Archways and Endings

AN: This chapter was written well in advance of me getting any reader response. Sorry Guys! I just know that I am/ or will be super busy!

Also my step mom found out the sex of her baby, a little girl, to be named Avery. (I'm pretty sure I didn't tell you guys about it, but now you know) She's due in July and I'm super excited. A little practice baby for me to take care of. Or at least that's what I call her.

But there have been a few complications, so I'm just asking that you keep my step mom and especially little Avery in your prayers please. It would be greatly appreciated!

As for upcoming chapters: After this we are going to have a "current" Lucas chapter. Another Paige Chapter. And either another flashback or another Paige Chapter. Haven't figured it out! But I'll def. be letting you all know. I'm actually really looking forward to writing Haley finding out she's pregnant with Jamie. So that might be the flashback!

I thank you all for your never ending support.

Sorry if this chapter is a little short and stiff and not MY BEST by all of yalls standards.

Chapter takes place directly after Fourteen.

-Kelsey

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Sixteen: A Canyon In Between

August 13, 2016

Tree Hill, North Carolina

Paige

I want to bolt. I want to crawl out of my own skin. But here I sit in front of Haley, stone faced, mouth closed, not touching my burger.

"Paige…I…" And I watch as my Aunt, who always knows what to say, struggle.

"Why is she such a secret?" I finally bite out. "You can name your daughter after her but no one talks about her? I don't understand."

"I'm not the right person to tell you this, this isn't my place."

"Isn't your place? What are you talking about?" And I stare at her brown eyes, wanting to understand.

Peyton. The name causes an earthquake. It causes everything to fall apart. It makes me question everything.

"She was Brooke's best friend growing up. They had a falling out." I watch her choose her words carefully. Why is she, honest, honest, Aunt Haley, afraid to tell me the truth?

"When?" I ask.

"Right after you were born." And she clasps her eyes shut remembering.

"Please tell me. I don't understand."

"Oh Paige," She says softly. "It's not anything for you to understand. It's just history, it just happened."

Secrets I know never stay buried. This one's been under the bridge for Fourteen years. Waiting, collecting dust, hibernating. And I have a feeling it won't be like that for long.

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My Mother comes in my room late that night. Long after dinner, and dishes, and family conversations.

"I talked to Haley." She said shutting the door behind her.

And I know then, the truth might be on the inside of her cheek. I might finally understand my mother and father. I might understand this mess.

She sits on the edge of my bed and frowns. "She is no longer involved in any of our lives anymore. I'm going to ask you to never ask me or Haley or Nate or you dad about her again."

I stare at her dumbfounded.

"What?"

"You heard me!"

"Damn it Paige! Just stop this, okay?"

She stands up to leave, her body tired, her mind worn.

"She's my godmother." I say. A fact I know very well now. "Isn't she?"

She turns around quickly. I watch her eyes light up. And I see fear and I see heartache.

"How did you…" She reaches down and grips on my footboard of my bed. And I know she wants to scream or cry. But she doesn't want to explain. She doesn't want to tell me this huge secret. She can't even bare it.

What could possibly be so bad? What could it be that seems to rip everyone and everything apart with one single word? What the hell is the problem here?

"The books, Sawyer's books." She whispers. And I watch her eyes and she struggles to put the pieces to a puzzle she honestly knows like the back of her hand.

"Peyton is gone, Paige." She says finally. And I remember her saying the same to my father, to Haley. "She's gone."

And I just want to understand. Because maybe this unraveling can be her fault. Maybe it won't just be me anymore. Maybe Peyton's the one to blame. I didn't make this mess, she did.

My mother bites down on her bottom lip, her body solid, but I know those eyes. She's about ready to break in half.

"I'm begging you," She says softly. "For me, just forget her…please."

I close my eyes. And although I'm only feet from my mother I feel the gap in between us widen. It seems to spread for miles, for years, for eternity.

There is a canyon in between us now. And she calls my name over the loud gorge, screaming louder and louder, the words echo in my ears, yet they are never really clear. She is muffled, words insignificant, far away.

I no longer understand her.

I open my eyes. I will do this because it will make her happy, because she's begging, because it's easier. I will forget, or at least pretend to, because it is better for everyone else involved.

"Okay." I say softly.

"Okay?"

I nod my head. "Okay."

"Thank you," My mother says brushing a stand of her dark straight hair behind her ear. "Thank you."

She no longer seems firm or angry or parental. She seems genuinely grateful. Ready to push all that past behind her.

She is relieved.

"Well goodnight baby doll," She says quietly and begins to exit my room.

"Yeah," I say. "Goodnight." She turns around and flashes me a smile before crossing into the hallway and shutting my door behind her.

I stare up at my ceiling and sleep evades me although I am tired. I am tired of today, this week, this month, this whole summer. I am beyond tired. And I realize something very important, as I sit in this stupid bed, on this stupid night. You can never really forget, can you?

-TBC-

Thoughts? Please and thank you.