So, sorry for the late update. I know I promised many of you this on Friday or Sunday at the latest. My intention was to finish it Friday, and send it to my Beta so that I could hopefully post it Saturday or Sunday. But, my sister popped down from college for a visit and wound up taking up all my time. So, I did finish this chapter Sunday night, but I still had to send it to my Beta to proofread. So, again sorry. And, for future reference, I try to get chapters out when I say, but something always seems to happen. So, probably plan for chapters a day or so later than I originally say. Please, REVIEW!
Thank you to Brucas2006 (my Beta), all my reviewers, and all those who read the story! Enjoy!
Next chapter will be Brooke, B.L., Jake, and most likely Jenny.
Oh, and this chapter is the backstory to those in Tree Hill, much like the first chapter is the backstory to Brooke. So, this is not how most chapters will be.
A lot had changed in Tree Hill over the course of four years. Some left, with the idea of never returning. Others moved off to college, with the thought of returning afterwards. But most of all, people left to start their lives; leaving Tree Hill a distant memory, but still in their hearts.
Lucas Scott had big hopes for his future, as does everyone. He dreamt of playing college ball at Duke, getting a full ride through college. He imagined his dream girl there next to him as he won MVP at his last college basketball game. He would get recruited to the NBA and be able to make money doing what he loved. Maybe he would write a book and become a world famous author, too. Wherever life would take him, he'd be fine, as long as he had that one person to share it with next to him. Too bad, he hadn't realized that until after she'd left for New York, after they were officially and forever done. Nope, Lucas Scott was too blind to see that the curly-blonde he called his girlfriend was never going to be able to fill the huge shoes of his Cheery. And, unfortunately for him, no one ever would be able to take her place in his heart. His heart was forever going to belong to Brooke Davis.
Luke loved basketball with a vengeance, but after discovering his heart condition, he knew no college would take a player who could only play 15 minutes a game. Because of that, he definitely wouldn't be getting a full ride into college. Without the full ride, the eldest Scott couldn't afford to attend college. His mom just had Lilly and he couldn't burden her with his financial issues. Instead, the young man agreed to accompany Whitey to the small college right outside of the Tree Hill City limits. Nathan and Haley along with baby James planned to attend there, so at least he would be constantly around family. Lucas thought that having them around would be a good thing. And, at least the college was close enough so that Lucas could visit his mom and baby sister.
With the money he earned as assistant coach, Lucas could attend college part-time. He started off taking classes needed for an English major. About two years after leaving Tree Hill, Lucas finally found a company that was willing to publish his book. My first and last book judging by my writer's block. After Brooke left Tree Hill, it seems that the brooder had lost his muse. He had been stuck in a rut the past four years, with no hope of ever getting out of it. Knowing that his inspiration would most likely never come back, Lucas Scott decided that since he was unable to have a field in sports or writing, he would go for the next best thing; sports writing. It was hard to convince his college counselor to change his career path half way through his course, but he had managed it. Literature for the 21st Centaury classes turned into Journalism classes. Lucas had no desire to be in front of the camera, he merely wanted to go to the games and type up the reports. It was one of the few subjects that he seemed able to write about.
Peyton was headed off to Los Angeles to dive head first into the music business. The two decided to try the whole "long distance" thing. She was going to be surrounded by the best of the best in the business. Peyton started off very low in the totem pole, but she hoped that soon she would be much higher up. Moving halfway across the country was just what Peyton Sawyer needed. It helped heal her in ways. Ian, her stalker, had been locked up for some time, but still being in Tree Hill brought back all the terrifying memories. Moving to California helped swipe those events from her memory completely. Peyton had kept in touch with Haley, Nathan, and of course Lucas via telephone and occasional visits. But, after Lucas made the decision of her or Brooke, what was the beginning of a new friendship had been dashed. Peyton had of course understood. The blonde surely wouldn't have wanted to hang around Brooke had Luke chosen her. But, luckily, he hadn't and Peyton was so grateful for that. He seemed to be the one constant in her life. Although she had won the boy, Peyton missed her best friend. Sure, Haley was always there, but she didn't have the history that Peyton and Brooke had. History. There was just too much bad history between the two former best friends; apparently, too much to overcome. Peyton tried calling once or twice and when Brooke never answered, she gave up. I gave up trying. Why put all my energy into a friendship that was a one-way street? But, Peyton knew she was thinking bullshit. She was the one to ruin their friendship, both times. Looks like she will never learn.
