Looking at the basket in front them, this person makes their way to the free throw line, positioning themselves ever so slightly behind it. The ball comes just above their nose breathing in the cool frosty winter air through their already frozen nose. Their hands are red and dry from being eaten by Jack Frost, but it doesn't matter. Nothing matters when they step out onto the court. The cold goes away, all painful thoughts vanish and the one thing that is in focus is getting this orange piece of rubber into the hoop sitting 10 feet above the ground and 15 feet away from them. Taking a deep breath, the ball is released from the grasp of the frosty hands where it once sat. As the ball goes into the hoop hitting the mesh, this person now wears a smile and goes to retrieve it. Dribbling it as an electric guitar blasts through their ears, all this young one can wear is a smile because all the pain the world has thrown at them has vanished.
While the best dribbling possible is going on, they notice a black car pull up just behind the hoop. They stop dribbling and hold the ball just under their arm, waiting for something to occur. The door to the driver's seat opens and reveals a head of blonde locks. The blondie gives the one with the ball a grin and a shocked look resides on her face.
The one with the ball turns from the blonde woman and continues to make shot after shot not missing a single throw. From anywhere on the court, this one is identical to their father with the attitude of their mother. The kind of flawless many would wish to be. The bitter cold is getting to the player. The blonde sits on the old wooden bench and continues to watch the one dribbling.
Once out of breath, the one with the ball makes their way over to the bench, sits beside the blonde and sighs. The blonde grins at the one with the ball as the one with the ball grins to the blonde. One more breath and the player says…
"Peyton."
The blonde grins at the one with the ball and lets out a small chuckle.
"Nibs."
"You recognized me?"
"No, you father said you'd be here. And when you say you're here, you keep to your word. How are you girly?"
The player squints and gives the famous smirk that she inherited from her father.
"I'm okay…I could be better."
"I'll bet, heard from mommy lately?"
"You mean in the past two years? No…nope not since L.A."
Peyton looks at Nibs with a sympathetic look. She cautiously wraps Nibs around the shoulder with one arm and brings their two heads together. Nibs leans on Peyton and sighs, knowing that in a few moments she'd have to go back to the craziness that is reality.
232323
Nathan Scott runs frantically around the club that his mother once ran a long time ago while he was still in high school. He became part owner when he could no longer play basketball. After his afternoon of running around like a chicken without a head he takes a large deep breath and decides to sit down. He looks through his mail and an envelope with the Duke University crest stood out remarkably in the top left hand corner. He slowly opens the letter and looks at it. He smiles and puts the letter back on the bar. He turns around to face the club that had been his life for the past 10 years. He stands at the center of the club and examines his surroundings. At 38, he still stands there and feels as young as he did when he was 18 with one exception, his wife.
Ah yes, his wife. He hadn't spoken to her in a little over two years. He was so proud of her. Her album had made it to number one about 2 years ago and he did his best to support her. He did all he could and one night had changed everything for him and his 2 beautiful kids.
Jamie was in his final year of college on a basketball scholarship, just like his old man. Nathan stands with a smile plastered on his face as he remembers the day Jamie got the offer. His wife had stood there with him….
"DAD MOM…HURRY."
The voice boomed throughout the large house as James ran through the door carrying the mail. There sat Nathan's daughter at the counter doing her homework as usual. There was no surprise that the daughter of Nathan Scott would be so much like her mother when it came to her studies.
Nathan came rushing down the stairs with Haley followed close behind him. Their daughter looking at them with a smirk that she inherited from her father.
"A letter came from Duke."
Nathan wrapped an arm protectively around his wife's shoulders as Jamie opened the letter as quickly as possible. His eyes glazed the white sheet of paper. A smile crept onto his face then it fell. He dropped the letter on the counter and went and stood by the entryway to the kitchen. Leaving her husband's embrace, Haley went to the counter and took the letter. She scanned the letter quickly then handed it to Nathan. Nathan scanned the letter before looking at his son who wore an "I got you" smirk. Knowing what his father would do, he ran from the kitchen as Nathan chased him throughout the house. He had been accepted on a basketball scholarship.
Now his final baby was applying to go to a decent school and he knows that she can do it. She is 10 times smarter than Jamie and that's saying something because Jamie is as intelligent as they come. Nathan's thoughts are interrupted by his daughter yelling for him.
"DAD!"
