Author's Note: I just wanted to remind everyone that I don't own One Tree Hill or its characters. This story is going to be a bumpy ride, and the angst will continue. I have this story all mapped out…I just have to find the way to write it. This story will appear to be a Leyton fic, but there will be a twist coming up that will push Lucas and Brooke together.

I also just wanted to thank everyone who has been reading this story and giving me so much positive feedback. Your reviews keep me inspired to keep writing this story. Thank you so much.

Chapter 7

I Think I Dreamed You Into Life

Lucas felt like he didn't belong there as he walked through Nathan's beach house. It was just as nice as their everyday home, and decorated with expensive things. He stood in the living room and stared at the big framed picture of Dan, Deb, and Nathan that hung over the mantel; he didn't fit in with that family.

He had lost Nathan and Haley somewhere in the crowd. He headed into the kitchen to find them, and approached the counter when he heard Tim call out to him. Tim was standing there with some of the other guys from the team, Peyton Sawyer, Brooke Davis, and a few other cheerleaders. "Hey Pucas," Tim said, "Come play I never with us."

Brooke handed him a drink. "You do know how to play…right?"

Lucas grabbed the cup from her. "I'll figure it out." He took a sip of the drink.

Brooke pinched his ass. "Easy tiger," she purred in his ear. Then she turned to the rest of the group. "I never…oh wait…I did do that." She giggled.

"I've got one," Tim said as he held up his cup. The rest of the group looked at him with wide eyes. "I never had a daddy that wished I was dead." Silence washed over the rest of the group as Tim held out his cup to Lucas. "You better drink up, Pucas."

Lucas picked up his cup, handed it to Tim, and drawled in his ear, "You're welcome to mine." He walked away.

"You don't belong here, river rat; you never will!" Tim shouted as he threw the cup at Lucas, who was halfway out of the kitchen.

Nathan and Haley were cuddled together on the deck when they heard a commotion coming from the kitchen. A few moments later Lucas stormed out there. "Lucas!" Haley called out when she saw her friend storm past them and down the stairs. Lucas just ignored her and continued onto the beach. "What was that about?" Haley asked as she turned to Nathan.

Nathan saw Tim and his friends gloating in the kitchen. "I don't know, but I have a pretty good idea," he said as he grabbed Haley's hand and led her into the kitchen.

"Dude, did you see the look on his face?" Tim asked his friends in a cocky tone.

He never got an answer as Nathan came up behind him and rudely turned him around. "What did you do to him?" he demanded.

"Chill out, man," Tim said, "I was just messing with him."

"He's a part of the team; we have to start treating him like that."

Tim looked confused. "Dude, I don't get you; I thought you hated Pucas. Now you're acting like his best friend."

"He's my brother," Nathan replied. "I expect you to respect him…all of you."

Tim shrugged his shoulders. "Whatever, man."

Lucas thought about his mother as he sat on the beach and stared at the water. He missed her more than ever as he thought about how much she would like it here. He felt tears forming in his eyes; he couldn't cry. He reached into his pocket and pulled out his packet of pills. He only had two left, but he needed them right now to take away his pain. He popped them both into his mouth and swallowed them dry. He could feel the numbness setting in.

He continued to stare at the water as he watched the tide come in. He felt like he belonged there rather than at the party. "Are you okay?" a girl's voice asked.

He looked up to see a beautiful sight; a girl with perfectly placed almond shaped eyes and blonde curls that were blowing in the wind. It was Peyton Sawyer. "I'm fine," he whispered.

"Do you mind if I sit with you?" Peyton asked. Lucas nodded his head, and Peyton sat down next to him. There was a moment of brief silence before Peyton spoke again. "You know…it gets easier."

Lucas raised his eyebrows. "What?"

"I lost my mother when I was nine. She was on her way to pick me up from school. She ran one red light…I can't promise you that the pain will ever go away, but I can promise that it will get easier."

"I'm sorry about your mother," Lucas whispered. Then he leaned in to give her a hug. "You're freezing…do you want to go back inside?"

"I think I'll stay out here a little longer. Will you stay with me, Lucas?"

"I'd love to, but take this." He pulled off his jacket and placed it around Peyton's shoulders.

"Thank you." There was another silence. "If you ever need someone to talk to, just call me."

The party had ended, and Lucas and Nathan cleaned up the beach house. They decided to spend the night there. Lucas lay in bed and just stared at the ceiling. He was too wired to go to sleep. Part of it was the effects of the pills, but mostly because of Peyton. He couldn't get her out of his mind. He felt like they had formed a connection, and he couldn't wait to spend more time with her. He knew his dreams would be filled with images of her.

The title of this chapter is a lyric from the song "I knew I loved you" By Savage Garden