Chapter 06 – The Reason

Tric was all jammed packed, and everything was looking perfect. Nathan, Lucas, Chase, Mouth and Skillz were all standing at the bar, looking at the kids and enjoying their beers.

"Wow man…Haley and Peyton did an awesome job here!" Skillz said feeling good to be back in Tric again, "I just missed that place so much."

"My feeling is the same; I just remember that day when me and Nathan did a karaoke on that song… she busts a move," Chase added.

"I remember it too; you called my wife hot right in front me," Nathan said remembering the moment, it was a fun.

"Don't you think it's time for Mia to perform," Lucas asked Chase.

"Yeah, it's time; trust me, I can't wait to see my wife perform here once again."

"I was about to say the same thing," Nathan said and everyone laughed.

Andy and Copper were sittings at nearby stools enjoying their beers. Over the years, they became good friends.

"So how it's going," Cooper asked Andy, who was quietly watching Lily and Vanessa.

"Just thinking….when Lily and Vanessa will leave, the house will become so empty…..I am going to miss their fights."

"Yeah I can understand, for me the funny thing is that, my nephew's son is now going to college, and mine is just in middle school."

"Well… your time will come sooner than you think."

"Yeah I know…..life is short and fast." Cooper said shaking his head, "You really love your girls."

"Yeah I am so proud of them, even they aren't mine, I still feel very lucky to have them in my life."

"Just as we wanted…party is going so well, and everyone is enjoying," Peyton said looking at the whole crowd backstage.

"Yeah, love to see them so happy, and I think it's almost time, we have to start performances and by the way, where the hell is Brook?" Haley was now getting worried that Brook will not be going to make it… but then she saw Brook coming inside with the company of Samantha.

"Don't you worry tutor mom…do you think I'll miss my Godson's graduation party," Brook said and hugged both her friends

"I was about to call the cops," Haley said with a fake anger.

"Don't worry; we came with a cop."

Everyone knew that Brook was talking about Jack Daniels.

"I'm so glad that you and Jack also came to this party?" Haley said turning to Sam, "Where is Jack?"

"He is with guys right now," Sam told Haley, "I wish you would have arranged a party like that on my graduation."

"Sorry for that, but trust me as your teacher, I am so proud of you, I always thought you would become a writer or journalist but never had a clue that you'll become a doctor one day."

"You and Brook saved me….. So I wanted to save the other, that was I became a doctor," Sam knew that if it wasn't for Haley and Brook, she never would have had such a good life.

"It's always great to have a doctor in family," Peyton added and everyone smiled.

"Ok you all stop flattering me, where are Jamie and Lily?"

"With their friends…you know it might be the last time they'll be together, so they are spending as much time together." Haley said looking at the kids.

While Lily was talking to her friends, Tina came to her.

"Wow Lily, that's an awesome dress!" Tina said looking at Lily's dress.

"Thanks, your dress is also awesome and where's Andre?"

"He's trying his best to hide from Vanessa and Brook," Tina said laughing remembering their time at COB, "Just kidding…. He is with the guys."

"Just can't believe we finally passed high school…..I'll always be going to remember those four years of my life."

"Every one of us will remember those four years," Tina said and they both saw Vanessa and Andre coming towards them.

"I guess things work out between you two," Lily said looking at both of them.

"Yes… but all of you have to admit it, if I didn't stop Lily from buying the first dress she was buying, she wouldn't be looking so hot," Andre said looking at Lily's dress.

"Your girlfriend is standing right front of you?" Vanessa warned, "Do you want to run again."

Everyone laughed at Vanessa's comment, and while they were talking, Jamie also joined in along with Lita.

"Hey everyone, I want you to meet Lita, she's new in Town," Jamie introduced Lita to his friends.

"So you are Lita, Jamie told us about you." Lily said shaking Lita's hand.

"I heard about you all, so good to see all of you… and I'm having a great time here."

While kids were talking, Nathan and Lucas decided to have a little time with them.

"Are you guys having fun," asked Nathan.

