Love Rectangle Plus One (Whatever That Is)
Chapter 4: Harder To Breathe
Nathan left Peyton's in a bad mood. His toe was killing him plus Peyton had basically been a bitch. She just sat looking at her computer while he put his clothes back on and when he had said he was leaving, she barely acknowledged him. Like it was his fault Brooke had shown up. Bullshit. He knew going home to his father would just put him in a worse mood. He headed to Tim's house. Tim was an idiot and annoying but at least he wouldn't piss Nathan off.
"Hey Nate, what's up?" Tim asked looking up from his TV screen.
"Nothing man," Nathan said flopping down next to him on the couch.
"You look pissed dawg."
"Tim you're white."
"Whatever, you still look pissed. What's up?"
"Peyton's just being a bitch. I swear to God it'd be easier if I was dating her and Brooke was on the side."
"Yeah Peyton's too moody and feeling-y."
"Not a word Tim," Nathan said rolling his eyes.
"Whatever," Time whined, "All I'm saying man is maybe you should just dump Brooke and get with Peyton, or just find someone to replace Peyton."
Nathan sighed shaking his head. He really hated to have to make a decision about this. He'd rather something just happened that would make it clear what he should do.
"Of course that would suck, cuz man they're some fine pieces of ass. Hot as hell. Mmhmm," Tim licked his lips and stared dreamily into space.
Nathan rolled his eyes. A usual occurrence when in Tim's company. "Who cares, they're also needy and whiny as hell." Nathan didn't even bother to get mad at Tim for having fantasies about the two girls he was sleeping with in his presence.
"Man we just need to find some hos that aren't all about relationships and shit. Just straight up hook ups."
Nathan nodded agreeing, before he thought about what Tim had said. "Hos?" he asked.
"Yeah man. Girls that'll just give it up. No complaints."
"I could use some of that," Nathan said sighing.
He knew that this was just venting and the next day he'd still be with Brooke and Peyton. But right now he just didn't want to think about them. Especially about the unresolved guilt that was slowly creeping up. Maybe he couldn't keep it up like he thought.
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The next day at school, Lucas sat reading when he felt a pair of hands creep over his eyes.
"Guess who?" the voice asked.
"Hi Haley," Lucas chirped.
"How'd you know," Haley pouted as she took the seat next to him.
"Well for one thing who else would it be, and number two I can recognize your light feminine girly voice anywhere."
"Hey!" Haley said swatting at him.
"Uncle," he called out playfully and smiled over at her. "I'm sorry Hales. You have a lovely voice."
"Better," she said winking at him.
"So what's up?" he asked laying down the book.
"Get this. Your girlfriend called me last night telling me she'd give me a make-over and make me popular."
Lucas snorted and doubled over laughing.
"It's not that funny!" Haley cried.
"It actually really is. Because knowing Brooke she didn't let you talk for 10 minutes and knowing you when you finally did you told her you liked yourself the way you were. And then she was pissed."
"How did you know?" Haley asked shocked.
"Oh well Brooke bitched about it to everyone last night, but the whole Brooke talking a lot was totally me."
Haley stuck her tongue out at him. "No points. And I'm still smarter than you."
"I won't deny it," Lucas said holding up his hands.
Haley laughed too. "So what's up with you?"
"Same old really. Nothing interesting to report."
"You didn't drug Brooke yet and get her to sleep with you?" Haley joked.
"No not yet," Lucas said rolling his eyes.
"Oh, well too bad for you."
"Actually I have a secret," Lucas announced.
"Ooh," Haley clapped her hands, "A secret. Tell me please."
"Nope," Lucas said shaking his head and smiling.
"You suck Lucas." Haley said pouting.
"I know. Too bad Brooke doesn't," he said smirking.
"Oh my virgin ears," Haley moaned looking grossed out. Lucas just laughed at her.
"Are you seriously not going to tell me?" Haley asked giving Lucas her best puppy dog eyes.
"Although I'm sure most boys can't resist those eyes, I fear that I am a monogamous man and cannot reveal myself to you."
"You suck," Haley repeated. When she noticed Lucas's smirk and his lips starting to move, she interrupted, "Don't say it again Luke," she warned.
