AN: First of all I apologize greatly for the long delay. I understand that it must have upsetted the readers but seriously i had the worst writers' block ever and i have been so busy with so much other stuff. But to make up for it i made the chapter really long and i already started writing the next chapter so hopefully it will be posted soon.

All the reviews are amazing and as always make my day. Keep them coming you guys. Also any criticisms are welcome :)

In the book of life every page has two sides. We human beings fill the upper side with our plans, hopes, and wishes, but providence writes on the other side. And what it ordains is seldom our goal - Nisami

The two girls stepped into a fancy restaurant, or in better words, one of the fanciest restaurants in Manhattan. Brooke had insisted of making up for the time they had spent deprived of each other by taking her best friend to a 'nice' place, her treat. They waited in line engrossed in their own conversation that at the moment revolved around Peyton's mother.

"She's really not going to leave me alone. I already told her I want nothing to do with her." Peyton protested with exasperation adjusting the shoulder bag that hung diagonally on her chest. She was in a short denim skirt covering right below her thighs and a T-shirt that barely showed underneath her green vintage jacket.

"You've been saying that for the past eight years since she made her appearance and you know too well that you don't really mean it" Brooke burrowed her eyebrow seeing right through her friend

Peyton gave her a look, perhaps annoyed and maybe just frustrated with her own confusion towards the subject. Yes, she was her mother but she had done nothing to show her the meaning of that word through out the first 17 years of her life. To her she was like a customer who came to collect a purchase that was long overdue.

"Brooke, I do mean it. She might be my mother but she is also the woman who abandoned me for seventeen years because she was too chicken to take responsibility of her own actions. And you can tell me that she regrets it, but the fact that she has done it over powers anything else…at least when it comes to me. Because I was on the receiving end of that deal." She argued in her infamous temper that many knew how to avoid. But when it came to Brooke, she didn't care. Brooke would say what's on her mind so long as she believes its right and the truth. It was one of the small things that had her gain others respect and sometimes, their animosity.

Brooke was about to speak but Peyton cut her off again "She's just like Nikki and maybe even Dan if you take away all the evilness. Abandoning the child not giving a grain of care and later on coming to claim them"

"ok" Brooke turned in full position so that every inch of her was now facing her short-tempered friend "Talk about abandonment that's like our specialty here. No one knows the true meaning of being abandoned and neglected by so called parents like we do. So I'm going to give you that much. But come on" she almost rolled her eyes as she spoke not caring of any others around her who might have suddenly developed an interest in the two girls' conversation due to boredom of waiting in line.

"Your mother is nothing like those people. Dan abandoned Lucas and stayed a few miles close watching him like a hawk watching a prey and not only that but he actually went out of his way to make sure he was making his life a living hell. And as for Nikki, we all know the only reason she developed a sudden interest in Jenny was because she is a stalker bitch who couldn't take the fact that you had Jake all to your self. But your mom actually cares. She got no Larry to compete for and I really doubt she is anything like Evil maniac Dan."

"How do you know that and why are you defending her?" Peyton interrupted but not for long. Brooke was already ready with the answer

"because….you got a mother who actually wants you even if she didn't back then. She doesn't think you're her mistake and she wants to make amends and show you that to her you're not some competition prize to be won so she can show it off to your dad. She wants to be close to you for you." Brooke spoke with so much concern and Peyton could feel the seriousness in her eyes. She also knew where it was all coming from.

Peyton was silenced defeated by Brooke's words. She sighed heavily watching the waiting line slowly become shorter then turned back to her friend without actually making eye contact "you just don't know her Brooke"

"and neither do you" she replied "give her a chance Peyt. You have no idea what you could be missing out of. And neither do I actually. So maybe you can find out for both of us." She gave her a genuine smile then slung her arm around Peyton's neck bringing her head closer to hers "plus, wouldn't it be cool if Jenny has a grandma who can be all ……well grandma like on her with the oldies stories and that other boring crap"

Peyton laughed raising her eyebrow that hid underneath her blonde curls "Brooke, she does have a grandma. Jake's mom"

"Jagalski's got a mom?" it was Brooke's turn to raise her eyebrow as she almost squeaked her words out. "Well, growing up with a bunch of people who got no parents. well barely. Made me forget that some people actually do" she smiled sarcastically and innocently at the same time making Peyton laugh even more

"We really were such an interesting group weren't we?" Peyton said between laughters and Brooke gave her an amused nod that soon turned into a relieved smile as it was their turn on the front desk.

