Woohoo, update! Enjoy!
Peyton woke quite early the next morning, feeling oddly rested and comfortable. She leaned over the side of her bed to find Lucas's spot empty, the blankets in a pile and the pillows strewn across the floor. Pushing herself off the bed, she tiptoed quietly out of the bedroom and into the hall.
When she entered the kitchen, she saw Lucas and Karen seated at the table, their heads together, in the middle of an intense discussion. They both glanced up as she entered, and for a moment Peyton was momentarily paralyzed. The room went oddly quiet as the mother and son stared at her and she stared back.
"Sorry," Peyton managed to choke out. She fidgeted awkwardly, turning back toward the door. "I'll just go…" She began walking back out the hall, her face burning. She could tell they had been talking about her from the way they went silent when she entered.
"Wait!" Lucas stood up, pushing his chair behind him. "Peyt, you don't have to leave. C'mon in and sit down, eat some breakfast." He gave her a slightly guilty grin as she turned back.
Karen had gotten to her feet now. She gave Peyton an encouraging but curt nod before walking to the stove, where she poured pancake batter on the frying pan. She seemed quite upset as she turned her back on the other two, pursing her lips and breathing heavy thought her nose. Peyton tried to ignore this as she hurried to the table and took a seat.
Lucas took his seat, scooting his chair closer beside her. She gave him a shy smile and reached across the table for the paper. The headline flashed across the page "Presidential Candidates Reveal Plans for Future", but those words blurred away as she looked further down the page, at the guide in the bottom right corner. "Page 6: Domestic Violence Rate Increase".
Peyton's breath seemed to catch in her lungs as she stared at the words. She found her eyes welling with tears. She couldn't understand why it was making her so sad- she'd long since come to terms with the fact that she'd been abused. But somehow seeing the words in print made them unbearable.
Lucas's eyes moved to where she was looking. He instantly understood why she'd become so quiet. Pulling the paper gently from her hands, he put it faced down on the chair beside him and wrapped a comforting arm around her shoulders.
"So," he said, "we've got pancakes and orange juice for breakfast- same as yesterday, but it'll still be great." Peyton gave him a quick smile, causing him to beam back. "What do you want to do today? I'm sure you're sick of the house already."
Peyton pursed her lips and looked back at him. She'd been thinking a lot over the past day and a half, and already she was planning her days in Tree Hill. "Actually," she began hesitantly, "I was thinking of going to see Brooke. I think it's time I let her know I'm back."
Lucas was silent at first, his eyebrows raising naturally at her response. Less than twenty-four hours ago she'd been terrified at the thought of him letting Brooke know, and now she was offering to go there herself. After a long moment he forced a small smile. "Are you sure you want to see her?" He paused briefly and Peyton gave him an unreadable expression. "I don't mean you shouldn't!" he explained. "I just want you to be sure that you're ready, that's all."
Peyton rolled her eyes and hit him lightly on the shoulder. "I'm ready," she assured him. "I think I might go there after breakfast."
Lucas nodded thoughtfully as Karen walked to the table, setting a plate of pancakes and syrup in front of each of them. Her manner was a little cold, but she gave Peyton a genuine smile before walking away to get them drinks. Lucas and Peyton both thanked her before digging into their plates.
When Karen came back to the table with the drinks, she stopped in front of Peyton. "I think it's great that you're going to see Brooke," Karen told her. "I know you're going through a lot now, but you're friends are always here to help you. I'm sure Brooke will be very pleased to see you again." Peyton gave a small thankful smile.
--
They were back in Lucas's room. Peyton was applying the makeup he had picked up for her, covering the bruise around her eye with heavy foundation. Lucas was putting the blankets and pillows back on the bed and attempting to make the room bearable.
"So are you gonna tell her?"
Peyton glanced in the mirror at Lucas, who was standing behind her. He was giving her a hard stare. She turned on the spot to face him, automatically crossing her arms as though to protect herself.
"What?"
Lucas sighed. "You heard me. Are you going to tell Brooke about New York?" He seemed to know the answer, but was still fixated on her with a challenge in his eyes.
Peyton shrugged her shoulders and glanced away from him. She wasn't sure why he insisted on asking her. It seemed quiet obvious in her mind. "Of course I'm not going to say anything," she replied. "Why ruin a happy reunion with information like that?" She turned back to the mirror, taking out a bottle of mascara and applying it. She wanted to look decent at the very least, or Brooke would suspect something.
Lucas stood next to her, glancing in the mirror too. It was shocking how much older they both looked. They were no longer the carefree high school students they had been merely months ago. When they looked in that mirror they saw two grown people, one having been through struggles greater than most adults and the other giving up his life to help her. It frightened Lucas to think that their innocence had been taken away that easily.
