A/N HEY GUYS ONCE AGAIN I WANT TO SAY HOW MUCH I ENJOY READING THE REVIEWS! ANYWAYS I'M GOING ON VACATION BY THE END OF THE WEEK SO I'LL TRY TO UPDATE A FEW CHAPTERS BEFORE I LEAVE……PLEASE R&R!
Lucas yawned as he made his way sleepily into the kitchen, "Morning." He mumbled, placing a kiss on his mother's cheek.
She looked up and smiled, "Morning sweetie. How'd you sleep last night?"
Lucas stretched his arms over his head as he plopped himself on the counter, "As well as can be expected, considering Peyton kicked me off my bed. Literally." he added taking a huge gulp of the orange juice his mom had placed in front of him.
She chuckled as she placed a stack of pancakes in front of him, "She up all night again?"
He reached for the syrup, "Not anymore than usual."
"Oh. Is there something troubling her?"
He took a bite of his food, "You mean other than her Dad leaving?"
She exhaled, "How's she taking that?"
Lucas shrugged, "You know Peyton, she's perfected the art of pretending to be fine when she's actually not."
Karen nodded thoughtfully, "I wish Larry didn't have to leave so often." She smiled, "Not that I don't love having her stay here."
"If it was up to you, she'd move in permanently." He grinned, knowing his mom's affection for the curly blonde ran deep, "But I know what you mean. It just seems that every time he comes, it's just to leave right back again."
"Who's leaving?" Peyton trudged into the kitchen, rubbing her eyes sleepily. She stumbled over to sit next to Lucas, gladly accepting the glass of orange juice from Karen.
"Uh…." Lucas looked over at his mom quickly, "We are actually." He glanced down at his watch, "You've got exactly ten minutes to eat, if you ever want to get ready in time."
She glanced over at the clock on the wall, her eyes catching sight of the time. She shrugged carelessly as she dug into her breakfast, "I had no idea it was this late." She mumbled in between bites, "I slept like a baby last night."
Lucas glared at her playfully, "Well I'm glad one of us did."
She looked back at him innocently, "Oh, I'm sorry. Did you sleep on the wrong side of the bed last night?"
"Try the wrong side of the floor." he shot back.
Karen smiled as she looked between them, shaking her head at their playful banter, "Okay you two, finish your breakfast. I don't want to hear about any more tardies." She looked pointedly at Peyton.
Peyton looked up, "Oh, c'mon. It was only one time, and that wasn't entirely my fault."
"Well whose fault was it then missy?" Lucas raised an eyebrow at her in a playful manner.
Peyton glared at him, "Lucas."
"Hmm?"
"Eat your pancakes."
Lucas chuckled and he looked over at his mom, "Hey Mom guess what? I was talking to Whitey yesterday and he was thinking of maybe having me start this Friday."
Karen paused, "For the game?"
"Uh…yeah what else?"
She nodded slowly, "This Friday? As in the day after tomorrow?"
"Yeah." he looked at her suspiciously, "You didn't forget did you?"
She swallowed her food, "Um…no…of course not…it's just with the Café being so slammed this past week..and-"
"Mom…" he sighed, "You are going to be there right?" she didn't say anything, "Right?" he pressured.
She sighed and put her fork down, "Lucas, honey, please don't be upset. Look…I really want to-"
"That's a lie." He said angrily.
"Lucas! Do not use that tone of voice with me." she rubbed her forehead with one hand, "I promise that I'll try okay? I can't exactly close down the café…you know money is tight around here and-"
Lucas pushed his stool away from the table, "I cannot believe this." he muttered. He took his empty plate and dropped it in the sink, "Fine. You know what, you don't want to be there and face Dan, that's just fine, but don't use the café as an excuse to not be there." He turned back to look at her, "I just thought being there for your son on such an important night, would overpower the need to hide from….well whatever it is that you're hiding from."
"Lucas!" she exclaimed, standing up, "Come back here young man, we are not done here!"
He came out a second later, his backpack in place, "I'm sorry mom, but I've said what I needed to say. I just truly hope that you think about this and change your mind. For my sake." He looked at Peyton pointedly, "I'll be waiting outside, don't take too long."
Peyton sighed and got up, taking her plate over to the dishwasher. She paused and looked back at Karen, who was looking at the front door, where Lucas had just stormed out of. She went over to her and hugged her tightly from behind, "He's right you know." She said softly. She placed a light kiss on the older woman's cheek, "I'll see you later Karen."
She nodded absently and stared down at her food thoughtfully.
