PLEASE notice that the flashback in this chapter is BEFORE the River Court with Brooke and Lucas. That being said, thank you for reading!
Enjoyxo.
5 Years and 3 months ago
(A/N: 3 months before River Court)
Peyton hauled herself up into Jake's truck while he laughed hysterically at her attempts. "Come on girl!" He hollered as she finally climbed into the passenger seat. "Shut up! God, I need like, a step stool or something! This lift is ridiculous!" Her cheeks were tinged pink from embarrassment and the work out she just got from wrestling to get inside. She shoved her face into her hands to catch her breath.
Jake pulled at her left hand closest to his and brought it to his lips for a soft kiss, "A girl after my heart climbing in my truck like that." He imitated a thick southern draw and she gave his a playful shove with the very same hand he just kissed. The pink in her cheeks grew darker and she couldn't help but giggle. She, Peyton Sawyer, had just giggled. God, she could just about die.
Jake let her have control of the radio, as always, and they pulled away from her house to go to the mall. Peyton had just been hired at Outback Steakhouse and needed some cheesy no slip shoes.
"Let me hear your Australian accent." Jake teased and Peyton rolled her eyes, "Shut up, mate." He laughed and shook his head. "I really didn't realize how much I missed this place until coming back." Jake smiled at her, "Or how much I missed you."
"Yeah, yeah, Tree Hill is one happily ever after little town. Did you hear about our local villain?" Peyton raised an eyebrow.
"Who? What?"
"He just came back to town and kidnapped the princess! He's going to keep her hostage at the mall!" They both threw their heads back laughing and shoved one another back and forth until finally parking.
Jake Jagielski was the best. The honest to goodness best. Peyton really hadn't realized how much she had missed him either.
Long distance phone calls didn't do Jake any justice. His smile was so contagious, just being around him Peyton felt lighter somehow. He was so kind and down to earth. Savannah, Georgia was really lucky to have him and she bet they didn't even know it.
Peyton always had a thing for Jake. Ever since 7th grade when the bus routes got switched around and he took the spot behind her. They started trading CDs and would wordlessly hand them to one another and then have deep discussions after giving a listen. Even though Jake loved country most, he had a soft spot for classic rock. Peyton would rather die than listen to Tim McGraw but over time she learned to stomach the banjo.
But Peyton had been with Nathan since 8th grade. At the beginning it was all in the name of fun and puppy love. Peyton had actually sincerely liked him. He had these bright blue eyes and taught her how to slam dunk. It also didn't hurt that he had a pool in his backyard. The two of them hit puberty and became the best looking in their grade, so it was destined. Peyton didn't question it.
When shit hit the fan and Lucas joined the team, she truthfully had already been fed up with Nathan. Everyone wrongfully accredited Lucas for the break up, including Jake. But couldn't a girl just have friends?
They walked into the mall together and Jake caught her all up on how his parents were doing. His dad had gotten a new job in Savannah and even though his parents had been on the brink of divorce in Tree Hill, Savannah was the cure. Jake claimed he hadn't seen either of them this happy and that it made the move worth it.
"My new school blows. It's so huge Peyton, there's two floors and there's still trailers outside!" Peyton's eyes widened, Tree Hill High had a graduating class of 170. Jake walked up to the Auntie Anne's stand to grab a pretzel and some lemonade. "Do you want any?" Jake looked at Peyton.
"If you want to share that'd be nice, but I don't want my own pretzel. I'm having dinner with my dad later."
Jake got the snack and passed the lemonade to Peyton. They made their way to Payless and Peyton caught him up on basketball. "Nate might've really made it to Duke if he hadn't of gotten Haley pregnant."
Jake gagged on his pretzel, his eyes wide, "What?"
Peyton grimaced. "Oops, sorry. I should've prepared you for that one."
"I didn't even know he was even serious with the tutor girl! That's nuts." Jake took a long sip of lemonade and passed it back to her. "You guys are really over, huh?"
"I think Haley's pregnancy really nailed the coffin on that one. We still hang out sometimes but that's all." Peyton shrugged.
Peyton clumsily tried on different pairs of hideous black shoes and they cracked up while she did so. She looked like such a dork.
She got the least ugly ones and they pitched their trash on the way out of Payless. "These are so ugly. I don't think anyone's going to want to want to order food from me."
Jake laughed, "Yeah, probably-"
"Jake? Peyton?" Brooke screamed from in front of Hollister, "Oh my god!"
Peyton internally groaned and felt overwhelming disappointment that her favorite secret was out. Brooke didn't know how often they had late night phone calls or that Jake knew just as much about her mother as Brooke did. Jake was that warm, blanket friend. A security, comfortable, and no matter how long they went without talking, they always picked up right where they left off.
"No shit!" Lucas smiled and pulled Jake in for a hug. Jake was still a little startled but clearly excited to see his old friend and teammate. "Hey man!"
Brooke then gave him a squeeze and Peyton really really wanted to smack the shit eating grin off of her face. Play it cool! She wanted to scream.
"So, what are you guys up to?" Brooke waved her eyebrows and smirked.
