Ch. 3
When the doorbell rang, Haley almost jumped out of her seat. She knew it had to be Lucas because he was always punctual when it came to going to events and in this case, prom. Her pulse was racing as she slowly walked down the stairs and opened the door to the most handsome version of Lucas she had ever seen, dressed in a black tuxedo. The white shirt accompanied by a gold tie brought out his crystal blue eyes.
"Wow! Haley, you look beautiful," Lucas managed to say, caught off guard by her gorgeousness. She had always been naturally beautiful to Lucas, but he never seen her dressed up before, especially in a gown. He allowed his eyes to roam her figure, captivated by every little detail. She wore a white strapless dress that was tied at the right side of her waist with a gold color ribbon gathered into a bow and the bodice adorned with golden elegant floral design. The gown flowed outward making Haley look like a lovely angel.
"Thanks. You don't look too bad yourself," Haley replied, reaching out to tie his tie that laid hazardously around his neck. Her hand paused briefly, before saying, "That's much better. You know Luke, one day you'll need to learn how to tie your own tie."
"Why bother when I have you to do it!" he declared, looking at his tie before bringing his eyes back to hers. He wondered how she would react if she knew that he already knew how to tie his own tie.
She rolled her eyes and slapped him across his chest with the back of her hands. "Boys are totally helpless," she joked, not mentioning how much she enjoyed helping him with something as simple as this.
"I think you mean men," Lucas corrected, referring to himself as one.
Placing her hands above her eyes as if she was looking for someone, she replied, "Where? I don't see one." She released a loud laugh.
"Oh, is that so?" A mischievous glint reached his eyes. He moved forward, unable to suppress a smile.
Recognizing that look, Haley slowly backed up. If it wasn't for the fact that she was wearing heels, she would have had made a run for it. Raising her hands in defense, she tried to convince him not to do what he had in mind. "Luke…you know I was kidding right?"
"You got that right Missy," Lucas said, not dropping his pace as he continued to move forward and Haley continued to back up before stopping suddenly. "You were never good at tag."
Before Haley could respond, Lucas swooped her up over his shoulder. "Put me down right this minute," Haley yelled at the top of her lungs, kicking and screaming. "If you messed up my hair or dress, you're dead meat."
"Thanks for the tidbit," Lucas said, carrying her out of the front door and closing the door behind them. "By the way, where are your parents?"
Haley stopped the outburst in order to explain, "They're visiting Sarah and her husband. Now would you kindly put me down. All the blood is rushing to my brain." She let out a huff.
"I'll think about it after you apologize." He waited for her to do so, but when she did, she mumbled, "I'm sorry that I have the King of Jerks for a best friend." Letting her slide downwards, Haley released another yelp. "I mean, I'm sorry for teasing you," even though you really are a little boy she added in her mind.
He released her again enjoying Haley's reaction. "No you're not. I can practically hear you calling me a boy in your mind, but since I'm such a nice guy, I'll put you down even though I should drop you."
When Haley touched solid ground, she glared at him. He reached through the opened window of his truck and pulled out a container holding a white corsage. Taking it out as Haley admired it, he placed the corsage on her right wrist. He took out another box, containing his boutonniere and began to pin it on his tux. He felt her hand cover his. "Allow me." Haley pinned it on him.
Then Lucas opened the door for her. Lifting up a boutique of pink roses, he handed them to her, "These are for you. I thought you might want to enjoy them while we drive to the hotel."
She inhaled the scent as Lucas closed the car door and walked to the driver's seat. On the way, they talked their high school experiences and how quickly time flew by.
As they walked towards the hotel, a middle-aged woman who was about to exit the building held the door opened for them, "Congratulations on getting married."
Haley and Lucas were so stunned by the stranger's assumption that they were speechless. Haley smiled meekly and Lucas nodded his head appreciatively for her kindness towards holding the door opened for them. What a cute, shy couple thought the woman. They must be headed to their honeymoon suite.
When the woman was not in sight, they shared a look of amazement. "I can't believe she thought we were married." They unconsciously walked in sync. "I know. Do we look old enough to be getting married?" Haley looked at her escort, entertaining the possibility of marrying her best friend. "No!" Lucas couldn't help but laugh at the idea that entered his mind.
"What's so funny?" Haley wondered out loud, hoping that she wouldn't trip tonight and embarrass herself.
"The fact that the woman probably thinks we heading to our room to consummate our marriage." Warmth rose to Haley's cheek as she tried to shield her reaction to his comment. Lucas smiled when he noticed how cute Haley looked when she blushed. "Is someone feeling a little embarrassed?" Lucas called her out, poking her side. "No, I was just thinking about how disappointing your future wife will be when she sees you in your birthday suit."
When they found two empty seats, Lucas pulled out a chair for Haley. "Thanks Lucas." Haley sat down and smiled at her History classmate sitting at her table, "Hi Cindy, I love your dress."
"Thanks," Cindy tried to place the person in front of her. She looked familiar. "Your dress is stunning."
"Aren't you going to introduce me," Paul asked. "Ow!" Paul rubbed his shoe that Cindy stepped on. "I mean, I'm Paul, Cindy's boyfriend."
"Nice to meet you Paul. I'm Haley," Haley shook his hand and then gestured at Lucas. "This is my friend, Lucas."
Lucas and Haley recognized the "ah ha" expression on Cindy's face after Haley introduced herself. Lucas found it understandable that Cindy didn't recognize Haley. If Lucas didn't know Haley for as long as he had, he would have found it just as difficult. His best friend usually put her hair in a ponytail or all the way down. Right now, her hair was in an exquisite updo with two curls framing her face and the makeup accentuated her eyes and high cheekbones.
While Lucas was talking to Paul, Cindy mouthed, "Are you two dating?" Haley shook her head no. "Just checking," she whispered loud enough for only Haley to hear. Haley wondered how many times she had to tell people that she and Lucas were just friends. "Can you come with me to the restroom?"
"Why do girls always go to the bathroom in groups?" Paul asked no one in particular. "Beats me," Lucas smiled, watching the two ladies walk away.
Haley looked back, noticing Lucas' gaze directed towards her. She got a queasy feeling in the pit of her stomach. Cindy linked her arm around her classmate. "Are you sure you two aren't dating? It seems to me that you are."
Sighing, she looked Cindy in the eye, "I'm not dating him. He's just my best friend."
"But if he asked you out, would you go out with him?" Cindy pushed the bathroom door opened and held it for Haley.
Walking up to one of the mirrors, Haley smoothed out her dress. "Umm…I'm not sure." She wished people would stop asking her about this. Now she couldn't help but think about the idea, not that she wanted to date Lucas she told herself.
"You don't know if you would go out with him?" Her voice revealed a hint of shock and curiosity.
"No and it doesn't matter because that will never happen." Leaning in towards the mirror, Haley carefully looked at herself for the first time that night. She promised Courtney that she wouldn't look until after Lucas saw her. Haley could barely recognize herself. It was clear why Cindy wasn't able to identify her.
"How do you know? It seems to me that he thinks this is a date." Cindy took out a tube of lipstick and applied it to her lips.
"We don't see each other as anything more than a friend."
"Do you want to be more?" Cindy pressed, sensing Haley was holding back.
Holding the door open, Haley waited for Cindy. "Nope. Ready to go?"
"Yeah," Cindy put the lipstick away and adjusted the necklace around her neck before heading out the door. "In that case, I think I know someone who would love to go on a date with Lucas."
"Actually, he doesn't like to be set up on a blind date," Haley replied hastily.
"Says the person who isn't interested in Lucas," Cindy smirked.
