So thanks for all the reviews on the last chapter and here is a new one, its got a little bit of fighting and little bit of sweetness and some Peyton and Haley which I haven't written a lot of lately anyways I hope you enjoy and please keep reviewing :)


Chapter 25

The walls were closing in around her and all she could see was the mortified look radiating on Lucas's face. She wanted to say that she was fine and that everything was okay, because the only thing worse than how she was feeling at the moment was the look of pure anguish on his face. She couldn't find the words though, she opened her mouth to speak but nothing was coming out all she could hear were those words over and over in her head "Brooke kissed me". She felt Lucas grab her hand again shaking her from her trance as he looked at her with pleading eyes wanting her to verbalize what was running through her head.

"Peyt please say something," he pleaded but his voice quickly gave out when he saw the tears brimming her eyes, his first instinct was to hold her which is what he would have done under any other circumstance, but he didn't know if that would make things worse right now.

She went to say something but stopped when she saw Haley and Jake round the corner, she didn't want to do this here not alone in front of them so she turned away for a minute to compose herself and let go of Lucas's hand.

"Peyton, Nathan wanted me to give these notes back to you because he forgot earlier," Haley said inching a little closer to her two best friends.

Peyton smiled weakly and accepted the notebook from Haley, Haley looked from her to Lucas as he shifted awkwardly on his feet. She could feel something was wrong so she gave Peyton a sympathetic look.

"Hey Peyton you want to go grab something to eat I'm starving," Haley asked," No boys allowed," she added looking at Jake to let him know they needed to be alone.

"That would be great," Peyton muttered inching away from Lucas; he just stood there looking helpless.

"Okay good lets go," Haley looped her arm through Peyton's after kissing Jake quickly and promising to call him later.

"Will you call me later," Lucas pleaded

Peyton just silently nodded and continued walking away with Haley leaving the boys behind.

"So do you need a ride?" Jake offered after a few minutes of awkward silence

"Ya actually if you don't mind?" he replied

"Nah its all good we might as well hang out anyways since our women abandoned us, how about a game at the river court?"

"Sounds good," Lucas smiled weakly silently thanking Jake for being around so he wouldn't spend the night alone torturing himself over what happened.

Lucas picked up his bag that he had thrown down earlier and followed Jake down the hall the same way the girls had just exited.

"So are you going to tell me what's going on with my two favorite love birds?" Haley broke the silence once inside Peyton's car.

"Is it really that obvious?"

"Well not to everyone I suppose but I know some things about you Peyton Sawyer," Haley said with a small laugh," And I know that look so come on and just tell me already."

Peyton paused a moment thinking of what to say and turning towards the café, a route that just seemed like home to her.

"You mind if we go to the café?" Peyton avoided Haley's question.

"Sure sounds good," Haley replied," But you're not getting out of this car before you tell me what's wrong."

"Brooke and Lucas kissed," Peyton blurted out before really thinking about the wording of what she said, she looked out the window not really wanting to see the look of horror that was spreading over her best friends face.

"I'm going to kill him!" Haley exclaimed

Peyton pulled into an open spot outside the café and turned off the car before meeting Haley's enraged eyes for the first time since she had broke the news.

"I can't believe him, I can't wait to get my hands on him later," Haley growled," Better yet I can't wait for Jake to get his hands on him later!"

"Haley just hold on a second, don't pull Jake into this," Peyton pleaded," And I don't even really know if it was his fault, I didn't really get to talk to him about it I just wanted to get out of there so bad."

"Well what exactly did he say?" Haley calmed herself down a bit.

"I walked up to him and he just didn't look like himself, his hands were shaking and he just looked so guilty it was unbearable," Peyton began.

"Well he better fucking well feel guilty," Haley cut her off," Sorry I'll try to keep my outbursts to a minimum, please continue."

"Well I asked him what was wrong and he wouldn't look me in the eye, and he said that I would be mad if he told me," She raised her hand to shush Haley's oncoming comment," I said he could tell me anything and then he just blurted out "Brooke kissed me," and a couple minutes you walked around the corner and we left. God I wish he hadn't of told me I felt much better when I was naïve and happy."

