Chapter 6: Karen's Café Pt. 1
Disclaimer: I do not own any of the One Tree Hill characters. I only own my original characters.
Thank god this day was finally over. Technically, the day wasn't quite over, because she still had to meet Haley after school to get those notes for English. This day had been so overwhelming, but she would have to hang in there for a couple more hours. Kaiana stopped at her locker briefly to put back some of her books. She figured after the day she had, she could only manage to focus on History and English tonight. Geometry would have to wait until tomorrow night. Maybe she should try to get a tutor or something since Math was her mortal enemy. She shut and locked her locker, sighing deeply as she felt the weariness creeping in. Just thinking about all the drama that went down today exhausted her even more. It was great that she had made some new friends, but she also seemed to gain two thorns in her side. She didn't know what the deal was with Justin and Allen. Justin really gave her the creeps the way he looked at her and Allen just seemed to kiss Justin's ass. Anyway you put it; they were definitely two people who she intended to stay away from whenever she could help it. She thanked her lucky stars that she only had Homeroom with those idiots.
She shook her head slightly, forcing Allen and Justin out of my mind as she headed out the main doors with the only intention being getting to her truck. When she got to her truck (SUV), she flung her bag in the back seat and placed her cell phone in the charger. She flopped down wearily on the driver's side and laid her head against the seat, closing her eyes for a moment to relax. Her thoughts strayed to Lucas. He was hot with a capital H. He affected her so much that he had her behaving like a lovesick puppy. She felt a warm feeling engulf her body when she remembered how he tried to defend her in the cafeteria. At the same time, she didn't want him to get into trouble because of her. Nathan already earned detention for allowing Justin to get to him. She didn't want that to happen to Lucas.
Kaiana finally opened her eyes just in time to see Haley, Brooke, and Peyton coming out the main doors. She stuck her head out the window and called Haley's name to get her attention. Haley smiled as she noticed Kaiana waving frantically at her and started making her way towards the parking lot with Brooke and Peyton in tow. When they finally got to Kaiana's truck, Brooke whistled appreciatively as her gaze wandered over the vehicle.
"Kick ass truck you got here girl," said Brooke, tilting her head to the side. "Is it yours?"
"Yeah, it's mine...at least the last time I checked," Kaiana remarked. Brooke smirked and continued walking around the truck, taking in the smooth black surface free of scratches.
Haley's eyes wandered over the truck and nodded in agreement. "It's really nice," she said. "Wish I had one."
Brooke came back around to stand next to Haley, placing an arm around her shoulder. "Why don't you get you rich boyfriend to buy you one," she asked, winking evilly.
Haley laughed. "Yeah right," she said. "It's not his money. It's his father's money and we already know I'm not exactly his favorite person."
Kaiana glanced at Peyton who had been standing there appearing to be off in another world. "Hey Peyton...are you alright," Kaiana asked. Peyton didn't answer. She didn't even give a sign that she heard the question.
Brooke rolled her eyes and elbowed the blonde in her arm. "Wha...what Brooke," said Peyton, sounding annoyed. "Damn, you got a hard elbow. What's your deal?"
Brooke shook her head. "Peyton if you were listening you would have realized Kaiana was asking you a question," said Brooke, elbowing Peyton again for good measure.
Peyton glanced down at her feet and then gave Kaiana an apologetic look. "I'm sorry Kaiana," she said, running her hand through her curly hair. "I'm just a little out of it right now. I've got some stuff on my mind."
"More like some Jake on your mind," Brooke muttered. Peyton gave her an evil glare, but Brooke simply smiled. "Aww come on Peyton," said Brooke, throwing an arm around her friend's waist. "I'm just messing with you. Lighten up girl."
"Yeah I know," said Peyton quietly. "So...Kaiana what were you asking me before?"
Kaiana stared at Peyton, trying to decide if she really wanted to repeat the question or not. She didn't want Peyton to think that she was prying into her life. On the other hand, Peyton did look like she needed to talk. Kaiana shook her head and shrugged. "It's not important, but Peyton...if you wanna talk later or just chill out you can come by my house and...I don't know...hang out. I mean...if you want too."
"Hey, how come only she gets the invite," Haley asked, nudging Peyton in her side, causing a small smile to appear on her friend's face.
"Oh sorry," Kaiana said blushing slightly. "You guys can come over too...if you want."
Peyton adjusted her book bag on her shoulder. "No I'm fine…I'm just going to chill out at home." she said quickly, ignoring the concerned looks on their faces. "Look I gotta go. I'll see you guys tomorrow at school." Peyton smiled at them one more time and then walked away. Then suddenly Peyton turned back around. "Hey…Kaiana," she called.
"Yeah."
"Thanks," Peyton said simply. "I just might take you up on that offer."
"Yeah sure...no problem," Kaiana replied. They all waved goodbye to Peyton as she took off again to her car.
"Uh...Brooke," Haley said softly. "You do realize that Peyton is blowing off cheerleading practice right? Is she going go be okay at home all alone? Do you think we should have made her talk to us about what's bothering her?"
Brooke sighed as she watched Peyton pull out of the parking lot. "Haley, we already know what's bothering her. When she's ready she'll come to us."
