Hi guys! Here's chapter 31! Hope you like it!

Lucas POV

Lunch with Haley was good. We got everything out in the open. I explained to her everything that I had learned about Mercedes. About her mother, her brothers, her dad… and I told her everything that had happened with Peyton. She told me about her shows and about seeing Nathan kiss Mercedes that morning. She told me that it was hard at first to see that but… she said that Mercedes was a really good person for Nathan. She seemed honestly genuine about being ok with it all. With all that in mind… being in English was driving me crazy. I looked up and saw someone come in the door, and hand Mr. Krizman a slip of paper. He took it and called out to me.

"Lucas… you're wanted in the office. It says to take your things with you." He said walking over to me and placing the slip on my desk.

I gathered my things and walked out of my classroom only to find Mercedes leaning against the wall by the door.

"Hey friend." She said standing up straight.

"Hey."

We walked out of the hall and into the walkway.

"So… what do you say we get out of here?" She asked motioning for her car.

"I can't. I have to go to the office."

"Yeah… about that… that was me."

"What?"

"I have a friend in the office and she got me that slip."

"Mercedes!"

"I know, I know. But I just wanted to spend some time with my friend."

"Alright. Let's go."

She smiled and we walked to her car and got in.

"So… where are we going?" I asked putting my seatbelt on.

"I don't know… where do you wanna go? We have about an hour and a half before we have to be at practice."
"Well…"

"Ok, it's a hot, sunny day in Tree Hill. How bout we go get some ice cream and take a walk down the pier?"

"Sounds good."

"Ok."

We left the school parking lot and headed to the pier. The car ride was quiet. For some reason I just couldn't find the words to say to her. After we got our ice cream we began walking down the pier together.

"So... how you doin Luke?" She asked breaking the silence.

"Fine." I answered simply.

"You sure?"

"Mercedes... really, I'm fine." she looked up at me for a moment before shaking her head, and looping her arm through mine. "How bout you?"

"I'm good. But... you don't have to worry about me Luke."

"I know I don't but... how are things with you and Nathan?"

"Good. Really good. Except for the little incident earlier in the library but-"

"What incident?"

"Never mind." She answered quickly

"Mercedes... tell me."

"It's not something that you want to know Luke, believe me."

"Alright... it's up to you."

"Anyways... changing the subject... How's Haley?" She asked seriously

"She's ok I think. Why do you ask?"

"Well... it's just that... we agreed to meet up at lunch and talk but I guess it was to hard for her or something because she didn't show up."

"Yeah, I think that's my fault. I kinda stole her away for lunch today. But I think your right. It would have been hard for her. That's the reason that I didn't go to lunch today."

"She asked about you Lucas."

"Peyton?"

"Yeah, she want's to know that your ok. She want's you two to be ok and friends again."

"So do I. Really I do. But... I don't know, it's just... I guess I'm not ready."

"I know she understands that Luke. That's why she's not pushing you. I just want us to all be good enough friend so that there's no weirdness when we all go to LA this weekend."

"Wait... what?"

"Oh, that's right, I haven't told you yet. I have a photo shoot in LA on Saturday and I want all my friends to come with me."

"And who exactly are all your friends?"

"Well... you, Nathan of course."

"Of course."

"...Brooke, Peyton, Haley, and Jake."

"Since when are you friends with Jake?"

"Since this afternoon after lunch."

"Oh."

"So... what do you say? Will you come?"

"Sure."

"Great!"

"I'll talk to Haley about it if you want me too."

"No it's ok. I'll talk to her about it myself."

"You sure? I can ask her tonight. She's coming over so... I can ask her then."

"Why don't the two of you come over to my house tonight. We'll all be over there for a little "study group" and we can talk about it then"

"Alright I'll tell Haley when she comes over."

"Alright. I can pick you up after I go over to Jake's if you want."

"You're going over to Jake's? Why?"

"I'm gonna go see if I can persuade is parents to let him come with me to LA."

"Oh, I see." I looked down at my watch and realized that we had about 20 minutes before we had to be back at school for basketball practice. "We better go." I said looking down at her.

"Is it that late already?" She asked looking up at me

"Yeah."

"Wow. Where does the time go?"

"I don't know."

"Ok, let's go."

We walked back to the car and drove back to school. Once she parked she opened her door and was about to get out when I grabbed her arm and pulled her back in the car.

"Mercedes... thanks, for this."

"Don't worry about it Luke." She said placing her hand over mine.

She smiled and we got out of the car and headed to the gym.

General POV

Lucas and Mercedes walked into the gym together and walked toward Brooke and Peyton, who were waiting for the rest of the girls so they could start practice.

"Hey guys." Mercedes said happily as they walked up.

"Hey." they answered in unison.

"Peyton... can I talk to you?" Lucas asked lightly taking hold of Peyton's arm.

"Sure." She said as they walked away from Brooke and Mercedes.

