A/N Hey sorry for the wait, I've been super busy with school stuff. Anywho, I'm not too happy with this chapter, I rushed it but hopefully it will be okay...tell me what you think! Thanks for the amazing reviews and enjoy!
Haley whistled brightly to herself as she briskly rounded the street corner and turned into Lucas' road. She sighed softly to herself as she drew nearer to the house, it was his last day before he had his next session of chemo and she wasn't looking forward to seeing him so miserable again, he was still sick from the last one and how could something that made him so ill be making him better? Not to mention now his hair was gone which had made everything feel even more real, she could practically see her best friend fading away before her eyes and she couldn't take it, but she needed to be there for him, he needed her which was why she was going to take him out…try to make him forget what he had to go through tomorrow.
She reached the porch and knocked on the door lightly…
"God you're such a girl! It doesn't matter if they match or not." Peyton said laughing as Lucas rolled his eyes and pulled on the blue beanie hat reluctantly before leaning and kissing her softly, a grin still on his face as she slipped her arms around his thin frame. She smiled as she looked up into his tired blue eyes, god she loved him. She still couldn't believe she was finally with him, after everything they had been through and even in the circumstances she was happy.
"So how are you feeling?" She asked cocking her head to the side and looking up at him as he sighed and scrubbed a hand roughly over his face whilst his other was wrapped around her waist.
"Tired, crappy…but better now you're here." He said softly as she grinned and leant in closer.
"Good answer" She whispered before leaning in closer, their lips inches apart when the door opened causing them to spring apart, Lucas stumbling slightly as Haley entered the room. He could feel himself flushing as she looked between the pair of them, raising an eyebrow.
Haley frowned, trying hard not to smirk as she watched the pair both flush red and shuffle awkwardly as she stared at them both. What had she just walked into? She watched in amusement as they practically stood on opposite sides of the room trying hard to look normal.
"Um…Right." She started as Peyton flushed, her heart hammering as Haley stared at her for a few seconds shooting her an odd look…
"Hey Haley." Lucas said breathlessly, aware of the red tinge forming on his pale face. Haley seemed to regain herself and she looked across at Lucas, fixing a smile on her face, marking his usual pale complexion.
"Hey Luke, how are you feeling?" She asked stealing a quick glance across at Peyton who had her hands stuffed in her pockets and was scuffing her feet on the carpet whilst trying to look inconspicuous. Lucas sighed, he was exhausted, his head hurt, every joint in his body ached but he still felt better than he had all week and tomorrow he would have to go through it all again…but he wouldn't worry them.
"Alright, as good as possible I suppose." He said tugging at his beanie hat awkwardly, he still hadn't got used to having to wear a hat all the time let alone having no hair to fuss over every morning.
"Right, so I'll get right to it then…I was thinking, seeing as this is your last day of freedom…well until you have your next chemo and feel all icky and rubbish, I thought we could do something together, you know fun but not too exhausting so you can enjoy the day before you have to feel crappy again." She said brightly as Lucas frowned, fighting back a smirk before looking across at Peyton quickly who smiled. He sighed and looked back at Haley.
"Thanks for the reminder…sounds good though, what did you have in mind?" He asked, somewhat wary of Haley's little schemes, they seemed to always end in him getting in trouble or embarrassed in some way.
"Well I was thinking the three of us could hang out at the Rivercourt, get some lunch if you're up to it Luke, maybe you could teach me and Peyton how to do some jump shots?" She said looking across at Peyton and grinning. Peyton stepped forward cocking an eyebrow and tilting her head, her arms folded.
"Speak for yourself Hales, you're the only one who sucks at basketball. I, on the other hand, happen to have an excellent jump shot." She said with a smirk as Haley laughed and Lucas scoffed, in turn receiving a mock glare from Peyton.
" Agree to disagree. Anyway, then maybe we could hang out, watch a movie?" Haley continued turning to Lucas.
He grinned, he was so glad he had Haley here through all of this. She didn't treat him any differently, she didn't pity him and she didn't baby-sit him, she was just Haley. She'd joke with him, tell him if he looked bad and she'd be honest and she'd try to cheer him up and that's why he loved having her around, because she was his best friend.
"It sounds really great Hales, I think I'll pass on lunch though. I have to check with Keith and my Mom first though. Be right back." He said grinning as he left the room. Haley watched him leave and made sure he was out of the room before she turned swiftly to Peyton.