"Yes dad, by far I love it, and I can't wait to see mom sing here."

"Wait a minute!" Lita said with her eyes and mouth wide open, "Is he your dad?"

"Yes…he is my dad?" Jamie said with a beat-up voice and everyone struggled to hold their laugh.

"I thought your mom looked younger, but your dad…"

Nathan and Lucas looked at each other and smiled; she wasn't the first one to make that comment.

"Wow, look at Jenny Jagielski!" Andre said looking at Jenny entering the Tric, and drawing everyone's attention towards her.

Jenny was wearing a red strapped dress and had curls in her blonde hairs and looking totally hot; every guy was steering at her, making many girls jealous of her. She spots them and came towards them.

"That's not fair Jenny," Lily said with a bad face to her best friend.

"What's not fair?" Jenny asked having no clue.

"I was supposed to look hotter in this party."

"Oh I'm so sorry," Jenny said with a fake apologizing face.

"Ok it's accepted but I'm still mad at you for coming late."

"But I'm here didn't I…"

"I'm also here for you…. Lily baby!" someone said from behind, but Lily knew who that person was, and that was the last person she wanted to see.

"NAT!!!" Lily was furious, "WHO THE HELL INVITED YOU HERE?"

Nathan Smith, the son of Tim and Bevin was as much annoying as his father once was, and he had a biggest crush on Lily.

"Baby, I just wanted to see you."

"You did, so get the hell out of here before I call security, and you know my mom own this place."

"Please Lily let me stay here, I promise I won't bother anyone," Nat pleaded.

"What the hell is that jerk doing in here," one of the guys spoke; everyone was pissed having Nat there. Lucas saw the tension, so he grabbed Nat's arm.

"Nat, did anyone invite you?" asked Lucas.

"No, Coach Scott," Nat admitted.

"Please Nat, I know you want to have fun and trust me, you'll have your chance next year, but now you have to leave."

"Ok, I guess you are right." Nat surrendered.

"Also Nat…don't you dare to go to that strip bar again." Lucas warned Nat.

"Trust me Coach Scott, I'll never go there…..I should have listened to my dad's advice."

"What advice?" Lucas was curious, what kind of Advice Tim could have given to his son.

"When my dad knew I went to strip club he told me never to go back to that place again, or else I'll see something there that I don't want to see."

"That's a good advice."

"But Coach Scott… I didn't pay attention to his advice and went to strip bar again and guess what…I really saw something that I didn't want to see."

"What did you saw?" Lucas was curious.

"My Dad…" Nat said in embarrassment and everyone who was there began laughing hard; well, what could they expect from Tim and Nat.

"So it's time… are you ready to perform Mia," Peyton asked looking at the clock.

"I'm all set," Mia was all dressed up to perform.

"Ok both of you, it's time to start the party," Karen said to both Haley and Peyton, and they came out on the dice and Peyton took the microphone.

"May I have your attention please," Peyton announced and everyone drew their attention to her.

"I welcome all graduates of Tree Hill High class 2022 here; as you know, this party is given in your honor," everyone cheered and applauded, "Tonight I have with me my very good friend, she was my first artist whom I worked with, and now she is selling her records all over the world, I present to you Mia Catalano."

Mia came out and the whole crowd cheered. It was nothing new to Mia, but today it felt so great. She took the microphone.

"Hi everyone, you don't know how happy I'm to be here once again. I started my journey from here, and I met so many great people here, this is my song from my new upcoming album, and it's dedicated to all of you."

Mia began singing her song, it was a slow melodious song and as expected it was an amazing song, everyone who was there, caught in the song.

"Damn, where is Richie!" Jamie said to himself but his friends heard him.

"Now you mentioned him; we also want to meet yours mystery friend," Andre said looking at Jamie's tense face.

"Yeah I also want to meet him." Lily said as she was also curious to meet Richie.

"Ok, I'll call him," Jamie took out his cell, but before he can call Richie, he saw him at the entrance talking to one of the attendants.

