Chapter 5: There You Were

Their first day in college was almost over. Almost everyone only has one class to go. Peyton was just getting her stuff ready for her literature class when Haley came up beside her. "Hey you!" greeted Haley in a cheery voice.

Peyton just smiled and greeted back, "Hey Hales, what's up?"

Haley suddenly looked like she's hesitant about something, which Peyton clearly noticed. "Um, actually..." Haley began.

Peyton looked at her straight with the c'mon-fess-up-look, "Hales, what is it?"

Haley let out a heavy sigh, "Peyt, I badly need your help."

Peyton looked at her with a serious expression, "Hales, is something wrong?"

Haley let out a little laugh, "Don't worry, I'm not dying. It's just that Jake asked me to watch Jenny during his basketball practice later."

Peyton's eyes widened with delightful surprise, "Jake's here?"

Haley smiled and nodded, "And so are Nathan and Lucas."

The happiness on Peyton's face suddenly turned into worry, "I know..."

Haley's face turned just as worrisome, "Peyt, I need you to watch Jenny with me later. I don't think I can handle Nathan all by myself."

Although she would rather not, Peyton knew that Haley needs her. She nodded and gave her friend an assuring smile, "Don't worry, I got your back."

Haley beamed at her gratefully, "Thank you so much Peyt, I'll see you later!" With that, Haley headed to her final class of the day.

Peyton gave her a sly smile. As she watched her friend walk away, her face turned worrisome. "What am I 'gonna do with him there?" she asked herself as she began to walk to her own class. As she continued to walk, however, Peyton slowly became relaxed as she allowed a smile to creep along the corners of her mouth, "I still get butterflies whenever I think of him, how funny!"

Haley ran into Jake again as she rushed to her class. "Hey Jake, you think Jenny would still 'wanna hang out with her Aunt Haley?"

Jake just laughed, "Of course Hales, she likes to play with you a lot. Speaking of Jenny, I'm 'gonna go pick her up from my mom's now. See you later!"

Haley nodded with a smile, "Alright, can't wait to see her again!"

Peyton quickly settled into a seat once she got inside the classroom. She's been looking forward to this class all day. She took a deep breath and rested her back on the chair as she looked out the window. Suddenly, she heard someone call out her name, "Peyton?"

When she looked up, she was surprised to see a familiar face with dirty blond hair smiling at her, "Lucas? You're taking this class too?"

Lucas smiled as he nodded, "Yeah, I chose this as my elective. Hey, can I sit next to you?"

Peyton just smiled rather uneasily, "Yeah...sure."

Lucas nodded gratefully. After getting himself settled, he turned towards Peyton who was obviously avoiding his eyes, "So, how are doing? I haven't seen around all summer."

Peyton just gave a sly smile, "Yeah, I went out of town with my dad. You know, trying to get some bonding time."

Lucas just laughed, "Yeah, well my mom and me ended up bonding in her café."

Peyton laughed as she turned to him. She was starting to feel a little relaxed around Lucas, "Well that's fun. Hope you didn't burn the kitchen down!"

Lucas grinned at her, "Nope, I kept a fire extinguisher next to me all the time."

Peyton just nodded. A moment of silence crept between the two of them all of sudden and Peyton became quite uneasy again. Finally, Lucas decided to speak up, "So, you still draw?"

Peyton nodded, "Yeah. Matter of fact, I'm stopping by the school newspaper office afterwards to hand in my work. I'm not sure if they're 'gonna like it, though."

Lucas looked at her, quite surprised, "Are you kidding? They're 'gonna love it, Peyt. I mean, I've always liked your drawings. You always put so much of your feelings into them."

Peyton just smiled at him gratefully. "You sound like you know me pretty well," she remarked at him in a quite serious tone. "Of course you do, your eyes can see right through me," she suddenly heard a voice in her mind say.

Although meaning to be serious, Lucas just laughed as he answered back in a joking tone, "Do I?" Inside, Lucas let his eyes roam around her face. "If I had known you well, I would've never lost you in the first place," he told her in his mind.

Peyton felt Lucas' eyes on her and knew immediately that she would not dare want to meet his gaze. She just turned to the other side and looked out the window.

After awhile, she heard Lucas calling her again. "Peyton," Lucas softly began.

Peyton turned to him casually. Lucas looked intently into her eyes, "I'm glad you're here."

Peyton gave him a warm smile, "Me too."

Soon, their professor came in and the class began. Throughout the period, both Peyton and Lucas kept stealing glances at one another. Inside, Lucas was trying to have a conversation with Peyton's mind, "Can't we give us another chance? I swear I haven't given up on you, Peyt."

