Hello faithful readers! The rumors are not true, no I haven't died and
gone to heaven. I have just been diagnosed with a temporary case of
writer's block, but now it has deceased and I'm back and better than ever.
Hopefully anyway. For those who are still interested, bless your souls and
thank you for your encouraging comments, the power of words go a long way,
especially with me! So keep the feedback a rolling and I'll keep churning
out the chapters, maybe next time with a faster pace! Thanks again, read
and review! Comments are always welcome in my box.
Chapter 5
The familiar dribble of the ball enlightened his senses and soothed his fears. With each thump, a piece of his complicating world chipped away and he became engulfed into a zone of no return. With each shot his adrenaline soared, and he began to feel the blood pump through his veins. When he ran he felt the wind coarse through his hair, and the cold sweat against his freshly moist skin. He felt the muscles in his legs strengthen with each step he took as he forced them into a state of overdrive. It was in these moments he truly felt, alive.
His short state of tranquility was abruptly ended upon her approaching. He knew the way she smelled and could sense it from a mile away. Her steps were tentative, almost as if she were afraid to approach, and he held his breath as she hesitated for a moment then continued her trek towards her destination. She found solace in the cold, unfriendly bleachers and he knew she would patiently wait until he was ready to talk.
Out of the corner of his eyes he saw her delicate hand push away a strand of curly, blonde hair and she anxiously glanced at her watch. Her eyes were distant, but tried their best to hid their fears in an attempt to comfort others. Her face showed no trace of makeup, for what was the point? It was going to come off anyway after she locked her bedroom doors and cried herself to sleep. He knew this only because he was curious for her reactions to the situation, and upon seeing her break down he confirmed that Haley's friendship with his former lover was true. In an effort to truly please Haley, as if she were watching somewhere, he set down the ball and slowly treaded over to where the young woman sat.
L: Peyton.
P:Lucas.
L: What are you doing here? Don't get me wrong, it's not that I'm disappointed to see you but after avoiding me for weeks, I feel as if your visit is kind of...sudden.
P: I came because I knew you would be here. Look, Luke I don't want to add any more stress...
L:(cuts in) You know I really wish everyone would stop saying that. "I don't want to add anymore stress Lucas so don't play basketball", "Your stressed Lucas, let me do your chores", "You've been through a lot Luke, no need to turn in homework." You people act as if I'm the one who has been kidnaped! Instead of spending all that time and energy worrying about me, why don't people do something to bring her back...
Peyton heard the sorrow in his voice and could literally feel him shake as she embraced him into a hug. Her emotions were being tangled with, now more than ever, and she couldn't remember the last time she had shed so many tears. She gently stroked Luke's hair, only as a mother knew how, and listened to him voice his fears.
L: I'm scared Peyt, I mean I'm really scared. She's the strongest person I know, but who knows what she is up against. I hate not being able to hear her voice or sense her feelings . I hate not knowing if she is safe or even...
His voice trembled but he continued.
L: alive. I hate being so weak and useless. She has always been my rock, you know, I depended on her and now without her I'm lost and I'm alone.
Peyton pulled away and gently forced Lucas to look into her eyes.
P: Lucas I know your scared, so am I but the last thing Haley needs is someone wallowing in their own self pity when they could be trying to find her. I can understand the emotions your experiencing, and the feelings of lost, trust me I've been there, but she isn't even gone yet. Help her Lucas, your not alone. I'm going to be here for you every step of the way...
A voice from behind chimed in upon these words, and the two teens glanced up startled. The sight of the young man before them chipped at their hearts even more and they both easily placed the fear in his eyes for they held it in their own. His eyes were red and held pools of nothingness and he appeared shorter than usual because of his defeated, crumpled frame. His hair was messy, and his cheeks held no hint of color. His appearance presented the second biggest shock next to the words he uttered.
N: So am I.
L: Nathan, what are you doing here? My mom told me you were in the hospital and I didn't think you would be released so soon.
N: I wasn't. I left.
P: Making that a habit are we.
N: Look, I knew this is where you would be Luke and as much as I hate to come crawling up here like this, we both need each other. Haley needs both of us to help her, and I can't sit around cooped up in some hospital when she could be going through much worse.
He quietly walked over and sat down.
L: I never thought I'd live to see this day, but your right.
A trace of a smile lingered over Luke's tear-stained face but Nathan's face continued to ressemble stone. The brunette took a deep sigh before speaking again.
N: How did this happen?
His head fell beneath his knees as his hands gripped his hair.
N: Haley is the best person I have ever met. She's wholesome, and everything about her is real. Now, me on the other hand, I'm fake. Haley never did anything wrong and yet she is punished while I've been an asshole my entire life and am only rewarded.
P: Isn't the world fucked up?
N: You can say that again. We have got to figure this out guys. I'm done with the tears and the blame, I swear I think I'm losing one of my balls. Who's up for catching a kidnapper whose going to wish they were never born?
P: I'm in.
N:Lucas?
The blonde boy glanced between the woman on his right and the man on his left and saw nothing but trust and compassion for a common cause.
L: Let's do it.
