So, this is how it ends? A ten year friendship that survived two dead moms, three absentee parents, shoplifting, jail time and we can't survive one boy.
Not one boy. My boy!
Wordlessly, Brooke dropped her overnight bag into a nearby chair before moving to sit beside the pair on the bed. This was her fault!
I want you to understand something. As far as I'm concerned this friendship is over. And, if we never speak again for the rest of our lives, that'll be fine.
She'd alienated her best friend during her time in need with the Psycho Derek drama. She'd stormed out of Peyton's bedroom after slapping her and calling her a bitch, instead of staying to hear her out.
I gave you a second chance Peyton, and you blew it.
She'd forgiven Peyton, and Lucas, before pushing her blonde best friend into the arms of a monster. She hadn't talked to Peyton about the whole 'Lucas' situation, because there had been nothing to talk about! Or so, at least she thought.
"Peyton." Brooke said, shaking her head disapprovingly. She reached out and grabbed her best friend's hands.
"Umm, now that you're here, Brooke..." Nathan coughed awkwardly and stood up, slinging his backpack across his shoulders. "I'm gonna head home. I'll see you tomorrow, Sawyer. We'll all be here."
Tomorrow. How could she forget? It would finally be Saturday, and her friends wouldn't have to worry about school getting in the way of spending time with her. Brooke had already planned the day out, a lazy day full of popcorn, movies, and ice cream. They'd all stay over, too afraid to leave her alone for the night.
"P. Sawyer." Brooke said as soon as they were alone. "Are you really afraid to go after Lucas because of me? If it's true, then let me be the first to tell you that I am completely over him, Peyton."
I know I said we could never be friends like before... But maybe we could be better.
Peyton locked eyes with her best friend. "Do you mean that, B. Davis? I just... I know how much heartache my relationship with Lucas has caused you, and I can't stand you hating me forever because I still have feelings for your ex. I don't wanna lose you again-"
Brooke laughed sadly and pulled her into a hug, holding her tightly, but carefully.
"Peyton Elizabeth Sawyer." She drew out, shaking her head. "You are never gonna lose me... Like it or not, your scrawny ass is stuck with me for the rest of eternity, so you'd better get use to it."
Look, the thing about Peyton is, it's really hard for her to let her guard down. But when she does, she's got this amazing heart.
"You're stuck with me too." Peyton replied, hugging her back. "I love you, B. Davis."
"I love you, P. Sawyer."
Her phone buzzed.
You okay?
Lucas, of course. He was helping his mother out at Tric, but he'd promised to come by later and watch whatever girly TV show the blonde and the brunet could force him into. It would be just like old times, minus Peyton being the third wheel because he and Brooke were too busy making out to notice that she was even there.
Since the five minutes you asked me last? I'm fine, Luke, I promise. Just text me when you get here, and I'll let you in.
The doorbell rang, and the two girls jumped. Almost a year had passed, and they still weren't fans of being alone.
Here :)
"It's just Lucas." Peyton announced. She started to stand up, to head downstairs and let him in, but Brooke stopped her with a gentle, but firm hand.
"Stay." She ordered, shooting her a warning look.
Peyton rolled her eyes, but obeyed.
Brooke took the steps two at a time. She made sure to look through the front door's peep hole before allowing him to enter the house.
"Hey, Cheery." He greeted with a grin, removing his headphones from his ears. He pulled her into a tight, warm hug, his hand resting at the back of her head.
"Hey, Broody." She replied, leading the way upstairs. "Luke, do something. She's being stubborn again! She wanted to walk down the stairs, by herself, to answer the door! She needs rest!"
Lucas chuckled and flopped down onto the bed beside her, bringing his arms up to rest behind his head. "Did I miss the part where Brooke turned into the un-fun grandmother type?"
Peyton laughed freely for the first time in months, music to his ears.
"She actually suggested going to bed before ten last night!" Peyton told him, still laughing. "Who are you, and what have you done with my best friend?"
He leaned in close to whisper in her ear. "Seeing as you've been cooped up all week, I thought maybe you could use a little fun... Maybe you could use a little ice cream..."
Her eyes lit up at the thought of actually escaping her house, even if it was just for a few minutes.
"Give me a lift?"
