Chapter 2

"Lucas?" Haley called out as she hurried out of the passenger side of the car. She then ran across the front yard towards the house.

"Hey, Hales," Lucas's smile faded when he saw her panicked face. He removed his hand from the door knob and walked off the front steps towards his friend, "What's wrong?"

"It's not true is it?" Nathan asked breathlessly as he caught up to his wife.

"I don't know," replied Haley, "Is it, Luke?"

"Is what true?" Lucas had no idea what they were talking about.

"Peyton,"

"What about Peyton? What's going on? Is she ok?" Lucas asked with great concern.

Nathan looked down at Haley. When the couple didn't answer, Lucas ran back up the steps and tried to open the door. It was locked. Peyton Sawyer was never one to lock the door. Lucas continuously rang the door bell. No one answered. He started pounding the door, in case the doorbell wasn't working. Still no one answered.

"What's going on?" Lucas finally gave up and looked to his brother and friend for answers, "Her door…it's locked. Why isn't she answering the door?"

"She's gone, Luke," sighed Nathan.

"Gone? What do you mean gone?"

Haley held out a folded piece of paper. Her eyes were brimming with tears. Lucas cautiously took the letter, unsure of whether or not he wanted to read it. Nathan put his arms around his wife and comforted her. Both of them watched as Lucas read the letter:

Dear Nathan,

by the time you get this, I'll be long gone from Tree Hill. I'm going on a long road trip to...actually, I don't know where. I just need to get a way from this drama for a while. I'm sick and tired with this crap with Brooke…I'm not going to dwell on it anymore because really, our friendship was probably over a long time ago - we just never wanted to admit it.

But that's not the only reason why I decided to leave. To tell you the truth, when I got onto that plane to Savannah a few months ago, I felt free. I felt like I could just be myself and do things for myself for once. I hadn't been that happy in a very long time and I wanted to hold on to that for as long as I could…but Jake knew that I wasn't completely happy, apparently my subconscious told him so. Jake said I wasn't being honest with myself so he made me come home to face the truth, but even then I still couldn't face it.

I need this trip before I can do that. I've dealt with too much pain and sorrow in Tree Hill and I need to let it all go before my future can begin. It's time I do something for myself...and who knows maybe during this search, I'll find the place I'll call home - the place where I can start over with the new me. It's kinda funny, you know. I've always been the one that's being left behind, but now I guess it's my turn to leave.

I know you'll worry, but don't. I'll be OK. I'll check in from time to time. My dad knows what I'm doing too. He's not too thrilled about it either, but what can you do when you're miles out at sea?

One last thing, I just want to say thanks for sitting with me at lunch and putting up with Brooke's death glares every time you left her table. Tell Tim thanks for sitting with me too...although I suppose he was doing it for ulterior motives…

Nate, you really have been one true friend especially when I needed someone the most. You're a good guy Nate. I'm glad Haley was able to bring this side of you out. And if I know you, you're probably sharing this letter with Haley right now...so Hales, don't cry or blame yourself for any of this. I'm sorry you got caught in the middle of me and Brooke. I know you would have been there for me if I told you...maybe I should have told you that.

Well, if I don't go now, I'll never get out of here. I'll miss you guys, but I promise that this isn't forever. I'll be back someday to face the truth unless the truth somehow finds me.

Take care of each other and I'll see you guys soon.

Love,

Peyton

Lucas looked up from the letter. She didn't even bother to say goodbye to him. Not once did she mention his name in the letter. Hell, even Tim Smith got a thank you. Lucas could feel the anger and bitterness boil inside him. It mixed with the confusion and the ache he was feeling as well. She had kissed him the day before. She had awakened something inside of him that he forgotten he had and then suddenly she was gone. How could she do that to him? How could she leave him just like that?


The letter sat on the table in front of the three friends. Each one of them stared at the folded piece of paper in disbelief. Neither of them could believe that Peyton had left. Peyton leaving town was the last thing anyone had expected. They all assumed she'd be there when they needed her but where were they when she needed them?

"I should have been a better friend to her," Haley said quietly. She felt guilty for the way she had treated Peyton the past few months, especially when she and Brooke ran into Peyton at the mall the other day. Brooke and Peyton exchanged a few words until Brooke walked away in a huff but not before ordering Haley to follow. Haley obeyed and left without saying a word, not even a simple 'hello' to Peyton.

