Chapter 7 - Is This It?
"Peyton, have you seen my white Marc Jacob's top"?
"Ummm…I think you left it in the living room on the sofa".
"Okay, thanks".
The girls were packing together their things. The time was 11am and their flight to New York left at 11pm.
"Brooke, what time do we have to check in?"
"9pm".
"Okay, well I'm gonna pop out and get a few things for tonight. You need anything?"
"Just some Red Bull please. Where are you going?"
"Just by…the mall".
This was a huge lie: Peyton was going to see Lucas to convince him to come to their leaving party later, which Haley had organised as an apology. Peyton had called him several times but he failed to pick up. When he finally did, Lucas said he couldn't come because of the awkwardness. Peyton had told him to come off his high horse and to just come over but she had a feeling he wasn't listening at the time and now she was going to ensure he did.
"Lucas Eugene Scott!"
Peyton was banging frantically on Lucas's bedroom door, which eventually opened. Lucas stood in his basketball shorts and white T-shirt with a pissed off, tired expression. Peyton stood with her hands on her hips.
"Peyton…do you have any idea what time it is?"
"Lucas, it is 11am. Please don't tell me your still in bed".
"Actually he is. Thank you for dragging his lazy butt out of bed, Peyton", Karen said entering Lucas's room, with a laundry basket.
"My pleasure".
"Well, invite Peyton in. Where are your manners?"
"Come in, Peyton", Lucas responded with a sarcastic voice and fake smile.
"That seems more like the boy I raised", said Karen, continuing to fold clothes.
Making sure that Karen wasn't looking, Peyton hit Lucas hard on the arm.
"Ow! What was that for?"
"For not answering my phone calls. Lucas please come tonight. Brooke feels as bad as you do".
"Lucas Scott, please tell me you are going tonight?" Karen interrupted.
Karen made Peyton laugh and it was her firm yet bright personality which was the funniest and as was the fact that Lucas was scared of her.
"No, ma, I'm not going".
"Because of that silly argument? Come on, Lucas. You've always loved Brooke and I'm pretty sure she's always loved you, too. Don't make her have to go to New York. Don't let her leave", Karen said emotionally.
Peyton couldn't tell for sure, but she had a feeling Karen was thinking about Keith at this moment in time. They were destined to be together and it broke everyone's heart to see them apart. However, Karen did now have Andy, who was great with Lily and a really nice, genuine guy.
"Okay, mom. Peyton, I'll see you tonight".
"Awesome. Thanks, Karen, you just made my job a hundred times easier. See you both tonight. Thanks, Luke",
"Bye", Karen and Lucas called.
Peyton headed for the door but stopped suddenly and turned back around.
"Hey, guys. I think it's best if we don't tell Brooke about this conversation".
"Great idea", Karen agreed.
"I'm with you", Lucas added.
The three knew of Brooke's temper and none of them wanted to provoke it.
"I'm…back. Wow, Brooke, the place looks great".
Peyton gazed around in astonishment. Brooke had transformed the house into party central. Banners along with balloons were hung tastefully around the house. The only thing missing was food which Haley and Karen were bringing.
"Thanks. I had some spare time on my hands and I finished packing for you and me. Where were you? You've been gone ages?"
"Oh…the mall was really packed".
"Oh…so everyone's coming over at around 4 and then Andy is driving us to the airport at 8:30".
"What about the house?"
"Well, Haley and everyone else offered to stay behind after and clear up, which she should because the fricking party was her idea. Then her and Nathan are gonna lock up and take the keys with them and I'll get a call whenever someone puts an offer on the house".
"Cool. Well, looks like you've got everything covered. Wanna help me pick out something to wear? I could really use your experience, plus it's not my area of expertise".
"P.Sawyer, do you not know me at all by now? I've already picked out an outfit for you and left it on your bed. Everything else is packed and ready".
"You're incredible, B.Davis. Thank you".
Brooke smiled and shrugged her shoulders.
"Well, what can I say? Why don't we go get ready?"
"Absolutely".
"Oh…and Peyton could you kinda DJ tonight. I could really use your experience, plus it's not my area of expertise", Brooke joked.
"Sure".
The girls walked into their rooms and began preparing for the eventful evening ahead.
Kanye West's 'Stronger' blasted from the deck and speakers, which Peyton was controlling. Brooke and Peyton's closest friends were dancing, laughing and drinking before them.
"Way to go, P.Sawyer. This party is great and you look…hot", Brooke said.
Brooke had picked out a stunning outfit for Peyton. She was wearing a knee-length black, sequined dress paired with leggings and long black boots. Her hair was lightly tousled and her make-up was natural yet pretty.