"Well maybe its not as bad as it seems, I mean he didn't say he kissed Brooke right, maybe it was one sided and he was just feeling guilty about it?" Haley tried to rationalize," And at least he told you, I mean if he was hiding it that would mean it meant something to him right? He told you right away so that's probably a good sign?"

"I guess, it doesn't really make me feel much better through, he kissed someone else am I wrong to be bothered by that?"

"God no, you should be pissed I just don't want you to direct all your anger at Lucas if it wasn't all his fault,"

"Well he was the one who insisted on tutoring her even when I told him everything and he made me feel bad for not trusting him to be alone with her,"

Haley saw the tears brimming in her eyes and couldn't resist the urge to pull her into a long hug any longer. For a minute Peyton sank into the hug gladly accepting the comfort but abruptly pulled away a minute later leaving Haley confused.

"I just don't want to cry," she said simply

"Its okay if you want to," Haley assured her," I didn't know that you told Lucas about everything and quite frankly I'm pissed off at him for putting himself in this situation, I mean what was he thinking?"

"He was just trying to be a nice guy Hales," Peyton replied

"And look where it got him, he once again put the her feelings in front of yours just like on Christmas," Haley said her voice growing angry again," You guys are going to be fine though right? I mean your Lucas and Peyton you guys are meant to be together it's the way it's supposed to be, the guy wrote a whole book about how much he loves you. You guys will work it out I can feel it, he'll come over later and look at you with those adorably squinty blue eyes and apologize and you'll talk and kiss it out and everything will be back to normal again."

"But what if it doesn't I mean things have been a little off lately with all this Brooke stuff and he isn't exactly thrilled that I am friends with Nathan and we've been fighting more than normal," Peyton started," What would you do if Jake's ex kissed him and he told you?"

Haley laughed for a minute before answering

"Well if Jakes ex kissed him that would be you and I think I would have more of a problem than what I would say to Jake because I would be wrapped up in a bitch fight with my so called best friend," Peyton nodded with a smile," I think it all comes down to if you want to work it out, if you want to be with him then make it work no matter what it takes."

"He's the one for me," Peyton responded

"Then have a little faith in it and in him," Haley smiled," And a little in yourself okay."

"Okay," Peyton said finally allowing a genuine smile to sweep across her face," Lets go in I'm seriously starving."

Haley simply nodded and got out of the car looping her arm through Peyton's again before pulling open the door to the café. Peyton pointed over to the counter and Haley nodded knowing it was Peyton's favorite place to sit.

"Wow Peyton Sawyer and Haley James in my café with no boys attached to their hips, what is the occasion?" Karen's warm voice came radiating from behind the counter.

"Oh you know girl talk," Haley sent a smile Peyton's way," Plus we are starving,"

"Oh girl talk," Karen was curious," Anything good? And shall I whip up two of the usual for you?"

"Nothing to bad," Peyton assured her," Me and Lucas just have hit a little road block in the form of Brooke but you know us its just a minor set back, no worries, and yes the usual sounds great,"

Karen's face sank a little with worry, she loved her son but knowing him he had unknowingly done something to hurt Peyton when he was trying to be nice to Brooke, Karen had seen it many times. She was happy that she raised such a great boy but he really needed to realize that some times you can't please everyone and you have to choose the people to please that you want in your life.

"You're sure everything's fine, because I mean I could ground him for life for whatever silly thing he has done this time," Peyton laughed and shook her head," Fine but you let me know and I'll whip his scrawny butt, I'll be right back with your food."

Peyton and Haley sank into their seats laughing at Karen and how she knew that it was Lucas that had screwed up, that woman really knew her son.

"So how weird is it that the school year started out with me dating Jake and now here we are its just so strange," Peyton chuckled.

"Totally strange," Haley laughed," But it all worked out for the best wouldn't you say?"

"Defiantly," Peyton said without giving it a second thought," So are you nervous about your show, its coming up I mean only what like ten days away now?"

"Yes I'm nervous but me and Jake have actually been writing together for the last little while and I think we have a couple of great songs that just need to be a little polished," Haley smiled a little," Plus you and Lucas will be there right so it wont be that scary."

"Of course we will be there, and Nathan too,"

"Oh joy," Haley faked an excited look," I really don't get what you see in him Peyton?"

