Don't Let Go

Disclaimer: None of the characters are mine.

A/N: Updates are coming sooner, hopefully. Thank you all for reading.

Chapter 3:

It had been nearly ten years since Peyton had last seen the woman who was her former best friend. After their historical fall out over Lucas during their Junior year of high school, the two friends parted ways and it was less than amicable. Brooke took to spreading some nasty rumors about Peyton around town and then proceeded to somehow get her kicked off the cheerleading squad. It bothered Peyton at first, losing her best friend over a guy. But she loved Lucas and it was the right decision according to her heart.

The last time they saw each other was the night of their high school graduation. There was something about the spectacle of the night, the fireworks and the excitement of it all, that allowed Peyton and Brooke to call a sort of truce and share a short but genuine goodbye. And then they both went in their separate directions without a backwards glance.

Haley had filled Peyton in over the years on Brooke's comings and goings. Brooke left Tree Hill right after high school, except she skipped college and went straight for a career. Since she was a girl Brooke had wanted a career in modeling, so she headed straight to New York City with big aspirations. She soon learned that it was hard to get work as a model. She landed a few small magazine pages and she modeled for a shoe company for a few weeks. The gigs she got were never enough to pay the rent, and so she was forced to move back to Tree Hill with her tail between her legs. According to Haley she was corking as a cosmetics counter girl in a department store in the mall.

It was a shock now for Peyton to see Brooke standing before her in the middle of the Tree Hill mall food court. "Brooke? This is a surprise."

"What are you doing in Tree Hill? I thought you moved away after college, at least that's what I heard." Brooke said moving closer to Haley and Peyton's table. Compared to Peyton, Brooke didn't know much about what happened to Peyton after college. Brooke Davis could hold a grudge like no one else, and that's what she'd done with Peyton. It didn't matter that she had never loved Lucas, all that mattered to her was that Peyton had stolen him from her.

"I did move away for awhile, but I'm back now."

"Why and the hell would you want to move back here by choice." Brooke scoffed. Her personality hadn't changed a bit.

Peyton didn't want to just announce she was pregnant to this person she hadn't seen in years, and with whom she shared an icy relationship. Peyton shifted in her chair uncomfortably, not wanting to turn too much and reveal her swollen belly. She looked over at Haley for some help.

Haley noticed the look and blurted out the first thing that came to mind. "Peyton's pregnant." Peyton grew wide-eyed and rubbed a hand across her face. And the secret was out.

It was Brooke's turn to look surprised. She hadn't noticed Peyton's stomach at first, but now as she glanced over she could tell that Peyton looked pregnant. She wasn't sure how to react to the news, should she congratulate her? Congratulations didn't seem right coming from her. Sarcasm was her chosen route, "So Peyton Sawyer went and got herself knocked up."

Peyton smirked and shook her head at Brooke's reply. So this is how Brooke wanted to play it after all this time? Peyton had no problem playing her games, she'd done it for years growing up with Brooke. "It's Scott actually"

"What is Scott?" Brooke questioned.

"My last name, its Peyton Scott now. I went and got married before getting knocked up." Peyton shot back. Haley just sort of sat back and watched the events unfold, she knew things were going to get ugly fast.

"So you and Lucas went off and got married, that is so sweet. So you're going to move back here and raise your little Luke Jr. together like the perfect family."

"Well that's the plan Brooke."

"Watch that boy of yours, he likes to cheat." Brooke spat.

"Oh, here we go. We're gonna drag all this stuff out again after eleven years. Get over it Brooke, you two weren't married. You were casually dating and it was in high school. Don't blame me because he didn't love you." Peyton couldn't believe they were having this ridiculous show down in the middle of the food court. "I can't do this anymore Brooke, I've put this all behind me. It's done."

Haley stood and helped Peyton gather their stuff from the table. Brooke just stood there in silent anger, Peyton walked past her without a word. Haley walked past her and with voice dripping with sarcasm she said, "It was lovely seeing you again Brooke, reminded me of high school."

"Peyton wait up." Haley shouted after her. Peyton was surprisingly quick on her feet and hadn't stopped walking once she got out of the food court. "Peyton, you need to slow down."

She slowed her pace and eventually stopped walking and turned to face Haley. Her cheeks were flushed red with anger. "I just want to go home Haley."

"Are you ok? Do you want to talk about this?"

Peyton paused for a minute and didn't know what to say. "It's just frustrating knowing that she still holds this grudge, and I guess I do too."

"That's how Brooke is and always will be, you should know that. You used to be her best friend."

"I know. I'm not going to let her ruin our day, let's head home to the guys and we can order a pizza pr something."

"That sounds good. Are you sure you're ok after this Brooke stuff though?"

"I'm sure Haley, I'm just going to forget it. Stressing over this stuff isn't good for the baby. I'm over it. Let's go."

Haley gave in and the girls left the mall. Peyton's mood had lightened considerably and she seemed to be in better spirits as they reached Haley's car. But Peyton was still brewing inside as she thought about her encounter with Brooke over and over on the ride home.

A/N: Review and let me know how you liked it. The first few chapters are sort of slow, but they're all leading up to the big stuff which I am really excited to write. Next chapter is going to focus on Nathan and Lucas and their relationship.