Lucas tapped his pencil against his notebook. It was only the first day of class and already he knew the semester would be a doozy. Athlete's schedules often differed from the rest of the students because of practices and games. So for most of the general classes, not having to do with his Economics major, Lucas found himself surrounded by the men he lived and played with. Over 110 students filled the auditorium to compile the English class. He looked over a few feet to his left and sure enough there was Nathan, staring off into space.
By no means could Lucas Scott give Albert Einstein a run for his money but like basketball and basically everything he did, he always committed to make an effort when it came to school work. His grades were above average and well above the minimum GPA required to play sports. Besides that, he just loved to learn, especially History and English. He was an avid lover of great literature and had always excelled in those subjects.
Nathan, on the other hand, preferred to just "get by". It was a basic philosophy he had lived by all his life and after 19 years of riding the system, what was the point in changing? He wasn't stupid and he didn't have a learning disability…school just didn't interest him. He was a jock. Basketball was his life. The NBA had been practically beating down his door before he learned to drive. When in his adult life would he ever need to know about Calculus or Physics?
It was one big waste of time as far as he was concerned. As a little boy, teachers passed him because he was charming and adorable. As he grew older, they did just to get rid of the tyrant. As a teen, it was all about the Scott family name and their heavy influence in Tree Hill. Now as a college student, who would dare flunk the kid who was going to take the Demon Deacons all the way to the top?
A few rows away, Lucas couldn't help but stare. He had been doing that a lot lately and he was sure Nathan, as well as some of the other guys, noticed. He couldn't help it though. 19 years was a long time to be curious about anything. It was his brother. They shared the same Scott DNA, the same athletic prowess. That had never been disputed. But what else? Did Nathan like to work on cars? Lucas was practically a born mechanic. Was he fan of the classic horror movies, did he like to surf or play golf or draw?
Lucas knew the answer to none of those questions. In a week or so of sharing a bedroom and a locker room with his little brother, Lucas had only learned the following…Nathan Scott liked to stay up late, he was messy, had no regard for the value of a dollar, loved rap music the louder the better, frequently enjoyed sleepovers with the opposite sex and lived for the hero worship bestowed upon him by practically the whole world.
Now he was nodding off. The first day classes had begun, a grueling three hour practice ahead of them and Nathan was sleeping away. Maybe he just got tired easily or maybe it had to do with that feisty little red head he had been spending so much time with. Lucas could only wonder. Not that it mattered. He had learned a long time ago rarely were there consequences for people like his brother. Nathan could piss away the entire academic year and there'd always be someone there to save him by doing his work for him or making sure he had whatever he needed to do what he had to do in order to get by.
In paying so much attention to Nathan, Lucas had failed to realize that the session had ended for the day. He finally snapped out of his trance to see the remainder of the students filing out of the hall. Shaking it off, he began packing up his belongings. He jumped when he saw the tall figure standing over him.
"Why the hell do you keep jocking me?"
Lucas rubbed his eyes.
"What?"
"You heard me, man", Nathan said. "If we weren't supposedly related, I'd think you were going fag on me."
Lucas stood.
"Well, I'm surprised you noticed anything since you've been knocked out for the past half hour or so."
The younger brother smirked and shrugged.
"So?"
"So? So, this is your future, man. You need to get serious."
"No, basketball is my future. And you need to back off."
Luke watched him walk away and he sighed as he felt his cell phone vibrating in his pants.
"Yeah?" he answered tersely.
"Yeah? Is that anyway to answer a telephone? I believe I taught you better than that. Whatever happened to a simple 'hello'?"
Lucas smiled.
"Hey, Mom. Sorry about that."
"Well, I'm sure you must be busy but you were on my mind so I decided to call and see how the first day of classes were going."
"It's okay."
She laughed.
"That great, huh?"
"No, it's fine. I mean, I'm fine. But…"
"But what, honey?"
"I don't know. It's no big deal I guess and really none of my business but Nathan is slacking off."
"Have you tried talking to him?"
"You ever tried communicating with a brick wall?" he chuckled.
