Disclaimer: I regrettably do not own One Tree Hill. If I did, Lucas and Peyton would never have happened!

A/N: This story is set after the Naley wedding in season three. Everything has happened up to that point. I'm new to this so go easy on me!

"Hey Luke, it's me. I'm sorry for leaving the wedding without saying goodbye to you; I just feel overwhelmed by everything that's been happening lately and I needed to escape from it all. You know that I love you, right? My love for you has been a constant in my life for such a long time now. Once upon a time, I was a sad, lost and unloved girl who drowned herself in booze and boys in order to escape from my reality. Because of you, I stopped being that girl a long time ago and started to believe in myself; in my potential. And the truth is that I've always felt so unworthy of you. I'm scared that I'm not enough for a guy as amazing and kind as you. I mean, my own parents told me that they never wanted me so what does that say about me as a person? Around you, I feel forgettable and I don't think my heart would be able to survive if you forgot about me also. So you were right when you said that I always seemed to be looking for an excuse to push you away – truth is, I'm terrified of getting my heart broken. I'm scared of taking chances. But I promise that from now on in, I'm going to be brave. I'm going to take a chance and give myself completely to you because I trust you with my heart. I'm going to fight for you, Lucas Scott. As long as you want me, I'll be there – I promise you that. I forgive you for not telling me about the kiss with Peyton during the shooting. Just please, don't give me a reason not to trust you ever again. Be honest with me because after all, everyone makes mistakes and I'm not going to push you away if you mess up. Anyway, I guess that's all I have to say. I'm sorry for baring my soul in a message and not in face to face, I'm just driving home now so give me a call later if you want. I love you Broody."

Brooke slammed her cell phone shut and smiled as she drove back towards Tree Hill. Ever since she had gotten her license, whenever she needed an escape she just got in her car and drove away from it all. It was the way that she managed to get clarity, whenever life started getting hard. Now that she had sorted out her feelings, all she wanted was to get back to Tree Hill and see her boyfriend to make things right. She was going to fight for Lucas because for her, he was it. He was the only boy she had ever loved and she wanted him to know that.

Suddenly, out of nowhere a car pulled out in front of her and she yanked hard on the wheel to try and avoid an impact- however, her car hit the gravel and she knew she lost control. Now she could only hold on for dear life – literally. The next thing she knew, there was pain. And then finally there was merciful, numbing darkness.

**

Lucas sat in the waiting room of the hospital, nervously waiting for word on how Nathan, Cooper and Rachel were doing. For a day that was supposed to be perfect, so much had gone wrong. But then again, that was Tree Hill for you.

"Lucas!" for a split second he thought that it was Brooke, but instead it was Peyton. She rushed over and wrapped him in a tight hug as he found himself relaxing slowly.

"I just heard what happened" she whispered. "Are they going to be okay?"

"I don't know. Nathan is in surgery while Cooper and Rachel are both still unconscious."

She nodded and squeezed his hand before letting go and sitting down on one of the chairs. "Well, I guess all we can do is wait"

"Do you know where Brooke is? Does she know about the accident yet?"

A dark look crossed Peyton's face. "Let's just say that Brooke isn't exactly going to be informing me of her whereabouts anytime soon, seeing as the last time I saw her, she slapped me across the face."

Lucas couldn't help but sigh. "I'm sorry for telling her about the kiss. I just feel like she's been waiting for an opportunity to push me away so I just didn't want to give her one."

"It's not just about the kiss, Luke – there's something else also that I have to tell you"

"What is it?"

At that moment, the doors to the hospital were flung open as a group of paramedics wheeled and worked at reviving a body on a stretcher. The stretcher quickly disappeared out of sight as one paramedic stayed behind, digging through a wallet to find identification. As Lucas stared at the wallet, he felt his heart drop with a vicious lurch. He'd bought Brooke a wallet identical to the one that the paramedic held in his hands.