"I don't know he just gets me, and once you get past all the bravado and cockiness he's actually a pretty great guy, I mean the first day back at school after the shooting I was standing in the hallway, the spot I was standing that day and I started to panic. It was Nathan who found me, he wrapped me in a hug that was just about as comforting as Lucas's and took me outside so I could clear my head and we have been close ever since,"

Peyton saw Haley's face change, she hadn't told anyone that story because she was worried it was aggravate Lucas that he wasn't there to take care of her on that day when she needed him. But she knew it would tug at Haley's heartstrings and maybe for once Haley would give Nathan a chance.

"Wow I didn't know Nathan Scott had a sincere bone in his body," Haley laughed

"Well he's actually really great if you give him the chance to open up," Peyton pointed out.

"Point taken, I'll give him a chance" Haley conceded," Oh here comes the food thank God."

Peyton turned from her friend and saw Karen carrying out plates of food and setting them down in front of them. It was getting busy in the café so Karen gave them an apologetic look that she wouldn't be able to chat and scurried off covering her other tables and Peyton and Haley without a word dug into their matching meals.

Jake and Lucas were on their second game at the River Court when Jake was mustering the nerve to bring up what was going on earlier. He took the ball and shot from the three-point line and upon hearing it go in with a swish he started walking towards Lucas.

"And that's game," Jake said confidently," Wanna sit?" he pointed at the picnic table and Lucas nodded.

Once they were sitting and drinking some well-deserved water Lucas could feel the inevitable question coming so he just got it out of the way early.

"Brooke kissed me," he said quietly as Jake choked down the water he was sipping on.

"Come again?"

"That's what I was telling Peyton in the hallway, its why it was awkward and why Haley dragged her away alone," Lucas sighed and ran his hands through his hair.

Jake's first instinct was the jump up and punch Lucas square in the jaw, he may not be in love with Peyton anymore but he still had an overwhelming need to protect her from hurt.

"What were you thinking?" Jake shot him an angry look.

"I don't know I really thought I would be able to just tutor her and have everything be okay but now I messed everything up,"

"You're damn right you did, this must be killing Peyton just imagine how you would feel if she kissed me," Jake exclaimed.

"Don't say that," Lucas winced at the visual that was created," I didn't kiss Brooke she kissed me."

"Your lips were involved I assume so don't try and say you didn't do anything wrong Luke,"

"I'm not saying that I am innocent its just your making it seem like I was seeking out Brooke, I was pushing her away and she lunged at me and before I could react she was already walking away. The only reason I told Peyton was because I didn't want her to hear a different version of it from someone else, I wanted her to hear it from me so I could explain but I didn't even get the chance to do that. Now she is out there somewhere thinking that I was making out with Brooke in the library,"

"Okay fine you didn't initiate the kiss but you gave her free reign to initiate it, I mean what were you thinking tutoring Brooke, did you not know something like this would happen eventually?" Jake shot at him

"I know it was stupid I just didn't want to upset either one of them and I really thought it would be fine," Lucas confessed allowing his head to drop into his hands," Do you think Peyton will forgive me?"

"She loves you Lucas so I would say there's a good chance, but I swear to god if she forgives you and you hurt her again I'm going to hurt you," Jake said as he set his jaw.

"Ya okay man whatever," Lucas's smile was wiped away when he saw Jake was completely serious," I won't hurt her; you really think I like hurting her? I hate that it was me who put tears in her eyes today, but I remember a time not so long ago when she came running to me after you broke her heart!"

"No it was still you back then, you are the only one who ever hurts her," Jake said getting angrier at his accusations.

"Oh yeah walking out and leaving her crying in her doorway is a really noble thing to do Jake," Lucas muttered just loud enough for Jake to hear.

The next thing Lucas knew Jake's fist was colliding with his face, before he could react another fist was hitting him as he fell to the ground. He got up and dodged another punch from Jake and this time connecting one of his own in Jake's eye causing him to take a step backwards. Lucas stood with his fists up preparing for whatever was about to happen but he saw Jake relax a little a start walking away.

"I swear Lucas," Jake said turning slightly to face him again," If you hurt her again it wont be pretty."

