A/N: So I've decided to just not hate anymore in this story. I promised light and fun even though we have the possibility of Lucas dying going on...but you'll understand once you have read the chapter! Enjoy!

Chapter 10: Road Trip

I was in the back un-boxing the new line of clothing for the window display when my boss called out my name saying I had a visitor. I finished what I was doing and walked out front to see a familiar blonde. Shit!

"Hey you never called and I was afraid you didn't want to see me."

I completely forgot to call her after what happened two days ago with Lucas and I felt like a shitty person.

"Shit Peyton, I am so sorry a lot has happened in the past two days I forgot." I walked over to my boss and asked her if I could take my lunch break even though it was after two in the afternoon. She said I could have an hour since we were slow.

I grabbed my purse and Peyton and I proceeded to the nearest deli down the street.

"Is everything okay?" She asked as she shoved her hands in the oh-so familiar black leather jacket. She almost seemed like the girl I loved back in high school.

"Not really." I wasn't sure if I even wanted to talk to her about Lucas even if it was about his condition.

Peyton and I really never talked about Lucas; we both pretended that it never happened. She left for Los Angeles and I never really saw her anymore. She randomly called me about six months after graduation and it was weird it was like we talked but never once brought up what happened between her and Lucas and we would just keep in touch a little just seeing how the other was doing.

"Brooke, what's wrong?" She placed her hand on my arm and I inwardly flinched.

"There are some things going on with Lucas and I don't know how to handle them."

Once we were inside the tension immediately built up and neither one of us knew what to say.

"I'm sorry." It was like a burden lifted from her shoulders.

I turned to face her and I knew exactly what she was apologizing for. I took in a deep breath and turned my back to her as I found us a small table in the corner of the restaurant.

"Peyton, I don't…why did you do it?" I blurted out and I really didn't want to do this, not right now.

She took in a deep breath, removed her jacket, and sat down across from me.

"It was so stupid, and I shouldn't have allowed it to get so far. I was…" She took a moment and then stated with her story again, "Jake and I were having some problems. His ex was being a total bitch and he found out she had his baby. We got into an argument about it. He told me he had to leave and go see if it were true."

"That's why he disappeared?"

Jake and I were never really close, but I just assumed that when he found out about Peyton and Lucas he just bolted…like I should have.

"Yes. He transferred to another school and tried to sort things out with Nikki and now he's with her and their daughter." A tear slid down her face and I desperately wanted to console her, but I restrained myself.

"Okay where does Lucas fit into this?"

She let out a sigh and brushed the stray tears away.

"I went to the Blue Post to just forget about it, looks like he had the same idea. He was sitting at the bar alone. He looked like shit and when he noticed me, he called me over and we just started talking. He never once mentioned you and when I tried to ask him how things were going with the both of you, he shot me down. I knew something was bothering him. I knew he was having an inner struggle with something and then he just kissed me and told me he could help me forget, just like how he wanted to forget. So that's how it happened. When I saw that look on your face when you showed up I felt like the worst human being in the world."

She placed her head in her hands as I knew she was silently crying. I became infuriated and hurt all over again. The waiter who was going to take our order saw us and held his hands up saying he would come back.

"So you thought it was okay to forget about Jake and everything with your best friend's boyfriend?" I didn't mean to raise my voice, but I felt like that high school girl again right after the moment I walked in and saw them two fucking.

"I don't know what I was thinking, but I guess…I should tell you…" She removed her face from her hands.

"I've always had a thing for him, but I knew you were smitten and I knew he had a thing for you too, I never wanted to cross that line, but when he offered, I just…it was like I couldn't refuse him. I know that is so wrong and not an excuse but I guess my inner desire for him took over."

I was livid. I was about to speak but she cut me off.

"He told me you know? After you stormed off and you both got into that fight. He came back inside and started getting dressed and I just started screaming at him, punching him. I asked him, 'why would you do this to her? And with me of all people?' The look on his face, Brooke, I'd never seen him look like that before…so…so broken. He told me he did it because he knew you didn't deserve trash like him and then he just said it…he said that he loved you too much for him to ever hurt you."

My mouth fell open and I didn't know what to say or do.

"Well that's just it Peyton, not only did he hurt me, but my best friend did as well. Congratulations." I leaned back in my chair and crossed my arms.

I really just wanted to yell at her, scream at her, shake her until her head fell off, but that was years ago and so much has changed since then.

