Because You Live

Chapter 4

Everything around her felt like a dream, something she would find in her own dreams and fantasies. Nevertheless, it wasn't a dream. She was sure, every hour or so Peyton found herself peeking into the living room of her small apartment and after seeing what was there, what was still there, she would pinch herself. And felt it. No it wasn't a dream.

She quietly moved across her bedroom and cracked open the door. Lucas was spread out on the couch facing away from her, the little girl in-between him and the back of the couch. Peyton shivered staring for another minute; she walked back over to the bed deciding to leave the door open, just a little bit. She couldn't get that little girl's face out of her head. She looked so much like Lucas there wasn't many other traits to go on. Peyton laughed at herself; no one else but her could be sitting here on her bed at four in the morning finding sleep the last thing on her mind.

She laid down pulling the covers over herself. It wasn't possible she concluded finally. There was no way Lucas would go with another girl not after Brooke. After Brooke. Peyton just reminded herself that Brooke was dead. She still hasn't got over the fact that her best friend was gone.

People always leave

There was something that was always constant. Everyone she has ever loved left. Lucas was the first one to actually some back. Not that most of the people who left her could come back.

"It looks the same." Peyton nearly jumped out of her skin. Lucas was leaning against the doorframe with a tired smile plastered on his face.

"Huh?" It was the first thing that came to her mind.

"Your room." He said like it was the most obvious thing in the word. "It looks the same."

You scared me half to death." Peyton said placing a hand over her thumping heart.

"Sorry," Lucas said casting his gaze to the ground. Peyton looked around her bedroom. It really did look the same. The only difference was that it was much smaller.

"No it's ok," Peyton said looking down as well her face growing hot. "I guess it is the same." Peyton said looking around her bedroom. It was the same maroon color with various drawings posted up on the wall mainly near her desk area. Lucas glanced over his shoulder back into the living room. "Lucas?"

"Hmm?" Lucas hummed bringing his attention back to her.

"You are really here right? I mean, I'm not delusional or dreaming or anything right?" Lucas smiled.

"You are Peyton Sawyer right? Let's see, blond curly hair, hazel eyes, still short yep I'm defiantly in Tree Hill."

"Ok mister smart mouth," she said thrusting a pillow at his head. Peyton's grin dropped. Lucas seemed to read her mind. " . . . Luke"

"Don't Peyton, just don't,"

"You show up at the river court after 4 years with a girl and you expect me to just shut up about it!" Peyton hissed. Lucas kept his eyes on the floor.

"Please," Peyton was surprised at how small and fragile his voice sounded. She crawled to the end of her bed swinging her legs over the side. Peyton felt a deep stab in her heart with Lucas looked up with watery eyes and the saddest look she had ever seen. Peyton motioned for him to sit next to her on the bed, he did but he refused to look at her. "I thought I could handle coming back, but I can't I really can't." Lucas said with a shaky voice. Lucas let her wrap her arms around him in another hug.

Peyton had never seen Lucas like this before, and it scared her. "Hey it's ok." She said.

"No Peyton it's not." Lucas said. "It can never be ok, you don't understand it's my fault." Peyton pulled away.

"What's your fault?" She asked. Lucas's eyes wandered. Peyton huffed. He was avoiding eye contact again. A minute or two went by and Peyton wasn't sure if he was going to answer.

"Brooke's dead because of me." He said softly.

A/N:eh it's not that long, and sorry for that wait. I just want to thank everyone for the kind reveiws, Please review!

Love ya,

Ala