I grabbed my jacket and keys, about to walk out the house and to Rivercourt to watch my best friend play basketball. "Whoa, where do you think you're going, missy?" Aunt Jackie asked from her spot in the kitchen.

"Uh," I spun around, looking at her with a sheepish look. "The game?"

She smirked at me. "The Ravens game or the Court game?"

I rolled my eyes, pulling on my jacket. "Like I would go to one of those games for a million bucks," I laughed bitterly.

"Be safe!" she called after me. I waved at her as I exited the house, going down the walkway to my car. Looking across the street I see Nathan Scott walking out of his own house to his car. He looks over at me as I get to my car, a scowl growing on his face. He shakes his head angrily, opening his door and throwing his bag in before getting in himself, speeding out of his driveway seconds later.

"My favorite losers," I say with a smile as I get out of my car a few minutes later. Junk rolls his eyes at me and flips me off while Mouth and Jimmy wave at me. "Junk, you know I only say it out of love."

"Well if it isn't little Miss. Jesse Russell, come to join us after spending the week in your castle?" Skills asked me.

I pouted at him. "That's not fair, you know I had to study for a history exam!"

Lucas looked over at me and smiled. "She's too much of a nerd to even think about the letter after 'A'."

I scoffed, picking up a ball near my leg and throwing it at him as hard as I could. He caught it easily, holding it to his side. The guys ohed at Lucas' insult, making me huff and roll my eyes. "And you only know one language, Scott. It's dork." The guys then ohed at my comment, making me smirk at my best friend. "How you like me now, Scott?"

He rolled his eyes again, though a smile stayed on his face. He threw the ball back at me, quirking an eyebrow and looking down at it. "What's this for?" I asked, holding it up and shaking it like there was a present inside.

"Put your money where your mouth is," Junk answered.

I shook my head no immediately. "Remember how well that turned out last time? There's no way I'm getting on the court with you, I could die." Lucas and the rest laughed at my exaggeration, though I wasn't joking.

I threw the ball to Junk, who caught it and just shook his head at me while I backed up against the hood of my car, sitting on it to watch the game about to start.

Lucas Scott was my best friend, and I wouldn't go back to how things were for anything.

The next day I walked into the cafe at 3:30, read to start my shift for Karen. "Ah yes, my favorite child!" she called as I opened the door.

"Hey!" Haley yelled from the back. "I heard that." I shook my head at Karen with a smile as Haley walked out. "I can't believe you can replace me like that."

"Just get to work you two," Karen says throwing an apron at me.

"Yes, ma'am."

Lucas walks in a couple hours later in his signature sweats and sweatshirt with a basketball in his hand, coming back from a game at the Rivercourt. I was sitting at the counter, working on the salt and pepper containers while Karen cleaned the counter. "Smells good in here. Did you change your hair?"

"If by 'change' you mean 'dragged a brush through it,' then yeah." I laughed and the older woman sent me a smile as Lucas just rolled his eyes.

"Well, it looks nice."

"He has to tell you that, Karen," I said sending Lucas a small smirk, "he's your son. I, however, think that you look positively glowing."

"Thank you." She sent the both of us a grateful smile and I returned it, shoving Lucas to the side lightly.

"The magazine pages are sticky again," Haley said walking into the dining area. "Little pervs. Oh, hey, Luke. You been reading this?"

"Is that the "why do I hang out with these people?" Issue, because you're on the cover of that, right?" Haley rolled her eyes before firing back at him.

"No, actually, it's the "my best friend is an idiot" issue, and there you are." I smiled at Lucas as he scoffed walking away.

"Haley, Jesse, would you like to join us?" Karen asked us from her seat at a table.

"Hell, yes," Haley said already filling up a cup with the chili Karen made. She gave me a pointed look, gesturing to a cup next to the pot.

"I mean, if I must," I said with a smile. Lucas rolled his eyes at me to which Karen shook her head.

"So, honey, how was your day?" she asked.

"Good, thanks," Haley answered immediately. "Good is relative, considering a third of the world is starving, which does not change the fact that I am clumsy as hell." Lucas, Karen, and I all looked at each other at her speech, a knowing smile on all of our faces. "Did I tell you that I fell down today? Yeah, slipped off the curb, face down, butt in the air. Too graphic? Sorry. I'll just be quiet." I nudged Lucas with my knee, knowing that Haley couldn't be silent for too long.

"So, I got something for you, Lucas," Karen started, only to be interrupted by Haley

"Actually, I found it. Not that I was looking for something specifically, which implies some hideous sort of 'Joey loves Dawson' scenario and completely creep me out, but, you know, we saw it, and..." Haley trailed off, Lucas looking at her expectantly. "Well, give him the book."

