Disclaimer: Still don't own OTH or any of the characters. Poem in italics is from "The Road Not Taken" by Robert Frost.

Chapter 1

Two roads diverged in a yellow wood,

Alone, Peyton made her way to the doors. With her hand on the handle, she paused for a moment. With just a pull on the handle, she'd be free. She was no longer a high school student and no longer had something tying her down to Tree Hill. There was something inside her, however, that made her stop. She turned around and looked at Tree Hill High one last time.

They all had someone to share this day with. If it wasn't a friend then it was a family member. Proud mothers, fathers and grandparents were all scattered throughout the gymnasium of Tree Hill High. They stood beside their sons or daughters either posing for the millionth picture of the day or were hugging them, almost holding on tightly as if they didn't want their child to grow up any more.

They all had somebody, except for the one blonde haired teen. Once again, she didn't have anybody standing by her side. She was surrounded by people but she never felt more alone. Her father's trip was delayed at sea and couldn't be home in time to see her graduate. Deep down she was terribly disappointed but like always she never let it show.

To the right Peyton saw Nathan and Haley smiling while they talked to Deb. Next to them Karen was talking to Lucas. A small smile fell on her lips. At that moment Lucas looked up and saw her.

And sorry I could not travel both and be one traveler, long I stood and looked down one as far as I could to where it bent in the undergrowth;

Lucas smiled and waved at her. He then said something to his mother and appeared to head off into Peyton's direction when someone stepped in front of his path. Brooke Davis suddenly appeared from no where and wrapped her arms around him.

Then took the other, as just as fair, and having perhaps the better claim, because it was grassy and wanted wear;

By the time Lucas managed to get Brooke to let go, he looked back up to his previous destination but she was already gone.

Though as for that the passing there had worn them really about the same, and both that morning equally lay in leaves no step had trodden black.

Her heels clicked loudly against the pavement of the parking lot. She needed to get out of there before she changed her mind. Peyton had finally found her car and was almost free when she heard him call out her name.

Oh, I kept the first for another day! Yet knowing how way leads on to way, I doubted if I should ever come back.

"Hey, Peyt! Wait up,"

Chills seemed to envelope her body as it did every time he was near or called her name and seeing him now was one of the last things she wanted to face. There was one thing tying her to Tree Hill and it was him. She sighed and threw her purse into the car. Slowly she turned around with a plastered smile on her face.

I shall be telling this with a sigh. Somewhere ages and ages hence:

"Hey, Luke," she greeted.

"So it's official, I guess," he shrugged, standing before her.

"Huh?"

"We're high school grads…college bound,"

"Oh, right,"

"Hey, I'm sorry your dad couldn't make it,"

"It's not a big deal," she waved it off as if it wasn't important but he knew how much it was killing her inside.

"Well, it's probably not the same, but my mom taped the whole thing…I could make a copy of it for your dad – I mean after I edit out me rolling out of bed, me eating breakfast, me getting into the car…"

She laughed as she pictured Karen following her only son around on this big day, "Thanks, I'm sure he'd like that,"

"And, hey, pictures," Lucas held up his digital camera that he was carrying, "Say cheese,"

"Cheese," Peyton repeated but her expression turned back in its usual brooding state.

"OK," Lucas laughed, "Say cheese and smile,"

Peyton smirked and Lucas snapped the picture.

"Hey, I wasn't ready,"

"Alright, ready now?"

After a few poses, Lucas stepped towards Peyton, "One more," He smiled at her and put his arm around her shoulders. At first, Peyton's body froze but then it naturally relaxed against his. They seemed to fit like two pieces of a jigsaw puzzle. She let her head lean up against his. Both of them smiled at the camera that was held but Lucas's outstretched arm.

"Perfect," Lucas said after he snapped the picture. "I'll email them after I upload them tonight,"

"Sounds good," She paused, "Thanks, Luke,"

"Hey, you ok?" he asked when he saw tears welling up in her eyes.

"Yeah, I'm fine…just, nothing,"

"Peyt, you can talk to me, you know that,"

Peyton nodded, "Yeah I know, I'm just gonna miss this,"

Two roads diverged in a wood, and I-

His brow crinkled, but before he could question her, Peyton wrapped her arms around his neck and pulled him in for a hug. He held her just as tight as she was holding him.

"I have to go now," Peyton reluctantly let him go and opened her car door. She looked back at him. Something inside her made her do the unthinkable. Peyton rushed up to him. With both of her delicate hands, she cupped the sides of his face and pulled him in for a kiss. The kiss surly caught him off guard but with all knowing and all his being he returned the kiss with just as much passion and hunger.

Cruelly, she ended the kiss too soon.

"I'll be seeing you, Luke," she whispered before she hurried back into her car.

Lucas stood still in his spot. A part of him felt like jell-o while the rest of him felt alive. A sadness over fell him as he watched her drive away.

I took the one less traveled by, and that has made all the difference

A/N: I've been working on this for a couple of weeks and pretty much have the story done, just got to work out a couple of kinks. For those of you who are reading my other fics, don't worry - I'm going to finish them...I'm just a little stuck on them and when I get stuck I write other little fics. Hope you like this one.