"Oh My God! What is going on with you guys and before you answer, if you give me that 'Just Friends' crap I will slap you." Haley said, her face dead-pan as Peyton grinned embarrassedly. She looked down at her feet, she knew she would have to tell Haley…she would get it out of her somehow.
"Um well…I guess you could kind of say there is something going on between us." She mumbled flushing slightly as Haley let out a shriek.
"Oh My God! You have to tell me everything! This is so huge, you guys are together!"
"Well, you could say that…I guess we're just taking things slow. You know he doesn't need any extra stress with everything going on…" She said, smiling. For the first time since the hospital she had felt truly happy.
Lucas shuffled into the kitchen yawning widely when Karen spun around and smiled.
"Hey sweetie, I was about to check on you. It's time for your meds… you feeling okay? You look a little pale." She asked frowning as she made her way up to her son and checked his forehead. Lucas swallowed.
"I'm fine, really. Um…Haley had this idea to, go out to the rivercourt today…is it okay if I go?" He asked as Keith walked into the room. He smiled at Luke.
"Hey kiddo." Luke nodded in response as Karen furrowed her brow.
"Um…I don't know, do you think you're up to it? You know what the doctor said, you can't afford to catch anything the chemo weakens your immune system." She said as Keith headed over.
"I know but it's the last day before…before tomorrow and this is the one day I don't feel terrible. I promise I'll be careful and I won't be gone that long." He said pleadingly, hoping his mother would come round. He really wanted to get out of the house, he'd been stuck in here all week. Karen looked across at Keith, she knew she was being over-protective but she couldn't help it, she didn't want anything else to happen to her son, she loved him too much.
"Keith, what do you think?" She said. Lucas looked across at Keith who frowned.
"I think it should be okay, but please Luke…be careful and if you start to feel bad come home okay?" He said as Luke grinned.
"I will, thanks so much!" He said quickly hugging his mom who sighed, suddenly it just felt like a normal day, Lucas was asking to go to a party or something…it suddenly felt like he hadn't got sick…
"Hey, you still need to take your meds." She said bringing herself back to reality.
"I'll sort it out Karen." Keith offered and Karen smiled.
"Thanks." She kissed Keith softly on the lips before walking off to the bedroom. Lucas watched as Keith shook two pills from the bottle and handed them to Luke who took them reluctantly and swallowed them dry, he hated the pills he had to take, they made him feel sick and dizzy and when you put that on top of the chemo he couldn't even stand straight. Keith watched as Luke downed the pills and he repressed a sigh, he could already see how much of an effect this was having on his surrogate son. He had lost so much weight, he looked exhausted and he just looked so…ill. He never would have imagined this could have happened to him, he was a good kid and he didn't deserve this. He knew this was only the beginning as well and it was only going to get harder from here on.
"Luke, be careful today okay? You know how much me and your mother worry, don't give us a reason to okay? You know you have to be careful, I don't want anything happening to you." He said seriously. Lucas swallowed and looked up at Keith.
"I know, I'll be fine Keith. Thanks for taking care of my mom. I'm glad you're here." He said seriously, he owed Keith so much. He was the only father figure he had ever had and he had been there for him through so much…Keith smiled.
"Me too. When did you grow up so fast Luke? The way you're handling this is so amazing, I'm so proud of you, you know that?"
Lucas grinned and hugged Keith tightly. He was so glad he was back…he needed him right now, he was sure if it wasn't for Keith his mother would have fallen apart by now.
"No…no wait, put your hand up higher and keep it straight." Lucas said taking Peyton's arm and holding it higher whilst she gripped the basketball and giggled. Haley watched off court with an amused expression as Lucas tried to get Peyton to score at least one shot. Peyton giggled as Lucas ran a hand down her arm and she couldn't help but shiver.
"Is this it?" She asked holding up her arm, the ball teetering dangerously on her palm. Lucas laughed and wrapped an arm around her waist, his other hand directing her arm.
"Keep your back straight but bend your knees." He said as Peyton leant against him, trying not to laugh. She could feel his body against hers and she leant back, her face tilting against his. He grinned and kissed her lips softly, pulling his arm tighter around her waist and hugging her close to him causing her to giggle softly into his mouth.
"Come on guys, I'm still here you know!" Haley said from the sidelines but nevertheless wearing a smile, she couldn't deny that she was happy for them, and they did look cute…Lucas reluctantly pulled away grinning his heart fluttering
"Fine, come on then Haley…I think you two are ready for a little one on one." He said with a grin despite the tiredness washing over him. Haley grinned before putting on her game face and heading over to Peyton who straightened up and folded her arms.
