A/N: I am writing this story with one of my great friends Alyssa. We both put our heart and soul into this work, and hope that you all will love it. We will update once a week, usually on Sundays.

Disclaimer: In no way or form do we own One Tree Hill.

Couples: Naley, Leyton, and eventually Brulian (*smiles* we'll see how that happens *winks*)

*Enjoy.

What lies Beneath.

~ Chapter 1 ~

"All the mistakes in the world couldnt measure up, to the day i thought i could trust you." Unknown.

She wasn't mad, no she wasn't mad at all. She was disappointed. Disappointed that she had put trust into someone, that could not by trusted. Disappointed in him, for breaking her heart. But, most of all disappointed in herself for not realizing something was going on sooner. She knew all of this, all of this was clear in her heart. But her mind was telling her different, her mind was telling her to run over to her best friend's house and yell at her until the sun went down. Her fists clenched as she walked into the semi-lite room. She took in the scene in front of her, Peyton on the bed drawing. It looked as if nothing had changed.

"Maybe you should turn your webcam off once in awhile." She spurted out angrily.

The blonde turned towards her, confusion read in her eyes. "Huh?"

"Don't play dumb Peyton. I saw you and Luke in your webcam." She could see her best friend tighten up, as one single sweat gland appeared on her forehead. Something that would usually, get her to retreat to the blonde's side. To help her through; whatever she was going through at that moment. "This friendship is over Peyton." But this was different. Oh, this was completely different.

The blonde sat there and watched as the scene unfolded right in front of her eyes. She couldn't bring herself to say anything though. For one, she didn't know what to say. What do you say, in this situation? There's not much you can come up with, especially without notice. She knew what she was doing was wrong all along, but she couldnt bring herself to accept that fact. Now, as her best friend told her, they're friendship was over, she had to accept it. Because, the rest of the world was going to soon enough.

She cupped a hand over her mouth, trying to control sobs, sobs that escaped without notice. She was gasping for air, just trying to survive this breakdown. She had just lost her best friend, the girl that had been there for her, through everything. Someone, that was irreplaceable.

Someone that now probably hated her.

She, bite her lip as she tried to keep her crying under control. She knew she had to do one thing, first and foremost.

She grabbed her cell phone quickly, and dialed a number so familiar to her. He answered on the first ring, and just from the silence on the other side of the phone, knew what had happened.

"She knows." Was all that was said, before she hung up the phone.

He knew he shouldn't have done what he did, and he knew quite well that going to see Peyton, at this point was the worst thing to do. But, he couldn't stay away. He needed to comfort her, because Brooke wasn't there to.

And because, he knew it was all his fault.

She heard a slight knock on her bedroom door, before she turned to see such a familiar face. A face, that ruined a lifelong friendship. A face, that could never quite leave her memory.

"What are you doing here?" she asked, while wiping a few tears from her eyes, with the back of her hand.

"I wanted to see if you were okay." He said with ease, as he approached the bed she was sitting on.

"This isn't right. You shouldn't be here." She paused taking a breath in, "especially right now."

"I know, I know." He said, closing the distance between them, and taking a seat on the bed next to the blonde. "But, I neede-"

"No Luke." She cut him off, throwing a finger to his lips, "don't say you needed to see me. Because at this point I don't care." She took her hand from his lips, and threw it, through her hair. "I need to be alone, I need to reorganize my priorities."

He sighed, knowing what was about to happen, "So im not one of your priorities?" he asked, already knowing the answer.

"Of course not Luke." She almost screamed, letting a tear roll down her cheek. "You ruined my relationship with Brooke."

He paused, taking this in. Did she just put all the blame on him? He thought. "Whoa whoa whoa," he stated, throwing a finger into the air, "I hope your not putting all the blame on me."

"Luk-"

"Im not the only one, who was in this 'relationship'."He started, "It takes two people, to do what we did."

"Luke, I don't care." She said standing up from her spot on the bed now. "Leave!" she yelled, throwing her hand to the door, "Now. Leave now, Luke." She said with more ease this time.