Brooke looked equally gorgeous. She was wearing a gold tunic with skinny jeans and pumps. Her hair was curled and in a loose bun and her make-up was more noticeable but well done.
The two looked around the house: Peyton put her arm around Brooke, who leant on her shoulder.
"I know I said this place is cursed but…I'm sure gonna miss it".
"Me, too".
"Hey guys".
Brooke and Peyton turned around to see Haley standing there with a small tear in her eye.
"Haley, are you…crying?" Brooke asked.
"Yeah. I'm really gonna miss you both, Again".
"Auw, Hales. We'll come back to visit", Peyton commented.
Brooke shot her a hesitant look.
"Or not", she quickly struck back.
"But you, Nathan and Jamie can come and visit us", Brooke added.
"Definitely", Haley said wiping away her tears.
"Buds over Studs?" Brooke asked, holding out her fist.
"Buds over Studs", Haley and Peyton said.
The three bumped fists.
"Hi ev…everyone. Could I have your attention for a minute?" Mouth said nervously from the microphone near the DJ Deck.
Everyone turned their attention to Mouth and Nathan and Skills who were standing beside him. Muttering stopped and the room feel silent.
"Tonight is in one way happy and another sad. Sad in the way that Brooke and Peyton are leaving and returning to New York. However, happy in the sense that they are going out there to achieve their dreams, goals and ambitions. I wish you guy's the world of luck and I'm really gonna miss you both. And Brooke…I know you want me", Mouth said cheekily.
The room laughed and Brooke laughed louder than anyone there. Skills then moved up to the mike.
"You two have given us all so many laughs and so much drama. Yeah, I'm talking to you P.Sawyer", he said pointing to Peyton.
Everybody giggled and stared at Peyton who responded with "Skills, that is so unfair".
"I'm gonna miss our little fights and me laughing at your lame music. Brooke, I'm gonna miss you wit and your power to make me laugh. And I better say this now otherwise I may never get a chance; You're both really hot".
"Touching speech, Skills. Thanks", Brooke laughed.
Skills took a small bow and then handed the mike to Nathan. Haley made her way up to the deck and stood by Nathan.
"I've known Brooke and Peyton since Kindergarten and I've never seen any two people mature in my life as much as them. You've been great friends and we're all really gonna miss you both", Nathan said.
Not many people had seen this sweet sensitive side of Nathan and were utterly surprised.
"Somebody here has something they'd like to say", Haley said.
All heads scrambled around the room looking for whoever it was. Brooke was also anxiously looking around, hoping maybe it was Lucas. Peyton could tell she was searching and turned her head to see if she could catch sight of him. Jamie was helped onto the stage. Brooke realised Lucas wasn't even at the party and tried to hide her disappointment with a smile. Peyton gave Brooke a sympathetic pat on the shoulder.
"I'm really gonna miss you Aunt Brooke. And you, too, Aunt Peyton. But don't worry cus I'm gonna bring dad and momma and we're gonna fly out to see you. And we can go see the statue of liberty", Jamie sweetly said.
Everyone laughed and cooed at an adorable Jamie. But all the laughter stopped as the front door slammed shut. All heads turned in the direction of the door. Brooke's heart skipped a beat. It was Lucas.
"Sorry", he said to the whole room.
He and Brooke made eye contact, only for a second, before Brooke hurriedly walked away to the kitchen. Peyton and Haley followed her in. This was Skills' cue to put the music on. Rihanna's 'Please Don't Stop the Music" began and the party turned their attention away from the drama and all began dancing and drinking again.
Brooke began nervously scrapping around the kitchen, lifting up trays of food. Peyton and Haley looked at each other, confused.
"Um…Brooke. What are you doing?" Peyton asked.
"I'm looking for the…the mini pizzas", Brooke tensely said.
Haley noticed the tray of pizzas in front of Brooke. She reached across the counter and passed the tray to Brooke.
"Sorry", Brooke said, accepting the tray.
She took a deep sigh.
"Why is he even here? He's such a coward. It's been a week since that stupid fight and he hasn't even apologized", Brooke said, during a mouthful of pizza.
"He might be here to apologize, now", Haley suggested.
"Well, too little, too late. God, I don't understand how he thinks he can just show up here like this?"
"I invited him", Peyton said.
"Why?" Brooke asked.
"Sorry, I just wanted to help", Peyton softly said.
"It's okay. It's not your fault. Thank you".
"Hey guys. It's time to go", Andy called from the kitchen door.
