A/N: Alright here you go guys, chapter 3. Please let me know what you think! And I wanted to add thanks to people who wished me luck on my interview, just thought I'd say I got the offer:)

(Revised and re-edited August 2014).

Chapter 3

"Sometimes the silence of a friend can be worse than the words of an enemy." – Unknown

"Hey girlies, what d'ya think?" Brooke called to Haley and Peyton, all currently in a department store at the mall. She came out the changing room to show off her new find.

"It's black, sexy, and a total 'pick me up'." She said suggestively while indicating the bust where sure enough, her breasts were practically jutting out the top. "What say you Missy James?"

"Well, lovely though it is Brooke…" she started thinking how to tell her new friend that she'll probably look like a prostitute turning up in that top. "I think it may be a bit too much" or too little she thought eyeing how much skin the top showed off exactly.

"What do you mean New Girl?"

"I think what Haley's trying to say Brooke is we're going to a beach party remember, not the local 'Phoenix' strip club." Peyton deadpanned.

Apparently there's no sugar-coating it, Haley thought.

"Harsh! It's not that bad." But seeing the identical looks on her friend's faces she went back to take it off. "This sucks," she grumbles "The party is tomorrow and I haven't found anything to wear yet!"

"Brooke, you've brought five bags worth of shopping already!" Haley claimed though it came out a little more whiny than she intended man I think the hunger is getting to me. Brooke had dragged them both out to go mall shopping at the crack of dawn insisting that they must get new outfits for the 'end-of-summer' party. Haley barely had a breakfast and now that lunch was here she actually felt like her stomach was eating itself.

"Oh that was just necessities," Brooke said while coming out the fitting rooms.

"Yeah Brooke, you really needed those new pair of Jimmy Choos." Peyton drawled sarcastically.

"Of course. They totally go with that grey designer skirt I just bought!" Brooke justified as her two companions chuckled.

"'Just bought' being the key words there Brookie." Haley teased to which Brooke just stuck her tongue out.

"You're just jealous" She sniffed.

"So where to now?" Peyton asked, she'd already got her outfit which consisted of a bright orange Sunkist top with a denim miniskirt.

"Okay I have to interrupt for the sake of your lives and my sanity, can we please go get some food before I die of starvation?" Haley burst out causing her new friends to laugh.

"Alright New Girl no need to get your panties in a bunch, if you were hungry you should have just said so."

Haley decided not to point out that she had in fact, three stores ago. It had unfortunately been at that point that Brooke had spotted those 'must have' Jimmy Choos leaving her grumbling stomach to be forgotten.

Several minutes later they sat down with trays of fast food at Burger King. Haley had to control herself as she finally got to satisfy her appetite.

Mmmm god this tastes good. She closed her eyes savouring the bite of her burger, only to open them later and see two sets of amused eyes watching her.

"What?"

"Did you just moan?" Brooke asked as Peyton laughed while grabbing a handful of chips.

"I can't help it Brooke, I don't have the stamina for this kinda thing. And when I get tired, I get hungry. And when I get hungry, I need food."

Brooke just shook her head amusedly before taking a slurp of her shake. "You are a sad person when deprived of food H. James."

"And don't forget it," Haley joked.

"So, anyway, weird food fetishes out the way," Brooke chuckled while Haley opted for just poking her tongue out. "About the party-"

"Oh for the love of Pete! Can we not talk about anything else but the damn party" Peyton said dramatically. Brooke had been talking/discussing/pondering/shrieking non-stop about the party since she started planning it. And quite frankly it was starting to make her head spin.

"Excuse me. But in case you haven't noticed, this isn't just any old party, it's very important! And who the hell is Pete?" Brooke finished confused while Haley looked on amused, too infatuated with her burger to say anything.

"It's an expression Brooke." Peyton deadpanned. "And why is it so important anyway?"

"Well…" Brooke gave her a 'Duh!' look, "It's Haley's 'coming-out' party." She emphasised using air quotes.

"I wasn't aware you were in the closet to begin with Haley." Peyton smirked looking over at the little blonde who just shrugged, still not bothered about anything but satisfying her hunger.

