Life, Love, & Lies

Chapter 1

Along the Way

Brooke laid on Peyton's bedroom floor with her eyes closed. It was nearly four in the morning and they had just gotten back not too long ago from a party. Peyton entered her room stumbling a bit and saw Brooke passed out. She cracked a smile and then bent down and lightly slapped her cheek. "Brookie, get up off the floor." She took a hold of Brooke's wrists to try and pull her up. "Come on, lets get changed and go to sleep in a bed." Peyton slurred and Brooke's eyes somewhat opened. She smiled up at Peyton and then finally stood up from the floor. Peyton intertwined her fingers with Brooke's and led her to the bathroom. Neither of them could walk straight. Peyton grabbed a hold of the hem of Brooke's top and pulled it over her head. Brooke started to lose balance but Peyton placed her hands on Brooke's waist to steady her. "You are so trashed, Brooke" she said with a smile before leaving her bathroom to grab Brooke a change of clothes. She was not sure how she was managing to do all this because she was pretty drunk herself. Not as bad as Brooke though. Reentering the bathroom she gave Brooke the t-shirt and she put it on and then Brooke managed to slip out of her jeans and then slipped on the short shorts Peyton had handed her. Brooke pointed a finger at Peyton and smiled and it seemed she was about to speak but then let her hand fall to her side and no words came out. Peyton grabbed a hold of her hand and then led her back into the bedroom and laid Brooke on the bed and pulled the covers over her. It wasn't long after Brooke drifted off to sleep and Peyton went to get changed and ready to join Brooke in bed.

The next morning both girls woke up facing each other. Finally regaining a clear sight they smiled at each other.

Brooke placed a hand on her forehead "Oh my God my head is killing me and I'm so fucking nauseous and I can barely remember last night."

"I don't even remember leaving that party. We seriously need to stop drinking and driving." Peyton replied. "I think I hooked up with Mark last night too"

"Ew, P.Sawyer. Mark is such a sleaze ball. You can do so much better."

Peyton placed both hands to cover her face and laid on her back now. "I know I know. Weakness due to alcohol." she said

"We should really not drink so much. We need to set limits" Brooke told her and Peyton looked over at her. "Yeah, who am I kidding? I say that now but once we got out again and start drinking we're going to be right back here trying to piece together the night." Brooke laughed and so did Peyton.

"So what are you plans for the day, B.Davis?" Peyton asked as she sat up and Brooke stayed lying down as she looked up at the girl next to her.

"I should probably really start on my English Comp research paper that's due tomorrow morning." Brooke groaned.

"Yeah, that would probably be a good idea." Peyton said falling back on the bed.

Brooke rolled out of bed and headed for the bathroom. She washed her face and brushed her teeth and put her hair up and then gathered her things. She then stood in the bathroom doorway looking and her blonde best friend. "I'm going to get going." she said as she grabbed her purse and bag "Call me later" She told Peyton who nodded and then watched her best friend send a wave her way and walk out of her bedroom. Peyton then closed her eyes and went back to sleep.

Brooke and Peyton have known each other since they can remember. They've been best friends for years and were inseparable. Brooke knew everything about Peyton and Peyton knew everything about Brooke. They were each other's confidant and they could count on each other for everything. They were now nineteen years old and were in college. Though they both lived in Tree Hill they attended different colleges there but that didn't mean they didn't see each other because they did every single weekend. Usually starting Thursday nights because neither girl had classes on Friday.

Tuesday afternoon while Peyton was sketching in her room her phone rang and she looked at the caller id and smiled as she answered.

"Haley! How have you been?"

"I'm great and I miss you and Tree Hill so much. Both of us do." Haley said speaking for Nathan as well. "I was just calling to let you know that I'm going to be visiting this weekend. I'll be coming in on Thursday." she informed Peyton.

"That's great! I haven't seen you in months. Is Nathan coming too?" she asked.

"Unfortunately, no. He can't get out of Friday practice and he also has a test Friday morning."

"Oh, okay. We'll I'm glad you're coming at least. Do you need me to pick you up from the airport?"

"That would be great Peyton. My plane lands at 4pm"

"I'll be there." Peyton said and Haley could sense her smiling "You, me, and Brooke will have a great weekend!"

"Not too much drinking I hope" Haley joked.

"Oh God, me and Brooke have seriously become alcoholics" Peyton laughed "Every weekend we go to a party and get wasted. It's actually pretty bad because we drive while we're drunk. Some nights we don't even remember leaving the party and driving home. So that seriously needs to stop."

"Peyton! That really is bad and that really does need to stop. You girls are so lucky you have gotten home safe and have not gotten in any accidents. Don't ever do that again, okay."

"I won't, Haley."

"Good." she responded "Okay, Peyton, I need to get going but I'll see you Thursday."

"Can't wait" Peyton said and then hung up the phone.

Haley was a good friend to both Peyton and Brooke. They met her when they were freshmen in high school along with Rachel Gatina. Haley started dating Nathan Scott when she was a sophomore and they had a good relationship. Rachel goes to college two hours away from Tree Hill and she met her current boyfriend, Chris Keller, there. Brooke and Peyton were the single ones and they didn't mind. It gave them more freedom. They liked it that way at least for now.

