Disclaimer: I don't own anything in One Tree Hill. I really don't know what else to say, so I won't.
"This is impossible! There is no way we're going to be able to get a good enough band to play before tonight," Peyton groaned, throwing her hands up in the air in a defeated manner.
"You're going to find something, don't worry about it," Felix calmly responded. "We have all day. It's only 9 in the morning, don't worry about it."
"Don't worry about it!" Peyton rested her head on her hands. "Haven't you been listening? We have no one to play…no one at all!" And, then, in a slow murmur, she added, "Wish there was someone to help me find someone."
Much to her dismay, Felix heard her. His face grew serious. "Peyton, you promised! You promised you aren't going to call him again."
"I know," Peyton muttered irritably, 'I just need someone to play…"
"Peyton, you almost died last time!"
"I know, calm down," Peyton replied, avoiding any eye contact with Felix.
"Peyton, promise me you won't call Rick."
"I promise."
"Look at me and promise me." Peyton didn't move or answer. "Peyton. PEYTON."
Peyton looked up at him, and slowly muttered, 'I promise I won't call Rick."
Felix smiled, hiding his worry, and kissed Peyton's forehead. "I have to go meet Nathan. I'll see you later."
"What! You're leaving me alone with this crisis in my hands!"
"It's not a crisis. Besides, if you can't find anyone, I can do something." He smirked.
"Uh, Felix…you can't sing."
Felix's jaw dropped. "What!"
"Well, you can't," Peyton simply answered. "Remember Haley's party?" She laughed as she remembered Felix's so-called "moves".
"Hey! FYI, many chicks dig that!"
"Yea, I'm sure they do, Felix," Peyton retorted sarcastically.
"You know, if I weren't running late to see Nathan and you weren't so hot, I would kick your ass right now." He quickly kissed Peyton's cheek. "See you tonight."
He exited Karen's Café, where they were having breakfast, and Peyton, who watched him walk away, quickly took out her cell phone and carefully dialed a certain number.
"What took you so long? Didn't I tell you this was going to take long, and I have to go have lunch with Haley?"
"I know, calm down," Felix answered. "It's just 9:30."
"Sorry…it's just I haven't spent any time with Haley lately even though we're married and all, and I don't want to be late."
"This won't take long. I'll just pick one and we'll get out of here in a sec."
"Dude, believe me…it's not that easy. When I bought mine, it took forever. I wasn't sure which one Haley would like and I couldn't tell anyone about it."
"But, what's the difference anyway? They're all things that you put around your finger with huge white stones on them."
"They're called rings, and the white stones are diamonds, and it means a lot to the girl, so never say that in front of Peyton."
"I will remember that," Felix nodded, as he and Nathan walked into a store.
"Here it is. Engagement rings," Nathan muttered as the two boys rounded the corner.
"Hey, Nathan."
"Yea?"
"Do you…um…"
"What?"
"Do you think we're ready?"
"Felix, you're being paranoid. It will work out…you guys are totally in love."
"I know…but what if she says "no"? What if it doesn't work out in the end? What if we're too young?"
Nathan sighed. "Do you feel ready?"
"Well…yea."
"Then you're ready. Ok, now pick one already, so we can get out of here already."
The sign read "Welcome To Tree Hill".
He scoffed as he leaned back, reverting his attention back to "Of Mice And Men." Yea, welcome indeed.
His mind slowly drifted, as he thought back to the days he had spent in this town. He couldn't believe he was coming back. When he had left, he had promised himself that there was no way he would ever return to this small drama filled town where he would never be able to live a normal life.
Sighing, his thoughts reverted back to a certain blonde.
Oh not her again…
The only girl that invaded his thoughts, the only girl he had ever fallen for. He remembered everything about her…everything. The way her curly blonde hair covered her face on a rather windy day, the way her mouth opened slightly and her hazel eyes grew wide when she was shocked, the way her lips curved when she flashed her rare and beautiful smile.
You can't be thinking about her…
He remembered the last time he had seen her, lying on a hospital bed, her pale face expressionless, her eyes shut.
Stop it! Stop it!
He remembered sitting by her side, his hands tightly gripping her hand. He remembered silent tears flowing down his cheek as he saw the color drain out of the girl in front of him.
Stop thinking about her…you can't think about her. You're over her, remember? Besides, she's probably gone…
An image of a tombstone flashed in front of him.
Peyton Anna Sawyer
1989-2004
Beloved Daughter, Loyal Friend
Strong, Independent, And Caring
She's probably gone…she's probably dead…
The title of the chapter comes from "Same" by Snow Patrol.