Remembering

Thanks again for all the reviews! You guys have been great and I hope to keep you interested enough to read this story till the end! (I hope I make it there!) Anyway, I hope you enjoy this chapter!

Chapter 3: Memories

"When I arrived here, I came here with the hope of being with Peyton. Both of you know that. We both waited patiently, thinking that neither of our feelings could be reciprocated, but they were. Our feelings toward each other were mutual and right when our chance came to shine, it got pushed back. Every bone, thought and muscle in my body is aching….. Just for Peyton. I never thought I'd feel this way about a girl, but Peyton is not like any other girl.

Peyton's a true original. She knows every feeling and every thought, but the secret ingredient and top component about her that intrigues me the most is that she knows that there are always two sides to every story. She doesn't pass judgment on something until she gathers all of the true facts. If she can't gather any reliable data, she won't judge. She'll help and try to solve the problem, or the situation. She'll take a stand.

I mean, when I first exposed Jenny to the world, she didn't turn away from me. In fact, she's the one that came up to me…… and she didn't say 'oh my lord', or 'I feel bad for you'. She just was….. Peyton. She acted like herself and looked past all that…… I don't know how much longer I can take this. It's already been a week since she's left the hospital and her and Nathan are acting like they…..like they are in love." Jake rambled unhappily to Lucas and Brooke. Lucas and Brooke didn't mind, for they knew that everything Jake had just said about Peyton was correct. Sure, Peyton had her weak moments, but her comebacks were strong, especially her 'lesbian rebellion'.

"Peyton's really lucky to have you Jake……." Brooke replied, patting his back, "I know how you feel…. I just got my best friend back and I had to deal with Anna coming in the way, no pun intended Lucas. Then, I realized that not every person is an obstacle to our friendship, and I guess not every situation is too. In fact, everything makes us stronger and I just know that will happen for you and Peyton."

Lucas sighed. He didn't know exactly what to say, seeing as he hadn't really spoken to Peyton in a long, long time. The only flashbacks of them together after the whole triangle shenanigan he remembers was when she lashed out on him and then apologized and thanked him for Jake. Maybe a little humor would lighten up the mood.

"Peyton's a strong girl. She can tough it out. Now, I just have to ask, do we have to reenact that whole 'Nathan hating me' thing? Because if we do go through with it, I'm not really looking forward to it, except for the amount of phone numbers I collected." Lucas joked, trying to brighten the atmosphere of the room. He succeeded, earning a couple of chuckles.

"Hopefully, we won't have to go through that again…… broody." Brooke playfully punched Lucas' arm.

Jake laughed, "Remember how much you sucked on your first game?" This caused Brooke to giggle even harder.

"Oh my gosh! I mean, I didn't even know which side you were on because you were giving easy points to that team." Brooke teased the dirty blond.

Lucas rolled his eyes, "Okay, guys. I get it." Suddenly, he remembered when he first practiced basketball after his accident. He had just finished practice and Peyton came up to him and gave him some 'words of wisdom' or maybe, it was just her opinion.

"Well, the good news is I'm back. Bad news is I suck." Lucas stretched his shoulder, flinching as the sore muscles moved.

Peyton asked concerned, "You okay?"

He gave her the famous smirk as soon as he saw her expression, "Yeah, it's just a little tight."

"Here." She massaged and stretched his muscles, "You're just rusty. Pretty soon you'll really suck. Just like before."

They both smiled and she released her grip on his arm "Better?"

He nodded his head and then Brooke walked in………….

Lucas slapped his hands together and stood up, "Well, I better get back… uh, home. Keith's wedding is tomorrow and I have to rehearse my lines…. You know best man speech."

Brooke smiled, "We get it, broody." She started to get already accustomed to the old nickname.

Lucas exited Brooke's home, leaving Jake and Brooke to themselves. A pang of jealousy tinged Lucas as he left, and he gave himself a mental smack for doing such an idiotic move. Once again, he gave himself another mental smack. 'Brooke and Jake would never do that,' he thought to himself confidently. Lucas walked down Brooke's driveway feeling just as happy as he did when he walked up it.

"So, Keith's wedding. Its tomorrow and we're all invited, thanks to Lucas. Are you going?" Brooke inquired in a chipper tone.

Jake thought for a moment and frowned, "I don't think so. I was planning on-"

"-going with Peyton? Yes, I know. But, since we are both dateless I think its only right we go together. In plus, we go spy on Nathan and Peyton." Brooke grinned deviously.

