The Truth Shall Set You Free

"The Truth is rarely pure and never simple."

Oscar Wilde.

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*** Author's Note ***

Hey readers!

So, I'm back again with another update! Reviews would be great because I don't know right now if I should continue trying to re-write this story or not!

Let me know comrades – it's in your capable hands!!

Later mates,

Chrissy

xoxo

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Chapter 3

Reveal, Conceal, Painful Ordeal

"Words, like nature, half reveal and half conceal the soul within."

Lord Alfred Tennyson

Click clack, click clack!

Wine red Jimmy Choos graced a sturdy sandstone path as Brooke Davis made her way to a familiar white door, hoping for some sort of reprieve from the feelings that twisted within her, playing with her mind. Delicate fingers danced around the door bell, nerves building as emerald eyes relayed uncertainty about the reception that was awaiting her.

"Don't be stupid, she will understand."

As the sassy brunette debated with herself outside, silver spoons tapped harmoniously on a watery sink's edge, syncing perfectly with the angelic melody hummed through soft lips, a musical songstress with closed eyes responsible for the sound. Warm, chocolate hair fell around her shoulders as Haley moved to the beat, a new creation of musical genius itching to be released from the young mother's mind.

"Damn it!"

As her voice hit the last note the young mother stumbled, annoyed and cursing herself that she couldn't seem to get past the latest block that was driving her insane. A knock at the door saved her though, and before she could scold herself relentlessly, she dumped rubbery pink washing gloves into the sink and made her way across the sleek floor, opening the door to find a nervous Brooke before her.

"Hey girly girl, this is a nice surprise!"

With an out-stretched arm, the bubbly songstress ushered her friend inside, red cheeks framing her stunning smile.

"To what do I owe this pleasure?"

As a lower lip became consumed within a nervous mouth, trademark fidgeting took centre stage for the feisty designer, a clear sign that she was in need of some serious talking. Haley raised her eyebrows in reply, already recognizing the tell-tale signs displayed before her as she made her way behind the marble kitchen bench top. Brooke placed herself down on the stool with a thump, furrowed brow on full display.

"I need some advice, Hales. I'm in a situation that I can't seem to fix, no matter what angle I look at it from!"

Delicate hands reached across the bench and warm fingers encircled the brunette's hand, eyes gentle and encouraging as Haley opened the door to begin the talk her friend clearly needed.

"Tell me!"

"Here goes," the fashion queen thought to herself as she took a deep breath, deciding the faster she got everything out, the better.

"Peyton is pretty mad at me, and I guess she has every reason to be, what with the girl code and everything… but I figured with Lucas and getting married and being pregnant, sometimes things can change… and you know I was very reasonable in the end about her and Lucas, although it did break my heart once upon a time but whatever, she was my friend and he was my friend and I got over it eventually… and you know I could wait like a year for her to get over this... but I don't want to lose my friend, Hales... and you know it's not like we've slept together yet or anything… so I'm just not sure what…"

The words spewed out of Brooke's mouth as she confessed, a relentless outpour hitting Haley's ear like a freight train. The young musician threw her hands up in the air, a "time out" T-sign needed to slow the ever-exuberant Tigger down.

"Whoa, Brooke, time out!" Haley breathed, shaking her head side to side to try and make some sense of the mumbled explanation from the panicky girl before her. "What on earth are you talking about? Are you seeing somebody?"

Brooke stopped dead in her tracks, her eyes darting across the room as she contemplated Haley's question. Seeing someone? Would she even call it that? All she knew was that Julian made her feel good again, a feeling that had long avoided the gorgeous brunette. For many years she had gone through life alone, content to run the fashion line and be independent. But something about the movie producer had lured her in, and despite the knowledge that it was potentially life-threatening for her long-standing relationship with Peyton, Brooke found herself wanting him none-the-less.

He got her.

He understood her.

He made her happy.

