This fic was written a long time ago and was originally posted on another board. I'm posting chapters as I edit/revise some of the chapters. (there's a total of 16 chapters)

It's a Leyton fic that takes place the day Lucas is supposed to leave Tree Hill with Keith.

Disclaimer: I do not own any of the characters. There may be a few quotes from the show.

Waiting For That Second Chance

Chapter 1

It was nearly midnight as Peyton sat alone in the middle of the basketball court at Rivercourt. She sat cross-legged with her sketchbook resting on her lap. She stared at the picture she had just drawn. A small smile grew on her face before she remembered everything. Peyton closed her eyes hoping her pain would disappear. Angrily she ripped the page out of her book and crumpled it up. Peyton then threw the ball of paper behind her.

If only getting rid of her sadness and pain were that easy, she thought. Feeling the frustration setting in, Peyton slumped her shoulders and held her head in her hands.

"Hey," said a voice from behind, "you know, the court was already trashed once this year,"

Startled, Peyton turned her head around to see Haley walking towards her. Peyton quickly tried to hide her pain with a big smile.

"Hey Haley. What are you doing down here so late at night?"

Haley bent down and picked up the crumpled paper before making her way over to Peyton.

"Probably the same thing you are," she replied, tossing the paper back at Peyton.

The smile faded from Peyton's face. Peyton felt a pang of sadness inside her.

"You know, he wanted to see you before he left,"

"What's the point, Hales?"

"The point is that he loves you… and I know that you love him just as much,"

"So what if I do? It doesn't change the fact that Lucas left and that I was the one that made him leave,"

"Peyton, he didn't leave because of you," Haley stated, trying to reassure her friend.

Peyton looked at Haley in disbelief. "Are you kidding me? All I did was play games with him. And you know what the worst part is… I knew he loved me and I couldn't tell him that I did too. I was so stupid Hales, I pushed him away. He was always there for me. Lucas was there to take care of me when I got drugged at the party, he was there when I thought my father was dead…No matter how many times I screwed up, he was always there. Why couldn't I just tell him?"

"I don't know why, Peyton. But I do know that even though he may have been hurt, he didn't leave because of you. Lucas left to start over in a new town where he wouldn't have to see Dan Scott everywhere he turned or be reminded that Dan abandoned him and his mother before he was even born. Lucas left Tree Hill to get away from Dan, not you,"

"Great, on top of all that, I just had to come along and add more drama to his life. Way to go, Peyton," Peyton replied sarcastically. "Look Hales, I know you're trying to cheer me up, but what's done is done. I can't change what happened or didn't happen,"

A smug smile lit up Haley's face. "Maybe you can…"

Peyton looked at Haley curiously.

"He hasn't left yet. Lucas leaves tomorrow morning,"

Relief and shock flowed through Peyton's veins, freezing her for a moment. She couldn't believe it. Did she really have a chance to get Lucas back and stop him from leaving?

"Wh..what?" Peyton finally managed to utter.

"Lucas is still in Tree Hill. He leaves tomorrow after breakfast,"

Peyton couldn't believe what she was hearing. She looked down at her sketch pad, trying to decide what she should do.

"I…I can't," muttered Peyton.

"Can't what?"

"I can't….I don't know Hales," Peyton answered as she looked up at Haley. Her eyes grew wide and were begging Haley to tell her what to do. But the answer Peyton so desperately wanted to hear wouldn't come from Haley.

"Peyton, look I have to get going. My parents are probably wondering where I am. I just thought you should know about Lucas," Haley said as she got up to leave.

Haley began walking off the court, leaving Peyton sitting alone in silence again.

"Hey Peyton," Haley called out from the edge of the court. "We're having breakfast at Karen's tomorrow. 8am…just so you know,"