Whenever Peyton would steal a glance at Lucas, she ends up asking him only one thing in her mind, "Is it too late for us, Lucas?"

As the period ended, Peyton started to gather up her stuff and so did Lucas. "So, where are you going after this?" asked Lucas casually.

Still not looking up, Peyton replied, "Umm, I'll take my drawings to the school publication and then help Haley baby-sit Jenny."

Lucas nodded. "Looks like you'll be around our basketball practice then. Maybe we can go together...that is, if it's okay with you," Luke nervously offered. He really wanted to be around Peyton as much as he can.

Peyton just smiled slyly, "Sure, Haley would love to see you too."

Lucas tried to push his luck further as he looked at Peyton intently, "That's great, is she the only one who would love to see me though?"

Peyton sighed as she looked sadly into his eyes, "Look Luke, I've always liked you. It's just that...." Peyton suddenly unsure if she wanted to continue, "I....I'm not sure what's....the deal....between us, Luke. We're still friends though....right?"

Luke obviously looked pretty hurt, although he managed to reply, "Yeah, you'll always be a friend to me, Peyt." "Even more than that," he thought. Suddenly, he didn't feel so good about being with her. Although, he liked to be around her, his frustration was just taking over him. He didn't want to say anything else, he was scared it would just push her away. Believing that it was for the best, Lucas decided to pull away from her for the moment, "Hey Peyt, I remembered I have to meet up with Nathan before we start practice. Maybe I'll catch up with you later...at the gym?"

Peyton nodded, "Sure, I'll see you there." Lucas nodded smilingly as he turned his back and walked away. Peyton just stared after him. She couldn't believe she pushed him away when inside, she's been wanting him so bad. "Maybe it's just not meant to be," she sadly thought as she watched after him until he completely disappeared from her sight.

She entered the office and handed in her work. From there, she walked towards the lockers where she suspected Haley will be waiting. "Surely she can't enter the gym by herself," she thought as she rushed a little.

She was right. Haley was nervously waiting for her by the lockers. Seeing how tensed her friend already is, Peyton came up to her gently, "Hey Hales, you okay? What's up?"

Haley smiled her, but she still could not hide the anxiety she was feeling, "I don't think I can do it, Peyt! I can't face him now...not yet."

Peyton just gave her a sympathetic smile as she put a hand on her arm, "It's okay Hales, I can watch Jenny myself. You don't have to go."

Haley sighed and smiled at her friend gratefully, "But a part of me wants to at least, have a glimpse of him. We were together for quite awhile and there's a lot of history there and...."

Peyton suddenly interrupted her, "Stop....okay, stop freaking out. If you want to see him, then go. But if you feel like you need more time, it's alright."

Haley gave a sly smile, "Thanks Peyt. I don't know, maybe we can just take Jenny out for a sundae if I don't feel good about the whole....thing."

Peyton nodded and smiled understandingly at her, "Alright. I don't think it would be so bad though. I mean, I was just with Lucas and..."

Haley eyes suddenly widened with surprise for her friend, "What? You were with Lucas? Well, how did it go? What happened?"

Peyton laughed as she shrugged, "Actually, nothing. I mean, I think I sort of...pushed him away."

Haley looked at her intently, "How do you feel about Luke anyway?"

Peyton sighed, "I honestly don't know Hales. I mean, I want him with me but then..."

"You don't know if you two can make things work," finished Haley for her friend with an I-knew-it look on her face.

Peyton bit her lip and nodded. After a brief moment of silence between the two, they just burst out laughing. "My God, look at us!" Peyton exclaimed as they fixed their stuff.

Haley just smiled as she turned to her, "I know, we can't let them do this to us!"

Peyton nodded as she closed her locker shut and linked arms with Haley, "Well c'mon, let's walk in there with our heads up!"

Haley nodded and arm in arm, they walked to the gym.

When they arrived, there was no sign of the players on the court. The only ones around were Jake and little Jenny who was running towards them. "Auntie Peyton, Auntie Haley!" Jenny screamed as she ran as fast as she could towards them.

"Hey sweetie," greeted Haley as she knelt down to give Jenny a hug.

Peyton followed Haley and gave Jenny a peck on the cheek, "Hi Jenny, your daddy treating you good?"

Jenny nodded sweetly, "Uhuh, he lets me stay up late with a huge batch of cookies!"

The two girls just laughed as they looked at Jake who was approaching them. "Jake, you sure make a cool dad! Can you adopt me now?" joked Haley as he came near. Peyton joined in, "Me too!" She reached out to give Jake a hug.

Jake just laughed, "You flatter me too much Hales!" He then turned to his little girl, "Jenny, I'm 'gonna leave you with your two sweet aunties while I play ball, alright? Follow what they say and don't go anywhere without them."

