A/N: Thanks to everyone for your reviews! They were really nice and encouraging and helped me in wanting to continue. So thanks Polia for reviewing every chapter, OTHdaddy'sgurl.06, April, naleyluv, naleyforlife, ifonlytheyknewthetruth, Haley Bub, Hott Scott23, and photobooth romance.

HottScott23- To answer your question, I have 3 banners for this fic but I didn't make any of them. They were made by Lo, Mara, and Katie from OTH Central Fan Fiction and OTH Writers 911. And yes they are amazing! I have no artistic talent. LOL.

Photobooth romance- Thanks for catching my mistake. I always seem to write loose when I mean lose. I have to stop doing that. And also I really like your idea and I will remember that next time.

This chapter has a little bit of every character and couple so I hope you enjoy it! On with the story and as always review!

Chapter 15: When the World Caves In

Peyton's POV

Jake and I walked through the mall going in and out of almost every store looking for Brooke. It was getting late and we still hadn't found her.

"I guess I don't know her as well as I thought I did."

"Don't worry Peyton, we'll find her."

"I'm not worried about not finding her. I'm worried about what I am gonna say when we do."

"Just tell her the truth. That it was purely innocent between you and Lucas. And that you were just helping a friend. That's the truth right?"

"Of course Jake. There is nothing romantic between me and Lucas anymore. I really don't think there ever was. I was just a lonely girl looking for someone, anyone, to find me and he did. That doesn't mean he was the right person."

"So what about me?"

"Do you even have to ask me that?"

"Yes I do."

"Ever since you rode out of town last year, I have felt empty. It was an emptiness that no one could fill. Not Pete and not Lucas. And I really tried."

"Did you try with Lucas?"

"Well….not exactly."

"What exactly?" As we rounded the fountain, I was thinking of the best way to tell Jake this. I searched through my pockets for some spare change. "What are you doing?"

I closed my eyes and threw what I found in. "I'm wishing for forgiveness."

"Forgiveness for what?" We continued to walk down to the final few stores left in the mall.

"First you have to promise that you will let me get this all out before you speak."

"Okay."

"And that you won't freak out."

"Okay."

"I'm only telling you this because I want to be honest and not because it's a big deal. I want you to understand that I love you and only you."

"Just tell me already Peyton because I'm starting to do that freaking out thing."

"Well I guess you were gonna find out soon anyway because I am telling Brooke as soon as we find her."

"What is it?"

"I kissed Lucas and told him I loved him."

Before I could decipher the look on Jake's face I heard a voice behind me. "What?" I turned around to see Brooke sitting across from Suburban Filth. She had heard what I just said. Of course it was only the last sentence. It was the sentence that was going to destroy our friendship for the second and final time. Great Peyton. Just perfect.

"Brooke, I…."

"Save it Peyton. I've read this book before. I know how the story ends. I lose and you win. So this is what it's like to have your world cave in?" With that she went running out of the sliding glass doors into the parking lot. I looked back at Jake not knowing what to do. Do I chase after Brooke and try to save this friendship from further damage or do I finish explaining to Jake and save the only relationship that has made me feel whole? Either way I could lose one of the most important people in my life. Just like Brooke had said, this is what it's like to have your world cave in.

Lucas's POV

I had been to all of the spots that I could think of that might mean something to her. I found nothing. I went to the river court first, followed by Tric, and lastly The Blue Post. I saw the bartender from what seemed like so long ago. I approached him.

"What can I get you kid?"

"Actually, I'm looking for somebody. Have you seen a girl with dark hair past her shoulders, beautiful hazel eyes that look into your soul, and dimples that could kill a guy?"

"You mean Gretchen?" I smiled remembering her fake ID alias. It made our first date come flashing back to me. How in that one night my life had changed forever. She showed me a world I had never been to and it was amazing. I had never had so much fun in my life.

"Yeah have you seen her?"

"No I haven't. Actually she hasn't been in here in almost a year. Some lucky bastard must have tamed her and snagged her up. She was quite the woman."

"Yeah she is. You'd have to be an idiot to mess things up with her. Thanks a lot." I walked out of the bar and started walking home. I was the lucky bastard he was talking about and I knew it was true. I have the best girl and I keep fucking it up. We hardly know each other and that was all my fault. I'm the one that doesn't let her all the way in. I don't even know where to find her. Some great boyfriend I am. But I know what kind of person she is and that she has an amazing heart. That is enough for me and all I really need to know. All I can do is hope that it's the same for her and that she believes in us enough to not let go. I look up and noticed I had walked to the river court without evening realizing it. My feet and my heart had taken me to this destination. Maybe if I sit here and wait, Brooke's can do the same.

