Chapter Two: False Pretenses

Lindsey was surprised to find bags packed and sitting at the edge of Lucas' bed when she awoke the next morning. What worried her most was that Lucas was not soundly asleep next to her. She rubbed sleep from her eyes rising from the bed and tentatively called out his name. When no answer was called back out to her she rose from the bed and went to find him.

Every room in the house was vacant. Lucas was never one to leave without giving her some inclination where he had gone. Her next thought was to see if his car was still in the driveway. As she opened the front door a figure to her left jumped slightly scaring her.

"Oh god Lucas you scared me half to death. How long have you been out here?" she asked still clutching her chest.

Lucas regained his composure resting his cheek on his fist. "I don't know awhile maybe. I couldn't sleep last night so I didn't want to wake you." he grunted his eyes still fixated out into the street.

There was something about Lucas that bothered Lindsey. It was not just the indifferent tone in his voice but the fact he was not looking at her. He did not even turn to face her after she had scared him. She wanted to scream "Look at me for god sakes." The words, however, caught in her throat and she decided to continue to try to be positive though his behavior was more than worrisome.

"Why couldn't you sleep? Where you up late writing?" she tried still making an honest attempt to avoid asking why there were bags packed in his room. Something was not adding up between his behavior and the bags this was strange even for Lucas.

Lucas sighed shifting his position crossing over his left leg. "I tried to write for awhile nothing good came of it so I decided to go to sleep. But I just couldn't fall asleep so yeah I ended up out here."

"Oh." Lindsey trailed off now feeling uncomfortable standing on the porch in her pajamas. She wanted to scream at him hit him anything to make him look at her it was driving her insane. "I was going to make some breakfast I was wondering if you wanted some." she tried weakly as her fingers grasped the doorknob.

"No. I'll be in a minute." he husked not even bothering to pay much attention to her question.

"Okay." Lindsey murmured walking quietly inside tears beginning to leak from the corners of her eyes. She bypassed the kitchen making a beeline for the bathroom just barely locking the door before full fledged sobs escaped her being. She collapsed over the sink trying to come to terms with what had just transpired on the porch. Lucas Scott had never been distant towards her he was such a kind and loving person she could not place the reason why he was acting the way he was.

"Lindsey." she heard him call from the front door. Immediately she rose from her kneeling position running the faucet and splashing cold water upon her face. When she felt she looked presentable she emerged from the bathroom and made her way to the kitchen.

"Oh hey I was looking for you." he stated as she appeared in the hallway.

Lindsey inhaled deeply. "Well here I am." Silence fell between them. When her eyes sought Lucas a sudden pang flooded through her chest when she saw the guilt. Her little game of playing stupid was over she needed to know. The guilt written in his eyes was almost to much for her to bear.

"Listen Luke, I'm not going to play stupid or lie to myself anymore. You wouldn't even look at me this morning and there are bags packed sitting at the edge of your bed. So tell me what's going on." she finishes with her final bravado suddenly becoming weak as his intense burning gaze stares right through her.

Lucas Scott knows his façade is up. There is no point in lying to her any further. He takes a deep breath before he steps towards her though keeping his distance. "I haven't been myself lately. I haven't been able to write anything worth publishing or anything that I even like. I can't sleep at night because I can't write and I've lying to you about the progress of my book."

Lindsey rose an eyebrow, "you still haven't answered my question about the bags. That is really all I'm concerned about at this present moment." she states calmly though now she is angered by the fact that he had been lying to her for almost two months maybe even longer she was not quite sure yet.

"I need to get from Tree Hill for awhile at least. Maybe go see my mom and Lilly I don't know but I just need to get away and clear my head." his eyes dart away from her and to the floor.

"Okay, why didn't you just tell me all of this? I wish I could understand why all of this happening but I know you and you won't be happy with yourself until you get away so go." she states very plainly.

Lucas closes the space between them in three steps their faces only centimeters away from each other. Lindsey knows he will not kiss her, not yet anyway so she takes the initiative pressing her lips against his. There is something different about this kiss, something that is off. It does not feel like Lucas kissing her but someone else, but she pushes this from her head to try to commit this kiss to memory since they had not had much intimate contact recently.

Lucas pulls away without another word and takes flight to his bedroom and reappearing only seconds later with bags draped over either shoulder. Lindsey forms a weak smile upon her lips. "Goodbye" she murmured tears beginning to brim in her eyes.