"He's here; I think he's having a trouble getting in," Jamie said and walked towards the entrance, "He's my friend, I invited him."

"I was just checking, sir," Attended said looking at the guest list, "Yes sir, his name is on the guest list, he can enter."

"Fine, it's good that you are doing your job," Jamie said to attended and welcomed Richie.

"Wow it's a nice party." Richie said looking at his surroundings.

"What took you so long?"

"Just business...."

"Ok... just forget it; I'm glad that you came, and want you to meet my friends."

Jamie took Richie where everyone was waiting for them.

"Hello everyone I want you guys to meet my friend Richie Ryan," Jamie introduced Richie to everyone.

"Hey nice to meet you, we are all anxious to meet you." Andre said to Richie shaking his hand.

"Yeah I wanted to meet you guys to…Wait a minute is this Mia Catalano singing?"

Richie noticed Mia singing, he was her biggest fan.

"Yes it's her?" Jamie assured.

"Man….You should have told me before, that's awesome!" Richie exclaimed, "Ok let me have a drink."

Mia finished her song; the crowd cheered and demanded her to sing at least once more. Mia gave a look at Peyton, and she gave her the signal that Mia should continue.

"Ok…for you guys, here is another song. That was my first song that I recorded, so here we go…." Whole crowd cheered and Mia began singing her second song.

"Where is Jenny?" asked Jamie to Lily.

"I think she went for a drink," Lily said, "Is there something wrong?"

"No…I was just asking?" Jamie said but then spots Jenny sitting on a stool having her drink and to his surprise Richie was with her.

"Wow these two together….it's interesting." Jamie said to himself and then began walking towards them.

"Hey, what's going on?" Jamie asked them both.

"Nothing much, it's just we began talking and realized we have so many things in common," Jenny said sipping on her beer.

"I never knew I could be a matchmaker!" Jamie exclaimed and both Jenny and Richie face turned red.

"Stop being so smitten," Jenny said as she knew that Jamie was teasing them…but Richie was no doubt an interesting guy.

"Yeah man…..we were just talking, and besides I'm leaving tomorrow."

Mia finished her second song and Peyton took the microphone again.

"Everyone, give Mia a big applause," everyone clapped and Mia went backstage thanking everyone. .

"Now it's time to introduce you to someone who is no stranger to you, I present to you your very own Haley James Scott."

Haley came on the stage and whole crowd went crazy.

"Hey that's my mom!" Jamie shouted.

"And my wife!" Nathan shouted right after his son

Haley smiled at everyone; she was as excited as everyone, it was a big day for her. She has to perform in front of her students, whom she spent four years with, and shared so many great moments.

"Thank you everyone, you don't know how excited I 'm to be here; just want to say I had best four years with you, and I'm going to miss you all," a little tear fell from her eye. It wasn't the first time she has to say good bye to her students, but this was the best class she ever taught. "I wanna wish you all a very bright future, and I'm dedicating this song to every one of you."

Music started and Haley began singing her song, and within no time everyone was caught in the rhythm of that song. It was a very emotional song and almost, many of the graduates, their parents and other teachers had tears in their eyes… no matter what the occasion is, saying goodbye always bring tears.

Jamie was quietly listing to his mother's song; someone put its hand on his shoulder. Jamie turned around and saw Brook standing behind him.

"Hi Aunt Brook, isn't mom amazing."

"Yes… she is amazing," Brook said to her godson, "Ok I have to leave; I have a plane to catch."

"Yeah I know Aunt Brook… but I'm glad that you came."

"I'm also glad too that I came, but now I have to leave."

"Ok see you soon…bye"

While Haley was singing and everyone was enjoying listing to her, someone came inside the Tric but immediately stopped by the attended.

"Hey mister, do you have an invitation," asked the attendant.

"Why do I need an invitation," asked that man.

"Listen, this is a private party, you can only get inside if you're a family member or invited."

"I'm a family…here's my ID."

Attendant checked the ID and returned.

"Sorry Mr. Scott, you can proceed."

