A/N: Hello loyal readers! So what's the fallout from Peyton's little rant? Read and find out!

Disclaimer: I don't own One Tree Hill.

Chapter Fourteen: Between a Rock and a Hard Place

February 3rd 2006

One day I'm on top of the word. The next day I'm buried under the covers of my bed, eating bite size Hershey bars. I haven't moved since Rachel dragged me in here early this morning. We stayed out really late last night. I didn't drink. Not a single drop. I nursed a Dr. Pepper the entire night. Instead of downing shots, I sat there and observed. I watched people interact. I watched them get drunk and try and flirt with people as equally drunk as them. I finally figured out what Rachel does while we all drink. She goes backstage checking up on the performers. She asks the bartenders how our supply is. She adjusts the lighting and talks to the patrons. There was a time when I would do that.

I was so exhausted by the time I got to the car that I fell asleep on the way home. Rachel basically had to carry me inside with Bevin's help. She also called me in sick in the morning. When I woke up, I told her I wasn't going to school. Not after yesterday. I couldn't face Lucas. I didn't want to see Brooke. I just wanted to crawl into a hole and die. Now, it's about two o'clock and I'm still too depressed to get out of bed. I found this bag of Hershey bars under my bed. I think it's from Halloween, but hell that's only like three months old so what the hell? They still taste fine. Now, I hear a vibrating noise coming from my nightstand. I groan and reach for my cell phone, not bothering to check who it is.

"Hello?" I mumble.

"Peyton, it's me." This is the last person I want to hear from right now.

"What can I do for you?" I say coolly, though it's sort of slurred from my groggy, sleep-deprived voice.

"I'm outside your house. Can I come in?" he asks.

"I'm not dressed," I say quickly. I'm still wearing my extremely embarrassing fluffy bunny pajamas. Yes! I, Peyton Sawyer, sleep in fluffy bunny pajamas! Don't mock them until you try them. They're quite soft and the bunnies are really cute.

"I'll wait downstairs until you're ready," he says.

"Luke, now's not a good time. Can't you just-"

"Peyton, we need to talk," he says quietly. I close my eyes at hearing those dreaded words.

"Fine," I sigh, "Wait in the living room until I'm ready. I'll call you up."

"Thanks." I roll out of bed and make my way to my dresser, pulling the necessary articles of clothing out. I hear the door open and close downstairs as I duck into the bathroom with my stuff. It takes me about ten minutes to get dressed and cleaned up. I head back to my room and tidy up a little bit.

"Come on up," I yell downstairs. I sit down on my computer chair, wringing my hands nervously. I really don't want to have this conversation. Lucas knocks at my door before sliding into the room. His hands are shoved in his pockets.

"Hey," he says, smiling weakly.

"Hi," I say shyly, pulling the cuffs of my sweatshirt down over my knuckles. He sits down on the corner of my bed, picking up my bag of Hershey bars. Damn it! I forgot to put those away. I blush a little. "Breakfast," I admit.

"Can I have one?" he asks. I nod as he unwraps one.

"They're from Halloween." He stops what he's doing for a moment before he shrugs and pops one in his mouth.

"Why are you eating Hershey bars for breakfast?" he asks quietly.

"I didn't feel like making anything."

"You didn't go to school today."

"I didn't feel like going," I say just as blandly as my previous statement, "But I'm guessing neither did you." Have you ever been in a conversation with someone where you both know why you're here but neither of you want to address it? It lingers just below the surface.

"I did go," he says, "But you weren't there so I came to see you." And we've scratched the surface.

"Listen, Luke. I'm sorry-"

"No, Peyton. I came here to talk to you. So, I need you to listen to me this time." I nod my head and he takes a deep breath before continuing, "I think you know that I was there when Brooke and you were fighting. I didn't hear all of what you said, but I did hear most of it. You said I was the man you loved. And I need to know, Peyton, is that true?" My mouth drops open like a gaping fish. I try to pull my jaw off the floor, but I'm in too much shock to do anything but continue gaping. I didn't expect him to be this blunt. He makes his way over from the bed and kneels in front of my chair.

"I…uh…" I'm stuttering like a fool. My hands cover my mouth and I look him in the eyes. They're unreadable at this point, giving me no clue which response he'd like to hear more. I should have learned my lesson by now. Denying my feelings won't help this, but I just can't help but fear rejection. Yet again. I look down trying to decide what to do.

"Peyton, do you love me?" he asks me directly. I take a deep breath.

"Yes, Lucas, I love you," I say shakily, meeting his eyes.

"Oh, Peyton," he says, disappointment barely hidden in his voice, "This isn't good." All that love I feel for him turns into anger at that moment. I'm tired of this crap. Tired of Lucas crushing me every time. I'm tired of getting hurt.

"I should have just lied," I say bitterly, "Get the hell out of here, Lucas! Forget I ever said anything."

"No! Peyton," he says grabbing my arm as I try to move off my chair, "I didn't mean it like that."

"Then what did you mean Lucas?"

"It's just…It makes things even more complicated," he whispers. I roll my eyes.

"I'm sorry your life's so complicated," I say sarcastically.

"You know what I mean."

"No, Luke, I really don't," I hiss, "Why don't you explain it to me?"

"Peyton, I love you, ok? And I love Brooke," he says softly, "I just don't know where I'm at."

"We've had this conversation before," I whisper, "You love me, but you're in love with Brooke."

"But that might not be the case anymore," he trails off.

"What do you mean?"

"What if I told you that I can't stop thinking about you? No matter what I do. It's like you're trapped in my brain. It scares me, Peyton, because I'm supposed to be in love with Brooke, but there I am thinking about you ninety percent of the time."

"Well what am I supposed to say to that?" I ask heatedly, "I'm sorry I ruined your relationship with Brooke? Because I am sorry, Lucas, but I can't help the way I feel, ok? It just happened!"

"You're not listening to me, Peyton! Before I even knew you loved me, I was thinking about you more than I should have."

"So what are you going to do about it?" I say offhandedly. I'm really dying to know. Because from the sounds of it, Lucas is stuck between a rock and hard place.

"I'm done with Brooke. That's for sure," he says, "But I don't know what I'm feeling in regards to you. Can you just give me some time to figure this out?"

"Whatever you need," I whisper, "Just don't screw around with my heart. If you don't love me, don't say you do just to make me happy." He nods and we sit in silence for a while. I'm just reveling in the fact that I just might have a chance. All hope is not lost.

"I should go," he says finally.

"Ok," I say giving him a small hug. He makes his way to the door, looking back at me before he leaves.

"Did you mean what you said?"

"Did I mean what?" I ask, furrowing my eyebrows. I've said a lot of things recently.

"You just want me to be happy," he says quietly.

"Yeah," I say, smiling shyly, "It's all I've ever wanted for you."

"I feel the same way about you." He looks at me one more time before going. I love him, no denying that, but I never expected there'd be a chance he felt the same way. Now, all I can do is wait. Unfortunately, I'm one impatient girl…

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Next chapter: A little more fun with Chris Keller…