A few weeks later, Nathan woke up to Brooke vacuuming the living room. Usually she ended up sleeping later than he did so he was surprised that she was even functioning at, he checked his watch, eight in the morning.

"Brooke," he groaned, "why?!"

She laughed out loud and it was a sound that Nathan truly relished. Her laugh was raspy and strong and she tipped her head back to gasp for air when she was really amused.

"Because, my very sleepy friend, whenever I'm leaving for an extended period of time I like the apartment to look fabulous so when I get back I can just relax," she explained.

"Brooke, we're going to be gone for one day and two nights," he reminded her, "that's hardly an extended stay!"

"Whatever, Mr. Grumpy pants," she continued to vacuum and Nathan just watched her for a time. She was always running around in the skimpiest boxers and tang top. He couldn't deny that he liked it but he would never tell her that. Brooke had become, in a few short weeks, the best friend he had ever had. She listened to his problems, gave him advice, went out to dinner and the movies with him, went to his games to cheer him on and had declared herself his personal body guard. Then when things were really bad she gave him a place to stay, no questions asked.

"How did you manage to get Whitey's approval to ride the bus with the team and the squad," he asked her.

She winked over her shoulder, "I told him that I worked for the school newspaper."

"Sneaky," he told her as he rose and stretched.

"I know," she smiled and tried to stop staring at his muscles and barely clad body. She couldn't deny that he had a body any red blooded girl would swoon over but she would never tell him that. In the few short weeks she'd been in Tree Hill he had become something she had never allowed any other man to be, her friend. She let him see a different side of her and she wasn't willing to lose that because she thought his body was to die for.

"I'm going to shower and stop home so the parentals think I've been there all night," Nathan told her.

"Okay, Nate, maybe if you ask nicely I'll make you some pancakes too," she told him.

He grinned at her and put his hands together in a sign of prayer, "please, Brooke!"

She smiled and nodded, "I suppose when you put it like that!"

"Thanks," he told her and walked toward the bathroom. She stared at his behind and thought she might have a heart problem because all of a sudden she was having heart palpitations.

XOXOXO

"So that's when I told her that I had seen her mother with the gym teacher and she practically died," Brooke finished her story as she and Nathan got to her locker.

Nathan looked around, weary of everyone. That was the way they walked into school everyday. Brooke told him some ridiculous story so he would relax a bit as they walked through the halls, not giving anyone the satisfaction of knowing that he was on edge. It was a few days after hell week when everyone realized the new girl would have to be ostracized as well because Brooke broke up three more unfair fights Luke tried to initiate and when someone stole Nathan's boxers to hang from the ceiling in the middle of the main hallway she shrugged pulled her underwear off from beneath her jean skirt and threw hers up to join his. She was officially on team Nathan and he realized that he was lucky to have her.

"Hey loser and tramp," Peyton greeted them as she walked by with Haley and Bevin, another cheerleader.

"Hey," Brooke slammed her locker close and stood, both hands at her hips, "over processed blond, I'm talking to you!"

"Brooke," Nathan warned.

Peyton swung around in surprise, "did you speak to me?"

"Yeah, I know, you're a bit beneath me but I figured someone should let you know," Brooke replied.

"Here we go," Nathan murmured and rolled his eyes as Peyton stalked back to them.

"Let's get something straight, slut, you don't speak to me. I run this sch-"

Brooke stopped her midsentence by taking Nathan's hand and walking away. Nathan couldn't believe that Brooke had the nerve to walk away from Peyton in the middle of a sentence. He grinned like an idiot, if he hadn't loved her before he would have fallen for her in that moment.

"Hey, I'm talking to you," Peyton sounded furious.

There were clicks on the linoleum floor as the three ran to catch up with them. Finally they were stopped when a hand landed on Brooke's shoulder.

Haley swung Brooke around, her face red with anger, "I don't know who you think you are!"

"I think I'm Brooke Davis and," she checked her watch, "I don't have time for you. Come on, Nate."

They began to walk again but both of them knew they had just tempted the devil.

XOXOXOXO

Lucas Scott watched as his brother and the new girl laughed at something she had just said. The past few weeks had seen more changes then Luke liked. The new girl had come and everyone knew that her decision to be friends with Nathan was a slight against them. She had seen their hierarchy and had opted out. Sometimes he wished he could opt out.

"Did you hear me, Lucas," Peyton asked him.

