When You've Got A Good Thing

Nathan had taken the opportunity to get some extra practice in after school. He kept going over the shots that he missed during the course of the game. One thing he could say about his father, was that Dan instilled in him a need to get better; to be close to perfection as possible. It was annoying but Nathan knew it would help make him a better player.

During a round of throwing shots from the free-throw line, Nathan heard footsteps. Though they were heels, they didn't have the same air of confidence in every step. Ruling out that it could possibly be Brooke walking along Whitey's beloved gym floor, Nathan braced himself knowing that whoever it was, no good was to come of the upcoming conversation.

"Nathan, can we talk?"

Continuing to throw shots, Nathan answered "I can't keep doing this with you. I told you I don't want anything to do with you."

Melissa walked closer so she could stand in front of Nathan. "I'm not here to start anything again."

Nathan stopped shooting and looked at Nathan. "So what are you here for?"

Melissa took a deep breath before answering, "Rachel."

Nathan rolled his eyes, that one annoying person in his life was here to talk to him about another annoying person. "What about her?"

"She knows about us."

Nathan resumed shooting while Melissa was still standing in from of him, "There is no us and it doesn't matter to me if she knows. I just want you out of my life so maybe its not a bad thing that she knows."

"Are you telling me that there's not a single part of you that cares about what happens to me?"

"No." Melissa turned her back, ready to leave the gym. As she move her long hair away from neck so it sat on her right shoulder. Nathan's eyes travelled to the tattoo of numbers. Thoughts of their time together, flooded his brain. Shaking it off, Nathan spoke again. "Actually that's a lie." A smile appeared on Melissa's face, as she prepared to turn and face him again but Nathan's next words soon let her know her thought was premature. "When it comes to you, the only thing I care about is you leaving me and my friends alone."

Lucas was lying on his bed, reading a book when Haley entered his room. To say the last week sucked, was an understatement. Yes, he was to blame for much of it but it didn't mean it didn't still suck. Other than the stupid mistake of cheating on Theresa with Rachel and getting drunk, Lucas also had a run-in with the father of the year, Dan Scott. No matter what he does, Dan always has the ability to dampen his day, whether he would say something or just be in his presence. The previous day was no exception. Lucas was sitting in the cafe talking to Karen when Dan walked in with his usual smugness. The usual digs about Karen and Lucas followed, with some extra comment about Lucas' performance in the most recent Ravens game.

"Hey Luc, How are you doing?" Haley asked as she took a seat at his desk.

Lucas placed a bookmark in the page he was on and closed the book. "OK, I guess."

"I take it you still haven't fixed things with Theresa."

"I'm fairly certain there's no fixing this." Lucas placed the book on his bed and moved closer to where Haley was sitting. "So what do I owe the pleasure of this rare visit?"

"No reason. I just wanted to see how you were and just hang out."

"Just hang out. We haven't done that in a while."

"I know its long overdue so what do you say?"

"It will be just what I need right now."

Brooke had been sitting on Peyton's bed reading a magazine. She was fully engrossed by the gossip it provided regarding someone famous behaving badly. Peyton walked into her room, finding Brooke giggling with her back at the head of the bed.

"What are you doing here?" Brooke shot her eyes up from her magazine and looked at Peyton. Seeing how unimpressed her girlfriend was by the question, Peyton tried to salvage the situation. "Not that I'm not glad to see you because you on my bed equals great."

"I might just let that one go."

Peyton sat down on the bed and gave Brooke a chaste kiss. "So to what do I owe the pleasure of your company?"

"I thought you might want to hang out. Larry let me in; he just popped out to buy some groceries. We were totally bonding and he loves me."

"He's not the only one that loves you." Peyton adjusted herself and was now hovering over Brooke.

"Is that right. Who can that person possibly be?"

"You of course." Peyton quickly kissed Brooke before continuing to speak. "I don't think I know anyone that loves themselves as much as you do."

Brooke lifted her arm to give Peyton a slight push but she grabbed it and moved closer to kiss her. This had totally distracted the brunette as she melted into the kiss. Peyton let go of Brooke's arm and moved her hands underneath her top, slightly lifting it in the process. Brooke put an end to Peyton's roaming hands and ended the kiss. "I didn't come here for a quickie while your father is out."

"Damn, maybe I should give Rachel a call and see if she's up for one."

"That wasn't funny Peyt."

"I'm sorry." Peyton gave her a quick kiss and rested her head against Brooke's forehead. She took a deep breath and said something that had been weighing on her mind for a while. "I've been thinking about telling my father."

"About us?" Though Brooke asked, she wasn't ready for the answer to be a yes. She was trying not to show her apprehension but it was written all over her face. Peyton moved some hair out of Brooke's face before giving her another brief kiss. "I was thinking about just telling him about me."