It was seven pm on a Friday night. A group of teenagers were hanging out at a park by the river in Tree Hill, North Carolina playing basketball. Jake Jagelski and his buddy Skills were playing two on two with three girls, who they were letting win by about 20 points. Short, brunette and brown eyed Haley James, passed the ball to her best friend, for the past 12 years, Peyton Sawyer, who was tall, blonde and blue eyed and the complete opposite to Haley. "Haley!" yelled a third girl. Driving the ball in to the ring, she faked and passed back to Taylor, Haley's older sister. Exactly like Haley except maybe a little taller and a lighter hair colour, Taylor was home for the week 'studying' for her mid terms that were to be in the following week at North Carolina University. Shooting for the win, Taylor shot the ball, as it swished through the chain linked net of the hoop. Two guys named 'Mouth' and Jimmy were sitting on the bench closest to the court commentating on the events of the game.
"I believe the two of you wussies just got beaten by three GIRLS!" said Taylor, high-fiving Haley and Peyton and wrapping an arm around both girls' shoulders.
"Later boys," said Peyton and Haley, waving and wrapping arms around Taylor in return. They drove off to Karen's cafe for some dinner.
On the other side of Tree Hill, another basketball game had just begun. The Junior Varsity Tree Hill Ravens basketball team was playing against the Hawks from the next town over. Lucas and Nathan Scott were passing the ball to and from each other, not really paying attention to the other players on their own team. It was the first game of the season and it appeared to be a hard one. Coach Durham had just called a time out and pulled his star players from the game.
"You don't stop pushing them, even if we're winning. You got it?" demanded Coach Whitey Durham.
"Coach, we're up by nine with a minute left. We've won it," said Nathan Scott, number twenty-three, a show-off, smartass and pretty much the younger golden boy, the second spawn of Dan Scott.
"Yeah, cause of you and me, little brother," smiled Lucas, tapping his brother's chest. Lucas was the first spawn of the devil himself, which made him the ultimate golden boy at Tree Hill High School, Nathan's older brother even though they had different mothers and a bigger show off when he had control of the ball.
"You two! Off! Now!" yelled Whitey, receiving death glares from both boys and one full of daggers from Dan Scott who was in the bleachers behind them.
As they began to protest, their coach put Tim Smith and Andrew Kian in for them while the boys took their place on the bench, which meant their father, was able to berate them.
"Good job, boys," he said, clapping them both on the shoulders. They looked at each other oddly. Their father had never praised them before. He probably only did it because they fought with the coach. Coach Durham and Daniel Scott had never gotten along, even when Dan played for the Ravens and that was twenty years ago.
"I don't care whether we're up by five or fifty, you never stop pushing them! The two of you aren't the only ones on the team! I don't care what your daddy says. This is my team!" said Whitey, watching the game.
"Whatever you need to tell yourself," said Lucas.
The score was down to a three point difference, with the Ravens just winning. Forty-five seconds remained in the game and the commentator said, "The Raven are about to lose their win and you have to wonder where Lucas and Nathan Scott are? Why did Coach Durham take them out of the last minute of the game?"
Because of Tim, who accidentally tripped the team member he was following, the ref called a foul on the hawk and it was the Ravens ball on the base line and the coach reluctantly pulled Kian and Smith out to put the Scott's back in. Lucas had the ball and was looking for an opening when his cheerleader girlfriend Brooke told him not to bother showering. He smiled like a kid in a candy store, as he passed it off to his younger brother.
Walking down the court to waste time and keep them in the lead, they passed it between all five players this time and not just the Scott brothers. As Nathan faked past a hawk, threw it to his brother who shot it as the buzzer went off, "Scott for the win!" and the swish of the ball going through the net could be heard as the commentator yelled, "RAVENS WIN!"
They entire team and most of the crowd in the bleachers all surrounded Lucas, screaming and leaving Nathan left out. He had scored more than Lucas, blocked more than Lucas, fouled less than Lucas and gets no praise for it.
Lucas, Nathan, the entire basketball team and some random girls had 'borrowed' a school bus and taken it for a drive. With Lucas behind the wheel and laughing as Tim made a comment, Nathan sculled another cup of beer.
"Hey, Lukey," said a random. "Where's Brooke?"