"I don't know if you and I can ever have that trust, that bond we used to have, but I am willing to forgive you because it happened so long ago and things are different now."

She nodded and she wiped her tears away.

"Brooke what's wrong now? I know you're upset about something besides us."

I looked over at her and she did look like my childhood best friend in this moment.

"Lucas is dying, Peyton."

She brought her hand to her mouth and reached with her other for my hand.

"Brooke, oh my God. I'm sorry, what's he—"

"He's waiting for a heart transplant…they have given him six months, but I just…I don't know. I want to put all my faith in the fact that he will get this heart and he will be okay, but that small, miniscule part of me is living in fear that if he doesn't make it, I don't know if I can survive without him."

We became a sobfest of emotion in the small deli and the staff became concerned and offered us a free meal. Peyton and I continued to talk about old times, LA, Durham, and of course, Lucas. It was odd, after talking with her, the Lucas situation with her seemed as if it didn't matter at all anymore. It was just nice talking to her about anything and everything and I got that nostalgic feeling with her again.

We both left the waiter a fat tip for his generosity, and we started back to the boutique arm in arm. We stopped in front of the store and I turned to my friend.

"P. Sawyer, I am glad you came today and I am glad that we could put things in the past where they belong. I want us to work on our friendship even though you are across the country." I sniffled and she smiled.

"Well B. Davis, I might be moving back to this side of the country. My label has been satisfied with my work that they might bump me up a position and put me on a new label they want to open in Atlanta."

I wasn't sure where the excitement came from that just exploded within me, but I squealed and pulled her into my arms.

"Peyton that's amazing. Congratulations."

We pulled back from each other with stupid grins plastered to our faces.

"Yeah, well, let's not jump the wagon just yet, I'm not for sure if it's going to happen but a little birdie told me it was a huge possibility. We should go out to celebrate tonight, on me!" She said and I smiled at her but shook my head.

"I would love it, but Lucas and I are going to Tree Hill as soon as I get off work. He's going to tell his mom what's going on and he wants me to be there."

She got this silly smile on her face and I cocked my head to the side.

"What?" I asked her.

"He's in love with you, Brooke. He was back then and it's obvious now. He's just an stubborn ass who doesn't know what love is and doesn't know how to express it. He'll get there…I promise."

Then I remembered that out of all the people to say it too, Lucas told Peyton that he was in love with me.

"He really said it to you?" I asked her.

She nodded.

"I was shocked but then I became angry with him you know? I mean was he really that scared of you and that feeling that he was willing to do what he did with me?"

A shiver ran down my spine and I tried to shake it away.

"Well I have to get back, but we'll talk soon, okay?"

"Okay! Be safe and thank you, Brooke, for forgiving me, I am going to do whatever it takes to make sure I never disappoint you again." She said as she pulled me into her arms.

I smiled and hoped I was doing the right thing. After everything that has happened in the past few weeks, I am tired of being angry with people. I want to have a stress free life as well and holding grudges against people doesn't help matters. Peyton and I would get to where we need to be again, it will just take time.

I finished up at the boutique and started driving back to the house. I parked my car in the driveway and walked inside. Haley and Lucas were in the kitchen and when I walked in I saw Lucas laughing like I haven't seen him laugh since high school. My heart fluttered and I couldn't help the smile that came across my face.

"Hey you two. What ya doing?" I tossed my purse onto the bar and Haley pulled me into a hug.

"Oh nothing we were just talking about that one time we TP'd Mr. Sullivan's house."

I shook my head and I remembered like it was yesterday.

"I can not believe I am going doing this." Haley held a carton of eggs.

I had several packs of gummy bears, sharks, and worms. Nathan had the box of forks and a jumbo pack of toilet in his other hand, Peyton had the Oreos, and Lucas had in each hand a jumbo pack of toilet paper as well.

"Fuck him Hales. You did not deserve that F on your paper. He's just a dick." Lucas scoffed as we were all dressed in black gathered in a circle a block from his house.

"Haley come on! You never do anything daring and this would totally make you feel better!" I said as I threw my arm around her.

"Okay." She nodded.

Nathan had this huge grin across his face and then he listed off everyone's task.

"Okay here's the deal. Peyton is going to scrape off the Oreo filling under Sullivan's car door handles. Haley is going to help me fork the yard. Brooke you are going to place the gummies on all of his windows as well as his car and when the sun comes out, they'll stick! Lucas will start with the toilet paper and when everyone is done with their primary task, we'll all help TP, and then Haley will do the honors of quietly egging all around the house. We want him to wake up the next morning completely flustered!"

