Author's Note: Yeah! We got to twenty, guys! Only took about three years, but still. Reviews aren't great, but they're still a little better than I expected considering how long I was gone for. Anyway, I made the mistake in the last chapter by calling Peyton's sort-of love interest Adam when his name is Dave. Sorry. I must have been subconsciously thinking of Adam Brody, the love of my life. Heh. Anyway, enjoy this chapter and know that with a New Year comes a whole new batch of drama.

Movie Script Ending

Chapter Twenty: Explosions off in the Distance

"Finally!" Brooke cheered, looking at her husband and then at Nathan in the backseat, "2012 is over, my friends. But guess what? 2013 is going to rock."

"How can you be so sure?" Nathan didn't take his eyes off of the window, and Lucas and Brooke exchanged a look.

"Because we're going to make it a good year. It's already starting out nicely! I mean, this whole New Years-Reunion party is going to be so much fun." She pulled the invitation out of her pocket, turning it over in her hands.

"I can't believe Tim, of all of the people in our senior class, thought of this." Nathan shook his head, chuckling softly.

Lucas nodded. "I wonder if he's still.. You know, still.."

"Stupid?" Brooke finished for him, with a smile.

Nathan laughed from the backseat. "Oh, Tim. I kind of miss him, actually. I haven't seen him since graduation."

"Me either." Lucas chorused.

"Yeah, me either." Brooke agreed.

"I wonder what everyone's like," She said suddenly, after a moment of silence had passed. "Like Bevin and Theresa and that bitch Rachel.."

"Rachel?" Nathan furrowed a brow.

"You know. Red hair, bigger slut than Paris Hilton, came during senior year?"

"Uh, I guess. She sounds familiar."

Brooke shrugged. "I never really knew her well. She tried to steal Lucas a couple times, but that's it."

"I bet people are going to be surprised that we're still together," Lucas told her with a smile.

"Oh yeah, definitely." Nathan agreed.

"What? Why is that so surprising?"

"It's not. To me. It's just that," Lucas shrugged. "I think most people think that couples in high school last until about the first year of college and then drift apart."

"Most couples in high school don't last." The darker-haired Scott brother said.

Brooke sighed. "Do you know if Haley is going to be there?"

"I completely forgot." Nathan's eyes widened. He was not looking forward to an awkward confrontation with her.

Lucas shook his head. "I don't know why she would be. Haley always hated that whole high school crowd. She was happy to get out of there."

"Yeah, so was I, but I'm still going." Brooke pointed out.

Her husband closed his eyes. "Yeah, but it's different. You were really popular in high school. You're going to be visiting all your old friends. Haley would be visiting all the people that she spent four years trying to get away from."

"Good point."

As the road to Charlotte stretched before them, Nathan shifted uncomfortably in the back seat. He really hoped Haley wouldn't be going. After all, it wasn't like she'd had all that many friends in high school. What would be her purpose in seeing Tim or Bevin? Absolutely none. He had actually been friends with all these people. He could remember when they were graduating, all the people that had wanted to sign his yearbook. Haley had huffed jealously, "High school really was the best years of your life." He'd thought nothing of it then, but now it made him feel more secure.

He adjusted the silver-blue tie Brooke had forced him to wear. He wasn't a big of ties, honestly, but she said it made him look prepared for the New Year, so he'd shut up and worn it. Lucas wore a shiny red tie, and judging by the looks of it, he didn't look too happy to be wearing a tie either. Brooke looked beautiful, he had to hand it to her. Her hair was straightened to just below her shoulders, and she was wearing a gold and white dress with strange designs on it that was actually really cool looking.

As if she could feel him looking at her outfit, Brooke suddenly said, "I wish the invitation had told us what we should wear. I mean, what if we show up and everyone else is wearing like, rubber jumpsuits or something?"

Nathan squinted. "Why would that ever happen?"

"It could!" She shot him a look and he grinned.

Lucas laughed as well. "Brooke, it's the year 2013, not the new millennium. Plus, you look beautiful."

"Well duh," She smirked. "I look hot! Look at this dress, man."

Him and Nathan exchanged looks through the rearview mirror. "She's so modest, too."

"Seriously."

"Please. Everyone's going to want to be kissing at midnight and then I'll be laughing."

Lucas rolled his eyes. "Well anyone that wants to kiss you is going to have to go through me first."

"My hero," She batted her eyelashes playfully.

