Chapter 10: Facing the Second Day

Disclaimer: I do not own any of the One Tree Hill characters. I only own my original characters.

Kaiana sighed as she pulled into the parking lot of Tree Hill High; not ready at all to face her second day of school. She exited her truck, first grabbing her tote bag off the seat, and began her trek across the parking lot. She followed some kids around the back of the school until she came to a set of benches. She noted that it was the same spot where she had spent her free period yesterday afternoon. A familiar blond with a head full of curls was sitting at one of them, her head down seemingly engrossed in a book. Kaiana increased her pace as she walked towards the blonde, feeling a sense of relief at her decision to wear comfortable shoes. Kaiana smirked as she stood over the girl sitting down, silently wondering when her presence would be acknowledged. The smirk slid off her face when she realized the girl wore headphones. Kaiana leaned over and closed the book, smiling at the way the girl started at the unexpected movement.

Peyton quickly took off her headphones, turning around to tongue lash whoever was behind her, when she saw Kaiana grinning down at her. "Girl you are so lucky it's you," Peyton said laughing. Peyton made a motion with her hands to the seat of the bench. "Come on sit down." Kaiana plopped her bag down on the table and sat down. She dragged a hand through her hair tiredly, stifling a yawn. Peyton raised an eyebrow. "Dude you alright," she asked. "You look a little tired."

Kaiana snorted. "I'm more than a little tired," she said. "More like exhausted. I didn't get much sleep last night."

"Man that sucks," said Peyton. "Just what did you do yesterday afternoon when I left?"

"I went with Haley to this little café where she works so that she could go over the English notes with me," Kaiana replied. "You've probably heard of it right...Karen's Café."

Peyton nodded. "Yeah Brooke and I go there all the time," she replied. "Nathan's mom and Karen are business partners, so of course Nathan goes there a lot too. Plus, his girlfriend also works there." Peyton paused for a beat. "So you met Lucas's mom," she asked carefully. She also had picked up on a slight vibe between Lucas and Kaiana yesterday. Kaiana's face contorted at the mention of Lucas. "Something wrong," Peyton asked curiously.

Kaiana glanced over at the blonde sitting next to her, thinking of how she could explain what was bothering her. She needed to talk to someone. She had been going over and over it last night in her head and talking to yourself just didn't do the trick. "It's just...you know...Lucas," Kaiana said finally.

"O-kay," Peyton said slowly. "What about Lucas?"

"Everything," Kaiana answered unhappily. "Peyton you know I'm new here. My house still hasn't been fixed up yet...at least not completely and there are still boxes unpacked everywhere and now I have all this homework and not to mention this thing happened with Lucas yesterday and he probably thinks that's I'm a nutcase for just leaving like that---."

Peyton held a hand up. "Woah...wait as minute," she instructed. "Just take a deep breath. Slow down alright. Now tell me what exactly happened with Lucas yesterday."

Kaiana did as she was told, taking in a deep breath. "Like I said before I went with Haley to that café," she continued. "By the way, she didn't tell me that the owner was Lucas's mom either. I think she planned for Lucas and I to sort of bump into each other, or at least she hoped we would."

Peyton laughed. "Are you kidding me," she asked incredulously. "So Haley's playing matchmaker huh? I'm a little surprised. That's usually Brooke's department."

"Yeah well little Ms. Haley was doing some scheming of her own," Kaiana said, joining in the laughter. The smile slid of her face though at the thought of how she had left the café so abruptly. "Anyway, of course Lucas stopped by, along with his uncle, who is pretty nice...he's funny. But then when I was leaving, Lucas came over to talk to me for a while." Kaiana stared down at her nails, not even realizing she had paused the conversation.

"So what did you guys talk about," Peyton prodded.

"Well, we were just...you know...chatting and then it happened," Kaiana said dramatically. "He asked me something about my parents and I just freaked. I really don't like discussing them. I was so uncomfortable with the change of subject that I just left. I didn't even say goodbye to anyone. I just took off. I'm pretty sure he thinks I'm some sort of weirdo."

