A/N Hey everyone! I'm soo sorry for the almost 'monthly' updates. I swear, life just keeps on getting in the way and I hate that I can't update as often as I want to. I promise, that I'll try my hardest not to take so long next time. Hope you guys like this next chapter, and don't forget to review :)
Flopping over onto her side, Haley reached across her bed to the nightstand and hit the blaring, annoying alarm off.
It wasn't necessary, she hadn't slept a wink all night. But despite the lack of sleep she had never felt so…awake. So alive, and just completely aware of everything around her.
Jumping out of the bed, she walked over to her window and pushed back the window drapes, letting the warm and early sunshine flow into her room.
"Good morning sunshine, good morning world!" She sing-songed, unable to stop from giggling at herself. She was being silly, but she couldn't help it. Humming to herself, she couldn't keep the smile from spreading across her lips as she walked out into the hall and into the restroom.
Her heart beat with a new feeling that morning. And she couldn't deny that this new overpowering emotion had everything to do with Lucas Scott and the amazing, almost indescribable feeling that enveloped her whenever she was near him.
Jumping into the shower quickly, she closed her eyes as the warm water cascaded over her. A contented sigh fell from her lips as her mind took her to the events from last night….
Letting her hands rest comfortingly on his broad shoulders, Haley finally let herself give in to the wave of emotions coursing through her. Lifting herself slightly on her tiptoes she leaned into his lean, strong body as his hands tangled in her hair, his lips moving with hers in a natural, almost synchronized motion.
He skimmed his hands down her back, unable to stop touching her as her hands reached out to caress each side of his face, their kiss deepening with each passing second.
As his hands tightened around her waist, she felt him backing up slowly, taking him with her. When the back of his legs hit the side of his bed, he settled down comfortably, never once breaking contact.
Feeling an almost nervous anticipation stir within her, she settled herself in his lap. She wrapped her arms around his neck tightly, bringing her body even closer to his as his mouth explored hers openly, hungrily.
She sighed into his mouth, her lips moving easily against his. She felt like she couldn't breathe or even move. A part of her couldn't quite believe that she was there with him, in that moment. They were together. How had this happened? So easily and so effortlessly?
And yet another part of her, the one that didn't want to question how fast things were progressing between them, wanted to stay there with him forever and just lose herself….
Falling back on the bed, he brought her down on top of him gently, letting out a soft moan as she shifted on top of him.
Their kiss became more urgent and more frantic with each passing second, she felt his hands slide underneath her shirt and up her back.
Shivering slightly, she suddenly pulled back. "No, no. Wait." She whispered breathlessly, opening her eyes and starting at him. "Lucas…I-I can't."
Disentangling herself from him, she got up off him quickly, trying to catch her breath as she stared into his gorgeous blue eyes, seeing the same intense desire staring back at her.
And that's probably what scared her more than anything.
Yeah, so much for taking it slow.
"I'm sorry." She whispered, turning her back to him and closing her eyes, trying desperately to gain back control of her whirling emotions.
"Hey, hey don't be." He straightened up quickly and walked over to her.
"You have nothing to apologize for Haley." He assured her, grabbing her hand and turning her gently so that she could face him. "It's okay." He murmured, a sincere smile playing across his lips as he tilted her chin up, so that he could stare into those beautiful brown eyes of hers. "We don't have to do anything you don't want to do. We'll take it as slow as you want. I promise."
She nodded, letting out a long breath as she stared back at him. "Thank you." she replied quietly, believing him. She knew that he would never do anything to pressure her into doing something she wasn't quite ready for yet.
He smiled, pulling back slightly so that he could brush a sweet kiss across her forehead."Just being here like this, with you in my arms, is perfect." He murmured into her hair, his arms tightening around her.
Feeling her heart overflow with deep affection, she closed her eyes, smiling as she settled deep in his embrace. Feeling his heart beating steadily against hers, she was sure she had never felt anything so comforting and so powerful in her entire life.
It had been absolute torture to tear herself away from him last night. To put a stop to his kisses, to his touch. Because as much as she hated to admit it, and as much as it scared her…nothing had ever felt as good or as natural, as when his lips were pressed against hers.
He was intoxicating, and she realized that she couldn't stay away, even if she tried.
Stepping out of the shower, she headed back to her room and straight for the closet immediately pulling out her favorite dark blue jeans. Looking critically at her tops, she pushed several aside until she came across a barely there top that Brooke had given her a while back, but had never really had the guts to wear.