She hadn't felt like that since…

"Well, I guess yeah, I am seeing someone…" Brooke's voice trailed off as she heard the words escape her lips, realizing just how true they really were. She was seeing Julian, they were in a relationship, and there was no denying it now. Haley considered Brooke's words, confusion etched across her warm brown eyes as she tried to figure out what piece of the puzzle she was missing.

"And Peyton's upset about this?"

As warm brown locks framed a timid face, Brooke nodded up and down slowly in acknowledgement, feeling a lump crawl up the back of her throat as she waited for the inevitable realization that Haley would make. The bubbly mother's eyes opened wide in shock then, her mouth forming a perfect circle as she raised herself from behind the bench slowly, staring down at her talented fashion queen friend.

"And there it is…" Brooke mumbled, cringing a little as Haley seemed lost for words, the young mom shaking her head as if trying to absorb the information.

"Noooooo," Haley breathed out slowly, the word stretched out on her tongue and spewing into the air, hitting Brooke's ears as she waited for the outpour of opinion, an opinion that was always wanted and unwaveringly honest.

"Julian?"

Even though she knew the answer to her own question, Haley needed to throw his name out there, to monitor Brooke's reaction and her own. She saw the way Brooke's eyes lit up a little at his mention, in spite of the complicated circumstances that he came with.

"I know it's bad, but I care about him, Hales, I truly do!" The brunette closed her eyes and took a deep breath, her lips quivering a little as she confessed to feelings she had repressed for so long. She needed to get them out, to have someone listen to how she felt for a change. She let the words spill out of her mouth, thoughts circulating and coming out in a mixed jumble. "And he cares about me… and Peyton is with Luke now… I just thought…"

A wicked smile erupted over the lips of the musician as she leaned across the cool kitchen bench, her eyes dancing with cheekiness.

"You just thought you'd get some of that?"

As a perfectly rounded pout formed on the lips of her feisty friend, Haley laughed, her sweet voice dancing in the air as she reached out a petite hand and gently ruffled the hair of the worried designer in front of her.

"Oh, Brooke, it's weird I grant you, but not completely terrible. Peyton and Julian are done; she's with my best friend now and carrying his child. Surely she isn't as mad at you as you think she is… and if she is… well, she'll just have to get over it. She doesn't hold any claim over you, or Julian, or either of your happiness. I really think this will blow over."

Tapping Brooke's soft, creamy hand, she walked over to the fridge, sliding open the door and reaching in, retrieving something they both knew would make them feel better. It had become almost a ritual when they had lived together those many years ago. It amused Haley how some things never changed.

And sometimes everything does.

"And if all else fails, there's always chocolate!"

As the clever mother slid the bar across the bench, Brooke laughed, her giggle relieving some of the tension she had felt only minutes prior. "Oh if only life were that simple, Hales." She grabbed a piece of chocolate and brought it to her lips, its velvet smooth texture actually making her feel a little better as she tasted its sweetness rolling on her tongue. She raised her eyes back up to look at her friend, sparkling green meeting brown wonderful as a look of desperate hope radiated from Brooke.

"She will talk to me again, right?"

Haley broke off another piece of chocolate, the crunch echoing through the large kitchen. She brought it to her lips, holding it there as she answered her friend's question honestly.

"Peyton will do the right thing. You have been through too much together to let this get in the way of that."

Brooke smiled, slightly reassured and in awe of the girl who had always been able to make her troubles ease, regardless of how close she was to the situation. She leaned over and grabbed Haley by the back of her head, pulling her in for a big kiss that she planted on the mother's forehead. As she finally released her she scrunched up her nose and smiled, their fingers encircling as they held each other's hand for support.

"Thanks, Tutor Wife, you're a good friend."

Brooke sighed then, drumming her free hand on the marble bench as she perked up and changed the subject.

"So enough about me! How's everything else going with you?"

Haley bit her bottom lip before glancing at the maple coffee table in the living room, a pile of papers resting sporadically across the top. She turned back to Brooke and sighed, her eyes lighting up a little as she spoke.

