A/N: Okay everyone! I'm getting really excited about the story now. I was ecstatic to find 8 reviews in my inbox. Seriously it sounds dumb but reviews make me smile. It's like I'm doing something that is being appreciated and I hope I can continue to expand my fan base. So keep those reviews coming, and I'll keep the updates frequent.

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After class had ended that day, Peyton grabbed her stuff in one fell swoop and bolted from the room. She ran all the way to the side of the gymnasium until she hit the brick wall that formed an alley towards the back of it.

The alley was usually used as a hidden place for students to sneak a smoke between classes. There was no one there now though, and Peyton was relieved.

She collapsed against the wall to catch her breath, which was rapid and uneven.

'Damn it.' She thought to herself. 'Calm down Peyt. That wasn't so bad, all you have to do is make him think you're a bitch and he'll leave you alone' She persuaded, not feeling much better.

'Eventually they'll all think your stuck up and no one will give you any trouble' She tried, to no avail, to make herself feel better.

Fact of the matter was, she felt horrible. It was weird to treat someone who'd done no wrong like that. Make no mistake, she was good at being a bitch. She always had been. But only when necessary. She'd never treated someone like that before unless they had pissed her off.

And for some reason she really didn't like the feeling.

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"Hales, it was the weirdest thing!" Lucas complained.

He had been in the process of filling her in on the events of third period. She sat on a stool by the front counter of Karen's Cafe, with a wide eyed expression. For once Haley James was speechless.

"You're right... that is weird. I really dunno what to say Luke."

"It was just so... strange. When she looked at me, in that one second it was just different. It wasn't like she just wanted me to go away. It was like she didn't expect anyone to talk to her. It was like she was nervous about something."

"Maybe she's just one of those girls. Thinks she's too good or too bad ass, for the rest of us. I dunno."

"I don't think so. Somethings just yelling at me to keep trying to talk to her."

"Lucas if she's gonna flat out ignore you it's not worth it."

"Maybe I'd feel better if I knew why she was ignoring me." he pondered while pouring himself a cup of coffee.

"Well I'm sure you'll figure something out. It's not like she can't talk or something."

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Peyton laid awake for most of the night.

Tossing.

Turning.

Wondering.

She was starting to question herself. Did she really want to be all alone in this new town. With no one to talk to.

Yes. That's what she kept telling herself anyway. She'd end up alone anyways so whats was the point. Honestly.

But something inside her was telling her that she didn't want to be alone. Even if friends were only temporary, maybe they were necessary anyway.

She resolved herself to keep trying. Maybe this whole stand offish thing would get easier with practice and time.

Little did she realize that Lucas Scott would be such a persistent creature.

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Peyton hadn't showed up to school the next day.

Lucas couldn't focus.

Peyton had showed up the day after that.

And now Nathan couldn't focus.

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It was in Nate's history class that he first laid eyes on her.

She was wearing a tank top and jean shorts, and her long thin legs were looking pretty hot to him.

He didn't know her name, and he didn't care. She had a mop of shiny blond curls on her head that were blowing slightly in the wind coming from the ajar window, and her foot was set on her chair, her knee drawn to her chest, as she drew something in a notepad.

"Tim. Psst." He whispered to his dimwitted best friends.

"What's up man? What can the Tim do for you?" He winked.

"Tim. Just say what do you want."

"Sorry man. What?"

"Whats the scoop on the hottie by the window?"

"That's Peyton Sawyer. She just moved here. I hear she's an ice bitch."

"Really? Why do you say that?" Nathan asked, curious.

"She won't talk to anyone."

"Huh?"

"I mean like anything. She just doesn't speak. For all we know she's really a dude and doesn't want anyone to hear her man voice." He snickered.

Then he received a slap on the side of his head.

"Shut up Tim. Dude's don't have legs like that."

"I dunno. All I know is no one's even heard her voice at all. Nothing."

"We'll see what I can do about that." Nathan smirked.

"Yeah man! We're gonna..."

"Tim." he snapped.

"What?"

"Shut up."

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Peyton had almost survived another day without problem...

Almost.

She thought she was home free as she made her way towards her car.

Unfortunately, both Scott brothers had other ideas.

Nathan and Lucas didn't see each other. They were both approaching her from opposite sides not paying attention to anything else.

"Peyton! Stop." Lucas called.

"Hey' Peyton wait up!" Nathan yelled at the same moment.

Before she knew what was happening, she looked to either side of her, each with one of the Scott brothers looking at her.

Then they gazed at each other. They gazed at her.

She looked at Nate.

Nate looked at Luke.

Luke looked at her, then back at Nate.

