Author's Note: Hey guys! I'm back with another chapter! I know, it's uber-short, but I wanted to get an update out for you all this weekend since I'm not sure when the next time I will be able to post, depending on my schedule which is pretty hectic this week. I hope you guys like it! As always, please read and review!

Disclaimer: I own nothing. One Tree Hill and it's characters are property of the WB.

Rating: K+ to T

The Hardest Thing

Chapter 5

Peyton's POV

Another drawing of Jake and Jenny. I sighed as I leaned back in my desk chair, twiddling the pen with my fingers while I stared at the picture I had created, tears welling within my eyes. I missed him so much, and Jenny too. I thought of her as my daughter and it hurt that she had to go through this at such a young age, moving all the time and hiding just to be safe from her real mother. It hurt that I couldn't see her and I was worried sick with Jenny out there somewhere with Nicki. I hope Jake found her soon so he could come back home, come back to me.

I heard a light knock on my bedroom door then a soft thud as I turned around to see Brooke flopping onto my bed. She was lying on her back staring up at the ceiling with her eyes and cheeks wet too. "What's wrong Brooke? Why are you crying," I asked concernedly. "Why are you crying, P. Sawyer," she returned in a weak voice that didn't resemble her usual confidence. I stared at the picture again before responding, "I miss Jake so much…I love him, you know? It's hard to breathe when I'm near him; I get butterflies in my stomach. I hate it when we're apart because when we are, I want to be with him. And Jenny…she's too young to have to go through this. I hope Jake finds Jenny soon so he can come home." Brooke turned on her side, propping her head up with her hand, "Aww Peyton, come here." She opened her arms for me to enter but I just shook my hands, "No, I don't want to feel sad anymore and if we hug, it'll just start the waterworks again. So what's going on with you? Why are you crying B. Davis?"

She sniffled as she turned on her back, staring up at the ceiling again, "I-I don't think Lucas loves me anymore… We hardly spend time with each other anymore and he's always working late at the shop. We haven't had sex in weeks, which isn't normal for us and lately he's been so distant…" "Brooke..." I said softly as I stood from my chair and crawled onto the bed beside her, rubbing her back to comfort her, "Lucas loves you. If he didn't, he wouldn't have gone through all the trouble of just staying friends with you to be in your life. He wouldn't have tried his hardest to get you back. He loves you so much Brooke. He's probably just worn out from working all the time and going to school, it's got to be taking a toll on him. All work and no play makes Lucas a dull boy." "Yeah…" she sniffled again. I rubbed her shoulder sympathetically and stroked her hair, "It'll get better sweetie."