1 year later
I gave the envelope in my hand one last glance before dropping it in the mailbox outside of the building. I've been slowly getting back on my feet…back to my job as chief editor of Cosmopolitan. I didn't think it would take this long to get back to…normal. I'm still jumping at loud noises and unexpected touches, but I haven't felt this normal since…actually I don't remember the last time I felt like this. I've got my friends in Tree Hill, and I've got the ones here in New York now too. They all notice the difference in me now…the fact that I'm willing to go out with the rest of the staff on Friday nights is a big change. I think they all just assumed I thought I was better then them before.
The ringing of my cell slices through my thoughts and I don't bother to check the caller id as I flip it open. "Hello"
"You have to know its me calling you by now…so why do bother with the formalities?" I laugh lightly as I continue down the street…I walked to work today…the first time since I've been back here…its might seem small to someone else…but its big for me.
"Well with my luck…the one time I don't say hello first it's not going to be you and then I'm just gunna feel like an ass"
"Well then you can just tell me about it later and we can have a good laugh…wouldn't want our conversations to start getting dull now would we" I can here her clicking away at her keyboard as she types. Brooke calls me every Friday…at the same time. She's been doing it since I left Tree Hill again. As busy as she is, she always finds time to talk to me. She's got her own business now…designing clothes. I'm proud of her…she may not be the best artist, but her sketches are amazing. She mailed quite a few of them to me…there are time when I'm dying to fix her poor attempts at mannequins, but I never do…this is Brooke's thing.
"So what's new Davis"
"Absolutely nothing has changed since you called me on Tuesday…besides me getting new orders…but noting major."
"Your hiding something…" I could hear it in her voice…she was…I can't say happy…the doesn't even begin to describe the sound of her voice…its so much more than then….almost…blissful.
"Okay…is it that obvious…"
"Yes…its beyond obvious Brooke…what's going on"
"P Sawyer…I can't tell you"
"Brooke!" my jaw drops…how can she not tell me…that just so…ahh.
"I know…I'm sorry…I mean I really really really want to…but I can't…I'm sworn to secrecy...okay I think I should go now…because you're so gunna find a way to make me slip and tell you" She knows me too well…and sometimes, like now…it really sucks.
"Fine…but am I ever going to find out…and I mean anytime soon" I plead over the phone…I hate when I'm the only one who doesn't know something.
"Eventually…just not today…but I'm getting off the phone now."
"fine…I'll talk to you later"
"Bye Peyt…"I hear the phone click off before I shut it. Last time Brooke had a secret to tell me it was that Haley might be pregnant…I had forced that out of her seven months ago…but it turned out to be a false alarm. Maybe Hales really is pregnant this time…it would make sense for them to not tell me…I don't know if I'd be able to keep that from Nathan, which is why that didn't wanna tell me last time. Haley likes to be sure of these things before she tells Nate anything. There is one way I could find out….
I dialed Brooke's cell number, making sure to block my number.
"Hello"
"Tigger…" I don't exactly sound like Haley, even when I try, but she's the only one that calls Brooke that.
"Tutor Wife I swear I didn't say anything this time…I kept my mouth shut like I said I would." Brooke sounded proud of herself…she's always been bad at keeping secrets…I hated to rain on her parade….well not really
"Thanks Davis" I couldn't suppress the laugh as she gasped from her end of the line.
"P Sawyer…you little…god you suck…I hate you"
"You love me…" I countered
"Yeah…but right now I hate you…and I am not talking to you…Tutor Wife is so gunna kill me." I heard her hang up with a sigh…I win. I smirked as I waved to my doorman and walked inside my building. The elevator ride was slow…I think it's because I'm so tired and I just wanna sit back and relax.
I approach my door slowly…I left it unlocked this morning…Nate's idea. I keep him updated on how I'm doing…every night. Even if its just a five minute call to ask how was your day and have a good night…we've spoken at least once a day since I've left. Last night he said that I had been doing well and he was proud of me for getting my life back together…I'm proud of me too. He suggested that I leave my door unlocked when I left for work this morning…something about facing my fears…that there was a door man downstairs that wouldn't just let someone in…that everything would be fine when I got home. I know everything he said is true, but that doesn't stop my stomach from forming little knots. I stop in front of my door, inhaling deeply…this shouldn't be so hard…the doorman would have told me if anyone had even stopped by. I close my eyes as I let the breath out and my hand cautiously finds the doorknob. As I push it open a letter sitting on the floor catches my eyes. I have to force myself to pick it up. My heart skips a beat as I turn it over and see the bright red kiss imprinted on the seal with the letter SWAK written below it. The only person I've eve know to do that is Brooke…but she's in Tree Hill…she has to be because I just talked to her…on her office phone. I slowly break the seal and take out the handwritten letter.