This was fun, Nathan realized. He was enjoying being here with his brother and sister-in-law, and he honestly wouldn't have had it any other way. Heaving a content sigh, he looked out the window at the passing trees and signs and hoped that tonight would be another uneventful one that would have him returning home with a smile on his face.

-

"Well, well, if it isn't the Scott's," Tim grinned as he pulled the door open wider, his hair a little shaggier and a hoop earring dangling from his right here.

"Tim," Brooke started, "You're.."

"Gay? Yeah." He laughed, and she leaned in to hug him. He hugged Lucas and Nathan too, both who looked a little tentative after hearing his most recent revelation.

"Nate!" He slapped his former best friend's back. "Have you missed your Tim-Time, dawg?"

Nathan relaxed, realizing this was the same Tim that had followed him around since they'd been kids. "Actually, I kind of have."

"Good. Where's the wife, bro?"

Nathan held up his left hand, which was ring-less. Tim sighed, "Aw, man. I'm sorry. I thought you two were going to be together forever. At least last longer than these guys over here," He gestured towards Lucas and Brooke, who exchanged bemused looks.

"Nope," He shrugged. He had a feeling he was going to be answering the 'oh my God, you aren't with Haley?!' question a lot tonight.

Tim draped an arm around Nathan and then one around Brooke, leading them closer towards the party. "Well guys, I'll be honest. I've missed our good old high school parties. Which is why I decided to throw me a little rager for New Years."

"This was really a great idea, Tim," Brooke nodded. "I mean, New Years and a reunion? How perfect."

"I know, I know."

She giggled. "Everyone's here?"

"Oh, everyone. I'm pretty sure Bevin and Vegas have already hooked up."

"Wow, we really must be back in high school, then." Nathan laughed.

He looked around. Tim had certainly outdone himself. There were people all over the large mansion - formerly Tim's parents', before they had moved into a bigger one and given this one to him - and the decorations were outrageously beautiful. Streamers, banners - you name it, it was there.

"Lucas!" Lucas turned to see Peyton with a guy, and he smiled at the familiar face.

"Peyton, hey," He hugged her. She looked very pretty with her hair in its usual curly state and her strapless silver dress that made her legs look like they went up to her shoulders.

"Where's Brooke?"

"Here!" Brooke threw herself into the arms of her best friend, and then leaned towards her ear, whispering, "Is this Dave?"

Peyton nodded and giggled and Brooke did as well. Nathan, Tim, Lucas, and Dave all stared, confused.

"He's cute. Are you guys dating yet?" She whispered, and Peyton shrugged.

"Not officially, but he spent Christmas night watching movies with me, so--"

"You're dating!" The brunette squealed maybe a little too loudly and Peyton laughed.

"You know, you're reminding me a lot of how you used to be. It makes me really happy to see you like this," Peyton told her.

Brooke smiled. "Me too. I've been feeling so much better lately, Peyton. I don't know why, but it's great."

"It is, and you look gorgeous."

"I know! You're looking exceptionally pretty yourself as well, missy." They knocked hips, and Brooke gave her friend a smile before turning towards her husband.

"Care to scope out the party with me?" She offered him her arm, and he took it gladly.

"I'd love to."

-

It was almost eleven and Brooke was sure she and Lucas had talked to every person there. She was loving it. She loved seeing what people had become after years of not seeing them, and she was surprised at what most of her friends from high school were up to now. Mouth was probably the next Bill Gates, having started up his own internet company that was already making him millions; Bevin was working as an assistant to Tyra Banks; Theresa was a stay-at-home mom to her two children; Skills was working as a basketball coach to underprivileged children with great abilities to play; Erica Marsh had become a Playboy playmate and was secretly one of Hugh's girlfriends; Vegas was working in stocks, and was really quite rich. Everyone had something and she found it so funny how things had turned out.

She and Lucas were still talking about Erica's career when Nathan suddenly appeared beside them, eyes wide and tired at the same time.

"What?" Lucas clamped a hand over his brother's shoulder worriedly.

"Guess who did decide to show up," And then they didn't have to, because it was obvious. Brooke turned to look and sure enough, there was Haley. She wore a powder blue dress and she was talking to Bevin, looking slightly uncomfortable.

"Maybe you should talk to her." Lucas said.

Brooke snorted. "Yeah, and say what? You have no right to be here? Because it's not like that's true.."

"Brooke--" Lucas began, but Nathan cut him off with a wave.

