Hey buddies! Here it is...chapter 6 for your enjoyment! As always, reviews are appreciated.

Lucas pulls up beside my house and I clumsily get out, practically spilling my books all over the sidewalk.
"Thanks for the ride."

"No problem" he says with a shy smile.

Talk about misconceptions! I never thought Lucas Scott would be the type to give shy smiles….but then again, today has been full of Lucas Scott shaped surprises.

I walk up the steps of my porch willing myself not to look back at him- "I am not being charmed by Lucas Scott and his soulful eyes and shy smile. I am not one of those girls."- this is what I repeat to myself while climbing the stairs.

Soon enough however, my mind is off boys and back to the more important things at hand. I have a shower as soon as I get in and change into some sweat pants and a white t-shirt. Then it's on to the school work.

When I was little I'd always attempt to do my homework in the kitchen, but I quickly learned that in a family of 8, the kitchen is the most chaotic place in the house and the last place you'd be likely to find peace and quiet. So I retreated to my small but comfortable bedroom- and subsequently it's where I spent half of my childhood.

My brothers and sisters have all left home now, and I (the youngest) am free to do my homework wherever I please, but I've grown accustomed to my bedroom now. The sunshine yellow walls, the dark oak dresser, the large pin board crammed with pictures of my friends and family. Mr Waffles- the bear I've had since I was 4. The small desk in the corner- probably the most organised desk in the history of the world. I'm not a neat freak, but I cant stand having loose pieces of paper floating around my room. On top of the desk is a wooden stationary holder, a picture of me, Izzy and Charlie when we were 14 and a neat stack of school books. These small things are home to me. They are safe and familiar and comfortable.

I'm not a big fan of change or spontaneity. I'm not completely opposed to it and I'd hate to think I'm boring, but all in all- I'm happy to keep things the same…at least for a little while. Not like Izzy, who likes to change everything all the time.

I put on a Coldplay cd and make a start on my biology homework while distractedly humming along to Amsterdam and half listening to the rain outside. I hear my name being called.

"Haley- there's someone here to see you- shall I just send him up?"

It must be Charlie…he said he'd come round at about 4. I don't know why mom would say "someone" instead of Charlie though.

"Yup- whatever."

There's a knock on my bedrook door- what? Charlie never knocks. He doesn't even knock on my front door come to think of it…

I start to open the door "Ya big loser, what are yo…." I trail off. Lucas Scott is stood at my bedroom door.

"Um hi." he says looking a little embarrassed.

I shift uncomfortably from one foot to the other.
"Um. Hey. Come in…"

I let him into my room. This is surreal. Laura Calberg would have a heart attack. I sit down on the bed, not really knowing what else to do. He's looking just as uncomfortable as I feel and he keeps reaching up and rubbing the back of his neck. And awkward silence hangs in the air. I cant take it any longer. "So….what are you doing here?"

"Oh! Um…I …you left your English book in my car," he holds up the offending object in his hand and places it quickly on the desk, "I thought you might need it…for homework or something…"

Oh…so he just wanted to drop off a book. For a second I feel a little twinge of something. Dissapointment? No- that's silly. Shut up brain. "Thanks."

"You also left this." he hands me my green hat and I think I can see a small smirk on his face.

"What?"

"What?" he imitates, not even bothering to hide the smirk this time.

"Whats with the smirk?"

"What smirk? I didn't smirk."

I raise my eyebrows at him.

"Ok…well, I mean- you gotta admit…it's a pretty ugly hat…"

I hug the hat to me and give him an offended look "Hey! I've had this hat since I was 10 and it has served me well."

He laughs loudly "So that would make it what? 7 years out of fashion?"

"Oh ha ha- sorry we cant all be as stylish as you Mr Stylish McStyley pants."

He laughs again "Fantastic comeback." he says turning around and starting to look at my pinboard.

A silence descends on the room again, but this time it's more comfortable and I don't think either one of us feels any kind of pressure to start talking again. And when he does talk again I feel more relaxed, and less worried about looking stupid.

"So these are all you brothers and sisters?" he asks pointing to a photo taken the last time the whole of our family was together at the same time- a few summers ago at the beach. I must have been about 12.

"Yup- that's us. The James clan."

"Wow- that's a pretty big clan. Y'know I only have one brother. Well- a half brother. Nate."

I did know that. The whole school knows it. The saga of the Scott family. Lucas's dad had an affair while Lucas's mom was pregnant, the result of which was Nathan- who moved in with the Scotts when his own mother died- him and Lucas were both about 5. I think about how sad it is that everybody knows each pathetic little detail in Lucas's life. I would hate to know that all of my peers knew everything about me, so instead of saying I know what happened I just say "Oh?" quietly.

"I always wanted a big family when I was little…. ," he's almost talking to himself now. He sounds wistful and sad, "Instead I got landed with a mom who cant stand up for herself and a dad whos favourite past time is telling me what a loser I am."

Woah. Ok. That I didn't know. I don't think Lucas meant to say that either because it seems like he's suddenly snapped out of it. We're both silent for a moment and then…

"Um…so I've gotta go- I said I'd be home by 4.…It was nice to see you again Haley James."

Just as he's about to leave, Charlie bursts through the door.
"Geez Haley, Coldplay? They're so.." he stops short as he sees Lucas.

"Hey." says Lucas, clearly wanting to get away.

"Hey." says Charlie, looking slightly confused.

"Bye Haley," Lucas says, avoiding my eye, then he glances quickly at Charlie before heading out of the door, "bye."

Charlie gives me a look that clearly says. What. The. Hell.