The material of the white baby doll dress she wore caressed her skin like satin it made Haley forgo using a sheet. The dress had cap sleeves with a see through bodice that made her wear a peach colored bra to make it less revealing. The length of it stopped just above her thighs which was not really her style but it was summer and Tree Hill was in the middle of an intense heat wave. A half hour into her nap Haley heard the soft click of the door closing. She immidiately wished she had the covers up it gave her a sense of security even if it was false.
Haley listened as the footesteps crept toward the bed "Hales are you awake?" she heard Lucas whisper loudly. "Yeah I'm up" she answered sitting up to look at him.
"Is everything alright? You've been avoiding me since graduation like I have a disease and then out of the blue you call me to this place? He wore an expression of concern and mild irritation as he stared up at her from the foot of the platform where the bed was placed.
Haley had been avoiding everything Scott since she and Nathan divorced a couple of months ago. Haley didn't think either of them should sacrifice their futures and if it was meant to be that they would find their way back to each other when the time was right. It was a hard decision for her to make but they had grown apart and she wanted to limit the fall out. It was the toughest decision she'd ever made but she knew she needed to make it because he wouldn't. Nathan never would do it because he loved her too much but she knew he needed to do what was right for his self now or he'd hate her later.
Even though it pained her to do so she cut herself off from Lucas. Nathan needed his brother and she would not deny the two to bond over something other than their mutal hatred for dan. Nathan never knew Lucas's power to soothe or what a good friend he could be and Haley thought that's the least she could do for him.
Now staring at Lucas's accusing eyes she began to realize that maybe it wasn't only her decision to make. " I thought Nathan and I were forever and when we... I just wanted to feel like me again Luke" she explained her voice shaking as she gathered her knees to her chest. Her eyes followed him as he made his way up the platform. The blinds that covered the glass door created a pattern that flitted across his handsome face as he walked by as well as shielded it from the potentially harsh light. "I get that hales I really do but just because things didn't work out between you and him doesn't mean that it has to be the end of you and me." Lucas said a he came to sit at the edge of the bed capturing her hand from it's defensive pose. Haley looked down on the bed to where their hands now layed entwined between them.
" I realized something Luke being myself means being with you... you're a part of it... a part me and that's why I called " She said breaking the brief silence that nestled between them. A contageous smile broke over his face that travelled to his eyes and Haley couldn't help but notice the touch of red that tinged his cheeks. "I missed you too" he said untagling their hands and touching her cheek.
"Just answer one question Hales? Could you find a farther place to go? Do you know how many times I got lost on the way here? jeez!" Lucas said causing Haley break into a fit of laughter. She fell back into the long downe filled pillows that lined the top of the bed " I know. I just wanted to go to a place where people didn't look at me as the pathetic seventeen year old divorcee" Haley said looking down to at her feet.
Lucas instantly grew serious "You are not pathetic and I asure you no one looks at you that way" He said sincerly." Look at it this way you followed your heart and that's the bravest thing to do sometimes. Because you never know where it's going to lead you" he said tilting her chin up to meet his eyes.
"Can you do me a favor? Luke" she asked staring up at him "anything" he replied.
"Hold me" she whispered before turning around so that he could spoon with her.
Lucas pulled her close wrapping an arm protectively around her waist and inhaling the lavender scent of her hair. He began to doze almost immediately only to awake to her calling his name "Luke" Haley whisperserd over her shoulder.
"Hmm" came his groggy reply. " Are you asleep?" she asked "Not anymore. What's on your mind ?" he asked "Oddly enough nothing I've been agonizing over my relationship with both of you for the past few months and now it doesn't seem that crucial... I mean It still matters but... I feel better about it than I have in a while thanx." she said almost inaudibly as she stroked the arm he had draped over her midsection absently.
"Don't mention it . You had a lot to deal with this year everyone has I don't blame you for wanting to get away and clear your head. I wish I could but I have to look out for my mom ya know?" Haley suddenly turned to face him " You could stay here with me. I have the room until sunday maybe we could clear our heads together"she explained softly. After a long pause he replied "Well I think she could survive two days without me". Haley laughed and at the same time she took in his appearance for the first time that day. He wore a blue and white vertical striped button down shirt with a white t- shirt beneath and some loose fitting faded blue jeans. His hair was freshly shorn and a solitary diamond adorned his right ear "why are you so dressed up?" Haley asked quizzically. "I had lunch with Whitey today we went over my college picks this year" He stated simply.
" and speaking of attire " he continued lifting the hem of her dress a little causing her to blush and push his hand away. "Oh come on! give me a break it's like five hundred degrees out there!" Haley said trying to fight a smile.
"I didn't say anything's wrong with it in fact I think you look beautiful" He said sincerely.
Suddenly Haley couldn't help herself reaching up to where he looked down on her she pulled his face inches from her. She then proceeded to plant a kiss on his forehead, cheeks and nose stopping to gage his reaction before she went further.
His eyes bore into her waiting curious to see if she'd actually make the move that he knew she wanted to make. Haley sat frozen staring at her destinaton before watching as he deliberately ran his tongue over his lips and smirking slightly she leaned in.
The moment their mouths touched Haley almost swore she heard fireworks.
The kiss was slow and so intoxicating that it left her breathless. Lucas leaned back looking for some kind of reaction but she was so unprepared for the emotions she felt she couldn't offer any. After a few moments Lucas slid a hand along the side of her face before gently cradling her neck and leaning down to capture her lips again. This kiss was more intense and using his tongue he invaded the deepest caverns of Haley's mouth causing her to ache.
Soon Haley found herself looking down at him from where she straddled his thighs.
The look on his face was indescribeable a mixture of desire and something unsettling. It was so unsettling to Haley that she stopped him just as he unbuttoned the last button on the bodice of her dress. "What's wrong?" she asked stopping his hand. "Right now? You for interupting me" he joked swatting her hand away. "Don't do that" Haley said her tone growing serious "Don't do wha..." he started before she cut him off " Don't act like I can't tell when something's wrong with you it's insulting." she replied furrowing her brows for emphasis. "Come on Hales are you serious?" Lucas said taking in her heated expression " As a heart attack" she exclaimed folding her arms defiantly. "Look if you don't want to do this..." Lucas began "If I didn't want to finish it I wouldn't have started it but there's obviously something wrong" Haley said as she started to move off of him.
"No wait" Lucas said softly sitting up but holding her in place on his lap. "Sorry I'm being such a jerk he said looking down. "It's just that everything is so out of control for me lately now that keith's gone suddenly I'm the man of the house. I have to admit he left some pretty big shoes to fill how do I measure up to that? Plus something's going on between Brooke and Peyton that I have no clue about yet I get the feeling it invloves me go figure. " "You don't have to save everyone you're only human Luke you're not superman" Haley said softly touching his face.
"Then to top it all off you were avoiding me like the plague these past couple months I had no one Hales. You are my anchor just as much as I am yours" Lucas said staring straight into her eyes "I need you".