Author's Note: Hey guys! I'm just whipping out chapters everywhere aren't I? Like five updates in two days for my stories! So, I was still coming up with a blank on what to write next for ITPOAA and I know all you guys were waiting for Lucas to show up in this story so in my state of boredness and being the only one awake at 10:15 AM in my house, I decided to write this. This chapter is full of Lucas, it's all about The Lucas! No, it sounds so much better when it's said it's all about The Chad! LOL Anyways, this chapter is basically about where he is right now and what he's been doing. The next chapter Lucas will be back in Tree Hill. Get ready for the drama to begin! LOL Anyways, I hope you like the chapter! As always, please read and review!

Disclaimer: I own nothing. One Tree Hill and its characters are property of the WB.

Rating: K+ to T

Finding Our Way Back

Chapter 6 – I Can't Do This Anymore

Lucas Scott sat on the couch in the living room of his Los Angeles apartment as he unpacked a box. He'd lived in his apartment for eight months, nearly a year, and he still hadn't unpacked all the boxes from when he'd moved from Charleston. He'd finished high school there and after he graduated, he was immediately drafted into the NBA for the Los Angeles Lakers. He'd been playing for them for five years and he'd only recently moved into a more upscale neighborhood. He was boring like that. He would rather sit at home alone, unpacking boxes, than going out partying or hitting the celebrity scene. He wasn't like that. There was still a part of him that was the teenager he used to be, wanting rather to stay home with a good book than going out.

He dug through the box, realizing that this one was from when he lived back in Tree Hill. He pulled out one of his old hoodies, the one that said Keith Scott's Body Shop. The one that Haley loved to wear. Lucas winced. He would be lying if he said he didn't think about her sometimes. Okay, he thought about her every day. He missed her so much, he missed his best friend.

Lucas pulled a picture frame out of the box and stared at it, tears welling behind his eyes. It was a picture of the two of them, hugging each other tightly, her arms wrapped around his torso and his around her shoulders. Both were smiling. He closed his eyes and sighed as he leaned back into the couch and pressed the frame to his chest. He remembered their last night together clear as day, but he was disappointed the next morning when he found Haley gone from his bed, a small note scrawled in her handwriting left on his pillow. He knew she felt ashamed and guilty for what she had done. She had been with Nathan then and they had gotten caught up in the heat of the moment.

That night was like dream come true. He'd waited for so long to be with Haley and for just a little while, he was. He only wished she would have stayed. Lucas knew she needed space after what had happened between them because she was feeling guilty for cheating on Nathan. So he had gone along with his plans and moved to Charleston with his Uncle Keith. After a while, he had tried to call her, but he just couldn't get the courage or will power to do it. He thought she still might need some time or feared what she would say to him. Did she regret that night? What would he say to her? He wanted to tell her how he felt, about her and about that night, but he feared she would reject him, ruining their friendship. But, in fact, it already had been ruined. He hadn't seen or talked to Haley in five years, since he moved to Charleston. He wondered where she was and what she was doing. Was she married? Did she have kids? Was she happy?

He began to look back on his own life in the past five years. He had everything a guy could want. He had the life of a celebrity and was doing what he loved, playing basketball. He had a nice place, a girlfriend…except he didn't have her. He had everything but Haley. Lucas stared at the picture again as a few tears fell down his cheeks. He only cried for her. She was the only one he showed real emotion for. He'd become numb to everybody else, even his own girlfriend, which was very unlike himself, or at least the person he used to be. Celebrity life had tainted him. You'd think it wouldn't have changed him, but it did. It was like a drug, it keeps on pulling you in until you're addicted. The fans worshiped you, the cheerleaders flirted with and fawned over you. However, he had always felt out of place, feeling like he shouldn't be there. The whole celebrity scene was becoming so overwhelming. He hated all the paparazzi and reporters following after him. He longed for the quiet life again. The only place he felt right was on the court. That was his safe haven. He could shed all his worries and thoughts at the door and when he stepped onto that court, he was all business, focused on the game.

He sighed as he gazed at the picture again, wiping a few tears from his eyes. The only other place he'd felt safe was with her. He wished he could talk to her. What was he supposed to say after five years of not even saying a word to each other?

Lucas was interrupted from his thoughts by the doorbell. He groaned and stood from the couch, walking to the door and opening it. "Hey Tiff," he greeted his girlfriend Tiffany with a forced smile. "Hey, um…can I come in," she asked softly. Lucas became a little concerned. This was so unlike her. She was always perky and happy not shy and reserved like she was acting now. "What's wrong," he asked as he placed a hand on her shoulder. "I um…I think I'm pregnant…" she began to cry as she covered her face with her hands. Lucas' mind reeled and he took a step back to keep his balance. He was having a major déjà vu flashback here. This resembled the time when Brooke thought she was pregnant. Thank god it had been a false alarm.

"Are-Are you sure," he asked shakily. He wasn't sure if he was ready for fatherhood. He hadn't been ready at seventeen and that was only six short years ago. She shook her head, "N-No." He took a deep breath to try and calm the panic rising within him, "Okay. We'll go to the hospital and get a test done. Those are more accurate than the home kits. Everything will be alright, okay," he tried to convince more himself than her. He knew everything wasn't right. His life would change drastically if she was pregnant. He never wanted to be like Dan; he knew he wouldn't abandon his child. But the hard part was, he didn't really love Tiffany. Lucas knew he was awful for doing that to her, leading her on, but she was fun and that had good times together. What would his life be like if he had to be with someone he didn't love, forever?

"O-Okay," she replied. So they went to the hospital and he nervously sat in the waiting room while Tiffany had the test done. He pressed his palms together and brought them to his mouth as if in prayer, bouncing his legs anxiously. 'Please don't let her be pregnant,' he wished over and over again. Half an hour later, Tiffany came out of the exam room. Lucas rose from his seat, fearing her news by the expression on her face. It was the same as the one she had when he'd greeted her at his door. "I'm not pregnant," she said softly. Lucas nodded and gave her a hug. He led her to his car and they rode in silence the whole way back to his apartment.

When he entered, he immediately sank down into the couch and rubbed his face, stressed out from the last couple of hours. He felt something brush his hand as he set it down on the cushion and looked down. It was the picture of him and Haley staring back at him. He picked it up and a small piece of paper fell out the back of the frame. He picked it up and read it.

Lucas,

I hope with all my heart that you find the answers you're searching for, but just remember that there is only one Tree Hill and it is your home. I'll miss you. Goodbye Luke.

Haley

It was the note from Haley she'd left him after their night together. All while this was happening, Tiffany stood awkwardly near the door, not sure what to do or say.

He read the note over and over again. He suddenly stood and said, "I need to go home." Tiffany looked at him confusedly, "Luke, you are home." "No, I need to go home, to Tree Hill," he responded as he still stared at the note in his hand then looked up at her, "I'm sorry, I can't do this anymore. I have to go back." "Y-You're breaking up with me," she asked as tears came to her eyes. Lucas nodded as he neared her, running his hand down her arm, "I'm sorry. I really care about you, but Tree Hill is my home. It's where I belong." "But what about basketball," she inquired. "I'll still play, but not in the NBA. I'm done with that. I'll regret it the rest of my life if I don't go back," he replied. She nodded slowly then turned to the door. As she exited, she turned to him with a sad smile on her face, "Good luck with her, Luke."