"Hi Peyton" His hands dug deep into his pockets as if searching for answers. His eyes focused on the blonde.
"I'm sorry" her voice came out in husky and whispered tones. He nodded as he crossed to stand next to the grave stone. He examined it as he had over a thousand times before. The silence was killing Peyton. "When did you get back?"
"I've been back for a while." He stated not breaking his focus. "I would never leave Jenny."
Peyton stifled a cry. "I know you could never forgive me Jake but...I...itsn't not supposed to be like this." She sobbed. Soon she felt embraced by his arms.
"Shushh, Shusshh" He ran his hand down her straight hair. He lead her over to a nearby bench across the path.
"Sorry, sorry for this. For what I did, what I lost, for making you lose the most important thing in the world to you." Peyton expressed.
Jake took a deep breath in through his nose. "You know Peyton, it took me awhile to grieve. It's okay to be sad, I still am but you know the moment is gone. No matter how many time you say sorry it won't bring her back. Jenny won't smile again or play basketball with me." Peyton sniffled and avoided his eyes. "Or listen to music with you again." She looked up at him and softened her emotional state. "And I won't be able to roll my eyes while we are shopping when she picks out an outfit that screams of you or Brooke." A smile curled on both their lips. He reached for her hand. "It took me awhile to heal, I still am. But Peyton..." he focued her eyes directly on him. "It's gonna be okay, it's no where near easy but ...Peyton I'm sorry I shut you out all this time."
Peyton's heart seemed to become lighter for the first time in a graveyard with those words.
Haley left Lucas' place soon after their talk. She understood that it would take awhile for her to heal all the old wounds but it was a start for her. She started on the second part of her long journey. She seemed to smiling like she used to for the first time in awhile. A smile that really came from long lengths of laughing or from true friends. Truth was that it came from a newfound hope that peace would be found for once and be granted in her life.
"I just don't get it Mouth, why?" Nathan really was misunderstood. He leaned into the island in his kitchen with Mouth sitting on a stool across from him.
"That's her choice man. I mean Luc was her best friend since she was 6. Maybe she feels she deserves it to him." Mouth offered not really knowing the answer himself.
Nathan shook his head and rested his chin in the Thinking Man's pose. Mouth nodded and began to leave. "Sorry man. But she does know where her heart is Nate." Mouth offered his guidence as he stood by the door.
"Thanks Mouth. Sorry about flaking out earlier again." Nathan offered.
Mouth held up his hand and gave an understanding nod before exiting the apartment. Nathan heaved out a heavy sigh before retreating to the shower.
"Peyton I never meant to hurt you with how i dealt with all this. I want you to know that." Jake continued.
Peyton nodded as she remembered that pain she felt she had caused him. She never thought he would be so forgiving about it though. "Jake you don't need to be sorry. You didn't do anything."
"Yes I did." he started with his voice raising slightly to grab her attention. He started softly this time. "I shut you out when I truly needed you the most. I said alot of things to you that I never meant and sometimes I can't believe I said anything like them at all to anyone. I never was there for you and I'm sorry I wasn't."
Peyton nodded once and let silence hover. Jake took this as a rejection. He started to leave but felt a hand grab him by the wrist. "Thank you."
"I'm coming, I'm coming" Nathan yelled to the knocking that hadn't seemed to stopped since he stepped out of the shower. He shook the water out of his ears while nearing the doorknob. "What do you want?" He greeted rudly as he swung the door open.
"Hi..." Haley's voice was soft. Her return had just been like her first to him after the tour. She still felt insecure standing before him even though he was the one in a towel.