Peyton placed the mascara on the table and glanced up. She still looked tired and defeated, but the makeup she had applied covered her bruises and added a healthy glow to her cheeks. She looked almost-normal. She was sure her appearance could easily be mistaken for exhaustion from a long flight. Her eyes moved to Lucas.
"Is Brooke still living in the apartment?" she asked, recalling the two weeks before she left in which Brooke put all her savings into a small apartment. Lucas nodded in response. "Good," Peyton continued. "I should leave now."
"Do you want a ride?" Lucas offered, immediately reaching for his car keys, which were placed on the dresser.
Peyton shook her head quickly. "Nah," she said. "Don't you think it would be suspicious if I showed up to Brooke's house in your car? No, I think I'll just walk there. It isn't that far. I could use some fresh air." She reached for her famous leather jacket, which was slung over the chair to her right side.
Lucas walked her to the door. He held it open for her, feeling somewhat sad to see her leave. He was sure Brooke would ask Peyton to sleep over, so he didn't know how long it would be before they saw each other again. Pulling her into a tight hug he said, "See you later."
Peyton squeezed him back tightly. "Can you do me one favor, Luke?" she asked as they pulled away.
He gave her a smile. "I can do anything for you."
She grinned back. "When Brooke calls to tell you I'm back, just act surprised, okay?" Lucas nodded, laughing slightly. Peyton stood on her toes, leaning in toward his cheek, and gave him a small peck. "I'll be seeing you."
--
The walk to Brooke's apartment was quite short. Peyton was surprised that she still knew her way around Tree Hill. It seemed to be carved into the back of her head. When she reached the bright red door, she found her heart beating. As excited as she was to see her best friend again, she wasn't sure what to say. Part of her wished she was back with Lucas, where she felt completely comfortable. But another part of her was insisting that she reconnect with everyone she loves, and she knew that part was right. Forming a fist with her right hand, she pounded on the door three times.
There was a small crash inside, immediately followed by Brooke's voice. "I'm coming!" She sounded flustered. There were a few more bangs, another yell, and then silence. A second later, the door flew open. Brooke stood inside the apartment, wearing shorts and a thin strapped top, looking as though she'd just woken up.
The two girls stared at each other for a moment. Brooke's mouth was open in shock, her eyes wide. Peyton gazed back at her, looking slightly uncomfortable. The silence was finally broken as Brooke let out a loud screech.
"Peyton!" Brooke immediately threw her arms around her best friend, pulling her into a tight hug. Peyton winced as Brooke's arms made harsh contact with her bruised body, but found herself smiling all the same. Brooke squeezed Peyton tightly. "What are you doing here?" she asked joyfully.
They pulled away from each other, Peyton smiling genuinely and Brooke looked shocked but fascinated. "I can't believe it's really you!" The brunette pulled Peyton into another quick hug before pulling back again. "You don't call, don't write, but now you're back! And that's all that matters! Oh, God, I've missed you so much!"
Peyton laughed, feeling as though a weight were being lifted off her shoulders. The truth was it felt amazing to see Brooke again. It was as great as the feeling she got when she saw Lucas. "Yeah, well, I'm back," she responded. "For now, at least."
Brooke grinned back at her, looking highly pleased. Her eyes moved down Peyton's body, stopping at the heavy cast on her left arm. "Oh, what happened to your arm?"
The curly-haired girl shrugged her shoulders. "I broke it. No big deal, I just fell down the stairs," she lied. Grinning, she reached out and grabbed Brooke's hand. "It's really great to see you."
Brooke gave a toothy smile. "We have so much catching up to do," she said cheerfully. "Here, come inside and let's talk! I want to hear everything about New York! And I know you want to hear everything that's been going on here!"
And pulling Peyton's arm in a rather forceful manner, she pulled her inside the apartment, the two girls giggling happily as they slammed the door.
--
Lucas entered the kitchen to find his mother setting three plates on the table, the delicious dinner set in the middle.
"Oh, we don't need three," Lucas told Karen. She glanced up at him, looking confused. Lucas smiled. "Peyton went to see Brooke, remember?"
Karen grinned. "Of course," she replied, grabbing the extra plate off the table and putting it back. Taking a seat in front of one of the plates, she beckoned Lucas to join her. She put a few slices of turkey on her own plate and reached for the potatoes. "So how do you feel about her going there?" she asked casually.
Lucas shrugged his shoulders. "I don't know," he said. "It's not that big of a deal. I'm just worried that maybe she's not ready." He grabbed a biscuit from the box and offered one to Karen, which she gladly accepted. "She hasn't even talked to me so far."
Karen handed him the bowl of gravy. "Well, that doesn't necessarily mean anything," she informed him. "Peyton has other people she can talk to, Luke. You're not the only person in her life."
