A/N: This is my first shot at a One Tree Hill fanfic. Seeing as it's my favorite show in the entire world, I figured I'd give it a try. Hope you like it! Reviews are lovely.
Summary: Starting in the summer before senior year instead of junior year, a different twist on the plotlines and characters and stuff from the actual show. Couples? Wait and see! (:
Disclaimer: I don't own anything from One Tree Hill. I wish I owned Nathan Scott, though.
Hand out the window,
Floatin' on air.
Just a flip of the wrist,
And I am wavin' you goodbye.
Drive past the lifeguard stand,
Where I'd sit around waitin' for you to remember.
As I drive...
Haley James' ipod was blaring with the Dashboard Confessional song as she stared out the car window, the scenery whirling past her.
She was on her way to a new town, a new life. And her parents couldn't have picked a better time, right before the start of her senior year.
'Seriously, what kind of parents just up and move right before your daughter's last year of high school?' she kept thinking. It was cruel and unusual punishment, but she couldn't think of anything she had done to warrant it.
She had to say goodbye to all of her friends in Savannah, where she had spent her whole life. Now she was moving to some hick town called Tree Hill. It wasn't on any maps she had seen, and she had certainly never heard of it.
One thing she was certain of was that it was going to absolutely suck.
"You're awful quiet back there, Haley-bop," her mom chirped from the passenger seat.
"Yeah, well you know, I'm just pumping myself up so that when we get there I can release all of my happy energy," she grumbled.
"That's what I like to hear, baby. You're going to love it in Tree Hill," her dad chimed in.
Haley rolled her eyes and turned up her ipod, tuning out the rest of the world for as long as she possibly could. Before she knew it, she was asleep.
About an hour later, she was awakened by the sing-song voice of her mother.
"We're here!" she said excitedly.
Haley groaned and rubbed her eyes. "Great," she said with as much enthusiasm as she could muster.
They pulled into the driveway of the new house. It was a decent size, slightly bigger then their old one. It had a small yard, but all of Haley's siblings were either in or out of college anyway.
Haley looked around at the house. 'Well, it could be worse. We could be living in a box,' she reasoned.
Then she happened to glance at the house next door. It was a large brick house, with beautiful landscaping and several expensive looking SUVs parked in the driveway.
'And then there's that,'
"Uh, are you sure our house isn't actually the pool house for that one over there?" Haley joked, pointing to the house next door.
"Very funny, Hales. Now start unloading," said her dad as he began taking out boxes from the truck.
Haley grabbed a box from the trunk of the car and was walking toward the front door when she heard the pounding of a basketball.
She glanced over at the house next door to see a tall boy with dark hair dribbling a basketball. He moved gracefully and swiftly, and the ball sailed into the hoop as soon as it left his hands. He went back for another shot, this time gripping the hoop as he sank the ball into it.
Haley felt herself staring at this boy, mesmerized by the way he moved. When the boy went to retrieve the ball, he turned around and locked eyes with her.
Her breath caught in her throat as she held his gaze. He didn't smile, or show any warmth. His stare was cold, but showed mild interest at the same time.
He looked away and went to shoot another basket. Haley was pulled out of her daze and shook her head.
'Typical macho jock,'
The James' spent several hours of unloading before Haley started getting hungry.
"Can we eat soon?" she asked her mother.
"Yeah, I guess we'd better. I don't know any places in town yet, though," she replied.
"I saw this little place in the center of town on the way here, I think it was called Karen's Café?" her father suggested.
"Hales, do you think you could run down and pick up some burgers or something? Dad and I need to finish unpacking," her mother asked.
"Well, I guess…I mean, I don't know my way around yet…" Haley started.
"Oh, it's right in the center of town. Just go straight from here, take a couple of rights, you know, follow the signs…" her father instructed.
"Great, dad, thanks," said Haley sarcastically as she grabbed her keys to leave.
"Or you could ask that cute boy next door, I'm sure he'd be happy to assist you," her mother winked.
"Ha ha," said Haley as she shut the door behind her.
'Sometimes I think they plot ways to get rid of me,'
When she got out to the car, she saw that the boy was no longer in his driveway.
She was going to have to make her own way to the café.
She hopped in the car and actually followed her father's directions. To her surprised, she arrived in front of a tiny building. The sign in the window read 'Karen's Café'.
Haley slowly opened the door to a rush of people chattering and plates and silverware clinking together. She made her way over to the bar, taking a seat on the stool.
A woman with dark curly hair approached her.
"Hi there, welcome to Karen's Café. What can I do for you?" the lady smiled.