Peyton smiled. "Is that all," she asked. "Don't worry about it. Luke is cool. Just tell him what you told me...that you don't like talking about your parents. He'll understand. Trust me. Luke is a good guy."

"You sure," Kaiana asked uncertainly. "It was like he mentioned my parents and I just froze him out. I didn't mean to be that way. It was like I couldn't help it."

"Just apologize," said Peyton. "He'll understand...trust me. Now come on...let's go inside. I need to get something from my locker before class."

Kaiana rose with Peyton, slinging her bag over her shoulder. She was still deep in thought as she and Peyton walked side by side. Peyton stopped at one of the sections of lockers and began twisting the knob on her lock. "So I'm guessing you haven't had time to come up with a routine yet for try outs," Peyton asked casually, sneaking a quick glance at Kaiana.

Kaiana shook her head, as she moved to lean against the locker next to Peyton's. "No, but I'll think of something later," she answered. "I took dance lessons for some years. I don't think it will be that hard. I just have to pick the right music and it will flow from there." Kaiana turned her head to look at Peyton. "So you helped me work out a little issue I had. Now it's your turn."

Peyton rustled around in her locker until she found the notebook she was looking for, before closing the door and locking it back. "I'm not sure what you mean," she replied as she knelt to place her book in the backpack.

Kaiana rolled her eyes. "Yes you do," she responded. "You were all distracted and out of it yesterday afternoon after school. And I saw on my phone that you called me last night. I figured you wanted to talk."

Peyton zipped up her bag, and slung it back over shoulder. "It was nothing," she said, as she gave a little shrug.

"Are you sure," Kaiana asked. "Come on Peyton. I talked to you. Now you talk to me."

Peyton hooked her fingers into the pockets of her jeans. "Well I've been thinking about this guy and I'm not sure---" Peyton trailed off when she saw Brooke and Haley coming towards them. Kaiana frowned. She turned her head to see who Peyton was looking at and smiled when she saw the two 'schemers'.

"Hi guys...what's up," said Haley. "What were you guys talking about over here?"

Both Kaiana and Peyton shared a look that said 'don't tell them'. "Nothing much," said Peyton, shrugging her shoulders.

"Oh okay...well...good morning chicas," Brook said happily. Brooke looked at Kaiana carefully. "Wow...your hair," she said. "It's so...curly. What did you do to it?"

"Brooke...one word...tact," Peyton said sarcastically. Haley only laughed. Brooke was one of her closest friends, but the girl should think before she speaks.

Brooke shook her head frantically. "No I didn't mean it that way," she said. "I like it better like this actually. But damn, that's a lot of hair...beautiful...but it must be a bitch to handle." Brooke placed a hand out and stroked one of the curls, her face almost in awe at how the curl sprung back into place. Sometimes she wished her hair was curly like Peyton, instead of the straight hair she had.

"You have no idea," Kaiana said. "I washed it last night and I just decided to let it air dry. My hair is naturally curly. It was straight yesterday because I got up early and blow dried it." Kaiana patted her hair self consciously. "Are you sure it looks okay," she asked.

"It's beautiful," Brooke answered truthfully. "I guess now we have two curly haired girls in our clique now."

"Oh so I'm in your clique now," Kaiana asked playfully. "Damn how did I let this happen?"

"Yeah...yeah whatever smart ass," Brooke retorted, her dimples flashing. "You know you're glad you're hanging out with us." Brooke glanced at Kaiana from head to toe. "I like your sneakers girl," she commented. "Not as hot as those boots you had on yesterday, but still cute."

"Yeah well I had a tough night," Kaiana responded. "I woke up this morning and just didn't feel like doing heels today."

"I know the feeling," said Haley. "Especially since I never wear heels to school."

Brooke looked at her friend, giving her a sarcastic smile. "Do you ever wear heels anywhere?"

Haley hit Brooke playfully on the arm. "Shut up cheerleader," she joked.

