Hey everyone! Sorry I haven't updated in awhile. I was having a little writers block concerning this particular fic. Anyways, thank you all who left reviews and even PMed me asking me to update. I appreciate it so much! I hope you like this next chapter! Enjoy…

Chapter 4: "Not So Easy"

"What are we doing tonight?" Peyton asked, looking over at Haley as they both grabbed books from their lockers.

Haley shrugged her shoulders, not knowing what to say. Tonight was the night she was supposed to go out with Lucas. But, had she even agreed to go? The truth was, she hadn't. However, she couldn't help but be intrigued by the offer.

Peyton shut her locker, as she directed her eyes back towards Haley. She quirked an eyebrow as she waited for her best friend to say something.

Haley looked her way once she was done dealing with her books. She didn't tell Peyton about the whole incident with Lucas. "I need to tell you something." She said, in a slow, hushed voice.

"Please tell me you didn't almost have sex with a Scott boy again." Peyton said, rolling her eyes. The tone in her voice had a hint of laughter to it, and she was speaking rather loudly.

"Peyton!" Haley yelled, before looking around the hallway making sure no one had heard the conversation between the two.

"I'm sorry." Peyton said, unable to keep herself from laughing at the panic look displayed across Haley's facial features. "Is everything okay?" She added, her own facial expressions becoming more serious with each word.

Once Haley nodded in response, she went on to tell Peyton about her little encounter with a certain blonde boy. She explained how the minute she walked out of the shower, she saw him lying on her bed, a mischievous smile playing upon his lips.

"You have to go, Hales." Peyton said, once Haley was done with her story. She grabbed a hold of Haley's forearm, "And then, you have to finish what you started the other night." She added, smiling brightly.

"Peyton." Haley said, sternly. "That was a mistake. I don't know what go into me."

"I do." Peyton mumbled.

Haley rolled her eyes before she began walking down the hallway. Once Peyton was by her side, she continued, "Besides, I'm paying for that mistake, obviously."

Peyton let out a heavy sigh. "Just think about it. Okay?"

Haley nodded slowly, watching as Peyton glanced down at her watch.

"I have to go meet up with Jake, but I'll call you after school." She said, before sending Haley a slight wave and walking off.

Haley shook her head slightly before continuing her walk down the hallway to her next class. She maneuvered her way amongst the many teenagers flooding the small and narrow hallway.

Once she was halfway to her class, she felt a hand grab her arm and pull her into a classroom. She opened her mouth to speak, yell even, but was stopped once a finger was placed gently against her lips. She looked up to see Lucas standing before her.

"What are you doing?" She asked once he removed his finger from her lips.

"I wanted to see you." He mentally laughed to himself as he spoke, knowing this girl was going to give in, in no time.

"Well, now you've seen me." She said, as she looked away, trying to fight the blush that was creeping to the surface of her cheeks.

"We still on for tonight?" He asked, bringing his face just a bit closer to her own.

Haley's breath caught in her throat. Was she even going to go? The constant voice in her head was telling her to just stay as far away possible from this boy, but then again, something else was telling her to just go for it.

"I, um…" She said, trying to find the right words. She looked down at her hands, out of a nervous habit she had grown to obtain over the years.

Lucas brought his hand to her chin, tilting her head slightly so that her eyes were looking up at his own. He had to admit she had beautiful eyes. They were so innocent looking, yet so dark and mysterious, but not in a bad way.

Once he felt himself staring, he looked away. "You what?" He whispered, looking back at her.

Haley sighed inwardly. "I'll see you at 8." She said, not fully aware of the words coming out of her mouth.

Lucas smiled down at her. "8 it is." He said, before bringing his lips to her cheek and kissing her softly. He moved away from her and walked out of the classroom, not caring if anyone had seen the encounter between them. He had a bet to win, and he was going to do whatever it takes.

----

"I knew you were going to say yes." Peyton said, once she and Haley took a seat for lunch.

Haley rolled her eyes as she opened her bottle of water. "I must be crazy." She said, before taking a sip.

"Why? Because you're attracted to an extremely hot guy?" Peyton questioned.

"No. Because I'm attracted to an extremely hot guy that happens to be one of the biggest jerks in school." She shook her head, thinking she was going nuts. How could she like him?

"Minor detail." Peyton said, laughing to herself.

"This isn't funny, Peyton. When I'm with him, I just feel like I can't think for myself. I feel like I have no control at all. That isn't normal."

"That's how I feel with Jake most of the time." Peyton replied, smiling to herself.

"Yeah, but you two are in love." Haley sat back in her chair, looking across the table at her friend.

"And maybe you're on your way." Peyton said, looking directly at her.

Haley laughed loudly. "And what drugs are you on again?" She asked.

"Ha, ha." Peyton said, not amused in the slightest. "Time will tell."

----

Haley stared at her reflection in the mirror. Five outfits, three hairstyles later, she had finally decided on how she wanted to look for tonight. She had been calling Peyton nonstop asking her questions every five minutes. Peyton would laugh at her, making her feel even more like a fool.

She looked at the clock, which read 7:55 p.m. A chill went down her spine as she thought about what tonight was going to be like. Would she end up doing something she regretted like she had the night of the party? Would he just ditch her again?

The sound of the doorbell ended her thoughts. She gave herself one last look before she rushed down the stairs to the front door. Pausing for a moment, she took in a deep breath before placing her hand on the doorknob and opening the door slowly.

He stood before her dressed in khaki shorts and a dark blue polo shirt. "Hey." He said softly.

She smiled up at him and he sent a smile in return, taking in her appearance. She, herself, was wearing a black skirt that was knee length and a white camisole. He couldn't help but think how pretty she looked. Even though she was in an outfit some would call plain, she still had something about her.

He shook his head, trying to get rid of the thoughts. "You ready to go?" He asked.

"Yeah, um…let me get my purse." She said before walking towards the living room.

Lucas walked closer to the door, but stayed outside as he waited for her. Haley appeared back at the door only moments after she had left. She smiled once again. "Ready." She said, shutting the door behind her.

----

"So," Haley began as she looked in Lucas' direction, "This is where you wanted to take me?" She asked as they walked down the long pier, a large body of water surrounding them.

Lucas laughed slightly. "You don't like it?" He asked her.

"No, it's beautiful!" Haley replied in her defense. She stopped walking once they reached their destination, a small water fountain placed in the middle of the pier. "I'm just a little confused as to why you brought me here."

He nodded slowly, taking a seat by the water fountain. She sat beside him turning her body towards his. "It's just calming here, you know? It gets me away from all the shit in my life." He ran a hand through his hair before looking over at the water before them.

Haley took in a deep breath. She wasn't sure exactly why he was telling her this, but she was glad he was. "Like what?" She heard herself ask.

He looked over at her, shaking his head a bit. "Nothing you want to hear about."

"Oh. Okay." She said, quietly, looking down. She was crazy to think he would actually tell her.

Lucas could hear the disappointment in her voice. He brought his hand to the side of her face, rubbing his thumb lightly against her cheek.

Haley looked up, slightly shocked at the intimate gesture. She leaned into his touch before he brought his lips to her own, kissing her softly.

He went to deepen the kiss, but felt her pull away. He cleared his throat before moving away from her. That was new.

"I'm sorry." She said, not looking directly at him. "That night at the party…" She paused, taking in a deep breath. "I wasn't myself. I -" She was cut off as Lucas got up from his seat.

"It's fine." He mumbled. "We should get going." He added, looking anywhere and everywhere except in her direction.

Haley nodded before getting up as well.

Was he mad because she pulled away, or because he simply wasn't used to not getting what he wanted? He wasn't quite sure.

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