Disclaimer – I don't own One Tree Hill or the like.
This story, it takes place at the beginning of the Second Season and Haley is more athletic. She plays basketball with the fellas and is actually surprisingly good at it. Nathan and Haley didn't get together, nor did Brooke and Lucas or Peyton and Lucas. Lucas didn't move to Charleston. Nathan and Peyton are still together, and Brooke is interested in Mouth. Haley and Lucas are, well, Bestfriends who start to realize their feelings for one another. In another words, Peyton and Nathan are the only ones involved romantically and the rest of them are one big group of friends. Some closer than others...Ahem, Lucas and Haley.
"Haley! Hales!" Lucas shouted as he approached the locked doors of the café. He was panting from having run all the way over and she was just now cleaning the counter.
"Haley James! Let me in!"
She looked up and laughed at Lucas, he was a sight for sore eyes. Reluctantly she walked over to the doors.
"I'm sorry but we're closed.." Her finger pointed to the 'Closed' sign hanging on the door right infront of them.
"Come on, Hales. It's important..Please.." The look on his face was priceless when she shook her head. "Haley..come on, I'll be your bestfriend.."
"You already are my best friend, try another one.." Smilng at his childish behavior, she crossed her arms over her chest, waiting for the next one.
"Haley, if you don't open up this door..When I do see you again I'm going to give you the sloppiest, wettest kiss you've ever had.."
Her eyes widened at the thought of Lucas kissing her..Part of her wanted to keep that door locked, that was the part that had been secretely harboring a crush on her handsome bestfriend since Junior High. But the other part won, the quick-witted, tutor.
"Ew.." She threw the door open. "Get in here before I have to throw up.." Her face looked like it got run over with a truck, by the expression she was making.
"I didn't think the thought of kissing me repulsed you Hales, I'm hurt.." He said pouting, sticking his bottom lip out like a true little kid.
"I'm sorry Luke, I just don't see what the other girls see. I know the real you..The snoring, whimpering, childish person that you are.." She joked and slapped him on the arm instead of wrapping her arms around his neck and planting the kiss of a lifetime on him like her heart was telling her to do.
"Well, I guess I see the real you to, Hales. Your inane rambling and all of your other annoying habits.." Annoying..more like cute as hell..He thought as he watched her walk behind the counter, hanging her apron up for the day. Walking over to the marble counter top he leaned against it, their faces inches from one another.
"You know, Luke..I guess I'll have to get a new bestfriend.." Haley stated nonchalantly, like it would effect her in the least.
"Aw, Haley..You remember what happened the last time you said that don't you?" Lucas squinted his eyes together as she started retell the tale.
"Yeah.." She nodded. "We were at my 7 birthday party and you didn't get me that Princess Pony you promised I would have for my birthday and I told you I'd get a new bestfriend and..Luke, If I remember correctly, a certain blue-eyed, blonde-haired Scott started to cry.." A smile curved onto her lips as she watched the expression on his face change into one of embarassment.
"That's not what I was talking about and you know it.." He gave her a look that could kill. "I was referring to a week after that when we did talk and you, Miss James came pounding on my door asking if I could come out and play because you were scared to go to the RiverCourt Park because of Nath-" He stopped at his brother's name and cast his eyes downward, finding the green marble fairly interesting. "Because you were scared.." He clarified, his voice barely above a whisper.
Haley watched this. Did the thought of Nathan really bother him that much? Surely it didn't because he would have told her. Her brow was furrowed together as he finished the story and she walked around the counter, making sure the coffee pots were off and the lights weren't on in the kitchen. They were both now in the front of the café, Haley had joined him at the counter, a friendly hand was stroking his back.
"Luke?"
"Hm?"
"Did you ever think we'd end up here?" She asked, cringing inwardly, she had to tell him.
Lucas looked over at her and twisted his seat, so now his long legs had pinned her in her seat.He had one hand on the back of the barstool and the other on the countertop infront of her.
"You mean, sitting in my mom's café..Just like we do everynight after your shift?" He quirked a brow and looked at her in confusion.
"No, I mean..Did you ever think that we'd still be bestfriends after all these years.."
"Um, I never doubted it.. Why?"
"Nevermind, it's nothing. So, what's so important that you had to run all the way over here to tell me?" She quickly changed the subject and noted Lucas's inquisitive mode.
"Oh, it's nothing..just wanted to see my bestfriend.." He solemnly answered, turning his seat back around and resting his elbows on the counter.
Haley nodded slightly and glanced over at him. Sure she had recognized a handsome guy when she saw one, but she never thought of Lucas that way. The way that makes her breath hitch in her throat everytime he pulls her close for a hug. The way the butterflies dance in her stomach everytime he calls her at 2 a.m. because he needs to talk, or the way everygirl feels when they finally realize that they're in love with their bestfriend.