Lucas chuckled and leaned forward, feeling her arms wrap around his neck from behind. As soon as she was steady, he stood up, taking hold of her legs to ensure she wouldn't fall.
"What are you two doing?"
The two blondes erupted in a fit of giggles as Lucas carried her out of the room, piggy back style. Brooke followed along behind them, still questioning their intentions.
Lucas stopped at Keith's... His car, managing to open the passenger side door while still holding her up.
"Get in."
Brooke hesitated, raising an eye brow. She tilted her head, still waiting to hear about where they were taking her.
"Please, B. Davis!" Peyton begged from over his shoulder. "We all deserve a little fun! Don't you want some ice cream?"
She laughed and got into the backseat while her best friend rode shotgun. Lucas inserted one of the CD's that she'd left in his car and pulled out of the driveway.
So won't you kill me, so I die happy.
My heart is yours to fill or burst to break or bury,
Or wear as jewelry, whichever you prefer.
Lucas and Peyton shared a look before they burst out laughing. The same exact song, the same exact street.
"What?" Brooke demanded, feeling left out. "What is so funny?"
'Do you remember when I told you about the guy I almost ran over?" She asked, glancing at the backseat.
Brooke's eye brows knitted together in confusion. "Yeah... Why?"
"It was me." Lucas announced.
You know, I saw her the other night. She almost ran me over.
Yeah, she pretty fine, huh?
Ah... She's alright.
He finally pulled up in front of Tree Hill Iced, the local ice cream parlor. He started to unbuckle his seat belt, to run inside so the girls wouldn't have to get out, but Brooke stopped him.
"I'll go." She offered, shooting Peyton a knowing look. "You two just stay here, and... Talk."
He watched her leave before turning back to his blonde friend. "Okay... That was totally weird, and very out of character for Brooke... What's going on, Blondie?"
"Who knows." Peyton shrugged innocently, making a mental note to kill the cheerleading captain in her sleep later that night.
If there was one thing that Brooke Davis wasn't, it was subtle, and Peyton was unsure if she should love that about her, or dread it.
Even if we could be together, what makes you think it would work?
Cause I feel it in my heart, don't you?
Yes, so what are we going to do?
"Un huh." Lucas eyed her warily. "Wanna tell me the truth now, Sawyer?"
When she remained silent, he reached out to poke her waist, momentarily forgetting about the bruises that still marked her skin. She winced and he withdrew his hand as if she were on fire.
"I'm sorry..." He began, cupping her cheek. "God, Peyton, I'm sorry..."
She told me she loved me. I just figured it was because she lost a lot of blood. But at some level I knew it was true. I was just too afraid to admit it because... It would've hurt Brooke.
You ever think maybe that's why you have trouble writing about that day? Maybe you block things out because you're afraid if you face the truth, it could hurt the other people you love.
"Peyton?"
"Lucas?"
Lucas brushed his thumb across the fading cut on her cheek. "You know that I'll always protect you... Right?"
"I know." Peyton smiled as she met his eyes. "And I love you for that, Lucas."
So let me get this straight, you and Peyton just friends right?
Uh-huh.
I wish I had friends like that.
They were close enough to kiss now. He brushed the hair out of her face and leaned in closer, if at all possible.
"Ice cream!"
They broke apart abruptly as Brooke appeared, struggling to hold onto the three cones. Lucas coughed awkwardly and got out to help her.
"Here." He said, offering Peyton her cone. "C'mon, Brooke, let's get back to the house and watch some girly chick flick..."
Brooke's cone slipped from her hand, landing on the ground as she took off running. Her gaze was fixated on someone coming their way.
"Brooke!"
"Luke?" Peyton asked, her tone filled with fear. Her eyes widened as she realized what was happening.
"It's okay." Lucas promised quickly, handing her his keys. "Lock the doors, Peyton, stay here. Brooke!"
"Why don't you just get lost already!" Brooke hissed, shoving him with such force that his back slammed up against the wall.
Ricky blinked. He'd never thought Brooke Davis, queen of Tree Hill High could be so strong.
"Get lost, bitch." He replied. "I'm not here to see you, or my dumb ass girlfriend. I just wanted some ice cream."
"You hit her." She spat, slapping him across the face. "You beat her. You don't deserve to even be alive! You're gonna pay for this!"