Chapter two: One more kiss could be the best thing

When Haley entered the café a few hours later there were no trace of the tears left, nor was there any trace of her once cheery joking self. She had become what she hated the most, someone who cared about what other people thought, someone who cared how she looked. She walked up to the counter as she saw Karen standing behind it.

"Hi Karen." She greeted.

"Haley, my-gosh you've grown. You look all grown up." Karen said.

"Well, age can do that to you." Haley joked.

"You were not even gone a year Haley." Karen pointed out.

"Well even so."

"Let me just let Deb know I'm taking a break and I'll come sit with you for a while and we can catch up." Karen said and turned to the kitchen. A few moments later she sat down beside Haley with two coffees in hand.

"Thanks Karen."

"No problem hun. Would you like to come back and work here now since you're back in town?"

"Oh, Karen I'd love that. I could really use the money I mean I already work weekends but since I moved away from home I've got rent to think about."

"So which days are you free?"

"Well not weekends obviously but any weekday I'm free so just let me know. As I said I could really use all the money I can get so I need the job, thanks again Karen."

"Anytime dear. 'All the money you could get'? How many expenses do you have?"

"Well there's rent, bills, food, clothes and I also have to pay the… Never mind, it's nothing." Haley couldn't believe she had almost let it slip again, she cursed herself in her mind before continuing. "I have all the expenses you have now you know." She finished.

"You forgot something. I have a son, you don't so I have more expenses. You know Lucas he can eat a house." Karen said with a smile.

"Oh… right." Haley said looking down at her coffee.

"I'm guessing you've met Lucas and it didn't go to well?" Karen said when she noticed the young woman's mood change.

"Yeah, I did. It actually went better than I expected but I kind of bailed just after he gave in and comforted me as I cried."

"Why?" Karen asked.

"I didn't think I deserved his forgiveness." That was actually not a complete lie, she didn't think she deserved his forgiveness but that's not why she left.

"You do deserve forgiveness, everyone does. Just let Lucas forgive you in his own time and you'll see everything will be back to normal." Karen said. It can never go back to normal, Haley thought, to much has come between us since things were normal.

Flashback

Haley was walking through the school toward the gym, Lucas had gym last period and she was going to meet him outside afterward. She stood outside the door until he appeared, he picked her up and spun her around before putting her back down. They kissed.

"Hi." Haley said as they pulled back for air, she had a smile on her face.

"Hi." He responded. "Have I told you today how much I love you?"

"No but I'll let you show me tonight." She said with a seductive smile before giving him a peck on the cheek.

"Just a peck?" Lucas sounded disappointed and bent down for another kiss, this one lasted longer. His hands were in her hair and her hands were on his back as they deepened the kiss only to be interrupted but none other than Whitey. They ran out of the school toward Lucas' car laughing uncontrollable before driving home.

End of flashback

"Haley?" It took a couple of moments before Haley realized that Karen was calling her name.

"Oh, sorry Karen. What did you say?"

"I asked if you wanted something to eat. Where did you go there?"

"Oh, I just took a little trip down memory lane. I'd love to stay but I can't I have to get home." She answered before saying goodbye to the older woman and leaving.

When Haley was getting her books for math which was her next class she heard someone approach and she turned around to find Lucas standing behind her.

"Hi." She said unsurely.

"Hi yourself." He greeted back. "I know there's a reason you left and I know that you're not ready to tell me what it is but for some reason I'm not mad anymore. I can't explain it, I'm still disappointed and hurt but I love you to much to let you go a second time Hales." He said and she froze, how could he forgive her so quickly? Why was he not mad at her? He bent down and gave her a kiss on the lips.

"Y-you forgive me?" She asked still in shock.

"Yeah, I do." He smiled hoping that she would to but she didn't, she wasn't ready for this. She was supposed to have the time to prepare herself for this moment while she was winning him back but he just forgave her at once making everything so much more complicated. "You want to come along and watch the game Saturday?" He asked.

"I'm sorry, I can't. I have to work." She said.

"On a Saturday night? You sure haven't changed at all." If you only knew how much I have changed Lucas, she thought, how much everything has changed. "Can I walk you to class?" He asked.

"Sure why not." She said as they started to walk toward the classroom.