Hey guys
Here's another update…
Enjoy!
2. Welcome to the Home of the Ravens
2 years later…
After Jimmy's death, though it was hard for the James clan to pick up the pieces they had to try and move on. Jimmy had to be buried in Tree Hill because he wanted it that way; though at the time Haley hated the fact she had to travel all the way to Tree Hill just to see her father.
Now it's been two years since he died and they had finally decided to move to Tree Hill, not only to be close to Jimmy, but to start all over again. What the James siblings knew about Tree Hill was the fact that both their parents were raised there and it was cool seeing where it all began.
Jimmy's racing days weren't long but he made sure his family would have enough money to take care if ever he left them. So he made good investments that generated so much money than he ever thought he could make. They didn't know that Jimmy had bought a brand new house in Tree Hill until it was mentioned in his will, where they also found out that he was a very wealthy man worth over sixty million dollars.
Haley knew her father had money, what with the exotic cars and speed bikes parked all over the house, but she never knew he was worth that much. Whenever she thought about it, she got pissed off that she couldn't shout at him because he was dead.
They arrived at Tree Hill a week ago and had already settled in to things. Jimmy was lucky enough to get a house on the east side of Tree Hill, where the rich and powerful duelled. Lydia made sure that Haley and Marc were admitted into the prestigious Tree Hill Academy, one of the best private schools in South Carolina.
Taylor and Brian decided to remain in Tree Hill, not just to help their mother but also start all over again. Taylor used part of her inheritance to become a partner at a record store owned by Tree Hill residence, Max Logan and also became a partner at Tric, Tree Hill's hottest club. Brian was finally discharged from the army and he spent a good deal of time in Charleston healing and redeeming himself before joining the rest of the family in Tree Hill. Matt, Justin, Vivian and Quinn all had to go back to their jobs once they were settled but for the mean time they decided to stay.
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Haley James took a good look at her self in the mirror and knew that there was no way on earth she was going to be wearing this item called a uniform anywhere…even if it was to school. It was everything she stood against. Just because her mother wanted her to go to some fancy school didn't mean she had to subject herself to wearing this!
She found herself in a navy blue blazer worn over a white collar shirt and a navy blue plaid pleated skirt that was way too long for her. Then there were the white socks and black shoes she had to where for the next three years of her life.
Really!
It couldn't get any worse than that.
She looked at her reflection again and felt like screaming. Haley James didn't go well with uniforms and dress codes…actually none of the James children did well with both. She was sure Marc would be freaking out in his room but he would just have to deal with his own problems. At least he got a tie! What she got was a navy blue ribbon she had no idea what to do with.
She finally decided that going to the school in the first place would be a complete waste of time. Besides she also got an admission to the other school…even though it was outside Tree Hill and it would be better than wearing a bloody uniform.
"Mum!" she had summoned her pride and confidence to tell her mother that she was not going to Tree Hill Academy and it blew up in her face when all her siblings did was laugh their asses off when she came down to the kitchen.
"Oh my baby," Lydia walked around the large kitchen counter to give her daughter a hug while at the same time ignoring her other children who were making it easier for her not to miss them when some of them leave.
"Mum please," Haley moved back so her mother could see what she was about to subject her to.
"What's wrong honey?"
"What…What's wrong?!" Haley could not believe her mother wasn't seeing what every other person in the kitchen saw. "This!" she illustrated to her oblivious mother, who of course pretended to be oblivious to her daughter's frustration. "It's not me, mum!"
"I never thought the day would come where a James has to wear a uniform," Matt observed from the side of the Kitchen where he was occupied with his morning paper and a cup of coffee. He couldn't help himself from laughing again. "You look like a goody too shoe,"
"See!" she cried. "What the hell I'm I supposed to do with this!" she thrusted the ribbon at Lydia, who couldn't resist the urge to roll her eyes at her teenage daughter. "How come Marc gets a tie and I get this,"
"Oh give it here," Lydia took the ribbon from Haley and decided to put in its rightful place. Lydia hadn't told her children but she and Jimmy had once been students at THA. They left when she found herself pregnant with Matt at sixteen…the same age as her youngest daughter now. "There," she said and stepped back. She turned to her other children with a glacial expression her face once she knew they were going to be insensitive to their little sister.
Haley shook her head when she saw her reflection through the kitchen mirror and turned to Lydia immediately. "I'll give anything…just don't make me wear this! I'm begging," not only did she look like a dork she was now officially crowned when Lydia used the ribbon to make a bow tie on her neck.
"And I thought I had issues," Marc muttered from the Kitchen door. It was very embarrassing standing in front of his siblings who were just basking in his shame. He stood before them in his navy blue blazer, the same as Haley's, a white shirt with a navy blue tie, khaki pants and black shoe.
