Dan looked at Nathan.
"You want to talk to Deb? About what?"
"Just stuff. I want to ask her why she gave me up."
"Nathan, I'm not sure that's a good idea. She gave you up because she didn't want you. That won't change now."
"Dad, please? I'd think that I deserve to be able to talk to my birth mom."
"Your mother and I will talk about it. But I'm not promising you anything, Nathan."
"You and Deb will talk about it?" Nathan asked.
"Me and Karen," Dan sighed. "Your real mom."
"I know," Nathan said. "It's just the way you said it, it was a bit confusing."
"Alright, Nate, go to bed," Dan said. "We'll talk about this more in the morning."
They didn't talk about it more in the morning because Dan left the house to go to work early. As Nathan and Lucas were sitting at the kitchen island eating toast, Karen came in.
"Hi boys," she said. "How'd you sleep?"
"Fine," Nathan said. "Did Dad talk to you?"
"Yes, he said something about you wanting to talk to Deb. He sounded pretty against it, though."
"So it's a no?" Nathan asked.
"I didn't say that, Nate. I personally think that you deserve to talk to your birth mom. But your father is a different story. So we'll talk about it more later."
"Fine," Nathan said. "Whatever."
"Why do you want to talk to her anyway?" Lucas asked. "Didn't she like, abandon you?"
"Shut up, Luke," Nathan said. "You'd do the same in my shoes."
"Finish up your breakfast and I'll drive you to school," Karen said. "Nathan, don't worry. We'll come back to the subject. And you and I both know that in the end, we can't keep you from talking to her."
"I guess," Nathan said. "Can I drive?"
"Can I drive?" Lucas asked.
"No," Karen replied. "Not to the school- there's too many cars there. I'll take both of you out to some side streets on the weekend, OK?"
The boys nodded and got into the car.
Once at school, Lucas and Nathan went their separate ways. Lucas had English first block, while Nathan had art. The only reason he had taken that class was to be in the same class as Peyton, back when they were just crushing on each other.
"Hi stranger," Peyton came into the art room and sat down on a stool next to Nathan. "What's up?"
"Stuff," Nathan said. "I'm not really in the mood to talk about it."
"OK..." Peyton said. "Did you have a fight with your Dad?"
"No. Peyton I don't want to talk about it, OK?"
"Fine," Peyton said and the two sat without talking to each other until the teacher, Mr. Moss came in.
"Hello, class," he said. "How are you today?"
The class mumbled something in response.
"Today, we'll begin the project I was talking about- self-portraits. You have almost no limitations... You can draw it, paint it, sculpt it..."
"I'm sorry, Pey," Nathan whispered over the teacher. "I'm just a bit on edge with all the stuff going on at home."
"I know, Nate," Peyton whispered back. "I'm not mad. Just try not to take all of your anger out on me."
"I'm sorry, Peyton," Nathan said again. "It's just that things are so messed up at home."
"You need to relax, let loose," Peyton smiled. "How about we..."
"Mr. Scott. Ms. Sawyer," Peyton was interrupted by the teacher. "Am I interrupting you two?"
"Sorry," Peyton mumbled.
"This is the second time I've told you to stop talking. Nathan, please change seats with Alice."
"But, Mr. Moss!" Peyton protested. "This is art class!"
"Exactly. You kids seem to think that this is a free block for you to fool around and talk. Well, it isn't. Art is as important as any other class. Nathan, you've heard me."
Nathan sighed and moved to the other side of the class. Immediately after he left, Peyton started scribbling him a note. After she was done, she discretely asked several people to pass it to Nathan.
The note said: Isn't Mr. Moss a tool? You and me, Starbucks next block?
Nathan read it, smiled and nodded. Hanging out with his girlfriend instead of sitting in class was just what the doctor ordered. The only problem was that Lucas had the same class as him second block, so he'd have to do him some to ensure that his parents didn't find out that he had skipped. But it was all worth it, Nathan decided.
The rest of class went by painfully slowly, even for Peyton who liked art. Finally when the bell rang, Peyton and Nathan met up in the hallway.
"So? We're ditching next class and going to Starbucks?" Nathan asked.
"Yeah. Except, Nate, I don't want you to fall too much behind. What class do you have next?"
"Nothing important. Just math."
Peyton tried to give Nathan an angry look, but burst out laughing instead. "Well, one missed class isn't going to mess up your year. Let's go. I'm kind of hungry, so how about we go to the cafe instead of Starbucks?"
"Peyton!" Nathan exclaimed. "You're not actually suggesting we go to Karen's Cafe, as in Karen, my mother!"
"Oops. I forgot about that for a second. Well, let's go to McDonald's or something."
Nathan and Peyton walked out of the school holding hands. Just as they were approaching the little road that led to the nearest plaza, Nathan elbowed Peyton.
"Peyton," he whispered. "Look at that woman, coming towards us."
"So?"
"She's my birth mom."
"What?" Peyton whispered, but the woman was already too close for them to talk about it.
"Nathan," Deb said. "Shouldn't you be in school?"
"Yeah, I should. What are you doing here?" Nathan asked.
"I'm staying here for a while. My best friend's house is right next to the school."
"Listen, Deb, my parents told me everything."
"So you know?"
"Yeah."
"Well, it was time your parents told you the truth."
"I guess. I'm not sure they want me talking to you, though."
"Nathan, maybe we should go," Peyton said gently, but Nathan remained in the same spot, not moving an inch.
"Why not? I am your mother, after all," Deb looked at Nathan.
"No, Karen is my mother. You abandoned me."
"I made a mistake. But I'm looking to correct that. What would you say to living with me now?"
"What the hell?" was all Nathan could utter.
"Yes. Kids should live with their birth mom. Besides, Dan and Karen already have that other boy of theirs. "
"No," Nathan said. "Leave me alone. You're not my mother and you never have been."
"That's where you're wrong, Nate," Deb smiled an odd smile. "I'm your birth mom, so I have a right to file for custody. And that's what I'll do. I'll stop at nothing to get full custody of you."
"What if I don't want that?" Nathan asked.
"You don't have a choice. Besides, I'm sure that you'll change your mind later. I'll see you soon, Nathan," Deb said, turned around and started walking in the other direction.
Nathan just stood in the same spot, immobilized, squeezing Peyton's hand. Peyton could feel Nathan shaking slightly.
"Nathan?" Peyton asked. "Are you OK?"
Nathan turned around to face her and Peyton could see a lone tear make its way down Nathan's cheek.
