A/N: I do not own any of the characters. I encourage you to leave reviews :) Thank you.
Chapter 1: And In The Beginning
My first basketball memory is of the River Court. The concrete slab is so beautiful, but most people would think I'm crazy to describe it as such. This has been my home away from home ever since I picked up a basketball as a young, pre adolescent boy. When I first picked up that ball and bounced it against the concrete I remember thinking, "This is only the beginning …"
The air was crisp for a fall night in Tree Hill, North Carolina, which made it perfect weather for an outside basketball game under the street post lights. There was a slight breeze coming from the river nearby, which affected the two boys' shots just the slightest. However, the burnt orange basketball bounced against the concrete court perfectly despite the grooves and cracks. Its imperfections are what made it so perfect and the boys knew the court like the back of their hands. Each one used those imperfections to his advantage.
Tonight, like any given night, the basketball rim was unforgiving when the ball hit it. The ball sort of boomeranged back after hitting the harsh rusty, red metal. Yet when shot with the perfect angle and right height the ball spun effortlessly through the night sky and landed straight through the rim, nothing but net.
The dirty blonde haired, teenage boy crossed over at the top of the key to his left and as the dark skinned teenage boy closed the gap between them, the blonde attempted to use the fade away. As the ball left his hands, the slightly taller boy tipped it and it slowed toward the hoop coming up short.
"I call foul!" Lucas Scott yelled at his friend who chased after the ball.
"Man, I grazed you. Why are you being a wuss? Just take it on the chin and let's play," said Antown "Skills" Taylor. "You do realize when you hit that high school gym you can't be calling. 'Foul,'" he continued in a high-pitched girl-like voice.
Marvin chuckled from the sidelines sitting on the picnic table providing his usually commentary. They had been at the River Court for about two hours and Lucas had completely destroyed Skills three games straight.
"Skills, I think you should just cut your loses. You'll never beat Lucas with that lazy defense," Marvin "Mouth" McFadden said.
"Lazy defense, huh?" Skills said walking over to Mouth. "I don't see you out here trying to defend. I'm sure your boney butt has a few splitters from riding pine for the last two hours." Skills chucked the basketball at Lucas. "Man, I get no respect around here," he said shaking his head taking a seat beside his friend.
"Wait, are you calling game?" Lucas asked. "Now who's the wuss?"
He turned and took a jump shot. The basketball had the perfect arch and glided through the air hitting nothing but net. Luke dusted his grey hoodie off and looked over his shoulder at the guys sitting on the tabletop. He laughed as Skills waved him off.
"As much as I would love to continue to embarrass you, I need to get home. I need to rest up for tomorrow."
Lucas jogged over to pick up his basketball that rolled onto the grass right beyond the edge of the concrete court.
"Good idea, Luke. You should get your beauty rest for your big debut. No one wants to root for a tired-looking shooting guard," Skills said getting off the picnic table and grabbing his bag.
"Give him a break. I think it's great that Luke is on the high school team. He's one of the best to ever play out here."
Mouth was excited for his friend and couldn't wait to provide commentary for the game tomorrow.
"Mouth, have you seen the talent around here. That isn't saying much," he said. "No offense Luke."
"None taken, Skills," he said with a smile knowing his friend was joking.
Lucas looked around the area and took in the cool air. It was always easy for him out here. No pressure except for what he had expected of himself. No playbooks except for the plays he had created once he truly knew the court. No worries about team dynamic since he had known everyone for about ten years.
Every part of the game came naturally to him. Almost effortlessly he played his game he had developed. Now he would need to adjust to a hardwood floor under the harsh, inside gym lights with teammates he had never taken the court with and a three-ring binder playbook filled with about ten different plays. Suddenly he felt completely out of his element.
"I don't want to over think this," he finally spoke to the two boys who had quietly observed him. "It's going to be different to step on that hardwood floor in front of all those people and with guys I've never played alongside."
"I don't believe what I'm hearing," Skills pulled his red hoodie over his head and continued, "Is Lucas Scott nervous? The man with the soft touch, who can't miss from beyond the arch is getting stage fright? Come on man, just relax. Like you said, don't over think it. You've practiced with those guys and you've managed to whip my butt. Nothing has changed. Your game hasn't changed just the scenery."
Skills put his fist up and Luke cocked his head and smiled at his childhood friend as he bumped fists.