-Okay so before you start freaking out…yes its Brooke and…SURPRISE!. How did I pull this off…let's just say everyone is in on this…but you. Now I need you to walk and read…assuming that you can multitask. Now you have to follow all my directions…or else this won't work. So step one…proceed to the kitchen. When you get there you'll notice food…remember how Kate had to take off from work this afternoon…well this was her emergency. Told you everyone was in on it.-
I looked around the kitchen…completely spotless, but table was already set, and the oven was keeping the food warm. This was only slightly bizarre, and knowing Brooke…it was only going to get stranger.
-Smells good doesn't it…but you can't eat yet. If you haven't done so yet, put you stuff down somewhere. Now proceed up the stairs…your going to go into your room…but your going to finish reading my letter first so stop reading until you get to the top of the stairs.-
I followed her instructions, and was shocked to find the hallway lined with rose petals, the scent of vanilla radiating from the few candles in the hall.
-This is what I call P Sawyers day off…or evening off…whatever…important part is that you deserve this…we're all very proud of you because you've gone through so much and found a way to wind up on top. Now walk to your bedroom door and stop again. Inside there is a nice warm bath waiting for you but you can't go do that until you finish reading my letter. Okay now enough with the directions…on to the best friend stuff. Peyt…I miss you so much…I've seen you once in the past year… its time for another visit. Enough with my whining…I'm so happy for you Peyton…you've gotten through all of this and your life is getting to where it should be. I guess all of this is my way of saying congratulations…and thank you. You've done so much for me and been there for me since elementary school and I don't know if I've ever taken the time out to just say I love you and thanks for being my best friend…I should have done it a long time ago. So go enjoy your evening and call me later…Love you…PS…everyone here is missing you like crazy…especially Luke - Love always B Davis
I let the tears slide slowly down my cheeks….how on Earth was I lucky enough to have friends like her….like all of them. I smiled softly as I folded the letter back up. I opened my bedroom door and walked straight into the bathroom…sure enough a warm bath was waiting. I undressed and climbed in, letting my head rest against the side. My first thought was Lucas…I haven't talked to him and the week. He's not as anal as Nathan and Brooke about the calling. We always let some time pass in-between our calls…that way we have something to talk about. I've fallen in love with him again…and its scares me. I've finally let my heart go there again…I've let myself become vulnerable and its back to that feeling I love and hate all at the same time. I haven't told him yet…I'm hoping to do it in two weeks when I see him again. That's what I mailed out today…eight plane tickets to New York. I've only seen them once in the last year and I've been missing them a lot lately. Brooke's the only one who's seen my apartment, so I figured this time they could all come here. Nate, Hales, Luke, Sam, Kristen, Karen, Keith and Brooke…who has the option to bring Alex. They should get the package tomorrow and I'm just hoping they can all get off from work.
I look down at my fingers and notice that I'm starting to prune…which means its time to get out. After getting dressed I make my way back downstairs…back to the dinner that has been so patiently waiting for me. I make myself a plate and sit down. I take moment to close my eyes and just inhale the scent…I don't usually eat home cooked meal…I've become more of an order Chinese food girl. I feel something slip around my eyes and my heart rate instinctively increases.
"I swear I'm just following Brooke instructions" I hear Kate's voice from over my shoulder. "I've gotta get you to the roof because that's were your supposed to eat…and let me tell you the view from up there is amazing." I laugh as I let Kate guide me upstairs. She's always liked the view from my roof…but she's only seen it during the day and its so much better at night.
"At least its warm out" I say as we step outside.
"True" she moves from behind me and stands in front of me instead. "Ready"
"I guess…even though your making it sound like a I should be scared…I shouldn't be should I"
"No of coarse not…" I undo the blind fold and my heart skips a beat as I look ahead of me.
