A/N: This chapter gets a little smutty, so I'm going to change the rating to M.

Summer is almost over. How do you think it will end?


Two weeks had passed, and Peyton had yet to write Brooke a letter. Every time she tried, the words were just unable to come to her. She knew there was no possible way to explain what had happened and why. One doesn't choose who they love, it just sort of happens. Part of her felt as though she did not owe Brooke anything. She always felt as though Brooke was the one who mucked everything up. Brooke had known Peyton had feelings for Lucas, but she was to jaded by her libido to care.

Things were different now. Feelings were stronger and if they all weren't careful, hearts would be broken.

Although they didn't really speak of Brooke, she was lingering in the back of their minds. She was the elephant in the room, so to speak. The two blondes relationship was steady. Lucas was now referring to Peyton as his girlfriend. The first time he had used the word, she giggled. Something Lucas never thought he'd see. Peyton was not the giggling type.

Both Peyton and Haley were still staying with Lucas. They had become a family of sorts. Most nights Haley cooked dinner, and later on they'd hang out down at the Rivercourt. Lucas was determined to make Peyton a worthy opponent when it came to playing Horse. Other nights they'd get pizza and see old movies, at the two dollar theatre. Wherever they had spent the evening, they always found themselves back at Luke's house, talking to the wee hours of the night.

It was something to behold, three people, three strong friendships.

One morning, Peyton stopped by her place to pick up some more clothing and to check the mail. She tried to check the mail at least once a week. Mostly it was filled with bills, which Larry took care of over the internet, and college mail. This morning was different though. No bills, no college mail, not even any junk mail. All that sat in the box was a single letter that was sent from California.

She brought the letter to her room and placed it on her bed.

As she rummaged through her closet, her eyes kept dashing back to the letter. She wanted to read it, but was afraid of what it might hold. The idea of losing a friendship through a letter was not exactly ideal.

The blonde put her clothes in a tote bag, and sat down to read the letter.

The envelope was pink, which brought a smile to her face. Brooke Davis had to make everything pretty, including the post.

Her fingers slid the pink paper open and pulled out a letter. It was shorter than she expected.

Peyton,

As you probably know, Lucas came to see me. I want you to know that I'm not angry. I just wish we didn't have this boy between us. Its going to be hard, but I'm not going to stand in the way of your happiness, which has been a long time coming. Love your broody heart out until it doesn't beat anymore.

I love you and I miss you.

xoxo Brooke

Droplets of tears fell upon the paper. Peyton wanted nothing more than to see Brooke right now and thank her for understanding, or trying to understand.

Summer was coming to an end. Brooke was going to be home in two weeks. She'd get her chance then.

While waiting for Peyton to return, Haley was having lunch with Lucas at the café.

I can't believe the summer is almost over. Haley stated, with her mouth full of food from a large bite she took from her turkey club.

Lucas took a sip of his coke and nodded.

I know, its crazy.

Haley's face turned serious. You know, somehow despite everything that's wrong with Nathan and I, hanging out with you and Peyton has been great. This will definitely go down as one of my favorite summers.

He agreed. Its definitely one of mine.

The boy's thoughts turned to Peyton. He couldn't believe how both tormenting and wonderful being in love really was. As of now, it was impossible to imagine a life without Peyton in his arms or by his side. He sincerely hoped she felt the same way.

Just then, the door opened, causing the bell to ring. It caught Haley's attention who hit Lucas' arm.

Hey Peyton. She said, with a big greeting smile.

Lucas could see Peyton had been crying. He got up from his chair and walked over to the blonde.

Everything okay?

Yea, I just got a letter from Brooke. She said, holding the letter up to show Lucas.

He gulped. This could not have been good.

You can read it if you want. She offered.

Lucas grabbed the letter and found his seat. Peyton joined he and Haley. She watched him carefully as his eyes traced every line of the letter.

He finished reading, and leaned over the table, over Haley's plate to kiss the blonde.

Everything is okay. He assured her.

It really is. She agreed.

Later that day, Haley and Peyton went shopping for school clothes.

The mall was expectedly busy considering it was summer. The two girls had to sidle through scores of middle-school aged girls, who were too lost in their shopping experiences to pay attention to anything but the clothes in front of them.

Peyton suggested they check out the vintage store that was located next to Orange Julius.

While looking through the racks, Haley came across a flowery poncho.

What do you got there, Hales? The blonde asked, noticing Haley was practically mesmerized by the article of clothing.

I umm… have a poncho just like this one. She proclaimed.

It was a poncho that Nathan had mercilessly poked fun at many times. One post-coital morning, Nathan had admitted that seeing Haley in the poncho for the first time is what made him realized he liked her. No other girl he knew would even dare to wear something so hideous.