"Peyton get your mind out of the gutter, I wasn't talking about that and you know it. H. James is definitely not the 'girl-on-girl' type." Brooke finished somewhat unsure. "At least I don't think she is." Both girls turned to the petite blonde as she washed her food down with some shake.

"What?" She said in between taking a sip. Why on earth are they looking at me like that? Okay, maybe I zoned out a little, but I was hungry dammit and it's not like I can focus on anything but food when my stomachs going a mile a minute!

"Oh nothing," Peyton shrugged, "We were just wondering if you had any lesbian tendencies?"

I mean who can really go a whole day without food? And they expect me to - What?! Her mouth having not connected with her brain seemed happy to carry on slurping, while her brain seemed to have completely shut down. Of course, the ungraceful result had Haley suddenly choking rather unflatteringly.

"Great P. Sawyer, we're killing her" Brooke immediately leapt out her seat while patting Haley on the back until her chokes subsided.

"Well at least we got our answer," Peyton smiled, "You alright Haley?"

"Er yeah" Haley got out between wheezes, "I'm fine, and straight I might add." Her two friends laughed at that.

"I never had any doubt." Brooke grinned at her ignoring Peyton's raised eyebrow in her direction. The brunette then lowered a voice and leaned in as though telling her some kind of secret. "But you know, if you ever do want to experiment, I'm totally cool with it."

"Brooke I'm not gay! And trust me when I say I don't want to experiment with anyone who can fill out a bra or talk about clothes and shopping." Haley added.

"So on that note you'd totally do Peyton." Brooke smirked as she witnessed incredulous looks pass over both their faces.

"BROOKE!" They both yelled before ranting on.

"I'm not gay, never been gay and never planning on being gay!"

"I can fill out a bra just fine!"

"…Needless to say but I happen to find men hot… and attractive…in a hot, attractive, manly way…"

"…I may not have Jordan-size jugs but I'm not completely flat-chested…"

"…Not that I'm against you know, lesbians themselves, I just really don't swing that way…"

"…I mean, is it this top? I knew I shouldn't have brought it. It makes me look too boyish…"

"…Wait, do I actually look the type? I mean, is there something about me that makes people think I'm into girls? How do I make it stop!" Haley panicked.

"Oh quit your yapping Haley! You're not the one stuck inside a body of a thirteen year old boy! I even have chicken legs" Peyton snapped mournfully

"GUYS STOP!" Brooke shrieked silencing them at once. She then noticed the rest of the people in the joint looking their way she just smiled innocently maybe that was a little too loud. "Oops…anyway," she reverted her tone back to normal, "will you guys give it a rest? It was a joke! If I'd known I'd unleashed two screeching insecure hyenas I would've kept my mouth shut."

"I wish you would have," Peyton muttered, and Haley noticed she was still eyeing her chest, and fiddling around with her top.

"Look – New Girl, anyone with half a brain could tell that you're into guys, so stop worrying about nothing. And P. Sawyer, pulling at your top is not going to somehow make your breasts enlarge, so I suggest you stop it and not wear something so loose and frumpy next time." Brooke finished glad to see that the girls seemed to accept her demands.

"So as I was saying before you guys interrupted with your hissy fits," Brooke said ignoring their glares, "New Girl, this is gonna be your first party, where everyone'll be seeing you for the first time. Therefore it is a significant part of your new life at THA."

"Will people really care about some random new girl that much?" Haley asked.

"Did you just say 'significant'?" Peyton said at the same time.

Ignoring Peyton's remark Brooke answered, "H. James, not a lot of interesting stuff ever really happens around these parts. Besides the basketball tournament. So a hot, young, blonde new thing parading up and down the halls of the academy is going to get many curious looks/wondering stares/tongues wagging…you get my drift."

"Right I guess I didn't think of it like that." Haley sighed.

"Did you just say 'parading'?" Peyton commented and again being ignored.

"Well that's why you've got me Roomie; I am your personal guide on 'How To Start A New School With A Bang'. Think of me as your saviour really," she grinned showcasing her dimples.