"That was some pep talk, Skills," Mouth said. "I have to get going too. Luke," he said placing his hand on the dirty blonde's shoulder, "You're going to be great. Just play the game you love, the way you do best and you'll be great."
"Thanks guys. I guess I was getting a little nervous for a split second. I'll see you at school." Lucas walked off and placed the earphones into his ears before bouncing the basketball as he always did heading to his mother's café.
The petite brown-haired, teenage girl flipped the sign that hung in the door from open to closed. Her hair was pulled back out of her face with half freely down. She wore a three-quarter sleeve, purple, round collar shirt and boot cut jeans with her beige apron tied firmly around her waist. Her jeans hung off her hips slightly and her shirt was form fitting.
Sighing, she pulled the towel out from her apron and began her nightly routine. Softly she hummed while dragging the white towel across every tabletop methodically before placing the chairs upside down on them. She then wiped the countertop down and only looked up when her boss spoke.
"How's Lucas been?" Karen, Lucas' mother, asked.
The older brunette stood by the register tallying the day's receipts as she always did at the end of the workday.
Haley James shrugged her shoulders and continued cleaning the countertop, not responding.
"Haley, he hasn't mentioned anything to you about basketball?"
Karen thought the girl was behaving out of character. In fact, she believed the brunette had been preoccupied for days. However, she couldn't figure out what could be weighing on her mind, after all she was a teenager and having been one herself, she knew there were a handful of issues that could be bothersome. Then again these days were different for teenagers than during the time she was in high school so there could've been an added handful of pressures.
"Haley, are you all right?"
The girl finally stopped her task and lightly threw the damp cloth down. She didn't want to discuss what was on her mind so she shifted the focus back to Lucas.
"He really hasn't said much. Are you worried?" She plopped down on the barstool feeling tired from being on her feet for about four hours. "I know he's good and definitely has every right to be a Raven, but are you worried about Nathan – the situation?"
The brown-haired woman pressed her lips together and nodded.
"A little. He hasn't said anything to me about the situation. He's definitely focused on the game, but I imagine it's difficult for him. I'm not sure the scenario crossed his mind when he accepted the position on the team."
Haley picked at tattered edge of the towel as a way to keep her eyes off the woman because she feared the mother would be able to see right through and figure out exactly what was on her mind.
"Yeah, suddenly he has to get along with the brother he's never known, not to mention he has to see Dan. We both know how he feels about him," she said softly lost in thoughts of where she needed to be at this very moment. "Tomorrow night may not be as easy as playing at the River Court. You'll be there though, right?"
"Of course and so will you."
"Karen, I have to work. I would love to, but …"
"Now you listen to me. We can close down for the game tomorrow. It's very important to Lucas and we need to support him. Now if this basketball thing takes off then we may need to miss a few games, but I can afford to close up shop for at least one night."
Karen put away the receipts and cash into the bank deposit bag and walked it to the back.
Haley felt her phone vibrate in her apron pocket and pulled it out. She flipped the phone open and read the text. She sighed and rubbed her forehead. Time had gotten away from her and she needed to get out of the café. She looked at her phone again and began composing a reply when she heard the café door open. She jumped, startled by the bell that hung over the entrance. She snapped her phone shut when she saw the blonde haired boy.
"I didn't mean to scare you, Hales," Lucas said was a chuckle. "Is everything all right?" He noticed that his best friend had been looking at her phone. "Was that important?" he asked pointing to her phone while holding his basketball against his right side.
He pulled the ear buds out of his ears and tucked them into his pocket. He caught his best friend's hesitation. He didn't know what to make of it though. She had been acting odd for weeks and he just gave her space, patiently waiting for her to divulge the reason for her behavior. He was beginning to rethink that plan.
"What, no? I thought," she ran her hand over the back of her neck, "I thought it vibrated. It's a little late and I was expecting my mom to be looking for me. You know how mothers are."
She gave him a forced smile and tucked the phone into her back pocket as she climbed off the stool.
"You want me to walk you home?" Lucas offered like he did every night and she would take him up on it, but lately she declined.
"We can walk and talk," he said moving toward her.
She tilted her head and smirked. For the first time of the night, she felt relaxation settle in. Lucas had a way of making her feel at ease.
"I will even let you wear my letter jacket," he said tugging at his old, worn grey Keith Scott Body Shop hoodie.
Haley erupted in laughter catching her by surprise.
"Why, Mr. Scott, when you make such an offer, it's rather hard to resist," she responded in a deep southern accent. "You are definitely a man after my own heart."