Then Kaiana remembered she had Haley's notebook. She slid her hand into her bag and pulled it out. "Here you go," she said, handing the book to Haley.

"Oh thanks," Haley said cheerfully. "Did it help get you up to speed with what we're doing in class?"

Kaiana nodded. "Yeah I read all your notes but I only managed to copy down the notes from the first two chapters before the words started swimming in front of my eyes," she remarked. "But thanks anyway. It was a great help just to read it."

"Your welcome," said Haley. "You know you can always borrow it again to copy the rest. Don't you have a free period after lunch? You can borrow it then."

"Thanks a lot Haley," said Kaiana, tucking a loose curl behind her ear. "Yeah I do have a free period after lunch. I'll write---" All her speech ceased when she spied two familiar figures coming down the hall. Lucas and Nathan. She leaned off the lockers and looked over at Peyton quickly. Peyton saw the brothers coming towards them and she noticed the way Kaiana immediately got quiet.

Nathan strolled up to Haley, leaning down and kissing her softly on the lips. "Hey baby...what's up," he said, pulling her into a hug. Haley pulled back and leaned up to give her boyfriend another kiss on the lips, this one lingering a little longer.

"Oh will you get a room," Peyton said sarcastically. Nathan flipped her the bird, but he was smiling. Peyton gave him the finger right back, smirking slightly.

Kaiana chanced a look at Lucas. He was watching her closely, his eyes going over her entire body. She squirmed a little under his gaze, glancing down quickly at her choice of outfit. She hoped that he didn't think she looked bad or something. Then she immediately berated herself for caring so much about what he thought. Her eyes sought his again. A sense of déjà vu hit her. She and Lucas had been standing staring at each other like this just yesterday morning.

Peyton looked at the two teenagers regarding each other. "Umm...Brooke didn't you tell me last night you wanted to talk to me about something," she asked. Brooke looked at Peyton like she had grown another head, because she knew she hadn't spoken to Peyton since yesterday after school. "What are you talking about Peyton," she asked in confusion.

Peyton nodded her head discreetly at the couple and Brooke's eyes widened. "Oh yeah...um...that," she said, taking a quick look at her watch. "Yeah I remember now, but let's go talk in private huh. We have about 10 more minutes before the bell rings." Brooke took Peyton's arm and led her away from the group.

Haley watched as her friends left, wondering what was going on, until she saw Lucas and Kaiana. She nudged Nathan in his side. Nathan looked over at his brother and smirked. He got the idea. "Alright Ms. Matchmaker," he whispered to Haley in her ear. "I have to get to class anyway." Nathan kissed Haley one more time, before taking off down the hall to his class. Haley eased herself away from Lucas and Kaiana, heading over to her two friends talking a little ways down the hallway.

"What's going on with those two," Brooke whispered, when she saw Haley come up to them.

"I'm not exactly sure," Haley replied. "Whatever it is, it's between Lucas and Kaiana."

Brooke pouted. "Oh come on," she pleaded. "Give up the gossip. I want the scoop on those two."

Peyton laughed. "Would you listen to yourself," she said. "Jeez Brooke. We just wanted to give them some privacy. Obviously something is going on between them. Let them figure it out."

Brooke sighed loudly. "Alright," she said. "But I'm going to pay close attention to Lucas's mouth. Maybe I can read his side of the conversation from his lips."

"No you're not," Haley said firmly, turning Brooke around and giving her a push. "Go to class. Come on we'll walk you."

Lucas dragged his eyes away from Kaiana and looked over at his friends, who were now leaving. A part of him was glad that they left him to have some privacy, but a part of him wanted one of them here with him. Maybe it would make everything seem less awkward. His eyes drew back to her, smiling at the way she was nervously biting her bottom lip.

Kaiana sighed. It was time to get this over with. "Look Lucas I want to apologize," she started. "I'm sorry."

Lucas looked confused. "For what," he asked.

