Thanks for the great reception this fic has gotten. So it's a bit 50/50 on the whole OOC debate, so I might just stick with what I have and see how it goes. A big shout out to all of the reviewers, especially those who didn't think it was too OOC – that gives me hope that I'm on the right track.
Oh and this fic has a season one vibe, so keep that in mind while reading. Thanks!
Disclaimer: I don't own anything that sounds familiar...
Lucas walked up the pathway that led to the Sawyer's residence. As usual he showed no hesitance as he quickly opened the front door and let himself inside. Making his way up the stairs, he entered the bedroom at the end of the hall hoping to find Peyton awake and ready for school. No such luck.
"Wake up, Sleeping Beauty." He whispered softly into her ear, shaking her bare shoulder slightly. Peyton stirred and rolled so she was now facing him. She made an incoherent sound that was a mixture of a groan and a whine, but didn't wake up. Lucas watched as her eyelids flickered ever so slightly and he assumed that she was probably just coming out of a dream.
"Come on babe, wake up." Lucas called a little louder as he shook her none too lightly. Peyton groaned and scrunched up her face in protest.
"Peyt, if you don't get out of bed now, I'm going to get in there with you." Lucas whispered, a smirk playing on his lips.
"Is that a promise?" Peyton asked playfully, bordering on seductive, as a smile crossed her face and her eyes opened slowly. Lucas chuckled as he moved over to her window.
"You wish." He threw over his shoulder. "Now. Get Up." He emphasised each word before pulling on the curtains over her window, letting the early morning sun stream into her room and over her sleeping face.
"No!" she cried as the sunlight half blinded her and she pulled the blanket up over her head to block it out.
Lucas shook his head at her antics and sighed as he moved to the end of the bed. In one swift motion, he yanked the covers off of her to find her lying curled up in a ball. She pouted as she propped herself up on her elbows so she could face him.
"What do you want anyway?" she asked in annoyance as she squinted against the sun.
"I want you." He stated simply, shrugging. Peyton fell back onto the bed laughing as Lucas continued. "To get ready. For school."
Peyton sat up suddenly alert. "School? School!" she cried in realisation as she jumped out of bed.
Lucas watched amused as she rushed around her room trying to pick out an outfit from the various articles of clothing that littered her floor and desk.
"Yep, you know that boring old set of buildings we unfortunately have to attend five days out of the week."
Peyton groaned. "I know what it is, dumb ass. I just kind of forgot that it was today."
"Well hurry up and get ready already so we're not late." He sighed exasperated as she finally settled on her faded jeans and a black band tee. He turned to straighten up her bed.
"Yes sir!" Peyton mock saluted as she hit Lucas on the ass on her way to her adjoining bathroom to get changed.
"Finally." He yelled at her as he saw her walking towards the car.
"Finally." She mocked him while buckling her seatbelt. "Let's go."
Peyton walked up the familiar hallway for what felt like the hundredth time today and saw a familiar figure leaning against her locker, obviously waiting for her. Smiling, she moved net to him and bumped him out of the way with her hip so she could open the locker.
"Want to get out of here?" Lucas leant over to whisper in her ear. Peyton quickly glanced at him before returning to her locker.
"And cut class with you?" Peyton asked innocently.
"No I was talking about cutting class with Santa Claus." He told her sarcastically. "Come on, come with me. School is so boring!" he whined.
"Sorry babe, I can't. History test." She smiled apologetically at him as she held up her notebook. "And besides your mum would murder you. You're supposed to be setting an example for the 'rebellious Sawyer girl' remember?" She reminded him as she quoted what his mum had said the other day.
"So we just won't go near the cafe. Please?" He pouted.
Peyton adamantly shook her head as she returned her focus to her locker, making sure she was exchanging the correct books. Lucas smiled mischievously as he reached out to poke her sides in an attempt to tickle her. It worked as she yelped slightly, hitting his hands away.
