'Did you say yes?' Peyton rolled her eyes at her best friends high pitched squeal, she hadn't even made it through the door. 'Did you?' She heaved her suitcase through the threshold. 'You did. Let me see, let me see, let me see' Brooke chanted. Peyton smiled softly, holding her hand out. 'Oh my god- I've just died and gone to heaven.' She exclaimed dramatically, peering at the diamond with wide eyes. 'You're the luckiest girl in the world' Again the blonde smiled shyly, she definitely didn't feel that lucky. 'Why can't I meet a guy like him?'

'You will' Peyton promised.

'So how was it? Did you have an awesome time?'

'It was...nice'

'Nice?' Brooke raised her brow, hand on hip.

'Yeah'

'Nice?' She repeated. 'Peyton nice is going out for coffee, it's not how you're meant to describe the weekend of your engagement'

'Fine. It was absolutely out of this world amazing' She feigned enthusiasm.

'God you're so broody...how'd he do it?'

Peyton sighed. 'Urgh, I'm tired B, do we have to talk about this right now?'

'What's wrong?'

'Nothing's wrong'

'Yes there is'

'No there's not, I just, I didn't get much sleep while we were away. I think I'm going to go lay down'

'You slut'

Peyton smiled at her. 'Have you got work?'

'Yeah. I'll call you later though- we can go out and have a drink and you can tell me all about it, yeah?'

'Ok- I'll let you know later on'

Peyton groaned as they doorbell sounded for the third time. 'I'm coming, I'm coming' She pulled open the door.

'Hey Baby' Mark beamed at her, picking her up and spinning her around.

'O-k' Peyton looked at him in astonishment as he set her back on the ground. 'What're you doing here?' She watched him bemusedly as he sat on the sofa, grinning like a Cheshire cat.

'I have a surprise for you'

Peyton slid over the back of the sofa. 'I like surprises.' She smiled.

'Well, I got a call this morning, I've got a big job offer in LA.' He blurted.

'Aw that's great baby' She pecked his cheek, truly happy for him but she didn't quite see how this was good for them, they'd hardly see each other. 'But, I, I'm not going to see you'

'You're coming too'

Peyton's smile dropped. 'Excuse me?'

'LA- we're moving'

'We?'

'Of course- I'm not going to go without you am I?'

'You just assume I'm going to move?'

'Don't you want to be with me?'

'Of, of course, I just- I like it here'

'I know but you'll like it there too, I promise'

'My works here, my, my friends are here'

'You can get a new job'

'I like what I do here though'

He was silent for a long minute. 'Are you saying no?' She looked at her hands. 'You're saying no'

'I just, I don't want to move' She bit her lip, looking into his sad brown eyes.

He stood abruptly. 'I can't believe this' He rubbed his hand over the back of his neck.

'I'm sorry' Peyton got up, reaching for his arm but he shrugged her off. 'Mark' She pleaded. 'Don't do that.'

'I'm sorry but I just don't understand. We're engaged - that means we're going to get married Peyton and you want to stay living with your best friend rather than move in with your fiance' He rambled agitatedly.

'It wouldn't just be moving in with you though' She snapped defensively. 'It's a bit different- I'd be moving states not apartments'

He shook his head in disbelief. 'You know what? I'm going to go'

'No. Mark please, let's talk about this'

'I think you've made it pretty clear how you feel- you're friends are more important than me'

'That's not it' Peyton growled, quickly loosing her patience. 'That's not it at all and you know it. You can't just expect me to drop everything I've been working for, for the past five years.'

'You won't even need to work once we're married anyway'

Her eyes narrowed. 'What? You're expecting me to become your perfect little housewife?'

'No I just, I'm going to take care of you-'

'I can take care of myself'

'But when we have kids-'

'Kids? You're thinking about children already?'

'Well once we're married-'

'You have it all planned out don't you?' She shook her head in outrage. 'Have you even considered what I might or might not want? You know I think you're right. I think you should go' She said lowly.

'Gladly' He retorted, grabbing his jacket and storming out of the living area. The front door slamming seconds later.

She stared after him, her heart racing as she fort the tears that were daring to fall. A silent minute past, but she couldn't hold it in. Suddenly she sunk to her knees, her hand flying to her mouth to try and stop the strangled sob from escaping.

