A/N: So, here I am with the first chapter of the sequel for The Lion and the Lamb. I got a good amount of people wanting to read it, and, honestly, I want to write it. In case you don't remember, when we last left my little world where One Tree Hill and Twilight collide, it was graduation in Tree Hill. Haley and Nathan were together and headed for Duke. Brooke had dated both brothers, and she had been friends with Lucas after their break-up-which didn't actually happen in the last fic-while hating Haley for 'taking Nathan away from her'. Rachel had a vendetta against Peyton, because, in her eyes, Peyton had taken Lucas from her, even though she had never dated Lucas. Lucas was headed for UNC, and Peyton took off after graduation, because she loved Lucas, but she thought herself a monster, and she didn't want to have to one day turn him into a vampire like she was and she thought it would be easier to let him move on with his life. Oh, and Haley and Peyton were good friends before Peyton left Tree Hill without a word.

So, I hope you're up to date, now, on what we last saw. If you have any questions let me know in a review. When this fic picks up, we find our favorite characters after more than two years has passed. Most questions should be answered with time, but if you want a flashback to explain something, or if I leave something unclear without meaning too, just ask, and I'll try to give you an answer. Anyway, I think this A/N is long enough. Here's the chapter:

(Peyton's POV)

As I got out of my Comet, in the parking lot of yet another high school, I felt a strange sense of deja vu. It's been more than two years since I first stepped onto the campus of Tree Hill High School, and my life's changed so much since then. I can't believe it's been almost two years since graduation; it seems like so much time has passed, yet, at the same time, it feels like Lucas was holding me in his arms yesterday.

No, I mustn't think of him. It only leads to depression, and that really wouldn't be good for my first day back at high school. Instead of allowing my thoughts to linger on the blond, I force myself to recall the reason I had decided to register at a high school. I signed up as a junior, to hopefully give myself a longer time here. I was at Fork's high school, because I had never really returned to New York to be with my family. Instead I had decided to find a place in Forks-the place where Bella and Edward had found each other-and hope to get some good karma points by staying there.

Honestly, I didn't believe in karma, but back then I couldn't stand being around people, because everything reminded me of what I couldn't have, and I wanted to go to a place that held some familiarity, even if it was only familiar from the memories and thoughts I had seen in everyone else's mind about it. Initially, they had come to visit me a lot, but eventually, when I would rarely respond to them, they had stopped. I guessed they had given up on me, because, as of two months ago, no one had come in many months. Then Sebastian had shown up one day, to 'convince me to live again.' Those were his words. I slowly let the memory wash over me.

FLASHBACK

I was lying on the floor, as I often did during the day, because I usually only left at night and then it was mostly to hunt. The door opened suddently and I knew who it was by his thoughts, so I didn't bother looking up. "It's not going to work," I said, knowing from his thoughts what he was going to try to do, and trying to ward him off. I didn't feel up to it today. I didn't feel up to it any day, really. I saw no point in getting up without Lucas to get up for.

Instead of heeding my warning, Sebastian walked further into the room and plopped down onto the floor, using the wall to lean against. Unlike my room in the last house I'd lived in, there were no records on the walls. There were no drawings or sketches, or any sort of art work either. I simply hadn't found the desire to listen to music, or draw since that fateful day. I knew the future was nothing but bleak for me, so what was the point of drawing it and having it cemented. As for listening to music, I used to do that to feel some sort of hope. There was no longer any hope to feel.

Even though Sebastian didn't say a word for a while, I kept my gaze on the ceiling. He was trying to reach me through his thoughts, and I was steadily ignoring them. I simply didn't care. Nothing he could say would really get my attention, so there was no point in listening. "Stop being so morbid. I can smell your complete apathy from a mile away," he scolded. Sebastian could also sense people's emotions. Unlike Jasper, he could not manipulate them. He could sense them more specifically, though. "I want to feel some interest from you, in anything," he added.

Sighing, I raised my hand and flipped him off calously. "Is that enough emotion?" I asked, then flipped on my side, so my back was facing him, and stared at the wall instead of the ceiling. There wasn't much difference, but there was just enough for me to occupy myself by pointing them out. Not that I hadn't done this before, but I didn't much care if I had.

