Hi! So, this is kind of an experiment.. of sorts. I'm ready to jump back into the world of fiction writing, but don't really know where tp start. I have a few unfinished docs, and ideas floating around, but I honestly don't know what to write.. IT's a dilemma!lol So, as a solution, I've posted a few chapters (it ranges how many) from each story I'm thinking of doing and would like you to comment on which one you'd like to see continued.
Each FF chapter is a different story, but there may be chapters of the story within the FF chapter... if you can follow that? lol For example, this 'chapter' is the story "How to Save a Life", and it has two chapters from said story. The Next chapter will be the story "One Shot," and will also have two chapters. And so on.

I humbly and pleadingly ask you -- I sound soo stupid there lol -- to read the following stories and then leave a review citing which you would like me to continue. I would really, really appreciate it. And the winner will be written for definite, and not abandoned or anything.

So, let the reading and voting begin??

Story 1:"How to Save a Life,"

Summary: Raine, the new exchange student, came to Tree Hill expecting peace and calm, as they all do. She thought it would be boring. But the year is everything but boring as she quickly becomes enthralled in the story of six friends. What caused such great friends to fall apart at the seams? No one seems to be able to give her a straight answer.

I'll take a risk,
Take a chance,
Make a Change
and Breakaway

"Breakaway,"--Kelly Clarkson

Chapter One: Make a Change

The sun filtered through the clouds as she stepped outside her door, dressed in jeans and a simple white t-shirt. She hadn't wanted to look like she was trying too hard, yet she didn't want to blend into the background. Which was why she also wore a stylish black scarf and pumps. Her hair was poker straight, which was natural, and flicked out at the ends. Raine Taylor wasn't the prettiest girl around, and was very average, but wanted to stand out in her new school.

But not enough to attract attention. Raine was much more comfortable with observing.

Moving schools wasn't an easy thing to do, especially when you're seventeen, but she had a positive outlook. She believed great things would transpire in Tree Hill, she could just feel it. Hopefully, Raine could make a few friends and get through her last year of High School with relatively no drama.

She had opted to walk to school alone; abandoning thoughts of taking her parents car once she saw the sun breaking through. Her older sister was sulking in her room, so Raine chose to just ignore her completely. Callie could be very emotional and moody, and Raine just generally stayed away when she got too moody.

Raine had to admit, she was impressed with the neighbourhood and town. Raine couldn't wait to immerse herself in the aura of Tree Hill -- a quaint, cosy town that is so different to her former Dublin City. The aura reeked calmness and relaxation. Raine could hardly say she didn't like those things.

Raine spotted the school in the distance, and looked at it with peaked interest. She had been to see the principal, and had seen the school up close, but it looked so different now that it was filled with students roaming around the school.

The grass was freshly cut, the smell being the only testimony to the statement though because all traces of cut grass had been cleared. The walls were painted a fresh white, as she could still see traces of graffiti underneath the paint. Students chatted harmoniously as they walked around, smiling and laughing as they interacted.

She entered the school with a deep breath. It was strange starting school at seventeen, she felt as if she were fifteen again.

Only this time, she knew no one.

Pushing that worrying thought out of her mind, she scanned the halls. Raine remembered the principal showing her to her locker, but struggled to recognise it from all the others now. She glanced down at her number and began searching.

After much apologies and questions to others, she found her locker. Raine had then fumbled with the lock for five minutes before someone took it from her.

"Are you new?" He asked softly, unlocking the locker with ease.

He was tall and lean with dark, blue eyes that conveyed his seemingly friendly nature. He had dirty blond hair and a killer smile, from what she could see.

"Y-yeah. My first day today… kind of nervous, to be honest."

He smiled and reached to open the locker beside her, "You've no reason to be, people are generally nice around here."

"Thanks. So what's your--" Raine was cut off by whistles from a boy standing not too far from the blond boy. He was howling loudly at a girl walking down the hallway.

