Take off had always been Peyton's favorite part of flying: the fact that you could feel the second you left the ground, the anticipation of reaching your destination and what possibilities laid there, the fact that you could look down on the town you were leaving and think back on the adventures, happiness or sadness that had taken place there. The last time Peyton had taken off, when she left Tree Hill, she had felt nothing but sadness. She hated the fact that she was running away. Hated that her friends wouldn't understand and would probably hate her for running.
This time she felt nothing but dread. She knew it was time to return home; even her father had told her home would always be Tree Hill to her and she wouldn't feel complete until she returned. She was afraid of the reactions she would be returning home to. How would her friends receive her?
At least she knew Nathan would be there for her. He had never agreed with her decision of leaving, but he had supported her. She smiled at the thought of how odd it was that he had become her confidant after everything they had been through and done to each other.
Haley may not be exactly welcoming when she arrived, but she would warm up. Haley wasn't the type to hold a grudge. She couldn't wait to see Jamie; he had been young when she left, and the young are always quick to forgive and forget.
She was dreading seeing Lucas the most. After having turned down Lucas' proposal in L.A., she had always thought her chances with him were over. When she finally had everything she had always wanted at her fingertips, she realized once and for all it wasn't what she wanted at all.
Then there was Brooke. Brooke Davis. Her best friend. And ultimately the reason she had left Tree Hill in the first place. They had been through many ups and downs in their relationship, mostly ups, but during the down times they had hit rock bottom. They always made their way back together though.
The flight was remarkably short with thoughts of Tree Hill running through her mind. Seeing her father waiting for her at the airport was an immense relief. He had flown out a few times to see her over the years, but seeing him there in Tree Hill solidified it all. It was both of their first trips back in over five years. He had said he missed her and that Tree Hill just wasn't home without her.
They made their way home and visited for a few hours before Peyton's dad noticed her fidgeting. Visiting with her dad was great, but she needed to see her friends, and she was starting to get really nervous about her reception. It was he who insisted she go speak with her. They both knew who 'she' was even if they had never spoken about it.
Peyton could remember the day her dad realized her feelings for Brooke, even if she couldn't remember when she herself had. It had just always been there. It was as if she was born loving Brooke. It was a constant.
Brooke had spent the night at her house, and they were cuddling as they normally did. Brooke's head lay on Peyton's shoulder and she had an arm and leg thrown across her. Peyton, awake first as usual, was lazily running her fingers through Brooke's hair and staring out the window. She turned at the sound of a creak outside her door and saw her father standing there. Peyton saw all the emotions running across his face: confusion, realization, shock, understanding. He met her eyes and smiled softly as he lightly nodded his head.
