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CHAPTER 4
Keith: (Fading away, whispering) Open Your Eyes. Open Your Eyes Luke.
(As Lucas felt himself being pulled away from reality and hurtled towards a bright light, the force was too strong for him to open his eyes, the light was too blinding and the fear was overtaking him. Suddenly feeling a steadiness overcome his body, he feels a rush of clarity, slowly but surely opening his eyes and adjusting to the light around him, he's broken out of his trance.)
TREE HILL – CHURCH – 2 MONTHS AGO
Vicar: Lucas Eugene Scott, do you take Lindsey Evelyn Strauss to be your lawfully wedded wife. Do you promise to be true to her in good times and bad, in sickness and in health? And to love and honour each other all the days of your life, as long as you both shall live.
(As Lucas finally realized where he was, his mind began to race, frantically looking around the room to find Peyton, after scanning the room quickly he found her sitting next to Brooke, watching her closely he noticed the tears in her eyes and it broke his heart. Looking from Peyton to Lindsey he knew what he had to do.)
Lucas: (Takes one final look at Peyton) I'm sorry I can't do this.
Skills: (Breaking the silence) That's what I'm talking about.
Lindsey: (Tears forming in her eyes) Lucas?
Lucas: (Holding onto Lindsey's hand trying to comfort her and whispering) I'm sorry Lindsey. I can't marry you. (Seeing the hurt in Lindsey's eyes and watching her run down the aisle and chasing after her) Lindsey wait.
Lindsey: (Entering the back room and turning to face Lucas, hurt and angry) What Lucas?
Lucas: (Whispering and pleading for her forgiveness) I'm sorry.
Lindsey: (Annoyed) So you keep saying. (Turning away from him) Why now Lucas?
Lucas: (Taking hold of her arm and taking a deep breath) I didn't want to lie to you anymore.
Lindsey: (Turning abruptly to face him) You still love Peyton don't you?
Lucas: (Looking apologetically into her eyes) I never meant for my love for her to hurt you.
Lindsey: (Laughing) It's too late for that. (Taking a deep breath and laughing to herself) I guess I was always right about you and Peyton. (Shrugging his hand from her arm and walking away) Goodbye Lucas.
Lucas: (Shouting to her down the hall) Lindsey I'm...
Lindsey: (Before Lucas could finish she turns to face Lucas one last time) Yea me too.
(Lucas took a seat in the back room, taking the time to get his head together. He never thought that he would be brought back to this day again, at this very moment he hated himself for hurting Lindsey, but knew it was the best thing he could of done for her both of them. The thought dawned on him that this was going to be harder than he had first imagined, but he was back for a reason and he wasn't ever going to forget that. Thinking back to Peyton he could see all the hurt in her eyes, the hurt he had caused and knowing this it was like a knife to his chest.
Broken from his thoughts he looks through the doorway only to see his nephew, flashes of previous events flash through his mind and he rushes to his nephews side, only to come face to face with an enemy.)
Lucas: (Kneeling down beside his nephew) Jamie. What are you doing?
Jamie: (Innocently pointing to Nanny Carrie stood to the side) Mommy asked Nanny Carrie to take me home.
Lucas: (Sending Nanny Carrie a evil glare and looking back to Jamie with a smile) Jamie. Go and find your mom ok.
Jamie: Ok Uncle Lucas.
Lucas: (Watching Jamie run back to Haley, then turning to grab a hold of Carrie's arm before she could leave) I know what you are up to.
Carrie: (Shrugging away from him) Get your hands off me.
Lucas: (His voice calm and full of venom) You stay the hell away from Jamie. (Finally letting go of his grip on Carrie and watching her run away.)
(Walking back to the room he was in previously, Lucas collapses into the chair in exhaustion, resting his head in his hands and embracing the silence.)
(Nathan stood in the doorway watching his brother, with so much compassion and confusion, he was finding it hard enough to understand his brother's actions, when only days ago his brother was adamant Lindsey was the one. Feeling the urge to talk to his brother he made his presence known and sat opposite Lucas.)
Nathan: (Looking into his hands and breaking the silence) Lindsey's gone.
Lucas: (His eyes glaze over and he takes a breath) I didn't want to hurt Lindsey. I just never took the time to realise I'm still in love with Peyton.
Nathan: (Finally understanding) So what are you going to do? What happens next?
Lucas: (Looking up at his brother) I want her back.
