Peyton walked around as a cool summer's night breeze blew gently against her face. It was a welcome contrast to the usual North Carolina sticky, muggy evenings. She walked amongst faces some familiar, some not so. But Tree Hill was only so big and like it or not, it was a guarantee to almost always run into someone you knew. Peyton hadn't counted on that fact. She had forgotten just how much of a highlight the annual Burning Boat festival was to the town. It seemed like every citizen was out and about and there were more than a few she was trying to avoid.

Ever since Haley's disastrous dinner party where her estranged soon to be ex husband had inadvertently introduced his new fiancée, a humiliated and angry Peyton had kept a low profile. And that had been the plan for that night. She had left Haley and Nathan's only to pickup takeout for dinner. A quiet Blockbuster night had been on the agenda but plans had been foiled when an unsuspecting Peyton caught an equally unsuspecting Nathan and Haley about to have sex on the couch. She had muttered an embarrassed apology and gotten the hell out of dodge. Driving around aimlessly she had ended up downtown at one of Tree Hill's most eagerly anticipated events.

The Burning Boat Festival. It was literally what it said. A large boat docked in the harbor. People were allowed to leave whatever they wanted…clothing, letters, it didn't matter. It was a place to square your karma, burn your bad luck and choices and start anew. Peyton couldn't help but chuckle at the irony that at least she was in the right place. She could use a little starting over.

Peyton walked up to the boat where they were collecting items. She felt the necklace on her chest. It was a simple white gold rope chain. On the chain was her engagement and wedding rings. She'd had them bonded together years before. Peyton closed her eyes and could remember a time when those rings stood for something. She could remember the love she felt when Lucas had slid them on her fingers. But it felt like a lifetime ago. She was a different person now and he had certainly proved that he had changed. And now with Caylan in the picture, she was forced to wonder if it was really ever real.

Sure Peyton had initiated the separation and divorce but the good thing was it had not been about another man or woman. It was an amicable end to two people who would love each other always but simply were no longer in love with each other. No matter what, Lucas would always hold a special and sacred place in her heart. Though eventually she would have to move on, it would take time to replace the kind of love they once shared. But not for Lucas apparently. It felt like a blow to the gut that he had seemingly replaced her with the first young, hot, interested blonde that had come around.

"Well, well, P. Sawyer, or is it P. Scott? Who the hell knows these days? Or does it even matter?"

Peyton turned around and found herself face to face with a certain old friend.

"Brooke…"

"You look surprised to see me. Come on, Blondie, you haven't been away that long. It's Tree Hill. What else do people around here have to do?"

"Yeah, I guess," Peyton looked away.

Brooke smirked, noting Peyton's hand touching the rings.

"Letting the past go, are we?"

Peyton looked at the rings, at the boat, then at Brooke. For one split second it had been an option but a decision nevertheless she knew she couldn't go through with.

"I was just leaving."

"So soon?"

"Brooke, dude, come on. I'm not in the mood, okay? If every time you see me you feel you get to take a jab at me for whatever reason, fine, but tonight isn't the night."

Feeling tears well in her green eyes, Peyton began to walk away cursing to herself as she heard clicking heels following in her direction.

"Peyton, wait…"

"What?"

She turned to face her.

"I was being a bitch back there."

"Yeah? What else is new?"

They looked in each other's eyes and for a moment all the ill feelings were replaced with a burst of laughter.

"I guess I kind of deserved that one."

"No, you didn't," Peyton sighed. "Look, I don't want to fight. I never wanted to fight with you but tonight even more so because I am so tired and so stressed out."

"Let me guess…that little stunt Lucas pulled."

Peyton chewed at her lip.

"He's definitely had prouder moments. It really threw me for a loop."

Brooke made a face.

"That threw everyone for a loop. I mean, God, did you see the look on poor Haley's face? I thought she was gonna have a stroke."

"Sorry. I was too busy trying not to have one of my own."

"Yeah…"

"Yeah…"

Brooke looked away, trying to think of the right words.

"Okay. So I haven't seen you in like forever and yeah I have been kind of harboring a grudge over the past few years."