Haley smiled at her while Peyton opened her mouth, "Did you just sa-"

"Saviour? Yes I did! You hang out with Missy-4.2GPA-James here and try not to pick up a thing or two. But I'll have you know this attack on my cleverness is a little hurtful"

"Your cleverness?" Peyton repeated smirking slightly, and seeing that Brooke had no idea what she said wrong Peyton just laughed shaking her head, "Don't ever change"

"Don't plan to," Brooke remarked, "So New Girl how psyched are you about tomorrow?"

Haley had no choice but to answer appropriately or she had a feeling she would have to face the Wrath of Brooke Davis. They sat like that talking more about the party and the outfits they bought.

"Oh that reminds me," Brooke cried, "It may take a while in the morning to set up, and the boys won't be able to get it done by themselves. Or do anything right if I'm not there. So we have to supervise bright and early."

"What is this 'we'?" Peyton asked.

"Yeah I'm not much of a team player in the mornings." Haley said trying to get out of it.

"'We' as in you guys and my hot self have to be up and helping out first thing in the morning, and neither of you is getting out of it. I need all the workers I can get. And that means no going on random nature hikes through the woods by yourself any more New Girl." The way Brooke was looking at her so stern made Haley want to burst out laughing.

"Brooke I went for a walk not a nature hike. I wouldn't even know how to hike." Haley rambled, "And besides I wasn't by myself."

"But you weren't with anyone when you came back." Peyton pointed out.

"No, but I ended up walking over to the courts where you introduced me to everyone the other day and I ran into him there."

Brooke's ears immediately perked up. "Him? There's a guy involved, New Girl you're here for 5 minutes and you're already having secret rendezvous' with a boy toy?"

Haley chuckled at the mad gleam that had entered Brooke's eyes, and the genuine curiosity on Peyton's expression. Oh boy, those faces aren't good.

"Woah there Brookie. I'm not having secret rendez-anythings with anyone, and the so called boy toy was actually Nathan."

"Nathan?" Brooke looked confused, "You mean the whole time you were gone the other day, you were at the courts with Nathan?"

"Yeah," Haley said nonchalantly.

"Nathan…as in Nathan Scott?" Peyton clarified.

"Er yeah, though I didn't realise you had any other Nathans in the school."

"We don't," Brooke dismissed, "So what were you doing?"

"We just hung out, talked for a bit." Haley said simply, why are they asking so many questions anyway?

"What did you have to talk to Nathan about?" Brooke said looking really confused now.

"I don't know, just random stuff. Chit chat really." What is the big deal?

"You mean you and Nathan - Nathan Scott that is, sat in the courts and conversed in 'chit chat'?" Peyton said with an odd look of disbelief on her face.

"Well when you say it like that, it just sounds weird. What exactly is the problem here?" She noticed the weird looks passing between the two. "Guys?"

"Just a little surprised..." Brooke commented

"What's so surprising?" Seriously what is she on about?

"What we mean is, it's a little odd." Peyton elaborated, "Nathan doesn't really talk to girls. Sure, he'll ask me for notes in class, or tell Brooke when to shut up, but he doesn't usually sit and have a chat with a member of the opposite sex."

"Yeah, either he's flirting or screwing, he's never really been much of a talker. I mean why do you think he's with that hoe?" Brooke added which just confused Haley further.

"Well aren't you guys his friends, don't you talk to him?"

"Well sure, we did, before he started dating that bitchy tramp. But even then it was usually when we were in the group together, or in class. We didn't randomly get together to sit down and chat." Brooke said seriously.

"Really?" Haley thought that was odd, considering she's managed to get into nice and easy conversation with him. "Well it wasn't like an in-depth talk or anything. He was just being friendly I guess."

"Maybe," Peyton said but she highly doubted it.

"Ok well I think now that H. James has had her fill we need to get going. I have to hit at least five more stores on the second floor before we go up." As Brooke went on about some sale at Macys, Peyton and Haley could only share a groan – this was going to be a long day.