"Well, actually, I'm writing again…"

As her voice trailed off Brooke smiled, throwing a wink Haley's way as she shook their joined hands excitedly.

"That's great, Hales," Brooke enthused, her green eyes genuine as she encouraged the musician before her. "How many songs have you got?"

"Oh, a few here and there. Bits and pieces you know?" the beautiful mom replied, sighing a little as a frown reached her features, sadness and frustration creeping into her eyes. "I just can't seem to get them all flushed out… and finished. I think I've got writers block again."

Brooke sighed and shook her head, refusing to let her friend sound even remotely defeated. She had too much talent inside her for that and it wouldn't be allowed not on Brooke's watch.

"Don't worry. You're a genius when it comes to music! I mean, you helped Mia out so much and I'm sure you'll figure this out too. Just figure out what it is that inspires you and what helps you write… you know, like a muse?"

As Brooke's words of wisdom touched Haley's ears she nodded, finding herself agreeing with the fashion queen.

"Yeah, I can do that. A muse… you mean other than my loving husband and gorgeous son?"

Brooke laughed and nodded her head, her eyes enthusiastic as she saw her friend come to life before her. She stood up then, her phone buzzing in her Prada purse.

"Right, they count... but don't forget that being a wife and mum is only a part of what you are. Figure out what makes you whole. When all the pieces are together, nothing will stop you, I'm sure of it. Just figure it out!" The feisty brunette flipped her phone open, her smile quickly turning to a look of annoyance as she listened to the panicked cries on the other end. "Sam? You did what? Okay, I'll be right over…" The usually cheery brunette let out an exasperated sigh, rolling her eyes as she turned to her friend, "I'm sorry, Hales, but I gotta go!"

The melodic click of heels trailed once again along the squeaky clean floor, en route to the front door as Brooke made her way across the room. Before she reached the door she turned, facing her friend and taking Haley's hands in her own, an adamant expression permeating from her eyes.

"Just remember, figure out what makes you whole. You've got a lot to give to the world, Haley James Scott, and I believe in you!"

They embraced warmly before Brooke turned and headed out the door, Haley shouting a quick "thank you" as her friend disappeared up the path. As she closed the door quietly, Haley contemplated Brooke's words.

Figure out what makes you whole.

Figure out what inspires you.

Find a muse.

Brown locks swayed as Haley turned her head, looking into the living room and biting her bottom lip. She walked slowly across the floor and into the room, her eyes glancing around at all the framed photos that lay within. She smiled, deep in thought as she glanced across the pictures of Nathan and her wedding day, Jamie at school, a family portrait, Nathan holding a basketball, and finally, a photo of Haley performing at Tric, many years ago. Delicate fingers wrapped around the frame of the final photo, the memory washing over her as she stared down at it, mumbled words escaping soft lips.

"Figure out what makes you whole. Figure out what inspires you."

As Brooke's words escaped Haley's lips she made a snap decision, walking swiftly across the room and sitting down at the computer, her heart pounding as she let her new found determination take over her. As a deep breath invaded her lungs, she looked down at the keyboard, the keys tapping harmoniously beneath her talented fingers as she began to type. With a click of the mouse she scrolled over the websites, her eyes finally landing on what she was searching for. She bit her bottom lip and entered the site, a familiar cheeky smile suddenly looking out at her from the screen as she stared ahead.

Welcome to Keller Instinct, website for all things Chris Keller. Hit Enter to continue.

Click.

Enter.

At own risk.

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A cool breeze blew all around as the leaves rustled across the court, their light corners bouncing and created melodic sounds as Peyton Sawyer sat on the chipping wooden bench, looking out over the river court. She wrapped her arms around herself, her hands rubbing across her creamy skin that was now painted with goose bumps, her hair standing up on end. Perhaps it was merely the cool air that made her fidget so badly, but she knew that was not the only reason. She bit her bottom lip in anticipation, glancing at her watch quickly to check the time, hazel eyes darting across the court frantically, scanning the area. As golden tresses brushed against bony shoulders, Peyton's eyes glanced down towards her stomach, raising a delicate hand to it and rubbing it gently, her mind flashing back to Lucas' kiss on her newly pregnant belly, his sheer delight in the news that they were expecting.

