Peyton finished putting up the rest of the balloons in Tric. The party was due to start in about an hour and she'd told Karen she'd help out. In truth she didn't want to be at home, there were reminders of Brooke everywhere there. Then again they were at Tric too, Peyton said to herself, thinking back to that night when she toyed with Lucas to annoy Brooke.

"Penny for your thoughts." She turned to see Rick standing behind her at the counter. She wondered how long he'd been there.

"Do you ever go away?"

"Nope! Unlike some people: I hear the girlfriend is skipping town." He said taking a seat at the bar. "I just thought you could use a friend."

"You are not a friend. So you should just go."

"Still feisty, glad to see you haven't changed completely. When she goes and you get back to normal don't be afraid to give me a call."

"Screw you!" Peyton spat.

"I thought you were with Brooke!" He smirked. "But I'm up for it if you are!"

"Get out!" Peyton said slapping him across the face. When she went to hit him again he grabbed her wrists.

"Peyton she's going to leave and she won't come back. I mean look at you. Let me see what would I do if I was Brooke? Would I go to New York and start an amazing company and have everything, money, success. Or would I stay in little old Tree Hill with my white trash girlfriend. It's a tough one isn't it."

"Let go of me." Peyton croaked trying not to show any emotion. When he didn't move she began to struggle. "Let me go or I'll scream!"

"You win. I'll go." He shook his head and turned to walk away "You and Brooke haven't got a chance, you know that?"

"You wrong, she's going to come back from New York. I'm going to wait for her."

"That's what you think, Peyton. But you should know by now things are never that simple." Peyton watched him walk away and then trying to get his words out of her head, returned to setting up the club. She climbed up onto the counter, moving her bag over so it wasn't in her way. Then she hung the banner which read; State Champions. She'd listened on the radio. She'd promised Brooke she would and in return Brooke had somehow gotten herself on air after the match. Peyton laughed at the thought of the interview, before climbing off the counter and going to check everything else was ready. Karen had rung her once the game was finished and had told her they were on there way back. The whole school would probably be trying to get into Tric, although Peyton was only really bothered with one. Tonight they were going to have fun, Peyton told herself, she wasn't going to let her insecurities ruin what she time she had left.

Brooke would only be in Tree hill for three more weeks and Peyton wanted every second with her. Brooke would be flying to New York with her Mother to start work on the clothing line. Peyton was dreading it but she knew it was what Brooke needed to do. It was her dream.

Brooke surveyed herself in the mirror and watched as Haley came up from behind her to do the same. They had stopped off at Brooke's to change. Brooke wasn't heading out to Tric in her cheerleading uniform.

"Looking good Tutor girl!" Brooke said, fixing her hair. "Almost as good as me."

"Thanks Brooke." Haley said, feigning hurt.

"Your welcome!"

"Did you talk to Peyton about New York?" Haley said.

"Not yet." Brooke said feeling guilty. She knew Haley hated keeping secrets.

"Brooke!" Haley hissed. "You decided two weeks ago. You have to tell her!"

"I'm going to tell her tonight."

"Good. How did your Mom take it?"

"As expected, she flew off the handle. Told me Peyton was no good for me. That she wasn't going to let me throw my life away for some crack whore" Brooke said. "Her words not mine. God I don' even want to think about it."

"She called Peyton a crack whore! God and I thought it was bad when she called me Amy Whinehouse?" Haley laughed.

"I know. Trust me, she like you way more than Peyton. The last few weeks weren't that bad when we focused on the clothes but now let's just say I'm more afraid of what she'll do to Peyton than what Peyton will do to her. Every time I even try to bring it up, she just shoots me down and slags off Peyton."

"I'm sure it'll all work out."

"I hope so. Let's just focus on partying. Where are the guys?" Brooke said looking to change the conversation. She didn't want to think about her mother.

"Nathan just text me. They've just arrived at Tree Hill. They'll probably be in Tric in ten minutes."

"Then you and me better dash." Brooke said grabbing her purse and heading out her bedroom door. "Come on Tutor girl."

The two headed for the car. When they arrived at Tric the place was already packed. It didn't surprise Brooke. She was thankful that Karen had suggested they do something to celebrate at Tric, win or loose. Now that the guys had won she knew it had been a great idea. They quickly found Lucas and Nathan at the bar. The State Champoinship trophy proudly stood behind them.

"I can't tell how nervous I was. Do you remember last year? I missed a shot in the playoffs just like it. It was like a dream you know…" Brooke listened as both Lucas and Nathan continued to retell Lucas's match winning shot. Every so often she would nod her approval to what they were saying. "…I just fell to the ground. I don't think I've ever been happier."

"Me either!" Nathan said, earning a playful punch from Haley. "Except for when I'm with you."

"Good cover Nathan" Brooke laughed before turning around to look for Peyton, who was talking to the d.j. who was setting up. She quickly caught Peyton's eye and watched as the blonde moved towards them.

"Hey, congratulations guys. I listened on the radio." Brooke smiled as she had aked Peyton to listen. "Winnig on the buzzer, even I know that's pretty special."

"Yeah. We got the-" Nathan started.

"Please don't get them two started again. Everyone knows how you two won the game." Haley interrupted to the relief of Brooke. She was pretty sure the whole of Tree Hill knew, not that Nathan and Lucas were going to stop talking about it. "Come on guys. I'm pretty sure Peyton doesn't want to hear all the details."

Brooke watched as Haley dragged the two guys away, leaving just her and Peyton. Brooke turned around and tried to get the attention of a bartender. She watched as Peyton did the same and grabbed her bag.

