While The Mother Is Out

One Tree Hill A.U. Season 1

Chapter One: Absolutely Radiant

“Hey best friend!”
Peyton smiled as Brooke skipped happily toward her and sat down at the picnic table across from her. “You're happy.” Peyton observed of Brooke. “Did you do something slutty?”

“Am I that transparent?” Brooke giggled. “Senior boy certainly knows how to deliver . . .”

“Ew . . . I don't wanna know,” Peyton scrunched her face . . . but at the same time she was thinking about Lucas.

“Hang on . . . you're not fooling me,” Brooke stared her blonde friend down, smiling. “You're glowin' P. Sawyer.”

“W-what? No I'm not,” Peyton looked around, trying to avoid Brooke's gaze. She couldn't stop smiling.

“You so totally are!” Brooke's eyes were wide and she gasped. “You went out with Lucas last night!” Brooke paused a moment. “You so did it!”

“N-no,” Peyton shook her head. “No we didn't.”

“You totally did!” Brooke giggled. “I knew it wouldn't take long!”

“Brooke, keep it down!” Peyton rolled her eyes. Other students were starting to stare at them.

“Oh my god!” Brooke squealed. “You two are going to be so cute together!” Peyton gave her a look. “What? I can totally see it. You're both so . . . broody!” Brooke giggled. “You'll have blonde broody babies together!”

“Yeah, not anytime soon,” Peyton sodidn't wanna go there. Just because Lucas and Nathan's mothers had them young didn't mean she wanted to follow in their footsteps.

“Well, duh!” Brooke chuckled. She held on to Peyton's arm like a small child. “You and me'll rule the school. You've got Lucas . . . the hottest Scott reject. And I've got Owen!”

“Owen?” Peyton said.

“Senior boy,” Brooke stated, as if it was obvious. “Geez, P. Sawyer, pay attention.” Peyton shrugged. “Plans for tonight?”

“I dunno . . . I haven't talked to Luke yet today,” Peyton said.

“Owen and I are going to Nathan's party tonight at the beach house. Wanna double it?” Brooke said.

“I'll think about it,” Peyton sighed. The party-scene wasn't really her thing . . . she mostly went 'cause she was dating Nathan. Now . . . who knew.

“Okey-dokey!” Brooke smiled. “I've gotta meet Owen for a mid-morning makeout session. I'll see you later!” The bubbly brunette grabbed her bag and ran off.

~*~

Lucas snuck behind Peyton in the hallway and kissed her on the cheek. “Hi blondie.” She turned, a smile present from ear to ear, and wrapped her arms around his neck. “You look absolutely radiant today.”

Peyton blushed, “You're none too shabby yourself.”

“I've been thinking about you all morning,” Lucas kissed her. “So I hear there's a party tonight.”

“Yeah, Brooke wants to double with Owen.” Peyton told him, “Nathan's hosting it.”

Lucas sighed. “Haley's really getting serious with him. I'm worried about her.”

“Well . . .” Peyton took a deep breath. “When I dated Nathan he was nothing but a jerk . . .”

“That's my point!” Lucas said.

“But . . .” Peyton said. “But now . . . I think he really likes her, Luke.”

“People don't just change like that. He's going to hurt her,” Lucas said.

“People change all the time, Lucas. Just look at me,” Peyton said. “Before I met you I was miserable. I hated life and everyone in it. But now . . .” She smiled. “Just look at me, I can't stop smiling!”

Lucas laughed, “You are adorable when you smile.”

“See?” Peyton said. “Just give him a chance. If he wants to change I think he and Haley could be really happy together . . . just like us.”

Lucas took a deep breath and thought it out for a moment. He really hoped Peyton was right . . . because he wanted his best friend to be as happy as he was. But there was still a part of him that was skeptical. “We'll see . . .”

“That's the spirit!” Peyton kissed him. “So . . . about this party? Are we going?”

“Um . . . I guess we could go for a little while,” Lucas relented. What could it hurt?

~*~

It wasn't two minutes after Peyton and Lucas stepped into the beach house when all hell broke loose. It was their first time out as an official couple . . . and everyone was taking note of that. The blonde moody cheerleader who used to date Nathan Scott was arm in arm with the broody illegitamate son of Dan Scott and Karen Rowe. Peyton hated all of their stares . . . but she wasn't going to let that stop her from loving Lucas. She'd been in the spotlight for a long time while dating Nathan . . . she could handle it again.

They continued to walk through the crowded mass of nosy teenagers when Peyton noticed Brooke sitting in a corner by herself in the kitchen. She turned to Lucas. “You go ahead. I'm gonna go get in the bathroom line.”

He nodded and kissed her. “Sure, babe. I'll go find Haley and meet you in the living room later.”

They unhooked their arms and went their seperate ways. Peyton went into the kitchen and sat down on the floor beside Brooke. The normally bubbly brunette was crying softly, her face covered by her hair. After a few seconds, Brooke rested her head on Peyton's shoulder. “Hey best friend.” Brooke's voice was small.

“Hi,” Peyton responded. “Where's Owen?”

Brooke whimpered. “Not here.”

“That doesn't sound good,” Peyton whispered. “Did you two have a fight?”

“He said he didn't wanna go to a stupid junior's party. He wanted to go to his house 'cause his parents are gone for the week,” Brooke sobbed.

“Oh . . .” Peyton sighed. He was one of those guys.

“Yeah . . .” Brooke sniffled. “But I really wanted to come and see you guys.”

“Maybe you're better off then,” Peyton said.

“I really liked him,” Brooke cried into Peyton's shoulder.

“If he's worth it, he'll apologize,” Peyton observed. “If not . . . then maybe it's time to move on.”

Brooke sat up, rubbing her eyes and pushing her hair back. “. . . you're probably right, P. Sawyer.”

“You gonna be okay?” Peyton asked Brooke.

Brooke took a deep breath, wiping her eyes. “You always take care of me.”

“Come on, B. Davis,” Peyton pulled the both of them up. “Let's go meet Luke and Haley and Nathan and have some fun.”

“Lucas and Nathan? At the same party?” Brooke said. “This should be interesting.”
“Yeah,” Peyton sighed, “We'll see how it goes.”

“I need a drink,” Brooke groaned.

“Amen to that,” Peyton sighed.

To Be Continued . . .

Author's Note: So? How was the 2nd chapter? How do you think the rest of the party will go? I would love to hear what you think!