"Hey, Haley." Mouth greeted, leaning up against the locker beside her own. "What's up?"
"Hi, Mouth." She replied, dropping her books off. She was headed to the tutor center, ready to help someone earn an A, and forget about the night before.
She'd been avoiding Nathan and Lucas all day.
"I heard about Peyton." He said, struggling to keep up with her. "How's she doing? Is she here today?"
Haley nodded, gesturing with her hand to where the blonde stood at her own locker with her brunet best friend.
"She'll be fine." Haley told him. "She's probably a little sore, but they gave her some pain meds. Brooke and I are gonna stay with her again tonight."
"You're a good friend."
They made small talk until Mouth left her at the tutor center with a cheerful wave. She laughed and gave him a playful shove. Some people never changed, and she was happy that he was still the goofy, fun-loving guy she'd known since childhood,
"Hi, Hales."
Haley jumped out of her skin. The room was empty, minus Nathan and Lucas. Her best friend was leaning against the wall, his arms crossed, watching her carefully. Her husband sat at one of the desks, his head resting in his hands.
Out of fear, she spun on her heel and tried to leave. Skills and Mouth blocked the door, their expressions unreadable.
"What is this?" Haley demanded, facing her husband. "What the hell is going on, Nathan? Why are you doing this?"
"Why are you lying to me?" He shot back, standing up. He grabbed her hands, pulling her closer to him.
"Peyton didn't fall, Haley." Lucas said, his eyes dark. "Did she?"
All right, I screw up a lot, all right... and being around you I just I don't wanna be that guy any more.
Well, who do you wanna be, Nathan?
I wanna be somebody who's good enough to be seen with you.
You should've thought of that last night. You know I keep... I keep putting myself out there, and you keep blowing it and it's probably a good thing because at this point there is nothing that you can say or do that's gonna surprise me!
"Haley?"
"I don't..." She began, trying to pull away from his tight grasp. "Nathan, please, just let me go..."
"Haley!"
Well, did you have fun tonight, slave boy? Thanks for playing along.
Look, Haley, I know we've grown apart a bit lately, and I know we have a lot ahead of us, but I just want you to know I'll always be there for you. And if Nathan doesn't see how special you really are, well then he's an idiot, cause I think you're amazing.
"Haley." Lucas muttered, his hands resting heavily on her shoulders. "Please, just tell me the truth."
"I..."
Hey, Haley, you're going to be okay. I promise you that.
"She didn't trip."
"What?" The Scott brothers asked in unison.
"Peyton didn't trip." Haley whispered, tears forming in her eyes. "She didn't sprain her wrist after trying out a new cheer move, and she didn't get that black eye from playing baseball with Brooke."
Lucas sighed and pulled her into a tight hug. He rubbed her back, listening to her sobs until they died down. He pulled back slightly, kissing her forehead.
"Thank you." He told her, glancing back at his little brother. "Now I can take care of this. Nate?"
Nathan took one last look at Haley. "Let's go."
The brothers took off down the hallway, Haley following at their heels. She knew them all too well.
Peyton sighed as she dropped her books. She was still in a lot of pain, and her medication didn't seem to be helping. She started to bend down to retrieve it.
"Here."
Someone beat her to it, grabbing the stack of hardcover books in one swift movement.
Lucas held them out to her, his expression unreadable.
"Thanks." She smiled weakly. "You okay, Luke?"
"Are you?" He retorted, frowning. "I'm not the one who had to spend half the night at the hospital."
Thanks for doing this for me, Luke.
That's what friends are for, right?
She was forcing a smile now. "It's not that big of a deal. The doctor said I'll bounce back in no time. So, what's up?"
Lucas crossed his arms. "You lied to me."
Peyton, I made you a promise. Besides, you should be able to turn to me for help. I love being that guy for you.
"Not you too." Peyton groaned. "Look, Lucas, I tripped, and I fell. I'm clumsy! You of all people should know that!"
"I also know when you're lying to me, Peyton." He accused. "Look at you! You're covered in bruises, you're not yourself! Just tell me the truth, Peyton, and I promise I'll take care of it."
She blinked. Tell him the truth? He'd take care of it? He'd always protected her, but if she told him everything... She wouldn't have to protect the monster who had been hurting her, daily, for the last six months.
Your art matters. It's what got me here.