She stared at it for what seemed like the longest time, before finally pulling it on. Walking over to her vanity mirror, she stared at herself critically and admired the way the slinky top clung to her upper body, revealing just enough cleavage and midriff to make it look sexy but not trashy.
This was so unlike her.
To primp and preen before the mirror, assuring that her hair and make-up was just right. She had never spent more than just 10 minutes getting ready and she almost chastised herself for doing so, but she couldn't explain the sudden need.
A knock on her door snapped her out of her thoughts and the door opened before her mom's frame came through.
"Honey, there's a boy waiting for you outside."
Startled, she turned towards her mother."Uh..okay. Um, I'll be right out." Her heart thumping wildly in her chest, she checked her reflection one last time. Had Lucas stopped by?
Slipping on a pair of 1-inch heel sandals, she reached for her backpack and sprayed on her favorite perfume before slipping out her room and down the stairs, her pulse accelerating in anticipation.
Flinging the door open, the smile died quickly on her lips as she stared at the person waiting for her on the other end. "What are you doing here Felix?"
"I take it you're not a morning person are you?" he shook his head and grinned, clearly amused at her less than friendly demeanor.
"It's not really the morning I have a problem with." she responded pointedly, not bothering to disguise her obvious annoyance. "Seriously, what are you doing here?"
He shrugged, the grin never leaving his face. "I was actually hoping to take you to school today."
Rolling her eyes, she crossed her arms in front of her. "You're kidding right? Felix, just because I agreed to tutor you doesn't mean you can just show up at my house announced and expect me to just go with you. I thought I made it more than clear that I wanted nothing to do with you unless it had to do with scholastic matter. Remember the rules?"
Giving her that infuriating grin, she knew he thought was sooo charming, he brushed off her comment. "And since when have you ever known Felix Tagaro to follow any rules, baby doll?"
Glaring at him forcefully, she attempted to close the door on him, but he held out a hand and stopped her. "Haley, I was just kidding. Look, if it really offends you that much, I'll just leave okay? But here, I brought you this." handing her a large Starbucks cup, he smiled again. "Your favorite."
Staring at him, she accepted the drink somewhat apprehensively. "Iced Green Tea Latte?" she questioned, unable to hide the surprise in her brown eyes. "How did you…?"
"How did I know?" he smirked, watching as she stared down at the drink in her hand. "Well, you'd be surprised at the small things one can notice." He shrugged, as she lifted her eyes to meet his quizzically. "Okay, so maybe I've noticed that Jagielski used to bring you one of these almost every morning. Y'know for the longest I thought you and him had something going."
"Me and Jake?" she couldn't help the laugh that escaped her lips. "That's ridiculous. He's like my brother." Fiddling with the top of the cup, she took a tentative sip. "I just…I didn't think you'd notice something like that." she admitted.
"Well, consider it a thank you really." At her questioning look, he elaborated. "For showing up on Saturday, and taking a chance on me."
"Um..well okay. You're welcome, I guess." She nodded, finally managing a somewhat friendly smile. Smiling back, he lifted his hand in a wave, turning around and walking in the direction of his car.
"Felix, wait."
Grinning to himself smugly, he turned around, giving her an innocent look. "Yeah?"
"Um, listen…I just realized that I don't…I usually ride with Brooke and Nathan, but.." letting out a breath, she hesitated slightly. "And my mom's car is in the shop so I.." biting her lip, she looked over at him as she met him halfway. "This doesn't change the way I think about you okay? So, don't try anything funny." She warned.
Holding up his hands innocently, he grinned widely. "Just a ride to school." He agreed. "No ulterior motives, I promise."
She stared at him for the longest time, before finally giving a small smile. "Okay."
"By the way..you look really beautiful Haley."
She rolled her eyes, and pulled at her top consciously. "Don't make me regret this Felix." She glared at him and he just laughed, opening the passenger door of his newest toy, a fire-red V-6 Mustang convertible.
Jingling his keys in his hands, he went over to the other side, unable to keep the smug grin from appearing on his lips as he settled into the driver's seat, watching as Haley fidgeted nervously on the other side and stared out the window.
You'll crack slowly Haley James. Surely but slowly.
And then you'll be mine.
"Brooke! Slow down!" Nathan hollered, not caring really that the entire student body was staring at him as he rushed out the double doors of the main entrance after the brunette beauty. It had taken him but a split second to react and spring into motion once he'd seen her. "Brooke!"