"Hello ladies. Your reservation is under what name?" a man who seemed in his late twenties smiled broadly to them. A smile that was a bit on the freaky side as the two rows of his teeth almost reflected the light coming from nearby.

Brooke gave an uneasy smile herself "actually. We had no reservations but come on. It's only lunch. It's not like its dinner or anything. No rush hour" she shrugged her shoulders innocently giving him a hopeful look.

"Ah, I'm sorry. There has to be reservations to allow you in" the man gave them a genuine apologetic look.

"So we waited all this time for nothing" Peyton was quick to protest being the short-tempered gal she is but Brooke was her opposite. Instead, she had a plan

"well…." She leaned her head to her right shoulder a flirtatious smile forming on her glossed lips as her eyes darted the man's vest searching for a name tag

"Tom" it took him less than a few seconds to answer her unasked question, a slight smirk on his face.

"Tom, cute name" Brooke who now had a full grin rested one of her elbows on the small stand that the man stood behind. "you see, Tom, my friend here is from out of town and its her first visit to the city. She leaves tonight and I promised her a great lunch… It would be a shame if I couldn't keep my promise" she shrugged her shoulder innocently making sure to let her right hand brush a few strands of the hair that fell over her right shoulder. The man's eyes became wider as he gulped watching Brooke's seductive ways of communication and honestly not minding them at all.

An un easy smile made its way to his features as he nodded absent-mindedly "That would be a shame" he agreed, his eyes almost fixed on Brooke's "I'm sure something can be arranged. Just….just….o-one second" he repeated flustered and walked backwards catching the last of Brooke's grin before disappearing towards the many tables.

Brooke turned to her friend finally allowing herself to let her laugh be heard "men are too easy" she said as she shook her head now joined by Peyton's laughter

"Brooke Davis resorting to the old ways. I guess some things never change huh"

"Got us lunch didn't it?" she shrugged her shoulders again innocently leaning her back to the wooden stand

Absense is to love, what wind is to fire. It extinguishes the small and enkindles the great - Comte DeBussy-Rabutin

It's already been a whole hour and the girls were now seated at a table near the window which over looked the streets of Broadway, probably the best seating in the house- all courtesy of Brooke Davis' flirtatious ways of handling male-female communications. Their plates were half-empty and they had already talked about their jobs and their families leaving out a much too redundant topic.

Peyton looked over Brooke's shoulders and chuckled as she sipped from her water. Her eyes turned back to her friend who sat across from her "Dude, he like turns his head to our table every second. I think I'm safe to say you got a new addition to your list of stalkers" she whispered, her eyes darting back and forth from the scene behind Brooke where Tom stood by the door taking several glances at the girls, especially the brunette that almost symbolized beauty.

"Luckily, he's got potential of scoring high on the lust factor" Brooke joked and immediately Peyton bulged her eyes, her jaw dropping in a fake gasp obviously trying to give Brooke a hard time playing as though she didn't get the lack of seriousness.

"Ahem…ring on your middle finger…...Fiancé…soon to be husband…..Adam…ring any bells?" she teased and Brooke nonchalantly bit the piece of steak on her fork continuing her playful act

"Seriously, how are things with you two?" Peyton asked on a more serious note

Brooke shrugged her shoulder while nodding her head "they're good….."

