Just a quick note. I've tweaked and corrected and revised this chapter so many times and I'm finally happy with it. So please enjoy :)
It's been 3 weeks since Brooke came to Peyton's bedroom and told her she wanted nothing to do with her. It was a day that Peyton would never forget. A few months ago Peyton was talking to this guy Lucas Scott, who she really liked, but he then he wanted to get serious, too quickly and it was something Peyton wasn't ready for so she pushed him away. Brooke and Lucas started dating afterwards but somehow Peyton and Lucas found a way to each other, behind Brookes back. Peyton felt this adrenaline with him. It was dangerous and exciting, full of passion and love that made her feel alive for the first time in years. But Brooke found out and after that she swore to never speak to the blonde again. Looking back, Peyton knew it wasn't worth losing her over. She was the most important thing Peyton had in her life, the one stable thing that kept her going, and the only person she could count on. She was her best friend. And now she's gone. Lucas is currently on his way to Charleston. He gave Peyton a huge speech saying he didn't "like the guy he's become" so he left. He's gone. Brookes gone. People always leave.
Monday morning arrived, the start of a new week, and it depressed Peyton to no end. The thought of waking up early, dragging herself out of bed to go to school just made her teeth cringe. But it was something she had to do. She made her way out of bed to get ready for her day. She brushed her teeth, changed her clothes and walked out of her house, not knowing what the day held.
She pulled into the parking lot and saw her bestfriend, Haley James sitting on one of the benches in the courtyard. Haley is also Lucas' bestfriend, which is how Peyton met her. She was one of those quiet girls who liked to keep to herself. She stayed clear of the party scene, and payed attention to her school work which made her brilliant. And she seemed content that way. Haley didn't care what people thought about her, and Peyton liked that. She found it sort of refreshing. Soon enough they became close, and surprisingly had a lot more in common than they both had thought. Haley also knew about the whole Lucas and Brooke situation, which she never tried to judge. She gave Peyton a lecture telling her how wrong it was to sneak behind Brooke's back, but she's been there for her, giving her as much advice as she can. And now the girls are closer than ever, and wondered how they didn't become friends sooner.
Peyton got out of her car, and walked over to her friend, sitting there with a bright smile on her face. Haley was always a morning person."Hey there girlie." In her bubbly voice. "You look happy this morning."
"Oh you know me, I just live for mondays." Peyton replied sarcastically.
"Well, here's some coffee. Figured you can use it." Haley held out the steaming cup.
"Oh my goodness, have I told you lately how amazing you are." She took the cup of coffee from Haley, giving her a wide smile.
"No, actually you haven't it. But I love to hear it."
"Haley you are so amazing."
"Well thank you. I know."
"Haha." Peyton laughed as Haley looped her arm through hers and they both walked through the double doors into school. They walked to their lockers, grabbed their books and headed to homeroom. They had quite a few classes together, which Peyton was grateful for. As they entered the classroom, there was Brooke sitting on one of the desks with 3 guys around her, talking and laughing, putting on a show which they were eating up.
As the two girls entered, Brooke looked up and stopped what she was doing.
"Wow Haley, you should really find better company." She said in snappy, sarcastic tone.
"Brooke.." Haley pleaded. She was not one to get in the middle of drama. She alway's tried to stay as neutral as possible. Both parties had their rights and wrongs, and she was gonna try and be there for the both of them, as much as she could.
"Just sayin.." and Brooke left it at that. Not even a glance towards Peyton. Peyton moved to the back of the class and slumped down in the last desk, with Haley next to her.
"I'm sorry Peyt." Haley whispered.
"Don't apologize, Haley. It's not your fault." Peyton looked down at her notebook and scribbled mindlessly over her paper.
"It's not yours either." Haley really felt sorry for Peyton. She knows that this whole situation has been eating at the blonde. Haley spent the last few weeks consoling Peyton as she cried on her shoulder, talking about Lucas, reminiscing about her and Brooke and when they were kids. And finally, admitting her true feelings.
Peyton Sawyer was in love with Brooke Davis.
"Okay. then..fight for her." Haley responded. "How can I Hales, she wants nothing to do with me. Can't blame her though." Peyton sniffed and wiped her nose. "Peyton, I want you to listen to me. I know Brooke is mad at you, but you need to show her you're willing to fight for her. She needs to feel like she can trust you again. Her heart was broken, by the most important person in her life. It's gonna take her some time to heal. But maybe you can heal her."
The bell rang, and woke Peyton out of her daydream. She grabbed her stuff as the class shuffled out of the room into the crowded hallway. Haley and Peyton were the last to leave, with Brooke trailing behind.
"I'll see you at lunch, Hales?"
