Archways and Endings

A/N: Remember reviews are the nicest thing you could ever do for me. Let's stick with the goal of 20 for this chapter. If you need any more clarification, about what's going on, then feel free to PM me, but I really think this longer, more detailed chapter will help you grasp a lot more of the plotline but not all of it, because what kind of story would it be, if I gave away the whole plot, in the second chapter. I'm giving you this chapter early because I'm really not feeling well, so my next posting might be a little late.

Response to Reviews:
Empty eyes- I am leyton fan, but I am finding that some brucas isn't that bad. Not all the story will be told in Paige's POV, but a lot of it if will, especially because it is Paige-centric.

Stagediva23-you got it, I will totally follow your rules too :)

SV- Paige is medium height; She has curly dark brown hair, Lucas's eyes and nose, Brooke's lips. But she reminds all of Tree Hill of someone else…

And everyone else- enjoy your update and thank you so much! I'm not officially calling a couple, because that gives too much of the story away. Just think about what Brooke said first chapter. I did label it as Brooke and Lucas because it's about their divorce and about their daughter, Paige. Enjoy!

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Two: Just Another Night

May 18, 2016

Tree Hill, North Carolina

Paige

Tomorrow is my 14th birthday, and while most kids want a cell phone or a new laptop, what I want most in the world is for my father to stop drinking. He sits in his usual spot in the den, nursing a shooter of hard liquor in his right hand, a smug grin on his face. His publication was rejected again. It's times like these when I wonder if he is truly my father or some drone that came to take his place for the night. He has officially checked out.

"Paige," he calls out to me. He can see me peering in from over the doorway.

"Yes, Daddy." I respond sweetly because he can't get upset with me or he'll just drink more.

I stand before him shaking like a leaf and I have no idea why. "When's your mom getting home?" he asked placing his glass on the end table next to him.

"Umm she told me she'd be home around 7:30; her and Clarissa had to work a few more hours on the new Macy's campaign."

"Damn it, I wanted to go get some drinks with Junk at Tric but your mom isn't getting home in time to look after you," It astounds me that he's still worried about my safety when his blood alcohol level is probably through the roof.

"Well I could just go with you," I say because I've never been to Tric before, and since my grandma half owns it, I've always wanted to take a peek inside.

He looks at me for a moment, like I'm someone else entirely; I'm holding my breath and looking into his bloodshot blue eyes and I really am trying hard to read that expression he's wearing on his face. The sad thing is I don't know why he's looking at me like he's seen a ghost

"You know that's you can't go in there, baby." He whispers and turns his head away from me. He turns his attention back to his liquor and picks the glass up off the table.

He takes another swig of his drink and smiles at me, and I'm hoping he doesn't say what I think he's about to.

"You know what, you're old enough to stay at home by yourself, what are you 15 now?" I shake my head and feel tears building in my eyes. He can never remember right when he's drunk.

"No, I'm almost 14." I whisper just loud enough so he can hear me.

"Close enough," he says and gets up out of his lazy boy, and brushes past me. I stand still and hear as he staggers around for his car keys, sweatshirt, and then I hear the front door slam. I run toward the front window to watch as he starts the car, and pulls out of the driveway. He's gone and he could hurt somebody.

So I fix the pulled back blinds and dig in my pocket, for my cell phone, and follow the plan Mom and I set up a long time ago. I dial Aunt Haley.

"Paige, good I'm glad you called, do you want Vanilla or Cream Cheese frosting on your cake?" Haley voice beams as she picks up the phone.

"Does it matter?" I ask giggling at her.

"Of course it does honey. It's your birthday."

"Umm." I say contemplating for a moment, it really doesn't matter anyway. My dad just ruined my birthday. "You pick."

"Vanilla with Vanilla it is." She says and I hear her licking her fingers. "So, what's up honey bun?"

"It's dad." I whisper, the cheeriness Aunt Haley had suddenly brought to my day eliminated.

"Is Lucas drinking again, Paige?" She asks voice serious, the licking of her fingers subsiding.

"Yes," I answer and I start crying. "He was drunk when I got home from school and then he took the car a few minutes ago to Tric."

"Did he tell you what happened?" She asks. I know she loves my dad like a brother and it hurts her when he does this.

"Yeah," I say wiping the tears from my eyes. "His book got rejected from another two publishers, but usually when this happens he just had a few drinks at home, he usually doesn't go to a bar."

I hear Haley breathe deeply into the phone. A few silent moments pass and finally she breathes out my name, "Paige,"

"Yeah Aunt Haley,"

"What's today's date?" She asks. And I wonder why she'd ask such a crazy question, when she most definitely knows the answer and it seems like she just needs my conformation.

"May 19th, why?"

"Because," she says exhaling loudly. "I don't think your dad is at Tric."

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We pulled Mom's SVU into the cemetery a few hours after Dad had first left. My mom was driving, Haley in the passenger seat, and me in the back. My mother drove the whole way here like a mad woman. She cursed and she and Haley whispered, so I could only make out as little as possible.

"It's her birthday, Brooke. Think of a better reason he'd be here,"

"Hales, please don't bring Pey… her in to this. She's gone."

"Brooke,"

"We just need to find Luke and get him home okay?"

Haley reached over a squeezed my mothers hand.

"Okay,"

My Aunt and mom rush out of the car, quickly running toward a headstone, where I see the figure of a man who looks nothing the father I know, or at least used to know.

He's thin, and looks sickly. His blonde hair is a mess, running in every which direction. I can almost see his blue eyes penetrating mine, the ones that use to match mine, but no longer do because of the red bloodshot that covers them like roads on a map. He sits on his knees, bent over like a man begging someone for forgiveness, for life, and I can't help but think of the irony of this moment. He should be on his knees.

I see a scene unfolding in front of me, all though I can't hear the words, I see the angry motions my mother makes, her hands thrown up in the air, my father, slumped and pitiful on the ground, Aunt Haley crying off to the side. I really have no idea what the hell is going on, I am massively confused. This is about more than my father's drinking; this is about more than is inability to provide for us. This is so much more.

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That night I lie awake in my bed, listing closely to the sounds that bounce off the surrounding walls. My mother is screaming at the top of her lungs. I can hear Uncle Nathan and Aunt Haley as well. They are trying to send my father away. And I'm torn on whether or not I want him to go.

"Lucas, this is what's best for you," Haley begs.

"No," my father responds like a child not getting his way.

"Damn it, Luke!" My mother screams. "She's gone! Get it through your damn mind Peyton's not here."

This is the first time I've ever herd the name, Peyton. My head starts to spin, who is Peyton?

"Don't you think I know that?" My father yells. "I married you! I love you! I picked you!"

"Then get some help, Lucas." Uncle Nathan's voice comes in. "Keep Brooke and Paige around. Go to rehab."

"Or go to AA, please." Haley says softly.

"Alright, alright I'll go to AA." My dad says with all the conviction in the world. I hear my mom began to sob and the sound of a chair being scooted across the hardwood floors.

"I love you, Lucas." My mom says to him.

"I love you too, pretty girl."

I close my eyes and sleep takes over me, it's just a night, just another night.

-TBC-