Wow, you guys. I am so happy with the great response to my first chapter of this story, and it was just a simple set-up to the story. Thanks so much! This one brings us up to date with Peyton.

The title for this chapter belongs to Something Corporate.

though i'm weak inside
i'm thriving just the same
still calling out your name
wondering who it is that i should blame

Peyton Sawyer had always been shy and guarded when it came to love; never wanting to let anybody get in too close, for fear of losing them. She had even spent over 16 years of her life never letting anyone see the real her, throwing up walls at any sign up someone getting too close to her heart. All of these things held true until her world was turned upside down by Lucas Scott. He broke down every reservation she had about love and made her see how great it could be to let someone into your heart. Yes, he had hurt her more than any other man; but he was still the one, the one man that would always have her heart. No matter how hard she tried, she could never let him go. And these past 4 ½ years in California, away from Tree Hill, she had tried her hardest to let go of this hold her had on her, but as hard as she tried, nothing seemed to work. She had dated many other men; had even fell in love once, but that relationship ended not long after seeing Lucas on his book tour 2 ½ years ago. Even after all these years, it always came back to Lucas Scott.

Back in their senior year of high school, after Peyton had confessed to Lucas that she was in love with him, he mumbled out an "Oh," saying something about how they'd always be friends, and darted out of there as quick as possible. Peyton had held out hope that maybe he'd see that they were meant to be together. However, Lucas seemed to avoid the topic altogether, and after his heart attack and stint in the hospital, she was too afraid to bring it up again. So, they went back to doing what they do best: hiding from their real feelings, and pretending to be just friends. They were never just friends, and everybody knew that.

The last few months of high school were incredibly hard for her. They spent a lot of time hanging out, but usually Nathan or Haley or even Skills and Mouth had to be there, to keep the awkwardness to a minimum. The few times they hung out alone, a fight always occurred about something incredibly stupid, but they both knew the underlying reasons for fighting: the undeniable chemistry and sexual tension. Peyton was not naïve; she knew Lucas had feelings for her, she could tell by the way he spoke to her, held her in his arms when they were hugging, and sometimes he'd just stare into her eyes and an almost longing look would overcome his face. She just could not figure out why he wouldn't give in to this, and let himself have what he really wanted. Peyton, above all people, knew how hard this was to do. But Lucas himself had taught her how beautiful it could be when you let someone in and love them with all you have.

After Prom, they did everything they could to avoid each other. It was almost as if Prom had been a breaking point for them. They had gone to together and had an extremely romantic evening; dancing, dinner, flowers. It was all too much, and at the end of the night, that had almost ended up kissing, until once again, Lucas bolted when things got to be too much. It had seemed that Peyton and Lucas had switched personalities by this point. The night before she left for Los Angeles, Lucas had stayed over her house, and once again, their relationship had taken a surprising turn; one she'd definitely never forget. But also, it was too hard to remember the amazing times like those because it just made her long for him more.

The day Lucas's book was released, Peyton was at the local Barnes and Noble when it opened, picking up 2 copies – just in case. She had never been more proud of him than she was that day. Peyton was lucky, she had no classes and it was her day off from the internship, so she went home and read an Unkindness of Ravens from cover to cover. It was amazing and the words had flowed so beautifully; she never expected anything less from Lucas. After she had finished, she cried for three straight hours. Though Lucas had talked about everyone else as well, he put so much passion and love into describing Peyton and talking about her. It was almost too much to handle. She placed the books on her book shelf, and didn't pick up a copy for another year; the day Luke had called to tell her he was coming out to LA for his book signing. Peyton knew she should say no to him, not go and meet him. But, Peyton's heart was aching to see him, and before she knew it, the day of the signing and fell upon them, and she found herself in the arms of Lucas Scott once more.

Even though it was only one night they had together, it had managed to turn Peyton's world upside down once again. After he left to finish up his book tour, Peyton lived her life in a cloud for a few months. She was back under his spell, and all of her free time was spent thinking about him and what they could've been. As much as she thought she ached for him before, once he left, her heart was so broken and called for him every night. But her stubborn pride stood in the way, much like his had back in high school. Peyton had turned into a shell of a person, ruining her long-term relationship with an amazing guy.

Shortly after her relationship had ended, Peyton had turned her world around. She worked nonstop at the record label to try and move up in the ranks, and even took on more credit hours at school, trying to do anything to keep her mind of off Lucas. And it had worked – for a really long time, it worked. Then she graduated, and everything turned to hell. She had basically held the same spot at Sire Records the whole 4 ½ years she'd been out there; just a lousy intern that the big wig guys took advantage of. The media and record industry was cut throat – and not at all about the music and passion, as she was hoping it would be. So, after much thought and debate – and one teary phone call with Brooke in New York – she knew it was time to go back home to Tree Hill. The next day after talking with Brooke, Peyton promptly quit the record label and booked the next flight to North Carolina.

Currently, Peyton Sawyer was sitting in her seat on the airplane, waiting impatiently for it to land. She was very excited to be going home, but also extremely nervous. One part of her couldn't wait to see Lucas and jump into his arms and be as close to him as possible, but the other part of her – the bigger part – was still too stubborn to give in. She made a vow, right there on that plane, that no matter what Lucas tried to do, or what he wanted with her, she would not give in. After all the hurt and heartbreak he had put her through, she was not going to just crawl back into his arms. When they had spent that night together in LA, she knew he was finally realizing what a mistake he had made in not being with her; he was finally coming around. If Lucas Scott wanted her back this time, he'd have to really prove it to her, and work his ass off to win her back.

Peyton Sawyer was finally going home. But she was certainly not going home to make things easy on Lucas Scott.

wait, till i hit the ground harder
wish i could wait, to hear to hear your heartbeat fast
i wish i could wait to see you shaking
my days are numbered here
and i don't want to be the last one home

Let me know what you think! And, I did post a new chapter for By Your Side, so check it out!