Peyton Sawyer pretends. She didn't before. Before she was happy. She had Lucas. She had finally got the guy. But she can't help but feel jealous when she sees the brunettes together. Those two damn brunettes that she loves.
Brooke had left after the wedding. She told them that she had work that needed to be done in New York. But Peyton knew better. She knew that it was hard for Brooke. She felt bad for her friend, but not bad enough to stay away from the one and only Lucas Scott. Her new husband. She was happy when Brooke came back. But she wasn't so happy about the new beau on her arm.
When Jake came back to Tree Hill Peyton was happy. Now they could be friends. She just didn't like the fact that he came back with Brooke. That was what bothered her. That's what caused her to pretend. She loved seeing Jake. But it wasn't the same. His eyes didn't light up when he saw her; they did that now for a certain brunette.
She holds on to Lucas a little tighter when she sees them. Because she knows Brooke is happy. She knows she doesn't have to because she needs to show her 'ownership' over Lucas. But because Brooke is in love with Jake. And Jake is in love with her.
She pretends to be happy when Jake's eyes fill up with love once he sees Brooke, like they did once before for her. Jake's eyes are all for Brooke now. When she is around them she feels the need to scream that he's her's. But he's not anymore. He's Brooke's. And that hurts. She sees Brooke's dimples appear on her face every time she's near Jake. She doesn't have to fake a smile anymore, another blonde is doing that. She hates Brooke for it. She hates that she is happy with Jake.
Because she's still in love with Jake, even if it is just the littlest bit. It's still there.
It's not that she's not happy that Brooke is in love. She's just not happy Brooke's in love with Jake. She nearly screams out in horror when Jake proposes. It's horrible to watch. Lucas proposed to her alone. Brooke and Jake are around everyone. They are all there. That's Jake for you though. Showing how much he loves someone with everyone else he loves.
She is happy and upset when Brooke marries Jake because she doesn't have to worry about her anymore. Now Jake gets her. Brooke mistakes her tears as tears of joy like Peyton did once before. Peyton relizes how difficult Brooke had it. Watching the guy you love marry someone else. Maybe she was hoping just a little that Jake would still be in love with her. Because she chose Lucas. She did. She doesn't regret choosing him. But she does regret letting Jake go. Then it would all be the way it was. Lucas with Brooke, her with Jake. But Lucas had to go and crawl into her heart.
She smiles warmly the whole night but she has to put on a fake smile when they have they're first dance. Because Lucas and Peyton's song wasn't as meaningful as Brooke's is. She pretends not to notice that hundreds of more people attend Brooke and Jake's wedding then people did hers. The old cheerleaders are there. Bevin and Tim, as well with little Nathan. Skills was pissed and spent the whole night dancing with hot chicks in front of them.
Peyton was Brooke's maid of honor along with Haley. Two maids of honors, who would have thought of that? She makes them feel included. Because her and Naley have a connection that she doesn't have with them. She even has Jamie be the ring bearer. He smiles to genuine to Brooke, not like he does to herself. His smile is more of a 'you're my aunt so I have to love you' sort of thing. His to Brooke is 'I love you so much. You're amazing', smile that Lucas and Nathan both have. Lucas smiles like that to both of them. He used to do it for just her. But he doesn't anymore. So she just smiles.
She pretends that her heart isn't nearly burst in two when she sees Jenny cling to Brooke and calls her mom for the first time at the reception. That's the night she tells Lucas she wants to have a baby. Because she can't stand that Brooke has the life she's always wanted. Lucas wants them also. He just doesn't know if now is the right time. So they agree to not try but if it happens they'll be happy. That night she throws out her birth control pills.
She pretends not to notice the small bump that Brooke has. Or the way Jake stares at her. Peyton doesn't have that bump. She wants it though. She tries not to stare at Brooke too often. But Brooke notices.
'Peyton?' She asks sincerely. 'Why are you staring at me?' She asks as they are at their weekly supper with the Scotts. Nathan and Haley are there. So are they. They have this every Sunday evening. They're all family.
'Well…' She stutters. 'Brooke are you preg…' She starts to ask but stops in the middle of the last word. She pretends that she doesn't want to puke once she sees Brooke stare up at Jake with smiles on both of their faces.
'Pregnant?' She says sighly. 'Actually we are!' She squeals as Haley rushes over to give her a hug. It's funny to watch because Haley is already 6 months pregnant. She then remembers that Brooke probably accepts her to hug her or something, she is her best friend. So she places a smile on her face and hugs her best friends. Tears spring to her eyes but she blinks them down because they don't belong there. They have no right to be there.
'Jake, man, that's awesome.' Lucas replies putting his arm around her. She feels safe now. Knowing that her husband is right beside her. The husband who is in love with her. She shouldn't have these doubts about them. She has Lucas. He's in love with her. He wants her. Brooke shouldn't have anything over them. But she does. She has Jake. Lucas is eager to get home after that. He says that he wants to have a baby as they walk through the door. She doesn't know what to say but she doesn't have to because Lucas is already on top of her.
She pretends not to be jealous as Brooke struts out with her 7 month pregnant belly in a swimming suit. She pretends not to feel jealous as the three guys, including her husband, let out a wolf whistle as she climbs into the water. She struts into the water so confidently. Peyton's 5 month pregnant belly is as noticeable as Brookes but she covers it up. She refused to put on a swim suit. Even though Brooke told her she'd look great. Lucas stares at her. He asks her if she wants to get in, looking up at her hopefully. She shakes her head and sends him a glare. He turns around looking sad. Peyton doesn't have time to take care of Lucas.
She pretends not to notice when Brooke allows Jake to kiss and caress her stomach. She never allows Lucas to do that. Lucas is proud of the baby bump. Peyton isn't. She doesn't want Lucas caressing it or kissing it. She's fat. They can kiss it once it gets out. She turns away when she sees Jenny placing a kiss on the bump giggling heavily. She can't watch as Jake and Brooke be happy. Because right now she isn't happy. If she's not, why should she watch them?
Peyton Sawyer doesn't pretend. Peyton Scott does. Peyton Sawyer would never pretend. She would show people what she thought. Peyton Scott keeps her mouth shut because what she's upset about is something she shouldn't be upset about. So she places a smile on her face and pretends. She pretends for them and about them. Those two damn brunettes that she loves too much.