Karen handed over the copy of Julius Caesar to Lucas, who was amazing instantly. "Wow, Julius Caesar."

"There's a tide in the affairs of men," Karen quoted, "or something like that."

"Nice. Thank you, guys. Thank you very much."

"Whatever. That's what you're into."

I pulled up to Lucas' house, beeping the horn so that he would know I was here. He came running out shortly after, a half eaten waffle in his mouth. "Yummy," I joke as he gets in the car and buckles up. He scoffs, taking the waffle out of his mouth and downing the water bottle he had. "So, did you hear what happened to the basketball team on Saturday?" I asked as I pulled away. Lucas gave me a condescending look. "Right, well anyway. Apparently, they stole a bus and were drinking on it, Nathan was driving it too. So Nathan is making out with this girl that isn't Peyton, not a surprise, and they almost run into a train." I look over at Lucas at a red light, seeing him give me a weird look.

"Why do you like drama so much?"

I laughed at him. "Because it could have been me, for one. And another reason is because they're idiots that do stupid stuff that should be spread so that everyone knows how big jackasses they are."

Lucas rolled his eyes, looking back at the road. "You sound like Junk when you talk about drama."

I scoffed, throwing my head back to the seat. "I'm not spreading rumors, I'm telling you the cold honest truth that I heard from some random people on the bus."

"Just drive," Lucas says with a roll of his eyes.

I look over at him, but he won't acknowledge it, so I take his command and continue to school.

Lucas and I are sitting in the back of the library, him studying for a test while I do math homework. When we got to school we had forgotten about the conversation in the car and Haley had joined us to make the situation less awkward. "Scott," someone calls making me look up at Lucas.

"Sup Coach," I hear a voice say behind me. I whip my head around, looking at Nathan Scott, only two feet away from me.

"Not you," the first voice says, making me turn around completely to see Coach Durham. "You." He points at Lucas then signals for him to come over. I turn back to Lucas with an open jaw.

"Shit," I whisper to him, making him look away from the older man to me. His eyes are wide and he's not moving at all. "What are you doing?" I whisper harshly towards him. I nod my head to Whitey, gesturing him to join the man.

I look back to Whitey, seeing Nathan looking over at us with a shocked and disgusted look. "You," Whitey calls again, this time pointing at Nathan, "read a book or something." I try to hide a snort into my sleeve, but it doesn't help, drawing the attention from everyone in the room, including the librarian. She gives me the 'shush' sign and I throw my hands up in defense to her as a sign of sorry, turning back to my work.

"Tomboy," I hear Nathan whisper beside me. I rolled my eyes, ripping a piece of paper off my notebook and writing daddy's boy on it before sliding over to Nathan with a smirk.

"What'd he do this time?" Aunt Jackie asks from my doorway. I sigh and turn to face her from my desk,

"What do you mean?"

"Every time that Scott boy does something to get on your nerves, you do a crossword. You've got two out right now, so what is it?" She pushes herself off of my door and comes to stand behind me.

"I'm just checking yesterday's is all," I say looking back down at the two crosswords.

"Two days in a row must have really done something to hit your nerves."

I sigh, putting my pencil down and turn to her completely. She sits down on the arm of my comfy chair, giving me a sad smile. "I'm just worried is all. Whitey asked Lucas to join the basketball team cause they all got suspended and Nathan is gonna make his life hell. I just don't want that for him. He's already got to deal with seeing him, actually having to work with him? I can't imagine the hell."

She laughed and shook her head, placing her hands on my own, pulling them into her lap. "Sweetie, I know you think Nathan is the devil in disguise, and the boy does have that rap for a reason, but you should think about what-"

"There is nothing to understand about Nathan, he deserves every bad thing said about him."

"Honey," Jackie starts but I shake my head. She sighs at my attitude, going to the door and giving me another look. "He's got an asshole for a father too."

After she leaves my phone rings and I pick it up without thinking. "Jesse Russell, how can I help you?"

"So, Jesse, what do you think about me playing? I want your honest opinion." I smile into the phone, hearing the distress in his voice.

"It's not really for me to say, Lucas. I mean, if you really want to do it, it's something you're willing to risk your sanity for, because let's be honest, you'll be insane when-"

"Okay, Jess, I get it, you don't want me to go through with it."

"That's not what I said Lucas, I just you'll be putting yourself out there, and you have to find out if that's something you want. But I'll support you with whatever you choose."

