A/N: This chapter is short and pretty similar. But the next chapter is long, I think, and the LP drama finally unfolds.
Chapter 3
Although the prom was now over, the night was far from over. Nathan was holding an after party at his beach house. All of his friends filled the large house. Loud upbeat music blared from the stereos. A keg was found in each of the room, keeping everyone well quenched and well buzzed.
"Awesome, party, Nate,"
"Thanks, man,"
"Who was that?" Brooke asked.
Nathan shrugged, "Beats me. I don't think I know half the people here,"
"Think Peyton will show?" Brooke asked worriedly.
"I hope so. Cause Luke really looks like a lost puppy,"
Lucas walked from room to room, trying to find Peyton. After she rushed off the dance floor, he went after her, but she was already gone. He wasn't particularly in the mood for a party but thought that she'd at least show up. He had searched each room twice and still couldn't find her. Lucas sighed in frustration and looked out the glass sliding doors. There out on the wooden walk way was a girl, leaning against the rail as she looked out over the open waters.
"Hey," he said, leaning against the rail beside her.
"Oh, hey, Luke," Haley replied.
"Where's Jake?"
"He had to go…Jenny," she explained simply.
Her best friend nodded, understanding.
"So how's it going with Jake, anyways?"
"With Jake it's great…"
"But…"
"But, I don't know," Haley looked up at him, "K, this is going to sound really selfish and please don't hate me for it,"
"Hales…how can I hate you? I mean, come one, look at all the mistakes I've made and you still love me,"
"Think again…" she joked.
Lucas pretended to be offended, "Fine then. I won't listen to you,"
"Shut up and listen…" she laughed before getting serious, "Raising a daughter is a huge responsibility isn't it? I mean we're 17…still trying to figure out life and here's Jake, raising a one year old baby,"
"He's a good father,"
"Yeah he is,"
"I don't see where this is going, Hales,"
"It's just that…I don't know if I'm ready for that. Jake's a great guy and I really care about him, but I'm too young to do what he does everyday. Hell, I just learned how to put a diaper on this summer…"
Lucas couldn't help but laugh.
"What's so funny?"
"Haley…Jake just wants to get to know you. He's not asking you to be Jenny's mom. Has he ever asked you leave with him or to take Jenny to the doctors?"
"Well, no. but…"
"Jake's a dad. It's his job to take care of her. Not yours. He knows that. And he's also a teenage guy who just want to do some teenage stuff too,"
"I'm a selfish idiot, aren't I?"
"No, you're not,"
"Thanks, Luke," she said as she gave him a hug, "So speaking of love problems…how are you doing with yours? You guys looked pretty close on the dance floor,"
"Yeah, until Rachel showed up and Peyton ran off. I went after her but it was just like she disappeared. I haven't seen her since,"
"Oh…I'm sorry, Luke,"
"Yeah, me too," he sighed.
Silence fell on the two friends. Only the booming base from inside the house and the crashing waves in the distance could be heard.
"Do I have to push you again?" Haley finally said.
"Huh?"
"If you want to fix this, then go find her and talk to her. Tell her you're a jackass and that you love her,"
"I've already told her that," Lucas scratched his head, "Maybe I should give her some space,"
"Oh, like a month wasn't enough space? Go…Now!"
He looked a Haley for a second, Haley sounded just a little too eager to get Lucas to leave. "You need a ride home don't you?"
"Yes…and I also want my two best friends to find a way to work things out. Now let's go!" she said as she pushed him towards the cars.
When they rounded the house, Lucas stopped suddenly. Haley looked up at Lucas and then into the direction of where he was looking at. There, parked across the street in clear view was Peyton's car. She had shown up after all.
"Hales…"
Haley rolled her eyes and held out her hands for the keys.
"You're the best," Lucas dropped his car keys into her hands and ran back towards the house.