Chapter 1
"Hon, can you come down here for a sec?" the striking young housewife called down to her husband.
"Yes, babe?" he said walking into the spacious kitchen
"Your brother is on the news again" she said glancing at the small television on the counter.
"And that's news for you?" he said, watching his brother stumble out of a New York strip club, swamped by girls.
"Of course not, but aren't you supposed to be looking out for him? You're his older brother after all" she said, stirring the pot sitting on stove
"What can I do? I've tried to talk to him, but he just wont listen" Lucas said, sitting on a kitchen stool.
"Maybe he just needs some time" She said, as she pulled off her apron and gave him a passionate kiss.
Jake sighed as he glanced over the papers on his desk. He had been working to the bone, and a new case had just been given to him by his assistant, Jodie. As he glanced at the plaintiffs' name, his heart dropped. Then he saw the defendants' name. His eyes widened in shock.
Jake walked into the senior partners' office.
"Mr Beck? Can I talk to you for a minute?" Jake said hestitantly
"Of course, come in" his boss said. Jake took a seat, and took a deep breath before preceding
"I don't think I will be able to take the Scott case, sir"
"Why not?" Mr Beck said, glaring at his junior partner.
"It's a conflict of interest" Jake said, looking downcast
"How so?"
"I know both the plaintiff and defendant" Jake said bluntly
The older man looked intently at his young associate. He seemed to have sadness in his eyes that Beck couldn't understand, but he could see that the young lawyer was uncomfortable with the high profile case.
"Ok, I still want you to consult on the case, but give it to Barrage" he decided
"Fine, thankyou sir" Jake walked out of his office and walked briskly into his. He sat down at his desk and put his head in his hands.
Brooke walked through the department store, picking up random items as she went. A large diamond ring sparkled on her left hand, and glistened against the artificial lights. Her loose fitting dress hid the life growing in side of her. Her smile lit up the room, and the natural glow of pregnancy added to her goddess like looks. A teenage girl with braces approached her.
"Brooke Davis? The Brooke Davis?!!" the girl screeched
"Yes?" Brooke said quizzically
"I'm such a fan! I love clothes over bros!"
Brooke then noticed what the teen was wearing. She saw the acne ridden girl head to toe in her labels latest line.
"Me and my friends so love your clothes. We spend all our allowances in your store! Can I have an autograph?" the girl asked in a speed rivalling Haley's.
Brooke was taken a little back. After all these years, she still got a little shocked when she got recognised.
"Sure thing, hon" she said, taking the pen and paper.
"What's your name?" Brooke asked
"Jenny, Jenny Jagielski" she said
Brooke's head shot up. Just as she had noticed Jenny was wearing, she finally became aware of the long blonde curls and chocolate brown eyes belonging to her best friends' high school sweetheart.
"Jenny….is your dad's name Jake?" Brooke asked curiously
"Yes, how did you know that???" Jenny said looking strangely at Brooke.
Haley sat her desk, pen poised in her hand. Her thoughts seemed to be drifting far too frequently for her liking, especially lately. She opened her bottom desk draw and retrieved a locked box. She removed the key from the necklace around her neck. She opened the time torn box, and picked up the piece of paper on the top. This letter is to inform you that the divorce between Nathan Daniel Scott and Haley James Scott has been finalised. Please see the attached documentation. A single tear slipped down Haley's cheek. No matter how much time past or the amount of times she reread the letter, her heart still broke all the same. She picked up her pen again and resumed the task. Framed awards hang from her walls from every music and educational institution. On her desk sat an advanced copy of her new CD. Her heart ached for the boy she left 10 years before. She picked up the next item from the box. The couple smiled happily at the camera, purple daisies threaded through her hair while his cobalt eyes glistened in the bright beach sun.
"Hales?" a female voice yelled
"Taylor?" Haley yelled back
"What the hell are you doing, sis?" Taylor said walking into the den
"Just getting some inspiration" Haley said sadly. Taylor picked up the photo of her sister and ex husband.
"Haley, it's been 10 years, and you chose music over Nathan. He moved on, you haven't. Don't you find that a little strange?" Taylor asked
"I guess…"
"Aren't you supposed to ok the album art for your next album?" Taylor asked, watching her sisters face change from sadness to excitement.
"Yes, it's coming via express post, tonight" Haley said with glee.
"Sis, you seriously need to get laid if you get excited over some picture" Taylor said, flopping back onto the couch.
"Haha" Haley sarcastically laughed, still staring at her wedding photo.
Peyton sat in her office chair, trying to listen to the person in front of her. She was tired, so tired.
"Now the cover art for Fall Out Boy needs to be submitted by Friday for approval, and I know that you hate the longevity of the pop genre, by you really need to start on Kelly Clarkson's new album cover, otherwise Rod will have your head on a platter. Not to mention the new album by our top selling artist…" the short blond woman sitting across from her said.
"Uh, huh" Peyton said, still staring out into the distance
"What's up, Peyt?" Susie, her personal assistant said
"Nothing, and don't call me, Peyt" Peyton said looking annoyingly at her colleague and friend.
"Something is on your mind. I have been your friend for too long not to know when you are thinking about a man" Susie said cheekily
"No, there's nobody" Peyton admitted "I just got a bit of a blast of the past today, that's all"
"What kind of blast from the past?"
"This sort" she said handing a piece of paper to Susie
"Wha…?"Susie said as skimmed the document "oh……" she said looking at the legal document
"Yeah" Peyton said, looking out at the Los Angeles skyline
"So you are finally getting the divorce?"
"Yeah seemed inevitable"
"It had to be done sooner or later, Peyton. All he did for the 5 years was treat you like crap and compare you to his previous girlfriend" Susie said loyally
"I know" she said, looking at a photo of her high school friends
Peyton sighed, and turned her attention back to her friend.
"Look, I need to get started on the album covers"
Susie glanced at Peyton, waiting for a moment before exiting her office.
Nathan woke up, his head throbbing. This wasn't the first time Nathan had had this feeling, but it wasn't great all the same. His phone was beeping non stop. He picked up his phone 6 missed calls he read. Aghh, what now? He thought. Nathan instantly recognised the voice of his publicist. "Nathan! What the hell are you trying to do? There isn't a lot of ways I can spin the Chicago Bulls star small forward stumbling out of a strip club! Ring me ASAP!"
Nathan sighed, he didn't bother checking the other 5, and he knew they would be the same. He closed his eyes and fell back on his bed. Pictures of the past slowly formed in his mind. His wedding day, the two waiting in line to change her licence, moving boxes from his house. These images had haunted him for a long time, but he had gotten used to them after a while. His head starting throbbing again, and not because of the copious amounts of alcohol he consumed the night before. The final image haunted him more then anything. Haley climbing on the tour bus, and never looking back.
He waded through the empty pizza boxes and beer cans. Nathan entered the kitchen and pressed the flashing button on the answering machine. The most recent message filled the air. "Mr Scott, this is Andrew Barrage from the law firm Beck, Stein and Carter. I was calling in regards to the legal proceedings that have started. Could you please call to confirm our first meeting? Thank you.
Nathan sighed. How could his life get so of course? He thought
So somehow a couple of the characters are intertwined, 8 years after they go separate ways. More to follow such as
Who is Lucas' mystery wife?
Who is Brooke's baby's daddy?
Peyton and Haley's world collide
How is Jake and Nathan connected?
Review and find out
Dont forget to check out my Brucas fanfic, The Heart Brings You Back L xoxo