Chapter 1 – Back Home

It was almost 1:00am when he finally realized that it won't happen tonight. The blinking cursor, staring at him from the top-left corner of an empty page, was driving him crazy. Every morning he woke up hoping that today will be different; that today the inspiration will finally come back. Sometimes he woke up, trying to remember his dream, so sure that it held the key idea for his third novel. But the more he was trying to remember, the vaguer the images were becoming. He finally closed the notebook, grabbed his basketball and stormed out of the house. There was only one place, where he could put away the frustration and gather his thoughts.

Approaching the River Court he heard the familiar sound of a bouncing basketball and realized that someone was already there, which was strange given the hour. He came closer but still wasn't able to recognize who it was. He knew almost everyone, who played at the River Court, but this guy was not one of them. The stranger was at least 6'5" tall and very well built. He stopped and watched the guy play for a while, but after a fantastic shot, way behind the three-point line, he approached.

"Nice jump shot."

"Yeah, I know. You're Lucas Scott, right? The Ravens' coach."

"I used to be. I haven't seen you around. Who are you?"

"Taylor Johnson. My friends call me TJ. I just moved here from LA with my folks."

"You don't seem too happy about it. "

"No offense, man, but this town looks dull. What do you do for fun around here anyway?"

"None taken. There are a few nice clubs in town that you might want to check out, but nothing fancy. And you've already found my favorite spot." Luke pointed at the court.

"I figured." He smiled "Well, nice to meat you, Lucas Scott. I guess I'll see you around.

"Already leaving?" Luke was actually disappointed.

"Yeah, man, it's late. Got school tomorrow."

"So you go to Tree Hill High? You look older." He was genuinely surprised.

"Yup, senior year. Which reminds me, can you help me get in the team?"

"Not really. Me and the coach… it's a long story, but you're better off without my help. You shouldn't have any problems though, just go and show them your game."

"Okay, thanks, man. See you around."

"Yeah… see you around."

Finally alone, Lucas realized that he was no longer in the mood for basketball and headed home. Walking down the street, he caught himself thinking about TJ. There was something about this kid's game that looked vaguely familiar. He liked him. Most of the kids, who played at the River Court, were not very talented, but loved the game and reminded him of the time, when he and his friends were the "kings" there. Yes, those were good times. Basketball was always a huge part of his life, but what he missed the most were the days before he joined the Ravens. When Basketball was just the game he loved, nothing more – nothing less. It was so simple back then – the game, his friends, Haley, his mom. It was so much easier to define happiness back then. He didn't really regret joining the Ravens, but realized that this was the one single moment in his life, that had defined so much of what and who he had become and triggered a wave of events that had influenced not only his life, but the lives of so many others around him. Precisely these events had inspired him to write his first novel – "An Unkindness of Ravens", published almost five years ago. Lost in his thoughts, Lucas almost didn't see the two figures, sitting on the stairs.

"You might be a famous novelist now, but locking me out of my own house?"

"Mom! Oh my God! What are you guys doing here?"He grabbed her and hugged her just like the countless times she had, when he was little.

"What about me? Don't I get a hug?" The little girl was rubbing her eyes, still half-asleep.

"Oh, don't be like that, munchkin. You know you are my favorite sister, right?" He lifted her and started tickling her.

"But you only have one sister!" Managed to say the girl, giggling. She was completely awake now.

"Okay, you two, that's enough for now. Lucas, stop it or you'll be the one putting her to sleep." She tried to keep her voice tough, but was way too happy to pull it off so it had little if any effect.

"But I'm not sleepy, mummy."

"We'll see about that. Now let's go in. It's getting cold."

"Oh, sorry about the locks, mom. It's kind of a long story."

I'm sure it is and I'll be happy to hear about it in the morning, but we are both tired. It was a very long flight."

"Why didn't you call? I'd have come to pick you guys up at the airport."

"I tried, but apparently the line is disconnected and so is your cell."

"Oh… right. Another long story."

"Yeah, yeah. Dare I assume that our room is still intact?"

"Sure it is."

"Okay, good night, Lucas."

"Good night, mom, welcome home. You too, munchkin, sleep tight."

"Come on, Lilly, it's way past your bad time."

He kissed them and went to his room. For the first time in many weeks, he felt it again. Very faint, like it was coming from a great distance, but it was there; this almost forgotten feeling, he thought he was no longer able to experience. Maybe it was always there; maybe he just wasn't allowing himself to feel it for so long; maybe seeing and holding his mother and his little sister again had unlocked something in his heart. He finally fell asleep and dreamt the way he used to. A beautiful dream which he was sure he would remember in the morning.