Title: Return to Normal
Rating: PG-13 for tiny bit of language
Pairing: Lucas/ Haley but with a smidge of Haley/Nathan and Lucas/Peyton early on
Summary: Takes up after With Arms Outstretched. Haley and Nathan get involved in a cycle of drinking and parties after Nathan's steroid problem. Haley gets pulled out by her family and has to deal with the consequences of her actions and rebuilding her relationship with Lucas.
Note: Since I haven't updated for ages and all, this story isn't going to follow the plot of the show. It only deals with the events up until With Arms Outstretched. Also, please review! Your feedback is fuel for my ego!
Chapter 3
"Wait, clarify this for me, you're going to a dance?" Karen asked, trying to hold back a grin. "My son, the boy who lived in the same ratty band t- shirt for all of junior high, is willfully going to a formal?" A peal of laughter escaped her lips at her last statement and Lucas shook his head in embarrassment.
"It's just Winter Fling, there is no tux involved" Lucas protested as he picked the peas out of his chicken pot pie. Lucas and his mother were finishing up dinner and he had made the mistake of bringing up Saturday night. Karen smiled at him over the dinner table, all sarcasm left behind.
"I'm glad you're going" She offered. "You and Haley don't get to see each other as much anymore, you guys can catch up and Keith and I will get a night of peace." Lucas grinned slightly at the mention of his uncle's name. Ever since his mom had gotten back from Italy two weeks ago she and Keith had been spending a lot more time together. Karen had talked to him about her relationship with Keith the night she got back. Lucas hadn't been surprised at all, but he still listened patiently while Karen drilled him over and over about how he felt about the situation. Honestly, he was happy his mom was moving on with her life. She deserved to be happy, and Lucas couldn't imagine anyone better than Keith for her to be with.
"I know I said I was okay with you guys being together, but could we please not talk about you and Keith, I'd like my dinner to stay in my stomach" Lucas joked and Karen laughed slightly. Suddenly Lucas noticed the time. "Wait, it's already 8 pm? Oh god, I told Haley I would help her close up shop and then study for our chemistry test." He stood up hurriedly, reaching over and picking up his plate and glass. "I've got to go; I'll be back by 10, bye mom!" He explained as he placed the dishes into the sink and then dashed out the door, snatching up his book bag as he flew out. Karen watched him sprint through the kitchen and then out the door, still smiling slightly.
"He doesn't even know how to dance" She said to herself. Taking a final sip of water she stood up and began to clear the rest of the table.
"Hales?" Lucas called out as he walked into the diner. The closed sign was on the door but he knew she was still around because the lights were on. He glanced around the room, not spotting her familiar face anywhere. Suddenly Haley appeared from behind the counter, a tub of sudsy water in her hands.
"You're late" She commented with a smile as she poured out the water into the sink and then quickly washed the tub. Lucas smiled and walked over to the counter.
"Well, mom and I were discussing Saturday night and she decided it was the perfect time to reminisce about my fashion follies in 8th grade." He responded.
"Oh wait, not that horrible ACDC t-shirt you used to wear!" Haley said, her eyes shining with laugher. "God, that thing was disgusting, you never washed it!"
"I did too! Just, not that often" Lucas protested but then admitted to his guilt. "Hey, you weren't much better. You wore black clothing for half of 7th grade because you said you were in mourning for all the animals murdered by us malicious meat eaters!" Haley's mouth dropped open and her cheeks flushed pink.
"You swore you would never bring that up!" She shrieked, slapping him with the towel in her hands. Lucas laughed and easily dodged her jab and then moved to sit on a stool in front of the counter, watching while Haley switched off appliances and locked up the storage room. She grabbed her coat from the rack and then they both exited the diner, Lucas switching off the lights as they passed through the door. He glanced out onto the empty street while Haley locked the front door. They began the quick walk to her house.
"No, Keq is the equilibrium constant, not Ksp" Haley corrected, and Lucas quickly blotted out his answer and filled it in with the right one. Lucas was sitting on the floor, his notebook balanced on one knee. Haley was sitting cross-legged on the bed, chemistry book and notes spread out around her.
They had been working for about an hour, and Haley's mom had kept them supplied with hot cocoa and cookies. Mrs. James referred to it as 'brain food', but Haley knew her mom was just thinking up excuses to check on them. Sure, her parents had known Lucas since she was little, but given the situation with Nathan, they were a lot more cautious about what she was doing. Haley pushed away feelings of annoyance whenever her concentration was broken by the arrival of more food, mainly because she had gotten herself into this mess, and it was time to deal with the consequences.
"Okay, that's it, I'm done" Lucas pronounced, letting his pencil hit the ground and dropping his notebook as well. Haley glanced up to see him stretching, during which he looked remarkably like her cat when it was woken up from its afternoon nap. She reached down and picked up his notebook, carefully checking his answers. As she did this Lucas got up to explore her room, picking up one of the books on her dresser.