"Leave me the hell alone!" she called out over her shoulder, her voice strangled as she continued to rush down the steps and into the student parking lot, in desperate search of her car.
Picking up his pace, he pushed past the stream of students rushing by and he finally caught up with her, slightly out of breath. Damn, who knew she could walk so fast?
Grabbing her arm he swung her around to face him, his face falling and his heart constricting in his chest as he caught sight of the absolutely tortured look on her face.
She was sobbing openly, completely broken and he had to take a deep breath, fighting the lump in his throat as he realized once again, that she was like this because of him.
"Brooke..baby…" he whispered hoarsely, reaching out to wipe the tears running freely down her face. "I'm sorr-"
"'Don't." she responded harshly, pushing his hand away roughly and freeing herself from his grasp. "Don't you dare Nathan Scott. Don't you dare give me one of your infamous apologies or stupid explanations. I don't want to hear them! You can't fix this Nathan. You can't."
"Brooke.." he started again, forcing her to look at him. "You can't keep on avoiding me. You have to talk to me eventually."
"There's nothing to talk about here Nathan!" she screamed, absolutely furious now. "We're done! For good now, I told you that, and you need to get that through your head!"
"I can't okay?" he yelled back, feeling frustration creep up on him. "I can't just let you go, Brooke. Don't ask me to do that because I love you."
She gaped at him, and her eyes filled with tears again as a shiver went down her spine involuntarily at his words and the way he was gazing at her. Pushing that feeling quickly aside, a new one replaced it and she let out a humorless laugh.
Pulling her hand back, she slapped him across the face as hard as she could. "Stop it! Don't..how can you stand there and utter those words after what you did to me? You're…you're unbelievable. I hate you Nathan Scott! Go to hell!"
Rubbing his hand across his stinging cheek, he stared on in almost shock as she jumped into her car and sped out of the parking lot, without a backwards glance.
"Fuck!" he cursed, clenching and unclenching his fists as he breathed out roughly. Pulling out his keys quickly, he sprinted towards his car, throwing his backpack into the backseat.
"Scott!" a rough voice called out behind him and he swiveled around, watching as Whitey approached him, looking stern. "What do you think you're doing boy?"
Rolling his eyes, he let out a frustrated sound. "Whitey, not now okay?"
"Don't even think for a second that you're actually going to bail your classes to go goof off right under my nose, Scott." He warned, coming to stand right in front of his star-player.
"This is important." He slammed his hand on the hood of his car angrily. "I'm sorry." He opened up the driver's seat quickly but Whitey's voice stopped him.
"More important than next week's game against Bear Creek?" he questioned gruffly. "Go to class Scott or you will be sorry when I have to bench you for skipping out on class. And even more when you have to explain to your father why exactly you're not on the starting line-up. Got it?"
Before Nathan could even respond, the older man was already gone and Nathan slumped against the side door, feeling something close to defeat washing over him.
Damn it, as much as he hated to admit it to himself, Whitey was right. He knew his coach wasn't one to back out on his word and he knew his Dad would be absolutely furious if he was in fact benched for that game against Bear Creek. And he knew he would be even more furious, if he found out the particular reason.
"You mean to tell me that Whitey benched you because you skipped class, all to go after a girl?"
He shook his head, he could already hear his Dad's angry voice in his head. But what the hell was he supposed to do? Brooke had taken off, an emotional wreck and he couldn't just forget that. He couldn't just forget the absolutely crushed look in her eyes. He didn't think he'd ever be able to erase that from his mind. Ever.
Feeling his heart sitting heavily in his chest and not knowing what else to do, he picked up his backpack and shoved his keys back into his pocket.
He had taken just a couple of steps, when a familiar mustang whizzed by, before screeching to a stop in the parking space next to him.
Recognizing the car quickly as Felix's, he didn't pay much attention, until a familiar voice floated over to him.
"Damn it Felix! How in the hell did you ever get your license?"
Turning around, he frowned and watched as both Felix and Haley stepped out of the car.
"Oh, c'mon Haley." The tan boy started in his usual arrogant tone. "That was fun. Best ride of your life, baby doll."
She was about to respond, when she looked up and found Nathan glaring their way. Felix noticed too and he grinned smugly, unfazed by the other boy's stance. "What's up Scott?"