"I don't know, Why?" he asked and received a mouthful of the girl as an answer.
"Luke! LOOK OUT!!" yelled Nathan, as everyone screamed. A train was flying down the tracks right in front of the bus, Lucas slamming the brakes on. Stopping just in time and about 4 meters from the tracks, everyone let out the breathes that they had been holding as Tim cheered until his face fell when he caught sight of the police car on the other side of the tracks.
Back outside the cafe, Taylor was driving off with Peyton in the passenger seat, taking her home for her monthly dinner with her father. Haley was going for a run, all 4 miles home.
When she was only up the road from her front door, she went to cross the road and by now it had gotten pretty dark. With music blaring from her iPod headphones, she failed to notice the car speeding her way and apparently the driver hadn't noticed her either until it was too late and just managed to stop, tapping Haley lightly in the leg. She looked Brooke in the eye, entranced by her deep brown eyes. Secretly, Haley had always had a crush on the popular cheerleader, not even Taylor knew, but Peyton did.
Honking her horn at Haley seemed to tear the girl from her thoughts as she looked at Brooke one last time, and ran off. Rolling her eyes, she sped off to the party at her boyfriend's beach party. Little did she know, her boyfriend had kissed another girl and had gotten in trouble with the law for breaking and entering, alcohol consumption for minors and grand theft auto.
The next day at the Tree Hill Police station, the members of the high school basketball team that had been on the stolen bus the night before, were standing before a detective, the school principal and coach with their parents. Karen Roe was on one side of Lucas looking pissed, Nathan on the other and Dan beside his youngest.
"Because of the grand theft auto, breaking and entering, alcohol consumption and possession of minors, the following members will not be reprimanded and are allowed to play any athletic sports for the remainder of the season. Nathan Scott, Lucas Scott, Tim Smith and Ruben Gutierrez. The rest of you are banned from any extracurricular activities for the remainder of the season. Especially basketball," said Chief Wayman.
Outside the station, Luke and Nathan were both being scalded by Karen, saying that she never raised Lucas or influenced Nathan in that perspective. Dan had gone after Coach Durham to have a pissing contest with him.
"You just killed the dreams of this team. Lucas and Nathan are double teamed for the rest of the season and all you do is walk away. You're so full of crap," spat Dan.
"What can I say Danny?" replied Whiter, turning to look at him and walk away backwards. "Constipation comes with old age.
"Haley, watcha reading these days?" asked Skills, taking a shot and missing completely.
"The Winter of Our Discontent by Steinbeck," replied the girl, sitting on the bench with Peyton and playing with Jenny. Jake was on the other side of the bench writing up some homework.
Brooke Davis drove past, ignoring the group of friends in the park and Junk spoke up about her being naked all the time in her room.
"How would you know?" asked Peyton, smirking at the boy.
"Hey, I hear things," replied Junk.
"You know, she almost ran me over last night," said Haley, giving the baby a bottle.
"Brooke Davis, head cheerleader and the finest girl in school," said Skills. Jake didn't look up, those math equations were difficult.
"She's alright," said Haley. All of Haley's friends knew about her bi-sexuality and had no problem with it. "Just go shoot for teams."
Things weren't going to good for Lucas Scott. He was being forced to do manual labour in his mother cafe as punishment for borrowing the school bus. Haley James walked in and said hello to Karen and ignored Lucas as Taylor walked up behind Haley hugged her from behind.
"Did you change your hair Karen?" asked Taylor.
"If you mean 'brushed it' than yes I did," replied Karen, smiling to the girls.
"It looks lovely," finished Haley.
"Would the two of you like to join me and the brat for some dinner?" suggested Karen, which didn't go unnoticed by Luke.
"Mum, no! You're already punishing me by working here, now I have to eat dinner with the freaks?" said Lucas.
"Lucas Eugene Scott! Shut your mouth, sit down and eat your dinner. It's up to them if they want to help me torture you," said the older woman, rather calmly.
As Karen was scalding him yet again as he sat down at the table with some stew, Haley and Taylor were muttering to themselves, looking through a magazine.
"The pages are sticky," said Haley, trying to flip the page and not the entire magazine.
