A Tide of The Affairs || LUCAS SCOTT [1]

09 // Outstretched Arms

2003 ― Tree Hill, North Carolina

When Aurora got to school the following Monday, she went to look for Lucas. They texted a bit over the weekend, but she didn't see him. She mainly spent time with Alex and Haley before Alex went back to Duke. She saw Lucas at his locker and approached him with a smile on her face. "How's your punching hand?" She asked. When Lucas heard her voice, he turned and smiled at her.

"A lot better now that I nailed a guy's face in... twice. How about you? How are you feeling?" Lucas asked, and Aurora sighed.

"Like an idiot for going to the party in the first place, but better since I spent the weekend with Alex and Haley," Aurora said, and Lucas nodded.

"Glad to hear it. Hey, Aurora, we're good, right? I know we haven't had a chance to talk since the... you know." Lucas said, and Aurora sighed as she nodded her head.

"Water under the non-proverbial bridge. Of course, we're good, Lucas. You're my best friend, always." Aurora said, which made Lucas smile.

"Good, because I have something for you," Lucas said, and Aurora raised an eyebrow. Whenever Lucas gave her a 'gift', she never knew what to expect.

"And what would that be?" Aurora asked. Lucas opened his locker again, pulled out a book, and handed it over to her. 'The Winter of Our Discontent.'

"The book I've been talking about for weeks. I thought it was time you checked it out." Lucas said. Aurora laughed as she took the book from his hands and nodded.

"I guess I could read the book... but if I do, you have to do something for me." She said, and Lucas raised an eyebrow.

"Oh, yeah, what would that be?" He asked.

"Something fun, deal?" Aurora said.

"Okay, deal."

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Aurora found Nathan in the hallway, and she walked up behind him and put her hands on his shoulders. She pretended she was going to jump on his back, but she didn't, and Nathan quickly whipped around and was surprised to see her, which made Aurora laugh because she's never seen Nathan that jumpy before.

"Very funny," Nathan said, which made her smile.

"Are you alright? Luke said you had some trouble at practice yesterday." Aurora said, and Nathan's face clouded over.

"Lucas needs to mind his own business. We have a game coming up, that's all. I just get a little intense." Nathan said, and Aurora rolled her eyes because Nathan acted like she didn't know who he was, and she hadn't seen him before a million games to know exactly how he acts.

"Are you sure, Nate? Because I know you, and you're shaking. Like visibly shaking. What's the extra layer about this game that I'm missing?" Aurora asked.

"My heart's racing too." Nathans aid as he grabbed her hand and put it on his chest over his heart, but she was still concerned about his body shaking, especially since she could feel it. "That's just what happens when I'm around you, Aurora James." He teased, and Aurora rolled her eyes as she pulled her hand back.

"God, you're such a goof. Are you sure you're alright?" She asked, and Nathan nodded his head.

"Yeah, I'm fine. I just...-I had a bad day yesterday. I'll see you later, alright?" Nathan said. Aurora nodded as they walked off in their separate directions, but something was still nagging at the back of her brain.

She knew something was off with him.

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"Okay, what are we doing here?" Lucas Scott asked when Aurora James removed his blindfold, and they were standing in one of the many wooded areas of North Carolina. They were about 30 minutes away from Tree Hill at this place Aurora found, and she wanted to show him. "You didn't bring me here to kill me... did you?" He asked, which made her laugh.