Standing in the kitchen leaning over the sink Haley James Scott is teetering on the brink of a meltdown. It had been a stressful week for her with rent being due and finals she was yet to study for. This was enough to fracture her already fragile psyche causing her to lash out at Nathan. The argument becoming so heated she felt the need to retreat to another area of the apartment to regroup.

Haley stole a glance at him over her shoulder and saw him angrily thumbing the controls of a new video game. It also had been the subject on which their heated exchange was based. Haley thought it was irresponsible to make such a purchase knowing that they were strapped for cash. Rolling her eyes she turned back to her previous postion her hands gripping the edge of the sink so hard her knuckles turned white.

Suddenly the bell rang but she made no move that showed she aknowledged it. Instead she stood frozen in place and in her internal misery. She only faintly heard Nathan cursing under his breath as he went to answer the door. Soon the room was filled with Lucas's voice greeting both Nathan and herself.

She fumed when Lucas inquired about her mood and Nathan relayed their fight to him. To prevent another one Haley decided to head to the bedroom she turned slightly only to feel his hands running up and down her forearms. She exhaled as his hands blazed trail leaving goosebumps in their wake.

She knew no matter how mad she was the moment he touched her everything disappeared. Haley finally let down her guard letting her body fall back against him. He wrapped his arms around her waist pulling her close as she leaned on him for support. Her eyes rolled closed as her head hit his shoulder and she let out an audible sigh.

Haley would've forgotten that Lucas was there if it weren't for the sound of him playing the game Nate had abandoned. She stood there a few more minutes enjoying the feel of being in his embrace before she decided to turn around.
When she did Haley saw that "he" was Lucas.

She should've been surprised but she wasn't her body knew the difference but she deicided to ignore it. She wanted someone to hold her and he sensed it and that was good enough. Haley wound her arms around his neck her eyes warily drifting over to the couch where Nathan's eyes darted from the screen to hers.

She could tell he was starting to get bothered by the now ten minute embrace but that didn't stop her from closing her eyes and hold'n on.

The End