"Man, I feel like my legs are made of weights, I can barely walk another step." Peyton groaned. It was almost six, the mall was closing and Brooke had been adamant that she wouldn't leave until the shutters started going down.

"Trust me I know, I'm starting to feel faint" Haley added.

"God you're both such amateurs!" Brooke huffed. "The way you guys look, you'd think we'd run a marathon."

"We may as well have," Peyton grumbled.

"I definitely got my cardio for the week." Haley agreed.

"Well since you both seem like you're going to drop dead any second, how about we hit Starbucks. We can get some caffeine into you, god knows you both look like you need it"

"Whatever. As long as there's seats, I'm there." Peyton cried as Haley nodded along.

They walked a block over to the nearest Starbucks, though both Haley and Peyton could've sworn it was longer. And on entering they didn't get any happier seeing as how packed the place was.

Great what do we do now, if I don't sit down soon I'm gonna have to amputate my legs. Haley looked around desperately looking for anywhere to sit, at this point she really wasn't fussy as to where. Alright fine, if we don't find any seats, then we're just going to have to park ourselves on the floor. It doesn't matter if it looks disgustingly dirty, and I'm pretty sure the guy in front of me just spat his chewing gum on it. Desperate times call for desperate measu-

"Haley!" Her head snapped up in response, looking around to see if someone was in fact calling out to her.

Maybe I was hearing things...

"Hey James!" Haley finally turned to her left where she was surprised to see one Nathan Scott standing up obviously trying to get her attention. "Over here," he gestured for her to come over.

Turning to inform the girls she noticed that they'd spotted him too, understandably since he was shouting across the café.

Not to mention he's tall, dark and hot; a complete recipe for attention.

Brooke offered to get their coffees as Peyton and Haley hurried their way over with all the bags. As she neared them Haley could make out the other occupants of the table being Skills, Tim and Mouth.

"Hey guys," she smiled as they greeted both the girls. They all laughed as they watched both girls quite literally collapse onto the seats available, looking completely exhausted.

"What the hell happened to you guys?" Skills asked taking in their worn faces.

"Shopping," Haley said simply as they guys remained looking clueless. Of course…how would they understand the physical exertion and mental capacity the art of shopping entailed? The processes of trying things on, queuing up in stores, negotiating prices and having the occasional catfight with some bitch who claimed to have eyed the perfect strappy heels in your hands first. No, men will never understand the physical and mental stamina required for this particular activity.

"Yeah? Well you guys try shopping with Hurricane Davis for ten hours straight, during which 9½ hours you're deprived of food and water, and doing it all in heels I might add!" Peyton exclaimed leaving no room for discussion as to how she was feeling.

Silence.

Then…

"Well that was stupid," Tim piped up, "you should have worn sneakers – no one told you to wear heels. I don't get why girls buy them and wear them, when all you do is moan and complain about them after."

Nathan was silently willing Tim to shut up. Seeing the girls now sending glares to his friend he knew that that had been the wrong thing to say. The girls had spent a whole day on their feet, dragging themselves aimlessly around stores, while being starved for most of the time. The last thing they wanted to hear were tactless comments such as that coming from Tim's mouth.

The other guys shook their heads as Haley turns her head towards Nathan. "Still think men are perceptive?"

Nathan shrugs. "I told you Tim didn't count."

"Alright girlies," Brooke waltzed over "Here's your coffees." The boys laughed as they saw Peyton's and Haley's faces instantly go from shooting death rays at Tim to lighting up as they breathed in the scent of mocha cappuccinos.

"Aah pure heaven…" Peyton sighed dreamily.

"I'll drink to that." Haley said as they both took a sip.

"So…" Brooke looked around the table realising that certain members weren't present. Peyton was doing the same thing. It was almost instinctively that it happened; both girls opened their mouths at the same time, not knowing the same question pried on the edge of their tongues.

"Where's Lucas?"

And just like that a sudden tension swept over the table. Haley was quite perceptive by nature, but even if she wasn't there was no mistaking the way that Brooke and Peyton suddenly looked at each other in shock and then avoided eye contact. Okay, I'm pretty sure that best friends aren't supposed to act like that.

