You might want to sit down…we uh…we have some bad news
Instant
On impact
Severe internal injuries
Broadsided
Dearly Beloved
Ashes to Ashes
Dust to Dust
Images and memories flooded his mind as he walked up the path towards the quaint little house, the house that he had grown up in. He looked around as the sunlight shone dimly through the thick clouds ahead and the wind rustled through the trees. Not a lot had changed; everything was just how he remembered it. The houses in rows, trees lining the streets…he smiled sadly and looked around with a swallow. He couldn't believe he was really back here, but he had no choice; he couldn't stay there; it was too hard. Everything just reminded him of her and he couldn't face living there alone, living in the place where she used to be. He sighed as he climbed up the porch stairs and stood in front of the front door, looking it up and down and looking up at the house. Not a lot had changed, the shutters had been painted but otherwise everything was the same. He stood there for a few seconds, contemplating whether or not to knock on the door…he could just turn back. He didn't have to stay here.
But he did, he couldn't go back to the apartment and he didn't have enough money to just go and live somewhere else. Plus, his mom was expecting him now. He swallowed hard, his mouth dry like sandpaper as he reached forward with shaking hands and knocked gently on the door.
He could hear footsteps inside the house and he shoved his hands in his pockets as his stomach fluttered with nerves, he hadn't seen her since the funeral…
The door opened and her familiar face appeared, her dark brown hair hanging loosely around her shoulders. Her face relaxed into a warm smile as she registered him standing there.
"Luke" She said softly as he stood in front of her. She beamed as she leant forward and pulled him into a tight hug, wrapping her arms around him.
"Hey Mom." He replied as he hugged her back. They drew apart and she looked him up and down, he was so much thinner than usual, his eyes were surrounded by dark circles and he just looked exhausted. That was to be expected though, she thought, he was going through something terrible and frankly she was glad she was here with him so she could keep an eye on him.
"How are you?" She asked knowing it was a bit of a stupid question but it had to be asked. Lucas frowned slightly and sighed, he knew he couldn't lie to his mother and pretend everything was fine and she would only worry over him anyway…but still she didn't need added problems, short and sweet and maybe there would be no questions.
"I'm…managing I guess." He said as he adjusted his bag on his shoulder. Karen felt a pang of sadness for her son, she could see the pain in his eyes and how terrible he looked. She still couldn't believe this was happening; everything had been going so perfectly. There was a brief silence before she looked up at him and fixed a smile on her face, resisting the urge to cry; that wouldn't help the situation. But, seeing him here like this was breaking her heart, she just wanted things to be okay for him.
"Well let's move your stuff in; you must be tired from that drive down." She said in a fake bright voice. Lucas returned a smile weakly and heaved his other bag from the floor and shuffled into the house. He stepped inside and smiled, everything was just the same…just how it should be. He had so many memories here and it was strange being back. He could smell his mom's cooking and her perfume, various photos of him and her were scattered across the walls. Maybe it wasn't going to be so bad being back here for a while…but then again he had only seen his mother so far. He wasn't looking forward to bumping into everyone else, well one person in particular.
He dropped his bags to the floor as his arms began to ache and he heard his mom walk into the house behind him, he scanned the room looking at the various pictures, books, and the furniture when something caught his eye. He stepped forward and swallowed hard as he looked at the picture, his heart hammering. He could feel his stomach churning and he blinked quickly. He picked the frame up from the side and stared at it, his gaze travelling over the smiling faces. He smiled sadly to himself and he wasn't even aware of his mother's presence at his side as he stared down at the smiling faces, her beautiful eyes, her golden hair…she was so beautiful. He looked at himself, standing next to her and he realised just how happy he had been on that day…
"Luke I'm sorry I…I forgot, I just always had it there." Karen stammered nervously as she watched her son hold the frame shakily. She felt warm tears burning in her eyes as she saw his sad smile. She was so stupid; she had just left it right out there so he could see it.
Luke blinked quickly and put the photo down on the side.
"It's fine, it doesn't matter. I'm…I'm just gonna put these bags in my room." He said quietly, avoiding her gaze as he turned, stooped down and picked up the bags and walked off to his room.
Karen watched him leave before letting out a shaky breath…this was going to be harder than she thought. She turned and glanced back at the photo, her eyes brimming with unshed tears as she looked down at her son's smiling face. He had been so happy and now that had all been taken away from him. She traced a thumb gently over the two figures and smiled sadly, tears rolling down her cheeks. She had come to love Callie like a daughter and she knew that she had made her son truly happy and now she was gone. Just looking down at the wedding photo she could see how much they loved each other. She just hoped that in tie Luke would be able to get over this.
XxxxxX
Lucas tossed his bag to the floor and collapsed down onto the bed with a sigh, he looked around the room and leant back on the bed, resting his head against the pillow and closing his eyes. This was harder than he thought, everything was just a constant reminder of her…photos, and songs even pieces of furniture. It just seemed like no matter where he went everything would just link back to her.
