20 Years Ago, Peyton & Jake Kissed on ‘One Tree Hill’: Why They Should Have Been Endgame

Peyton Sawyer should have ended up with Jake Jagielski. There, I said it. It’s been 20 years since the couple shared their first kiss on One Tree Hill (in the Season 2 Episode 14’s “The Quiet Things That No One Ever Knows” that aired on February 15, 2005) and 19 since Jake left the show. So why can’t I get this couple (and that kiss) out of my mind after all this time? I think it’s about time for me to admit my truth.

While some couples from One Tree Hill were undeniably made for each other, I’ve always felt conflicted about Peyton (Hilarie Burton Morgan) and Lucas (Chad Michael Murray).