Peyton gave her a skeptical look silently urging her to elaborate on hidden innuendos that she knew existed. Brooke caught on to the look and understood it

"nothing." She added in the same manner "Adam is amazing and I love him but…..we've got dinner plans with his family this week. You know…the first 'we're-officially-engaged' family dinner and I'm so not up for it. His mother already didn't like me when I was her son's girlfiend..and now I'm his fiancé. To her it's like signing a contract selling his soul to the devil"

"Can't be that bad" Peyton commented swallowing a piece of her steak. She seemed to find the situation humorous, as opposed to Brooke who gave her a deadly glare

"you kidding me?" she questioned rhetorically with a raised eyebrow "last time she wouldn't shut up bringing up some bimbo from the past that Adam was involved with saying how great she was and how unfortunate it was they broke up. I only put up with her for Adam's sake but I swear if that bitch says anything to intrigue the Brooke Davis side she hasn't seen before…then I will so bring it on and she'll regret it enormously"

By now Peyton was struggling trying not to choke on her drink as she listened to Brooke's threats about her soon to be mother-in-law. "And I wonder why she doesn't like you" she teased through her laughter until a piece of bread came flying her way from across the table making her laugh even more

"Thank God Jake's mom likes me and his dad is a sweetheart…. Kind of reminds me of Keith. His granddad is a little whacked out though. Only met him once and let me tell you. Definitely skipping out the next jagalski reunion if he is ever making an appearance. The man is a rude Viking…hard to believe he is ever related to Jake"

"rude Viking huh?" Brooke commented "I guess each family has its Dan Scott" she rolled her eyes and her body almost cringed at the thought of Dan. He was a rude old pervert who had countlessly hit on her, even in the presence of his wife and sons and sometimes even in the presence of her parents.

"God, Dan Scott" Peyton scoffed almost imitating Brooke's action after mentioning the man who was once the epitome of evil. "I have no idea how Haley put up with him. Hell, I don't even know how his own wife put up with him. Poor Deb"

Brooke sat silently listening to Peyton's last comment. She slightly dwelled on it more than needed watching her best friend brush it off casually as she sipped from her drink and brought her glass down "Do you think they're still together?" Brooke suddenly asked

"Deb and Dan?" Peyton scoffed again "I would guess by now Deb is in a psychiatric asylum fighting depression and insanity after so many years with that bastard"

Brooke joined her laughter lightly then shook her head "No, I mean….."She paused "I mean Nathan and Haley. Do you think they are still together?"

Peyton found herself almost caught off-guard by Brooke's question. To her, it came out of no where. They hadn't spoken of anyone from their past with such fervor in a long time except for he who would not be named. And even then, it was all based on vague innuendos that circled his name and never actually crossing it.

Peyton just shrugged her shoulders "I don't know really. Haven't thought about it. Last I know before I left Tree Hill is they had broken apart for good. Hard to believe isn't it"

Brooke nodded her head absent-mindedly digging her spoon into her dessert "not really" she said in one tone making Peyton raise her eyes off her plate to meet Brooke's. She questioned her comment with a raised eyebrow but no words.

"If anything is true about high school founded relationships is that they never last. They are over-rated and brought out to be what they're really not"

"Not all the time…" Peyton objected

"you and Jake are an exception Peyt. But Nathan and you……you and Lucas…..me and Lucas. Even Haley and Nathan. The 'it' couple. The true love story of a fairytale…the epic romance. It all turned upside down in the end leaving everyone nothing but hurt."

Peyton felt suddenly uncomfortable. She didn't know why but she just did. This wasn't their typical conversation. Perhaps it was eight years ago when they would share a bucket of ice-cream on a Sunday afternoon as they laid flat on their stomachs on her bed watching soppy old reruns of Dawson's Creek. But today it was a different story. They weren't those girls anymore – at least she hoped so.

Peyton blinked and sat up in her chair "Brooke, it might not have been pleasant but it was all worth it." She said her voice suddenly husky "That was when we fell in love for the first time…some of it might have ended up in pain but its how we got this far. Don't you remember that feeling?"