"He's a little perv, that's why," whispered Taylor, earning a smile from Haley. They then turned back to Karen, realising she was waiting for an answer.
"Don't worry, Lukey. You're off the hook," smiled Taylor. "Hey Lucas, you been reading this?"
"Is that the 'world's most annoying people' issue, 'cause you're both on the cover of that right?" he threw back. Taylor pretended to be upset and Haley shot back at him.
"No, it's not. It's 'the captain of the basketball team is an idiot because he stole the school bus' issue and oh, look, there you are. Can we just grab some to go then?" asked Haley.
"Yeah, sure girls," replied the mother figure.
As she went to grab a container, Haley stopped her, telling her, "We can get it. Sit down and relax, Karen."
They left quickly, sensing that the two needed to talk.
"I'm sorry, mum. It was just a stupid prank," he said.
"I know. You know, I found another book for you today," she reached into her bag and handed it to him.
"Wow, Julius Caesar. Thank you, very much," replied Lucas, his eyes downcast at his dinner. Lucas always knew, thanks to his father, that if he acted sorry and upset for something he done he could get away with it, getting minimal punishment from his mother.
There was a knock on the door to Coach Whitey Durham's office, and he looked up from the cup he had in his hands resting in his lap. He looked up only to chuckle at who was standing there.
"Well, well, well, Keith Scott. What do you know?" he asked. Keith Scott had played basketball with his brother Dan, but had turned out better.
"How you doing, Whitey?" he asked, shaking the older man's hand.
"Take a load off," said the ageing coach, motioning towards the chair on the other side of his desk.
"Do you have a second?" Keith wondered out loud, tiredly scuffing his hair and looking at the respected old man.
"I have lots of seconds. Or you haven't heard?" he replied.
"Oh, I definitely heard. Karen told me this afternoon. Saw Luke and Nate both waiting tables and naturally I asked what happened," he laughed. He pulled out a flask from the inside of his jacket and offered Whitey a drink. The coach closed off the blinds behind him and held out his mug.
"A little more. There we go. I saw Danny today. Your little brother. Told me that I was despicable and that I crushed the hopes and dreams of young men," he announced as Whitey raised his eyebrows.
"Who was he talking about, do you suppose? Him or the boys," replied Keith, obviously not surprised at his brothers words.
"All three of them, maybe. What did you average when you played for me?" said the coach, his curiosity asking.
"Oh, about five thousand and six beers a night. You know, since you are a few players down, I know some kids you could use. Two girls and a boy, if you're willing to make it a mixed team," suggested Keith.
"I'm listening," said Whitey, his mug now on his desk as he leaned forward.
Jake Jagelski. He's a good kid and a good ball player. Haley James and Peyton Sawyer love playing that game down in the park by the river," he said.
"Oh come on, Keith. We both know if they had any promise, they would be in the gym with the real players," he said.
"You mean like Lucas and Nathan?" asked Keith. "Just take a drive with me. Come on, coach."
Twenty minutes later, the ageing old coach and Keith were sitting in the front of Keith's beat up tow truck watching a group of teenagers play on the run down court. They could hear a kid – Mouth – commentating.
"The girls are on fire as usual. How do you say fire in French?" the lanky boy asked.
"Flambé," answered Jimmy.
"The girls are flambé. Taylor finds Peyton, who takes out Junk and passes the ball out to Haley and gets nothing but net," announced Mouth.
"The boys never learn do they, Mouth?" asked Jimmy.
"No they don't, Jimmy," the boy replied as everyone, including Whitey and Keith, watched Haley, Taylor and Peyton run around the court high fiving each other.
"See Whitey, that's what I'm talking about," exclaimed Keith, pointing out the window.
"All right, and I'm not saying yes, but why put them through that? In THHS, they're like outsiders, even I know that," said the coach.
"The three of them deserve to know that they are good at something, especially Jake. Not just playground good at something, good period," explained the body shop owner. "They need that in their lives."
"Don't we all," replied Whitey.
"We had our chances," said Keith
"So, uh, you and Karen – friends?" asked Whitey, looking to the younger man, one eyebrow reaching towards his bald head.
"Yeah, well you know, I'm Luke and Nate's uncle and I'm in their lives. It is what it is."