Oh yes! That hideous thing. I've seen you wear it. Peyton mocked her friend, unaware of the emotional baggage the poncho seemed to cover.

Haley stuck her tongue out at the girl and kept looking through the racks.

Feeling strange without the company of his two girl friends, Lucas decided to spend the day with his old guy friends.

He had gone almost the whole summer without seeing them.

Skills was visiting his grandparents upstate and everyone else had gotten summer jobs. It was hard to keep in touch, even though it should have been easy.

Now Skills was back, Lucas knew this so he called him up for a game at the Rivercourt.

All the boys, including Mouth found themselves enjoying the normalcy of it all. The Rivercourt felt like home to all of them. It had been missed.

After two games of two-on-two, the guys decided to take a breather.

So, Luke. What you been up to? Skills wondered.

Lucas dribbled the ball around his friend who was currently swigging back some water.

I've been dating Peyton Sawyer.

Skills spit out his water. Some of it sprayed on Lucas.

No shit! He laughed.

Its official, guys. Peyton Sawyer is my girlfriend.

Junk jumped up and stole the ball out from under Lucas.

Its about time, man. You've been in love with her since like sixth grade.

They all chuckled. His "crush" on Peyton, as they liked to refer to it, was no secret. Haley had announced it to them all one day. She thought maybe the guys could help him find a way to get Lucas to actually work up the nerve to speak to Peyton. All they did, however was laugh over it. Even back then, Peyton had been the popular girl. No matter how great of a guy they thought Lucas was, they didn't think he stood a chance with the curly-haired ball of venom.

Haley must be happier than you. Skills stated.

Lucas kinked his eyebrow and wondered if it were true. No one rooted for Lucas and Peyton the way Haley did. She was their number one fan.

Lucas was in the shower when the girls got back from shopping.

I'm going to go say hi. Peyton told Haley, who was looking through the bags for her clothes.

Umm, okay then. Haley laughed.

Peyton entered the bathroom, and undressed herself. Lucas was unaware of her presence in the room, until she pulled the shower curtain open.

He looked at her, startled at first. Being naked always makes people skittish. Quickly his startle changed to lust. She stood before him, completely naked.

Can I join you? She wondered, and stepped under the water before Lucas could give her permission.

She threw her head back, under the nozzle allowing her hair to become drenched. The action sent water cascading down the girl's bare chest. Lucas took notice of this and placed his mouth between the girls two hills.

Peyton moaned slightly over the feeling of his mouth on her skin.

She pulled his face into her hands, causing the boy to look up. Her eyes were smiling at him as she brought his lips to meet her own. He pressed his body into hers and enveloped every part of her.

They'd yet to make love, and this moment seemed right. With Peyton it was different, even when their actions were fueled by lust, every touch, every kissed was more so fueled by their love for each other. It wasn't about pleasing one's self, it was about being able to share one's self completely with the other person.

She could feel his member harden against her stomach as they continued to kiss. Their tongues were dancing, their fingers were intertwined. Every single part of them was connected.

He parted from the girl quickly, realizing they couldn't do this.

I don't have a condom on me. He fretted.

The blonde pecked the boy, and started a trail of kisses that started from his lips and led down to the trail of hair on his lower stomach. Each kiss felt like ecstasy.

Before going any lower, she looked up at him and winked.

There's always other things we can do. She stated, as she lightly wrapped her hand around his member.

She slowly started pumping with her hand, as her lips placed kisses on his thighs, and then on every inch of the hardness. She stopped pumping and took him into her. The feeling was incredible and caused Lucas' legs to quiver.

The girl hummed softly as her mouth performed its magic. The vibrations of her voice were driving Lucas wild. Even though she wasn't moving particularly fast, quickly he came to climax.

Peyton, I'm gonna come. He gasped.

She stopped her movements and brought her lips to meet the tip of his member. She licked around the head, and then licked down the shaft before taking him completely into her mouth one final time.

His release was rather large, but Peyton swallowed it all, in a timely fashion.

Wow. You're good at that. He chuckled.

I'm glad you liked. She said, and kissed the boy.

He took the blonde into his arms. They held each other for a moment as the water continued to fall upon them.

Your turn. Lucas whispered lightly into her ear.

I think I'd rather wait until Haley isn't home. She stated.

Peyton had a feeling sex with Lucas was going to be insatiable, and she was afraid of what noises would come out of her mouth.

The boy laughed and kissed Peyton's wet mess of hair.

Everything is better with you. Its like every touch and every feeling is multiplied by the thousands.

Lucas was always saying just the right thing to send Peyton into swoon mode.

I guess that's just love.