CHAPTER 37

Peyton Sawyer stood outside her new home with a smile; she was warming to it already. Not only did she have a big room but also an adjoining one where she could fit all of her record collection which was particularly extensive. She couldn't believe how far they'd come in just four days, it only took them so long to pack up all of their things. Larry had to physically stop Peyton from working through the night on several occasions. They'd arrived in Tree Hill in the early morning and when they passed through the airport and she saw the sign, Welcome to Tree Hill, her heart felt lighter than air. She hadn't even seen Lucas yet but her stomach was doing somersaults at being in the same town as him. Her dad couldn't help but smile as she took a deep breath next to him in the taxi. He couldn't tell whether she was nervous or excited, he decided it was a bit of both. Luckily through contacts he'd been able to buy a house and looking at it now she knew that Lucas' wasn't far. In fact it was merely a street away. The thought made her breathing accelerate. She didn't know what she was going to do, how they were going to meet or what in hell she was going to say… honestly it scared the hell out of her.

In merely three days her first day at Tree Hill high loomed. It was bound to be an important day, she was nervous. Nervous about what Tree Hill high would think of her, what the student body would think, what Nathan, Haley and Brooke would think and mostly…whether Lucas would be overjoyed to see her or whether he actually meant what he said on their last meeting.

It was pretty easy to leave her LA lifestyle behind, she hadn't even bothered to inform her 'friends' of the move, she guessed they'd learn about it when her old school announced it. However she did tell one person, one person she knew she'd always care about. Letting her mind travel back she sighed,

'You're moving to Tree Hill, for good.' Jake looked at her and Peyton nodded, it was then that his face dropped and he looked away. She was sure she'd seen water in his eyes but refused to believe it, he was Jake. One of the strongest people she knew.

'I'm sorry.' Peyton said and a few tears leaked from her eyes as her ex boyfriend turned around to face her.

'Don't be, I'm sorry, for everything.' Jake said and Peyton wrapped her arms around him tightly.

'Don't.' Peyton whispered and he closed his eyes, a broken look upon his face.

'I love you.' He whispered and Peyton closed her eyes tightly.

'Jake, but-'

'No but- please.' He said and she was relieved to hear a small chuckle. She pressed the palms of her hands against his cheeks and their foreheads touched,

'But- there's this guy…and I'm insanely in love with him and I can't do anything to change that.' Jake's eyes shut painfully his hand resting atop hers on his cheek. They stayed like that for a few moments until he sucked in a breath and withdrew himself from her grip.

He forced a smile and said, 'I know. Go- be happy. God knows, you deserve it.'

Peyton smiled at his selflessness and stepped forward, Jake opened the door of his apartment open for her and she stepped onto the street turning to face him. She leaned forward and pressed her lips to his cheek affectionately; it was a goodbye and even though Jake knew that it didn't stop him turning his head at the last moment to capture her lips. It was a goodbye, she knew and so she didn't stop it. It was a simple press of lips to lips, once…twice and then Jake pressed the palm of his hand to her cheek and Peyton knew he was about to deepen their innocent kiss to make it not so innocent anymore and so she pulled away.

'Tell Jenny I love her…and you too.'

He nodded with a small smile, knowing that Peyton wouldn't have complied with his wish to take things a little further...she loved someone else. Someone that wasn't him. Minutes later Peyton Sawyer stepped into a taxi and was out of his life forever.

The memory bit back at Peyton, there was a time in her life when she'd thought that she and Jake would be together forever. That was until Lucas Scott came into her life, because that boy changed everything for her. What she felt for him was real. Thinking of him she couldn't help but grin. She'd done the right thing; she would always hold Jake close to her heart but Lucas had her heart.

Her father walked out of the house instructing one of the delivery guys to leave their coffee machine in the kitchen and threw an arm around her shoulders when he reached her. They both stared at the house, their new home. She liked the sound of that word, it felt right.

'I love you Dad, thank you.'

'Love you too honey.' Larry smiled, placing a kiss atop her head. 'So have you seen that boy of yours yet?'

Peyton turned in surprise but her father's face held a smile, 'Peyt, I know you're dying to see him and anyone that can get you smiling like that is fine in my books. Anyway a large part of the reason for us moving is him…so I think its okay that you see Lucas.'

Peyton smiled at her father before saying softly, 'It's a bit late.'

'Peyton, its eight thirty. It's barely dark yet.'

'I know but you need some help…'

'The delivery guys are leaving now Peyt...'

'You need me to help you sort out the boxes and…'

'And now you're just making excuses.' Larry smiled. 'Go and see him.'

'We didn't leave our relationship in a great condition…' Peyton said looking at the ground. 'What if he's moved on?'

Larry sighed, 'Well then there's only one way to find out. Now are you going or do I have to take you there myself?'

Peyton smiled, 'I'm going.'