He heaved a sigh as well, but not for the same reasons I had. He was exasperated, while I had been pretending to show emotion. "Peyton, seriously, you've been lying in bed over a year. You need to get over this and live again, which is what I'm here to convince you to do. It's not like Luca-" he cut himself off as I sat up abrubtly and turned to face him with a glare so fierce, I've been told it would kill people, if looks really could kill. "You didn't give him up so you could have no life. You gave him up so he could. Which, by the way, I still think is a damned stupid decision," he started again before Icould interrupt.

Now I did have an emotion for him to sense. I was pissed at the nonchalant way he brought up Lucas. No one did that around me, obviously fearing-with good reason-that I would tear their heads off if they did. I'm not entirely sure I mean that figuratively either. Whenever I think of him, besides the feeling of loss I get, I feel extremely angry. Not at him, of course, because he did nothing wrong, but at myself. I often think of what would have happened between us had I not up and disappeared. Would we still be together? Would I have changed him?

I have to stop my thoughts there, because I really can't picture him with bloodred eyes instead of clear blue. That image in my mind makes me want to tear out my unbeating heart, for all the pain it brings me. "Don't you dare speak his name. I don't want to hear about what you think he would want. You don't know him, or anything about him, so stay out of it," I pointed at him, knowing he was smirking at the fire he saw in my green eyes. "Damnit, don't go getting a big head, thinking you caused me to feel something. This is the life I chose, and I'm damn happy with it, so butt your arse out!" I jumped to my feet and fled the room.

Instead of stopping when I got outside, I kept on going, running quickly through the woods. I didn't stop until I reached the meadow. I knew what it had meant to Bella and Edward, and it made me remember the clearing underneath the bridge in Tree Hill, where I had spent many hours with Lucas. It was here and only here that I could remember Lucas fondly. I slowly flipped through the memories in my mind, actually allowing them to bring a smile to my face. In that moment, I could almost feel Lucas's head resting on my stomach, could almost feel my fingers feathering through his hair.

Looking down at my hands, I was forced to rememer that he wasn't here. I would never get to run my fingers through his hair again. Never get to hear his heartbeat, or look into his clear blue eyes. I bent my knees and rested my face in them, and I was sure tears would be spilling down my cheeks if they could. It was times like these I hated being a vampire. I desperately needed a good cry, and I would never feel the release of tears running down my cheeks. I knew what Sebastian had been about to say in my room. 'It's not like Lucas hasn't gotten over it,' I could hear his voice saying the words, even though he hadn't finished his sentence.

As I thought about it, I realized he was right. Slowly, the urge to cry began to fade, as I contemplated that. Lucas probably had moved on, and I should too, right? I mean, it wasn't like Lucas was going to put his life on hold, and I had to spend much longer without a companion if I couldn't find one. I needed to get out of my small world and interact with people again. That didn't mean I was ready to move back in with my family, but maybe I could start attending a school again. It would probably be more efficient to start as a junior; that would allow me to spend more time here.

My thoughts continued like this, and by the time Sebastian showed up, I was waiting for him. "Alright, you can go report to the others that you succeeded. I'll go back to school. Just tell them that I'm not ready to do much more than that," I told him, sending him a look to let him know exactly what I meant. I didn't want anyone coming here and fawning over me just because I went to school. I needed to do things at my own pace.

Surprising me, he seemed completely innocent in thoughts told me he hadn't been keeping in touch with the Cullens. "I've been living with a mate," he said, and I knew he would be blushing-if he could-by his tone. A quick look into his thoughts told me it was Tanya, and I was pleasantly surprised by this. I was genuinely happy that Sebastian had found someone to be happy with. Happy enough that I gave him a hug, much to his surprise. When I pulled away, I demanded details, and he was not hesitant to give them.

END FLASHBACK

That had been long ago, and school had already started by that time. So I was late in starting, but I had managed to come up with the proper documents that would prove I had been enrolled in some school in another country. Today was my first day on campus, but I talked to the secetary yesterday, over the phone. It wouldn't take too long to get my schedule figured out. I headed in the direction of the main office and tried to ignore the stares of all the teenagers.