He wanted to tell her to shut up while he considered Brooke and Nathan but that wouldn't work because then they would spend the entire weekend pissed and he really wanted to party while they were in Charlotte.

"Yeah, baby, I heard. She walked away in the middle of your sentence like she's better then you or something," he reiterated having learned a long time ago how to listen to Peyton without actually having to tune in,

"I don't know who she thinks she is," Peyton hissed.

Haley walked up behind her and slammed a paper in front of Peyton, "she's Brooke Davis!"

"Yes, Haley, I know her name," Peyton rolled her eyes.

"Look at the paper, Peyton," Haley told her. She looked at the blond boy she considered her best friend and her heart softened a bit. He seemed so stressed during basketball season and Peyton's constant mood swings didn't help him.

Peyton's green eyes grew large with surprise, "she was a cheerleader!"

"Let me see," Lucas finally snatched the paper from Peyton. It was an article from a paper in South Carolina. Brooke was leading a group of girls that looked gorgeous. They were obviously cheerleaders but there was something familiar about the colors of the uniforms.

"Get it," Haley murmured the question.

"Blackville Academy colors," Lucas whispered, "she's rich."

"Explains why they get along so well," Haley nodded.

Lucas looked at Brooke, she did have a nice car and he had heard that she lived alone although he had never seen her working anywhere.

"She thinks she's better then me," Peyton pouted.

Haley rolled her eyes. It always came down to money for Peyton. Given, none of them had money to burn. Karen had her own business but tended to be a softy and not charge certain customers that she knew couldn't afford it. But regardless Haley and Lucas weren't terribly poor but they did work and they did pay for their luxuries. Peyton, however, was bottom of the rung poor. She lived in the same trailer park as half of the school and had an unhappy home life.

"What else did you find out," Lucas asked Haley.

"Nothing yet, but I will," she promised.

"What about Nathan," Peyton asked.

Luke shrugged, "what about him?"

"What are we going to do to him today to get back at his little bitch," she wondered.

"I don't know," Luke admitted. It was becoming a bit tedious taking all of his issues of abandonment from Dan out on Nathan.

"We'll think of something awful to do to her, Peyt," Haley promised and thankfully led his girlfriend away from him.

Lucas watched his brother and Brooke as they rose. He wanted to know what their relationship was before he made any plans.

XOXOXOXO

"See you after gym," Nathan promised Brooke as he walked away. She watched him leave and smiled gently. He was such a good friend.

She changed quickly and began to stretch with the other girls as they waited for their gym teacher to come out. Brooke was in a split, enjoying the stretch, when she felt someone walk up behind her.

"Boy, you sure can spread your thighs," Peyton told her.

Brooke rolled her eyes, "I'm sure you can too, for every man you meet."

The girls nearby chuckled lightly but stopped when Peyton shot them angry looks, "you think you're so smart!"

"No, Pamela, I think that I don't care enough about you to discuss it," Brooke replied.

"Pamela," Peyton gasped out in surprise, "my name is Peyton!"

"Pamela, Peyton, Joanne," Brooke shrugged, "whatever!"

"That is so like a rich skank to say," Haley told her.

Brooke finally inched her way out until she could rise. She felt that Haley was a formidable opponent, "so you found out my secret. That's right ladies, my parent's are rich. But guess what, I don't think I'm better than you because of that. I think I'm better than you because you're all sheep who follow a blind leader."

"We are not sheep," Peyton gasped out.

Haley rolled her eyes, "you should probably be more insulted that she insinuated that you're blind and stupid."

Brooke grinned and shook her head in amusement, "honestly, Joanne, you're dumber than a bag of rocks."

"My name is Peyton and I rule this sch-"

"Yes, I know, you rule this school," Brooke finished for her.

"You're playing with the wrong people," Haley told her.

"You're a tumbler, right," Brooke asked.

Haley's eyes narrowed, "so what?"

Brooke took a few steps back and did a double hand spring, two cart wheels and finished with back flip that landed her in a split. There were gasps around the room. Haley was the only tumbler and she was damned good at it, but so was Brooke.

"That was excellent," the gym teacher finally entered, "have you ever thought of trying out for the cheerleading squad?"

"I'd love to," Brooke told her after a moment.

Haley fumed; her hands were tight fists at her side, "the season all ready started coach!"

"We've been hoping for another tumbler for so long," the coach reminded her.

