and sits down on the floor.
"I'm confused."
Brooke looks at Peyton in silent communication.
"What do you want to know?" Peyton questions softly.
After a few moments of silence, Haley speaks up.
"Does Lucas know?"
Peyton shakes her head.
"No, I don't think it would be good that you told him either."
"He loves you Peyton. You can't just do this to him."
Brooke bites the bottom of her lip.
"Haley, I know what we are doing isn't right, but you can't tell Lucas. He would be hurt even more if you tell him then him actually finding out. We're careful. He doesn't even suspect a thing."
"That's the thing about secrets Brooke they always have a way of getting out."
None of the girls realized that Lucas was standing right outside the open door.
-Complications of the Heart-
Brooke and Peyton walk out of the back room and sees Aria and Sam in the kitchen cooking and laughing together. Every once in awhile Sam would wince, but Aria would be by her side in an instant.
"Do you think they're dating?"
Brooke looks towards Peyton and sighs.
"I don't know. I just know that I want Sam to be safe. I want to bring her home."
"You will," Peyton reassures Brooke.
Sam looks away from Aria and smiles slightly at Brooke and Peyton.
"We're making food."
Aria smiles gently.
"Please, sit down and wait. It's almost finished."
Peyton and Brooke do as they are told and sit down at the island.
"So, Aria, tell me what you do for fun," Brooke states as she looks from Sam to Aria.
Sam stops stirring the pan and faces Brooke.
"No interrogating!" Sam warns.
Brooke smiles coyly at Sam.
"I just want to get to know your friend."
Aria chuckles and takes the spoon from Sam to continue stirring the pot. Sam turns to Brooke with a raised eyebrow.
"The way you said friend makes me believe that you think there is something more there," Sam comments.
Peyton watches the scene with a smile. She was glad that Sam could at least act normal despite what was going on in her life.
"Sam and Aria kissing in a tree, K-I-S-S-I-N-G," Brooke starts singing.
Sam blushes and turns away from Brooke as she sees Brooke's eyes widen in surprise.
"Oh my god, you two are totally kissing."
Aria turns to Brooke and frowns.
"Actually, we're not."
"I'm sorry," Brooke quickly apologizes while she looks at Sam who is starring out the kitchen window. "I should really think before I speak."
"It's no big deal Brooke," Aria says with a nod.
Brooke knew otherwise.