Disclaimer: I do not own OTH, not the characters, not the story, nothing.
"He's doing it again, come on girl, wake up!"
"Shut up Peyton."
"Brooke…"
"I said, just shut UP!" Brooke said, more forcefully this time.
Peyton sighed in defeat. She knew her best friend was not going to take the news well. But she had to tell her.
"I just don't want you to get hurt, that's all."
"Peyton, we're talking about Lucas here. Lucas. He would never hurt me. We went through so much together."
Lucas didn't do it, couldn't do it. Not after what he had put her through before. No he couldn't have. Peyton was wrong. She must be wrong. A simple case of an unreliable source. Her best friend should really check up on who gives her the daily gossip. Especially if it's about Lucas.
He loved her.
This is going to be the last time, he thought as he looked at the blond who was still sleeping silently.
He had given in many times before. But the guilt is still there every time. Lucas just couldn't help himself. She was just… always so far away. Always doing a photo shoot, or being interviewed by some dumb reporter. Always this or that. Always far away from him.
And he missed her every time. Missed being with her so much it made him incomplete, stressed out… even a little crazy. So a few months ago, he found a way to ease up his mind a notch. He loved Brooke but he desparately needed to stop this aching feeling he has every time she's not around.
He looked at the sleeping form next to him… feeling more and more nauseated. Lucas knew he had to stop. If Brooke came to know about this, it'll be the end of everything.
This is going to be the last time, he thought again, more determined this time.
He loved her.