Love Rectangle Plus One (Whatever That Is)
Chapter 14: Honest Mistake
Jake sat outside in the quad before school started, He had showed up early because he just wanted peace and quiet. He was beyond confused about what had happened last night. Of course he loved Peyton as a friend, but then he had to go out and say that. She had stared at him afterwards, unable to speak. He had left soon after. He sighed thinking how idiotic and immature he had acted. But a little seed in his mind reminded him that he had said it for a reason, and he couldn't shake it. Did he love Peyton, like really love her? It would be too weird, after everything she had gone through lately. But the more he thought about it, the more he knew he felt something for her. For weeks, he had been trying to help her and comfort her. They had gotten really close, just by him being her friend. And now it seemed like all of their emotions were spilling over.
"Hey friend," Brooke's perky voice interrupted his thoughts.
He tried to smile, but it didn't quite reach his eyes. "Hey Brooke."
"Aww Jakey, you look upset. What's bothering you?"
"I kind of said something I shouldn't have to a friend."
"Oh," Brooke nodded understandingly her face wistful, "That sucks."
"Yeah," he said shortly, "Whatever how are you doing?"
"I'm good," she smiled, "Lucas is amazing. I can't believe what I ever saw in Nathan."
"That's great Brooke," Jake said trying to sound happy, yet the sadness still hung in his voice.
Brooke studied his face. "It's going to be okay Jake. If they're really your friend, they'll forgive you."
Jake nodded. "You might want to take your own advice," he murmured.
Brooke blushed. She knew Jake meant well so she didn't get angry. "It takes time," was all she said.
Jake nodded again but this time he gave a little smile in her direction. Out of the corner of his eye, he noticed someone looking at them. Peyton. She was glancing at them intensely, but he couldn't read the expression on her face. Her eyes caught his and his seemed to see through her like lasers. She looked away quickly, and walked into the building. Jake sighed. That had been so awkward. Not to mention that he could feel something really bad was going to happen.
He turned back to Brooke who was waiting expectantly for his answer. "I hope for both our sakes that time hurries up."
Brooke smiled, her dimples radiating against her skin.
--
Haley walked onto campus that morning. From across the quad she noticed Nathan talking to Tim and a few other basketball players. He felt someone looking his way, and caught her eye. He smiled genuinely. She smiled back her cheeks turning rosy pink. Nathan said something to the guys before quickly jogging over to her. Haley had turned to go inside, but Nathan caught her arm and led her to a little crevice behind one of the columns.
"Hey you," she said softly grinning up at him.
"Hey," he said his lips moving downward as he peered into her velvety brown eyes. He towered above her, but he didn't mind straining his neck to look down if she was what he got to see. "I missed you," he whispered into the hair above her ear letting his teeth linger against the tip.
"It's been about 8 hours," Haley said laughing.
Nathan leaned in conspiratorially. "I'd miss you if it were 8 seconds."
Haley blushed deeply. Nathan smirked at her before leaning in. He brushed a stray hair out of her face before placing his lips against hers. Haley sank into the kiss as Nathan's arms surrounded her. But after a few seconds, she pulled away.
"Nathan we can't do this here," she said self-consciously.
Nathan smiled. She looked so damned cute when she was embarrassed. "Fine I'll kiss you later," he smirked down at her.
Haley blushed even redder but nodded expectantly. She looked at him for a second.
"What's wrong?" he asked sighing.
"Nothing," she said quickly.
"Haley please, I know when you're thinking too much. You're the only book I can read fully"
Haley laughed at his joke but it faded to a not quite full smile. "I'm just worried about what to say to Lucas and Brooke and everyone."
"Weren't you the girl who told me that they could go fuck themselves, and we should be together if we want to?"
"Yes, but I really don't want to piss them off."
He squeezed her hand. "It's okay, I understand. We can stay on the down low for awhile. As long as I still get to kiss you as much as I want."
"That Nathan Scott is a requirement," she said haughtily before giving him a wink and walking off.
Nathan smiled at her retreating form. He had a feeling he was going to like this rule.
--
Jake knew he had class but he couldn't concentrate at all. He basically just decided to skip and made his way to the gym to release some tension. Although it wasn't therapeutic for him as Nathan claimed, he thought he'd give it a shot. After awhile though, he couldn't focus on that either and just banged the ball against the backboard before sinking to the gym floor. He sighed and put his hand up to his head thinking deeply. What he had said shouldn't have been affecting him like this. It was just an honest mistake. So why couldn't he get it out of his head. Could it be because he actually was into Peyton? Jake inwardly groaned. Everything had gotten so fucked up these last few months.