"And I'm a fully trained cheerleader, been doing it for years," Brooke promised.

Haley approached Brooke when the coach walked away, "what's your game?"

"Maybe it's a familiar game, Haley," Brooke replied.

"What do you mean?"

"I mean that you down Nathan every day for fun, because you're all truly horrible people. Maybe this is just some of your own medicine," she explained.

Haley seethed as Brooke walked away but no matter how she looked at it she still had to give Brooke her due, she knew how to play the game but it was still debatable who would win.

XOXOXOXO

"Hold on," Nathan still Brooke with a hand on her arm, "you agreed to be a cheerleader?"

"Yeah," Brooke shrugged, "can we get on the bus now? It's cold out here, Nate."

Nathan stared at her long and hard, "why?"

She rolled her eyes, "I told you that I was a cheerleader at my old high school."

"Yeah and that you were the best," Nathan repeated wryly.

Brooke grinned, "I was and I am and if those bitches can't leave you alone then I'll give them a taste of their own medicine."

"Brooke, I don't want you to get involved. They will do everything they can to hurt you," Nathan told her seriously. He was worried. Brooke was always trying to protect him but failed to realize that he had developed a thick skin, she hadn't yet. They would find something and humiliate her and berate her.

"Okay, look," Brooke put both hands on Nathan's chest and looked him in the eyes, "I will not tolerate their behavior the way you do. I will not let their snide comments fall of deaf ears. I'll fight for both of us."

Before Nathan could respond his father's voice behind him made him groan. He turned and watched as Dan inspected Brooke. There were times when he truly hated Dan Scott.

"What are you doing here, Dad," Nathan asked.

"I wanted to wish you luck before you're big away game but it seems I'm interrupting something."

"Nope, nothing at all, lovely to meet you Mr. Scott, I'm Brooke Davis," Brooke shook Dan's hand.

Dan's eyes widened in surprise, "Davis? As in the Davis' of South Carolina?"

"Yes, sir, much obliged," she donned her sweetest Southern accent.

"Tell your father that at the next southern country club golf tournament I plan on whipping him and the Cherokee Club!"

"I will," Brooke smiled politely, "now I must get going, the bus is leaving soon."

Before Dan could reply Luke walked by, plainly ignoring Dan but Peyton spit on the ground beside his shoe. Dan laughed, "what a prize you've found, Lucas."

"What," Luke turned.

"Here we go," Nathan muttered.

"It seems that you've found yourself a real lady," Dan taunted him.

Luke turned red, "don't talk to me about my choice of a girlfriend!"

"Is that what she is?-a girlfriend? I thought it was a trucker addicted to chew," Dan told him.

Nathan could see this boiling over until Luke ended up taking it out on him but to his surprise Brooke stepped forward, "Mr. Scott, one should not say things in so public a manner."

Dan nodded and pulled Nathan aside to say, "good choice son, but focus on your game," before getting into his Mustang and driving off.

Lucas stared enraged at Brooke, "that was not your business!"

"I suppose you like your father publically embarrassing your girlfriend. Jeesh, try and help someone," Brooke said out loud.

"We don't need your help," Peyton told her.

"It wasn't your business," Luke repeated taking one step toward her and that was all it took.

Nathan was in front of Brooke before she could blink looking just as big and angry as Lucas, "you wanna take another step?"

Luke's eyes opened wide in surprise. In all of the years, no matter how harsh the embarrassment or pain Nathan never initiated one of their fights. But with his one step toward Brooke Luke realized that Nathan had every intention of fighting and he looked angry enough to do damage.

"Must we wait all day for the Scott brothers, every day," Whitey asked from the bus door.

"Let's go," Peyton urged Lucas until he turned and followed her.

As Nathan walked, Brooke behind him, he felt a pinch to his lower back. She giggled, "you're a he-man when you wanna be!"

Nathan shook his head and smiled, he had never stood up to Lucas like that before and quite suddenly he realized he wasn't powerless.

XOXOXOXO

Nathan sat with an arm around Brooke as she slept, her head was lying on his shoulder and he could tell she was asleep because she had the smallest, barely discernable snore.

"So is she officially your girlfriend," Lucas' voice sounded behind him.

They were waiting to play but the game ahead of them was barely halfway through. The rest of the players and cheerleaders were getting small snacks to help sustain them through the game.

"We're just friends," Nathan replied. He didn't even know why he was having this conversation.