Nathan: (Smiling) Then go get her. You're Lucas Scott. (Laughing to himself) Come on screw that. (Sincerely speaking) listen to me your Lucas Scott ok. I've seen you do great things, maybe some of the greatest things. Now you need to look into your heart and ask yourself what you truly want and if the answer is Peyton, then just go get her man (Pointing to the door) she doesn't stand a chance. Hey you're my brother; I'm here for you. Now go.
Lucas: (Standing and walking over to Nathan placing an kind hand on his shoulder and walking away, but stopping before he reaches the door) Hey Nate. Is Jamie ok?
Nathan: (Confused) He's fine. (Laughing) Now go.
(Walking back into the church Brooke never expected to find Peyton still sitting in the same spot she was 30 minutes ago. She knew how hard this day was for Peyton, but for this to happen, she knew it would throw her off balance, she wasn't worried about Lucas or Lindsey, she was worried about her best friend and seeing how lost Peyton looked broke her heart, taking a seat next to her best friend they both bask in the silence.)
Brooke: (Whispering and placing a comforting hand on hers) Hey. (Getting no response she laughs to herself) Well that was a crazy wedding. (Noticing how Peyton still hadn't spoken or budged) Did I ever tell you the one about the girl who got everything she ever wanted? (Looking at her best friend awaiting an answer.)
Peyton: (Whispering) Did she feel horrible?
Brooke: At first, but it's only because she had a good heart and then she fixed her makeup, smoothed out her pretty dress and went and talked to the boy she loves. (Sending a reassuring smile to her friend.)
Peyton: I can't Brooke.
Brooke: (Looking her in the eyes) Peyton that boy loves you.
Peyton: (Fighting the tears) Then why did he almost marry Lindsey?
Brooke: (Throwing her hands up in the air in frustration) Bitch you have got to stop. (Looking to the sky) Sorry. (Turning to face Peyton and uses both hands to hold hers) Ok Peyton do you want to know why I came home, besides to help you. (Peyton nods) I am 22 years old and I have made more money than I hope to spend and I have never felt more alone in my life. (Peyton looks worried) You need to talk to him Peyton, just talk to him. And if you let the fact that Lucas almost married Lindsey today, when obviously he didn't marry her because he is still in love with you, be the reason you sit here and cry. I'm going to smack you across your pretty face. (Smiling and shaking her gently) Come on. (Hugging her and whispering) It's ok.
TREE HILL – LUCAS' HOUSE
(As Lucas walked back into his childhood home and heard sounds coming from his bedroom, he knew that he needed to be honest with Lindsey, he didn't want to her to hate him, especially after everything they had been through. But he knew that with the time he had been given back, Lucas needed to be a better person and right his mistakes and unfortunately Lindsey was one of them. Standing in the doorway watching her cry, he knew deep down this was going to be harder than he had ever expected.)
Lucas: (Whispering her name with so much compassion) Lindsey?
Lindsey: (Turning around to face Lucas she held his manuscript in her hands and began reading through the tears) 'The boy saw a comet and suddenly his life had meaning. And when it went away he waited his entire life for it to come back to him. It was more than just a comet because of what it brought into his life. Direction, beauty, and meaning. There were many who couldn't understand, and sometimes he walked among them, but even in his darkest hours he knew in his heart that someday it would return to him and his world would be whole again and his belief in God and love and art would be reawakened in his heart.' (Taking a breath through her tears) It's great Luke. An epic love story (Looking into his eyes and handing him the manuscript) but it's not ours and I know that now. I just hoped one day I could have been your comet.
Lucas: (Closing his eyes momentarily, trying to find the words that wouldn't hurt her) Lindsey please don't ever think I didn't love you, because I did.
Lindsey: I know. (Smiling and laughing gently) Don't worry I'm not here to argue, I think if were honest with ourselves our relationship was doomed the moment Peyton came back to Tree Hill. I've almost packed my stuff; I'll be gone soon.
Lucas: Where will you go?
Lindsey: Back to New York.
Lucas: (Taking hold of her hand) I am sorry Lindsey.
Lindsey: (Squeezing his hand then letting go) Just do me one thing Lucas, tell her how you feel.
TREE HILL – NATHAN AND HALEY'S HOUSE
Haley: (Walking into the kitchen with the phone in her hand to see Nathan and Brooke) Well that was Lindsey.
Brooke: (Taking a sip from her glass of wine) How is she?
Haley: (Taking a seat at the breakfast bar and letting out a sigh) I think she is going to be ok. She's going back to New York and she said she saw it coming a long time ago.
Brooke: (Sarcastic) Didn't we all.
Nathan: (Calling Brooke on her bluntness) Brooke!
