CHAPTER 4: The Promise
(Lucas' POV)
I didn't take the step.
I didn't even get a chance to tell her goodbye.
I don't think the aching feeling will ever go away.
I will be hurting but knowing she's safe…
I think I'll be okay with that...
***
The James' Mansion
"Brooke, what do you think happen to Lucas last night?" questions Haley a little worried.
"I have no clue," said Brooke, not paying attention whatsoever. She was busy putting eye shadow.
"He just left like that, without saying good night. I mean a decent good night will be appropriate," said Haley, getting more agitated.
"Hales, it's not like you guys were on a date or anything. He doesn't owe you anything," stated Brooke, now putting on her favorite shade of MAC lipstick.
"I guess…" frowns Haley.
"Wait a minute…were you guys on a date?" asks Brooke with a sudden thought. She abruptly appears interested in the conversation.
"Ah, no" said Haley shyly.
"No, seriously Hales, were you guys on a date?" said a pushy Brooke.
"No, Brooke, of course not" said Haley, trying to sound as serious as possible.
"Well, then stop worrying your ass off," said Brooke, turning around to finish applying her lipstick. She's a little relief that it wasn't a date. Sharing a boy with her best friend isn't the best feeling in the world and Brooke is happy that this isn't the case, fortunately.
"Put this shade on and boys will line up right behind you!" smiles Brooke, handing Haley a berry shade that compliments Haley's porcelain skin. "I'll wait in the car"
Brooke twirls around in her dress before heading out of Haley's room to her car.
(Haley's POV)
I couldn't sleep last night. It was all so strange. Lucas just left without saying one word. A simple goodnight will be all right. Its not like I was waiting for a goodnight kiss. Okay, maybe I was but my only concern is...
Why did he just disappear?
I wish he called.
I hope he's okay.
***
Tree Hill High
-Parking lot-
"There's Haley" Tim pointed.
"Shut up, man" said Nathan, rolling his eyes.
"Why don't you go over there and say hello?" said Tim, flutter his eyelashes like a girl.
"Not interested" Nathan sighs.
"It looks like someone die. Dude she looks depress," stated Tim. Nathan quickly glances over to see what the commotion was about. Haley indeed looks out of place today.
(Nathan's POV)
Haley.
The new girl,
I can't stop thinking about her
When she walks into the room, she owns it.
I feel different when I'm around her
I don't want to be the popular guy that everyone knows
I want everyone to know "the guy" that's with Haley
I want to be that "guy"
She's perfect
"Are you a reporter now?" says Nathan, referring to Tim. "I don't care"
***
-Lockers-
"There's blondie," Brooke pointed.
"I don't care," Haley sighs.
"I care" Brooke smiles widely.
"Why don't you go talk to him?" said Haley, trying to break a smile.
"Good idea!" jumps Brooke. "Blondie!"
Haley turns around, seeing Brooke goes straight to Lucas. She was kidding about Brooke going over to talk to him. Haley pretends to fuss with her books in her locker, while stealing glances over to see Brooke and Lucas interact. Well, mainly, she wanted to know how Lucas was.
"Hey blondie" said Brooke, cheerfully.
"You're talking to me now?" said Lucas, coldly.
"Considering you don't have coffee in hand, I'm safe," smiles Brooke.
"Yeah, I guess you are," said Lucas. He wishes he had coffee in hand because he wasn't in the mood to talk to anyone.
"What happened to you last night?" questions, Brooke, looking over at Haley. Haley wasn't paying attention at all or so she makes it seems.
"Uh, last night? I went to the restroom," said Lucas, trying to think of another excuse.
"Yeah, and then you forgot to come out?" wonders Brooke.
"Ummm, I had a family emergency," lied Lucas, hoping his attempt works.
"Well, you had my best friend worried sick for you" shares Brooke.
"Haley was worried about me?" said shock Lucas.
"Yeah, she was but then she quickly got over it. She's mad at you now" said Brooke.
"She's mad at me?" said Lucas, his face went from happy to sad.
"Yeah, well, don't hold your breath, she doesn't care anymore" said Brooke.
"God, make up your mind woman!" Lucas shouts, taking out his frustration on Brooke.
"What?" Brooke shot back.
"I mean, god, does Haley have borderline personality disorder? I mean she shifts from one feeling to another" Lucas recovers.
"Oh yeah, she's one special gal" Brooke smiles.
"Yes, she is" said a dreamy Lucas.
Haley stands by her locker, still fussing with her books. She couldn't make out the conversation Brooke was having with Lucas but it looked like they were getting on great. It looks like Lucas is fine. No scratches. No scars. No tears. Though Haley felt hurt that Lucas left without saying anything, her heart felt better that's he's okay.
She quickly closes her locker and then dumps the books into her bag. As she turns around, there stood Nathan.
