One Tree Hill
1 – And So It Begins
"Kate, we do this every summer!" Haley complained, rolling her eyes at the dark-haired girl sat opposite her in the field. "Don't you think it's getting old?"
"It's tradition, Hales!" Katy bit back cheerfully, "C'mon guys; I'll start. Brooke; the first game you cheered at?"
Brooke, a slim, attractive girl with brown hair and a petite frame, sat up from her lying position and wiggled herself into a comfortable position. "Well... It was my third year at Tree Hill High-"
"No way!" Haley protested again with a loud laugh. "I've heard this story a thousand times! Let's try a new one."
It was late summer and the three girls were sat in a large field that bordered the clear river that ran through Tree Hill. Katy, a small yet wild-natured girl with dark brown hair and similarly brown doe eyes, was lying on the long grass with her two friends; Brooke Davis and Hayley James Scott.
Brooke was often called Katy's twin, as the two of them are rarely without the other and share many of the same physical features. They had been best friends since kindergarten and although they'd been apart for many years and Katy had only moved to Tree Hill last summer, their families were close. Katy had finally escaped her wealthy parents and their preciously perfect lifestyle and had moved to Tree Hill to live the reel teenage life with Brooke.
Haley was just as pretty as the other two; with long wavy blonde hair and brown eyes. The three girls were best friends, even though Haley and Katy had only known each other a year, but the bond was indestructible. At just seventeen Haley was already married, but after an enormous mistake, she and Nathan were going through some difficult times.
Brooke and Katy had been away for the entire summer break and had returned home a week before school was due to start. They'd been visiting their families in their large summer homes in Italy and Spain and had come back late last night with endless amounts of luggage and great tans. Haley had been home a week longer than them, finishing her music tour and feeling the need to return to her true home, and had been spending time with Lucas, her best male friend, until the girls returned.
The three girls were soaking up the last of the summer sun. It was late August and they would soon be starting their senior year at Tree Hill High. Katy was running through the end of summer ritual; the game of 'Remember when...' whilst waiting for the others to arrive.
"Okay," Brooke said, her eyes narrowing as they so often did, "How about remember the first time you cheated on your husband?" Her tone was playful, yet the girls knew there was some truth behind the bluntness of the words.
"Don't remind me," Haley groaned lying down on her front and burying her head in the grass. She began to bang her forehead repeatedly on the hard floor and whine frustratedly.
"Awh baby," Katy cooed, crawling over and throwing her arms over Haley's shoulders in comfort. Haley ceased her head bashing and lay still while Katy turned onto her back and lay her head on Haley's back as a cushion. "How's Nathan after everything?"
"I don't know," Haley said, her voice muffled as she tried to speak through the ground. "He isn't speaking to me. I didn't even know he'd got back from High Flyers until you called this morning!"
"Well, can you blame him?" Katy smirked, looking over at Brooke, who had now taken up stroking Haley's hair. "You kissed Chris Keller!"
"Can you blame Haley?!" Brooke chimed in, her voice now husky and alluring, "Chris Keller is yum-my."
Haley rolled over abruptly and Katy's head hit the floor immediately and she winced in pain. "I'd take it back if I could, you know I would girls!" Haley pleaded, almost desperately.
"We know, Hales," Brooke said, approaching Haley once more as she sat up. "And the sooner Nathan realises that, the better." Brooke slipped her arm around Haley's shoulder and rested her head on her's.
"Back to the game now?" Katy said in mock-impatience. "Your go Haley."
Brooke released Haley and returned to lying on the grass, pulling petals from the nearby daisies. "Okay," Haley began, racking her brains for any inspiration, "Your first memory of Brooke?"
"Ohh nice one!" Brooke said, her face lighting with excitement. "Come on then, Phoenix, this better be a good'un."