Haley, Peyton, and I giggled as Lucas wiggled his eyebrows. We all made our way towards Mr. Sullivan's house and lucky for us he was one of the last houses tucked away from the main road.

Once we were there, we all started our own task. Peyton started with the Oreos, I started with the gummies which took me some time because I had to lick each one of them as without the sun making them stick, I had to do my best. Of course, when Lucas caught me doing this it turned him on and I had to mouth to him, 'later' as he gave me his puppy dog eyes. Haley and Nathan were a whirlwind with forking the yard. Peyton was done quickly and started helping Lucas TP the trees, parts of the house, then we all started with the toilet paper.

"Okay Hales! Do the honors!" Nathan gave Haley a quick kiss.

Haley had this devilish grin on her face and she began to throw the eggs against his door, she egged his car, and some of the last eggs she had she threw them on the roof. We all stood back and looked at our damage and I had to say I was impressed. We did good!

"That was a great night. Do you remember the next morning? He was livid and he wanted to peg the whole thing on Lucas." Haley said as she laughed and Lucas was smirking.

"Yeah, well I had an airtight alibi, remember? Keith saved my ass because he remembered Sullivan when he was in high school. He was the ultimate douche."

We reminisced a little longer and then Haley changed the subject after Lucas went upstairs.

"I think it's great, Brooke."

I looked up at her and she was smiling.

"What?"

"Being there for Lucas like you are. I mean, duh, we know you're going to Tree Hill with him. I think it's great!" She made herself a glass of water and I grinned.

"Yeah, well I think it will be good for us. We really haven't spent any alone time together since he's been back, maybe it will give me a chance to see the Lucas I know he can be."

We talked some more and I mentioned my talk with Peyton. She was shocked but agreed with me that it's in the past and there are so many more important things in life than hold a grudge that happened so long ago. I walked upstairs and saw Lucas's door open, I peaked inside to find him clutching his heart and I panicked.

"Lucas, are you okay?" I ran in and was by his side.

"Whoa, yeah, I'm fine." He placed his hands on my arms to reassure me.

"I'm fine, Brooke, I was just thinking about facing my mother. It is already breaking my heart."

I released the breath I was holding and he smiled at me.

"Just please don't do that again, you scared me."

He chuckled and I grinned.

"Are you ready to go?" He winked at me and grabbed his bag.

"Uh, yeah just let me change into something more casual, and I'll grab my bag." I packed last night and laid out a change of clothes for me to wear on our two hour drive to Tree Hill.

I changed into a pair of navy shorts, a white blouse, and a pair of eco-friendly sandals. I grabbed my bag and followed Lucas downstairs. Nathan hadn't gotten back yet, and we said our goodbyes to Haley.

"You two have a safe trip and give all of our love to your mom and Lily, Lucas. It will be okay. She loves you more than anything." Haley kissed Lucas's cheek and gave me a quick hug.

Lucas rented a car for us as he planned on bringing back Keith's mustang. I had to admit I missed that car too. After Keith's sudden death shortly after Lily's birth, the car became something more valuable to him. Lucas took my bag along with his and placed them in the trunk. He gave me a smile, we both got into the car and he took in a deep breath as he rubbed his hands together.

"You ready?" He asked as he turned to face me.

I nodded and we started heading towards Tree Hill. Lucas turned the radio on and we rode in silence for awhile as different rock songs echoed throughout the car. We were on the road for about fifteen minutes when Lucas spoke.

"You want to make a pit stop? Get snacks or anything?" He was being awfully quiet and I knew this was really scaring him.

His mother was a mother to us all and she was the kindest person I knew. Lucas always tried to do his best by her and keeping something this huge from her is going to devastate her. Lucas tried his damnedest to never disappoint her and if I know him the way I do, he's going to think of this as a disappointment.

We pulled into a gas station and as he walked around the car, he held his hand out to me and I placed mine in his. It seemed so natural with Lucas. We didn't have to speak. I went for the chocolate covered peanuts, Reese's cups and Lucas grabbed me a Cherry Coke and him a Monster. We met up at the counter and he grinned at me.

"You remembered." He said. I smiled.

"As did you."