Grunting in response, Nathan directed his gaze towards the blonde. "Haley, can I talk to you?"
Laughing slightly, Felix gave Haley's shoulder a squeeze and sent her a wink. "I'll see ya later tonight, baby doll." Smirking over at the tall basketball player, he brushed past him. "Later Scott."
"Seriously Haley?" Nathan asked incredulously, staring at the slightly nervous blonde in front of him. "What's going on?"
She shifted on her feet, and avoided his gaze. "What do you mean?"
"After everything he's done to you, you're riding to school with him?" he shook his head. "And going on a date with him? What the hell where you thinking?" he couldn't keep the slightly angry, and almost overprotective tone from seeping into his voice. Regardless of how pissed off he still was with her over the turn of events this past weekend, he couldn't help but feel apprehensive and angry over seeing her with Felix.
Letting out a sigh, she finally met his gaze. "I'm not going on a date with him Nathan. He just…"
Do you think that we can keep this tutoring thing between us? I'd just hate everyone to know that the great and bad ass Felix Tagaro is actually really stupid and failing all his classes.
"He just was going to meet me after school for Mr. Peterson's biology notes." She replied quickly. "That's all."
"Okay, if you say so. But I just don't trust that guy." He warned. "Just..be careful all right?"
She nodded, brushing a strand of hair behind her ear. "I will." She promised, giving him a tentative smile. "Nathan.." she started, hesitantly. "Are we..are we okay?"
"We're not Haley. I can't just forget the fact that you sold me out and disregarded years of friendship, all for your little…whatever the hell that punk is to you."
"Nathan, it wasn't like that…"
Rolling his eyes, he let out a humorless laugh. "Oh, yes it was Haley. Don't think you're getting off the hook that easily for you part in all of this." seeing she was about to protest, he shook his head. "Look, just forget it okay? I really don't want to get into that right now. There's something else I wanted to talk to you about." He paused, letting out a long breath. "I'm worried about Brooke."
Her head snapped up and she stared at him, slightly panicked. "What happened? Is she okay?"
"No. She's not. We had a…a little run in this morning and she just took off and I don't…I don't know what to do." He admitted, shaking his head sadly. "I'm probably the last person she wants to see right now…but I can't just…she needs someone Haley. She was really upset and I can't bear the thought of her going through this alone."
Feeling a faint prickle of tears as she thought of her best friend, Haley could only imagine the pain she must be going through right now. "Well, if you're the last person she wants to see right now, I'm probably the second to last person Nate. She and I…we haven't talked yet." She admitted sadly.
He sighed, looking back at her. "I've never really asked you for anything before Haley. But at the moment, you'll probably have better luck than me. Please, can you just go look for her and make sure she's okay?"
"Don't worry, Nate." She replied softly, reaching out to squeeze his hand, knowing the raven-haired boy was torturing himself with how much he'd hurt the beautiful girl he so deeply loved. "I'll make sure she's okay."
Once he was out of sight, Haley closed her eyes and let out a long, deep sigh. As much as she wanted to be that person to be there for Brooke, she knew at the moment she couldn't be. If things had really gone down as bad as Nathan said that morning, her showing up would probably only really make it worse.
Taking out her cell phone, she dialed the one person she knew Brooke needed to be there for her. The one who could soothe her and comfort her in a way that neither she nor Nathan could right now.
"Jake? I need to ask you to do something for me."
"I knew I'd find you here."
Recognizing the soft voice, Brooke didn't even bother to look up. She hugged her knees to her chest, not bothering to wipe of the stream of tears that hadn't stopped flowing since she'd left her cheating ex-boyfriend behind.
"You're going to get in trouble with Whitey." She responded, without looking up at him, her gaze trained on the river flowing beneath her, under the bridge.
He shrugged and let out a deep sigh. Honestly? That was the least of his worries right now. "It's okay." He replied softly, as he settled in next to her.
"How'd you find me?" she questioned, staring straight ahead of her.
"I've known you my entire life Brooke." He responded softly. "And despite us drifting apart, I'd like to think I still know you pretty damn well." Looking out at the scenery ahead of him, he turned to look back at the beautiful broken girl next to him. "This is where you used to run off to when we were younger and you'd had a major fight with Haley, or when your parents would leave on one of their trips or..whenever you just wanted to be alone." His hand reached out to grabs hers gently and he was almost surprised at the fierce way she held onto him.
