Just Friends

by devilsblues

Chapter 4: Peyton-invoked Thoughts

Lucas wasn't aware of the dramatic fight that Nathan and Haley had, in fact he hadn't been aware that Nathan was being as cold to him as ever. He didn't find it strange that Haley only called him late at night. He didn't mind that when they were anywhere in his eyesight, Nathan purposely kissed Haley so he could see. It wasn't that he was oblivious to all of it. He was just sad.

Down at Rivercourt, he spent all his free time shooting hoops with his old friends. And though everyone else noticed what was going on, Lucas didn't. They had reverted back in time.

It was a strange concept to explain to anyone, but most of Lucas's friends understood it. Even Brooke saw it. The only ones oblivious to it, were the ones that it affected the most.

When the school year had started, Lucas was a loner. Nathan was stuck up and socially admired. Lucas played basketball at Rivercourt. Nathan ruled the Tree Hill Ravens. Lucas was single. Nathan had a girlfriend. And Lucas wanted Nathan's girlfriend- but wasn't quite aware of that fact.

The only difference was in the casting of roles. Now starring as the smiling perky girlfriend of Nathan Scott was Haley James. And the strong quiet role of Lucas's best friend was played by Peyton Sawyer.

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"Hey Peyton, can I get a ride?" It was mid-afternoon and Lucas had just finished basketball practice with Whitey's team. His hair was soaked in sweat as he leaned on the hood of the blonde girl's car.

"Yeah sure, hop in." She smiled slightly. It was still difficult for her to be around Lucas, though the two had discussed their relationship not long after Brooke dumped him. An honest inquiry as to the availability of Lucas Scott launched the two of them into a four hour long conversation that lead to one place. Friendship. Peyton was slightly upset, something about Lucas still appealed to her, it always would. But now, she settled on being his friend. It was an esteemed position in itself.

"I'm so tired." He sighed, leaning back in the front seat.

"Basketball does that to people," she rolled her eyes.

"Yeah, but its twenty times worse when you're guarding Nathan." Another small sigh. "It's like he should try out for the football team instead."

"That rough, huh?" Her tone dripped with concern.

"Yeah," he lifted the hem of his shirt slightly. "Check this out." There amidst the delicate outlines of his ribs was a large splotch of purples and blues.

"Ouch."

"Was I dreaming when we started to get along?" he mumbled to himself.

"No, you weren't." With some thought she added, "He's so stupid, he's completely okay with Haley but he's taking it all out on you."

"What?" Lucas jerked his head up in attention. Peyton sounded serious and yet, he had no idea what she was implying. "Of course he's okay with Haley. He's taking it all out on me? What are you talking about?"

"You honestly don't know?" Her eyes widened in surprise, as she spun the steering wheel to a left turn.

"No, Peyton. I don't."

"Think, Lucas. When was the last time you saw Nathan pissed off?"

"Uh," he bit his lip in concentration. It was obvious that he had been ignoring Nathan outside of the gym for the past week. "Last week. When I was fucked up about Brooke and Haley was at my house..." Realization dawned on him slowly.

"Exactly."

"But that's stupid. Of course Haley was at my house, she was cheering me up! She's my best friend." He whined defensively.

"Well, not all best friends sleep together to cheer one up." The statement came out plain and without judgment, but Lucas felt as though Peyton just stabbed him.

"WHAT?!" he yelled in disbelief. "I've never slept with Haley. C'mon. It's Haley. Haley and I are like... me and Haley. We're just us. Haley and me. I can't believe anyone would think Haley and I would... 'Cause Haley and I wouldn't..." He sputtered half sentences in an attempt to deny the notion.

"Chill, you'll wear her name out." Peyton gave a half smile, trying to joke her way through so that Lucas would relax. Then again, she also needed Lucas to see what had, as of late, become painfully obvious. "You just said her name five times in a row, Luke." She spoke slowly, unsure of how he would react if she pressed the issue too far. "People get like that when they're talking about the person they're sleeping with..." She paused as he shot her a deadly glare. "Or the person they're in love with."