He smiled and entered… after all he was Dan Scott, the dirtiest player in the game.

Haley finished her song and everyone cheered and clapped to their last limit, they totally loved her. Peyton came and took the microphone back.

"Ok that was Haley Scott, We are taking a short break, but there's so much more to come so say tune." Peyton left the stage and came to Lucas.

"Hey, I was really missing my wife!"

"I know…So glad that everything went so great."

While they were talking Nathan and Haley also joined them.

"You were amazing." Lucas complemented his best friend.

"Thanks, I can't describe the feeling what I'm having, I'm happy as well as sad."

"I know exactly what you're feeling…" Lucas said looking at all the kids; he knew that he and Haley will miss them.

"Ok let have some drink," Nathan announced and everyone realized that they really needed one.

As Brook was about to leave, she was approached by Lily.

"Hey Brook do you have a minute; I promise I won't take much of your time."

"No it's ok," Brook stopped.

"I want you to have this," Lily handed her the money.

"What the hell is this?" Brook was confused.

"It's the rest of the money for that dress, I'm sorry that I caused you so much trouble."

"No…I'm not taking it." Brook returned Lily the money.

"Please, you have to take this money, or I'll think you haven't forgiven me," Lily just handed her the money back.

"Lily... you don't have to do that, it wasn't a big deal."

"I know you have big heart; I promise I'll try my best to be sober next time I come to cloths over bros."

"I hope so," Brook said smiling, she knew that Lily can't be sober.

"Are we friends again."

"Yes we are…..I must be moving, or I'll never catch the plane." Brook said and left the Tric.

Lily was about to go back to party Dan came and put his hand on her shoulder. Lily turned around and when she saw it was Dan, she immediately threw his hand away from her shoulder; she couldn't believe that Dan has touched her.

"HOW DARE YOU!" Lily shouted to her extreme and got everyone's attention including the Scotts. Lucas felt the rage boiling inside him and Nathan's feeling wasn't very different. Dan Scott knew exactly how to ruin the perfect moment… Karen also saw it and immediately came to her daughter's defense.

"YOU SON OF A…HOW DARE YOU TO TOUCH MY DAUGHTER!" Karen screamed at Dan.

"She's also my niece," Dan reminded his relation with Lily.

"You are nothing to me…the day you killed my father, you lost that right," Lily yelled in rage, "To me you are a murderer…get the hell away from me."

"Please Lily, I know what I did, and I regret it, but trust me, I want to make amends for what I have done."

"Say those words to someone who don't know you…..I know very well who you are."

Lucas also came and grabbed Dan.

"I think you heard my mom and sister, I don't want to be rough so just get the hell out of here." Lucas threatened and all Dan could see in his son's eyes was pure hatred for him.

"I'm not going anywhere…" Dan was in no mood to surrender.

While this much heated argument was going on, Nathan grabbed Jamie from arm and took him to a corner.

"Is that your doing?" Nathan demanded, as Jamie was the only person who was close to Dan.

Before Jamie could answer, Haley also came there.

"Haley please, I don't want you here to defend your son."

"No I'm not here to defend him; I also want to ask him the same question."

"Mom, dad…….give me a break, do you think I 'm that stupid," Jamie snapped back at his parents, he couldn't believe his parents can accuse him for this, "I know unlike you, I do care for grandpa, but honestly do you think I would invite him to ruin this party after everything mom and aunt Peyton had done…"

Nathan and Haley realized that Jamie was right.

"Ok son, we are sorry, it's just he was the last person we wanted to see here."

"I know, but let me handle this." Jamie said to both his parents.

"Listen Jamie, stay back, I'll deal with it myself."

"By only making this scene more entertaining…" Jamie stopped his father, "Trust me dad, I'm the only person who can get to Grandpa Dan."

Jamie was right, he was the only person who can get to Dan and Nathan knew that, even he didn't like it at all.

"Fine, I want him out of here!"

"He'll be, trust me dad," Jamie said and went where Dan and Lucas were arguing.

