"Nice shot."
He laughed as the ball sailed through the air. He'd made the basket, despite how sore he was after the hours of torture Whitey had put them through during practice. He caught the ball as it bounced back to him, before turning to face her.
"Nice legs."
Peyton rolled her eyes and dropped her gym bag. It landed with a thud as she moved to stand beside him.
"What are you still doing here, Curly?"
She shrugged, grabbing the ball from his hands. "Brooke's my ride, you know how she's always the last one out of the locker room. Anyway, didn't Nathan tell you? Apparently we're going out, all of us."
Peyton went to make a shot, but Lucas blocked her, winding his arms around her waist so she'd miss. She abandoned the ball, pushing heavily against his chest as she laughed. His grip on her only tightened.
"Why don't you two get a room?" Brooke teased, appearing with Haley. "What? I could see it. You're both so broody. You could brood together."
He sighed and released his hold on her. It was just his luck that anytime he got to be alone Peyton, one of the others came by and caught them during innocent moments, holding hands, hugging, goofing around.
"Where's Nathan?" Haley asked, abandoning her bag and dropping down onto the lowest bleacher.
"He probably needed a cold shower after watching you during your cheer practice today, Hales." Lucas replied with a grin. "I couldn't help but notice him staring at your ass... Ouch! Damn it, Haley!"
She smacked him. Hard.
Her friends couldn't help but laugh as a blush swept across her cheeks. They constantly teased her about her feelings for the younger Scott brother. She found herself defending their status as best friends time after time.
"Hiya, lame asses." Nathan greeted. "Who are we making fun of this time."
Peyton gestured to the blushing red head.
"Leave her alone." He said, moving towards her. He grabbed Haley's hands, pulling her to her feet. "Let's go. Hales? You riding with us?"
Haley nodded, her blush only growing when he bent down to retrieve her gym bag for her. He always insisted on carrying it, even after the roughest practice of the week.
"C'mon, P. Sawyer." Brooke grabbed the blonde's hand. "We'll meet you guys at Karen's, okay? Let's go."
"So." She said, once they were alone. "What's going on between you and Lucas?"
Peyton shot her a wary look. Brooke had a bad habit of sticking her nose where it didn't belong, and while she loved her best friend dearly, she wasn't ready to reveal her feelings for Lucas, whatever they were, to anyone.
"Just friends." She replied.
"You're lying." Brooke accused. "You're not looking me in the eye, Blondie! It doesn't matter what he does, Lucas has gotten under your skin."
"That's not true..." Peyton protested, fixating her gaze out the window. Why was she being so relentless? She was single, Brooke was single, Haley was single, why did they need a boyfriend to depend on?
Sometimes, it was better to be friends with guys... Even if you did dream about them... Every. Single. Night.
"Peyton Elizabeth Sawyer!" She drew out. "Just admit it! You're attracted to him, in all of his bad boy/'I love to read Hemingway, and quote exerts from my favorite books' 'You're always saving me/Somebody's got to' glory!"
"No."
"No, you're not attracted to him?" Brooke demanded, finally finding a parking space. "Or, no, you won't admit it?"
"I can't." Peyton told her. "If I admit it... If I even let the thought in for just a second... What does that say about me?"
She sighed, reaching out to take the blonde's hand. They sat in silence for a few minutes, until they saw Nathan pulling up.
"Peyton."
She paused, her free hand resting on the door knob. "B. Davis?"
"It says that you're human." Brooke muttered. "It says that you want a nice boyfriend, someone who will protect you, and love you. It says that you're a girl who wants to believe in love, and you deserve that, P. Sawyer. You deserve someone who will love your skinny ass, and your chickeny legs, and your amazing heart. You really do, Blondie."