Lucas glanced at his mother. "I know that," he argued. "It's just…she came to me in the first place. It's a little weird that she's pushing herself to reconnect when she hasn't even dealt with what's going on."
Karen laid a hand on his forearm. "Lucas, I know you care about her," she said softly. Her son glanced up at her. "I know she means a lot to you. But at some point you've got to let her take control of her own life. She needs you there for her; she doesn't need you to control her. All you have to do is be there for her. As far as I can tell you've been doing a great job."
Lucas beamed, pulling Karen into a hug. "Thanks mom-" A loud ring from his cell phone cut him off. Reaching into his pocket, he saw that he had a new text message from Brooke. 'Luke! Peyton's in town! Isn't that awesome? Anyway, I can't hang out tonight. We're having a sleepover! Love you!' Lucas wanted to smile but found himself feeling sad.
It looked like he'd be sleeping all by himself.
--
Lucas lay in his bed, staring at the ceiling. It was nearly midnight, and even though he hadn't had a full sleep in two days he found it impossible to drift off. He was worried about Peyton, wondering how she was doing with Brooke and whether she was feeling more at ease. A sudden knock on the door shook him out of his stupor.
It was just like the night Peyton had first showed up. Lucas got out of bed slowly, walking to the door, the pounding continuing all the while. When he finally pulled it open, he saw the blonde girl standing there, looking tired as ever. The only difference he could see was that she looked slightly happy.
"Hey stranger," Peyton smiled. "So I know I wasn't supposed to come back tonight, but Brooke wanted to have a girl's night. She was going all out- pedicures, facials, movies, popcorn. I mean, it was a really sweet idea and everything, but-"
"But you're just not up for it," Lucas finished, giving her a lopsided grin. He pulled the door open wider and beckoned her inside. "I was just thinking of you. C'mon in."
Peyton smiled, looking much more comfortable than she had in days. She stepped inside, shrugging her jacket off and tossing it on the chair across the room. Lucas shut the door behind her and stepped closer to her. "So do you think I can stay here another night?" Peyton asked sheepishly.
Lucas laughed. "What do you think?" he asked her. "I'd never say no to you. The bed's all yours. I even warmed it up." He reached for a few blankets and pillows, prepared to set up his bed again, but Peyton grabbed is arm.
"You're not sleeping on the floor," she told him. Lucas opened his mouth to argue but she stopped him. "Your back has to be killing you. We can share the bed; it's not a big deal. Here." She grabbed half the pillows and threw them on the other side of the bed, then reached for one of the blankets and put it there as well. "You put your head there," she said, pointing to the right side of the bed, "and I'll put mine on the other side. It works- trust me, I used to do it with Brooke at every sleepover."
Lucas gave her a fleeting look before jumping into the bed happily. Peyton laughed and sat down on the other side, so that she was facing him. "I knew you wanted the bed," she told him as he settled under the blankets. Lying back, she pulled her blanket over her legs and turned to her side. Lucas reached over to the table and flipped the bedside light off.
They had been laying in silence for nearly ten minutes when Lucas spoke. "Hey Peyton?" he called into the darkness. He heard her flip onto her bed and knew she was looking at him. "Can I ask you something?"
"Sure you can."
He leaned back on his elbows to get a better view of her. She looked a little tired but her eyes were interested. "Why did you come to me? Of all the people you could've gone to when you left New York, why did you choose me?"
Peyton fell silent. Lucas stared at her intently, hoping for an answer, but she seemed lost in thought. After a long pause, she whispered, "I don't know." They stared at each other for a few more minutes. Finally, Lucas gave a defeated shrug and sat back against the pillows. Peyton stared at him for a moment longer, biting her lip, before lying back too. Her mind was clouded with thoughts about what he's asked.
It was nearly three in the morning when Peyton shook Lucas awake. He sat up immediately, worried that something was wrong, but paused when he saw her smiling. "What's up?" he asked groggily.
"I've got an answer," she responded quietly.
"What?"
Peyton leaned forward and let out a deep sigh. "I know why I chose you." Lucas sat up straighter, looking suddenly wide awake, and Peyton felt the urge to continue. She gave him a sad smile. "When I left, I just wanted to go to someone I knew. But more than anything…I just wanted to feel safe. I hadn't felt that way in months. So when I got out of there I just wanted go be with someone who would protect me, be there for me. And you were the first person I saw."
As she finished, their eyes met, and Peyton felt an unfamiliar feeling in her stomach. They stared at each other for a while longer, a smile playing on his lips and her cheeks turning red. Finally, Lucas reached out and touched her cheek.
"You're safe with me. I'm going to protect you. I'm going to be here for you." He moved his hand to her hair, brushing a tendril out of her eyes. "You don't have to worry."