"But," he said knowing there was a but coming. He moved closer to her and placed his hands on the counter, one on each side of her, boxing her in.
"Don't," she gently pushed him to provide more space between them. "Don't do that flirty thing you do. It's kind of … kind of ewww."
She pushed him again and walked away. She didn't mind his flirtatious nature but considering what had been occupying her in the recent weeks, it made her uncomfortable.
"Oh come on, I'm giving you my best stuff here and you won't humor me. Just a little"
He hopped onto a stool as Haley shook her head at him. She untied her apron and threw it at him then grabbed her purse.
"Luke you are so in trouble if that is your best stuff."
"Why don't you just tell me what works on you? Make this a little easier for me," he said leaning against the counter with his elbows.
She laughed and took a seat next the blonde.
"I always heard a girl should play hard to get. Don't you guys like that stuff? I mean it works for Peyton, right?" She cocked her eyebrow as she mentioned the curly, blonde's name. "She's playing hard to get isn't she?"
Luke placed his hand over his heart.
"Oh you kill me, Hales. You know how to kick a guy when he's down. Seriously though, you don't want me to walk you home? I promise I won't hit on you."
He crossed his heart mockingly and Haley punched him in the arm.
"Ow, that's my shooting arm. Be careful."
"You're so dramatic, that's not your shooting arm."
"I've been practicing my left-handed jump shot." Luke offered once again to walk her home. "What do you say? I'm practically on my knees begging."
"Sitting on a stool isn't close to being on your knees begging. I will be fine, Lucas. How about I call you when I get home and we'll talk."
She hopped off the stool and gave him a kiss on the cheek.
"Besides that will give me enough time to come up with some inspirational words in preparation for your game tomorrow."
The teenage boy sighed as the brown-haired girl walked out of the café.
"Lucas what is with you two?" He turned around to see his mother leaning against the wall with her arms crossed.
"Mom, it's nothing. I'm just giving Haley a hard time."
"Lucas Eugene Scott, I heard every word of your conversation. What has gotten into you? Do you like Haley?"
Haley walked down the street and her phone vibrated again. She forgot about the text she began composing. She stopped at the corner to look at the phone. It was another text. She sighed once again. She opened the phone to read the text then she dialed a number beginning to walk again.
"Hey, where are you? I thought you were off thirty minutes ago," the voice on the other line said.
"Well hello to you too," she said dryly. "Work ran late. Do you still need me to stop by? It's late so if I come by now you'll have to give me a ride home."
Haley began twirling her loose hair around her index finger. She often did that when she was nervous. She hoped the conversation wouldn't be long and hoped she wouldn't need to head in the other direction.
"No, I'll just … I'll see you in the morning."
"That works for me. Seven sharp and if you're late …"
"If I'm late what?"
She heard his voice dripping with flirtation and a hint of cockiness.
"Just be on time for once," she said softly not having energy to argue with him. "Seven at the usually spot. Bye."
She closed her phone and continued to walk down the quiet street finally getting a chance to enjoy the crisp, cool night air. It made her feel alive and it took her back to a time when things were simpler.
"Haley," she jumped startled by the voice, not expecting to be followed. "Get in. Let me drive you home."
Lucas opened the passenger side door waiting for her to get in.
"My mom isn't comfortable with you walking home alone at this hour."
She climbed into the vehicle and Lucas pulled back onto the road.
"What is with you Luke?" she asked staring out the window of the tow truck. "You've been acting strange. Does this have to with basketball?"
"I've been acting strange?" he questioned.
"That's what I said."
Lucas decided to ignore the obvious and began to open up to her like he always did. He had missed those moments when they talked about everything and anything. He especially missed the moments when they shared their most inner thoughts about life, but these days those moments were fleeting.
"I'm nervous," he said softly afraid that the truth would change her opinion about him.
That thought was silly considering the two of them knew each other since they were five and had shared all their major life events.
"I wanted to walk you home tonight because I needed to talk. Skills and Mouth gave me a pep talk tonight but I just really need some reassurance from my best friend."
He reached for her hand and gave it a gentle squeeze before letting go. She smiled and looked over at him.
"Win one for the Gipper?" she said with uncertainty.
The two teenagers laughed breaking the light tension in the air. They fell into a comfortable conversation for the first time in weeks.
Lucas attentively listened to his best friend and as she spoke, all his worrying about her disappeared. Maybe both of them just needed a car ride like this to bring them back to normalcy.