Katy smiled and thought for a moment, trying to find the earliest memory she had. "Well, we were something like seven years old, I think, and it was summer time. I remember Brooke was wearing this disgusting floral shirt; I tell you, you wouldn't be seen dead in that now Miss-Professional-Designer! Anyway, I was in the sandpit at the park, playing with a boy called Aaron-"
"Oh God!" Brooke said, burying her head in her hands and giggling, "I can't believe you remember this!"
"Yep," Katy said, grinning craftily. "So Brooke comes along, strutting her stuff, and tells Aaron that I loved him. Which of course I didn't... Brooke was just jealous because he let me play with his special truck! Then Aaron ran off and said he would never play with me again, all thanks to Brooke here!"
Haley burst into laughter and stared at Katy, "Jesus Kate, this truck must have been really special, you look seriously upset!"
"Nope, she's just upset because the first guy that found out she loved him ran off crying and turned gay in later life," Brooke said smugly.
"No way! Aaron Brown's gay?!" Katy gasped in pure shock.
"Hah! So you pushed him over the edge did you?" Haley shrieked, as the trio fell into hysterical laughter. "I hope Luc turns out alright!"
"Why, what are you planning on doing to me?" A male voice said from somewhere beyond the giggles. Wheezing for breath, the girls stopped their laughter and looked up towards the source of the voice. Lucas, Nathan and Mouth were stood a few yards away staring amusedly at the trio.
It was Lucas who had spoken; he was tall with short, fair hair and tanned skin. He was wearing his basketball vest and combat shorts and was squinting down at Haley in confusion. "What do you mean turns out alright?" He asked again.
"Nothing, Luc," Haley grinned. "Come to enjoy the last days of sunshine then?" She looked around at the boys and spotted Nathan. She gave him an innocent and nervous smile, before returning her gaze to Lucas.
Nathan stared determinedly at the grass below him and didn't return Haley's smile; he couldn't. He wanted to forgive Haley, and in his mind he knew he already had, he just didn't know whether he was ready to let her back in. Following several stern words from his half-brother he had been persuaded to join him and Mouth in their trip to the field.
Lucas and Nathan were half-brothers, sharing the same father; Dan Scott. Dan had only ever been there for Nathan, but Lucas couldn't have cared less as he had all he would ever need in a father in Dan's brother Keith. Despite their blood relations, Lucas and Nathan had been constantly at each other's throats since Nathan and Haley had split and had spoken for the first time in weeks when Nathan returned home from his basketball camp the previous day.
Lucas and Haley were best friends, always had been, and he wanted nothing more than for Nathan to give in to his love for Haley and for the two of them to be reunited once more. Lucas raised his eyebrows, "Well?"
"It's nothing, just girl stuff," Brooke said, smirking at her two female companions. "Hey Mouth, finally managed to drag these two away from the basketball court then?"
Marvin, or Mouth as he was more commonly known, was the most intelligent of the group. He often said he was blessed with brains instead of the brawns. And what he lacked in sex appeal he largely made up for in his kind heart and endless knowledge.
"Just about," Mouth said, sitting down next to Brooke, "They might as well live at the Riverside Court!"
"I know what you mean," Katy said, smiling up at Lucas, who remained standing with Nathan who was clearly unwilling to sit with his wife.
"Now that you're here you can join the end-of-summer routine," Haley said, trying to remain unfazed by Nathan's reluctance.
"Ahh the famous game," Mouth said, smiling over at Katy, "You'd think she'd of grown out of this," He said, speaking as if Katy wasn't there.
"Oi! Come on guys, I know you all secretly love my childish ways!" Katy objected, gaping around at her friends.
"We wouldn't have you any other way," Lucas whispered, dropping onto the grass beside her and nudging her gently with his shoulder. "Okay Mouth; remember the first time you met Katy."
"That's got to be first day of term last year..."
Katy straightened his skirt awkwardly. She was sat in Brooke's car listening to Brooke moan about the teachers she didn't want. It was the first day of their freshman year at Tree Hill High and Katy's first day at Tree Hill altogether .Following Brooke's instructions, Katy was dressed in a short denim skirt and a white silk blouse that fell flatteringly around her small frame.