Feeling the now comforting feeling of his arms enveloping her, she broke down completely. "I hate him Jake." She sobbed, unable to stop now. "I hate him so much. For what he did…but most of all…because despite everything I still love him. With all my heart."
Closing his eyes and sighing deeply, he pressed a kiss to her head. "It's okay, Brooke."
She shook her head against his chest, barely holding it together. "No, it's not." she choked out. "Nothing is okay right now and it'll never be okay ever again. I want to hate him so bad Jake, but I can't. Why does it have to hurt so much?"
"Because you love him." He replied gently, brushing her tears away from her face, wanting desperately to erase all her pain. "When someone you truly love, hurts you, it'd be so easy to just hate them. It'd be a hell of a lot easier, to just deal with the anger, and not the pain. And I wish you didn't have to go through that pain, I really do. But I promise you that you'll get through this, it'll get easier and I'll be here for you. You're not alone and I won't let anything happen to you okay?"
Taking a deep breath, she nodded, finally looked up into his chocolate brown eyes. "What are you doing here Jake?"
"Haley called me." he admitted, looking down into her tear-stained face. His breath caught in his throat as he stared down at her. Despite, the heartbroken state she was in, she was still the most beautiful girl he had ever seen. "Nathan asked Haley to look after you. He's worried about you, so he asked Haley to be there for you. She's worried about you too, Brooke."
"They don't have a right to be." she responded, angrily brushing the tears away from her eyes, as a new wave of pain rushed through her heart at the mere mention of the two people she'd loved more than anything. "They have no right."
"They both love you Brooke. It may be hard for you to believe right now, but they both love you. And Haley's still your best friend."
Pulling her back into his arms, he rubbed her arms comfortingly, letting her mull over her thoughts. "Look around you Brooke." He murmured gently. "The stars will still twinkle at night and the sun will still rise each morning and do you know why? Because life goes on, and even though it may seem like the end of world right now, it's not."
And she only cried harder at that, grasping onto him gratefully as the never ending tears took over her again. She knew he was right. It wasn't the end of the world, but it sure felt like it.
Life goes on.
He was right, but could life really go on for her without Nathan Scott?
The idea was almost unfathomable to her and just the thought of that hurt more than anything she ever thought possible.
By the time lunchtime rolled around, Nathan didn't think he'd ever felt so restless or frustrated. He hadn't been able to concentrate on a single class, as Brooke had been the only thought in his mind all morning.
He didn't know how much longer of this he could take. He felt literally, like he was going to lose it at any moment.
He wandered out into the quad, wondering if he could just skip out on lunch. He wasn't hungry anyways, and he really didn't want to deal with any of the guys right now.
He was halfway towards the student parking lot, when he spotted a certain tan, spiky-haired jackass.
"Yo, Felix." Nathan called out coolly, stopping the other boy from making it further down the quad. "I believe, we've got a conversation pending man."
"Hmm. I wonder what this could be about." He responded, just as coolly. "What's going on man?"
"I think I should be the one asking you that." he retorted. "Listen, I don't know what the hell you're trying to pull but I'm just going to tell you this one time. Back off Haley, man."
"Come again?" he laughed, slightly amused.
"You heard me. I didn't stutter." He responded, a menacing glint in his eyes. "You're lucky I didn't kick your ass after the bullshit you pulled on her last time."
"Aw, isn't that sweet." Felix smirked, clearly unfazed. "How you've got the girl's back, even after what she pulled on you. Didn't think you had it in you, Scott. To be such a good and loyal friend. Too bad she can't return the favor huh?" he nodded in the direction directly in back of him, a smug grin on his face. Nathan turned, and with narrowed eyes, watched as the subject matter of their conversation was sitting closely, whispering and smiling with his sworn enemy across the quad.
"Whatever man. You've been warned."
Just a few minutes earlier….
Walking happily down the quad at lunchtime, Lucas smiled as he spotted Haley sitting over by the far corner, poring over a book. He chuckled as he watched her, intently reading, unaware of the noise and chaos that lunchtime at any high-school usually brought.
Looking towards his left, he didn't think twice before snapping a blooming pink rose from the nearest shrubbery.
He made his way towards her and he was right behind her and she was still unaware. Stooping low, he leaned in and brushed a kiss on her cheek. "Hey there beautiful." He whispered.
Startled, she turned to look at him wide-eyed, smiling almost immediately. "Hey." She replied, her tone matching his.