Raine took a minute to study the girl. She carried herself with confidence and charm, winking occasionally at the students passing by that she assumingly knew. Her dark brown hair was straight and reached her breasts, and Raine couldn't help but notice how her hair shone, glinting like there were diamonds in it. She had a body that every girl would die for; curvaceous, but not overweight or skinny. It seemed she had everyone at her command, but walked alone. Raine found this interesting.

She turned to the boy beside her to find him wearing a scowl, which suggested he was angry -- but looking closer, Raine found regret and … longing? In his eyes. She was very intrigued now.

"Erm.. Are you okay?"

He shook his head to clear his thoughts and then sent her a small smile, "Fine.. I've got to go to class now, but it was nice meeting you. You'll be fine today."

"Thanks again… what's your name?"

"Lucas," He replied, "Lucas Scott. Yours?" He began taking steps back as the bell rang, and she had to shout, "Raine Taylor," over the hoards of students rushing to class.

He nodded to indicate he had heard and waved goodbye, walking in the opposite direction.

Raine inhaled and exhaled deeply. That had been interesting to say the least.

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

She was late; that much Raine was aware of as she rushed into her class. Her face was bright red and her was in a mess, she was sure. Running through three corridors when you don't really know your way is not a smart idea. Raine had tripped several times before a student offered to show her the way. Raine would have to thank that girl later, but she had been to frazzled to at the time.

"Are you Raine Taylor, the exchange student from Ireland?"

"Yeah," She breathed, still embarrassed and red in the face as she kept her eyes away from the pupils.

"Do you want to tell us a bit about yourself, Ms. Taylor?"

"Er… not really, sir. please."

He laughed good-naturedly, along with some people in the class, "That's fine, I see you're a bit shy. I'll put you next to Marvin then, not a friendlier face in the class!" He gestured to an empty seat down the back, "Marvin raise your hand."

The boy raised his hand, smiling widely at Raine in a way that she found slight disconcerting -- or she would have, had he not looked so friendly.

She paid full attention to her English class, drinking in everything he was saying with renewed enthusiasm for English. The teacher had been very nice; and Raine felt obliged to try harder because of that.

Half way through the class, she felt a nudge. She turned to Marvin, surprised. "Did you nudge me?"

"Yeah. Hey. I didn't really get to introduce myself. Call me Mouth, not Marvin. You can probably guess why they call me Mouth.. Anyhow, I'd be happy to help you on your first day. I know how hard it is making friends sometimes."

She smiled, "Thanks, that would be really helpful." A thought suddenly struck her, "So you know everyone here, yeah?"

"Well, yeah. I have been here quite some time," He joked.

"There was this girl who was in the corridor today -- really pretty. She had brown hair and guys whistled as she walked… she seemed to be popular, but walked alone--" Raine was cut off by Mouth.

"Brooke Davis. Yeah, she's amazing. She's kind, friendly, popular and.. Beautiful," He finished, a smile gracing his features.

"Oh.. You and her?"

He laughed quietly, "No. I wish! Joke. But we are really good friends. She's a good person, and anyone would be lucky to have her as a friend."

"You have feelings for her, definitely!" Raine accused with a playful smile.

"No, no. I did once, but they faded. She's protective of me though… like a big sister would her little brother. I'll introduce you two sometime. If you know Brooke, people will know you."

"I see. I met Lucas, too--"

His eyes widened, "He and Brooke talked?"

"Um, no. I don't seem to remember mentioning that.."

Mouth quickly changed the subject, and she was rather impressed by how easily he did it, too. "Sorry, Misunderstanding. Your accent is really cool, by the way!. I love it, loads of people will be asking you to pronounce things. Which part of Ireland are you from?"

"Dublin," I answered with a bright smile, "Though I was from the 'posh' are and constantly dubbed a snob. Even though I'm not."

"I believe you," He chuckled, "I can't believe Mr. Grange hasn't told us to be quiet yet.."

"I think he's just giving me time to make friends. He seems like a really nice teacher."

Mouth nodded, "One of the best."

"Sound."