Brooke smiled ill-heartedly "yea.." she whispered back "It's like when you get a new pair of really expensive boots and you're so happy with them. So happy to the point that you feel your heart is about to jump out of your chest that you start wearing them every single day…flaunting them and wanting everyone to know how happy they make you…" her voice trailed as she spoke her eyes no longer looking at her best friend "then all of a sudden you feel them get bigger and bigger to the point that you barely fit them anymore and then you notice them wearing out….and realize you miss that feeling when you first got them but unfortunately you can never get it back"

Peyton looked down at her hands. Her finger fumbling with her leather bracelet. She smiled a smile that soon turned into a chuckle "trust you to compare love to shoes"

This triggered even Brooke to follow in her laughter. Peyton understood Brooke's feelings but she never addressed them, she knew better than that. But what she didn't know is that Brooke's wound hadn't just not healed…but it was reopening slowly. This has become her way of thinking for a long time and it often brought Peyton to wonder why Brooke ever agreed to the biggest commitment a girl could take on with a man (Adam). Brooke herself often wondered the same thing. She had gotten to the point that love wasn't as essential as it once was to her. One of the main things that attracted her to Adam was that the second he had confessed a hint of attraction to her, she didn't feel those butterflies she had felt long time ago. Her stomach didn't tumble and her heart didn't skip any beats. The prospect that none of it was based on any past feelings she had felt before was promising. This way she knew she could never get hurt again or feel that pain she had long endured. But she knew one thing, Adam was as good as it was going to get and the thought surprisingly didn't bother her. He was a gentleman and a great life acquaintance, he was one of the few people who tried their best to understand and become close to the real Brooke Davis. Falling in love with her in the process.

The girls' laughter died out when Peyton decided to speak again "Who knew out of everyone…Jake and I were the ones to make it" she laughed at her won words

"I did" Brooke nodded giving her best friend a genuine smile that made Peyton immediately reflect it with her own

"Well, that's funny because even I didn't. Apparently I had my bets on two other people"

Peyton almost penetrated Brooke's eyes with her own stare. Brooke just went silent looking down at the ring on her finger.

"I saw him a few days ago" she suddenly pierced the silence with her fragile voice. Peyton gave her the famous quizzical look and Brooke rolled her tongue in her mouth before she uttered her next few words "I met Lucas"

A sullen look made its way to Peyton's face as she studied Brooke's who waited for some type of reaction. A few seconds of a pause passed until Peyton said something "Lucas?" she said sitting up once again "when and here in New York?"

Brooke nodded "we spotted each other at the basketball game..and he came over to say hi afterwards"

Peyton prompted her to say more but she didn't get anymore out of her. So instead she resorted to actually telling her to continue "and?...what did you guys talk about and…how were things?"

Brooke shrugged her shoulders as nonchalantly as she could "nothing really. I was waiting for Adam so we didn't really have much time for a proper chat. All I can tell you is he still looks the same" a small smile formed on her face "a bit skinnier though..but definitely more built"

Peyton chuckled watching Brooke's eyes almost dance as she spoke of him. She noticed how little Brooke tried to mention of him trying to proof to her and maybe even to herself that it was a casual encounter and nothing special about it – two old high school friends bumping into each other after many years.

However, in reality she knew too well that right this second, Brooke's mind had stored every detail about him in their small encounter. From his physique down to the way the midnight blue speckles shone in his eyes when his expression would turn from surprised to happy.

"So you guys meeting again anywhere? Did he invite you over? Did you introduce him to Adam? What's up?" Peyton questioned

"Nah" Brooke shook her head playing with the tip of the straw in her drink "he gave me his card….."

"Oh that's great. So when are you calling him? I bet Jake would be psyched when I tell him"

"I'm not going to call him" Brooke stated almost too stubbornly "I ripped the card and threw it out"

"Brooke why?" Peyton's face fell but her shoulders soon sunk even more noticing the look on Brooke's face. She bit her lip, her eyes darting around the room and she looked like she was in a battle with herself trying to hide her feelings "I thought you were over this" Peyton whispered in sympathy

Brooke gave out a fake chuckle "So did I" once again she bit her lip and her gaze lifted to the ceiling avoiding any eye contact with Peyton. She knew once she looked into Peyton's eyes, she would read her like an open book…and that's the last thing she needed.

She felt Peyton's hand reach out for hers across the table squeezing it lightly and just like that her emotions all melted and it was like they came pouring out of every inch of her.

"I can't do this Peyton. You can't expect him to come waltzing into my life right now after all this time …and think everything is going to be okay"

"Brooke, you've been down that road before and you became good friends. If you did it once, you can do it again" she advised but Brooke shook her head.