Larry sent her a wink and she sent him a wave as she walked away. She took a deep breath and changed her direction; she wasn't sure if she was ready yet. Instead she walked on until the breeze smelt salty. When she rounded the corner and saw the beach stretching in front of her she couldn't help but smile.

This was their spot.

She made her way slowly down to the shore, sitting far enough away so as not to get wet. She was pretty sure this was the exact place they'd sat on her first night in Tree Hill as well as her last night. She closed her eyes peacefully and wondered how she was going to approach Lucas…she didn't want to startle him and honestly, she didn't know whether he wanted to see her at all…

All of a sudden her motives for moving felt childish… perhaps he'd moved on… it was certainly possible…

Lucas panted as he dodged Nathan, slipping up on his bounce and sending the ball rolling away.

'Get it.' Nathan said curtly and Lucas walked away without any argument. He knew that Nathan was pissed, to tell the truth he was pissed. He couldn't get his head in the game, however much he tried. The brothers had been training twice as hard as usual for the basketball game. Game day was tomorrow and Lucas hadn't improved. It wasn't like he didn't try, he was just exhausted and… out of inspiration.

He walked slowly back onto the court and Nathan roughly grabbed the ball from his hands. Nathan had tried encouragement, sympathy and reassurance. Now he was pissed and so he'd moved onto another tactic, anger. It just seemed to be running Lucas more into the ground however. His expression pictured something of self loathing rather than quiet belief.

'Take another shot.' Nathan said his voice slightly softer. He passed the ball to Lucas and he squared his shoulders rolling the ball between his fingertips before releasing it. Like hundreds of times before that night it bounced off the rim and dropped. Lucas shoulder's dropped and he looked solidly at the concrete of the River Court as Nathan retrieved the ball.

'Again.' He said pressing the ball into Lucas' stomach.

'What's the point?' Lucas asked.

'What's the point?! The whole fucking point is to be able to let everything go for a couple of hours. To feel the quiet satisfaction of playing the game, to let all your worries and problems melt away… to feel nothing but exhilaration when you have a basketball in your hand… Can't you see that?' Nathan asked incredulously.

'I did.' Lucas said and his shoulders seemed to stoop even more. Nathan breathed heavily; he was trying very hard not to punch his brother.

'Pull your head out your ass Luke. I know that you're hurting and hey, I get that okay. But don't throw everything else away. Who knows what the future holds? You and Peyton will get your chance someday, I know it. But right now Luke, right now is what you should be concentrating on. I need you tomorrow, the team needs you. We need you to help us win this game. I can't do it on my own.'

Lucas looked up as his brother finished talking and the reassurance and determination in Nathan's eyes coupled with slight anger gave him hope somehow.

'I'm sorry.' He said but Nathan grinned clapping him on the shoulder a little harder than he would have usually done.

'Don't be. Now if you don't get this shot in I'm going to beat your ass.'

He tossed Lucas the ball and stood away slightly watching as his blonde brother took a deep breath, squared his feet and shoulders, pressed his lips together and jumped letting the ball roll out of his fingertips. Nathan couldn't help but grin in triumph when it flew through the net.

'Well that's more like it! A couple of those tomorrow and it'll be great.' Nathan smiled holding out his fist. Lucas let out a smile that Nathan realised he rarely saw anymore and accepted the gesture with his own.

Nathan rolled the ball through his hands as they walked in silence. It was dark and late but he thought that finally they'd made some progress. They made it to Lucas' house and Lucas turned around giving him a shy smile,

'Thanks man.' He said but Nathan shook his head,

'Don't thank me Luke, you're an amazing ball player, you're just a little…lost.'

Lucas nodded but patted his brother's back all the same giving him a smile too. He turned and walked down the path shoving his hands into his pockets but was stopped when Nathan spoke again,

'Oh and Luke…' He said and a smirk lit up his features. 'No secret visits to the beach tonight, you need to sleep man…'

'What…?' Lucas began but Nathan cut him off,

'I know you've been there every night… it's your spot.' He shrugged with a sad smile and gave his brother a wave before walking off leaving Lucas slightly surprised. He knew when Nathan said 'your spot' he was talking about Lucas and Peyton's spot. With that thought he smiled.

He had to play better tomorrow just because of the simple fact that his brother deserved it. The team deserved it.

Peyton took a deep breath before pulling the gym doors open and stepping inside. She'd been battling with herself for practically the whole game, it was only when her dad questioned why she wasn't with Lucas or the others that she made her way to the gym. She was nervous but excited, she'd wanted to see Lucas play since the summer. The din made her hesitate slightly but no-one was looking her way. Everyone's eyes were fixed on the basketball court where a competitive game had reached its final quarter. She found an empty seat five rows up on the end and stood there looking around Tree Hill High's gymnasium. Her eyes went to the cheerleaders and she smiled seeing Brooke and Haley waving their pom poms for the Ravens. Gradually her eyes shifted to the basketball court and straight away she noticed Nathan…strong and powerful, surging down the court dodging other players and bouncing the ball so quickly that it was practically a blur. He passed it at the edge of the circle and her breath caught in her throat as Lucas caught it. She watched his arms push the ball and his legs push off the floor, it seemed like such a fluid motion and when it went through the net his hand formed a fist of triumph as Nathan bumped his fist with a wink.

