The day has finally arrived. The day that Lucas dreaded.
The day he had to go back to Tree Hill High.
I'm not ready. Not yet ready, Lucas kept thinking to himself.
Even though he has practiced and wrote down several speeches, Lucas hoped that once he faced Peyton and Brooke, the right words would come out of his mouth.
It took every ounce of his determination for Lucas to say goodbye to her mother and leave for school. It also took every ounce of Karen's patience to keep her from pushing Lucas through the door for him to go to school.
"Okay honey. Wait, do you want a ride?" Karen asked.
"Thanks mom, but I think I'll just, umm, take the bus. Don't worry, I promise I'll go to school and not somewhere else." Lucas added matter-of-factly as he saw suspicion in his mother's eyes.
"Okay. Take care then." she replied as she pulled her into a hug. She knew that something was bothering her son and worry was evident in her voice.
"Thanks."
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Brooke had been driving on her way to school when he noticed a guy walking on the sidewalk.
Hmmm, new guy in town.
She couldn't help but notice that the guy seemed to be deep in his thoughts and oblivious to his surroundings.
"New broody in town, with a bald head" Brooke chuckled as she sped off.
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Lucas walked until he reached the bus stop. But he didn't stop. He just kept on walking and walking. He decided to walk all the way to school. The longer the time until he gets there, the better. He needed the exercise anyway.
By the time Lucas arrived at school, everyone seemed to be inside already. Lucas let out a sigh of relief.
"Finally he arrives. What took you so long?" Haley narrowed her eyes at him. "We've been waiting for you! We were worried that we were gonna have to be late because of waiting!"
"Well if it isn't Mr. and Mrs. Scott." Lucas smiled at them, amused at Haley's 'greeting'.
"You mean you were worrying, not me," Nathan chuckled as he nodded at Lucas. "Taking your time before going in the lion's den, eh?"
Haley silenced him with a look.
"Sorry." Nathan said sheepishly.
Lucas smiled at the couple's banter and looked at Haley. "I'm sorry about that Hales, but I didn't ask you to wait for me, you know."
"Aw man, we just wanted to give you moral support. After all you're going inside the lion's de…. school." Nathan changed his words quickly after Haley gave him a glare.
"Yeah. And you and I have the same first class anyway," Haley said as she pulled the brothers towards the door. "C'mon now, we don't wanna be late."
Nathan rolled his eyes. "You mean you don't wanna be late."
Haley gave him another look.
Nathan couldn't help but groan. "She's been doing that to me ever since we got married." Nathan whispered to Lucas as they followed Haley along the nearly deserted hallway since most of the kids are already in class.
Both of them chuckled silently so that Haley wouldn't hear.
"Well this is my class," Nathan said as he gave Haley a quick kiss on the lips. "I'll see you both later and good luck." He added as he gave Lucas a wink and entered the classroom.
"C'mon Luke, don't just stand there. I don't want to be late."
Lucas couldn't help but smile as he quickly followed his best friend inside their classroom.