A/N: There is a change in the ending of the previous chapter.

They were done. Nine long days of work and it was complete. The colors of the walls were a light green; they figured it was the best color suitable for either a boy or a girl.

"Congratulations"

"Hey, I wouldn't have been able to done it without you." He said looking at her. She stared at his eyes and then looked away. He looked away as well, and glanced around the room. "This looks really good, Peyt"

"You're mom is going to love it."

"I hope."

"She will love it" she assures him. They continue to stare at one another. She looks away "So she is coming back tomorrow right?"

"Yea, she and Deb are driving back tomorrow"

"That's good." She said. They both made their way to his bedroom, neither saying much. That sat on his bad both lying down on their back looking up at the ceiling. He moved the curser of his laptop, and music started to play.

"Who is this?"

"Jay Giles"

"Right." He says. "It's a fun song"

"You know what it means right?"

"Yea, but you can't tell me the tune isn't amazing"

"That's true" said. They were still lying on their backs, and they started to sing the lyrics. They even whistled in the end of the song. "I love that ending" she said.

"I love how we do this"

"Stare at the ceiling while listening to a play boy song?" he laughs thinking how dumb that sounds.

"No, not listening to a plat boy song. Just hanging out, and having fun" He looked at her. He really looked at her. She was beautiful; those eyes, her curly hair, her lips. He really was blind this entire time. She noticed the way he was looking at her and she knew she had to tell him. The subject was intentionally avoided by her the whole day.

"Listen, I have something to tell you" she said.

"What is it?" he turned on his stomach staring right at her.

"Just got the news today and I wanted you to be the first to hear it. But I was a little hesitant with bringing it up"

"What's up Peyt? You can tell me anything"

"I got into that Rhode Island art school"

"RISDI? Oh wow, Peyton that's great" he said. Of course he was proud of her, I mean this was her dream school, but he knew this would change everything. He wasn't sure if he was ready for that. "That's…wow. Peyton. Congratulations."

"Thanks Luke. You know I couldn't have done it without you. Thanks for believing in me"

"Peyton you are so talented, the school wouldn't be living up to its potential if they didn't accept you" she smiled at what he said.

"But you were the one that made me apply. So thank you for that" he just nods and in a way regretted what he did. Of course, he was happy, but Rhode Island and South Carolina were just too far apart.

"So why were you hesitant in telling me?" he asked.

"I don't know. I guess it's because this is so real. I mean college. I was just expecting to stay in Tree Hill and go somewhere local like you are. And this happened and I was just so excited but scared at the same time. I am going to miss you Luke. I really am. And not just you but Tree Hill in general. I guess saying it out loud would make it true." She felt like her did. The conversation left a bad taste in his mouth. What exactly could he say? He couldn't ask her to stay; he didn't feel his reasons were good enough. After all, this was her dream school. He wasn't even exactly sure what he was feeling, but he knew she was the only one he turned to since Brooke broke up with him. She was even there before that. He couldn't replace someone like that that easily.

"Well, on that note. I think I am going to go home. I'm pretty beat." She finally said.

"You can spend the night?"

"I don't think that's such a good idea"

"Why not?"

"It's late Luke. I'll be fine"

"Are you sure? I can drive you"

"Lucas I am fine" she smiles. "I have my own car" she says getting up. She made her way to the door before he stopped her, again.

"Peyton." She turns around to see him. "I want you to be here" he says in a serious tone.

"What? Tomorrow?" he nodded. "Luke, it's going to be a special night for you and your mom. I don't need to be here."

"I want you to though. Please."

"Ok" she said recognizing the seriousness in his voice. She knew it wasn't just about the surprise, she knew it was something more than that. He knew it too. Of course he wanted to show his mom what the both of them did, and how she was a big help. But now, knowing that she is leaving to a different state he felt the need to be with her. But what exactly did that mean?

She went home and sat on her bed. She held the letter in her hands. Accepted. She still couldn't believe that she got in. It was never her intention to apply; it was that certain someone who filled the application for her. Lucas Scott. He was more than just some guy, and he was more than just some friend. He was the guy.

The next day when Karen came home, she almost fainted. She was completely taken back and couldn't believe that they would do all this in a span of ten days especially since it was just him and her. With all the emotions running high she even cried. They talked for a little while as Karen told Luke about the convention and the new ideas she has for the café. All during their conversation Karen continued to thank and hug them. She got up calling in an early night and went into her room.

"Well, I'd say that was mission accomplished"

"Yea, definitely. She even cried."

"She is really excited for this. You can tell."

"Yea, definitely. I wish Keith could have been here to see it though"

"You got to believe he is" he looked at her and nodded. "You miss him don't you?"

"Every day. I guess over time the pain slowly goes away, but you never forget"

"I know what you mean" he nodded and she did as well.

"Happiest moment of your life?" she looked at him. "Thought I would lighten up the mood a bit" she smiled.

"That's tough. Knowing your dad's not dead is a pretty big relief." She said. "Recently, probably the last night I had with Ellie. We drove with the convertible top down while it was raining. It was…" she couldn't explain it. "nice" it wasn't the best word to describe it, but that would have to do.

