Love Rectangle Plus One (Whatever That Is)
Ass Fuck: you know who you are. You giving me clothes/music/walks my life. Love love love, Cynical Bitch!
Chapter 15: Little of Your Time
"Ok friends," Brooke said excitedly the next day as everyone settled into their seats at lunch, "I have come up with the perfect way to make everyone feel better, since everyone has been so down in the dumps lately."
"Don't you just mean you?" Haley teased.
"Ha Ha," Brooke glared at Haley sarcasm dripping off her tongue. "Save the jokes for the party Tutor Girl. Who knows, you may even attract some friends."
Haley grimaced back at Brooke before Lucas interrupted. "Whoa girls. Put down the claws. Now tell me about this party, baby," he said pulling Brooke closer to him.
"Well Broody," Brooke said smiling triumphantly, "I decided to have a party after the playoff game on Friday night. One, because we're in need of a good victory party, since you will definitely lead the team to it. And secondly, I haven't had one in awhile and no one plans a party better than Brooke Davis."
"Yeah just ask her," Haley cut in.
Everyone burst out laughing but Brooke brushed the comment off. "Now now Tutor Girl. Don't get jealous."
"I for one think a party is a good idea," Lucas said holding his hands up in agreement.
"Who's invited," Jake asked knowing all the tension that existed between certain players and cheerleaders and their respective friends. Their group being the center of it.
"Well everyone silly," Brooke smiled, "It's not a party unless the whole school gets into it."
"Well I'm excited," Lucas said giving Brooke a quick peck. Brooke squealed in delight and looked at Haley and Jake with puppy dog eyes.
"Oh gag me," Haley proclaimed throwing her head melodramatically against the table.
"Now don't worry Tutor Girl, I have a surprise for you too."
"Looking forward to it," Haley said dryly.
"Oh don't be so negative Hales," Jake said smiling. This party might actually be a good idea. God knew he needed to unwind and get his mind off of the stress he had experienced lately. And Brooke's party would be anything but boring.
--
Friday came and as was expected, the Ravens had demolished their opponents in a crushing defeat. Needless to say the whole school was ready for a party and Brooke's house was mobbed nearly 20 minutes after the game.
Brooke glided down her stairs with an uncomfortable Haley beside her. She had insisted on dressing Haley in a jean miniskirt and a frilly white tank top, as part of Haley's present/surprise. Knowing Brooke, Haley was slightly nervous and finally demanded to be told what was going on.
"Brooke, kill the suspense. What the hell are you pulling?"
"Well you know how I told you how good being in love was?" Brooke asked slyly. Haley shook her head duh, not understanding. "Well I kinda decided to set you with someone," Brooke said hurriedly hoping Haley wouldn't get too mad. That hope was crushed in minutes.
"WHAT?" Haley seethed. "How could you do that without talking to me Brooke?"
"Oh look here he is now," Brooke smiled at Haley shutting her up. Brooke dragged her a few feet before she came to a stop standing in front of a cute guy Haley recognized from the team. "Hales, this is Vegas. Vegas this is Haley."
"Hey," he smiled blatantly checking her out.
Haley folded her hands over her chest. "Hi," she said flatly.
"Right so I'm gonna go," Brooke said flashing them another smile before disappearing into the crowd.
"I'm going to kill her," Haley muttered.
"What was that?" Vegas questioned.
"Nothing. Never mind."
"So you want to dance?" he asked.
Haley looked around the room. She knew she couldn't dance with Nathan in public, and her friends were no where in sight. She sighed and looked up at Vegas's smiling face. Well maybe this wouldn't be so bad. "Sure," she said attempting a smile back, letting him take her hands to lead her to the rest of the dancing couples.
--
From across the room, Nathan witnessed the whole scene. He clenched his fists together before settling back down in his seat knowing Haley would get mad at him if he got too aggressive. Not to mention, he really didn't want to piss Lucas, Brooke and the rest of them off. He sighed and took a sip of his beer while Tim and a few other guys congregated around him and talked excitedly about the game. His mind wandered back to Haley and he nearly jumped up again as he saw Vegas's arms encircle her waist. He took some deep breaths before turning his attention back to Tim.
"You ok man?" Tim asked looking over at him.
"Yeah just dandy," he said sarcastically, but if Tim noticed he didn't say anything. He shot Nathan a weird look before turning back to his conversation. Nathan sighed again. Keeping this whole relationship a secret was wearing on him. All he wanted to do was take Haley in his arms and kiss her senseless. Of course, he couldn't do that. Especially at his former girlfriend's house. But it didn't stop him from wanting to.
--
Peyton walked into the kitchen not really sure what she was doing there. Of course, she had a right to be at the party but considering she was not really on speaking terms with Brooke or Nathan, and that she was completely confused about Jake, it didn't really seem like the place to be since they were all there. She sighed and poured herself another drink before taking a long gulp. She refilled the cup again before wandering out. She knew Brooke's house like the back of her hand. After all they had been best friends for only 10 years. She took the back stairwell up and sat on the last step to the second floor. Some people were milling around but no one seemed to be bothering her. She glanced down the steps wondering what it would feel like just to fall. She closed her eyes and imagined herself drifting away, before a voice broke her fantasies.
"Hey I didn't think you'd come," Jake said sitting beside her.
