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 12:

Haley and Peyton slowly walked towards their destination. Mini golf had been fun and now they were just looking forward to a meal with each other and their respective boyfriends. They had gone to Peyton's house to get changed seeing as they were going to a great restaurant. Haley had clothes at Peyton's, she kept spares there ever since they had become closer. Thanks to Lucas anyway. The guys had offered to drive them but really they just wanted a chance to talk while taking in the beautiful night. They had a lot to get through in such a short space of time but they could do it.

'If someone had told me that the two of us would be walking together to meet the Scott brothers for dinner I would've told them they were crazy' laughed Haley as she gently nudged Peyton.

'I know, I can't believe everything we've been through and yet we're still standing. What doesn't kill you only makes you stronger right?' Peyton laughed gently but could notice the seriousness in Peyton's voice. Something she had picked up on during her ever growing friendship with her.

'It does, look Peyt you and Lucas have been through a lot and I'm glad that you got through it all. Seriously I don't know where Lucas would be if he didn't have you. We've been best friends for a long time and I've never known him to be so caught up with one person.'

Peyton smiled, Haley always was good to talk to. She had Brooke but this was different, she and Brooke connected in a different way to her and Haley. She was happy to have been able to get to know Haley as a friend, she was a great person.

'I'm happy we made it through too. We were just 15 when everything started between us and now we're both 17. It's weird to be in such a serious relationship at such a young age but it just feels right, I dunno but I guess you understand.' Peyton smirked as a smile crept across Haley's face. She always got that goofy happy look whenever Nathan crossed her mind. However Haley was also smiling for reasons that would soon become known by Peyton.

'I know what you mean. Who would've ever thought that Nathan Scott would be in a committed relationship with Haley James? It's strange to think.' Haley laughed as she spoke, she was so happy with him and no one except Peyton ever knew how that all happened. Most people were sure Haley and Nathan would crash and burn but here they are today, happy.

After a while they finally reached the restaurant. Peyton could see that the guys were already seated and obviously waiting for them to arrive. The girls just laughed, it was as if they had nothing to keep them occupied. They stood watching for a while before they walked in. Lucas spotted them straight away and was lost for words as Peyton walked towards him. Haley made her way over slightly faster as her and Nathan watched on at the two. Lucas couldn't move, she was so beautiful, every time he saw her he was amazed.

Peyton looked on at Lucas as she walked over to him; he looked great, his suit, his tie. He always seemed to make an effort for her. She reached him and he automatically took her into his arms.

'You look great' he whispered against her neck, she could feel her knees weaken every single time he did that.

'Thanks, so do you.' Lucas just laughed, if only she understood the things she did to him. He wanted everything with this girl, and he almost had it.

'So I was thinking, my mom is staying with Keith tonight and I really want you to stay over.' He smiled as he spoke making her heart melt. He was adorable.

'I could call my dad and say that I'm staying with Haley I guess.' Peyton rolled her eyes playfully. Of course she wanted to stay with him but he didn't need to know that.

Lucas grinned as he walked her over to their table and they all ordered. The table was relatively quiet for the most part as they were all hungry. Haley and Peyton couldn't help but make the odd joke about Nathan and Lucas losing to a 'couple of girls' literally but other than that they seemed to be mesmerized by their food and the guys mesmerized with their girlfriends. At one point the girls slapped hands under the table, they looked good and they knew it. It was a statement that didn't need to be verbally expressed.

By the end of the meal Peyton had called her dad and filled Haley in on what to say if by some off chance he called her house. Nathan and Lucas paid, the gentlemen that they were when it came to the girls and they got up to leave.

'Hales I'll catch up with you tomorrow when I get home and remember if my dad calls, I felt sick and went to sleep' Haley just laughed and rolled her eyes playfully as she embraced her friend.

'No problem Peyt, I got it.' The girls hugged and they waited for the brothers to say their goodbyes.

'Lucas I'll catch up with you later and remember dude river court tomorrow so don't be staying awake all night.' Peyton rolled her eyes as she heard this and Lucas just laughed as he hugged his brother and then Haley before walking to his car.

Peyton and Lucas walked into Lucas' house and sat down. By nature he placed a protective arm around her and she rested her head in the crook of his neck as he flipped the TV on. He loved being like this, just content with each other, no interruptions. Nothing else mattered when they were alone, just the two of them. He gently ran his fingers through her hair as he always did when they got chance to just hang together alone. He was letting himself get lost in her again, like he always did but he wanted to talk to her about something.

'Peyt I wanted to talk to you about something and I don't wanna freak you out by just springing random questions on you.' Peyton just looked up at him and nodded.

'Sure. I won't freak.' Lucas smiled and carried on.

'Ok well we've been together a while now and well whenever I look to the future I only see you and I just wondered if you felt the same?' Lucas looked slightly nervous, as if fearing rejection. Peyton noticed and smiled lightly at how cute he was when he initiated some form of deep conversation.

'Lucas I do. I couldn't imagine not being with you and I don't plan too either.'

'Well that's good because I know we're young and all that crap that a lot of people say but I don't want to lose you. And before you say anything I know that you're not planning to just leave but I just wanted to have everything out because Peyton I want to be with you and I don't just mean right now, I want to be with you always. I want you to be my wife one day, I don't want to just throw this onto you but I just wanted you to know that.' Peyton sat in shock, had Lucas just said he wanted her to be his wife? This was weird but she couldn't help but move up and kiss him.

'I want that Lucas, I want everything. Yeah we're young, whatever. I'm mature enough to know that I love you.' Lucas smiled, in some warped way he had proposed and she had said yes. Of course it wasn't an official proposal but that wasn't the point, he could make it official. He got up and walked over to a dresser and pulled out a tiny black box and walked back over to Peyton.

He gently knelt before her causing Peyton's eyes to widen and her mouth water slightly. This couldn't be happening, right now?

'So I want to make it official, we don't have to do this right away Peyt but I love you and I think that it's only right that you have a ring.' He gently opened the box to show a beautiful diamond ring he had bought just after he got shot. He had waited for the perfect moment to give it to her and right now he didn't care whether it was right or perfect, it felt good.

'So Peyton Sawyer, will you marry me?' Peyton couldn't believe it, a million things running through her mind.

'Lucas, you didn't even need to ask' she started crying and nodded her head, she couldn't speak.

Lucas took this as a yes and gently placed the ring onto her finger before caressing her face and kissing her gently but passionately. As the kiss slowly got deeper, their tongues dancing within their mouths he gently lifted her and began carrying her to his room. He walked in, never breaking the kiss and placed her down onto his bed before easing himself on top of her. He paused for a moment before smiling, 'I love you' and moving down to kiss her again. They would be joined, mind, heart body and soul before long.

AN: I just wanted to know whether or not the reviewers want this story to end in a happy way because i have two alternate endings, one happy and one the complete opposite. The story isn't coming to an end but I always write the beginning and end chapters before I write anything else. So please R&R and tell me if you want it happy or sad.