Title: Will You Fall for Me?
Show: One Tree Hill
Pairing: Peyton/Jake
Chapter Fourteen: Lift Off
It had been a couple of weeks since the court date. Peyton hadn't been sure whether she should stay away. When he told her he had planned to leave Tree Hill, it had been their last conversation. But she couldn't - stay away that is. She had lurked in the back of the courtroom for the two days, slipping out quickly thereafter.Part of her was hurt that she had to hear from Lucas that Jake had changed his mind and was staying in Tree Hill. The whole melodrama played out horrifically, as anyone would imagine, with Nikki involved. There were tears and feigned sweetness and innocence. But when the surprise witnesses for Jake's party arrived, all hell broke loose. There was cursing and threats, mingled with hot tears. As much as she hated Nikki - and she did - Peyton could not imagine the betrayal a child would feel from their parents siding against him or her. For a moment, she even felt sorry for the witch. But it managed to pass.
"Hey Peyt!" Brooke smiled cheerfully, while clutching her books as she jogged along side her. "How's it going?"
"Fine." Peyton didn't know what else she expected her to say. "How's it going with you?" she drawled, knowing her best friend asked as courtesy more than out of interest. "Since I know that's the part of the conversation you would like to fast forward to."
"You know me so well," Brooke squealed, crinkling her nose gleefully. "Well, you know I've been dropping skillful hints here and there for my dad to allow a road trip during the summer?"
"And during a fit of insanity he said yes?" she quipped, arching one brow.
"Fun-ny!" Brooke replied, less than amused at her friend's cheekiness. "But yes!" Forgetting Peyton's faux pas, she gripped her friend's arm and stifled a scream. "We get to take the convertible and a healthy gold card, to wherever we like!"
"We?" Peyton looked at her skeptically. "I don't know if I can go," she said hesitantly. "Since my Dad said he'd be back for summer vacation."
"Oh, you've got to be kidding me, P. Sawyer!" She gave a look that could have killed. "You'll see your dad all of the rest of your life! But a free roadtrip, to wherever?" she exclaimed. "When is that going to happen again?"
"I'm sorry," she said awkwardly. "But I promised my Dad that this summer would be for him."
"Then how could you plan this trip with me, only to bail?" pouted Brooke.
"Honestly?" Peyton knew Brooke would kill her for saying it. "I didn't think he'd say yes," she hedged, backing away in case of a violent outburst. "Since you guys seemed to be having...you know, money problems."
Much to her surprise, Brooke remained calm, seeming to let it slide. "I can't believe you're ditching me, P," she pouted.
"Sorry," she said, sincerely this time. "I wish I could go, but there's nothing I can do about it now. Dad's made a lot of plans from what it sounds like."
"Well, who am I gonna take then?" She looked like she was about to break down in tears.
"You could take Mouth?" Peyton grinned wickedly. "I'm sure he would love to accompany you."
"Just a regular stand up...uh, funny guys...commadores?" She got flustered and growled at her. "Whatever they're called," she sighed. Brooke walked silently for a moment before brightening. "Comedians!"
Peyton laughed out loud, shaking her head at the brunette. She was funny sometimes and always could make her smile. "Maybe you could postpone it to next summer?" she offered.
"But what am I gonna do this summer then?" she whined, stomping her feet like a child. "This was going to be our 'summer of fun'."
"Yeah, sorry about that," Peyton said drolly. Her mind drifted to thoughts of Jake and Jenny, and then to the night Jake had brushed her off. "But life is full of disappointments, isn't it?"
Brooke paused and looked at her, narrowing her eyes, and Peyton could see the gears shifting after her sullen comment. "So you talk to Jake lately?"
Peyton bit the inside of her cheek, as she paused in front of her locker, not wanting to answer the question. She was having a semi-decent day, and did not want to spoil it by thinking about Jake again. "No," she answered casually.
"But he's in the free and clear, isn't he?"