Peyton emerged from the room with her backpack and glanced back at her. She gave her a reassuring smile and opened the front door, running down the steps to catch up with Lucas.
"I hope you know CPR, because baby, you take my breath away."
Haley swiveled around and raised an eyebrow, "Really, Felix?" she asked him incredulous.
He grinned and slid in next to her, leaning against the lockers, "So what do you plan on doing in retrospect? Are you gonna save me?"
She pulled out her math book and glared at him, "How bout' I just let you drown?"
He laughed, "As long as it's in your love, then yeah, baby let me drown."
She shook her head and turned away, biting back the smile that threatened to show up on her lips.
"Whoa…did the sun come out or did you just smile at me?" he teased.
She shut her locker and turned to face him, "Dude, enough with the lame one-liners."
He laughed, "Why? Afraid they might be working on you?"
"Oh yes, baby." She said sarcastically, "They've really done it for me, I want you soo bad. In fact, watch me not be able to stay away." she rolled her eyes and brushed past him.
"I knew it." He ran to catch up with her, placing an arm around her shoulders. "See, you really just pretend to not like me, but I know better." She squirmed under his arm and he grinned, "Your body language says it all."
She let out and exasperated sigh and pushed him away, "In your dreams."
He grinned, "You have no idea."
"No, I really don't. In fact I'd rather not."
He laughed, "You really are cute you know that?" he reached for her hand, "So listen Doll, what are you doing this weekend?"
She pulled her hand away from him quickly, "How about I just tell you what I'm not doing? I'm not hanging out with you or playing your little game, that's for sure." She retorted. She smiled at him sardonically as they reached the tutor center, "Now why don't you run along and hunt some poor defenseless girl with self-esteem problems to work your charm on?"
He stared after her as she left him standing there, "She turned me down." he muttered to himself in disbelief, "Me?! What the hell?"
He heard laughter behind him and he turned around to find Rachel watching him amused, "Is someone losing his touch already?" she taunted.
He glared at her, "It's not funny." He snapped.
"Awww, poor baby." She pinched his cheek, "I told you the Tutor wasn't going to give in that easily."
"Please." He snapped, "I'm just warming up. She'll be putty in my hands in a week tops."
She raised an eyebrow as they begin to walk down the hall, "I wouldn't be so confident if I was you Tagaro. I mean, we are talking about the prude."
"She hasn't had a dose of the Felix magic yet," he boasted, "Trust me, when I'm done with her, you won't be calling her a prude anymore."
She crinkled her nose, "Okay. Eww. So did not want to go there." She tucked her arm through his, "So listen, partner…what are you doing after school?"
He looked down at her and winked, "Don't you mean who?"
She rolled her eyes and smacked him on the arm, "You really are a pig y'know that?" she shook her head, "I need you to do something for me." he raised an eyebrow, "Not that." she hissed.
He sighed, "Fine, I'm all ears."
She smiled, "Okay so listen…today after practice I need you to hang around the gym."
He looked at her confused, "Why?"
"If things go my way…you'll understand why." They reached her classroom and she turned around before entering, "Oh! One more thing….make sure you bring your phone with you." she winked and waved at him.
He looked after her, "Yeah…okay." He didn't know just quite what she had up her sleeve, but one thing was for damn sure. It was bound to be something good.
"Why is it so damn bright in here?" Nathan muttered to himself as he walked inside the school. He blinked against the harsh light as it assaulted his eyes. Not to self, he thought, Never, ever convince yourself and the guys you can pound that much vodka on a school night.
He reached his locker and pulled out his English book. He paused and leaned against the cold metal as a wave of nausea hit him.
His eyes flew open as he heard a familiar laugh echo down the hall. He smiled as he saw the beautiful brunette make her way to her locker with a couple of the girls from the squad, trailing after her. He shut his locker and made his way over to her, stopping directly behind her to drop a kiss on her cheek, "Hey, beautiful." He whispered in her ear, "I missed you this morning."
She froze, and she took a deep breath, ignoring the way her heart raced whenever he was near. She grabbed a few books quickly and shut her locker as she looked back at the girls, "I'll see you guys at lunch." She said pointedly and then, without so much as an acknowledgement, brushed past the tall basketball player.
"Brooke!" he looked after her puzzled, wondering what the hell was going on. She ignored him and kept on walking.
He swore under his breath and pushed away from her locker, walking quickly to catch up with her. He caught her arm and turned her towards him, "Babe, what's going on?"
"Do not call me that." she said angrily, "In fact, don't call me anything at all."
"Okay, what the hell is your problem?" he asked, beginning to get angry, "Or are always such a bitch in the morning?"
