Chapter 9: Karen's Café Pt. 4
Disclaimer: I do not own any of the One Tree Hill characters. I only own my original characters.
Haley was chattering a mile a minute and Kaiana was trying her hardest to listen. She really was, but he was distracting her. Lucas was currently still sitting at the counter with his back turned to her eating a sandwich his mom had brought to him. He wasn't looking at her, but she could feel his presence and it drew her eyes to him again and again. Every time she managed to pull her eyes away from him, she found them floating right back in his direction. He laughed then at something his uncle said to him and she smiled at the rich sound. Jesus...even his laughter stirred something inside her. This was bad...very bad. She couldn't allow him to affect her like this.
Haley waved a hand in front of her face. "Hey Kaiana," she called. "You okay? Are you even listening to a word I'm saying?"
Kaiana jumped slightly and looked at Haley. "Uh...What...Oh were you talking to me," she asked, her eyes still appearing somewhat dazed.
Haley gave her a half smile. "You know...I know my best friend can be distracting," she stated, her eyes moving to glance at Lucas briefly before returning back to the girl sitting across from her. "But staring at him is not going to help you get these notes. How about you get the notes first and then stare at him after?"
Kaiana rolled her eyes, but she could feel her cheeks flame with embarrassment. "Sorry," she mumbled. "I guess I am a little distracted."
Haley raised an eyebrow. "You think," she countered, with that same half smile. "Look, how about I leave these notes here with you to copy now. Or you can take them home with you for the night. That way you can use the rest of your time here to stare at Lucas." Haley slid the notebook across the table to Kaiana.
"I was not staring at Lucas," Kaiana scoffed, as she picked up the notebook and placed it into her book bag. "But I do think you have a good idea. I'll borrow it tonight and write down the notes. I can return it to you first thing in the morning."
Haley shook her head and snickered. "You weren't staring at him huh," she replied. "Okay...whatever you have to tell yourself. Anyway, I have to get back to work." Haley pushed back her chair and rose from the table.
Kaiana nodded. "Okay...I think I'll just take off now. It's been a long day." Kaiana stood up as well, placing her book bag over her shoulder.
"Alright...well you have my cell number if you wanna talk later and if not I'll see you at school tomorrow okay," Haley told her, as she squeezed her arm gently before walking back over to the counter. Haley nudged Lucas secretly and nodded her head discreetly in Kaiana's direction, who was currently digging around in her bag. Lucas put down the glass of soda he was holding and wiped his mouth with a napkin. He exchanged a look with Haley, which earned him another nudge from his best friend. He sighed deeply and got up from the stool and made his way over to where Kaiana stood.
She looked up and saw him approaching her and she fought against the butterflies fluttering in her stomach. He was standing right in front of her now with his hands stuffed in the pockets of his jeans, his eyes staring deeply into hers. He cleared his throat nervously. "So you heading out huh," he asked her. She nodded. He looked down again unable to form another sentence. What was it about this girl that made him so nervous? He heard her sigh and he brought his eyes up to meet her gaze once more, finding a soft smile on her face. He instantly felt warmed at the sight of that smile, returning it with one of his own.
"So...uh...I'm guessing you're ready to relax after today," he asked, hoping that he would prolong the conversation. He wasn't quite ready for her to go just yet. "I mean the whole starting a new school thing and then that crap that went down with Justin at school. I'm sure your head is just ready to hit the pillow."
Kaiana rolled her eyes. "You have no idea," she said. "But there were some good things that came out of this. I met some great people...possibly people who will become close friends." She looked directly into his eyes, unconscious of the subtle message she was sending him. Truth be told, she wanted to be close as she could possibly get with Lucas. She just wasn't sure if that was what she needed right now.
Lucas was having reservations himself. He wasn't sure if what she said was meant to sound like a come on, but he didn't care either which way. He would be lying to himself if he denied his attraction to her and it sent a thrill through him at the thought of her being attracted to him too. "Yeah I can almost guarantee that those people will become good friends to you," he answered finally, sneaking a glance over his shoulder at Haley. He shook his head upon finding her staring openly at him and Kaiana. He was going to have a talk with her later about her nosiness.
Lucas then looked at Kaiana again and a thought occurred to him. She hadn't mentioned her parents today...not once. His curiosity prodded him to ask her about that. "Hey, what about your parents," he asked her, noticing her stiffen but continuing anyway. "You haven't mentioned them at all today. Usually when a kid moves to a new town, they would gripe about how their parents forced them to move because of a new job or some other reason, but you haven't said anything about them."