"I cannot stand my parents, Peyton." Brooke complained as she entered Peyton's room and falling back on the bed on Wednesday afternoon. Peyton was at her desk and spun in her chair to face Brooke.

"What happened now?" Peyton asked as she placed her pencil down on the desk.

The brunette propped herself up on her elbows and answered. "They are making me go this whole weekend to the beach house with them. I leave tomorrow after my morning class. They said we need family time." Brooke rolled her eyes. "This is such bullshit. Can you believe it? This is going to be like the first weekend in a long time I'll be sober."

Peyton let out a small chuckle but then frowned "This really does suck and you know why?" she asked and Brooke shook her head. "Haley is coming to town tomorrow afternoon and is here for the weekend. Now the three of us won't get to hang out."

"Ugh" Brooke groaned as she fell back on the bed. "I haven't seen Haley in so long! My parents just had to pick this weekend."

"There's no way you can get out of it?" the blonde asked the brunette who shook her head. "Well, she'll come again. It's not like you won't ever see her again."

"That's true. Just know that I'll probably be texting you all weekend" Brooke cracked a smile.

"Wonderful!" Peyton said sarcastically "Can't wait to read all your texts about how your parents are annoying you and how you wish you were out with me and Haley drinking." the blonde laughed and Brooke sent a scowl her way. "Kidding!" Peyton replied with a smile.

"Yeah you better be before I kick your scrawny butt!" Brooke joked.

Thursday afternoon arrived quickly and Peyton stood in the airport waiting for Haley to arrive. Not long after she saw Haley walking towards her and both girls shared smiles and then embraced each other with a hug.

"It's so great to see you, Hales" Peyton said.

"Likewise, Peyton." Haley responded as she pulled away. "Where's Brooke? I would've thought she would come with you" she said furrowing her eyebrows.

"Yeah, she wanted to but her parents forced her to go to the beach house with them for 'family time'" Peyton explained.

"I won't get to see her then" she said and Peyton shook her head. "Well that sucks"

"We'll still have a great time though just the two of us"

Friday night Haley and Peyton decided to hit the bar, Blue Post. They both had their fake id that Brooke had gotten them when they were in high school so getting drinks wasn't going to be a problem. They walked over to the bar and took a seat. Peyton ordered two diet coke and vodkas for her and two more for Haley.

"This is all I'm drinking tonight, Peyton. Just two of these because I've assigned myself as designated driver so you can get as drunk as you like tonight" Haley smiled.

"Sounds good to me." Peyton responded.

The girls shared stories from college and then played a little pool and Peyton kept drinking. They had been there for nearly two hours and Peyton was pretty drunk. Haley led her back to a seat at the bar so she could rest a bit.

"Excuse me." they heard a voice coming from behind Peyton causing both girls to look. A tall thin guy with blonde hair and blue eyes stood before them. He flashed them both a killer smile. "I'm Lucas. I just moved here. I was hoping to make some friends" he said as he slipped his hands into his pockets now with a shy smile.

"Well, hello gorgeous." Peyton said to him with her eyebrows raised and caused his cheeks to turn a shade of red. Haley let out a small laugh. "I'm Peyton" she slurred and this is one of my best friends "Haley" Peyton said pointing at Haley.

"Hi" Haley said with a sweet smile and extended her hand and Lucas shook it.

Haley and Peyton stayed for another half hour or so at the bar having conversation with Lucas. He had just moved to Tree Hill for his sophomore year of college. And Haley told him her current situation along with Peyton's because Peyton wasn't making much sense in her drunken state. She was perfecting the act of flirting though. She was very touchy feely with Lucas who didn't really mind anyway. He had a few drinks in him so it might have just been the alcohol.

Before leaving Peyton and Lucas exchanged numbers and she placed a kiss on his cheek. Haley sweetly hugged him and then Peyton hooked arms with her and they headed out of the bar.

"Wasn't he so cute!" Peyton exclaimed.

"Peyton, you don't have to yell" Haley laughed as she put Peyton in the passenger seat of the car and closed the door and walked around to get into the driver's seat.

"You are so wasted, Peyton" Haley told her as she drove away from the bar.

"Yeah, well at least I'm in college because you know what they say. After college it's called alcoholism" Peyton slurred and laughed.

After arriving at Peyton's and Haley helping her get in her house she laid Peyton on the bed. Peyton closed her eyes and Haley thought she was finally asleep but then heard her speak. "Too bad Brooke wasn't here. I really miss her." Peyton let out.

"She's only gone for the weekend" Haley smiled.

With her eyes still closed she let out a heavy sigh "I know but it is our first weekend apart. I know it sounds a little stupid because we're only friends but still it's a change" she slurred. "That guy from tonight was hot!" Peyton changed the subject all of sudden and Haley just laughed.

"How about you get some sleep, Peyton. We'll talk in the morning." Haley told her and Peyton nodded and soon drifted off to sleep.

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