Peyton tore her eyes away from the sight that warmed her entire body to take a look at the scoreboard. Ravens were up by 3 with three minutes on the clock. She felt a flutter of nervousness which was quickly replaced by excitement as she watched the two Scott brothers play effortlessly as a team…in unison.

With one minute left to go her hands balled into fists with anticipation. Nathan drove from one side of the court to the other, faking a shot to pass to Lucas who was fouled on the top of the circle. She had to stop herself from yelling out as Lucas clutched his nose, the man beside him shrugging his shoulders as if not knowing how his elbow came to connect with Lucas' face.

30 seconds left and the ball was passed to Lucas again, he stood on the circle and shuffled his feet nervously… Peyton felt like any second she was about to have a heart attack.

This was it, the decider. The points were even, Lucas' three pointer decided the game…

Nathan bumped his fist with Lucas' and gave him a look,

'It doesn't mean anything if you can't hit down the shot.' He said and Lucas nodded.

The day had been full of basketball anticipation and it all came down to his shot. He had played better than he'd done for the last few weeks and he knew he had Nathan to thank for that. When Nathan looked at him he saw determination and reassurance, he believed he could do it. Lucas stood on the line and took a few seconds to look around the gymnasium before the whistle sounded. The sound of the crowd deafened him. This was the decider, were they going to the state championship…well the answer to that lay on his shoulders. He scanned a little more, turning the ball over in his hands and shuffling his feet. His eyes caught Haley's over by the cheer leaders and she gave him a wink and a nervous smile, Brooke stood beside her. He scanned the crowd quickly and a flash of blonde hair made his heart jolt, by the entrance…fifth row up… It couldn't be her…

He squinted to get a better look but then blinked turning around. His mind was playing tricks on him and he didn't need that distraction right now. However the thought of Peyton Sawyer in this gym made a grin light up his face.

That was all he needed to think of.

The whistle sounded and with his mind full of Peyton he took the shot. He jumped up onto the balls of his feet and let the basketball slide gracefully out of his fingertips.

It all seemed to happen in slow motion and he felt his throat constricting. Hoping against hope…

He seemed to react seconds later than everyone else, the gymnasium roared and people thumped him and yelled in his ear before he'd even seemed to see the basketball go whooshing through the net. Nathan was upon him, whacking him repeatedly on the back before the team caught up and he was pulled onto their shoulders. The din was terrifying, screaming and yelling overtook his senses.

Yet over the crowd's hysteria and the heads of hundreds of people he scanned the crowds. Looking for the girl with curly blonde hair… the girl he was sure he'd recognise anywhere… the girl he wanted by his side. He located her pushing her way through the crowds and his breath caught in his throat. It was Peyton, he was sure of it.

He fought to be let down and even as people continued to punch his shoulders and clap him on the back all he could see was Peyton Sawyer. He pushed through the crowd his heart doing somersaults, it couldn't be her… it just couldn't be.

Then they were facing each other, ten feet apart and Lucas' heart felt like it was failing. It was his girl. Peyton Sawyer.

She was wearing a grin that made his heart race but the vulnerability was clear to see in her eyes and there was a certain shyness about her,

'Nice shot!' She smirked and he closed his eyes, it was her all right. He'd never forget that southern twang. He opened his eyes and couldn't help, despite his shock, smile back. His eyes took in her appearance, including the denim skirt and before he could stop himself he said, 'Nice legs.'

Her cheeks tinted red and he was hit again by how beautiful she really was. He closed the gap between them in two strides pulling her into his arms and wrapping his arms around her so tightly that for a second neither could breathe. All too soon he pulled away from her holding her at arms length,

'It's you…' He said and the shock and underlying love that those two words carried made her fall for him even more. Two words and yet they were making her go a little weak at the knees. When he didn't elaborate she smiled,

'Ol' Peyton Sawyer…' She murmured and again he heard that twang in her voice that he'd missed so intensely. He laughed and pulled her to him again, a hand resting at her waist and another stroking her cheek.

'It's you…' He said again and seemed too in shock to do anything else but stare at her.

'Are you ever going to kiss me?' She asked with a slight roll of her eyes and he chuckled low in his throat. His eyes sparkled in a way that Peyton was sure made her fall a little more and in a second he'd pressed his lips urgently onto hers. Peyton felt her heart leap practically out of her chest as she responded to his kiss straight away. Their tongues met furiously and Peyton suddenly felt dizzy.

