I still don't own One Tree Hill, nor do I own "Thank You" by The Little Heroes.

500 reviews! I seriously cannot believe how dedicated you all are, it's amazing – you're all amazing! Keep them up, please.


Thank you for the gifts that you gave

and the lines that were said

I had guessed we'd always be friends

and all the plans that we made

again and again

Peyton was lying flat on her bed. Lucas had taken Keith over to his mother's so the house was hers for the day. It wasn't unusual to have the house be this quiet. Keith took after his parents in every sense of the way. He had grown into a quiet baby. At two months old he hardly ever cried. He has serious eyes that seemed to read another person's mood. She closed her eyes and sighed. High school was over.

"Hey P. Sawyer", Brooke's raspy voice cause the blondes eyes to open. "Am I intruding?" she asked as she bit her lip. Peyton smiled.

"Not at all, what's going on?" she moved to make room for the brunette. Brooke happily bounced onto the bed, resting her head on the pillow with a sigh.

"So, I need to tell you something and I don't want you to freak out—"

"Brooke, you could tell me anything", Peyton interrupted with a reassuring smile.

"Right, well . . . I applied at the last minute to a fashion school in New York, never thinking I'd get in; well I did and they gave me a scholarship", she said with a timid smile. Peyton grinned.

"Oh my God, Brooke this is amazing!" she reached out for her friend and pulled her into a tight embrace. "Oh my God, you're leaving", she whispered once they broke apart. Brooke nodded somberly.

"Yeah, but I don't leave till mid-August so we've got lots of time together", she said assuringly.

"Right, besides it's only for a few months at a time."

"Yeah, I'll be home for Thanksgiving, Christmas break, Spring break, and then its summer. Plus, you'll be so busy with school and Keith that you won't even notice I'm gone."

Peyton's green eyes filled with tears and she shook her head. "That's not true."

"No, come on P, we're not gonna do this now, we have months until we need to get all upset", she held back tears of her own.

"Okay, sorry. We are such girls", she muttered with a smile. They both laughed and the tense moment was broken.

"So, any other bombs you wanna drop?"

"I don't really want to go."

"Why not?"

"It's so far from here. I'll miss you and Luke and Keith and Nate and Haley and Jamie . . . and Jake and Jenny", she finished with a whisper.

Peyton raised a brow. "Jake huh?" she teased.

"Peyton, I don't know what you're trying to get at, but we are just friends."

"Friends that make googly eyes and hold hands and kiss, gee I wish I had friends like that", she grinned.

"You don't get friends like that because you have Lucas."

Before Peyton could respond she glanced over at her bedroom door. Nathan Scott stood there with a soft smile on his face.

"Hello ladies", he deepened his voice and raised a brow suggestively. Both girls faced each other before turning back to him and laughing. "It wasn't that funny", his bruised ego shown through.

"Sorry Nate, been down that road before."

"Sorry Superstar, never wanna go down that road."

"Alright, I get it", he walked over to the middle of the bed and motioned for both girls to move over. "So, what are we talking about?" he asked as he got comfortable.

"Brooke and Jake . . . ouch", the brunette shot up and pinched the blonde. Peyton whined as she rubbed her side. "Brooke what the hell?" she questioned angrily.

"I don't want Nathan to know about my boy problems", she gasped out. The brunette boy rolled his eyes.

"Brooke, please; it's me", he said obviously. "I was there when Tommy Anders lifted your skirt and showed everyone your underwear in second grade."

"He was also the first person to give that little shit a black eye", Peyton cut in.

"And I wasn't the last", he grinned. Brooke smiled and sighed.

"Fine, I got into a fashion school in New York and part of me wants to go, but the other part really doesn't."

"Jake's that other part?"

"He doesn't know yet, we haven't talked about it. I'm being silly because he and I aren't even together, we're just friends", she said as firmly as before. Nathan rolled his eyes.

"Of course you are . . . Brooke admit it already, you like Jagielski", taunted.

"Dude, leave her alone."

"Thank you, Peyton."

"If she doesn't want to admit it yet we can't make her", she and Nathan shared a smile before facing Brooke.

"Fine, maybe I do like him—"

"More like love him", Peyton muttered. Brooke blushed, but quickly scoffed.

"Anyway, I don't really want to leave everyone behind."

"I think you should go . . . it's a great opportunity. Some of us might not even make it to college", he mumbled.

"Did Duke send you something?" Peyton asked in concern.

"Not yet, but I have a feeling they will. Who would want the son of a convicted murderer as the star of their basketball team?"