"I can still remember the day Dan told me that Karen was pregnant. Was right after their senior year. I told him to go to college and honour his scholarship, but also honour his unborn child and the woman carrying that child," said Whitey.
"In a way you did Luke and Karen a favour. Maybe you can do me one."
"What crap are you wasting your time with now?" asked Lucas, turning off the too poppy, chipper song for him.
"I didn't hear you come up," said Brooke, turning around in her computer chair, away from her English assignment.
"Imagine that. You do remember that no one listens to that crap, right?" he asked again.
"I waited for you tonight," announced Brooke.
"Yeah, a few of the guys wanted to tip a few back," he replied.
"And you couldn't even think to let your girlfriend know?" asked the brunette, tired of Lucas' attitude.
"That's why I'm here. Wanna come?"
"With the guys?" asked Brooke.
"And me," added Luke.
"And the guys," finished the cheerleader.
Lucas sighed, and turned into the jackass he usually was.
"You know Brooke? I'm getting really sick of this. I came here to spend time with you."
"Yeah me and half of the team," said Brooke, standing from her seat, feeling the need to slap him.
"Okay, if you wanna be a bitch, that's fine. Go back to your gay music and I'll see you tomorrow," Lucas nearly yelled.
"How about you don't see me tomorrow," reasoned Brooke.
"Like I don't have other options," said Lucas, throwing his arms up. As he realized that what he said would take away some of the best sex he had ever had, he changed his attitude. "Brooke, I'm sorry okay? I'm really sorry. Half of these guys just got suspended and it's like a stupid bonding thing. I wish it was just you and me. I was hoping you would come along anyways – make it a lot more bearable, okay?"
Whitey walked into the Tree Hill High library, looking for particular three students. He spotted them at a table laughing about something written on paper in front of Jake as he pulled a face. Nathan and Luke spotted the coach and wondered what he wanted.
"What's up coach?" asked Nathan.
"Not you. Jagelski, James and Sawyer," he said. Raising a hand and motioning for them to follow him, he noticed the shocked looks on the Scott boys faces as the three quickly packed their things and went after the coach.
"You two, read a book or something," he suggested.
In the gym, Haley and Peyton were walking on one side of Coach Durham, arms linked and Jake on the other side.
"Some people like their gyms loud. I like mine nice, clean, and quiet, almost like a church. A lot of praying done here. Why'd you three quit basketball after grade school?" asked Whitey.
"We didn't," Jake said, looking slightly confused.
"Six of you in the park? Not exactly a game," he said.
"What do you think we're doing out there, coach?" asked Peyton.
"I don't know. Planning a bank job maybe. Look. I've got some opening spots on my Varsity line-up. Chance of a lifetime. What do you say?"
Jake and Peyton looked to Haley.
"People who pray here are wasting their time. God doesn't watch sports," she said, walking away with her friends, Jake taking the books in her hands and wrapping an arm around her shoulders.
"So were you going to tell us or what?" asked Skills, fixing her shoes. Mouth was nervously watching Jenny on the benches.
"It's nothing," said Peyton, swishing it on a twenty foot jump shot. Her shots were getting better and better.
"Whitey asks the three of you to play and it's nothing?" asked Skills.
"It's nothing because we aren't playing – not with them," said Jake.
"Hales, I've been defence against you since we were twelve, right?" Skills asked, looking at Haley as she ignored him.
"And we beat you how many times?" she replied.
"It just seems like a waste, P, J and H," explained Junk.
"It's not a waste to us, Skills. Don't you think we belong here?" asked Peyton.
"We belong here. The three amigos and Tay do not," Junk said.
"Thanks man," said Jake. "Shoot for teams."
"We ain't shooting for teams. We shoot to be your excuses. You guys are my best friends, nothing ever gonna change that, but I don't wanna be a part of your excuses," said Skills.
Taylor had Peyton and Jake in the back with Jenny and Haley in the passenger seat.
"Where to first kiddies?" she asked, earning a small smile from Jenny.
"Jakes and then Pey's," said Haley. "It's still cool if Pey stays right?"
"Yeah, course. Sure you don't wanna stay Jake?"
"Nah, it's cool. Figure it to be a girl's night and I don't want to be corrupted," he laughed, as they pulled up to his house. "Thanks for the lift Tay. Night girls."