"I can't wait for you to meet everyone!" Brooke said, sudden excitement leaping into her voice. "I told them all about you, except for all your dirty secrets of course. You'll get to meet Haley; you'll love her, Peyton; well, you can think what you want about her! Then there's the guys, Lucas, Nathan and Mouth; they're the best ones. Ohh, we're here!" Brooke said, locking in the hand break and shaking her head as she always did when excited.
Katy looked up from her lap and stared around at her surroundings. The sun shone brightly over the school and covered her with warmth as she got out of the car and joined Brooke at the bonnet. The Tree Hill High sign stood tall at the opening of the school; a modern looking building with large windows and a small green garden at the entrance.
Groups of people were walking casually from the car park towards the doors, smiling and laughing as they were reunited with old friends. Katy bit the corner of her mouth in anxiety as Brooke dragged her away from the safety of the car and into the unknown.
"Brooke!" A girl screeched coming darting towards where they were standing. "It's great to see you again, why do you have to go away every summer?!"
"The Spanish beaches call me, actually it's more like the lifeguards! Haley, this is Katy; she's moved to Tree Hill to live with us in true teenage glamour!" Brooke said, smiling cheekily.
"Nice to meet you," Haley said brightly, smiling at Katy, "I feel like I already know you, Brooke's told us all about you."
"Oh God, this girl talks for America doesn't she?" Katy said, shaking her head at Brooke.
"You must be nervous coming to a new school? These last couple of years are going to be amazing though!" Haley said.
"I know, no parents, no rules; it's my idea of heaven!" Katy sighed in emphasized happiness.
"Wow," Haley said, laughing softly, "That sounds just like something Brooke would say; you guys are totally like twins!"
"Here comes everyone else," Brooke said, her smile lengthening as she grinned over at the small group of people walking towards them.
"So Brooke's friend's starting today; you guys met her yet?" Mouth asked as he, Lucas and Nathan walked up towards the entrance of the high school.
"Nope," Nathan said, "Should be interesting, a new addition to the group."
"Yeah and if she's anything like Brooke says she is, it should make these next two years even more fun," Lucas said. "Personally I can't wait to get back in the gym! This season should be tough..."
"I know, Whitey's desperate for the championship," Nathan said, stopping and leaning against the notice board.
"It's always basketball with you two, I swear!" Mouth complained with a big smile on his face. "Hey look, that's her."
The boys looked up in the direction Mouth was staring and noticed the three girls stood beside Brooke's car. Haley and Brooke were smiling and nodding as they spoke to the unrecognisable girl. She had long brown hair and looked very similar to Brooke, though with softer features.
"Shall we go over?" Nathan asked, studying his wife and the two girls. It had been a while since they'd had a new student at their school and he wasn't quite sure how to act.
"Yeah come on, they've spotted us," Mouth said, as Brooke waved them over. They approached the huddle and Mouth was first to speak. "Hey, you must be Katy, I'm Mouth."
Katy raised a quizzical eyebrow as he introduced himself. "Mouth? Right... I don't even want to know how you got that nickname!" She laughed whole-heartedly. "Nice to meet you," She said politely.
"It's not what you think!" Mouth said with a defensive smile. Brooke leapt forwards and hugged Mouth with a squeal. "Hey Brooke, good to see you again. Good summer?"
"Can't complain, well actually I can. I have major tan lines! Honestly, white strap marks are not good with my new beach top," She complained, unwrapping her arms from around Mouth and pouting miserably.
"Brooke, the summer's over you don't need beach tops anymore," Haley smirked. "Katy this is Nathan, my husband."
Nathan draped his arm around Haley's shoulders and kissed her head. "Hey," he said brightly smiling welcomingly at Katy.
"And I'm Lucas," Lucas said, stepping forward and flashing Katy his award-winning smile. "Welcome to Tree Hill High."
