The Beautiful Dance

Disclaimer: None of the characters are mine

A/N: Review, review, review!

This chapter dedicated to my faithful reviewer lysser8312. Thank you so much for all your reviews!

Chapter 6:

Peyton hadn't fared much better than Lucas in the two weeks following the Brooke debacle. She'd been avoiding everyone; more specifically she'd been avoiding Lucas. It made her sick to see him hurting because of her. Lucas deserved better then her, she knew that. He needed someone who wasn't so screwed up; someone who wouldn't break his heart by choosing someone else over him. She chose Brooke, her former friend that didn't want anything to do with her.

She'd seen him a few random times around campus. She always watched him from a distance though, being careful not be to be seen by him. Peyton knew where he hid during lunch at an old picnic table, under a shade tree, near the edge of campus. He always ate alone, and when he'd finish his lunch the rest of his time was spent reading or sitting in silence.

She had been caught once, watching him. He made eye contact with her, the look on his face was devastating he looked so hopeful, she looked away quickly and stepped back into the crowd being careful to keep an eye on him. He walked away, dejected, staring at the ground. A wave of guilt washed over her. She had done this to him.

Today was a day like any other. She came home from school and closed herself up in her room after throwing on her most depressing mix of music. She curled up on her bed and tucked her arms under her head. Her dad was gone again, he wouldn't be home for at least three more weeks. Even after all the years of being left alone in that big, empty house, she'd never gotten used to how incredibly lonely she was when her dad left. It was times like this that she loved having Brooke around, they always ended up having a week long sleep-over just the two of them. But that was no longer the case.

Peyton was soon absorbed in the music and didn't notice the figure in her doorway. Brooke knocked lightly to gain her attention.

She was startled to say the least to see Brooke standing in her bedroom. This was the last thing she needed right now, she wanted to be alone.

"What are you doing here Brooke?"

Brooke stepped into the room and folded her arms across her chest. "I wanted to know if it was true."

She didn't have time for these games. "Is what true Brooke?"

"Is it true that you dumped Lucas because of me?"

"Who told you that?"

"I don't think that really matters. I just want to know if it's true."

"And what if it is true?" Peyton snapped back. "Are you gonna want to be my friend again, because I gave up what I wanted so you'd stop pouting and acting like a selfish bitch."

"Screw you Peyton, I never asked you to give up anything."

"But you did Brooke, you wanted me to give up being with Lucas. You wanted him and it killed you to see that he wanted me more."

"Oh please." Brooke huffed.

"Why did you have to go after him Brooke, you could have any guy you wanted but you had to pick Lucas. You knew I wanted him."

"I never knew what the hell you wanted Peyton, and I don't really don't think you knew what you wanted."

"Don't play Dr. Phil with me, okay Brooke, because I don't want to hear it. I knew what I wanted, and I wanted him. And yes, things were complicated between us but we were figuring things out. I needed you to be there for me as a friend not my opponent."

"What are you talking about?" Brooke rolled her eyes.

"That night of the basketball party at Dan Scott's house? You were trying to get back with Nathan so you could latch onto Lucas." Brooke was stuck now, and Peyton knew it. "What, did you think I wouldn't figure it out? You want to play the innocent victim in all this but it's bullshit. You were scheming behind my back to get him."

"So I stole him from you and then you stole him back, I guess we're even now."

"I've apologized so many times Brooke, and I don't remember why anymore. I thought our friendship was stronger than it really was. I took a chance and I followed my heart for once, and I ended up hurting my best friend. I'm sorry." Peyton was tired of the fighting and the anger, she wanted it to be over.

"You never answered my question. Did you break up with Lucas because of me?"

Peyton nodded silently. "Yeah I did."

"Why?"

"I didn't want to hurt you."

"Do you love Lucas?" Brooke asked quietly.

"Yeah, I do very much."

"Then why didn't you pick Lucas, you say you love him but you're not with him."

"I don't want to hurt him and I know I would eventually. I care about him so much, and I don't want to mess him up."

"You can't go through life scared Peyton. Take a chance, he'll fight for you."

Peyton looked up at her and nodded. "I'm so sorry for hurting you." She reached over and hugged her former friend.

The exchange was brief but it said so much between the two of them. "I'm sorry too, for everything." Brooke said quietly before walking out of Peyton's room.

Peyton laid back on her bed and stretched out over the blanket. Things between her and Brooke seemed to be slowly on the mend, maybe they'd never get back to where they were but only time would tell. Her next focus was Lucas, she needed to talk to him, to tell him the truth.

A/N: Review. I'm sorry about the delay between chapters, school is crazy right now. So bear with me guys, I'll do my best to update sooner.