Thanks for the reviews Jade, Mandy8706, Mis, belle and Agel15 they are really appreciated and this chap is for you guys. i wrote the poem so be kind and accept it, thanks. Plus i don't own the lyrics from the goo goo dolls.


Chapter 2

The rows of teenagers were exact as they were yesterday; Haley sat at the front, Nathan at the back Lucas in the middle, Peyton to his right and Brooke to his left. Lucas kept his eyes down as Mr Sumner paced the room spouting his philosophy on literature. Lucas figured if he kept his eyes down and didn't make contact with the teachers he'd get out of it.

'Now I know you're probably all shaking in your boots and my process of selection isn't going to make it any easier on you, sorry, I'm going to scan down the register and whichever name my finger lands on you're it! Good luck'

Not a person in that classroom didn't close their eyes and hope for their dignity to be spared, except Haley, she sat calmly, took a deep breath and waited. Mr Sumner's finger landed on the page with a thud.

'Okay we have Lucas Scott, come on up,' Mr Sumner said full of cheer.

'Sir can I just not,' Lucas surprised the whole class as they all turned to look at him; he only noticed when she looked at him. And it passed through him, that feeling whenever he thought about her, hit him hard and he knew it was now or never, 'actually sir I'm gonna do it'.

All eyes were on Lucas as he made his way up to the front of the class, his printed page in hand. Anticipation filled everyone except her, she didn't expect it.

And i'd give up forever to touch you,

'Cause i know you feel me somehow,

You're the closest to heaven that i'll ever be,

And i don't want to go home right now

'This is just, it's called I can tell you anything, and here it is...

I can tell you anything,

And you know just what to say,

I can tell you anything,

You're smart enough to know,

I can tell you anything,

The drama in our lives,

I can tell you anything,

You're beautiful,

I can tell you anything,

Understanding is what you are,

I can tell you anything,

And you don't bring me down,

I can tell you anything,

Laughter so clear,

I can't tell you this,

The feeling when you're near,

I can't tell you this,

Cause you'd never understand,

I can't tell you this,

I miss what never was,

I can't tell you this,

Cause you don't belong to me,

I can tell you anything,

Except what you mean to me'.

Every word left the people in that classroom in shock, Lucas barely looked at anyone, he never even once looked at the piece of paper in his hand, he didn't need to, he knew every line.

Brooke wasn't clear on who it was about but she had this worrying feeling it wasn't her; Peyton had inklings at the beginning of his speech that it was her he was talking about but when his eyes darted to the girl in the front row at that line, only a few keen observers knew who he couldn't tell how he felt. Nathan was watching Haley the whole time, and he caught it, he kept quiet though, he knew he might be wrong. Peyton knew otherwise.

'Well Mr Scott thank you for some work that really touched on who you are and Lucas's poem illustrates this brilliantly, he uses the word 'I' quit often showing that even when we write about others which could be taken as a piece completely revolved around them its always the writer or poet whose is really shown, with everything you write you reveal more of yourself, thank you Lucas. Mind sharing who it was about?'

The class waited and so did Lucas, he looked at Peyton, the girl he'd had a crush on forever, he looked at Brooke, his girlfriend who showed him fun, he looked at Nathan who was getting ready to kick Lucas's ass and then he looked at Haley. She was definitely not expecting it, Lucas wasn't ready to lose her, he wasn't ready for her to say that she didn't feel the same; he wasn't ready for everything to change all over again.

And you can't fight the tears that ain't coming,

Or the moment of truth in your lies,

When everthing feels like the movies,

And you bleed just to know you're alive

'No,' as Lucas said that one word, some were curious, some slightly calmed, some slightly worried and some slightly wanting her name to be echoed across the classroom.

Haley closed her eyes and she flinched as Lucas sat down, closing the door on that possibility.

'Okay next will be...-' Mr Sumner carried on till the bell.

Lucas almost ran out of there, Nathan tried to get to Haley but she was already catching up to Lucas. Brooke was just confused and was dragged away by Peyton. Haley jogged once more to Lucas, and neither were smiling this time.

'Lucas...Lucas...Lucas!' Haley wasn't going to give up.

'What?' Lucas said when finally turning around.

'What was that? Who was that about?' Haley searched his face for the answer.

'It doesn't matter,' Lucas tried to play it down.

'It does matter. I need to know,' Haley was breathing hard and her face was one of vulnerability.

Lucas finally met her gaze; he pulled her close and kissed her. All the things he didn't say were felt when held her. Tightly fitted together the burst they felt was huge, it was time enough, it was long coming, it wasn't real. I wanted to kiss her, I wanted to tell her I think about her a lot and when I lay on my bed, I wanted her to know that with Brooke and Peyton there were just girls, nothing in comparison, just curiosity. I wanted Haley to know that when she said how she felt about Nathan it hit me like a truck and I never got over it. I wanted her to know that every time she kisses him I get so jealous I have to leave the room. I wanted her to know, but I was scared. She needed to know, why so she could tell her new friend Peyton that there's still a chance, so she could calm Nathan down, fine, I'll play along. I wanted something completely different but it doesn't matter what I want, as long as she's happy.

And i don't want the world to see me

cause i don't think that they'd understand,

When everything's made to be broken,

I just want you to know who i am.

'It was about Peyton okay, don't tell Brooke,' Lucas pushed the words out softly and left with his heart heavy.

Haley couldn't breath as he left, it was so close, he was so close. I almost let it slip, didn't I. How much I wanted him to say it was me. How much I wanted him to tell me that he loved me, I should grow up. This isn't some Dawson's freaks movie. He's all over the place, even if he did want me he'd think otherwise in a matter of weeks. But I'll never know, hopeless aren't I? Maybe he'll turn around, he'll run back to me and kiss me and tell me how much he needs me. I should get back to Nathan. Haley suddenly realised she was crying, small tears, easy enough to wipe away, harder to forget. She gave herself a reality check and saw the great boyfriend she had in front of her and the best friend now so far away.

I just want you to know who I am

I just want you to know who I am

I just want you to know who I am