Chapter 9- Choose
Three days ago.
Sweat cascaded down his face as he bounced the ball for what seemed like the millionth time in the past hour. Each time the ball escaped his hands he allowed some of the anger and pain to escape with it.
Anger because she made a fool out of him infront of the people that basically worshiped the ground he walked on.
Pain because no matter how he had treated her, he couldn't deny that he didn't love her.
Anger because of the words that had flowed mercilessly out of her mouth, infront of everyone to see.
Pain because she had meant every single one of them.
Anger because she had chosen his discarded brother over him.
Pain because she had chosen his discarded brother over him.
He grunted in anger as he threw the basketball hard onto the gymnasium floor, focusing all the anger and pain into that one throw, not caring where the ball eventually ended up or what damage it may have caused.
He trudged over to his bag sitting on the bleachers and pulled out a bottle of water, empting the contents over his hair and face, savouring the coolness as it washed away the heat and sweat, as well as the pain and anger, refreshing and rejuvenating him.
He wiped his hand harshly over his face to remove the excess water and fatigue that had begun to wash over him, before ruffling his hair to allow the water to spread evenly to evaporate into his roots.
His mobile ringtone echoed the empty gymnasium, and he dug deeply into his duffle bag before staring cautiously at the caller I.D reading unknown.
'Hello?' he asked quizzically, pulling his mobile to his ear.
'Nathan Scott?'
'Depends. Who's asking.'
'You know who I am Nathan.'
Nathan paused, searching through his mind trying to match the somewhat familiar voice with the face.
'Oh hey-'
'I have a proposition for you Nathan.'
'A proposition?' Nathan enquired, his eye brows cocked in both interest and confusion. 'What kind of proposition? A proposition for what?'
'Revenge. On Peyton Sawyer and Lucas Scott.'
Nathan's eyes widened at the mention of their names. Lust, wrath, envy and pride surfaced in his veins as a sinister smirk became plastered over his face.
'I'm interested. Very interested.'
-x-
Present Day.
'I have to talk to him.' Peyton muttered for what seemed like the millionth time in the past hour as he paced back and forth in her room.
She hadn't spoken to Lucas in two days. When she had returned from her 'meeting' with Nathan Lucas had disappeared from the bench he was sitting at only moments before. It was only when he refused to talk to her during their shared classes when she realised the truth to why he was acting so cold, so distant.
Why? Because you broke his freakin' heart that's why Peyton.
Peyton groaned as she collapsed back down onto her bed, rubbing the bridge of her nose as she tried to figure out what was the best thing to do.
You broke his heart Peyton.
With his brother.
You'd be the last person on earth he would want to see right now. You two are better off without each other. You have Nathan now Peyton. You have popularity back now Peyton, and soon you'll have Brooke back too. You stuffed up Peyton. You made a few mistakes, and that's what you get for not listening to me. But now things will go back to normal. You'll put on those designer clothes and rule the school. You won't be labelled the 'loner', the 'loser' the 'bitch', you'll be labelled the 'prom queen'. The girl who all the other girls want to be, the girl who never has to face another insult, or punch or kick.
I'm just trying to do what's best for you Peyton.
And I'm telling you associating yourself with Lucas Scott is not the right thing to do.
Don't listen to a word of that Peyton.
Lucas was the only person there for you when all the people who 'cared' about you turned against you.
He listened to every secret that had been dying to get out for so long without judgment, without disgust or hatred. He broke into your friggen house thinking something was wrong, that your life was in danger. You can be the Peyton Sawyer you truly are around him without having to keep up this exhausting charade up.
You cannot just allow someone you care about, and that cares about you go like that.
It's not right.
-x-
Tenderly Peyton knocked on the wooden door, half hoping that Lucas wouldn't be able to hear it, half hoping he would.
Time ticked by mercilessly, each second causing even more dread and concern to grow in the pit of her stomach. She twisted her pink blouse tightly around her fingers, nerves causing her body to slightly tremble.
After what she was sure were a few minutes she exhaled the breath of air she was holding in as she turned around to walk away, her heart spiralling in both gratefulness and disappointment.
She had walked no more than three steps when the wooden door finally opened, revealing a smiling woman.
Peyton felt her voice get caught in her throat. 'Uh….Ms Scott?' she questioned quizzically.