"listen Peyt. You're my best friend and you know me more than any other person does and I wont lie to you. No matter what happens in my life or whatever decisions I make. Lucas was my first love and he'll always have a part of me. I can't just see him like that without feeling certain things….even if they are just old residues surfacing from the past. If our past had taught me anything, it's that maybe we're not meant to be. We lost so many chances and let each other go so many times."

"but.." Peyton said but Brooke interrupted her again before she could say anything

"but nothing. I'm with Adam now and he is such a great guy. I can't let Lucas in right now. It's not fair to either of us. It's not fair to Lucas, It's not fair to me and most of all its not fair to Adam"

Peyton squeezed Brooke's hand tighter giving her a soft smile. Immediately, Brooke took in the gesture with a smile of her own still attempting to hold back any tears

"Plus come on….." she said in a suddenly more cherry tone "love triangles are so eight years ago"

Both girls were caught in laughter…

FLASHBACK

Peyton sat on her bed, her room had become almost barren from any livelihood which was ironic considering she had spent almost every hour of her day in it for the past few weeks. In her hand she held a picture of Jake and Jenny. Two total strangers who in the span of one year became the only family she had known. A tear escaped her red eyes falling down onto her trembling lips as her memories took her to the time and place the picture was taken. When they all thought they were in the safety of each other away from Nikki or anyone else who tried to break them apart.

A faint sound brought her out of her gaze as she looked up to find Lucas Scott standing at her bedroom door. Looking slightly better than she was, but she knew too well that inside he was still drowning in the same sadness – the sadness of losing a loved one. Sure it wasn't a case of death, but losing someone and knowing they are still alive and out of your reach with out being able to do anything about it is a hundred times worse.

She put the picture back on the desk near to her bed and motioned for Lucas to come in. He didn't hesitate. Without even saying a word he walked over to her bed and sat by her side sliding his hand on top of her hand that rested on the comforter between them and he squeezed it gently trying to show what appeared as a forced smile

Peyton couldn't help but smile back in the same manner. If anything you can always count on Lucas Scott to hide his pain in its most souring hour to try to make those around him feel better. It was part of his charming personality that made him a perfect friend to anyone.

"I came to say Goodbye" his voice finally pierced the silence and Peyton's head shot up upon hearing those words.

"Goodbye?" she asked unsure if her ears had been affected by her sobbing from all the weeks that passed with no Jake or Jenny. Lucas simply nodded still baring the same pained look on his face

"I didn't tell this to anyone and I really shouldn't but you and Haley are the only two people who deserve to know seeing as how we stuck together the past few months."

Peyton waited for him to continue becoming suddenly scared by his words

"My mom and I are moving for good…..to New Zealand. Andy finally proposed and it seems like the right thing to do right now. Dan isn't going to stop especially after recovering from the fire incident. He is convinced I had something to do with it and his animosity isn't going to…"

"Luke, you can't leave" Peyton cut him off immediately "Dan had always been a bastard to you and….Karen can have her life with Andy in New Zealand. You don't have to go. I doubt she'll mind you staying here…she's done it before"

Lucas shook his head trying to speak "It's different this time.." he replied his eye brows burrowed and his eyes closing for a few second, almost like his broken heart had given away pain to the rest of his body

"How different can it be? Lucas you're like my only friend out here apart from Haley and….." she paused not knowing how to say what was on her mind "you can't leave without telling Brooke"

She felt regret the second she finished her words as she saw the look that Lucas gave her – a look of pain and disappointment. Most likely disappointment in himself. He blamed himself for losing her. He blamed himself for driving her away when she was the truest thing in his life.

"Brooke's in California now. She's moved on with her life. And im glad for her" he nodded and Peyton looked at him incredulously. She knew his words weren't true "I really am. The last thing I want to do is go back into her life and cause her more pain like I always manage to do whenever she lets me in"

"Lucas.." Peyton wanted so bad to tell him everything Brooke had told her before she left. She wanted so bad to tell him the heartache she was going through and the many times she had cried to her on the phone about it. But she couldn't tell him. She had promised her she wouldn't even tell him about their phone calls.