"What the hell am I doing here?"

The questioned burned in her mind, playing with her insides and torturing her. Lucas loved her, and she loved him. She shouldn't have even been there. A resolved look erupted across her features as she stood then, grabbing her bag and turning to leave, but she didn't get far. Two strong arms held onto her shoulders to prevent a collision, a shocked gasp escaping Peyton's lips as she looked up from under her bouncing curls, eyes wide and full of panic, her voice shrill.

"Oh, damn it, Julian!"

The handsome producer laughed at her expression, his smile sending shivers down her spine.

It had been a while since he'd looked at her like that.

He jumped back and held his hands up in surrender, eyes glistening as the typical smart-mouthed comments erupted from full lips.

"You wanna tone down the lady-screaming a little bit there, Peyton?"

Eyes shot up and fired out a glare, her heart beating expeditiously within her chest as she tried to gather her thoughts. Finding balance and knowing the right words to say when he smiled at her like that seemed impossible.

Lucas.

Baby.

Marriage.

Future.

The words raged through her head as she responded, her tone coming out harsher than she intended, hitting him like a slap in the face.

"Well, you don't just walk up to people like that without a little warning at least, I'm pregnant here…"

As her words trailed off Julian relented, his face etched with genuine concern as he once again lifted a sturdy hand to her shoulder, a lower lip consumed by anxious teeth.

"Hey, I'm sorry. Truly."

He shuffled on the spot then, not really sure what else to say. Seeing her again, watching her stand before him, vulnerable, he'd be lying if he said it didn't affect him. But thoughts of a feisty brunette filled his mind, and his heart began to race again, feeling her kiss still burning on his lips, wanting to taste her again. He turned, looked down at Peyton, and sighed, removing his hand from her shoulder and stuffing it in his pockets.

"So I'm here, and I left a rather important meeting with your soon-to-be-spouse to be here… so let's hear it."

He moved around her awkwardly as he took a seat on the bench, its chipped paint digging into his hands a little as he placed them on either side of his body for support. When she didn't move, he patted the spot next to him, urging her to sit down and talk. Peyton panicked at his admission though, her words falling out of her mouth in a hurry, laced with an edginess and fear.

"You didn't tell Lucas you were meeting me, did you?"

Julian raised his eyebrows as he absorbed her words, watching her with a look of disgust and shaking his head in disbelief that she would even ask such a ridiculous question.

"Do I look like someone who enjoys being punched by Lucas, over you?"

Over you.

Although his words stung a little, the expectant mom relaxed, her shoulders becoming less tight as she sat down next to her ex, trying to gather her thoughts. Julian waited for her to speak, watching her with interested eyes as she took a deep breath, deciding it was better to just get it out in the open.

Just get this over with.

He'll understand your point of view.

He knows you.

"Okay."

Another deep breath, another surge of non-existent courage.

Another flash of his gorgeous eyes.

"You may decide to tell me this is none of my business, but seriously… I don't think you should be seeing Brooke. I know you, Julian, and it's not right what's happening here!"

As the words spilled out of her mouth, she felt instant reprieve, but that feeling was soon erased when she saw his eyes light up furiously, his sparkling pupils dripping with annoyance as he glared at her. Just as quickly though, he ran his hand down his face and regained his composure, a slight smile touching his lips as he turned to look at her.

She hated when he looked at her like that.

Stop smiling at me.

Devil.

"Okay, Peyton, first of all you're right, this is none of your business!" A sigh escaped parched lips as Julian thought about her words, deciding he needed to understand them better in order to get through this conversation and not have her go postal.

