Peyton bit into the pear she had just hawked from the school cafeteria. It was a sunny day outside and she was looking forward to some peace and quiet. Maybe she would drive to the park and just relax on a bench and enjoy the fresh air. Yeah, that sounded like a good idea, she thought as she unlocked her car with the key.

"Peyton! Hey, Peyton! Wait up!"

She looked to see who was yelling her name. She smiled as she saw Lucas Scott, dressed head to toe in gym clothes, sprinting her way.

"You look tired and sweaty", she laughed. "What's up?"

"Practice", he managed, almost out of breath. "It kicks my ass every time. Anyway, we're done and I'm glad I caught up with you."

"Okay. Look, I'm all about working out and staying fit but if you think me and my Converse are gonna go for a brisk jog around campus with you, you have another thing coming", she joked.

"Maybe some other time. Trust me, more running is the last thing I want to do. But I have something important to show you."

Peyton made a face.

"Me?"

"Yeah."

"Well, what is it?"

He grinned.

"I can't just tell you about it. It's something I have to show you. Will you come with me?"

She raised an eyebrow.

"Fine", she finally conceded. "But only because I'm nosey."

"Nosey can be good", he laughed, as they walked across the field back over to where the Volvo wagon was parked. "Sorry, this isn't as cool as your car. It was one of Mom's hand me downs."

Peyton shrugged. She didn't care about things like that.

"It's cool. It's got four wheels and it gets you from point A to B, right?"

Lucas grinned.

"And sometimes even C."

"See? There you go. That's all you need."

"Yeah but every time somebody gets in here for the first time I feel like Daniel did in the Karate Kid when he had to pick up that Ali chick for a date. Station wagons are so uncool."

Peyton just laughed as he cranked the ignition and drove off campus headed towards downtown. They made small talk and discussed the latest debacles of Professor Clangdon and even the basketball team. After turning onto a side road lined with construction, Lucas parked at the curb. Peyton looked around at the buildings falling apart everywhere.

"So this is what you had to show me?" she half joked.

"Don't judge a book by its cover. You're going to love this."

She shook her head as she got out and followed him into a building. They went upstairs and passed through several large rooms. A couple of people were selling things. In another section, an old lady was reading palms and tarot cards. Some people were imitating the dance moves of their instructor in front of a large mirror. A few feet away, there appeared to be an exercise class taking place. Finally they walked past all of that, into a private empty room.

"Dude, I'm kind of afraid to ask…"

"Ta da!"

"Ta da?"

"It's all yours."

Peyton laughed out loud.

"You're kidding, right?"

He shook his head.

"No."

Peyton walked around.

"Lucas, what the hell is this place?"

"Okay, so it's a little moldy and dusty and it needs some light. We can arrange for all of that. But it's private and just spacious enough."

"Enough for what?"

He went into a corner and dragged out an easel.

"For this. Welcome to Peyton Sawyer's new art studio."

Her mouth fell open.

"What?"

"I thought about it. You're an artist and an artist should have their own space. Plus you need privacy and room to create and display all your work. So here goes."

She was speechless.

"Lucas, how…"

"I was talking to one of the ball boys on the team. He was telling about this building downtown where people could rent out spaces for really cheap for basically anything. They could sell stuff, teach stuff, whatever. Anyway, his dad rented out a room to display horse saddles or something like that but he's in the National Guard and his unit ended up getting activated. He never even got to do his exhibit and it's no refunds on the money you pay. So the guy told his son to use it for whatever but the kid has no use for it so he told me I could have it. I offered to pay him but he wouldn't accept any money. For the rest of the school year I was given this space that I have no idea what to do with and no time to do anything even if I wanted to. It shouldn't go to waste. You have the time and the talent. So what do you say?"

Peyton didn't know what to say.

"Are you for real?"

"Yeah. What do you think? We could clean it up some, you know, fix it up a little."

She looked around. All that for her? She had never had her own studio before.

"Lucas…"

"I know I'm busy with ball and school but I promise to help with whatever you need whenever I can."

"I don't know…"

"Sure you do", he put the key right in front of her.

Peyton closed her eyes as she put her hands in her pockets.

"Lucas, look, I appreciate what you did but I can't use this space as my studio. Sorry."

"Why not? Look, I know it's not exactly what you'd call luxurious but I know you can turn it into something special. Call Brooke up and once she gets over the initial feeling of being skeeved about being here, with her help decorating, this place will be hooked up in no time."

