Thanks to everyone who left me a review. Sorry for the delay. I'll try to update faster next time.
one last thing, I probably told you but Leyton stuff will take time to happens. just be patient, althought there's alitlle bit of interaction between the two in the chapter.
enjoy the chapter!
The torments of life
Chapter 6
Peyton was trying to reassure Haley about Nathan. She was sure he was fine. Suddenly, she heard Haley say: "Oh my god!" and then she saw her run toward some guy she couldn't quite see.
''Haley, what the hell!''
Then she saw who it was. Lucas ! She couldn't believe he was there. She was stressing out. How would she deal with him, now that he was here. She had dreamt so much about this moment since he was gone, but now that it was there she didn't know how to handle it, handle him.
''Haley, you're sorry for what? Said Lucas, slowly pulling away.''
''Dan...''
''It's okay Hale.''
''What about Dan, asked Mouth who didn't understand. Don't tell me he...''
''Yeah...he passed away, answered Lucas a little distant.''
''I'm sorry, said his friend.''
''Don't be, it's not like, he and I were close. He never try to know me and I think it's fine like this. That would probably hurt too much if he would have. And it's certainly more difficult for Nathan right now than it could ever be for me.''
''I'd like to know how he's feeling about this, but he didn't tell me anything, said Haley.''
''He will, after all, you two are married.''
Peyton couldn't stand to watch him talk with Haley, not that she was jealous of her or anything, but he hadn't seen her so far even if he had she wouldn't have known how to react. She wanted to leave right away but that wouldn't have been fair for her friend. Haley would wonder where she was.
''Haley, I'm gonna go.''
It's only then that Lucas realised Peyton was there. She seemed nervous, probably because, like him, she didn't know what to say. He would have love some time alone with her, to be able to talk to her and see how she had been lately, but he knew it wasn't the time.
''You really have to go? Asked Haley.''
''I'm supposed to meet Brooke and do something, so yeah, I have to leave.''
''You sure Peyton? because Brooke left not so long ago, just after our French class, said Mouth.''
''We were suppose to meet at my house, half-lied Peyton, because she was suppose to meet Brooke after class just not at her house.''
''You and Brooke are friend again, that's great, comment Lucas, feeling he had to say something just to prove her, he didn't ignore her.''
''Yeah and no thanks to you, she snapped back.''
She couldn't believe she had snapped at him. He hadn't done anything wrong, since he was back. you missed him, you idiot, you're claiming you love him and your snapping at him. That's great Peyton! It's not this way you're gonna get to talk to him and see what he really feels for you. On second thought you shouldn't think about it, you and Brooke promised each other not to let any guy get between you two again especially, Lucas. It's really not the time to screw your friendship with her, you did it once your not gonna do it again.
''Bye Hale, Mouth...Lucas, she added him in a bitter tone and again she couldn't understand why. Sure, she wasn't going to profess her love to him in the next minute, but she could have been a little bit nicer, that wouldn't have hurt.''
Lucas watched her leave. The way she answered him proved him she hadn't forgive him yet, and she probably never would. He had to be realistic; he had hurt her really bad. He tried to recover fast and suggest to Haley to bring her back to her apartment. She accepted his offer. They salute Mouth and left.
oo
Peyton was walking through the parking lot of the school, troubled by her behaviour with Lucas, when someone called after her.
''Peyton, wait! Where are you going?''
She turned around and saw Brooke on the side of her car.
''I thought you had left, at least that's what Mouth told me, said Peyton to her friend while closing the distance between them.''
''No, I was here all alone, waiting for you and wondering what you were doing that was taking so long.''
''I was with Haley...she's worried about Nathan.''
''Nathan is a big boy, I think he can take care of himself, said Brooke while getting into her car.''
''She knows he can, the thing is...Dan's dead, said Peyton while she was also getting into the car.''
''Oh my god! Is this the reason why you seem all trouble?''
''Not exactly...I don't know how to say this...but...but Lucas is back.''
''Oh...my...god ! ...Did you talk to him?''
''More like snap at him.''
''How are we going to deal with this?''
''Stick to the plan. We DO not let him get between us. We can talk to him, befriend him but we don't allow ourselves to go further. Deal?''
''Deal, said Brooke a little unsure but still extending her hand to her friend so they could seal the deal.''
Peyton extended her hand too and they shook it.
''Anyway, he told me that he rather be friend with me in his letter and that he was sorry for all the trouble it causes, so I guess we won't have too much problem with the friend part, that is, if he wrote you the same thing in yours. Did he? Said Brooke in a hurry.''
''What?... Oh, yeah!''
''So I think we know where we're standing in all of this.''
''Totally.''
''Yeah totally.''
Even if they agreed to this, both girls weren't sure if it was what they really thought.
oo
Haley and Lucas were at Haley and Nathan's place. They were talking about their summer for what seems like hours. They were now talking about his return.
''You do know that your return is going to shook everyone's life? Asked Haley.''