"Such a-" she shook her head at him furiously; "You know what? Go to hell Nathan."
He closed his eyes and forced himself to count to ten. He reached for her arm again and pulled her roughly into the nearest empty classroom.
"What are you doing?" she asked angrily as he stepped directly in front of the door to keep her from leaving, "Let me go, you jackass." She hissed, pushing at his chest.
"Not until you tell me what the hell your problem is."
"As a matter of fact, you're my problem, Scott. You, and your lies and your stupid promises."
"What the hell did I do to you this early in the morning?" he asked her, at a total loss, wondering if she had completely lost it.
She let out a humorless laugh, "Are you seriously that dense? Or do you just not care?" she shook her head, "Why do I even ask? It's obvious it's the latter." She pushed past him and reached for the door.
"Brooke!" he exclaimed, beginning to feel the onset of a headache coming on. He reached out his arm to stop her, "Stop playing games and just tell me what the hell's got you so pissed off at me this morning."
She stopped and turned back to look at him through narrowed eyes, "Oh, I'm the one playing games? Why don't you tell me where the hell you were yesterday night?" she looked at him pointedly.
"Last night I was-" he stopped. Oh shit. "Brooke, wait…Babe I'm so sorry. I completely forgot..me and the guys-"
"You were with the guys?" she asked incredulous, "You've got to be kidding me. Since when is hanging out with them more important than spending time with your girlfriend?"
"And since when are you so needy?" he shot back.
Her mouth dropped open slightly, "Okay, you know what? Screw this. I'm done."
"Look, I'm sorry, okay?" He rubbed his temples, "But can we just do this later? I've got a hangover the size of Texas and-"
"How bout we just don't?" she snapped, she pushed him out of the way and stormed out of the room, slamming the door behind her.
"How about this one?"
Lucas looked over at the book Haley was holding up and stared at it thoughtfully. He shook his head and handed it back to her, "Nope sorry. But doing a piece on where there is still current debate on the sexual orientation of its content? Uh-uh. I don't need any more speculation going around about me."
"And here I thought, you were they type of guy who appreciated the beautiful art of poetry." She shook her head at him playfully, reaching for another book.
He looked up and smiled to himself as he gazed at her. He had to bite his tongue to keep from telling her just how much he appreciated beauty, her beauty, to be exact. He shook his head and forced his eyes back to the material in front of him.
She sat down at one of the nearby desks and flipped through the pages thoughtfully. He joined her a second later and she looked up and smiled. He smiled back and they both turned their attention to the subject at hand, reading in silence for a couple of minutes.
"Oh!" she said a couple of minutes later. She grinned and held up for him to see, "I think I've found mine."
He skimmed over it quickly and smiled, "Nice." He handed her the textbook back and she looked at his book, "What about you? Nothing yet?" he shook his head and she went to work on writing the sonnet down, leaving him to continue to read in silence.
"So…" she said conversationally after a moment, "You ready for Friday's game?"
He set his book down and turned to look at her, "I am….but…I don't think my mom is." He admitted.
"Oh." She said softly. She cleared her throat, "Yeah…that must be…I mean it must be tough to come back here and face…your past, if only for a night."
He paused, "But you'd think being there for her only son, would be more important than dealing with old demons."
"I'm sure once she realizes that, she'll come around Lucas." She smiled softly at him, "Don't be too hard on her."
He sighed and looked down, "Yeah, that's what Peyton said this morning."
Something unfamiliar flickered behind her eyes, "Oh. She..Uh.." she cleared her throat, "You guys are really close huh?" she asked, trying to keep her voice neutral.
"Yeah, I've known her forever." He smiled, "She practically lives at my house."
She nodded slowly, "And your mom? She doesn't mind?"
"Nah. My mom loves her. She's like the daughter she always wanted." He looked at her curiously, "Why do you ask?"
She fiddled with her pen nervously, "I just thought that…" she shrugged, "I don't know…that she would be uncomfortable having the both of you…" she waved her hand, "I guess…I mean it's a good thing that she thinks of your girlfriend as a daughter..." she trailed off.
He shot her a funny look, wondering where in the world she had gotten that idea, "My…girlfriend?" he choked out.
She let out a breath and shook her head, "I'm sorry." She mumbled, her cheeks turning an adorable shade of pink, "That's none of my business."
He let out a small laugh, "Haley…look I don't know where you got that ridiculous idea, but Peyton's not my girlfriend." He shook his head, "She's my best friend. That's all."
She looked up and her eyes met his, "You don't...you don't have to explain…."
He smiled, "No. But I wanted to."
