Thanks again for the comments guys =) There'll be some Lindsey interaction but I'm really just focusing on Leyton/Peyton. So anyway, here's the 7th chapter.

"Feel this" by Bethany Joy Galeotti.



[Breyton's house]

Julian and Brooke went inside the house, laughing.

"Oh that was so much fun. I never thought you enjoyed shopping." Brooke chuckled as they went toward the kitchen counter.

"See? I'm not bad company. There's a lot you don't know about me Brooke Davis. But to be fair, there's a lot I don't know about you, too." He smiled.

"Thanks for spending the day with me. I needed to take my mind of bartender boy for a while." Brooke said as he sat down.

"It's the least I can do since you're letting me stay here. Besides, Owen doesn't know what he's giving up." Julian said.

"I can't blame him for freaking out on me though. I mean, what guy wants to hear a girl say she's thinking about having a baby?" Brooke said as she grabbed some drinks.

"The kind of guy who's not crazy enough to give you up, that's what it is." He said as Brooke handed him a soda.

"Oh come on, how would you feel if Peyton told you that?" Brooke asked as she leaned on the counter.

"Well, considering the fact that I love her so much, I'd say I'd be happy to hear that." Julian smiled.

"I never even said I want a baby now. I just said I was thinking about having a baby. There's a big difference!" Brooke whined.

"Kind of like when Peyton said someday and Lucas took it as a No." Julian Pondered.

Brooke's expression softened upon hearing this.

"You're really willing to put yourself through this chaotic situation?" Brooke asked.

"For her, I'd do anything." Julian said.

Brooke smiled sadly at him, feeling sympathetic and scared for him.

"Do you think she's okay now?" he asked.

"I think she's doing better now. The past two weeks she's been 'Lucas free' so it helped a lot." Brooke said.

"That's good to know." Julian said.

"Yeah well, Lucas going with Lindsey to New York for a week saved her the trouble of avoiding him. Although she's going to have to go back to that routine since Lucas get's back here today." Brooke pondered.

"Think she'll be okay?" he asked.

"She'll be okay." Brooke said confidently.

[Studio]

Haley was singing at the recording booth while Peyton was in the control room with Mia.

"She sounds awesome." Mia said.

"Yeah I know." Peyton smiled.

Mia turned to Peyton, raising her eyebrow. "You seem different."

Peyton faced Mia, confused. "What?"

"I don't know. You're like---not broody." Mia observed.

"Broody…?" Peyton chuckled.

"Whoever's making you happy, I like him." Mia smiled. "It's not Lucas, right?"

"No. It's not Lucas. In fact, it's not even anyone. I just decided to move on." Peyton said.

"Good for you for finally letting go. I kind of miss your broodiness but I like happy Peyton better." Mia said.

Peyton smiled, turning back to watch Haley.

[Breyton's house]

Julian and Brooke were on the couch, talking.

"I need to tell you something but you have to promise me you won't get mad." Brooke told him.

"I promise. What is it?" Julian asked.

Brooke remained silent, unsure what to say.

"What's wrong?" Julian asked.

Brooke breathed out. "I wasn't snooping, okay? I just happened to find it." Brooke explained.

"Find what?" he asked, confused.

Brooke reached down to her pocket and grabbed something.

She then held out a ring. "Is this what I think it is?"

Julian's jaw dropped upon seeing his ring in Brooke's hand.

[Peyton's Office]

"I'm sorry for leaving so early." Haley told Peyton as they went out of the studio.

"It's okay. We can wrap this up some other time. Your song's great, Hales." Peyton complemented.

"Thanks." Haley hugged Peyton and then she hugged Mia. "Bye guys."

"See you." Peyton said as Haley turned to leave.

Peyton turned to Mia as Haley walked away. "What about you rock star? Do you want me to drop you off?" Peyton asked.

"Nah, I'm good. I think I'll stay here for a little bit." Mia smiled.

Peyton nodded. "Okay. I'll see you tomorrow."

[Tric]

Peyton stepped out of her office and closed the door. As soon as she turned, she noticed Lucas slumped on the bar counter.

She thought for a moment if she should approach him or not but decided to go to him. So, she walked toward him and then stood beside him.

"Luke." She said as she shook him gently.

Lucas groaned as he sat up. He turned to face Peyton and then quickly stood up dizzily, backing away from her.

Stunned, Peyton also stepped back.

"Stay away from me." he slurred. "You ruined my life."

He was wasted and very much upset. Peyton wanted to comfort him but she felt like she was stabbed in the heart by his words. Peyton stood there, eye to eye with Lucas Scott. He was the love of her life but right now that meant nothing because his words pierced through every inch of her.

And just as she thought that he had said everything, he continued to speak.

"I hate you. I wish you never came back."

She froze. She couldn't breathe. She was on the verge of tears. So much pain and sadness overwhelmed her as she looked at his eyes, trying to find the boy who healed her heart. The only thing she could see, though, was the boy who destroyed her soul and smashed her heart.

"Feel this.

Can you feel this?

My heart beating out of my chest

Salvation under my breath"



There you go. Drama. Hahaha

Up next: Julian's got some explaining to do! How will Peyton react? What the hell will happen?

Thanks people!