My first ever fan fic so be gentle. ;)

Please leave a comment or review and tell me what yall think.


One

Four years after high school…

He picked up the picture frame every so slightly grazing the figure in the photo with his thumb. It's been over four years since his Uncle Keith was murdered in cold blood. To this day, that alone would cause Lucas many sleepless nights, but the realization that his own father was the one behind the trigger was more unsettling than anything.

"Hi Uncle Luke!" The little boy screamed cheerfully running towards Lucas for a hug. James was now a little over four and was a carbon copy of his mom and dad.

"Where's your mom?" Lucas asked James tickling the boy until he begged for mercy.

"There you are." Haley said relieved to find James with his uncle. "Go on to the kitchen James, Grandma Karen and Lily are making ice cream sundaes." Haley told her little boy knowing perfectly well the reaction she would get.

"YAY." James replied running off out of the room.

"So how's Uncle Luke doing today?" Haley said turning her attention to Luke seeing him holding a picture of him and Keith.

Ever since that dreaded day of the Tree Hill High shooting where Lucas' Uncle Keith was shot, the one thing that seemed to bring him at least some short of joy was a picture of him, Karen and Keith at a Carolina Tar Heel game on his twelfth birthday. It was always Lucas' dream to one day attend North Carolina University, but with Keith's death Lucas decided it was best for him to stay at home and help raise his little sister, Lily.

"Fine." Lucas answered back putting on one of his patented fake smiles. "So where's Nate off too now Hales?" Lucas asked abruptly trying to change the subject.

"He told me Orlando."

After playing at a local college nearby Tree Hill and having four semi successful years there, Nathan entered the NBA draft but unfortunately wasn't drafted. Knowing how far he's come, he wasn't going to waver now and made it his goal over the summer to make it on the roster of one NBA team. Keeping that in mind, Nathan's been going to various summer leagues where NBA teams have been looking for those final few to fill out their rosters.

"That's great Hales, I really pulling for him to land a spot somewhere." Lucas said trying to assure Haley and in someway himself also. "How are the kids over at Tree Hill High treating their new music teacher?"

Shortly after Haley graduated at the same college Nathan went to, Principle Turner offered Haley the music teacher position at Tree Hill High. She gladly accepted and was starting her stint over the summer. Although not the life or touring and headlining sold-out concerts she once had, Haley was happy with the life she had now. She was surrounded with people that loved her and everything seemed to finally be falling into place.

"They're lovely, but no where near how awesome we and the gang were back then." Haley joked. "Walking down those halls again just reminds me of all the good times we all had down there." She said reminiscing to the days when it was her, Lucas and company walking those very halls.

"Yeah." Lucas nodded lowering his head as if Haley touched some sort of nerve.

Following graduation, Peyton and Brooke both went to Los Angeles, California. Peyton to go to an internship she was offered and Brooke to pursue her fashion career. Little did Lucas know, Peyton was beginning to make a name for herself over at LA and she would soon be encountered with an almost impossible decision: Lucas or LA?

------------------------------

"Brooke, you used all the hot water again didn't you." Peyton yelled from out of the shower.

Not too long after their summer in LA, Peyton and Brooke decided to why not extend their summer trip. Weeks turned into months, and months turned into years. Before they knew it, they've both been living in LA for four years now and have become quite successful in their respective careers.

"Thanks for using all the hot water again." Peyton said bitterly coming downstairs to meet Brooke in the kitchen.

"Well with the night we had last night, I thought you could use a cold shower." Brooke replied mockingly.

"Down girl, aren't you forgetting about one little thing? Your husband Chase." Peyton pointed out while pouring herself a cup of coffee.

Brooke and Chase's relationship grew further after the gang graduated. Brooke and Chase eventually tied the knot and Chase moved into Brooke and Peyton's place. Chase became a famous skateboarder and currently was on tour with the X-Games.

"Any new bands I should look out for?" Brooke asked as the two were sitting at the kitchen table munching down their breakfast.

"We finally signed this underground punk band that we've had our eyes on for the longest." Peyton responded enthusiastically.

After two plus years of making her way up the ladder at Sire Records, Peyton sought out to make her life long dream come true and began her own label. Now the CEO of Punk and Disorderly Records, Peyton and her staff were making some headway in the record industry signing mostly underground bands but more importantly knowing the ins and outs of the industry.

"And how's Miss B. Davis, fashion extraordinaire?" Peyton continued.

Brooke's Clothes Over Bro's clothing line seemed to turn from an innocent high school vision to one of worldwide status in a matter of months. Her line was now being sold in various fashion stores and boutiques all around the world. Now when the a-list celebrities are walking down the red carpet their response to "what are you wearing?" most likely is "Brooke Davis".

------------------------------

It was a little past midnight now and Lucas had been up all night thinking about what Haley said to him earlier, trying to shake it out of his head. It's been over four years since the gang graduated from Tree Hill High, but it seems just like yesterday when they all were partying or just hanging out enjoying each other's company. For Lucas at least, a certain blonde's company particularly.

Lucas couldn't help but remember the last night when he held Peyton in his arms, it was at the graduation party Rachel held for all the seniors as one last get together before they all went their separate ways. Lucas laid his head on the pillow and closed his eyes…

"I want you to stay, but I won't let you. Do you know why? Because I've told you before, you were destined for greatness… and it starts tomorrow morning."

"It's not gonna matter anyway, whether I stay or I go with us… cause I'm gonna love you forever Lucas Scott."

Lucas awoke in a cold sweat, he knew letting her go to Los Angeles was the right thing to do, but not having her next to him to just hold at night was the one thing he needed most. He turned to his side and spotted the vacant side of the bed where the blonde in question would usually be cuddled up under the covers. Luke grazed the empty space with his hand and at that very moment something urged him to grab his phone.

He search through his contacts for a familiar name and hit the call button. The phone on the other end seemed to be ringing for an eternity, on the fifth or sixth ring a voice on the other end finally answered.

"Hello?"

Lucas froze once he heard the voice he remembered oh so well.

"Hello, anyone there?" The voice asked quizzically.

Lucas opened his mouth but it refused to cooperate.

"Lucas…"

Hearing her say his name was too much for him to bare and he hung up the phone in terror. He threw himself back onto the bed, closing his eyes trying to forget this all ever happened, but he knew full well that this was only the beginning of much more to come.

------------------------------

"Who was it?" Brooke asked puzzled.

"Oh, wrong number I guess." Peyton responded, but she knew deep down whom it was... it was the boy she left behind in Tree Hill for the glint and glamour of Los Angeles.