My Old Friend

(2?)

Things never did go back to 'normal' for Haley and Lucas after their walk to Cleveland—that is, their attempt to walk to Cleveland. Their adventure was cut short by a group of panicking school officials, not to mention parents. But as Mahatma Gandhi said, it is the actions of today that will change our tomorrow, and by reaching out to Haley, Lucas forever changed the course of which their lives would take.

"Lucas Scott!"

"Haley James."

"Lucas!"

"Haley." Came the devilish but simple reply as a smirk turned Lucas' lips upwards. Seeing the evil glint that had worked its way into his rarely calm blue eyes, she shook her head emphatically at him, taking progressively faster steps away from him. "Hales, where are you goin'?"

"Oh, me?" Fourteen-year-old Haley inquired with a slight laugh, raising her eyebrow to her best friend of nearly eight years. "I, uh… think I forgot I had voice lessons." She managed to stammer, watching as the smirk that was on Lucas' lips slowly alter into an all-out grin.

"No, I don't think that's what you forgot." He laughed, keeping the squirt gun aimed at her, as she continued the slow progression backwards. "I think you forgot that you were full of crap."

"I am many things, Luke, but full of crap is not one of them." Haley told him matter-of-factly, eyes resting warily on the water capsule that he had pointed in her direction. Thankfully though, the moment was interrupted by the voice of Lucas' mother, Karen.

Sighing at the interruption, Lucas lowered the squirt gun, pursing his lips together. "What do you want, Mom?" He called back, a hand resting on Haley's hip to prevent her from moving too far.

"I just finished making some sandwiches… are you and Haley ready for some lunch?"

"No, actually—" He began before Haley quickly interjected, trying not to laugh as Lucas tried to quiet her.

"We're very ready for some lunch. I'm starved!"

"No she's not."

"Yes, I am!" Haley simply laughed, pushing his hand off of her hip and heading inside of the house. Walking into the kitchen she smiled at Karen, walking to the refrigerator to get a drink. "Might I say that you have perfect timing?"

"Well I'm glad that I could be of service." Karen smirked slightly as Lucas made his way inside, sending his mother a look before shaking his head.

"I thought you were on my side, Mom." Shrugging her shoulders lightly, Karen simply watched her son as she slid a plate in front of both of the teenagers. Not only had Lucas and Haley's lives changed since that day in kindergarten, but so had hers. Since then it was as though she'd had another member of the family—and she was lucky to have Haley there. If for nothing else than the sanity that another girl brought into her household. But above all, it was good to see Lucas happy.

"Hey, Luke…" Haley spoke slowly, taking a bite of her sandwich before continuing a moment later. "Isn't the roster for the JV team supposed to be up tomorrow?" She inquired of the Ravens' Junior Varsity basketball team. Basketball had always been something that Luke was passionate about, something that he was good at. Even when they were younger it was something that he constantly played. And finally, he was being given a chance to play.

"Yeah… guess we'll see if I'm good enough, huh?" Luke spoke dryly, any enthusiasm in his voice having faded. That surprised Haley, whenever he spoke about basketball he was enthusiastic, upbeat and starving for more information on the game.

"Luke are you—"

"I'm fine."

"You're a bad liar, Lucas—" Haley interjected once again, a frown instantly spanning across her lips when he wouldn't allow her to finish what she'd been trying to say to him. It was obvious to her that something was wrong, that he was anything but fine. And usually he would open up and talk about things with Haley without a second question. So why then was he drawing into himself and trying to act like nothing was bothering him? And what, in fact was it that was sending Luke into this sporadic bout of quietness.

"And you need to butt out." He snapped as he rose to his feet with his half-eaten sandwich, casting a glare at Haley.

"Lucas! Use your manners and apologize to her."

"I think I'll pass." And with that Lucas made his way towards his bedroom, slamming the door behind himself and leading the two leading ladies in his life utterly speechless.

As with most arguments that they'd had over the years, Lucas snapping at Haley was forgotten shortly after the fact. It wasn't like Haley to hold grudges, but it also wasn't like Lucas to lash out at her as he had. Seemingly, Lucas had become the protector, trying to make sure nobody did wrong by Haley. So why then had he been the one to lash out, but more importantly… why had he felt the need to lash out at her in the first place?

That question lingered on Haley's mind as she walked down the corridor of Tree Hill High with Lucas at her side after the last bell had rung for the day, signifying that it was time to leave. Not only that, but it signified that the basketball rosters would be posted in front of the gymnasium… it was the moment of truth. "You ready to go check out the roster?" She inquired with a hopeful smile.

Shaking his head slightly, Luke glanced over at Haley. "Actually, I need to head out front. My mom's out there—doctor's appointment." After hearing his explanation, Haley nodded her head.

"I'll talk to you later, then?" After ensuring her that he'd see her within a few hours, Haley dropped her books off at her locker before slowly making her way down the hallway. Curiosity getting the best of her, she turned down the hallway and headed towards the gymnasium, almost positive that she would see Lucas' name on the roster. Stopping abruptly when she arrived at the list, she waited for the crowd to clear before walking up to the list, eyes scanning it slowly. "Gerardi… Long… Davis…" Mumbling the names as she read the JV team's roster, she began to get worried. "Scott, Scott… come on… ah… there we go. Scott."

Nathan Scott.

Eyes widening slightly at the lack of

at the lack of Lucas' name, she shook her head. "No way…"

"Not what you expected?" Hearing the voice of the cocky freshman behind her, Haley turned on her heels to be met with the face of Nathan Scott.

"I have to go." Haley informed him flatly, disliking Nathan for many reasons, mainly because of his past with Lucas. And above all, because of who his father was and all that Luke had to work past because of him.

"So, did Luke make the team?" He asked sarcastically, obviously already knowing the answer. Simply shaking her head, she began to walk away. "Oh, Haley?"

Stopping short, she adjusted the bookbag on her shoulder. "I'm late for my tutoring session—what do you want?"

With a smirk beginning to work its way across his lips, Nathan shrugged nonchalantly. "Tell Lucas if he wants to make the team next time, he has to actually show up for try-outs." And with that, Nathan winked at her and silently made his way down the hallway, leaving Haley to her thoughts.