Jenny nodded sweetly, "Okay daddy, I love you." She held her arms up as if asking her dad to carry her into his arms.

Jake was smiling like a proud parent as he reached for his daughter and carried her into his arms. "I love you too, sweet tots. Now, daddy has to go change. I'll see you in awhile," he gave his daughter a kiss on the cheek before setting her back down. Both Peyton and Haley were just touched by the bond that Jenny and Jake share.

Before he left, Jake turned to Haley and Peyton. "I really appreciate you guys doing this for me." Peyton just smiled at him, "Jenny's an angel, Jake. She's always been ever since she was a baby."

Jake smiled gratefully, "Well, I hope you two will enjoy playing with her. She's got some dolls and coloring books in her backpack. Have a good time!" With that, he waved at both girls and went on his way.

Peyton turned to Jenny, "Okay sweetie, let's go set up your workstation."

Haley smiled at Jenny, "Yeah, let's do something fun!"

With that, the girls sat with Jenny by the bleachers and started to look around her small pink backpack. Soon, all three of them were having a good time that Haley forgot about her worries almost completely.

Jake was suiting himself up in the lockers along with the rest of the guys. Nathan and Lucas were beside him, getting ready as well. "Hey man, glad you finally found a baby-sitter!" exclaimed Lucas as he smiled at his friend.

"Yeah, sure am glad I did. I don't 'wanna end up glancing at the bleachers every 5 minutes just to check if she's still there!" answered Jake in a very relieved tone.

Nathan just laughed while tying his shoelaces, "Sounds to me like you got yourself one hell of a baby-sitter!"

Jake just grinned, "Oh you have no idea!"

Suddenly, Coach Fowler came up from behind, "C'mon boys, let's get out there and work the court!"

The three just smiled as they joined the rest of the team who filed out to the basketball court. As they emerged into the court, Jenny noticed her dad and acknowledged him. "Daddy, daddy!" she called out as she waved with both hands. Jake got an okay-go-to-her look from the coach so he ran towards the girls once more. "Hey kiddo, you behave now. Alright?" he gave his daughter a kiss on the cheek.

All of sudden, Lucas came up from behind Jake and suddenly appeared in front of Haley. "Hey buddy!" he happily greeted.

Haley was so happy to see him that she immediately stood up and jumped into his arms for a hug, "Lucas! I've missed you!"

Lucas just laughed as they pulled away, "Me too Hales, maybe we can catch up on old times one of these days."

Haley nodded, "Yeah, I'd like that!"

Suddenly, a tall figure emerged from behind Lucas. Nathan was uneasily looking at Haley. As Haley saw him, she didn't know what to say. Realizing the two needed some time to themselves, Lucas stepped aside and talked to Jake who was playing with Jenny.

Nathan and Haley just looked at each other for quite some time. Both of them were just stunned to see each other. Nathan had so many things he wanted to say to her. Upon seeing her though, he found himself speechless. He didn't know where to start, he was afraid anything he would say might just push her further away. On the other hand, Haley felt mixed emotions going through her. A part of her wanted to throw punches on his chest while telling him what a jerk he was. However, there was also a part of her that just wanted to run into his arms and forget about what he'd done.

Finally, Nathan spoke up. "Hi..." he greeted in a barely audible voice. Haley just looked at him with a blank expression on her face. "Hey..." she managed to say although her voice could be barely heard as well.

As Haley looked into his blue eyes, she saw how much longing was in them. She also saw the sadness he seems to have been carrying for quite a long time. She wanted to say more to him, she just didn't know what. "Damn it Nathan, why did you have to do this to us?" she asked him in her mind. She felt a stab in the heart as she went back to that painfully unforgettable moment.

Nathan knew exactly what he wanted to say. He's been dying to tell her this ever since they broke up. He just scratched his head as he nervously began, "Haley, I'm..."

Haley turned her eyes away from him and looked down with a serious expression on her face. "Nathan, don't...not now."

Nathan felt a lump on his throat as his sight began to blur with tears, "Hales...."

Haley looked up at him, her own eyes brimming with tears of pain, "Nate, please...I don't 'wanna hear it...not now."

Nathan just nodded. He felt he couldn't say anything anymore as he desperately tried to fight back the tears.

Haley gave him a sly smile. "It's good to see you, Nate," she said in a barely audible voice. With that, she fled the gym, leaving Nathan to look on. Suddenly, their coach came up from behind and put an arm on Nathan's shoulder, "C'mon son, deal with that later."

Nathan turned to his coach and nodded as he joined the rest of his teammates.

A/N: It's a pretty long chapter but I hope you all like it. Thank you for all the reviews, it's been really encouraging! =)