A/N: Hello everyone. When I updated this in February, I didn't intend to have such a long gap between the next one. Too many distractions have stopped me from writing. I didn't realize until the other day that I started this story four years ago and it's time things moved along.

You Can't Win

The rest of the week was pretty much the norm. Melissa was still at the school but backed off from Nathan. After their confrontation, Brooke kept her contact with the teacher to a minimum; just the odd stares in the hallway. In regards to everything else, the only thing on people's lips was who was invited to Rachel's party. All the cheerleaders and jocks were automatically invited so despite their hate for the red head, Brooke and Nathan were to show their face. Much to Brooke's annoyance, Peyton and Haley weren't on the guest list.

Before the start of the party both Peyton and Haley found themselves at Brooke's; Haley was dropping off some study material for Nathan, while Peyton just wanted to spend some time with her girlfriend. Haley and Peyton weren't bothered about not being invited to Rachel's party but Brooke wanted the both of them to go. Brooke and Peyton had spent most of their alone time making out on the sofa. The only time their lips weren't on each other was when they broke for air. This time Nathan and Haley interrupting them caused their separation.

"Will there ever be a time when I walk in and you guys are simply talking?" Haley asked as she covered her eyes. Brooke and Peyton started to make themselves more presentable as their make-out session took its toll on their appearance.

"Yeah, do you guys do anything else?" Nathan joked. Unlike Haley, he didn't cover his eyes; he just stood watching and smiling.

Ignoring their comments, Brooke got up from the sofa and walked to the nearest mirror in the hallway. She couldn't help the niggling voice in her head, questioning what was said. Is that what her friends really thought of her relationship; that it was purely physical. Brooke couldn't help but question this. Trying to brush it all aside, she changed the subject to Rachel's party. "Come on guys, its time to leave for the party."

"Brooke, I told you before that I'm not going. I have no interest in attending that girl's party." Peyton didn't try hard to hold her disgust for the hostess.

Peering back into the room, Brooke responded, "Do you think Nathan or I want to go but we have to make an appearance. At least with you guys coming, it might make it a little bearable."

Sitting at the nearest available chair, Haley injected into the conversation, "You're forgetting that Peyton and I aren't invited."

Walking back into the occupied room, Brooke leans against the doorframe with her arms crossed. She was determined to convince Haley and Peyton to attend. "Only Rachel would ask why you're there and if she does, then I have it all sorted. Just say Nathan invited you and Peyton. Rachel won't say anything purely because she wants to hook up with him. Hurry up and get a move on, we just need to pick someone up on the way."

Peyton squints her eyes suspiciously, questioning her girlfriend. "What are you up to Brooke Davis?"

"Why do I have to be up to something? I just thought it would be nice to bring my new friend with us."

She always liked to see a plan coming together and the slight smirk she was currently wearing told her that this was only the beginning. As she walked from room to room, Rachel acknowledged those that said 'hi' to her. Others tried to engage her for longer but she wasn't paying attention. Though she would stand with them and it seemed like she was following their conversation, her eyes were somewhere else. There were already more people at the house then she expected but there was only one person she was interested in attending.

Rachel watched the door as one by one, students poured into the house. She shook her head at the pure sight of desperateness she was conveying. 'Tonight will be the night I finally land Nathan Scott' she thought to herself.

Brooke finished parking her car in the first spot she found close enough to the party. She had volunteered to drive her car as she didn't have any intention of drinking, plus she wanted a quick escape, if needed. They had decided to take two cars and Nathan, who had driven Haley, had already parked and was waiting for Brooke and her passengers.

"I'm not sure how long I'm going to want to stay here so please don't be offended if I leave early." Brooke turned to the voice currently sitting at the back of the car. "Don't worry Marvin, you probably won't be the only one leaving early."

Mouth looked out the window and watched all the 'popular' members of Tree Hill High entering the house. "I'm still not sure why you insisted so much about me being here."

From the front passenger seat, Peyton looked back laughing, "Don't worry Mouth, you're not the only one she practically forced to come tonight."