"Sound?"

"Yeah, like nice or whatever. You don't say that over here?" Mouth shook his head, "You can say 'Oh, he's sound' or 'That's sound!' kind of thing?"

"I'd say awesome or sweet."

"And dude?" Raine laughed, but seeing Mouths straight face quickly realised he was being serious. "Oooh. That's cool, I should get used to it." There was a pause, "Dude."

They both laughed and Raine felt her heart lift at the fact that she had made a friend already. Mouth was going to be one of her best friends here, she knew it. Raine knew everything, or so she liked to think.

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

At lunch, Mouth graced Raine with his presence, choosing to sit with her rather than his usual friends. Well, she didn't know that for sure but he had just sat down beside her. She had found that Mouth seemed popular with everyone, and had many friends scattered throughout the school. She wouldn't be surprised if he had lunch with someone different everyday.

"Oh, there's a game on tonight. You wanna' go?" He asked, swallowing a piece of his sandwich.

"Sure. Is it football? What time? How will I get there?"

"Basketball, seven. We can walk together, if you like. Football isn't really a big sport here, basketball is more the Tree Hill sport. We're pretty good."

"You play?"

"No, but I have some friends that do." He remembered something then because he added, "Lucas does, actually. You'll see him play."

"Awesome," She teased. "Now show me some of your other friends."

The two shared another laugh and she saw his gaze linger on a redhead sitting across the way, his eyes becoming glazed over as he took her in.

"Oh, it's her you like."

"Yeah, unfortunately." He sighed.

Raine looked closely at the girl from where she was sitting, "She doesn't seem your type." She figured blunt would be the way to go.

"No, she doesn't. Who says everyone has to have a set type though? Who says we have to stick to cliques and groups that won't matter once this year is finished? I'm not going to. She's beautiful, talented and has a secret heart of gold. But we're not each others type, apparently…" He stopped. "It doesn't matter anyway, she doesn't like me. We've established as much. We're friends though."

Raine took one look at Mouths sullen expression and said her next words gently, "It must be hard to be friends with someone when you're in love with them."

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

Anyone can loose it all
Anyone can loose it all
If you don't heed your warnings call
Anyone can loose it all

Anyone can make a mess
Anyone can make a mess
Just take so much and make it less
Anyone can make a mess

When you got time and streets making saints & sinners
Ink on sheets makin' losers and winners
Well it's not what your dreams should be

Anyone can be a saint
Well anyone can be a saint
Well you just forget that you ain't
Well we can go and be a saint

Anyone can be a star
Well anyone can be a star
We'll just get in your car
And we can go and be a star

"Saints and Sinners" -- Paddy Casey

~*~*~*~

Chapter Two: Anyone Can Make a Mess

~*~*~*~

The table that usually busted with chatter and laughs was silent, all the occupants too engrossed in their own thoughts to pay attention to the others. Of course, Raine was too busy thinking of what the basketball game was going to be like to even pay attention to her dinner. She definitely didn't acknowledge her sullen mother, nervous sister or pensive father. She didn't really want to either; she was sick of the fights between Callie and their Dad.

However, her little brother, Jason, had been making sound effects with his light saber for the last ten minutes. He enjoyed the silence of the night, it meant he could be as loud as he wanted while playing with his Star Wars toy.

Raine was looking forward to the game; she could see Lucas again, something she had been anticipating with excitement, and she could see how good the basketball team really was in Tree Hill.

In her previous school, Basketball hadn't been a very popular sport. Raine didn't like sport, so it hadn't mattered to her much either way, but her friend had been a sports fanatic and he took her to all the games. She had humoured him every time and gone with him. But, in hindsight, there hadn't been many basketball games. Maybe one or two -- but they were always the girls teams. Boys weren't very fond of basketball in Dublin, but she supposed things were very different in America.

Raine glanced at her watch and gasped, it read 6:55 clearly and she hopped off her chair, "I've got to go meet Mouth at the top of the road, I'll see you later!"

