AN: This is just a story I started today. Haven't really thought it through. Please Read and Review and tell me what you think. Thanks!

Lucas drove out of Tree Hill, the rain beating hard against the wind shield. He couldn't stay here anymore, not with Brooke gone, Haley gone, his mom gone, Keith gone and with Nathan hating him. He had nothing in Tree Hill... except Peyton but he knew Peyton didn't feel comfortable around him knowing that Brooke was into him again. He had nothing in Tree Hill but reminders of how much he screwed up this year. He needed out and for real this time. He didn't know where he was driving to, he just knew he needed to get lost for a while.

He drove for hours. He went through so many towns he just didn't know where he was anymore. All he knew was that he was driving North. At about 4am he started to get tired and decided to find a place to stop. He stopped at a motel in a place called Bakersville. He would have a look around in the morning to see what it was like but for now he just needed some sleep. He lay on his bed expecting sleep to come quickly but it didn't. He lay there and thought about his life in general. His mind kept wandering to the fact that he had lost both his best friend and the girl he loved. He eventually fell asleep with Brooke on his mind as usual. He was woken up the next morning by his cell phone. BEEP BEEP! It was a text from Peyton. 'Hey, where are you? I called into you this morning, was hoping to have a chat.' Lucas deleted the text quickly. He needed to be on his own, he didn't need people bugging him or knowing where he was. He turned off his cell and hid it deep in his backpack and lay back down on the bed.

He went exploring around the town. It was almost exactly like small town Tree Hill and for that reason he hated it. He was back driving within an hour of waking. All he did was get some breakfast and buy some supplies before he was back driving again. He drove for hours he saw signs and more signs. The long drive gave him time to think about where he was heading. He figured the best place to get lost was in a big city somewhere. The next sign he saw was for Chicago so that's where he headed. Sure why not Chicago its as far from Tree Hill as he could get pretty much.

Back in Tree Hill, Peyton was trying Luke's cell again and again. Each time it went straight to the answering machine indicating his phone was off. No one had heard from him in days now. He had shifts to work at the cafe and Deb hadn't heard a word. Peyton was walking towards T.H.U.D. when her phone rang. Caller ID showed Brooke's name.

"Brooke! Hey how are ya? How's Cali? Nice guys?" Peyton was delighted to here from her best friend for the first time since she had moved.
"I'm okay. I suppose. California is fine I guess. Haven't really noticed the guys" Brooke replied unenthusiastically "You alright? You sound kinda...down"
"You got time to talk?" Brooke asked.
"Always have time to talk with you. Spill." Peyton replied taking a seat on a nearby bench.
"Well...just after we said goodbye Lucas came by to say bye too and well..." Brooke said, stalling slightly at the end.
"And well what"
"He kissed me. He said he wanted to be with me." Brooke confessed, not sure what kind of reply she would get from Peyton.
"And what did you do"
"I got in the cab and left. I didn't know what to say. He really caught me off guard. I've been trying to get through to him all day but his cell is off. Have you been talking to him"
"No, I haven't seen him in days. I text him a few days ago but I got no reply. He hasn't turned up for his shifts at the cafe either. I don't know what's up"
"Shit. I was hoping you would have been talking to him. Has Nathan seen him"
"I don't think they are on good terms actually. Also Haley is back so"
"Haley? Back in Tree Hill? For good?" Brooke sounded so surprised. She was so convinced when her and Lucas left New York that Haley would never be home again.
"Yeah. I don't know whether they are working stuff out or what"
"Hmmm...Nathan seemed kinda pissed at her by the end of it all"
"Yeah I know, look Brooke I don't mean to cut you short but my battery is running low. I'll give you a call later okay? I'm dying to hear all about Cali." "Sure. I can't wait to talk to you too. Bye" Brooke concluded and hung up the phone. Peyton had left her wondering where Lucas could be. She secretly hoped he was on his way to California to see her but she knew that would never happen after the way they left things.

AN: So what you think?