A/N: Yes! Go me! I finished this story! I'm usually not good at finishing stories hence why I stick to one shots. Thank you for all the support and reviews. Also, in case you didn't know I accidently posted the cut off version of chapter three. Ok, so I'll leave it at that. Enjoy!
Disclaimer: I don't own One Tree Hill or the song Misery.
But ain't it true... it takes what it takes. And sometimes... we get too smart too late. One more heartache for me... another night in misery - Misery by Pink
Two Months Later
Miserable. Lucas Scott was absolutely miserable. For two months, he had been walking around like a zombie. Barely paying attention to anything anyone said. He missed Peyton. He really, really missed Peyton. At least when she was ignoring him, he knew he could just stop by her house eventually and figure things out. Or he could look at her at least without feeling wrong. Now, he couldn't even glance at her without his heart breaking. It had only taken him a week to realize he wanted her. That it was more than friendship he missed. It was like a piece of him was gone. He had been wanting to talk to Brooke and clear things up, but he was afraid of hurting her again. He really didn't know how she would react. So far, she had been sympathetic, but he wondered if that was just because she hoped he would choose her. What if he waited too long and Peyton gave up on him? What if he missed his chance again?
"Hey stranger," Brooke said softly as she entered the gym. It had been two months since they had officially put their relationship on hold. No one knew what was going on really. Brooke and Lucas included. But last night something changed all of that. Brooke knew they needed to talk about this now.
"Hi Brooke," Lucas said shooting another hoop, "How was your day?" Coach Whitey still let him shoot around in the gym as long as he didn't push himself too hard. The occasional shoot around was allowed.
"Pretty good, but last night is really what I wanted to talk to you about."
"What happened last night?" Lucas asked furrowing his eyebrows.
"Well, you know how we all went to Theresa's party and then you and Nathan and Haley had to leave early?" Lucas nodded for her to continue. "Well, I sort of hung out with Mouth." When she didn't continue Lucas raised an eyebrow.
"Ok," Lucas said drawing out the word. He was wondering where this was heading.
"I kissed him and I don't regret it. The thing is Mouth pulled away and said that we shouldn't be doing that until I figure out what's going on between you and me. The thing is Lucas I really love you, but I feel like I should be with him." Lucas sighed. Surprisingly, this didn't hurt as much as he thought it would.
"I'm sorry Brooke," he said, "We should have addressed this sooner."
"It's ok, Luke," she said patting his back, "I was the one who was scared to move on. It's really comforting knowing you have someone there."
"I know what you mean," Lucas said. Brooke bit her lip.
"Just out of curiosity," Brooke said, "Who were you going to chose?"
"Peyton," he said simply, "I just didn't know how to tell you."
"Well, I'm glad I made life a little easier for you," Brooke joked elbowing him in the side.
"Hardly easy. I still have to convince Peyton that I'm serious about her."
"She'll believe you. Just be honest with her." They sat in a comfortable silence for a good five minutes.
"So," Lucas said finally breaking it, "I should probably go find Peyton." He was both nervous and excited about the confrontation. This would probably the defining moment of their relationship.
"I'm going to go find Mouth. Well that is after I talk to Rachel," Brooke said smiling mischievously.
"Rachel? Why Rachel?" Lucas asked.
"Don't worry about it. You just go have your little talk with that broody blonde of yours. And make sure you bring her scrawny ass to lunch tomorrow."
"What about Rachel? The two of them have been attached at the hip for the past two months."
"She can bring her too, if she must," Brooke said dramatically, "Later Lucas."
"Thanks Brooke."
"Don't mention it."
"Good luck with Mouth by the way."
"I think you need the luck right now more than I do."
As Peyton dipped her brush to put the last splash of mango sun nail polish on her pinky toe, the phone rang. She pressed the speaker phone button, too preoccupied to deal with it.
"Hello."
"Peyton, it's Rachel."
"What's up?"
"I've got major news!" Rachel squealed, though it was very uncharacteristic of her to do so.
"Who'd you bang this time?"
"No one," Rachel said obviously disappointed to say so, "It concerns you."
"For the last time, I will not go out with-"
"Chill, Sawyer. This isn't another proposition from Tim. It actually concerns Brooke-"
"You know the rule, Rachel," Peyton said stiffly, "I don't want to hear about Brooke or Lucas."
"I'll tell you anyways. It's been confirmed."
"What's been confirmed?"
"Brooke and Lucas have been broken up for two months now."
"Sure," Peyton said rolling her eyes, "and Nathan and Haley got divorced."
"I'm serious, Peyton. Brooke has a new boyfriend. She told me herself."
"What?" Peyton said suddenly overwhelmed by the news.
"Brooke's dating Mouth. Can you believe it? Mouth! I'm so happy for them-"
"Wait, back up a second! Brooke and Lucas split two months ago."
"Yeah, but no one knew for sure until now."
"So, why is this good news for me, then?" Peyton asked as she wiggled her toes to dry them.
"Lucas is free."
"I'm hanging up now," Peyton said deadpan.
"Come on, Peyton! This is what you've been waiting for!"
"Listen we'll talk later. I need to soak this all in," Peyton said.
"Ok, call me!"
"I will," Peyton said as she ended the call. She took a deep breath. Lucas and Brooke had broken up. They were no longer a couple.But who's to say he did that because he wanted to be with her? Maybe they just ran out of steam. Maybe Brooke just broke up with him. And Peyton was Lucas's second choice. Before she had a moment to really collect her thoughts, there was a knock at her bedroom door.
