𝐬𝐨 𝐡𝐢𝐠𝐡 𝐬𝐜𝐡𝐨𝐨𝐥 ─ nathan scott

a tale of two scotts

"𝐒-𝐔-𝐂-𝐊, 𝐰𝐡𝐚𝐭'𝐬 𝐭𝐡𝐚𝐭 𝐬𝐩𝐞𝐥𝐥? 𝐑𝐚𝐯𝐞𝐧𝐬," Rachel huffed, slamming her locker shut with a bitter expression. The Ravens had just lost their second game, and everyone was feeling the weight of the defeat.

"Yeah, well, you know a lot about sucking," Emiliana muttered, rolling her eyes as she plopped down on the bench next to Haley. Haley was grinning, brushing her hair out with a bright expression that didn't quite match the locker room mood. Emiliana gave her an amused look. "Okay, I know you're new to this whole cheerleader thing, but the cheeriness stops when we lose."

"Hey, I'm sorry we lost, but I've got other plans tonight," Haley shrugged, a mischievous smile spreading across her face. "Austin's gonna need 'consoling.'"

Brooke and Emiliana exchanged shocked looks before bursting into laughter. "And you're the consolation prize?" Brooke asked, raising an eyebrow. Haley turned, casting a smirk over her shoulder.

"Oh, I like the way you think, Tutor Girl," Brooke added, nudging Emiliana as they watched Haley walk away.

Emiliana pulled a face. "Ugh, I didn't need to hear any of that. Austin's my cousin, remember? Don't make me regret setting you two up."

Haley laughed, giving her a playful eye-roll before heading for the door. "See you guys later!"

As soon as she left, Peyton raised an eyebrow, a playful grin on her face. "I think you two are rubbing off on her."

"Why? Is being desperately horny contagious?" Emiliana quipped, feigning exasperation. She leaned back, stretching her arms over her head. "Not like I have much of an outlet these days."

Brooke gave her a sympathetic look, sighing dramatically. "Guess I'll just have to sleep with Lucas."

"Oh, you mean sleep at Lucas's," Emiliana teased, smirking.

Brooke groaned, throwing her head back. "Unfortunately, yes. No sex until our hearts catch up with our hormones. But, you know, there are other things we can do." She raised an eyebrow, her face breaking into a sly grin.

Peyton chuckled, crossing her arms. "Oh, really? Under Karen's roof? I'd love to see you try."

Brooke paused, mouth open as she considered it. Finally, she let out a resigned sigh. "Being in love sucks."

Emiliana and Peyton nodded in agreement, a moment of shared understanding passing between them. Emiliana leaned back, her voice taking on a more serious tone. "Love can be amazing, but it's such a mess too. One second, you're on top of the world, and the next, your biggest enemy is someone who used to mean everything to you."

Brooke sighed, giving her a sympathetic look. "It was like that with Lucas, too. We're trying to take things slow, you know? But it's so hard sometimes."

Peyton gave Brooke a small smile. "Maybe the key is to not overthink it. Just... enjoy the moments that we do have. Even if it feels like we're waiting for the rest to catch up."