Seasons Change
Chapter 1
As he watched her from afar, he grew increasingly aware of her different if not strange behavior.
Sure, Brooke Davis would always be Brooke Davis: the centre of every (gay included) guy's attention if not desire. It was just her default setting. But tonight, she looked different. Yes, her trademark seductive and wicked smirk was never lifted and her hips were still swaying in the routine mesmerizing and enchanting manner; but there was something amiss about her hazel eyes- they no longer held her infamous evil glint, they looked…blank and detached almost.
He shook his head of these disturbing thoughts and turned his attention to Haley; his sweet, beautiful and innocent girlfriend. A small grin found its way to the corners of his mouth and he couldn't help feeling his heart swell over the way she made him feel. It was like, whenever he was with her, he could be someone completely different: someone worthy in life. Nothing could get better than that.
He leaned down and whispering in his husky voice, asked whether she wanted to dance or not. He could see her smile mischievously at his suggestion and smirked in return. She snorted, patted him on the chest, kissed his cheek and walked over to Lucas and Peyton.
Did he just get rejected by his own girlfriend for a dance?
Still confused, he walked over to them and looked at her in question.
"I'm sorry Nate. It's just…do you really think I want to dance like some slut? I'm not like that; I'd rather just sit here with my friends and boyfriend, talking."
"Hales, parties are meant to be fun and a little dancing can't hurt. No one's asking you to dance like Brooke over there."
Haley snickered quietly but was soon silenced by Lucas's death glare. He was also sent a glare and noticed how Peyton's back went stiff at the mention of her 'former best friend'.
He knew all about the Brooke-Lucas-Peyton drama and frankly he didn't care. To him, Lucas and Peyton were the two last people he'd actually consider sympathizing. That left Brooke, but frankly, he saw her as nothing more than a preppy, bitchy and mean cheerleading slut- however blunt that may sound.
"Nathan, might I remind you of all those parties where it was YOU who danced with Brooke- and from what I remember, it was a lot worse than her display tonight."
Peyton shot him a saccharine sweet smirk and he went slightly pink at the memories. Haley didn't need to know that. He shot a warning glance at his ex, shifted his eyes to Haley for a second, before looking at his shoes again.
"Calling Brooke a slut is like saying that today is Saturday."
"Oh, and what was it that you told Tim? Oh yeh! I remember now, it was something like- if I wasn't with Peyton and Brooke happened to be in the same room as me, it would be my lucky night. Isn't that right Nate?"
"My point proven." He shot back and gave her a disapproving glare. He didn't want to see Haley's crestfallen face at the moment, let alone on the way home.
"Yeh, if your point was to prove what an asshole you are."
"What's your problem? It's nothing new that Brooke is a whore. We all know it! Hell, even she does! Does it really bother you that she's getting plenty and you're not?"
"It doesn't bother me! What bothers me is the way you're mouthing my BEST FRIEND! Someone you've known your entire life!"
He looked down at his feet again. He was growing frustrated at all this Brooke talk. She wasn't exactly his favorite person.
"Peyton, no offence, but why should you defend someone who's treating you like crap right now?" He heard Haley speak on his behalf and was somewhat grateful for it. At least Peyton wouldn't bitch her out.
"Because she feels guilty, tutor-girl."
He felt his entire body stiffen at the husky and slurred voice. He turned around and was met by a pair of hazel eyes. Hazel eyes devoid of any emotion whatsoever. They looked so…blank. It was actually scaring him.
She quirked an eyebrow, walked –no, strutted- towards Haley and bent down to her eye-level. If that didn't intimidate Haley, nothing ever would.
"You might want to take your little snobby nose out of the air and look around you for a change and take notice of things missy. But, because I'm feeling nice, why don't I give you a nice little wrap-up? See that asshole sitting next to you? You know him as your bestest best friend and others know him as Lucas. Me? I see him as my former boyfriend who cheated on me with fake goldilocks sitting opposite you, otherwise known as the girl I'd do anything for, oh and let's not forget your perfectly molded boyfriend standing over there who's only calling me a slut because he's bitter he never got any of me. Would you like me to continue? Or is that enough for you to call me a bitch? And after all that, you say I'm the one treating them like crap? And I thought you were smart."
She glared at the three of them, turned on her heel and her glare landed on…him. Her hazel eyes, still detached, burned holes into him. He didn't dare look up, but instead swallowed loudly, took a deep breath, ignored the mental protests and then finally looked up and shot her a lazy smirk in return.
"Why would I want something that's been used and dumped for the recycling trash?"
He vaguely heard Peyton gasp, Haley choke back a laugh and Lucas's chair scraping back. Before Peyton could tell him off, before Haley could laugh out loud and before Lucas could throttle him, Brooke slapped him.
And as if on cue, everything stopped. The music stopped and everyone turned around to see the resident bitch on the drunken war-path once again. All that could be heard was her laborious breaths and the resounding echo of her slap. Then, the silence was broken.
"Don't you dare," she warned in a dangerously low unwavering whisper. Strangely, her voice was still devoid of any emotion.
Then she screamed, "Don't you fucking DARE"
She then turned, pushing people aside as she made her way through the crowd and ran out of Tim's house before another word or sound could be said.
Her slap left a red imprint on his face and he still felt a chilling sting from it. She must've had plenty of practice. His face felt like it was burning and that any moment now his skin would just break under all the heat and pressure.
Why didn't he listen to his usually-good-for-nothing brain? It told him to just shut up and leave her alone.
But everyone knew it was impossible to leave Brooke Davis alone. Whether she was hated or loved, no one could leave her alone. Himself included. Although he had been doing pretty well at it for the last two years.
A/N: Muahahaha:) My first one tree hill fanfiction…throws confetti. Can you feel the drama? oO haha. Ok, heads up, this is strictly a BRATHAN fic :) YAY! I felt that it was about time Brathan started taking over so here I am contributing! Also, I usually NEVER write in the omniscient 3rd narrator voice, because I hate it; but I decided I'd go out of my comfort zone and try it. What the heck, I think it sort of worked :(
And from the beginning, as some might have picked up, I'm very anti-Naley, so sorry to those who love them. I probably would portray Haley and their relationship as I see it (not a good thing), so just another warning :)
PLEASE REVIEW!
cheers,
ethereal tear