Keep Driving Away.
We'll take the long roads, off into the world where no one knows.
With everything loaded away, he turned to face his family, which stood there anxiously awaiting his goodbye so he could head off to California. They appeared picture perfect, like a family from a fairytale.
Nathan had worked hard for the last four years, hard at basketball and his grades so that he could get into his dream school, the University of Southern California.
Basketball was his god given talent, it took little practice to develop a high level of skills in that area but school was another story. Nathan struggle with every subject, putting forth every ounce of effort for the day he would leave North Carolina for California.
Reaching out he shook his fathers hand before turning to his mother, who had pulled him into an embrace. Reciprocating, Nathan wrapped his arms around his petite mother before whispering into her ear "It's to let go okay now".
Reluctantly his mother released him as Nathan looked at the last family member. Lucas was his little brother, but only by a year. He knew this gave Luke a chance to become the big man in there hometown, without Nathan standing in his way.
Slapping his brother's shoulder, Nathan then turned and climbed into his classic 1970 Oldsmobile Cutlass 442. His entire future lied ahead of him and for once it was up to him what he did with it.
"Make it count son." His father called out trying to give some form of encouraging words but Nathan knew it was more of a threat.
Starting the vehicle he rolled down the window and gave a final wave to his family before pulling out of the driveway and heading down the short route to the interstate.
It was going to be the perfect road trip. His chance to clear his mind and leave everything behind for his new life began at college.
As he pulled on to the entrance ramp he saw a figure a few hundred feet up ahead, walking along the shoulder of the highway. Driving closer the figure turned into a girl, hoisting her thumb into the air.
There weren't exactly that many people from his home town that hitchhiked. This wasn't the type of town that had hobos roaming the street.
Passing her by, his eyes examined the long legs creeping out of the short skirt and the brown tank top that clung to her tan skin. She appeared to be harmless and who was he to deny her a ride with the sun beating down like it was today.
Pulling over on the shoulder up headed, he tapped his foot on the break signaling the offer as she approached from behind, picking up her pace until she reached the passenger door.
As her face came into frame it looked oddly familiar as if he knew her from somewhere but then again he felt that way with most people from his town.
"Where ya headin?" a southern accent flowed out as her hand reached for the door and pulled it opened. Watching her climb in he tried to place her face as it hit him.
Of course he knew her. She had been in his grade since at least middle school if not long but he also realized that she was trouble or at least that's what the rumors were like at school.
"California." He answered, trying to be polite while he tried to decide exactly what his next move was.
Watching her eyes lock on him, he knew she'd recognized him as well but pushed it aside for the obvious reason.
"Mind givin' me a lift?" Her eyes focused in on him as he looked away abruptly, only causing her to catch the gesture. "Nevermind…I get it."
Her hand tightened on the handle, swinging the door opened before he let out a sigh. "Wait." Who was he to judge anyone he didn't know? He hated when people did it to him, yet here he was.
There couldn't be anything more awkward that climbing into a care with an…almost total stranger.
Sitting in silence, she glanced over at him out of the corner of her eye. Once she got a closer look, his deep blue eyes came into focus contrasting his dark brown hair.
Brooke Davis knew exactly who he was, the all star basketball player from their high school, voted most popular 3 years in a row, and a spoiled rich kid who got everything handed to him on a silver platter…including the nice ride they were in.
Growing up her life had been very different. Hr family wasn't anything like what she knew of Nathan's. They hardly spoke or spent any time together, much less care anything about Brooke's whereabouts.
She wouldn't deny his good looks and the fact that he had some game, considering he'd been with most of the cheerleaders and half of the female student body.
Running her hand along the leather interior, she admired what would never be hers. No one in her family had every owned a car this nice and probably never would… unless it was stolen.
Her family didn't come from money and no one in their town would ever let her forget that. If you didn't fit their perfect mold you were cast out.
"Nice car huh?" a deep voice interrupted her, only making her disgust for him grow deeper. Of course it was nice, what had he expected her to say?
"Very." She muttered under her breathe in a dreadful tone. The last thing she wanted to talk about was all his worldly possessions.
Nothing about Nathan Scott sat well with her. He embodied everything about North Carolina that she hated. Rich people who believed that they were so much better than everyone else because the size of their bank accounts.
The only reason she took a ride with him was to get away from those people. Not to mention she was tired of her past coming back to bite her in the ass.
"So, why California?" Breaking the silence again he tried to open a line of communication
"The beaches" she spat back in a sarcastic tone. Why did he really care anyways? Once they got there they would go their separate ways and never speak again, like they had most of their lives.
They were two completely different people and one ride wasn't going to change that.