"Didn't I give this to you last summer?" He asked, holding up a copy of Jane Eyre. Haley glanced over and hid a smile.
"Yeah, I sorta found it buried in my closet last week" She explained. "I was using it to press a flower" Lucas looked shocked.
"Hales, the point of the book is to read it, not use it for arts and crafts!" Haley laughed at his horror. Lucas was constantly throwing books at her, trying to get her interested. She loved him dearly, but the boy had a thing for screwy 18th century vocabulary that she just didn't get.
Lucas rolled his eyes and then continued to pace around the room, picking up figurines and photos and then placing them back on their respective shelves and holders. Haley completed her review of his work sheet and cleaned up her pile of notes and papers. Finished, she sat back up on the bed, watching Lucas pace up and down her carpet.
"For the safety of my knick-knacks could we please just talk about whatever is on your mind?" Haley questioned loudly, which broke Lucas out of his trance. He glanced at her, midway through rearranging the tacks on her bulletin board.
"What?" Lucas responded. He then guiltily glanced at the thumb tack he was holding. "I'm fine, I guess I just am a little out of it". He sighed and put the tack back on the board before collapsing into Haley's desk chair.
"And it wouldn't have anything to do with Brooke and Peyton?" Haley responded. Luke gave her a threatening look but Haley brushed it off. "What, did you think I wasn't going to notice you suddenly stopped making goo-goo eyes at Brooke and Peyton is treating you like the plague?"
"Haley, I really don't want to talk about this..." Lucas began.
"Well you're going to have to, cause we've both spent the last few weeks moping around in true Dawson and Joey fashion, and quite frankly I'm tired of it!" Haley said, glaring at Lucas as if daring him to disagree. "I refuse to succumb to the melodrama of high school. Now my own dating situation is a train wreck, but you on the other hand have something salvageable. Brooke and Peyton both really like you, and if you could just find yourself a back bone and make a decision than at least one of us could be happy." Haley said with a hint of a threat in her voice. Finished her rant, she settled back into her cross-legged position. Lucas seemed too stunned to talk, but eventually found his voice.
"It's not that easy Hales, I don't know who to pick because I don't know what I feel" Lucas shifted in his chair so that he was looking right at Haley. "Peyton is talented and passionate and I really feel connected to her. But every time I try and get close she pulls away" He stopped and took a moment to choose his words. "Brooke, on the other hand, is daring and open. She's intense and fun, I mean, I don't have to worry about making the wrong move or dredging up painful memories." Haley watched him carefully, and she absently tugged at the cuffs of her sweater.
"Okay, well then it's clear that you like them both" Haley began.
"Thanks for the revelation" Lucas quipped back as he turned away to gaze out the window.
"Would you let me finish!" Haley retorted, shooting him a glare. "It's obvious that you like them both, so the real question is who do you need?" Lucas spun back to look at Haley.
"This is quickly approaching a LoveLine quality of analysis" Lucas warned.
"Honestly Luke, it boils down to which person you couldn't be without" Haley explained. "It's the only way to judge your feelings. So who could you not live without?"
Haley finished her question and watched Lucas, who had grown quiet. The room began to grow tense and Haley felt a shiver run across her back. In her opinion Lucas should choose Peyton. Haley had never been close to the girl, in fact, she had spent all of junior high mocking the cheerleading crowd. Yet, Lucas genuinely seemed to connect to Peyton's angst ridden artist vibe. As far as Brooke was concerned, she had been the one who had deemed Haley 'tutor girl' so she had duly been banished to the fires of hell in Haley's mind.
Suddenly the obnoxious noise of Lucas's cell phone broke the silence of the room. Lucas snapped out of his trance and fumbled around for the small silver device. Haley watched as he answered and held a quick conversation of 'yes' and 'very soon'. As she leaned over to snatch a cookie from the plate on the bed Lucas snapped the phone closed.
"My mom" He explained. "She wants me home, something about the kitchen sink having fits" Haley nodded and then glanced at the clock on her wall.
"Yikes, it's 10:15, I'm surprised my parents didn't kick you out already" She joked, but it only earned a slight grin from Lucas. He still seemed to be thinking about her question, and Haley realized she didn't want to push him to answer it too quickly.
Lucas began to gather his books and papers off of the ground. He closed his book bag and shouldered it quickly. He glanced at Haley, his eyes only holding her gaze for a second. "I'll see you tomorrow Hales, thanks for the help" Haley smiled and watched as Lucas walked out the door. She picked up the plates and glasses from around the room and put them on the tray to take them downstairs. She still felt a little tense, as if Lucas was still sitting across from her and stalling on making a decision. With a sigh she lifted the tray and chalked up her feelings to one too many cookies.