Nathan spins to see her walking towards him, closely followed by Peyton. He smiles when he sees his daughter walk to him. She has the same raven coloured hair as him, her eyes are a pale brown with a tint of green. She is a bit more muscular than most girls her age because of her athletic stamina. She stands at a height of 5"8 and all of her features make Nathan smile. She is his little tom boy and he knows boys would never be a problem with her, because they were all too intimidated by her, but she had her share of boyfriends, not that Nathan knew of them though.
As soon as his daughter stands in front of him she gives him a full-fledged smile. Now that was something she hadn't inherited from him. Nope, that smile was purely from her mother. How her cheeks filled her face and she flashed every single one of her pearly whites. And the twinkle in her eyes that let anyone how they were feeling, and to Nathan, at this point in time, what Natalie is feeling is unreadable.
Natalie gives her father a kiss on the cheek as she makes her way to the bar to grab a glass of water. Nathan notices her drenched sweater as she takes off her coat. She gives an almost inaudible cough.
"Kiddo, you gotta be crazy to play in this weather and sweat in the process. What happened to just practicing your free throws?"
"What's the fun in that dad?"
Nathan chuckles and notices Peyton standing before him. His smirk falls and hers keeps looking almost guilty like. Keeping his gaze on Peyton, he calls for Natalie.
"Nibs?"
"Yeah dad?"
"There's a letter from Duke U on the counter, could you look over it while I speak with Peyton?"
"Sure dad."
Natalie grabs the mail off of the bar and heads toward one of the dressing rooms at the back of the club. As soon as she is out of hearing range, Nathan motions Peyton to sit at the bar. He makes his way around the counter and offers her a drink. She declines and he pours one for himself. He looks at her as if expecting her to say something. She sighs and begins.
"Hey Nate."
"What are you doing in Tree Hill? I thought you left to help…you know who."
"I did. I found her. And I am helping her still. Second album is due to come out next month."
Nathan stands there silently drinking. He run his fingers through his already messed up hair. He tries to look at anything other than Peyton unaware of what else might come out of her mouth.
"Nathan…are you okay?"
"Why wouldn't I be?"
" (sighing) She might be touring again. She still hasn't decided."
"Never thought this would happen a second time. I mean I was the one who told her to go pursue this again and I understand that I'm partially to blame, but after that night in L.A…"
Nathan trails off as tears start to form in his eyes. He looks back at Peyton and looks at her confused gaze.
"What do you mean?"
"Doesn't matter now."
Nathan decides to change the subject.
"Jamie wrote to me…says he's coming home for the holidays."
"That's great, when's he getting in?"
"I have no clue, I got a letter today telling me he's coming home, no date or anything. So he should be home any day now."
"You think he'll play for Tric when he comes home?"
"Oh definitely. I think he'd insist that he play."
Peyton suffices a giggle as Natalie comes running back into the room as if on cue.
"JAMIE'S COMING HOME!"
232323
Nathan drives home with Natalie sitting beside him. He looks at his look-alike and grins. She stares out of the window, her head resting on her right fist. She feels a pair of eyes burning holes through her as she turns her attention to her father.
"What?"
"Do you plan on joining us at Tric this evening?"
"Dad, it's a Thursday night and my idiot math teacher decided to give us a test tomorrow because she knows that everyone will most likely skip off because of the holidays. So no, I can't tonight, gotta study."
"Do you ever not study Nibs?"
"Dad…I thought we got rid of the nickname?"
"Never kiddo. I'll always remember you for your shortness and for being scrawny."
"Oh God. I thought the nickname died after I hit that growth spurt."
"You think it would've huh?"
"Oh yeah."
Nathan laughs and shakes his head as they pull into the driveway of their home since Jamie was 3. The two of them notice the black Range Rover sitting in the driveway. Natalie retrieves her school bag from the backseat of the car and the two of them make their way into the house. Laughter fills the area as a youngster runs towards them. Her blonde pig tails bounce as she holds a small doll in her right hand running for Nathan.
"Uncle Nate."
Nathan scoops the 3 year old in his arms as his brother, Lucas, runn for her relieved that she was able to steer clear of the staircase. Natalie passes her father and makes her way to her uncle, bumps his fist before he pulls her into a bear hug. After all of the hellos, Nathan and Natalie realize it to be weird that Lucas and his daughter are the house. Natalie runs from her position by the door and bolts up the staircase to the door on the left where, sure enough, rap music blares through the four walls of her brother's bedroom. He stands in front of his bed with his arms and legs crossed looking at his little sister with a grin.
