Chapter 12:

AN: Joise, don't apologize. Haha. My mistake…It was someone else. Her pen name's too long for me to remember now. I actually want to thank you so much for the very encouraging feedback. Same goes for everyone else's. They just put a huge smile on my face. Talented author? Try ROOKIE. But if I keep having loyal readers like all of you, I will make more fics that will lead to…of course…PRACTICE: D hahaha. Thanks soooo much!

The next day, Haley went straight to Peyton's room and told her all about meeting Lucas. Inside, Peyton felt awkward being around Haley since she saw her and Nathan really close to each other. Still, their friendship was more important, and for some reason, when she was with Lucas, the sight of Haley and Nathan didn't feel as heavy. When she was alone though, that's when she was forced to see it in her head over and over again causing her mood to become sadder and worse.

Over a couple of weeks, Peyton, Lucas and Haley would bond together in Lucas' house. Peyton decided to be more careful after what Carl said. So, she didn't spend so much time with Lucas alone and Lucas in the palace. Do you get it? Sorry if it's confusing.

Nathan was out of the picture for a while because Peyton kept avoiding him and he kept avoiding Haley after what had just happened in the art room. Plus, his father had him do more training so he would maintain or improve his skills.

One time, Haley and Peyton were talking in Peyton's room. The topic became about Lucas when they were talking about the first time Haley and Lucas met.

"I can see why you like this Lucas so much…" Haley teased.

"What are you saying? Lucas is my best friend from the world outside these walls." Peyton sounded very defensive, but they were still laughing.

"I think friends can become lovers." Haley said.

"Just like…You and Nathan?" Peyton looked down feeling hesitant and embarrassed to ask that question. She just felt the need to know some answers.

Haley was laughing, but she stopped when she saw Peyton's expression. She wasn't really prepared to answer that question. "What made you say that?" Now, they were both very serious, but not angry. More like sad.

"Well…I saw you and Nathan before by the cabin in the field…You two seemed pretty close."

"Are you talking about when we hugged?" Haley asked, and Peyton nodded. "Peyton, he was telling me what happened when you came into his room earlier that morning. Forgive him if he doesn't read people well. I had to tell him what some of your actions meant, and how his words could have been perceived by someone like you…He just…wanted some advice about you because…I believe that he's falling for you." As Haley said these words, her heart was really breaking inside. On the outside she tried to look and sound like she was encouraging Peyton to be with Nathan.

Peyton looked at Haley who was smiling sweetly at her. Peyton smiled back and said, "Oh Haley…You're such a good friend…" She said as she held her hand. "But you don't have to lie to me. I can see that little tear on your eye that's just waiting for you to stop holding it back."

Haley's eyes just widened. She didn't think Peyton would be noticing her actions over what Nathan really said. "Peyton…I'm telling you the truth. That is what Nathan said…"

"I'm not talking about whether that was what Nathan said. I believe you when you say that he wanted to seek advice…But your smile in saying that…That's the lie." Peyton said.

"What are you saying?" Haley said as she tried so hard to laugh.

"I have one question. You only need to give me one word as an answer…Yes…or No." Peyton said seriously. Haley was pretty nervous because she knew Peyton would sense if she lied. "Do you like Nathan?"

It took so long for Haley to answer. There was just this complete silence in the room. As the tear fell from Haley's eye, she replied, "No." Then she wiped the tear away.

"So why are you crying?" Peyton asked.

Haley took a deep breath so she could think of something to say. "Because…"

Peyton waited anxiously for an answer.

Haley's looked left and right, up and down, and she finally thought of the perfect excuse… "I think I like Lucas, but you, asking me all these things about Nathan…Makes me feel like you only see Nathan as your friend…And if that be so, then you might like Lucas too."

Peyton's jaw immediately dropped, and sadness filled her eyes. Haley couldn't even look her in the eye after that huge lie. So, Haley couldn't see the hurt in Peyton's eyes. "Don't worry about it." She said, as they made no eye contact. "I don't like Lucas." Peyton said plainly while looking away, with tears building up.

Peyton didn't know it, but Haley was looking away too. Peyton was looking up-left and Haley was looking down-right. Peyton also didn't know that Haley's eyes were getting teary just like hers. None of the two girls knew that they didn't like the answers they got, and that they were both starting to cry. "I-umm…Have to go." Haley quickly stood up.