'Sweetie what's happened?' Brooke cooed.

'Nothing'

'Nothing? P. Sawyer you when I asked you to come meet me after work for a drink and a chat I thought you were going to tell me about your little holiday, but you've hardly said a word. You have the drinking bit down though' She eyed her friend carefully, well aware that she was more than a little tipsy.

'I think it's over' Peyton slurred, putting her fifth glass of wine down with heavy hands.

'What's over?' Brooke looked at her in puzzlement.

'Me and Mark'

'What?'

'He doesn't love me'

'What?' Brooke grabbed her hand.

'He hates me cause I, I don'ts want to move. I don't. Don't make me move Brooke'

'Shh' Brooke edged around their table, giving the teary eyed blonde a one armed hug. 'Sweetie you've just had argument is all, you'll sort it out. It's ok'

'No, no, no it's not. I've mucked it all up' She took a shaky breath. 'I want him, I want to see him right now' She whined.

'Let's get you home' Brooke hushed her.

'No I want, I want Mark' She mumbled stubbornly. Brooke glanced at her watch. She'd finally gotten herself a date with Owen and she'd been looking forward to it for the last few days but she wasn't about to leave Peyton in the state she was in.

'Urgh, ok, ok. We'll run by his place but if he's not there we're going back home'

'Hey you' Lucas wrapped his arms around Lindsey, pulling her back against his chest.

'Have you finished the last chapter?'

'I need a break' He whined. 'You hungry?'

'Yeah, but we have hardly any food'

'Wanna go out for dinner? It's on me'

A girly laugh escaped her lips. 'That sounds good' A knock startled them both.

'You get that, while I go get my wallet' Lucas suggested, pecking her cheek before making his way upstairs. Lindsey smiled, turning her attention to the door.

'Hey Linds, is Mark here?' Brooke sighed as the door opened, making sure to keep an extra tight hold of a very wobbly Peyton Sawyer. After trying Mark's place and getting no answer and a lot of fuss from Peyton, Brooke had reluctantly agreed to seeing if he was hiding out at his sisters.

'No he was flying to LA tonight, he has a meeting about a job offer he got out there' Lindsey's eyes skipped from Brooke to Peyton . 'I thought he would've told you Peyt'

'He's not here' Peyton whimpered.

'Is she ok?'

'Drunk. They had an argument' Brooke revealed. 'I know this is really rude but I'm an hour late for a date and I really don't want her to be on her own. I thought Mark would be here and they could sort this out but he's not. I don't suppose-'

'Of course don't be stupid. She's my friend. Come on Peyt, come inside. We can go get you a glass of water and I'll take you back home a bit later'

'Is Mark here?'

'No sweetie' Brooke cupped her face. 'Look it will be ok. You're Mark and Peyton. You can sort things out when he gets back'

'He hates me'

'I'm pretty positive he doesn't hate you' Lindsey smiled.

'Definitely doesn't hate you' Brooke agreed. 'Honey, I'm going to go out for a while ok? Will you be ok with Lindsey?' Peyton took a shaky breath, giving her a small nod. 'Ok' Brooke helped her through the door, letting Lindsey wrap an arm around her unstable form. 'I'll see you later on' She kissed her cheek and gave her a comforting smile. 'Thanks Linds, you're a life saver' She gave them a wave before dashing back down the steps.

'Have fun' Lindsey called after her. 'Come on Peyt, do you want a drink?' Lindsey shut the door, leading a delirious Peyton through her apartment to the living room.

'Do you have any wine?' Peyton dropped onto the sofa with Lindsey's help.

'How about water?'

'Linds are-' Lucas trailed off as he walked in, halting in the doorway.

'Sorry I know we were going to go for dinner but Peyton needs me'

'Er it's ok' He looked at Peyton, her eyes rolling around were enough to concern him and he didn't know if she was choosing to ignore him or if she was just completely oblivious to his presence 'What happened?'

'She's had a fight with Mark apparently and a little too much to drink.' Lindsey mouthed at him.

'Well I'll let you talk to her' He mumbled. 'Just holler if you need me' He bit down on his lip, backing out of the room. His mind was racing wildly wondering if she'd broken up with Mark, wondering if the engagement was off. What he did know was that she was upset and he wanted nothing more than to make her feel better- to fix her.