Chapter One:
Lucas v/o: "Ever had a moment where, for one split second you believe that everything in the world would be okay, a silencing ray of hope, than violently have that hope pulled out from underneath you…"
"Alright, Ravens on three," yelled Whitey, as he called for a time-out, and then the Ravens closed up, into a huddle.
"1 2 3, Ravens," yelled the team in response, as they all ran back on to the court, and took there positions.
Lucas v/o: "…because I have…"
We're back ladies and gentlemen, 30 seconds left on the clock, at the end of the forth quarter, and the Ravens are down by , they need a 3-ponter to win or a basket to tie," said Mouth, from the sidelines.
Lucas v/o: "Ever had everything comes down to one choice, one single move…"
The buzzer sounded and the game started up again, Nathan threw the ball in to the court, to Lucas, Lucas dribbled it half-way down the court, towards their scoring end.
Lucas v/o: "…because I have…"
Lucas had the ball in his hands; he stopped at the 3-piont line.
"This is ladies and gentlemen, will the Ravens win their first championship, or will they have to wait until next season, it's all up to Lucas Scott, will he deliver the championship that the Ravens have been trying to grasp at for nearly 18 years," yelled Mouth, over the speakers throughout the gym.
Lucas pushed the ball through his fingertips, as it flew through the air; he heard the buzz sound of the siren, ringing through his ears. As the ball landed on the ring, and slowly rolled around the edge.
Lucas v/o: "Ever had everything play in slow motion, right before your eyes, knowing you can't stop what you knew was about to happen, good or bad…"
He suddenly felt a clenching tightness in his chest, he leaned over slightly, but still kept his eyes on the ball as it stopped spinning, and fell through the ring.
Screams erupted throughout the gym, as everyone jumped up from their seats cheering for the Ravens. Lucas began walking over to the rest of his team, when all of a sudden, he was short of breath, the entire gym stated spinning, he clutched his chest in his hand, then everything went black and he felt himself crash to the ground.
Lucas v/o: "Ever done something you wish that you could take back, something that you regret…then you realize it's too late…"
"Hey Luke, we won man, you did it, we won," yelled out Nathan, from the middle of the crowd of people surrounding the team, he pushed his way out of the crowd, and looked around the gym for Lucas, hen he saw him lying in the middle of the court.
Nathan ran to Lucas, as he was running across the court, people in the stands realized what was going on, Brooke and Peyton ran over to where Nathan was, now kneeling down next to Lucas. Haley saw her best friend lying on the floor and also ran out on to the court, with Karen and the rest of the team following her.
Coach Whitey Durham pushed through the crowd of people now swelling around half of his team so that he could get close to Lucas, who was currently still lying unconscious on the floor, "…someone call 911!"
Lucas v/o: "Ever realized that some thins just can't be erased…I have!"
12 HOURS EARLIER:
Lucas was fast asleep in his bedroom at 1892 Brunette Drive, Tree Hill NC, when he heard someone knocking at his door, he moaned, then pulled the blankets over his head. He then heard someone's voice coming from the other side of the door.
"Luke, you there man?" said the voice of Nathan, as he opened the door, and walked into the room, and found Lucas still in bed.
"Wake up man, time to get you ready for this championship," said Nathan, as he pulled the blankets off of Lucas.
"Dude, what are you doing?" asked Lucas, in a groggy tone, as he looked at his alarm clock, which read "6:02am".
"I'm gonna get your heart racing," said Nathan, as he shot a glance at Lucas, and Lucas looked back at Nathan, "…so to speak."
"But, it's only 6…in the morning," said Lucas, as he reached to the end of his bed to grab his blankets, and pull them back over himself.
"The earlier the better," said Nathan, as he once again, pulled the blankets off Lucas, then slapped him over the head.
"Oh, you're gonna pay for that," said Lucas to Nathan.
"Yeah…you're gonna have to get up then, if you plan on making me pay," said Nathan, as he walked out of Lucas' room and left him to get dressed.
They ended up at the Rivercourt, playing a very short game of one on one. They finished the game, with Nathan winning, 15-6.
"Alright, so you think you're ready for this game tonight?" asked Nathan, as him and Lucas took it in turns to practice their free throws.
"Yeah, I guess, but it sucks that I can only play 15 minutes a game," said Lucas, in response to Nathan's question.
"Look, I know its hard Luke, but it's better than not playing at all, right," said Nathan.
"Yeah, you're right."
