Things Aren't Always What They Seem

After a long day at work, Karen was excited to be getting home--excited and nervous at the same time. She had talked to Deb at the café about Keith's suggestion that she go with him and to her surprise Deb and told her to go. Karen had looked at her, shocked, but Deb just smiled and nodded.

"What do you mean I should go? What about Lucas and this place?"

"Karen, you know I would be more than happy to take over the café! It's wonderful working here and I'm already part owner, aren't I? If it's what you want, I'm telling you to do it."

"Well that's only a solution to one problem. Lucas would be crushed if I made him leave Tree Hill. I couldn't just leave him here either. There's no happy ending to that story." She sighed and rubbed her forehead which was throbbing from a 16-year-old headache. "Why does everything have to be so complicated?"

Deb placed her hand on top of Karen's and looked her in the eyes. "Go home and talk to Lucas tonight. See what he thinks. Don't just let it go because you think it's impossible. Things have a way of working out." At that, the door opened and Deb turned around to see who was coming in and then looked back at Karen. "It's worth a try." She smiled and turned to the customer once again.

So here Karen was looking at her house from the end of the walk, trying to decide how she would tell Lucas. She shook her head and then continued on and into the house.

"Lucas?" she called. She found him in his bedroom, madly ripping through his closet and drawers.

"Lucas! What are you doing?"

"Nothing, Mom. Just looking for something." He threw a mini basketball across the room and stood there for a second. "Whatever. Screw it." He grabbed his jacket and told his mother as he averted his eyes that he would be home in a little while and walked out of the room.

Karen stood in the doorway completely confused by what had just happened. Slowly, she walked down to the kitchen and sat down at the table.

"I guess I'll wait for a better time."

Nathan and Haley were just sitting down to watch a movie when she heard loud rapping on her front door. She wasn't expecting anyone so it surprised her and she jumped as it came again.

"Um, I'll get it…" she said as she ran to the door. "I'm coming," she yelled and then, "Jeez..." under her breath. But when she opened the door and saw Luke in front of her, looking like hell, the irritation vanished and concern took its place.

"Luke, what's going on?" she asked.

"I saw-I saw….I saw Peyton and some guy together on her web cam. She said she was spending the night out with Brooke so her web camera was off and then all of a sudden it came on and there they were. I don't know what to do. What should I do?"

"Shhh…Lucas, it's all right. Do you think they're still there now? Maybe you should go talk to her."

Lucas laughed incredulously.

"I don't think you understand. It looked like-like they were in the middle of something." His voice cracked as his mind flashed the picture of them in his head. He winced.

"It could be a misunderstanding?" Haley suggested miserably. "Do you want me to go with you?"

"Would you?"

"Of course, let me tell Nathan and get my jacket. I'll be a second." Then they were off to Peyton's. Lucas stared straight ahead as if he was concentrating on something or nothing. The only thing he could see was Peyton with some other guy. His grip tightened on the wheel. Minutes later they arrived in front of her house. He put the car in park and slowly got out. His mind reeled as he walked to the front door and into the house.

He could hear slow music wafting throughout the house. He recognized it as Stereophonics "Maybe Tomorrow." The door to her bedroom was cracked open just a bit and he could see a bare leg just through the opening. It was her leg. He took a deep breath and pushed the door open all the way and saw his worst nightmare come true before his eyes. They were just as he had seen them on the camera, fast asleep in each other's arms. Rage bubbled up inside him.

"Peyton," he said. When she didn't respond he got agitated.

"Peyton!" he said, louder this time. Still there was nothing. He walked up to the bed and shook her. "What the hell?" he said to himself. He walked out the door and called, "Haley! Come up here."

Seconds later she was in the room. At the sight of Peyton and Eric she cringed and touched his shoulder. "I'm so sorry, Luke."

"No, something's wrong with them. Peyton won't wake up. Not even when I shake her."

"That's weird. Who is that guy anyway?" She edged toward the bed slowly and reached out, poking his arm with one finger. She snatched it back quickly and looked up at Lucas.

"Um, Hales? It's not a dead body."

"I know, Luke! But…what's going on?" She pushed the guy a little harder. "I think we should take them to the hospital."

Lucas looked down at Peyton and his heart broke seeing another guy's arms around her slim shoulders. Her hair fell across her forehead lightly. "Yeah, maybe you're right." He put one arm under her back and another under her knees—naked knees. It was hard, but his anger managed to hold back the tears he was trying not to shed as he thought of his girlfriend and that guy…together. He lifted her slowly and told Haley he'd be right back as he carried her to the car.