"Why?"

It was on the tip of her tongue but Brooke wasn't quite ready to share everything, not just yet.

"I don't know. I mean, I had my reasons."

"I'm sure."

"Anyway, you're here and I'm here and God knows this town isn't big enough for two bitches."

Peyton gave a smile.

"You calling a truce?"

Brooke returned with a shy dimpled smile of her own.

"A temporary one. I mean, you're around Jake and Jenny and I'm around Jake and Jenny. She's just a kid and she doesn't get it and I suppose it isn't fair to make Jake choose sides. Then of course there is the wedding. Haley has enough to worry about without a catfight on the horizon."

"Brooke, I don't have a problem with you. I never did. If we could just talk. I mean, at one time we were pretty good friends. We were best friends, like sisters. That meant a lot to me and I'd like to think it meant a lot to you too."

"That's the past, Peyton," Brooke cut her off. "And isn't that what we're here to do tonight? Isn't the part of the Burning Boat Festival about letting go of the past?"

Peyton looked around and saw her father on the other side of the park. He was smiling, walking hand in hand with his girlfriend, Audrey, Audrey's daughter, Madison, standing happily beside them. For Peyton it was just another example of something else she had lost. It had been her past and now it was her present. She couldn't help but wonder if it would repeat in the future.

"Yeah. Um, I guess it is. Look, I have to go. I'll see you around, Brooke."

"For what it's worth, I'm sorry that happened to you."

Her voice was so quiet, Peyton barely heard it.

"What?"

"Neither you or Lucas have exactly been my favorite people. This whole thing is super awkward. There are times when I didn't exactly wish you the best but that night, the look on your face…I know he really hurt you. It was a real jackass thing of Lucas to do and for what it's worth, I am sorry that it happened like that."

"Thanks. Hey, Brooke?"

"Yeah?"

"Look, it has been a long time and I don't know if we could ever be friends again. I guess we really don't know each other anymore. We are different people but I hope we can somehow put the past behind us and deal with the people we are today."

Brooke nodded as Cameron joined her.

"Maybe…"

"Everything alright?" Cameron asked, handing Brooke a bottled water.

Brooke sighed, snuggling in his arms.

"Yeah. Um, everything is good."

"I'll see you guys around," Peyton said as she turned to leave.

She walked a few feet away and not long after bumped into someone else.

"Hey," Jake smiled, surprised but obviously happy to see her. "I was hoping you would show tonight."

"Actually, I was just leaving…"

"You sure you don't want to stay on a while? Jen is here, she's actually running around with some of her little friends right now but I know she'd love to see you."

Peyton shuffled her weight nervously.

"Maybe for a little while. I don't know. I mean, there is a high probability of running into certain people around here and…"

"You mean Brooke? Were you guys just arguing?"

Peyton shook her head.

"No, surprisingly. I think she just called a truce. It was the closest thing to a Brooke Davis apology I think I'm ever gonna get."

"You guys made up? Peyt, that's awesome."

"I wouldn't go that far. But I think we are cool for now, at least she'll be civil to me for the rest of the summer."

"That's a start."

"I guess. She even said she was sorry about what happened the other night over at Nathan and Haley's."

Jake winced.

"Yeah, about that. Me too. Um, I called you a few times but I never heard back."

"Sorry. I haven't been in a real talkative mood lately."

"You okay?"

"I will be. It was just a shock, that's all. The whole way it went down…"

"Totally inappropriate, I get it. Have you talked to him?"

Peyton shook her head.

"No and I don't want to, at least not yet. And I really don't want to run into him now. It's bad enough my dad and his new family are here. I don't feel like seeing them either. I guess I have a lot to figure out."

"You do and you have to face it sometime."

"You're right but not tonight. I'm not ready to talk to Dad yet and I sure as hell am not ready to see Lucas."

Jake shrugged.

"It's cool. I doubt he'll be here anyway."

"Why do you say that?"

He chuckled.

"Did you see Caylan or whatever her name is? Not to be mean or pass judgment but for the ten seconds I was around her, I can pretty much tell she is not the type of chick that would dig spending her Friday night at Tree Hill's Burning Boat Festival."