He still felt numb, it still felt like he would just wake up and it would all have been a dream. It still felt like she would just walk through the door and everything would be okay. He just wanted her back, he wanted to be able to hug her and kiss her and just hold her in his arms again…but he couldn't because she wasn't coming back.
He couldn't even cry, since he found out he hadn't shed a tear. It wasn't like he wasn't sad or anything, he had never felt worse in his life but it was just…he just couldn't. Even if he wanted, the tears wouldn't come. Did that mean he didn't love her? Did it mean he was a bad person?
He sighed heavily and sat up. He still couldn't believe she was gone, he just couldn't process it. It felt like no time had passed since they were lying on the couch together and watching a movie or just lying in bed and talking for hours.
He stood up and pulled open the top drawer to his dresser to find some old balled up socks still in there, he smiled slightly. Everything was just as it had been when he had left. His mom hadn't changed a thing; it felt like he was in high school all over again. He glanced at the photos of him and the guys at the Rivercourt, him and his mom and Keith, him and…him and Peyton. He swallowed and stared at her smiling face, her blonde curls falling loosely around her shoulders and her hazel eyes sparkling as she smiled. He stared at her for a few more seconds, his stomach fluttering slightly.
She was another person he would have to see…someone he was dreading meeting again. He knew she wouldn't have forgiven him, she probably still hated his guts and she had every right to after what he did. He hadn't even forgiven himself for what happened with her. Still, that was the most regretted thing he had ever done and he could never take it back.
He glanced across when he came across another photo of him and Callie, a photo of them in college. He frowned and turned the photo face down with shaking hands…
He couldn't be here right now…
"Mom? I'm going for a walk okay?" He called out loudly, he waited in silence for a few seconds before she replied.
"Okay, I'll have dinner on at 8 okay?" She called back from the other room.
"Okay, thanks." He called back.
Karen heard the backdoor slammed and she sighed, collapsing into her chair. She was trying to give him his space, space to deal with this but she was so worried about him…She couldn't help it.
XxxxX
Peyton let out a shriek as Brooke shoved her sideways, both giggling as she stumbled and narrowly missed falling to the ground. They both laughed loudly as they linked arms and strolled down the street. It had been so long since they had been able to hang out and just have fun, work commitments and other things happening recently had meant the two women hadn't had time to catch up and just have fun, like they used to.
"Peyt! I'm old." Brooke whined suddenly causing Peyton to stop and face Brooke, raising an eyebrow and frowning but nevertheless a smirk curling at the corners of her mouth.
"What?" She asked with a smile as Brooke pouted and crossed her arms.
"It's my birthday soon and I'm going to be 27! That's like nearly 30 which is old! 30 year olds can't have fun!" She whined as she looked down at the floor. Peyton laughed and linked arms again with her friend.
"Brooke, don't be stupid. 27 is not old, it's still young and you're still beautiful so you have nothing to worry about." She said as Brooke smiled slightly as they continued walking along the path, the trees rustling and the river flowing noisily nearby.
"Yeah but, I'm not even married or anything! I mean I know I'm with Jake and all but what if he never asks?" She asked as Peyton sighed slightly
"Brooke, so what if he doesn't ask? You know he loves you; you don't need a piece of paper to prove that. At least you have someone. I'm all alone in that empty apartment and I work too much to ever have anyone interested in me." She said, sweeping her golden curls to one side.
"Peyton don't be stupid, you're young, sexy and great at your job and trust me, I'm sure there are a million copy guys or interns at the office who are totally like in love with you in a weird kind of younger hot guy crushing on their hot boss kind of way." She said with a smile. Peyton laughed and they continued walking along, turning the corner and walking across to the rivercourt where their car was parked. As they walked forward, over the sound of the river and the trees they could hear the familiar sound of a basketball hitting the asphalt. They looked up and Peyton swallowed, her heart skipping a beat…That couldn't be..wait? It couldn't be…
She stopped in her tracks and stared at the tall blonde figure who was dribbling furiously up the court before he sank another shot quickly. She felt Brooke stop at her side.
"Peyton…what the…oh my god." She gasped as she followed Peyton's gaze to the court.
"Is that…No it can't be…It is!" She cried before rushing forward with a shriek leaving Peyton still stood stock still at the courtside. She couldn't believe it…what was he doing back here? Her heart was hammering rapidly against her chest as her blood rushed in her ears, she couldn't believe it was really him. She blinked quickly her eyes stinging slightly. It was really him…she had always thought about what would happen if she ever bumped into him again and she always imagined herself walking coolly past him but now…she couldn't even move, what would she say to him? She scowled slightly, why was he even back here?
She swallowed again, a lump in her throat and she walked slowly forward…she couldn't just avoid him, even after everything he had done she couldn't just ignore him…
"Lucas! What are you doing here?" She heard Brooke shrieking as she hugged him tightly. Lucas smiled weakly and drew away.
