Summery: Different take on life in Tree Hill. Peyton is a 16 year old in love with a guy who will never be good enough for her in the eyes of her father. Lucas has done a lot of bad things, living the life of a thug but is trying to change for love. Leyton all the way.

Disclaimer: I don't own any characters from One Tree Hill, just the situations they are in

Chapter 4:

The next morning Lucas awoke to see his girlfriend still lay in his arms. Images of the night before running through his mind. It could not have been more perfect, she could not be more perfect. He looked down at her, her loosely curled locks slightly messier than usual. She had a slight grin on her face, he loved that, it showed that she had had a peaceful sleep. He was glad that she felt so safe with him; she was the only person other than his boys and Haley that had ever given him a chance to show how caring he could be. She would always be the only one for him and he knew this. Why else would he feel at such ease? He knew from the first moment he had seen her that she was different.

Flashback

Lucas was helping his mom in the café. As usual he was thinking of new ways to get quick money, after all he knew he wanted new sneakers but could never afford them off his wage at the café alone. It was a slow morning as always and so he was just hanging around talking to Haley. She was in her own world, rambling on about something or other, typical Haley. He loved that though, she was just so natural and he was proud to say she was the only girl he knew that was real.

The day was dragging and he just wanted it to be closing time until she walked in. She was so hot, it was undeniable. She just radiated beauty from every inch of her. That plaid skirt, the 'Get Up Kids' T she was wearing covered by that sexy leather jacket. Who was this girl? She looked so perfect, if a little unconventional. He had to have her. After all his bad boy image attracted so many girls. She was carrying a black folder in her hand and looked slightly unhappy but this just intrigued him even more than he was before.

She walked over casually, obviously not realizing how mesmerizing she was. Her long legs making his mouth water slightly. As she got closer he knew he recognized her, she went to his school. A cheerleader. He wasn't in school too much, she probably didn't even know his name but she soon would. He smiled to himself, thinking of all the ways he could probably get this girl.

'Hey, can I get a cup of coffee?' Haley went to serve her but he put his hand in front of her, 'It's ok, I got this one.' He smirked towards Peyton as he started to make her drink; she just rolled her eyes at him. 'Here you go' he smiled and handed her the cup. She just placed her money on the counter, said thanks and turned to walk out. Right then he knew she was different. Usually girls seemed to endlessly flirt with him, usually causing Haley to roll her eyes but this girl hadn't even given him a second look. That's when he knew he had to find a way to get her.

End Of Flashback

And he ended up doing just that. Lucas smiled to himself at the thought of it all. As he looked down upon her, he lightly brushed the hair away from her face to get a clearer look. Still as beautiful as ever. He didn't understand how someone like her could love him as much as she did but he honestly didn't care. She was his, that was all that mattered. She stirred lightly, as he stared at her. She was so cute, the way she scrunched her nose when she was dreaming, he memorized every single feature, and he had done that before he first got sent to juvy. He needed something to keep him going and she was that one thing. He couldn't help falling in love with her. No other girl could understand it, so many had tried to get to the status Peyton had reached for him but none ever succeeded, they all just thought, what has she got that I haven't? The answer was simple. Everything.

This was a good morning; he loved waking up next to her. This was something he rarely got to do anymore considering the father factor and so he was just relishing holding her. It was early and so he knew she wouldn't wake up just yet. She never was the earliest of risers, another thing he found cute about her. His mind wandered back to their first date. He had only wanted to get laid at first but as the night had progressed it wasn't about that anymore. She was true girlfriend material, something he had truly never considered before.

Flashback

They had been sat at the river court for a while now; he had made her a picnic. He could be romantic when he wanted to be, considering making a girl feel special was the best way to get her into bed. This was different though, that thought hadn't crossed his mind since he had picked her up for the evening. She was so interesting; he could just listen to her all night. He never was the greatest listener but he did this time because what she was saying actually kept his interest. After they got done talking he decided to get her up. He had brought his basketball with him and wanted to teach her to shoot; she was a cheerleader but probably had never even made a shot in the game she constantly cheered for.

