We must all suffer from one of two pains: the pain of discipline or the pain of regret. The difference is discipline weighs ounces while regret weighs tons.

Peyton broke eye contact with Brooke. She knew what the girl was thinking; she could see the look of disappointment. She knew it all to well. So he walked away. Brooke didn't try and stop her. She stole a final glance at the scene behind her as she got into her car…Two older men were trying to talk to Brooke, who was being hugged by Haley. Both Lucas and Nathan were trying their best to explain. She saw them glance towards her and started the ignition of her car.

She hit the gas, as soon as her car left the car park. She stopped at the gas station and bought herself the biggest crate of beer they sold. She didn't have any in her apartment. Brooke had been opposed to her diet of beer and cheerio's. It startled Peyton that something as trivial as buying beer could lead her to think of Brooke. Then the realization hit. Everything made her think of Brooke. But Brooke was no longer the smiling girl with dreams and full of self confidence. Brooke was now that broken looking girl who had looked straight into her eyes during a moment of madness. It had been enough to call Peyton to her senses, back to reality. Once there Peyton had taken in the eyes looking at her, eyes of someone whose heart was breaking. Peyton knew she was responsible; she had broken the girl she loved. There was no way she could take it back.

She slumped into her couch, not even bothering to turn on the lights; it didn't matter, and began consuming her beer.

She had drunk 3 bottles but the image of Brooke was still haunting her. She got to her feet and headed for the kitchen. She hadn't touched the stuff since Brooke had been around. When she had Brooke that's when her cravings for cocaine subsided, she couldn't help but be the clichéd girl. She chuckled to herself if only Brooke could see her now. In a way it was Brookes fault, Peyton thought to herself as she prepared the lines. She had told Brooke she was going to fuck up but Brooke had convinced her that she cared. Then where was she now. Peyton had had fucked up and where was Brooke. "I don't know..". Peyton didn't know what that meant and she was pretty sure Brooke had slapped Rachel so she wasn't completley innocent. What was the difference? The difference is that you pinned her to the ground and were about to punch the crap out of her, Peyton thought to herself. She greedily sorted the first line of cocaine. She felt the rush, it was better than she remembered. It wasn't as good as Brooke, she didn't find herself grinning ear to ear, but she found herself floating. Floating, forgetting what she'd done.

Brooke slammed the door of the car shut, she saw the look Haley gave her but ignored it. They had been looking for Peyton for about two hours. Brooke had watched Peyton leave the school gym in a daze. It had taken Haley to get her to focus. She wasn't really sure what she doing. She wanted to find Peyton, wanted to know what the hell had just happened in the gym. After that she wasn't so sure. For the last few weeks everything had been perfect. Peyton had been perfect. Now Brooke was beginning to doubt it was real. She knew it had happened but she knew in all that time Peyton had kept a part of herself hidden. Brooke understood why. It was a scary part. Peyton's eyes had been wild when she looked at her in the gym, Brooke barely recognized her. That's when it had occurred to Brooke she barely knew Peyton. Peyton never let her.

Brooke had got Haley to bring her to the apartment. She didn't think she could drive in the state she was in. She wasn't sure exactly what she was going to say but she knew she had to see her. She wanted to know why? She couldn't understand how Peyton could lose her cool like that.

"Brooke where do you want to look next?" Haley asked, they had been to her apartment, local bars, Tric. Nobody had seen her. Lucas and Nathan had gone out looking once there basketball match had finished and had no luck. Brooke racked her brain trying to think of somewhere where Peyton would grow.

"I don't know. Everywhere is closed. I just don't know… and she's been drinking." Brooke said defeated.

"I'm sure she wouldn't do anything stupid."

"Haley, there were about ten empty bottles of beer in her apartment and her car was gone. I think that qualifies as stupid."

"Well is there anywhere else that she usually goes."

"Not that I can think of. Could we just drive around a bit more?"

"Sure." They drove down the River Road just in case she'd broke n down but there was no luck and eventually Brooke let Haley drive her home. They were driving past the beach when Brooke spotted Peyton's car haphazardly parked in the sand. Both girls jumped out of the car and began calling her name when they saw the car was empty.

"Peyton!"

"Peyton!" They split up searching along the front. It was Haley who found her lying unconscious surrounded by more empty beer bottles.

"Brooke!" Brooke followed the sound of Haley's voice. In the darkness she could barely see anything. "I found her."

Brooke looked as she saw the two figures coming towards her. Peyton's lifeless body being held up by Haley. She immediately helped Haley and together they got Peyton into her car.

"Do you think she's okay?"

"She was surrounded by beer bottles. I think she'll be fine once she sleeps it off. She can stay with me and Nathan tonight"

"No I'll drive home in her car. You take mine."

"Brooke. Are you sure?"

"Yeah. I just…"

"You don't know what to do." Haley finished.

"I love her Haley; I just don't know what that means anymore. You saw her. You saw what she did. It's not the girl I know but…Oh god...I just don't know."

"Brooke it's okay."

"No it's not. I shouldn't love someone who can do something like that."

"Brooke. Remember when you told me there was another side to Peyton. Well I've seen it. Don't stop believing in her. I know you love her don't let this ruin it."

"I do love her Haley but I just don't know what to do with her. I mean I'm only 17 and there's so much going on inside her head…"

"Why don't I come with you? We can leave your car here."

"Are you sure?"

"Brooke. I told you I'd be here if you needed me."

The two girls got into the car and drove to Brooke's house. Strangely the lights were on. Brooke knew it could only mean one thing. Her parents were waiting. She saw Haley look at the house apprehensively. They'd rung Nathan on the way home and told him and Nathan they could stop looking. He and Lucas had then headed back to the apartment. Brooke knew there was no way 5 people could stay in that 1 bedroom apartment. She gave Haley a knowing look before getting out of the car and pulling Peyton to her feet. Haley helped as the three of them made their way to Brooke's porch. Brooke was reaching for the light when the door swung open.

"What do we have here?" Victoria Davis said. She was still in a stunning dress and holding a win glass. Brooke knew that meant she hadn't been home long. "And what is that horrible smell?" She glanced at Peyton who was being to stir but was still being supported by Brooke and Haley. "Oh"

That was all she said before turning on her heels and walking back towards the living room. Haley gave Brooke a quick shrug of the shoulders as they made their way upstairs. Brooke dropped Peyton onto her bed and watched as Peyton curled up under the covers.

"You're a good person Tigger" Haley said, coming from behind and wrapping her arms around Brooke's shoulders.

"Touching!" Brooke turned, and was startled to see her mother standing in the doorway. "What is that doing in my bed?"

"Mother!"

"Don't Brooke. It looks like it came straight from the trash. I don't want it stinking up my house."

"First of all she's my friend and it's my bed-"

"In my house!"

"Dads' house." Brooke snapped back.

"Brooke. I want it gone by tomorrow morning." She marched out of the room after that. Brooke stood there in shock. Her mother wasn't usually so rude in front of non family members. Brooke didn't really know what to say to Haley.

"Don't worry my Mom didn't like Nathan either, when they first met." Haley laughed. Brooke forced a smile back and then turned her head back to the sleeping blonde.