"You can pay P Sawyer." Brooke said looking through Peyton's bag for her purse. She fumbled around until she found it. She opened it up. Her face fell as she saw its contents. Peyton was too busy trying to get the bartenders attention to notice. She quickly took out the change she needed and stuffed it back in the bag. Peyton had ordered the drinks and the bartender was looking at her. She couldn't help but think of the fight with her Mom she'd had a few nights ago.

"She'll ruin everthing Brooke! I don't get how you can't see that?" her mother yelled. They'd been having the same fight since Brooke had told her of her plans. "She is no good for you. How well do you even know her?"

"Why can't you give her a chance?"

"Brooke, you don't seem to see what damage she'll do for your reputation. She's uneducated, she lives in the towers. She's probably on drugs and god only knows what kind of family she comes from." Brooke couldn't believe what she was hearing.

"Stop it. Peyton may not be royalty but she's a good person. She's smart. She's not on drugs and her family is none of your business. Besides you can hardly call yourself Mother of the year."

"Brooke. I want what is best for you, like any mother. Peyton isn't what's best. One day you are going to see that."

"Brooke, give him the money." Peyton laughed, snatching the money from Brooke's hands and giving it to him. He handed over the drinks to Peyton who gave her the soda. "We won't be getting anything stronger while Karen's about"

Peyton watched as Brooke returned from the bathroom to the booth they were sharing with all of the Brookes friends. People were starting to leave the club as the celebrations began to come to an end. Nathan and Lucas were no where near finished and were still talking about the game. They had now been joined by Skills to relive the moment once again. Peyton saw Brooke arrive. She could tell there was something bothering her. She'd been in a strange mood all night. Peyton was pretty sure Haley had picked up on it as she saw the other brunette ask Brooke what was wrong quietly. Peyton hoped her Mother hadn't gotten to her as she saw Brooke just shake her head before sitting down next to Skills.

"….and then the buzzer went. I swear I've never felt anything like it." Nathan finished.

"I think we get the picture Nathan." Brooke sniped from across the table. Peyton watched the confusion on most of Brooke's friends face. No one seemed to know what had gotten her into such a bad mood. Brooke seemed to notice as well and quickly apologised.

"Brooke are you okay?" Mouth asked.

"I'm fine Mouth. I think I just need to go home. I'm feeling a bit ill." Brooke said.

"We can go now if you want Brooke?" Peyton said. "My car's just out front."

"I don't know if you should be driving. You sure didn't have anything stronger than a soda." Brooke said catching Peyton off guard. She didn't know what that meant.

"What are talking about? You know I can't drink in Karen's club." Karen had made it pretty clear, that even though it was a special night there would be no under age drinking. It didn't really bother Peyton. Since she'd been with Brook her drinking had calmed down. She still had the occasional bear but nothing like before. She'd only had that one soda with Brooke earlier and the drink in front of her which Skills had just brought.

"Who said anything about drink?" Peyton was starting to wonder if Brooke had been drinking. She'd never seen Brooke like this.

"Brooke are you okay?" Haley asked. Peyton was too shocked to speak. What did Brooke mean by her last comment?

"I'm fine. Lucas, would you drive me home? I came in Haley's car." Lucas looked slightly puzzled by the comment and gave Peyton an apologetic look before nodding and rising to his feet. Haley went with them. Peyton watched as they went into Tric's back office, wondering what the hell had just happened.

"Dang, Skinny girl, what did you do?" Skills asked. Everyone else just sat there in silence.

"I don't know" Peyton said getting to her feet, "But I'm going to find out."

Peyton walked into the Tric office and saw her sitting on the couch, lost in thought. Her nose was scrunched and her forehead creased a little, her eyes were a little glossed over, as if she was about to cry but still the beautiful hazel and her lips were pressed together in a straight line. By the look on her face Peyton could see something was bothering her she just couldn't think what it could be. She walked over and took a seat next to Brooke After there was nothing said, she decided to break the silence.

"Brooke." Peyton whispered. "Talk to me."

"Lucas and Haley have just gone to let Karen know we're leaving." Brooke said, there was coldness in her voice.

"Could you just tell me what's wrong before you go?" Peyton pleaded.

"Maybe you should tell me?" Brooke quickly replied.

"I don't know what you're talking about."

"That's great Peyton. Well you've got three weeks to figure it out." Brooke said rising to her feet, wiping her eyes.

"Brooke-" Peyton began.

"I don't want more lies. When you are ready to tell me the truth, come find me." Peyton didn't know what to say to that. She watched Brooke walk out of the room and tried to get her head around what Brooke had said, as the tears fell from her own eyes. Peyton was still in the same position when Haley re-entered the room.

"Peyton what is going on?" Haley asked.

"I don't know. I honestly don't know." Peyton said wiping away the tears, she was pretty sure she looked a mess. "Brooke thinks I lied to her. I think."

"Well have you?"

"No. I haven't lied to her." Peyton said trying to wrack her brains. Could Brooke have found out about her drug use? She dismissed the idea. She hadn't used in months how could Brooke know?

"Lucas is taking her home. Let her cool down and then go see her." Peyton nodded as Haley left the room.

What happened to the love we both knew?
We both chased.
Hanging on a cigarette you need me,
you burn me you'll burn me

Would love to know what you guys think of this chapter. I really liked it but then I'm biased. I'm people are wondering what's the deal with the cocaine. The answers there if you read carefully. If you didn't catch it will be revealed later on.

Hope you liked it because I loved writing this one and have been building up to this chapter. The song quoted is Disintegration by Jimmy Eat World. I would defiantly check it out plus it goes with this chapter in my opinion.