A/N: I'm still on my Nathan/Peyton phase until the next episode. So I made this piece! Hope you like it. :)

The Five Stages of Grief

Chapter One: Denial and Isolation

"Come on, Peyton!" Brooke knocked loudly, her tone desperate. Haley joined her, bringing a tray of food. She chewed on a carrot stick.

"Peyton!" Haley called out. "I have chicken here. Your favorite!"

Peyton perked up upon hearing the word chicken. She'd been living off cartons of ice cream and packs of potato chips for the past three days, all convenietly stashed underneath her bed. She'd go out when Brooke was asleep to get ice cream and the occasional bottle of beer. She considered opening the door, but then a framed picture of her and Lucas caught her eye. What was it still doing there? She grabbed a baseball bat and swung at it, the breaking glass making a sharp sound. She closed her eyes and went back to bed.

"What was that?" Haley panicked, knocking furiously at the door. "Peyton!"

"Another picture frame." Brooke answered. "Peyton Elizabeth Sawyer!" she ordered. "You come out here right now or I swear I'll break your door down!"

Peyton felt for An Unkindess of Ravens on her bedside table. She wiped away a few tears as she read the dedication. "Go away Brooke," she called out, her voice breaking down. "Please."

Brooke frowned. She knew she couldn't do any more. "Come on, Hales. Let's save our strength for tomorrow."

"What, you're giving up just like that?" Haley questioned, refusing to move.

"She's reading Luke's book again." Brooke said sadly.

Nathan, seriously," Lucas knocked, with Skillz kicking the door beside him. "You have to go out. Jamie thinks his Daddy's been kidnapped by Nanny Carrie."

Nathan shook his head, his thoughts focused on his young son. He knew he couldn't go out and be a father to him, not right now. He wasn't ready. He looked at the wedding band atop his dresser. He dove back to bed.

"This is ridiculous man!" Skillz said, shouting. "You'll starve in there!"

"Nope, not really." Nathan answered, opening another bag of Doritos.

"You'll be so out of shape for the play-offs! Remember your NBA contract?" Lucas questioned, still tugging at the door knob.

"I'm good." Nathan glanced at the eliptical trainer. He'd even brought the plasma and DVD player in, with his wedding video on repeat.

"I can kick this door's ass, dude, you know that!" Skillz started banging on the door, his face grimacing at the pain.

"That's solid hardwood." Nathan warned. "Haley picked it out." He said to himself. He felt for the remote under the sheets and pressed play. Suddenly the images on the screen went to life; it was the part of his vows for Haley.

The voices filtered through the walls. "Let's go, Skillz." Lucas said, recognizing the words from the wedding video.

"We'll be back, Nate." Skillz banged for one last time before following Lucas.

Peyton's cellphone rang. She absentmindedly clicked 'recieve' and put the phone to her ears.

"Remember junior year?" The voice asked.

Peyton sighed, putting away the book. "Hi Nate."

Nathan hit pause and smiled.

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