"Keep your head up, Nate", Brooke rasped out.

"How's my godson?" Peyton asked with a smile; the mood had become too depressing for the blonde.

Nathan beamed at the mention of his little boy. "He's amazing. Haley's an incredible mother and it just doesn't seem real."

"We're all proud of how far you've come", Brooke said sincerely.

Nathan nodded and a silence lingered over the teens. It wasn't uncomfortable in the least, it was familiar and they savored it.

"When's the last time we did this?" Nathan asked.

Peyton let out a breath. "The day after my mom died", she whispered.

"It took us ten years to come together again?" Brooke asked incredulously.

"Well, that'll never happen again", Nathan basically demanded.

"We'll always come to each other for everything", Peyton spoke firmly as she looked over at the brunettes.

"No matter what", Brooke spoke next.

"Forever and ever", Nathan cooed out, the girls glared at him and he spoke again, "I'm serious, you girls have always been the closest thing to a family I have, I don't ever wanna lose that", he whispered.

"Awe Nate."

"Superstar."

Both girl's voices shook and they bit their lips to stop the quivering. "Come here", he conceded and both girls huddled into his arms.

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Lucas was lying on his bed in his old bedroom. He brought Keith over and Karen immediately took him out for a walk. High school was over. They had graduated yesterday and were now staring into their future.

If someone had asked him what he would be life when he graduated he never, in a million years, would have said a father. Nor would he say he'd be with Peyton Sawyer, maybe in his wildest dreams, but not in real life. However, he was a father and he was with Peyton and he wouldn't change that at all.

"Knock, knock", the petite girl said softly as she stuck her head into his bedroom.

"Hey Hales", the blonde said with a smile. She walked into the room and sat beside him on the bed. "What's up bud?" he asked when he saw her pensive look.

"We're graduates", she said in disbelief.

"I know, I was there", he teased and it earned him a smack to the shoulder.

"I'm serious; I mean . . . I guess what makes it all the more unbelievable is that I'm not where I thought I would be. If you had asked me freshman year I would have told you that I would be going to Stanford and you and I would have a joined graduation party and it would still be us against the world. And yet, here we are four years later and it's the exact opposite of that."

"Life's funny like that sometimes, in one way you think it's tearing you down, but really it's giving you the best thing possible."

She watched as his face contorted with emotion and it didn't take a rocket scientist to know he was talking about himself. He was terrified when Peyton had told him about the pregnancy. He was afraid that it was going to ruin the already unstable relationship with Brooke and he was sure that he could never handle being a father. But in truth, that baby had been the best thing to happen to him; he was finally with Peyton and he was a terrific father.

"Where is my nephew?" she asked with a smile.

"Mom took him for a walk. Where's my godson?"

"Believe it or not, Deb's watching him", Lucas's mouth dropped and she nodded. "I know, but she's been great since she got back from rehab. Nathan went out and she decided that I needed a break, so my two week old is being babysat by his once drug addicted grandmother", she joked.

Lucas laughed. "Where'd Nathan go?"

"I think Peyton's house. They're probably doing the same thing we are."

Before Lucas could agree his bedroom door opened again and a boy poked his head in.

"Mind if I join you?"

Haley and Lucas smiled before Haley scooted over. "Not at all, Jake."

"It's been a while", the brunette boy mused as he got comfortable.

And it had. Not just in the sense that he had been six hours away for the last year and a half, but the fact that he hadn't hung out with them in years. It wasn't such a well known fact, but Lucas and Haley weren't always a twosome. Jake was part of their small group whenever he could be. He lived farther so wasn't always allowed to go where they went or do what they did, but when he could hang out they all enjoyed the company.

That came to a complete stop sophomore year. Jake got a girlfriend by the name of Nikki. He got sucked into the idea of a first girlfriend so much that everyone else faded away. Nobody knew the extent of his sheltering himself until he told Lucas about Jenny.

"So, how was graduation?" Jake asked.

"Wonderful because it was the end", Lucas muttered.

"I heard you gave a pretty good speech, Haley."

The girl blushed before speaking, "Thanks . . . how'd you hear about it?" although she figured she knew the answer she wanted it confirmed.

"Oh, umm . . . I called Brooke and we talked for a little bit", he admitted shyly.

"Another phone conversation, it's a wonder her bill didn't soar these past few months", Lucas teased.

"We have the same plan so it's free mobile to mobile", Jake quipped back.