Lucas broke away abruptly and let out a laugh while Peyton let out a small groan, 'If I'm dreaming, I don't want to wake up…' He stated and Peyton responded by placing a hand on the back of his neck and pulling his lips to hers once more with a smile. His tongue found hers once more and with new found energy that made her wonder whether he had actually just played a competitive basketball game, he lifted her off her feet and turned them around slowly.

Best. Game. Ever.

The five friends sat in the kitchen of Peyton Sawyer's new house. All four seemed to be in a daze as Peyton recounted her story of how and why she was now living in Tree Hill. She had to stop abruptly several times as Lucas randomly decided to kiss her, leaving the other three to look at different parts of the kitchen in turn.

'I can't believe it.' Nathan said his smile was so wide that Peyton thought it might actually hurt the muscles in his cheeks.

Nathan, Haley and Brooke had seen Lucas with a girl at the basketball game and Nathan had stormed over to yell at him before nearly having a heart attack on realising it was Peyton. He'd let out a yell and pulled her into a hug nearly as tight as the one Lucas had given her. Haley and Brooke had then pounced pulling her into a three way hug that soon became an awkward five way hug.

'It's just…amazing.' Haley said happily and Peyton winked at her as Lucas wrapped his arm around her shoulders.

'So amazing…' Brooke agreed with a grin and a small squeal.

'Good game by the way.' Peyton said a minute later.

Nathan shrugged, 'Piece of cake. Wasn't even worth giving Luke extra coaching sessions…'

Lucas glared at him and Nathan let out a laugh before shrugging again.

'Extra coaching… why? You were awesome…' Peyton said with surprise.

'I couldn't really…concentrate.' Lucas said looking at the table embarrassed.

'He couldn't stop visiting your spot on the beach more like…' Nathan winked and Haley said with a sigh, 'Nathan.'

'That is kind of adorable…' Brooke smirked but Lucas kept his eyes on the table. Peyton placed a hand on his cheek and his eyes met hers,

'Well guess where I spent all of last night… our spot.' She whispered her eyes sparkling and Lucas swore he fell just a little more before pressing his lips to hers again.

'They are so sweet…' Brooke said with a happy sigh.

'…sickening more like.' Nathan muttered and Peyton without even breaking their lips threw the dishcloth at him. He stuck his tongue out at her and before they could say anything else the back door opened and Larry stepped into the kitchen with a smile. Lucas and Peyton quickly broke away as Larry turned to the table,

'Good game boys.' He said with a grin and Lucas and Nathan smiled back bashfully.

Lucas cleared his throat and said much to everyone's surprise, 'Mr Sawyer, could I have a word?'

Larry turned in surprise but nodded. Lucas stood from the table and Peyton stood with him, 'What're you doing?' She whispered.

'Don't worry.' Lucas answered with a small smile, he kissed Peyton's forehead, let go of her hand and followed Larry out of the kitchen.

'What is Lucas playing at?' Peyton hissed to the other three.

'For once, I actually have no idea…' Haley said with a shake of her head.

'Probably asking if he can propose, knowing Lucas.' Nathan snorted but as he caught the eye of Brooke and Haley his face grew serious, 'Oh my god, no way! He wouldn't…'

'Don't be so ridiculous…' Peyton said with a huff, sitting down again with a sigh.

'It's not so ridiculous…' Haley amended.

'Coming from the abnormal people who got married at sixteen…' Brooke said with a roll of her eyes,

'…yeah, to us normal teenager's marriage at this age is ridiculous.' Peyton added.

Nathan shrugged and kissed Haley on the lips before saying, 'It worked for us.'

'Did you not hear me call you abnormal?' Brooke said and Peyton laughed. However she couldn't stop her knee jigging up and down in anxiousness.

Why did Lucas want to talk to her father?

Lucas held out his hand as soon as they were out of ear shot.

'Thank you Mr Sawyer…' He said hesitantly. Larry regarded the boy before him for a split second, his eyes were nervous, 'Lucas…' He replied and took the younger boys hand before giving him a grin. Lucas face broke out into an identical one.

'Thank you for doing this; for giving up your life in Los Angeles for one here in Tree Hill, it must have been a huge inconvenience for you but thank you I… I really do love your daughter.'

Larry smiled at Lucas' words, 'I think the feelings mutual kid…anyway it was all with selfish intentions. I couldn't live with seeing her so…broken everyday.'

Lucas swallowed compulsively and looked at the floor; it was hard to think that he'd done that. Larry watched as Lucas' expression contorted and he placed his hand on the younger man's shoulder, 'Don't dwell on the past, live for the future.'

Lucas looked up and smiled dimly. He wouldn't forgive himself for the pain he'd inflicted but Larry's words reminded him of the one's his mother had told him,

Time heals all wounds.

'I won't hurt her.' Lucas promised and Larry gave him another smile,

'I know you won't, kid…'

'…and I know I didn't make a good impression in the summer but I really want to try and show you how much Peyton really means to me…' Lucas said, he realised he was rambling but he had no other clue of how to express his thanks to Peyton's father.

