Story Title: The Best Years
Synopsis: He had a passion for basketball, she had all the right connections to make his dreams possible. How far would you be willing to go to make your dreams happen?
Chapter Rating: PG
Chapter Summary: (Don't read if you don't want to be spoiled)
It's game night, and all stakes are on the table. When Nathan makes the winning shot, things shift and Lucas gets jealous over Haley's interaction with Nathan.
Chapter 3: Makes Me Wonder
It was game night. And it was definitely an important one too. If they won, they would go on to the NCAAs, and if they lost, their season would be over. Lets just say, if they lost, Haley was going to be in hell for the next two months whenever she was around Lucas. The girl scrunched her face at the thought, already praying that the team won and everyone did what they were supposed to do. She didn't need to hear Lucas complaining for the next two months. Nor did she want it.
In her cheerleading outfit, Haley scooted her way over to her best friend and joined her on the ground doing their stretches as the rest of the squad soon gathered to their side of the stadium. "You better hope on everything that's holy that we win." Haley told Peyton, allowing the rest of the squad to hear as well. Rachel finally joined them from the change rooms as the group stood up and positioned themselves for the team to come out and warm up.
Cheering as the Duke University's Blue Devils ran out onto the floor, Haley winked back at Lucas, little did she know Peyton was doing the same. Haley then smiled a small smile to Nathan who came out a little bit afterwards. After the few practices she had watched the past few mornings since bumping into him in the hallway, Haley had taken notice to his skill. Growing up around basketball, she knew what talent looked like; and he had it. Which made her wonder why he had just transferred, and hadn't been scouted for DU before.
Shaking the thought off as the game buzzer sounded, she focussed on cheering their school's team on, and making sure that they had some kind of motivation - if the team died down when they were losing, to win. Usually, the team didn't lose, and usually the stadium was crowded with supporters and fans that cheered the whole team on.
It wasn't until the game was tied and there were five seconds left that nails began to get bitten, and legs were shaking on the bleachers and the cheerleaders held hands, praying that whatever happened would be alright for their team. Haley raised her hands to cup her mouth as it hung open, frozen.
"With Duke's star player, number three, Lucas Scott, blocked Tim Smith with the ball; passes to new player number twenty-three. He's open, he jumps..." The stadium was so quiet you could hear a pin drop, and everyone stood up in anticipation as the ball flew up towards the hoop as it made a 'swoosh' sound and as if it were some kind of tune starter, the crowd cheered.
Haley, Peyton and the rest of the cheerleaders jumped and cheered along with the crowd as one blonde found her way towards Lucas to celebrate with him. Although Lucas was quite frustrated with Tim, he decided to push that aside and take it out on him later at the party and at another day's practice as he felt his girlfriend's arms around his neck as he lifted her up with a small smile. Glancing up, he saw Peyton and frowned softly. What was he going to do about this? Ignoring the thought, Lucas simply put Haley down after spinning her around somewhat - the best he could through the crowd - and smiled down at her.
"Mr. Hotshot has no reason to complain, so I better not see it." Haley warned him, knowing Lucas, and knowing that he didn't get the winning shot which usually meant he would either be pissed, or he'd be down on himself. It was something that he had learned from his father. Haley knew that. Dan Scott was no 'proud' father unless you were the number one player with every camera on you and you had the highest points in the league.
Lucas simply shook his head, "Of course not." he said as he saw his mother, Karen Roe move her way through the crowd to congratulate her son.
"I'm so proud of you!" Karen exclaimed, hugging her son with a smile before hugging Haley also.
"Where's Dad?" Lucas asked curiously.
Karen frowned, and Lucas knew what that meant, Haley knew what that meant. Heck, the whole stadium probably knew what that meant. "He couldn't make it. He promised he'd watch the highlights though." she tried to cheer her son up, but also made a mental note to yell at her husband. Why she ever married that man was beyond her. He couldn't even make it to one of his son's last college basketball games. "But, you have fun at the party tonight. And don't drink and drive, because I want you home in one piece." she decided simply with a small smile adding to the effect.
Lucas simply nodded his head. "I'll see you later, Mom." he said before hugging his mom once more and then wrapping an arm around Haley before congratulating the rest of the team. All except one. Care to take a guess? Yes, Nathan Lee.
As the rest of the team went to change, Haley stood in the middle of the floor, crossing her arms across her chest. She was still stuck in her cheerleading outfit, and she told Peyton to meet her at her house so she could help her dad set up for the party if she didn't get a chance to get home before everyone started piling into her house. It was a ritual, after any Friday night game, the team and many others were invited to the James mansion for some fun. Her dad would help set up and then leave, making sure that all breakable valuables would be locked up.
She zipped up her long sleeved sweater that went along with her cheerleading uniform. Kicking the floor softly, she glanced up hearing someone walking up to her. "I guess you're not going to be known as the New Kid on the team for any longer, huh?" she asked with a small smirk.
"Guess not." he spoke up with a shrug of his shoulders as though it were nothing. Although, it definitely was. Especially to him. He had to get noticed within a small amount of time, which meant bringing his game. And it also meant sometimes out-shining the King of the team, Lucas Scott. He didn't have the money to support himself going out for the NBA by himself, and if he didn't make it his first time it meant that he had to take a job. Most likely at his mother's diner or something that he could care less about. Of course, his mother's diner had managed to keep a roof over their heads and keep them fed nicely, but Nathan had no intentions on being a waiter for the rest of his life. Who really did?
"Well, look. There's this kind of ritual that's been going on ever since high school for those who knew each other back then. After each Friday game there's a party at my house, the whole team's going to be there." she offered as she noticed him not being too interested, "There's going to be some hot cheerleaders." she cocked an eyebrow with a small smirk playing on her lips.
"Well, if there's cheerleaders." Nathan joked. Little did she know that he'd much rather have a talk with her than some of those cheerleaders who just wanted to get laid. There was nothing wrong with that, don't get him wrong - but they wouldn't get him noticed. Maybe if he made a friendship with this girl he could get introduced to Coach James.
"Great. People usually just come whenever, so just show up at whatever time." Haley responded, as she smiled.
"Speaking to the enemy, Hales?" a voice broke the short silence, and the look they were also sharing as Haley turned around to see Lucas.
"So that's how you guys play this game huh? You think the enemy is your own teammate? Now I know why you guys can't pass the ball." Haley joked as Lucas pulled Haley closer to him, as if to tell Nathan to back off and she was his. Haley didn't object though, it was Lucas being his usual jealous self. She was used to it. Boy, was she ever used to it. "I was just telling Nathan about the party at my house."
"Oh yeah? Did you tell him that you have to be willing to have fun to show up?" Lucas chuckled somewhat at his own joke before walking off.
"Sorry about him, he's... well, yeah."
"Haley, you coming!?" Lucas called out, throwing his hands up as if he were frustrated with the girl.
"Yeah-" the blonde started to head towards her boyfriend, "I'll see you later then."