She let out a breath she didn't realize she'd been holding and she smiled at him. She didn't understand where the sudden need for him to clear that up had come from, but she was glad he did and she felt a strange sense of relief at that knowledge. Why, she wasn't exactly sure.
"Okay." He said after a moment, "Listen to this…"
She walks in beauty, like the night
Of cloudless climes and starry skies;
And all that's best of dark and bright
Meet in her aspect and her eyes;
Thus mellowed to that tender light
Which heaven to gaudy day denies.
One shade the more, one ray the less,
Had half impaired the nameless grace
Which waves in every raven tress,
Or softly lightens o'er her face;
Where thoughts serenely sweet express
How pure, how dear their dwelling place.
And on that cheek, and o'er that brow,
So soft, so calm, yet eloquent,
The smiles that win, the tints that glow,
But tell of days in goodness spent,
A mind at peace with all below,
A heart whose love is innocent!
He looked up into her eyes and smiled, "I think I found the one I was looking for." He said softly.
Peyton slumped down on the bleachers after all the girls left the gym. She winced as she reached down to rub her left knee.
"Uh-Oh." A voice called out to her, "That's never a good sign."
She smiled as she watched the handsome dark-haired player make his way over to her. "Hey, Jake right?"
He nodded and pointed to her knee, "You going to be okay? You know, that's the worst thing that can happen to an athlete, a sprained knee, or worse."
She rolled her eyes playfully, "I wouldn't exactly call Cheerleaders athletes. Cheerleading is hardly a sport."
"Don't let Brooke hear you say that." he teased. He sat beside her and dug in his duffel bag, "Ah." He said, pulling out some adhesive sports tape. He motioned to her knee, "Can I?"
She nodded and lifted her leg slightly so that it was laying across his lap. He carefully wrapped the tape around her knee, making sure not to wrap it too tight.
"Thanks." She said, once he was done.
"Sure, anytime." He said easily, "Just make sure not to overdo it." he smiled, "We don't need an injured cheerleader on the first game."
"Tell that to Brooke will you?" she joked, "She's killing us, with these two-hour practices. And now she's even talking about meeting before school." She shook her head, "Is she always this crazy? Or is it only for the first game of the year that she, I don't know, overdoes it?"
He smiled, "That's Brooke for you. She means well, although she doesn't always come across that way. But this cheerleading thing means a lot to her." he shrugged, "Besides, she wouldn't ride you guys so much, if she didn't think that you guys could do it."
She raised an eyebrow, "Really? Huh. And here I just thought she was just a bitch."
He laughed, "Give her time. The thing about Brooke is…she has a hard time letting people in. But once she does, you realize just what a great girl she really is."
She smiled at him, "You really like her don't you?"
He blushed slightly, "W-what?"
She shrugged. It was a simple question and it wasn't meant to throw him off, " "Well it just seems like you think very highly of her."
He let out a breath, "Yeah, well I've known her grade school.." he shrugged, "We actually used to be really close until…."
"Until what?"
He shook his head, "Never mind." he looked at her knee, "So you think you can get out of here all right?"
She nodded and stood up slowly, "Yeah, all I want to do right now, is hole up in my room and shuffle through my classics."
He stood up with her, "What kind of classics?"
She smiled, "Where do you want me to start? I've got a huge collection."
"How huge?"
"Wall to wall huge." She grinned, her eyes twinkling like they always did, whenever she talked about anything music related.
"Really? Wow."
She nodded, "Listen, I don't know about you, but I'm famished, how bout getting something to eat?" she grinned, "My treat, for helping me with my knee, Dr. Jake." She teased.
He grinned back at her, "I'd like that."
She nodded as he helped her down the steps onto the floor, "Good, I know a place that has the best club sandwich in town."
Haley walked over to her locker after practice, completely wiped. Practice had been killer today. Brooke hadn't let up and had insisted they go through the routines 4 times to ensure that they were absolutely perfect for that week's game.
"Uh.." she groaned, grabbing her books from her locker slowly. She couldn't wait to go home and soak her aching muscles in a hot shower.
"You must be that damn tired from running through my mind all day."
"Felix…please.." she groaned, "No this again."
He held up his hands, "Okay, fine. No more lines, I promise." He looked at her thoughtfully, "Practice that bad?"
She rubbed her shoulder, "Yeah.." she said softly, "You know Brooke. She's a stickler for perfection."
His eyes sparkled, "Then she doesn't need to work you so hard. You're already perfect." He teased.
Haley sighed, "Look, Felix, why don't you just give it up? I'm not interested okay?"
