AUTHORS NOTE - PLEASE READ

I've decided to add song lyrics to this chapter, as I thought they worked really well with the plotline.

The song is GooGoo Dolls - Before Its Too Late, and the lyrics are in bold.

Ok, I think thats everything. I hope you guys enjoy the chapter.

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Chapter Eleven - Before Its Too Late

I wondered through fiction to look for the truth
Buried beneath all the lies
And I stood at a distance
To feel who you are
Hiding myself in your eyes

It had been just over ten minutes since Lucas had left the church. Just over ten minutes since he'd told Peyton he needed time alone. He needed some space to sort things out in his head. And, without another word he'd made his way back down the aisle and out of the big wooden door. Avoiding the confused and shocked gazes of the wedding guests. Avoiding any eye contact with the woman that he'd just realised he wanted more than friendship from.

Lucas had left chaos and confusion in his wake and Brooke seemed to be the only that wasn't affected by this destruction. Whilst everyone speculated amongst themselves, rushed around trying to keep the vicar from moving on, and just generally made sure Peyton was okay; Brooke sat. Still. Silent. On the front row of the right hand side of the church. The only thing present on her mind was Lucas' pain. The pain he must be going through at this very moment.

And, then in popped into her thoughts. The one thing she'd tried so hard not to let herself think of. The one thing that could give her so much hope. So much false hope.

The fact that Lucas could possibly feel the same way about her too.

And hold on before it's too late
Until we leave this behind
Don't fall just be who you are
It's all that we need in our lives

He stood in the gardens of the church. The sky still clear. And, the day still bright. His thoughts now bleary. And, his mind now dull.

A feeling of something rushing through his veins.

A feeling he couldn't even begin to explain. But, a feeling he recognised so well.

A feeling he'd always felt in the pitt of his stomach. But, a feeling that had never fully connected with his thoughts.

A feeling of something more than love. Something much more than lust.
One of extasy. One of raw emotion. One he couldn't describe.

He blamed himself over and over for letting himself come this far. For letting himself believe that Peyton was the one he wanted. He blamed himself for not realising his true feelings sooner.

But, it wasn't too late.

Was it?

And the risk that might break you
Is the one that would save
A life you don't live is still lost
So stand on the edge with me
Hold back your fear and see
Nothing is real til it's gone

Her hazel eyes didn't have to scan around to see her best friend standing in the distance. Tugging nervously on his golden tie.

His blue eyes didn't have to lay upon her to know she was there. Even with his back to her he could sense her presence.

"It's a good thing I came out here…" she spoke in the raspy voice that he adored so much, as she made her way toward him "…You would never have been able to sort that tie out yourself" she made small talk, before taking the tie into her hands and straightening it up.

Lucas' soft blue eyes focused on nothing but the shiny brown whisps of hair that framed her face. His senses going into overdrive at the sweet smell of her perfume.

It seemed like time had stopped. It was as though all he could was her. Like the surroundings where a blur.

It felt like a lifetime before she took her hands away from the silky material wrapped around his neck, and placed them back down by her sides.

"What's going on, Luke?" she breathed. Desperately trying to get straight to the point.

He couldn't declare his love, or whatever it was he was feeling to her. He couldn't do it because he was a coward. He couldn't do it because of the hurt it might cause Peyton. He couldn't do it because he'd been risking the greatest friendship he'd ever had.

"…What if you had to tell someone something that could give them more happiness, or create more…destruction, that they'd ever experienced?" he whispered, his eyes now focused on the aray of flowers before him

Brooke drew a breath, clasping her sweaty palms together "I'd look into that person eyes…" she turned to face him, the brown in her eyes mixing with the blue in his "…And, I'd tell them. I'd tell them, not matter how much it scared me, no matter how much pain it may cause"

Lucas' frown deepened "Why?" he questioned, needing a reason.