"Hi, uh, I'm new here, so I don't really know what you guys have, but I just need to place a take out order," Haley said, nervously running a hand through her hair.
"Sure, hon. How about a menu?" she asked kindly, handing one to her.
Haley smiled. "Thank you,"
"Take your time," said the woman, smilingly warmly.
Haley presumed this lady was Karen, and decided right away that she liked her.
As she was glancing at the menu, a blonde boy behind the counter came over to her.
"You all set?" he asked.
"Oh, yeah, I am actually…" she said.
"What'll it be?" he asked with a smile. He was definitely cute.
"Uh, can I just have 3 orders of cheeseburgers and fries please?" she asked politely.
"Sure thing, be right back," he said, and went back to the kitchen.
While she was waiting, she glanced around the café. It was small, but charming. It had pretty décor and a warm atmosphere. She also noticed a 'HELP WANTED' sign in the window.
She was pulled out of her thoughts by the cute boy.
"Excuse me, but I can ring you up now, if you want. Your food will be out in a few," he said softly, as if he didn't want to bother her.
"Oh, sure! What do I owe you?" Haley asked brightly.
"Uh, it's going to come out to…18.85,"
Haley fished out a twenty from her wallet and handed it to the boy.
"So, you're not from around here, are you?" he asked, as he handed her the change.
She let out a small laugh. "It's that obvious, huh?"
He laughed too. "Nah, I've just never seen you before. I pretty much know everyone here,"
"Yeah, I just moved here today actually, from Savannah. I'm Haley James," she offered, extending her hand to him.
He smiled and took it. "Lucas Scott,"
"So you'll be going to Tree Hill High, right?" he asked.
"Oh yeah. That'll be a blast. My senior year and I won't know anyone," she sighed.
"Well, you'll know me. I'll introduce you to some of my friends too, if you want. Even though they're all guys…" he said.
She laughed. "Sounds good. But what do you have against girls?" she joked.
"Ah, they just aren't that into me. They think I'm weird,"
"Why would they think that?" she asked.
"Cause instead of getting drunk and partying all the time, I stay home and read," he smiled weakly.
"I don't think there's anything wrong with that," she smiled back.
"Thanks. But even if they didn't think I was weird, they're all preoccupied," he continued.
"With what?" she asked.
Just then, the bells on the door of the café jingled, and Haley and Lucas turned to see who walked in.
It was the dark-haired boy who Haley had seen earlier. He was flanked by three other boys wearing varsity jerseys and a beautiful brunette who was clutching his arm. A pretty blonde girl with perfect curls walked in behind them, looking surly.
"Him," Lucas finished bitterly.
Haley turned back around to face Lucas, who suddenly looked sour.
"I think he's my new neighbor…" said Haley quietly.
"That sucks," said Lucas.
"Why, what's wrong with him?"
"Lots of things. He's a first class jackass for one. He's like a borderline alcoholic and sex addict. Pretty sure he's done drugs. He's also the greatest basketball player at Tree Hill," Lucas told her.
"Sounds like the picturesque varsity jock," said Haley.
"Oh he is. Watch out for him, he's nothing but a lot of trouble. I can't believe he's even here. He just shows up to stick it to me and my mom," Lucas said darkly.
"I take it he's not a friend of yours?" Haley asked.
"Worse. He's my brother, Nathan," said Lucas with disgust.
"Whoa, didn't see that one coming. So that means you're my new neighbor too!" she said excitedly.
Lucas laughed. "Sorry, but we don't live together. Actually, we pretend the other doesn't exist. I don't like to associate myself with him,"
"Are your parents divorced?" Haley asked him.
"It's a long story…" he trailed off.
"I've got time. Actually, no I don't. My parents will probably think I'm lying in a ditch somewhere if I don't go soon," she laughed.
"Oh, your food! Sorry, I completely spaced," he said, grabbing the paper bag from behind him. "It's still hot,"
She took the bag from him. "Thanks, Lucas," she smiled. "I guess I'll see you around…it was nice to meet you," she said, turning to leave.
"Wait," he said, tapping her arm.
She turned back around to face him.
"Do you maybe want to…uh…hang out tomorrow?" he asked hopefully.
Her face lit up. "Sure! I'll come back tomorrow afternoon. You can tell me your long story,"
He laughed. "Sounds like a plan. Bye, Haley,"
"See you Lucas,"
Haley got off the barstool and made her way to the door, unaware that Nathan Scott's eyes were following her as she thanked Karen and walked out the door.