"We'll be right there. Thanks Andy", Peyton replied.
The girls stood in the kitchen, starring at each other, wondering what to do next.
After a few minutes of pondering, the girls left the kitchen after saying their goodbyes. Brooke and Peyton headed to the front room, where the party had cleared and only their close friends remained. They all stood in line as Peyton and Brooke went down hugging and saying their goodbyes to each person. Lucas chose to clear up empty glasses and avoided the line as much as possible. Nathan encouraged him to join them but Lucas has refused. As Brooke hugged Mouth, she
noticed she was face to face with Lucas, whom had stopped collecting cups. They both made eye contact but only for a second before Brooke looked down. Peyton walked over to Lucas who continued to clear up rapidly.
"So, this is how you're gonna leave things?"
"Peyton, don't".
"Don't what, Luke? Try and salvage what you two have hanging by a mere thread because you're both so stubborn?"
"I'm sorry. Maybe in another lifetime. Bye Peyton. Thanks for everything".
"Bye, Lucas. I hope you find true happiness one day".
They hugged but only for a moment before Peyton was called to leave. Brooke and Peyton waved bye to everyone for one last time before Andy and Peyton headed outside with the bags.
Brooke then realised she had left the house keys upstairs.
"I'll be right back, guys. I left the keys in my room".
Brooke found the keys on her bedside table. As she went to retrieve them, the keys fell off the table. Brooke knelt down to pick them up. Something under the bed caught her eye. It was Lucas's bracelet that he had left the night he stayed over. Brooke clutched it tightly and fell into a daze.
"Brooke, c'mon", Peyton called from downstairs.
Brooke quickly got the keys and put the bracelet in her coat pocket, before running downstairs.
Brooke handed over the keys to Haley. She looked back one last time at everyone and then at Lucas, who seemed genuinely sad. Brooke then closed, what she hoped was, the last door on an upset Lucas.
'Final boarding call for New York', the speaker called from the airport. Brooke stood up and collected her handbag. Peyton sat still.
"Peyton, come on. We're gonna be late".
"Come on, Brooke. Give him 5 more minutes".
"What makes you think he's even coming".
"I'm hoping he is".
"Well, I was hoping for 'happily ever after' but not everything we wish for comes true".
Peyton sighed. She knew there was nothing else she could do.
"Fine, let's get going".
"Okay. Can we get some coffee first though. I'm beat".
"Sure".
The two girls headed to the nearest coffee stand.
Back at the house, Haley, Nathan, Lucas, Milly, Mouth and Skills were clearing up. Haley signalled for Nathan to go and talk to Lucas who was wiping down the DJ deck.
"Last chance, man. You know Brooke's not gonna wait around forever".
"She's not gonna want me there".
"How do you know that?"
Lucas shrugged his shoulders.
"You don't. Luke, if you don't go tonight…you're gonna regret it for the rest of your life. You're gonna look back on what might've been and that's just gonna leave you bitter and alone".
Lucas thought about his. He couldn't help but think of Dan. He had let everyone that he loved slip through his fingers and eventually ended up in prison because of his jealously and anger.
"Nate, I need the keys to your car".
A huge grin spread across Nathan's face, who threw his car key's to Lucas. Lucas ran for the door.
"Hurry, Luke", Haley screamed.
The rest of the group 'whooped' and 'cheered'.
"This smells so good", Peyton said, whiffing a smell of her coffee.
"It's nothing compared to the stuff in New York".
"You know, I'm kinda excited to be going there".
"Yeah, well I'm kinda relived to be going back there after all the…", Brooke began.
She turned around only to come face to face with Lucas.
"…drama", Brooke finished.
"Luke, I knew you'd come. I told you, Brooke", Peyton said, trying to contain her excitement.
Brooke and Lucas gave her an odd look.
"I'll be over there", Peyton said, pointing to the seats.
She walked off to the seats and pretended to read a magazine.
"Lucas, what are you doing here?"
"I've come to apologize. I was an…idiot last week, I know. Brooke, please don't leave because of that".
"It wasn't just that fight. It's everything. The drama, the 'I love you's' and the 'goodbyes'. I can't do it anymore. I'm only 22 and I've had more heartbreak than I could've imagined".
"Give me one more chance. That's it. One more chance and If I screw up, then I'll leave you alone…forever".
Lucas was holding both of Brooke's hands.
"Please, Brooke, I'm begging you".
Brooke looked into Lucas' blue eyes, which were welling up with tears. She looked over at Peyton who gave Brooke a sympathetic look. She then looked back at the Lucas and took a deep breath.
"So, what d'ya say?"
