Authors Note: Hey everyone, I'm new to the fan fiction thing but not new to the writing thing. Anyways this is an AU fic that will pretty much explain itself as it goes along. Since I don't want anyone reading it and expecting other couples so I'll tell you who the couples are. This is a Nathan/Haley, Lucas/Peyton fic. Anyways, I want to say thank you to Miranda for betaing my story for me, anyways, I hope you like it and reviews are always welcome! Don't get discouraged if it goes a little slow, this story has a smooth but somewhat slow pace, but it'll all come together, I promise...lol

The Broody Boy and the Tutor Girl

It was just another warm late-summer day. The sun was shimmering through the window, lighting up the closet he was digging through. After moving a few sweatshirts and blankets, he finally found what he was looking for.

"Do I even have to ask?" Stepping out of the closet there was his mom in the bedroom doorway.

"No, I'm meeting Skillz in ten minutes."

"Alright, well come by the café today when you finish. I'm running out of time to spend with you." He laughed and nodded.

"I know, I'll come by for lunch, okay?"

"Sounds good, have fun."

He smiled before giving her a small hug. Then heading for the door out of his bedroom, but stopping as she called him back.

"Lucas."

"Yeah, mom?"

"Keith wanted to know if you're planning on working Monday."

He thought for a second. "Um…yeah, I can after school. Tell him I'll be there."

"Will do. See you soon."

With a small wave, he left the house and walked down the street, dribbling the ball as he did. He came to the river walk and took in the smell of the air as he slowed his pace down. This was home, his home. Everything that made him who he was. Coming up to the court, he saw that no one else had arrived yet. That didn't bother him much, Lucas always enjoyed tranquility. Taking off his hoodie he dribbled the ball a few times before taking a shot from about 20 feet back.

That shot, along with about 15 others went into the basket without question. However, nobody ever questioned it when Lucas Scott shot the ball. He was highly touted as one of the top shooting guards in North Carolina. Deep down, he knew he was good, but you would never know it in talking to him.

Just as Lucas pulled up to take another shot, a hand came from behind and swatted the ball out of his hands.

"Ah-ha! See it's easy to make all these shots when you got nobody in your face." Reaching out, Lucas gave a quick embrace to one of his oldest friends.

"This coming from the guy who hasn't been able to guard me for almost 6 years now."

"Whatever dawg, just enjoy my company while you got it, cause in two weeks, your boy Skillz isn't gonna be around to keep your head on straight."

"God I know, what am I ever going to do without you." His feigned enthusiasm didn't go unnoticed.

"Yeah, yeah, make jokes now, but you'll be missing me when they're busting your ass in Chapel Hill and you ain't got no one to cry too."

"Okay Skillz, you up for a game?" Skillz laughed a bit as he took the ball and shot it.

"Why the hell else would I be here, dawg. You're a good friend, but I don't hang out with you cause of the good conversation."

Lucas caught the free bouncing ball and moved to the arch of the court. He crouched down and Skillz positioned himself in front and manned up. They played yet another game of basketball, a tradition they started six years and over 1,000 games ago. Lucas however played more then just here on the river-court. He was the starting shooting guard for the Tree Hill Ravens and one of the top players in school history. He averaged 23 points per game during his senior season and his 73 three point percentage was good enough to have the University of North Carolina offer him a full ride scholarship.

About 90 minutes later, Lucas and Skillz finished their game, in which Lucas came out on top 21-16. They moved to the small set of bleachers and took a seat. Skillz then pulled out a couple bottles of waters from his bag and handed one to Lucas.

"Good game, dawg. I thought I had you after that three."

"Yeah well, I think you would have if I hadn't gotten lucky on that lay up. It shouldn't have went in."

"You're too modest man. That shot wasn't luck, you have that touch on your finger. Those balls don't roll that way on accident, it's all you."

Lucas took a quick drink. "Thanks."

"So…you nervous about leaving, I mean…this is all we know, it's gonna be hard to leave it."

"Yeah…" Lucas surveyed his surroundings, his home. "I'm worried about my mom. I'm gonna miss her."

"She's gonna be okay, Luke. Your mom's tough as hell, dawg." Lucas laughed, his mom was double tough.

"Yeah…she had to be to have raised me on her own." This time it was Skillz who started laughing.

"Oh I know, you're such a rebel Luke. All that late night reading and studying with Haley, that's a mother's worst nightmare."

"What? Are you saying that I'm not capable of causing trouble?"

"Luke, you're one of my best friends, but be real, dawg. Your uncle causes more trouble then you do and he's 30 something years old."

"Yeah, I know. But every time an opportunity to do something…wrong ever came up, I just always thought about my mom. She's been through so much in her life that ever little thing I can do to make things easier for her, I'll do it. I know that it's cost me some great experiences and that…sense of invincibility that a lot of kids have growing up. But, my mom has never had a man around the house to take care of her, so I took that responsibility on myself."

