So this is my first fanfic ever. I usually only read fanfics, but I read this story, Running to Stand Still By Nomadic Soul, and I loved it soo much that I actually continued writing his story.
So everyone this is kinda weird, but if you want to read this story you first have to read the first 5 chapters of Running to stand still by Nomadic Soul.
is a little summary of what happened in the 5 chapters. Peyton was comforting Lucas, but Peyton and Lucas ended up sleeping together. Lucas wakes up and sees that he has to go to work and takes Peyton´s car, the next day Haley brings Peyton´s car back. Oh yeah everyone know that Dan killed Keith. Peyton talks about going to Savannah College of Art and Design(SCAD), but what is she going to choose, Lucas or SCAD, which means Jake.

Okay y'all still with me?

My story beins right after chapter five of Running to stand still. So here we go.
Hope you'll like it.

My love is alive not dead
By Riles Vaughn

Chapter one: Leaving an empty heart.

Peyton couldn't help but be excited about graduation. Finally no more stupid teen boy drama. Just her and Jake, not together as in a couple, but together as in hanging out. Peyton really wanted to go to the Savannah College of art and design.
Peyton was already accepted there and she couldn't be happier. When Peyton got the letter that she was accepted, the first one she called was Jake.

Flashback. A week ago, Peyton just got her acceptance letter.

"Hey Jake," a soft gentle voice said.

"Peyton?" Jake answered.

"How's your life Jake?" Peyton asked

"Well 3 times a week it's awesome." Jake replied

"So you're getting Jenny 3 times a week now. That's good right?"

"Yeah, it is Peyt."

"I'm glad for you, Jake. I really am."

"Thanks, Peyton."

"But anyways the reason I'm calling is…"

Peyton stopped talking, she was thinking about what the best way was to tell Jake that she was coming to Savannah.

"The reason you're calling is…? Come on, Peyton don't leave me hanging." Jake said trying to provoke Peyton.

"Sorry, I did not want to leave you hanging, but I was just trying to find the words to tell you the big news."

Peyton had Jake's full attention; he was very curious what the news was.

"Come on Peyton, what news? I guess you really do like leaving me hanging." Jake joked.

Peyton let out a big sigh. "Is it that bad?" Jake asked.

"No, I just needed to catch my breath, and if you just let me talk, then you
would get the answer at your question." Peyton smiled at her end of the line.

"Sorry." Jake said.

"But anyways the big news is that I got into the Savannah college of Art and Design."

"Wow, that's great Peyt! Congrats. I'm really happy for you. I know how much you've wanted this."

"Yeah, I just opened the envelope and I just had to call you to tell you the news."

"Who else did you call?" Jake asked hoping that he was the first.

"No one," Peyton answered, "you're the first."

"Well I'm honoured, thank you Peyton." Jake said with a big smile on his face.

"You're welcome Jake." Peyton looked at her watch "Listen, Jake I have to go, I'll call you another time."

"Okay, talk to you later Peyton Sawyer."

"Bye Jake Jagielski."

Peyton puts the phone down; she let out a big sigh and said to herself: "God, it felt good talking to Jake."

End Flashback.

Peyton's dad, Larry, was supposed to come home today from his trip. Peyton had been figuring out what the best way was to tell her dad that she was going to the Savannah college of Art and Design.

"Peyton, I'm home." Larry jelled as he opened his front door.

"I'm in the kitchen!" Peyton jelled back. "Hey daddy, miss me?"

"Of course I did, sweetheart, I always do when I'm gone, and you know that."

"Yeah, I do, but I just wanted to hear you say it." Peyton and Larry exchanged smiles. It wasn't very often that Peyton and her dad were just sitting in the kitchen together. He was always away on business and when he was home, Peyton felt that it was too weird to be there with her dad.

"So, dad…I think that you need to sit down for this one." Peyton said after a few minutes of silence. "I have to tell you something."

Larry looked Peyton in the eyes. Peyton turned her eyes away, she hated when people did that. But Larry didn't see it that way. He thought that she was avoiding his look, because she was ashamed of something. At that moment Larry remembered that a few weeks ago he was sitting right here in the kitchen and Peyton was standing right there at the kitchen sink.

"O My God, I can't believe this," Larry said, "I thought you said the two of you were careful!"

"Daddy, where are you talking about?" Peyton asked confused.

"You're pregnant aren't you?" As soon as the words escaped Larry's mouth he knew he was wrong. How could his little girl be pregnant?

"Daddy!" Peyton's face was turning beat red. "No, I'm not pregnant."

"Ow, well I just figured…" Larry never finished that sentence.