"I won't," Lucas called out after him feeling bad for how things had went down, he hadn't meant to push Jake but it was getting to him that Jake was placing all the blame on him.

He could taste the blood in his mouth and could feel a searing pain in his eye and he knew he was going to look like hell in the morning but it couldn't be any worse than how he felt. He started walking up the hill to the sidewalk when he saw another car pull into the park and he froze when he realized it was Nathan.

"Hey," he said cautiously when Nathan emerged from the car.

"You look like hell, did you get into a fight with Jake?" Nathan questioned him seeing the blood trickling down his chin.

"Maybe, what's it to you?" Lucas said defensively.

"Just wondering," Nathan said awkwardly," Must have been something important for friends like you two to get into it is all?"

"Well Peyton Sawyer kind of brings out the savior complex in a lot of people I've noticed," Lucas said

"What's wrong with Peyton," Nathan's tone was different now it wasn't light.

"I really don't want to get into it with you Nathan," Lucas shot at him," It's none of your business anyways,"

Lucas pushed past him and tried to walk away but Nathan grabbed him forcefully by the arm not allowing him to walk away.

"She's my friend so I would say it is my business," Nathan growled," What did you do, Jake wouldn't have hit you unless you did something."

"I didn't do anything," Lucas shrugged his arm off

"Then tell me what is wrong with Peyton?" Nathan took a step closer.

"Why don't you ask Brooke?" Lucas said bitterly

"What did you do," Nathan repeated a little louder," Did you sleep with Brooke?"

Lucas didn't get a chance to answer before Nathan was grabbing him by the collar and slamming him into the side of his car. Nathan wasn't sure if he was doing it for Peyton or for himself for the realization that Brooke would never want to be with him. He clutched Lucas's collar about to strike but pulled back.

"I'm sorry, I didn't mean to," Nathan said through a clenched jaw.

"I didn't sleep with her," Lucas spat at him," She kissed me and I told Peyton and now everything is all messed up, and now I probably have two black eye's."

"I'm sorry man, I just freaked out I guess," Nathan relaxed a bit," Do you need a ride somewhere?"

"I pretty much got what was coming to me tonight Nate so don't worry about it," Lucas paused," But I think I'll just walk home, I have some thinking to do."

"You didn't deserve it I should have heard you out, I knew you wouldn't cheat on Peyton I mean who would?" Nathan replied reaching out his hand to Lucas as a peace offering, which Lucas accepted.

"I still deserved it I shouldn't have allowed myself to get sucked into Brooke's game," Lucas replied.

"I could say the same thing," Nathan laughed," She has a way with words I guess."

"You could say that," Lucas mustered a small smile," Actually would you mind giving me a ride home, I left my cell phone there and I'd really just like to talk to Peyton."

"Sure jump in," Nathan gave him a small smile before getting in the driver seat himself.

Haley and Peyton were still sitting at the counter joking when Jake came sulking into the café. Haley heard the door jingle and instinctually looked up only to see her boyfriend walking in with a large black eye beginning to form. She jumped up immediately and ran over to him as Peyton looked on.

"Jake," Haley said running her hand over his face," What happened, did you get into a fight?"

"Its nothing Haley, you should see the other guy," Jake smiled weakly and lifted his right hand to show the swollen knuckles.

Haley pulled him over to the counter and walked into the kitchen to grab some ice leaving Peyton and Jake alone.

"How are you?" Jake asked slumping down next to her

"How am I, what do you mean?" Peyton asked

"I mean I know what happened Lucas told me," Jake pointed to his face," What did you think this was all about?"

"He…he hit you?" Peyton stammered

"Well in all fairness I hit him first," Jake said

"God why?" Peyton said," How is he?"

"Because he deserved it Peyton, and I don't know we didn't exactly chat after," Jake replied.

"I have to go," Peyton jumped up and ran out of the café heading towards Lucas's house

She got there just in time to see Nathan about to pull out of the curb so she turned off her car and walked over to his car puzzled.

"What are you doing here?" Peyton asked

"I gave Luke a ride home," Nathan said and saw a smile forming on Peyton's face," But not before I freaked out on him."

"Nathan!" She slapped him across the arm," Why would you do that?"

