Chapter 1: Once And For Real

Written by: Jewel

Words: 1, 198

"I think that this is a great idea, Nathan. I'm doing this for the sake of both of you, not mine! You don't understand these things now, but I'm sure you'll thank me in the long run. Son, believe me when I say that this is for the best right now," He seethed, staring at both his teenage sons who looked at him as though he was crazy. It was a long thought decision and even though he'd gladly send them some place else, he couldn't afford it at the moment. His company was going under the drain, and right now, he'd no idea how to fix it.

"No! You don't understand," Nathan emphasized, rolling his eyes melodramatically as he also plopped himself on the white leather couch, following his brother's actions. "I know you're only doing this because you want to punish me and Luke for what we recently did!"

"Luke and I," Lucas corrected, flipping the page of the book he held. He, like his brother had no intentions of leaving L.A. and going to the country side, but after hearing his dad talk about the recent event that took place in his company, Lucas had decided to just go with his dad's plans. I mean, the faster they leave, the faster they can get back, right?

Dan's eyes bulged out of his head angrily, looking back and forth between his sons. He didn't know what Nathan was talking about. "What actually did you two get into again?" He asked calmly, averting the urge to throttle his own son. Stress makes him want to do a lot of things.

Nathan swallowed the lump that formed in his throat. So his dad didn't know yet, eh? Oh, he's in deep trouble.

"Nothing out of the ordinary per se," Lucas muttered, looking up at Dan. "Just stole the school key and hosted a midnight party at school. Nathan got caught having the key dangling around his neck the next day, and Jonathan dropped the bomb on the principal."

"So it was Jonathan!" Nathan said frustratingly, shaking his head in annoyance. "I thought that boy liked me."

"He does," Lucas nodded adamantly and shut his book, placing it aside. "Actually, he claimed to have done it, but the principal choked the truth out of his homosexual guts."

"Ah, so he does," Nathan smirked, tapping his index finger on his chin. "He's a clingy bastard, no?"

"Indeed,"

"Oh, then it's final," Dan interrupted, standing up and giving them a gleeful grin. "You two are going to Tree Hill."

"I totally ran out of his house," She smirked mischievously, recalling her sexual escapades last night. "It's like, his mom suddenly entered the room and—"

"I don't want to know, Brooke," Haley gave her a disgusted look before focusing back on the notes she's been trying to memorize. The two had planned to finish their summer holiday homework, but after arriving in the café, they'd done nothing but talk about last night's party and the latest guy Brooke slept with.

"Alright, fine," Brooke huffed, biting on her club sandwich before looking at Haley, mouth agape. "Did you and Jake finally do it last night?"

"No, Brooke, we didn't do it last night," Jake gave both the girls a smile, before sitting on the empty seat next to Haley. "I feel like crap."

"You look like crap anyway," Brooke rolled her eyes, noticing the way Haley gave Jake a private smile, which he had reciprocated. They've liked each other for three years already, yet not one of them can seem to own up to their feelings. It was so obvious, and the brunette had to wonder why they still haven't gotten together yet. "Oh c'mon guys, seriously? You two are made for each other! It's pissing me off how you can't even get your shit together. For three fucking years, no?"

"Shut up, Brooke," Haley rolled her eyes, throwing a piece of fries towards the brunette, shaking her head with a laugh.

"Mind your own business, Brooke," Jake scoffed, sending Brooke an icy glare before peeking over at what Haley was studying and had to smile when he saw his name scribbled at the edge of her notebook. Damn, he'd do anything for this girl. "Hm, where's Blondie?"

"In the kitchen," Brooke said in a sing-sung voice, combing her hair as she thought of the point guard in the basketball team. He was the only one in the basketball team that hasn't fallen on his knees at the sight of Brooke Davis. Well, him and three other, including Jake. "The girl has a massive hangover and is getting scolded by Karen."

"Ouch. She found out?" Jake winced, knowing how awful it was to get shouted at when you have a hangover.

"Hm. Karen went berserk," Haley laughed, closing her notebook with a smile. "This was my last homework! I'm free the whole summer holiday!"

"It's not like they're even going to check our homework's tutor girl," Brooke rolled her eyes, sipping on her iced tea before glaring at Jake who told Haley not to listen to her. "Oh, you two make me sick."

Jake and Haley laughed, shaking their heads at the exasperated brunette, and saying at the same time, "Shut up."

"You know that I don't allow you to drink Peyton, especially drunk driving, yet you do it anyway and you didn't even inform me that you'd be sleeping at another friend's house," Karen sighed eyeing the blonde sadly. She loved Peyton dearly, already as much as her son—who she hasn't seen since he was a year old. She doesn't know what she'd do if anything ever happens to her. "Honey, at least inform me and please understand that driving under alcohol can lead into an accident and I never want to lose you, okay?"

Peyton smiled sweetly at Karen's sweetness, and had to thank God again for this woman that stood before her—the lady that had taken care of her since her mother had died, and who she had treated as a second mother ever since. Karen was beautiful, both inside and out and Peyton would've never asked for anything else. She's glad that her mother had signed Karen's name under as her legal guardian.

"I'm sorry," Peyton apologized. She didn't know what else to say. It's not like she even remembers drunk driving, or drinking last night for that matter. "But it's not why you called me, is it?"

"It's alright," Karen sighed with a smile, pulling the teenager into a hug. "Well, yes, but the police officer informed Keith about what happened last night and I knew I had to talk to you when you come in the café."

Peyton shrugged, keeping in mind that she needed to confront Keith later on. "Okay, tell me."

Karen hesitated for a moment, before breaking into a grin; eyes bright with happiness. "My son is coming back to Tree Hill!"

"…Lucas?" Peyton raised a brow, forgetting the boy Karen keeps talking about endlessly. Truth be told, she hated that boy's guts even though she hasn't met him. She has her reasons.

"Yeah, Peyton," Karen smiled. "Lucas is coming home."

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