Awkward.

Nathan interrupted the silence.

"Luke, my man!" he called at him with over exaggerated happiness.

He grabbed him by the arm and steered him away.

"What are you doing?" He added in a quiet voice when their backs were to the girl.

"I'm trying to talk to a friend. What are you doing?" He was suspicious. He knew his brothers track record with women. When he was trying to talk to one, especially one who didn't talk, he was up to no good.

Of that Lucas was positive.

"Now if you'll excuse me."

The pair turned around and Peyton was gone.

"Dammit man!" Nate Yelled.

As Peyton made her way home, she didn't quite know what to think.

'What is with these Scott boys. Can't they just leave me alone?'

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"Haley! What am I gonna do now?"

"I don't know. Now you say Nathans up to something?"

"Yes."

"Well, are you sure? Maybe he's just gonna try and help her like you were?"

"Haley."

"Yeah?"

"Think about the last 8 girls Nate tried to 'help'."

Haley took on a quizzical look and back tracked with her memory.

"OH GOD!" She screeched.

"Exactly." Lucas frowned knowingly.

"Well, maybe I could talk to her?"

"You could try." He stated. "Good luck." He added quietly.

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The next day, Peyton was in the library returning a copy of Gatsby. Haley, being in with the librarian had looked to see that the due date was in fact, that day. 'The library is a non threating place.' She told herself.

Peyton felt a tap on the shoulder, and turned around to see a brown haired girl she hadn't seen before, standing there. Smiling.

'Crap'.

"Hi! I'm Haley." The girl added, brightly.

Peyton just looked at her, giving her a cold glare.

She had been getting this down. People were much easier to get rid of when you looked angry rather than sad.

"You must be Peyton!" She continued enthusiastically.

Glare.

And Peyton walked away.

Haley stood there not quite knowing exactly what to do.

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English the next day was awkward.

"Okay class. How much could you tell me about your class mates?"

The class looked confused.

"I'd say not much. I know you all probably have your ideas about who everyone else is, but you don't really know do you? You can call someone a 'loser' or a 'prep', and still not have the first clue about them. They could be carrying the weight of the world on their shoulders and you wouldn't be the wiser. This had some negative effects that I don't think you realize. When you don't know those around you, it leaves open a large window to hurt each other. You may be joking about Gay kids with your friends in the hall. And you don't know that the kid at the drinking fountain next to you has gay parents. Now you've made there day bad, and you didn't even know it. So this next assignment is designed to help you fix this problem. You will each be paired up with a class mate of my choosing. You have the rest of the month to fill out this packet" He held up a rather large looking stack of paper clipped sheets.

"And to learn all you can about your partner and their life. You'll notice these questions get personal. And that's the very point. Some of the sheets are activities, or tasks you must complete, with, about, or for your partner, and some of informational surveys to fill out together. This packet is lengthy and you must utilize this month very well to be able to complete it by the end of it. It is that long."

The class let out a groan.

"So for this next month you may as well consider your partner, whom again, I shall choose, as your sibling. You'll be spending a great amount of time with this person. My pairings are final. Take the partner, or take an f. And not just on this assignment. For your semester grade. And this class is required to graduate. You fail you take it again. I do the same thing every year, so you'll still have a chance of having a partner you don't like next year. Long story short, suck it up, and do it. If you truly do all that is specified in this packet you will have no trouble obtaining an A. I'll pass these around and give out partners."

As the papers made their way down the rows, kids groaned at it's utter length. When everyone had one, he gave out the partners.

Peyton sat in her usual seat at the back of the room. As Mr. Doralyn started to name of partners, she started to sweat.

'Please just get someone who doesn't care. Please. Then you can fill each others out and maybe get a B.' She thought to herself.

The words of the teacher, telling them that partners were required and final, were ringing in her ears.

"And I know.
There's nothing I can say.
To change that part."

Down the alphabet, towards her name.

"So many,
Bright lights they cast a shadow,
But can I speak?"

Samer, Joseph

"Well is it hard understanding,
I'm incomplete"

Sanson, Laura

"A life that's so demanding,
I get so weak."

Sawyer, Peyton...

Oh no here it comes.

"You're with..."

He's checking his list, she's sweating much to much.

"Lucas Scott."

And for a moment, she doesn't think she can breath.

"A love that's so demanding,"


"I can't speak."

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A/N: Well there it is. Lucky chapter three. I think this is my favorite so far. I personally loved my ending and I hope you enjoyed it as well. Unfortunately I probably can't get two updates today but I'm shooting for one a day at least. Review and enjoy. Not necessarily in that order. :)