'Look Lucas I'm not looking for proof. I've already seen that…'

Lucas looked at him with a confused expression and Larry sighed, 'Don't tell Peyton I told you because she would kill me for looking through her stuff but… I saw the pictures of her summer here and…she was so much happier. You did that. That was my proof that what you two had was real…'

Lucas smiled with a small blush, he had a small idea of what those pictures would have contained and he felt a little embarrassed. Some weren't exactly appropriate for a father to see…

'Thank you again Mr Sawyer.'

'Easiest decision I've ever made…' Larry replied shaking his head, waving away his thanks. Lucas gave him a nod and a smile before turning to head back into the kitchen, however Larry's voice stopped him,

'Oh and Lucas…call me Larry.'

Lucas smirked and nodded and Larry finished their conversation with a smile and a wink ushering him back into the kitchen.

Peyton had no chance to ask Lucas what the talk was about because as soon as he stepped back into the kitchen the back door opened and Karen walked in, it was obvious as Larry and Karen embraced that Larry had called her. Ignoring the other four teenagers in the room Karen turned to Peyton who gave her a nervous smile before she'd been pulled out of her chair and swept up in a hug so strong that she felt like the wind had been knocked out of her.

'It's so good to see you sweetheart…' Karen whispered for only her to hear and Peyton smiled, her eyes filling with water slightly. She closed them and instead responded to Karen's hug. It felt like a motherly hug and that fact made her heart swell rather than ache like she thought it would.

As Karen joined the table with a cup of coffee for herself it was obvious that she was thrilled Larry and Peyton had moved. The conversation flowed easily between the seven of them and Lucas couldn't help but place a hand on Peyton's leg under the table squeezing slightly. She looked at him with a smile and he winked before she placed her hand over his, lacing their fingers together.

A cough made them focus their attention on Karen and Larry instead.

'So now that's we've…officially moved…' Larry said and Lucas and Peyton simultaneously picked up their drinks to take a sip. 'I think we should go over some…ground rules.'

Coffee spluttered out of Lucas' mouth and Peyton choked on what she'd already begun to drink. It took them several minutes to realise that Larry and Karen were actually smiling, evidently Larry knew about the 'talk' Karen had given them. Nathan, Haley and Brooke had all nearly choked as well but then burst into laughter.

The sight of Lucas and Peyton's embarrassed and red faces was enough to push both Larry and Karen over the edge into laughter too.

'Not funny…' Lucas muttered as he and Peyton looked at each other sheepishly. Peyton couldn't help but let out a relieved chuckle and the sight of it made Lucas smile as he held up her hand and pressed his lips to it.

After an hour Karen went home and Larry went to unpack and so seven became five again. However after another half an hour everyone was feeling tired. Haley and Brooke hugged Peyton individually giving her a grin that told her they were over the moon to have her in Tree Hill and Nathan pulled her against his chest, wrapping his strong arms around her,

'It's great to have you back Sawyer.' He whispered into her hair, something which she only just caught. She pulled back and smiled at him and he gave her a wink before following his wife out of the door.

Peyton shut the door behind them and turned around to find Lucas staring at her.

'What?' She asked slightly self consciously.

'I just… I still can't believe it.' He whispered. Peyton walked closer to him and he pulled her against himself when she was close enough.

'Start believing…' She smirked and pressed her lips against his. Lucas' hand went for the back of her head pressing their lips more forcefully together. Peyton abruptly broke away,

'I forgot to ask… What in the world were you and my father talking about, being all secretive?'

Lucas pulled her into his arms again with a smile, 'That's between me and your dad.'

'Nerd.' She said with a pout. 'Well I'm assuming it wasn't too bad as he didn't chase you out of the house with a baseball bat…'

'He's done that?' Lucas asked with wide eyes stepping away from her. Peyton started to shake her head but Lucas smiled and stepped forward again, pressing a finger to her lips, 'I don't think a baseball bat would stop me from seeing you, I might have to do with a few broken bones but I'd find a way of being with you.'

Peyton closed her eyes with a sigh of happiness which Lucas thought was the sexiest thing he'd ever heard. Before she could open her eyes he kissed her and another sigh of happiness died in her throat. What felt like seconds later the sound of her father's footsteps coming down the stairs ended their embrace.

'Come by tomorrow.' She said to him and gave Lucas a quick kiss that left him only wanting more. He nodded and couldn't resist pressing his lips to hers one last time before Larry entered the kitchen,

'Bye Mr Sawyer… Larry.' He said and bowed his head slightly; he knew his face was far too flushed to be innocent.

'Bye Lucas.' Larry answered and Lucas couldn't help but give Peyton a peck on the lips again before he darted out of the house. The cool air outside hit his face and he let out a sigh of relief, he shoved his hands into his pockets and walking home he contemplated the whole evening.