None of the students held any interest for me. I wasn't here for that, not really. I was just here to prove to myself that I could go to school. I had spent the past couple nights reperfecting my french accent, and had the clothing style to match, thanks to the time I spent in France, years ago. I wanted something different, and to be someone different, hence the changes.

My first test of the day came before I reached the office. A girl who had a bright smile, and brown hair approached. "Hey, you must be new here. My name's Michelle Newton," she said, looking at me expectantly. The cheeriness threw me offguard briefly, and I wondered how she could be so happy in the morning, before I snapped out of my shock and answered in my perfect french accent. She showed me to the office and fortunately, or unfortunately due to the fact that her joy could get rather trying, I had at least four classes with the girl, including my first one, which she showed me to.

The rest of the day passed quickly after that and I was glad to catch the sight of my house as I turned on the road that led to it. A few more yards later, and I was parking the car, getting out. I checked my mailbox, strictly out of curiousity, because the grass around it seem disturbed in a way that it hadn't been earlier, and I smelled a scent I hadn't smelled on it yet and sure enough, there was something inside. I saw a name I recognized, and felt a caution sweep over me. I had a feeling I knew what it was, but I slit open the envelope anyway, and yes, I was right. It was a wedding invitation, to Haley and Nathan's wedding. In two weeks.

(Lucas's POV)

The sound of my roommate's alarm clock informed me that it was time to get up. With a sigh, I stood and decided to get ready for my first class of the day. I was technically still in my freshman year, because I had flunked out last year as soon as it's possible to flunk out of all your college classes. After that I stayed in the apartment I was renting for a while, before something happened that made me get up one day, and start getting ready to live again. Well, I guess it was more of a someone, but, nevertheless, I prefer not to think about it unless absolutely necessary.

That wasn't exactly my shining moment, and I have a whole year of them. I hate that I was so weak, but for a while there, I just didn't care. I hate her for that, but, at the same time, I still can't stop loving her. Some days I just wish I could see her again, now, and show her what she's missing, but then I'd have to see what I'm missing, and I don't know if I can handle that, despite the fact that I'm trying to move on. It still hurts to think of her, and I prefer to let the past stay there. For some reason, though, I let the past wash over me for a moment.

FLASHBACK

My eyes closed, I lay in my bed, as I had taken to long ago. There was really no reason for me to get out of bed. My mom had stopped coming by a long time ago. I guess she hated seeing her son lose the will to live before her very eyes. Even the phone calls from Haley and Nathan had stopped, and they had been coming every day at one point. I didn't much care, though, because I had long ago stopped caring. I guess I stopped caring the day she disappeared. I felt the pain clutch at me as it did every time my thoughts even drifted in the direction of the sarcastic blonde, which hadn't been happening as much lately because I've been training myself not to think of her.

Still, every once in a while, she would drift into my thoughts, and while it would cause me to smile for a moment, it never lasted long, and soon enough I would be painfully remembering the day she disappeared from my life. It was that day that I had begun my downward spiral which had eventually led to the rock bottom I was at today. I had had hope in the beginning. Hope that I could find her. Hope that she would come back to me. As time passed, I lost all hope, and all will to leave the house. I only left my bed anymore to go to the bathroom, or the kitchen, and I hadn't actually left the house since I had stopped going to my classes.

What I long for most are the days when I'll be able to remember her and not feel the gaping hole she left in my life, in me. Maybe one day I'll be able to think of her name with fondness, and remember the time she allowed me to be a part of her life. I will be thankful for the time I took up in her extraordinary life and I won't mind that she got bored of me and left. Maybe in the way distant future, I'll even be able to drove past her old house in Tree Hill, or our spot underneath the bridge and not feel the emptyness she left behind.

Of course, right now that's all wishful thinking, and I have no use of it. Right now I feel cold and soulless, like she often claimed she was, everytime I think of her. She probably doesn't even think of me anymore. Why should she? She left me without a trace, as if I was yesterday's news, and to her I probably was. I was a mere human. She'll meet thousands in her lifetime, probably millions, and I was just one. One person, who she allowed to occupy her life for a time. She probably won't remember me any more than she would remember anyone else.

