Lucas finally reached Chicago but when he got there he didn't feel the sense of satisfaction he expected. He expected to feel, I don't know, different. Better. But he didn't. He thought once he got out of Tree Hill everything would be easily forgotten. He was wrong, although it was easier to put stuff out of his mind here. He had lots to do and lots to think of other than Tree Hill. He had to find a place to stay, more importantly a job. He drove around Chicago for an hour or so. After a while he parked the car and started walking around. The first thing he did was buy a paper. Somewhere where he could find a job. He walked around through Chicago looking in all the store windows to see if any of them had vacancies. Nothing. He eventually stumbled upon this small sports store. He was curious so he entered. The walls were full of Bulls memorobilia. He looked around the store in awe.
"Hello, can I help you, sir?" The man behind the counter greeted him.
"Hello, uh I think I'm okay for the moment." Lucas replied still looking around mesmorised.
"Okay just call on me if you need anything." The man said returning to his paperwork.
Lucas wandered around the store for a few more minutes examining everything before approaching the counter.
"Sorry excuse me" Lucas tried to get the man's attention politly
"Yes"
"You aren't hiring at the moment by any chance?" Lucas chanced his arm.
"Depends...why should I hire you"
"Well I play Varsity Basketball back...home." Lucas stalled on the last word. It was the first time in four days that he had missed Tree Hill.
"Back home?" The man cut him off.
"Yeah, I'm from Tree Hill, North Carolina. I played shooting guard for the Tree Hill Ravens"
"So why do you love basketball"
"Because it allows me escape from everything. It helps me forget my problems. Its just me, the ball and the hoop"
"I know what you mean. So what are you doing here in Chicago"
"Needed to get away. You know how it is"
"Yeah. So have you any previous experience or whatever"
"Yeah, my mom owns a cafe in Tree Hill so I'm used to dealing with both money and people. I won't let you down"
"Alright, you seem like a nice kid. Can you start tomorrow? 9am"
"Sure!" Lucas replied, excited about working in such a cool place, "You don't know of anywhere I could find a place to stay do you"
"Well if you want there is a small one bedroom place above the shop. I could take the rent out of your wages"
"That would be great, thanks!" Lucas turned to leave the shop but the stopped, "Oh I'm Lucas by the way, Lucas Scott." He introduced himself, offering his hand
"Pleased to meet you Lucas, I'm Stuart Harris. Mind if I call you Luke"
"Not at all. So is the apartment upstairs ready or should I find a motel for a couple of nights?" Lucas asked tentitively
"It's in fine condition, probably needs a good dust thats about it. If you call by here at about 6.30 I'll let you in. Are you okay to hang around until then"
"Yeah sure, I was planning on having a look around chicago anyway. Thanks again Mr Harris"
"No problem" He replied, "Oh and call me Stu" He called out as Lucas left the shop.
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Peyton wandered around Tree Hill looking for Lucas. She checked the Rivercourt and anywhere she thought he might be. She was getting really scared now that something terrible had happened to him. Brooke had been texting her loads now aswell wondering where he was. Peyton decided to go over to Nathan's to see if he maybe had a key to Lucas' house. She knocked on the door. He answered the door looking knackered.
"Hey" He said groggily as if he had just crawled out of bed. (It's three o'clock)
"Hey, you okay"
"Yeah" Nathan replied defensively. Peyton knew he had been having a hard time since Haley had come back to Tree Hill.
"Look, I know you and Lucas aren't on good terms but..." Peyton paused at Nathan's instant scowl at the sound of Lucas' name.
"But." She continued, "I haven't seen him in days, he hasn't been turning up for shifts at the cafe and"
"So. What are you doing here I don't know anything" Nathan was being really rude at this stage.
"Look Nathan! There is no need to get pissed off at me. I did nothing wrong. I'm just worried about Luke and I was wondering did you have a key to his house. I thought I might find a clue to where he is there." Nathan's features softened as he realised how sharp he had been to Peyton.
"Sorry Peyton. I've just been dealing with...stuff lately. I shouldn't have taken it out on you. And I do have a key for Lucas' somewhere I think. I'll go find it. Come in" He stepped back allowing Peyton inside. He ran upstairs , he came down about ten minutes later. "Sorry it took so long, stuff's a bit scattered up there"
"No problem, thanks Nate. Oh and if you need to talk about anything call into me. The light is always on"
"Thanks Peyton. I might take you up on that." Nathan replied
Peyton headed straight for Lucas' house. She entered through the front door and walked through to the kitchen. There was a note lying on the table. She was afraid to open, unsure of what she might find inside but she opened it anyway. Inside she found a letter written in Lucas' handwriting
To whoever finds this letter first I suppose,
I don't know who is reading this but I guess I just need someone to know that I'm okay. I just had to get out of Tree Hill for a while. I'll be back whenever I'm ready. Sorry if I caused any worry but I have stuff to deal with.
Lucas.
It was short and to the point. Peyton hadn't expected it but it only took her a few seconds to understand why he had. She knew he would be alright. She just wished she could talk to him, help him in some way.
AN: Please RnR I still don't really know where this is going. Thanks.