Jake, who at the time was shooting free throws, ran over to Mercedes and stopped in front of them.

"Hey." He said

"Hey." Mercedes answered smiling. "Look... after practice you can wait for me and I can give you a ride home if you want."

"Alright, sounds good."

"Ok. I'm gonna go get dressed." Mercedes said pointing to the locker room.

"Alright."

Mercedes ran into the locker room while Brooke and Jake talked.

"Listen... Peyton... I'm sorry about the way that I've been acting." Lucas said letting go of her arm and looking her in the eyes.

"Don't be sorry Lucas." Peyton answered. "I just... I want us to be ok again. I don't want things to be weird, you know?"

"Yeah, I know. I really want to try and work things out with you, so we can be friends like we used to be. But... I think you and I both know that thing will never be the way they were."

"I know. That's what I was afraid of. But... can we at least try and be that way again?"

"I'll try Peyton. But... it still doesn't change the fact that I still love you."

"I love you too Lucas, you know I do." She said earnestly "But... I don't think I can... can we please just... try to be friends?"

"Alright, friends." She hugged him and he pulled away. "I'm gonna go get dressed."

She nodded her head and he ran into the locker room passing by Mercedes as he walked through the double doors. Nathan saw Mercedes walk out and ran over to her. He picked her up and she threw her arms around his neck. He spun her around, while kissing her and then gently placed her on the ground.

"Nice to see you too." She said kissing him.

"Come on." He said grabbing her hand and pulling her to the far wall behind the bleacher.

He pushed her against the wall and kissed her passionately. She put her arms around his neck to pull him in closer. He smiled on her lips and she massaged his neck. After a few minutes they heard a whistle blow and they parted ways. They walked around the corner hand in hand and saw Whitey come out of his office.

"Aright, everyone on the bleachers!" Whitey called out pointing to the bleachers.

"I wonder what this is about." Nathan said leading Mercedes to the bleachers and cuddling up to her once they had settled on a spot.

Once everyone was sitting down Whitey stopped pacing and stood in front of the group.

"On Friday, while you're doing... whatever it is that you kids do, I'll be lying flat on my back in the hospital."

"What's wrong Coach?" Tim asked

"It seems I'm getting old Tim. I'll be getting surgery to correct my eyesight. So today will be the last day of practice for the rest of the week. Also, there will be no Saturday morning practice and because of the teacher workday on Monday there will be no school, meaning... no practice. So... let's hit it hard today. Separate into your two teams. First one to 11 wins. Let's go, let's go!

After the teams had split and Nathan's team had slipped on a different color jersey, to separate then from the other team, Whitey blew the whistle and the game began. Nathan threw the ball in to Mercedes who was also on his team. Halfway through he game Nathan's team was leading by 2 and Nathan was throwing the ball in, with Lucas guarding him.

"Come on Lucas, bring me your best game." Nathan said tauntingly as he held the ball over his head

"Oh don't worry Nathan. I'm gonna win this game anyways." Lucas answered with the same sarcasm in his voice.

While they bickered Mercedes was standing behind Lucas listening to everything.

"Yeah, maybe in a universe where my dad picked your mom over mine."

"Nathan!" Mercedes yelled putting her hands on her hips.

That comment had struck a nerve in Lucas and he stepped forward. Nathan put the ball down and everyone around them stopped moving.

"Did you learn that from your daddy!" Lucas said looking at him furiously.

"At least I have a dad. Which is more than I can say about you, right Lucas?"

Lucas took another step forward and pushed Nathan. Nathan caught himself from falling and looked at Lucas for a moment before pushing him to the ground, taking Mercedes with him. Mercedes fell with a crack of her wrist and was pinned under Lucas and Nathan while the punches flew. Jake and Tim immediately ran to separate them. Tim and Vegas held Nathan back and Jake held Lucas back. Brooke and Peyton ran over to Mercedes who was beginning to get up holding her wrist.

"Are you ok!" Brooke asked helping her up

"Yeah, I'm fine." Mercedes said quietly looking at Nathan and Lucas disappointedly.

"I'm gonna take her to the nurse." Brooke said looking at Whitey.

Whitey nodded his head and they began walking to the locker room. Nathan was about to walk after her when Whitey walked in front of him.

"You can let go of them boys." Whitey said looking at Tim and Vegas and looking back at Jake. The boys did as they were told and Whitey looked once again at Nathan. "Nathan and Lucas in my office. Now!" He said sternly.

Whitey walked towards his office and they followed. After getting yelled at by Whitey for a while they were excused. They both waited outside the nurses office and for Mercedes to come out.

Hope you liked it! Things are just about to get really interesting so... stay tuned! PLEASE LEAVE ME A REVIEW FOR THIS CHAPTER! I'D REALLY APPRECIATE IT! Thanks to... brathanfan and OTH-Mrs. Broody for your last reviews! You're the best!