Alrightyyy, here's another chapter. I'm sorry if it gets a bit confusing at the end, but that's what makes it interesting. I'm writing this as I go, so there's no plan or anything.

xx

Peyton Sawyer was a dark and broody person. She had been that way since her mother had passed away eight years ago. She had turned to music and art, and had cut ties with everyone she had known. There were days when Peyton would think about Haley and Brooke, and how much she missed their friendship, but those days passed, and she thought about losing them. Peyton had it in her head that everyone that got close to her, would eventually leave her. Her mother had left, Brooke had left, and, although not physically, Haley had also left. And, that's why Peyton woke up in Nathan Scott's bedroom. She looked around and realized that she must've passed out after another night of extreme partying. She didn't like who she was. She partied because the people she spent time with now, partied. It was easier to be with them. They asked less questions, and could care less about her, and how she was. The feeling, of course, was mutual. No one cared about anyone, and that's why she was dating Nathan Scott, because she didn't care. She didn't care that he was Lucas' enemy, and brother. She simply didn't.

"Nate, wake up." Peyton said, as she attempted to wake a very sleepy Nathan up.

"Uhhh, what do you want?" He asked, angry that someone had woken him up so early. He didn't realize that it was one thirty.

"I need a ride home, remember? You decided to give Tim my keys!" yelled Peyton. She was angry because Nathan had done another stupid thing. Of course, this didn't surprise her. Their relationship wasn't about doing the right things. In fact, their whole relationship was based on one thing, and only one thing: doing. Each other, that is. Peyton felt nothing for him, and she had vowed to never fall for a guy again. She had fallen for Lucas. And, he had left her. She didn't blame him though. After what happened, she wouldn't want to be with her either. When Nathan didn't respond, she nudged him again.

"Nathan, come on!" Now she was getting angry. She had to go home. She didn't want to be in his room anymore. In fact, she didn't want to deal with anyone. She wanted to do what she did best: brood.

"Ugh, you are so annoying. Wait, alright?" said a very aggrivated Nathan. He didn't want to wake up because of her. In fact, he didn't want to do anything because of her. She was just another girl to him. It was his way of getting over another girl. A girl who he had fallen for a long time ago. But that was then, he would tell himself, every morning. It was the way he kept himself going. He missed seeing her weekly, but life got in the way, and everything had changed.

"Thank you," she replied, happy that he was cooperating with her.

"So why are you in such a hurry anyways?" asked Nathan, once he was in the car, and awake.

"Nate, I don't want to do this." Peyton replied. He would try and talk to her. A long time ago, they had been friends. Back when Brooke Davis was in town, the three of them would spend many days together. Their fathers were all in the same business, which meant a lot of banquet dinners, and joint family vacations. Back when her life had been perfect, and she was as happy as anyone could be.

"Do what, Peyt? Talk to me? Fine, don't bother. But at least I try." He didn't understand what came over him, anyways. It's not like he actually cared. He just wanted it to be back like the old days. When everything was easy, and life was good.

"Whatever. Just drive me home." she replied.

"Yeah," Nathan simply said. It was over, that life, the people.

Five minutes passed and Peyton said in a whisper, "What happened to us?"

Nathan looked at her, knowing exactly what she was refering to. The same thing he thought of every waking moment.

"I don't know, Peyton. I don't know." And that was that. The conversation was closed, and so was another awkward silence. Both were left thinking about who they were, and how they had changed.

"Thanks for the ride, Nate. Do you know when I'll be getting my car back?" said Peyton, when they finally got to her house. She was trying to be nice. Maybe if she actually tried, their relationship would change.

"I don't know. I'll go see what Tim is up to, and then I'll call and let you know." he knew what she was doing, she was also trying. But were they already too broken for anyone to fix?

"Honey, I'm home!" Peyton yelled, as she got inside her empty home, and then sarcastically added, "Peyton, where have you been! We were worried sick!"

No one was home. That wasn't a surprise. In fact, she was used to it. Her father was away on a business trip, a business trip named Jessica. In fact, he had been taking more and more business trips lately. It didn't surprise her. Peyton had been living alone since she was 12, and this wasn't very different. She went and stood by the window, looking at the house in front of her. A long time ago, it had been the Davis' summer home. Brooke Davis had been her best friend, and so was Haley James. But neither Peyton or Haley had spoken to Brooke in a while. After Peyton found out about Brooke's dad, she had attempted to contact her. But Brooke, like herself, had closed herself off, and hadn't returned any of her calls. Frankly, she didn't blame her.

As she went to her room, Peyton thought about how much her life had changed in the past few years. She had had a perfect family, and amazing friends. And, then one day, one accident changed it all for her. Gone was her fairytale life, and the nightmare had begun. In one month, senior year would start. And she would be one year closer to getting out of Tree Hill. A place she didn't want to be. Maybe she could even try and find her. Find the one person that she had left, instead of it being the other way around. She couldn't take care of her though, not when she wasn't able to take care of herself. She knew that he would've been there for her if he knew, but she didn't have it in her to tell him. He had such a bright future, and Peyton's mistake shouldn't have cost him anything. If only he knew now.