AN-Sorry I didn't post another chapter last night. I stayed home sick today, so I should have some time to post more chapters to this fanfic, and also possibly update my other fanfic.

Love, Emily

Peyton thought to herself, waiting at the airport terminal for her best friend to emerge through the baggage claim. She expected to be there for quite a while, for it was Brooke. Her trip from the baggage claim to Peyton's car would probably be repeated, most likely many times. When Brooke went somewhere, she took her life with her, not leaving a thing behind.

To Peyton's surprise, Brooke came out the doors, carrying only a small duffel bag which hung over her shoulders. Peyton smiled, meeting Brooke halfway as Brooke ran to her, engulfing the blonde into a tight embrace. "Brooke…Brooke, you've been gone for a week," Peyton laughed, still clung to the smiling brunette who wouldn't let go. She finally loosened her grip on her best friend, still gripping onto her shoulders however.

"What? I can't miss my best friend?" she joked, throwing her bag into the back of Peyton's car. "Who knew I'd actually miss Tree Hill?" Peyton smiled at her before making her way toward the drivers side of her car while Brooke got in the passenger side. "Still no good music, huh?" Brooke sighed, flipping through Peyton's CD collection, looking for at least one disc she could even begin to recognize.

"Nope, still no good music," Peyton joked back, playing along with Brooke's game. She was used to being the only person who would listen to the kind of music she loved. It was the kind of music she grew up around, and it made her happy, what more could she ask from music anyway? She met Brooke's smile before pulling out of the airport, heading back to her house, to reveal even more surprises.

"So, since it's already almost two in the morning, are the two of us staying up tonight?" Brooke asked, blowing a bubble from the gum she was chewing.

"Actually, I have to get to bed, I'm worn out from earlier."

"Who's the lucky guy?" Brooke winked before Peyton lightly slapped her across her shoulder. "Ow! What? Not like that sicko, just who's the guy?" she persisted as Peyton's smile grew. "Oh and I know it's a guy because they're the only ones that make you smile," she joked as Peyton raised her hand to smack her again, but stopped. "Okay! Sorry! But who is the guy?"

"Nathan," Peyton said simply, smiling at the thought of what happened earlier. She didn't know what was going on between the two of them, but she wasn't complaining for once.

"Wh-What! Nathan SCOTT!" Brooke gasped, over-reacting as usual. "Married Nathan!"

"Unless you know another, yes, married Nathan," she smirked.

"Peyton! How could you sleep with a married man!" Brooke shrieked, not angrily, just shocked.

"And who's the sicko?" Peyton smirked again, "Not everyone sleeps with every guy she hangs out with." This time it was Brooke to shove Peyton's shoulder playfully, and this time, it was Peyton who laughed. "Speaking of, you said you needed to talk to Lucas," she said nervously, not really wanting to bring him up into the conversation. She knew it was bound to happen soon, so might as well ask now while Brooke was in a good mood.

Brooke took a deep breath, trying to find the words, "Iwanttodatehimagain," she said quickly and nervously. It stung Peyton, hard, but she didn't let it bother her. She knew that's what Brooke was going to say, but she just didn't want her to.

"And whose fault was it that you were alone, huh!" she snapped, "maybe if you'd just tell people the fucking truth for once instead of trying to spare their heartbreak!" She had finally stood up, walking toward him as she pushed him back roughly.

"For once?" Lucas chuckled sarcastically, regaining his balance and composure, "you're kidding me right? Me? Not telling how I feel? Right…because if it's something you don't do, you'll never admit to it will yo-," he was cut off abruptly as her hand stung his cheek quickly, leaving a red imprint on impact.

Her heart wrenched, remembering that conversation. He tore her heart, shredded it, in every way a person's heart could be ripped. It hurts twice as much when you expected more from that certain person. What she expected out of Lucas was obviously too much for him. It hurt, and she wouldn't show it. She wouldn't let him see what kind of pain he was putting her though. She wouldn't let Brooke see how much them being together would be killing her inside. Brooke deserved to be happy, even if that meant her best friend would be hurting. She was used to people lying to her anyway.

People Always Leave

"Peyton? Hello? Any words would be nice?" Brooke said nervously again, snapping Peyton out of her daydream, or night dream. Peyton plastered a fake smile on her face and turned toward her best friend.

"I think it's great," tearing herself apart. Brooke's face immediately lightened up as a huge smile expressed everything she was probably thinking at the moment.

"Good because that's what I'll need once we start dating!" Brooke excitedly clapped her hands. "Have I told you how much I love you lately?" Peyton smiled, holding back her tears. It wasn't the fact that they were going to date that was upsetting her. She really did want Brooke to be happy. It was just that them dating would prove that everything she had with Lucas was what she had found out…all a lie.

"Good to hear sometimes," she half-smiled, pulling into her driveway.

"Well! Besides you and Nathan becoming lovers," getting a hit from Peyton again," What! It could happen, please, it's Tree Hill. But anyways, anything else change while I was gone for a week?" she said happily, grabbing her bag from Peyton's backseat and headed inside.

"Uh, actuall-," Peyton started before Brooke cut her off.

"Tutor-wife!" Brooke questioned, seeing Haley sitting at Peyton's kitchen table.

Oh how interesting things were about to get…