"Hi" said Nathan.
Haley tries to find a way out but he was blocking her way, every step she took. It also didn't help that there was a lot of students in the hallway.
"Hi" Nathan said again.
"Wow, two nice things in a row, that's a change" Haley finally speaks.
"I can be nice" Nathan reassures.
"Clearly you have brain damage" said Haley with a smirk.
"That wasn't nice," said Nathan.
"Are you imitating me?" questions, Haley.
"Clearly, I am" smiles, Nathan, having a little fun picking on Haley. Haley shot him a deadly look.
"Alright, I'm sorry. Haley, I'm sorry. I wanted to have some fun with you" said Nathan, flashing her his sweetest smile.
"First of all, Nathan Scott, Mr. Big shot, I don't want to have fun with you. Second of all, I don't know you. Third of all, I'm not obligated to do anything with you because fourth of all I'm not your friend. End of story, good bye!" said Haley as she quickly dodges Nathan and made an escape to her Math class.
(Nathan's POV)
Is it weird to be totally turned on by that? It wasn't what she said. It was how she said it.
The attitude.
The eyes.
The lips.
She's a badass.
I like.
***
-Lunch time-
"Fruits or salad?" the lunch lady asks.
"Salad" Haley chooses.
"Choice of dressing?"
"Thousand Island, please" said Haley, as she took her tray and tries to find Brooke. She already sees that Brooke has already found their seats next to Lucas. Haley walks over and tries to play cool.
Lucas and Haley quickly look at each other and then back to staring at their food. There was an awkward silence in between but Brooke broke the silence when she tries to make the two make amends.
"So blondie, do you have anything to say to my best friend here?" Brooke nudges, hinting him that he should apologize to Haley.
"Say what?" said Lucas, being nonchalant.
Haley tears up a bit.
"You're not helping" Brooke whispers, getting a little awkward herself.
"So what happen to you last night, Lucas?" questions Brooke, her second attempt to reconcile the two.
"I went to a party" Lucas lied again.
"What? You told me you had a family emergency?" said a confuse Brooke.
"Yes I did. The family emergency was the party," said a suspicious Lucas.
"Stop. Just stop. Brooke, stop asking questions, frankly I don't care" said Haley as she starts tearing up, and then quickly runs out of the cafeteria.
"Haley!" Brooke calls after. "Be a friend, Lucas. Is that too much to ask?"
(Lucas's POV)
I wish it were that easy.
I want to be her friend so bad.
But I kept my promise.
I can't help it but I have to let him win.
It's the only way that I know you'll be okay, even if I'm not.
Nathan sees that an overwhelmed Haley ran out of the cafeteria. His heart breaks. He won. But he's not happy.
"Haley!" Brooke calls after her.
"Leave me alone, Brooke," said Haley, wiping her tears.
"Oh, honey, I can't. We made a vow. We're like glue, I'm always going to stick by you" said Brooke, sweetly giving Haley a wink.
Haley smiles.
"Sweetie, are you okay?" questions a concern Brooke.
"Yeah, I think I'll be okay" sniffs Haley.
"Good" Brooke smiles, wrapping her arm around her best friend.
(Haley's POV)
Shattered.
I finally got my goodbye
Lucas finally said his goodbye
He looks into my eyes
And I just die
***
-Inside the Cafeteria-
Standing at the window inside the cafeteria, witnessing Haley's hurt, Lucas knees starts to get weak. He didn't want to be the one hurting her. He never intended to hurt her.
Nathan approaches Lucas.
"Good job, bro" Nathan snickers, placing his hand on Lucas' shoulder.
"Get your hands off me!" shouts an outrage Lucas.
"Gotta say, I'm surprise you kept your promise," said a devilish Nathan.
"Which promise? The one where you ask me to denied my feelings for her? Or the one where you ask me to hurt her?" questions infuriate Lucas.
"It looks like you kept both promises…well done" Nathan hesitated.
"You know what, I'm okay to be the guy that hurts her because at the end of the day, I know she's safe but I want to tell you, I will always have feelings for Haley, you got that?" said Lucas, trying his hardest not to tear up, but he choked.
"Alright, man, go ahead and have all the feelings for Haley but I'm telling you she's going to be mine" said Nathan, trying to block away Lucas' feelings. Surprisingly, Nathan felt like he owes Lucas an apology.
"You like her?" questions Lucas, staring deep into Nathan's eyes.
"Yeah" said Nathan, with no hesitation.
"Good job hurting her" said Lucas, laying a guilt on Nathan.
It's safe to say, everyone is hurting.
***
Readers:
Lou, thank you for being such a loyal reviewer. Your reviews are very much appreciated. I hope you enjoy this chapter. =)
To everyone, reviews will be love. Thanks!