Chapter 2: New Beginnings

About a week later, the Sawyer family held a memorial for the daughter they "lost." Tom went up on the altar, where he began his daughter's eulogy: "Peyton Sawyer was truly a woman of her age. She was a beautiful woman, a cherished fiancée, a wonderful friend, and the best daughter a father could ever ask for." Hs voice choked, and he wiped his tears from his eyes. Brooke was also crying gazing at the life-size photo of her deceased cousin. Jake was holding his posture. He stood up straight, and has a blank expression on his face since the memorial started. "Today is the day we honor Peyton Sawyer. Her life may have ended here on earth, but her memory will live on forever." He stepped down on the altar, and was the first to put a red rose beside her photo.

One by one, the guests started to do the same. It was Brooke's turn, and she stood by Jake when she put the rose down. She covered her mouth, and she began crying harder. Jake looked at her, and his heart ached. He exhaled hard, as he saw Brooke walk away.

Peyton and Lucas were staying in a motel room. Lucas convinced Peyton that it was a matter of time her family would come and find her. 9 days passed and Peyton was beginning to lose hope. "Maybe if I drive through Tree Hill, it'll strike a memory, and you'll be able to point out where you live." Lucas suggested.

"It's no use. It's been nine days, and no one has even come searching for me, Lucas. Nine days. And it's been nine days, and I still don't remember anything. I mean, I wouldn't be able to know if you lied about my name in the first place, because I can't remember a thing!" Peyton explained.

"Maybe we should just go back anyways, someone probably will recognize you. You are the princess of Tree Hill." Lucas said smiling.

"No, I don't wanna go back. Look, there has to be a reason why no one's looking for me, maybe they don't really care for me."

"Peyton, of course they care for you. You're their only daughter, and what if…"

"Luke, stop with the 'what ifs' and 'maybes'. Okay they're not working on me anymore. I'm tired of waiting for someone to come rescue me. I don't even remember what my family looks like. If someone comes, I wouldn't know who they are. They could be lying, and I wouldn't even know it." Peyton exhaled. "Maybe this is a sign. Telling me to let go. Start a new life. Become my own person. You said that back home, I was known to be a Sawyer. Tom Sawyer's daughter [whoever that is, I want to be known as Peyton. I want to define myself, and not rely on my last name to get somewhere. Can't you understand that?" Peyton asked sincerely.

"Yeah, I get it. Trust me, I get it. You want to have a new beginning, where no one knows you, and you can make your own life, where you don't have anyone to influence your decisions because no one knows who you are."

"Seems that you know more than get it." She said raising her eyebrow.

"Well, let's just say I'm glad I have someone for the ride." Lucas smiled at her. Peyton smiled back at him.

A month passed and Brooke was at a bar partying with some friends until she saw Jake sitting at the bar alone. She walked up, and sat 2 seats from him. "Gin and Tonic please." She asked the bartender. "Thanks" She started to drink it.

"Isn't it a little too early to be partying?" Jake asked in a depressed tone.

Brooke looked over to him with her chocolate brown eyes. "Excuse me?"

"You and drinking, I mean she's gone." Jake stated sadly.

"Hey, I lost her too, you know. We just have different ways of grieving." Brooke explained.

"Like what, partying so wildly?" Jake said coldly.

Brooke chuckled. "Yes, like partying so wildly. It's the same as drinking alone." She started to walk back to her friends with her drink in her hand.

"You know, it would be nice to have some company." Jake expressed loudly. Brooke gave in. According from his face, he needed a friend.

Half an hour went by, and Brooke and Jake were laughing from hearing stories about Peyton. But Jake's smile faded. "I can't believe she's gone. A month passed, and I still can't accept it."

"Well knowing Peyton, she'd want the thought of her to linger as long as possible, but eventually, her memory will get less significant as we move on with our lives." Brooke paused. "She'd want that. For us to eventually move on, despite how hard it is."

Jake took a sip of his drink. "Here's to moving on." He raised his glass.

"Here's to new beginnings." They clinked their glasses together. She smiled.

For the longest time, Brooke had feelings for Jake, but she couldn't do anything since her cousin was his fiancée. But nothing was in her way. It was finally her turn to be happy.

About 10 shots later, Brooke was dragging a drunk Jake home. "C'mon Jake, walk with me. Let's go." She dragged him into his house, and dropped him on a sofa. She lifted his legs, and put them on the sofa. She looked around, and found a blanket. She wrapped it around his body. She stopped and stared at his face. She smiled.

"What did you do to my son?" A voice said behind her.

Brooke turned around. "Oh, Ms. Jagielski, I just dropped your son."

"Was he drinking?"

"Yes. Your son's a pretty heavy drinker."

Jake's mother gave her a fake smile. "Brooke, isn't it?" Brooke nodded. "I don't want to sound like a prude, but stay away from my son. I don't like people like you around my family. Do I make myself clear? You can go now."

Brooke turned around, and left the house angry. What did she mean my people like her? Brooke thought to herself. She got into her car, and started it. She looked behind her, ready to reverse out of the drive way, but something caught her eye. It was Jake's cell phone. She opened it, and saw that his wallpaper was a picture of him and Peyton together. It was very clear that Jake wasn't over her yet. It was time to bring the situation into her own hands.

A/N; Alright, as you can see, two of the many obstacles are already forming. Hope you guys like it so far. Please read and review.