Whipping his hand from behind his back, he smiled as he provided her with the intricate flower. "A beautiful rose, for an even more beautiful girl."
Accepting the flower, she smiled as he settled in next to her. Leaning over on impulse, she gripped his shirt lightly as she brushed her lips across his softly. "Thank you."
Grinning widely at her show of affection, he leaned forward and captured her lips with his one more time. "I missed you." he admitted, brushing the hair out of her eyes tenderly. "After last night…"
And she blushed at that, looking down at the table quickly before bringing her eyes to meet his. "Lucas.." she started, biting her lip as she looked into his intense gaze. "I thought we were going to take it slow."
"And we are." He reassured her. "Which is why I want to ask you out on our first official date."
She smiled, "A date?"
"Yeah, so…" he smiled, taking her hands in his and staring into her eyes intently. "Haley James, would you like to go out on a date with me Friday night?"
"Well…" she started teasingly, her eyes twinkling. "I might have to check my planner." He pretended to scowl and she giggled. "But I guess since you asked so nicely and everything…" leaning towards him again, she planted another sweet kiss on his lips. "I would love to Lucas Scott."
"Well then. It's a date." He whispered huskily, tilting his head so that he could brush his lips across hers.
Forgetting momentarily that she was on the quad in the middle of lunchtime, where the entire student body could see her, she leaned into him, twining her hands behind his head and deepening the kiss.
After a couple of minutes, she pulled away, giggling faintly. "That was nice."
"Hmm. Oh, yeah, really nice." He grinned, twining their hands together as he pressed his forehead against hers. His smile faltered slightly as something caught his gaze momentarily.
Noticing his sudden change of demeanor, she turned towards where he was staring, catching sight of his blonde best friend, walking towards the parking lot. Turning back to him, she placed her hands on his face. "Hey. What's wrong? Everything okay?"
"Yeah, yeah everything's fine." He paused, frowning. "At least I think it is."
"Did you and Peyton have a fight?"
Shaking his head, he elaborated. "No, we didn't fight. But..I found out Saturday, that after the game on Friday night, Nathan and Peyton were together."
Her eyebrows shot up and she stared at him in surprise. "What?"
"No, not like that." he clarified. "At least..I don't think so." Sighing deeply, he furrowed his brows together in that usual 'broody' manner she'd become so fond of lately. "But I guess they've been 'talking' or something and I..I don't know what to make of it." he admitted, looking back at her. "She says it's nothing, but she's just…been acting so different and just so unlike her y'know? At times, I almost feel like she's pulling back and hiding something from me."
"You don't think she and Nathan are…?"
"No." he shook his head. "She swore that there was nothing going on between them and I believe her. She wouldn't lie to me, and even if she did, I'd see right through it. I know her better than anyone else, and even though I know she's not lying to me, I know there's something going on with her. I just can't put my finger on it."
Sighing, Haley looked over to where Lucas's gaze had been trained moments ago. She too saw the curly blonde walking across the quad towards the parking lot. But what Lucas didn't notice and what caught her attention was the sudden appearance of Nathan.
He'd too obviously caught sight of the blonde cheerleader and she watched as her childhood friend and her best friend's current ex-boyfriend grabbed the other girl's hand, forcing her to stop and look at him.
Watching intently, she saw as he tried to talk to her only to have her glare in return and push past him. She saw him shake his head and run his hands through his dark locks as he watched her leave.
A sudden memory flashed in her mind, and she thought back to that one day at the tutor center when she'd caught sight of Nathan and Peyton out by the quad, hanging out. At the moment, she'd also felt an almost unsettling feeling at seeing them together and she didn't know why.
But now, after what she'd just witnessed, she finally figured out what that feeling had been all along.
Those two were so painfully obvious on a crash course headed straight for each other and even she could see it coming from a mile away.
Letting out a deep sigh, she could only think of her missing and heartbroken best friend and one thought kept running through her mind.
Things were definitely just about to get extremely complicated.
"Haley James, just what have you done with my best friend?" Peyton began teasingly as she came to stand besides the other blonde girl at that day's cheerleading practice.
Tearing her eyes away from the blonde basketball player, Haley turned to Peyton and smiled. "What do you mean?"
The curly blonde laughed as she stretched her muscles. "I don't think I've ever seen him so happy." She replied honestly, the smile never leaving her face. "You have the best effect on him, I've never seen anything like it."