"I don't know what you mean." Peyton threw her bag in her locker and grabbed her chemistry text.
"It's called, Jake is practically home free with this Nikki thing, and apparently staying in Tree Hill." The brunette had this expectant look upon her face, as if it were staring them in the face, like a Bloomingdale's shopping spree.
"Your point is?" she asked irritably. It was the first time Peyton remembered praying for the bell to ring. "We just haven't had time to hang out."
"And would you want to, if he did?" Brooke asked knowingly.
Peyton looked at her warily, before turning her attention back to the books in her locker.
"You know he didn't even really break up with you," Brooke offered softly.
"Yeah, telling me he's leaving town isn't a kiss off at all." She slammed her locker door and headed towards her next class. "But I'm not bitter," she flashed a fake smile, "really."
>>>
"So you seen her?" Luke asked out of breath, as Whitey was working the team on defense.
"Who?" Jake frowned distractedly, trying to concentrate on Whitey's new play. He had missed a lot of practice because of the whole court case. It was only now that he felt comfortable enough, like he had some space to breathe, to be able to join the team again. Of course, Whitey had to make him suffer for it. But that was a given.
"Peyton, that's who!" Lucas couldn't believe Jake hadn't thought about her at all throughout the whole ordeal. He had seen the effect Jake's decision to leave had on her, and he knew, though Jake wouldn't admit it, he was hurting too.
"Uh, I just haven't had time to think about that," he replied uncomfortably. "Look, can we talk about this later? Whitey's gonna chew my ass off if I mess this up one more time."
Lucas glanced over at the bellowing, balding man, who had the same blue polo shirt he wore when Lucas had met him, and he did not look too pleased at the chatter going on. "Yeah, sure." He passed Jake the closest ball rolling by. "No problem. We'll talk later."
>>>>>>
Jake rested his hands against the shower wall, allowing the hot blast of the pressured water to pound against his skin. He had waited until all of the guys had left before taking his turn. It was the first moment of silence he'd had since Nikki had returned.
He'd been bombarded with questions, words of sympathy and concern, just about everything anyone could have thought up, he had managed to hear within the span of two weeks. It seemed everyone had heard of the 'hardship' he was going through. It hadn't helped that he had dropped out of school to work at Karen's a few more hours, so he could afford the legal aid; and many friends had voice their opposition over the decision. But they did not understand.
Here he was taking a chance on his future. He could get lost in the whole shuffle of lower-class America.
To him though, there was no option; it wasn't a choice. He could take the chance of not graduating high school that year because there was always the option to return. Jenny was something he could not take any chances with.
How could they understand?
But there had been - one person who understood what he was fighting for. Peyton. The roar of heavy droplets rushing passed his ear filled his senses as he tried to push her out of his thoughts. It was as if her face was etched into his mind - those crystal clear blue eyes peering into his, speaking to his soul, as he held her in his arms.
Stepping out of the shower, he wrapped his towel around his waist, heading towards his locker.
He had only seen her at a distance his first day back; she looked the same, yet somehow more beautiful than he remembered. His heart ached as he remembered the hurt upon her face as he told her that he planned on leaving Tree Hill. The words had tumbled out, and without another thought, it became the last words he had spoken to her.
Jake did not think he had the courage to even face her again. With a few simple words, he had managed to cut her out of his and Jenny's life. He never knew something that could effect his life so profoundly could happen in a matter of seconds.
And what am I supposed to say to her now? 'We can be together now. Nikki's out of the picture.'
Slamming his fist into his locker, Jake could not believe what a mess he had made. He couldn't even blame it on Nikki; he had made the choice to run. In fact, it was he who hurt Peyton. No one else.
"You look like you need a friend?"
Jake's head snapped up. "Luke."
"Yeah, I guess it's a good thing I didn't come in before," he breathed, pointing to the locker, "or I might have been victim."
Jake smiled half-heartedly, appreciating his attempt to lighten the mood. "I've just got a lot on my mind."
