When Nathan left Lucas' he went straight to Haley's. He rang the bell. "Nathan, hi," Haley said sounding surprised as she opened the door.
"Sorry, I know I usually call first or you at least know I'm coming but," he stopped.
She smiled, "its ok I'm glad you're here. I was just about to start dinner do you want to help," she asked as he entered the house and she shut the door.
"Yeah sure," he said.
"Da-da," Keith said from his playpen when he heard Nathan. Haley picked him up and brought him to his high chair in the kitchen. They made dinner for which Tim and Brooke joined them. Then after they put Keith to bed they all settled in for a movie each couple with their arms around each other.
Rachel showed up to Lucas' right on time. "Hey Rach," he said as he quickly hurried out of his apartment so that she wouldn't come in. "I wasn't sure what you were planning so I didn't know what to wear."
She looked him over. He was wearing a nice striped button up shirt and jeans. "That's perfect," she said. She had on jeans and a glitter tank top.
"So what are your plans," he asked just as a limo pulled up.
"Not much," she said smiling as she grabbed his arm and pulled him toward the limo. "You looked like you needed to lighten up so we're gonna lighten up and have fun, in style," she said climbing into the limo.
Lucas wasn't sure about hanging out with Rachel but considering what had happened with Brooke and Peyton and that Nathan and Haley were working things out he didn't have many other options. He could always hang out with the river court gang but no on such short notice so he thought, "what the hell," as he climbed in too.
Their destination was Tric. When they arrived he thought about how although his mother owned the place and he helped her often, he hadn't been there in a while.
"There's only a DJ tonight," Rachel said, "no live performer, but I figure we'll still dance and maybe play some pool. When did your mom add the pool tables anyway?"
"A little over a year ago," Lucas answered as they were getting out and heading into the club. "I guess the crowds died down a little after Peyton left because the big name acts weren't coming as often so she needed something else to draw a crowd. That's also why she added a small food menu too."
They went in and continued the small talk at a high top table. Rachel asked Lucas to dance he obliged after all he was supposed to be lightening up. They danced a while only one song was slow and they both kept it polite, one hand in hand his other on her waist her other on his shoulder. When they played pool Rachel began telling him about life at UNC. She told him about the hot spots like the frat and sorority houses, her's mainly, that threw the best parties, bars that didn't card, though they wouldn't have to worry about that much longer. Then she started talking people, classes, other social activities, stuff like that. When they had played a few games of pool they hit the dance floor again. Lucas knew he'd have a good time with Rachel but something was different than he thought it would be and he couldn't put his finger on it. They had closed the club and the limo dropped Lucas off at his place. The night had ended.