Brooke: Oh come on. I like Lindsey, but we all know when it comes to Lucas and Peyton, nothing can stand in their way. (Looking back at her glass of wine) I just want to know what made him finally realise.
Haley: (Speaking quietly, trying to hide her guilt) Earlier today I told Lucas he shouldn't marry Lindsey.
Nathan: (Surprised) What?
Haley: (Speaking louder and faster, trying to explain herself) Well I had just read his book and I knew straight away he was still in love with Peyton.
Brooke: (Laughing) Wow. Haley I hate to say it but aren't Maids of Honour actually meant to support the marriage.
Haley: (Burying her head in her hands) I know. I'm awful. But I just want Lucas to be happy and I know Peyton does that.
Nathan: (Turning to Brooke and asking sincerely) How is Peyton doing?
Brooke: (Letting out a long awaited sigh at the memory of seeing Peyton earlier) Upset and confused. She hasn't really said much since the wedding. I tried convincing her to talk to Lucas, but she wanted to go home.
Haley: (Placing a reassuring hand on Brooke's shoulder) She's going to be ok.
Brooke: (Smiling an uncertain smile) Yea I know, I should go check up on her. I'll see you guys tomorrow. (Taking one last sip of her wine, then standing from her seat to hug Haley and Nathan goodbye.)
Haley: (Watching her friend leave) Bye
Nathan: (Once Brooke was gone Nathan noticed the uncomfortable silence and looks at his watch) I should go to; Skills said I could sleep on his couch. (Picking up his jacket and pausing a moment, not knowing how to say goodbye) Tell Jamie I'll pick him up tomorrow.
Haley: (Watching Nathan turn to walk away) Nathan wait. (Struggling to say what she wants to) Maybe you could stay here tonight.
Nathan: (Happy yet confused) Are you sure?
Haley: (Smiling) Yea. Jamie misses having you here in the mornings.....And I miss you.
TREE HILL – BROOKE AND PEYTON'S HOUSE
(When Brooke saw that Peyton's car was in their driveway she felt somewhat relieved, quickly she made her way from her car to her house. As soon as she entered the front door she at least expected Peyton to be sat in the living room with one of Lucas' books, or even hear her music blaring from her room, what she didn't expect was silence and darkness. Turning on some lights and making her way over to Peyton's room, pressing her ear against the door trying to listen for life behind it.)
Brooke: (Knocking) Hey you in here? (Still no response, she knocks again) Peyton come on open up. (Pushing open the door and finding Peyton nowhere) Peyton?
(Walking over to the bed Brooke found a letter with her name on it, she knew straight away that Peyton was gone and it saddened her that Peyton had resorted to running away again, opening the letter carefully she began to read the note.)
Peyton: 'Dear . I guess you're wondering where I am, but I want you to know I'm ok. Some business has come up in LA and I've had to leave tonight, how convenient you must be thinking, I guess it is. The truth is I don't want to be blamed for Lucas not marrying Lindsey, so I need to break away for a while, until the drama dies down. I will be back but I need to clear my head first. Take care of Lucas for me. I love you , See you soon. Love Peyton xxx. P.s don't worry I will bring you something nice back.' (Brooke couldn't help but smile to herself at Peyton's last comment, but the sadness soon came flooding back, as she thought of her friend alone in LA.)
Lucas: (Bursting through the front door) Peyton? (Upon hearing Lucas' voice Brooke had walked into the living room still holding the letter) Brooke where's Peyton?
Brooke: She's gone.
Lucas: (Worried) Gone where?
Brooke: LA.
Lucas: (Lucas began to anxiously rub the back of his neck and pace the room) I've got to find her.
Brooke: (Stopping Lucas in his tracks) No you can't.
Lucas: (Frustrated and worried) I love her Brooke. I need her to know that.
Brooke: (Letting out a sigh) You can't. Because at the moment she is hurt, confused and needs time to understand everything. (Noticing Lucas' sad expression) If you love her then you will wait for her. Then when she comes back you tell her how you feel. (Looking back down at the letter she was holding) But Lucas please don't hurt her again.
Lucas: (Whispering) I won't. I'll see you around Brooke. (Slowly walking away disappointed)
Brooke: (Calling out to him) Lucas
Lucas: Yeah.
Brooke: (Smiling) She still loves you.
Lucas: (Smiling) Thank you.
TO BE CONTINUED...
*Please Review*
*Sorry for the lack of Lucas and Peyton Scenes, trust me this chapter is just a build up and more Leyton scenes to come*