Barely twenty four hours ago he was lonely, hurting and in love with someone living hundreds of miles away. Now… everything that he'd forgotten how to feel were reawakened in his heart, by the arrival of Peyton Sawyer.

'So run it by me again… why do you want your room painted red?' Lucas asked.

She sighed and placed down her paintbrush, placing a hand on her hip. 'I like red.'

'It looks like…' He struggled to find a word and in his hesitance he caught Peyton's eye. She didn't look pleased, one eyebrow was raised and she'd placed a hand on her hip. She actually looked adorable in her ripped jeans and tee shirt. As they'd be spending the day painting her room she'd pulled her hair into a high pony tail, but strands had fallen down here and there framing her face and making her look adorable. He smirked and stepped forward, placing down his paintbrush, and pulling her to him by the hips. 'I meant it looks nice.' He amended.

'Sure you did.' Peyton said and pressed her paintbrush to his face with a smirk.

'You didn't just do that.' Lucas said placing a finger to his cheek, he looked at the fingertip and saw the red paint.

'Oh I so did.'

'Funny.' Lucas said releasing her and picking up his paintbrush as she giggled.

'You wouldn't…' Peyton said as he walked closer to her, she backed away as he smirked raising an eyebrow as though questioning the matter. Her back reached the wall and she realised she had no where else to go. Distraction was what she needed so without hesitating she reached out and her fingers fixed around Lucas' belt loops. He looked at her in surprise and she smirked while pulling his hips against hers. He groaned, closing his eyes and saying softly,

'Well played.'

She barely had time to chuckle before his lips were on hers hungrily. She wrapped her arms around his neck pulling him down to her and he pressed his hips into hers again, this time Peyton moaned at the contact. After a minute he moved from her lips to her neck, her mouth opened with a silent moan as he kissed the spot just behind her ear. Then she realised something that made her inadvertently laugh…Lucas raised his head with confusion, his breathing uneven and his eyes slightly darker.

'What?' He breathed in confusion. Then his eyes clouded over with understanding, 'We just painted this wall didn't we?' He asked with a grin.

'I think so.' Peyton mused, she pushed him away lightly and stepped away from the wall. Looking back at it, it was smudged where her body had pushed against it and their was a hand print where she was sure was just to the right of where her head had been.

'Did you do that?' She asked pointing to the print. Lucas shrugged with a grin, 'You should see your back right now.'

'Great.' Peyton said with a sigh and then a laugh. 'That took us ages and we messed it up in like…a minute.'

Lucas shrugged, 'A pretty good minute.' He smirked wiggling his eyebrows. 'Why don't we keep it, as a momento…'

'Oh yeah great idea…' Peyton said sarcastically. 'So when my dad asks why there's a hand print on my wall I'll just be like that's where me and Lucas made out…that's his hand.'

'I see your point.' Lucas said thoughtfully, stepping closer to her. 'Well seeing as you're already covered in paint…' He finished his sentence by brushing his paintbrush across her cheek. Peyton's mouth fell open in shock and she took a minute to compose herself.

'Red goes really well with blonde…don't ya think?' She asked with fake interest taking her paint brush and flicking it at him, it landed in his hair and over his face.

'Peyton Sawyer, you're going down.' He said with a grin dipping his brush in the paint can.

'No…' She said holding out her hand as a warning, 'Lucas, no!'

Nathan pushed open the front door after knocking it a few times, 'Hello.' He called but got no answer. He shrugged to Brooke and Haley who stood by him.

'They've probably already started painting.'

'Shall we just…go up then?' Haley asked.

'Sure.' Nathan shrugged again, leading the way. He paused at the foot of the stairs and said, 'Peyton.'

Silence seemed to be his answer. He took the stairs two at a time and had to wait for the other two to catch up with him. He gave them a look as if to ask where they were going to go now, but before he could actually ask the question giggling stopped him, followed by a small thump and a laugh that he was sure was Lucas'.

Leading the way again Nathan followed the noises and rounded the corner of the last bedroom on the right. He propped himself up against the door frame and Haley and Brooke peered around him in curiosity.

Lucas was lying flat on his back on the floor, Peyton straddling his waist and they seemed to be…wrestling. Nathan raised his eyebrows at his wife and friend but their expressions nearly made him gag. It was the epitome of the expression girls get when they find something too adorable for words. He cleared his throat loudly and the giggling abruptly stopped,

'What in hell are you two doing?' He asked in such a stern voice that Lucas and Peyton looked over to the door in alarm. Seeing Nathan grinning, and Haley and Brooke looking at them as if they were two star crossed lovers from a romantic movie, made their shoulders drop in relief and Peyton giggled again before carefully standing up. She turned her back towards them and all three couldn't help but laugh at the fact that the whole of her back was covered in red paint. Then Lucas pointed at his cheek and hair which was streaked with red too.

'Oh you're having a paint fight.' Brooke smirked in approval.