"Daddy I am not pregnant…what I wanted to tell you is that I got accepted to the Savannah college of Art and Design." Peyton's face was facing the ground. It was a habit she had picked up, when she was still tight with Brooke.

"But that's great honey! Come here!" Peyton looked up and saw her dad opening his arms for her. Peyton stepped in the hug and she started crying.

"Why are you crying Peyton?" Larry asked.

"Because I'm happy, and proud, because I did this all on my own."

"Yeah you did it, sweetheart. Let's go out celebrate! We can go out to dinner; there is this new place…"

"Can't we just stay home and relax?"

"Well of course we can, if that's what you want."

"Yeah, it's what I want."

"So, have you told Lucas yet?"

"Have I told Lucas what yet?" Peyton asked furrowing her eyebrows.

"That you got into college." Peyton sighed the only thing she could do was look at her dad. Without saying a word Peyton left. Larry heard Peyton close her bedroom door. Peyton put on the new NOFX CD she had just bought. Larry knew he had to leave Peyton alone at this point. When Peyton would put on a Led Zeppelin album she needed someone to talk to, if she puts on a punk album she needs to be left alone and when she plays alternative music you were able to disturb her. NOFX qualifies for punk so Larry knew he had to leave Peyton alone. He just didn't know why, he never knew. Somehow Peyton was always a mystery to him.

Back in Peyton's room, Peyton was tired of it. Everywhere she turned there was Lucas. There was a moment where she didn't think of him and then her dad brings him up. The only thing that kept her going was the fact that she was leaving in a few weeks. She didn't know when exactly or where she was going to stay but she was going to Savannah, out of Tree Hill.
It's been a week since the letter came on her door mat and the call with Jake. The minute Peyton thought of Jake, she picked up the phone and dialled Jake's number.

"Jagielski residence." A little girl's voice said.

"Hey Jenny." A soft voice said. Peyton couldn't believe that Jenny could already pick up the phone and say "Jagielski" and "residence".

"Peyton?" Jenny said cheery. "Are coming here soon?" Jenny asked hoping Peyton would say yes.

About a year ago Peyton went to visited Jake and Jenny in Savannah, Jenny called Peyton "momma", but Peyton hadn't seen or heard anything from Jenny since.

"Well actually," Peyton said teasingly, "I might be coming around a lot more. I mean if it's okay with you and daddy."

"Really, Peyton? Are you really coming to Savannah? I can't wait!" Jenny was so cheery on the other end of the line that Peyton could feel it.

"Why don't you put daddy on the phone and we'll see what daddy thinks of this."

"Okay, I'll be seeing you."

At that moment Peyton had a flashback. Lucas had just battled Nathan on the River court and won. In the middle of it all there was Peyton, and Luca walked up to her, and said: "I'll be seeing you." It was in the same way that Jenny was saying it, soft, gentle.

"Yeah I'll be seeing you." Peyton stuttered out.

"Peyton?" a nice calm voice asked.

"Hey Jake, P. Sawyer here."

"Two calls in a week, you must really miss me."

"Jake…" Peyton couldn't say anything else then: "I really wanted to hear your voice."

"I know…I'm just irresistible." Jake teased.

"That you certainly are." Peyton teased back. Peyton and Jake had always had a nice chemistry. Everyone could see it, even Lucas.

"But seriously, I've been thinking about college, I really want to go to Savannah and my dad is okay with it, I guess. But here is the thing; I can't live on campus, because all the dorms have already been raffled. Plus I don't really feel comfortable with living all by myself."

"Well that's not really problem, I think. You can just come live with me."

"What, no. I can't ask you to let me into your home. It's too much to ask for."

Peyton was saying the words, but she didn't mean them. She wanted to move with Jake and Jenny more than anything.

"First of all you haven't asked anything yet, and second I'm offering and I'd be very offended if you'd turn my offer down."

Peyton's heart was screaming "yes" at her, but her head said "no", softer but still hard enough to hear it.

"You know that you are welcome here. Jenny and I love having you around."

"Jake I can't do this, even if I wanted to." Peyton said, already regretting her words. She wanted Jake to back his offer down and at the same time she wanted Jake to be persistent on having her there.

"Peyton, I know what you are trying to do here. I'm not going to be pushed away by you. I remember that just a few years ago that there was this boy who had a 10 month old baby and he needed a home. And I remember this girl, who opened her door for the boy, giving them not just a home, but a stable home. Eventually the boy had to leave but he made a silent promise that he would somehow pay her back one day, someday.

"Yeah someday." Peyton said, Peyton couldn't help but cry. Not because she was sad or depressed, but because she was happy that Jake did remember.