"Thanks, Jesse. There was something else, Whitey left a jersey for me. Number Three."

I smirked into the phone. "Close, but no cigar. Just needed a two before it. Anyways, favorite Scott, I've got to go, finish the homework."

"See you tomorrow, Russell. Study hard."

"The jackass challenged you?" I asked with crossed arms. Lucas didn't answer me, just looked ahead. "Are you gonna play him?"

"I don't know," he answered quickly. "It's not like I have anything to prove."

"But don't you just want to show him sometimes- Oh, damn!' Haley yelled, a flock of birds flying right in front of her and making her almost trip. I snickered into Lucas's arm, seeing him smile and shake his head at our friend. "What is up?" She yelled. "I was attacked by a flock of crows last week!" I laughed, covering my mouth with my hand when she sent me a sad look. "I'm totally serious!"

"By the way, it's a murder," Lucas said shoving his hands into his pockets.

"A what?" I asked, unsure if I heard him clearly.

"More than one crow is a murder," he clarified and I sent Haley a weird look.

"I'm pretty sure neither of us knows what the hell you're talking about," Haley said looking at him like he was crazy.

"A parliament of owls, an exaltation of larks, a murder of crows," he said looking at both of us.

"That right there is why people think you are weird, Scott," I said checking him with my hip.

Lucas rolled his eyes and sighed. "I would like to show him sometimes, though, what a mistake he's made."

"Dan?" Haley asked.

Lucas nodded. "Mostly for mom," the two of us nodded at him. "And... sometimes for me."

"So, Luke, what are ravens?" I asked with a smirk. "I mean, more than one?"

"An unkindness."

"Aunt Jackie! I'm going for a run!" I called. There was no answer, so I assumed she was busy on something in her work and I just left. It was a nice enough day out that exercise would be appreciated, so I took advantage of the fleeting weather.

Across the street, I saw Nathan coming out of his house, athletic wear on and a pair of headphones like he was going out for a run. I groaned under my breath, trying to get a head start on this run so that I wouldn't have to be near him at all. However, it seemed Nathan was in a pissy mood today and wanted to make everyone unhappy, so he joined me in a matter of minutes.

"Well if it isn't the blonde bombshell," he said with a smirk, easily keeping pace with me.

"I thought that was your girlfriend," I said with a bite in my tone. He smiled and rolled his eyes, turning to look forward on the route. "What do you want Scott?"

"I'm just taking advantage of the lovely weather today. Wouldn't want to get out of shape now, I've got an important game coming up." I failed at hiding my disdain, knowing he was talking about Lucas and the Rivercourt.

"You should be careful on this track, Scott, I heard some people have twisted their ankles here before."

His smile only widened, "You're not falling for me, are you, Russell?"

"Like I would make that mistake."

The run continued in silence for a few minutes before Nathan felt the need to break it again. "How's your boyfriend doing?" I rolled my eyes, shoving his side so that he would be away from me, accidentally making him fall. I stopped immediately, looking at him on the ground.

"Shit, Nathan." He rolled over onto his back a grimace on his face. "Are you okay?" I asked him.

"You shove like a girl," he said lowly, pushing himself up.

I rolled my eyes and shook my head, looking away from him as he wiped all the dirt off his body. "You're a self-centered jackass."

"Takes one to know one, honey."

Nathan's cell rang, stopping the argument from boiling over, for which I was very grateful. However, not grateful enough to take the advantage and get away from him. I stayed there, watching him open his phone and roll his eyes. "Hey, babe," he said into the receiver, leading me to believe it was Peyton on the other side. "That sucks." He looked up at me, rolling his eyes. "Can't babe, working out right now... really don't want to leave right now." He sighed, looking up at the sky now. "Where are you?" He rolled his eyes. "Can't, my dad is giving me a look right now." He waited a few seconds before flipping his phone closed, a smirk on his face.

"Why'd you lie to Peyton?"

"Felt like it."

"So I take it the big showdown is tonight?" Aunt Jackie asked as I crept down the stairs, trying to stay silent.

I cringed, looking over at my aunt at the desk. "Yeah, it is."

"Is there a reason you weren't going to tell me about it?" she asked, pushing her chair back to turn to me

"No, kinda just slipped my mind."

"Please just be careful going there, don't want you to get hurt."

"I will, Aunt Jackie."

I drove to Haley's house, barely having time to put the car in park by the time she was out the door and in my car. "Thanks for taking me, Jess." I nodded at her, rolling my eyes as she turned the radio on. Crazy in Love was on and Haley was ready to start jamming.

