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𝗙𝗮𝗹𝘀𝗲 𝗣𝗿𝗼𝗺𝗶𝘀𝗲𝘀
::  xxiii. | in the mountains

Everyone was packing for their trip away from Tree Hill to go to the mountains for a nice weekend vacation. They were all excited to have a nice, relaxing time away from Tree Hill with their friends and family but the drama . . . that, they can't run away from.

Julian had left a few days ago back to Los Angeles, Peyton and Chad were still on the outs. Now, Rachel and Ashely were in a middle of an argument of their own. The only sane couple was just Nathan and Haley but also maybe clay and Quinn.

Peyton has been avoiding the subject of marriage for the past couple of days. You could literally sense the tension between them as they both packed their bags in their bedroom on opposite sides of the bed. They would share small glances at each other when the other isn't looking.

As Chad began to zip up his bag, there was a quick knock at the front door. He immediately stopped what he was doing and went to go answer it. Peyton was curious herself so she followed him. She peeked her head around the corner to see who it was. Once he opened the door, there stood Alex Dupre.

"I was wondering if you could help me with something? I mean unless you're busy." Peyton heard Alex from around the corner. Peyton was now leaning back, with her head against the wall.

Chad was a bit hesitant. He didn't really know what to say but he also thought it didn't matter, "Yeah. Let's go."

Chad didn't know where he and Peyton stood. Honestly, neither did she. They were about to go on a trip to get them away from drama, but that obviously isn't the case. Peyton knew she and Chad weren't right. She knew everything was wrong, she just didn't know how to approach the situation. She didn't know what to say to maybe fix it. She didn't want to lose him but she also wants a future, a future where she's someone's wife.

• • •

Everyone had met up at Haley and Nathan's place. They threw their luggage in the trunks of their cars. It was time to go on their little weekend trip. Since Julian decided to go to LA, that meant Brooke was kind of going solo. In one car, drove Nathan with Haley, Quinn, clay, Lucas, and Brooke. While the other car was being driven by Chad with Peyton, Rachel, Ashely, and Jamie.

As of the cars drove behind the other, they all couldn't help but gossip about each other.

"I can't believe Julian just left Brooke like that. He obviously didn't hear my warning." Peyton mentioned.

"So you insert yourself in other people's problems now and not deal with your own?" Chad mumbled under his breath.

"What?" Peyton turned her head towards him.

"You guys are not arguing the whole way there." Ashely spoke up.

"We're not arguing!" Chad's voice rose for no reason.

Rachel shared an eye roll with her arms crossed over her chest, "Not yet."

Luckily Jamie wasn't hearing any of this. He was playing Ashely's phone with headphones in. Ashely wanted to protect him from that in case things turn sideways while on the road.

In the other car, things were not as bad.

"Have you spoken to Julian since?" Haley ask Brooke from the passenger side in the front of the car.

"He's left voicemails but no." Brooke's eyes wandered to her hands that were resting on her lap. Lucas put his arm around her and she leaned her head on his shoulder.

Everyone continued to talk & gossip about each other but more in a friendly manner. There were laughs here and there, but for Chad's car— it was mostly just silence and Jamie talking to Chad every once in awhile.

• • •

They all finally arrived at Rachel's family cabin. They parked in front and then got out. Jamie handed Ashely back her phone before running off back to his parents. They all unloaded the two cars and made their way into the huge cabin.

"Wow, still very big," Brooke commented as she walked in ahead of the group.

"Yeah and still very much the same. This makes me wanna redecorate." Rachel locked the door once everyone was in.

"Thought this was your family's cabin?" Nathan questioned.

Rachel nodded, "It is but that's what I still call it. They gave it to me so the lease is in my name."

Ashely looked at her for a moment, "So it's our cabin?"

Everyone saw what was about to happen, so they all slowly but surely started parting ways and heading to the bedrooms to leave Rachel and Ashely to talk.

Everyone knew who they were bunking with. Nathan, Haley, and Jamie of course. Chad with Peyton, basically all the couples were together. Since Lucas and Brooke were kinds of flying solo, they thought why not. While they all were in their rooms, they started to unpack and get settled in. Haley had max grouped everyone to all meet in the living room within the hour. While they unpacked, Rachel and ashely were still downstairs arguing. The same-sex couple didn't make it to their room until after about twenty minutes of arriving at the cabin.

Once the hour was up, everyone found their way to the living room.

"So what do you guys want to do?" Nathan ask the group.

"We could play never have I ever?" Brooke suggested, taking a sip of her drink.

"I'll go first." Chad scooted to the front of his seat, "Never have I slept with a buddy's sister."

The group chuckled amongst each other, knowing exactly who should be drinking. Chad, Lucas, Rachel, Nathan, and clay all picked up their bottles and took a gulp of their drink.

They all continued to play the game that basically reveals all your secrets. As time moved on, Nathan and clay joined Jamie outside to the throw the football. While the group was doing whatever they went to go do. Chad went up to his room and pulled out his guitar.

He began to strum on it. As the tune started to play out, he started to hum a bit to the melody. As he progressed, those hums formed into words — lyrics. As he was getting into the groove, there was a light knock on the door.

"Wanna play us a little something?" Ashely spoke and he turned around.

Chad agreed and walked down with his sister to the living room. Apparently pizza was ordered and everyone was eating while talking. Chad pulled up a stool and sat down with his guitar resting in his lap. Everyone turned their attention to Chad and he began to play a song he's been playing around with for a little while now.

The words sounded so sweet. Well written. The song lasted for a minute or two and once it ended, everyone clapped. They soon decided to call it a night and headed up stairs to their rooms. Ashely was the last to head up stairs. All her and Rachel have been doing was fighting and she knew as soon as she would enter the room, possibly another fight would break out. So she stayed downstairs, poured another glass of wine and thought for another five minutes.

a/n:
to be continued . . . .