Shaking her head, Haley tried to disguise the blush creeping up on her cheeks as she looked over at the tall and extremely handsome basketball player practicing his shots on the other end of the gym.
Looking up, he noticed her gaze and he grinned widely, blowing her a kiss and her blush further deepened as she grinned back, sending him what she hoped was a discreet wave and wink.
"Aw." Peyton teased good-naturedly, noticing the sweet exchange. "You guys are just sooo cute!"
"Shut up!" Haley laughed, shoving the other blonde playfully as they made their way towards the other end of the gym. "Just wait till you-"
The sudden entrance of the Raven's star player into the gym captured Haley's attention and she hesitated, watching as the basketball captain strolled into the gym, briefly shooting a look Peyton's way before catching a long ball from Tim and dribbling down the court expertly, ending in an impressive slam dunk.
"Um, uh speaking of certain effects on guys.." Haley began, turning to give her full attention to Peyton. "I wanted to talk to you about-"
"What's up bitches?" Rachel flounced into the gym, cutting whatever Haley was about to say. Throwing her gym bag and pom-poms on the floor, she placed her arms on her hips, grinning at Haley in an oddly smug way. "Where's our oh, so fearless leader?" Tapping one manicured finger on her chin, she didn't wait for the blonde tutor to answer. "Wait, let me guess. She's at home nursing a broken heart?"
"Stop being such a bitch Rachel." Peyton rolled her eyes, surprising the other girls with her tone."I know it's hard for you and all, but nobody asked your opinion."
If the redhead was surprised over the curly blonde's sudden outburst, she hid it well. "Retract the claws Blondie." She responded. "I was just making a simple observation, no need to jump in the girls' defense. Besides, Brooke's already got a best friend." Raking her eyes over Haley slowly, she smirked. "Although not a very good one if you ask me, isn't that right Haley?" she asked sweetly.
Haley took a deep breath, willing herself not to get upset over that particular comment. "Screw you, Rachel."
"Oh, honey I believe Nathan already did." The redhead shot back, crossing her arms in front of her and smirking at her in a way that made her blood boil. "Now it just sucks, that your little best friend had to find out the way she did. Although, honestly I don't think I've ever enjoyed anything more than watching the amazing Brooke Davis fall apart."
What came next, took everyone in the gym by complete surprise. Without a second's hesitation, Haley took a step towards Rachel and landed a clean, smooth slap across her face. "Leave Brooke the hell alone, you hear me?" she hissed, between clenched teeth. "You've done enough damage as it is you whore."
"You little bitch." Rachel growled out, clutching her already reddening cheek. Lunging at the petite blonde before anyone could do anything, she brought her down to the floor hard.
The next couple of seconds were pure chaos, as some of the guys hooted from across the other side of the gym and as Peyton and Bevin and the other girls tried to break up Haley and Rachel, who were tussling and rolling around the floor angrily.
"What the hell is going on?" Whitey's booming voice cut through the commotion as he walked into the gym. "What the hell do you guys think this is? An audition for WWE Smackdown Divas? Break it up, or get out of my gym!" Looking around at his players, his eyes narrowed. "Now, where the hell is Jagielsky?" he demanded.
After a long, hot shower in the locker rooms, Peyton was one of the very last few to file out. Her muscles were still aching from the long and strenuous practice. Add to that the fact that her left cheek was stinging fiercely, she wanted more than anything to go home and just crash.
"Damn it, that bitch has a strong punch." Peyton muttered to herself, reaching to touch the spot that Rachel's hand had connected with when she'd managed to disentangle Haley from the redhead. "That's what I get for trying to intervene in a serious cat fight. No good deed ever goes unpunished, that's for sure."
"Talking to yourself now, are you?"
Looking up, her eyes narrowed as she found the one and only Nathan Scott staring at her slightly amused from across the hall, leaning against the lockers where he'd obviously been waiting for her.
"Well, I've come to find out that sometimes talking to yourself is a much more appealing alternative than talking to certain people." She retorted pointedly, rolling her eyes and attempting to walk past him.
But he wouldn't allow her to do so and he caught up with her quickly, stepping in front of her to prevent her departure.
"Nathan, what the hell do you want?" she snapped, thoroughly annoyed as her gaze lifted up to meet his. Ignoring the sudden and slight flutter in her stomach as his blue eyes connected with hers, she turned away.