They continued practicing their free throws, when Lucas stopped mid-throw, "Oh…what time is it?" asked Lucas, as he ran to the table where his bag was lying, and pulled out his phone to check the time.
"Crap…I'm late…Mom wanted me to help her out at the café before school, then I gotta go pick up Brooke…alright I'll see you at school man," said Lucas, as he shook hands with Nathan, and walked off the Rivercourt.
Lucas arrived at Karen's café 10 minutes later, to find his mom run off her feet with customers.
"Hey mom," said Lucas, as he put his bag behind the counter.
"Oh, thank god you're here Lucas," said a stressed out Karen.
"Why? Where's Haley?" asked Lucas.
"She called in sick before her shift," replied Karen.
Sick again, that's not like Hales, thought Lucas to himself, as he grabbed an apron and helped his mom. A little over an hour later, he checked the time, and realized that he was late for the second time that morning.
"Oh…I'm late to pick up Brooke," said Lucas, as he took off his apron, grabbed his bag from behind the front counter and headed for the door, when Brooke entered the café.
"Oh…I'm so sorry Brooke," said Lucas.
"Nah, it's okay, I figured that if you were late picking me up, then you'd be here, I guess I figured right," said Brooke. As she leaned forward and kissed Lucas on the lips, "…good morning boyfriend."
"Alright, I'll see you later mom," said Lucas and waved goodbye to his mom.
"See ya Luke," replied Karen.
Lucas and Brooke were walking to school, when Brooke started talking.
"So…it's really nice of you to help your mom out at the café before school and all, it's really sweet Luke," said Brooke, holding on to Lucas' arm, as they walked down the street.
"Oh, it's nothing, and besides, mom's pregnant now, so she can't do everything herself… you know, I'm still getting used to this," said Lucas.
"I think you'll be a great big brother, Luke," said Brooke.
"Yeah…I'm gonna try and be as good a brother as Keith was," said Lucas.
"You know, Keith would be so proud of you right now, the way that you're taking care of your mom," said Brooke, sympathetically.
"Yeah…he would," said Lucas.
Brooke leaned on Lucas as he put his arm around her, and they walked the rest of the way to school, with the whole way, Lucas thinking, would Keith really be proud of me?
Peyton Sawyer was walking down the street to school, looking at photos on her cell phone. She came across a picture of her, Lucas, and her best-friend (now former best-friend) Brooke, they all looked so happy back then, no drama, no love to get in the way, she then came across a picture of her and her ex-boyfriend Lucas, standing on a pier, she looked at it, then tears began to swell up in her eyes and they fell down her cheek, the next picture was of Brooke and herself at the mall the day before Nathan and Haley's wedding, she stared at it for a few seconds then deleted it.
She got to school, looked up from her phone, and saw Lucas and Brooke walking down the street in her direction, the three of them met at the front of the school and stopped.
"Brooke…" began Peyton, but was cut off by Brooke.
"No Peyton, don't you get it, I don't want to talk to you," said Brooke, angrily, as she stepped a bit closer to Peyton, looking like she was about to hit her.
"But… Brooke, if you would just listen to what I have to say," said Peyton.
"What you have to say… do you hear yourself right now Peyton… you tell me you still have feelings for my boyfriend, then you kiss him… again, what more is there to say, " said Brooke.
"How about that I'm sorry," said Peyton, nearly in tears.
"You know sorry is becoming a regular thing with you Peyton," said Brooke, "… you know the thing that hurts the most, is you telling me that you would never hurt me again, you promised Peyton… huh… and stupid me believed you… that hurts the most."
Brooke walked off, with Lucas about to follow her, "… wait… Luke," said Peyton.
Brooke turned back around as she heard Peyton say her boyfriend's name.
"Lucas come on, let's go to class," said Brooke, holding out her hand, reaching to Lucas.
Peyton looked at Lucas, sympathetically… "Don't Peyton… look this has all just gotten too complicated, I'm sorry, it's just too hard," said Lucas, as Brooke could see that they were talking, she walked back over and stood next to Lucas, facing Peyton.
"But, Luke… we're friends… aren't we?" stated Peyton, whilst looking a little confused.
"No Peyton, I'm not sure we can really be friends anymore, I love Brooke… I think we should stop talking to each other," said Lucas, as he put his arm around Brooke and Brooke put her arm around him in return, they turned their backs on Peyton and walked to class, leaving Peyton standing at the front of Tree Hill High, shattered and confused.
