Here's the next chapter.

"Heavily Broken" by the veronicas



[Peyton's hospital room]

Julian was just watching Peyton's unmoving form.

Julian went inside the room and stood by Peyton's bed side.

"I thought you wouldn't come see me before they put me to sleep." She said softly.

"I'm sorry. I just had to do something." Julian smiled sadly.

"It's okay, you're here now." She said.

"I know you'll be in this thing for a while but---"

"Hey, don't worry. And I'll miss you, too." She told him.

He looked down, blushing.

"You'll be here when I wake up right?" she asked.

He looked up to meet her gaze.

"I'm not going anywhere." He said. "I'll be the first person you see when you wake up."

"You promise?" she asked.

He nodded. "I promise."

Julian looked down at the letter Peyton wrote and unfolded it. He began to read.

(Peyton's voice over: Julian. I know you're the reason why Lucas came to see me. Thank you for doing that. It meant a lot to me. Do me a favor and take care of Brooke for me while I'm knocked out.)

[Hospital chapel]

Brooke and Dr. Copeland were seated at the last pew.

"Thank you for taking care of my best friend." Brooke told him.

"I'm just doing my job." He said.

"What are you doing here anyway?" she asked.

"I saw you come in and let's just say…I know what it feels like to not know if it'll be okay. You could use a little faith. So I'm giving you assurance." He said.

"Promises are hard to guarantee, Dr. Copeland---especially in a hospital." She told him.

"I wasn't promising you anything. I was assuring you that I'll do everything I can. Besides, from what I see, she's a strong person and she's got really great people around her." He said, smiling.

"Thank you." She smiled back.

"It's Ethan by the way…" he said as he stood up. "My name's Ethan."

Ethan then walked away, leaving Brooke by herself in the chapel. She smiled, knowing his name and then she looked down at her hand. She unfolded the letter she had been holding onto since it was given to her.

(Peyton's voice over: B. Davis. It'll be a while before I get to see the girl who's been there for me since we were kids. So while I'm knocked out. Try and take advantage of this opportunity to get to know Dr. Copeland.)

Tears began to fall from Brooke's eyes as she read on.

(Peyton's voice over: I know you, Brooke. I know that you'll worry too much. But don't worry, okay? Well…maybe just worry about me a little. Look out for Julian and make sure he knows this isn't his fault. And it's not your fault either, B. Davis.)

[Peyton's hospital room]

Julian was reading Peyton's letter.

(Peyton's voice over: You were right. I don't deserve the way Lucas has been treating me. Today, when we saw each other, I freed myself from him. Hopefully, that'll be for good. I know this has been really hard for you. But I'm thankful you pushed through every time. I'll miss that goofy grin of yours.)

----Split screen---Brooke and Julian…

(Peyton's voice over: I'll see you when I wake up, okay? Thank you for coming to Tree Hill and being here for me and I'll make it up to you. Everything will be okay. I promise.)

Julian looked up from the letter as his gaze went to Peyton.

Brooke folded the paper as she looked up at the cross.

[Lucas's room]

Lucas was staring at his manuscript of "The Comet"

"I've been trying not to make a big deal out of it but when I re-read "The Comet" I just knew I couldn't ignore it anymore." She said.

"What are you talking about?" he asked.

"Peyton." She simply said.

Lucas felt confused.

"I saw the way you looked at her when she left at our engagement party. You still love her." Lindsey said.

"What does she have to do with "The Comet"? He asked.

"It's about her." She said.

He then thought back to what Haley told him before.

"I know that you really want to be with Lindsey and marry her in a few weeks but I think you should think this through." She admitted.

"Why?" he asked.

"You kissed Peyton back." Haley stated,

"It didn't mean anything, Hales. It was a mistake. I love Lindsey. She's the one I want to be with." Lucas defended.

"A kiss always means something, Lucas. You're not just kissing some girl. You kissed Peyton. You're still in love with her." Haley argued.

"Haley---"Lucas tried to reason out.

"Luke, it's not just that. I finished your second book. It's about Peyton." She said.

Shaking it off, he grabbed his phone and threw his manuscript on the bed.

He dialed a number and waited for the person to answer.

"Hello."

"Hey, Linds. I've thought about what you've said." Lucas told her.

"So…?" she asked.

"She's been a big part of my life." He said. "But that's in the past. What I want is the part where you are the one I'm with."

(Peyton's voice over: Love always, Peyton.)

"I'm heavily broken and I don't know what to do

Can't you see that I'm choking and I can't even move

When there's nothing left to say, what can you do?

I'm heavily broken."



Up next: Peyton's awake! Have things changed? And If so, will it be a good kind of change or will it be bad?

You'll see.

RR