-x-x-x-

She walked into the café, knowing whole-heartedly that was the worst possible place to go, considering what just happened. But she needed to see her; she was the only motherly figure in her life. She entered, and let out a breath she didnt know she was holding in. She guessed not seeing Luke put her to ease more than she thought it would have.

"Karen?" she questioned, as she looked around the café.

"She's in the back, can I get you something?" a blonde asked from behind the counter. It was Lucas' best friend. Someone, that she had not been particularly close with, but recognized all the same.

"No, actually you cant." She said, sting in her words, "but thanks." She stated, throwing a look towards the blonde. "I need to see Karen." She stated, looking around the cafe once more, eventhough Haley had just said she was in the back.

"Brooke, is that you?" Karen asked, as she retreated from the back of the cafe.

"Yeah, I just-" she paused, hesitation heard in her voice, "I just needed someone to talk to."

Karen couldnt help but smile, she loved knowing that she was the person Brooke came to talk to, when she needed someone. She felt, like she was doing her job, even more so than what was expected from her.

"Whats going through your mind Brooke?" asked Karen in a calm voice, as they both took a seat across from each other at a nearby table.

Brooke let out a deep breath, "Well here is the thing Ms. Roe-"

Karen giggled, "Call me Karen, Ms. Roe sounds.. eh old."

"Oh, well Karen, my best friends heart was just recently broken," said Brooke as she pushed a strand of loose hair to the back of her ear.

Karen cleared her throat, fully believeing the 'best friend' bit,"Oh I am sorry to hear Brooke.. Continue."

Brooke nodded, "Well, it was the worst way a girl could have gotten her heart broken," Brooke paused but continued, "Her boyfriend was sneaking around with her best friend."

Karen gasped at the information as Brooke nodded in agreement, "And she didn't find out by them telling her, she found out when her friend's web cam was on and she saw them together. She told me her heart was just ripped out and stomped on."

Karen shook her head, "Sounds pretty bad."

"Yeah it is," said Brooke. "And when she confronted her best friend, there was no denying it, because the secret was out. All she could do was yell at her friend in anger and just leave," Brooke paused, starting to get lost in her own thoughts. With the sight of Karen snapping her fingers in her face, she was pulled back into reality. "Sorry Karen, I was just so surprised about all of this. I mean the two most important people she loved in the world, ripped her heart in half, each taking a piece and burning it. Can you tell me what would go through your mind?" asked Brooke with curious eyes.

"Well Brooke," said Karen as she sat there for a minute to think, "With my best friends, I've always promised to be there for them, no matter who got in the way, especially a promised back. So you gotta keep your end of the bargain." Karen paused and continued her speech, "But Brooke this is a complicated matter because it all depends on how close you are with your best friend. In someone's point of view, a best friend makes mistakes and learns from it. They can build off these mistakes. Mistakes are good in a relationship. Its a test in life to see if you are strong enough to work off of them. What I am saying is mistakes can be good. Together you guys can find a way to fix them and make things right."

Brooke cut into her speech, "But Karen, why do they both have to work on the mistake if it was only one person who contributed, to the mistake being made?"

Karen sucked her cheeks in, "Friendship is certainly the finest balm for the pangs of disappointed love."

Brooke shook her head and slipped out a small laugh, "What does that mean?"

Karen rised from her seat wringing her hands in front of her chest, "Whenever you figure that out, tell your friend. It will help you both in the long run."

Brooke sighed, "Great a riddle. I definitely have no time for that." Brooke sighed, as she said her fairwell to Karen and exited the cafe, to take a nice walk.

x-x-x-x-x

Peyton sat on her bed drawing, she knew she had no reason to be frustrated with Lucas.

Since, in all it was just as much her fault, as it was his. But, she couldnt help it, she needed someone to take her anger out on, and he just happened to be there. She was thrown out of her thoughts, when she felt a body enter the room.