"See you later, sweetheart. Be careful." Her mother, Niamh, replied.

"Be careful." Her father, Diarmud, echoed seriously. "Keep out of trouble and keep yourself safe… I don't know if I should trust this Mouth fellow--"

"Dad, he's not like that. He's just a really nice guy that's just my friend… nothing more, nothing less."

He looked like he wanted to object, but nodded. "Okay then, but don't…"

"I know, don't get into trouble.. Be careful.. Honestly, I'm only going to a basketball game!"

"First night in the school, though. And first time going out here… we don't know what to expect." her mother answered, helpfully.

"Have fun, kiddo." Callie smiled, winking at her sister before returning to her room. Strange.. Raine thought, referring to her sisters cheerful wink.

She dismissed all thoughts on her family and bounded out the door with a light heart and excitement running through her bones.

~*~*~*~*~

The hall was bursting with an energy, a lively, vivacious atmosphere that Raine absorbed with great vigour. The stands were nearly filled with students, all awaiting noisily for the game to start. Cheerleaders were on the sidelines, practicing moves and cheers before the team came out.

Raine turned to Mouth, a smile lighting her face. "It's brilliant!"

"Yeah, it is." He replied before taking her hand, "Come on, you can sit with me in the commentators box."

"You commentate?" Raine asked, surprised.

He nodded and laughed, "It's my dream job."

They arrived to the box within minutes, and just as they sat down the team jogged out. Screams and applauds were heard all around the court, the cheerleaders waving their pom-poms high in the air as they jumped up and down.

To Raine's surprise, she recognised three of the girls on the cheerleading squad. Brooke was at the front -- and was obviously the captain, while Rachel stood behind her and to the right wearing a beaming smile. The girl that helped Raine find her English class was also there, and she watched them cheer for a minute before looking back at the basketball team.

"There's Lucas, Ray." Mouth pointed out and she nodded.

"Oh yeah… Is he any good? And I like the nickname."

"Any good? He's brilliant. I like the name, too." He then leaned forward to the mic, "Hello Tree Hill and welcome to the game of the season!" His announcement was met with cheers, "Chapel Hill and Tree Hill have been rivals since the…"

Raine stopped listening to Mouth here and looked back at the game. This will be fun… She thought for the third time that night.

~*~*~*~*~*~

The whistle for half-time blew, and Chapel Hill ran towards their coach with determined expressions. They were at level with Tree Hill now, and just needed to push a little to make it out in front.

Raine saw the captain of Ravens walk towards the water bottles, while the rest of the team raced towards their coach. She saw him scan the cheer squad before his eyes stilled for a moment, seemingly focusing in on someone. He then shook his head and jogged towards Whitey, his head downcast as he did.

She noticed the captain of Chapel Hill approach the cheerleaders, a smirk across his face. He stopped at Brooke, leaning forward, and saying something to her. Raine couldn't hear because she was in the box, but she knew Brooke didn't like it as in the next minute, Brooke pushed him away. He stumbled back slightly, but still wore his cocky expression. He leaned forward again, ignoring the repercussions of what his actions could be.

Raine glanced over to the players for a moment and found that Lucas was watching the scene with clenched fists, he then looked over to the captain and tilted his head. The Captain looked at Brooke and began walking towards them.

Raine had to see this.

She wasn't a girl for gossip or bitching, but something about Brooke and Lucas attracted her greatly. Not in a 'I fancy you' way, but in a way that interested her. Their behaviour was of great intrigue and she felt the need to delve deeper into their minds.

Without even saying bye to Mouth, she walked out of the commentators box and towards the cheerleaders. Or rather, the seat closest to them.

As she approached, she heard the captain say something to the Chapel player. "Go back to your own school, Grey." He warned, "And stay away from the cheerleaders."

"Is that a threat?" 'Grey' asked as he laughed, "Because I gotta' tell ya' Scott, I'm not afraid of you." So that's his name, Scott..

