Author's Note: Hey guys, I just recently saw this movie, and I fell in love with it! It's amazing, and I recommend it to all. (a few scenes are a little awkward, though. :D) Well I just had this idea, and I hope you guys like it. Review at the end, thanks ! There's no Alex, (sniff, sniff) but he may make a special appearance.

When he was seventeen, Mike O'Donnell accepted a basketball scholarship, leaving his girlfriend, Scarlett and his future child out to dry. Twenty years later, Mike comes to regret the life he chose, and he makes an encounter with the girl and daughter he'd left behind many years ago.

When You Realize

Mike O'Donnell was sitting on his plane from California to New York, thinking about his twenty years since high school. In his final days as a senior in high school, he had to make a decision that would alter his life forever.

The day of the basketball championship, his coach announced to him that the scout from Ohio State was coming to watch him play. He was all pumped and ready to go, that is, until his girlfriend of three years came and gave him some news.

"Hey baby, you made it." he said, kissing her cheek. She nodded, and looked down at her feet. "What's wrong?" he asked, interlacing their fingers. She looked as if she were at a lost for words. "What is it, Scar?" he asked. She looked up at him, and then back towards the crowded stadium. This was his night, she would tell him later. "It's-it's nothing. Just go play." she urged, and looked back down at their hands. He put a finger under her chin, and lifted it to look him in the eyes. "No, I can't play unless you tell me what you need to tell me." he said, running his fingertips down the side of her face. "Um, Mike...I'm pregnant." she stated.

His hold on her immediately released, and he slowly backed away from her. "Mike?" she questioned. "I-I'm sorry, Scar. I can't do this, I've got a future, and I can't be fathering a child." he said while continually backing away. "Mike! You can't leave me alone with our baby!" she exclaimed. Mike looked around to see if anyone had heard her. "Scarlett, I'm sorry. I just can't do this" he said, turning to walk away. "Okay Mike," she said through the tears. "You walk away, but when you wake up and realize this life isn't everything you dreamed of, don't you come and find me. I won't be waiting for you to come around." and with that, she walked away.

At the time, he didn't think the life he chose would have any downfalls, but now he was seeing them. After he had gotten an ankle injury, he wasn't able to play anymore. He'd spent all his high school years perfecting his basketball skills, so he never really learned. He'd cheat on quizzes and tests, and that's how he maintained his C-D average. College was spent partying and playing basketball, and he didn't need to pass. His plan was to play college, and then go NBA, so he never majored in anything. Well now, he was a used-to-be loser. No job. No life. And the one he hated most, No family.

Scarlett was right, he would regret his decision. He hated his life, and he would do anything to change the past.

"Folks, we are landing in Albany, New York now. Please remain seated until the plane has come to a complete stop. Thank you for riding Delta airlines." a lady's voice sounded over the intercom. Mike was running to New York, to stay with his best friend from high school, Ned Gold.

Mike got his bags, and jumped into a cab. "Where to?" the man asked him. "2346 Ridgecrest Court," Mike told him, and they pulled out of the airport's parking lot. About a half an hour later, they pulled into the driveway of a huge mansion with long glass windows. "That'll be thirty-six dollars." the man told Mike. He reached into his back pocket, and pulled out his wallet. He opened it, and he was met with a picture of him and Scarlett at his senior homecoming. She wore a light pink dress, and her hair was in it's natural long blonde curls. He smiled lightly, and the cab driver coughed loudly to get Mike's attention. He shook his head quickly, and placed the money in the man's hands. "Thanks," he said, and drove off.

Mike carried all his bags up to the front porch of Ned's home, and glanced at the house. "Ned must've hit the jackpot," he muttered before knocking on the door. The door opened, and revealed a man in preppy chic clothing. Same old Ned.

"Hey Ned," Mike greeted cheerily. He hadn't seen Ned in twenty years. "Uh, can I help you?" Ned replied. Mike furrowed his eyebrows, "Um, yeah. It's me, Mike O'Donnell." he said. Ned's features immediately lit up. "Oh, Mike! God, I was remembering you from high school, but yeah. You've changed." he said, looking over Mike. "Yeah, and you haven't." Mike replied, glancing over Ned as well.

"Well come on in," Ned said, opening the door farther. Mike stepped in, and looked around the huge entry way. "How did you afford all of this?" Mike asked, gesturing to the room. "I just came up with a few computer softwares." Ned shrugged. Mike nodded in understanding. "Your room is upstairs." Ned said. (ha, that rhymes. Sorry, now back to the story) Mike followed Ned up to his room, and he walked into a room that had plastic novelties hanging around every part of the room.

"What's with the cartoons?" Mike asked, placing his bags down. "Oh, just some collector's items I got off of Ebay for a hell of a good price." Ned said, proud of his investment. "Well, they kind of freak me out." Mike said, shuddering as he saw a stuffed Sponge Bob staring at him intensively. "Awh, you'll get used to them. I'll leave you to get settled into your new room." he said, closing the bedroom door behind him. So this was the life he always dreamed of.. being thirty-seven, and sleeping in an eight year old's bedroom.

Mike woke up from his afternoon nap to hear knocking on the door, there was a note by his bedside table.

Going to the store for groceries,

be back later. Hope you enjoyed

your nap, sleeping beauty.

-Ned

Mike rolled his eyes, and crumpled up the paper. There was a knocking again. He sighed and climbed out of bed, and walked downstairs. Ned had probably forgotten his key or something. Knocking was heard again. "I'm coming!" Mike yelled, annoyed. Whoever it was, was quite impatient.

He opened the door, and was met with a familiar face. "Scar?" he questioned. Her eyes were wide, and a little taken back. "Mike?" she asked in the same tone. This wasn't happening, they couldn't be seeing each other after so many years. "Mom, who is this?" a teenage brunette girl asked behind Scarlett. She looked back at her daughter, and looked back at Mike. "J-Just an old friend, Maggie." she said. "Oh God." Mike said. The brunette girl had just called Scarlett mom. This- this was his daughter he'd left behind many years ago. All he knew right now, was that his former love and his daughter were standing in front of him, and he wanted them, and only them.

Tell me what you think. Was it stupid? Good? Should I continue? Review.