*A/N: I've been debating over and over how to do this next chapter and I'm still not sure if this is how it should be but I'm semi-satisfied with it, hope you all like it too! As always thanks for reading/reviewing, it makes my day!*

Chapter 12(Lucas)

Melt the Sugar

There are certain things I'll always remember from that night. The way Haley kissed me, the way she felt in my arms. The way she trembled, the way she made me tremble. The way her hair smelled. The way her fingers traced my jaw line. The way she nibbled my ear. The way we seemed frantic, desperate to love each other. The way we moved slowly, like time never would have meaning again. Like hours, minutes, seconds, faded away in the flow of our emotions. The way she felt under me. The way she felt. Skin, legs, hair, fingers, clothes, sheets, hearts, souls, love…all tangled up on my bed. All tangled up in my heart. All my thoughts, hopes, dreams, and wishes, tangled up in Haley. From that moment on everything, always and forever would be tangled up in Haley.

I awoke the next morning to find that I was still dreaming. Haley was there. My arm was around her bare shoulders and I was hugging her close to my chest. She had one arm lazily thrown across my stomach and her face was buried in my neck. Joy rushed through me. To be like this every day, to wake up with Haley…what more could I ever want out of life. I brushed her shoulder blade with my thumb, reveling in how soft her skin was. She murmured something in her sleep and cinched her arm tighter around me. It seemed like now, everything in the world made sense. My world was Haley. My life was Haley. My future was with Haley.

I felt Haley stir in my arms. She stretched and her eyes fluttered open. She looked around groggily and then her beautiful eyes settled on me. I smiled at her. Even with morning hair she still looked great. Of course, my hands running through it last night was mainly the cause of her morning hair. As if reading my mind, Haley rolled off me and put her hand to her face.

Her voice came out muffled because of her hand but I heard her anyway, "Oh my God, Lucas."

I felt a slight tightening in my heart. Was that a good reaction or a bad reaction? What if she didn't see last night as something beautiful but as a mistake? What if she hadn't wanted me at all but had been vulnerable because of Nathan? Had I taken advantage of my best friend? Doubt pulled on me, well; she certainly seemed ok with it last night…more than ok really.

Unsure of what to say but knowing I needed to do something; I reached over and gently pulled Haley's hand off her face. She had tears in her eyes. Ok…so that means she thinks it was a mistake. I let go of her hand, shocked. How could anyone in the world view something so beautiful as anything less? Trying not to feel hurt and rejected I got out of bed and pulled on a pair of boxers I had laying on the floor. When I looked back at Haley she was just watching me. I pleaded with my eyes for her to say something, anything but she didn't. She just sat there. Anger stiffened my back and tightened my lips. I reached down and grabbed a T-shirt off the floor, too and slid it on.

"Well…I gotta go do…something, catch you later, Hales." I walked over to my bedroom door, opened it, walked through it, and closed it. I grabbed at my chest and leaned back against the door. How could something hurt so badly?

I almost fell on my ass when Haley jerked the door open behind me. I fell back into her but she immediately shoved me off. I turned to see her standing, angrily, in my doorway with one of my T-shirts on. Of course, on her it looked more like a really short dress. One thing I was sure of…Haley was pissed.

Her face screwed into utter rage, "Screw you, Luke!"

I was shocked for a second but lashed back out because how the hell could she be mad at me? "Screw you too, Haley…Oh wait, been there, done that."

Hurt flashed in her eyes but she came out fighting. "How dare you?! I've tried, Lucas. I've tried so hard not to love you because you're the one person that could hurt me, the one person who has hurt me!"

I opened my mouth but no sounds came out. She'd tried not to love me? Tried…as in, she failed? She loved me?

Tears started pouring down Haley's face but her voice was strong as she said, "I gave you everything! My heart, my soul, my friendship…not to mention my virginity! You have not right to treat me just like any other girl you've slept with. I'm not Brooke or Peyton! This…what happened last night that meant something to me! It hurts me, Luke! It just hurts."

With that she turned and ran back into my room. I saw her gathering up her clothes that had been scattered around the floor but I still couldn't move. She wasn't Brooke or Peyton? What the hell was that about? Last night meant something to her?

Hearing my door to the outside slam brought me out of my revere.

"Shit." I ran to the door and slung it open. I saw Haley, still wearing my T-shirt, walking fast down the side-walk. I sprinted and finally caught up with her.

I grabbed her arm and made her turn around to face me, "Haley James…do you…do you love me?"

Tears started anew in her eyes; they poured down her face and were followed by the most beautiful words I've ever heard, "Of course I do, Lucas."

I breathed in and out, unable to believe my ears. But I had heard it. Haley loved me. My Haley. I allowed myself a little smile and cupped Haley's face in my hands. With my thumbs I gently brushed her tears away. A shaky smile started on her face and I echoed it with one of my own.

I'm afraid my voice shook as I said, "Haley…you have to know. There's never been anyone but you. It was always you. Always, Haley. I've always loved you."

With that Haley leapt up into my arms and her lips warmed mine. I held her tight, not ever wanting to let go.

She gently broke our kiss and smiled, "Always, Lucas, always and forever."

*Another A/N-Lol I totally stole Naley's line…anyways hope this chapter was ok…look for the conclusion soon, we still have some loose ends to tie up.*