'Only coz he ruined my wall that we spent ages painting.' Peyton grumbled and Lucas opened his mouth indignantly.

'Me?' He asked, shocked. 'I think it takes two Peyt.' He smirked and Peyton couldn't help but smile and blush.

'So do you actually need any help?' Nathan asked.

'Yes!' Peyton said quickly, 'If you leave us we won't get anything done. Well…'

'I detect an innuendo Sawyer…I've taught you well.' Nathan smirked and everyone laughed while Peyton blushed again.

They all grabbed paint brushes and set to work, five minutes later and Nathan pointed to the hand print and smudges on her wall.

'What happened- actually do I really need to know?' He asked rephrasing his question after a second of thought.

Lucas and Peyton looked at each other, grinned and said together, 'No.'

The weekend passed in a happy blur but, even though Peyton didn't mention it out loud once to anyone, her daunting first day at Tree Hill High had approached. She realised that officially when Lucas turned up on her doorstep on Monday morning, equipped with a huge smile.

'Ready for Tree Hill High.' He beamed when she opened the door, she gave a smile that practically came out as a grimace and grabbed her bag yelling a goodbye to her father.

'Good luck!' He yelled back. Peyton closed her eyes with a sigh; she was going to need it. However she plastered a fake smile onto her face linked her hand into Lucas' and they walked down her drive. She took a look at Lucas when she realised his car wasn't here.

'Did you walk here?' She asked.

'Yeah, it's a nice day… I thought we could walk. Give you chance to get your nerves in check.' He smiled a comforting smile and yet Peyton felt a little agitated,

'I'm not nervous.' She said and Lucas squeezed her hand in reassurance.

They walked in silence and all it did was help to intensify Peyton's butterflies. What if none of the teachers liked her? What if none of her peers liked her? What if she had no classes with Lucas, Nathan, Haley or Brooke and was left alone…? What if she hadn't got the right equipment? What if she wasn't wearing the right thing?! She looked down at her jeans and shirt ensemble and then took a fleeting look at Lucas' 'uniform'. He was wearing jeans too, with a white tee shirt covered with a light blue shirt. She looked at herself again and heard Lucas sigh,

'What's up?' He asked.

'Nothing.' Peyton said automatically.

'Come on Peyt.' He said and his tone was slightly mocking.

'How do you know there's something wrong?' Peyton asked trying to remain casual.

'I've known since the moment you opened your door.'

Peyton looked at him in surprise but he shrugged, 'I didn't want to push you, but I would like it if you told me what's going on. You can tell me you know.'

'I know.' Peyton said quietly looking at the tarmac beneath their feet. Lucas stopped walking and tilted her thin up with a finger; his eyes were concerned as they gazed into hers. The lines on his face more prominent as a result.

'I'm nervous…' Peyton started and Lucas' face evened out straight away, he actually let out a small chuckle… 'It's not funny!' Peyton retorted slapping his chest. He continued to chuckle but pulled her to him in the process, 'Seriously, it's not!' Peyton said again and Lucas stopped with a smile,

'Ok, I'm sorry. But what have you possibly got to be nervous about…?'

'Well…' Peyton started but hesitated, all her previous thoughts were scrambling into one, then suddenly one utterly terrifying possibility outweighed all the rest. 'What if…I'm not registered as enrolling… or your school is full and they can't fit me in and then I have to go back to LA…then the school there has filled my place and oh god, I have to move to another state…but there's no room for me so I have to move out of the country!' Peyton said it all so fast that it took Lucas a moment to process and then the fact that Peyton was almost hyperventilating stopped him from laughing out loud.

'Peyt, breathe.' He said and Peyton nodded drawing in a breath. 'Not one of those situations is possible.' He reassured with a smile and when Peyton still looked nervous he pressed his lips lightly to hers, reassuring her in a non verbal way. Somehow Peyton felt her tense shoulders relax slightly and melted into his kiss.

'There's nothing to be worried about, I promise.' Lucas said as he broke away, his hand on her cheek and his thumb rubbing her cheek tenderly. His gaze was so intense that she considered asking him to skip school with her so that they could go back to her newly painted bedroom.

'So, Sawyer, you're first day at Tree Hill High didn't suck at all did it?' Nathan asked pushing away Lucas' arm from around her shoulders and slinging his own around her instead.

'No it did not suck.' Peyton agreed with a smile.

'I told you.' Lucas smirked kissing her cheek when she scowled.

'Hey!' They heard the shout behind them and all three turned around to see Haley and Brooke rushing towards them.

'Today was amazing…' Brooke said nudging Nathan out of the way so she could link arms with Peyton.

Peyton smiled again and had to admit she felt relieved at how well the day had gone. She'd even enjoyed most of it. The start was just plain humiliating; the principal insisted that he should introduce her in front of the whole year. This was punctuated as soon as she stepped into the room after Principal Turner gave his little speech telling them basically to 'be nice'.