"Peyt, I know I sent you away to follow your heart, but I do miss you. I may not be the guy for you. But that doesn't mean that you can't come here and live your dream."

"But…"Peyton couldn't say another word. The words that came up in her mind just didn't seem to be enough.

"I love you for doing this, Jake, but…"

"No buts it's settled you are coming to live with us."

"Okay, I'll talk to my dad, and you'll hear from me."

"Okay, bye P. Sawyer.

"I'll see you soon, J.J."

With that Peyton hung up the phone. She couldn't help but relieved, if her dad would let her, she would have a family.

Larry heard that Peyton had put her music back on, but it was no longer the new NOFX album, her mood had changed and with that her music changed. She put up the new Yellowcard album, Lights and Sounds. Larry knew that it was safe to go and talk with his daughter.

"Hey, sweetheart." Larry said opening Peyton's bedroom door.

"Hey, so I'm sorry about earlier, I was just a little…"

"Yeah I know, it's okay sweetheart."

"So…I called Jake."

"Jake as in your ex-boyfriend right?"

"Yeah, that's the one. But anyways I called him to let him know I'm going to Savannah. He said that I could move in with him. I was thinking…that maybe I could move in with him. I mean I wouldn't be living alone and I know I'm safe with Jake and Jenny. Daddy, I really want to do this."

"I know sweetheart. This is also the boy that lived here a couple of years ago right?"

"Yep that's the one. And guess what I'm still in one piece, so please daddy can I please move in with Jake."

"Of course you can! Listen before you called Jake; I had already spoken with him. He called yesterday to ask how you were doing and where you were going to live. We had a nice conversation and he asked me if you could move in with him. And I said yes. But before you can go you have to do something for me."

"What do I have to do, I'll do anything."

"You have to go upstairs and change, because it's already 4 o'clock."

Peyton hadn't seen that is was that late? Graduation was just a half hour away. Peyton smiled at her dad, and then turned around to go upstairs. Peyton stripped her clothes and stepped under the shower. Within 15 minutes Peyton was showered and dressed up.

"You look absolutely beautiful, sweetheart." Larry said when he saw his daughter walked down the stairs. "Thanks daddy… not just for saying that but, also for being here. I missed you with so many other things; I just wanted you to be here with me."

"I know sweetheart, but I'm here for you."

Larry and Peyton stepped in the car and drove to school. Peyton couldn't help but smile the whole way to school. The only thing she could think about was the fact that after this she would be leaving Tree Hill. No more teen boy drama with Lucas, no more bitch fights with Brooke. No, it was just going to be her and Jake…and Jenny of course.

Larry and Peyton arrived at school. Lucas saw Peyton and walked up to her. Larry saw that and figured they needed to talk, so he said that he needed to go to the bathroom. Peyton turned around and there was Lucas standing right in front of her. Peyton closed her eyes and smelled his scent. God he smelled good. Peyton hated the fact how much she loved Lucas's scent. But she'd always come second with him, and Peyton didn't want that, she wanted to come first, second, always.

"Hey beautiful, I haven't seen you in while." Lucas said.

"Yeah, I know, I have just been really busy with things."

"What sorts of things?" Lucas asked.

"Things like…planning my future."

"So, do you know what school you are going to attend?" Lucas asked hoping
that she would say UNC.

"Yes I do. I'm going to the Savannah college of Art and Design."

"Really?" Lucas said somewhat disappointed.

"Yeah, I think I'm even going to move there."

"Why?"

"Because if I stay here in Tree Hill, I'd have to travel a lot, too much. And I'd come home to an empty house. My dad's gone most of the time anyways, so I thought moving would be a good move."

"But you can't leave." Lucas said.

"Why not?"

"Well what about me? Don't I have a say in this?"

"What? No you don't. This is my decision and only mine to make. You are going to UNC and I'm going to Savannah. That is just the way it is." Peyton said al little angry.

"But, Peyton…" Lucas wanted to say something, something that hadn't been said in the history of world, something that just would make it all okay. Lucas opened his mouth, but no words came out.
Peyton looked at her watch and saw that it was two minutes to 4.

"I have to go Luke. I still have to put on my robe. I'll be seeing you." And with that Peyton left Lucas. Peyton quickened her step, she felt like Lucas was following her, even though he wasn't. Peyton grabbed a robe and put it on and quickly left to go the ceremony.

There they were sitting next to each other, how could it be any different. Peyton Sawyer and Lucas Scott, alphabetic order. Somewhere during the ceremony Lucas put his hand on Peyton's leg. As much as she was fighting herself, she couldn't push him away. Luckily Nathan, who was sitting on the other side of Lucas, saw that Peyton was struggling. So he punched Lucas on his chest. Lucas let go of Peyton's leg.

