Hey! I know the last thing I should be doing is starting a new story when I still have one that's ongoing. But for all those reading The Scott Family Camping Trip, fear not! I haven't forgotten it. I just had to get this out of my head because it was annoying the hell out of me! I'm not sure what you will think of it, but hey, that's what it's like when you write lol! Hope you enjoy!
Sighing loudly, he ran his hands through his hair as he leaned back against his seat. It had been a long, gruelling day and he was tired beyond belief. He scrubbed his hands across his face as he reflected over the events of the past few days. His eyes drifted across the photos that were scattered across the wall of his office and he allowed a smile to creep across his face when they landed on the state championship photo. He wished he could go back to that time. When he was happy and carefree. He closed his eyes and once again sighed loudly.
"Tell me about it" came voice from the door way. "It sure must be hard work dodging your friends and family."
Lucas tiredly opened his eyes and surveyed his best friend. She didn't look too pleased.
"Hey Hales."
"Don't 'hey' me. I've been trying to get hold of you for two days Lucas, as well as everyone else. Care to explain why you haven't called?"
Haley pushed the door shut and strode over to the desk, dropping her bag into one of the empty chairs that sat before it.
"I've just... been busy that's all" he replied, avoiding her gaze.
Haley glared at him. "Ok. I'm going to ask you that question again and this time you better not lie to me."
Lucas sat upright in his char. Haley took a moment to really look at him. He seemed tired and pale and the look in his eyes was so lost that she was taken aback for a moment. Something wasn't right, she knew that for sure.
"I'm not lying Haley, I really have been busy. I've had a lot to do."
She looked into his face once more "is that why you missed dinner last night? Because you had too much to do? Thanks for calling to let us all know!" she snapped.
Lucas didn't respond and stared blankly at his desk.
"Lucas, never in all the years I have known you, have you ever blown off your family without giving them a reason why. What's wrong?"
Lucas sprang from his chair.
"Nothing is wrong Haley! God, so I missed dinner, big deal! You don't have to worry about me. I'm a big guy, I can take care of myself for god's sakes!" he yelled at her.
Haley jumped back in surprise at his outburst. Lucas was usually a calm guy. She didn't expect his harsh tone and easy annoyance.
"Hey! What is with the attitude? How can something not be wrong when you act like this?" she challenged him as she crossed her arms.
Lucas moved towards the door but Haley blocked it.
"No Lucas. You are not going anywhere until you tell me what the matter is."
"Haley..." he began.
She placed her hand on his arm and spoke softly.
"Luke. Please tell me what's bothering you. Something is wrong. Please don't shut me out. You haven't spoken properly to anyone since Friday and have avoided us like the plague. Plus, you didn't show up for work today, even though your here now. How can you expect me to believe that everything is ok?"
Lucas jammed his eyes shut and took a deep breath before looking into her eyes.
"Nothing. It's just been one of those weeks."
She saw the wall go up behind his eyes, blocking her out. It hurt her to see it and she couldn't understand why he was doing it.
"Lucas..." she began again but was cut off
"No. Listen Haley, I have somewhere I need to be. I will speak to you soon."
With that, he grabbed his coat and darted from the room, leaving her standing alone in his office.
She stared shocked for a moment before coming to her senses and going after him. She reached the car park just in time to see him speed off.
"Great!" she huffed as she looked towards the sky.
"So, he just stormed off?" asked Brooke after Haley had finished regaling her story to the group.
"Yeah, he was gone like a bat out of hell" she replied as she sat at the table and stirred her coffee.
"Well, something sure isn't right." Nathan said, stating the obvious. "What do you think may be wrong?"
"I don't know. But we're sure as hell going to find out" Haley said with resolve.
The group were scattered around the table in the kitchen of Nathan and Haley's house. She had called the others when she left the school telling them to meet back at hers. She had driven home via Lucas' house only to find that he wasn't there. He must have guessed that she would have gone there to check on him.
"Well, closing himself off is a definite sign that there is something bothering him" stated Peyton, finally joining in the conversation. "He has never been one for letting others in."
"Yeah well that needs to stop. He's hiding something. It's just so typical of him, not wanting us to get involved" Haley sighed sadly.
The group was silent for a moment before Brooke spoke up.
"I have a suggestion but you probably won't like it" she said the questioning glances of the others.
When they made no indication that they were about to speak, she continued.
"Why don't we follow him? See what he's up to, where he goes, that sort of thing. That way we may be able to figure out what's wrong."
The others looked uncomfortable about this suggestion, particularly Peyton.
"I don't know Brooke. What if he finds out? I for one know I wouldn't be happy if you lot spied on me. He will be mad."
"Well that's just a risk we will have to take. I know it's not a fantastic idea, but at least we might be able to find out what's wrong and hopefully help him."
The others were silent once again as they pondered the idea.
"I agree with Brooke" said Nathan at length. "Sure, Luke will be pissed off if he finds out, but he can't keep acting like this. If he doesn't want to tell us then this is the only way to find out"
Reluctantly, Peyton and Haley agreed, silently hoping that Lucas wouldn't be made aware of their plan.
"In the mean time, act normal when we do see him, ok?"
"ok." Replied the others.
After driving around town for what felt like hours, Lucas finally returned home. He sluggishly made his way into the house and headed straight for his bedroom. He sat down heavily on the bed and looked skyward. He breathed deeply, as though calming himself. He looked around his room, as though seeing it from afar. Like in his office, his eyes landed on the pictures scattered across his dresser. He stood up and walked to them to get a closer look. He picked up one taken recently of him, Nathan and Jamie. It was from Halloween when they all dressed up as the ghost busters after much pestering from Jamie.
Lucas let out a smile as he gently placed the picture down. There were many across the dresser. Him with the guys, Haley and Nathan, Lily and Karen and the Honey grove prom picture. One picture took centre place. It was the one of him as a baby with his mother and Keith.
He picked up the picture as though it would break if he was too forceful and slowly traced his fingers across the smiling faces.
"I wish you were here. I wish you could help me with this." he whispered.
The silence in the room was broken by his cell ringing. Lucas frowned as he looked at it, wondering who would be calling this late. He was unsurprised to see that it was Brooke. Not wanting to talk, he switched the phone off and threw it onto his desk.
He had hated the past few days and wanted nothing more than to sleep for as long as possible. But as he lay down in his soft sheets, he knew that sleep wouldn't be coming to him very quickly. His mind was racing, trying to process all that had happened. He sighed deeply. He had been doing a lot of that recently he mused.
His thoughts went back to his family and friends and knew that they would be more than a little upset by his behaviour. Especially Haley. He cringed when he looked back on their conversation. He knew he was out of line and vowed to see her tomorrow and apologise. Then he was going to act normal and pretend all was right with the world.
But for Lucas Scott, things had never been more unstable.
You either liked it, or hated it. Let me know! Leave a review! And feel free to ask any questions!