He paid and we went back to the car. Another twenty minutes on the road, I was honestly getting tired of hearing angsty rock music. As I flipped through the channels, the start of a familiar song started to play that made Lucas flinch and a huge grin come across my face. I turned to face him and I didn't have to say anything before he cut me short.

"NO!" He said never taking his eyes off the road.

"Lucas, pleeeeaaaasssseeee…" I held my hands clasped together over my chest and gave him puppy dog eyes.

"No." He said eyes still on the road.

"For old time's sake? For me?" I begged.

"I thought I saw a man brought to life. He was warm, he came around and he was dignified. He showed me what it was to cry." I started to sing and he began to shake his head.

"Well, you couldn't be that man I adored. You don't seem to know. Seem to care what your heart is for. But I don't know him anymore." I continued to sing and I could see the corners of his mouth form into a smile.

"There's nothing where he used to lie. The conversation has run dry."

"That's what's going on. Nothing's fine, I'm torn. I'm all out of faith. This is how I feel.
I'm cold and I am shamed. Lying naked on the floor." And just like old times, Lucas sang at the top of his lungs in the squeakiest, girlish voice he could ever possess.

I immediately burst into a fit of cackling and he smiled at me.

"Illusion never changed into something real. I'm wide awake and I can see the perfect sky is torn. You're a little late, I'm already torn." I began to sing with him in the same kind of voice.

"Take it away, babe." I said to him and he got all melodramatic with his facial expressions.

"So I guess the fortune teller's right. Should have seen just what was there and not some holy light." He said batting his eyes and I couldn't help but let out another cackle.

"It crawled beneath my veins and now I don't care I had no luck. I don't miss it all that much. There's just so many things that I can touch, I'm torn." Then he raised his voice higher and I began to sing with him.

"I'm all out of faith. This is how I feel. I'm cold and I am shamed lying naked on the floor." We continued to sing together in high pitch, off key voices.

"Illusion never changed into something real. I'm wide awake and I can see the perfect sky is torn. You're a little late, I'm already torn, torn."

"Torn." He carried on as I couldn't help the tears falling down my face.

"Oooooooooooooooooh…ooooooooooooooooh…oooooooooooooooooh." If it was even possible his voice got higher.

"There's nothing where he used to lie. My inspiration has run dry. That's what's going on
Nothing's right, I'm torn." I sang in the softest voice.

"I'm all out of faith this is how I feel. I'm cold and I am shamed lying naked on this floor." He sang again and I couldn't control the tears anymore as my stomach and sides began to ache.

"Illusion never changed into something real. I'm wide awake and I can see the perfect sky is torn. I'm all out of faith. This is how I feel. I'm cold and I'm ashamed bound and broken on the floor. You're a little late, I'm already torn, torn." He continued and as the end of the song neared and the guitar solo came on, he made his own little sound with his voice to imitate the guitar and I was dying.

I joined in with him and we stopped as the song ended and I began wiping the tears away and he quickly changed the station back to angsty rock music.

"That's the last time I will ever do that!" He said and my stomach still in pain from laughing so hard, I shook my head.

"Whatever, Luke, you said that the last time." I looked over at him and his straight face broke into smile.

It was just like old times. I will not forget the first time that song came on and I began to sing it and to make fun of me, Lucas mocked me and it turned into a thing with us. He would make me laugh so hard where I would cry and my sides would be in pain from laughing and crying so hard.

"It's so good to see you laugh like that again." He said.

I looked over at him and studied him. He was my Lucas, but a new Lucas entirely; I couldn't help the smile on my face.

"Yeah you too." I said.

He smiled as he still faced the road and I looked out the window as we drove through a few small towns.

We drove in some more silence as it was comforting to us both. Some more angsty rock music played in the background as Lucas was afraid to hear yet another girly pop song I could coax him into singing.

The 'Welcome to Tree Hill' sign came into our view and I could hear Lucas's grip tighten around the steering wheel.

"Lucas, it's going to be okay." I reached over and gave his knee a reassuring squeeze.

We drove down the main street of Tree Hill and parked in front of the familiar café we would go to everyday back in high school. We sat in the car for a few minutes and I was about to get out, but Lucas reached for my hand.

"You're going to be there for me through everything?" He asked as he looked over at me.

Lucas was promised a lot in his life and a lot has been taken away from him. So I tightened my fingers around his hand and smiled.

"Every step of the way."

He smiled and we got out of the car and headed towards the entrance of the café. The little bell rang and the raven haired woman behind the counter had her back to us.