Peyton shrugged. "Yeah well…" she said letting her words wander off.
"Look about what I said," Jake started but stopped as he saw Peyton staring apathetically at him. "What do you want from me Peyton?" he asked wearily.
"I didn't ask for anything," she said looking away.
"Look I'm sorry about what I said. It was out of line," he apologized figuring that was what she wanted to hear.
"Was it the truth?" she asked softly.
Fuck it, Jake thought and just let the words fall out. "Peyton I care about you. I do love you. I don't know if I got carried away or what, but I guess that's how I feel. You have to believe me. I didn't say it to mess with you."
"I'm sorry," she said standing up and rushing away.
--
Brooke sat contently in Lucas's lap as she watched hordes of teenagers enjoy her party. She smiled and leaned back against him feeling his arms encircle her stomach pulling her as close as possible.
"This was a great idea, Brooke," he said quietly in her ear.
Brooke turned her face and smiled before giving him a quick kiss. "I'm glad you're having fun Broody."
"Well you're always fun," Lucas murmured conspiratorially as he turned Brooke around so she was straddling him.
"I like the way you think," she purred as she leaned in to kiss his neck. Lucas lengthened his back against the chair, and groaned audibly at each nibble Brooke gave into his neck. She looked up suddenly when she noticed a distraught looking Peyton rush into the hallway. Even though Brooke was still hurt, she was scared to see Peyton looking so upset. "Broody, I'll be right back."
Lucas followed her glance and smiled at her. "Go ahead."
She smiled back at him before quickly following Peyton who had run out the door.
"Peyton wait!" she called frantically.
Peyton turned surprised. "What?"
"Are you ok?" Brooke asked gently surprising even herself.
"I'll be fine."
"Oh ok good," Brooke said discomfort apparent in her voice.
Peyton smiled slightly. "Thanks." She pursed her lips before turning back to Brooke. "Look I'm sorry… about everything."
"I know," Brooke said softly.
"Do you think we could ever be friends again?"
"I hope so Peyton," Brooke answered truthfully, "At least not enemies."
Peyton nodded. "I know what I did was so horrible, and I know you have no reason to forgive me. But I just hope that from now on we can at least be civil, and not fight anymore. I don't think I could take it."
"And I don't think I want to."
"Thanks Brooke," Peyton said softly before shooting her one last smile and walking off into the moonlight.
--
After a few hours of watching that idiot Vegas dance, get drinks for, and flirt with Haley, Nathan was done. He knew she would kill him, for acting jealous but at this point he couldn't take it anymore. He got up quickly ignoring whatever inane comments Tim was making and made his way over to the floor where Haley was dancing with her arms wrapped around Vegas's neck.
"Do you mind if I cut in?" Nathan asked adamantly.
"Yes," Vegas replied a peeved look on his face.
"Too bad," Nathan muttered shoving him away from Haley, and putting his own arms around her waist.
"Nathan, what the hell are you doing?" Haley hissed.
"I don't see anyone around, do you?"
Haley glanced around Brooke's massive living room, and no one she really knew was in sight. Well except for Vegas steaming in the corner. "No," she conceded, "But that's not the point. We agreed to keep this low key, and you getting all jealous, is going to raise some eyebrows. God, Nathan." Haley looked up at the annoyance plain as day on her face.
Nathan felt bad, but immediately went on the defensive. "Excuse me Haley. I just thought that maybe we were together, and you wouldn't spend the whole night throwing yourself at some other guy."
"Throwing myself?" Haley laughed bitterly, "I didn't ask for it. Brooke just set it up. I didn't want her to ask questions."
"Well I haven't seen Brooke in ages, so why did you keep doing it?" Nathan demanded.
"Not here Nathan," Haley said dragging him out through the side door. Once they were outside she let go of his hand and stared at him angrily. "Fine go ahead berate me some more."
"I just thought that you were a little too friendly with him. And you didn't answer my question."
"God, Nathan. I'm sorry some other guy was dancing with me, and I'm sorry I was nice to him. Do you really expect me to have no guy friends?"
"Not if you're going to act like that with them," Nathan grumbled.
"Are you saying that my behavior was inappropriate? Look around Nathan. It's a party, and I know you've done worse with a girl so don't tell me how to act. I can't even begin to imagine how you'd react if I'd hugged the guy."
"I don't know," Nathan said sullenly, "Probably beat him to a bloody pulp."
Haley couldn't help but smile. "Were you really that jealous?"
Nathan smirked back at her. "Please, I wasn't jealous; I was just concerned for your safety. I know these guys. Jocks aren't very safe when it comes to pretty girls."
"Is that so?" Haley said moving closer to him. Her smile widened as she came within an inch of his body. Nathan just swallowed and stared back at her. She gently put her small hands on the back of his neck and lifted her toes. "I happen to find them very sexy," she whispered into his ear before closing the distances between their mouths.
Nathan broke away first. "I'm sorry Hales," he said shamefaced, "I acted like an idiot."
"You did," Haley agreed, "But I'll let you in on a little secret." Haley brought her mouth close to his ear, "I missed you the whole night and kept hoping you would rescue me."
"And then I got yelled at," Nathan shook his head sadly. "You are a very mean girl Hales."
Haley rolled her eyes and turned to walk back inside, but Nathan grabbed her hand and brought her face back to his, "I like it," he smirked before kissing her again.