As Peyton waited for the phone call she had been expecting, she got another one. One that she definitely was not expecting.

"Hello?" She answered.

"Hi, Peyton, this is Lucas."

Peyton was shocked yet happy to hear his voice.

"Hi, Lucas."

"Do you think that you and me could, umm... get together, to talk?" He asked her, sounding a little desperate.

"Yeah, sure. Where do you want to go?"

"Umm, the coffee house?" Luc suggested

"Yeah okay, I'll be right there." She told him.

Peyton was thrilled he had called her but a little curious as to why he wanted to talk to her. It couldn't be for the reason she had hoped.


Brooke was busy shopping for a Valentine's Day gift for Lucas. She wanted to get him the perfect gift, something that he would never forget. She wanted it to be special, for both of them.

How about, a watch? Maybe he would like that? Hmm, no she wanted it to be more romantic. But what? Flowers and candy was too cliché, and that was more of a gift for a girl anyway. She was so stressed out from trying to find the perfect gift that she didn't even realize she was late for her manicure! At that second she dropped everything and rushed over to the nail salon.


Back at the coffee house, Lucas was waiting for Peyton. Never on time, she arrived 15 minutes late.

"Sorry I'm late." She told him apologetically.

"It's okay, umm, do you want some coffee or... maybe something to eat?" Luc asked her, trying to avoid the main reason why he had asked her to come.

"No I'm good. So why did you want me to come here?"

"Well, actually, I wanted to ask a favor of you."

Peyton just stared at him, half in disappointment. It seemed like every time she talked to Lucas he just wanted a favor. She wanted to be more to him than just a friend who granted him favors.

"Oh, what is it?" She asked.

"Well, Haley is convinced that she likes Nathan. And, I've tried to tell her that, it would never work between them, but she just gets mad at me." Lucas explained.

"Okay, and so, what do you want me to do about it?" Peyton asked him.

"Well, you've been with Nathan, and I know your relationship with him is sort of on the rocks right now. I mean... I know that he isn't right for her. I thought maybe you could just nonchalantly tell her that he's a bad guy." Lucas was hopeful for Peyton's response.

"Lucas, Nathan isn't a bad guy he's just not right for me anymore. I don't know how I feel about telling Haley that she shouldn't go after him. I mean, maybe it would actually be good for Nathan to be with someone other than me, and a little different too."

"So, I guess you won't do it?" Lucas seemed to be ignoring the important points Peyton brought up. He simply wanted Haley and Nathan to stay away from each other.

"Listen, I know that you are just looking out for Haley, but, she's your best friend and don't you want her to be happy? I mean... I know you think Nathan is a bad guy, but he isn't, and you'll never know if he's wrong for her unless they give it a try. More importantly, she'll never know, unless she tries it out with him." Peyton explained.

"Right, you're right. I just don't want her to get hurt and I can see Nathan hurting her." Lucas' worries seemed un-rational to Peyton, but she wanted to please him.

"Okay, listen, if it really means that much to you, I'll talk to Nathan." Peyton tried to compromise.

"How is that going to help anything? I mean Nathan doesn't even know Haley likes him and wouldn't that just put Nathan ahead and wouldn't he just take advantage of Haley?"

"No Lucas. God, I'm trying to help you and all you can think is the absolute worst. Nathan wouldn't take advantage of Haley. If he knows a girl really likes him, he's going to either go for it with her, or let her down easy. He's not going to take advantage of her. Trust me Luc, I know."

"Alright, maybe you're right."

"Thank you, I know." Peyton smiled.

"So, thanks Peyton." Lucas flashed her a smile and leaned in for a hug.

Peyton wrapped her arms around his neck and gave him what seemed to Lucas, a kind of intimate hug.

"Well, I gotta go, see ya." She said as she headed for the door.

"Bye Peyton." Lucas whispered as she left.

Well, this is my third chapter, and I've still received no reviews! Reviews are greatly appreciated. Even if you don't like it, I still want to know what you think, or at least know that someone is reading. Thanks!