For as long as either could remember their families had been at war. The Scott's and the Sawyer's were the most powerful families in Tree Hill. Dan Scott the leader of the Scott clan owned a successful car dealership with his older brother Keith Scott while Larry Sawyer owned a law firm with his best friend Robert Davis. Nobody in the town really knew exactly what had caused the two families to have a falling out that had lasted through out many years. The feud was the reason why the Tree Hill Ravens had little interaction with the Tree Hill Cheerleaders. The captain of the Ravens was none other than Dan's son Nathan while the head cheerleader was Larry's only daughter Peyton. Peyton's best friend was Brooke Davis who hated Nathan and his younger brother Lucas because she had grown up with Peyton and had simply learned to dislike the Scott's. Haley James was also friends with Peyton and Brooke but she was also friends with Lucas Scott which caused some tension at times. Despite being sworn enemies the Scott house and the Sawyer house were located right by each other. In fact if either wanted to, Peyton or Nathan could simply cross over to each other's rooms via the small balcony outside each of their bedroom windows. As lovely as both balconies were, the teens rarely used them to avoid the awkwardness that would surely follow if they were out there at the same time. But one night would be the beginning of a change between the two families and everything that they had grown to use to over the past 20 years.
-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-..-.
Looking back Nathan still didn't know what had caused him to walk out onto that balcony that night. He had come home early from a party that a team mate had thrown. It was the same as every party he'd been to in the past couple of years and to be honest he was getting sick of the party scene. But since he was captain of the basketball team and a pretty popular guy he was expected to show up. He sat down in the chair that was set up outside and propped his feet up on the edge of the balcony. This was nice and relaxing and he wished he could do it more often. But since Peyton Sawyer or any of the Sawyers for that matter, could walk out and be face to face with him he figured he'd avoid that situation. But he had noticed Peyton before he left the party so he knew he was good for awhile yet. He closed his eyes and crossed his arms over his chest and before he could stop himself he was fast asleep.
.
"Thanks for the ride" Peyton smiled, climbing out of her friend Bevin's car. She waved at Bevin and Brooke as they drove away then she turned and then headed into her home. The house was dark and empty as she stumbled up the stair way to the top floor. Maybe she had drank more then she thought she thought to herself as she flicked on her light and threw her purse onto the king size bed. She sighed as pulled her long blonde curls into a ponytail on the top of her head and changed from her jean skirt and tank top into an old white wife beater she stolen from her brother Jake a long time ago and a pair of dark blue pajama pants. She had noticed on her walk from the car to the house that it was a really warm night for mid September in Tree Hill. She stood by the covered door for her small balcony and debated going out and taking in the warm night. What were the chances of Nathan Scott being out on his balcony at 2 in the morning? The chances were high she noticed as walked out. There was Nathan Scott fast asleep just a mere hand reach away from her. She knew she should turn around and go back inside as fast as she could but had the biggest urge to just push his foot and make him go falling. Not in a mean
spirited way that he would probably take it in, but just in a fun playful way. The thing about Peyton was as soon as something got into her head she couldn't get it out, so she did it. She gave Nathan's foot a little nudge and he and the chair he was sitting in fell backwards. Looking back years later Peyton didn't know if it was the liquor that made her do it or something else.
.
Nathan awoke with a thud on the hard wood of his balcony. He jumped up with a start and rubbed his head hoping to get rid of the dull ache in the back of his head. He looked around in surprise, taking in his surroundings. He wondered for a second where he was and what had happened. Then he heard a little giggle. He took notice to Peyton Sawyer standing on her own balcony with her hands over her mouth in attempt to soften her laughter.
"You think that was funny" he growled, angry that a Sawyer had gotten the better of him. He watched her as she burst out laughing and nodded yes. As he watched her part of him wondered if she had not done just because he was a Scott.
"Maybe a little funny" he gave her a small smile. He picked up the fallen chair and started to walk inside
"Did you have a good night?" Peyton's voice was clear and beautiful in the silent night.
"What?" he asked whirling around
to face the tiny blonde
"Did you have a good night? "She
repeated the question again
"Are you drunk or something?" he asked confused
"I wouldn't say drunk" she shrugged "Maybe a little buzzed"
"Why are you talking to me" He asked, confused at why Peyton was choosing now to start a conversation after being in such close corridors for 16 years. That question may have actually been the first words she had ever said to him.
"It was stupid. Sorry" She shrugged with a sigh and turned to go back into her room
"It was good, how was yours?" Nathan said quickly. She turned and gave him a small smile "Good" she replied before heading backside "Night" she called as she shut the door behind her with a small thud.
"Night" he whispered back, sitting back down in the chair he had previously occupied and running the past few minutes over in his head.