"Because someone once told me that eyes don't lie…" she smiled, as did he, knowing he was the 'someone' she was talking of "…And, because of that you can see exactly what the outcome of your words will be…deep down inside you know" she held his gaze for what seemed like a lifetime before he looked away, stopping himself before he got lost in the moment

"Listening to Peyton's vows…" he began speaking, his hands dug deep in his pockets "…I realised that she wasn't describing our relationship. She wasn't there to protect me, to care for me, through the bad and the good" he span around, and began pacing back and fourth a little "I don't want someone that has my dinner ready on the table when I finish work…I don't want someone that fills my car with gas when she knows I've gotta travel the next day…" he ran his fingers through his spiky hair "I don't want someone that arranges cushions in order of size on the bed each morning"

"Then what do you want?…" Brooke grasped his shoulders to stop him from pacing. To calm him down "Because the person you just described is you, Lucas. That's what you do. Your organised. Your tidy. Your sensible"

Lucas hung his head back, his fingers now rubbing over his eyelids. He couldn't bring himself to say it. He couldn't say it. He didn't know how.

"Lucas. What do you want?" the brunette pushed for an answer. She pushed and pushed.

Lucas turned his back to Brooke. His eyes closed as he struggled with himself. As he struggled between his love for Brooke, and his love for his friendship with Brooke "I want someone that finishes my sentences" he began, pacing once more "I want someone that I know better than anyone but is still able to surprise me. I want someone that can melt me with one smile. Someone that's touch gives me tingles. I want someone that was there at the start. Someone that I know will be there at the end" he turned around, his hands dropping from his neck and suddenly some clarity making its way into his head

The last thing he wanted was to jepodise his friendship with Brooke.
The first thing he wanted was to admit his true feelings.

"I want…you" he admitted. His eyes burning with tears

She held her breath for much longer than she should have done.
She closed her eyes for what seemed like eternity.
And, then there was a smile that crossed her lips.
A sigh of relief.

He broke through the space between the two, his eyes never leaving hers for a second "I want you, Brooke. And, I'm so, so, scared of losing what we have. I'm terrified of ruining our friendship but I just had to tell you that" his voice began to tremble "I just, I cant explain what you do to me, and I cant explain why we just seem to fit…" he took a deep breath "And, I'm not promising you an easy ride, far from it. I'm not promising you a luxurious life" he clasped her hands in his "But, I can promise you this. No matter what happens from now til our last day, you will, never, ever find someone that loves you more than me. You'll never find someone that gets it even close" he ran a finger across her cheek "No matter what happens I can promise you that I'll always be your best friend"

"What are you saying?" Brooke choked out the only words she could

"I'm saying, I wanna be with you" he smiled "I'm saying, I want more than just a friendship with you" his smile widened "I'm saying, I'm completely, and utterly, in love with every part of you…from your silky brunette hair, to the tips of your perfectly pedicured toes" he let out a small chuckle

"You have no idea how long I've waited for you to say that" Brooke sighed, her eyes closing for a brief second

Lucas wiped away the single tear that had just fallen from Brooke's eye with his thumb "I'm in love with you Brooke Penelope Davis…and I'm not sure there was ever a time when I wasn't"

And hold on before it's too late
Until we leave this behind
Don't fall just be who you are
It's all that we need in our lives

There was nothing left to be said. There was nothing move they could give. Their eyes now on nothing but each others lips as time seemed to stand still. Lucas's hand moving up to her cheek, whilst she stood on the tips of her toes. Their breath becoming hotter as their heads moved closer.

"I cant" Brooke stopped it before their lips had touched "I cant do this, until we sort that" she nodded toward the church

Lucas backed away a little, and smiled "Yeah" he agreed. Brooke was right. They shouldn't do anything whilst Peyton still held onto the hope Lucas was going to marry her only a few yards from where the best friends stood "I guess I should go talk to Peyton" he nodded, as she gave him a sweet smile.

He brought her head in close to his chest, and planted a soft kiss upon her forehead. Then without another word, he took a deep breath, and walked back into the church to face the mess he'd left behind just fifteen minutes ago.