The pain!
"There he is!" Justin teased and ruffled his little brother's full blond hair. "Dude, you look…what's that thing the British call it?"
"Posh," Vivian said and rolled her eyes. "It really doesn't look that bad if you think about it…" she paused and reconsidered. "On second thought, it does…"
"Holy shit…" Brian said breathlessly as he came with Taylor and Quinn, carrying groceries. He dropped the ones he was carrying and turned back to them. "Is this what you'll wear for THA?" Marc and Haley nodded tiredly. "I'm sorry,"
"It's not that bad!" Lydia cried.
"Mum, excuse if I'm not crazy about my little siblings being subjected to the excruciating idea of wearing three colours for a whole month!" Quinn began seriously while the others rolled their eyes, except Haley and Marc, because they all knew what Quinn was starting. "Let alone three years!"
"Okay!" Lydia snapped when arguments began to fly, all thanks to Quinn and her idealistic ways. "Haley, you and Marc are going to THA and that's it," their heads fell in disappointment. "But I guess we have to trim your skirt a little…and that ribbon," she sighed. "Marc led your sister a tie," they were still trying to argue but she was going to stand her ground…she was the mother after all. "Now you have two months of summer left for you to get to know Tree Hill before school resumes. I suggest you have fun while you're at it,"
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He was going to have fun alright…fun in a very boring town. Marc still wasn't sure why they had to leave Charleston in the first place and move to Tree Hill. The damn house was even pretty far from where the shops were and the neighbourhood was sure to be filled with snobbish, obnoxious asses. But the only good thing about the change was the fact that he could now be closer to Jimmy instead of travelling all the way from Charleston…not that it was a bother.
He had to admit…the house was huge.
It was a classic, modern beauty of a gated Georgian-style mansion. It included 5" nail-down Hardwood espresso and 3" slab stone counter-tops through-out, full bar with indoor water fall, spectacular modern kitchen, library with fireplace, media room, magnificent glass staircases and Creston sound system. A beach entrance pool separates the main home from the two story 3/2 guest house with gym and the pool house.
It also had a state of the art in home theatre with 96" screen projective system, a home office, multiple balconies, giant great room for entertaining; plus 11 bedrooms, 11 bathroom and over 11,880 square feet. Not to talk of the entire estate that made it possible to park their fifteen cars and eleven speed bikes in front of the house and a huge garage to guard the racing cars.
It was huge!
He just stood in front of the house, admiring how big the entire estate was. According to his mother, it had cost his father over 6.5 million dollars and it was the second largest estate on the east side…the largest was The Scott mansion.
"It's huge, isn't it?" Brian said as he put his hands around Marc's shoulder and admired the view with his brother. He had been shocked when he saw the mansion and it hurt a little that Jimmy never had the chance of showing them the mansion himself.
Marc shrugged his shoulders. "I guess," he laughed when Brian slapped him upside his head. "Okay…okay it's huge…too huge as a matter of fact!"
"I know," Brian scratched his head. "Mum says it's okay for me to move into the guest house,"
"How come I have to stay in the mansion with the girls!" It always annoyed him when his brothers treated him like he was a child and keep pairing him with Haley. He loved her, no doubt, but she was a girl and he needed to have guys around him at some point.
Brian knew why his little brother was angry. "Don't worry I told mum you can move in too," Marc grinned. "But I'll need you out in case I come home with a chick,"
Marc rolled his eyes. "I'm heading out…"
"Where's Haley anyway?"
"She's still trying to get herself out of THA," Brian laughed as he and Marc walked to their cars. "I told her we could always break the rules, you know…it's what the James do,"
"You did that in public school," Brian said as he got into his Ferrari. "Now you're going to one of the most prestigious schools in America," Marc got into his SUV truck, turned to his brother and they shared a mischievous smile. "Exactly!"
They started their cars and speed off the estate.
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"And I told mum, you know…but oh no! I have to wear that crap very day…every day dad!" Haley whined while sitting cross legged in front of her father's grave. It was a good thing she came out with her jumper else she would have been freezing her ass off…well she was already feeling cold since she also wore short shorts and sneakers. "Any way I'm planning on going into town and maybe I'll run into Marc…" she smiled when she got up. "I'm glad I get to talk to you whenever I want now," then she felt grass ruffle beneath her feet and the wind wrap warmly around her for a while before it stop. It happened every time she visited him…it was a sign that showed he was still around. "I love you dad…stay safe,"
The grave could be found between the east and west side of Tree Hill because at the end of the day, everyone was buried there. Haley admired the houses on the east side as she walked back to her own mansion. They were really gorgeous houses though the entire neighbour looked too posh for her taste but apparently her father didn't seem to mind. But what got her attention was the gated estate that held two magnificent mansions on one brilliantly unified Mediterranean courtyard. From her calculations, it was about 1.5 acres boasting over 15,000 SF.