"Well don't just stand there Nibs, you gonna hug me or what?"
Obeying her brother, she hugged him. She hadn't seen him in over 3 months and missed her big brother. His dirty blonde hair is styled so it stays up and he wears faded blue jeans with greenish, brown coloured T from American Eagle. She releases herself from his embrace as her father stands at the door.
"You know Jimmy Jam, you could've included a date of arrival with that note of yours."
"Jimmy Jam dad? Seriously?"
"Hey, if he can call me Nibs he can call you Jimmy Jam."
Nathan chuckles at the argument between his kids. He leans against the doorway of his son's bedroom and shakes his head. He walks to his son and gives him a hug.
"Okay you two, downstairs when you two have caught up okay?"
"Sure thing dad."
Jamie turns his attention back to his sister and smirks which quickly turns into a smile as he gives her another bone-crushing hug.
"I missed you Nibs."
"Missed you too Jamie."
"Can I expect you at Tric tonight?"
"I wish I could dude, but studying calls. Stupid teacher gave a test tomorrow?"
"Why? No one goes to school on the last day before break. That's stupid."
"I know, but it's her way of getting us there…and what's worse? It's last period."
"Delvin your teacher?"
"Yeah."
"Ah, that's why…oh well, maybe next weekend."
"Definitely."
The two siblings make their way down the stairs and walk in on Lucas and Nathan in conversation about the Bobcats. They turn their attention to the two who had just made an entrance. Lucas leans against the counter as the two siblings walk over to them. Natalie goes to the fridge to grab a drink as Jamie sits at the counter.
"Hey Nibs?"
No answer.
"Nibs?"
Natalie simply keeps quiet.
"Nat?"
"Yes uncle Luke?"
"Your dad says you're not coming to Tric tonight?"
"Nope…gotta study."
"Would mind completely watching Haley for me?"
"Nope. Shouldn't be too hard, all I have to do is put Beauty & the Beast on and she'll be occupied for a while."
"Thanks kid….you're a lifesaver. So you could you get to my house around 6ish?"
"Sure."
"Thanks. Well little brother see you tonight. HALES?"
The little pig-tailed girl comes running into the kitchen with her doll in tow. Lucas picks her up and heads for the door and heads for his home, which is no less than a block away. With the closing of the front door, Natalie turns her attention to her brother.
"So, you playing tonight?"
" Yup..me and the rest of the guys…and girl."
"Ooh…"
Natalie grins as her brother turns a bright shade of pink. Noticing her brother's complexion she laughs a little and he playfully slaps her arm.
"I'm kidding Jamie. So am I allowed to know which songs you'll be playing?"
"The usual stuff…"
"Oh wow and here I thought you were gonna be secretive about it."
"Shut up. Maybe you should come and find out."
"You know that if I could, I would."
"Yeah…I know Nibs."
"Okay buddy I know that you've been outta the house for quite awhile, so let's get one thing straight…Nibs? No longer applies to me okay? As you can see, I'm very sure, that I am not tiny like I was 2 years ago."
"Nat…no matter how tall you are, you'll always be my little sister. The same short girl who is smarter than me and has a pretty good jump shot and a hell of a fade away."
Jamie wraps an arm around his little sister's shoulder and guides her out of the kitchen as she playfully slugs him in the stomach, a small sting for Jamie.
232323
Natalie makes her way up the stone steps of a house even too big to be considered a mansion. Her bag sits on her left shoulder and pushes the little button that sends a ring throughout the house. She can hear the patter of little feet and bigger ones that were wearing a pair of heels. The lock unlocks and the same little blonde, pig-tailed girl from earlier and her mother, Natalie's aunt, Brooke, greet Natalie. Brooke picks the little girl up to keep her from running out of the house. Brooke gives Natalie a smile and steps aside to let her into the house. Natalie closes the massive door and Brooke puts Haley down as Haley runs towards the living room to continue playing with her toys. Natalie follows Brooke into the house and drops her coat and bag near the staircase at the entrance. After doing so, she finds Brooke in the kitchen sitting at the counter. Natalie stops at the entranceway and smiles. Brooke notices.