"No. It's not that. It's just that I can't accept this from you."

"Why not?"

"Because…"

"Because what?"

"I don't know. Just because. I mean, why would you do this for me?"

Lucas shrugged.

"Why wouldn't I? We're friends, right? What I saw the other night in your room was really special. It was really something. You put a lot of emotion into your art. You said so yourself that it's personal. So here is your outlet. Here you can be yourself and be creative. You can get away. And believe me, you'll need to. As great as school is and Haley and Brooke are, with this thing with your parents, there are times you're gonna want your space to draw or vent or just be alone. I thought this was perfect for you."

It was perfect.

"I…I don't know what to say."

"You don't have to say anything."

"Just accept this and be happy and create a lot of masterpieces in here", he smiled.

"Are you sure?"

"Of course I'm sure."

"Look, I'll pay you…"

"It's okay, Peyton. I'm not paying anything for this. It was just somebody offering me a nice gesture. When it comes time for the playoffs, I'll see what I can do about scoring some tickets for the good seats for that kid's family or something."

Peyton walked around. The more she saw, the more she envisioned. The more she envisioned, the more she liked it.

"I guess I could do oil paintings right here. And I could put up my sketches over there."

"Now you're talking."

"And I can do anything I want with this room?"

"Yep."

"You mean I can draw on the walls and stuff?"

Lucas shrugged.

"I don't see why the hell not."

She nodded. Now she was really digging the place.

"Okay. Cool. I'll do a mural on that wall and on this one here, maybe a collage or something. What do you think?"

"Sounds great. You're the artist."

"I have to admit. This was a pretty cool idea. Thanks."

"No problem."

They both smiled and Lucas hugged her. It was a warm, friendly embraced and after a few seconds when he tried to pull away, he noticed she hadn't released her grip. Peyton was still hanging on. When he finally got s look at her face, he was astonished. She was crying. Actual tears were streaming down the face of Peyton Sawyer.

"I'm sorry", she hurriedly tried to wipe them away.

Lucas was confused.

"What's wrong?"

"I don't know. I have no idea. Look, I don't usually get all emotional because that's just not my way but this…this is really cool. I mean that, Lucas. All of it. This place will be great for me to work on my art and I'm really looking forward to that. And after the other night when I was awake with the stomachache from hell after eating all those damned donuts, I kept thinking about what we talked about. I felt really weird because yeah we're friends and lab partners and stuff but we barely know each other. And there are people in my life that I have known for years and that I'm friends with who I'd never tell about searching for my birth parents, much less show them my artwork on it. That kind of scared me a little bit. But it's like you totally got me and you understood. I felt better."

"Good. Nobody should have to go through something like that alone, Peyton."

She shrugged and wiped her face.

"I know but it's still scary", she said in a quiet voice.

"Maybe so. I know it's hard to put yourself out there to new people. Being that vulnerable is a very scary place. But you know what's worse? Keeping your feelings all bundled up inside and trying to act tough and carry the weight of the world on your shoulders when you don't have to. I've been there and done that and personally, I'm glad you're opening up more. I think it's a good thing. And it's okay. I'm kind of honored that you chose to talk to me about stuff and even more so that I could help you out in someway. That's what friends are for and I'll always be here for you. I have a lot of friends and a lot of good people in my life but when I was going through my stuff with Dan, there was only really one person that I shared with and of all the people I knew that I could have gone to, that person was the least likely but sometimes life just works out that way. You can have a million people in your life but sometimes…sometimes, all you need is one."

His voice softened as he looked right into her eyes. Their bodies were mere inches apart and Peyton realized she was still gripping his shoulders from their previous embrace. It was a deep, heavy and emotional moment. Too emotional. Peyton quickly pulled away.

"I'm okay", she sniffled as she took a deep breath.

"You sure?"

"Yeah. Um, thanks for this and just for everything."

"No problem."

It was still awkward and Peyton's heart was pounding.

"Um, I have some really good ideas. It'll be a fun little art project itself just getting this place together."

Lucas smiled.

"I'll bet. I can't wait to see what you do with this place."

Peyton looked around. It was hers. All hers. All hers thanks to Lucas.

"Thanks again. You're a really good friend."

He stared right at her.

"Yeah", he said softly. "So are you."