Wow!
"That's the Scott Mansion," a voice said behind her and it caused her to startle. "Sorry I startled you,"
Haley pulled her hoodie back and saw a blond haired boy with green eyes looking at her with a smile. "Right," not sure of what else to say. "So…"
He laughed. He wasn't really bad looking. "This must be awkward," he took out his hand for a hand shake. "I'm Tim…Tim Smith. Friends call me Dim…"
She chuckled and shook his hands. "I'm Haley…Haley James. Friends call me Hales…enemies tend to prefer Hades," They laughed again. "So…the Scott Mansion, eh?"
"Yup!" he moved a further to the gate. "It's the largest in Tree Hill…second to the mansion next to mine," Haley wanted to tell him that she actually lived there but thought against it. He turned to her with a big grin on his face. "You seem to be new here…when did you come in?"
"Um…a week ago," she said because that was actually true. "I thought about going into town to meet my brother…"
"Oh really? I was going there myself…I could give you a ride if you want," he said and some how he didn't sound like a perv. "Don't worry I'm not dangerous,"
"Thanks for letting me know," she said smiling at him before they walked side by side away from the Scott Mansion. "So…what kind of car do you drive,"
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Tim opened the door to Karen's café, the only café on the east side, for Haley who immediately fell in love with the place. They took a table by the window, gave their orders and waited for their order.
"You like it?" Tim asked with a smile playing on his lips.
Haley took off her hoodie because the café was very warm and revealed a black t shirt that read 'Me against the Rules'. "Yeah. It reminds me of the little café close to our house back in Charleston,"
His eyes brightened. "You're from Charleston?"
"More or less," she rested her elbows on the table. "My parents were raised in Tree Hill but moved to Charleston when my mum had my elder brother…"
"The one you're waiting for?"
"No. that's my twin brother," she smiled when she saw the flicker of surprise on his face.
"You have a twin?" Seriously. It was major for him because he had never actually come up close and personal with any twin before…ever. "Dude! That's so cool!"
"If you say so," she chuckled. It was good to finally meet someone who didn't look at you like you don't belong. "Anyway…when my dad died," she saw the look on his face. "It was two years ago…a car accident," even then it still wasn't easy for her to talk about it.
Tim did see it affected her. "I lost my mum too when I was five but I guess that doesn't count for anything, does it?"
"It does," she said and held his hands across the table much to his surprise. "There's nothing more tragic than losing someone you love," they were headed towards a sad topic and she really didn't want that to fill their day. She smiled. "After my dad died…my mum decided we move back to Tree Hill,"
"Wow,"
"I know! How long have you been here?" she asked with excitement when their order was served. They had ordered for some burgers and fries with soft drinks. It looked and smelled delicious that she had to control herself and her stomach that was already grumbling.
"I've been here all my life," Tim said as they started digging in. "I go to Tree Hill Academy…it's not that far…" he paused when she saw her staring at him. "What? Have I got ketchup on my face?"
"You go to THA?" he nodded. "Oh my God…I'm starting there after summer!" Haley brain was going on over drive. Maybe now it wouldn't be so bad since Tim and Marc are going to be there with her.
"Really?"
"Yeah but I'm not crazy about the uniform thingy," she said sadly before going back to her fries.
"Don't worry. As time goes by you'll get used to it,"
They both had so many things to talk about while eating that they hadn't even noticed it was getting dark. Haley found out that Tim was starting off his sophomore year with her and he was going to tryout for the Tree Hill Ravens. Apparently basketball happened to be a big deal in Tree Hill, just like in Charleston. She also found out that his father re-married and had three more children but he only talked more about one of them, a girl.
Haley tried to ward Tim from knowing where she lived but he didn't seem to take no for answer. It wasn't a surprise that he was speechless when he found out that his new neighbour was in fact, Haley.
"Holy Shit," He swore as he and Haley came down from his SUV and stood in front of her gate. "It's huge!"
"I know…but my dad loved showing off," she said and she put her hoodie back on.
"It's beautiful," he said with an air of admiration. "Really it is,"
"Your house is beautiful too," she saw him smile.
"Yeah. My mum was pretty good when it came to houses," It made him sad that the house he once felt love and warmth wasn't what it used to be.
She saw his mood change. "Do you want to come in?"
"Na…some other time," he said and then they stood in silence contemplating if they should end their night with a hand shake or a hug because they had already decided in their minds that they would make good friends. "God…we are crazy, aren't we?" Haley giggled. "Come here," they hugged each other before he got into his car and waved her goodbye.