"Sounds exciting" he was interested. She loved when he looked at her like that. You could tell he was really fascinated in what she was saying.

"I just felt really…alive. It was thrilling but comfortable. I think its just one of those happy moments that I'll never forget. So what about you? Happiest moment?"

"I really don't know. I've had pretty great moments but I am not sure what my number one is."

"What about recently?"

"Probably that summer." Her eyes widened a bit. Out of everything he could have mentioned, that was the one thing that stuck with him the longest.

"Really?" he nodded smiling.

"I went into it thinking it would be the worst summer ever. I mean Brooke blew me off, and I saved my ass of a father from a fire. Haley was gone, and I pissed off Nathan. My mom took off, and Keith was away. I thought I had no one. But it turned out to be good." He nodded looking at her. He smiled a little. "I guess I was surprised that those months weren't hell"

"It was pretty nice wasn't it?"

"I still remember when I went with you to cut your hair. You were squeezing my hand, and crying like a baby."

"Shut up" she said laughing as she hit him. "I did not cry like a baby" he laughs with her.

"What about that thunderstorm that one night?"

"You can't hold that against me, I hate when the power goes off"

"I know" he simply says. He loves the fact he knows her that well. "You know this may sound corny and weird" he starts. "But, In a way it felt like for those few months the world, in a way, stopped" she agrees thinking back on it and he continues. "It's hard to get those moments when you are older. It seems they don't happen as frequent as you would like, so you really have to hold onto them" she knew he was right. She didn't think much about that summer, but looking back at it, it really was that kind of a moment.

It was quiet for awhile before he broke the silence.

"Peyton?" he said breaking the silence moment as he sat up on the bed and looked her straight in the eyes. She turned to him and could see the seriousness in his eyes "I am going to really miss you. When you go to Rhode Island I mean."

"Me too Luke"

He wanted to say exactly how he was feeling, but the problem was he wasn't even exactly sure.

"You're beautiful you know that"

"Lucas…"

"No, you are. I mean yours eyes and yours hair" he says holding her soft curls "and here" he put his hand on her heart. "God, Peyton, inside and out your just perfect." He thought about that kiss they shared a few days ago, and all their other kisses. It was coming back up again: he soft lips, their hidden passion, their history. His mind was flooded with everything they been through as Peyton's mind was flooded with everything that could grow on from here. He was looking straight into her eyes and the distance between them was getting closer and closer. It was happening again. Her heart was beating fast and she was getting the chills all over. He was touching her face; her cheek, her neck, her lips. Her eyes were closed; she didn't know what was happening. For that moment she let her heart do the thinking instead of her mind. The phone rang and they both jumped back from one another. He reached to grab his phone.

"Hello" he said in groggily voice. "Yea…Alright Man…..Yea tomorrow...Later Skillz." He hung up the phone. "Sorry about that. So where were we" he said and he smiled moving closer to her.

"I think we were at the part where I was leaving" she got up from the bed and searched for her purse. Her heart stopped talking, and it was her head that took it from there.

"Wh…why are you leaving?"

"Because this isn't real, Luke. It's not. This happens…we kiss but it never means anything."

"Of course it does Peyton"

"We're just friends"

"You know that's not true. Friends just don't kiss one another. Friends don't feel what I am feeling"

"What are you feeling Lucas?" she wanted to know.

"That you're the most important person in my life right now. That I don't want you to go to Rhode Island"

"Oh I see. That's what this is about." She nods.

"What do you mean?"

"Lucas I know what this is. You just found out I'm leaving Tree Hill and your going to be alone I get it Luke. I mean, is this not what happened last year with Brooke? You found out I am leaving and you just don't want me to go."

"I don't want you to go, you right. But it's more than that"

"Like what Luke? What is it?"

"I don't know." And that was all that he could say. Peyton helplessly sighed, for there was nothing more she could do. Not only was she scared about giving that piece of her heart away, but how was she sure about Luke's intentions. "I'll see you Luke" she said as he watched her leave. He was frustrated with himself. He sighed heavily that he could not say anything more.

Through the window she could see him. Tubes, wires, surgeons were all around him. His life was in the palm of their hands. The doctors said they had to go through emergency surgery to avoid an internal blood clot which could be deadly. The walls were closing in on her, and she couldn't breath. Nathan took her in his arms and brought her back to the waiting room. They sat down next to each other as Haley brought them both coffees. All three of them were waiting as patiently as they could. Nathan tried to be strong for both the girls, but knowing his brother could die it was difficult for him to suppress his feelings.

"Peyton." She looked at him. "He will pull through it ok. You have to believe that ok?" he desperately tried to convince her and himself as well. She just simply nodded trying to believe it but not really believing. He pulled her close to him telling her he would be there for her no matter what. She tried to relax in his arms believing that he would be ok, but her head was haunted by something. It was her fault she thought. This all was her fault. She vividly remembered the last fifteen seconds that her life was normal.

The light turned green, and she turned and smiled at him; he could always make her laugh.

"Watch out" just then a blue mustang, going way too fast for a residential road, was coming right towards them.

It was her fault she thought. She was the one driving after all.