Skillz chuckled a little bit and nodded. "That's good of you Lucas…to be there for your mom. But damn man, I didn't need a speech."

Just then, Lucas checked his watch and couldn't believe the time. "Oh man, sorry but I gotta take off, I told my mom I'd meet her for lunch." Skillz and Lucas both stood as they collected their things.

"Its all good, just make sure you find me one more time before you leave, aight?"

They shook hands and Lucas spoke. "No doubt, take care of yourself." With that, they parted ways.

Stepping into the café, Lucas located his mom behind the counter talking with a young girl. He walked up beside her. "They'll let anyone out in public these days."

"Yeah, you're living proof." Lucas finally smiled as the girl did the same, she then stood and they hugged.

"How are ya Hales?"

She pulled back with a bit of disgust on her face. "I'm good, covered in sweat now, but good nonetheless."

"Yeah…sorry about that."

"You two hungry?" Karen chimed in and Lucas nodded quickly.

"Starving."

"Pig," Haley muttered.

"Shut up, I used all of my energy."

He sat down beside her and they chatted for a bit as Karen made them both some lunch. She brought them each a tuna melt sandwich with some fries and the two kids ate together. During the meal, Haley noticed Lucas scanning the café.

"You okay there, Luke?"

Snapping out of his slight trance, he looked over at her with a sad smile. "Do you remember back in sixth grade? The rains came and it poured for three days straight…not letting up at all, with all that lightning." Haley nodded as he continued. "We came here during the second night. The bus dropped us off but it was too far of a walk to either of our houses and this was the closest place we could go. The two of us stayed here all night, buried under the only blanket we could find on the couch. It was the biggest storm in years, but I just…felt so safe that night."

Even if he didn't mean to, Lucas's words had succumbed Haley to tears that she really didn't want or need right now. She punched him hard in the arm and he laughed a little. "Sorry Hales, I didn't mean to make you cry."

"Oh sure, bring up the old memories of our life and you didn't expect me to cry…jackass."

Just then Karen came from the back. "Haley, why are you crying?"

"Because your son sucks!"

"What?"

"I was telling the story of when she and I were stuck in here during that huge storm."

Haley again smacked his arm. "Stop dammit." Lucas and his mom both laughed as Haley wiped her tears.

"Here Haley."

Karen handed her a tissue.

"Thanks, God I'm going to miss this place. Why does everything have to change?"

"It'll be okay, Hales. You'll still have me…I'll do my best too keep it somewhat familiar."

"I know…God, I don't know what I'd do if we weren't going together. I'm not ready to face real life by myself."

Karen looked at both kids and smiled. "Maybe so, but you two will be just fine together, I know it."

They stayed for another three hours and helped Karen with the remainder of the day, also helping to clean and close up.

"Mom!"

"Yeah?" She shouted from the back.

"Hales and I are gonna take a walk. I'll be home before dark!"

"Okay, bye kids!"

"Bye Karen!"

The sun was going down and it was barely illuminating the sidewalk as the two kids made their way down the path. Haley was walking with a drag in her step, almost as if something was weighing on her mind.

Seeing this, Lucas placed an arm around her. "What's on your mind, buddy?"

"I don't know…lots of stuff. Did you know that my parents are leaving two days before I do? They won't even be here to say goodbye when we go. Actually, that reminds me…can I stay with you the night before we leave?"

Lucas chuckled a little but still felt bad for Haley. Her parents were so experienced in seeing their kids leave that it wasn't really affecting them that Haley was preparing to start her life on her own. If they only knew how much their lack of concern or enthusiasm was bothering their daughter.

"Of course you can. And I'm sorry that they're leaving before we leave, but…you gotta know that they're gonna miss you Hales."

"I know they are, I just…wish they'd show it…you know?"

He responded sympathetically, "Yeah I know."

Haley was tired of feeling sad, so she changed the subject. "So…three days of immortality left. Tomorrow is my last day with Lydia and Jimmy and then the day before we leave will have to be spent with your mother. So that gives us one day in between, anything special you wanna do?"

He thought for a second, of course he wanted to do something, but it had to be just right. "Hmm…what do you think about camping out in the café overnight? For old times sake?"

He smiled as Haley again had tears forming in her eyes.

"Damn you, Lucas. Stop making me cry!"

"Sorry, but do you want to do that?"

"Yeah, but don't get mad at me if I cry the whole time."

He grinned and then nudged her with his hip a little. "You're such a baby."

Just then, Haley swung her back leg around and kicked Lucas in the butt.

"Ouch!"

"Hey kettle, this is the pot…you're black."

"Whatever Hales."

Suddenly, Haley's demeanor changed as she grew a bit more serious "Lucas? It's going to be okay…leaving and everything? We'll be alright, right?"

"We will, I promise."

He knew it was a hard promise to make. How could he possibly know what would come from this? They were about to take the next, relatively huge, step of their future, the naïve subtleties of high school were over now. The only thing left was…well, the rest of their lives.

let me know what you think!