"Bye Linds." he whispered brushing his lips against hers before he departs.

The tears begin to leak from her eyes as she finds herself standing alone in the middle of his house, the memory of this morning still ghosting over her. He did not even say goodbye but that was not even the root of their problems.

---

Today was a rare day for Julian and Peyton both, for the first time in months they both had the day off prompting an exclusive day just to themselves. Needless to say they slept right through the alarm only when the clock read twelve oh three did Peyton finally stir. She felt fully energized ready for whatever the day brought them but her stomach was empty and that needed to be taken care of before anything else came about for the day.

She slid from her bed careful not to wake Julian who was still sound asleep on the other side of the bed. Padding quietly to the kitchen she opens the drawn blinds letting light flood into her apartment. As she rummaged through her cabinets Peyton stops becoming disappointed that there is absolutely no food in her apartment. Clearly she and Julian had forgotten to do grocery shopping this week.

"Good morning sexy." she hears the deep rumble of his voice from the doorway. A smile instantly parts her lips as she flies across the room and into his arms. Their lips meet in a simple kiss though the heat is quickly on as Julian pulls her close to his body intensifying the kiss. Peyton moans into his mouth and Julian seizes the opportunity to entwine their tongues. Her arms wrap around his neck and her lips trail to his jaw line stringing kisses as they move.

It takes Julian only another moment the hoist both of her legs over his hips as he walks them over to the counter. He sets her gently down but then resumes his attack. She can feel his lips everywhere roaming over every inch of her skin and his warm breath in her ear as he whispers a string of 'I loves yous' which sends through the roof. Julian finds her lack of clothing most efficient this afternoon in the heat of moment. Most times before they made love he took his time removing each piece of her clothing but now there was no time to waste. It was a race to the finish for both of them while his hands worked eagerly beneath her worn three sizes too big hoodie finding the soft fabric that belonged to her underwear.

Peyton giggles pulling away from him a wide smile parting both her lips. "You're such a naughty boy." she murmurs seductively running her fingertip along his lips. His devious smile indicates everything as he crashes his lips against hers. Her hands work flawlessly as his gym shorts fall the ground leaving him clad in only his boxers a sight she loves best. But her focus is not on that right now in fact she can not focus at all as Julian has his way with sliding his panties down her legs. She moans a cry of anticipation but he is not that easily affected.

"Oh we're playing this my way today." he whispers in purely teasing seductive voice.

---

Lucas stood outside a door branded with a number that read 24B. He had been standing out here for awhile now trying to pluck up the courage to raise his arm and knock. Every time he tried though, he felt his arm go limp at his side. He suddenly feels awkward standing alone in the hallway looking like a poor pathetic lost soul or a boy crawling back to his girlfriend after a fight. He does not want to be that guy, but now he feels like he is. He knows she is just behind the white door but to see her again after all this time after so many unanswered questions leaves him feeling unworthy of her presence. However, Lucas Scott did not fly across the country just to stand here like an awkward human. He needed answers and he wanted answers. Triumphantly, he raises his arm rapping his knuckles against the wood and waits. It is the only thing he can do.

---

Peyton hears the light knock at her door causing her to pull away from Julian. He looks up to her confused but her look is even more confused that his. No one ever knocked on her door. In fact she was not sure if anyone actually knew where she lived. Just as Julian presses his lips against hers once more the knock interrupts them causing Julian to groan in frustration. "Just ignore it." he husks fiercely placing his hand upon her hip.

Peyton shakes her head no, "Come on Julian we have all day to play around. Besides it's rude."

He does not put up a fight and lets her slide down from the counter. "Uh can you answer the door though?"

Peyton looks to him confused then chuckles softly as she sees his erection poking from beneath the fabric of his boxers. "Sure no problem." She pulls on her underwear and Julian's basketball shorts then proceeded to tie her hair into a messy knot. She turns the doorknob slowly and then opened the door to reveal someone. Her smile was immediately wiped from her face and she looked as if she had just seen a ghost.

"Lucas."


Author's Note: What I really wanted to show here and the last chapter was the direct contrast between the two relationships. Lucas and Lindsey are barely intact while Peyton and Julian seem all happy go lucky and stronger than ever. So I'm really at a crossroads of where I'll be taking it. Thanks for the reviews they are my sex. Obvs.