'So what are we doing?' 'I just want to teach you how to shoot, see if you're any good'. Peyton just smiled as he stepped behind her, placing the ball in her hands. His hands gently found his way to her hips as he positioned her. 'Just square your shoulders to the basket, place the ball higher, and just shoot.' Peyton did as he stated and took a shot. She smiled as the ball swished through the net. He was a good teacher but she didn't want him to get big headed or anything. She smiled and turned around. He was so close, and staring intently at her. Usually she would have made a sarcastic comment but this time her mind was a blank. He stepped closer and gently cupped her face. She stood frozen but knew this was what she wanted. He moved closer to her and she closed her eyes. Finally their lips met in a beautiful but passionate kiss. Their first kiss. The kiss that would change everything for them.

End of Flashback

As he came back from his own world Peyton was awake and looking at him. She knew he was deep in thought because he has spaced out completely. He looked down at her and smiled. 'Hey' he smiled, 'Hey yourself....so what were you thinking about?' 'You' 'Ok corny, but cute' she laughed to herself, as he lent down and kissed her. They just smiled at each other and lay there in silence for a moment, until Karen came into the room. 'Morning you too, I made breakfast if anyone's hungry?' Peyton smiled, 'starving' and jumped up to go downstairs. Lucas just rolled his eyes and followed, she was so skinny but she ate like such a horse.

Later That Day

Peyton had left Lucas' earlier in the day and had gone home to get changed. As usual her father wasn't home and so she just lay drawing, sketching her night with Lucas on his mom. The caption 'true happiness'. After she had finished Haley walked in.

Haley: Hey Peyton

Peyton: Hey, what's up?

Haley: Nothing much just figured I'd come by and see how you are. How did things go at Lucas'?

Peyton: really well actually, his mom is so great and I dunno it was just good. For once everything just felt right

Haley: I know what you mean, hell if someone would've told me a year ago that we'd be sat here both in love with a Scott I would've told them they were insane

Peyton: I know what you mean, I had just started getting to know Lucas back then, now look at us, everything we've been through, where we're at now? It's weird as hell

Haley: Your year of being a couple is coming soon, I'm happy for you and I'm definitely happy that Lucas has you. He needed someone to calm his ass down

Peyton: Yeah, I'm happy, for once I can honestly say I'm happy. Me, Peyton Sawyer, happy haha

Haley (laughing): Yeah it's strange, the happy cheerleader.

Peyton: Hey, hey, we're always perky us cheerleaders.

Haley: Oh yes (rolls her eyes and laughs) well anyway I gotta run, gotta work today

Peyton: Ok, if you see Karen and Lucas tell them I said hey

Haley: Will do and I'll catch up with you later.

Peyton: You do that

Haley left and Peyton got back to her sketching. She had a lot on her mind, mainly happy thoughts for once. An almost regular occurrence since she and Lucas had gotten more serious. She just had one bad thought and that was how to make her father see what she saw in Luke. He was a good guy deep down, if he was truly bad he wouldn't be able to love. One day he would understand. If her mother was here she knew she'd understand, that was how she worked. She was the most understanding person ever to walk this earth. She still missed her and knew that feeling would never go away. After all every girl needs her mother. Brooke tried to fill that space, providing a shoulder to cry on, always being supportive and even taking Peyton to buy her first bra. Brooke was a good friend, she knew that and she would always be grateful to her.

Then there was Haley, she was something else. She had met Haley through Lucas and thanked God every day that she had her for a different female perspective on life. Haley was a great listener and great with advice. It was good to have her around. Another thing she had Lucas to thank for, Haley and Karen. Haley would do anything for Peyton, she didn't know why she just knew it was true. People seemed to be drawn to Peyton, even when she pushed them away, they always came back. She guessed it was some strange force that attracted people to her.

Peyton smiled to herself, she had meaning in life. Great friends, an amazing boyfriend and someone to treat her like a daughter. All Peyton needed now was acceptance from her father, something she would do anything to get because as much as he made her mad with the way in which he handled the Lucas situation, she loved him with all her heart. What's a girl to do?