Rachel instantly gravitated towards Nathan, the minute she saw him walk through the house. Nathan noticed the redhead and rolled his eyes. Before she could speak, he thought it would be best to end her latest attempt before it begins. "When are you going to understand that I'm not interested?"

"You don't know what you're missing." Spotting Brooke approach them with Mouth, she couldn't resist stirring the pot. "I should have known that you wouldn't be too far."

"Hello to you too. I couldn't pass up the invite." Brooke replied sarcastically.

"What is this?" Rachel pointed towards Mouth. "Have you run out of guys that you're doing charity fucks now."

Brooke's sarcasm turned to anger as she took a step towards Rachel. "You leave Marvin out of it. This is between you and I."

Nathan put a hand on Brooke's shoulder to try and calm her down. She looked up at him and an unspoken understanding passed between the two friends. Brooke's breathing started to even out as she calmed down. Watching the display just seemed to make Rachel even more irritated as she decides the confrontation isn't over. Looking round at the crowd forming around them, she grins and throws another comment directed at Brooke. "I mean seriously, is there anybody you wouldn't sleep with."

Brooke's blood started to boil as she moved away from Nathan. "You sure you want to start this, coz I'm ready to finish this." Peyton, who had just joined the crowd with Haley, stepped in front of her girlfriend to stop her movement towards the redhead. "Don't do this."

"So now Peyton has you on a leash. I can't keep up with you and your freaks." Rachel turned to the crowd, like she was taking to them. "Who invited them anyway because I sure as hell didn't?

"I guess a lot of people came without an invite, didn't they Rachel." Brooke shouted over Peyton's shoulder.

Rachel looked bemused by Brooke's comment, "What's that suppose to mean?"

Before Brooke could reply, Peyton dragged her away from Rachel before anything escalated. She knew what Brooke was going to do next and she didn't want the brunette to go down that path.

Nathan turned to Rachel, who was wearing a big smile on her face. "So what, you constantly throw yourself at me and insult my friends and I'm supposed to be attracted to you. I don't know how your brain works but mine doesn't work like that. You're not my type so leave me the hell alone."

"Brooke, don't do this." Peyton pleads as the two of them enter the first available, vacant room.

Brooke turns to Peyton, still simmering with anger, "Why not? She deserves to be taken down."

"Everyone has their secrets Brooke, including you." Peyton walks closer to Brooke, reaching out to touch her arms, "If you do this then you open up the possibility of Rachel trying to find dirt on you. We both know you're not ready for us to come out."

Brooke stares at the blonde, thinking about the words she's just said. Slowly a smile plays upon the brunette's lips, which slightly worries Peyton. "Why do you have to break stereotype and actually be a smart blonde? If I didn't know better I would think you're a dye job."

Peyton pulls Brooke's body into her, missing the intimate contact they shared earlier in the day. "You mean you don't want me for my brain."

"There's the blonde I know and love." Brooke couldn't help but laugh at her girlfriend. "Can I at least tell everyone that this isn't Rachel's house?"

"No." Peyton couldn't help her mind from picturing all the things she could be doing with Brooke instead of being at a party she didn't want to go to. As a smile appeared on her face, her eyes focused on Brooke's lips, "In fact we should leave now."

Brooke wasn't on the same page as Peyton; yes she wanted to leave but not for the same reason as the blonde. Brooke had finally had enough of Rachel and if she couldn't mess with the red-head, then there was no real point her in staying at the party. "I'll meet you at the car in 10 minutes. I've got to take care of something first."

Feeling Brooke move out of her arms, Peyton stops her before she makes her way to the door. "Promise me you won't do anything to Rachel."

"Do you really think so little of me?" Brooke asked, raising her left eyebrow. Peyton stood laughing, knowing full well what her girlfriend was like. "Do you remember what you used to do to me?"

"Point taken. I'm just gonna let Nathan, Haley and Marvin know we're leaving, that's all, I promise."