As they pulled up to Peyton's big brick house, they could see that there was a yellow envelope sitting against the door with P. SAWYER scrawled on it in blue ink.
She picked it up as she unlocked the house, Taylor and Haley following and wondering about the package in the blonde's hands. "Open it for me. Just gonna grab some stuff."
Taylor took the envelope which was squishier and lighter than she had expected. Ripping open the top as they heard Peyton's bedroom door open upstairs. She tipped it upside down and two white things fell out, the number 7 and SAWYER facing up. Haley picked it up and sorted it out, just as Peyton came back down. Facing the blonde was the front of a Tree Hill High Raven's basketball jersey.
"I reckon there will be one at your door too," said Peyton.
"It's on the kitchen table. Whitey handed it to be this afternoon when he came round," said Taylor, walking towards the door.
As Haley yelled at Taylor to drive faster, Peyton was still looking at the jersey in the backseat. Less than five minutes later and a close encounter with a cop car, they arrived alive at the James household, Haley tearing up the stairs and through the front door, right to the kitchen table, where, sure enough, there was the yellow envelope with H. JAMES scrawled in the same ink and handwriting.
"Go try them on, girls. Now!" smiled Taylor.
Haley held the jersey with the number 19 and JAMES looking up at her. "He must be desperate if he already got us uniforms."
"No shit," said Peyton, as the two walked into Haley's room and began to change on either sides of the queen bed. Still in their jeans, jerseys cool against their skin, they trudged down the stairs to see Taylor on the couch with a photo album of Haley as a kid.
"Tay, you okay?" asked Peyton, sitting on one side of the older girl, Haley on the other. Haley and Taylor had always been like family to Peyton seeing as her mother had died 7 years ago and her dad was hardly ever home.
"Yeah. Why did Whitey leave the two of you jerseys?" she asked.
"He asked us to play. Half of the team was suspended because they stole a bus and got drunk," explained Haley.
"Maybe you should play," suggested Taylor. "You guys are always so happy out on the river court.
"Sound like Skills, Tay. You know, they refused to play today, said something about being our excuses for not playing with the school team," answered Peyton.
"And how did that make you two feel?" asked Tay.
Peyton and Haley looked at each other and then answered simultaneously. "Pissed. They are supposed to be our friends."
"They are your friends. Do you remember that?" she said to both girls, pointing at a photo of the two of them as kids holding basketballs.
"The Christmas we both got our first leather basketballs," said Haley.
"The same year Lucas taunted us that there wasn't a real Santa," added Peyton.
"I tried so hard to talk the two of you out of it," laughed the college kid.
"Then you said something Peyton. Never going to forget this. You said you felt sorry for all the kids who never figured it out because when they got older and had kids of their own, there wouldn't be any presents on Christmas morning. You're a good kid, Pey. Both of you. So don't sit out on your lives. Sometimes I feel our parents are to blame for that," smiled Taylor sadly. "Hardly ever around we had to grow up fast."
"That has to be the most sentimental speech you've ever given, Tay," smiled Haley.
"Way to ruin the moment, Haley-bub," said Taylor, swatting her sisters shoulder.
"What are you slinging Luke?" asked Dan Scott, as he walked into the home gym of his mansion, Luke on the bench press and a sweaty Nathan spotting him.
"About 160," he said, breathing heavily as he pushed again.
Move over, Nathan. Give me that," he said. "Your mum called Nate, she won't be back for a few more weeks. What do you two know about Whitey inviting -,"
"The freaks to play?" asked Lucas.
"Yeah. We can't have people – outsiders – coming in now and disrupting the offence, taking away shots. We've worked too hard. Anyway, this is more to do with Whitey and me than you guys."
"Why do you say that?" asked Nathan, his arms folded over his chest.
Lucas grunted as he tried to lift the extra weights Dan had added.
"Get outta there. It's a long story, and if you want, I'll tell you some day. But let me tell you this. There is a bigger picture, boys, and these kids aren't in it. So go talk to them, persuade them not to play," explained Dan, pushing the weights easily.
"So your dad finally mentioned Whitey bringing in the freaks. They say they got game, maybe we could use them," explained Tim.
