Chapter 8 Hiding From the World

It was nice of his great-grandfather to buy him a new truck. Keith was tired of walking and taking the bus everywhere. Now he could drive, and the Ford Ranger handled nice. When he and Cooper talked about it, Cooper told him that the tires were top of the line and there was two inches of body lift and two more of suspension lift put in. He just liked his black pick up truck, and the simple fact that the thing came with a stereo that he could plug his IPod into.

Pulling up to the Rivercourt, he climbed out of his truck and grabbed a basketball from the bed. He looked over the park and nodded. He needed to clear his head, because of what he had planned with his cousins later.

Looking over at the bleachers there was a young red head, about his age sitting there. She was dressed in a formal dress. Keith sighed and walked over placing the basketball down between his feet.

"You know that is a party dress, and this really isn't a party," he said.

"I know," Kelly Burke said, and looked at him. He saw her make up was streaked and she had been crying because her eyes were red and puffy.

He put his arm around her and let her rest her head on him. "What is wrong buddy?" he asked.

"The world," she said.

Keith sighed, "It can't be as bad as when Shellback died."

"It's worse then when my turtle died."

Keith nodded, "What can it be?"

Kelly sighed, "My dad was married before he married my mom."

Keith nodded, "Yeah?"

"He also had a daughter from that marriage."

Keith nodded, "Okay."

"I just found out about it. He's been lying to me; my whole life."

Keith nodded again, "Alright, I'm not sure what to say here."

Kelly shook her head, "Don't say anything, just listen to me please?"

Keith nodded, "Okay."

"I just feel different, I don't know. I mean my whole life I had a brother and a sister. It was Bobbi-Lee versus Huck and Kelly. But my big sister always doted on me too, always taught me things and watched out for me. I was always glad that Huck was sandwiched between us and there were just us three.

"Now, I don't know. I don't know if there is a piece of me missing, or are they trying to shove another piece into me. I just don't know how I feel about it, maybe I just want things to be the way they were. Bobbi, Huck and I, the three red headed Burkes."

"Do you know who she is?" Keith asked.

Kelly nodded, "Yes, she Kayla Greene."

"Brooke's assistant?"

"Yes, well I guess she uses her step-dad's name."

Keith nodded, "She seems nice."

"That is part of the problem, she is nice. She paid attention to me and wanted to know about me, unlike everyone else in this town, except for you and Huck."

"Kelly, I've been by your side since we were like seven."

Kelly nodded, "I just feel so conflicted. Part of me wants to hate Kayla, while another part wants me to welcome her to the fold. Not to mention the whole I'm pissed at daddy issue."

Keith nodded, "Well, we all have our bad days I guess."

"Yeah, so here I am no sleep, in clothes I've worn all night, messed up make up, and hiding from the world."

Keith nodded, "I guess I'm doing the same thing."

Kelly picked her head up and looked at him. "What do you mean?"

Keith sighed. "I found a pregnancy test in the bathroom of my mom's office."

Kelly shook her head, "Are you worried it is your's and Izzy's?"

Keith shook his head, "No, if it's Izzy's it wouldn't be my kid."

Kelly nodded her head, "Well, if it is any consolation, I don't think Izzy has had sex, well at least not in Tree Hill."

He smiled and nodded, "Yeah it is. Thanks."

Kelly smiled, "Well, to brighten yours and your cousin's day, you don't have to ask me about it. It's not mine."

Keith nodded, "Thanks that helps more. Also, how did you know we were going to try to figure out who it belongs too?"

Kelly laughed, "You're a Scott, so you're worried about that potent sperm of yours; also you're curious. Your cousins are cut from the same cloth."

Keith laughed, "I think James has personal reasons, too."

Kelly nodded. "Well, I'll ask someone for you."

"Why?"

"Let's just say I know another family with potent sperm."

Keith nodded, "So, you'll take Chase?"

Kelly nodded, "I'll even do you a big one, and I'll talk to Izzy, too."

Keith nodded, "Thanks Buddy."

"Hey, you're my oldest friend; of course I'll look after you."

Keith nodded, "Just like I look after you."

Kelly sighed, "One other thing, I think I'm going to try out for basketball next year."

"Why?"

"I need to pad my transcripts for college."

"Kelly, you have straight A's and you are an honors level student. They should be looking for you."

Kelly shook her head, "Also, I want to do it for myself."

Keith nodded, "That's cool."

Then there was one last crooked smile from Kelly, "Can you introduce me to your Aunt Haley?"

"Yeah sure, why?"

"I want to try something else I've always wanted to do."

"What would that be?"

"Play music, on stage."

"Kell, where has all this emboldeness come from?"

"I guess it is time for me to step out of my shell."

Keith laughed, "I guess you are right."

She nodded.

He stood up, "C'mon, let's get you to my house, showered and changed," he said and offered his hand.

"Keith, I can't impose."

He shook his head, "Angela is staying at the house tonight. So if anything you can crash with her in her room."

Kelly nodded, and stood up.

"Did I ever tell you that you looked nice last night?"

She shook her head, "No."

"Well, you did."

"Thanks," she said, and followed him to his truck. He threw the basketball in the bed and she climbed into the cab, at his insistence. It was quiet as they drove off and headed towards Keith's house.