Chapter 1: The End of the Punishment

Disclaimer: I do not own One Tree Hill. This story is for pure entertainment.

It had been a long month for Jamie Scott. He had been grounded for sneaking off to a party and backing his car into a stranger's swimming pool. Not only was it a long month but a boring one. Without electronics, Jamie was bored out of his mind.

Throughout the month Jamie was on his best behavior. Lucas had told him if he didn't get his act together then Nathan and Haley would be signing over custody to him. When he overheard his parents talking about it, Jamie was shocked.

Every night during the month, Jamie would go outside to the swing set. The swings were far enough from the house so Nathan and Haley wouldn't hear him cry.

The day finally came where Jamie's punishment was over. The first thing he did was checking his email. His mailbox was full.

"Wow," Jamie said. "Over 1,000."

Nathan came into Jamie's room and walked over to him. He put his hands on his son's shoulders.

"They add up don't they," Nathan said.

"They sure do Dad," Jamie said.

"Your mother and I have made a decision," Nathan said.

This was it. Jamie just knew that he was going to be sent away to live with his Uncle Lucas. No matter how he behaved this past month, he was still going to be sent away.

"We had your car fixed and we've decided that we trust you with it," Nathan said. "You've been on your best behavior, you've done better in school, and you're not getting in fights. Please try not to back your car into any pools okay?"

"Okay," Jamie said. "Thank you Dad."

Nathan handed Jamie the keys and walked out of the room and downstairs. Haley was sitting on the couch.

"Did you give him the keys?" Haley asked.

"Yes," Nathan replied.

"I sure hope he doesn't screw up," Haley said.

"If he does," Nathan said, "it's off to Lucas and Peyton for him."

Unknown to them, Jamie had been listening from the top of the stairs. He couldn't believe it. His parents were still considering sending him away.

Later that day at the park, Jamie and Chuck were playing basketball at one of the adjoining courts. Chuck got frustrated and threw his basketball against the fence.

"What's wrong?" Jamie asked.

"This stupid court!" Chuck whined. "I hate it! It has stupid padding that doesn't let me bounce it too high and the stupid net is just grrrrrrrrrrr!"

"It's okay," Jamie assured his best friend.

"No it's not!" Chuck shouted. "I want the River Court!"

"It's gone Chuck," Jamie said. "There's nothing we can do."

"Why do bad things happen to good people?" Chuck asked.

"You're not that nice of a person," Jamie said.

"But still," Chuck said. "The River Court was a historical landmark!"

"No it wasn't," Jamie said. "It was put in when Uncle Lucas was 10."

A man who was playing basketball at one of the other courts walked over to them.

"Excuse me," the man said. "I don't get that much time to practice my shooting. I only get 1 hour a day. It's really hard to concentrate when you won't shut up about the stupid River Court! It's gone! Deal with it! Go on with your life!"

The man went back to his court and continued shooting baskets. Jamie looked at Chuck.

"So how does it feel to not be grounded anymore?" Chuck asked.

"It feels great," Jamie replied. "But there's something I have to tell you. My parents want to send me away."

"To like military school?" Chuck asked.

"No," Jamie said. "Not that drastic."

"Well start from the beginning," Chuck said.

"Well last month after I backed my car into that pool," Jamie said, "my parents grounded me for a month. Anyway, I got an angry call from my Uncle Lucas. He told me if I didn't get my act together then I'd have to go live with him."

"Maybe he just said that to scare you," Chuck said.

"No he didn't," Jamie said. "I went to ask my parents if it was true and I heard them talking about it and they were crying. That's when I knew it was true."

"Oh my god," Chuck said. "They can't just do that."

"Yes they can," Jamie said. "I'm under 18 and they can sign custody of me to Uncle Lucas."

"Well you were on your best behavior this month right?" Chuck asked.

"Yes," Jamie said, "but I heard them talking this morning. They're still considering sending me away."

"You're my best friend," Chuck said. "If you get sent away, I'll have to start hanging out with the other members of the team and you know how much I can't stand them."

"And you'd miss me," Jamie said.

"That too," Chuck said.

"Come on," Jamie said. "Let's shoot some hoops."

"No," Chuck said. "Let's go to the cafe. I suddenly don't feel like basketball."

Currently writing the next chapter. The next chapter concerns Brooke finding out about Jamie hypothetically living with Lucas and her feelings on the subject.