She was pregnant after all.

"But I'm intrigued... so what exactly is happening here besides me liking Brooke, and you not liking me liking her? Wow, that was confusing, even for me!"

The gallant producer laughed then, the sweet harmony filtering through the air as he leaned back and ran a hand through his soft, thick hair, smiling to himself.

Stop it! Stop smiling!

Devil!

Devil, devil, devil!

Whatever, she had to ignore him and his lame attempt to convince her that somehow he had managed to come to town and fall for her best friend. She knew why he had come back, and it wasn't for Brooke. Convenient how the person he had fallen for would be the one person that could hurt her the most. She knew deep down, it wasn't a coincidence. She rolled her eyes at him as she spoke, showing him exactly what she thought of his last statement.

"Oh be serious, Julian. You know why you came here, and now because you can't have that, you want to settle for the next best thing? Sorry, but Brooke deserves better than that – she deserves better than you. And while we're on the subject, I told her just as much! And don't think for a second I'm going to let this go… and another thing…"

Julian's eyes flared up once again as a solid hand rose up in the air, signaling for her to stop.

How dare she!

"Peyton," her name falling from his tongue like bitter soda, twisting his features as he tried to swallow. "You know, we were good together, I'm not denying that. I was with you through everything, fixing your heart when Lucas broke it, watching you pine for him, and I tried everything I could… but you wouldn't let him go. You couldn't let him go… I endured as much as I could… but then I left, Peyton, because I had to, for my own sanity…"

The usually confident man sighed then, Peyton's eyes glassing over as she remembered the pain she felt the day he left, leaving her wounded and broken.

Was he not broken too? Were those not eyes filled with pain?

"I won't lie to you, I'm glad I left… looking at you and Lucas now, it appears I saved myself a great amount of time and heartache. But it hurt, Peyton. Whether you meant to do it or not, you hurt me. So I'll admit I came back to hurt you…"

Peyton stood up then, her fists balling into shaking bundles, her anger permeating from every inch of her tiny body, her words escaping her lips in a hiss.

Son of a bitch.

She knew she was right!

"You came back to hurt me by using my friend?"

Julian sighed and stood up in front of her, his stance not as cowardly as she had expected after such a confession. He seemed confident, and it took her by surprise.

"No, by taking something from Lucas that he couldn't take back… he got you, Peyton, and that hurt… but I have his life's work - his book… and that's why I came back. I didn't come back to fight for you. I dumped you, not the other way around. I escaped that disaster…"

He smiled as he spoke, unaware of the painful effect it had on the girl standing in front of him, a piece of her heart breaking unexpectedly as she heard him utter the words in which he now referred to her as a...

Disaster.

"And this time, when it comes to you and Brooke…" he continued, his tone sounding more resolute than even he had known possible, "…I believe I made the decision, the right decision… the decision that Lucas couldn't figure out. I'm sorry, Peyton, but for once, this isn't about you and me. Not that 'we' mattered much to you anyway…"

Bitterness crept into his words at the end, and her eyes went wide with shock, glassing over as salty tears began their bid to escape her eyes.

"You honestly think that what we had meant nothing to me?"

His assumption broke her heart and a sob escaped her lips, trembling from the brutality of the confrontation, the words that had been waiting for years to be expressed now coming out, painfully and unabashed. The producer sighed and dragged a thick hand down a tired face, closing his eyes as he searched for the right words to say to her. For years he had imagined this talk, and now he had her in front of him, it had become so different because of a certain brunette.

A vision he could not get out of his mind, even if he tried.

Brooke Davis.

Angel.

"Peyton, I went over this time and time again in my head. I had months to decipher exactly what happened between us and what went so wrong."

Julian turned and opened up his satchel, pulling out a copy of Lucas' book and holding it in front of her, forcing her to look, to accept what he was saying.

He'd waited so long for this.

"This! This is what went wrong!"