"You ok man?" Lucas's voice broke his thoughts.
Jake looked up and shook his head. Other than that he ignored Lucas's question and replied instead, "What are you doing here?"
"I saw you ditched class, which isn't really like you man." Lucas smiled and Jake managed a laugh too. "So I figured something was wrong," he continued, "And I came to just check it out."
"Thanks man," Jake before sighing again.
"So what's eating you? Although I have to say it's weird to be asking you that question, since you're the guy that's always checking on everyone else."
Jake rolled his eyes. "See that's just the problem."
Lucas glanced at him puzzled. "What do you mean?"
"You know I've been there for Brooke and Peyton through all of this."
"Yeah I know, man. You're a good friend."
"Yeah well last night I told Peyton I loved her."
"Wait, what?" Lucas asked in shock.
"Yeah I know. I don't know if it was just me trying to comfort her cause I've been doing it so often lately. But I can't get it out of my head. And now I have no idea what to do. She's not even talking to me."
"Wow," Lucas said sliding down to join Jake on the floor. "What did she say after?"
"Oh," Jake replied miserably, "And after that I just left."
"Yeah that's not good man," Lucas said shaking his head.
"You think?" he replied sarcastically.
Lucas smiled. "So what are you going to do?"
"I have no idea."
--
Haley bounded her way over to Brooke at lunch. No one else had arrived yet, Brooke seemed to be smiling anyways.
"Hey you," Haley said as she made her way closer, "You look happy."
Brooke smiled wide and noticed a glow about Haley too, "As do you tutor girl."
"Oh," Haley blushed, "Not really," she coughed trying to cover it up.
Brooke searched her face but found no clue, "Ok," she replied uncertainly but seemed to forget about it as she continued to stare off into the distance. Her face broke into a smile as she saw Lucas come outside. Haley followed her gaze and rolled her eyes but smiled too.
"So is that why you're happy?" she teased.
"Yes if you must know," Brooke replied laughing.
"Well I'm glad you're happy. As opposed to yesterday and most of this year."
"Yeah well I decided to just let all that negative energy out and focus on things that make me happy. I can't change the past, but I can try and make my present what I want."
"Well you've been reading waaay too many self-help books."
"Have not," Brooke pouted.
"It's ok. I won't tell the boy-toy," Haley said motioning to Lucas.
"I don't care if you do. You can tell him anything. Because what I have to say trumps all that."
"What are you talking about Brooke?"
Brooke exhaled exuberantly. "I'm falling for him Haley, and I want to be. And I – I think I'm in love with him." Brooke smiled nervously.
Haley's jaw hit the table. "Wow," she said beyond shocked.
"I know. Who'd think Brooke Davis could fall in love? But Lucas is just one of the greatest and sweetest guys I've ever dated let alone known. And I love him. God Hales I love him."
"That's great Tigger," Haley smiled excited for both of her friends. She knew how much this would mean to Lucas. Especially after the many years he'd lusted after and loved Brooke.
"You have no idea how amazing it feels," Brooke said a smile permanently displayed on her face."
"I've never been in love," Haley said softly.
"Don't worry. One day you will be," Brooke said dreamily.
Haley smiled back and it lingered for awhile as Lucas approached. He and Brooke started talking quietly to each other, and Haley was left with her thoughts. Chief among them the boy that she liked so much. They boy that deep down she knew she could love. And she was scared shitless of what everyone would think and even more scared that the boy might never feel the same way.
--
Right after the bell had rung, Lucas headed over to Peyton's locker. He found her there, headphones in her ears blaring loud music that he could hear from across the hall. He tapped her lightly on the shoulder hoping he hadn't scared her. She whirled around and put her hand up defensively, before realizing who it was. She lowered her hand but just stood there looking up at Lucas bored.
"Hey."
She rolled her eyes, but finally took one of the ears out. She looked back up at him waiting impatiently for him to talk.
"How are you doing?"
"Whatever," she rolled her eyes.
Lucas shifted uncomfortably unsure of how to broach what he wanted to say next. "Look I heard about what happened with Jake."
"I don't want to talk about it," Peyton said annoyed.
"Ok I'm sorry," he said taking a step back.
She waited for him to say more but he just stood there silently looking her up and down. She rolled her eyes again and put the phone back in. "See you," she said mock cheerfully before walking away.
Lucas just sighed and turned to walk in the other direction.