"Don't blame yourself," Nathan kissed the side of her head, "It's not your fault,"

"I know, but I should have talked to her. I could have at least called her..." she leaned her head on his shoulder, trying not to cry.

Lucas sat in his chair, caught up in his own thoughts. Bewilderment was enveloping him once again. He had been too late. He should have seen her the night before like he had planned on. No. Scratch that. He shouldn't have watched her drive off after she kissed him. He should have been in that car with her. No, his mind debated once more. She shouldn't have just kissed him like that and then leave him with all these thoughts and feelings to sort out on his own. She shouldn't be…

"Hey, Luke," Nathan called his brother back to reality, "What were you doing at Peyton's this morning? Did she give you a letter too?"

The letter - the last piece of Peyton she had left behind; the letter that didn't mention his name once.

"No, I...I was going over to talk to her…see how she was doing..." he partially admitted.

"Aww…no worries, I'm doing great," Brooke announced, who seemed to appear out of nowhere, "Hey bestest friends and boyfriend," she greeted them happily as she sat down. Brooke leaned to kiss Lucas, but he turned at the last second and she got his cheek.

"Ok...so what's with the long faces?" she finally clued into the somber mood at the table

The group was quiet for a few uncomfortable seconds before Nathan spoke up, "Peyton...she's gone,"

"What do you mean by gone?" a feeling that the worst had happened to Peyton crossed Brooke's mind. Even though they weren't speaking much, Brooke never wanted anything terrible to happen to her ex-best friend.

"She left town," Haley answered.

Brooke rolled her eyes as she covered her feeling of relief, "Oh, don't worry. Unfortunately, fake goldilocks will be back. She's probably off chasing some other guy,"

Lucas shifted uneasily in his seat. Nathan and Haley looked away uncomfortably. They hadn't realized how mean Brooke could be sometimes until now.

"What? It's a joke,"

"It wasn't funny," Nathan commented, "Peyton's not coming back,"

"Relax, if I know Peyton, she'll be back," Brooke looked at Lucas.

"Do you know Peyton?" Lucas asked in a tone that seemed to blame Brooke for Peyton's decision, "If you knew her, then did you know that she was planning on leaving? Did you know how lost she was and that she just needed someone to talk to?"

Brooke looked at her boyfriend. She was hurt and confused by the anger in his voice, "I'm sorry but you know Peyton and I aren't on the best of terms you know,"

"And why is that, by the way? You haven't told me why and Peyton wouldn't tell me either,"

"It's nothing," Brooke said quickly, "Now can we get off the subject of Peyton. You know she's not even here and you're still defending her,"

"Well, I'm sorry that I actually care," Lucas shook his head and suddenly stood up, "I think I need some air,"


"Looks like it's just you and me this summer," he had said to her. It was exactly one year ago to this day when Lucas found her on the beach and told her that. For one summer, it had been their beach. It was similar to the one Peyton found herself sitting on now. After driving for five hours straight along the North Carolina coastline, she pulled her car to the side of the road and walked down to the sands.

As Lucas walked along the shoreline of the beach that he had once shared with her, he began to remember the times he and Peyton spent walking and conversing last summer. Although life had gotten dramatic and chaotic, it always just seemed to get simpler whenever they were together. They had faced everything together.

Peyton opened up her sketchbook and took out the pencil she had placed behind her ear. One would expect the brooding artist to sketch the magnificent view of the open ocean waters with the sun reflecting off its waves, but she didn't. Instead Peyton began writing a letter she never intended on writing. It was a letter to Lucas.

The walk along the beach wasn't as comforting as he thought it'd be. For some reason it didn't feel right. Actually it never did since summer ended and everyone came home. Lucas sat down on the sand and looked out over the open water. He felt nothing but loneliness. Feeling lost, he reached into his pocket and pulled out his cell phone. No matter how hurt or upset he was with her for leaving, Lucas still wanted her to come home. He missed her already. He dialed her number quickly and put the phone to his ear.


A/N: Thanks to everyone who reviewed! I'm glad to see all the positive responses with this fic. I hope it keeps you guys interested all the way to the end.