He leaned against her locker to grin at her, "You will be." He insisted
She rolled her eyes, "Just stop okay? If you're really that desperate to get laid…"
He cut her off, "Wait. Is that what you think this is?"
She looked back at him surprised, "Uh…yeah. That's all it ever is to you."
"Well maybe you should reconsider how you judge people." He pushed away from her locker and stalked off.
She looked after him, her mouth dropping open in awe, "Okay, what the hell was that all about?" she muttered.
"Are you still mad?"
Brooke paused as she gazed over at Nathan. He was standing just outside the girl's locker room, propped up against the wall, his arms crossed over his chest.
She rolled her eyes and tried to walk past him.
"Brooke.." he called out, "Can you just stop? Look, we need to talk."
She turned around and faced him, "I have absolutely nothing to say to you." she said coldly.
He ran his hand through his hair in frustration, "What else do you want me to say? I've already apologized. I'm sorry I forgot….but it's just the guys and I had to take care of something last night and-"
"And you couldn't even have the consideration enough to let me know?" she fumed, "What was so important that it couldn't wait till today? What was so important that you had to leave me hanging like that huh?"
"You wouldn't understand." He said angrily.
She threw her hands up, "That's just it Nathan! I'm tired of having to understand. All I ever do with you is understand! This relationship goes both ways, it's not all about you! Have you ever thought about that huh? Ever think about the fact that maybe I've got my own shit to deal with?"
"Like what?" he scoffed, "Your silly little cheers? Daddy's credit cards? What clothes to buy this week?" he rolled his eyes, "Yeah, I'm sure you've got some real problems to deal with there Baby."
"Y'know what? Screw you." she spat, picked up her duffle bag and storming off.
He winced and he ran up to intercept her, "Hey..I'm sorry okay? I didn't mean it like that."
She broke free from his grasp angrily, "Just save it will you? I'm sick and tired of this. I'm sorry," she mocked, "How many times am I going to hear that from you huh? Or better yet, how many times am I going to let myself hear that? I told you earlier, I'm done. We're done."
"Okay. Fine." he snapped, "Until when?"
She glared at him, "How does forever sound?"
He scoffed, "The same way it did last time. So, I'll see you tomorrow then?" he mocked.
"Not this time." she shook her head at him furiously, "I mean it. I've had it. I can't do this anymore. Not until you get your priorities straight."
He rolled his eyes, "And by that, I'm guessing you mean you?"
"Okay you know what? Why don't I just make it easier on you? You can cross me off you damn list, because obviously I haven't been up there, with the guys and basketball in a long time, if ever."
"So that's it? You're just going to walk away?"
She paused and turned to look back at him, blinking back the unexpected tears. "You walked away from this relationship a long time ago."
His heart tightened in his chest as he watched her walk away, "Damn it." he swore, banging his head back on the wall.
"She always has to make it about her doesn't she?"
He turned to the side and watched as Rachel walked over to stand directly in front of him.
"You heard." He stated.
She nodded and placed a hand on his shoulder, "She doesn't understand you Nathan." She leaned in closer to him, her arm snaking around the back of his neck, "At least not the way that I could." She whispered and before he knew what was happening, she was crashing her lips to his.
She smiled against his lips as she felt him return her gesture with full force. She tilted her head to the side slightly and opened her eyes to find Felix grinning at her a couple of feet away. She gave him the thumbs-up and wrapped her other arm around Nathan tightly, deepening their already heated kiss.
He groaned against her mouth softly, wanting nothing more than to forget about Brooke and their stupid argument. He let the redhead deepen the kiss, all the while, unbeknownst to him and just like planned, with Felix around the corner recording the whole thing with his phone.
"Okay, so we shooting for teams? Loser buys winner dinner?" Skills dribbled the basketball along the sidewalk as he and Lucas walked from his house to the court.
Lucas laughed and plucked the ball from him, "So that would be the what? 7th dinner you owe me?"
"Ha-Ha…that was one time dawg."
Whatever Lucas was about to say, was quickly forgotten as they reached the court. They both looked around in complete shock. The place, which was like their sanctuary, was completely unrecognizable. It was completely trashed. Lucas looked around in aghast. There was a sticky mixture covering the pavement all around the court. He stooped on one knee and inspected it. Motor Oil. He realized, disgusted. Aside from that, all around the concrete, spelled out in different colors, were several inscriptions, You suck, punk, loser, why don't you just quit.
He stood up and shared a silent furious look with Skills. He clenched his fists in fury as his gaze caught the big black letters atop the dashboard where the net had been completely ripped off, 'Bastard'.