'Yo !'

She'd turned startled and seen Skills out of his seat and nodding at her with a grin,

'Glad you came back baby!' He yelled and she gave him a wave with a blush before Turner had 'shh-ed' the laughing audience. After that the introduction didn't matter as much, she just said her name and where she used to live and kept eye contact with Lucas the whole way through. He calmed her completely. What she did not except was Rachel, Skills, Bevin, Chase and Mouth rushing up to her afterwards and pulling her into individual hugs exclaiming how glad they were to have her back.

Well in slightly varied forms,

'Wow I'm glad your skinny ass is back in town Sawyer, it was truly dull without you… no gossip at all… plus now I don't have to hit on Lucas to cheer him up.' That comment came from Rachel and Peyton could see the sentiment behind the sentence, deep behind it. Plus Lucas had assured her afterwards that he definitely would not have hooked up with Rachel; it had made her smile and kiss him very publicly at the lunch table.

No one in Tree Hill High then doubted why this blonde girl had moved to the school. The answer was the blonde boy attached to her hip.

Lucas and Peyton lingered behind as Nathan, Haley, Brooke and Chase started walking away.

'I admit, it was a good day.' Peyton said turning to look at Lucas, he was just smiling.

'Thank you.'

'You're welcome. I'm not sure what I did but still…'

Peyton laughed, 'For being there, thank you for just…being there. It made it all so much easier.'

Lucas smiled tucking a curl behind her ear and leaning in, Peyton closed her eyes in anticipation to the kiss she knew was about to happen. However she felt his breath against her ear and before she could open her eyes he'd whispered,

'I love you.'

The words sent a shiver down Peyton's spine and she opened her eyes slowly to see his face inches away from hers, apparently he hadn't finished talking,

'Seriously...I'm so in love with you that-' Peyton cut him off with a kiss that quickly ended his thought processes and he cupped her cheek deepening it despite the fact that they were standing outside their school. Their school, the thought spurred him on and made his heart beat that tiny bit faster. He would be forever grateful to Peyton for moving for him and he was going to show how grateful he was…as much as he could.

However they were roughly pulled apart with a squeal as Brooke bounded up to them, pushing Lucas out of the way to get to Peyton. Peyton looked startled and Lucas cursed,

'I just bit my tongue!' He growled at Brooke.

'You should keep it in your own mouth then.' She smirked sticking her tongue out at him. 'Anyway I've just thought of something!'

She looked so happy that it made Peyton chuckle especially with the death glares that Lucas was giving her.

'Oh, oh, oh!' Brooke exclaimed jumping up excitedly. 'This is going to be awesome!'

Nathan, Haley and Chase joined them at the moment Peyton said, 'What's awesome?'

'I just realised… since you're now officially a member of Tree Hill High you can now be a cheerleader for the Tree Hill Ravens!!'

Nathan, Lucas and Haley snorted with laughter at the look of horror on Peyton's face that Brooke didn't seem to notice as she hugged her.

'Oh this is going to be awesome!' She beamed and then hurried off shouting over her shoulder, 'I'm going to arrange a uniform!'

'Great.' Peyton murmured as Haley gave her a sympathetic look.

'Hey, look on the bright side.' Lucas said and Peyton looked at him with incredulity,

'What can possibly be the bright side?'

Lucas raised his eyebrows suggestively and pulled her gently by the hips closer to him, 'You, in that skirt, are going to look extra hot…which means...' He smirked and raised an eyebrow.

'Ew.' Haley said as Peyton pulled herself that little bit closer to Lucas, a smirk in place and an eyebrow cocked too.

'Seriously, I would not have got away with that type of comment.' Nathan complained which made Peyton laugh.

'Cuz you're a perv.'

'And he isn't?!' Nathan spluttered and Peyton stuck her tongue out at him before looking back at Lucas who seemed to be looking increasingly attractive every second. The fact that his fingers had somehow found their way to her skin between the shirt she was wearing and her jeans was also…very distracting.

'My dads going on a job tonight for a few days…' Peyton said to Lucas in a low voice and Lucas had to swallow before answering, as though it was actually difficult,

'Let's go.' He said and the huskiness to his tone made Peyton grab his hand and pull him along.

'Bye then!' Nathan called with a smirk, 'They are insatiable.'

'They're in love.' Haley shrugged as they watched Lucas pull Peyton down the street; if they walked any faster they'd be running.

Nathan grinned taking hold of Haley's hand,

'I can't argue with that. This is the way it's supposed to be.'

One Word= Sorry!

Okay and a few more words... I had so many ideas for the last two chapters of the fic and i wrote this out... was half way through updating when i realised i actually wanted to change it completely... hope you like the end result anyway!!

Thanks for the continuing support and this chapter is quite long... i hope that's not a problem! But anyways, thank you and Sorry again for the wait! Life is too hectic sometimes... Haha.