Kaiana shifted her bag on her shoulder, crossing her arms protectively over her chest as she placed her back against the locker again. "For acting so weird yesterday...for just leaving like that," she said looking down at the floor.

"Oh that," he responded, stuffing his hands in his pockets. "It's cool. Don't worry about it. I worried though. You okay?"

"Yeah I'm fine," she said, looking at him directly now. "I just hate talking about my parents. It's a sore subject for me. It doesn't excuse the way I acted though." She looked down at the ground again before giving him a shy smile. "So do you forgive me?"

Lucas took a step closer to her and scratched his head as he pretended to think. Kaiana laughed and hit in the chest. "Oh just stop," she said in a teasing voice.

"Alright...no need to get violent," he said. "Of course I forgive you. No harm done. I just wanted to know if you were okay and now I know you are." His eyes slid upwards to her hair. He couldn't help it. She looked so different with it all curly...prettier even. Before he knew it, he was pulling on of her curls, loving how soft her hair felt between his fingers.

Kaiana bit her lip. Now he was stroking her hair and he didn't even seem to realize he was doing it. "You know if you want to play with hair it would be easier to just grow your own long," she teased. Lucas looked at her face then and where his hand was. He dropped her hair as if he had been holding a piece of hot coal. He felt warm heat creeping up his neck. Kaiana giggled. "It's okay Lucas," she told him. "For some reason people always seem to want to touch my hair when it's curly like this."

Kaiana felt a streak of bravery as she reached up her hand and ran it through his messy locks. He arched his brow at that. "What I can't touch your hair," she said, moving her fingers through his hair again. "You touched mine, although I think it's completely unfair that you can get away with that 'just got out of bed look'. I have so many headaches with my hair. I bet you just wash it and go huh."

Lucas chuckled. "Pretty much," he replied. His smile grew as he felt her fingers continuing to weave through his hair. When she ruffled it playfully, he laughed. "Hey watch it," he said, grabbing her hand in his. "I know it's messy, but don't make it worse."

"Can it get any worse," she quipped.

"Oh no you didn't," Lucas joked.

Kaiana giggled loudly. "Oh god! You have been hanging around girls way too much. We need to get some more testosterone in your blood. Don't worry Lucas. We'll turn you into a man...someday."

"Well if you're looking for a real man then you're wasting your time with him."

Damn. Justin. This guy just can't take a hint. Kaiana looked at Lucas. His body language seemed stiff and she could tell he was fighting to keep his anger in check. Her eyebrows rose. Apparently Lucas already had enough testosterone. He didn't need a drop more.

"Why don't you get lost," Lucas said, taking a step closer to Justin.

Justin looked Lucas up and down contemptuously. "You know I'm about tired of the Scott brothers," he said coming closer to Lucas's face. "It's a free country. I can stand wherever I want and talk to whoever the hell I want. The Scotts don't rule these hallways bro."

Lucas smirked. "You're right...we only rule the court," he remarked arrogantly. "I may not rule these hallways, but I do know if you don't stay away from Kaiana, we're going to have a problem."

Kaiana placed a hand on Lucas's arm pulling him back from Justin. "Come on Lucas," she pleaded. "Ignore him. Let's get to class." The bell rung to start 1st period. Lucas continued to stare at Justin, his eyes narrowed. "Just remember what I said," Lucas warned. "Don't mess with her."

"Oh only you can mess with her right," Justin fired back.

Kaiana turned around rapidly, her hair swinging. "Why don't you just shut the hell up," she demanded. "Look I'm sorry I crushed your little ego yesterday...with stress on the little, but get over it. I'm sure there's plenty of girls who would hook up with you, but guess what...I'm not one of them. So please do me and yourself a favor. Save yourself the embarrassment and stop talking to me." She turned to face Lucas again placing a hand on his chest. "Let's go Lucas," she told him. Lucas looked at her and then at Justin. He nodded and grabbed her hand. They both walked away, leaving Justin shooting daggers into their backs.

Note: Here's another chapter finally. Sorry it took so long. I lost my muse I guess. Please review.