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𝗙𝗮𝗹𝘀𝗲 𝗣𝗿𝗼𝗺𝗶𝘀𝗲𝘀
:: xxxii. | bluebird in the spring

"Haley, you asked us all here because . . . . ?" Brooke was kind of growing impatient. She just wanted Haley to get straight to the point already.

A big smile grew across Haley's lips, "The school is doing a night for the adults. Boy Toy Night."

"I feel like we did something like this in high school." Ashely couldn't help but remember those good ole days when life was less complicated.

Haley quickly nodded, "Yes we did. But this time, it's for the adults. The guys will go and show themselves off, then the ladies bid. Everyone's going."

"I'll go, if you convince the guys to do it." Ashely bargained.

"Fine, but it's not going to be that difficult." Haley had her arms crossed over her chest, all high and mighty. She already knew persuading Nathan wouldn't be so hard but for the other guys . . . she was in a for a real treat.

• • •

Chad shared a look with Peyton before glancing back at Haley, "You want me to go on stage and shake my ass to win a date til midnight with a random girl?"

"Yes?" Haley had her fingers crossed, hoping that he would agree.

He threw his arms up, "Fine. But only on one condition."

"I'm listening." Haley had a smile so big that it could just light up the whole room.

"Everyone bids on their significant other. No drama. Deal?" Chad stuck out his hand.

"Deal." Haley took his hand in her's, shaking it. It signified their deal.

The conversation soon fell silent with Haley smiling brightly that she had accomplished the task, which was to get all the boys to participate.

Soon afterwards, she had left to go back to her duties. Chad on the other hand, he had just pulled Peyton into the living room to have an important chat with her. He was scared. This could either ruin their relationship or make it stronger. Either way, he felt guilty about it but he had to find some way to deal with it instead of suppressing it.

They both sat on the couch, Peyton staring at him as he figured out the right words to say.

"Ok, I'm just going to say it." He looked up at her, "I love you with all my heart, you know that but my feelings for Brooke never went away. The way we broke up was weird. I never dealt with any of it. All I did was push them aside." He sighed, "Then when she started dating Julian, I thought that would help me move on and it did for a little bit— with you."

Peyton interrupted, "Where is this coming from? Why are you telling me now?"

"I don't want to go into this marriage with lies or baggage from past relationships." He told her.

"And I don't want to be in a marriage where my husband has feelings for my best friend." She stood up.

"What are you saying?" He stayed seated, looking up at her.

"I don't want to marry you until you figure your shit out." She slid the ring off her finger and gave it to him. "When you do, you know where to find me."

• • •

Since Chad didn't know what to do with these feelings, he went to the source. He had to talk to her, to be honest even if it meant hurting someone in the process. So he knocked on Brooke's door and waited for an answer. Just in a few moments, there she stood — all dressed up, pretty.

"I'm assuming Haley convinced you to participate?" Brooke had an amused expression on her face.

He nodded, "She did but that's not why I'm here. Could I come in?"

Brooke moved aside to let him in and closed the door behind him. He didn't want to sit down so he stayed standing. He didn't know where to start, this was all confusing for him too.

"Is my sister here?" He didn't want a lot of people knowing which is why he ask. He wanted to keep it on the down low.

She shook her head, "No. Chad what's wrong?"

And so he told her everything. He told her of his feelings he still had. He spoke about how he just suppressed them instead of dealing with the breakup. He was completely honest.

Brooke ran her fingers through her hair. She was actually shocked he still felt that way about her.

"What about Peyton? Did you tell her yet?" Brooke was now standing up. She couldn't exactly sit down anymore.

Chad pulled the ring out his pocket and showed Brooke. Her arms went up in the air in distress. She couldn't believe this was happening. Out of all the crazy things she's heard of or seen, Chad still feeling this way was pretty up there.

She stayed standing for only a couple of seconds before she was on her knees in front of Chad. She rested her arms on his legs as she finished collecting her thoughts.

"Ok, I get it. I understand. Thank you for telling me. I guess, I did the same thing too. Our break up was pretty random and I quickly jumped into another relationship without thinking of you first." She took a quick breath, "And we can't forget the fact that it took a whole fucking year to say I love you. Which was the best. I love your I love yous."

"What am I suppose to do? I want to marry Peyton." The blonde boy told the burnette girl.

She shrugged, "I guess I'll talk to her."

Their conversation slowly fell silent and just as Brooke stood back up, Julian came through the door. That gave Chad an excuse to leave and though he usually will talk to his sister about these types of things, she has her own problems to deal with at the moment and Chad just didn't want to add onto that— especially since the problem is his.

a/n:
who's ready for boy
toy night? cause i am.