Disclaimer: I do not own OTH, not the characters, not the story, nothing.

Earlier

He began pacing again right after his make up was done. Realizing that it was making him sweat, Lucas grabbed a chair and forced himself to sit. He took out his speech for a last minute review.

Lucas had spent a whole week getting that proposal speech just right. He spent another three days trying to memorize it and perfect the delivery. He practiced everywhere, even once after his… stress-relief sessions. The red-red responded by saying 'Yes Lucas, I would love to marry you." He grimaced at the memory. The guilt flash-flooded into him.

He was here today because of that. Lucas was getting from bad to abysmal. What started out as a rare occurrence became an almost nightly sin. If Brooke were to know…

It was Brooke. That's the problem, he decided. She was always away. But once they're married, she would have no reason to leave him alone, agonizing for her. No, she would be right by his side, where she belongs. Then he would not turn to the other girls anymore.

"Yeah, I backpack to places like India, Italy… the most recent one is Thailand. I mainly go to immerse myself in the culture of the place, and see how it actually shapes the politics of the country." Lucas smiled. He knew for a fact that Brooke did these learning journeys as she did not want to read about them from books. Brooke was anything… but an avid reader. And God how he loved her.

His chest started trembling. Lucas instantaneously felt retarded for thinking that it was due to nerves. With a tiny chuckle, he retrieved his cell phone from his shirt pocket and read the message.

'I told her.'

-Present-

It was all coming to an end. She could not believe it.

Brooke couldn't stop the tears. Lucas looked like a wreck. She saw it in his eyes. He knew it was the end for them too.

They started dating in high school but of course the whole thing with Peyton happened. They tried again in the last few weeks of senior year. Alas, that was cut short due to college.

And they gave it another go when they started their careers. Though both had their doubts as to how a relationship between two ultra busy celebrities would prevail, they lasted this long. Nine months.

But now… it's all over. Brooke studied the band circling protectively around her fourth finger and smiled.

This chapter of their lives is finally over. Brooke couldn't wait to flip open the next, beautiful one.

Peyton could not believe that just happened. Actually, she could. She just wished it didn't.

With a sigh, she got out of her seat and left. Nobody noticed. They were too busy watching intently the lovebirds on stage. The 'oooooh'ings and 'aaaaah'ings were getting on her nerves.

Not one of these people would be beside Brooke when the pieces fall. Not a single one would be there when Brooke realize how much Lucas had changed.

Peyton wished she was wrong.