Lucas began to cough violently, in a mix of laughter and anger. Relief flooded through Peyton. This reaction was a sign that Lucas couldn't even stomach the idea of being in love with Haley. Putting aside all fears that the current rumors were true, Peyton sighed and pulled the car over.

"You okay?" She waited for him to nod, before adding. "This is your stop. I'll see ya around."

He tumbled out of the car with his gym bag in hand. But instead of going directly into the house, he sat on the curb for a while. Crossing his legs Indian-style, he leaned his chin on the bag in his lap and relived the past few moments in the car. Peyton had implied that Lucas was in love with Haley. That couldn't be true.

They were best friends. It would never become the complicated drama that they had seen on TV. It would be better for everyone if they just kept things simple. Friends.

Besides, Luke didn't need a girlfriend. He needed his friends. Even Peyton understood that. But then why had she implanted this idea in his mind? He couldn't be in love with Haley. Not Haley with the brown eyes and the contagious smile. Not Haley with the warm hugs and the bottomless well of comforting words. Not beautiful, smart, sensitive Haley. And out of nowhere a pain sprang up in his chest and something flipped in his abdomen.

Hm, what was that about?

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"Hey cutie," Nathan greeted his girlfriend. At that moment, she was sprawled across her bed with her cordless phone to her ear. She was giggling when he first entered the room, but paused as she heard his voice. Looking up at Nathan, she quickly whispered a good bye see you later message and hung up the phone. Rolling off the bed, she got to her feet and greeted him with a hug.

"What are you doing here?" Haley asked tentatively.

"Just felt like hanging out." He shrugged. "Who were you on the phone with?"

"Just a friend," she attempted to be nonchalant.

"A friend?" his voice rose slightly. "Like a guy friend?"

"Yeah," she tried to wave off his growing anger with a giggle. "Friends can be guys too."

"Not if they're my half-brother, they can't."

"What the hell?"

"You heard me."

"You cannot tell me who to be friends with." She practically screamed. Before he could even reply, she marched passed him to the doorway and leaned against the threshold. "Get out."

For the first time, he didn't even complain. He stomped past her without a second look, not even looking back at the end of the hallway. Haley wanted to scream. For the past week she had done everything in her power to be the perfect girlfriend, attempting in some way to mend the rift that their previous fight had caused. But apparently her efforts were futile. He still believed that there was malice in the hug between Lucas and Haley. Why wouldn't he just listen to her? He told her he believed her when she said it meant nothing. She even stayed away from Lucas for a few days so that Nathan wouldn't have any rights to be suspicious.

And now they practically broke up over one phone call. Though screams were creeping slowly through her body attempting to escape, it was the tears that came first. In small trickles at first, but by the time Peyton walked in two minutes later, Haley was convulsing in sobs.

"Shh," Peyton coaxed the brunette. "What happened?"

"Nathan..." Sniffle. "We just fought." Sobs. "I think it's over."

"Aw, Hales." She spoke with genuine compassion.

"He still thinks..." Haley used the back of her hand to brush away stray tears. "That something's going on with me and Lucas."

"Really?"

"Yeah," she suppressed her tears long enough to explain how she had tried to be the perfect girlfriend so as not to arise suspicion or further arguments. "I don't understand why he won't believe me. I mean, I love Lucas. And I'm always going to love Lucas but I'm in love with Nathan."

The last statement took Peyton by surprise. "Are you sure?" she inquired.

"Well..." Haley hesitated. "No. I thought I was and then this whole fight happened. And now I'm so confused."

"Because of Luke?"

"Because of everything. I know Lucas will never want to be anything other than friends with me. And Nathan wants me to be his girlfriend. But he also wants me to stop being friends with Luke." She bit her lip. "I can't do that."

"Okay..." Peyton sighed. This was complicated. "What do you want, Haley?"

Haley shut her eyes in concentration for a moment. A name almost escaped her throat before she could even think. It was an impulse that she stopped before it was too late. She didn't even know if it was him she wanted, but she had been too eager to say it. Fortunately, Haley stopped herself from blurting out the name and causing mass confusion for herself and for Peyton.

Sadly, Haley just shook her head and replied in an honest, "I don't know."