Finding Home.
Disclaimer: This is disclaimer is for all the chapters in this story, including the one before this one. I don't own any of this at all.
The Tree Hill gym was filling with people, all waiting to watch the basketball game. The Ravens were in their dressing room and Nathan was giving them a pep talk. He tried his best to inspire the team but it wasn't that easy and the team understood. They knew the kind of week he was going through. If Jamie was still around there was no doubt that he would be on the team, probably the captain. He's Nathan Scott's son after all.
The Ravens came out onto the court and the crowd clapped. Lucas, Peyton and Haley were sat on the bleachers, cheering on Nathan and the team. Peyton waved as Brooke came into the gym. "Hey thanks for saving me a seat. I had trouble finding a babysitter."
Although Brooke would still love a child of her own, she found that fostering them was very rewarding. It didn't matter if they were a baby or a teenager, Brooke would take them in. She began to tell them about this new child but she stopped as the other team, the Warriors came into the gym.
"What's wrong Brooke?" Lucas asked. "That kid," she pointed to the Warriors captain. "He reminds me of someone." The other three looked over and Haley gasped. That hair, those eyes… "Jamie?" she said.
Peyton put a hand on her arm. "Haley, don't get carried away. That kid can't be Jamie. Not after this long." Brooke nodded. "Peyton's right. I'm sorry I pointed it out."
Lucas looked over at Nathan. He had seen the boy as well and he looked over at the four of them. Lucas shook his head and Nathan understood. He may look like Jamie but he couldn't be Jamie.
Ryan started to warm up and scanned the crowd. He smiled at Julie, who was on the bleachers and he let his eyes wander. He saw a women sitting talking to three other people. She looked so familiar. Where had he seen her before? She looked so caring and kind. Ryan felt a warm, safe feeling wash over him as he watched the woman.
She turned her head and blew a kiss to the coach of the Ravens. Come to think of it he looked familiar too. The two of them looked happy but he could see the same sad smile on their faces, like they were thinking the same thing. Ryan shook off his thoughts and grabbed a basketball.
It was half way through the game. The Warriors were up by a point and the clock was ticking. Then a Raven scored a three pointer. The cheering was deafening. Nathan watched as the Warriors captain nodded his approval and grabbed the ball. The kid has talent, Nathan thought. He was obviously the best player on their team, maybe even the court.
Then a Warriors player shoved a Raven. When the crowed booed him, he held up his hands and shouted, "What?" The Raven, John, was about to get up when a hand appeared. He looked to see the Warriors captain. John took his hand and pulled himself up. "Thanks," he said as he let go. "No problem," the boy replied. "John," he introduced himself. "Ryan," the captain said.
The crowd watched this and saw as Ryan went over to the player. "You pull another dirty trick like that again and I'll have you off this team before you can say basketball," he threatened. The player nodded, looking at the floor.
"Wow," Lucas said. "I thought the kid would be more competitive but he's being really civil to the Ravens. He 's got a lot of talent as well." Peyton nodded and said, "The way he plays…he…he reminds me of Nathan." She said it quietly so Haley wouldn't hear. "I know but just let it go. There's no point in giving them false hope. Or getting our hopes up about Erica." Peyton nodded again sadly.
The Raven pilled into the dressing room, celebrating their win. "Hey guys," John said, "I was thinking of inviting that other captain, Ryan, to the party."
"I don't know man, do you think he'll cause trouble?" his team mate asked. "He seems like a good guy."
Nathan smiled as he saw Haley waiting for him at the gym door. He hugged her and she sighed in his arms. "Thinking about that kid?" he guessed. "He looks so much like Jamie." Nathan nodded and looked her in the eyes. "But he can't be right?"
Haley nodded. "I know, it's just… there's something about him that I can't put my finger on." Nathan sighed. "I guess we just have to forget about it. It's easier that way" Haley nodded again and they walked to the car.
John walked out of the gym and looked for Ryan. He saw him by a car with a girl. She had a digital camera and was showing him some pictures. "Hey," John shouted at them. They turned around and looked at him. "I wanted to say thanks again. For helping me on the court. I know that it's hard to nice to the other team when the game gets competitive."
Ryan shrugged. "Like I said no problem. Oh, this is my sister Julie." John waved at her, smiling. "Do you guys want to come to this party we're having." Ryan frowned and Julie looked at him.
"Come on, what's the worse that could happen?" John asked. Ryan bit his lip and nodded. "Let's go," Julie said, "Where is it?"
"It's at our coach's house. His name is Nathan Scott."