Jake shook his head uneasily, "Brooke………."

The young brunette girl crossed her arms, "Oh, c'mon, I know you want to. At the hospital it was pretty clear. You and Lucas were staring right through the window. Next time, try not to be so obvious."

"So, you were spying on us?" He smirked.

Brooke snorted, "Yeah, right. I was getting you guys' coffee, but I didn't want to disturb your stalking….. But, anyway, are you in?"

He grinned slightly, "Sure, I'm in."

"Great! I love weddings! But, I must warn you that the only reason why we are doing this is to show you why you shouldn't have to worry about Nathan with Peyton." Brooke scurried to her closet.

"Fine with me……. What are you doing?" He questioned, as she excitedly flipped through the clothes in her closet.

She turned around with a flimsy dress, "Getting the perfect dress! You like?" She framed the dress around her figure.

Jake shrugged. "Sure, but can I remind you that we are going to a church."

Brooke stuck her tongue out and flashed another dress full of color and laces. It was flawless. "This one?"

He smiled, "That one." He checked the time, and widened his eyes, "I got to go. Jenny-"

"Say no more….. But, if you want, when you pick up Jenny, you could bring her here. I haven't seen her in forever." Brooke laid the dress on her bed, "Unless, you have a problem with it."

"No problems. I'll see you in ten." He crooked his head, exiting her room and the house.

"I can't believe I've missed all this stuff. Please tell me you still play basketball." Peyton picked up a basketball and passed it to Nathan.

Nathan laughed, "Now, that is something that will never change…… Oh, hey, Lucas!" Lucas walked up to the 'couple' and greeted Nathan. He turned to Peyton who had a very confused look on her face.

She shrugged, "Hi. Sorry for the staring, you just look very familiar."

"Well, of course he does. He's my half brother." Nathan slid his arm around her.

"Wait, I thought you two like hated each other… or just didn't talk………." Peyton squint her eyes.

"Um, while you-"

"Okay, I get it now. While I was a sleep, you two reconciled….. But still you look so familiar. I feel like I really know you." She scratched her head. Just then, as Lucas smirked, something sparked in her mind,

The sound of the crowd could be heard from miles away as they cheered for their home team. The game was fiercely competitive as both teams strived for victory. Suddenly, the ball flew towards Peyton. Her mind was racing as she couldn't act fast enough with the twisted pompoms enlaced to her fingers. Out of nowhere, he came. Lucas came and caught the ball.

"Nice hands." Peyton complimented.

Lucas smirked checking her out, "Nice legs."

She grinned, as well as Brooke.

"Peyton, Peyton….. You there?" Nathan waved his hand in front of her face and she snapped out of her trance.

"You're on the basketball team?" She asked Lucas.

"Yeah."

"Your smile….. There is something very familiar about it." Peyton adjusted her hand to her chin, as if she were a detective.

Nathan shook his head smiling, "You said that to almost everyone today."

She laughed, punching her boyfriend playfully, "Yes, I know, but this time I'm being serious. It's like you were my best friend…… or brother… or you were my boy friend. I don't know, but I feel like I know you from somewhere….. Wow, if we were together and Nathan is my boyfriend that would be some crazy mixed up triangle."

"You have no idea." The brothers said in unison.

She laughed, "Wow, you two really are brothers. Do you guys know what the other is thinking too?"

"Nah, I don't know what kind of messed up thoughts go through this head." Nathan patted the top of Lucas' head.

"Very funny. Well, I have to go. Keith's wedding is tomorrow and I'm the best man. You guys stopping by?" Lucas asked.

The couple looked at each other and then glanced at Luke, "Sure."

Lucas shrugged, "Okay, I'll see you two tomorrow. Bye."

Lucas walked 'home' and Nathan accompanied Peyton to her house. Unknown to them, tomorrow was going to be a messed up day. However, due to Peyton's condition, would things change?

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I guarantee all of you people, next chapter will be very twisted! It will go like the show, except Peyton may actually change things around…… I'm not sure yet, but I have an idea of what will happen! Oh, the drama! I just love torturing people in my stories! That's bad, I know… but it's good because after the torture, it makes them stronger and they'll have a happier ending….. I hope! Anywho review and let me know what you think. I hope you really enjoyed this chapter, but the next one is the one that really counts!

SoHaPPy