+7

Recap:

Lucas returned to the game, a little calmer, but his mind still drifted to that damn jacket. The last ten minutes went by in a blur. Ravens win again. The crowd cheered and the Ravens retreated to their locker room; Nathan and Lucas both to shower and get ready for their so called 'dates.' Peyton went into the girl's locker room to change into her normal clothing.

Haley hung around on the bleachers in the now empty gym waiting for Nathan.

Part 7a

Once in the locker room Lucas showered quickly and changed. Lucas slammed his locker shut and headed out. He walked passed Nathan, who was running some gel through his hair.

'Must be going out,' Lucas thought. At the moment, he didn't want to care where Nathan was going tonight after the game or where Haley was going to go after the game. But Haley was obviously not hanging out with Lucas.

'Why should I care if she's with him?' he asked himself. 'I'm going out with Peyton.' With that last thought he opened the door and walked out of the locker room. He walked passed the gym and noticed someone still there.

Haley.

He saw her walking back and forth, the length of the bleachers as if on a balance beam. She was playing with that bracelet and from time to time she'd glance up at the clock. She was waiting for someone. Probably the same someone who was in the locker room making his hair look perfect.

Lucas continued on. He didn't want to blow up at Haley about this or about anything ever again. No matter what happened.or who she liked.he wanted her in his life. Maybe if he cooled down, had a good time with Peyton he'd be able to deal with.this.

Lucas turned the corner and walked down the main hall. Peyton was waiting by the door, studying the bulletin board.

"Hey."

Peyton turned around at the sound of his voice. "Hi," she said back.

"Ready to get out of here?"

Peyton flashed her trademark smirk. "I thought you'd never ask."

Lucas and Peyton walked out of the high school and towards the parking lot.

"Where do you want to go?" Lucas asked.

"Anywhere but here."

Lucas opened the door to the truck and let Peyton in first, but he stopped her before she climbed in. "Wait a minute. You're leaving your car here?"

"It's at home. Brooke drove me," she told Luke.

Lucas nodded, and Peyton climbed in, and then Lucas. He started the car. "I think I got an idea."

Lucas turned on the radio, and NOFX's "Me Inside Your Head" filled the car.

In a few short minutes they were outside Lucas's house.

"Do you want to come in?" Lucas asked.

"Is this an invitation or a question?"

Lucas laughed. "An invitation. I didn't know if you wanted to hang here or go somewhere else."

"Well," Peyton began. "That depends."

"On?"

"Whether your mom is here or not," she answered.

"She and Keith are at the café."

Peyton smiled at him. "Ok, then let's go."

They got out of the truck, and Lucas let them inside. "I'll give you the grand tour," he told her. "Living room here, the kitchen's through there, bathroom, and my room."

Peyton looked around his room. It was filled with books. He had posters and things on the wall. She took a seat on his bed. Luke went to sit next to her, but then felt a little weird about it. He flicked on the radio. Low, so they could talk and still hear it.

The Ataris "Boys of Summer" ended and Dashboard Confessional's "Hand's Down" started playing.

"Peyton?"

"Hmm?" she looked to him. He was leaning against the wall looking out the window.

Lucas looked down at his hand, and then brought his gaze to Peyton's. "Would you like to go on a date with me?" he asked giving her a little, unsure smile.

Peyton bit her lip. She couldn't deny the fact that she was attracted to Lucas. And they did have a connection, but she wasn't ready to go out and date again.yet.

"Not yet."

END PART 7a