"Of course dear." Haley winked at her and walked down the hall to her next class, leaving Peyton feeling alone in a sea of people. She saw Brooke walking towards her locker, so she took this opportunity to at least try and make some leeway.
"Hey Brooke. Can we talk for a second?"
"And why in the world would I want to talk to you?" Brooke said as if it wasn't obvious already.
"Can you just give me a chance to speak my side? To at least apologize to you?" Peyton said calmy.
"I don't wanna hear what you have to say Peyton, it means nothing to me anymore. Why don't you go talk to Luke. I'm sure he'd love to listen." She slammed her locker and stalked down the hallway, pushing girls out of her way so she could get out of there faster.
Peyton sighed, turned around, and started walking towards the other end of the hall. Just 7 more periods to go.
"So then he shows up at my house, throwing rocks at my window and tells me he loves me." Peyton walked into her room with Haley close behind explaining a conversation she previously had with now boyfriend, Nathan scott, who happens to be Lucas' brother. Haley crashed on Peytons bed, while Peyton walked to her computer and sat down.
"Oh my god Hales. What did you say?" Peyton exclaimed.
"I was so shocked at first. I didn't expect him to say that to me. Ever. And just seeing him there, looking at me the way he did. I just threw myself into his arms and told him I loved him too."
"Haley. Thats amazing. I mean, its beyond amazing, thats incredible. I'm so happy for you." Peyton said with a smile. "You deserve it."
"Thank you. It's just kind of scary you know? Feeling this way? It's all so new to me." Haley said sharing her concern
"It can be, but don't let that stop you from loving him. And showing how much you love him. At the end of the day you both care about each, and that's all that matters." Peyton said with a hint of sadness.
"Same goes for you."
"It's too late for me and Brooke. I just need to face the facts and move forward. Time to focus on bigger and better things." Peyton tried to sound like she didn't care, like she was set on really moving on, when deep down she just wanted to cry.
So they sat in silence. Peyton moved to the bed and they looked over their homework together, reading math problems, and sharing opinions over their english assignments. Peyton was lost in her paper, when Haley suddenly spoke up. "You know Peyton, I've been thinking. And I have an idea that you may not like..." She trailed off. Peyton nodded for her to continue.
"I know it may sound crazy but maybe you should.." She hesitated."...tell Brooke how you feel..." Haley looked at Peyton sideways, expecting her to object. But she sat there, with a blank stare on her face. "You mean, tell her I love her." Haley nodded.
"Haha. Nice try Hales, but that's not gonna happen." Peyton said giggling to herself.
"C'mon Peyton, whats the worse that could happen? She could continue to not talk to you? Or that she might actually feel the same way?"
"She doesn't, okay? Lets just leave it at that."
"And how do you know? Have you ever asked her?" Haley asked.
"Because I've known her all my life. I've seen her with all these guys. I've seen her go through them, and chase them and have them chase after her. She likes boys. It's impossible." And Peyton new it was impossible. Yes, brooke has made comments here and there about girls and three ways but nothing serious. Always playful, she thought. "But there was that time when we were ten, we made a pact that if we weren't married by 30, we'd marry each other..." Peyton said this as if she was talking to herself, remembering the conversation they had when they were kids.
"But have you ever asked her?" Haley spoke softly. Peyton just sat there quietly, not knowing what to say. "Just give it a shot." Said Haley. "She might surprise you."
Peyton sat there and thought this over. She looked at Haley, and knew she was right. Whats the worse that could happen? She thought. Can't get much worse than it is now. "Well, first things first, I need to get her to talk to me." And with that Haley squeeled and jumped and started spitting out all these ideas for their new plan.
The night came fast and Peyton found herself alone, once again in her room. Haley left a little while before, and they both decided to continue their brooke plan the next day. Peyton laid in her bed, staring at the ceiling as her mind wandered to different places. She thought about Brooke and how much she missed having her in her life. The thought of the whole plan to try and fix their friendship was making Peyton feel overwhelmed. "It's not gonna work" She said to herself. "This is all gonna be a waste of time, and she's never gonna speak to me again." She laid there wide awake, unable to control these thoughts that passed by her. Would they ever be friends again? Maybe it's possible that Brooke could actually feel the same way? No. It's not, she thought. All Peyton really wanted at that moment was to let Brooke know how sorry she was. Just to tell her that she knows she screwed up and it was the worst mistake she had ever made. Then, maybe Brooke could forgive her, and they would be friends again. Friends like before. But as of now, that was just a fantasy for Peyton.
Brooke was one of those people that, once they were mad, they stayed mad. Her stubborness would get in the way, and make it harder for any type of reconcilation.
