DISCLAIMER

Title inspired by the song Independence Day by Imani Coppola. It was on the Touched by an Angel soundtrack. It's pretty good. One Tree Hill belongs to Mark Schwahn and the CW. Because I have a tendency to italicize memories as well as thoughts, Dan's words are underlined so that you can tell which is which. Again, POVs will be switched. The story's still centered around Luke; I just wanted to show Jake's perspective on everything.

Lucas wasn't quite sure where he was going. All he knew was that he had to get away---clear his head. He wasn't sure what to do. The words Nathan's father had spoken kept running through his head.

"Lucas, I'm your father. Lucas, I'm your father. I'm your father. I'm your father." If he's my father, how come he didn't want me? the boy wondered. Maybe it was like his parents told him: he was just a waste of space. That had to be the reason he had been given up, right? If his biological parents had loved him, they wouldn't have given him up and he wouldn't have been trapped with the Mallones'. When he finally stopped, he was surprised to find himself on the court he had noticed the other day. With a dejected sigh, he walked to the bleachers and sat down. He just didn't know what to do. He put his chin in his hands and stared at the metal.

"Yeah, I come out here to think sometimes myself," a voice stated. Startled, Lucas jumped up.

"Hey, whoa. Sorry," the boy apologized, walking up to him.

"Oh, it's okay. I'm just---really jumpy these days," came the response.

"Is everything all right?" the boy asked.

"Things are just---really crazy right now," Lucas responded.

"I'm Jake," the boy introduced himself.

"Lucas," Lucas replied. "I've seen you in school, haven't I?" he continued.

"Yeah. I've got Mrs. Conner's class after you," Jake confirmed. "So, what brings you out here?" he wondered.

"Nothing really. Just---had to get away," Lucas sighed.

"Rough day?" Jake asked. Lucas let out a scoffing laugh.

"You could say that," he allowed. Jake just stared at the boy.

"Sorry. I'm just dealin' with stuff," he apologized.

"You wanna talk about it? An impartial ear may help."

"No, but thanks." Lucas began walking down the bleachers.

"Luke." Luke turned towards Jake. "I realize we don't know each other, and that's probably my fault since I've been busy dealing with some of my own stuff, but if you need to talk---"

"Thanks." Then, Lucas continued on his way. Jake sighed and ran his fingers through his hair. He wasn't an idiot. He had seen how Lucas acted in school, and had known something was up. He just hadn't figured out a way to strike up a conversation with him. Just then, his cell phone rang. The boy answered the call.

"No, I'm fine. Sorry. I ran into someone from school. I'll right there," he said pleasantly. Then, he hung up, walked back to where he had parked his car, and then drove off. When he got home, his parents were waiting for him.

"Hey, sorry," he told them.

"It's okay. Someone was just missing her daddy," his father responded. The boy smiled softly and walked up to the crib, where his three-month old daughter lay.

"Hey, Jenny," he greeted. She gurgled and his smile grew. Man, she was so beautiful. Man, it's tough being a single parent, he thought to himself. But he was luckier than most. He at least had help.

"Jake, is there something on your mind?" his mother questioned. He laughed.

"You can always read me," he said fondly. "It's just---there's this new kid at school---Lucas. He's always so withdrawn. And he's shown up with bruises a couple of times," he continued.

"You suspect abuse?" his father questioned.

"It crossed my mind. But I haven't really talked to him, and lately, he's been hanging around this other guy who showed up like three days ago, and they seem to get along really well," came the response. "So if he is being abused, it's not that guy, and it's entirely possible that it's being taken care of," he continued.

"Well, I guess at this point, all you can do is offer an ear."

"Already did. We talked at the River Court."

"Well, there you go." Jake was about to say more when Jenny began to cry. The boy leaned over, picked her up, and started rocking her as he hummed softly. Meanwhile, had reached the hotel and walked into the room to see Julian sitting on the bed.

"Were you able to clear your head?"

"Yeah. I---I'm sorry. I shouldn't have acted like such a brat." Julian sighed.

"Luke, you got a bombed dropped on you. If it was me, I probably would've reacted the same way." Lucas walked up to the bed and sat next to his friend.

"I just---I don't get it, Julian. How come nobody wants me? How come I can't ever be good enough?" Julian didn't have an answer. He just took the boy into a half hug and they sat there on the bed.