Brooke decided to intervene here and put one hand on an advancing Scott., "Leave it, Nate. He's just scum." Raine was confused now, was his name Nate or Scott?

"You weren't saying that last night, baby."

And that's when all hell broke loose.

~*~*~*~*~*~

It all happened in a blur, in a minute of rage and most probably, jealousy. Nate --which Raine presumed was his name -- had hit Grey in the face, hard. The second shot Grey had been expecting though and ducked, but had then been met with Nate shoving him to the ground. Grey stood angrily, choosing to punch Nate in the face.

The fight between the two commenced, and soon enough, all the basketball players were in a brawl.

Raine spotted Brooke attempted to force Nate and Grey apart, pleading and shouting at them to back off each other. "He's not worth the trouble, Nathan! Just leave it. Grey get lost!" She then stepped between them and Raine watched on in horror as the next hit landed in Brooke's stomach. She gasped and doubled over, clenching her stomach. Her eyes were wide and Raine knew she was winded.

Fury was now blazing in Nathan's eyes and in that moment, Raine thought he might kill Grey.

"You bastard," Brooke spat at Grey, smacking him soundly in the face. His face registered shock and Whitey -- who Mouth had filled her in on -- ran towards them, "And I am perfectly capable of looking after myself, Scott!" Brooke finished before Whitey reached them.

"Break it up. Scott, you're in trouble! Get over to the bench, now." It was then that Raine realised that Chapel Hills coach was breaking up the other players.

"He just punched, Brooke, coach." Nathan objected, glancing at Brooke who still had one hand on her stomach.

She sighed, "I'm fine, Nathan. Don't get yourself into anymore trouble." A ghost of a smile appeared on Nathan's face before a girl ran forward.

Raine realised with a start that it was the girl who helped her find her English class. "Are you okay, Brooke?"

Brooke turned to her in surprise, "I'm fine, Haley."

Haley's eyes widened and she stepped away then, as if realising she had done something not allowed. A scowl replaced her worried expression, "Right."

Raine couldn't believe they hadn't said anything to her yet, sitting not one foot away and listening intently to everything being said.

She had just become enthralled in Brooke's story, and it wasn't even the start.

~*~*~*~*~

Questions burned her mind, like why Nathan was so protective of Brooke? Why Haley had thought speaking to Brooke was a mistake? Why?

She decided that she needed to talk to Mouth, and quickly. The match had been cancelled, both sides had to forfeit due to all the fights. Nathan may have started the first fight, but others had started fights on Lucas and other Tree Hill players.

Raine waited patiently for Mouth outside the school, observing the students gossip excitedly and talk about what the 'possibilities of tonight brought'. Raine didn't really know what they were talking about but figured that it could help her piece together what was going on.

"Ready?" He asked her, his friendly and cheerful smile no longer present on his face.

"Yeah, you okay?"

He nodded, "I just never wanted tonight to end like it did…. I mean, no one likes it when people fight but.." He sighed.

"I know what you mean." They began walking home and Raine decided to ask while they were still on the subject,

"What just happened, Mouth? Honestly, I mean. There's more to it than what I know."

He sighed and nodded once more, "Yeah, there's more to it. It's nothing big though… but they're not friends anymore."

"Who?"

"God, you've missed so much." He felt his heart get heavy as he anticipated telling Raine the story, "They were best friends last year, the six of them."

"Six?"

"Brooke, Lucas, Nathan, Haley, Jake and … and--" His voice caught and he swallowed thickly, "Peyton." His voice was a whisper, his eyes broken and he looked on the verge of crying.

Raine was almost afraid to ask, but she had to. Her insatiable curiosity had to be sated, "Jake? And who's Peyton? I haven't seen her around. Does she--"

"Peyton's gone, Raine." His voice cracked and tears welled in his eyes. All Raine could do was watch in silent horror as he broke down.

~*~*~*~*~

So, that wraps up the preview of the first possible story. Bear in mind not all the previews will be that long! ;) Please go onto the next one and vote at the end :) Much, much appreciated..

CheeryRae x