Two years out of high school Peyton was still delivering mail and running errands for her asshole of a boss. The morning that everything changed started out like any other. She woke up at 5 am to her blaring alarm clock. The blonde took a shower, got ready, and grabbed a cup of coffee before darting out the door. Peyton was in the office by 6 am and started her day of nonstop work. Around noon, Peyton's phone rang right in the middle of sorting the mail. Thankful for a minute of rest, she opened the phone without checking the caller. Little did she know that her boyfriend was on the other line. Playful banter was exchanged between the two. When the curly-blonde turned around, who was there? Well, none other than Lucas Scott. She promised Lucas that she'd meet him for dinner, but that she needed to get back to work. Hours later, she rushed into the proposed restaurant, late from being held up at the office. She spotted the brooder sitting at a small table. He was dressed in a suit, wringing his napkin in his hands, obviously nervous. She smiled at the flustered Lucas before walking towards him. They were just starting dinner when she was called back to work. Promising to be no longer than an hour, she ran out of the restaurant, not noticing the saddened look on Luke's face. The rest of that evening was a blur to Peyton. There was something about a hotel and yelling for being late, past midnight. Everything was hazy except for that one moment, the moment when Lucas Scott proposed to her. Peyton sat dumbstruck. Did he really just ask that? And, at now of all times? Lucas stood kneeling in front of her for over 5 minutes before she answered, "No, Luke, you can't propose. We can't do this! No, I'm sorry, just no!" The blonde quickly gathered up her things and left, the door slamming shut. Lucas hitched himself into the chair Peyton occupied minutes before. What was going through her mind in those minutes of silence before she answered?
Well, Peyton Sawyer's mind was racing with flashbacks. Some were of her and Lucas. Others were Brooke and Peyton throughout the years. But, mainly the memories consisted of a tall brunette boy with a baby in his arms; Jake.
I can't marry Lucas! I never got over Jake, did I? Jake's the one for me and he always has been. How could I have been so blind before? I never truly loved Lucas like I loved Jake. I ruined my friendship with Brooke over a boy I don't even want to spend the rest of my life with! How stupid could I be? Oh, he's still waiting. How do I tell him without crushing him? Although, I think he knows I'm not his forever. At least, I hope he figures it out soon.
She left Lucas Scott behind that night and hadn't seen or talked to him since. She would occasionally call Haley, but since that night, the phone calls came less frequently. She didn't want to listen to Haley's questions on when she was returning home. And, she especially didn't want to hear about how she changed since moving to Los Angeles. After the turned down proposal between her and Lucas, Peyton seemed to drop off the face of the earth, at least it seemed that way to her friends back in Tree Hill.
Lucas Scott returned to Tree Hill slightly let down, but amazingly he wasn't upset. He knew that while he loved Peyton, she didn't control his heart. And, she never had. Only one girl had ever held that position, Brooke Davis. Lucas sighed. She would never want to see him again. She had given him countless chances and he blew all of them. Once again, Lucas Scott made a promise with himself; he promised that if he ever got another chance with Brooke, he would never let her go, and this time he meant it.
While his older brother was seriously deep in love issues, for the most part Nathan Scott's life was pretty prefect. He had a wife that he loved beyond words and an adorable little boy. Nathan and Haley went to the small community college where Whitey was coaching. Nathan put most of his focus on basketball. But, with Haley there by his side, he still did fairly well in his classes. Knowing that he wanted to play in the NBA, Nathan chose to major in American History. It seemed to be the easiest major with the least amount of credits needed. And, after all, he already knew what he wanted to do.
Haley had a lot more to balance than most college students. Her husband was constantly on the go, whether it be to basketball practice, games, or classes. She loved him more than anything, but missed him, as he wasn't around as much. But, she knew that he was just trying to make a life for them and follow his dreams. Haley sure had her hands full with Jamie throughout college too. For the first year, she just took care of James, but upon encouragement from Nathan, she started taking classes. Jamie headed to daycare 3 days a week to start off with, and it slowly increased until Haley too was taking on a full course load. Afraid that her son would think that she didn't want to spend time with him, Haley set aside time every day for the two of them. Promising herself that as soon as she got her degree she would stay at home with him until he started school, Haley started concentrating more on schoolwork and less on feeling guilty. Besides, Jamie seemed to love daycare! He met other kids his age, which was hard when living in the dorm at the college his parent's attended. The fours years passed quickly, and before either of them knew it, Haley and Nathan graduated from college. The two decided it would be best to raise Jamie in Tree Hill among family, or at least, their family. Lucas was planning on moving back there, and Deb was still living in Tree Hill.
Four years later and here everyone was. Haley was teaching English at Tree Hill High School. Nathan was recovering from an accident that left him in a wheelchair, but he was now strong and reconditioning for the NBA. Lucas was a sportswriter for Sports Illustrated, covering games in North Carolina and the lower East Coast. Peyton was still in Los Angeles, although, her location was about to change. Jake was up in New York, having a lot of success as a well-known architecture. And, Brooke was taking the fashion world by storm with her cheery attitude and enthusiasm.
Their lives for the most part seemed on track, or at least as close to it as was possible. Though, as they all knew, nothing good seemed to last for long, especially when it involved these six young adults.