As Lucas closed his eyes with regret. Nathan gave Peyton a little nod and Peyton gave Nathan a little nod back.

"Next group, Peyton Sawyer, Lucas Scott, Nathan Scott and Skills Taylor," a voice said. All four of them stood up and walked up to the dean.

"Much has changed since Junior Year. Peyton Sawyer, Skills Taylor, Lucas and Nathan Scott. But you definitely deserved this, all four of you. I wish you all the best. I believe Miss Sawyer is going to Savannah," Peyton nodded.

"And I believe our basketball star is going to Duke and Lucas to UNC and Mr Taylor, I believe you are going to Stanford." All of them nodded one more time. A little tear escaped Peyton's eye. And it was Nathan that put an arm around Peyton and said: "This is it Sawyer, the moment we've been waiting for." Somehow it was always Nathan that could calm Peyton down. They were not destined to be with each other, but there was something about Nathan that she just couldn't explain, there was a sense of calm and safety around him and Peyton liked that in him.

They got their diplomas and stepped down from the podium. Lucas tried to take Peyton's hand, but she wouldn't let him. As they were stepping down, Peyton turned to Lucas. "We need to finish what we started." Peyton said.

"We need to talk."

"Okay" Lucas said furrowing his brow.

Peyton led them inside the school, in the hallway where Peyton was shot. Peyton took one of Lucas' hands with both her hands. She brought his hand to her mouth, she then pressed a small kiss on his hand, never letting go of his hand.

"I love you Lucas. I always have and I probably always will, but this thing between us, it's too much. I can't do it anymore. I feel like I'm always there for you when you need me to be, but in those small moments that I actually need you are just not there. I can't have that anymore. I won't have it anymore.

Luke, you and me are good when we are alone. I feel like I'm only enough for you when you want it to be. But when the outside world is watching, it just doesn't seem to be enough for you. I just won't have it anymore." Peyton let go of Lucas' hand, only to see that Lucas had a little tear in the corner of his eye. He was losing her and he knew it. Peyton pressed a kiss on the corner of his mouth. She turned around and without looking back she walked away from Lucas, who might even be the love of her life.

Peyton saw her dad and put a fake smile on her face.

"Hey, sweetheart," Larry said. "I'm so very proud of you. You looked so beautiful up there."

"Thanks daddy. Can we go home; it's been a long day."

"Thing didn't go well with Lucas?"

"Well just not what I wanted it to be."

"Come on let's go home." Larry wrapped his arm around Peyton.

The ride home was a quiet one, but not uncomfortable, just total silence.

"So I was waiting for the right moment to tell you, but then I realized there was never going to be aright moment, so I'm just going to spill it." Larry said breaking the silence. I'm leaving next week, for a very long trip."

"How long?" Peyton asked.

"It going to be 3 months, so that's the whole summer. I'm really sorry Peyton;
I really wanted to spend the summer with you. This is the last summer that you are my little girl, because after this summer you are going to be a college girl. But I was thinking, before you say anything, I don't want you to be alone the whole summer and figuring that you and Lucas are in the stands...I was thinking that you could already move in with Jake. Get settled in, I mean I know how much you want this."

"You know you are every girl's dream dad."

"So I guess that is a yes." Larry smiled.

"Hell yeah, but it has to be okay with Jake."

"So call him."

When they arrived home, Peyton ran into the house grabbed the phone and plopped down on the couch.
Jake recognized Peyton's number and answered.

"Twice on one day, I know you love me Peyton, but this really starting to get creepy."

"Dude, listen up. I have some updates."

"Tell me."

"Well my dad is going a way for the whole summer. So he suggested that I
already get settled in with you. Well that's if it's okay with you."

"I really have to think about this, because this wasn't the deal Peyton." Jake said teasing Peyton. "Well of course I can respect that." Peyton said somewhat disappointed.

"Just kidding love, of course you can come here! The sooner the better." Jake called her love, no one else could say like Jake did.

The day after her dad had left for his trip Peyton started packing her bags. She had the new NOFX album on, just because she wanted her head to drift away. She couldn't get that smile of off her face. Her dad's words lingering in her ears. Use your head and follow your heart. Maybe it was Jake that was in her heart, but she just didn't realize it.

"Where is that sweater?" Peyton said out loud.

"Right here, I took it by accident last time I was here." A soft familiar voice said. Peyton turned around, there he was standing in her doorway eerily familiar to the way he was standing there last time. Peyton walked towards Lucas to grab her sweater.