"I just can't believe it, he really had guts to come here," Haley said, she wasn't happy at all, in fact nobody was happy.

"Trust me Haley; Dan is perfect for running everything that's good."

While Dan was verbally fighting with both Lucas and Karen, Jamie came from behind and grabbed Dan by the arm. Dan tried to let go, but his grandson was not six years old anymore.

"Jamie…what the hell are you doing?" Dan roared.

"Grandpa Dan, you're making fool of yourself," Jamie said in low voice.

"I'm not making any fool of myself; I have every right to be here."

"Please grandpa, just come outside so we can talk."

"No chance, I'm not leaving," Dan was not in a mood to leave.

"Please grandpa, come outside…for my sake," Jamie pleaded and Dan melted.

"Ok, but I have to tell you it isn't over."

Jamie and Dan came outside.

"Grandpa, what was the meaning of that," Jamie was also angry, "You know what everyone thinks of you, and you just keep doing same things again."

"I want them to forgive me, that all I want."

"Yeah grandpa, you really have an excellent way for asking for apology." Jamie said shaking his head.

"Then what do you expect me to do..." Dan yelled, "No one beside you talks to me, I want a same relations with all my grandchildren and my niece."

"I know, you regret what have you done, but trust me some crimes are too big to be forgiven."

"But all I want is just one chance…"

"Please grandpa this is not a place or time to prove anything; just wait for the right time"

"I've been waiting for last eighteen years, and now I'm tired of waiting"

"It's not up to me, I have given you second chance, but I can't speak for the other and please grandpa, for my sake leave, I'm begging you."

"Fine I'll leave." Dan knew that it was a waste of time, "Can I just ask you one thing."

"What's now?"

"I know you'll be leaving day after tomorrow, I want you to spend a little time with me at the beach house."

Before Jamie could answer, Nathan came out, and he wasn't looking very happy.

"HELL HE WON'T!" Nathan yelled coming in between Jamie and Dan.

"I think I had enough with Lucas, I don't need you too," Dan said looking at his other son.

"I also don't want any argument with you, so get the hell out of here."

"Please Jamie!" Dan gave a look at Jamie.

"Do I have to do something else for you to leave…" Nathan was about to become physical but Jamie got in between.

"Please grandpa just leave" Jamie was now getting tired of all this, "I'll tell you when I'll make my mind."

"Ok fine… and screw every one of you" Dan said and left.

"I'm sorry dad!"

"Son, don't be sorry for that jerk…come inside."

Jamie fallowed Nathan back to Tric; everyone inside was relieved to see that Dan wasn't coming. Peyton came to stage.

"Please everyone, I know that things got unpleasant for a few minutes, but now it's over, we are here to celebrate and that we are going to do."

Everyone got back to party and soon everything got normal.

The Final performance also ended, and party was now almost over.

Peyton came on the stage to close the show.

"I'm so thankful to everyone who came, I enjoyed my time here, and I know everyone of you also did," Everyone cheered. "Ok with this I close this party, and I wish you all good luck for the future."

All graduated began thanking their teachers; most of them had tears in their eyes.

It was a very emotional moment for everyone. Peyton came to Nathan.

"You were good at the stage," Nathan said looking at tired Peyton.

"Thanks, but right now my throat is all dried out, I think I need a drink."

"Ok, do you have any word from Larry?"

"Yes, I just called him; all kids are sleeping right now."

"Fine, I'll pick my kids."

Skillz was standing beside the bar Mouth came to him.

"That was an awesome night." Mouth began the conversation.

"Yes it was awesome, except for that jerk."

"I agree…"

"So…how you and Millie doing?"

"Great, we are having a good life with our son."

"Yeah, I'm also having a good life with my daughter."

"Yeah, I want to meet her, she was so little when I saw her."

"Don't worry, I'm here for good, you can meet her anytime."

While they were talking Millie also came.

"Hi Skillz…" Millie gave Skillz a little hug, "Ok Mouth, we have to leave as we have to pick face from your parents."