So live like you mean it
Love til you feel it
It's all that we need in our lives
So stand on the edge with me
Hold back your fear and see
Nothing is real til it's gone

"Do you guys have an idea what's going on?" Skillz directed his question at Nathan and Haley who were sat near the front the church, talking with Karen and Keith "I really need to pee, and Bevin's driving me crazy with her speculating" he rolled his eyes

"We know as much as you do, man" Nathan replied, his arm slung casually over Haley's shoulder

"Brooke went out there about ten minutes ago…but that's the last we heard" Haley chipped in

"Does anyone have anything that will shut her up?" Rachel asked from the row behind, as she directed her attention to Peyton, who was sobbing loudly at the front of the aisle, her family crowded closely around her "For the love of god, give it a rest" Rachel spoke quietly but viciously as the others threw the red head a disproving stare

And, that's when the speculating stopped. That's when Peyton's tears went silent. That's when the entrance door opened to reveal Lucas standing there. An uneasiness in his expression as everyone turned to face him.

"Lucas!" Peyton broke fro her family and ran down the aisle toward her fiance "Thanks god" she forced him into a hug

"I'm sorry I walked out" he apoligised with sincerity

"Its okay" the curly blonde shook it off like it was nothing "You needed to make sure that this was right"

A huge lump formed in Lucas' throat as the mention of 'this' being 'right'. Marrying Peyton wasn't right. Not for him anyway "I still shouldn't have left like that" he tried to ease Peyton into what he was going to have to tell her

"It doesn't matter. You're here now"

"I hate to interupt, but we really need to continue" the vicar asked the couple with a polite tone

"Everyone's here now. Were good to go" a smiled crossed Peyton's face as she started to make her way to the front once again

Exhaling hugely, Lucas kept his focus on the woman he was about to crush "There's something you should know"

She stopped dead in her tracks, before slowly turning around to face him "Oh my god" she covered her mouth "You've changed your mind, havnt you?"

His eyes shifted around the room, still everyone pair of eyes resting on him. Every pair of eyes judging him "We should go talk in private"

"No!" Peyton raised her voice, much to the shock of the guests "You know what? Whatever you've got to say, you can say it here" she narrowed her eyes at him, as everyone waited with baited breath on Lucas' next words

"Peyton, please" he begged, looking at the ground. He didn't want to have to say it in front of all these people. He didn't want Peyton to have to ehar it in front of all these people

"Someone's gonna have to explain to all these people why they travelled miles for nothing" she became more angry with each word that passed her lips "They may as well hear it first hand"

"Don't do this" he pleaded, as she continued to push hard for an explination

"I'm not doing anything. You're the one that's suddenly changed his mind" she didn't move any closer to him. She couldn't. She had to keep her distance. Or else she felt she might give in. She had to stand her ground.

"I'm sorry, Peyton. You'll never understand how bad I feel about this, okay?" he now began to raise his voice a little "But, please, don't make me do this here, not for my benefit but for your own"

She reluctantly agreed, and walked through the door Lucas held open for her.

Hold on before it's too late
Until we leave this behind
Don't fall just be who you are
It's all that we need in our lives

"Well?" she shot only one word at him, as they stood in the entrance of the church

"I never meant for it to happen this way, Peyton" he couldn't look her in the eyes

"But, it did, so save me all that 'I'm sorry' crap, and just tell me why you've just humiliated in front of my friends and family?" she demanded, wanting to get straight to the point

It was the ultimatum he didn't want. He wanted to explain what had gone on. He wanted to make her understand his reasons for backing out. But, he could tell she wasn't going to listen to any of that. She wanted an answer. A straight, one line answer with none of the sugar coating. She wanted the truth. And, he owed her that.

"I'm in love with someone else"

"Brooke"

It wasn't a question. It was a statement. A statement that shocked him. And, all he could answer with was a nod of his head.