She also noticed how the guys all began to shuffle uncomfortably too; even Tim had the decency to stay quiet. Haley had a feeling there was a lot more to this moment than she was privy to.

Moth was the first to speak up, clearing his throat he answered, "He had to help Jake out."

"With what?" Peyton asked curious.

"Oh…er…"

"Some plays," Skills jumped in. Now the girls just got weird looks on their faces.

"Isn't it a little early to work on plays?" Peyton asked.

"Naw, you know how it is." Skills said, "Whitey wants us to be fully prepared this year if we wanna go to the state championship. He's been grilling us to start practice now."

"Well that sucks." Peyton commented as the boys nodded along, except Tim who sat there with a confused look on his face for a couple of seconds. He then just decided to shake it off and tuned back in.

A ringing sound emits through the silence and Nathan quickly takes out his cell. He then rolls his eyes on seeing the name on screen before pressing the call button.

"Yeah?" He answered and Haley couldn't help but notice that he already seemed annoyed with talking to the person on the other end, and he hadn't even started the conversation yet.

As the guys started talking about classes coming up soon, Haley joined in and noticed that Brooke had seemed awfully quiet and still was. She hasn't spoken up since the Lucas comment. She wondered what could possibly have happened, what kind of dreadful memory could have been brought up for hyperactive, bubbly Brooke to become so despondent just like that.

"I'm at Starbucks." She heard Nathan say.

"What? Why are you asking me that?" Nathan asked incredulously causing Haley's ears to perk up a bit more.

"Of course not! I'm here with the guys." At that point Peyton laughed at something Skills just said.

Nathan frowned and Haley could clearly hear the voice on the other line practically biting his head off. Who is that?

"No one. No it actually was!...Fine it was Peyton, I think…No! I already told you I'm here with the guys. What the hell is your problem exactly?"

Ah… it dawned on Haley as she figured it out. Figures Rachel couldn't leave him in peace for a second. Who phones their boyfriend up and immediately starts accusing them of getting off with some other girl? In all fairness, from what she had seen of the relationship, Nathan was pretty quick on the accusation front with the redhead as well. Haley really didn't understand why they bothered keeping up this relationship. Its clear neither made the other very happy, and there really didn't seem to be any trust between them. She'd witnessed them a few times together but every time they'd ended up in a major blow-out.

"Look do what you want I don't really care…whatever…bye." Nathan hung up and sighed exasperated. Rachel always managed to take it out of him. It was like any time she suspected he was happy or in a good mood, she'd find a way to ruin it somehow. Typical.

Looking around the group he saw everyone else having a good time, laughing or talking. Well except Brooke, but that was expected, she's probably got images of Luke on top Peyton in her head right now.

Ok…that was something I shouldn't ever think about let alone visualize!

Not that he was completely mean or unsympathetic, but Brooke and Peyton were Lucas' mess and he was in no way getting involved.

Turning his head a little he observed the last girl, Haley James – the one whose smile he couldn't get out of his head. Seeing her laugh and chat with his friends he realised that she is the type of girl that most guys would like to picture themselves with. The total package.

She was smart, funny, quirky, sweet. Not to mention hot as hell. She was easy to talk to, quick-witted, playful, and Nathan hadn't seen it yet but he figured she was someone who could hold her own. Why couldn't he be with someone like that instead of someone like Rachel? He figured being with a girl like Haley, there wouldn't be nearly as many complications, fights or well, cheating. No being with someone like her, he may actually have the chance to be happy. He smiled wandering what that would be like.

"Nathan!" On reflex he groaned.

"Rachel." He said seeing her sashay her way to their table. He didn't know why but lately he had the feeling that she was getting extra clingy. Which wasn't really like Rachel Gatina at all.

"Hey people!" She said mainly eyeing the guys who all merely mumbled small replies in response. None of them really liked Rachel but they wouldn't say anything. It wasn't so much that they didn't care for their friend, they knew he could do better than Rachel. And he deserved to have someone who made him happy rather than miserable. But the more they said anything to Nathan, the more defensive he would get about the relationship. Now they were hoping that he'd come to his senses on his own eventually.