Today wasn't bad at all as she thought with a smile before dialling on the intercom.
"James residence, can I help you?" Haley rolled her eyes when she heard Taylor voice from the intercom.
"Taylor, open the damn gate,"
"I'm sorry do I know you?"
"Taylor!"
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Tim Smith entered his house to see that his family were already leaving the dinner table. It wasn't the first time that they had started without him but each time it happened it hurt. Ever since his mother died, he and his father had become more distance than ever and it got worse when he married his step-mother without even talking to him about it.
It was a ten that Tim finally realised that his father had actually married his mother just for her money not for love. Knowing that didn't seem to erase the pain he felt each time he though of the many ways his mother must have tried to please his father.
He didn't bother going into the dinning room because it would have been a pointless journey and a complete waste of his energy. He opened his door with his key and shut it behind him when he was inside. He loved his privacy to the extent he locked his room when he wasn't around…he didn't want any member of his family going through his life.
His room was mostly filled with pictures of his mother and souvenirs from the Ravens. As a teenager, you'll expect to find posters of naked women on his wall; Tim had cartons full of adult films and magazines which he used in his private living room but never in his room. It wouldn't have been right with his mother's picture hanging everywhere.
A knock came on his door when he took off his shirt.
"Hi Tim," a little voice said from the door and Tim's heart melted. "I brought you your dinner,"
Tim sat on his bed and motioned for her to come in. she came in with a plate of paste he knew she had told the chef to make. "Thanks, Kayla," she was only six but was smarter than all her siblings…including him.
"I'm sorry we started dinner before you got back," she whispered as he took the plate from her and placed it on the other side of the bed before lifting her to his lap. She immediately put her arm around his shoulder and smiled up at him. "You know the new big house next door? Some one is in it now,"
"I know…I met one of them today,"
"You did?" he knew she would be envious because she loved being the first to know things before anyone. "Can I go see them tomorrow?"
He pretended to think about it. "Hum…I don't know,"
"Pretty please! I promise I will behave!"
"Okay…okay, are you trying to take my ear off," he smiled when she laughed. He loved making her happy…it was the only thing, as a brother, he knew how to do. His eyes flew to the door when it opened to reveal his little sister, Laura. "What do you want?" he asked coldly.
She ignored his question like he wasn't even in the room. "Kayla, mum said you should come to bed, she wants to tuck you in,"
But Kayla gripped Tim's shoulder and shook her head. "Uh uh. Tim always tucks me in," she turns to Tim. "You promised you will!"
"And I plan to keep it as soon as umpa leaves my room," Tim said and he and Kayla shared a secret smile.
"Listen I don't give a shit…"
"Neither do we!" Tim snapped. "Get out and tell Gloria that Betty is a nanny not a mother to her child," Tim had gotten used to his younger siblings looking down on him that in turn he knew how to push their buttons. "Get. Out. Now," he grounded out.
"Whatever!" she screeched and banged the door.
"I want you to read me Cinderella tonight!" Kayla carried on like Laura never walked in.
"I read that to you last night,"
"But I had to watch you sleep without getting to the end!"
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Marc was driving home when he came across a couple of guys playing on a basketball court. He hadn't really enjoyed the game since Jimmy died but something seemed to pull him in, so he parked his car and walked to the court. There were only three of them on the court shooting hoops and immediately he felt an amazing urge to put one through the hoop.
"You need an extra man?" he asked when the ball one of the boys threw bounced over the rim and over to Marc. He bounced it once and passed back to the black boy.
"You from the upper east side?" he asked. Marc knew they had gone from looking at him to looking at his car. "You must be new around here,"
"You got a problem with that?"
"Na…just curious," he said and passed the ball to Marc. "Yeah… we need an extra man…Fergie here's been getting on my nerve with his weak ass layouts," once he said that Marc shot the ball from the three pointer and it went smoothly into the hoop. He turned to his friends. "Jake, it's you and Fergie and it's me and him,"
"Chicken shit," Jake muttered with a smile tugging at his lips. "Hi, I'm Jake Jageleski…the chicken shit, his Antwone Tyler but we call him Skills and that's Fredrick Luton…"
"Man, don't call me that," Fergie said as he shook hands with Marc. "It's Fergie…just Fergie,"
Marc smiled back at them. "I'm Marc James…just moved in a week ago,"
"You own the big ass mansion, right?" Skills asked as they stayed in position to start the game.
"Yup…my dad loved to show off," Marc said with a fond smile. "He would have gotten one bigger than the Scott Mansion if there was one,"
Once Marc started playing he knew his love for the game never really faded and some how felt his father watching him.
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Steph!
