GREEK TRAGEDY
::  xix. | boy toy night

Today was the annual charity event at the school where the boys auction themselves off to the highest bidder, resulting in a date till midnight. As far as most girls knew, a lot of boys were attending ——— including Lucas, Nathan, skills, Jake, Jay, Felix, Chad, and mouth.

Everyone was excited and even more so Brooke because this night was kind of her thing and she was letting Ryland know just that.

She was hanging at Ryland's with her after school in Ryland's room. The two catching up and discussing boy toy night, as well as brooke saying how there's going to be tons of drama while Ryland's in denial.

"So, who are you bidding on tonight?" Brooke nudged Ryland.

"No one. I have no interest but to support my friends."

Brooke looked at her oddly, "Bidding is supporting, you know."

Ryland rolled her eyes, "I'm not trying to go on a date with Jake, Brooke. Not after what happened." She let out a quick sigh, "Besides, kind of been interested in someone else lately."

Brooke's head turned towards Ryland eagerly, "Really? Who?"

Ryland's eyes met Brooke's, "Y-you don't know them." She never saw Brooke's eyes so up close before and how pretty hazel they were.

Brooke gave her a small grin before turning her head back in the direction ahead of her, leaving Ryland's eyes just lingering on her for a moment more and all the blonde could think about was how beautiful the burnette was in that moment.

Day by day, Ryland's crush on Brooke only grew and she wasn't against it. The only thing stopping her from coming clean is rejection and having Ashely to talk about it with, since she was the only one who knew of her questioning. No one really knew of Ryland's crush, except Ryland. For now, she was ok with that.

Brooke got off the bed, "Felix's been growing on me, so . . we'll see. I'm gonna get back to change, I'll see you tonight." Brooke began heading out the house as Ryland laid back on her bed.

She just hopes tonight will be drama free.

• • •

The auditorium was packed out. So many girls lounging around, excited for what's to come. Brooke, Ryland, and Haley were at one table while Alexa and Anna were at another waiting for Ashely. Peyton was basically free floating, no one hasn't really forgiven her yet.

Just when Ashely showed a few minutes later, principal Turner walked out onto the stage.

"Glad you are all able to join us for this fun and special night." He began in the mic, "All donations will of course go to the charities and with that said, let's get this started."

Coach Whitey soon walked out on stage, switching places with principal Turner.

"You all know the rules. You bid, win a date till midnight and seal it with a kiss!" He continued, "Now, our first bachelor —— everyone loves him, he's number twenty three on the team, give it up for Nathan Scott!" And soon the lights and the music began.

Nathan walked across the stage, practically like a model and of course all the girls were screaming. As soon as he reached the edge, he ripped open his shirt, revealing his chest that had boy toy written across it. That made the girls scream even louder and soon the numbers began.

One by one girls were throwing out numbers and when Whitey was almost done rolling the ball, Haley called out.

"500!"

"Ms. James-Scott!" Whitey announced, "Going once . . going twice . . ." He waited for a few seconds longer, "You got yourself a date with Nathan Scott!" He pointed towards Haley whose eyes were glued to Nathan the whole time.

Soon after Nathan got off the stage, Whitey announced the next bachelor who was Lucas Scott. He of course walked out with his hands shoved in his front pockets with a plain white tee on. Just like with Nathan, all the girls were going crazy over him. Ashely hated it in spite of what he did to her and she contemplated right there and then if she should bid on him because there's one thing that didn't change ——— her falling in love with him. Despite everything, she still felt that way but she decided not to give him the satisfactory. So, she didn't bid.

Lucas knew that Ashely wasn't going to bid on him, but didn't want to go on a date with some random girl. Because of this, he and Ryland kept making eyes. He was telling her with his eyes that he wanted her to bid on him but she was shaking her head no, because she knew it wouldn't look good for either of them. However, considering the friend that she is, Ryland caved.

So when Whitey started rolling again, that's when Ryland shouted . . .

"1,000 dollars!"

Ashely's head snapped in Ryland's direction and she only grew more furious at her so called best friend.

Obviously, Ryland won the date with Lucas. She hoped for no drama, but that's exactly what she got.

And soon after Lucas came next was skills, Bevin got him. Then was Felix with Brooke, Jay and Anna, and eventually Jake.

He walked out with that boyish smile and stole the hearts of many. See now, Ashely didn't necessarily come to bid, just to support some friends like Ryland but since Ryland bid on Lucas, that whole not bidding thing was totally out the gate for Ashely now.

As soon as Jake got to the edge of the stage, Ashely called out, "$300!" She didn't mind if she had to go toe to toe with some other girl as long as it got under Ryland's skin.

