Chapter Eight-Seniors

Peyton held tightly onto Nathan's hand as they entered the high school. It was their senior year. They would graduate this year. She smiled at him and kissed him on the cheek before letting go of his hand. "This should be fun," she muttered as she joined Brooke and some other cheerleaders talking at a table outside.

"Hey there best friend" Brooke smiled at her watching her sit down and Nathan take off in the other direction. "I see that you're extra smiley today. Did you enjoy your evening with my boyfriend's brother last night?"

Peyton rolled her eyes. "Sure, thanks Brooke." She knew that was what she was looking for. The truth was, Peyton couldn't stop thinking about coke. She had a counseling appointment after school in Charlotte. She had been doing great since Haley's accident. She wasn't even considering it. Today however, she felt enormous pressure on her.

Brooke grabbed Peyton's hand and directed her eyes away from the school. "Peyton," she sighed. "I don't think you want to go in there yet,"

"What?" Why?" Let go of me," Peyton laughed pulling away from her. "I'll see you in class." She started to walk toward the door when she noticed Jake standing outside of it waiting for her. "Oh my God." She whispered. "Oh my God."

"Peyton," Jake smiled walking up to her and pulling her into a hug. "Peyton, I missed you so much."

"Did you get Jenny back?" she asked him excited to see him but nervous at the same time.

Jake nodded. "We can finally be together. Finally, Peyton." Peyton could feel tears falling down her face. "What's wrong?"

"Jake." She whispered. "I missed you."

"I missed you too." He told her.

"I didn't think you were coming back.." she started. "I.."

"You what?" he asked. "Everything is okay now, everything," he smiled. "We can be here, together, with Jenny."

Peyton shook her head. "We can't," she whispered again. "We can't."

"Why not?" he pulled away.

"Because I moved on." She told him. "I'm so sorry Jake, I moved on."

XoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoX

Nathan walked to Lucas' locked and said hello. He had been so happy lately he decided to forgive Lucas completely. Being with Peyton had changed him in more ways than Haley had. Not only was he committed, he knew that Peyton was happy being with him without moving as quickly as he and Haley had.

Nathan saw Peyton walk into the school in tears. Jake wasn't far behind her. "Oh." He said sadly.

Lucas noticed the disappointment in his face. "I'm sure it's nothing man,"

Nathan shook his head. "She loved him. It's not nothing, there is no way it could be nothing."

He watched as Peyton walked toward him. Jake turned a corner and went the other way. Peyton walked directly to Nathan and pulled him to hug her. He held her and let her cry. He didn't say a word.

Lucas left the two of them standing in the hallway when the bell for school to start rang. Peyton didn't care. She wanted to hold Nathan in her arms forever. "I love you," she whispered.

"I love you too." He told her back. "Are you okay?"

Peyton nodded. That was the truth. Jake had been her weakness and she had overcome it. She had overcome her addiction and overcome her fear of love. What more could she battle? She knew it didn't matter anymore. She could handle anything, and with Nathan at her side, she was unstoppable.

I know this story was kind of short, but I felt like this was a good place to end it. I hope that you liked it. Please send reviews. I'm going to start a new story shortly.-Brittney