"I'm sorry" he told her, genuine in his words

"So am I…" Peyton still had an angry tone to her voice, but she seemed to be calming down "…For ever thinking I was a good enough consolation prize"

"Peyton, it wasn't like that" he tried to get her to see it from his point. To make her understand that he never meant for it to happen this way

"That's exactly how it was, Lucas. And, you know it" she sat down on the bench that separated the two "I just cant believe, I let myself get dragged into this" she spoke more calmly as Lucas sat down beside her "I saw the way you looked at her, your eyes holding every glance, and when you spoke about her there was always a smile on your face" she recalled "I guess I just made the mistake of thinking that I could give you even half of the same feeling you got with her" she dropped her head into her hands

"I don't know what to say"

"Just answer me one question?" she looked back up at him "Did anything ever happen between you and Brooke?"

"No" he answered immediately "No…I only just realised how I felt in there" he pointed toward the room that the confused guests still sat in "Whilst you were reading your vows"

Peyton let out a small chuckle "Brooke helped me write those" she informed, rolling her eyes at how she could have been so stupid "I guess she had her eyes set on you from the first day I arrived"

"Maybe so" he shrugged "But, she wasn't the one that stopped the wedding, Peyt. She was willing to bury her feelings for our happiness-"

"-For your happiness" Peyton cut in "I guess that's what best friends do, right?…they make sacrifices for one another" she stood up "I guess that's how I knew we were never right. You never made sacrifices for me, Lucas. You never stayed up late until I got home, like you did with her. You never called me just to see what I was up too. You could never have loved me like you love her" she dropped her shoulders "And, that's why I don't blame you, Lucas. I don't blame you, or Brooke" she took off her veil and placed it on the bench beside Lucas "You two are the classic love story. And, I don't wanna be the villain" she smiled a little "I loved you, Lucas Scott" she kissed him gently on the side of his head "It was just never enough"

And, then she was gone. Out of the church. Out of the gardens. Out of his life.

Hold on before it's too late
Until we leave this behind
Don't fall just be who you are
It's all that we need in our lives

The guests had gone home. And, all that was left was him.

He stood at the alter, recalling the days events over and over in his head. Every word Peyton speaking hurting him just a little. And, every word leaving Brooke's mouth giving him tingles of excitement. He'd made the right decision. He didn't doubt that for a second. He just prayed to god that they could make this work.

It was the sound of her heels strutting sexily across the stone tiles that broke him from all thoughts.

He turned to face her. A smile crossing his lips. And, his eyes filling with that happiness that always appeared upon seeing her.

He waited as she walked slowly up the ruby red carpet, and to his side. Her arms draped casually over his shoulders. Her fingertips gently stroking the fine hairs on the back of his neck. And, her eyes on nothing but his.

He snaked his hands around her hips. Making sure to run his fingers across every curve of her perfectly sculpted body. With one hand he moved the small wisps of brunette hair away from her candy pink lips.

Their breaths became faster.
Their heads, hearts, and bodies only a few inches apart.
Their eyes closed.
And, there lips touched for just a second before they pulled apart. Their eyes now open and connected. It was like nothing they'd ever felt. Like nothing they'd ever experienced.
Lucas ran his lips across her cheek. His warm breath forcing her to close her eyes with bliss.
And, then their lips collided. Much stronger. Much faster. With much more need and want in their kisses.

The only regret on their minds was how they hadn't been doing this the whole time.

It's all that we need in our lives
It's all that I need in my life

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Sorry about the long wait guys! I've had major writers block. Anyways, hope ya'll liked the chapter. There's still one more to come. Please comment, and tell me what you think.

Sophia x

Thanks to jellybeans16 for the EXTRA long review. And, yes, I'm a HUGE Friends fan, but I didnt think of the comparison until you pointed it out. lol. You must be paying extra attention haha.

Thanks to everyone who has reviewed. You've really made my day, and made it sooo much easier to write when I know my work is being well received. You guys are awesome.