Lucas had ignored both Peyton and Nathan for a week. Each of them tried to apologies to him, but he wouldn't listen. He had gone to Peyton's house that day so he could see her, and talk to her like he did on the beach only a few days before, but instead he found her in bed with his brother.

"Lucas! Will you just listen to me?" Peyton had called out after him the next day.

"Why should I?" he asked as he turned to face her.

"We aren't together, you and I, we are nothing. So why are you making a big deal about it?" she asked, looking up at him.

Lucas shook his head in disbelief. "If we really are nothing, why are you standing here trying to explain yourself?" He then walked away from her.

The scene continued to play over and over in his head. He had acted like a complete jackass towards her, but he couldn't help it. He really liked her, and even though they barely knew each other, she still found a way to hurt him. Part of him wanted to stop and listen to her that day, but the other part told him to ignore her and keep walking, so that's what he did.

Lucas now sat in the locker room of the Ravens, after a devastating game. They had lost by one point. With only five seconds to go, Nathan had passed the ball to Lucas. Lucas stood behind the three point line and took the shot, and missed. He knew exactly why he missed the shot that night. His head wasn't with the game, it was with her.

Every Friday was game night for the Tree Hill Ravens. Lucas sat in the locker room, thinking about the game before. Lucas made a fist with his right hand and hit his locker. He was so mad at himself for everything he had done. Lucas released his fist and ran his hands through his hair as he took a seat on the bench in front of him. Nathan then sat down next him. "It's okay man."

Lucas let out a quiet chuckle. Ever since the day he had seen Nathan and Peyton together, Nathan was much nicer than he usually was. If Lucas had missed a shot like that last week, Nathan probably wouldn't speak to him, he would only yell. Nathan thin rested his hand on Lucas' shoulder. "Don't worry about it, it is only one shot." Nathan smiled at him.

"Don't touch me." Lucas said, throwing Nathan's hand off of his shoulder. Lucas then quickly got dressed into his jeans and white shirt, and left the gym. Lucas began to walk home, slowly; he knew he would have the house practically to himself that night. His parents were going out for dinner, and Nathan would probably be at a party, even though they lost. Lucas continued to walk down the side walk, when he heard her voice.

"I am not giving you my purse!" She screamed. She had three men standing in front of her. One of the men grabbed a hold of her hair and jerked on it, causing her to lightly scream, and she then kicked him in the stomach. The other two men then grabbed her by the arms and held her back.

Lucas watched from a short distance. He wished he could have just kept walking, but he knew he was better than that, and he knew he had to help her. Lucas ran toward Peyton and the three men. "Let her go!" he shouted.

The guys turned around, a bit startled to see him. The two that held Peyton didn't move, but the other took a few steps towards Lucas. Lucas charged at him and punched him in the face. The other two men then dropped Peyton and ran away. Lucas kicked the other guy while he was down. "If I was you I would just get up now, and walk away!" Lucas warned. He had plenty of anger built up in side of him from the last week, and he no problem taking it out on a few criminals. The guy stood up, and ran after his friends. Lucas then walked over to where Peyton sat on the ground. "You okay?" he asked as he offered a hand to help her up.

"I didn't need your help." She said coldly, as she stood up on her own.

"Okay." Lucas picked up his bag from the ground and began to walk away.

"But thanks, anyways." Peyton called off as he continued to walk forward. "I guess I owe you one, huh?" she joked as she ran forward to catch up with him.

"Guess so."

"How about I treat you to a dinner, tonight?" she smiled over at him as they continued to walk side by side.

"And miss a precious party?" he joked.

"Well, Brooke did ask me to find Duke, and invite him." She looked over at him and smiled again. "Whats up with that anyways?"

Lucas laughed. "I don't know; she just called me that the other day, the day she gave me your address." He looked down as he recalled everything that had happened that night.

"I'm sorry, Lucas, that must have sucked. Seeing me with Nathan." She looked down.

"Yeah, it did. But let's just try and forget about it?" he asked and placed an arm around her shoulders. "I know a place where we can go, for that dinner you owe me, if you don't mind skipping the party" Lucas winked over at her and they continued to walk away.

Later that night, Lucas placed two plates down on his kitchen table. The plates were pilled with spaghetti. Peyton sat down and was shocked that he made a real meal. "You made this?" Peyton asked as she looked over at him.

"Yeah." Lucas said and sat down across from her. "You learn how to cook at a young age when your mother owns a café." He said with a smirk that grew across his face.

"This is amazing." She said as she took her first bite of the spaghetti. She didn't have very many good meals. Since her dad was never home, most of her dinners were frozen foods you place in the microwave for three minutes. Now she sat in Lucas' kitchen, and was enjoying the first good dinner she had a in a long time, and she was enjoying it with him.

After they had finished eating, Lucas began to wash their dishes. "Thanks a lot Lucas." She said as she walked up behind him while he stood over the sink. "I assumed you were just taking me to a fast food place." She said with a giggle.

Lucas turned the water off and turned to face her. They stood close, their bodies practically touching. Lucas smiled down at her. "Well, I wanted to spend more time with you than just a five minute dinner." He said as he continued to look down at her.

Peyton then placed her arms around his neck and moved closer to him as she kissed him on the lips softly. Lucas placed his hands on her hips and leaned up against the counter. Peyton then began to kiss his neck. She kissed him until a red spot began to form. She moved up to his ear and nibbled on it lightly. "How about we go up stairs?" she whispered.

Lucas pulled away from her and shook his head. "I'm sorry, but no. I like you Peyton, and I don't want to mess things up with you by moving too fast, I just want to take everything kind of slow."

That was the second time Lucas had turned her down, but she liked it. She had never had a guy tell her anything like that before. Most of the guys she had been with actually rushed their relationship, but things were different with Lucas, she was different with Lucas. She felt like a different person when she was near him. "Okay." Peyton said as she bit her bottom lip.

Lucas leaned in towards her and kissed her one last time. "How about I walk you home?" he asked looking at her after he pulled away from the kiss.

Peyton smiled and nodded her head. She grabbed a hold of his hand and they started towards her house, their hands linked together.

Reviews Appreciated, As always!