Peyton looked up at the sudden increase in noise. She had arrived at Prom. Turning at the hand on her arm she nodded and watched as Lucas walked off. She had no idea what he had just said or even remember the journey from her house.

All she could think about was Brookes' declaration, the words going around and around in her head making her confused and unsure of much at the moment.

"…how could you not know…"

Trying to push that question away Peyton looked around at the mass of students enjoying their night. She had never been the most cheery of people but right now she felt more out of place than she ever had.

She didn't belong here. She didn't want to sit around laughing and joking with her friends. Dancing with Lucas to slow songs and then at the end of the night maybe going home with him. Maybe? He was her boyfriend, of course she'd be spending Prom night with him, right?

Shaking her head Peyton made her way over to an empty table before taking a seat and staring out at the couples dancing on the dance floor.

"…how could you not know…"

Brooke was never very good at hiding her emotions especially from Peyton so there must have been signs, right? If Brooke had expected her to know how she felt then what had she missed seeing. Just how often had she misread Brooke or laughed off some of her comments to Brooke just being Brooke.

Before she could begin to scrutinize some of her more friendly interactions with Brooke she was interrupted by someone sitting down beside her.

A little upset at Luke's return Peyton fixed a smile to her face and turned to great him only to see Bevin beside her instead.

"Well how's it going so far?" The cheerleader asked with a smile as she watched Skills dancing a few feet away.

"Uhm, just got here actually." Peyton began as she glanced around. "Looks good though." She continued.

"Oh, yeah guess it does." She waved off as she looked at Peyton with a grin. "So have you seen Brooke?"

"Uh, no. I don't think she's here." Peyton replied somewhat uncomfortably. Would Brooke show up?

Peyton was unsure if Brooke's appearance would be a good thing or not. It was too soon, and she had no idea what she would say to the brunette.

"Well she better hurry up, they're going to announce Prom King and Queen soon." The blonde continued completely unaware of Peyton's inner turmoil at the idea. "Wouldn't want her to miss that now would we?" She continues before winking at Peyton and getting up to rejoin her boyfriend.

"Hey, look who I found." Lucas' voice sounds as Peyton looks at him.

Standing beside him are Nathan and Haley who take seats around the table as a glass of punch is placed down in front of her.

Glad to have something to do Peyton mumbles out a quick 'Thanks' to Lucas before taking a drink.

Shocked at the strong alcoholic taste Peyton winces before swallowing her mouthful as her friends look on with grins.

"Good stuff, huh?" Asks Haley with a smirk.

Coughing as Lucas pats her on the back gently, Peyton glares at Haley.

"Yeah, not really the kind of drink I was expecting." Peyton finally replies, strangely enjoying the burning sensation left by the drink. Not that bad, tastes okay.

"Well at least you can drink it, unlike some of us." Haley says sending a look at her husband who just sighs.

"Right. You do get that your pregnant Hales, a drinking problem can wait until after you give birth." Peyton say sarcastically.

"A sip, just one sip. That is not going to do anything to me or the baby, my so-called husband is just being silly." Haley says in annoyance.

"Right, well seeing as my lovely, beautiful wife won't dance with me any chance you'd like to?" Nathan asks as he stands and offers his hand to his ex-girlfriend.

With a quick glance to Haley, who smiles at her, Peyton lets herself be dragged onto the dance floor.

xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

Laughing as Nathan spins her around before pulling her close Peyton feels like she's starting to begin to enjoy the night.

"So how are you doing?" Nathan asks with concern. "With the whole tape thing?" He continues when Peyton looks at him blankly.

"Oh, that." She replies softly watching as he grimaces. She didn't want to think about that anymore than she already had. "I'm okay. It hurt though, even if it was a long time ago, it still hurt."

Pulling away slightly Nathan brings them to a stand still. "But we're okay right, I mean I know I was an ass back then and treated you-"

"We've been through this." Peyton interrupts him from another apology and starts him dancing again before carrying on. "Yes we're all aware of just what a jackass you used to be Nate."

Which causes him to burst out laughing.

Peyton grins at her friend. "Of course now you're so not that guy. You've turned into someone I'm proud to call my friend, although I think Haley can take some of the credit for that." Haley and Nathan just seemed to fit together, they made each other better people.

It was something Peyton found herself slightly jealous of. When she let herself think about what they had with each other and what she wasn't sure she'd ever find. Someone that makes you feel whole, that would love you through the good and the bad, and never give up.

Would Lucas be that for her, she wasn't sure she was ready to know the answer to that just yet. After everything I've gone through to finally be with Lucas how can I even consider that he might not be.

"Thank you, that means a lot." Nathan replied then frowned as he looked at the corsage on her wrist.