"Getting my work shoes." Peyton lifted up the bag to show her proof that this wasn't a date. Or was it? A pit grew in her stomach when Lucas started to ask Jake about Savannah. Brooke kept trying to make eye contact but all Peyton could do was stare at her feet and pretend like this moment wasn't really happening.
"Well, I've got to get headed back to my grandpa's. Peyton is having dinner with her Dad too. We were just about to leave." Jake gave a little wave and smiled, "I'll see you guys around. I'll come visit before graduation."
"See ya." Peyton followed behind him without so much as a glance at either Brooke or Lucas. She wanted to melt into a puddle and be scooped up into a shame bucket. Why was she so awkward? Why did she suddenly feel so uncomfortable? They were just two friends hanging out for a bit and getting a chore knocked off her to-do list.
"That was weird." Jake stuck his hands in his pockets and searched Peyton's face. She nodded and chewed her lip. "What? Why are you all quiet all of the sudden?"
"That was just…weird! I don't know." She shrugged and looked back at her friends retreating bodies. "I kinda forgot we were in Tree Hill for a bit, if that makes sense at all."
Jake gave a soft smile and nod, "I know exactly what you mean Peyton Sawyer." He grabbed her hand and she was only expecting to be pulled out of the mall, but instead he kept a gentle hold and pulled her close to walk beside him. Jake Jagielski was holding her hand.
She held it tight and a comfortable, giddy silence fell between them as they walked back to his truck. Her warm, safe, comfortable blanket let her go and she felt uneasy. This time when she pulled herself into the giant blue truck, it wasn't as much a hassle that ensued laughter. It was smooth and prepared. Both of them knowing what was to come.
It was just after 11 PM when Peyton's dad set off for the airport. This time he was flying up to New York to load up onto a boat and head out to sea. The same old, same old. Peyton fought the urge to push her poor father out the door. Jake was coming over as soon as he left and this time around, she really didn't feel like fawning over her absentee dad. She was ready to see Jake Jagielski.
Foo Fighters uncharacteristically whispered from her speakers, she could barely make out the words over her thumping heart. Peyton stared at her ceiling and willed for Jake to show.
"Hey Peyton," Jake stood in her doorway. Her heart melted and then soared. A smile so big climbed across her face and she lept up into his arms. Jake kissed her like she had never been kissed before. This was perfect, her storybook love. Unexpected and yet just what she wanted and needed.
The anticipation that lead to this was well worth it.
It was magic.
Current Day
After being scraped up off the floor by Haley, Peyton decided that she needed a distraction. Going to her dad's would just kill her and she needed something that would kill time. She settled on going to the grocery store to pick up some chips and salsa. Mind numbing television and some junk would surely drown out the ache of missing her baby.
She perused the aisles of the Stop n' Shop, mindlessly checking out the different labels and food. With her trusty Tostitos and salsa in tow, she still couldn't get herself to leave just yet. So she continued walking around and peeking at her old neighbors. Tree Hill was so different yet still so familiar. Finally, she reached the end. She was smack dab in the frozen food section when she saw the Drumstik box. Zoey's absolute favorite.
Peyton snatched it up, figuring it'd make a great first day of school treat. Her phone buzzed and her Dad's picture ID showed up. Silently, she weighed her options and decided to just cave. He was just as anxious about Zoey's first day as she was.
"Hey Dad." She leaned against her cart and explained how it all went. He offered to come home to hang out but she told him she just needed to relax and get her ducks in a row. Neither of them mentioned her needing to find a house. Although they had just discussed that she and Zoey just move back in.
It was uncomfortable being so much older yet feeling 17 again. In her same red and black room with her own drawings haphazardly smacked across the walls. But this time around she had a child and wasn't rolling out of bed every day at 6:30 to get ready for high school.
Peyton started to push her cart away when it bumped into another, "So sorry!" She muttered as her dad rattled on about the new kid he hired.
"You've got to be shitting me."
Peyton's face soured and she turned to flick the asshole off who was deciding to mess with her today.
Brooke glared in her glorious sweat pants state. The bags under her eyes as dark as the violet hoodie she donned. Still beautiful but so…sad? "I've gotta go." Peyton hung her phone up and gaped at her old best friend.
"What are you doing?" Brooke cocked her head and crossed her arms.
"Grocery shopping." Peyton pointed at the various crap in her cart and kept staring at this zombie Brooke Davis.
Brooke scoffed, "Cute. Still the same Peyton." Brooke threw in the popsicles she had originally been searching for and stood back up beside her own metal cart.
"It's been a while."
"Yeah." Brooke sucked her cheeks in.
"How are you?" Peyton shifted her weight from side to side.
"Just peachy, thanks." Brooke started to wheel away but Peyton stuck her arm out, "Brooke, just wait. Wait a minute."
"What Peyton? Hold up so you can wiggle you way back into my life? You are a poison to me. All you do is make me miserable, play the victim, and make others feel just as sorry for you as you do for yourself." Brooke spat.
Peyton could feel herself shrinking. It had been years and honestly, Peyton had truly moved past what had happened years ago. There were bigger fish to fry in her world. A child to care for, a house to clean, rent to be paid.