Rating: PG-13 for tiny bit of language
Pairing: Lucas/ Haley but with a smidge of Haley/Nathan and Lucas/Peyton early on
Summary: Takes up after With Arms Outstretched. Haley and Nathan get involved in a cycle of drinking and parties after Nathan's steroid problem. Haley gets pulled out by her family and has to deal with the consequences of her actions and rebuilding her relationship with Lucas.
Note: Since I haven't updated for ages and all, this story isn't going to follow the plot of the show. It only deals with the events up until With Arms Outstretched. Also, please review! Your feedback is fuel for my ego!
Chapter 3
"Wait, clarify this for me, you're going to a dance?" Karen asked, trying to hold back a grin. "My son, the boy who lived in the same ratty band t- shirt for all of junior high, is willfully going to a formal?" A peal of laughter escaped her lips at her last statement and Lucas shook his head in embarrassment.
"It's just Winter Fling, there is no tux involved" Lucas protested as he picked the peas out of his chicken pot pie. Lucas and his mother were finishing up dinner and he had made the mistake of bringing up Saturday night. Karen smiled at him over the dinner table, all sarcasm left behind.
"I'm glad you're going" She offered. "You and Haley don't get to see each other as much anymore, you guys can catch up and Keith and I will get a night of peace." Lucas grinned slightly at the mention of his uncle's name. Ever since his mom had gotten back from Italy two weeks ago she and Keith had been spending a lot more time together. Karen had talked to him about her relationship with Keith the night she got back. Lucas hadn't been surprised at all, but he still listened patiently while Karen drilled him over and over about how he felt about the situation. Honestly, he was happy his mom was moving on with her life. She deserved to be happy, and Lucas couldn't imagine anyone better than Keith for her to be with.
"I know I said I was okay with you guys being together, but could we please not talk about you and Keith, I'd like my dinner to stay in my stomach" Lucas joked and Karen laughed slightly. Suddenly Lucas noticed the time. "Wait, it's already 8 pm? Oh god, I told Haley I would help her close up shop and then study for our chemistry test." He stood up hurriedly, reaching over and picking up his plate and glass. "I've got to go; I'll be back by 10, bye mom!" He explained as he placed the dishes into the sink and then dashed out the door, snatching up his book bag as he flew out. Karen watched him sprint through the kitchen and then out the door, still smiling slightly.
"He doesn't even know how to dance" She said to herself. Taking a final sip of water she stood up and began to clear the rest of the table.
"Hales?" Lucas called out as he walked into the diner. The closed sign was on the door but he knew she was still around because the lights were on. He glanced around the room, not spotting her familiar face anywhere. Suddenly Haley appeared from behind the counter, a tub of sudsy water in her hands.
"You're late" She commented with a smile as she poured out the water into the sink and then quickly washed the tub. Lucas smiled and walked over to the counter.
"Well, mom and I were discussing Saturday night and she decided it was the perfect time to reminisce about my fashion follies in 8th grade." He responded.
"Oh wait, not that horrible ACDC t-shirt you used to wear!" Haley said, her eyes shining with laugher. "God, that thing was disgusting, you never washed it!"
"I did too! Just, not that often" Lucas protested but then admitted to his guilt. "Hey, you weren't much better. You wore black clothing for half of 7th grade because you said you were in mourning for all the animals murdered by us malicious meat eaters!" Haley's mouth dropped open and her cheeks flushed pink.
"You swore you would never bring that up!" She shrieked, slapping him with the towel in her hands. Lucas laughed and easily dodged her jab and then moved to sit on a stool in front of the counter, watching while Haley switched off appliances and locked up the storage room. She grabbed her coat from the rack and then they both exited the diner, Lucas switching off the lights as they passed through the door. He glanced out onto the empty street while Haley locked the front door. They began the quick walk to her house.
"No, Keq is the equilibrium constant, not Ksp" Haley corrected, and Lucas quickly blotted out his answer and filled it in with the right one. Lucas was sitting on the floor, his notebook balanced on one knee. Haley was sitting cross-legged on the bed, chemistry book and notes spread out around her.
They had been working for about an hour, and Haley's mom had kept them supplied with hot cocoa and cookies. Mrs. James referred to it as 'brain food', but Haley knew her mom was just thinking up excuses to check on them. Sure, her parents had known Lucas since she was little, but given the situation with Nathan, they were a lot more cautious about what she was doing. Haley pushed away feelings of annoyance whenever her concentration was broken by the arrival of more food, mainly because she had gotten herself into this mess, and it was time to deal with the consequences.
"Okay, that's it, I'm done" Lucas pronounced, letting his pencil hit the ground and dropping his notebook as well. Haley glanced up to see him stretching, during which he looked remarkably like her cat when it was woken up from its afternoon nap. She reached down and picked up his notebook, carefully checking his answers. As she did this Lucas got up to explore her room, picking up one of the books on her dresser.