Haley felt herself relax as their laughs filled the room. She had been worried that the tension of a curly blonde would be hanging over their heads, but thankfully there wasn't.

"Where were you?" she asked from her space between the two boys.

"I had to get some last minute stuff from Savannah."

"It's great that you're going to be here", Lucas echoed Peyton's words from weeks ago.

"That's what I'm told."

"Brooke is seriously thrilled", Haley said with a smile.

"She likes you", Lucas said softly.

Jake nodded, "I like her too."

"No, she really likes you", Lucas said as he shook his head.

Jake nodded again and did his best to keep his heart from fluttering. He cleared his throat and spoke, "She and I are having a good time, we enjoy each other's company and she gets along great with Jenny, that's where we're at right now." He spoke with determination. Jake had to keep Brooke at an arms length.

"Are you gonna go to UNC?" Haley asked in hopes of breaking the awkwardness.

"Yeah, I have no clue what I want to study, but I'm just glad to be home."

"Well, it'll be good to have you around. It feels like normalcy", Haley said with a whisper. Both boys smiled before squeezing her hands.

------------------------------

Brooke stood in front of the door nervously biting her lip. She was here later then she expected to be, but she, Peyton and Nathan had a lot to talk about; it felt good to feel like old times. Then Lucas came home with Keith and Brooke spent an hour fussing over him while the parents spent some time alone.

She knocked and waited with baited breath for the sandy haired boy to answer. She heard footsteps and knew it was him. She sucked in a breath.

"There's the high school graduate", Jake spoke when he opened the door.

He leaned against the doorframe and she smiled. He looked so sexy doing that. She was overcome by the need to be close to him.

"Hey Jake", she leaned forward and kissed his lips.

Jake grinned and stepped closer to her.

"Not that I'm complaining, but what brings you by?"

"Umm, I needed to talk to you", she said softly. He nodded as encouragement for her to continue.

"I got into FIT with a scholarship and everything", Jake smiled and quickly lifted her off the ground.

"That's amazing, Brooke." He placed her on her feet and she blushed before tucking a strand of hair behind her ear.

"Thanks."

"What's wrong?" he could feel her apprehension. She looked at him with sad eyes.

"It's in New York", she whispered.

For a moment his world stopped turning and a breath was caught in his throat. He was moving back to Tree Hill in hopes of being closer to her, but of course nobody knew that. Now, she was going to leave? He saw the expectant look on her face and snapped out of his trance.

"You have to go", his voice was hoarse and he cleared his throat before continuing. "Brooke, fashion is your dream—"

"What if my dreams have changed?" she countered with a serious look.

Jake swallowed hard. "Brooke, you are bound for greatness. I've seen your designs; you're too good to let that go to waste."

"But, there's so much I would miss out on if I go."

"And there's a lot that you would miss out on if you stay", he argued. The last thing he wanted was for her to put her dreams on hold because she felt like she had to.

"Jake—"

"It'll only be for a few months of the year, when you come home everyone will still be here."

"Everyone?" she questioned with sad eyes.

"Dada!" a small blonde wobbled to the door. Brooke instantly smiled.

"Bwookie!" she changed her destination and jumped into the brunettes waiting arms.

"Hey, Jenny girl", Brooke cooed. The small girl giggled and reached for Brooke's hair.

"Pweety."

Jake watched the two interact with a heavy heart. Jenny loved Brooke and Brooke loved Jenny. It was something he never thought he'd see again. After Peyton, he wanted to take time out and not be with anyone. Brooke Davis had changed that. They weren't boyfriend and girlfriend, but they were the typical high school 'thing'; whatever that meant.

He cleared his throat and Brooke tore her gaze from the two year old to stare at the man in front of her.

"Everyone will be here."

Stayed along the lines that we traced

and the books that we've read

could not explain these thoughts in our heads

and all the glances exchanged

wouldn't suggest to the bare remains

you're an angel and your words cause little earthquakes

all the world stops everyday when you wake

and we fall down at your feet

to say, "goodnight", and sadly retreat

all of your words cause little earthquakes

all the world stops everyday when you wake

and we fall down...


Okay, I just wanted this chapter to show how the two groups still go to each other even though there are other people because they are still great friends. Only one more chapter left. Let me know what you think!

Also, I never addressed this, but my one-shot Will You Be There? Got over 30 reviews. I truly appreciate everyone that read it and I love everyone that reviewed it. The title is a song by the same name – it plays in 5x02 during the whole "your art matters" scene. It's an amazing song and really fits them perfectly. So, thanks again for all the reviews!