Realization of the Heart

Chapter 1: Reflections of the Past

The orange basketball slammed off the backboard and bounced onto the asphalt of the Rivercourt. The asphalt which used to be gray was now covered with a painted love note written by a girl, who was in love with a man who wasn't hers.

Lucas Scott caught the ball in his hands and looked down at the written message. The words I love you was the only message Lucas' would eyes focus on. He knew Peyton Sawyer still loved him, he had known it for awhile but how could she have rejected his proposal, if she really did love him. He could not understand why she had done that, he had hurt him real bad and the only way to heal his heart was to move on. So as soon as Peyton went back home, Lucas started to write a novel based on his feelings and his past experiences, most of them concerning his love for Peyton. Although he wrote a lot about Peyton, it did not mean he still wanted to be with her, it just gave him the opportunity to deal with his feelings and to keep them alive. He was determined to let Peyton go by writing about her, but he knew Peyton would always be alive within his novel. He did not think his heart would move on, but as soon as he met his editor Lindsey he knew he had found a woman who could rock his world. Lindsey wasn't just a woman who edited his writing, she was like sunshine on a gloomy day, because each day Lucas saw Lindsey his smile began to grow and his heart began to heal. Lucas was finally happy and he knew he loved Lindsey but when Peyton moved back to Tree Hill his feelings began to change. Every time he saw her face, he became so angry because he was mad that she rejected him but he was also frustrated because she always looked beautiful. Lucas cared a lot about Lindsey and convinced himself that she was the woman for him so he proposed to her. Peyton was sitting in the church when he and Lindsey were exchanging their vows and although Peyton's face showed feelings of sadness and remorse he still wanted to marry Lindsey. So when she walked out on him at the alder, his heart broke for a second time. He wanted her, he needed her and he missed her. But as he stood there on the Rivercourt looking down at those three words painted on the asphalt, he realized that was not true.

Lucas looked around the court and many important memories of his high school years started to flood into his head like water breaking through a dam. Many things had happened to Lucas during those 4 years, he had his up and his downs but the only one who kept him sane was Peyton Sawyer. Even his best friend Haley could not compare to Peyton. He still remembered the way her golden curly blonde hair swayed in the wind as she drove down the street in her car, listening to Punk Rock music. He remembered meeting Peyton when she was going out with Nathan and she was trying to portray herself as a rebel rock and roll chick with her black leather jacket which defined her beautiful figure so well. Although Peyton was also a cheerleader which disgusted some people, but Lucas enjoyed Peyton being a cheerleader because every time he was on the court, she was always there cheering him on. She was an awesome artist and her love for music allowed Lucas's own music style to grow and expand. He remembered being with her in the hotel when they were waiting for news from her dad when he was on a dangerous mission overseas. Although at the time he was dating Brooke and he had enjoyed spending time with her, nothing to compare to the emotional bond Peyton and him had. That moment was so magical and that's where he knew he would never forget her. Peyton was so strong dealing with her mother's death but she was able to accomplish many things such as opening a club called TRIC, with the help of his mom Karen. Being with Peyton when she got shot was one of the most valuable memories he kept close to his heart. It was at that point where he realized he couldn't let her go and if he did his life would be meaningless. So why did he let her go 3 years ago?

It finally hit Lucas Scott that he had always loved Peyton Sawyer and that she was the woman who he wanted to spend his life with. Although Lindsey was a beautiful woman she was not Peyton, no one could be Peyton. All Lucas wanted to do now was to go to Peyton and tell her how much he loved her; however another memory flooded into his head. He remembered saying the words I hate you to Peyton when he was drunk. How could he have ever say that to the woman of his dreams, how could he get her back? He knew he had to make it right. He had to.

"I love you Peyton Sawyer." He whispered as he bounced the ball once more and headed off the Rivercourt.