Together

Author's Note: Thanks for all the great reviews, lately I've been feeling the need to write, so we'll see how it goes. I'm thinking after this one ends I'm going to try to resurrect my other stories, so keep an eye out. I hope you like this chapter…

Chapter 4: Far Away

- 'This time, this place, misused, mistakes. Too long, too late, who was I to make you wait?' –

The petite brunette was seated at an outside table when Peyton approached the small pizzeria. It struck her, how small Tree Hill was, and how unusual and different it was from where they were living. There were small cafes and grocery stores named after the owners, and it brought a smile to her face as she took the seat across from her friend.

"What're you smiling about?"

"Just…how Tree Hill never changes," Haley let out a small laugh at the statement and shook her head agreeably.

"Good point. So, I just got a meatlovers pizza, I've been craving it since this morning. And I hope you're ready to eat because it should be out in a few minutes," Haley looked at Peyton with a sly smile, knowing Peyton had no way out.

"Well, since you already made up my mind I guess I'm eating the meatlovers pizza," it took a few minutes but Peyton finally noticed Haley's uneasiness as they sat. "Hey, what's wrong?"

"Well, I know Lucas left you a note and after how upset you were last night, I didn't know how things turned out…I guess I'm just concerned."

"Oh, right. So, he apologized for everything from last night, and he attempted to analyze my life for me. Then, he wants me to meet him at the River Court tonight at midnight. And he also said if I don't show up he'll be gone by morning…" Haley's shock was evident as Peyton finished her recount of the letter on their front door.

"So…what're you gonna do?"

"I don't know. I really have no idea…I mean I'm not gonna lie and say I'm happy with Jake, but if I went off with Lucas it would change my whole life around. Everything I've known for the past five years would just get thrown away, it'd be like starting over. I don't know if I can do that to myself, or Jake for matter," Peyton cast her eyes downward as the man returned to their table with the pizza, warning them of the high temperature and winking at Haley. She in return flapped her hand down near the pizza making sure her wedding ring was in plain sight, and with that the man shook his head, wandering over to another table.

"Do you mind if I throw my two cents in?" the other now-brunette shook her head, Haley took two pieces of pizza, before speaking, "I hate to be the one to say this, but you're not the only one unhappy in your relationship. I've known Jake for a long time, probably longer than you, and he's not happy either, Peyton. I just think the two of you have grown apart, and after the whole Jenny thing he was never the same. And I don't think he ever will be, and as much as I really hate saying this, I don't think you're the person that can make him happy anymore. The only way he'll ever be who he was is if by some miracle he gets Jenny back, but that's obviously not happening anytime soon. So, if Lucas makes you happy, don't worry about Jake and how he'll feel, he's so numb to everything now, I think he'll be sad to see you go but I honestly think that somewhere deep down he does want to see you happy. And he knows that you're miserable, and he hates it. So, don't worry about everyone else, worry about yourself this time. Who do you want?"

- 'Just one chance, just one breath, just in case there's just one left. Cause you know, you know, you know' –

She had been sitting on the edge of the bed for a good thirty minutes, cell phone in hand. She wanted so badly to call Jake, to see how he felt about her, to see if he wanted her anymore. She wanted so badly to be able to call him and have him beg her to stay, so she knew the last five years weren't a lie, that he really did love her. And then reality struck and she knew all of her wants was just a pile of false hope. So instead of dialing her home number, she dialed a once-familiar number of a person who had meant the world to her.

"Hello?"

"Brooke…"

"Peyton! Oh my god, how are you? It's been years!" the cheery girl screeched in her excitement to hear from her old friend. Peyton quickly fell into a time warp, wiped back to the last moment she saw or spoke to her once best friend.

"God, I can't believe we're all leaving," Brooke's voice had the sound of tears burning behind it. The six of them stood on the sidewalk watching Lucas get into a taxi that would be taking him to the aiport, he was heading off to college a few states away. He was the first to go.

Lucas and Brooke had broken up only a week before, Brooke had been the one to do the dumping, telling everyone that she needed to because long-term relationships were too hard. Peyton knew differently, that Brooke wasn't happy with Lucas, she was bored with the broody basketball player and had moved on, but she didn't dare tell Lucas, she didn't want to see the pain flicker across his face. She and Brooke had never really mended their friendship to what it was, mostly because of the resentment Peyton still held that Brooke got him back, not to say that she didn't love Jake. And Brooke was still full of anger from the cheating that had happened long ago, but they found a way to try to remain friends.

Lucas went down the line, giving Brooke a hug, and Peyton knew how much he was hurting from the loss. He gave his brother a manly hug, handshake thing and whispered his goodbyes in Haley's ear, his best friend. He got to Jake doing the same as he had to Nathan, and then finally he made his way to Peyton, his eyes had softened dramatically as Peyton's eyes teared.