The blonde looked up to see Brooke standing there with crossed arms. She put her drawing utensils down and stood up, "Brooke please listen-"

"I came here to get the shirt you borrowed from me," said the Brunette said, no emotions read on her pretty face. But, truthfully Brooke just wanted a reason to come see Peyton because- well, she knew she would try and ask for her forgiveness and that is exactly what Brooke had wanted.

"Oh.." said Peyton as she grabbed the shirt hanging on her bed post. She tossed it over to Brooke quickly.

As, Brooke was leaving she couldnt help but say one last thing, "I cant believe you Peyton." she almost whispered, not even turning around to say it.

"Brooke don't do that, I am trying to say sorry, but you keep blocking me out," stated Peyton, sadness read in her voice.

"I have a pretty good damned reason to do so!" screamed Brooke, as she spun around to face the blonde.

"Brooke, I am trying to hold on to our friendship! What do you want me to do?! Jump off of a damn bridge?" the Blonde asked, almost screaming now.

"As long as you bring Lucas with you." The brunette spurted out, hurt and anger read in her eyes.

"Okay fine Brooke, I let you have it, and I tried saying sorry, but you can't keep insulting me about it! If you are done then fine, we are done. But, remember, your the one that made up the promise hoes over bros."

"And your the one who broke that promise." mumbled Brooke, as she turned around heading for the door.

"You know where the door is," said Peyton in a cold tone.

"Exactly. A door, that i will never enter again." she yelled throwing a hand up into the air, facing the door. "And thats a promise." she mumbled as she slammed the bedroom door, shut.

x-x-x-x-x

The broody blonde entered his mom's cafe, and took a seat at the counter, ringing the small silver bell as he sat down.

Upon seeing her son, Karen couldnt help but frown, she knew something was wrong just by the look on his face. "What do you need Kiddo?"

Lucas sighed, throwing a hand through his hair, "I dont know what to do ma'."

She rolled her eyes, playfully, "Spit out the drama."

Lucas closed his eyes, "I cheated on Brooke with Peyton," He paused as he saw the expression on his moms face change but continued, "And she found out today. That was hell. So the whole Peyton/Brooke friendship is over, thanks to a mistake made by me and Peyton, but ma, now Peyton hates me. I don't hate her, I love her. But because their friendship is stronger then me and Nathan put together, which by the way is strong, I can't be happy with the one I love." he sighed once more, waiting for his mother's response.

Karen stood there for a few minutes in silence. She was lost in thought, when it finally hit her, "Oh gosh," she breathed out. She had just realized Brooke's advice was for her, not her best friend.

"Lucas, I taught you to be more responsible then that! Did I not do my job right?" asked Karen angrily.

"No mom, your amazing. Dont ever think that. Its all on me, i didnt take your lessons to heart. I messed up." he paused, eyes beginning to water, "I messed up bad Ma'." he stated, looking at his mom for comfort.

"I am glad I am out of those teen years," said Karen without realizing she was thinking out loud. Which wasnt quite what he was expecting.

"Thanks ma, that helps a lot," said Lucas sarcastically, a smile on his face now.

"I can't help you Luke. I can't just get inside of your heart and see what it wants. That is your job," stated Karen, while rising from her seat. "It's your job, to figure that out Luke." she paused, placing a kiss on his forehead. "I know you'll make the right decision." she almost whispered, as she returned back to her work.

Lucas' sighed, not knowing what to do now. He needed a night to think about all of this. He immediately smiled though, seeing his best friend skip out, from the back of the cafe.

"Hey Luke.." she stated happily, throwing a towel over her shoulder, "Can i get you anything?" she asked, trying to impersonate an Elvis Presley voice.

The blonde boy, chuckled, "No thanks Hales." he stated in a more serious tone now, "I think im just going to go for a walk or something."

Haley sighed, she hated seeing her best friend upset, "Or..." she paused, throwing a hand through her hair, "I can ditch this petty job here." she giggled, looking around the empty cafe. "And we can go play golf on the roof- and maybe talk this issue out."

He nodded, a smile growing on his face, "Okay Hales, we can do that."

She immediately smiled, throwing the towel onto the counter. "Plus, im just nosey." she mumbled, as her and Luke made there way up to the roof.