"You're going down biatch." Haley said seriously causing Lucas to laugh and Peyton to raise an eyebrow.
"We'll see about that."
Lucas grinned and sat down on the nearby bench, glad to be off his feet. He wasn't used to being this active, his mom usually had him cooped up in bed and resting and suddenly he was up and about and he had to admit it was taking its toll on him. He yawned widely as Haley picked up the ball. Even though he was exhausted he was glad they had got him out of the house, they were really helping him take his mind off things and it felt like everything was back to normal. He watched Peyton and smiled, he loved being with her, after their encounter they had finally admitted how they really felt and now he just felt so happy and so comfortable with her, he didn't have to bottle things up anymore.
Haley dribbled poorly down the court and Lucas let out a laugh as Peyton snatched the ball and ran across the court, not even bothering to dribble. Both girls giggling, Haley pounced on Peyton, jumping onto her back both screaming and scrabbling for the ball. Peyton swung around wildly, hands still clasped firmly on the ball whilst trying to jerk Haley off her back. Lucas laughed loudly even though his head had started to pound…Finally Peyton dropped the ball and it rolled across the court as both girls fell to the ground in a heap giggling and panting breathlessly…
"Not playing are we Luke?" A familiar voice asked from the sidelines. Lucas swallowed and looked up slowly his heart pounding as he began to register exactly whose voice it was. Peyton and Haley stopped giggling and sat up, both still seated on the asphalt as they looked up, both gazes fixed on the figure standing by the court, the discarded basketball tucked safely under his arm.
"Just as well, the state of your game last time I was here these two would probably beat you anyway."
Lucas began to slowly get up from the bleachers, his joints aching as his exhaustion protested…he stood up and looked directly at him…his brother. He was back.
"Nathan…" Haley began breathlessly but she trailed off as she looked into his eyes unsure of what to say, they hadn't exactly left things on the best of terms. He looked away and fixed his eyes back on Lucas…
He had changed, he was thinner…a lot thinner and that was saying something for a boy who was verging on skinny anyway. He looked like he hadn't slept in days and why on earth was he wearing a beanie hat in this weather? He thought absently. He was still pissed at him and he wasn't letting things drop, he couldn't help it he was stubborn…Dan Scott was his father afterall.
"What's the matter Luke? Got anything to say?" Nathan teased with a harsh scowl on his face. Lucas swallowed, his head now pounding. He didn't want to start anything with Nathan because he couldn't win a fight if he tried, at the moment he was even finding it difficult to stand. Before he even had a chance to open his mouth Peyton jumped in.
"Back off Nathan." She said seriously, her voice low and warning. Lucas glanced back at Nathan as he scoffed…he wished he wouldn't do this.
"Oh so you have them fighting your battles now do you? You're pathetic." He spat causing Luke to flinch slightly. He didn't want it to be like this but he knew when Nathan got this way he couldn't get through to him, he'd have to leave it.
Haley seemed to sense the danger and she got to her feet, joining Peyton and walked slowly over to Lucas.
"Come on guys let's just go." She said quietly, grabbing her bag from the bench as Peyton went to Lucas' side, squeezing his arm gently as they began to walk away back to the car, leaving Nathan standing alone on the court, a sour expression on his face.
"You just going to ignore me then?" He yelled angrily. Lucas closed his eyes beginning to feel dizzy, it was too hot out here and he needed to sit down…
"I've been gone all this time and I don't even get a welcome back hug? Oh wait why would I seeing as you're not even my brother anymore, not after what you did." He snapped. Peyton and Haley were already shoving stuff into the car whilst Lucas stood there, trying to block out his brother and at the same time trying to keep himself upright…his chest felt tight and he couldn't breath properly, his head was spinning and his heart was pounding…
Nathan swallowed, he was going to make that ass listen to him…he couldn't just think he could ignore him.
Nathan lunged forward, snatching the back of Lucas' head and yanking the hat from his head in a swift fluid motion…He pulled the hat back with a smirk before stumbling backwards..
He felt like he had been punched in the stomach…What? He didn't understand…Now it all made sense, how thin he was, the paleness, the dark circles under his eyes, how tired he was at practice…
His throat felt like sandpaper as he struggled to swallow whilst Lucas whipped round quickly, stumbling slightly. They looked straight into his other's eyes and Nathan could see the hurt in them…
"Lucas." Peyton whispered starting to walk towards him, Lucas quickly snatched the hat from Nathan's loose grip and took off towards the trees on the other side of the court leaving a stunned Nathan behind with Peyton and Haley. Nathan just stood there stunned as Peyton took off running after Lucas whilst Haley stood there, her arms folded and her eyes shining with tears as she looked up at Nathan.
