Author's Note: Thanks for all the reviews. Hope you guys like this next chapter. Dunno how sure I am about it but let me know what you think.
Chapter 4
Lucas drove out of Tree Hill and took the highway northwards. His eyes filled with tears as he passed the 'Now Leaving Tree Hill' sign. He still didn't know where he was headed. He watched out for the next road sign, maybe it would give him some idea. He was less than five miles outside Tree Hill when the rain started coming down hard. His wipers were on full and he was going half the speed limit. He could barely see anything in front of him. He heard the blare of a horn and the crunch of metal before everything went black.
Peyton returned home to find the letter at the front door. She recognized Lucas' handwriting immediately. 'Crap' she thought. She knew what this meant. She opened it slowly, finding a single sheet of paper. She turned on the stereo and started reading.
Dear Peyton,
I know I should have done this in person but if you didn't know it before, you know it now, I'm a coward. I was a coward when I left Keith in the school that day, I was a coward when I chose Brooke over you and I'm being a coward now by leaving Tree Hill. I feel like I have no choice. If I stay in Tree Hill I'll do something I will regret for the rest of my life.
I love you Peyton. You are my whole world. I didn't want to leave you but I felt I had to. You are always in my heart, you know that. I needed to get away from all this confusion. This new revelation from Abby, Mom and Dan's new "thing", me. I feel like I no longer fit in in Tree Hill. I'm sorry Peyton. This is something I feel I have to do. I'll be back for you soon, I promise.
I love you,
Lucas
Peyton felt her face wet from the hot tears falling from her eyes. He was gone. He left. Everybody leaves. Dan and KAREN?!?!
She sat listening to Arcade Fire until the album ended. Then the noise of the storm raging outside filled the silence. She jumped when the phone rang.
A nurse entered Karen's room quietly.
'Excuse me, Ms. Roe?' The nurse held Lucas' letter in her hand
'Yes?' Karen replied groggily
'A young man gave me this letter at the Nurse's Station. He asked me to give it to you.'
'Lucas?' Karen asked hopefully
'He didn't give his name. You'll just have to open it and see, I guess.' The nurse handed the letter to Karen, 'Just press the call button if you need anything else'
'Thank you' Karen stared at the letter for a moment before opening it carefully.
Dear Mom,
I've always been honest with you. I trust you've always been as honest as possible with me. I could write what you want to read in this letter. I won't, I will continue to be honest. I would never lie to you.
I wasn't lying to you when I told you that Jimmy didn't kill Keith. I know in my heart that it's true. I'm also not lying when I tell you that I am devastated that you chose to trust Dan after all he's done to us, after what he did to Keith. He sabotaged Keith's wedding. What kind of man does that to his own brother? A man who isn't trustworthy. A man who isn't worthy of you, Mom. You are the strongest person I know. You are better than this. I understand that you need to move on but would Keith have wanted you to move on with Dan?
Continuing with the honesty theme, I will conclude my letter with the truth about how I feel. I feel you have betrayed Keith and you have betrayed me. It will take a lot for me to forgive you. This is one thing I trusted you would never do. It was us against him, always. This is why I've chosen to leave Tree Hill. Please don't try and contact me. I will contact you when I am ready.
Lucas
Karen couldn't believe what she had just read. Was this really her son? Had she really lost him? She knew some of what he had written was true before she read it. It was crushing for Lucas to confirm her worst fears. She hoped he would support her in whatever she chose to do. When she thought about it, she didn't support him when he needed her the most. She questioned his sanity. Who does that to their son? What was she going to do. Her thoughts were interrupted by Dan rushing into her room.
'Karen, it's Lucas'
Peyton picked up the phone, composing herself, hoping it was Lucas. She was disappointed to hear Nathan's voice on the other line.
'Peyton?' Nathan's voice had a worrying tone of urgency.
'Nathan, what's wrong? Is Haley okay?'
'Haley's fine, Peyton, it's Lucas... he's been in a car accident.'
Author's Note: Okay, I know the letter to Karen from Lucas was a bit uncharacteristic of Lucas but I think in episode 4x19 we saw a different side of Lucas. And if I were him, I wouldn't be able to forgive my mother for acting like Karen. So that's the way I wrote it. I'm not sure about it but we'll see how it goes. Keep the reviews coming! Thanks a mil to everyone who bothers to review, it means a lot!