Ch. 6 Talking through the Pain

Out side the store

"What the hell is going on?" Jake asked. Peyton responded "She attacked me." Lucas asked "Brooke?" Brooke answered "Yes it was me. I went into the store looking for an argument with her but then the manager kicked me out so I waited outside for her and I hit her. And you know what, I would do it again. You wanna know why? Because you Lucas left me heartbroken and confused for her and I just couldn't take it." Lucas replied "I'm sorry Brooke. I never wanted to hurt you." Brooke replied "Yeah, well you did a hell of a job." Lucas responded, "I know, but Brooke being with you would have been a lie for both of us and I couldn't have done that to you. I couldn't go on pretending that I loved you. I'm sorry that your feelings were hurt but I had to let you go." Brooke replied "Damn you Lucas, why couldn't you have been an ass or a cheater, at least then I could hate you. Lucas I can barely stand to see you now so don't try to talk to me, I have to go." Lucas replied "Brooke, wait." "No Lucas all I ever did was wait for you and you saw where that got me." She replied. "Brooke, how about I take you home?" Jake asked. The brunette responded "What about basketball practice?" "I can show up late." The curly brunette replied. And Jake took Brooke home leaving Peyton and Lucas alone.

Gym

When Nathan reached the gym he realized he had gotten there early so he figured he would call someone up and he waited for her to answer. "Hello," he said, "Can I speak to Haley James?" "This is she." Haley responded. "Hey Hales, its Nate," he replied. "Oh, you mean my boyfriend that told my best friend we were together," she responded. "Haley please don't be mad at me. For all honesty, I had to tell Luke. It just wasn't fair to keep it from him," Nathan replied pleadingly. With understanding in her voice, Haley responded "I know but I was the one that was supposed to tell him." "I know that Hales but I didn't want you to tell him so that he wouldn't come looking for me ready to hunt me down," he replied wholeheartedly. "Nathan, be real, you guys were working things out and he wouldn't have done that," she replied getting angry. "Honestly Haley, it was that I was tired of hiding our relationship. I want to be with you Hales; I'm not embarrassed of that. In fact, I want to show you off to the world. I want to shout out 'This is Haley James and she is my girlfriend. And I'm glad that someone like her saw something in me' I'm not ashamed of you Haley and I never could be," he replied. "Hales are you there?" Nathan asked worriedly. Haley responded crying, "I'm here Nate. That was really beautiful. I forgive you and Nathan." "Yeah?" he replied. "How about tomorrow we take our first date as an official couple?" Haley asked. "Hell yeah Hales! Tomorrow then, I gotta go Whitey is here and I have to practice, talk to you later." Nathan responded. "Alright babe, good luck at practice and don't forget tomorrow." Haley replied. And with that he hung up and walked into the gym.

Brooke's house

"Thank you Jake." Brooke said. "Jake asked "For what?" She replied gratefully "For bringing me home and for everything." Jake responded "No problem." "Jake, do you think there is something wrong with me? I mean for all the problems I caused today?" Brooke asked. "Not at all," he responded. Brooke then asked "What do you think then?" Jake answered "I think you have a broken heart and that you're angry at Luke for breaking up with you yet you don't blame him because he wasn't a jackhole to you. However, if I were Lucas, I never would have let you go because that would have meant letting go of an angel." Brooke bashfully replied "Thank you Jake. That was really sweet; I just wish I could have fallen in love with you instead of Lucas." Jake responded "Yeah, well you can't help who you fall in love with but just remember I'm here for you, whatever you need." Brooke replied "I will and thanks again for everything Jake." And then Jake went off to practice.

Outside of the store

"So what are you up to?" Lucas asked nervously. "Just buying art supplies to draw," Peyton also replied nervously. "Really, you draw that's awesome! Can I see something you drew?" Luke asked curiously. Peyton replied "Sure, follow me to my car." Peyton took out one of her drawings from her sketchbook and showed it to him. Lucas looked at the sketch and was moved to tears at what he saw. It was a drawing of Lucas, Nathan and Peyton when they were small, it showed them happy and together, then it showed each of them broken and alone and finally it showed them of age and happy and playful, only there was one thing missing, he wasn't in the picture. Lucas gave her back the drawing and said "You're really good Peyton and I'm sorry that you feel that I'm out of the picture." Peyton replied "Yeah you gave me good reason to keep you out but that space is still there, it's still waiting to see if you want in." Lucas responded "I do want in, I really do but I also know we have to take it slow. We have a lot to work out Peyton and I'm willing to put in the effort if you are too." Peyton replied "I am willing Lucas, friends?" "Friends," he answered. Peyton happily asked "Well friend, you need a ride to practice?" Lucas answered "Yeah I do, I think I'm late." And with that the reconciled couple left, one to the world of basketball and the other to fill up the space in her drawing and in her heart.