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𝗙𝗮𝗹𝘀𝗲 𝗣𝗿𝗼𝗺𝗶𝘀𝗲𝘀
:: xxxvix. | don't stop believin'
( flashbacks will be in italics )

It was the next day. Chad had thought about what Peyton said all night long. Maybe she was right. He rather have her as his wife now, than risk it and not be able to ever call her his wife. As his eyes just started opening, Peyton's did too. He looked over and gave her a little smile which she returned.

Though he was still somewhat a little sleepy, he sat up and leaned back against the headboard. Peyton did the same thing and reached for his hand.

"So I thought about what you said, with my eyes closed." He lightly chuckled, "Yeah, we should it. Let's get married as early as four weeks?"

"You're serious?" Peyton perked up. She couldn't believe it, he's actually agreeing to something that she suggested since the news came out.

"I just want to call you my wife already." He leaned in and kissed her.

• • •

It was graduation day. All the seniors sat in foldable chairs on the grass. They were already being called to come up stage and get their diplomas. They were all sitting close to each other. Nathan, haley, lucas, skills, and mouth— while Chad, Peyton, Brooke, and Alexa sat in the row in front of them. They were all smiley and happy to be done with high school.

Little did they know, a break up would be amongst the group. After all the students were called and returned back to their seats, they were told to rise.

"Congratulations, class of 2007! You are now graduates!" The principal announced. All the students took their caps off and threw them up in the air, cheering.

Peyton and Chad both shared glances before locking lips. He pulled her closer as they both smiled into another kiss. They both soon parted and saw everyone was meeting up with their families. Peyton decided to drag Chad by his arm out of there so they could go somewhere quiet to talk. She had news to share and she was quite excited about it.

"So why'd you pull me from the chaos?" He ask once they were in the lunch courtyard.

She sat down on one of the tables and he sat next to her. She took his hand in her's and held it as tight as possible, "I've been putting something off. I wasn't sure of how you would take the news."

He looked into her eyes, "What is it? You can tell me anything, Peyton." He reassured her.

"A couple months ago i applied for an internship in LA and I didn't think I'd get it." She exclaimed as Chad quickly put the pieces together.

"You should take it. I'm so happy for Peyton. Follow your dreams." He smiled at her but in reality he really wanted to tell her to stay. That fake smile stayed across his lips, as she smiled at him. She was happy and that's all he ever wants for her.

• • •

Chad smiled as Peyton quickly pecked his lips before grabbing her phone and heading to the living room to call Brooke or Haley he assumed. As he sat there thinking about how happy Peyton could be considering the situation, then his phone began ringing.

He lazily picked it up and it was Alex. It was a bit odd because she never calls him and so him being a nice guy and all pressed the green button to answer.

"Alex, it's like eight in the morning. That's early, even for you." He spoke through the phone.

"It's Millie." She sounded so scared on the other line, "She's not waking up!"

"Ok, ok. Calm down. Why did you call me and not the police?" He ask the obvious question.

"I don't know." Alex exclaimed, "I just need your help!"

"I'll be there soon, text me your room number." He said quickly before hanging up.

Chad quickly threw on pants and grabbed his coat and keys. He practically ran out the room and to the living room where Peyton was on the phone. She just stared at him as he ran around the room then eventually out the door.

• • •

Today was the day peyton was going off with Brooke to LA and well Chad couldn't be sadder. He had a plan though, he knew it would hurt her but he thought it'd be best.

He was suppose to be meeting her at the airport to say goodbye but along with that, he's going to give her a reason why they shouldn't be together anymore. So he took a deep sigh before getting out his truck and heading to the gate where her and Brooke were.

He made it past security, went up an escalator and just walked and walked until he came across the right gate number. He scanned the sitting area until his eyes landed on Peyton. As he made his way over to her, the woman on the speaker announced it was time to board. He tapped Peyton on the shoulder and she turned and hugged him.

He hugged back and told her that he had to talk to her real quick. So he quickly walked her near the bathrooms so they could be alone, at least away from Brooke.

"Chad, you have to be quick. I have to get on the plane." She reminded him.

"We have to break up." He flat out said it. She was stunned so that gave him room to continue, "I don't want to hold you back and as much as I want you to stay, you can't. You have to follow your dreams and follow wherever your journey leads you. Besides, long distance relationships never work." He finally finished.

"You're not going to hold me back. We're Chad and Peyton, we can make it work . . . we always make it work." She told him.

"Not this time, Peyton. . you should go." He gestured towards the moving line. Brooke was flailing her arm around to signal at Peyton.

And that's why he did what he did. He knew Peyton would try to get him to change his mind and convince him he was making a mistake. So he knew the only way Peyton could do what she needs to do and not think about him is if she hates him. So he did what he swore he would never do, he hurt her.

After he watch her get on that plane, he left the airport and got drunk as hell. He met a girl and instantly slept with her. Though he did it so Peyton could live her life, he also did it for himself. He didn't believe enough in their love, so he ended it before something could.

• • •

Chad came banging on the hotel door. Luckily Alex answered as quickly as possible, resulting in Chad to rush by her to Millie. Millie was lying on the floor, practically dead. He immediately picked her up and told Alex to turn on the shower, a cold shower.

As Chad tried to wake Millie up, Alex was near the bed losing her mind. She could hear Chad yelling to Millie to wake up, over and over again. She was scared . . . for Millie. Millie was one of her best friends and she couldn't lose her.

Eventually, Millie finally woke up. She was coughing as Chad reached for the nob to turn the shower off. Soon enough, he helped her get out and Alex changed millie's clothes— leaving her to sleep in the bed for a bit.

Alex and Chad both sat on the sofa that was in front of the bed. It was silent between them two. Chad didn't really know what to say. Though he came for Millie, he was also there for Alex because she had to witness all of this.

"How'd you know what to do?" Alex quietly spoke.

"Someone close to me went through the same thing as Millie and I guess it just stuck." He simply replied with a light shrug.

Alex nodded understandingly. Once again, it fell silent between them two. It was a comfortable silence. They've grown so close that him checking on her comes like second nature now. Chad would say Alex is his bestfriend but he wouldn't know if Alex would say the same thing. She would probably just say close friend.

The silence continued and it wasn't awkward. Every other moment, her or him would just take a good glance at Millie to see if she was alright.

Alex knew that she would probably have to take Millie to rehab. She also knew that Chad was going to tell her because that's what he does. But he didn't need too this time, it was obvious. What she didn't understand herself though was why she called Chad and not Julian. If she was closest to anybody, it would be Julian. Chad is just runner up — at least that's what she thought.

a/n:
it's coming to an end )):