As Lucas drove down the avenue, he thought about what he would say to Brooke. There was no easy way to say what needed to be said. Either way, she was going flip out on him and there would be crying and yelling. Lucas shook his head,

"Hey Brooke remember what you said about Peyton having feelings for me, well I guess you were right and the truth is I feel the same way, but I still love you." Lucas could feel the slap he would receive now. "That's gonna fly," he groaned. He would have hit his head against the steering wheel for good measure if he wasn't driving.

He was so caught up in his thoughts that he didn't see the person crossing the street. He slammed on his brakes.

"Peyton?" Lucas parked his car and got out. Peyton walked over to him, pulling the earphones from her ears.

"What is this some sort of pay back?" She asked jokingly. Lucas shoved his hands in his pockets and chuckled. At least they could still make jokes.

"Yeah I've been waiting two years for that." He smiled at her and actually began to shuffle his feet. "Did you, um, so-"

"I was just-I just came from Tric. I was-um"

"You shoulda called me I would've come to help you clean-"

"Oh I-I was alphabetizing the….um…albums…." Peyton mentally slapped herself as Lucas blinked at her.

"Why?" Peyton turned pink and shrugged. Yeah, this wasn't awkward at all. Lucas raised an eyebrow and realized Peyton's hands were shoved deep in her pockets…just as his were. He couldn't help it. He started to laugh.

Peyton looked at him, still embarrassed. "What the hell is so funny?"

"Look at our reflections," he replied. Peyton looked over at the store window and saw that they were mirroring each other's stance. Weird.

"Do we always do this?"

"Um, only when we're nervous and I'm pretty sure you stole the move from me."
"Did not! I've always put my hands in my pockets when I'm nervous. You stole it from me."

"Liar."

"Asshole," Peyton yelped, smacking his arm. Lucas grinned, happy that they'd fallen back into their usual rapport. Peyton smiled shyly.

"So alphabetizing your records? Seriously?"

"Don't ask." Peyton replied. And then they were staring at each other and Lucas couldn't look away. "Luke,"

In response Lucas reached out and brushed a strand of hair behind her ear.

"Peyton, I'm sorry about the note I left you this morning, it was-"

"No Luke, don't apologize. It was fine. I wasn't expecting a love note or anything."

"Yeah, I guess it's just as well. I didn't want to tell you in a note."

"Tell me what?"
"The way I feel about you," Lucas blurted. Lucas took a step closer, but Peyton stopped him,

"No don't tell me Luke. I've already decided that, maybe we should just forget last night all together, you know."

"Peyton. I can't forget last night. You can't just tell me you love me and expect everything to stay the same."

"Why? How is it different? You're still with Brooke."

"Am I? I haven't even spoken to her today. Actually I was on my way to Rachel's to see her before I almost ran you over."

"Well, don't let me keep you." Peyton began to step past him, but Lucas put his arm out to stop her, grabbing hold of her arm. "Okay, seriously, this new man-handling Lucas. Not a big fan."

"Are you telling me you-don't want to be with me?" Peyton stared at him with wide eyes.

"Who said anything about-"

"You don't just tell someone you love them and walk away Peyton."

"You do when that person has a girlfriend. I didn't walk away before. I'm walking away now."

Peyton tried to pull away, but Lucas pulled her in front of him. "Don't. Don't walk away," he pleaded.

"Why shouldn't I?"

"Because, I can't let you go, Peyton. I can't let you go again."

"Lucas. I won't do this to Brooke again. Your words."

"I don't want to hurt her Peyton, but I can't lose you. I won't," Lucas replied, everything coming together in his mind as he stared into her hazel eyes. "Do you want to be with me? If Brooke wasn't in the picture," he amended when she began to shake her head.

"Yeah, you know I love you Luke, but…Brooke aside, I'm scared that we'll lose our friendship. I mean what if it doesn't work out, I-don't even know why I'm saying this right now. It's a non-issue."

"But you want to be with me." Peyton sighed, exasperated.

"Yes." Lucas nodded and pulled her into an embrace.

"Okay," he responded. "Okay."

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