A/N: To clear up any confusion, the book Lucas left was his second one. The one about the comet. Also, the song lyrics are from I'm Still Breathing by Katy Perry. It seems to fit with what Peyton is thinking in her mind. I hope you all like this! R/R please!
"I'm weaving a rope and
Running all the red lights
Did I get your attention
Cuz I'm sending all the signs"
After waking up the next morning, Brooke went downstairs to make some coffee and start her day. Entering the kitchen, something caught her eye on the counter. It was a book. Lucas' infamous manuscript. The one that he claimed was just a book about a scientist and a comet. But this was Lucas and everyone knew that the book was more than that. Everyone one except Lucas and Peyton that was.
Curiosity got the best of Brooke, so with a quick glance to make sure Peyton's door was still closed, she walked over to the book and picked it up. The letter for Peyton fell to the floor. Picking it up, Brook couldn't resist. As she flipped it over to open it, she saw the words that Lucas had left for Peyton. Now she was even more intrigued. Opening the flap, she took out the note and read the short, but meaningful, dedication, Brooke was confused. She knew that she hadn't talked to Peyton much lately. The entire time Angie was here, she was all Brooke thought about. Now, she realized she might have missed something.
Peyton came out of her bedroom to find Brooke reading the note that came with the book. After the night she'd had, she didn't feel like dealing with this right now.
"What the hell, Brooke? Ever hear of a thing called privacy?" She asked as she stormed toward Brooke to snatch the paper from her hands.
"Well, good morning to you too. You wanna tell me what happened between you and Lucas? I know I haven't been in the loop with you two the past few weeks, but I do know that something happened. And this confirms it. I mean, shouldn't you be more excited that Lucas is finally confessing his love for you? Isn't this what you wanted?"
Sighing, Peyton didn't know where to start. She knew that she should have told Brooke what happened weeks ago, but she couldn't. One, she didn't want to deal with having her friends opinions yet. Two, it still hurt her to tell what happened that night. But she knew that if she didn't tell her that Brooke would just go to Lucas and demand to know. She could be a little pushy at times and Peyton felt it was best to tell Brooke herself what happened.
"What happened? Well, for starters, Lucas apparently hates me. Shocking I know. But yes, he actually said that to me Brooke. I found him drunk in TRIC one night and took him home. After taking the time out of my life to not only get him home, but help him into bed, he rolled over to tell me that he hates me, that he wishes I'd never come back, and that I ruined his life. Great confession of love. So, I'm done. I told him I was going to move on with my life. And apparently, in great Lucas fashion, he now realizes that he loves me and wants to be with me. So, there. You wanted to know." Peyton rants as she paces the floor, not daring to look Brooke in the face.
Brooke can only sit there with her mouth open in shock. This did not sound like the Lucas she knew. She thought that over the past few months he had changed back into the old Luke. The one that you could depend on to help you out when you needed. The Luke that was a stand up guy and didn't treat girls like they were nothing. Finally, Brooke said the only thing she could think of.
"You don't deserve that Peyton. Lucas is being an ass. But you know I'm here for you, right? I mean, no matter what is going on in my life, you will always be my P.Sawyer. So, whatever you decide to do, I'm going to be there for you." Brooke got up and hugged Peyton while talking.
Peyton felt her eyes beginning to water and didn't want to let Brooke see her this way. She didn't want her friends to see how weak she was without Lucas in her life. She didn't want to be "poor Peyton" anymore. She wanted to prove to them that she could do this. That she was strong enough to get by. So, taking a deep breath, Peyton pulled away from Brooke and put her hands on her shoulders.
"I know Brooke. And you'll always be my B.Davis. But I don't want you to feel like you have to take care of me or anything. I'm fine. I know that seems hard to believe right now, but I am. So, tell ya what. I'm going to get dressed and go into work now. But you and me have a lunch date today. I'll pick something up and bring it to your shop so we can have some girl time. What do you say?" Peyton said with a somewhat forced smile.
"Sounds great, buddy." Brooke said. She knew that something more was going on with Peyton. And she knew that she was going to have to talk to Lucas herself to find out how in the hell he could do this to her best friend. Until then, she would just have to play along with Peyton's game of everything is fine.
"Cuz I'm still breathing
Though we've been dead for awhile
This sickness has no cure
We're goingdown for sure
Already lost a grip
On this abandoned ship