Kaiana pretended to be very interested in looking at the school campus so that it wouldn't seem as if she was paying attention to the conversation. She had her suspicions about what could possibly be bothering Peyton. She had seen the way Peyton and Jake looked at each other. They're so obviously into each other, but the question is why they haven't done something about it. Jake could have a girlfriend already. Come to think of it, Peyton may already be involved with someone too. Maybe that was the reason…too much drama.
"Hey are you ready to go the Cafe," Haley asked, breaking Kaiana out of her thoughts. "You're gonna love this place. The lady who owns it is super nice and I've known her practically all my life. When I go on break, we can go over the notes and plus I can probably get her to give you some free coffee and pastries."
"Sure I'm ready when," Kaiana trailed off upon seeing Lucas coming through the main doors. Every coherent thought she had ceased immediately when she saw him. He was looking around as if he was searching for someone. Haley and Brooke followed her gaze and secretly smiled at each other. Brooke called out to Lucas and waved him over. He smiled when he saw them and began making his way over to them. Kaiana looked over at Brooke to find her smiling mischievously. What was Brooke up to now? It was too late to find out, because Lucas had already reached the truck. He whistled and ran his hands along the surface of the truck, obviously admiring it.
"Sweet ride, is it yours," said Lucas, catching her eyes finally.
"Yeah it's mine," Kaiana responded. "It was a present for moving here."
Lucas's eyebrows rose in surprise. "Damn…if I could get a new car for moving I would beg my mom to move right now!"
"Brooke slapped Lucas on his arm playfully. "Now you know you could never leave us," she said, winking at him flirtatiously. "You would miss us to much."
Lucas muttered "not that much" as he rubbed his side.
"Oh stop pretending like that actually hurt you big baby," said Haley, letting out a small laugh. "He's such a little actor."
"Emphasis on the little," said Brooke, raising a brow. Lucas glared at Brooke, while Haley burst out laughing which in turn earned her a similar glare from Lucas. Kaiana placed a hand over her mouth as she fought the smile she felt forming. Brooke and Haley were making it hard. Finally, a small giggle escaped her lips, which made Lucas turn his eyes to her. The glare dropped abruptly from his face.
"Trust me Kaina, I'm anything but little," Lucas said softly while he continued to give her that intense stare of his that made her fidget. The smile that was once on her lips fell away as she got caught up in his blue eyes. It was amazing how this man could make her forget everything with just one look.
Brooke cleared her throat. Kaiana jumped a little, blushing at being caught staring at Lucas yet again like some 'starry-eyed' little girl.
"Much as I would love to see you too fawn all over each other, I have a practice to get to," said Brooke, looking from Lucas to Kaiana.
"Later guys," she said as she pinched Lucas's cheek, which was now a soft pink, before she walked away.
"Bye to you too Brooke," Haley said sarcastically. Brooke replied with a slight wave as she continued to walk across the campus.
"I hate to break you guys up from your staring match too, but Kaiana and I have somewhere to be," said Haley. "Besides, Lucas don't you have to go to the weight room and work out the last of your brain cells?"
"Ooh...straight for the heart," said Lucas in mock pain as he held a hand to his chest. "Actually smart ass, I have to stop by Uncle Keith's for a while."
"What…no basketball practice today," Haley asked.
"No remember Tim said it at lunch. When we had our meeting today, Whitey canceled practice. He went home sick with the flu."
"I try not to pay attention to anything Tim says," said Haley dryly. "I hope Whitey will be okay. I guess you guys have some free time on your hands till he gets better huh?"
"Yeah, I guess we'll have to find something else to do with our time, but Whitey will be back in no time. The old man is tough. I'm sure he can survive a little flu. I guess it's a good thing he's sick otherwise he would tear Nathan a new one for getting detention!" Lucas chuckled. It seemed Nathan always found a way to get the Coach angry with him. Nathan never failed to make Whitey scream at him at least once a week. Lucas looked down at his watch and his eyes widened.
"Well, anyway I'll let you guys go," Lucas said as he glanced at Kaiana again. "I'll talk to you later Hales...and Kaiana I guess I'll see you at school tomorrow."
"Actually you may see her much sooner than you think," said Haley under her breath. Kaiana turned shocked eyes to Haley. What did Haley mean by that? Haley, however, was doing a great job at averting her eyes.
"O-kay," said Lucas slowly. "Uum...anyway I have to go. Later," he said as he jogged away towards his truck. Kaiana watched Haley as she opened the passenger side door and climbed in. She threw her book bag in the back seat and put on her seatbelt. All the while, Kaiana continued to give her a look of curiosity, noticing that Haley was still avoiding her eyes.
"Haley...Haley...Hey," she said, snapped her fingers in Haley's face. "Anything you want to tell me? You're acting kind of...I don't know...weird."
Haley giggled nervously and tucked a strand of her auburn hair behind her ear. "Everything is fine Kaina, now let's go or you'll make me late for work." Kaiana watched her closely for a couple more seconds, before turning the key in the ignition. She knew Haley was up to something, but she didn't know what. "Lead the way...Haley," she said finally, pulling her eyes away from her new friend as she pulled out of the parking lot.
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