"Come in," she said figuring it was her dad. She looked up from her desk to see Lucas. Well, maybe he had done this for her.
"Hey," he said somewhat shyly.
"Luke," she responded not looking at him.
"Your dad let me in. He wanted me to let you know he was going out for the night. He'll be home tomorrow morning."
"Eww," Peyton said scrunching her nose, "I don't want to know what he's doing." Lucas let out a little laugh.
"Me neither." They fell into an uncomfortable silence. She knew why he was there. He knew she knew why he was there. It was just getting to that point that proved tricky. Peyton decided to be the brave one.
"So I heard about you and Brooke."
"Oh yeah?" Lucas asked.
"Rachel called me and said Brooke's dating Mouth."
"Yeah, she and I have been kind of on hold for awhile."
"On hold?" Peyton asked confused.
"She said I needed to figure out where my heart was at."
"Ah," Peyton nodded.
"Guess where it was?" Lucas said smirking.
"Your chest," Peyton said dryly.
"Clever. Actually some blonde took it."
"Haley! No way!" Peyton said clasping a hand over her heart dramatically. She was trying to keep it light. She wasn't sure if she could handle a Lucas Scott love confession. But she had no choice. Lucas walked in front of her chair pulling her up by the hand.
"Peyton," he said seriously, "I took some time. I took two whole months to figure it out and I realized that you have my heart. What I had with Brooke was love, but it wasn't what we have. We have something much more complex. And I know you hate me, but I also know you love me at the same time. So if you're willing to forgive me, I would love it if you'd be my girlfriend." Peyton was sure this was a dream. She wanted to reach over and pinch herself to check if she was dreaming. Then, there was still a small part of her that felt like she should tell him no. How many times was she going to hurt herself over this boy? But then again, this wasn't any boy. This was Lucas Scott.
"This isn't going to be an easy relationship," Peyton said trying to buy herself some time.
"I know," he said cupping her cheeks with his hands, "I told you there was something worth saving and you were right two months ago I wasn't ready to fight for it, but now I am."
"How do I know that you're not going to regret this?"
"You don't know," Lucas said solemnly, "But I do. I know I won't regret it. All you need to do is say yes." He made it sound so easy. Just say yes. She could feel the word on the tip of her tongue. She opened her mouth and different words came out.
"I'm scared," Peyton admitted, "I can't handle you breaking my heart again."
"I will not hurt you again," he said sincerely. She wanted to believe him so bad, but wouldn't it be hypocritical if she did. After she realized that he was full of empty promises. But something was different about this time. Her head was spinning and her heart aching. She felt like she was going to pass out.
"It's up to you," Lucas said softly. Peyton bit her lip searching his eyes for some reassurance. She found an overwhelming amount of love and admiration there. Could they be lying to her again? Sure. It was possible. But right now, she was tired of running. Tired of regretting pushing him away. Here he was ready and willing to be official. No Brooke or Jake in the way. It was what she wanted for two years now.
Her face was a mere centimeters away from his, so close she could feel his breath on the tip of her nose. She smiled a small smile before tentatively lifting her lips to capture his. It was a soft quick kiss, just enough to give him his answer. She immediately pulled back and Lucas's eyes showed that he feared she might regret her actions, but her words said differently.
"Yes, I'll be your girlfriend," she said. Lucas immediately pulled her into another embrace, this one more passionate. Peyton slid her arms around his neck and pulled him extremely close. After a few minutes, they broke away, the need for oxygen depriving them of the passion they had been denied for so long.
"One more thing," Lucas said resting his forehead against hers, "Brooke gave us her blessing."
"Really?" Peyton said clearly shocked.
"She said she'd like it if you and Rachel joined us tomorrow at lunch."
"I think I can arrange that."
"They missed you. Brooke especially," Lucas said, twirling a piece of her hair in his hands.
"I missed them too," she said and then added playfully, "What about you? Did you miss me?"
"Every single day," Lucas said placing a small kiss on her forehead, "I love you, Peyton."
"I love you too, Lucas," Peyton sighed. "You have no idea how good it feels to say that without regretting it."
"I think I might have a small idea."
Peyton Sawyer looked around her lunchroom table. Nathan and Haley were talking animatedly about college. Rachel was making Brooke and Mouth crack up with one of her crazy hook-up stories. Lucas had his arm around her waist. Brooke caught her eye and smiled.
"P. Sawyer," she said, "You should go shopping for prom with Hales and I."
"Isn't that like a month away?" Peyton said.
"Exactly. We need to make up for lost time," Brooke said. Peyton knew there was a double meaning to that. "Rachel you're coming with us, right?"
"Why not?" Rachel said. Brooke turned back to Mouth. Peyton and Rachel shared a smile.
"Looks like Brooke and you are on the right track," Lucas whispered in her ear.
"Yeah," Peyton sighed. Lucas pulled her closer and placed a small kiss on the top of her head. For the first time since her mother died, Peyton Sawyer could say she was truly happy. Life felt complete.
A happy ending for Leyton...I didn't know who to put Brooke with, but then I remembered I promised my cousin I'd finally give Mouth some loving. So there you go, cuz! I hope you all enjoyed it and it wasn't too cheesy! If it's not too much to ask, leave me one last review.