Clarity

Chapter 3

I had a different ending planned for this chapter, but after typing it all out it just didn't feel right. So this is the version I'm sticking with. I am so thankful for all the positive feedback I've been getting for this story, thank you to all who have reviewed.

For the past three days Haley James had listened to her best friend ramble on about a girl named Peyton. Haley had known Lucas for years but it didn't take a best friend to realize that he was completely smitten with his new neighbor. She wanted to be happy and supportive of him, but she couldn't help the twinge of jealousy in her gut every time he brought up her name. They had never been anything more than friends, their relationship had always resembled that of a brother/sister sort of bond, but Haley treasured their exclusive friendship. It had always been just the two of them against the world, so Haley wasn't sure how to feel about some new girl treading on her turf.

"So when do I get to meet this Peyton girl you've been rambling on about." Haley asked. They had decided to spend their Sunday afternoon on her couch watching a marathon of lowbrow comedies. She had, politely, extended an invite through Lucas to Peyton but with boxes left to unpack before her first day at Tree Hill High Peyton had, politely, turned down the offer.

"You'll get to meet her tomorrow, she's walking to school with us." He could feel a disapproving glare coming from Haley's side of the couch. "What's wrong?"

"I don't even know this girl and you're inviting her to walk to school with us every morning now?"

"Haley, it's her first day at a new school. She's just walking with us for one day, she's got a car. I told her we'd show her around campus. I mean come on Hales, she just moved here and she doesn't have any friends."

"You mean she doesn't have any friends besides you."

"Yes Haley she's my friend. Why are you acting like this? Are you jealous?"

Haley felt her cheeks flush red with embarrassment. He'd seen right through her insecurities. "Maybe I am little jealous."

"Why?"

"I don't know why Lucas. I can't help but think I'm going to get pushed to the side here, I mean you're already opening up to this girl about things you've only otherwise told me and you've only known her for three days."

"Haley how long have we known each other?"

"Since we were six years old. I punched that boy on the playground who was making fun of your glasses."

Lucas rolled his eyes at the memory. She loved to bring that up. Since that day on the playground Haley had always been overprotective of him, he knew it was only because she cared about him.

"So we've been friends for eleven years, and nothing is going to come between us. You're my best friend. But I like this girl Haley I really like her. And I don't know, but she seems to like me back."

"I just don't want to see you get hurt Lucas."

"I know you don't, but I'm willing totake that chance."

It was then that Haley had first noticed the subtle changes that were occurring in her friend. Lucas had always been a little reserved in life, he didn't like to stand out or take chances. But she knew he was taking a big chance with Peyton, and she could tell that the girl's influence was changing him and Haley hoped it would be for the better.


"So you think Haley will like me?" Peyton asked Lucas the next morning on their walk towards school.

"There is one important thing you need to know about Haley, she is very protective of me has been since we were kids. If she's a little hesitant of you it's just because she doesn't want me to get hurt. But she'll come around, Haley's a great person."

"Why would Haley think I'd hurt you?"

"I don't know." He lied. He couldn't very well admit how much he liked her, which was the reason for Haley's concern. He wasn't ready to take that step until he knew that his feelings were the same as hers.

"Oh hey wait a minute." Peyton said grabbing his shoulder in an attempt to stop Lucas, while she rummaged through her book bag. "I have something for you." She pulled a folded piece of paper from her bag and handed it over to him.

"What is this?" he asked taking the paper from her.

"Just open it."

Lucas looked at her skeptically before unfolding the paper. It was the stick figure drawing of her he had drawn that day at the mall. She had added an equally bad stick figure drawing of him standing next to her, their respective houses scribbled in the background.

"That is the first piece of art I have ever given away, so you better put that in a really nice frame or something."

"Thanks Peyton, I love it. I'll find a spot for it on my wall as soon as I get home." He said half-joking.

"I even signed it for you." She pointed to the corner of the paper where she had scrawled her initials. "You'll see how much that piece of paper is worth in a few years." She pulled him by the arm down the street. Peyton didn't want to be late meeting Haley, it was a first impression that would not be good.

They met up with Haley several minutes later. "Haley this is Peyton." He introduced his blonde companion.

Lucas held his breath as he watched Haley size up Peyton, for some reason he was reminded of those nature shows where the predator stalked it's prey until the right moment when it would attack. All he wanted was for everything to go smoothly. He was relieved to see Haley back down and give Peyton a slight smile.

"It's nice to finally meet you, Lucas has told me a lot about you." Peyton said breaking the uncomfortable silence.

"Probably not as much he's told me about you." Haley smirked. "He hasn't stopped talking about you since you moved in next door."

"Really?" Peyton looked over at Lucas who was avoiding her gaze by staring at his shoes.

"We should get going, Peyton still has to pick up her class schedule before school." Lucas walked away quickly, his hands jammed into the front pockets of his coat. The girls followed silently behind him. Peyton couldn't seem to wipe the grin from her face.

It didn't take the two girls long to warm up to each other. Haley found Peyton to be incredibly easy to talk to. They chatted quietly as Lucas continued his brisk pace a few feet ahead of them. He wasn't sure what the quiet meant behind him, but it made him a little nervous. And when he heard Haley's boisterous laugh cut through the quiet chatter Lucas knew he didn't have to worry about those two getting along, he only hoped they weren't laughing at him.