"Do I have to wash it before I use it?" Peyton asked while grabbing the sweater and smelling it.

Lucas put a small smile on his face and said: "No you're good. I'm not a pervert."

"I never thought you were."

"Are you going somewhere? Lucas asked looking at the bags.

"Yeah, I told you, I'm going to Savannah. I'm actually leaving tomorrow."

"What why? College doesn't start till September and sweetheart is barely June."

"First of all I am not your sweetheart, second of all what I do in my life when I do those things in my life are for me to know and no one else, and I'm sorry but that also includes you Luke." Peyton let out a big sigh and started talking again. "Luke you and me are over. I thought I made that very clear the other day. You have no right being here, you and me…is gone, we're done." Peyton turned away from Lucas, facing her head down.

"Are we really done?" Lucas said moving closer to Peyton. Standing behind her, Peyton felt his warm breath in her neck. He placed kisses on her neck all the way down to her collarbone, slowly undressing her. As much as Peyton wanted to fight those kisses, she just couldn't. His breath, his scent, his everything, God she loved this boy. Peyton turned around facing Lucas looking him straight in the eyes. She started pressing kisses on his cheek. She closed her eyes, already regretting her actions. She brought her hands up to cup his face in her hands. Peyton looked Lucas straight in the eyes. Lucas wrapped his arms around Peyton. Peyton ripped Lucas' shirt of off his back. God she loved the smell of him. Before Peyton knew it Lucas had scooped her up and laid her down on her bed. She put her hands on his belt. Trying to open it. Lucas saw Peyton struggling and helped her. He then pressed his lips against hers solely thinking about Peyton.
Peyton put both her index fingers in his boxers doubting whether she should do it or not.

"You know, we don't have to do this." Lucas said locking his eyes to hers.
Peyton quickly closed her eyes and without a second thought she pulled the boxers down. He hovered above her, asking her one last time if she was sure.
Peyton could only nod, knowing that if she'd try to speak she would break down in tears.
Afterwards Lucas fell a sleep, Peyton could tell by the way he was breathing. Peyton turned to Lucas, she was just looking at him. With her fingers she touched his face, feeling his curves. She hadn't noticed that the time had flashed by and Lucas had woken up.

"Hey, good morning."

"Listen Luke, we never finished our conversation. I was packing my bags because I'm moving to Savannah, to live there…"

"Peyt, you…"Lucas could not finish his statement, before he knew it Peyton pressed her lips against his. As Peyton pulled away from the kiss, Lucas didn't dare utter another syllable. Peyton looked Lucas straight in the eyes. She felt tears coming but she fought them back. "Luke you have to let me do this. This is what I want, this is what I need.

"But why are you leaving so soon, I don't understand."

"My dad left yesterday. He's going to be gone for 3 months. So he suggested that I might as ell prepare for college." Peyton took one of the sheets wrapping it around her body, she then stepped out of bed.

"But you can prepare her, in Tree Hill."

"No I cannot, Luke, besides…"

"Besides what?" Lucas asked with much confusion in his voice.

"Besides," Peyton said taking a deep breath, "my dad wants me settled in with Jake. Peyton could not look Lucas in the eyes, so she faced her head down. But she knew what face Lucas was wearing.

"So you're going to Savannah for Jake?"

"No I'm going for college and Jake and I are just friends. He's offering me a place to stay. Why am I telling you this?
Peyton couldn't say anything else, she already felt her eyes filling with tears.

"I think you should go Luke." Peyton stuttered out.

"No I need to know, I think you owe me that."

"I don't owe you anything Luke," Peyton said grabbing the sheet closer to her body.

Lucas nodded his head. He knew that Peyton's head was all over the place right now and the best thing to do is just leave it. But how could he, this would, this could be the last time that he could see her. He felt he needed to take her in one last time and found himself staring at Peyton taking in every part of her.
Peyton saw what Lucas was doing and began unwillingly to blush.

"Lucas, you have to go. I'm leaving in 3 hours." Peyton said looking at the digital clock that was on her nightstand.

Lucas was broken from his trance gathering his clothes. When he had all his clothes back on Peyton was still standing there wrapped in the sheet.
Lucas turned to her and said: "I guess this is goodbye."

"Yeah I guess so."

Lucas walked towards Peyton's bedroom door. "Luke!"

Lucas turned around facing Peyton one more time. "Now we are really done."
Both Peyton and Lucas realized it, they were done.

Peyton couldn't help but feel free in a strange way. Lucas left and Peyton finished packing. Her taxi was at her door, she was finally going to Savannah.