"I want to know why the hell you're so pissed off at me." he stared at her hard, trying to figure out why she insisted on being so cold and distant with him. "What'd I do to you Sawyer?"
Ignoring his question, she rolled her eyes again, tightening her grip on her gym bag. "Just leave me alone okay?"
Whirling back around, she stomped in the direction of the exit, wanting to just get the hell out of there and not have to deal with him any more than she had to.
But he obviously wasn't getting the point, for he caught up with her again and this time he grabbed her hand and pulled her towards him, his grip tightening around her hand. "No. Damn it, Sawyer, what's going on with you?" he demanded, having had enough of her curtness. Standing directly in front of her, he trapped her effectively between him and the lockers, preventing her from easily bolting again. "Why do you insist on ignoring me?" he pressed on, not fully understanding why the curly blonde seemed so angry at him. So he'd been a jackass to Lucas, so what? It's not like that was anything new.
"Why do you even care?" she challenged, crossing her arms in front of her and staring up at him coldly. "I told you. We're not friends. So, it shouldn't matter either way right?"
He shook his head, and he looked away momentarily, asking himself why he did, in fact care. Sure, the first time he'd approached her, it had only really been to get to Lucas, and well because she was pretty hot, but now…well.. "Shit, I don't know." he shrugged, looking back at her. "I thought we were. Or at least getting there…" he paused, and he ran his fingers through his short locks. "Look, if this is about Lucas, I'll leave him the hell alone if it makes you happy okay?"
"And who's blackmailing you now?"
"Huh?"
"Oh, y'know because if Nathan Scott does something, even remotely fair or right, it's to get something back in return. So tell me, who is it?"
"That's ridiculous. Nobody's blackmailing me Peyton." He rolled his eyes, letting out a frustrated sound. "If I was to do it, I'd be doing it for you."
Looking back at him with narrowed eyes, she was almost surprised by the sudden and utter sincerity in which he said that. She felt something inside her shift, at the almost gentle way he was looking at her, but before she let herself wonder about that, the cold mask was back up again. "You're kidding right?" she scoffed, pushing him away. "Don't do me any favors."
Reaching out, he pulled her back towards him, pinning her against the lockers. "It's because I tried to kiss you isn't it?"
"Excuse me?"
"You heard me. It is isn't it?" he questioned, watching as she fidgeted underneath his penetrating gaze. "That's why you're so mad at me, why you've been avoiding me?"
"I don't know what you're talking about."
"Oh, c'mon Sawyer, don't feed me that b.s." he scoffed. "I know I was pretty fucked up out of my mind that night, but did you really think I wasn't going to remember something like that? I mean, seriously Sawyer, you don't think I try to kiss just anyone do you?"
"Apparently you do." She retorted pointedly, taking a jab at his current situation with Brooke.
"That was low."
"It's the truth, isn't it?"
"Maybe so, but then you also almost let me."
Snapping her head up to glare at him, she placed her hands on his chest and shoved him. "Now, you're really imagining things, Scott."
"Am I? Because that's the way I remember it."
"You were drunk. Drunks remember things differently, that is when they actually recall what the hell they were doing."
"Yeah, I don't think so Sawyer." He smirked, placing both hands flat against the lockers behind her. His lips brushed the shell of her ear, as he leaned in and whispered. "I almost kissed you, and you almost let me."
Feeling a tingle make its way down her spine, she looked back at him, realizing just how close together they were standing. "So, why did you?" she questioned, her tone unusually soft. "Why did you want to kiss me?"
Looking down at her surprised, he found himself at a loss for the first time in a long time.
He couldn't ignore the way her hands had reached up and were playing with the collar of his shirt, or the way the scent of her shampoo floated over to him, infiltrating his senses. Or the cute way she was subconsciously flicking her tongue over her lips, anticipating his answer.
He also couldn't ignore the almost magnetic pull he'd felt with the sarcastic and brooding blonde since the beginning. Or the way it seemed to get stronger now, pulling him in.
Before he could really think about what was happening between them, or what he was doing, his head dipped down and his lips brushed against hers.
Startled, Peyton didn't even have time to process what was really happening. Acting on pure instinct, and letting all thoughts fly out the window, she gripped his shirt in her hands weakly as his hand reached out to touch her soft curls.
Just as she felt him about to deepen the kiss, someone cleared their throat loudly behind them and they broke apart, startled.
"Well, well, well. Just what do we have here?"