The One with the Move and the Choice

Part 8

A/N: I’m sorry that it’s so short, but it’s like one- one thirty am and I have to get up really early tomorrow. The story should be winding down pretty soon, and it’s definitely a Leyton. Onwards and Upwards. Thanks O Logic One!

Brooke walked out the clothing boutique Kali Rose on Lauded Avenue, swinging her purple bag back and forth and humming softly under her breath to herself. She turned the corner and collided with someone. They both fell into the large fountain in the center of the mall with a loud splash. Many people turned to look.

“Oh, crap!” Brooke said. She turned to look at Peyton. Peyton looked at her.

“Um, hi,” Peyton said apprehensively.

“Hey,” Brooke said back. Peyton couldn’t help but laugh.

“What?” Brooke said.

“This. The situation. Us. We look like drowned rats! Just look at us. We’re sitting in the middle of the fountain in the mall, with at least half of the people shopping staring at us. Always like to make an entrance, huh? Or an exit. Whatever.” Peyton laughed more. Brooke couldn’t help but smile and laugh along with her.

“We are in a really funny situation. And we really, really, do look like drowned rats! But my clothes are getting wet, and so are your crappy CD’s, so we should really get the hell out of here.”

“Hey! My music is not crappy! Just, um ... a little strange at times. Ok? Good.” Peyton said. Brooke grinned and they walked out of the mall.

“Well, of course your music isn’t crappy, I mean, how could I think such a thing? I must be insane!” Peyton swatted her playfully.

“Like, oh my god! That is the cutest thing I’ve ever seen! No wait, that’s cuter! I’ll just get daddy’s credit card and buy it! Like, oh my god, oh my god, oh my god!” Peyton batted her eyelashes and pretended to swoon while mocking Brooke. Brooke stuck her tongue out at her. “So, coffee?” she said.

“Absolutely,” Peyton said. “Just...not at one of those Laundromats. The kind that serves coffee as well.” She looked off into the distance as if remembering something. Brooke did the same.

“Ah, yes,” she said. “I must’ve had like, what, eleven coffees?”

“Actually, fourteen,” Peyton corrected. She grinned impishly at Brooke. “You were waaaaaaay too hyper. And then you...”

“I thought you said we were never going to talk about that again, Curly girl!” Brooke cried. “Nuh uh!”

“Oh oops!” Peyton looked at Brooke innocently and put a hand to her mouth. “Did I say to much, Cheery?” Brooke mock glared at Peyton and stuck out her tongue. She held out her arm.

“Come on, Best Friend,” she said, but it was almost as if she was asking a question, asking for an apology. Peyton smiled and stuck her arm into Brooke’s.

“I’m coming, Best Friend,” she confirmed as if answering her question and saying her apology was ok.

Later that evening Peyton and Brooke stumbled off of one of the public buses about a block away from Peyton’s house.

“OH MY GOD that was the funniest thing!” Brooke shrieked as she clutched Peyton’s arm. Peyton burst out laughing.

“I mean, when you through your entire popcorn bucket- triple extra large- on that lady’s head, I thought I was either going to pass out or spontaneously combust!” Brooke continued.

“She was just pissing me off,” Peyton said. “And that was the worst movie in the world anyway. I mean, who would actually want to watch it anyway?”

“Well, apparently the entire theater except for us. Why else would everyone in the theater turn around and shush us?” Brooke replied. They reached Peyton’s front stoop, which Brandon was sitting on.

“Brandon!” Peyton shrieked and ran into his arms. “Hiiiiiiiiii!” Brooke waved emphatically.

“We’re high on sugar!” she yelled. Brandon raised his eyebrows.

“Ok, then, Peyt, want me to bring you upstairs?” Brooke raised her eyebrows suggestively.

“Ooh, la, la, upstairs!” Brooke laughed and Peyton playfully swatted her arm.

“So, I’ll see you in school tomorrow, Best Friend?” she asked.

“Totally, absolutely and completely, Best Friend,” Brooke replied. She walked down the sidewalk to her car. Peyton smiled nostalgically after her.

“So, who was that?” Brandon asked as her picked her up and carried her upstairs. Peyton looped her arms around his neck.

“My best friend,” she replied sleepily. “Brookie.”

“You never mentioned her,” Brandon said. “I always thought that your best friend was Allison or that girl Haley.”

“Allison’s an ok friend here. Brooke and I haven’t talked in years, because of... a fight. We’ve both been holding up grudges. I don’t like grudges. No pair of best or really good friends should have grudges against each other,” Peyton babbled in her sugar high. Brandon laughed at her. Peyton gave him a soft smile.

“Anyway, Hales is my other best friend from Tree Hill. She and Brooke are friends also. Hales is dating Nathan, and Brookie is dating Luke. So does that answer your question?” she asked.

He brushed a kiss over her forehead. “Yup,” he replied. “Night, Peyt.” He left and Peyton fell asleep.

‘Friends,” she thought happily.