"No, Brooke's right. I can't talk to her. Maybe if we're lucky, we can ignore each other the entire night. I mean, there are a lot of people here."

"Yeah, maybe." His brother looked uncertain even as he agreed.

And of course, right at that moment, Haley looked over at them. The second she did, each one of them found themselves looking at something else; the stain in the carpet, a picture on the wall, Rachel's boob job.

"Okay, awkward." Brooke said under her breath, and Nathan couldn't have agreed any more.

-

"So, who's up for a game of I Never?"

Tim's request was heard by everyone, but might as well not have been as it went completely ignored.

"Aw, come on you guys! We haven't played this in years! This used to be our game. Tree Hill made it famous. And besides, now that we're all older we'll actually be saying stuff we haven't done instead of trying to just piss other people off by revealing their secrets."

There was some laughter, and eventually the table Tim had prepared with cups and alcohol was seated with a few people. Brooke, Lucas, Nathan, Bevin, Rachel, Theresa, Vegas, and even Haley had sat down to play. Not to mention a few others.

"Okay, I'll start since it was my idea," Tim bit his lip. "I've neverrrr.. I've never been married."

Nearly everyone at the table raised their glass to their lips and there was a collective laughter around the table. Bevin and Vegas were the only ones who hadn't drunken, and Rachel gave them both a small shove saying, "Aw, no love for you two?"

Bevin rolled her eyes, challenge ready. "Well maybe I've never been married, but I've also never been divorced."

Many of the people that had drunken before did now too, and Haley's eyes met with Nathan as they both took gulps of their alcohol.

"I've never made my own million dollars." Nathan threw out, and many of the people at the table took sips again, Haley included.

Brooke sighed. "I've never-- wait.."

"Let me guess," Vegas teased, "wait, yes you have."

"Shut up, Vegas!" She giggled, pushing him. She really did feel like she was at one of those high school parties. Man, she'd forgotten how fun they'd been.

"Okay, I've never made out with someone over fifty.." Rachel and Bevin took sheepish sips as well as Tim.

It was Haley's turn. Never having played this with them in high school, she clearly felt out of place, and she stuttered, "I've - I've never uh, never been out of the US."

Everyone sipped, and Nathan couldn't help but take a little pleasure in her discomfort.

"That was a little lame, Tutor Girl, but we'll allow it," Tim was clearly loyal to his former best friend and he winked at Nathan, who looked down, embarrassed. Haley seemed to notice this gesture too, and her cheeks turned crimson.

Theresa sighed, looking over at her husband in the distance. "I've never married someone and regretted it."

Only a couple of people took sips, and Nathan wondered if his jaw had hit the floor when he saw Haley chug the rest of her drink. When she swallowed her eyes were slightly red because of the alcohol and she smirked.

He shook his head, and took a sip of his own drink as well, walking away.

Tim watched him go and sighed. "I suddenly remember why we stopped playing this. Well, let's call it a game, I guess. It's almost midnight anyway."

Brooke and Lucas exchanged a look and Brooke stood. "I'll go find him."

As she walked off, Tim made a face. "Where's she going? It really is almost midnight. Like, three minutes."

Lucas stared after her and stood as well, walking in the direction she'd gone in.

Rachel Gatina, intrigued, followed him.

-

"O-okay, if I was Nathan, where would I be right now?" Brooke thought for a second. And then: "Alcohol."

As she began walking, someone suddenly yelled, "Fifteen seconds!"

"What?" She shouted. "Oh my God. Lucas, Lucas, Lucas." She was looking around for him in every direction, and before she knew it, the countdown was starting.

"10.…….9.…….8.……"

"You have got to be kidding me," She was weaving through couples readying themselves for a kiss.

And there was Nathan! He didn't even look all that mad. Just lonely.

"7.…..6.……..5.……."

Lucas was standing directly behind Nathan, only about thirty feet behind. She quickly began to scurry in his direction.

"4.……3.….2.….."

She saw a flash of red, and then another woman - Rachel's - arms were laced around her husband's neck, tugging him down for a kiss.

"1.…. Happy New Year!"

She ignored the cheers and echoes around her, feeling rage surge through her blood. And before she knew it, she had grabbed the person nearest to her - Nathan - and had kissed him.

He was taken by surprise but he still managed to kiss back for a few moments, before they both pulled away, eyes wide.

Hell of a way to end the year.