Chapter 7: Seeing is Believing

Fortunately for Lucas, he didn't have another class with Peyton or Brooke in the morning. However, his luck seemed to run out when Haley approached him before lunch.

Lucas, I saw Peyton earlier and you have the same class with her and Brooke after lunch, and some after. You better do something when you have the chance.

Lucas knew that he had to talk to them at lunch, at least to make them aware that he's back. He looked for them in the cafeteria and when he spotted them, he felt his heart skip a beat, his throat went dry and his legs felt like lead.

I have to do this. My God, what am I going to say to her… Peyton… Lucas thought as he approached their table. Even with her back at him, he couldn't help but remember the days when he could embrace her and feel her in his arms. She was laughing with Brooke who was just across her. I can't even remember the last time she laughed with me. What will happen next? If I do this, will she ever laugh with me again?

Then Brooke looked up and saw him. He saw him whisper his name, "Lucas."

Then, Peyton turned her head and saw him, a mixture of surprise, anger and uncertainty in her eyes. "I guess the rumors are true."

It's now or never.

"Can I talk to you guys?"

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"… And so Mrs. Collins had to poke me awake!" Brooke ended her story with a laugh as her best friend laughed with her.

"That is the last time that we're having a slumber party before a school day. We could have gotten detention." Peyton stated, smiling.

"Little Ms. Kill Joy, don't be such a kill joy." Brooke answered with a yawn. "Okay, maybe this time you're right."

Peyton gave her a grin.

They ate quietly for a while.

"So, I've been hearing Lucas name again this morning. Have you seen him? Do you really think he's back? " Peyton asked.

"No, I haven't seen him." Brooke replied.

"Oh."

Brooke eyed her Peyton. She could see something in her best friend's eyes, but she couldn't tell what it was.

"Actually, I kinda saw this new guy, talking with Nathan. And I thought it was him, because he had the same height and build. But his hair was really, really short, a semi-shaved head. So I don't think it was him, and he talked to Nathan for a short time. Maybe he was asking directions r something, because if it were Lucas, he would have talked with him for a while, right?" Brooke asked with uncertainty.

"Yeah. I think you're right can you imagine Lucas Scott with a shaved head?" Peyton laughed.

Brooke laughed but she stopped suddenly when he saw the guy standing behind Peyton, who was looking at them uncertainly.

"Lucas." Brooke whispered.

Peyton turned her head and saw him. Feelings were rushing through her: surprise, anger and a little happiness, though she tried to keep her feelings from coming out. "I guess the rumors are true."

Then he spoke up after a while, unsure of himself. "Can I talk to you guys?"