"Face!!!" Skillz said in surprise, "You call your kid Face?"

"Yeah," Mouth said smiling, "He got this nickname right after me, and he loves it."

"Our kids are really fallowing in our footsteps."

Andy and Karen were at back stage.

"You look tired," Andy said looking at his wife.

"I'm fine…"

"Are you alright…I mean what just happened with Dan."

"Yeah I'm fine, forget about him."

Andy decided not to talk about it anymore now...but something has to be done for Dan.

"So, you two are here," Vanessa said coming inside.

"Are you and Lily finished?" Andy asked.

"Well…we are finished here but Lily is planning something else."

"What this girl has in mind right now," Karen said holding her head

"No, I think it's a great idea," Vanessa assured Karen that she wasn't planning anything stupid, "I just came here to see if the micro phone isn't plugged out, you can hear it from her."

"Ok, let's see what our daughter has in mind," Karen said walking out of the backstage.

Jamie was now standing with Lita.

"Thanks for such a great night."

"I told you that you'll love it."

"Ok, my mom is going to pick me up."

"Your mom…I was supposed to drop you."

"I know, it's just my mom is so dying to meet your mom, and to be honest, I was having second thoughts, it was my mom who pushed me to go with you."

"But, you did enjoy here."

"Yes, I had so much fun."

As they were Haley and Nathan came to them.

"Lita, your mom is here." Haley said and Lita left saying goodbye.

"She seems like a good girl." Nathan said waiting Lita leave.

"Mom you look kind of scary," Jamie said looking at his mother.

"What do you mean?" Haley frowned.

"Haley…" Nathan said holding his laugh, "Just look at the mirror."

Haley took out the small mirror from her purse and then totally shocked to see that her make up was almost ruined by the tears she was having while saying goodbye to her students.

"Ok give me a minute." Haley said and walked towards washroom, while Jamie and Nathan were joined by Copper and Deb.

"Are we finished here?" Cooper asked.

"Yes, we are about to leave."

"What about the kids," Deb asked, "Should I pick them up?"

"No mom, Haley and I decided to pick kids up." Nathan answered.

"Ok then Cooper and I are leaving; we'll meet you at home.

Richie also came to Jamie.

"Thanks man, that party was awesome."

"I'm so glad that you came."

"Yeah...me too, but now I have to leave."

"Yeah I know…" Jamie said in low voice, Richie was the one person who really became his good friend within no time and he wasn't sure if he'll ever meet him again.

Lily came on the stage and took the microphone.

"Hello everyone…" Lily announced and everyone turned towards her, "I know all of you are tired, but I think there's still something we need to do."

Everyone started guessing what Lily is planning.

"About eighteen years ago, when my brother Lucas along with other who graduated at that time, they went to river court and wrote something on its floor… I think we should do the same."

Everyone looked at each other and then gave Lily the signal that they are on.

"Thanks everyone, we'll meet at river court" Lily said and came down the stage and then everyone left the Tric.

After one hour every Tree Hill High graduate was on the river court.

"Ok everyone, anything that you have in your heart and want to say, just write it on that floor," Lily said and opened the box of chalks.

Everyone took the piece and began writing on the floor of river court, and within no time whole floor of river court was filled with colorful writings.

"So I think we are all tired, we should go home and lay down on our beds," Andrew said yawing.

"Yes, but there something I also want to ask you all," Jamie said coming in the centre of the court, "I want you all to promise one thing."

Everyone began guessing what Jamie has in mind now.

"No matter what happens, how sick and twisted our life will become, after four years…no make it five years, we'll come back to this court..."

"I'm in," Andre said.

"So am I," Lily also added and soon everyone agreed.

After five years, they will come back to this court…

So, that was my 6th chapter.

Last chapter I did a big mistake in author's note. I told every one that there will be a Brulian scene, but this scene will take place in next chapter, so I apologize.

To everyone who is reading, I want to say that next chapter is going to be big, so stay tuned and thanks for reviewing.