"Thanks," Katy replied, feeling more comfortable now than she had when she'd got out of Brooke's car. "You probably didn't need those introductions, Brooke never shuts up about you all. I guess we're only missing Peyton now, that right?"
"She's good," Lucas smirked, glancing up at Brooke. "Peyton's probably already inside. The bell went a couple of minutes ago."
"C'mon Kate, I'll show you your locker. Coming Hales?" Brooke asked, linking arms with Katy and holding the other out for Haley.
"Sure," she shrugged, pulling away from Nathan and joining Brooke and Katy. "Laters guys." The trio walked away towards the school doors, smiling and talking brightly.
"That looks like another Brooke to me," Nathan said, watching them walk away. "But that's not a bad thing; life and soul of the party." He rolled his eyes with a smile and turned to face the other boys. "What do you think?"
"She seems nice," Mouth said truthfully. "Doesn't look like she'll have any problem fitting in..."
"Awh Mouth," Katy said sweetly, "That's so cute! I missed you the most over our summer vacation," Katy said wiggling her nose at Mouth as he smiled bashfully and everyone rolled their eyes at him.
"Okay," Nathan said, giving in and sitting down beside Mouth, "What about you Luc, what did you think the first time you met Kate?"
Lucas glanced intentionally at the girl sat beside him and smirked. "Well you were wearing that little skirt and shirt..."
"Which I told you to wear," Brooke piped up from the floor. "Dress with confidence and style," she chimed, "first rule of good impressions."
"Anyway," Luc continued, "You were cheerful and funny. Mouth was right... You seemed nice."
"That's not what I meant!" Nathan said, raising his eyebrows meaningfully at his brother. "Tell them what-"
Brooke's phone ran, interrupting Nathan's sentence and all heads turned towards her. She sat up and answered it. "P. Sawyer!" She said loudly, "Get your lazy ass out of bed and come enjoy the summer!"
As Brooke continued to talk Katy turned back to Nathan and Lucas. "I wanna know! What are you talking about Nath?"
"I have no idea," Lucas said before Nathan could answer. The two boys exchanged a smirk before returning to watch Brooke finish her phone call.
"Peyton said she'll be down in a bit. I've got to meet her at the Riverside Court so don't go anywhere." She got to her feet and pocketed her cell phone.
"Hey wait up," Haley said, jumping up and standing at Brooke's side. "I need to get my jacket from Peyton's car, hopefully it's still there," she lied, creating a story so she could escape the awkward silence that surrounded her and Nathan.
Peyton hadn't spoken to Haley at all since she'd returned to Tree Hill and she'd left Peyton plenty of messages. This would be a good chance for her to find out what was wrong.
"Okay, in a bit girls," Katy called as her friends walked away from them in the opposite direction.
Once they were out of earshot she turned to Nathan and frowned in confusion. "I couldn't help noticing how you determinedly ignored your wife," she said bluntly.
Nathan's mouth dropped open slightly in shock. He and Katy had always got on; in many ways they were complete opposites but this made it the perfect friendship. They had never tiptoed around sensitive issues with each other and today was no different.
"It's been ages Nathan, when are you going to give in?" She asked, her voice turning gentler as she spoke. "Haley's hurting so much and you can't see it because you won't look beyond your own selfish jealousy. I know you love her! Everyone does..."
Mouth looked nervously at the floor as Nathan bit back. "I don't think you'd say the same if your husband had kissed some 'Chris Keller' slut!" He said angrily, "I'd never be jealous of him, just angry at Haley. And I have every right to be. It's actually none of your business so why don't you butt out."
"Guys," Lucas said suddenly, "Let's not do this today, please. It's the end of the summer we should be making the most of it."
"You're right Luc," Katy said after a moment of silence. She felt she should apologise to Nathan but didn't want to. She stood by what she had said, but chose to put it aside for now. "I'm going to the river, it's always gorgeous late summer."