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"What you're doing is wrong. And if you can't see that I don't like the person you're becoming."

"What about the person you're becoming?"

"I did that for you."

"If you think that's betrayal, look at yourself."

* * *

Peyton approached Nathan and Haley's house slowly. It was big and nice with a great garden and a pool. She had to swallow hard when she saw the man in the garden playing basketball. She recognized him: it was Nathan Scott, hailed basketball player, husband, father and her ex. And hopefully soon a friend again.

She rang the door and waited a moment. Secretly she hoped no one would open but just when she was about to turn away and leave the door swung open and a woman stared at her.

She had shoulder-long brown hair and brown eyes and as she stared at Peyton and recognition crossed her face her mouth fell open and her eyes widened.

Peyton tucked nervously a strand of hair behind her ear. "Hello Haley. It's good to see you."

Haley opened and closed her mouth several times before she answered properly. "Peyton! It's good to see you too." She paused for a long moment in which the two old friends looked awkwardly around.

"Well", Haley began again, "would you like to come in?"

Peyton nodded, relieved about Haley breaking the silence. She stepped inside and closed the door behind her.

Haley led her into the living room and Peyton sat down on the couch. "This is very nice", she said pretty bluntly. Haley nodded. "Yeah, Nathan found it ten years ago. It was pretty expensive but we love it. Jamie loves it too", she added and threw Peyton a meaningful look.

Peyton decided not to pussyfoot around. "Listen Haley, I know what it must have looked like when Lucas and I left time head over heels seventeen years ago. But that was not Lucas' fault. I told him that I liked to leave without anyone knowing and it was really hard for him to leave you. He missed you every day. But we had so much going on all the time. I know we can't make these years up to you like this but Lucas really wants this to work. He wants to have you back in his life and please don't hurt him by cutting him out without saying a word. He needs you. We need you. All of you."

Haley had listened without interrupting and now she was looking at Peyton very coldly. When Haley spoke her voice was full of anger and Peyton winced quietly.

"You need us? Is that so? Because I think you forgot one or maybe two persons who needed you while you were gone. Or at least Lucas."

Peyton stared at her in confusion. What was she talking about?

Haley went on. "But that didn't stop you, did it? You left them alone, on their own, and now you come back, expecting everyone to let you into their lives? Peyton, when I met you I thought you were a fine person. I thought Lucas, my best friend, was a fine person. But do you want to know what I tell these kids today? I tell them they're better off without you. Both of you."

Peyton had known Haley's outbursts before but this time she was yelling at her with a fury Peyton hadn't known before. And she was talking complete nonsense. Which kids? What was she talking about?

But Haley wasn't finished and Peyton decided to let her yell. Haley was on her feet now, not even looking at Peyton anymore.

"You can't believe how disappointed Karen was. And Keith. And Whitey and Nathan and Skills and everyone else. How could you do this to her, Peyton? She was your best friend, Peyton. You abandoned her."

Haley clearly wanted to go on but she couldn't. Tears were on her face when she sat down opposite Peyton and Peyton felt her eyes watering as well.

So it was about Brooke? Of course it was about Brooke. Now, she knew what she had to say.

"Haley", she said softly. "Brooke and I weren't friends anymore. I know that I hurt her and I wanted to apologize but she wouldn't let me. I know that doesn't make things OK, I know that. But I didn't know what I should do."

Haley looked at her, shaking her head in disbelief. "Don't you dare blame Brooke", she hissed. "Don't you try to act like it was OK to hook up with her boyfriend and then leave town with him, leaving her in this… situation…" Haley clenched and un-clenched her fists.

Which situation? Peyton had been in some situation. She had been pregnant and she had been scared. Alright, Brooke had been heartbroken but Brooke was a strong person and she knew how to get to her feet again. And Peyton hadn't asked Lucas to come with her. Not really, at least. She had mentioned she would leave the town and although it had taken him a lot of tears he had agreed to come with her. He had agreed to leave school and his family and friends for her.

At first he had tried to persuade her to stay but Peyton had been steady. She wanted to get away, for herself and for the baby.

And Brooke had all her friends and her family and her school. All she had lost by Peyton and Lucas leaving was a broken relationship and a lousy friend. Yes, it was true: Brooke was better off without them. But everything else didn't make sense.

"Haley", Peyton said calmly, "please. I don't understand a word. What kids are you talking about? What… situation?"

For the first time Haley looked uncertain. She let out a deep breath and said, trying to keep the anger out of her voice: "Brooke's baby, which turned out to be two babies."

For a moment Peyton thought she was going to throw up. Brooke had children? She had really been pregnant?

