Thank you for the reviews. I know it's been awhile but I am determined to finish this story so the updates shouldn't be too far apart. For this chapter it's a little different but I hope you all like it! Feedback is always appreciated. Thanks!
As her car took her farther and farther away from Tree Hill Peyton found it easier to breathe. She wasn't sure exactly when she'd decided to leave; the last couple of weeks had been good...she'd been happy at times. It was just that night knowing Lucas was coming back in the morning she'd known she couldn't stay. She wasn't strong enough to face him and Lindsey; she just couldn't deal with them now. So she'd waited until Brooke went to sleep and she'd packed some stuff and left. No real destination in mind just anywhere but here. She could head west to California and see the friends she still had there; north and she could go to New York City but that had always been more of Brooke's dream; Mia was touring in Texas so she could go south there were lots of options. In the end she flipped a coin and just started driving; everytime she came to a main intersection she flipped that same coin to decide left or right, east or west, north or south. She stopped anytime something looked interesting. This is how she ended up in Progress, Tennesse about 3 days after she'd left Tree Hill. The town sign said "Welcome to Progress...We're getting there". It seemed like a sign so she checked into a local bed and breakfast and decided to stay a few days. She was out walking when she saw a dog limping her way; the dog promptly passed out her feet scaring the life out of her. Unsure what to do but feeling responsible for the dog she decided to take it to the vet. When she asked the lady who ran the bed & breakfast she was given directions to Dr. Alex Gables. He took one look at the ball of fluff in her arms and said "I see you've met Sadie." For Peyton's part she was distracted by the good doctor. Tall, blonde with floppy hair, green eyes and a welcoming smile. It took her brain a couple minutes to catch up.
"You're new in town." His eyes prodded her to respond. But it wasn't a question.
"Yes. Yes new. Sadie?" Smooth Peyton...real intelligent sounding she internally berated herself. He laughed.
"Sadie is the dog. She's also the town hypochondriac...always playing lame." He removed the dog from her arms and she instantly popped up and seemed happy as she licked the doctor.
"Oh I was worried. She was limping and passed out at my feet."
"Yep that's one of her tricks. Other dogs fetch, Sadie here limps. I'm Dr. Alex."
"I'm glad she's alright. Peyton...I'm Peyton."
"Nice to meet you Peyton. Are you moving into town or just passing through."
"Not sure yet."
"Well we'll have to be on our best behavior and try to convince you that Progress is worth staying for."
Peyton mumbled bye and left. Progress...it's what she needed.
Back in her room she realized she couldn't duck her life forever so she made a call, it was answered almost on the first ring.
"P. Sawyer where is your skinny ass? You'd better come home right now!"
"Hi Brooke. I miss you too."
"We're worried. Not cool not answering your phone. WHERE are you?"
"I'm fine. I just needed some time to figure me out. Please tell Nathan and Haley not to worry. And what would be the point in trying to get away if I answered my phone every time you called it in the last couple of days?"
"The point is we're best friends and you left."
"I left a note."
"And what an informative note it was. I was starting to think I'd need to dump Owen and start dating someone in the FBI just to find out what happened to you."
"Dramatic much?"
"So when are you coming home?"
"I don't know. When I feel ready. When I know it's the right thing for me to do."
"It's home of course it's right."
"Brooke Davis I love you but you know what I mean."
"So where are you?"
"I'm looking at Progress."
"Progress...progress to what? I actually want to know where you are."
"So you're new FBI boyfriend can come pick me up? No. Brooke I need time. I just wanted to call and let you know I was alive so you wouldn't worry."
"I'm going to worry until you're here. I can come to you."
"Oh Brooke! I need to do this for me. I'll keep you posted. Love you."
"Love you more. Please start answering your phone."
"I'll think about it. Gotta go."
"And..." Brooke had forgotten she hadn't been alone until Nathan's voice brought her back. She turned and faced to room.
"She's fine. She wouldn't say where she was or when she was coming home." With that Brooke grabbed her purse and headed out the door. They'd been having dinner at Nathan and Haley's when her phone had rung. It nearly gave her a heart attack but ever since Peyton had left her phone had been almost glued to her hand...just in case. She was glad she'd finally heard from her. But she wanted her home...in Tree Hill. What was Brooke Davis going to do without her best friend?