You can hide them. You can pretend they don't exist. You can put them in a place deep inside of you and store them away for a long time. But no matter what you do with your feelings, they'll come out one way or another, sooner or later.

The radio played the perfect song, Ocean Breathes Salty by Modest Mouse. They felt awkward being so close to each other after everything that had happened. The storm outside had paused a little. It was as if the forces of nature had calmed just for a moment. It was like fate had slowed everything down for something important enough to stop time. The raindrops hit the car windows and mimicked a sound that could almost be confused for hope...but just as fast as they fell, they slid down the glass and inevitably spattered on the ground. Clouds of lighting filled the sky, their electric force like eyes burning with fire. The song on the radio changed to Ironic by Alanis Morissette and a hand reached to turn it up so that it became impossible to think anything else. He stared at her, but didn't move an inch. Her eyes were focused on the trees whispering secrets between each other, a deer dragging a branch across the road, the headlights passing them by...anything but the pair of gorgeous blue eyes next to her. She tried to think of everything but him. In the end she gave in and decided conversation would make this easier.

"So aren't all these people stupid...passing by us but not stopping to see if we need some help. I mean, isn't it obvious? We stopped to have a picnic in the middle of a storm, of course." Lucas laughed. It wouldn't be Peyton if she didn't have something to complain about.

"What's so funny? I'm serious. They could give us a hand." She went on expressing her opinion.

"Yea, but they aren't. People are like that. Besides, it's not so bad. Nathan and Haley will be here soon and meanwhile we'll be fine." It's when they show up that everyone has to be afraid of. Lucas thought, but left unsaid.

"We're everything but fine."

"What's that supposed to mean?"

"I mean come on Luke, after everything that's happened between us we're just going to sit here together for who knows how long and act like everything's ok?"

"You're right. Nothing's ok for us. Which is exactly why we're here. We wanted to get away from everything for a while and now we are." Lucas said to her louder than he meant to.

"What's going on with you?" She asked concerned.

"Nothing."

Peyton gave him that "yeah right" look and he spilled. "It's just stuff with Haley. I don't really want to talk about it and I have a feeling you don't want to talk either."

"What?" She looked at him confused.

"I mean look around us. The car ride, the storm, the crash...doesn't it all feel like fate?"

---

"Let's rewrite an ending that fits instead of a Hollywood horror."

-Nickelback

"You aren't going to answer that, are you?" Keith said curiously to Karen as she started to reach for her ringing cell phone. The two of them stood in the doorway of the café, their eyes seeing nothing but each other.

"No, I'm sure it can wait." The storm outside began to build up. Karen didn't notice Lucas' number on the phone as she turned it off. "Why don't you come inside and have a cup of coffee?"

"I'd like that."

The rain outside painted a mood for all that saw it. Beauty trapped in almost unseen drops fell, affecting everything it touched. You become someone else in the rain...the impossible suddenly becomes possible...and dreams turn into reality.

---

"It´s like rain on your wedding day. It´s a free ride when you´ve already paid. It´s the good advice that you just didn´t take...It´s like ten thousand spoons when all you need is a knife. It´s meeting the man of my dreams...and then meeting his beautiful wife. Isn't it ironic?" -Alanis Morissette

"What's going on?" Haley asked as she noticed Nathan grabbing his keys.

"Lucas and Peyton got into a car crash. They're stuck out in the middle of nowhere in the storm. I'm gonna go get them." He said as he reached for the doorknob.

"Wait. I'm going with you."

"What about Kali?"

"I guess she'll be coming with us." She said as she grabbed a coat for Kali and herself and followed Nathan out the door.

What am I doing? Haley thought as they got into the car. After I saw him with Denisse I thought I'd never speak to him again, yet here I am only a few hours later heading into the middle of a storm.

Haley stared back at her lonely house as it shrunk from her view. Rain dripped from the rooftop and splashed into puddles on the porch. The sound of the water hitting everything in sight was peaceful, until Kali turned on the radio. Haley couldn't make out a thing they said. All she heard was yelling and banging on drums.

"How do you listen to this crap?" Nathan asked the small child.

"I like the chaos." Kali said back with a grin. Then she turned the stereo up louder to drown out anything else he decided to say. Nathan laughed. "I used to think this was my car." He said to Haley as they drove along the nearly flooded winding road to the mountain...but she didn't even pretend to acknowledge his words. She was already somewhere else.

Haley didn't say a word as they drove. Unlike Peyton and Lucas ride, they didn't go through any emotional adventure. Nathan concentrated on the road and getting there as soon as possible. Kali head banged to apparently one of her favorite songs. While Haley just sat there, completely blank, the way you get when you tried all you could but failed anyway...the way you feel when all your hope turns to dust...and she had no idea that the worst was yet to come.

---

"and everything you're chasing just seems to leave you empty..." –Goo Goo Dolls

"Fate?" Peyton said as her face got even more perplexed.

"Yea, fate. I believe there's a reason for everything. We're supposed to be right here, right now."

"And you're point is?"

"I...I don't know." He stuttered, himself not knowing exactly where he was going with this. He tilted his head downwards and stayed silent, wondering what or who Haley was doing right now.

"Luke..."

"Wha-" He started as he looked up but he stopped, finding Peyton's lips on his own. He pushed her back for a second before remembering events of earlier in the day. Then he kissed her. Without thinking Peyton laid back on the car seat and Lucas followed her down. The storm outside became alive again and thunder could be heard screaming in the distance. Things got more intense. Lucas started breathing harder and Peyton nearly tore off his shirt. That's when they heard another car approaching them. It would've seemed like any other car passing them by...except for the sound of loud metal music coming from the interior.

"Hey, isn't that Peyton's car?" Haley said as Nathan stopped the car. "...but where are they?"

---

I know this story has the potential to end up really sad but don't worry, I'm a firm believer in happy endings. In my next chapter will be a change in tune. Please Review!!!