Only then and there did the three most unlikely people find comfort in each other's arms and agreed to ban together. A couple of months ago, asking them to work on project together was simply out of the question but now they all found common ground in a person who couldn't be forgotten and would be found. It's amazing how one huge problem can lead to another success in an entirely different matter, don't you think?
Chapter 5
The familiar dribble of the ball enlightened his senses and soothed his fears. With each thump, a piece of his complicating world chipped away and he became engulfed into a zone of no return. With each shot his adrenaline soared, and he began to feel the blood pump through his veins. When he ran he felt the wind coarse through his hair, and the cold sweat against his freshly moist skin. He felt the muscles in his legs strengthen with each step he took as he forced them into a state of overdrive. It was in these moments he truly felt, alive.
His short state of tranquility was abruptly ended upon her approaching. He knew the way she smelled and could sense it from a mile away. Her steps were tentative, almost as if she were afraid to approach, and he held his breath as she hesitated for a moment then continued her trek towards her destination. She found solace in the cold, unfriendly bleachers and he knew she would patiently wait until he was ready to talk.
Out of the corner of his eyes he saw her delicate hand push away a strand of curly, blonde hair and she anxiously glanced at her watch. Her eyes were distant, but tried their best to hid their fears in an attempt to comfort others. Her face showed no trace of makeup, for what was the point? It was going to come off anyway after she locked her bedroom doors and cried herself to sleep. He knew this only because he was curious for her reactions to the situation, and upon seeing her break down he confirmed that Haley's friendship with his former lover was true. In an effort to truly please Haley, as if she were watching somewhere, he set down the ball and slowly treaded over to where the young woman sat.
L: Peyton.
P:Lucas.
L: What are you doing here? Don't get me wrong, it's not that I'm disappointed to see you but after avoiding me for weeks, I feel as if your visit is kind of...sudden.
P: I came because I knew you would be here. Look, Luke I don't want to add any more stress...
L:(cuts in) You know I really wish everyone would stop saying that. "I don't want to add anymore stress Lucas so don't play basketball", "Your stressed Lucas, let me do your chores", "You've been through a lot Luke, no need to turn in homework." You people act as if I'm the one who has been kidnaped! Instead of spending all that time and energy worrying about me, why don't people do something to bring her back...
Peyton heard the sorrow in his voice and could literally feel him shake as she embraced him into a hug. Her emotions were being tangled with, now more than ever, and she couldn't remember the last time she had shed so many tears. She gently stroked Luke's hair, only as a mother knew how, and listened to him voice his fears.
L: I'm scared Peyt, I mean I'm really scared. She's the strongest person I know, but who knows what she is up against. I hate not being able to hear her voice or sense her feelings . I hate not knowing if she is safe or even...
His voice trembled but he continued.
L: alive. I hate being so weak and useless. She has always been my rock, you know, I depended on her and now without her I'm lost and I'm alone.
Peyton pulled away and gently forced Lucas to look into her eyes.
P: Lucas I know your scared, so am I but the last thing Haley needs is someone wallowing in their own self pity when they could be trying to find her. I can understand the emotions your experiencing, and the feelings of lost, trust me I've been there, but she isn't even gone yet. Help her Lucas, your not alone. I'm going to be here for you every step of the way...
A voice from behind chimed in upon these words, and the two teens glanced up startled. The sight of the young man before them chipped at their hearts even more and they both easily placed the fear in his eyes for they held it in their own. His eyes were red and held pools of nothingness and he appeared shorter than usual because of his defeated, crumpled frame. His hair was messy, and his cheeks held no hint of color. His appearance presented the second biggest shock next to the words he uttered.
N: So am I.
L: Nathan, what are you doing here? My mom told me you were in the hospital and I didn't think you would be released so soon.
N: I wasn't. I left.
P: Making that a habit are we.
N: Look, I knew this is where you would be Luke and as much as I hate to come crawling up here like this, we both need each other. Haley needs both of us to help her, and I can't sit around cooped up in some hospital when she could be going through much worse.
He quietly walked over and sat down.
L: I never thought I'd live to see this day, but your right.
A trace of a smile lingered over Luke's tear-stained face but Nathan's face continued to ressemble stone. The brunette took a deep sigh before speaking again.
N: How did this happen?
His head fell beneath his knees as his hands gripped his hair.
N: Haley is the best person I have ever met. She's wholesome, and everything about her is real. Now, me on the other hand, I'm fake. Haley never did anything wrong and yet she is punished while I've been an asshole my entire life and am only rewarded.
P: Isn't the world fucked up?
N: You can say that again. We have got to figure this out guys. I'm done with the tears and the blame, I swear I think I'm losing one of my balls. Who's up for catching a kidnapper whose going to wish they were never born?
P: I'm in.
N:Lucas?
The blonde boy glanced between the woman on his right and the man on his left and saw nothing but trust and compassion for a common cause.
L: Let's do it.
Only then and there did the three most unlikely people find comfort in each other's arms and agreed to ban together. A couple of months ago, asking them to work on project together was simply out of the question but now they all found common ground in a person who couldn't be forgotten and would be found. It's amazing how one huge problem can lead to another success in an entirely different matter, don't you think?