I sat on the bleachers and pulled out my phone. Maybe Peyton had found her. I dial her number, but after a couple of rings it went straight to voicemail. "Damn it!" I threw my phone and it smashed to pieces as it hit the concrete. Crap. I walked over to pick it up and I collapsed onto the court in a fit of tears. When had everything gotten so messed up? Why was life so hard at only seventeen years old? If it only gets harder I would hate to imagine what will happen next. I can't lose Brooke. She might drive me crazy sometimes but she is the only one to keep me sane all of the time. If it wasn't for her I would have lost it already. She really is my only happiness. All of a sudden I felt a familiar sensation running down my arm. I have been getting this tingling far too much lately. Spots started to fog up my vision. I tried to reach for my phone and call someone, but I remembered I had broken it. Nice move jackass. Everything was now starting to go dark again. So this is what it's like to have your world cave in.

Peyton's POV

Before I had to make any decision Jake did something that was so like him. He knew my dilemma and nodded.

"You know her just like you thought you did. Go get her." He rubbed my shoulder and smiled like he understood. I placed my hand on top of his and squeezed before turning around and running after Brooke. As I caught up to her she was getting into her car.

"Brooke, stop! You just have to listen to me."

"You know what Peyton? I don't have to do anything. I am sick and tired of being the one who gets shit on all the time. So tell me why I have to listen to you?"

"So you can understand."

"I understand plenty. You kissed my boyfriend AGAIN. You love him AGAIN. And I let my guard down AGAIN, just to be betrayed AGAIN. Do I have it all? Because I am sick of being so understanding." She started up her engine and I knew that if I let her leave now there would be no coming back. I had to do something quick. As she started to pull out of the parking space, I jumped behind her car. "Are you crazy? What are you doing?"

"I am not going to move till you hear me out."

"I wouldn't mess with me right now Peyton. I am in no mood and I will run your little fake blonde ass right over." With the look in her eyes I believed her. But there was no backing down.

"I'm not afraid of getting hit by a car Brooke. I'm the girl who used to run red lights remember? I've had more people die on me than anyone. What really scares me is not having you as my best friend." She put her foot on the gas and stopped just an inch before hitting me. I looked at her face in the rear view mirror to see her sigh with this defeated look on her face. She then put the car in park, got out, and walked over to me.

"You have two minutes and then you're road kill."

"I'll take it." Just then the phone rang. I looked down to see the name Lucas flash onto the screen. If I answered his call Brooke might read into it. It was time I made my choice between the two for good. I placed my finger on the green button and looked at Brooke. She was waiting to hear what I had to say. I moved my finger and pressed the red button. Reject call.

Haley's POV

I rolled over in bed to find an empty space where Nathan used to be. I looked around and he was no where in sight. That always scared the crap out of me. Ever since the shooting, even long before that, since we were separated I feared the day he wouldn't be there.

"Nathan?" I walked out into the hallway and it was completely dark and silent. It was an eerie kind of quiet. Something had to be wrong because it seemed too peaceful. Whoever said silence is golden didn't know what the hell they were talking about. Silence scares me. I stick my head into Deb's room to see her fast asleep. I walk down the stairs and into the kitchen. Maybe he wanted some late night Cap'n Crunch or Mac and Cheese. Nope.

He wouldn't had left without telling me would he? Well it wouldn't be the first time but he usually left a note. I opened the garage door but his car was still there. This was so strange. I hate being alone at night and I'd hate to think of Nathan being alone right now. I can't explain it but it scared me to think about what he is doing. I went into the living room to give him a call when I saw the box of photos I was looking through earlier gone. That's weird because it was just there. Suddenly I heard the sound of glass shattering upstairs. I ran up there and saw the bathroom door was shut and a crack of light came shining through. I hadn't noticed that before. I turned the knob afraid of what I would find. And there Nathan was sitting on the bathroom floor with cuts on his hands covered in blood.

"Oh my God! Nathan what happened?" Just then Deb ran in with a look of horror on her face.

"I was just holding it tight. I didn't mean to break it." Nathan's voice quivered. I looked down to see the picture of Keith, Lucas, and I in his hands and the picture frame shattered. I jump up and grabbed a towel to wrap place over the cuts but he wouldn't let go of the picture.

"Nathan let go." He wasn't responding. Deb gave me a very worried expression and knelt down to try and talk to him.

"What are you doing Nathan?"

"I am just trying to hold my family tight. But just like in reality it's broken. My world has caved in."

He was talking so low I could barely understand him. Nathan had been reduced to a shell of the man he used to be. And seeing him that way broke me as well. So this is what it's like to have your world cave in.

TBC