Peyton Sawyer stared at her sketchpad, blonde curls falling over her eyes. The picture staring back at her terrified her more than anything, for the picture that was supposed to be of Jake and Jenny had somehow turned into yet another drawing of Lucas Scott. Lucas, the one person who turned her world upside down and set it straight at the same time. The boy who was dating her best friend, the boy who may only see her as an easy target. And yet she couldn't take her eyes away.

…

Lucas Scott, all-star Ravens basketball player, stood at his locker, looking at the picture of him and Brooke taken just a few weeks ago. It hung on the inside of the door for everyone at Tree Hill High School to see. They looked so happy, smiling at the camera while locked in a warm embrace. Only Lucas really knew the truth though, that the picture was a lie.

"Hey, superstar, I missed you," Brooke came up behind him, giving him a kiss on the cheek.

"You just saw me yesterday," Lucas laughed and turned to hug her. Brooke reciprocated, taking any chance she got to rub it in all the girls' faces that she was Lucas Scott's girlfriend.

"I know, but you usually call. I really could have used some help on that English essay," she said suggestively.

"Yeah, you could've used some help all right. I'm sorry, I just got a little busy," Lucas tried to hide the guilt in his eyes, not telling her why he was busy.

"It's fine. Now walk me to class," Brooke said casually, linking her arm in his and guiding him to her first period. When they reached room 205, Lucas leaned down and kissed Brooke on the cheek and hurried to his own class, room 310.

When Lucas entered the doorway, Peyton's head sprung up, her hair bouncing in the process, as she shoved her sketchpad back into her canvas shoulder bag. Lucas smiled and snagged the seat next to her.

"I'm sorry," they both said simultaneously to each other, then laughed.

"But really, I shouldn't have done that. I mean, you have Brooke and I have Jake," she said, while not meeting Lucas' eyes.

"Don't blame yourself, Peyton. This is my fault," Lucas covered her hand with his.

"It takes two people, Lucas," she said and jerked her hand away.

"Hey, hey, calm down," Lucas said soothingly while stroking her back.

"I'm sorry. I'm just under a lot of stress what with helping Jake with Jenny and school," she trailed off, glancing up at the front board.

He took this as a hint to end the discussion, but Lucas couldn't take his eyes off of her. He loved the way her mouth pursed when she was thinking, the way her handwriting looked when she was feeling drained and worn out and the way that handwriting was different from when she was relaxed and at ease. He couldn't help but have feelings for her, even though he knew what he was doing was wrong. What he saw when he looked at Peyton wasn't lust or passion or intrigue. It was one thing.

Love.