Ten fucking thirty. I'd intended to just make a quick appearance and then leave but it'd taken me over two hours to escape the book signing. I'd finally sneaked out the back entrance and stuck a cigarette in my mouth, inhaling greedily. One book and a year later my career had taken off but somewhere along the line I'd gotten lost and was suffering from a severe case of writers block and in the mean time was having to endure whatever my editor had set up for me.

I parked myself on the first bench I came across, at last some fucking peace. If there's one thing I'd learnt over the past few years- I definitely didn't like being in the public eye. I liked to be by myself but I'd not had much alone time recently. Actually it was quite the opposite, with all these book signings and public appearances I'd been thrown into the lime light and with each passing day the publics interest in me and my private life only seemed to grow. Fuck knows why, I mean I'm no Brad Pitt. I stubbed my ciggy out on the arm of the bench, earning myself a disapproving look from a snobby passer by. I sighed, resigning to watching the cars go by. I didn't know how much time had gone by but I was suddenly pulled from my trance when a car halted a little way down the street, stopping in front of a figure leaning up against the wall. I did a double take, squinting as I tried to get a better look at her.

It couldn't- what were the chances- was it? It couldn't be. My eyes inadvertently travelled up and down her sleek body. A leather jacket hugged her slim build and a short mini skirt hung from her tiny waist. My eyes fell to her long legs, fuck I loved her legs. She sauntered over to the car, flirtatiously flicking her curls as she bent over, leaning through the window. She tilted her head a little, giving me a better view of her face. It had to be her. Shit if it wasn't she had a twin sister. A forced smile graced her perfect lips as she spoke. Christ I'd give anything to hear her sweet voice, I had to get closer, I had to know if it really was her. I stuffed my suddenly sweaty hands in my jacket pockets and got up, sheepishly making my way toward her.

'Peyton? Peyton Sawyer?' I grinned goofily- I couldn't believe it, it was actually her. Her head darted up so quickly at the sound of my voice, she managed to knock it on the car door.

'Shit' She cursed loudly, rubbing her head as she stumbled backward.

'I'm sorry, I didn't mean to scare you' Great- good going, you haven't seen the girl in five years and you manage to give her concussion before you've even said hi. 'Are you alright?'

'I'm fine' She snapped.

She looked at me blankly, her eyes void of emotion. Christ, it hadn't been that fucking long, I didn't look that different, did she really not recognize me?

'Lucas Scott?' I prompted, raising my eyebrows expectantly but still she showed no recollection, shifting uncomfortably in front of me.

'Are you getting in or what?' The guy she'd been talking to asked impatiently through the car window- causing her to tear her attention away from me. I looked her up and down. God she still looked so fucking beautiful. I gazed at her with my mouth hanging open like a freaking dog as she conscientiously scraped an unruly curl behind her ear. 'Look I haven't got all night here, my wife's expecting me home' She briefly glanced back at me causing me to snap my gaping mouth shut. Crap- if she hadn't thought I was weird before she definitely did now. 'What's the deal, get in' I looked at the irritated tosser and back at her confusedly before it suddenly dawned on me what was going on. Swallowing thickly, my eyes widened in disbelief. Shit.

The second she saw me tense up she abruptly turned on her heels and walked off as quick as her restrictive, black leather boots would allow her.

'Fucking Bitch' The twat shouted before swerving his ridiculously expensive car off. I watched after her, my feet glued to the ground. She was a fucking hooker?

'Peyton!' I shouted desperately. Finally finding my feet I impulsively ran off after her. She quickened her pace at my frantic yell. What the fuck was I doing- running round New York city after a fucking high school girlfriend that I hadn't seen in five years. I finally managed to close the gap between us and reached for her arm. 'Peyton wait' I mumbled breathlessly, shit I really need to start exercising again. I blinked a few times as I tried to catch my breath.

'Let go or I'll scream' She growled, her eyes narrowed angrily. I frowned, I just ran down the fucking road after her and she speaks to me like that, she could show a little fucking respect. My eyes fell to her pursed lips and my anger soon vanished. I don't know how many times I'd seen that defiant, stubborn expression when we were dating. I felt a small smile tug at my lips as I anticipated her next words. 'I mean it- I'll scream' She warned, my smirk only fuelling her anger. I loosened my grip but didn't completely let go of her arm.

'Please, let me buy you a coffee'

She swallowed and shook her head, her tough demeanour quickly crumbling. 'I can't, I've got to be somewhere' She closed her eyes and exhaled heavily.

'Please, one drink. Hey I'll even buy' I flashed her the good old Lucas Scott smile that's yet to fail me.

I reluctantly allowed her to pull her wrist from my hold and watched her cross her arms defensively. 'Come on Sawyer, for good old times' She bit her lip and looked at me uncertainly. 'Come on'

'One drink'

She trailed her shaky hands down her leather jacket and fiddled restlessly with the zip as I carried our drinks over to the table she'd chosen. 'Here you go- one coffee' I set them down and sat opposite her.

'Thanks' She bought an unsteady hand up to her mouth and trailed her forefinger over her bottom lip nervously before taking a sip of her drink. We both sat silently, glancing at each other every now and again 'Don't look at me like that' She finally spoke, shooting daggers in my direction. God I'm sure even if she was speaking pure venom, every syllable that left this girls mouth sounded beautiful.

'Like what?'

'Like I'm scum' She raked her hand through her locks agitatedly.

Fucking hell, didn't she know how fucking hot she was- how she'd come to the conclusion that I thought she was scum I didn't know. 'Peyton-'

'This was a bad idea' She mumbled under her breath, setting her coffee down and reaching for her bag.

'Wait- don't go' I panicked- she couldn't leave. What was it with this girl? I'd been back in her presence for all of about thirty minutes and as always she'd managed to turn me into some blubbering idiot. 'I just want to talk' I mumbled hastily.

'I really don't feel like reminiscing right now. Look, you don't know me. We dated on off when I was eighteen. That's it- one meaningless relationship'

Christ, bitter much? She really knows how to make a guy feel good about himself- meaningless relationship my arse. In fact it's probably the only meaningful relationship I've ever been in. 'Aw come on you're kidding right? You loved the old Lucas Scott charm' I teased.

'Arrogant much' She scowled.

I sighed, clearly the humorous approach wasn't working out. 'So er, how long have you been in New York?' I changed the subject, looking at her intently, hoping to get her to open up.

'A few years now' She shrugged.

'Really? Do you live round here? Maybe I could take you out for dinner tomorrow night…' I trailed off as she closed her eyes. I knew it was a little early to be suggesting a date but hey you couldn't blame me for wanting to help her. God I felt sick at the thought of what she was doing to herself. How could she sell herself.

'Look thanks a lot for the coffee but I think I better go' She stood unexpectedly.

'Peyton-'

'Look- it was nice running into you Luke but we're worlds apart now, just leave it alright?'

'Peyton I want to help you'

'I don't need your pity' She snapped. 'Just forget you ever saw me ok' She looked at me intensely, daring me to stop her leaving. I swallowed thickly as she finally turned, swiftly making her way out of the small diner without turning back, my eyes trailing after her- lingering at the door minutes after she'd left, hoping on the off chance she might come back.