"Please take a seat where you like, I'll be with you in a moment." She called out behind her back.

"LUKIE!" The little girl sitting in the corner spotted us and ran towards Lucas.

"Lily pad!" He called out to her and swept her off her feet and gathered her in his arms.

Karen turned around quickly when she heard Lily and she began to cry.

"Lucas!" Karen said quietly.

"Brookie!" Lily said and I took her from Lucas and gave her a big hug.

Lucas smiled at me and walked over to his mom and embraced her as a loving son would his beloved mother. Lily buried her face in my neck and I kissed the top of her head as I watched Lucas with his mom. Karen finally opened her eyes and saw me. I smiled.

"Brooke?" She pulled back from Lucas, gave him a curious glance and he let out a huge sigh.

I placed Lily back on her feet as she ran back over to Lucas and Karen walked over to me.

"Hey Karen." I said quietly and she smiled and pulled me into her arms.

"Brooke it is so good to see you. Looks like you've got some explaining to do." She whispered in my ear.

Of course, Karen would be shocked to see Lucas and me together after what happened in high school.

"This is a surprise Lucas, I wish you would have told me you were coming, I would have had Anna or Kelly take over for me." Karen wiped her hands on her apron.

"Mom I wanted to surprise you." Lucas said.

"Well are you two hungry? Anything you want it's on me." She said.

"I would love your amazing pot pie, Karen." I couldn't resist this woman's amazing cooking.

"You still make that chicken casserole?" Lucas asked as he started to tickle a squealing Lily.

"Of course my boy. It will be right up." She winked at me and we went to sit with Lily who continued to read the book we interrupted her from.

Lucas and I enjoyed our dinner. It was like Christmas every time you were able to get your stomach full on Karen's delicious food. Karen insisted that we go ahead and head to the house, but Lucas stayed behind with his mom as I am sure he was going to take this opportunity to tell his mom while they were alone.

Lucas gave me his set of keys and Lily and I took the rental car to his childhood home.

"How are you doing Queen Lily?" I asked her as she still had her pretty, little face buried in the book.

"It's good, I am making a lot of friends now and I have the most points in my reading level." She said proudly.

I snorted at her and it made her giggle. She was a bright six years old and Lucas in every form except for his asshole ways. She was smart, bright, intelligent, and already at the age of six she was reading like a maniac. It made me smile because when I look at her, I know that she is Lucas's flesh and blood. We got to the house and with Lily's hand in mine, we headed towards the house and once inside, she ran down the hall and I followed her.

"This is where you'll sleep, Brookie!" She said as she reached on her tip toes to turn the light on.

My heart fluttered as the room was still the same. Although I visited Karen and Lily frequently over the years, I never once stepped foot inside Lucas's room because it only reminded me of high school and him. The walls were still the red and green plaid flannel, the music posters were still hanging, and I grinned as I walked to his chest of drawers. The pictures were still in their rightful place. One was of the five of us. Lucas had his arms around me from behind, I had one of my hands wrapped around his arms, and my other around Peyton's neck, she had one of her arms around my waist with her other around Haley, Haley had one of her arms wrapped around my arm that was around Peyton, and Nathan had Haley and Peyton enveloped in his arms as he reached out towards me. Those were the best times of our lives when we were all innocent and none of us were dating each other.

The other photo I took and it was right after Lily was born and he was holding the beautiful baby girl in his arms. I don't think I ever saw him so happy before until this point in his life. It was right before everything fell a part between us. The other was of a younger Lucas with Keith. I couldn't help the tears that began to form in my eyes.

"Are you alright Brookie?" Lily wrapped her arms around my leg and I smiled.

"Of course I am." I knelt down at eye level with her and she looked just like Keith.

"How about we watch a movie and wait for your mom and brother to get back?"

She nodded and she knew which movie she wanted to watch: Toy Story. We started the movie with Lily in my lap and about half way through the movie it hit me just how tired I was and I dozed off waiting for mother and son to get home.

Song: "Torn" by Natalie Imbruglia.

YES, that is a true story! My ex, Sean, caught me singing this song and started mimicking me and it became a thing that whenever it came on, he would sing it in a high, girly voice that left me laughing so hard that I would cry and buckle over in pain. (and this happened a lot with all types of girly, pop songs) So there ya go!

Up next: Lucas tells Karen. Brooke and Lily have a little fun! I will also provide a flashback of Keith's death and what happened.

Stay tuned! You guys are awesome!