He couldn't stand to look in her eyes, he could see the hurt, the anger…the woman he loved, she probably hated him.
"You're an asshole." She spat her voice shaking as she looked up at him, her brown eyes brimming with tears, he couldn't stand seeing her cry.
"Haley I.." He began not even sure what he was going to say, he just needed to explain…he needed to find out what was wrong with his brother…
"Save it Nathan." She said shaking her head before running off after Peyton and Lucas who had disappeared into the trees leaving Nathan alone on the court, the river trickling at the side of the court as the wind picked up. He blinked furiously replaying that look in his eyes over and over…what had he done?
Lucas struggled onwards, dodging through the trees as his heart hammered against his ribs as he struggled to draw another breath. His head was spinning and he could barely walk straight. He stumbled and leant against a tree, panting heavily as his vision greyed slightly…He let tears burn in his eyes as he closed his eyes tightly. The look on his face…he knew. He could feel his stomach churning violently and he knew he was losing the battle to keep the minimal contents of his stomach. He bent double as a violent heave caught him causing his whole body to tense as water and bile gushed from his mouth. He wretched and heave, his whole body constricting in pain as beads of sweat formed on his forehead. He leant heavily on the tree as he began to tremble, tears streaming down his face as he breathed in shakily willing the heaves to stop…
"Lucas?" Peyton called softly as she rushed over to him, she reached him and found him leaning heavily on a tree, barely able to draw deep enough breaths and hunched over obviously in the middle of being sick.. His face was pale, too pale and he looked terrible. She felt fear grip her as she placed a hand on his shoulder.
"Lucas?" She said more urgently causing him to slowly open his eyes and look up at him, he wiped his mouth on the back of his sleeve with a shaking hand and coughed slightly. She felt tears sting in her eyes as she gathered him up into her arms and hugged him tightly as he trembled in her arms.
"He knows." He whispered softly, his voice barely audible over the rustling trees as Peyton rubbed his back gently and whispered into his ear, her warm breath tickling his ears.
"I know, but it's okay…don't worry Luke. It's okay…I just need you to concentrate on breathing okay? Just breathe for me and we can get you home okay?" She whispered soothingly as he leant against her, still trembling as he struggled to draw breath…Haley approached and swallowed as she saw how terrible he looked, she felt a lump rising in her throat. This wasn't fair, why was this happening? Gradually his breaths evened out and he relaxed, his head still throbbing he straightened up…wiping his hands hurriedly over his face as Peyton looked up at him.
"You okay?" She asked softly. He nodded gently and Haley offered a weak smile.
"Hey buddy…"
"Hey" He replied weakly.
"You ready to go home?" She asked. Again he nodded not trusting his voice…he just hoped that by the time they got back to the car Nathan would be gone so he wouldn't have to face him; he just wasn't ready to have that conversation yet.
Nathan folded his arms over his knees as he sat on top of the bench…he couldn't believe this, this couldn't really be happening could it? Everytime he closed his eyes he could just see his face when he turned around…He…his hair he…he knew what it mean but…how could it be that? He was 17, he was fine before he left…Well how would he know? He had been too busy making his life a misery to even notice if anything was wrong!
He sat up suddenly and scrambled to his feet as he noticed Peyton, Haley and Lucas walking across the court. He could see how terrible Lucas looked, he could barely walk straight. He couldn't help but notice Haley and Peyton's glares as they walked past him. He rushed over to them as Lucas got unsteadily into the car, slamming the door behind him.
"Luke I…I didn't mean it I was…I'm sorry just tell me what's going on! Lucas!" He pleaded as Luke pulled his beanie hat lower and turned away, sinking down in his chair as Peyton fired up the engine.
"Please just wait! I'm sorry just let me…Lucas!"
Peyton pulled out of the drive and backed out as Nathan was left standing there, Lucas shooting one last glance back towards his brother before the car disappeared from view. Nathan was left alone…He gritted his teeth and angrily kicked the nearby garbage can. He paced around the court frustratedly…He needed to talk to Lucas.
Love it? Hate it? Review it, you may find this chapter being edited because I don't think it's good enough. Let me know what you think. A lot more happens in the next chapters anyway...
Next Time: Lucas is upset and Peyton comforts him, Brooke calls Luke, Haley talks to Nathan...