"You look like more than friends," Luke continued.

"Well, we're not," Nathan snapped.

Brooke startled awake, looked around and then stretched, "geez, N. Scott, how long was I asleep?"

"Twenty minutes," he told her.

Brooke looked around at the crowd and then the score board. She groaned, "I'm going to get some grub, I'll grab you some nachos I know they're your fave."

Nathan smiled at her and then groaned when she rubbed his freshly buzz cut head, "you can stop petting me anyday."

"Always complaining," she teased him and then finally noticed Lucas, "and if it isn't you. I guess they'll let anyone on basketball teams nowadays!"

Nathan watched her flounce away and grinned but it disappeared the moment Lucas spoke again, "you want her to be your girlfriend?"

"Look, I don't know why you're trying to be all buddy-buddy with me but I know it's a game so back off," Nathan warned him.

"I wouldn't have hit her," Luke murmured.

"What," Nathan hadn't heard him over the crowd.

"Earlier, when I was mad, I wouldn't have hit her."

Nathan snorted, "you probably hit girls for fun!"

"We're not friends but that doesn't mean that I would have beat her up," Luke cracked her knuckles.

"Why are you even talking to me? We're not the close brotherly types," Nathan reminded him.

Lucas watched him get up to join Brooke and sighed. He got so frustrated sometimes. The massive weight on his shoulders was always threatening to crush him. He had to work for his mom to help out, and be an amazing basketball player so he could get the hell out of Tree Hill and out of his father's shadow. He realized there would come a day when he no longer had to worry about maintaining his image because he could start fresh where no one knew him.

XOXOXOXO

"Let's get one thing straight," Peyton looked around at her cheerleaders and then focused her gaze on Brooke, "you are not a part of my squad. Just stand in the back and try not to fuck up the routine."

"Oh, you're breaking my heart, Rebecca," Brooke grinned at her but her eyes were cold.

"My name," Peyton paused and took a deep breath, "is Peyton. Before the end of this weekend I promise you that you'll never forget it again."

Brooke took a step toward her, "bring it. I promise you your face will never look the same."

"Ladies, are we ready to cheer," the coach asked as she entered the locker room.

Brooke's eyebrow rose in challenge, "are we captain?"

Peyton didn't miss her sarcastic tone and sucked her teeth before deciding she would save Brooke's humiliation for later, "you bet, coach!"

"Let's go," the coach prompted them.

"It's not over by a long shot," Haley told Brooke.

Brooke nodded, "if it was I'd be disappointed in you."

Haley stopped for one moment and looked at Brooke, "you will regret the day you came to Tree Hill."

"Something tells me you'll regret the day I came to Tree Hill because you can all ready feel the shift," Brooke stopped too, letting the other cheerleaders continue on.

"The shift," Haley questioned.

"That subtle change in how everyone looks at you and considers you. They're still too scared to say anything to your face but it'll start. Behind your back at first, then in hushed whispers a bit too close to be misinterpreted, then to your face. The problem with being the bully is that eventually people realize that they have power and then they strike back."

"You talk a good game Brooke, but not good enough," Haley told her.

"We'll see," Brooke concluded and then turned on her heel to follow the others.

Haley nodded and waited a moment before following, "yes, we will."

XOXOXOXO

Par the usual Nathan spent the first half of the game begging to get the ball because every time the players followed Lucas they neglected to pass the ball to him. Nathan took the ball to the hole better than Lucas could and everyone knew it. Nathan was their dunker and Lucas was their three-pointer. The only problem with that was that their opposing team, the Ashville Captains, had stellar defense at the line. Which meant Lucas hadn't been able to sink more than ten baskets all night.

"What the hell is going on," Whitey asked after he called a time out, "are you all blind or do you want to be losers?"

"Coach I can handle it," Lucas promised, sweat pouring down his face.

"If you sad bunch of players want the slightest chance at the state title pass the damn ball to Nathan," Whitey instructed them, "Ravens on three."

"1…2…3…Ravens!"

Lucas nodded at Nathan as they jogged back to the court, "don't fuck up!"

Nathan nodded curtly. From the moment he got the ball Nathan was on fire. He slammed on three players, rebounded more times then he could count and after every play he managed to see Brooke. She was on the side with the other cheerleaders and to his surprise he saw that she had claimed his number. All of the cheerleaders painted a player's number on their cheek and that player was theirs to cheer for. Nathan had never had anyone but now Brooke was around, and there was a blue and black 23 on her left cheek.

