2 weeks later…

Thursday, October 16

Phoebe POV

I walked down the science wing of school as I was headed towards Brooke's locker. She had no idea that I was going to be back in school today and I wanted to surprise her. I'd stayed home from school for a week, recovering from my "accident". Moderate concussion, 8 stitches, and I had a zero tolerance for noise and light, which resulted in me staying in my room lights off, blinds shut. Today was my first day back and every few minutes I was being stopped, asking how I was, to show off my "battle scars". It was starting to get old real fast.

I threw on my leather jacket that was in my hands and shoved my hands inside my skinny jean pockets. I looked out the windows that lined the hallway dividing the science wing from one of the main hallways. The trees still had their golden leaves dangling in the crisp October air.

I saw Peyton and a few of her friends round the corner walking towards me. As we got closer, I saw she had died a strip of her dark brown hair bright red. Peyton was a rebel to say the least. She did what she wanted, against what society deemed "normal" or "acceptable". Peyton was her own person, and she knew exactly who she was. She was Ryan's twin sister and they understood each other 100%. You'd think that they hated each other, but it was the exact opposite.

"What's up Stitch?" Peyton asked playfully as she gave me a 'bro shake'. I laughed at her choice of nickname for me as she put her hand on my chin and moved my head to take a closer look at my fresh stitches "Sick!" She nodded in approval as I rolled my eyes at her. I jerked my head away from her. "Sucks that Norwich went on to beat us."

"Don't even wanna talk about that Peyton." I said to her as she nodded. "I'll catch up with you later." I told her as we continued on our own ways. I continued down the hallway as I caught sight of Brooke. She had her books hugged to chest as she was about 30 feet in front me. I followed behind her to her locker as she began to unlock it. She looked beautiful. Black leggings, a white tank top that was underneath a cute, grey, button up fall sweater. She was wearing brown, lace up boots and her blonde hair was done up in a messy bun to finish her look.

I leaned against the wall at the corner, about 10 feet away from her as she began to put her books away. I smiled to myself as I watched her, now I would make my entrance.

"Good morning beautiful." I whispered in Brooke's ear as I sneakily walked up behind her. She jumped, not expecting the contact, as I wrapped my arms around her waist. She turned around in my arms as her blue eyes sparkled at me. With her smile wide, she wrapped her arms around my neck. I stumbled slightly from the force that she was hugging me. I breathed in her scent as I hugged her close to me.

Brooke pulled away but only just enough so that she could press her lips against mine. She pressed me against the wall of lockers, her hands framing my face as she deepened the kiss. I moved my hands under her shirt as I brushed my fingers against her warm, tanned skin. I felt Goosebumps form as my thumbs ran over her hip bones.

"Girls that is quite enough!" The voice broke mine and Brooke's lips apart as we remained pressed against each other. I turned my head at the source as I saw Mrs. Bowser standing outside her classroom, hands on her hips, glaring at Brooke and myself. I smirked at her disapproval as I took a step away from Brooke as we both let go of each other. Mrs. Bowser still glared at us as she returned to her room.

"Why didn't you tell me that you were coming back today?!" Brooke asked as she looked down and laced our fingers together.

"Wanted to surprise you." I told her. She smiled at me as she looked up. She leaned towards me as she brushed her lips across my cheek.

"You're cute." She told me as she pressed her forehead against mine. She closed her eyes and smiled. "I love you Phoebe."

"Really hate to break up the moment guys…" Ryan yelled toward us as he rolled down the hall on his skateboard. I felt Brooke tense up and pulled me closer as Ryan was skating towards us at a good speed. He used me to help him stop as knocked into me. I caught his arm and held him up as he grabbed his board. Brooke giggled as Ryan began to fix his jet black hair into the usual faux hawk.

"Got a date later skater boy?" She teased him as he fake laughed at her and rolled his eyes.

"Very funny blondy. Still afraid of a little piece of wood?" He teased her, noticing how she flinched with his approach. He slung his arm around both of our shoulders. "Alright listen up you two."

"Halloween is on a Friday this year and we all know what that means. Parties. Everywhere. But here's the thing, me and Peyton plan on throwing the biggest and baddest one. So, you two, invite everyone you know, and you better have your asses there, ready to have A FUCKING GOOD TIME!" He yelled the last bit as me and Brooke were laughing at him. He waved us goodbye and took off on his board back the same way he came.

"RYAN CONNORS!" We watched as Mrs. Bowser was back outside her room. Ryan turned to look before taking off faster down the hallway. Me and Brooke were by her locker watching the scene as Ryan had the eyes of the hallway on him. Everyone erupted in laughter as Ryan sped away with Mrs. Bowser chasing him. Ryan was the class clown and he would do anything if it meant he was getting attention and everyone to laugh.