Her heart was broken by the most important person in her life. Haleys voice echoed in her head. Peyton sighed, climbed off the bed and decided a late night drive might be just the thing to clear her head. She grabbed her keys, slipped into her leather jacket and bolted out the door.
She found herself driving to the rivercourt, a place Lucas had once introduced her to sometime ago. She'd been coming here the past few weeks, alone. It was a place to escape, to feel a sense of freedom away from the world. It helped her clear her head a bit. She sat by the river, on the cold hard ground and stared out over the town. It was beautiful, like a scene from a movie or a painting. This was home, she thought. Home is where the heart is. My heart is with brooke. These words filled her head, without any thought or control. Peyton felt a sudden rush of adrenaline and felt the need to go. She looked at her watch. 10:54.
"First things first, I need to get to talk to me." It's now or never.
And with that Peyton hopped in her car and left. She drove down this street she'd driven many times before and came to a stop. She put the car in park and stared up at this famliar house she had once been connected to. She took a deep breath and stepped out into the cool, foggy night air. She slowly made her way up the front walk and stepped up to the front door. What the hell am I doing here? she thought. What am I gonna say? She didn't have much time to think or the chance to knock as the frront door suddenly swung open and there, in the open doorway, stood Brooke.
"Peyton.." Brooke said genuiley surprised.
"Hi.." Was all Peyton could say. Even in her pajamas and ruffled hair, Brooke still looked beautiful.
"What are you doing here?"
"I just needed to talk to you." Peyton answered in a strong voice.
"Now? at 11 o clock at night?" Brooke replied.
"Yes.."
"Peyton, I can't. Now is not a good time..." She trailed off.
"Please Brooke. It won't take long, I just need to get this off my chest."
"Peyton.."
"I promise after this I'll leave you alone. I won't talk to you again. Please." She looked at Brooke, pleading with her eyes for this one chance. Brooke hesitated. She opened the door wider for Peyton to step through without saying a word. Peyton stepped inside the house and looked around.
"I'm sorry to just come like this. But it couldn't wait." Brooke nodded her head, and walked into the kitchen, with Peyton trailing behind. Brooke walked to the fridge and grabbed a bottle of water, motioning towards Peyton, silently asking if she wanted one. Peyton shook her head. They stood there for a few seconds, just kind of staring around waiting for the other to speak.
"So..?" They both said at the same time. Peyton smiled, and saw Brooke stiffle a laugh.
"Why did you come, Peyton?" Brooke asked softly.
"Uh..right..okay..so.." Peyton started nervously, not exactly sure where to start. Just tell her, she thought.
"I need you to know how sorry I am, about everything. You need to know that I never meant to hurt you."
"But you did." Brooke replied quitely.
"I know, and I'm so terribly sorry Brooke. I'm so sorry, it's been killing me, knowing what I did to you. The fact that I could ever do that, just makes me hate myself. I just...I don't know. I broke it off before it went any further. I told Lucas I couldnt hurt you..."
"But you did.." Brooke interrupted. "You did Peyton. Do you even realize what I've been going going through? It's been killing you? How do you think I feel. The one person I trusted, the one person that meant more to me than anyone..." Brooke stopped as her eyes began to well with tears. "I don't know what you want from me Peyton."
"I just want you to listen. I want you to not look at me with anger anymore. And I know that, that may never go away. And I understand. I understand that you don't wanna talk to me anymore. I get it..." She took a deep breath and continued. "Yell at me or ignore me, whatever, just realize that I am so sorry." Peytons voice broke at the last word, and her eyes started to fill with tears. They both stood there, staring towards the floor in silence.
" I wanted you to know something.." Peyton began again. Brooke lifted her head and looked at Peyton. She thought for a split second, she saw some fear in Peyton's eyes.
"Brooke, I.." She hesitated. "I think I'm in lo-." Just then one of the boys that had been drooling over Brooke earlier that morning came through the kitchen door, shirtless.
"Hey Brooke are you coming.." He stopped and looked between both girls. "Uh.. sorry I didn't know there was other company."
"Ohh it's my fault." Said Peyton." I just came by to ask Brooke something, but I better get going." She started to walking towards the front door.
"Wait, Peyton.." Brooke began to follow.
"I'm sorry I came so late." Peyton gave a half smile and walked out the door. She started towards her car, got in and drove away. Brooke watched from the doorway, turned inside and looked at the half naked guy standing in front of her.
"You can go now." Brooke snapped. "But I thought we we're gonna finish what we started." The boy moved over to Brooke grabbing her waste. She pushed him away.
"I changed my mind. Goodnight." She motioned towards the door, showing him the exit.
"What a tease." He grabbed his shirt form the couch and walked out. Brooke closed the door, sank down to the floor and broke down in tears.