"What are you smiling at?"
"Shouldn't you be running around the house like a chicken without a head?"
"Why would you say that?"
As Natalie is about to answer the question asked by her aunt her uncle frantically runs into the house. He runs into the kitchen and gives his wife a brief kiss before checking out her appearance.
"Brooke we're going to Tric tonight."
Natalie looks at her uncle, raising her eyebrows and cautioning herself for what is about to happen.
"LUCAS EUGENE SCOTT. WHY WOULD YOU TELL ME AT THE LAST MINUTE? DO YOU KNOW HOW LONG IT TAKES FOR ME TO GET AS GOOD LOOKING AS I DO? THESE THINGS TAKE TIME."
Natalie glanced at her aunt and her uncle trying desperately not to laugh at her aunt's outburst. She silently laughs to herself as Brooke stomps off upstairs to change. When her aunt is out of hearing range, all the laughter she couldn't release is let out.
"Dude, you're in the doghouse now."
Natalie continues to laugh as Lucas stands there dumbfounded.
"You think after being married to her for almost 12 years would get you on track that she likes to know plans for an evening at least 1 week in advance."
Natalie walks out of the kitchen and into the living room to see her cousin playing with a baby doll that came with a stroller. She looks like a little mother. Natalie's mind wanders off to that word, mother. The past two years, she has lived without one and whenever she does think about it, tears threaten to form and fall from her eyes, but she won't allow it. Quickly she turns her attention to her cousin and takes a seat on the comfortable leather couch that faces the television, watching her cousin. After about half an hour, Natalie is interrupted by her uncle.
"Kiddo? Me and Brooke are leaving okay?"
"Yeah sure. Have fun you two."
"Daddy!"
Haley runs into the arms of her father and kisses him goodbye. Brooke then takes her from her husband and plants a big kiss on her cheek as she blows little raspberries onto her cheeks as well. Brooke sets her daughter back on stable ground and watches her run back to her toys.
"Okay, our cells are on at – "
" – all times and if there is an emergency there are numbers on the fridge including police, ambulance, and fire house. As well, your mother's number is on the counter. Uncle Lucas, I've heard this speech many times before and believe me, I've got it. Now go have fun with your wife."
Lucas looks at his niece and daughter. He takes his wife's hand and leads her out the door and they leave for Tric. Natalie goes and grabs her bag and spreads all of her notes on the coffee table in front of her. She grabs her pencil and a few extra sheets of paper and begins to practice trig identities. She looks up from her paper and lowers her glasses as she notices Haley looking at her with an innocent glance. She puts her pencil down and turns her attention to her little cousin and smiles.
"What's up Mini B?"
"I'm booooored."
Okay, many reasons why Haley was nicked "mini B" by Natalie. To be perfectly blunt, Haley was Brooke. The only thing inherited from Lucas was her looks.
"How are you bored?"
"How many times can I put a doll to sleep?"
"Okay. You want me to put in a movie for you?"
The child's eyes light up at the mentioning of a movie. Knowing what her young cousin wants to watch, Natalie puts "Beauty & the Beast" into the DVD player and resumes studying. At 8:00, Natalie decides she needs a break. Noticing that movie is not yet over, she asks her cousin a question.
"This I could use a break from math?"
"Yeah."
Natalie notices that Haley has not ripped her attention form the screen and decides to have a little fun.
"Okay, I'm gonna get ice cream."
Natalie notices that the attention is all on her now as she hears the pitter/patter of feet running towards the kitchen.
"Me too, me too, me too!"
Natalie chuckles and scoops the ice cream into separate containers, one for her and one for Haley. She sits beside Haley and notices that Haley is wearing the ice cream rather than eating it.
"Kid, you have to put it in your mouth. C'mere."
Natalie wipes the ice cream from Haley's face and laughs.
"Go to the bathroom and wash your hands and your face."
The youngster runs from her place in the kitchen into the bathroom, obeying her older cousin's command. As Natalie finishes the dishes, there is a knock at the front door. Natalie exits the kitchen to answer it. As she opens the door, the feminine figure turns to face her. Her expression is unreadable and she is hugging herself to keep warm from the frosty air. Natalie tries not to raise her eyebrows too high from surprise. The woman takes a deep breath and speaks.
"Is Brooke or Lucas home?"
Mommy hadn't recognized her daughter.