Thanks again for the
awesome reviews. I'm glad that you are liking it so far.
I added a time line, as
suggested – I added dates to the previous chapters, so hopefully
it'll be a bit more clear. Basically, I'm just telling the
important events between Peyton and Lucas before his heart attack.
A/N: Everything in season one happened up to and including Peyton's drug storyline, only Jake didn't come back.
Chapter 3 Lean On Me
Growing up, there was only one thing that made complete sense to me: basketball. I could play for hours in the park, either alone or with my boys at the River Court. I can't describe the feeling every time I had the orange ball in my hands, but when I stepped onto the court, I felt as though the world around me disappeared, along with al of my fears and troubles. I had no worries. I felt as though basketball was my life.
Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy (HCM): the two words that threatened my life. I was 16 years old when I was diagnosed with the genetic heart disorder. There are different forms of this heart muscle disease, but generally, it prevents the heart from being unable to pump enough blood throughout the body when a high demand for blood is needed.
When I was first diagnosed with HCM, my life turned upside down. It was a difficult time for me and although I was surrounded by many family and friends who offered me love and support, I could only turn to one person – Peyton Sawyer. If it weren't for her, I don't think I could have gotten through it. I can't explain why I could only turn to her. Maybe it was because I had just helped her through a difficult time and she wanted to "square her karma". Or maybe it was because (as Haley James-Scott would put it) this 'tortured athlete' and the 'tortured artist' just understood each other – or maybe it was because of love...
Flashback: March 2005
"Hey," Lucas shyly said as he suddenly appeared in Peyton's bedroom doorway.
Peyton looked up from her blank sketchbook. "Hey, come in," she put her book on her bedside table as Lucas lay down on her bed, beside her. They laid there on their backs, just staring up at the ceiling in a comfortable silence.
Ever since Lucas had found out about Peyton's problem with drugs, he was the only one who was brave enough to help her. While everyone else pretended that she was OK and avoided the subject, he stood by her. He listened to her when she needed someone to confide in and he held her when she needed comfort. He didn't run or lecture her about how stupid her mistake was. She already knew that. She just needed someone to take away her loneliness and he did just that.
Peyton was always thankful to Lucas, even if she didn't say it aloud. She resisted his help at first because she was ashamed of what she did and didn't want him to see her at her weakest. When Peyton finally broke down her walls and confessed to Lucas, he began coming over every night to talk and now she looked forward to nighttime every time she woke up.
"So, how you doing?" he asked.
"Well, let's see. It's been two months since I told you about my momentary loss of sanity, four months since I last saw my father…but on the bright side I am no longer suspended and people don't care about my sexuality anymore,"
"At least you're looking at the bright side," he joked.
Before laughing, Peyton sarcastically gasped, "Did the broody Lucas Scott made a joke? Where's the video camera when you need one? Seriously though, I'm doing OK," She placed her hand on his and looked him in the eyes. "I'm better than OK, now. Thank you,"
"You don't have to thank me,"
"Yeah, I do. You stayed with me when I tried to push you away. You never gave up on me and believed in me when I didn't. So, thank you," and without thought, she leaned closer to Lucas and placed a kiss on his forehead. Both smiled at each other and secretly wished the little kiss would lead to more, but both were also too scared to make the move.
A second later, they knew the moment had passed. "Uh, so," Peyton began as she tried to shake her feelings, "your turn. How's your heart holding up?"
He turned his head and looked back up at the ceiling and sighed. Two weeks ago, Lucas received the results of his HCM test: it was positive. During this time, there was only one person he could turn to: Peyton. She was the only person who didn't treat him differently or looked at him with pity. Peyton wanted to be the same friend he was to her when she needed him – and she was.
Peyton helped him vent the anger he felt towards his mother for forcing him to take the test. She was also the one who took him to Charlotte for the test and was with him when he received the news. She had held his hand in the doctor's office and asked the questions he couldn't ask:
One Month Earlier
"Can he still play basketball?"
"We still need to run some more tests to see how serious his condition is first," Dr. Miller answered.
"But chances are he can still play, right?"
"There are some young athletes who are playing with HCM, but they are closely monitored. It all depends on the severity,"
"OK, what do you mean by 'severity'?"
"Best case scenario, Lucas can play, but has to be monitored daily. He has to learn his limits and cannot overexert himself. In other cases, medication must be taken or a defibrillator is implanted or…worst case, he has to quit playing,"
Both Peyton and the doctor looked over at Lucas who seemed to be lost in his own thoughts. He hadn't moved since he learned the news. Peyton gently squeezed his hand, reminding him that she was there with him.
"I know that this is a lot to take in. If you have any other questions, please call me," The doctor stood up and gave Peyton his cad. "I'll go and schedule some more tests for next week," The doctor left, allowing the teens to have some time alone and figure things out.
When the door closed behind the doctor, Lucas let go of Peyton's hand. He slouched back into the chair and covered his face with his hands. The thought of not being able to play the game that he loved scared him. He became frustrated and angry. He was angry with his mother for making him take the test. He was also angry with Dan - the man who wanted nothing to do with Lucas's life, but still somehow seemed to control it.
Peyton reached over and placed her hand on his knee. She could feel him shaking slightly. "Hey," she softly said. Peyton got up out of her chair and knelt down in front of him. She reached for his hands and gently pulled them away from his face. His face was read with anger. Hot tears streaked down his face. Seeing Lucas like this frightened Peyton, but she held her composure. Gently, she wiped his tears away. His eyes began to soften again as she touched his face.
Peyton then pulled Lucas into a hug and held him. He could feel her warmth and felt comforted as he held on to her tightly. They remained in their embrace for a few moments until Lucas calmed down.
"What if…what if I can't play again?" he quivered.
She pulled back slightly, just enough to look him in the eyes. She caressed his face as she spoke, "Lucas, I know you…even if the doctors say you can't play, you'll manage to find a way to play,"
Lucas looked at her skeptically.
"Well, if you can't play, there's always coaching. I know it's not the same, but I see you at practice and at River Court. Your always showing the guys how they can improve their game," Peyton smirked before she continued, "Or if coaching doesn't work out…we could always use another cheerleader,"
Lucas couldn't help but laugh. She was glad to see him smile as she laughed too. "Yeah, I do have nice legs don't I? Think yours can handle the competition?" he joked back.
Lucas and Peyton, Peyton and Lucas - two teenage friends that had seen each other through their weakest times and offered each other the support and compassion whenever it was needed. Through these difficult times they had unknowingly rebuilt their trust and faith in each otter, which reformed the friend ship they had once lost.
