Disclaimer: I don't own One Tree Hill

Note: Thank you to all my reviewers! You guys really are the best! I love to hear what all of you think, good and bad. Again, thanks to jojogirl for her long review! Here is the next chapter. I know that it is a little short, but I really feel that it got my point across through the simple gestures that each character makes. Hint Notice the chpt title Hint I really feel that good writing isn't about how many words, it is about the emotions that you feel when you read it. That was my goal for this chapter. I want you all to feel what these characters are feeling. I want you to become attached to them, for there to be a connection there. When you get to the Peyton scene, put yourself in her place. Imagine how hard it was for her to say those simple words. When Haley is sad, I want you to be sad for her, when Brooke is in love, I want you to feel love. So, anyway, that was my goal for this chapter. I hope I accomplished it. Please review and let me know how I did! How I can improve...etc...

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Peyton's wiped away the ever present tears as she made her way slowly back to gate 33. She had hated to hear Karen crying miserably on the other line. She couldn't even imagine what Karen was feeling. Every time she went away, something horrible happened to Lucas. Peyton knew that Karen was going to put all of the blame on herself.

Rounding the corner, Peyton frowned. Nothing was going right tonight. Haley was huddled in her chair, her long hair falling around her knees. Nathan was standing by the window, not watching planes land and take off, but rather starring out into the distance, looking for something that wasn't there.

Peyton quietly placed an arm around Haley. "Shhh...Haley it is going to be okay...everything is going to be okay..." Peyton gently rocked Haley back in forth in an attempt to get her to stop crying. "You want to tell me what happened?" Haley shook her head into her knees without looking up. Peyton nodded, mostly to herself because no one was looking at her, and rested her head on Haley's back. She felt exactly how Haley looked, but she didn't know exactly how to express it. She wanted to be strong for everyone else, she wanted to be the peacemaker, she wanted everything to be okay, she wanted...

"I miss Jake." She quietly whispered to no one. She felt Haley reach out and grab her hand and squeeze it. They didn't need to talk anymore.

Everything was so messed up, there was nothing that words could fix.

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Keith wrapped a blanket tightly around him. It wasn't cold out, actually it was getting pretty warm, but he only felt the cold. He glanced at his phone, which had been ringing off the hook for ten minutes now. The caller i.d. read that it was from another country. Keith had no desire to talk to Karen or Andy, so he let it ring. The shrill ringing cut into the silence of the beach like a knife, and Keith sighed as he put it on silent.

He was so tired of talking, so tired of trying to work things out. He just wanted to be alone. In the silence.

Groaning as the phone beeped once for a voicemail, Keith picked up his phone and chucked it into the roaring ocean.

Everyone had betrayed him. He had no one left, so he had turned away and left them all behind. Only to find himself even more engulfed in loneliness and silence. Letting his eyes water a tiny bit, he took a long sip of his beer. At least the silence betray him or leave him. No, the silence would always be there.

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Jake awoke slowly, haze clearing as he quickly blinked his eyes. Darkness was pouring into the bathroom, causing the tiles to chill against his cheek. As he slowly pulled himself to his feet, he tried to remember the dream that he had been dreaming.

Scratching his head, he walked into the bedroom. Looking out the tiny window he watched as dark clouds forced the sun into hiding. Rain, yes, he remembered rain. But not the scary kind, that brought destruction nor the sad kind, that always brought out matching tears. No, it was the kind of rain that cleansed you. The kind that washes away piece of you, until there is nothing left. You are just there, living and breathing, but nothing else. No pain, no love, no worry, no cares left to your name.

Pulling on some shoes, he listened as the pitter-patter on the roof quickly turned into hard, loud drops. Walking down the creaking steps, careful not to slip on the newly formed puddles that had creeped in through the rotting roof, Jake made his way into the lobby. The old man was sorting through a sad stack of mail and smiled as Jake politely nodded in his direction.

Stepping outside, Jake took in a large breath. The air was fresh with water drops. Closing his eyes, Jake stepped out from under the carport cover.

Raining quickly engulfed him, soaking him through and through. Raising his arms up to the sky, Jake let the rain fall down.

"Young man, you are going get sick! What are you doing out there? Are you mad!" The old man, who had been watching Jake through the window was now yelling at Jake from under the cover.

But Jake didn't hear him. All he heard was the pounding of water in his ears as it washed away everything that had stained his life.

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After colliding with an old woman in a wheel chair, Brooke managed to make it to the front desk.

"I, I need to see a Lucas Scott." Brooke pushed out the words as she leaned against the counter. Her breathing was heavy and uneven, causing her to feel a little lightheaded.

"You're lucky, it's close. Room 308." The woman pointed a pudgy finger down the left hall and Brooke nodded a thank you before setting off.

Squinting her eyes, Brooke tried to calm herself. She had forgotten how bright these places where.

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Brooke finally reached the door. As she grabbed the icy metal handle, she felt as if at any moment she was going to wake up. She was going to wake up and find Lucas playing basketball down at the river court, and everything was going to be okay.

Pulling open the door, which felt as if it weighed 1000 pounds, Brooke found herself looking at a sleeping Lucas. Wires and monitors surrounded him, making him look small and alone. Gathering everything she had in her, she walked over to him. There were so many things that she wanted to say, that she needed to say, but she didn't know where to start. Pulling a chair up to his side, she felt an all too familiar feeling rush through her. She had almost lost him once, what if this time she wasn't so lucky.

Biting her quivering lip, she grabbed Lucas's hand. As salty water drops slid down her face, she laid her head on his shoulder.

"Let's not give up on each other." She whispered quietly into his ear. Then, she fell asleep. She had said everything that she needed to say.

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A/N: Read top note please!