"So Ryan and Peyton are having a Halloween party. Should be a lot of fun." Brooke said to me as she shut her locker. The late bell had just rang as I groaned knowing that I would be getting a lecture when I came in through the door. Brooke turned towards me as we walked in the opposite direction of the hall, towards my Biology class. Brooke's hand brushed against mine as she intertwined our fingers together. I held her hand in mine strongly as made our way down the hall. Brooke had her free track now so after she walked me to class, she would be heading towards the library to finish up her research essay.

We stopped outside the door to my Biology class as I leaned against the wall, facing Brooke.

"I'll see you at lunch alright?" She nodded to me as she stepped forward and kissed my cheek. Her lips lingered for a slight moment.

"I'll see you at lunch." Brooke turned and began to head towards the library. I stood outside the door until she had rounded the corner. I took a deep breath as I braced myself for the lecture that I was about to receive. I twisted the handle on the door as I walked in.

"Ah Miss North, how nice of you to finally join us. May I ask why you are tardy?" Mr. King crossed his arms over his chest as I made my way to my seat at the double tables. I walked down the aisle as I felt the stares of my classmates on me.

"Too busy making out with all the lezzies in the school." Nick snickered under his breath as some of his friends began to laugh. I stopped in the aisle as I turned to my right, as Nick sat at his desk. He fist bumped his football buddy as he leaned back in his seat and smirked at me.

"At least I can actually get girls." I remarked to him as his face dropped. The class erupted into a wave of "oooohhh's" and "burns". I smirked back at him as I made my way to my seat in the back of the classroom.

"Alright, alright, that is enough!" the teacher tried to regain control of the classroom as the noise died down. I set my books on the table as I slid into my chair as Mr. King had turned back to the board.

"So cheerleader, what are we doing today?" I turned to my right as Christina was sitting in her chair scribbling down the notes on the board. She rolled her eyes at me as I smirked at her.

"Maybe you should be on time to class. You might know what's going." She said as she looked up to meet my eyes. I bit my lip at her as we looked at each other. Something about her had changed over the past few weeks. Gone were the days that we could talk about anything and laugh about nothing. Replaced, instead with sarcastic and bitter comments towards each other. It wasn't something I was used to and it threw my guard off.

"Maybe you could be a nice sister and explain it to me." I shot back at her. I watched as she smirked and shook her head, ridding her mind of whatever thoughts had crossed her mind. She sighed as she scooted her chair closer to me and slid her notebook over. With the closeness of ourselves, I could smell the sweet scent of her shampoo and her scent. God it was intoxicating, taunting me, daring me to get closer.

Christina began to explain what I had missed. Mitosis phases. Microscopes. Slides. Her words were blurred as I couldn't focus on what she was saying, but by the way her lips moved as her words left them. I grew frustrated with myself. What was it about this girl that had me so drawn in that I couldn't control myself? Why her? Why Christina? Out of all people it had to be my 'sister'. I knew that I couldn't let myself do this, I couldn't let myself start to get pulled into it. I had begun to rebuild the walls that she tore down so easily. I didn't want to face the fact that she was with Nick and I didn't want to feel what she was making me feel… jealousy.

I was back home from the hospital, mom and Frank had dropped me off and headed to the store after my protests that I was fine. I opened the door to mine and Christina's bedroom and was met with a sight that made me sick to my stomach. There, on Christina's bed, on Christina, was Nick. They broke apart instantly as Christina looked at me eye's wide, while Nick sat their smirking at me, proud that I had been the one to catch them. Brooke leaned over my shoulder to see what had stop me as she quickly looked away, her cheeks flushed red. Christina shifted on the bed as I turned back around.

"Nice." I said angrily as I turned around and slammed the door shut. Instantly, it felt like my whole body was on fire, I was hot all over my body and my jaw was clenched tightly. I started to walk away, I needed to get out of there. I made my way quickly down the stairs as I grabbed my jacket off the hook by the door.

"Phoebe where are you going?" Brooke questioned me as she had followed me. She watched me as I put on my jacket and adjusted the collar. She looked at me, eyes full of concern, as I paused. Why was I reacting this way? Why was I angry? It hit me with such a force that I couldn't find the reason in my head as to why I was furious.

Brooke broke my thoughts as she was now standing in front of me. I looked up from the ground at her and forced a smile on my face. I took the back of my hand as I brushed it against her cheek as she leaned into my touch and shut her eyes. I leaned forward and placed a gentle kiss on her forehead. Brooke was concerned about me. Brooke cared about me. Brooke LOVED me. And I loved her too. Right?