"I thought he slept with Brooke," Nathan said honestly," I freaked out but I apologized and its fine don't worry about it."

"Oh don't worry about it," she said sarcastically," My boyfriend got attacked by two guys tonight and I'm not supposed to worry about it, sure. What is with you guys, have you ever heard of having a conversation when you're angry instead of fighting?"

"I'm sorry it was a snap reaction I couldn't help it," Nathan sighed," Could you give him this." he handed her an envelope," It's a letter from High Flyers, I pulled some strings and he is in if he wants it, that's why I was looking for him earlier."

"Wow Nathan this is great, he'll be so happy you have no idea," she smiled at him.

"So are we okay?" he asked

"As long as you think with your head and not your fists from now on," she bargained

"Will do," he smiled and she nodded before turning on her heels and running up the front steps of his house not bothering to knock before she walked in.

She headed down the hall straight for his room and opened it seeing him lying on his bed wincing as he placed a pack of frozen peas to his face.

"So I don't talk to you for a couple hours and you get all fight club on me," she leaned against the doorframe and he looked up.

"Peyton," he said with genuine shock," I have been trying to call you."

"I left my cell in the café when I rushed out to see if you were okay." she explained and came walked in the room sitting on the bed next to him.

"Oh Lucas," she said when she got a better look at his black eye and swollen split lip. She gently ran her hand along his face and felt tears pricking in her eyes," Does it hurt?"

"Nah," he lied," I'm sorry, I didn't mean to hurt you Peyton you know that right?"

"I know that," she replied taking the peas and placing them lightly on his eye," I should be the one saying sorry, I really didn't think either of them would react this way."

"No I deserved it, well I provoked Jake anyways, and Nathan well we are brothers and brothers fight and he never actually hit me anyways. Plus its nice to know there are other guys looking out for you when I'm not around," he said with a slight laugh.

"You didn't deserve any of this," she placed a small kiss on his cheek.

"No you were right, I should never have kept helping Brooke," he frowned a little," But I'm not going to do it anymore, a friendship with her isn't worth my relationship with you so I'm done."

"Really?" she smiled

"Did you really think I would keep helping her after this?" he was hurt that she thought that," she pretty much attacked me in the library Peyt, I didn't even have a chance to push her away before she was walking away."

"I believe you Lucas," Peyton replied," and I'm happy that you're not going to be tutoring her anymore, no matter how much I may have trusted you it really did bother me."

"I know," he ran his hand down her face," And to make it up to you I was thinking maybe I would take you out Friday, like a date date where I can come and pick you up and show you off around the town, what do you say?"

"I'm not mad at you Luke," Peyton said

"I know but I still want to take you out so just say yes okay?"

"Okay," she beamed," but I want you and Jake to work out what ever this was about okay?"

"I was already planning on doing that anyways,"

"Good, now let me get something to clean your lip with," he smiled and watched her run into the bathroom.

"I love you," he murmured against the cloth she was gently patting his lip with

"I love you too but hold still," she chuckled and gasped when in one swift motion he threw her down and kissed her gently as not to hurt his already inflamed lip.

"Ouch," he said after pulling back," Damn Jake has a good right hook,"

"I'm sorry," she smiled weakly and pressed her hand lightly over his face again.

"It was worth it babe, come here," he smiled and pulled her into his chest, which was her favorite place to be," Just lay with me for a while okay, I've missed you."

Though it had only been a couple hours since they had last talked she knew how he felt, it seemed like ages. So she allowed herself to crumple into his side and draped her arm over his stomach as his hand aimlessly played with her hair.

"Wait Lucas I almost forgot Nathan gave me a letter for you," Peyton turned to look at him," You got into high flyers!"

"Seriously!" he exclaimed kissing the crown of her head.

"Let me go get it," she tried to get up but he pulled her back

"No, I have all day tomorrow to read that stupid letter, right now I just want lay here with my girlfriend,"

"Well I won't argue with that," she laughed and nestled back into the same position she was in before," I'm proud of you, better than that I'm proud to be with you."

He was beaming, some how in one day he had gotten the forgiveness of the girl he loved and one of his dreams came true, things could not get any better.

"How did I get so lucky," he said after a couple minutes

"I'm not quite sure," she teased," but I'm glad you did."