I sat behind the counter of Karen's café, absentmindedly playing with a crack in the surface. My mind was somewhere else that day-I had done very little work and mostly gazed out the window. It was Friday evening, and of course I was stuck closing the shop. I really didn't mind, but I wanted my Friday night to myself, even if I rarely had plans other than studying.

I sighed and rested my chin on my hands, beginning to feel lazy. The café was quiet, save for the humming of the latte mixer behind me. My thoughts were fogged and I was slowly slipping away from reality. Closing my eyes, I drifted into a peaceful sleep.

In my sleep, I distantly heard the little bell chime, letting me know someone had just entered the shop. Subconsciously, though I was still sleeping, I prayed it wasn't Karen. She would kill me if she found me asleep. Someone was close to me now, I could feel it and I heard my name being called. No! I tried to scream back. I don't want to wake up. Go away! But I couldn't, my vision was gone, I was sleeping, resting.

"Haley," the person persisted, and I scrunched my face.

"Go way," I mumbled, awakening slowly from my sleep. The person said my name again, this time in an annoying sing-song voice. I cursed them and automatically swung my hand up and swatted them in what I hoped was the face.

The person made a noise of frustration and began shaking me. Giving up, I fluttered my brown hues open and rubbed my eyes. My vision beginning to cease blurring, I found my sleep-invader to be none other than my best friend, Lucas Scott.

"Grrr," I mumbled, squinting at him. "Damn you Lucas. I was *sleeping*."

Lucas smirked, but rubbed his nose. "You got me pretty hard there, Hales."

I smirked back, happy. "Serves you right."

He shook his head, and took a seat on the stool across from me. "Sleeping on the job, eh?"

I glared at him as I began to scribble on some loose-leaf paper. I sighed, and rubbed my temples.

He looked at me. "So, when are you closing?"

I grumbled. "Luke. It's Friday night. Not till late." Lucas drummed his fingers on the table and pursed his lips. I was beginning to get irritated. "Do you want something?"

He feigned hurt and I couldn't help but smile. He had this way of making even my most crankass moods better. "What? Can't a guy just visit his best friend at work?"

I laughed softly and shrugged. "Sure. What are you doing tonight? It's Friday, shouldn't you be at some party with Peyton or something?"

He narrowed his eyes at me and for some reason I was sorry I had brought the blonde up. "What?"

He ran a hand through his hair and shook his head. "Don't talk about her. It makes my head hurt. That whole thing...Peyton, Brooke, grr I hate it."

I looked thoughtful at him. I hated drama and wasn't going to be pulled into his problems, but he was my best friend I wanted to listen. "What's wrong?"

Lucas shook his head and looked into my eyes. My heart skipped a beat and I mentally kicked myself. Of course I had always harbored a crush on my handsome best friend, but it would never elevate to anything more than a silly schoolgirl crush. He was too busy having cheerleaders throw themselves at him and I was his best friend. Best friends didn't think about each other like that...lately I had been having to tell myself that a lot.

"I dunno, Hales." I grinned at my nickname. "It's so screwed up. Let's not get into it. It's Friday. Up for something?"

I shook my head. "Luke, I won't be done till late. Don't sit around waiting for me-go out, have fun. I'm boring, remember?"

He grinned playfully. "How could I forget?" I swatted his arm and sighed. Honestly, I was so freaking sick of the best friend label. I hated being shadowed constantly in school and my newfound semi acquaintance with Peyton made me feel like shit. Here was this gorgeous, tall, thin, blonde cheerleader and here was me, boring looking girl. I hated how she could get any guy she wanted and I hated even more how her best friend was Brooke Davis, who hated me with such a passion, was always trying to get Lucas. Sometimes, I got sick over the thought of Luke with one of them and it hurt me. I didn't know why, I mean, he was my best friend, I couldn't like him. Right?

"You're not boring," Luke said, grinning. "Honestly. Okay, well, maybe a little."

I shot him a death glare and fiddled with my fingers.

"Kidding, kidding," he said. "So, Hales, wanna do something tonight?"

I looked up at him and grinned. "Certainly," I said. "How could I resist Lucas Scott?"

He smirked an evil smirk and tousled my hair the way he always did, making me feel like 'one of the guys.' "You can't resist me, no one can."

I rolled my eyes and went back to scribbling on my notepad.

"Ah yes, Oh Sexy One," I said, flapping my arms in mock worthiness.

He snickered and just looked at me. "Well, I'm off, I'll call you in a bit, okay?"

I nodded and went back to work as he left. He didn't see it, but I watched him leave and the way he walked made me have butterflies. He was so - - oh I didn't even know, but these new feelings were getting on my nerves. He was my best friend and would NEVER be interested in me. Sighing, I shrugged it off for the moment and went back to work.

**

Okay so that's the first chapter. Not much of a chapter, but it's Christmas Eve so yehh! I'll update if I get feedback, so hit that cute little purple button! *wink wink hint hint* haha :)

Happy Holidays Everyone . Hoping you all have a safe and healthy holiday.

Love n Strawberries ~*~*Nina