Kaiana averted his eyes and bit her lip. The one topic she didn't want to talk about and he had to dredge it up. She knew he was waiting for an answer, but she refused to give him one. "Kaiana...hey...something wrong," he asked, his voice sounding concerned now. She shook her head and adjusted her book bag over her shoulder. She mumbled something like 'I gotta go' and 'see you at school tomorrow" as she stepped around him, quickly heading for the exit. He heard the familiar 'ding' of his mother's door opening and then she was gone.
Lucas still hadn't moved from his spot, watching her through the glass get into her vehicle and pull away from the curb. Haley called his name and he turned around, only when he could see Kaiana's car no longer. He trudged back over to the counter and sat back down on the stool next to his uncle.
His uncle slapped him on the back. "You'll get em next time slugger," Keith said, shooting his nephew an annoying grin. Lucas shot his uncle a quelling look. "What did you say to her," Haley asked him, her tone accusatory as she playfully snapped him with a dish towel. He didn't answer right away, still lost in thought about Kaiana's strange reaction to his question. Why didn't she want to talk about her parents?
"Hey...lover boy," Haley called, tapping his hand lightly. "What happened over there? Why did she run off like that? She didn't even say goodbye."
Lucas shrugged. "I don't know Hales," he responded. "I simply asked about her parents. It was like all of a sudden all the light left her eyes and she couldn't get away from me fast enough."
Haley frowned. "Really," she asked with interest, leaning on the counter with her elbows resting on it. "That's kind of weird. Well...not really. A lot of kids don't like to talk about their parents. You should be able to vibe with her on that subject."
Lucas groaned. "Not now Haley," he said. "I've had a pretty decent day. Don't ruin it by bringing him up...please." Just thinking about his father could bring darkness to his mood. There was no one in the world that could rile him up like that man could. He felt a hand on his shoulder and he turned to its owner.
"Lucas you know I don't like the guy too much either," Keith said, his voice suddenly serious. "But he is your father. I wish the two of you could come to some sort of understanding. The both of you are too stubborn for your own good." Lucas shrugged the hand off him and glared at his uncle.
"Not you too Keith," Lucas snapped. "There is a reason why we can't come to an understanding and it's a damn good one. He-abandoned-me. Isn't that enough reason to stay away from him?" Keith sighed and glanced at Karen, silently asking her to intervene.
"Don't look at me Keith," she said, wiping her hands on her apron. "I've talked to him about it many times. He's not budging on the issue."
"I would appreciate it if you guys wouldn't talk about me as if I'm not sitting right here," Lucas sneered.
His mother raised her eyebrows at him. "And I would appreciate it if you would get that tone out of your voice," she countered. Lucas rolled his eyes. He mumbled 'sorry' and caught the gaze of his best friend.
"Luke...we're only trying to help," said Haley in a soft voice as she stood up straight. "I mean you and Nathan have made so much progress and you hated him too...remember. I know how much it hurts. What he did...what your father did was awful. But why can't you guys just work it out? It's like the both of you bring the worst of your anger out of each other."
Lucas clenched his jaw. "We can't work it out, because he's a jerk. You know that and I know that. Just take how he treats you for instance. He refuses to accept the fact that you are Nathan's girlfriend. And we all know how well he reacted to the fact that Nathan and I are now on speaking terms. When he found out, he promptly started a big fight with Nathan and his mom. Nathan's mom moved out of the house to get away from him Haley. Why should I want to form a relationship with someone like that?"
Haley didn't know what to say to that. The man was a complete asshole to her and to the both of his sons. She didn't like him in the least and always made sure that was clear if she ever bumped into him on the street. Mr. Scott had a way of making people hate his guts very easily. It must be some sort of gift...a gift Haley was glad that she didn't have. There was a time when she thought Nathan was like him, until she had gotten to know him better. She had realized his constant cocky demeanor was just something he forced, something he used as a protective barrier to keep himself from getting hurt. Deep inside he was similar to Lucas...loyal, sweet, thoughtful...not to mention stubborn. Haley pushed her hair behind her ear and looked into they eyes of her best friend.
"Yeah...I see what you mean Luke," she said softly. "Sorry for pushing."