"Yeah…your father."
"Must be in the genes."
"Must be. Anyway, is that going alright? I mean, it's enough to meet for the first time and play on the same team but living together? I just hope it works out but if it's too much I could call the school and see if a room switch is possible and…"
"Mom, I'm okay. Really. I appreciate what you're doing but I am an adult and I can handle things myself. I don't see Nathan and me becoming best friends anytime soon but we're tolerating each other and that's gonna have to be good enough for now."
"Okay, I'm just worried about you."
"Don't worry."
"Lucas Eugene, I'm your mother. That's my job. I am supposed to worry about everything."
He grinned.
"Well, I'm fine."
"And the girl situation?"
Lucas rolled his eyes. That was inevitable.
"It's…"
"Any possibilities."
"Some but, I don't know. I just got here, Mom and I'm not really looking. I'm concentrating on the important stuff like sports and say…school work, maybe."
"Just checking up on you. But it sounds like all is well."
"It is. Everything is going to be just fine. You'll see."
"I'm glad."
"Well, Mom, I hate to cut you off but I have to get ready for practice soon. Can I call you later?"
"You better."
"See you, Mom. I love you."
"Love you, too", she hung up.
He put the cell back in its place and passed by Nathan on the way to the gym. Nathan was silent as he went to put his earphones on. Before he could start the music, he was interrupted by the dean of student services.
"Mr. Scott", she ran over breathlessly. "I am so glad I caught up with you. Do you have a moment?"
He shrugged.
"I guess. What's up?"
"Listen, young man, I don't want to beat around the bush with you. May I be frank?"
"Yeah."
"Your athletic talent, what you did for this school last year and what you are expected to do this year has never been in question. You are a fine basketball player."
"Thanks", he mumbled.
"However, there are rules and certain guidelines that govern our polices regarding sports eligibility here at Wake U."
"Okay…"
"You are aware of the 2.0 minimum GPA?"
"Yeah. Look, it's the first day of class. I haven't even done anything yet", he snapped in typical Scott fashion.
The dean frowned at the sign of disrespect.
"And it seems you didn't do anything last year as well. Your grades were, shall I say, less than acceptable."
"So? I passed."
"Yes, you did."
"And I played."
"Yes."
"And I led this school to an ACC championship."
"Which we are very proud of and grateful to you for."
He smirked.
"Thank me when we repeat."
"That's why I'm here. Mr. Scott, if you repeat your academic performance from the previous two semesters, I can guarantee you that you will not have the opportunity to repeat your athletic one."
"What are you getting at?"
"Bottom line, no special favors. You will work hard and apply yourself and earn the right to participate in sports like every other athlete on this campus. You don't qualify, you don't play…bottom line."
"Are you threatening me?"
"Threatening you, educating you, warning you, promising you…I suppose it's all the same thing in the end. Call it what you want but that's the way it is."
Nathan sighed. He was not in the mood for that bullshit.
"Fine", he finally muttered. "What do I have to do?"
She gave him a stern look.
"You could start by staying wake in class. Here", she handed him an orange slip of paper.
"What's this?"
"The Student Union sponsors free tutoring to those who need it. You, Mr. Scott, definitely need it. I have had my secretary go over your schedule and we have finally been able to coordinate sessions a few times a week."
Nathan stared at the paper. It was enough to actually have to roll out of bed and go to class. And practices were already kicking his ass. The rest was his leisure time, his time to get drunk and party with his boys and their groupies.
"And if I don't?"
"It's up to you, son. I have explained myself thoroughly. You are more than welcome to call my bluff but in the end…those are odds I really don't think you're ready to gamble with."
Nathan watched her walk away. What a bitch. He sighed. He'd try the damn tutoring thing once. Just his luck, he'd get some she nerd who would cream her panties at the very thought of sitting in the same room as Nathan Scott. That would be cake. She'd probably end up doing all his work anyway. And in a worst case scenario, if he'd been assigned a male tutor? He'd just do what he always did in times of distress. He'd call his daddy. Big Bad Dan would know what to do. He always did.