The girls on the other hand had always been more vocal in their thoughts on Nathan's girlfriend. That was expected though when she baited them with her sly comments. Brooke especially could not stand for her crap, whereas Peyton would go more on defence than offence. She wouldn't bother with the words if the person wasn't worth her time. Even know, she simply looked on in distaste at the redhead walking over to Nathan brazenly with her usual attire. A too short mini-skirt and too low halter top.

Very tasteful indeed, Haley thought sarcastically.

Completely ignoring the three girls at the table she made he way round the booth and launched herself into the lap of an unsuspecting Nathan.

"Hey boyfriend," She tried leaning in straight away but Nathan wasn't having it.

"Rachel what are you doing here?" Nathan asked. I knew it, she completely sensed me being happy and next thing I know she's in my face, totally raining on my parade.

"I'm here to see you of course." She says huskily while wrapping her arms around his neck, not noticing his stiffness at the contact.

"Look Rache-" But before he could get another word in she'd latched onto his mouth and proceeded to quite literally suck the life out of him. At least that's what it looked like to everyone else at the table.

Showing similar looks of discomfort and disgust finally someone pipes up and Haley's glad to see that it was Brooke having finally snapped out of whatever spell she was under.

"You know, if I wanted to see free porn I'd have stayed in." The fiery brunette claimed.

Hearing this Rachel broke off from Nathan who looked severely embarrassed and uncomfortable. And Haley was confused to find him avoiding looking in her direction at all.

"Well someone's cranky. Don't be jealous just cause you aren't getting laid."

"As opposed to you Rach, who's fucking every guy in a 50 mile radius." Peyton added defending her friend. Haley was confused to see that Brooke looked surprised at this.

"Cut the crap Peyton." Nathan glared at the curly haired blonde this time who just shrugged not sorry at all for her comment. Did everyone seriously get a kick out of demeaning him to his face all the time?

"Don't sweat it babe. They're just being pissy because they're both holding out for Lucas and apparently he's not doing either of them right now" Everyone sat shocked as Brooke and Peyton simultaneously drew in sharp intakes of breath, and there was no mistaking the fire in both their eyes.

"…or is it that he did you both again?" Rachel smirked satisfied at the pure looks of fury on the girl's faces. Suddenly things started making a lot more sense to Haley, the whole weirdness with Brooke and Peyton over Lucas. She couldn't quite believe it was what she was hearing, but more than that she couldn't believe that Rachel had the nerve to bring up such things to their faces. And why wasn't Nathan doing anything to get Rachel to shut up? She'd just trash talked his friends and his brother after all.

Brooke immediately switched her gaze from Rachel to Nathan, waiting for it, for him to say anything to defend his friends, or at least his brother. Seeing him avoid her eyes she immediately stood up seething, muttering a simple "Fucking typical!" before she marched away, anger clear in her steps.

The rest of the guys got up straight after Brooke claiming different excuses for why they had to leave right now. Haley looked over at Peyton who wasn't faring off much better than Brooke. Her fists were clenched by her sides and her usually pale face was practically red as she fumed at the manipulative bitch sitting in front of her.

Nudging her arm Haley indicated for her to get up. She figured they may as well leave. She didn't want to be left here and she was pretty sure if she didn't get Peyton out of here soon, she was likely to pounce across the table and start choking the whore to death.

Nathan sensed Peyton and Haley getting up too, and only felt safe to look up once they'd turned their backs. However he wasn't so lucky since Peyton turned back round at that moment.

Looking directly at him she just said, "I hope you're happy with her Nate." Staring him hard in the eyes she stated, "I really hope she's worth losing all your friends over." And with that she turned and walked off too. If Nathan didn't already feel like crap, he was wrong. The last thing he saw was Haley simply looking at him with a disappointed expression, as if she expected more, before she too walked away. And for some reason that hit Nathan harder than all the harsh words in the world.