Can You Feel This?
Chapter One
Disclaimer: I do not own any of the characters from OTH. Originals, however, are mine.
Author's Note: In this alternate universe, Peyton and Jake never were together. In fact, they've barely spoken two words to each other. Also note that this takes place during their junior year at Tree Hill High.
Summary: AU - Instead of Jake Jagielski meeting Peyton Sawyer, he meets Regina Stone, a girl with a loud mouth who speaks her mind but has a good heart. Regina's wild personality makes Jake wary and he refuses to open up to her but will a shared tragedy bring them closer together or tear them apart? Rated M for future content.
Intense eyes stared down at the ground as rain drizzled upon it. Drop after drop splashed against the pavement, turning it a darker shade than before. Minutes passed by and the rain began to come down harder. Soon the whole basketball court was wet and shining underneath the bright lights. Despite the harsh rain, Jake Jagielski did not move from his spot on the old bleachers. Instead, he allowed the rain to fall down upon his face, enjoying the coolness that was brought on by the water.
After awhile, the downpour ended but Jake's mood did not improve. His clothes had absorbed the rain water and were now sticking to his skin. It didn't bother him, though, he had other things on his mind, mainly the news he had received that morning. Not knowing what to do, he took off to The Rivercourt during the afternoon of that day. It was shortly after Lucas Scott had joined the basketball team that Jake discovered how calming the new location was. He found that he was able to think clearly without those distracting him. Of course, that was only when The Rivercourt was completely empty and no one was playing basketball. Now, deep in his thoughts, Jake didn't notice a figure emerging from the shadows.
"Well, look who it is. Jake Jagielski sitting in the rain." A female voice said.
Looking up, Jake watched as the girl came into view once she stepped underneath the beam of light. He had seen the girl around school a couple of times but never really spoke to her. They had history class together but they were on opposite sides of the classroom.
"Hey…" He said warily, searching his brain in hopes of remembering her name.
Rolling her eyes, the strange girl stepped closer to the bleachers but opted not to sit down when she saw how wet they were.
"I'm Regina Stone. We're in history class together. You don't know me but I know you… Everybody knows you, Mr. Basketball Star."
"Oh," Jake replied slowly, still trying to remember her. Then it hit him. "Oh! Okay, yeah. You sit behind that Bryan kid, right? The one who's always picking his nose."
Scrunching her nose up in disgust, Meg nodded her head.
"So, what are you doing out here so late at night?" She asked, smiling as leaned against the bleachers, not caring if she was getting a little bit wet.
"I could ask you the same thing."
Feeling sprinkles of rain, Regina decided that since she was going to get wet either way, she might as well sit on the bleachers. She climbed up on the bleachers and sat right next to Jake, a smile spreading across her lips.
"I came out here to clear my mind. It was so loud in my house I couldn't even hear myself think. I didn't think anyone would be out here…" She explained.
"Yeah, this is a good place to sit and think," Jake agreed.
The two sat in silence has the rain poured down on them. Neither bothered to complain that they were wet and cold, especially since it was their decision to sit in the rain, anyway. Instead, they stared at the pavement and occasionally glanced over at each other.
"It's kind of weird," Regina said minutes after the awkward silence settled between them.
"What's weird?"
"It's weird that I've been in your classes since junior high but you've never spoken to me."
Jake didn't respond right away, mainly because he couldn't think of anything to say without making himself sound like an ass. Sighing, he looked over at her and frowned slightly.
Frowning, he replied, "Well, sorry we never spoke. I just… I don't know. You could have come up to me first."
Getting up off of the bleachers, she began to walk away from Jake. His eyebrow shot up instantly as he wondered if he had said something that made her mad. However, the thought quickly disappeared when Regina turned and smiled.
"Meet me in the tutor center before school tomorrow, okay? A little past seven." Regina instructed.
"But I--" Jake tried to respond but it was too late; Regina had disappeared in the shadows.