Author's Note: Okay, here's my first attempt at a chaptered LP fic. I've never tried one before, so if it sucks...I'm sorry. But please read and review, I would love to hear your thoughts! Thank you!

Our Recognition

WATCHMEWATCHU: It's been a while, Peyton. How are you?

The small ding that sounded from Peyton's computer caught her attention immediately. She set her drawing down on the bed and walked over to her desk, grabbing the mouse and squinting to read the message. As soon as she read it, another one popped up.

WATCHMEWATCHU: How's your life now that your second mom is dead? I heard your best friend is gone, too. Nice job with that one.

A surge of anger coursed through her, and she typed furiously back.

PEYTON: Who the hell is this?

WATCHMEWATCHU: You know who I am.

Peyton's heart started racing. This had happened before. Last year, just before summer started. She had thought it was Ellie trying to mess with her. Obviously, that couldn't be the case now. But who else would do this? Another ding of the instant messenger interrupted her thoughts.

WATCHMEWATCHU: It's always going to be there, isn't it?

WATCHMEWATCHU: You and me?

WATCHMEWATCHU: If I say I love you right now, will you hold it against me?

WATCHMEWATCHU: I have to be with you.

WATCHMEWATCHU: And now we can have it.

WATCHMEWATCHU: I LOVE YOU, YOU KNOW THAT?

WATCHMEWATCHU has signed off

Peyton couldn't breathe. She stared at the screen, frozen. She was rooted to her spot, even though every part of her wanted to shut the words out. The memories, the emotion, the passion, the pain. She wanted it all out of her mind. But whoever this was knew all of these things they'd said to each other, and wouldn't let her forget them.

But who was it?

Finally snapping to her senses, she signed off the messenger and covered the computer. She stood on shaky knees, backing away from it. It couldn't be him. She refused to believe it was him. He wouldn't do something like that, especially not to her. Would he?

No one else could possibly know all those things they'd said…

"Hey Peyton."

Peyton nearly jumped out of her skin at the sudden sound of Haley's voice. She placed a hand over her chest, finally able to breathe normally again. "God, Haley," she said. "You scared the hell out of me."

Haley's brow furrowed as she came further into the room and sat on Peyton's bed. "I'm sorry…why?"

Peyton shook her head and stepped further away from the desk. "It's nothing, I was just really focused on my work." She grabbed a chair and sat in front of Haley. "What's up?"

Haley was quiet a moment before saying, "I was just wondering what's going on with you and Brooke. I mean, she moved out of the apartment, and we haven't really talked too much since the accident after the wedding. And Lucas is barely talking to me."

An uncomfortable feeling completely separate from the one she'd felt a few minutes before settled over Peyton, and she shifted in her chair. "How are Nathan, Rachel and Cooper anyway? All I heard from Lucas was that he and Karen found you, and Lucas helped pull them out."

Haley hesitated. She hated reliving that awful day that was supposed to be so perfect. Clearing her throat, she replied, "Yeah, that was….that was pretty much what happened. I guess Rachel told Cooper she was pregnant, and then ran them off the road."

"Was she?"

Haley nodded. "Lost it in the crash."

Peyton took a moment to swallow this. "Wow."

"Yeah, she didn't take it very well. Cooper left town a couple weeks ago, after he recovered. No one's heard from him since."

"And Nathan?"

"He was pretty shaken up after the crash, and he's still worried about Cooper. But we rebooked our honeymoon, so he should feel better after that." She smiled a little deviously.

"Why, Haley James Scott, I didn't know you had it in you."

Blushing and turning away with a grin, she walked over to Peyton's album collection and started browsing through them. "None of that, however, relates to the situation with you and Brooke." She turned back. "Come on, tell me what's up. You guys are best friends."

Peyton looked away, swallowing hard. It was her turn to relive a painful experience. Her voice was soft and rather defeated when she replied, "Actually, according to Brooke, we're not."

Haley was puzzled. "As in, you guys aren't friends anymore? But why? I mean, the last time you two fought like this, it was over Luc…" She paused, unsure if she really wanted to ask. "It's not over Lucas again, is it?"

Suppressing a heavy sigh, Peyton only nodded.

Haley knew this meant more drama was abound. The last time this had happened, it was ugly. Now, she feared it would be a massacre. Sitting back down on the bed, she asked in a gentle tone, "What happened?" Internally, she was hoping no cheating was involved this time.

Peyton was about to start telling the story, long as it was, but stopped. "I don't think you'll really want to hear this from me, Haley," she said shortly.

"Why not?"

Peyton's tone remained impartial, but she knew some part of her felt a little bitter. "Because from what I've seen lately, you two have been joined at the hip."

"So?" Haley was offended by what Peyton was implying.

"So, you'll probably be on her side, no matter what I say."