"Brooke, come on. That was forever ago. I'm not who I used to be." Peyton pleaded.
"I sure hope not." Brooke stormed away, this time without giving Peyton a chance to fire back. There was too much to be said in the middle of the Stop n' Shop on a Monday morning. And really, not anything Brooke wanted to talk about. Peyton Sawyer had shattered her life and left her to pick up the pieces.
Brooke never really found out the truth of who Peyton's baby daddy was. Or what the hell she even named her baby in the first place. Or if the baby even existed. All she knew was that Peyton had, for the 3rd time, kissed Lucas.
And again, Brooke was made to be a fool.
Fool me once, shame on you. Fool me twice, shame on me. Fool me three times, and you're Brooke Davis.
First it was the time Lucas gave her a ride to find her dad, then when Lucas rescued her from the shooting, and then again when Brooke had left him alone for 5 god damn seconds. He turned around and took Peyton to the river court.
Precious Peyton Sawyer.
How many times could you stab someone in the back?
Lucas was no innocent either. And Brooke never forgot that.
The wedding ring on her finger felt heavy. And for the first time since they separated, Brooke yanked it off and shoved it in her purse. Tears pricked her eyes as she thought of the shame and hurt from her high school days.
High school was so over.
Lucas was her husband, she had won. But so what? And what did she even win? A man who never even so much as takes her into consideration. Her blood boiled within her as she raced to the cashier.
I bet he would've gone to New York for Precious Peyton.
She shoved the cart to the side and felt a release as it violently collided with a magazine rack. The various tabloids showered across the floor. Stop n' Shop fell silent and Brooke's chest rose and fell at light speed, her breath unable to catch up with her tormenting thoughts.
How could she come back?
"Ma'am?" A cashier carefully approached her and she just held a hand up.
"I-I'm so sorry." Brooke cleared her throat and looked at him, "I'm so sorry." Then she sprinted out of the store.
What an utter embarrassment. Everyone would be talking about that for weeks. She'd never hear the end of it at her book club and I'm sure her attendance to her cooking class was bound to be short for a month.
Shit.
"God! WHY WHY WHY WHY WHY!" Brooke beat her steering wheel and let her sobs rock her body. Pain writhed within her. Peyton looked as gorgeous as ever. Hair long and full, body tight and toned, face flawless without a single blemish. Even in her jeans and t-shirt she looked fresh off the page of a magazine.
"WHY!" Brooke screamed. Snot fell from her nose, she let out the most inhuman, ugly, and gut wrenching noises as her tears continued to fall.
Peyton looked happy. And that was what killed her the most. How come, after everything, Peyton was still the one to get everything?
Brooke took deep, calming breaths and smacked her head against the headrest. "Get yourself together." She muttered in disgust to herself. Brooke flipped the mirror down to desperately rub at her tears and sleepy face.
Sleep was besides her. Brooke couldn't remember the last time she had gotten a full night of gracious sleep. Ever since Lucas had moved out, she was a paranoid freak. Constantly checking every sound she heard to make sure there was no one coming to take her or rob the house.
Being alone was not her strong suit.
Pulling up in her driveway, she noticed Lucas' car already parked. "Shit." She gathered her things back up from the passenger side and checked herself out in the mirror again. Perfectly pathetic.
When she opened her car door, Lucas stepped out onto their front porch.
Brooke gave a weak smile and he tilted his head, "Are you okay?"
Brooke shook her head, "Nothing, sad song on the radio. I'm fine." She shooed him away and started for the house. "What are you doing here?"
"Gathering some things up. We have a lot of yearbooks and I've kinda been stuck down memory lane." Brooke brushed past him to clean herself up and get her act together. Couldn't he take a hint?
"I'll be in the living room!" Lucas called up after his panicked wife.
They hadn't spoken since the other day.
Lucas hadn't gathered the nerve and honestly, he didn't really want any of the repercussions to catch up with them. He needed to find a way to soften her up, to make her remember why they got married in the first place.
The yearbooks were scattered across their new wood flooring that Brooke had insisted on getting. Every page was turned to Brooke's school picture in the according year. Lucas grabbed up the kindergarten one and smiled to himself at the sweet little brunette girl grinning back at him. So carefree and charming.
"Luke?" Brooke looked down at the yearbooks and back to him.
"This," He held up the 4th grade year book, "is the girl who jumped across the creek with her bike on a dare."
7th grade year book, "This was the girl who drank a Dr. Pepper at Nathan's pool party, even when all the other girls sipped on stolen beer cans."
10th grade yearbook, "This is the girl who learned to ice skate without falling, who taught me to whistle, who ate a peanut butter and jelly every day."
Their wedding album, "This is the woman I married. The one who makes me laugh, who betters all my days, cheers for my team, listens to all my poems, and believes in me. I love you Brooke, I always have, always will."
"Peyton's back in Tree Hill."
Lucas dropped the album, along with his heart. As the book made a satisfying thud on the floor, Brooke turned on her heel and headed back up the steps.
Poor Brooke. I honestly love all OTH characters equally and don't plan on making anyone "the villian." How do you feel about Brooke's reaction?
