A/N: A few of you have been wondering whether or not this was going to follow the exact history of the show. The answer is no in some ways and yes in others. Read to find out which is which.
Lucas managed to grab a hold of Peyton at some point in the night. When they woke up, he was still holding onto the skinny girl.
Morning.
His breath was warm on her skin, as he uttered the greeting.
Peyton rolled over, to face Lucas. Their foreheads were touching, they eyes were locked in a gaze.
Ring Ring.
A phone rang.
Don't answer it. He pleaded.
Peyton looks at her phone, it wasn't hers that was ringing.
Its not my phone, Luke.
With a puzzled look, Lucas picked up his phone and answered it.
Hello? The number was unknown to both he and his phone.
Lucas, oh my god. Hi!
It was the bouncy brunette.
Brooke, hi. Its so good to hear your voice.
The boy wasn't lying. He had been waiting for this call, and now that it had finally come, he was overjoyed. As fast as the happiness came, it was washed over with by guilt.
What was he doing? He thought. Why couldn't he just make a decision, one final decision over which girl to be with.
Lucas glanced over at Peyton who was visibly upset. She was playing with her fingers, a look of solemn was written across her beautiful face.
Be right back. He lightly stated to the blonde, before leaving his bedroom to continue the phone call.
Who were you talking to? Brooke wondered.
This was not the time to lie. Lucas had to tell Brooke the truth, he had to tell her what was going on. After all they had been through he at least owed the girl that.
Peyton. He uttered as he sat down in at the kitchen table.
Silence.
She didn't know what to make of it. In California it was 6 o'clock in the morning (Another late night of partying for Brooke), making it 9 o'clock in Tree Hill.
She's practically moved in with me. He blurted.
Silence.
Are you two?
No, no. Its not like that. He ushered. His stomach dropped as the lie escaped from his lips.
Oh.
Brooke was completely confused.
The skinny girl was now standing at the doorway, listening to the private conversation between the two people she loved most in the world.
She didn't want to be alone, I didn't want her to be alone. We're just friends, Brooke. You're the one I want to be with.
The words hit Peyton like a knife in the heart. She let out a slight gasp, which caused Lucas to notice her appearance in the doorway, staring at him.
Peyton…
He shut his phone without saying goodbye to Brooke.
No, don't. She backed away from the boy.
Did you mean it?
Her voice was filled with more anger than sadness, Lucas noticed.
She didn't let him answer her question. Lucas, even when I was with Jake, I knew I should have been with you.
Then why weren't you with me, Peyton? Why did you break things off with me? Why are you always running from us? Your actions, they speak the opposite of everything you say to me.
His hands were in the air, flailing about as he yelled and pleaded with the girl he wanted to caress and bask with kisses.
Brooke, Lucas. I know if you and I were to ever be together, she would end things with me. You know how important Brooke is to me.
You know how important she is to me. He replied, now crossing his arms.
Actually, I don't. I've never been able to figure out whether she was just a good fuck or the girl you love.
The boy turned away from Peyton now. He didn't want this to be happening. This couldn't be happening, not with Peyton. They didn't fight like this, this wasn't like them.
She's both, Peyton.
The anger leaves her voice. All that is left is melancholy.
What about me?
Her heart was afraid or what his answer might be, but she needed to know.
Its different with you. He inched closer to Peyton. Like how it was different with Jake.
She did love Jake, it was just a different kind of love. Her attraction to Jake came from the yearning to have a family. That was only starting to become clear now.
You can love two people. He whispered. In two different ways.
Lucas' hands reached up to the skinny girl's face. She pull away or avert her eyes. It was time for the both of them to stop running.
Tell me why then, you chose Brooke. Why you didn't choose me.
She breaks the moment, and his hands fall down to his sides.
Before this week, I thought you and I was never going to happen again.
Me either. She agreed.
Her hands were now on his face.
What does this mean?
Peyton pulled the boy's face to meet her own.
Everything. She cooed, before locking her lips with Lucas'.
Together.
It wasn't official, there weren't any titles. It just was what it was. Which is exactly how the two blondes wanted it to be. They both feared labeling what was going on would only lead to the deconstruction of it.
It was summer, and they were in love. Although they hadn't spoken those words exactly to one another, it was known by both parties.
They had decided to go with the flow, to see where being with each other would lead them.
It was Lucas' idea not to tell Brooke. It was Peyton's idea to stop talking to Brooke, at least for the time being, until they could clearly define what was going on. But they weren't ready for that just yet.
Their new arrangement was incredibly exciting.
Lucas couldn't believe Peyton was finally his, to hold, to kiss and maybe even to make love with.
Peyton couldn't believe she was happy for once. She'd never felt the emotion in such great amounts before.
The past few days, the two spent their days looking for new places to share their affections.
At first, they kept their make-out sessions in closed doors. But It was too tempting for them to move things beyond the lustful innocence of kissing.
They were both afraid sex would ruin the wonderful arrangement they had going on.
Larry called this morning, saying he was coming home for the weekend, much to Peyton's surprise. He decided it was time to discuss the Ellie situation.
This meant, Lucas and Peyton were going to be apart for the next couple of days.
That afternoon, Peyton dragged Lucas to her favorite record store, which had a listening room.
Max, the owner of the giant music box was surprised to see the two blondes holding hands, and giggling as they entered the building.
He and Peyton had a kinship or sorts, and he knew all about her relationship with Lucas.
The listening room was located in the very back of the store. Peyton picked up a few random records, and Lucas did the same.