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Jake wandered outside during lunch to go find Peyton. He was getting pretty sick of the whole situation. Brooke was his friend and he hated the fact that she was going to get hurt. Peyton was his friend too, and he knew she really cared about Nathan or else she wouldn't have betrayed Brooke. But at the same time he thought Peyton was being an idiot, because it was clear that Nathan was only into her for sex and didn't want the same things she did. And then there was Lucas who was also his friend. He knew that Lucas really cared for Brooke and wouldn't hurt her, but Brooke really liked and wanted Nathan. It was all just too confusing, he thought shaking his head. But maybe, if he talked to Peyton, he could convince her to come clean and save everyone some heartache, and stop living through lies and hiding from the truth.
"Hey Peyton," he said sitting down next to her.
She gave him a weak smile but her gaze was focused elsewhere. He followed it towards where Nathan sat, Brooke on his knees surrounded by a bunch of adoring on-lookers. Jake sighed knowing this wouldn't be easy.
"How are you doing?" he asked gently.
"I don't know. Like why doesn't he break up with her and just be with me. We have something really special."
Jake looked over at Peyton concerned. Was she really that clueless? Nathan was only sleeping with her for the sake of sleeping with her. The only thing that was between them was in Peyton's mind. She must've been blinded by love or whatever it really was she had Nathan.
"Peyton, are you sure he feels the same way?" Jake tried to put this part delicately so he didn't upset her. "What if it's just a hook-up to him?"
This was Peyton's fear all along and having someone actually sat it out loud freaked her out and put her on the defensive. "He likes me Jake. And I like him. He just hasn't been able to break it to Brooke, because he's afraid she'll get hurt," Peyton said stubbornly.
"Peyton, I'm afraid you're all going to get hurt. That's why I think you should come clean to Brooke. Sure she'll be mad, but she'll eventually forgive you if you tell her how you feel. And if you really want to be with Nathan, that's the best way for it to happen. Because then you can be together truthfully without your relationship being based on a lie."
"Did Lucas put you up to this, so he can finally get with Brooke?" Peyton spat sarcastically.
"Peyton I'm your friend. I want to cause all of you the least amount of pain. Especially Brooke, because she'll get the brunt of it."
"Don't lecture me Jake! You have no idea how I feel. I'm guilty, jealous, miserable, passionate, and I have no idea what to do. So it would be nice if my friends would just support me and not rag on me!"
"Like you're supporting Brooke?" Jake asked sarcastically walking away.
Peyton knew Jake was right. She just didn't know how to get out of this mess.
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"Hey Nate, did I tell you how amazing yesterday was. We should do it more often," Brooke said kinking up her eyebrow suggestively.
"You got it Brooke," Nathan said pulling her closer up his lap.
Brooke giggled and began engaging in a make-out fest with Nathan not really caring who could see or who was watching. When the two couldn't hold their breaths any longer, Nathan pulled away panting.
"You sure work fast Davis."
"It's my specialty," she said coyly.
"So what are we doing today?" Nathan asked.
"What are the options?" Brooke asked turning around to face him.
"Well we can hang out with Tim and Peyton somewhere. Lucas and Jake too. Or we could do more of this," Nathan said kissing her neck.
"I like this a lot," Brooke said dreamily.
"I thought you might," Nathan smirked.
"Like I said, we should do it more often." Brooke stood up rearranged her skirt and blew him a kiss. "Bye sexy."
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Jake and Haley walked out on the quad after classes were over. Haley was supposed to meet Lucas and head to the River Court with him, but he had said he had a few errands to run and she should just walk with Jake instead. Little did she know it was a set-up.
"So, how are you doing?" Jake asked with a smile.
Haley smiled back. She really liked Jake. He was a nice guy and fun to hang out with. "I'm ok. Classes are pretty good and I'm excited to start tutoring."
"Wow a girl who actually likes school," Jake joked.
Haley smiled wide. "I'd laugh but I've heard it too many times," she teased.
Jake gave a mock pout before starting to laugh himself. "Yeah well I never said I was original."
"Haha. Ok what's up with you?"
"Well actually, I need some advice."
"Oh yeah what?"
"Well how does Haley James like to be asked out by a guy?"
"What?" Haley asked looking at him her jaw dropping a little.
"Well I was wondering if you'd ever go out on a date with me."
Haley looked at Jake's eager face and thought about it. She liked him. He was a really nice guy. But did she have those kinds of feelings for him. Not really. He was more like a friend and a brother like Lucas was. But maybe she could get those feelings if she gave him a chance.
"Ok," she said smiling, "Sure."
"Wow ok great," he said a little flustered she had said yes. Haley giggled and they continued to their walk to the River Court talking and getting to know each other better.