At that moment I heard footsteps on the stairs as I looked to see Christina and Nick. He still had that stupid grin on his face when he came into the foyer. Christina looked between us awkwardly as did Brooke. I smiled a sarcastic smile towards Nick. Much like the one I had become used to giving Christina last year when we didn't get along. I pulled Brooke into the living room as I walked over to the TV and began to turn on the DVD player.

"I gotta get going, I'm supposed to meet Jack at the movies later." I heard Nick tell Christina from the doorway. I looked up briefly to sit down on the couch beside Brooke when I caught Nick glancing at me. Much like what he did at the party, he leaned in towards Christina and kissed her. I clenched my jaw as I saw him put his hands on her waist. I threw myself down on the couch beside Brooke and put my legs up on the coffee table. I heard the front door open and close and the soft treads on the wooden floor as Christina walked into the kitchen.

I couldn't help but subtly watch her. The slight sway of her hips with each step she took. She must have felt my gaze because once she reached the refrigerator she turned and caught me staring at her. She shot me a small smile as she proceeded on in the kitchen. Brooke put her legs up beside of mine and rested her head on my shoulder as the opening credits came on, as I tried to zone out and block out the dangerous thoughts that had started to creep into my head.

"Phoebe?"

"Phoebe?" I was brought out of my thoughts by Christina's voice as she looked at me expectantly. I shook my head as I scratched my temple.

"Were you even listening to me?" She questioned as I could hear the hint of annoyance in her tone.

"Why are you with Nick?" I blurted out before I had time to think. The question surprised both myself and Christina. She was caught off guard as she opened her mouth to answer me but nothing came out at first.

"I like him." She said. I didn't buy it. And by how it came out, neither did she. "He makes me happy."

"Who are you trying to convince, me or you? I thought you might at least say something believable Christina." I told her as she knit her eyebrows together skeptically. "If he makes you so happy, why were you crying your eyes out over him 2 nights ago?" I asked her as she avoided my gaze. She looked down to her hands as she bit her lip.

I thought I was just dreaming when I heard her first sniffle. It was late in the night, the moonlight shining lightly throughout our shared room. I was on my right side, facing the wall as I tried to sleep. At first I wasn't sure of what I'd heard, so I just laid still with my head against the pillow and listened. It came again a few seconds later, louder and accompanied by the damp sound of someone trying desperately to hold back the sob but failing.

"Christina?" I whispered, disrupting the stillness and hush of the room. Two things happened at once. All measure of control Christina was trying to keep shattered, allowing a keening wail to escape her lips, and my heart broke. I threw my covers off and slid out of my bed and quickly went over to Christina's. Grabbing the edge of the first blanket, I lifted it and eased myself under, placing a hand against the flat of the blonde's back. At the touch, Christina's small frame shook harder as she scooted away, only to roll over and press her front as close to mine as physically possible. I instantly wrapped my arms around her and held her tightly.

"Hey, hey….It's okay." I murmured in a soothing tone, awkwardly managing to reach the blonde's hair with the hand of the arm that was around her neck and rhythmically stroking it. "It's okay."

I could feel Christina shaking, felt her damp tears get transferred from her cheek to the side of my neck as she burrowed herself closer until there was no space separating us at all. I froze for a few seconds, her actions catching me off my guard. Christina's hands clung to the material of the hoodie I was wearing and I could feel her blink against my neck, pushing out a fresh wave of tears. These were the worst kind of tears, they weren't loud pain filled ones, but silent heartbroken sobs.

"Christina what's wrong?" I whispered softly. I could feel her trying to get her breath back as she started to settle down some. I felt her shuffle more towards me, not releasing my hold on her. She nuzzled her nose against my neck, as her soft breaths hit my neck. She stayed silent as we didn't move for a few minutes. We laid still, reveling in the comfort and warmth of each other as I rubbed her back soothingly.

"Nick." She said so quietly I almost missed it. Instantly I tensed up. HE was the cause of this? HE had caused this to happen? Nick had managed to tear down Christina so that she was openly sobbing in my arms. My jaw clenched tightly as I could feel my heart rate increase.

"What did he do?" I demanded. She stayed silent again as I could feel the cogs in her head turning, thinking, processing. Slowly, she started to scoot away from me, but only barely. She started to wipe away some of the tears in her eyes. I quickly moved her hands out of the way as I took my thumb and brushed away the remaining tears. Her eyes weren't shinning their normal brightness, instead they were empty. She had leaned into my touch as she laid on her back. I propped myself up on my left elbow as I laid on my side.