We pulled up to the Rivercourt at 11:35, Lucas wasn't even here yet, though Mouth was there all dressed up like he was a real sports announcer. "Look!" Mouth yelled, pointing to us with the hand not holding his mike. "It's the loyal fans of Lucas Scott, Jessica Russell and Haley James. Any predictions on the game between brothers tonight?"

"There are gonna be a lot of people upset with the outcome tonight," I said smirking at Mouth. He rolled his eyes, taking away the mike. The court filled quickly after Haley and I sat down, most of the people here to cheer on Nathan. I rolled my eyes as another former teammate shouted rude comments to Luke.

A cheer erupted from the restless crowd, causing me and Haley to crane our necks to see what happened, quickly realizing that the other Scott brother arrived. Tim had driven almost onto the court, getting out with a swagger that I was dying to smack off his face. Haley grabbed my hand, grounding me back down, preventing me from doing anything reckless.

Tim walked around the court trying to hype up the crowd for Nathan, which didn't need to happen because they already were here for him anyway. Lucas took another shot from the top of the line, the ball bouncing off the rim where Nathan grabbed it.

He took it back a few steps with a smirk, then intentionally shooting short so that he could follow up with a dunk. "Self-centered, asshole, show off," I whispered to Haley, who only offered a sad shrug in response.

"You like that, babe?" Tim asked, moving in front of us with a smirk.

"Find some other girl to harass, Smith," I tried shooing him away.

"Well, only because you asked so nicely, Russell." He turned around like he was going to walk away, but only fell back on me like a trust fall.

"Ew!" Haley screeched, jumping away to sit closer to Junk.

"Smith, you smell like a garbage can!" Mouth yelled into his mike, scooching away from him.

I pushed him off of me and onto the ground, scowling at him. "I would rather sit with Nathan for 24 hours than be with you in a heartbeat, Tim."

When I looked up, Nathan had given the ball to Lucas and they were talking to each other, though nothing could be heard with the cheers from everyone. In a second they went from crouching down to Lucas faking Nathan and going for a shot, which went in with a 'woosh.' Both Haley and I clapped our hands at the move, cheering on Lucas for a win.

The game went on with more intensity, Lucas and Nathan getting more heated with their moves after every point until it came to Nathan going for a shot and deciding to elbow Lucas in the nose.

I could hear Lucas' grunt from the other side, already getting ready to stand up and yell at Nathan, but Skillz and Haley held me down. I groaned and yanked my arms out of their grasp, settling back down in my seat to see what was happening between the two boys.

Lucas walked over to us, crouched down and his hand to his face. I got up quickly, pulling his head up to see the damage, a busted lip. I looked up at the triumphant Nathan, shaking my head at him and mouthing 'sore-loser,' he only smirked back.

Lucas took his head out of my grasp, shaking it and spitting out the blood. I patted his back as he walked out, sending a middle finger to Tim as he made a crybaby sign.

When I looked back to the game Nathan had the ball at the center, ready to go for another round. "Oh, basket counts," Mouth commented. "It's 14-12, game-point for Nathan Scott. He could win it all." I shook my head at Mouth, knowing that Lucas would come through and beat Nathan's ass, proving that he was just as worthy.

The next play started, Nathan trying to turn around Lucas, which worked and he went up for the basket. Lucas stopped it though by slamming the ball into the backboard. The crowd went wild for the move, the game getting even more intense than it already was.

Haley and I sat on the edge of our seats, already nervous for the next few plays. Lucas and Nathan made their ways back to the top of the paint, though Lucas didn't wait to hit another point. He tied it with his next shot, everyone's eyes going wide at the two. From the corner of my eyes, I saw Tim look nervous, which made me smirk.

Some more words were exchanged between the two brothers before Lucas started dribbling, trying to get an edge on Nathan. He got it a few feet from the basket, spinning off of Nathan and going up for the shot.

I was already standing by the time the ball went in the basket, a smile then growing on my face. I jumped up once before running out to the court, hugging Lucas, whose arm was still up from the follow through. I was quickly joined by the rest of the Rivercourt gang and Haley, all of us congratulating Lucas on his momentous win.

When I pulled away Nathan was staring at us, a look of confusion on his face on how he let this happen. I smiled condescendingly at him and waved my fingers, knowing that it would piss him off. He walked away with a shake of his head, letting me know that I had gotten under his skin this time.

3719 words | edited 5.23.17
okay, so hope you enjoyed this first chapter of consequence. We met my girl Jesse and learned her relationship with all the characters, some good, some bad, some moderate, and some that will improve.

please vote!