"Didn't I give this to you last summer?" He asked, holding up a copy of Jane Eyre. Haley glanced over and hid a smile.
"Yeah, I sorta found it buried in my closet last week" She explained. "I was using it to press a flower" Lucas looked shocked.
"Hales, the point of the book is to read it, not use it for arts and crafts!" Haley laughed at his horror. Lucas was constantly throwing books at her, trying to get her interested. She loved him dearly, but the boy had a thing for screwy 18th century vocabulary that she just didn't get.
Lucas rolled his eyes and then continued to pace around the room, picking up figurines and photos and then placing them back on their respective shelves and holders. Haley completed her review of his work sheet and cleaned up her pile of notes and papers. Finished, she sat back up on the bed, watching Lucas pace up and down her carpet.
"For the safety of my knick-knacks could we please just talk about whatever is on your mind?" Haley questioned loudly, which broke Lucas out of his trance. He glanced at her, midway through rearranging the tacks on her bulletin board.
"What?" Lucas responded. He then guiltily glanced at the thumb tack he was holding. "I'm fine, I guess I just am a little out of it". He sighed and put the tack back on the board before collapsing into Haley's desk chair.
"And it wouldn't have anything to do with Brooke and Peyton?" Haley responded. Luke gave her a threatening look but Haley brushed it off. "What, did you think I wasn't going to notice you suddenly stopped making goo-goo eyes at Brooke and Peyton is treating you like the plague?"
"Haley, I really don't want to talk about this..." Lucas began.
"Well you're going to have to, cause we've both spent the last few weeks moping around in true Dawson and Joey fashion, and quite frankly I'm tired of it!" Haley said, glaring at Lucas as if daring him to disagree. "I refuse to succumb to the melodrama of high school. Now my own dating situation is a train wreck, but you on the other hand have something salvageable. Brooke and Peyton both really like you, and if you could just find yourself a back bone and make a decision than at least one of us could be happy." Haley said with a hint of a threat in her voice. Finished her rant, she settled back into her cross-legged position. Lucas seemed too stunned to talk, but eventually found his voice.
"It's not that easy Hales, I don't know who to pick because I don't know what I feel" Lucas shifted in his chair so that he was looking right at Haley. "Peyton is talented and passionate and I really feel connected to her. But every time I try and get close she pulls away" He stopped and took a moment to choose his words. "Brooke, on the other hand, is daring and open. She's intense and fun, I mean, I don't have to worry about making the wrong move or dredging up painful memories." Haley watched him carefully, and she absently tugged at the cuffs of her sweater.
"Okay, well then it's clear that you like them both" Haley began.
"Thanks for the revelation" Lucas quipped back as he turned away to gaze out the window.
"Would you let me finish!" Haley retorted, shooting him a glare. "It's obvious that you like them both, so the real question is who do you need?" Lucas spun back to look at Haley.
"This is quickly approaching a LoveLine quality of analysis" Lucas warned.
"Honestly Luke, it boils down to which person you couldn't be without" Haley explained. "It's the only way to judge your feelings. So who could you not live without?"
Haley finished her question and watched Lucas, who had grown quiet. The room began to grow tense and Haley felt a shiver run across her back. In her opinion Lucas should choose Peyton. Haley had never been close to the girl, in fact, she had spent all of junior high mocking the cheerleading crowd. Yet, Lucas genuinely seemed to connect to Peyton's angst ridden artist vibe. As far as Brooke was concerned, she had been the one who had deemed Haley 'tutor girl' so she had duly been banished to the fires of hell in Haley's mind.
Suddenly the obnoxious noise of Lucas's cell phone broke the silence of the room. Lucas snapped out of his trance and fumbled around for the small silver device. Haley watched as he answered and held a quick conversation of 'yes' and 'very soon'. As she leaned over to snatch a cookie from the plate on the bed Lucas snapped the phone closed.
"My mom" He explained. "She wants me home, something about the kitchen sink having fits" Haley nodded and then glanced at the clock on her wall.
"Yikes, it's 10:15, I'm surprised my parents didn't kick you out already" She joked, but it only earned a slight grin from Lucas. He still seemed to be thinking about her question, and Haley realized she didn't want to push him to answer it too quickly.
Lucas began to gather his books and papers off of the ground. He closed his book bag and shouldered it quickly. He glanced at Haley, his eyes only holding her gaze for a second. "I'll see you tomorrow Hales, thanks for the help" Haley smiled and watched as Lucas walked out the door. She picked up the plates and glasses from around the room and put them on the tray to take them downstairs. She still felt a little tense, as if Lucas was still sitting across from her and stalling on making a decision. With a sigh she lifted the tray and chalked up her feelings to one too many cookies.