Peyton laughed out loud.

"I guess…"

"Anyway, we could talk, maybe hang out here. I could buy you a chili cheese dog."

She grinned up at him.

"Boy, you do know how to sweeten the pot, huh?"

Together they walked over to a nearby concession stand and took a seat on a bench, eating hot dogs and sipping sodas.

"You know, Jenny really misses you. You should definitely come around more often. She gets really psyched when you're in town."

"I will," Peyton nodded. "I'm just trying to get rid of some of these issues, you know, before I hang around a kid. I'm not exactly the greatest company these days."

He looked away, blushing.

"I'm not complaining," he said softly.

"Dad! Peyton!" Jenny interrupted, squealing as she ran towards both of them with hugs. "Peyton, you came! This is my friend, Amy!"

"Hey guys," Peyton smiled.

"Are you gonna stay? You could hang out with us. You could hang out with my dad. It's gonna be so much fun, right Amy?"

The child was one big barrel of excitement. How could Peyton say no?

"Just for a little while. I…"

"Yes!" Jenny dragged her with one hand. "Guess what I burned? Those stupid shoes Grandma bought me last Easter. They make me look like a dorky little kid. Dad said I could totally burn them."

Jake made a face.

"Only because they don't fit anymore and remember, not a word to Grandma. I'll never hear the end of it."

"What are you burning, Peyton?" Jenny asked, ignoring him.

Peyton opened her mouth to speak but was rendered speechless at the sight before them. Running into Lucas and Caylan would have been the worst thing that could have happened. Now the worst thing had happened.

"Peyton," Lucas mouthed.

"Luke!" Jenny rushed into his arms.

He picked the child up and swung her around.

"Look at you! Man, Jen, you've gotten so tall and so beautiful."

"I missed you!" she hugged him, accidentally brushing her cotton candy against Caylan's arm.

The blonde recoiled at the stickiness, making a face and rolling her eyes.

"Jen, Amy, we should go," Jake tried to hurry up and defuse the situation.

"But…"

"But you'll see Luke another time."

"That's right," Lucas finally conceded.

"Who is this, Luke? Is this your new girlfriend?" Jenny asked.

All the adults just stared at one another.

"Jen, that's impolite," Jake spoke through pursed lips.

"What? I was just asking."

Caylan forced a smile and bent down to Jenny and Amy's level, making sure the blinding diamond was in full view.

"I'm Caylan Hughes, Lucas' fiancée."

Jenny made a confused face as a hint of crimson flashed over Peyton's.

"Cay…" Lucas whined in a warning voice.

"We really have to go," Jake answered as they walked away. "Lucas, Caylan, good night. Come on, girls."

The children brushed it off as quickly as it happened. Giggling and eating cotton candy, they ran ahead.

"Listen, Jake…" Peyton began.

"Oh God, Peyt. I am so sorry. I had no idea they would be here and I'm sorry Jenny just blurted that out."

"It's okay."

"I feel like it's not."

"Well, it is."

"But let me guess, you're gonna take off, huh?"

She exhaled.

"I think that's best. Tell Jenny I said bye and that'll I see her soon."

The two hugged as Jake tried to hide his disappointment.

"You sure you're gonna be okay?"

"I'll be fine," she promised.

"I'll call you."

As the ceremony began, Peyton dashed back to her car, overwhelmed. The cold war with Brooke seemed to finally have an end in sight and it looked like a fun and relaxing night with Jake and Jenny. Then in the blink of an eye, it had been ruined. She hated that Lucas and Caylan had that power over her. It was confusing but the wound was still fresh. She hated that it bothered her so much to see them together and the only way for a resolution was to follow Jake's advice and face it head on. But she couldn't. Not yet. Maybe next time. Peyton closed her eyes. Who was she kidding? Surely there would be a next time but she looked at it with the same dread she was feeling about what had just transpired. Tree Hill harbored a lot of great memories but sad ones as well. And with her father and Lucas and the divorce in clear sight, she had a bad feeling it was about to get sadder.