Peyton grabbed one of the albums out of the pile and set it on the record player.
Don't ask me what you know is true.
Don't have to tell you I love your precious heart.
This song reminds me of you, of us. Lucas claimed, as he pulled the skinny girl closer to him.
He sat down in the single chair that belonged to the listening room.
Peyton followed the boy's lead and placed herself on his lap.
Their kisses were chaste at first, slowly they grew deeper and longer. Tongues were colliding, hands were exploring.
Knock.
They break apart from one another, a response to the small noise heard at the door.
Peyton removes herself from Lucas' lap and sees that Haley is staring directly at her.
She motions for her musically gifted friend to enter the room.
Hales. What are you doing home? Lucas exclaimed, bringing his best friend into his arms for a friendly embrace.
Just a month ago, Haley told Lucas she wasn't coming home, but here she was.
The Denver show got cancelled, so I flew home for a couple of days.
She smiled, and then crossed her arms.
What were you two just doing?
The two blondes looked at each other. Peyton wiped left-over saliva off of her lips.
Guilty.
Its kind of hard to explain. Lucas began.
I think I'm going to let you two talk this one out. The blonde decided.
She reached her arms around Haley, and said goodbye, leaving the two best friends alone.
Lucas brought Haley to the Rivercourt. Before Lucas joined the Ravens, he and Haley spent a lot of time together there. It wasn't until the two seemed to discover the opposite sex that their dynamic changed a bit.
Part of them always thought they'd end up married one day. Even though neither Lucas or Haley felt an attraction towards the other, it just seemed fitting.
Then Peyton happened.
Then Nathan happened.
Haley walked to the center of the pavement. She bent down, and traced the words written on the court with her fingertips.
I'll Be Seeing Ya.
She looked up at her friend. Peyton? She asked, thinking it was the once curly blonde who had written on the pavement.
Actually, I wrote it, to Peyton.
Haley nodded, she was trying to put all the pieces together.
Lucas got down on her level, they boy sat on the tar.
I'm in love with her Hales. He breathed, bringing his hands together. It was the first time he'd spoken it aloud to another person.
So… are you two together?
Her question should have been an easy one to answer, but it wasn't.
We're going with the flow.
She kinked her eyebrow. That sounds about right.
What is that supposed to mean? His voice was heavy.
Haley shrugged, You and Peyton, its always been messy. That's all.
Lucas knew she was right, and he hated that she was.
What about Brooke?
His body shifted. The answer to this question was one he didn't want to think about.
I don't know. All I know is right now, I'm happier than I'm ever been.
Haley threw her arm around Lucas' shoulder. That's all that matters, Luke.
When Peyton arrived at her house, late in the afternoon, Larry was in the back yard mowing the lawn.
He spotted Peyton as she made her way onto the grass. She looked happy, he noticed. An emotion that was rare to see on his daughter's face.
Honey! He called out, with open arms.
The skinny girl ran to her father, and let him hold her tightly for a moment.
Its good to see you. She said, letting go of her hold.
You look happy… I figured with this situation, you'd be anything but.
Peyton nodded.
Do you want to talk about it?
She did want to talk about it. She'd been waiting for weeks to learn the truth from her father. At first she had been hoping he'd come home, and deny it all.
Peyton felt as though accepting the truth, that Ellie as her birth mother, was erasing everything that she grew up with. That it would erase who she was.
Slowly with the help of Lucas she was realizing nothing was going to change who she was. At least nothing that happened in the past.
Not right now. I'm afraid its just going to lead to a fight, and I don't want to fight when you're only here for a couple of days.
He smiled and brought his daughter to him for a second hug.
I love you, kiddo.
I love you too, Dad.
Peyton's absence in his bed was filled by Haley.
She had no place to go while she was in Tree Hill, and there was no way Lucas could ever deny her a place to sleep.
Did you want to watch something? She wondered aloud.
Lucas was lying on his bed, staring off into space.
Not unless you want to. He said without an ounce of enthusiasm.
No its okay. I'm always up for a nice brooding session.
The boy chuckled at her response.
Haley laid herself next to Lucas.
When are you leaving?
Monday.
Lucas wished Haley would just stay. He wanted her to be happy, but he could see the tour was not making her happy.
Have you talked to Nathan?
Not since the night of the dealership fire.
His body shifted. The night of the fire was one Lucas replayed in his mind over and over. Peyton was the only person who knew he was the one to pull Dan, his father out of the burning building.
With regret he told her. Part of him wished he had just let Dan burn. But the truth was, Dan had not done anything awful enough in order to deserve such a death.
Silence.
I noticed Peyton's things… is she staying here?
Mhmm
Thoughts of the two blondes fornicating on the very bed she was laying on went through her mind.
You guys haven't… you know, right?
Hales! Lucas yelled out of embarrassment.
Sorry. I just don't want to be sleeping on your sex sheets.
Lucas felt even more embarrassed. First of all, eww. Second of all, no we haven't you know, yet.
They both chuckled through the awkward moment.
Peyton's bed felt cold. She was missing the boy who usually lay beside her.
She figured it was good for them to spend a night or two apart. When summer ended, no matter what their romantic stance was, they wouldn't be sharing a bed any longer. Karen would never allow such a thing to happen, not in her house.
Buzz
Her phone vibrated, indicating that she received a text message.
Peyton opened her phone to find a message from Lucas.
Goodnight, Peyton. It read.
For a moment she held her phone up against her chest before sending back a message back.
Goodnight.
Let me know what you think.