It had all happened so fast. Too fast. Haley didn't mess around, for sure. Peyton hadn't even had time to run the idea by Jake first. With cheetah like speed, hard core determination and a hint of giddiness, Haley had arranged for her friend to meet the principal of the school where she taught at.

"You sure this is okay?" Peyton asked, referring to her outfit of black slacks and a white shirt. "I've never really had a job where I had to dress up before."

"You look fine", Haley smiled. "And you're going to be just fine. Dr. Adams is going to love you."

They made their way from the parking lot to the main office where a secretary quickly ushered them inside. A handsome man that reminded Peyton of a younger Louis Gossett Jr. entered, wearing a silk shirt and flashy tie.

"Good morning, good morning", he said, offering two firm handshakes. "It's always a pleasure to see you, Mrs. Scott."

"Likewise, sir."

"And you must be Mrs. Jagielski."

"Peyton", she corrected.

Haley smiled.

"I've told you all about Peyton. We go way back many years in North Carolina."

"Ah", he leaned back, rubbing his large hands together. "North Carolina, huh? A lovely place. Now tell me, Mrs. Jagielski…"

"Peyton."

"Very well. Peyton, tell me a little bit about your background."

Peyton shrugged.

"Um, in college I majored in Art History and I minored in Graphic Design. I was an editor for a local magazine back in Tree Hill and I also illustrated a comic strip for them. I've done lots of freelance, headed a few art shows here and there but nothing major."

"I see. Have you ever worked in a classroom environment?"

"No. I mean, this seems like a good opportunity but Dr. Adams, I'll be honest with you. This would be my first time doing something like this. I've never worked with kids before and I've never taught art to anyone. It's just something that I like that's always come naturally."

"Do you have a resume?"

"Yeah", she handed it to him.

He looked over it briefly.

"Very impressive. You're hired."

Haley grinned as Peyton's eyes bulged.

"Excuse me?"

"When can you start?"

"Are you sure? I mean, my resume isn't that great. I'm sure there are more qualified people out there…"

"You'd be perfect."

"Okay but I don't even have teacher certification yet."

"Not a problem. We will help you with that."

"What do you say?" Haley nudged her.

"I didn't expect to get the job on the spot…"

"Peyton, may I be honest with you?" Dr. Adams asked.

"Please."

"We don't get a lot of funding for our school and these programs. We're inner city with a high percentage of Hispanic and African American students. The drop out rate is the highest in the state. It's my job to prevent that. These are good kids who need a little extra guidance. We need more art and music programs. We need good teachers who actually give a damn. I won't sugarcoat this. It's a lot of hard work for really crappy pay but would you believe me in the end when I say it's all well worth it at the end of the day?"

Peyton sighed as she stared at the principal and at Haley.

"Pey…"

The blonde half smiled and shrugged.

"Fine. I guess I'll start next Monday?"

"Awesome!" Haley practically yelled.

Dr. Adams stood.

"Thank you. I will have the secretary get right on the certification process."

"Okay", she shook his hand.

"It was a pleasure to meet you and welcome aboard."

Peyton managed to smile, wondering exactly what she had gotten herself into. They waited for the secretary to print out a few papers, which she signed and then they were headed back out to the parking lot.

"I'm so excited!" Haley squealed. "Are you excited? Because this is going to be so fun! You are going to love this!"

"I don't know. I guess. I mean, I wanted to keep busy, right? This will definitely keep me busy…"

"It will be fun. I promise."

"Yeah. It's just that I've never tried to teach art to anybody. I just hope I can."

"You can do anything you set your mind to."

"Thanks, Haley."

"I mean it. I'm so glad you're here. I really missed you. Now you're living just a few miles away and our classrooms are only a few doors apart. This is going to be wonderful!"

"Well, we'll celebrate later. Dinner, maybe? I'll call Brooke."

"You got it", Haley said as she practically danced to her car.

Peyton shook her head smiling as she climbed into hers. She began the drive home as The Get Up Kids provided the soundtrack. A few miles into the drive, her cell rang. It was Jake.

"Hey you", she said.

"Hey yourself. What are you up to?"

Peyton sighed and laughed.

"You wouldn't believe it but I just got a job, babe."

"A job?" Jake repeated, amused. "Where? Doing what?"

"You sitting down? Just join the Brooke bandwagon and call me Teacher Wife the Sequel. I just picked up a part time gig teaching art classes at the alternative school."

"You serious?'

"Yeah. I meant to tell you earlier but Haley set up the interview so fast then the principal hired me on the spot so that blew me away. Anyway, I start next week."

"Are you excited?"

"I guess. It should be cool…or at least an adventure."

"Ah ha. You know, Pey, that was always one of my fantasies to do the hot teacher."

"Really?" she laughed out loud.

"Oh yeah."

"Well, then. I might have to keep you after school sometime."

"God, I love it when you talk dirty but it just so happens I'm at a crowded international airport so now is not the time to be sporting a massive woody."

"Your timing sucks."

"I know. But I'll be home in a couple of hours, okay?"

"Okay", she teased. "I'll see you then…you and your woody."

"You can count on it", he said before hanging up.

She smiled, placing the phone back down. The plan had been to start completely over and in a month she had managed to move three states away, buy a new home and start a whole new career. It was a hell of start. It was a hell of a change.

Making the turn onto her street, a woman crossed without looking. Peyton slammed on the brakes and beeped the horn.

"Watch where you're going!" she yelled.

The woman turned around and looked at her. Peyton gasped. For a moment, she thought it was Ellie. But it wasn't, just someone who looked a whole lot like her. Peyton began to shake.

"Fuck you, lady!" the woman said as she kept walking.

In a state of shock, Peyton sat there for a long time not driving or even moving. Her mind was playing tricks on her. She had run away from her past and her pain in Tree Hill and now it was catching up with her. Easing onto the gas, she maneuvered the vehicle into her driveway. It took a while to get herself together as horrible images of the past year…losing the baby, the painful surgery, almost losing Jake, discovering the truth about her family and herself. Peyton got out but was struck with a blinding pain on the left side of her head. She groaned and stopped, holding onto the car for support.

"Everything okay, Miss?" a concerned pedestrian walking her dog asked from the sidewalk.

"I…I'm fine", Peyton muttered. "Thanks."

Just as quickly as it had come, the pain subsided. She was able to make it in the house without incident. Shivering, she went to lie down and wait for her husband. Jake would be home soon. He would make it all better. Until then, it was all just more proof that she could run but she couldn't hide.