"You know you want to." Lucas pushed as he reached for her again, tickling her in all the places only he knew about until she was falling into him with laughter. Noticing the glances they were getting from nearby students, Peyton pushed Lucas away and straightened her shirt. She turned back to her locker but since she couldn't think of anything else she needed, she closed and locked it before walking away. She didn't get very far though as Lucas grabbed her wrist, pulling her against him. Peyton pushed him away and took a step backwards creating distance between them.
"Lucas we don't want people getting the wrong idea about us." She whispered as she glanced at the nearby students who were obviously trying not to watch the two interact.
Lucas scoffed. "Like they would believe I'd date you." He teased. "I just want to get out of here." He returned to pouting.
"Stop whining, that's my job." Peyton reprimanded him. "We have lunch now anyway. I'm sure even you could sit through that."
"But what about after that?" Lucas sighed as he threw his arm around Peyton's shoulder and leant on her as she led him outside for lunch.
"Than after," she began slowly as if explaining to a young child, "You go to class and you listen and take notes and then you emerge all happy because you know you learnt something."
"Ha Ha, you're so funny." He deadpanned. "Smart ass." He muttered under his breath.
"I heard that!" she scolded him as she swatted him playfully in the ribs.
"You were meant to." Lucas shrugged. "I can't believe you won't cut with me. What sort of friend are you?"
"Poor baby." She pinched his cheeks with mock sympathy. Lucas groaned seeing that Peyton wasn't going to give in.
"Fine, fine. But you have to make it up to me."
"Luke, we've talked about this. I'm not going to sleep with you." She mock whispered as she purposefully said it loud enough for people nearby to eye them suspiciously.
"Like I'd want to. Look, all I'm asking is that you come out with me tonight." Lucas propositioned as the two wandered out into the courtyard to find a spare table. Peyton glanced over her shoulder at him guiltily.
"Sorry." She quickly apologised at seeing his shocked and hurt expression.
"Wow, this situation just keeps getting better and better." Lucas sighed as he sat down, Peyton taking a seat across from him.
"I know, but I really can't. I already made plans for tonight. Besides, isn't there some Steinbeck novel you want to read for the hundredth time?"
Lucas merely glared at her while he continued to sit there and sulk, picking at his sandwich. The two sat in silence for a while and Peyton was starting to think that Lucas had dropped the subject.
"So where are you going?" Lucas finally piped up, glancing at Peyton.
"When?" she asked him, being caught off guard at his sudden voice.
"Tonight. You know when you're ditching me." He explained.
"Oh um, Rachel asked me to stop by at this party that she's having. It's not a big deal."
"Rachel? As in Rachel Gattina?" Lucas asked shocked.
"Yep that's the one." Peyton replied uncomfortable.
"Right." Lucas sighed as he returned to playing with his food.
"Okay, what?" Peyton asked exasperated at his sudden attitude.
"Nothing." He grumbled in reply.
"No, it's not nothing. You can't ask me something, using that tone, and then just drop the subject. What's wrong with Rachel Gattina?"
Lucas sighed before answering. "You know what happens at her parties right?"
"Yes dad." Peyton answered sarcastically, rolling her eyes. "I'm sure I can take care of myself."
"Well if you're sure." Lucas spoke bitterly. It was now Peyton's turn to sigh.
"What is up with you?"
"I don't like the idea of you going to this party. I mean how many people will you know there? What are you even going to do?"
"Get drunk and get impregnated, what else?" Peyton told him jokingly. However, Lucas wasn't laughing.
"That's it, I'm coming with you."
Peyton suddenly stood from the table and when Lucas looked into her green eyes, he could see the flashes of fury and could sense the anger in her stance.
"No. You're not." She hissed, trying not to draw attention to herself in the crowded courtyard. "I will not let you ruin this for me. I'm going to start acting my age and if I make mistakes so be it, you can't always be there to save me."
"Somebody's got to." Lucas replied as he quickly bowed his head.
"Just please be happy for me." Peyton whispered as she left him sitting there by himself.