Lucas let out a tired groan, stretching his arms into the air and rolling closer to Peyton. It was a school day but they had decided the night before that they would skip school and play hooky together. The warmth of the sun permeated through the blinds and sheer curtains, leaving bars of light displayed across Peyton's soft face and torso. She was face down, drowning in a sea of sheets and blankets, her left leg hanging off of the bed. Lucas lifted himself onto his elbows and glanced at her opaque skin. He reached across to her leg, running his sweaty palm down her calf and stopping at a familiar mark. He lightly pulled his fingers across her scar then quickly retracting his hand as if that small rosy piece of flesh had caused him physical pain.

When Peyton thought of that frightening day, the song "God Bless the Child" by Michelle Featherstone would play over and over in her mind as she mourned Keith and Jimmy's deaths. They've come a long way since then, her and Lucas. Whenever she felt the scar tissue from the wound, her body immediately sprung goosebumps. She often caught Lucas' gaze on her ankle. Lucas was very protective of Peyton, always worried about her as if she could shatter into a million pieces. It didn't help that she was always running into things, doorways, tables, chairs, car doors, you name it. Lucas would joke with her that she should join the field hockey team so she could score a pair of shin guards, but she felt that bruises added character to her chicken legs.

Lucas pulled back the down comforter and smooth sheets, exposing his blue plaid boxers. Peyton carefully opened her squinted eyes, the bright light temporarily blinding her. A sly grin appeared on her face as she looked at Lucas' back. Boys' hip bones were originally the part that drove her crazy but everything on Lucas was sexy. The indentation of his spine running down his back, the flat spot at his lower back which was a notorious spot for girls to get tattooed - the tramp stamp. She whistled and raised her eyebrows, a toothy smile formed on Lucas' face. He fell back onto the bed, his head falling onto Peyton's back. His head fit right into the curvature of her back, they fit each other, both physically and emotionally.

"Mornin' stranger"

Lucas yawned. "Hey hot stuff." He got up, allowing Peyton to get up.

"You thinkin' what I'm thinkin'?"

"Save water, shower together?"

"Exxxxxactlyyy", she replied, giving him a soft kiss on his mouth.

Peyton rolled out of bed in her short shorts and a worn and faded U2 concert shirt that Ellie had given her, it was from their first U.S. tour. Peyton walked around the bed by Lucas and pulled the shirt over her head revealing her new, fun turquoise bra. She leaned across him grabbing the remote for her stereo and turning up the volume. The rockabilly tune of Johnny Cash's "Walk the line" boomed through the speakers mounted on the wall, touching the ceiling.. She squealed as Lucas gave her a smack on the butt, skipping to the bathroom and closing the door. Once steam started creeping out from behind the door, Lucas pulled the elastic waistband down, letting the flannel boxers fall around his ankles. He stepped out of them and strode across the hardwood floors. He turned the brass doorknob to the right and was lost in a room of steam. He shut the door and a giggle emanated from behind the shower doors.

"It's about time", she said as she poked her face out of the shower, moisture droplets streaking down her face.

It wasn't all about sex with them as it had been with Lucas and his previous girlfriend. Peyton and Lucas could shower together without progressing into anything else, although it would happen. And when it did, it wasn't just sex, it was two souls melting into each other under the flow of hot water. Many interesting conversations took place in that shower, both physical and mental. They've been making up for lost time, and lost showers, since Lucas was released from the hospital. It made their heads spin knowing they've only been officially together for such a short time but it came so naturally to them. Sometimes they wouldn't even have to literally speak to the other, they just knew how the other felt and was communicating, they had a deep connection. A conversation they'd had the other night was about how maybe they were together in a previous life. The idea intrigued them both, knowing they would always come back to one another.

"As sure as night is dark and day is light, I keep you on my mind both day and night. And happiness I've known proves that it's right because you're mine, I walk the line" Lucas sang into Peyton's ear. She retaliated by placing her hands on the back of his slippery neck and pulled him as they shared a wet kiss.

©Greene 2006-2007