"I'd say," he said softly. "I don't know too many 17-year olds that just faced losing their kid."
Jake nodded, stretching his t-shirt over his head. "I don't really wanna talk about it though."
"Yeah." Lucas shrugged understandingly. "Sure, no problem."
He felt relief when Lucas didn't seem to plan on pressing the subject. Though the hearing went well, Jake was not relying on the judge to make the right decision, even though the evidence against Nikki's inability to parent Jenny was damning. He didn't want to get his hopes up.
"Are you headed home?" Lucas asked. "Cause I can give you a ride if you want?"
"Nah," he shook his head, "I've actually picked up a shift at the Cafe."
"Then I can give you a lift there."
Jake could see from the set jaw and Lucas' steady gaze that he would not take no for an answer. "All right. Just give me a few minutes to change and we're set."
"Just meet me in the parking lot."
"Yeah."
"Don't get lost on the way," Lucas called out, as the change room door shut behind him.
"Couldn't if I tried," he muttered.
>>>
"So we're clear," Brooke said seriously, glancing at her watch. "6:30 p.m. Not a minute sooner."
Lucas nodded, as if she could see his motion over the phone. "Don't worry. It's taken care of."
"And you're not going to screw this up, this time, are you?"
"Hey, if you're willing to give me this second chance..." Before he could finish she cut him off.
"Good." Brooke snapped her flip phone off, pressing it against her lip. She hoped she wasn't making the hugest mistake of her life.
>>>
"Hey Lucas!" Peyton yelled, as she opened the screen door. "We're ready to roll."
Nothing.
The small, but neat kitchen always looked inviting - all due to its occupants. Karen had always been so sweet and open. She was always hospitable, even when they were watching over Lucas, and it wasn't her place. Peyton had felt welcome in that tiny hospital room - despite awkward circumstances. "Where are you, Scott?" she bellowed, as she strolled deeper into the house, peering around for some signs of life.
It surprised the hell out of her when Brooke told her that they were going to the movies that night with Lucas. Guess hell froze over. Making a sharp left turn she peered around the bathroom entrance. "You know Brooke isn't happy when we're late for the mov..." She froze.
"Peyton."
Her breath caught in her throat. Surprisingly enough, it wasn't Lucas' tall lean figure in the Rowe bathroom. "Jake," she breathed, as she saw the tall, broad-shouldered boy bent over the sink.
Red. That was all that registered. The color flashing in front of her eyes as a warning. She had to get out of there.
"Excuse me," she muttered, spinning on her heel to leave.
I'm going to kill him. I'm going to kill him and Brooke.
"Wait!" Jake managed to snap out of his shock of seeing Peyton standing in front of him, and chase after her.
Peyton scuttled into the kitchen, wanting to put distance between the unexpected guest and herself. "What?" she said uncomfortably. When there was a table between them, she felt it safe enough to stop and turn around.
"Can we talk?" He seemed as surprised as she was at this unwelcomed meeting. "I-I just," he sighed, his shoulders slumping slightly. "I just want to talk."
"About what?" she asked, licking her suddenly dry lips. Peyton kept her eyes darting around the room, unable to meet his. She rested her hands on her hips, as if impatient.
"I-I didn't set this up, if that's what you're thinking," he blurted out. "Lucas invited me over for a movie and then said he had a sudden errand to run for his mom. He said he would be back in five minutes."
"Well, obviously he's using his superpower ability to lie again," she muttered irritably. "Cause he and Brooke told me that we were going to a movie."
It was as if there was this chasm between them, where once there had been nothing but trust and friendship. The scary thing was that Peyton didn't know if she wanted to close it - ever.
Quick. He had to think of something to say. He wracked his brain for all of the speeches he had run over in his head, but came up with nothing. "I-I'm sorry," he finally managed to say. "I'm sorry I hurt you."
