Brooke/Peyton – One Tree Hill (367 words) ishfeeny

Peyton's POV, one-sided.

Melt

It's not something she likes to admit to herself very often, but from the time when she first noticed her teenage hormonal urges – onthe sporadic occasions when they actually managed to stagger up over the depths of her emo-ish angst urges- it was Brooke who always made her quiver. The depths of her brown eyes causing Peyton to quietly melt inside, like a long, thin candle of wax, a steady burn that felt like it went on for days in just a few moments.

Brooke would glance at her and Peyton would be rendered speechless, especially when the look was accompanied by her friend's no holds barred, cheek splitting, dimple revealing grin.

Peyton's strongest wish, second only to having her Mom back, is that these feelings are caused by anyone other than her all time favourite, boy crazy, straight-as-a-yard-stick, best friend for life.

She tries to get this feeling with both of the Scott brothers over time, but really only succeeds at hurting the one person in her life that she cares for the most.

They share their beds, their hopes and fears, their hobbies, because let's face it; she only joined the cheerleading squad because of Brooke and her Mom. Brooke is, unsurprisingly, one of the main features behind much of her soul-revealing art work… although, maybe not too revealing, as Brooke does have free reign to see whatever she likes. She is hidden in the lyrics to some of Peyton's favourite albums and songs, causing her to smile and curse her in turn, while wishing fervently that Brooke wouldn't invade every aspect of her life so implicitly. She knows that in reality, it wouldn't be right if she didn't, and despite thatshe doesn't really want to change the fact that she does.

Besides, she expects Brooke's head would explode if she knew how Peyton truly felt about her.

So, if her smile is a little less bright around her, and if it doesn't always reach her eyes, Peyton would rather have this, than risk self-exposure, She would never risk telling Brooke her deepest secrets, that her very presence makes her melt just a little bit more everyday.