It was a classically beautiful day out; the warm sun beat down on Keith's vintage Mustang, causing the leather interior to heat up. Lucas was in awe when he found out that the car had been left to him; he knew Keith would always be with him. Audioslave's "The Shape of Things to Come" emit from the rolled down windows of the mustang. They spotted a pastel blue VW beetle pull into a space across the parking lot. Brooke shook her head while looking into the visor mirror, making sure that her hair was just perfect. She wanted it to look like she had just rolled out of bed, not that she had taken 2 hours that morning trying to get it to look like she could roll out of bed like that. She smeared gloss onto her lips and grabbed her bag. As she was locking her car, Rachel locked arms with her and they started to gossip. They both spotted Lucas and Peyton in the mustang as they walked towards the entrance of the school, Brooke gave a minute smile as Rachel gabbed on. Peyton and Lucas didn't have to hide it anymore, then didn't have to feel bad about it and they certainly didn't need Brooke's approval, they were ready.

Peyton stepped out of the car in a pair of straight leg jeans and her signature black converse. She also wore a nautical inspired white t-shirt with a large, centered, black anchor. Ellie's cancer bracelet jingled as she pulled her hair back into a clip, and bent down into the car to grab her books. She readjusted her bag over her shoulder, cradling her books in her right arm. Lucas met Peyton in front of the car and he nuzzled his face into her neck, she smelled so damn good. He was dressed in a navy blue t-shirt, paired with gray sweats and black on black Nike's. Peyton swept her bangs across her forehead with her left hand, nervous about what to do. Should I grab his hand? Is he going to grab mine? Should we even hold hands? her mind screamed. Lucas moved his backpack from his right shoulder and let it hang off of his left as he reached for Peyton's hand mid air and kissed it, their fingers intertwined. As they crossed the parking lot and headed towards the school entrance, they forgot all about the people around them. Who cared what other people thought? They turned the corner and headed down the hallway towards their lockers.

"I love alphabetical order", Lucas said as he leaned his back against a locker next to Peyton's.

Lucas chivalrously took the books from her arm as she opened up her locker. Lucas raised his eyebrows and nodded towards the open locker. She smiled and nodded. Lucas bent down to put her books at the bottom of her locker. As he ascended towards her a smile grew on her face. They looked deeply into each other's eyes, Lucas had was grinning from ear to ear. His glance drew slowly down her face, from her emerald eyes, ending at her lips. They leaned in towards each other and kissed. It felt so liberating, they could do it all day! Oh wait, they do.

"Thank you", Peyton spoke as they gently pulled away from the kiss.

"No, thank you!", said Lucas.

"Thanks for driving me to school this morning, and-"

Lucas cupped the back of her head in his hand as he gently kissed her.

"for helping me with my books"

Lucas pulled back, "Don't mention it, anything for you. Now come here."

They kissed until the 5 minute warning bell rang.

"You've got six and seventh off, right?" Lucas asked.

"Yup. Meet you in the parking lot?"

"You got it babe. See you after class"

They shared one last kiss before parting ways. As Lucas winked and turned, heading to his class, Peyton smacked his butt.

"Ow, owwww!" she called out before pivoting around and heading down the opposite end of the hallway. She made sure to really shake her hips as she walked down the hall like a model on crack, knowing Lucas was watching her.

"Ow ow!" Lucas hollered down emptying hall; cuping his hands around his mouth as he shouted to her.

School is so much better when you're in love, she thought as she continued down the hall.

©Greene 2006