Except she had claimed that she had loved me. She had claimed that she would love me for as long as she lived, and she had promised to stay with me for as long as I lived. No, I recalled, she had promised to stay with me as long as I needed her. Well, that was a lie. Couldn't she tell that I needed her? That I still need her. I know that she said she couldn't read my thoughts, but how could she not know how much I still need her. Maybe she just didn't care. Maybe she had never loved me and had just been using me as a plaything while she had been forced to stay in Tree Hill.

That thought made the pain I was feeling throb and fester, spreading it even more. I quickly pushed her out of my thoughts and tried to focus on something else. Just for something to do, I got out of bed and pulled on some jeans over my boxers. I didn't bother with a shirt as I headed into the kitchen of the small studio I was still living in. Soon enough, I would run out of my life savings and have to figure out something else, but I think I still have enough for at least six months, if not more. I guess I'll figure out when I get to that bridge.

Just as I finished throwing a sandwich together because it was the only thing I could see to make out of the meager amount of food I had, there was a knock on the door. I was sure it was my mom, so I decided to answer it. She was the only one that visited me in my home anymore, and, as I pointed out earlier, she didn't come around much anymore. I took my time getting to the door, taking a bite of my sandwich and setting it on the counter before heading out of the kitchen. I opened the front door, only to find myself staring at a woman who was not my mother.

From my memory, it was one of Peyton's family members. Bella, if I could remember correctly. I felt the pain flare up angrily at the thought of her name. I had been careless in my thoughts as I hadn't been in a long time, and felt myself nearly doubling over, crossing my arms across my chest to try to ease it. Bella still hadn't said anything, so I looked up at her, quite curious as to why she was here. My shoulders were still hunched over as I tried to hold the pain away. I didn't say anything, just waited for Bella to speak up as I kept waiting for the extra pain from thinking her name to go away.

She eyed me sympathetically. "This is worse than I thought," I thought I heard her mutter, but I couldn't be sure. "Hey, Lucas, how are you doing?" she asked, pushing her way into the house. She cringed at the sight of the mess before she turned back to me. "I guess that's my answer," she said, her expression raking me over once more. I could sense that she was pitying me, but I couldn't bring myself to care. "I told her this would happen, but would she listen, no? Still, as bad as she is, I think he might even be worse," I heard a faint mutter again, but, again, I could have just been hearing things.

With a shake of her head, she began picking things up. "Listen to me, Lucas," she said as she cleaned my place up. "You can't live like this. You've got to learn how to live again, or at least fake it, and I'm here to help with that, because I've been here, and it's not a fun place to be," she straightened and looked at me, and this time I realized it wasn't pity. It was understanding. "Besides, I'm the only one who can help you, and I won't have my head bitten off, because I can keep my thoughts to myself," she said, sending me a smile before she went back to cleaning.

END FLASHBACK

That had been the start of a good friendship. Bella had helped me out of the darkness, and she had helped the hole in my chest heal, so the edges weren't as jagged. It still hurt, especially when I thought of her, but I have hope now that I can get better, and now I can interact with people. I also made a really good friend out of it. I didn't get to see Bella all the time, but she came about once a week or so. The best part about it was the fact that no one knew we were hanging out, which meant it wasn't getting back to her. I'm not sure I could handle it if she knew how bad I had taken her disappearance.

Shaking myself out of the past and focusing on the present, I got dressed, finishing as I heard my roommate get out of the shower. I grunted a response to his greeting, and then headed out of the building to go to class. I went through the motions all day, and was glad to get home after my last class. There was mail laying on the kitchen table, and I was surprised that one envelope had my name on it. I cautiously opened it, wondering who it could possibly be from. As soon as I pulled the parchment out of the envelope I knew. It had been a long time coming, so I wasn't surprised in the least to receive an invitation to Haley and Nathan's wedding.

A/N2: okay, so, what did you think of the first chapter? I know it was kind of short, at least, shorter than I've grown accustomed to writing lately, but I thought this was a good place to start. What do you think? Let me know, and I think I'll update this fic every Monday. So, you'll find out what happens next in one week. I tell you, the next chapter could be a shocker, or maybe not. We'll have to see. Please review, and let me know if you want to see something happen. I appreciate all ideas and comments, good or bad.

Disclaimer: I don't own anything in relation to One Tree Hill or Twilight.