ᵖᵃᵖᵉʳ ʳⁱⁿᵍˢ, ᵒⁿᵉ ᵗʳᵉᵉ ʰⁱˡˡ

episode 4.

CHARLOTTE was in the backseat while Lucas and Haley were in the front, Lucas driving and Haley in the passenger seat.

"So, the guys kidnapped you, trashed your court.." Haley started.

"Threatened you with bodily harm, and we're going to a.." Charlotte finished.

"Party?" They both ask.

"Yeah, sure why not." Charlotte sat back on the seat looking out the window looking at all the beach houses taking the hint that they were almost at the party.

"Okay, listen. I know it's all a setup, alright? But I'm not gonna let him screw with me. Whatever he dishes out, he's gonna get back double." Lucas didn't even bother to look at either of the girls, his eyes remained steady on the road, and Charlotte could see through the mirror.

"Well, do you think maybe.. I mean, just maybe.. He's had a change of heart?" Charlotte asked still looking out the window.

"Requires a heart." Lucas's response caused Charlie to silently scoff at him which Haley heard, she told her that she was tutoring Nathan and she promised to not tell Lucas either.

*

They arrived at the beach house where it was packed with teens, Charlotte got out and stood next to Haley. She was greeted by Nathan with Colin, Tim, Peyton, and Brooke behind him.

"Hi, I'm Nathan Scott." He reached his hands out to Charlotte. "Uh, yeah, I know, I'm Charlotte." She awkwardly shook it back, it was not the first time they have met.

"Hi. Nathan." He greeted Haley this time.

"Haley." She walked past him to link arms with Charlie which Charlie placed her head on her shoulder as they both walked up the stairs into the lit beach house.

When they walked in both girls let out a low whistle, "Well, bet their plumbing works." Haley commented, "Just saying." She added.

*

"So I know you're, like, having the time of your life but can we please make like a tree and get out of here?" Charlotte begged.

"We just got here." Lucas put his arm around her shoulder, "Live in the moment." But she removed his arm.

"I have to take a piss. Don't go anywhere." She patted his shoulder and made her way to the bathroom.

When she finished, she was met with Peyton, since she almost bumped into her.. "Sorry." Charlie apologized.

"How's the tutoring going?" Peyton asked against the wall making Charlie stop in her tracks.

"You're tutoring Nathan, right? It's okay, he tells me everything."

"Yeah, you know, he um.. said he needed some help."

"Maybe you could teach him to stop being such a jackass." Peyton took a sip out of her red plastic cup as they made eye contact with each other.

"I'll um.. put that on the lesson plan."

"Just be careful, okay?" Peyton gave her a warning, Charlie didn't know whether or not to take her seriously.

"Yeah. Right, sure."

"Does Lucas know you're helping Nathan?" The silence of Charlotte caused her to speak up again, "You know.. you say a lot when you keep your mouth shut. But, it's okay. I'll keep mine shut, too."

*

Charlotte and Haley were looking at pictures of Nathan and his family, until they got interrupted by Lucas pushing one of the pictures down, and he did not look happy.