"I uh…well I'm staying here for a while." He mumbled looking over Brooke's shoulder and glancing at Peyton who was hanging back awkwardly. He caught her gaze and she looked at him coldly before looking away immediately…he deserved that kind of greeting, he guessed. He turned his attention back to Brooke who was grinning.
"Is Callie here too?" She asked a bit quieter remembering Peyton's presence. Lucas swallowed and looked down at his shoes…he had to stop doing that every time he heard her name.
" Um…no, she's not here." He mumbled not meeting her gaze, so they didn't know…There was an awkward silence in which Brooke flushed slightly and looked away. Peyton looked up and studied Lucas as he looked down at his shoes, something was definitely up with him…she may not have spoken to him for about 6 years but she still knew him well enough to know something was up…so Callie wasn't here with him? She thought interested.
Brooke
"Oh right…well um…how long are you planning to stay for?" She asked trying to fill the awkward silence. Lucas frowned slightly.
"I don't really know, a few weeks maybe…it depends." He said tucking the basketball under his arm, he looked at Brooke…she hadn't really changed at all, still had the same bubbly personality, cute dimples and friendly charm which was why he was such good friends with her but after everything that happened they had drifted apart…He glanced at Peyton again, he couldn't not notice the coldness between them but he also couldn't not notice how beautiful she still looked.
"Are you staying at Karen's?"
Brooke's question snapped him out of it.
"Uh yeah, at least until I find my own place anyway…How is work?" He asked trying to turn the attention away from him, he had seen the look on Brooke's face when he said Callie wasn't here…
"Oh work' s great, boring but great, did you hear about Peyton's job?" She said causing Peyton to straighten up and flush slightly…Lucas glanced at Peyton again.
"Um no I didn't."
Truth was he had heard nothing about her.
"She got promoted to head of art and graphics at Thud!" Brooke said with a grin. Lucas forced a pathetic smile.
"That's great." He said to Peyton and she nodded.
"Yeah."
Another awkward silence hung heavily in the air and Luke shifted on the spot…he knew it would be like this, it was why he had dreaded coming back here. But neither of them knew, at least then he wouldn't be getting the sympathy looks that he couldn't stand, the pity. He had to admit he respected Peyton for even standing here with Brooke whilst she spoke to him…he didn't even deserve that.
"So I uh…I better head off, I'll see you guys around." He said twirling the basketball between his fingers. Brooke smiled.
"Yeah, we'll catch up." She leant forward and kissed Luke on the cheek. Luke attempted a half wave to Peyton which was ignored as she folded her arms and he swallowed and took off…
Once Lucas was out of site Brooke let out a long sigh.
"Oh My God…Thanks for sticking me in the middle of the Arctic back there!" Brooke said as she turned to face Peyton. Peyton frowned slightly.
"Sorry what?" Peyton asked confused, her heart still racing slightly…she couldn't believe he was back, how was she going to be able to see him around all the time?
"I mean…if looks could kill…" She said raising an eyebrow. Peyton flushed slightly but didn't say anything.
"I know how hard this must be on you with him around again but I thought you two sorted things out?" She asked as Peyton sighed and shifted slightly. It was just complicated she thought, it still hurt when she even saw him hugging Brooke. It just bought back so many memories, she had forgiven Brooke but why couldn't she forgive him?
" I know but, seeing him again I guess it's just hard you know? It still hurts." She said honestly as Brooke looked down. She still felt so terrible about the whole thing, she still couldn't believe she had done that to her friend…But they had gotten over it afterall best friends can forgive each other anything.
"I know sweetie…but, what did you think about the wife situation! She isn't here with him and he could be staying for weeks! Do you think she kicked him out?" She said immediately switching into gossip mode. Peyton raised an eyebrow, she didn't really like gossiping about him but she had seen the look on his face when Brooke asked about…Carrie? Callie? And why would he be staying here for a few weeks possibly months without her?
"She must have…she probably came to her senses and saw what he's really like." She said bitterly. She stopped regretting that comment…she didn't want people to think she was still hung up on him, she didn't want them to know that she thought about him all the time, that sometimes…sometimes she might just miss him.
"Ouch…well I will have to find out. You know I can't NOT know what is going on in other people's lives." She said with a smirk. Peyton laughed and they began to walk over to the car.
"It's gonna be weird having him around again…but we'll stick together right?" Peyton asked with a smile holding out her pinky, Brooke grinned and held out hers, linking them together.
"Hoes over Bros."
"Buds over Studs."
A/N So what did you think? I know it was a bit boring and uneventful again but stick with it, I have to set the scene first! Please review and tell me what you think and how to improve
Next Time: Karen notices Lucas isn't eating and is worried and Peyton is still cold towards Lucas and her and Brooke still think Lucas' wife has left him