Haley's expression turned into one of annoyance. "Shouldn't I be able to judge that for myself?"

"Look, Haley," Peyton snapped, moving toward the door, "I don't need this right now, okay? You can try to be buddy-buddy all you want, but I'm not buying it. so go back to Brooke and let her tell you what happened. I'm sure it's a better story anyway."

Haley was growing visibly more angry and confused. "What's that supposed to mean?"

Peyton only motioned to the door in a clear message, and Haley left angrily after a moment. Peyton slammed the door behind her.

As she turned back, Peyton's latest art stared her right in the face. A picture of two hearts, side-by-side, of the same design as the heart she drew on Lucas's court. At the top, the acronym, "BFF" was scribbled. The left heart was broken in two, with the word, "LIES" above it.

And the second heart, shattered into pieces, had the word "TRUTH" written above it.


Lucas couldn't figure out where he went wrong every time with Brooke. It seemed like the harder he tried, the worse things got. The more she hurt. He couldn't understand why loving her was never enough.

Ever since he'd come to her that night when she'd agreed to be with Felix, Lucas had been trying to prove himself to her. Trying to prove that he didn't mean to hurt her, and he didn't want to do it again. But she was making it so hard. Deep down, it seemed like all she wanted to do was find an excuse to bring their relationship to an end. And she was doing a good job of it so far.

He'd been going over and over in his mind what had happened at the wedding for the past three weeks. He'd cursed himself every time for saying anything about the library without making sure Brooke knew about it first. After they'd danced alone in the reception hall, Brooke had told him she needed some time alone to think, and then left.

So when she called just a half hour before to ask him to meet her at the River court so they could talk, he was worried.

Stepping onto the hot asphalt of the court he knew so well, he spotted Brooke atop one of the benches. Her eyes were downcast; she looked deep in thought. She hadn't seen him yet, so he stopped to stare for a moment. His heart started pounding. Her expression didn't look like a hopeful one.

He started to walk closer, and she looked up. Her cheeks were stained with tears that had already been cried. She'd come to a decision, and he felt he already knew what it was.

"Hi Pretty Girl," he said quietly, sitting next to her. He watched her out of the corner of his eye. The nickname he'd grown so accustomed to saying somehow felt empty now.

Her voice was weak when she greeted him in return, minus the usual nickname she'd given him. Clearing her throat, she said, "Thanks for coming."

"Of course," he told her, still tentative. "Tell me what's on your mind."

Brooke was quiet for a few very long minutes. She swallowed hard a couple times, and brushed her hair back with her hand. Finally, she began, "Did you know I was a tomboy when I was really little? Before Peyton and I discovered makeup?"

Lucas smiled at the thought. "No, I didn't."

She continued to prove her point. "Or that I still can't sleep sometimes without my favorite blanket? Or that listening to Classical music makes me cry? Or that I've always wanted to adopt when I get married? Or that I tried to run away from home when I was twelve?" She stared right into his eyes, noting how his face had fallen farther with each question. "Did you know any of that?"

Lucas was silent. He'd had no idea about any of that. Brooke had never shared anything about her childhood, or her dreams for the future. And really, neither had he. They really only knew each other in the present, not the past or the future. But why? Why had they never shared those things? He knew she didn't trust him, but didn't he trust her? Hadn't he decided a long time ago that he would devote himself to her this time, and know everything about her? How could it be that they still knew so little about each other?

Finally, he shook his head slowly. "No, I didn't know any of that, Brooke."

She turned back to the front. "I was angry at the wedding, Lucas. At Peyton, at you, at Haley and Nathan, but mostly I was angry with myself."

He was watching her intently, attempting to understand. "Why?"

"For always letting my insecurities get the best of me. And for thinking I could trust you again. I wanted to know why you never let me all the way in, but the truth is…" She broke off for a moment, looking over at him and shrugging. "I never let you in all the way either. I don't know you, Lucas, and you don't know me. And that can't work."

Lucas took her words in for a moment, knowing that they had both finally realized the truth about their relationship. A part of him still wanted it to work, though. Part of him still wanted to fight for it. He shook his head, giving her an honest, sincere look. "I do love you, Brooke," he told her. "I do."

She closed her eyes at the words and got down off the bench. She turned to face him, and another tear had found its way down her cheek. Her chin trembled when she said, "I know. But that's not enough."

Brooke began to walk back to her car, wrapping her arms around herself. She turned back once, stopping to look at him. "I'm sorry, Lucas."

He nodded sadly. "Me too."

When she got in her car, he watched her drive away and hung his head between his knees for a few moments. So that was it. That was how it ended. Their struggle was over. Brooke was admitting defeat, because she couldn't trust him or herself. Despite his best efforts, he'd ended up hurting her again.

Or maybe, in the end, they were just tired of hurting each other.