A girl rose her paddle, "400!"

Ashely glanced her way following the voice, "500!"

"600!"

"700!"

"800!" The girl practically screamed.

A smirk came upon Ashley's lips as she lightly chuckled, "$2,000!"

Everyone was caught by surprise.

Even Whitey himself, as he announced, "Ms. Donovan here has won a date with Mr. Jagielski!"

As Jake made his way down, Ashely glanced towards Ryland for a moment before giving her attention solely to Jake, her best friend's ex boyfriend.

As the night continued from there, Chad got a date with Peyton, while mouth got Alexa. Soon after everyone got their date, they all dispersed.

It was going to be a night to remember . . . at least for some.

• • •

Lucas and Ryland were walking along the waterfront, each eating their own ice cream cone. Lucas kept apologizing and Ryland kept telling him that it's alright. He knows he put her in a tough spot but he rather hangout with someone he knows than some random person, which is why he wanted Ryland to bid on him.

"I don't hate you, you know. It's more disappointed." Ryland took another bite of the ice cream.

Lucas nodded, "And now putting you in this position isn't going to make anything more easier with Ashely."

"No, it's not but you didn't make me do anything. I shouted those numbers, knowing exactly how she was going to look at me."

The two were then passing by a trashcan and Lucas tossed the rest of his cone, "Why'd you not tell her? I know me and Peyton asked you not to but like, why?"

"I'm never prepared to see her crumble. I know she hasn't yet, but it's only a matter of time." Ryland briefly sighed, "Ashely doesn't just give her heart to anyone and she felt as if she could with you ——— right now, she's spiraling and then she'll crumble."

Luke nodded, intently listening, "Did she tell you she told me that she's falling in love with me?"

Ryland abruptly stopped, "When was this?"

"A few weeks back."

She held the cone in her hand, "What did you say?"

"I didn't get a word in and it wasn't really brought up after that."

Ryland nodded, "Do you feel the same?"

"Honestly . . . I think so."

"And Peyton?"

Lucas pondered on that question for a moment, "I don't know now. But i am sure of one thing though, I am going to get her back. I'm gonna get Ashely back."

Ryland patted his shoulder, "Good luck with that."

The two then carried on, walking across the waterfront and taking about whatever came to mind. It was a good way to catch up and clear the air with one another, even though the backlash will suck badly and they both knew it.

• • •

While ryland and Lucas were out and about, Ashely and Jake were at the river court. He was showing her how to shoot while the two just talked about life and whatnot.

Jake stood behind Ashely with the ball in her hands. He watched as she took every note he gave her and seconds later, that ball left her hands ——— evidently she made it. The ball fell through the net and Ashely started jumping around as Jake clapped a little.

"See, i knew you had some sport in you!"

Ashely smiled as she ran after the ball and eventually made her way back over to Jake, "Thanks. I didn't know i could do that."

He shrugged, "Yeah." He walked a bit closer to her, "I heard about what happened. I'm sorry and i know you only bid on me to spite Ryland."

"You're not mad, are you?"

He shook his head, "No."

The two then retreated to the bleachers and sat down on the cold metal seats.

"You know, she was really broken up about it." Ashely began, "I thought you two were like the it couple."

"It's complicated." That's all he said and Ashely didn't pry. Jake looked down at his watch and realized how close midnight was, "Only five minutes left."

Ashely nodded, just sitting there calmly. However, something clicked in her and she rushed up, grabbing the ball from Jake's hands.

She began dribbling, "Come on, five minutes left to school you!"

Jake shook his head with a light chuckle as he stood up. He met Ashely on the court and soon they began one on one. Of course with him being on the ravens and all, meant that he had skill and therefore, he beat Ashely in that small timeframe.

However, the date just didn't end like that. There's one golden rule that at midnight, a kiss is shared. Everyone knew that going in.

Ashely bounce passed the ball back to Jake as he made his way to her. He caught the ball and stood directly in front of her.

He didn't need to say anything and neither did she. The two already knew what to do and luckily, it wasn't awkward or anything. The two were never friends or close, but they did get along.

Jake leaned down and shared a quick kiss with the blonde, as did Ryland and Lucas.

That night was many things and many things were learned. Lucas was going to try and get Ashely back, Ryland's heart was always in the right place, regardless of Ashely's anger, she still cared for her friend, and Jake ——— it seemed like he was protecting Ryland which might be why he broke up with her.

Only time will tell . . .

a/n:
ik this episode is season 1
but like it's one of my fav
episodes && i was crushed
i forgot abt it in act 1, so here
you go !!