"I love you, Peyt, you know that. Thanks for always being there," he whispered his words into her ear also, and she knew that his statement was borderline platonic, he had never been sure on his feelings.

Brooke was the next to go, and she went down the line just as Lucas had done a few minutes prior. She hugged everyone, getting to Peyton last, pulling her aside.

"I know how rough things have been, P. Sawyer…I'm not going to stand here and say things have always been easy, or say that I've always loved you the way Luke did. Because there was a point where I didn't, I was so blinded by what I felt for Lucas. Which was wrong, I know that. You two belonged together and I'm sorry that I made so much of your life hell. I regret all of that time that I spent being so angry, and I know we're not back where we used to be, we probably never will be. But I'll always be a phone call away if you need someone, remember that. Good luck with everything, and you better invite me to the wedding," Peyton laughed through her tears.

"What wedding? Who am I marrying?"

Brooke returned with a wink, "You tell me, because I personally think you already know, it's not too late."

Brooke hugged the girl in front of her, waved goodbye to the others and stepped into the car. She threw her head back laughing as they all made faces at her, she'd miss them.

"Peyton! Peyton are you there?"

"Huh? Yeah, I'm here."

"You zoned out on me. God, we haven't talked in like five years and I bore you already? I guess I've lost my touch," Peyton laughed at her old friend, taking a breath before speaking.

"So, I wish I could say I just called to catch up, but you said if I needed you to call. And, I need some advice. I already talked to Haley, but I remember back in high school I always got both opinions before making a big decision…and this is a big decision…"

- 'That I love you, I have loved you all along. And I miss you, been far away for far too long. I keep dreaming that you'll be with me and you'll never go. Stop breathing if I don't see you anymore' –

Eleven o'clock had come and gone. The red digital numbers were flashing 11:50 at her, and she knew that midnight was quickly approaching. Haley was in the bathroom painting her toe nails for some bizarre reason that Peyton still had yet to figure out.

"So, tell me again why you're painting your toe nails at this time of night?"

"Because I'm bored? Do I need a reason?" Haley shot back cockily, awaiting Peyton's rebuttal.

"Hey, Hales, the hostility is not appreciated. I'm debating, so hush," Peyton laid her head on her hands as she laid with her stomach down on the bed.

"You asked me the question –"

"SHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!" Peyton smiled at Haley, winking and putting her head back down.

"I hate you," the brunette mumbled under her breath.

"Love you too, Hales…but what do I do?"

"Peyton, what do you want? Who do you love?"

"I don't know –"

"Yes, you do. Stop lying to me…stop lying to yourself. Who makes your heart beat faster, who could you see yourself spending the rest of your life with without getting sick of. Actually, forget all of that, who makes you happy?"

"I can't answer that right now," Peyton pulled herself up, sitting up straight on the bed.

"Yes, you can. Just stop denying all of those feelings. WHO MAKES YOU HAPPY?" Haley rose her voice at her friend, pushing her to make the decision being as it was currently 11:57.

"Haley –"

"Answer me, right now. Right this second, if you had to pick one of them to spend the rest of you life with, who would you choose…who do you want? Why is this so difficult for you! PICK!"

"Lucas."

"Go!"

- 'On my knees, I'll ask, last chance for one last dance. Cause with you I'd withstand all of hell to hold your hand. I'd give it all, I'd give for us, give anything but I won't give up. Cause you know, you know, you know' –

As if it were a climatic movie scene Peyton ran through the streets of Tree Hill knowing very well that she could've been too late by now, that she could've wasted too much time worrying and not making the decision.

She entered the River Court area, looking frantically for the blonde who she had known for so long. The boy who had captured her heart when he stepped in front of her car sophomore year. And looking back at how he chased her for so long, it was ironic that she was now the one running after him.

"Lucas!" she called around, and just as the sound left her mouth she turned, hearing the sound of an engine close by.

She watched a car drive away, the back windows were tinted, but Skills was in the driver seat. Lucas had never said where he was going in the letter when he mentioned he'd be gone by morning, but as she glanced at her cell phone the digital numbers were now blinking 12:05.

"You have to be kidding me," she spoke to the silence, her eyes were burning with tears. It took her so long to figure out what needed to be done, and finally when she knew who she needed and what she wanted, she no longer had the option.

She flipped through her phone book on her phone, finding Haley's number and then three waying Brooke. The three of them sat on the phone as Peyton took a deep breath.

"I didn't make it," her voice cracked under the disappointment, and the burning tears finally fell.

- 'I wanted, I wanted you to stay, cause I needed, I need to hear you say: That I love you, I have loved you all along, and I forgive you for being away for far too long. So keep breathing, cause I'm not leaving you anymore, believe it, hold onto me and never let me go' -

Okay, so a bit disappointing, but I'm thinking the next chapter is an epilogue, so you're gonna have to see what happens. Anyway, I know it was a bit disappointing, but I think you'll like the epilogue a bit better. Review guys! And I'll try to update sooner.