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We've tried to wash our hands of all of this
We never talk of our lacking relationships
And how we're guilt stricken sobbing with our heads on the floor

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When she finally looked up, she realized that her feet had brought her to the River court. Lucas' River court. It was a bad idea to come here. This was his place to think not hers. If anything it made the announcement of his wedding even more painful being in a place filled with their memories. Barely able to see through the wall of rain surrounding her, she sighed in relief. Nobody would be coming here tonight, least of all him. He was probably home planning little insignificant details with his fiancee. She could picture it now; Lucas kissing Lindsay softly on the cheek as she passes him the seating arrangements. Her stomach churned at the thought. Tears began to bubble to the surface as she realized this was it, it was too late for them. He would be getting married and she would be left all alone in the world, as usual.

A flickering street lamp barely giving off any light caused Peyton to walk blindly around the court. Every couple seconds a flash of lightning would momentarily light her way. As she reached the center of the court, she looked downwards. Even though she couldn't see it she knew where the exact spot was. Four years ago they had put their signatures on this ground. She could still see those kids in her mind's eye. Those kids were so full of hope and enthusiasm for what the future would bring, none of them ever thought in as little as four years that their lives would be empty shells of what they once were. Nathan was so close to his dream of becoming a professional basketball player and already had the perfect little family with Haley and Jamie. His life, in all ways, was perfect. Who knew that one stupid bar fight would be his downfall. Nathan was once an unstoppable force. Now he couldn't even stand. He now spends his days at home drinking his life and marriage away. Haley couldn't even stand being in the same room with him. Peyton felt tears prickle her eyelids as she thought of her married friends. They were the ones that were supposed to make it. They were the ones giving her hope that maybe there was happiness in the world and maybe one day that happiness would be hers.

Peyton felt the cold radiating in her chest as the rain began to fall down harder. She didn't want to move, she wanted to stay here forever. As long as she stayed here she could stay in her own world, delaying the future for as long as possible. She spread herself on the ground and ran her hands along the coarse blacktop, scratching her palms in the process. Welcoming the pain as a better alternative to the pain she felt inside of her. The beating of the rain against her body and the scratching motion against her palms had quieted the voices in her head, keeping her in a numb state of mind. That was until a crash of thunder and lightning tore into the night. Sitting up straight, she wrapped her arms around her body. That's when it started. Peyton felt the tears begin to flow freely down her face, mingling with the rain. She covered her face as if her hands alone could stop the tears.

"Who's there?"

Her body seemed to freeze as she heard someone calling out into the rain. She couldn't see the person but she sensed they were coming closer. A small drop of fear trickled into her blood as old memories of Ian flooded her mind. Not wanting to be caught unaware, she stood up and raised her fists up to her chest.

"I know someone is out there."

Peyton felt her heart race as lightning streaked across the sky, giving a vague outline of the stranger.

"Who's there?" she asked.

"Peyton?"

She heard shock and relief in the person's voice.

"Peyton is that you?"

Oh no

"What are you doing?"

Seeing Psycho Derek would have been a more cheerful reunion. Now, standing in the pouring rain, was the one person she could never seem to get away from. Her real stalker.

"Hi Luke"

Lucas brought the collar of his shirt up.

"Peyton it's practically a hurricane out here. What are you doing here at three in the morning?" She shrugged her shoulders

"I wanted to practice my jump shot." Peyton Sawyer, ever the sarcastic. With her hands on her hips she asked

"Why are you here?"

"My shower ran out of water" Lucas retorted. He was not to be outdone by her sarcasm.

They stood there in silence when Peyton realized how familiar this chance meeting was. The last time they had met this way, she had her heart broken. Lucas moved closer to her and was surprised when she stepped back. She couldn't handle this, she couldn't handle him being so close. Not when the rain caused his clothes to cling dangerously close to his body, outlining the body she had at one time privately worshiped. The familiar tingling in her legs told her she needed to get out before she did something stupid.

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Oh now feel it coming back again
Like a rolling thunder chasing the wind
Forces pulling from the center of the earth again
I can feel it

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Im having more fun writing this than I ever thought I would and your reviews are making it that much more enjoyable!!

Please review this and tell me what you think. Be as honest as possible. Thanks :)

Lyrics: 'The Freshmen' by The Verve Pipe & 'Lightning Crashes' by Live