"Oh my god"
"I'm gunna go…enjoy the rest of your evening Peyt." I mindlessly wave goodbye to Kate…she's right dinner on the roof was a much better idea. This place looks amazing…Christmas lights are lining the room…and a candle lit table is sitting by the pool, reflecting perfectly off the water. There are more red and white rose petals scattered along the floor. I feel hands go over my eyes and I spin around quickly.
"Guess who…" My jaw drops.
"Brooke" I throw my arms around her. "I can't believe you're here"
"We've gotta do the walk and talk thing…" s he grabs my hand and pulls me back downstairs with her. "I kind of missed my flight because I couldn't leave without seeing you…but I've gotta get out of here soon cuz I have work tomorrow. " she throws me a sad look as we walk into my bed room.
"What time do you have to go" I watch her pull a black dress with an intricate yet subtle design out of my closet and hand it to me along with shoes. Its not mine and I fold back to the tag to see her name printed on the tag. She pushes me into the bathroom.
"My flights at nine and its seven now…so technically I should already be gone…but someone takes really long showers so…"
"Why am I getting dressed up" I ask from behind the door.
"Because we've been planning this for the past three weeks…down to that dress…beside as much time as I put into upstairs…design and setup…you are not wearing pajamas P Sawyer…I'm offending that you even think I would let you ruin my image of how this evening is going to go. So hurry up so I can fix the way your hair is supposed to look."
"Brooke I'm eating by myself …does it really matter what I look like" I open the door and raise a brow at her.
"Yes…it doesn't matter if your eating at all…Peyt please…this whole this has been planned down to the minute…it had to be…so please…what if I miss my flight again…then you won't be eating alone and you can get dressed up for me." She was begging me…I handed her a brush and watched her face light up as I sit on my bed. I know Brooke and I know she put all of her energy into this…she even made me a dress. The least I can do is let her let this pan out the way she wants it to…the way she needs it to in order for her to feel like this happened perfectly. She pulls my hair into a neat ponytail with a few ringlets hanging down to frame my face.
"I'd love for you to stay…but you might not get another flight out tonight or in the morning Brooke" I turn to face her…I wish she could stay.
"I know…I got the last seat…the next available flight isn't until noon tomorrow." She wraps her arms around me tightly. "I love you P Sawyer" she pulls and smiled.
"I love you too…thank you for being my best friend" I lets out a small laugh as tears spring to both of our eyes.
"Thank you for being mine…I gotta go though…but before I forget" she pulls a letter out of her bag and hands it to me. "From Lucas…he asked me to give this to you and to tell you he loves you…but read it after dinner…one because I don't want to food to get cold…and you should be sting down and relaxing when you read it…that's when you can wear your pajamas."
"I'm gunna miss you Brooke" I won't tell her about the tickets…it can be my surprise for tomorrow.
"Miss ya already…call me tomorrow" I nod as we embrace one last time before she heads downstairs and I head up. I left Luke's letter on my bed…as much as I want to read it…Brooke's right, it'd be better to read when I was dressed down. As I walked back outside I suddenly fitted in better with my surrounding…the thought makes me laugh. Only Brooke would make me get dressed up on my evening to relax.
"Have I told you lately that I love you" I feel arms slide around my waist, and just his scent makes me smile. I turn around and bite my bottom lip.
"You don't have to leave tonight too do you" we lock eyes as he shakes his head no. "I missed you Luke" my voice is small as I wrap my arms around his neck. Have I mentioned how much I love my best friend….only she could pull this off.
"I've missed you too Peyt" he places a gentle kiss on my forehead and I see a flash go off. I catch Brooke out of the corner of my eyes smiling with her camera.
"Okay I really have to go now…so hurry up and turn around and smile." Lucas and I both laugh as we turn to face to overly giddy and late brunette. He stands behind me and wraps his arms around my waist. She snaps the picture and smiles brightly. "Perfect" I mouth thank you to her and she winks before spinning on her heel. "Have fun and be safe" she calls as she walks quickly back downstairs.
"So how about dinner" I turn to face the clean shaven blonde.
"Sounds good" he reaches for my hand and are fingers hook together as he leads me over to the table which is now set for two. He pulls my chair out for me before moving over to his own seat. There's a comfortable silence while we eat…and a lot of stolen glances. Despite a slightly hectic afternoon at work…this day has been…perfect.