'Oh no. Not Scott. Karen Roe.' The woman smiled, holding out her right hand to Peyton.
Of course it's not Scott you idiot. Everyone knows Karen never took Dan's last name. Why would she?!
'Oh sorry.' Peyton whispered as she grasped the woman's hand and shook it gently.
'What can I do for you Peyton?' Karen asked, knowing exactly what Peyton wanted.
'Is, uh, Lucas home?' She asked, still unsure whether she wanted to go through with this.
'Yeah he's in his room. Follow me!' She said kindly, ushering Peyton inside.
Peyton followed Karen awkwardly down the hallway before coming to a stop outside a door.
'Lucas?' Karen questioned, opening the door slightly and craning her neck into the room. 'You have a visitor. Peyton's here…'
Peyton felt her stomach flip as Karen nodded for her to enter the room before walking off.
Just forget about it Peyton. Go. While you still have the chance.
Ignoring her subconscious Peyton breathed deeply in before walking into Lucas' room. 'Hey.' She murmured awkwardly as Lucas came into view.
'Hey.' He said simply, distrust and betrayal present in his voice.
Cut to the chase so we can get the hell out of here.
'I, uh, just wanted to see how you're doing.'
'Oh. You wanted to see how I'm doing. How I'm doing after I find out you got back together with my brother not even a day after we kissed. Please do tell me how I'm doing Peyton.' Lucas snapped. His voice ridiculed with sarcasm and betrayal.
Peyton was taken aback from the sudden outburst, she knew she had been expecting it, hell she knew she deserved it; but it didn't stop the stinging pain from his words.
'Listen Lucas…' Peyton began softly, only to be cut off by Lucas, his tone becoming more aggravated as he continued to speak.
'No. You listen here Peyton. I'm not a play thing. You kissed me back so that had to have meant something. Tell me Peyton. Tell me you don't feel the same way about me.'
Peyton stood frozen with her mouth agape. Her mind shuffled through the intimate moments and secrets they had shared. The gentleness of his touch, that soft and soothing tone he had used, the electricity of their kiss.
'It did mean something to me…' she admitted almost silently, more to herself than to Lucas.
'Then why Peyton? Why do that to me?'
'I-You wouldn't understand.' She finished, adverting her gaze as unshed tears formed in her eyes.
'Don't start with the 'you wouldn't understand crap' Peyton.' Lucas scoffed, now pacing around his bedroom. 'You've told me all your secrets and your fears. I understand you better than any other person in this town. Hell I think I understand you better than you understand yourself.'
'I-'
'I'm not going to sit around and watch you lie to yourself, lie about who you really are. You have to choose Peyton. Either choose me and be who you are. No more hiding, no more lies and charades. You get to be the Peyton Sawyer that I fell in love with, the Peyton Sawyer you love. Or you can choose Nathan. You can choose to live this miserable excuse for a life. Lying to everyone about who you really are, lying about the Peyton Sawyer every person deserves to know. You can continue living on, living with friends who would rather get drunk and use you as a ride home, with a boyfriend that doesn't even understand the true meaning of love and will continue treating you like a mere object and sex toy. But I'm telling you now Peyton. If you choose Nathan, well, I don't want to be a part of that lie.'
Lucas walked towards Peyton, his blue eyes burning into her hazels with so much intensity of desire and fear.
'Choose Peyton. Me or Nathan.'
-x-
'Did she buy it?'
'Yep. She's convinced I still love her. I have her wrapped around my little finger.'
'Good. Now keep toying with her. Make her truly believe that she's forgiven.'
'What do you get out of this?'
'She was supposed to be my friend. But she made me suffer, now with your help I'm going to make her suffer. Once she ruins whatever she has with your brother I'll initiate phase two of the plan.'
'And what's phase two?'
'You'll find out soon enough.' The voice laughed tauntingly, before the ever too familiar sound of the dial tone drifted in his ear.
A/N- I'm not going to lie. I really did consider just abandoning this story due to the dramatic decrease in reviews and disinterest over the last few chapters. But you can thank those people that PM and reviewed begging me to update, especially to the guest reader who left such wonderful reviews.
I really do enjoy writing this story, and I really hope you enjoy reading this, if so just leave me a review and I'll update more regularly.
Question of the chapter: Who do you think is the mystery voice set on revenge? ;)
Hope you enjoyed!
-Lexii xo
