Chapter 13(Sawyer)

Brooke and I took longer getting ready than usual because two girls and one mirror to get ready in front of doesn't work out well. I jerked to a stop in my usual spot, feeling foreign at the school that I hadn't been to in a week.

"Every time I ride with you, I swear it's the last." Brooke gasped. I rolled my eyes. I didn't drive that fast…well…we had gotten here in only five minutes, maybe I did.

We got out of the car and Brooke looped her arm through mine as we walked in from the parking lot. I felt everyone's eyes on me and my hideous face but Brooke just cinched her arm tighter in mine. I glanced up at her and she smiled back at me. It was so good having her back. I wasn't going to do anything to screw that up again.

"Hey Peyton? Did you talk to your dad last night? He called right?"

"Yeah. I've actually been meaning to talk to you about that."

She stopped walking and for an instant looked sad before plastering a smile on her face. "When should I move back home?"

I turned towards her, "What? You want to go home?"

For an instant Brooke looked less than her confident self, "Well…I assumed that you guys wouldn't want me there. You and your dad probably need some family time."

I gripped her shoulders, "Brooke Davis, you're staying with me."

She blinked several times, like she couldn't believe me, "What?"

I wrapped an arm around her and pulled her close, "That's what me and my dad were talking about…not kicking you out…but having you move in. I want you to live with me. My dad is probably not going to be home for a few weeks but he said that it sounded fine to him."

A smile stretched across her face, "You want me to stay with you? Really?"

I laughed, "Of course. I can't think of anything I'd want more."

She squealed and clapped her hands together, "Oh my god! This is going to be so much fun."

I smiled and for an instant everything seemed like it was going to be perfect but then I saw Lucas making his way across the parking lot towards us. He shoved his hands in his pockets as he sidled up to us. He cleared his throat and Brooke looked up at him.

He smiled at both of us, "I'm so glad that you guys are ok."

Brooke smiled back at him and reached up to give him a hug, "Thanks Luke. It's good to see you."

Jealously curled in my stomach but I pushed it down. She deserved Lucas, not me. I'd just have to learn how to live with it because there was no way in hell that I was screwing up my friendship with Brooke again, no matter how Lucas made me feel.

When Brooke released him, Lucas looked at me in the eyes and felt a gentle tugging on my soul. "Hey, Peyton. I'm glad you're ok," he said softly. Just like that, I was back where I started, feeling something for someone I had no business feeling things for. No, not again…I wouldn't let it happen.

I glared at him, "Whatever Lucas." My voice sounded harsh, even to my ears, like I hated him. I saw hurt flash in his eyes. He looked like I'd just slapped him. With that I turned and stalked away.

Brooke caught up with me a few seconds later. She tugged on my arm to stop me. "P. Sawyer, what the hell was that?"

I stopped, "I know right? He just comes right up and talks to me, like I even give a rat's ass what he thinks."

She cocked her head to the side, "And you don't?"

"No! Brooke, I swear, that nothing will happen with me and Lucas…you two deserve each other."

Brooke smiled at me lovingly and in that instant she reminded me of my mom more than anybody ever had.

"That's what I love about you, P. Sawyer. You care so much about other people's happiness." She glanced over to where Lucas was standing and then back at me, "How about for once…you go get some of your own."

Shock coursed through me. Surely she wasn't telling me to…surely she didn't want me and Lucas to...

"Go." She gave me a little shove. "I love you no matter who you love Peyton. Remember that. I know you have feelings for him and I also know that Lucas and I would be much better as friends. I want this for you….so go." She gave me another little shove.

I'm sure my mouth had fallen to the floor at that point but something clicked inside me. I loved Brooke so much that I had been willing to give up the chance of love with Lucas. But the thing is…she loved me so much that she wasn't going to let me.

I pulled her into a fierce hug and whispered, "Thank you, "in her ear. She smiled at me as I turned to go walk towards Lucas. He was still standing there and he watched me walk towards him. Oh God, not telling Lucas how I felt might've been easier than actually doing it. What if he didn't want me anymore?

I stopped in front of him and gulped hard, "So…ummm. I'm sorry, Lucas. I've been a bitch but it's only because…well…it's because I love you. But I know I've screwed up so I'm not expecting anything, its just that I wanted you to know that beca…"

Lucas interrupted me by leaning down and planting a very soft kiss on my lips. For the second time in like two minutes, I was shocked and my mouth dropped open. He smiled at me and lifted one hand to gently brush some hair behind my ear.

"I love you too, Peyton."

I'm sure the grin that spread across my face was the cheesiest thing ever but I didn't care. I reached up and gripped the back of his neck. I pulled him down and kissed him soundly. He matched me beat for beat. His tongue stroked mine note for note. His hands played up and down my spine. The symphony of our love filled my heart.

Then the magic was ruined when his nose bumped mine. I pulled apart, gasping, "Damn it! Ow, ow, ow ,ow."

"Oh my god! I'm so sorry." He got this panicked look in his eyes like he thought he might've driven me away.

I started laughing, the pain in my nose already fading. He looked at me a second. At us. His large hands still spanning my small waist. At the panic written all over his body language. At my bruised face. At me cupping my injured nose and laughing. Then suddenly, he was laughing too. I knew he saw it too. What a pair we were. But it was the right pair. It was two pieces to a puzzle that fit even when you didn't think they would. It was us. Me and Lucas. It was love.