"Please, dude. Nate and me could get us the state championship with a team of blind guys and cripples which is practically what we got with you and what's left," said Lucas, grabbing two grape juices out of the fridge and handing one to Nathan as they walked towards the front door.
"So where we going?" asked Tim, looking between the brothers.
"Let's go to the park," suggested Nathan, laughing as they got into Tim's car.
Haley and Taylor were out on the river court, just shooting hoops and messing around when the car pulled up. The two girls ignored the three morons got out just as Haley made another twenty footer jump shot.
"Nice shot. Think you can do that when you're double teamed, two points down and a packed stadium telling you, you suck?" asked Lucas, spinning Haley's ball on his fingers. "How about just three people telling you, you suck?"
"What do you want?" asked Haley snatching her ball back to stand next to Taylor.
"She's a feisty one guys," he smiled, at Tim and Nathan. "What do we want? What do you want? Other than my girlfriend and our spots in the line-up? None of us want you three on the team, James? I don't want you. The guys don't want you. My girlfriend sure as hell doesn't want you, you dyke, - but here is the deal – you and me. One on one. You can even name the time and the place. If you win, we quit the team. If I win, you guys crawl back into your hole and remember your places in all of this. Time and place baby, time and place."
Lucas got into the front passenger seat, Nathan behind him and Tim driving.
Haley, Peyton and Jake were walking towards the cafe after school, when a flock of birds came up out of nowhere and attacked Haley.
"So Lucas challenged you huh? You gonna play him?" asked Jake.
"I don't know. It's not like I have to prove anything to him," said Haley.
"What is up? I was attacked by a flock of crows last week and then now," said Haley, adjusting her bag.
"By the way it's a murder," said Peyton, earning confused looks from her friends.
"What are you talking about?" asked Haley. For the smartest girl in school, there were still things she didn't know.
"A parliament of owls, an exultation of larks, a murder of crows," she said.
"See, that's why people think you're weird right there," said Haley, laughing and looping arms with the girl.
The three kids sighed together and laughed again.
"I would like to show them though. Not everything revolves around them," said Haley.
"For who?" asked Jake.
"Everyone who gets flack from them for something, even the tiniest thing," she said.
"So, Pey, what's a group of Raven's called?" asked Haley.
"An unkindness," she said, chuckling along with other two.
Over in Keith's shop, Haley was helping Keith on a car because Karen had Jake helping her this afternoon. With Jake in the cafe, it meant it was safer for Jenny and easier for Jake to pick her up if necessary. If she was in the shop, he would be dirty and she could get hurt.
"Heard Whitey offered you, Jake and Peyton a place on the Varsity line-up," said Keith. "Why not play?"
"I do play – every night, with my friends," replied Jake.
"It's not the same Haley," pushed Keith.
"Why? What makes it any less of a game if people don't see it?"she retorted.
"I'll tell you why. When I was a boy ("Oh, God, not again," said Haley), my father took me to Raleigh to see David Thompson play. I was nine at the time and I couldn't have cared less about basketball. But when Thompson stepped out onto the court, I was mesmerised. He was so young, graceful and quick. Couldn't look anywhere else but him till late in the game and I look up at my dad and he's got tears in his eyes. Fourteen thousand strangers and my daddy is crying because of the beauty. He played with such poetry that he made us all feel a part of it. That's why. You have a gift, Haley. The three of you and it would be shame to hide it," he said.
The phone decided to ring as Haley cleaned her hands, leaning against the beat up mustang. Keith came back with a set of keys, a clip board and a slip of paper.
"Car broke down, go get it. Have fun," he said, smiling and gently nudging Haley towards the tow truck.
As Haley looked at the slip of paper, she sighed. The one person she couldn't care about was having car troubles so it was up to her to go and get the car and make sure the person left got a ride. Looking back down for a second, Haley thought she would be screwed, more teasing from the cheerleaders all because Brooke Davis' beetle decided to chuck a tanty.
"River road. What is she doing all the way out here on River road?" Haley said to herself as she reversed back to Brooke's car to attach the chain.
Going about her own business, Haley caught some crap from Brooke for the dirty clothes, and the job, but ignored her until she saw the binder in her hands.