"What?" She asks at his look.

"Well, white roses mean pure intentions and pink ones can mean passion or happiness." He says. "So is Lucas trying to say his love is pure or that he just wants you to be happy?" He shakes his head with a smile.

"What?" Peyton can feel herself blushing. What it he talking about?

"I've sent Haley roses a time or two, it helps to impress her when she knows what the colours mean. Of course I had to have the florist explain it to me." He confides.

Peyton could feel the tips of her ears burn at that. Pure intentions, passion or happiness? Peyton felt her head spin, she could only hope Nathan didn't ask Luke just what he meant with the corsage. Did Brooke have any idea what the colours meant? Was it on purpose?

Before she could really think about that, she saw Lucas move towards them.

"Can I cut in?" He asks looking at Peyton with a smile.

"Sure." Nathan says then takes Luke into his arms and spins him around causes the three friends to laugh.

Peyton watches in amusement looking over to see Haley shake her head at her husbands' antics. Finally Lucas escapes from his brother and takes Peyton into his arms.

"I think he's been drinking Haley's share of the punch." He says before leaning in to kiss Peyton on the lips then deepening the kiss.

Uncomfortable at Lucas' display of affection Peyton pulls away after a moment and rests her head on his shoulder so she didn't have to look at his face.

Frowning Lucas spends part of the song playing trying to work out if he had done something wrong. He knew she was still upset over the video but it was Prom, surely she could let that go just for tonight.

"Are you okay?" He finally asks.

Peyton wasn't sure she was, her stomach was all in knots and her palms were beginning to sweat.

"Peyton? Are you okay?" Lucas asked as he moved to look at her. "You look kind of pale."

"Maybe I should sit down." Peyton says as she felt her knees begin to shake.

"Okay, lets go." Lucas says leading them back to their table.

Sitting down Peyton could feel Luke stare at her but avoided his gaze. "Guess Nathan and Haley decided to take off." She says gesturing to the empty seats.

"Yeah, Haley did mention something about having an early night. Look, how about I get you something to drink?" He questions standing up.

Peyton looks up at him trying not to look relieved that she was about to be left alone.

"Thanks, water would be good right now." And with that Lucas heads off towards the drinks table.

Resting her head in her hands Peyton lets out a groan. What am I playing at? What am I doing? God what am I going to do now? There's no way I can just pretend that nothing's up and just enjoy the night.

Suddenly the music is cut sending the hall into silence causing Peyton to raise her head and look around. Finally she notices a commotion up on stage.

"Well I hope everyone is enjoying the night." A student holding a mic says getting a cheer from the crowd. "Well without any further ado let's announce our very own King and Queen." Which is greeted by more shouts and claps.

Peyton watches on as another student walks forward holding a crown.

"And our Prom King is…. Nathan Scott!"

Cheers abound for the basketball star.

Peyton smiles at that, happy for her friend even though he wasn't there to enjoy the moment. After some discussion by those on stage the guy with the mic comes forward again.

"I guess we'll move on. Our Prom Queen is…. Brooke Davis!!"

At that Peyton loses not only her smile but any remaining colour she still had in her face.

"Here's some water." Lucas says placing a bottle down and taking his seat. Just as he was about to ask if she was okay Peyton speaks.

"You know what?" Peyton begins as she stands up. "I'm really not feeling that great, I think I should just go home."

"What? Peyton I'm sure you'll feel better in-"

"Lucas I really want to leave, now you can either be a gentleman and take me, or I'll find someone else who will!" Peyton snaps angrily.

She couldn't stay here any longer. She needed to go home. Alone.

To think about everything that had happened tonight. She didn't want to spend anymore time with Lucas or play the good girlfriend. She just needed to get away from everyone and everything that reminded her of Brooke.

She just wasn't sure if that was possible.

xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

Closing the door behind her Peyton sighs and leans back against the door. She'd been gone for about two hours but it had felt like a lifetime.

Shaking her head Peyton kicks her shoes off and makes her way up to her bedroom to take off her dress and change into something a bit more comfortable.

Reaching the top of the stairs she runs her hand through her hair, she had so much to think about she didn't know where to start.

She knew Lucas hadn't been happy with the way the night had gone but she found herself with no sympathy. She had more important things to think about. Like Brooke.

With her hand on the light switch Peyton freezes at a sound coming from within her room.

Feeling a shiver run down her spine Peyton doesn't know if she should flick the light on or turn around and run.

Her decision is made as another sound reaches her ears sounding very much like a groan.

The room illuminates with a flick of her finger and Peyton looks on in horror at the scene displayed in front of her.

She doesn't know what shocks her to the core the most. The sight of the naked figure on the floor covered in blood or that she recognised who it was.

"BROOKE!"