''I know, and there's two lives in particular.''
''You mean Peyton and Brooke?''
''Exactly.''
''How do you think it'll go with both of them?''
''Well you've seen how Peyton reacted when I comment on their friendship; it's only an indicator on how it will go with Brooke and her for the days to come.''
''I don't know why she reacted like this?''
''Why are you saying this ? I'm not surprised one bit, I've kinda expected it with what I did to her and Brooke, but I was still hoping it would turned out better.''
''I'm surprised because her reaction is the total opposite of what she told me.''
''And she told you...''
''I can't tell you.''
''I have this rule, when you start saying something, you have to end it.''
''Well in this case, it doesn't apply.''
''Why not?''
''Because it's confidential and I'm the only one to know this and I know she wouldn't want me to tell you, at least not yet.''
''Ok, I respect that.''
''At the same moment the apartment door opened.''
''Haley, you're there? Asked Nathan with a tired voice, he didn't bother to look in the kitchen.''
Haley got up hastily and practically ran towards her husband.
''Nathan ! she said as she put her arms around him. Are you alright?''
''I'm fine, but my day was hell on earth. Now all I want is some alone time with my lovely wife, said Nathan before kissing Haley sensuously.''
The two lovebirds literally stopped their exchanged when they heard someone coughing. Nathan raised his head and saw Lucas on a stool in his kitchen. It knocked the breath out of him, he was completely shocked.
''Lucas, since when you're in town?''
''Today, answered Lucas simply.''
''Are you here for good?
''I don't know, only time will tell.''
''You're here because of Dan? Asked Nathan, almost sounding like a reproach.''
''Partly, I also thought you could use the support and honestly I was missing my friend and my little brother, he said referring to Haley and Nathan.''
''Well, it's great to see you!''
oo
Brooke got in her room. She was so confused since Peyton had told her Lucas was back. The moment she put a foot in her room she looked through her wardrobe to find a little box where she had put every little things that were directly link to him. She found it on the ground of her wardrobe. She picked it up and went to sit on the foot of her bed. She opened the box to find a book he had lent her, some pictures of both of them when she thought he loved her and was happy with her, and she also found THE letter, the one in which he told her he was leaving and was sorry about everything. She unfolded the letter and looked it for a couple of minutes, before starting to read it again.
Brooke,
I don't really know how to start this. I'm going to start with: I'm sorry. Sorry, for everything I've done to you. I know how bad I hurt you. I know that all the sorry in the world could never ease your pain, but I'll say it again, or write it, I'm so sorry. If I had to do it again I wouldn't because I could not bear the thought of hurting you. Believe me or not, you're important to me, I care a lot for you. I hope someday you will be able to forgive me and that day, I hope we will be able to become friends.
Brooke, I'm sure you won't have a problem to find someone who will be more suitable for you than I am, because you're a nice girl, you're funny, you're smart, you have a beautiful smile, you're sweet and you feel great in your own skin. I'm sure someone will see it someday and will love you for the person you are.
Before signing off, I just have to tell you that I'm leaving to Charleston with Keith. I have to put some order in my head. I don't know for how long I'll be gone, but I know it'll help us all.
Take care of yourself,
Lucas
She put the letter aside, and took the pictures. She looked at each pictures. They seemed so happy together. Why had he preferred Peyton to her? She loved him so much. He was the first guy she ever loved this way and he broke her heart like she never thought someone could. Her eyes were watering at the memories of him.
Some knocks on her door followed by someone saying her name, interrupted her thoughts. She looked up at the door and saw Mouth.
''What are you doing here?''
''I wanted to see if you were alright?''
''Why wouldn't I be, she said gaining her composure back.''
''I guess Peyton, didn't tell you.''
''Oh, you mean that Lucas is back. I don't give a damn, she said putting all the Lucas' thing back in the box.''
''You sure?''
''Yeah, she said not looking at him.''
''Brooke you don't have to put on an act in front of me. If you're really affected by him coming back, you don't have to hide it from me. I'm your friend and I'm here for you.''
''I know, she said finally looking up in his eyes''. She couldn't keep it for herself anymore and she just start crying, slowly.
Mouth rushed to her side and wrapped his arms around her.
''I just don't understand... why did he chose her over me...and then... just decide he doesn't want either of us...and then he expect us to be friend...just because he wants to. I loved him...for the first...time I was in love with the guy I was going out with...and he cheated on me...with my best friend. Now he's back...and I don't think I can deal with him...yet.''
''I know it's gonna be hard for you, Brooke, but I'll be there for you. You can count on me.''
She looked up at him and faintly smiled. She knew he was there for her. He hugged her.
''Thanks Mouth. I'm kind of tired, do you mind if I ask you to leave?''
''I do not. I'll see you tomorrow. Have a good night and don't forget I'm here for you.''
''I won't.''
He kissed her on the forehead and left the room. Brooke gave a last look to Lucas' things and put them back in the box.