Peyton had no idea of what to say and even Haley noticed that something was wrong. She opened her eyes wide and her mouth formed a perfect 'O'.

"You didn't know?" she asked hoarsely and Peyton shook her head very carefully.

"But why did you leave then?" Haley asked, confused. "I thought you were running away from… responsibility."

Peyton spoke very quietly and she had to blink to stop the tears from streaming down her face. "Because I was pregnant."

Not it was Haley's turn to look absolutely horrified. "You weren't" she breathed. "That's not… That can't…"

Peyton felt the tears drop down her cheeks and didn't wipe them away. They had left Brooke. They had abandoned her best friend. She was Deb and Brooke was Karen. And Lucas was Dan…

"Lucas", she managed to say, "he went over to see her."

Haley stared at her for a moment. Then she began to giggle, which soon led to hysterical laughing.

Peyton watched her in horror. "This isn't… This is everything but funny, Haley."

Haley got a grip on herself. "This is just so ridiculous", she said, frowning. "Why didn't you tell us? We would've reacted… Brooke would've…"

Peyton shook her head. "We told you. Lucas told Nathan."

"Nathan didn't say a word to me", Haley replied in a high voice. "And he's known it all the time…" She sighed deeply. "Well", she said, "what is it?"

Peyton raised her eyebrows in surprise. "What?"

"Is it a boy or a girl?" Haley asked impatiently.

Peyton had to smile. "It's a girl", she said. "Her name's Penelope." She hesitated. Did she really want to know?

"And… how is Brooke?"

Haley frowned again. "Brooke is OK", she said. "She's got twins, you know. Kyle and Elizabeth."

Peyton felt tears rise yet again. She had raised twins on her own? And Peyton, who was supposed to be her best friend, had left her alone…

And immediately she wondered: if Lucas had known Brooke was pregnant for real… would he have stayed with her? Or would he have left with Peyton nonetheless?

* * *

"Get out of here", the boy yelled. "Now."

Lucas stared at the boy as if he was looking into a mirror. Except he couldn't remember being this angry. Ever.

"Wha… What?" he said.

The boy took a step towards him. His face was flushed and his fists were clenched.

"Brooke", Lucas called out, "Brooke, what's going on? What's…"

"Don't talk to my mother", the boy shouted and then Lucas felt a fist hitting his face. He stumbled backwards but managed not to fall.

"Kyle", Brooke said and her voice was hard, "stop it. Get inside. Now."

Brooke threw Lucas a look which could have meant everything. Then a girl, the girl from the River Court, stepped outside and helped her drag the boy inside. The door closed behind them.

Lucas put a finger to his bruised cheek. What had he done to this boy? Why was he living with Brooke?

And the girl, she looked a lot like Brooke. Could it be…? Could she be… her daughter?

But who was the father?

Lucas wondered whether he should go or knock again. Just as he decided to leave, the door opened again and Brooke stepped out.

She looked lonely. She had her arms crossed and she closed the door behind her carefully and by doing that she really looked really but when she looked up at him he saw the same fiery look in her eyes.

"What are you doing here?" she asked icy.

"I just wanted to see you", Lucas blurted out. "I thought we could talk or something."

"Well", she said and her eyes narrowed. "What is there left to talk about?"

"Um", Lucas didn't know what to say. "Everything, I guess. Just, what was that boy doing in your house? Who did he think I am?"

Brooke's expression didn't show any emotion when she stepped backwards. "What about: his father?" she said and with that she turned around and got inside.

Lucas stared after her. Even some minutes later he still stood there, staring at the familiar door, not knowing what was going on around him.

"Luke! Luke! Luke? Luke!!"

It was only when someone punched him in the side that he turned around.

Peyton and Haley stood in front of him. They both looked rather tearful and Peyton gave him a hug.

"It's going to be OK", she whispered.

Lucas looked at Haley. She looked as though she didn't know whether to be angry or happy. But when Peyton had let go of him and he said hoarsely: "Haley, I… I'm…", she came towards him and embraced him.

"I missed you", she whispered into his ear.

"I missed you too, Hales", he answered.

A moment passed. Then Haley asked: "Did you talk to Brooke?"

"No", Lucas responded. "Not really. A boy punched me in the face."

Peyton took in a sharp breath and Haley groaned. "He's not that bad actually", she said.

They both looked at him expectantly. "Brooke said… she said he thought I was his father. Do you understand that?"

Peyton took his hand. "We'll figure it out."

Haley nodded. "Let's get home, alright? And then we can talk."

Lucas nodded. All three of them turned around to stare at the door of the small house. They didn't know that inside a certain girl was watching them from the window. Crying.

I hope you enjoyed this chapter and review. Thank a lot. (: