Sorry for the late update. I had a ton of things to do. Anyway, thanks to all of you who reviewed! You're like the fuel in my fire. The yin in my yang. Love you guys!

Chapter 7: Realizations

Brooke sat down the stool near the bar. She motioned the bartender for a drink, and then flashed her fake I.D. The bartender handed her the drink, and made a silent toast.

For love, she thought, and then laughed. Yeah right.

She drank the drink in one gulp, and motioned for another one. She didn't really care if she gets really drunk, and some gorgeous stranger would pick her up and they'd have a one-night stand. It was what she did before, so why not do it again?

As the bartender gave her the drink, a man got it first.

"What the hell are you doing here?" Brooke asked, wide-eyed. Her voice was getting a little tipsy.

"I came for you." Felix said, sipping from the glass. Brooke snatched it away, and Felix got it back. He returned the drink to the bartender.

"My drink!" Brooke said as she tried to reach it, but her efforts were in vain.

"Brooke, listen," Felix said, holding her arm. Brooke nudged it away.

"We have nothing to talk about." Brooke said adamantly. She got her I.D., which was in the table, and turned towards the door. Felix followed closely.

"Brooke, just-" Felix said, catching up with her. But Brooke won't stop nor answer. "Brooke," Felix tried to plead. They walked until they reached the parking lot. The chilly night air caused Brooke to shiver for a bit. The parking lot was well lit, and Brooke could easily see Felix's shadow trailing behind her. She ignored him.

"Brooke," Felix said, grabbing her arm, causing Brooke to face him.

"Leave me alone!" Brooke said in a whiny voice. She could already feel tears swelling in her eyes.

"Just listen to me!" Felix said sternly. "I'm going to ask you one question. Just one Brooke, and I promise I won't bother you again." Brooke replied by nudging his hand away.

"Are you still in love with me?" He asked seriously. Brooke tried to hide the emotion she felt when he asked that, but a bit was still evident in her facial expression and the tear that almost fell down. She quickly wiped it off.

"No.." she said softly, staring at the pavement below, her voice quivering.

"Look me in the eye, Brooke. Do you?" He said, gazing into her eyes, trying to search for the answer to his question. Brooke hesitated for a moment.

"Yes." She answered in a sad whisper. Although that was the answer that Felix was looking for, he didn't look hopeful. He knew it was over.

"A kiss. Just one. For the last time." He asked. He leaned over, and was surprised when Brooke didn't pull back. He felt the tears freely falling from her face.

"Goodbye, Brooke." He said sadly. Brooke turned around, wiping the tears from her face. She walked farther from him, each step filled with pain.

Felix knew it was over. He knew it was his fault. He knew that he could never get her back. Yet he saw Brooke rushing to him, and giving him a tight embrace.

"Felix," Brooke said, sobbing. "I-"

Felix pulled away, their faces close together. He caressed Brooke's face gently, causing her to give a watery smile.

"I know." He whispered. He pulled in for a deep kiss. She knew that he was worth the tears and the resentment. The lies and the bitterness. She loved him, and he was worth everything she is.

o/o/o

Jake stared at the lit driveway. He was on the road to leave Tree Hill. Once, Tree Hill stood for his dreams and aspirations, his home. Now it's just a bitter memory, a lost love. He glanced at Jenny beside him, sleeping. He knew Jenny was the most important thing to him. That's why he went back. He hoped that Peyton would feel the same way for him, and that she would go and leave Tree Hill for love. Like what he did before. He turned on the radio, and heard a familiar song.

Goodbye to you, it sang.

He gazed at the horizon ahead. He heard Jenny mumble something inaudible, which made him smile.

Jenny, He thought.

That was his future. And somehow, it seemed bright.

o/o/o

"Lucas?" Anna said as she peered into the well-lit room. She saw Lucas lying on the bed, staring at the ceiling. Lucas turned towards the door, and Anna sensed an aura of disappointment.

"Hey." He said, and sat up. Anna went in. "What's up?"

"Nothing really. Just wanted to see if you're okay." She said, trying and failing to make it sound nonchalant.

"I'm good." Lucas replied, his eyes directed towards the floor.

"You and Peyton okay?" She asked, going closer.

"Yeah, we're fine." He answered distractedly.

Anna sat near him. "Look, Lucas-"

"We're fine, Anna." Lucas reiterated with a small smile.

You never knew that your smile drives me crazy. "How about us?" She asked softly.

Lucas sighed. "Anna, you know that Peyton, Brooke and I had a history together. I was going out with Brooke, but then I was in love with Peyton."

"Brooke found out, and everything shattered." She said, continuing her story.

"You came along." He said warmly, facing her.

"Luke-"

"What we had was great, don't get me wrong." Lucas said.Anna gave a little smile.

"But I never realized that after all this time, I was still in love with the same person. Everything that's been going on," He said, standing up, "Masked my true feelings."

Anna stood up. "Lucas," she said in a pained voice.

"I was just stupid to let her go." He said, scolding himself.

"Come on, Lucas. You're not stupid." Anna said gently, facing him and ruffling his hair. Lucas held her arm, and brought it down.

"I know. The hair." She said with a laugh. Lucas laughed with her. They stared at each other for a moment, then without thinking, Anna suddenly kissed him.

At that very moment, Peyton entered Lucas' door.

o/o/o

Peyton watched Jake drive off. She felt bad for rejecting him, for breaking his heart. But she knew that going with Jake would break her heart more. She once again sat on the stoop. She stared into the night, thinking about the things that have been happening. It all seemed so fast. First, she was drowning with issues. Then Lucas asked her to go into a pretend relationship with her.

Doesn't seem so fake now, she thought.

Everything progressed from there. Jake returned to Tree Hill. For a moment her old feelings, her infatuation, went back towards him. After that moment, Lucas seemed more clear than ever. It was then that she regretted the decision she made so many months ago: the decision to let him go.

She stood up, and made her way to Lucas' house. What would she say? What would he say? What if he was in love with Brooke? Or worse, with Anna? What if he had been playing her all this time? Questions filled her mind as the wind grew more cold. She walked on, tightening her leather jacket. She at last saw a light on Lucas' bedroom. She thought for a moment, then knocked on the door. Karen opened it.

"Hey Peyton." She greeted, holding a spatula and wearing an apron. She was surprised to see her there.

"Is Lucas there?" She asked, her eyes wandering inside to see if she could get a glimpse of him.

"Yeah, he's upstairs." She answered, looking outside to see if maybe Brooke was there, then realizing the cold weather. "Oh my, It's freezing! Get in, get in,"

"Thanks Karen." Peyton said, giving her a warm smile. She jogged upstairs.

"Peyton-" Karen called, but in vain. Peyton couldn't hear her. She shut the front door. "Anna's with him." she whispered, stared at the stairs for a moment, then went back to the kitchen.

Peyton was sure she heard Karen shout her name, but she ignored it. She saw the light from Lucas' bedroom. This was it. When she peered in, she saw Anna kissing Lucas.

o/o/o

Haley---

Everything's great here in New York. I just got off a meeting with two record labels, and I'm going to have to choose one. Then they're going to start making my new album, but then I don't really know what i'm going to name it.

To the girl I left behind probably.

Wish you were here. Keep in touch.

Chris

Haley closed the e-mail window. She was again reminded of the life she chose to leave, the life of her dreams. She sighed, and stared at her and Nathan's picture on the desktop. I love him, she thought.

Just then, Nathan kissed her on the cheek, and stroked her face.

"You coming?" He asked gently.

"Yeah, just a minute." She replied, smiling.

"Okay." He said, giving her the same smile. He headed for the door.

"Nathan," Haley said, which made him turn around.

Haley stood up, went to him, and gave him a kiss.

"I love you." she said sweetly.

"I love you too," he said, unsure of what brought the surge of emotion.

"What do say, we stay here for dinner? I'll cook." She said, her arms still around Nathan.

"Since when do you cook?" He asked inquisitively.

"Since I was working in a litltle coffee shop called Karen's cafe." she replied with a light chuckle.

"Why don't we skip dinner," he said, giving her a suggestive smile, "and head straight for dessert?" he joked.

"Nathan!" Haley said, laughing. She pushed him to the couch, and ran to the kitchen.

"Haley!" Nathan called out, laughing.

Haley heard his voice. Suddenly the dream that she wanted to achieve was now a blur. This is why I stayed.

o/o/o

"I-I'm s-sor-rry," Peyton stuttered. She quickly ran down the stairs and headed towards the front door, shutting it as she went out.

"Peyt-" Lucas said, trying to run after Peyton, but then he heard the front door shut.

"I'm sorry," Anna said, looking away. Lucas turned towards Anna, doubtful.

"Just, go after her you idiot." she said hopefully but with a hint of sadness, and gave Lucas a nudge.

He needn't think twice. He rushed out the front door, only to find Peyton still standing in the sidewalk, staring at the window. Then she started walking.

"Peyton, wait!" He said. Peyton stopped walking. She wiped the tears from her face.

"Peyton, listen. It's not what you think--"

"I'm sorry. I shouldn't even be jealous! I'm not even your girlfriend!" She said quickly, giving a smile, trying to make it sound like it was okay.

"Peyton--" Lucas said, tryin to explain. He could see the hurt in her eyes. He held her arm.

"It took me something fake," He said, staring into her eyes, "To realize something real. Everything, the talks, the kisses," He continued, "My feelings,"

"Luke--"

"Just listen to me Peyton." He said seriously.

"I can't right now. I'm sorry." Peyton said sadly, letting a tear fall down her face. She turned her heel and walked away.

Lucas wasn't about to let the girl he loved walk out again. He ran towards her, getting in front of her and blocking her way.

"Lucas, please--"

Lucas suddenly leaned in for a kiss. Peyton was unable to suppress the emotion she felt, so she kissed him back. For a moment, everything seemed clear. Everything became bright and ethereal.

"I'm in love with you, Peyton." Lucas said softly, stroking her hair.

For a moment Peyton was speechless. She didn't even know what to say or where to begin. "I was always in love with you, Lucas." She said warmly, giving a small smile. She gave him a tight embrace, and she leaned her head against his shoulder.

"Well, technically I was in love with you first." Lucas said, trying to lighten up the moment. Peyton broke away, and gave him a weird look.

"You're a strange man, Lucas Scott. I'm not sure if I could go out with you." Peyton said jokingly.

"Well, let me persuade you." Lucas said, smiling. He leaned in once more and gave Peyton a deep kiss.

"Well," Peyton said in between kisses, "You got me."

"I know." Lucas answered.

They just stared at each other after that, an awkward moment of silence. Lucas, looking at the girl he fell in love with. Seeing her crooked yet angelic smile plastered on her beautiful face, her curls framing her face in the right way. Peyton, staring at the deep eyes of the man she loved. The cold air blowing through his short blonde hair. The smile that never failed to take her breath away.

"This time's for real," Peyton said, not believing what just happened in the last five minutes.

"No more pretend." Lucas said reassuringly. "Now come on." He said, going near her, putting his arm around her, and giving her a kiss on the head.

"Where are we going?" Peyton said playfully, looking up to Lucas.

"I don't know. Just--" Lucas said, trying to make up his mind.

"Let's go." Peyton said softly.

F!N

Well, that's my story. I know its a Lucas-Brooke pairing at the end of season 2, but don't fret Leyton fans! One Tree Hill has a long road ahead. Besides, I like Mouth better for Brooke. He's more genuine, don't you think? THANKS guys! Again! Love ya'll!