"please stay" those were the only words that could come out of her mouth and the fact that they were true seemed to help.

Lucas sighed heavily his eyes locked away from his friend. He closed his eyes once again breathing air through his mouth as he sat on the edge of the bed again "I have to go……because if I don't, then my heart is in danger"

Peyton didn't say anything. She was confused. She simply sat next to him on the bed alarmed by every action and words that came out of him

"I have HCM Peyton. I've known about it for a year and a half now. Dan paid for my medication because I couldn't afford it and I couldn't tell my mom. But now after everything has happened with Dan and his growing animosity…."

"he cut you off the medication.." Peyton finished for him her body in total shock as she tried to sink the news in. "Oh My God.." her fingers covered her now trembling lips

"It's funny…" Lucas let out a sarcastic chuckle "I never asked him for anything in my life…and the only thing he gives me is his genetic defect" His eyes rose to meet Peyton's "things really do have a funny way of working out, don't they?"

"how serious is it?" she asked disregarding his sarcasm, half her mind thinking back on every time she noticed Lucas acting weary or exhausted and kicked herself for thinking it was only because of his broken heart. Little did she know his heart was going through so much more pain

"I need surgery. This doctor in New Zealand is going to perform it for me. It's kind of my only chance. It shouldn't have been this way but after a whole year with no medication ….." he shrugged his shoulders

Peyton nodded her head silently, new tears forming at the corners of her eyes. "you'll be okay" she told him as he pulled her into a friendly hug and she closed her eyes tightly as she wondered why every horrible thing had been happening to them lately

"You're going to be okay" she repeated and both pulled away from each other. Lucas managed to let his lips twitch into an ill-hearted smile "you're going to be okay too" he told her sincerely and she just smiled back at him through her tears

"listen. Can this stay between you and me?...you are the only person I told and I want it to just be you. I didn't even tell Haley about everything else and the reason…" Peyton nodded again

Lucas turned to walk away leaving her still sitting at the edge of the bed looking down on the floor "She loves you, you know" she blurted this time not regretting anything

Lucas stopped in his tracks, his back still to Peyton. He laid his hand on the wall to the door and turned his face just enough so he can see Peyton

"Yea I know" he whispered enough for her to hear and nodded his head "but I guess….sometimes love is just not enough" and with those words, Lucas Scott was out of her life and the lives of every other Tree Hill Resident

END OF FLASHBACK

Peyton was awaken from her memory by a pair of arms slipping around her waist. She turned her head enough to meet the familiar eyes of her boyfriend and gave him a small smile

"You okay?" he asked snuggling closer to her in bed wrapping her in his arms tightly so her back was resting against his chest.

"Jake, can I ask you a question?"

She felt him nod his head that was rested on her shoulder "if you would have come back to Tree Hill and I wasn't there. What would you have done?"

Jake pulled away with a raised eyebrow, cocking his head over her shoulder just enough so he can see her face and she can see his "what?" he almost chuckled "why do you ask that?" however noticing the troubled look on her face he turned serious

"Well. I don't know really. But all I know is I wouldn't have stopped until you were in my arms"

Peyton smiled at his words. She felt her heart smiling too. But soon it all disappeared when she remembered why she had initially asked the question "But what if you tried and you still couldn't? And then later in your life you found me again. Only this time it was too late"

Jake was confused. He didn't understand why she was asking him those questions and in all honesty it was troubling him "What's wrong Peyton?" a concerned look flashed over his face

"Just tell me. …please" she urged him and he sighed still in confusion

"You're the one for me Peyton and even if a hundred years pass by until I would've found you….. I'd hold you in my arms tighter this time to make sure you don't slip away again" he told her and she could feel every reason to why she had fell in love with him coming back to her

"It's never too late for Love" he whispered before his lips teased the tip of her nose gently allowing her to giggle in his arms.

She leaned her forehead against his breathing in his scent. She sighed, her mind once again taking her to her best friends and the past that they had shared.

Hope you liked it. and i promise Lucas will come in the picture soon.

Next: Brooke goes through a week of hell and there is only one person who can save her

R&R please . I love your comments :)