𝗙𝗮𝗹𝘀𝗲 𝗣𝗿𝗼𝗺𝗶𝘀𝗲𝘀
::  xi. | debacles of life

And they all were there. The boys at Nathan's place and the girls at Brooke's. Wallowing in their pity. Oh no, but not all. Brooke had exiting news, Haley was now experiencing something she never thought could happen, Millie felt confused, Peyton was a lost at words and well, Mia was doing just fine.

The boys— well Lucas didn't understand, Nathan felt helpless, mouth had to but didn't want to and Chad, he just didn't see it coming.

Life was hitting them really hard like a rock. All of them were in a place where they leaned on each other for help, where they needed a different perspective on life besides their own. One thing they all knew was that whatever decision they make — it won't just hurt them, it'll hurt other's too.

.

"So this is how we're all spending our Saturday night? Huddled up in my living room?" Nathan was making his way back to the living room from getting a beer out the fridge in the kitchen.

"Trust me, if my life wasn't so... fucked right now, I wouldn't be here." Chad spoke as he made a sly glance towards Lucas who sat right next to him.

"Neither would I." Lucas chimed in.

Nathan took a seat across from some of the boys with his beer in hand. He sighed as he leaned back in the chair, "So who wants to go first? Please drown us in your problems."

While the boys began their therapy session, the girls were having cocktails at Brooke's while bashing on their significant others.

"When this gets out, it's going to be hell." Haley took a sip of her drink.

"Do you think he did it?" Brooke ask.

"No, he would never. Nathan loves me, he would never cheat on me." Haley tried to reassure herself.

Peyton scoffed, "Never say never." She managed to mumble under her breath, but considering Haley is next to her, she of course heard it.

"And what is that suppose to mean?" She snapped her head towards Peyton with her arms across her chest.

"Nothing." Peyton got up and began to walk to the kitchen with Haley following from behind, "Seriously hales, nothing."

.

.

.

"Wait, so you propose and she says no?" Mouth clarifies.

"Right. What do I do with that?" Lucas looked around at everyone, trying to find an answer.

Chad was a bit shocked by the news. Not that he proposed, but because she said no. But knowing Peyton, she doesn't directly say things like that, so she must've danced around it.

"Did she say no or...?" Chad ask. It felt weird for him to ask Lucas that but tonight wasn't about hatred, it was figuring out life problems and trust me, everyone had them.

"Well, I mean— she said she'll think about it, but that's still no. I mean, is it?" It was obvious he wanted to be wrong. He hoped Peyton would say yes, but deep down lucas knew there was someone else. There always has been.

Chad could see it on his face that he wanted to marry her so badly. So what came out of his mouth next, no one expected— not even him. "She'll say yes, trust me. You're a good guy, Lucas."

.

.

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"Lucas probably hates me now! This is the second time I told him I wasn't ready." She let out a heavy sigh, plopping back down on the couch.

"Maybe it's not Lucas..." Millie started and everyone looked in her direction. "Maybe you are ready, but don't want to be. Perhaps, something's holding you back or someone?"

Peyton scoffed, leaning back. "I only have eyes for Lucas."

"Whatever you say, but your heart's saying something different." Millie lastly said before taking a big gulp of her drink.

Brooke was in the background listening to the conversation she couldn't help but think maybe Millie was right and if so, does Peyton still have feelings for Chad? She wasn't sure why she was getting jealous of that thought. She was the one who broke up with him and maybe it's because she never gave him an explanation or a real answer.

Brooke was too lost in her thoughts that she didn't even notice everyone left, except Haley.

"Brooke?" Haley called as she stood across from her with an island in between them.

"Where'd everyone go?" She realized Mia and Millie had left.

"They left." Haley replied, "I'm actually about to leave too." She walked over and gave Brooke a hug along with Peyton, then made her way out the door.

.

.

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Chad was the last to leave Nathan's place because he wanted to talk about something. Soon after, he then left. On his way out the door, he pulled out his phone out his back pocket. He unlocked it and then called his sister. After two rings, she answered.

"Hey, ash." He greeted once she picked up the phone.

"Oh my gosh, my brother is actually calling me." He could tell she was being sarcastic.

"I always call." He defended himself.

"That's a lie." She exposed him in a sing-song tone.

He just chuckled at her tone as he continued to leave Nathan's driveway with the phone held to his ear.

"How are you?" Her tone changed in an instant. It was more sincere.

"Been alright, you?" Chad had now approached the street, walking on the sidewalk dead of night back to mouth's place. He knows he could've got a ride, but he preferred walking. It always cleared his head.

"Same." She spoke lightly, "So ive been meaning to come see you— visit you. LA must be nice."

"There's been a change in location for me. North Carolina, well—" He started.

"Wait! You went back home! Why? I thought you liked it in LA." She interrupted him.

"I did, but it's a long story." He told her as he crossed the street.

"I have time." Ashely spoke on the line. Chad smiled at her response.

It's been a while since they last spoke. After high school they vowed to keep in touch no matter what, but life gave them a curve. They headed down different paths and no, they didn't grow apart. They just became their own person and well love also played a huge part of why they don't see each other often.

Don't get me wrong, the Donovan siblings always been close since forever. They do have their fair share of fights like any other pair of siblings, but their relationship was special. They couldn't stay angry for too long and they always found a way to pick each other back up. Yeah, siblings could be annoying but they enjoy each other's company.

Speaking about family, they don't talk to their parents much anymore. The reason of that is well, their parents weren't to fond of who Ashely ended up with. They support her one hundred percent, they don't mind that she's bisexual. It's just the person, they never were too fond of them. Not even in high school. That's why there's a wedge between Ashely and her parents.

For Chad, he speaks to them once in a while but not often. When they hurt Ashely, they also hurt him. See him and Ashely are so close, that he chose his sister over the people that birthed him. It wasn't an easy decision but at the end of the day, she's the only real family he has.

a/n:
FIRST CHAP OF
ACT II

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