"Go Nathan," she shouted bringing her pom-poms up for a cheer.

He winked at her but was surprised when he was shoved onto the ground. To his even more immense surprise one of the Raven players, Tim, came to his aid, shoving the offending player.

"What the fuck," Tim cursed.

Nathan smiled as he rose, he was given a penalty shot and it would be for the game. Despite any issues he had with any of the players as they stood waiting for his shot they were all in sync. Nathan tossed the ball with his eyes closed and listened intently. He heard the sweet swoosh of the ball going directly through the hoop and then the screaming of the fans. It was always a moment of intensity.

He grunted suddenly in surprise when two arms flung around his neck and he finally opened his eyes. Brooke was grinning in his face, "you did it, N. Scott!"

He laughed and wrapped his arms around her, "I know!"

Brooke relished his hold around her and had truly never felt happier in her life, Nathan was thinking the exact same.

XOXOXOXO

Brooke and Nathan walked through the hotel together, they had waited until everyone else had left to go to a huge party before returning. Neither was particularly interested in any altercations that night. After the game instead of joining the team and being demeaned for his small errors of the night Nathan had asked Brooke if she wanted to go out to dinner. She agreed readily and they had spent a lengthy time at a nice Creole restaurant talking and then listening to the live entertainment.

Nathan didn't know if he'd be able to have many more perfect memories with Brooke. They filled him with too much elation and joy. No one had ever taken the time out to be his friend and suddenly there was Brooke.

He wrapped an arm around her as they walked down the carpeted hallway, "you know what?"

"What," she asked wrapping her arm around his waist.

"I think tonight is a perfect night for my tic-tac-toe rematch," he told her.

"Are you still obsessing over that loss? You, my friend, need to let it go," she finished her sentence by tickling his ribs. He jolted away from her and then his eyes narrowed. Brooke began to run, laughing all the way, "no, Nathan! I'm sorry!"

Nathan gained on her and hoisted her over his shoulder so her face was in line with his behind and even upside down Brooke had to admit it was a fine ass.

"You're going to regret that, Davis," he told her but she could hear the laughter in his voice.

"Nathan," she cried out, her laughter was making her stomach hurt, "put me down! You're such an ogre!"

"What's this," Brooke heard the voice and knew immediately that it was Lucas.

Very slowly and gently Nathan deposited Brooke onto her feet. She turned immediately and looked at Lucas. He was dressed in jeans and a black tee, which was consequently also his girlfriend's favorite outfit to wear.

"What are you guys up to tonight," Lucas asked.

"Let's go, Brooke," Nathan told her, one hand on her arm protectively so he could shove her aside if Lucas tried to touch her.

Lucas' eyes narrowed, "I told you I wouldn't hit her."

"I don't trust you," Nathan replied.

They passed Lucas but had barely taken a few steps before he turned and told them they should go to the party in town.

"Why would we do that," Brooke asked, turning to look at him, "as if daily persecution isn't fun enough."

Luke looked her over, "regardless of our personal issues Nathan is still a part of the team."

Nathan laughed out loud, "I'm a part of the team when you deem it. The team is yours; I don't need you or them. No thanks, we've got plans for the night."

"You always persist in thinking yourself better than us," Luke pointed out.

"No," Nathan clutched his fists, "you got pissed because Dan chose my mother. I didn't choose him and he sure as hell didn't choose me over you. He chose the woman with money. Money has never meant anything to me."

"Easy to say when you have it," Luke pointed out.

"Do you even understand how much I would give to change things? You've been punishing me every day of my life for Dan's mistakes. Don't be so self-righteous when you've been just as evil as him!"

Luke's eyes widened, "don't compare me to him!"

"And what you truly don't get is that you're the lucky one. Not because of your 'friends' or your reputation, but because of your home life. You've never opened your eyes to the fact that you've been lucky not to have Dan in your life. I suffer everyday with him! Do you want the money? Will that get you off my back for one fucking second?"

"Nate," Brooke gently took his hand, she could sense that he was precariously close to his boiling point.

Nathan looked down at their hands and took a breath, "fuck you, Lucas. Like I said, we have plans."

"Come on," Brooke's fingers slid in between his but she looked back for one moment at Lucas and although he looked closed off she knew that he was considering Nathan in a way that he hadn't in the past.