"Yes I have to do something too." Peyton stood up as well and went to her balcony.

Once Haley was outside the room, she went straight to her. She walked sadly to her bed, just looking at one direction. Then tears flowed down her face. Once she reached her bed, she lied down and buried her face in her pillow. Then and there, she started to sob.

Peyton, on the other hand, couldn't believe what she heard. She walked away from the balcony and into her room. Leaning on the wall by her bed and staring blankly into space, she started to cry and shake as she slowly fell/sat down on the floor. She sobbed heavily as she covered her mouth and nose with her hands.

Haley cried herself to sleep and missed dinner. Peyton, being the supposed happy princess, just had to stop crying. She washed her face and did everything to lessen the redness of her eyes. She smiled a couple of times in front of the mirror until it looked like her smile was already genuine. She came down for dinner and saw that the long table was gone. "Did I sleep for 10 years? Where is the dinner table?" She asked the guards.

Then, Peter came out smiling. He led Peyton to the garden in the middle of the palace The palace's structure is like this huge garden in the middle, field at the back, training centers at the sides, and the entrance in front, where a fountain, benches, plants and a big spacious cemented area can be found. Somewhat like that. There was a path of flowers and candles and lamps lit up the whole area. The flower path was long. Peter never uttered a word and left Peyton when at a certain time.

"This is giving me chills in the spine." She joked as she walked the remaining distance. When the flower path ended, she saw a dinner set for two people. Then, a hand, holding a flower appeared in front of her, which startled her a little. She turned around to see that it was Nathan.

"Surprise?" Nathan said giggling.

Peyton took the flower and smiled at him. The incident at the room was weeks old already and she thought 'Why not…Haley likes Lucas.' "You planned this?"

"Not really…" He said shyly. "Our parents did…I'm wondering why actually."

Peyton knew why…They were getting married soon, but she didn't utter a word. "I could always take my food and eat elsewhere if you don't like this." She joked.

"But I like this very much." Nathan said warmly. He led her to her seat and pulled the chair for her. He sat down and they smiled at each other before they ate.

"Nathan…I'm really sorry for everything I said." Peyton said.

"Please…It's me who should be sorry." Nathan said. He wanted to say something more, and so he did. He feared the chance might slip away. "I'd like to apologize once again, and more clearly for lying. I lied about not being jealous…I was jealous of Lucas because I wish, you could have had that much fun from my company. I wish I could have put that smile he put on your face with just a few words. I wish I could have become closer to you than he was. I mean, since we were kids, we were friends. You meet him that day, and after a few hours, you two are as close as we are. That makes me feel like I've wasted years of getting close to you."

Peyton was speechless all through out Nathan's speech. She hated herself a little because every time Nathan would say Lucas' name, she would feel her heart leap and break at the same time. That's when she realized, this was the moment that she should make the most out of. She still liked Nathan. So she also felt happy when Haley said she didn't like Nathan. "You didn't waste any time. I'm still here, and I'm still talking to you aren't I?" She joked.

"Would you still be there if I told you that…I was falling for you?" Nathan asked. There were no barriers. He was braver because he didn't want anyone to beat him to it.

Peyton was not ready for that answer, but even if she wasn't, she had to give an answer or else everything would become more wrong. So, she smiled. "Would it be a yes if I felt the same way about you?"

Nathan smiled back at her and stood up. Peyton was a bit nervous at what Nathan was going to do. Nathan walked over to Peyton, and said. "That would be a yes." He said, holding her hand.

Then, as Nathan held Peyton face, she closed her eyes and held Nathan's hand too. the one holding her face She had to feel the moment so she could be sure of how she was feeling. She opened her eyes to see Nathan smiling at her. Her heart was melting because his eyes just pierced through her heart. She stood up, and in that perfect moment, they slowly kissed softly. They broke the kiss and shared a tight hug.

Nathan and Peyton felt so happy and giddy in each others' arms at that moment, but the slightest feeling of being incomplete was in their hearts. As they hugged, you could see that their smiles reflected a little bit of sadness as well.

AN: Sorry for Leytoners and Naley fans. We can't have an LPN triangle if Peyton doesn't hook up with anyone. Plus, it's just so much better when the love between Lucas and Peyton stands out even if it's wrong. It's more INTENSE! Hahaha…Keep R&R-ing. Peace out!