"It's okay Hales," he replied, giving her a small smile. "I know you just care about me." He then glanced at his mom and his uncle. "I know everyone cares about me, but this is something that can't be fixed. I've come to terms with the fact that Dan will never be my dad. I just wish you guys would." With that said, Lucas got up off the stool and exited the diner.
Karen and Keith exchanged a look. "Do you think I should go after him," Keith asked, looking from Karen to Haley.
"No, he'll be alright," said Karen as she continued filling the coffee canisters. "You know how he is. His father is a touchy subject for him. He just needs some time alone right now. That's all." Karen saw the worried expression on Haley's face and turned the girl to face her. "Haley...stop...don't blame yourself for Lucas leaving," she ordered. "Lucas isn't mad at you. It's just talking about his father makes him close up and withdraw. He doesn't mean to hurt anyone."
"How did you know I was blaming myself," Haley replied, frowning. Karen lovingly smoothed a hand down Haley's hair, just as she used to do when Haley was younger. "Sweetheart I've known you since you were five years old," she said. "I can read the expressions on that pretty face like a book." Haley smiled and then her face returned serious again.
"Karen do you think Luke and Dan will ever get along," she asked quietly. "Luke says he hates him, but I'm not so sure. Sometimes I think he hates himself more for still wanting...I don't know...for Dan to act like a real dad to him."
Keith gulped down the rest of his soda. "I agree with you Haley," he said. "No matter what Lucas says, I know there is a part of him that wishes he and Dan were closer, but he would never admit it. Anyway, I'm going back to the shop. I have a car to finish up tonight. I'll see you pretty ladies tomorrow." Keith pulled out some cash from his wallet and slid it forward on the counter as he rose from his seat. He waved goodbye before leaving the diner as well.
"You think he's really going to go check on Lucas," Haley asked as she watched Keith get into his truck.
Karen nodded. "Absolutely," she said. "Keith loves Lucas like a son. He's the only semblance of a father Lucas has ever had. And I think in some ways that hurts Lucas too."
Haley turned to Karen and frowned. "How so," she asked. "If Keith loves Lucas, then why would that hurt him?"
"It hurts Lucas because Keith is Dan's brother," Karen replied. "Every time Keith does something special for Lucas or even when they hang out together, it's a constant reminder of what he doesn't have with his real father. I'm pretty sure he wonders why his father couldn't be more like his uncle. But don't worry...Lucas will be fine." Karen patted Haley on the back and went back into the kitchen area of the diner.
"Yeah," Haley answered resting her chin on her hand. She just hated seeing Lucas like that. They had been best friends for so long and they were always there for each other. Haley was frustrated that Lucas had a problem that she couldn't fix. She couldn't stop her friend from hurting any more than she could stop Dan from being a jerk. The only thing she could do to help Lucas was to continue doing what she always did...love him and support him.
Later that night....
Kaiana lay awake in her bed praying for sleep to come soon, but knowing that it wouldn't. She couldn't seem to turn her mind off tonight. She snuck a look at the clock on her night stand and saw it was 10:00 p.m. A deep sight escaped her lips and she flopped onto her back. It was bad enough that he had invaded her thoughts for most of the day, but now he was taking up her night time too. Why did he have to ask about her parents? Why did he have to go there? She grunted at the stupidity of those thoughts. Of course he was curious. It was a perfectly normal question. The problem was: talking about her parents was a definite no-no. She couldn't just open up to him that easily, not to mention it may have led to a conversation about who she really was and she definitely wasn't ready for that.
She glanced at her cell phone sitting in its charger and she reached over to pick it up. She noticed that it had one missed call and a voice mail. She pressed a couple buttons and held the phone to her ear to listen to the message. It was Peyton. She wondered how Peyton got her cell number, until she realized Haley probably gave it to her. Why would Peyton have to speak to her now anyway? Then she remembered that she had told Peyton she could hang out with her or talk if she wanted to. Well, she didn't really feel like talking to anyone right now. Tomorrow she would apologize to Peyton when she saw her at school and just hope that would be enough. Right now all she wanted to do was rest her mind from the strenuous day she had. She rolled over on to her side and curled up in a ball, shifting the blanket higher on to her shoulder. She closed her eyes again for the hundredth time and hoped that sleep would find her soon.
Note: It was hard to write this chapter for some reason. I seem to be consumed with ideas for my other two stories even though this one was my baby. I'll try to drum up something good for the next chapter. I have to really brainstorm. Anyway...please review.