"We got in a big fight today." She started. She looked down to my hand that was resting on my leg. She reached for it as she brought it over her stomach and held onto. She ran her fingers up and down my forearm a few times before settling to playing with my fingers. "He- he tried to take things further, and I told him I wasn't ready to-" She began as I listened to her closely. I was growing more angry at Nick the more I found out. He was a total douchebag and Christina had fallen for his tricks, just like I said she would.

"He got mad and said how I'm being a 'prude' and that everyone else would have done it by now." She continued as she scooted ever so closely to me so that my chest was pressed into her side. "He said a few other things, but it's the fact that he reacted like that, you know?"

"Christina you don't deserve that." I told her honestly as she looked up to my eyes. "Nick is an asshole for saying those things to you. He had no right to push you into anything." I reached for her hand, entangling our fingertips and receiving a small squeeze of reassurance which I returned.

"I'm sorry for being such a bitch lately. I haven't been meaning to, honest. I think I just needed to be alone and everything and I took it out on anyone who was there. I'm sorry it was you Phoebe. You're always here for me and I continue to treat you like shit." She started as I saw tears start to form in her eyes again, threatening to fall.

"You're not a bitch Christina. I've been acting weird too, I don't know what's going on right now. But I'm always going to be here for you. I will ALWAYS be here. No matter what happens between us okay? Always." I promised her as I pulled her into me again. I wrapped my arms around her as I held her close. Being able to hold her like this…I never wanted to let her go.

"You should go to sleep." I rubbed my hand along her back as her eyes lids were starting to become heavy.

"If I sleep that means you have to go back to your own bed." Christina's voice was drowsy and she blinked in slow motion. I continued rubbing small circles on her back, feeling my own eyes sting from tiredness.

"Then I'll stay here 'til you fall asleep." We silently adjusted ourselves in the bed so that we both were comfortable. I laid on my back as Christina lifted her arm and reached to adjust the blankets, bringing them up closer to her neck before laying her head down on my chest. She shifted closer until our legs became intertwined.

"What about you?" She asked through a yawn, finally letting her eyes glide, and remain, closed. "Aren't you tired?"

"I'll just lie her for a bit." I reassured her, fingers playing with the material of her shirt.

What happened next though sent my pulse sky high and destroyed every wall I had built up to distance myself from her.

I felt Christina's soft lips against my neck as she placed a light kiss on my pulse point. She lingered there briefly as her lips brushed against my skin. My skin felt like it was burning from where she had kissed me and I had to take slow breaths to calm my beating heart that I'm sure she could feel through my chest. And as soon as it happened, it was over and she was settled back into my arms.

My mind screamed at me to stop what I was about to do. Screamed at me to get out her bed and run. Run from the feelings that I could feel begin to surface. Feelings that I had buried deep down. My body ignored my mind as I leaned down and placed a gentle kiss on her forehead.

I shut my eyes as I let my lips linger longer than they should have. I could feel her smile as I ran my hands through her dirty blonde locks. I pulled away and removed my hand from her hair. Christina reached up for it however and interlaced our fingers at my side as she kept her eyes closed as we drifted off to sleep.

"Christina, I know you. This isn't you." I whispered as I reached out and put my hand over hers on the desk as I turned my body towards her. "Since when did you let someone walk all over you? Where is the Christina that put up a fight for what she believed in? That defended herself?" I questioned her as she lifted her head up to look at Nick, 3 tables in front of us. She stared at him as he and his buddy were laughing.

"I've changed." She told me as she pulled her hands away from mine, almost as if they burned her. She began to pack up her things as I noticed class was just about over.

"No. You haven't changed. Nick's changing you Christina." I told her as the bell rang. She stood up quickly as she threw her bad strap over her shoulder. She ignored me as she began to walk away from me, walking towards the door. I quickly got up and tried to squeeze through the bodies of students to catch up to her but she was already out the door.

When I finally managed to get out of the classroom, Christina was halfway down the hall. I took of in a slight jog/run as I caught up to her.

"Christina wait-" I reached out and grabbed above her elbow. I spun her around to me as we stood in the middle of the hallway, people walking around us, giving us dirty looks for blocking the hall.

"Phoebe stop!" She yelled at me. She yanked her arm out of my grasp as we backed away from me. "Just stay out of it okay?!" It hurt hearing her words, but what hurt more was knowing what Nick was doing to her.

"Christina just listen-"

"No. You listen to me. I'm fine, I'm a big girl and I can take care of myself."

"Why are you yelling at me? I'm trying to help-"

"I didn't ask you to help me. I didn't ask for to be here. Just leave it alone Phoebe." She sighed the last words as she backed away from me and turned to continue to her next class. Our little 'fight' had attracted a few watchers as they whispered to themselves. I stood there watching her walk away as her words were burned into the back of my head.