A quick flick of the wrist saw the book fly through the air, hitting the gently flowing water of the river with a definite splash. Peyton watched the novel land, devoured by the water as she turned to look at Julian, shock once again invading her eyes. Before she could speak though, Julian sighed and turned to face her, his eyes tired.

"You know, you ask me if I honestly felt like we meant nothing… well, in the beginning I wasn't sure. The minute I walked out that door, our door In LA., I doubted myself. I doubted my decision. But you never called, Peyton. You never came to see me. You never rang my Dad and asked how I was, and I know you two were close… you forgot about it like it was easy to let me walk away. That's when I knew I'd made the right decision – the moment you thought that what we had wasn't worth fighting for…"

Anger filled his eyes then as Julian turned away from her, finally getting the words out he had been waiting so long to say.

Words that needed to be said.

Peyton let out a frustrated breath, her sound marred by the pain that was building in her throat. How could he think that what they had meant nothing to her?

"So you, you really think you meant nothing to me? We meant nothing?"

Frustration entered her tone as she watched him turn to face her, waiting for her reply.

"How can you think that, Julian? How can you think that I would feel that way… that it meant nothing to me? Because it did, Julian! Those mornings where you would surprise me with coffee and muffins in bed, reading plays to me, listening to my music even though I know you hated it…You helped me overcome what was then the biggest heartbreak, and you pieced my heart back together again!"

Peyton's words came out pained, her memories of them flooding back and gnawing at her heart.

"But then you just gave me another heartbreak… you left!"

Julian watched her face cloud over in pain, but he could not bring himself to comfort her.

Not this time.

"People always leave, remember?"

His words stung. She knew that she had always said that, but lately it had felt like perhaps there was hope and she wasn't alone. Perhaps he was still there for her… somehow. But no, she was wrong. As she looked up at him she saw the old Julian, not the cocky producer that had waltzed into Tree Hill and turned her life upside down, but the sweet, kind and caring man who had loved her.

But she had never let him in. Not completely.

Fool.

"I remember. I just didn't think you would… and now Brooke gets to have the real you that I thought was lost long ago… and I just don't know how to feel about it. Don't get me wrong, I love Lucas. I always have… I just don't know why I am feeling so against you and Brooke. Why does this have to be so hard?"

The blonde sobbed then, lips quivering as she let the familiar emotion of pain wash over her. Unable to watch her like this, Julian walked over and pulled her into his arms, a warm embrace that Peyton fell into easily. The ex-lovers held one-another, her face buried into his chest as the tear flowed freely, causing his shirt to become wet. It had never occurred to him that she was feeling the pain he had, that she had seen him as someone special. And now that he knew…

… It was still too late!

The producer pulled out of the embrace and stepped backwards, Peyton looking at him through tear-stained, bloodshot eyes. As he spoke she felt her heart disappear, his words stabbing at her painfully.

"You made the choice, Peyton. You chose Lucas. That's the life you want. Now I have to make my choice. And it's Brooke. Our lives are not meant to be together. And so, they won't be!"

With his final words Julian turned and grabbed his things, walking away from her without another word, not even turning to look back. Peyton stood there in shock for a moment before the real tears came, overpowering her so much that she had to brace herself against the bench, sobs echoing in the air as the sun began to set behind her. Her blonde curls shone in the evening sun, the masterpiece of reds, pinks, oranges and yellows breathtakingly beautiful. But she could not see its beauty through her own pain, and she buried her face into her hands, sadness once again taking over her as she fell apart, unaware of the pair of eyes staring at her from the distance.

An ex-lover's embrace.

A forbidden encounter.

Not so secret anymore.

With a basketball wrapped snugly under his arm, Nathan glared at the scene which had just unfolded before him. Anger pulsed through his veins as he watched the ex-lovers embrace, and with a heavy heart he turned and walked away, the sun casting fiery light on his back as it descended across the quiet town.

Please review and let me know your thoughts!! Continue or don't continue? C. xox