"'That's me inside your head,'" she said.
"What?" asked Brooke.
"NOFX. 'That's me inside you'-," started Haley, pointing at the sticker.
"Yeah, I know the song," said Brooke, making eye contact and leaving Haley's throat a little dry. She pulled out her cell phone and very obviously rang her boyfriend. "Hey, Luke, it's me. All right, well listen, my car broke down and you need to come and get me. Leave the gym! It'll take ten minutes. I'm on River road just around the curve. Well, it sucks to be you."
"Listen, are you sure you have a ride?" Haley asked. "I can wait if you want."
"Yeah, that's what I want," said Brooke. "Look, have your uncle call me with an estimate."
"You mean my boss?" asked Haley, eyebrow raised.
"Whatever your story is. Don't really care, you see," retorted Brooke.
"Can I ask you a question?" said Haley, moving a lever and pulling the car over the back of the truck.
"Free country, last I checked," answered Brooke.
"Why are you a cheerleader? You don't look very happy lately," explained the employed one.
When no answer came back, she tried again. "Come on, let me give you a ride. I'll even let you insult me."
Now Brooke looked a little angry. "Firstly, you don't know me. Second, you don't know me. God! Why people are such jerks?!"
"People? Or Lucas?" asked Haley.
"Him. You," she replied.
"I am only a jerk to you, because you think you're better than me and let me cop it for something to make yourself feel better" said Haley. "Now get in the truck."
Half an hour later, after following Brooke's shifty directions, Haley had dropped her off home and gotten back to the shop. Dan was in there talking to Keith and seeing him, reminded her of the challenge Lucas has proposed to the girl. Haley walked in threw the keys to Keith and headed over the gym.
"Tomorrow night at midnight. The river court. But if I win, I want something else," said Haley, glaring at the blonde spawn.
Lucas was walking out of the bathroom full of steam, when his dad called him over.
"What's up dad?" he asked.
"If I wanted a daughter, I would adopt one," he said, touching Luke's nipple ring.
"What so she could be a basketball legend too?" smiled Luke. "Joke."
"And tonight's bet – a joke as well? Would you really quit the team? You have everything to lose and nothing to gain," he said.
"But sometimes, what you call 'everything', I call 'nothing'," said Lucas.
"I think it would be best if you didn't do this. We'll find another way," started Dan.
"Dad, I do almost everything for you. I'm going to do this for me," said Luke, walking away.
Brooke chose to walk out of the bathroom then in nothing but a towel, "Hi, Mr Scott."
Taylor, Keith and Karen were in the cafe talking.
"Would've preferred a warning shot with three amigos about basketball, with Haley about tonight," said Taylor.
"That's fair enough, but they love to play. If Haley beats Lucas, they know that. By playing on the team, they know their good," said Keith.
"Yeah. But do you ever wonder how we got to all this?" asked Karen, looking between Taylor and Keith.
"Hanging out in the old cafe, lamenting about the past, Jake listening in from the back?" said Keith, smiling.
"I was not. Okay, I was. I am," he said, handing Jenny to Taylor.
"I just wondered how we all go here so fast," said Karen.
"I remember Haley's first day of high school like it was yesterday, like the blink of an eye it's been three years already," said Taylor.
Up on the roof Jake pushed the door open as Haley sat on the ledge.
"Wow. Looks great up here," said Jake. "Mini-golf at its finest huh? Tay is worried about you, downstairs with Keith and Karen."
"Yeah Lucas did it a few weeks ago," said Haley. "Do you think I'm being selfish playing him?"
"Do you?" asked Jake.
"A little. I mean if I walked away, Tay wouldn't be worried," she said.
"Don't usually say this 'cause you're more like my sister than anything else, but you're a good person Haley, don't let anyone tell you otherwise. I'm glad we're friends, but you and Tay worry to damn much," said Jake, smiling at his friend.
Time for the game at the river court and Mouth was sitting at the benches, waiting for people to arrive as it came closer and closer to midnight. Jimmy Edwards joined him at 11:50 as the parked was crammed with Tree Hill High Students. Haley had just showed up with Peyton and Jake in shorts and a tank top.