Peyton felt this urge to look up. It was as if he was secretly willing her to look at him. And she couldn't. She knew if she did, if she saw the probably completely sincere and puppy dog-like eyes, she was bound to forget - forget the pain and hurt he had caused. "I wasn't hurt," she said quickly, glancing up briefly, hoping to sound half believable. "Really."
He knew he had hurt her. It was written on her face. The way she couldn't even bring herself to meet his gaze spoke volumes. "Peyton," he breathed. "You don't have to pretend..."
"Who's pretending?" Her head snapped up at the accusation. Her eyes locked with his. "You make it sound like you know me pretty well," she said softly. "But you don't. You never even scratched the surface." She spun around and turned to leave.
Jake moved quickly, not willing to let her walk away like that. It was instinct. His hand shot out, grasping her wrist and pulling her to him. He spun her around, her arm tucked inbetween both their bodies, until their eyes were locked on each other. "Don't do that," he breathed, his heart pounding against his chest so loudly that he was certain she could hear it. "Don't make it that easy."
Peyton felt her catch in her throat once again, as she stared into those warm, beautiful eyes searching deeply into her own; they pleaded with her to understand what he did wasn't about her. She tugged at her wrist, which he had firmly grasped in his hand, unwilling to let her go. "I don't know what you want me to say," she said, lowering her gaze.
"I want you to forgive me for being so stupid and impulsive. For not thinking things through enough."
"I understand Jake," she whispered. "I get it. You had to think about Jenny. I get that. You couldn't add me to load."
"But you're wrong. It wasn't about you being a burden," he explained, trying to find the words. "I care about you Peyton, and you don't know how much it hurt to hurt you."
Peyton managed to wriggle her wrist from his grasp and took a step back. His words flooded over her. They felt good, but yet still managed to sting her.
"It's always been me and Jenny, Peyton. She has always been my focus. Whenever I had a tough decision to make, all I had to do was to think of what was best for my daughter." Jake knew his explanation might not matter, not anymore; but he had to explain. "But you came into the picture and all of the sudden I was feeling things I didn't think I was ever going to let myself feel again. I didn't think I would ever meet someone that special," he sighed. "But then you were there. And you loved Jenny, like she was your own. I thought I was in a dream. And I let myself begin to dream again."
Peyton felt her chest tighten; it was almost like she couldn't breathe. She had never heard Jake talk about her like this. It was like something from a movie. It had always been a fairytale idea that someone could care about her so much. It was. He was going to leave. "But I wasn't enough to make you stay."
"I know. It was instinct. I know Nikki, and the money and power she has," he said distractedly. "And it was already a tough fight. I just didn't think I could win."
"But I would have come with you."
"And how lame is that?" he exclaimed, shaking his head. "Making you go on the run with me? Peyton, we're 17! There is so much life ahead of us, and you would have to close doors to so many options for someone you just started dating?"
"I would have done that for you," she whispered.
"But I wouldn't have let you. I couldn't let you," he explained, cupping her face in his hands. "Don't you know I care about you too much to let you do that?"
"Jake..."
How could he make her understand? If you loved someone, sometimes you had to let them go. Sometimes what was best for them wasn't necessarily with you.
"I let you go because I cared too much about you," he whispered, tilting her head up until her eyes met his. "Not because I didn't care enough."
>>>
"I still don't know if this was the best idea," Lucas groaned. "Ambushing them like this?"
"Don't be silly," Brooke dismissed, waving him off. It had been a moment of genius when it came to her. She had always wanted to be a spy. And now as they sat in Lucas' truck across the street from his house, with all of their spy stuff, it was just as exciting as it was in the movies. "It's working like a charm." She pointed the binoculars at the back porch door.
"Brooke, I'm going to go in and see if either of them are still alive." But just as he opened the passenger side door, he felt her hand grab his thigh. "What?" he asked, concerned.
"Project Jeyton," Brooke smirked, lowering her father's binoculars and waggling her eyebrows. "Has lift off."