"Peyton?" Lucas asked slowly. "Talk to me, girlie. Did Ricky do this to you? Please just talk to me, Peyton!"
Nice hands.
Nice legs.
"I shouldn't have made him mad." She began, staring at the ground. "We were fighting, and I said something stupid... It was my fault, Luke. I deserved it."
I would never say that! I would never cut you out of my life!
"What?" He grabbed her shoulders, gently but firmly. If she wasn't so hurt, he would have shaken her. "Please tell me those words did not just come out of your mouth, Peyton! I..."
"Hey, babe." Ricky greeted, leaning in to kiss her cheek. "Hey, Luke... How ya feeling, baby? I hope you're not too sore for our big date tonight."
Lucas wrapped his hand around her upper arm, moving her to stand behind him.
"I could kill you." He hissed.
Nathan, Haley and Brooke were there suddenly. The two girls pulled her into a safe embrace before she could stop him.
"You messed with the wrong girl." Nathan told him, pulling his arm back. Haley winced as his fist connected with Ricky's jaw.
While he was still in shock, Lucas delivered a blow to his stomach.
"Come near Peyton again and you'll wish you were dead." Lucas warned. "Stay the hell away from her."
"Lucas!"
Nathan punched him again.
"Nathan!"
"Peyton." Brooke muttered, struggling to keep her grip on the blonde. "Shh... It's okay. He's never gonna touch you again."
Do you ever think we can have a function in this town that doesn't end up in a brawl?
Why? Getting a little too 'Outsiders' for you?
I never saw it.
Well, you would have been one of the bad guys.
"Lucas!" Peyton begged, freeing herself from her friends grasps. "Nathan, please! Stop! This isn't helping anyone! Just leave him alone!"
Nathan stared at her. "What? Do you even hear yourself right now, Sawyer? He has no right to hit you! He deserves this."
Before he could grab her, she moved to stand in between her boyfriend and one of her best friends.
"Get out of the way, Peyton." Lucas warned, his fingers locking around her wrist. "Move. Now."
Peyton Sawyer stood her ground. She was always saying how Lucas saved her, but for once, she needed to save herself.
You know Peyton, you could learn a lot from Ellie. I mean, she struck me as tough.
Yeah.
And that's important. But I also think you could learn a lot from her mistakes. Don't live you life alone. Let us in.
"Peyton." Ricky croaked. "Your friends have officially lost it... I don't think you should hang out with them anymore. Their craziness might rub off on you."
She stared down at him. His nose was bleeding, his cheek cut, and his eye swelling. He just looked pathetic. How could she have ever fallen for such a loser?
"We're done."
"What?" He demanded, standing up too fast. He stumbled and gripped a locker for support. "What the hell did you just say to me, bitch?"
Lucas's jaw tightened. She held up a hand to stop him from moving towards Ricky again.
"I said we're done." Peyton hissed, moving back towards her friends. "You beat me, you made me think that it was my fault! No more! I'm not gonna sit around and take it anymore. Ricky! Go Brooke yourself, I'm done."
With tears streaming down her cheeks, Brooke moved forward and enveloped her best friend into a tight hug.
"I'm sorry." Peyton whispered. "I'm so sorry."
Haley joined their hug, and they stayed like that for a few moments, comforting each other the way that only best friends could.
"I shouldn't have lied to you." Haley said to her husband, breaking the girls embrace. "I am so sorry, Nathan... I-"
I was hurt, Haley. But I was still proud of you. Everyday.
Nathan pressed his lips to hers, cutting her off in the process. His arms snaked around her waist, her arms winding around his neck.
"I love you." He told her when they pulled away. "I love you so much, Hales. Don't ever apologize, I understand why you did it."
Peyton turned to face Lucas, tears still welling in her eyes. Without a word, he pulled her into a hug and let her sob against his chest. He glanced at his little brother, nodding towards the double doors that would lead to the parking lot.
"Come on." He muttered, keeping his arms around her. "Let's get out of here, Peyt."
Lucas shouldered the door open, the others following behind him. Brooke and Mouth left to follow Nathan and Haley back to the apartment. Lucas promised to meet up with them later. Silently, Peyton handed him her keys and he slid behind the wheel of the Comet.
"It's okay." He promised, wrapping his arm around her. "We're gonna get through this."