"Welcome ladies and gentlemen to what appears to be a historical night of basketball. I'm Mouth McFadden and I'm joined with my gamey partner, Jimmy Edwards. Jimmy, we're in a treat tonight," announced Mouth.
"And who doesn't love a treat? I know I do – s'mores, ice cream, cake," said Jimmy, nearly drooling.
"So if you're not doing it for your dad, why are you doing it?" asked Brooke, at her boyfriend's house.
"You wouldn't get it," said Lucas.
"So what if she plays. Are you and Nate really that threatened by her?" she asked, following him out the door.
"We're not threatened," he said.
"Well, why do it? To prove what? If she wins, what does she get?" questioned Brooke, as she slammed the Scott front door behind her.
"She gets you, Brooke Davis," said Lucas.
Back at the court Mouth and Jimmy were still commentating.
"I think the natives are getting restless, Mouth, judging by the crowd that envelopes our booth," said Jimmy, looking at the people surrounding the benches.
"You don't have a booth," exclaimed Junk, sitting down on the seat, facing the court and spoiling Mouth's and Jimmy's commentating tape.
"And we're joined in the booth by Junk Moreti," said Mouth, scowling at him.
A car pulled up onto the corner of the court and people began chanting 'Lucas! Lucas!'
"Lucas Scott has just arrived driven onto the court by a car," said Mouth.
Tim turned to Nathan and Lucas, "I hope you don't mind, I told a few people." Nathan high-fived him and Luke smiled.
"The game is beginning people. First to fifteen by ones – make it, take it, win by one and you can feel the intensity in the air tonight," he exclaimed.
"Let's go, Luke. You got this," said Nathan from the side.
"You ready?" asked Lucas, pushing the ball to his opponents chest. Haley was half his height and she had no doubt that it would help her and get her hurt.
"Why not?" replied Haley.
"It's your life," taunted the six-foot-two seventeen year old.
"Yeah, it is," she said as she took one small step back at shot for goal. She heard the chain net make the swish sound she had heard so many times before. From Mouth, Haley could hear him yell 'A twenty-five footer rips the silk like Jimmy Edwards in a size three dress' and smiled.
"Is that all you got, little girl? I'll give you that all night," said Luke, as Haley faked and shot past him for another twenty-five footer. Lucas looked mad and Haley was already up two-nil.
"What happened to all night?" she asked.
Zipping past him she made a clean layup, angering him more. Shot after shot went in for both of them until it was thirteen-fourteen in Haley's favour, Lucas with the ball. Following him, pushing him in the back, she defended all the way up to under the basket, where Lucas spun left, his elbow connecting with her face and pushing her to the ground. Even Brooke looked shocked at him as he just shot a clean shot, bringing it to a tie.
"No foul, basket counts. Besides – you won't score again," said Haley, wiping blood from her lip and smearing a nice gash onto her tank.
"Such big words, for a little girl," smirked Lucas.
Lucas had the ball, Haley had moved back towards the ring, waiting for him to do something. Everyone knew he was going to show off like he had been doing all night. He threw the ball, going for a dunk, but just as he went to grab it after the bounce Haley flew past and caught it, taking it back to twenty-five feet. She faked and then put it up, getting pushed by Lucas again as the ball soared through the air. Haley landed on her arm, scraping from skin from her leg as she heard the swish, she looked up to see Lucas disappointed. Peyton helped her up as she wiped her leg with her hand.
Mouth was going nuts with Jimmy as if they had just been asked to commentate for the school. Brooke walked over to her and asked her something.
"So what did you bet?"
"If I win, he stays on the team," answered Haley.
"Why?" asked Brooke.
"It's the last thing he wants," she said. "Anyways, it's not about him."
Lucas came back and yelled to Brooke.
"Brooke! Let's go!" he yelled.
"I'll be seeing you then," smiled Haley, unknowingly leaving butterflies in Brooke's stomach.
Lucas walked into his father's house, Nathan trailing behind. "Don't worry, dad. Your dreams are still safe."
The next week at school, Haley, Peyton and Jake all walked towards the gym, nervous about their first official day as a Tree Hill Raven. Pushing the double doors open to the gym, the first thing they saw were players and cheerleaders just standing there watching them if they were aliens. Haley didn't like that kind of attention, but hey they were ball players now.