Note: I don't own any of the characters of One Tree Hill, just to let ya know

A/N: I am so glad that you guys enjoyed the story. keep reviewing and I will keep writing

Lucas stood staring at the basket at the Riverside Courts. He could not believe that he actually contemplated quitting basketball. He took every emotion he was feeling out onto the court with him, expressing himself with his skills rather than with words. He did have other things on his mind that day though, and it all came back to Peyton.

He remembered the first day he met her. Never had someone challenged him the way Peyton had. That is what he loved about her. She had her guard up and he was determined to break it. He did, but it came to late. He let his heart get confused with sex and had gotten into a relationship with Brooke. She was a nice girl, but she was not Peyton.

A very attractive brunette then came onto the court. She knew Lucas was oblivious to her, so she came up behind him and hugged him. Lucas turned around in an instant and saw her. That girl that he had met in Charleston was here in Tree Hill.

"Did you miss me" the brunette asked seductively.

"Carly, I am surprised to see you. I mean how did you get here."

"You mentioned Tree Hill and my parents were looking to move so I mentioned it. We have this gorgeous house right across the river and I saw someone playing basketball so I figured I would come over and introduce myself. Plus, I can recognize that body from miles away." She pulled Lucas towards her and placed a kiss right on his lips.

"Does that mean you want to pick up right where we left off." He grabbed her and passionately kissed her exploring her mouth with his tongue.

"Umm, am I disturbing something." Lucas broke from Carly and looked at Haley.

"Haley...you are not disturbing anything. This is Carly."

"Hi, I am Haley, Lucas's sister in law."

"Don't forget to mention, best friend." Lucas remarked.

"I'm Carly, I met Lucas in Charleston." Carly cuddled up against Lucas.

"Well, it's nice to meet you. Lucas, have you seen Nathan."

"No, but maybe he is just running late from work."

"Yeah, well I will see you later." Haley got back in her car and drove off.

"So, she is your sister in law"

"Yeah, long story. Where were we."

"I think we were right here." Carly put her lips to Lucas and they began to kiss. This was an attraction that Lucas had never felt before, but it was simply a physical attraction. There was no way that Carly and him could connect like Peyton and him did. Wait, why he was thinking about Peyton in a moment like this.

Weeks passed and word had gotten around about Lucas and his new "girl". This also got around to Peyton. She could not believe that Lucas had moved on over the summer, with such a different girl. I guess she did not expect him to be into the trampy brunettes, I mean this girl was worst than Brooke, and that is saying something. Carly tried out for cheerleading which meant that both Brooke and Peyton had to deal with her everyday.

"Hi, I am Peyton, co-captain."

"I'm Carly, it's really nice to meet you."

"Yeah, you too."

Lucas could not believe his eyes while he was at practice. There was Carly, talking to Peyton. He figured she had already heard, but he wanted to make sure there was no tension. Lucas came behind Carly, grabbing her around the waist.

"Hey baby. I was just talking to Peyton." she motioned to Peyton who stood and acted without any feeling.

"Peyton, I am sure you know my boyfriend, Lucas. I mean how could you not. He is just so sexy."

This comment made both Peyton and Lucas uncomfortable.

"Well, I gotta go. I am trying to start up a all ages club, become a powerful business lady, ya know."

" Okay, see ya later."

Peyton tried to hold in the tears. This guy who she knew she loved, loved someone else. She felt that there was no way that Lucas would ever want to come back to her. It was at that moment that Haley saw her crying and knew she had to help.

"Peyton, are you okay." Haley asked.

"Yeah...um.. I am fine. Just a little emotional at this time of the month."

Haley then saw Lucas and Carly leaving the gym. She understood why Peyton was crying.

"Do you want to talk about it. I mean Lucas and Carly."

Peyton acted dumb, "I don't know what you are talking about."

"Are you sure, because you know that I am always ready to listen."

"I think I am still in love with Lucas."

With that Peyton began to open her heart to Haley. She told her about the connection and her thoughts on Carly. Haley suggested that she tell Lucas this, but Peyton refused to even think about that idea. She thought about the last time she had given into her feelings for Lucas.

Lucas: "Peyton?"
Peyton: "I heard about Nathan.
Lucas: Yeah, he's gonna be okay. So... what's up?"
Peyton: "Lucas, I made a mistake. When you said you wanted to be with me, I got, I got scared, but-
Lucas: "Peyton..."
Peyton: "But, the truth is, I want all the same things that you want, I do. And I want them with you."
Brooke: "Okay, superstar, are you ready to score?"
Brooke: "Hey... we missed you after the game tonight."
Peyton: "Yeah. I just... I guess I just kind of got turned around."
Lucas: "Peyton..."

It hurt so bad to see Brooke in his clothes. She thought that they both felt the same way, but was wrong. She did not want to go through the same rejection again. Haley understood this, and just let Peyton get all of her feelings out. What Haley and Peyton did not see, was Lucas come back into the gym quickly and peek over at Peyton crying.


"Alright class, can we all get into our seats." Mrs. Jones asked her students.

"We are going to begin a project that will require the class to be split into pairs. However I am going to be choosing the pairs." The class moaned.

"Each pair will be working with a group of two or three elementary students, teaching them about a topic of their choice. From this you will help the kids create a book that will be used in their class."

"Here are the pairs, Haley and Nathan, Brooke and Mouth, Carly and Tim, Peyton and Lucas....."

Peyton thought that she had heard wrong. She was going to have to be partners with Lucas. How was she going to be able to work with someone who made her so weak in the knees? Lucas could not believe that he was going to work with Peyton. He did not know how to handle her after seeing her crying and talking with Haley the other day. Besides that Peyton was opening a club with his mom which meant that he would see her after school at practice and some nights. Carly began to walk over towards him and he saw the disappointment on her face.

"Luke, I really wanted you to be my partner. Do you think we could talk to Mrs. Jones? Maybe she'll let us switch and Peyton can be Tim's partner." She gave him those puppy dog eyes.

"You can't do that to me, I can't resist those eyes. To keep it simple, let's just stick with our partners. But don't worry, you're still my girl." He pulled her toward himself and gave her a sweet kiss. He saw Peyton coming towards him so he broke up the kiss.

"Why did you stop...?"

"Hey Lucas, do you think we can talk about the project." Carly then realized why he stopped kissing her and she said goodbye to Lucas.

"So what do you want to talk about?" Lucas asked.

"Well, with the club and everything, I really want to get a head start on the project. Do you think that we could meet tonight?"

"I guess we could. That way you could talk to my mom too, if you need to."

"Alright, I'll see you tonight."

He could help but watch her walk away. She was so gorgeous and Lucas was afraid that he was going to lose control of his feelings when working with her on this project.