Hey guys sorry for the extremely long delay. I had finals then went on a three week vacation then basketball camp. So ive been a little busy. This chapter is the story of Sarah's first game. The ending may seem a little out of the blue, but I needed to do it in order to get my story where I want it to go.

So here goes. Chapter 9 everyone.

23oth23oth

Two Weeks Later

Rinnngggg. The day was finally over. People rushed out of their classes and towards the gym. Today was the long awaited Pep – Rally, the day before the Ravens first game of the season.

Sarah was extremely nervous. Sure the team had mostly accepted as their newest member, but what was the whole school going to think. She was rushing down the hall to head towards the gym and change into her new uniform when she felt someone tug at her arm. She turned around eyes wide. "What – "

She was cut off and slammed lightly against the lockers. Ryder grabbed her waist and leaned in and whispered in her ear, "Don't worry so much… They are going to love you."

Suddenly she felt a calm feeling come over her. And she leaned in to him kissing him with passion right there in the hall. "Thanks" she mumbled against his lips when they had stopped for air.

She and Ryder were now an exclusive couple. It was soon after their first date that they had become exclusive. Sarah still wasn't used to the amount of PDA that Ryder liked, but it was okay because she just loved kissing him.

Their minor make out session was interrupted when they heard an awkward throat clearing, and Ryder got a small swat on the head. He quickly turned around, and saw that it was Nathan and Haley Scott walking down the hall hand in hand.

"You two are already late, head down the gym." Nathan said, his signature smirk on his face. Haley was trying really hard to hold back a laugh.

"Err… Sorry." Ryder said as Sarah's face changed to a deep shade of red. He grabbed her hand and they hurried down the hall towards the gym.

As they turned the corner, Haley laughed.

"Now that was cruel." She said giving him a light smack on the shoulder.

"You do realize that used to be us?" He asked pulling her closer to him.

"Uhuh….You know we always can …you know… reminisce our high school make out sessions in my empty class room?" She said her eye brows raised.

Nathan subconsciously licked his lips, but before he could say anything he heard, "Momma! Daddy!" And Jamie running down the hall Lucas following behind him.

"Guess not…" Nathan mumbled dejectedly. Haley just squeezed his hand, a sign for "maybe later."

Haley crouched down to his level and caught him as he ran into her arms. She picked him up and covered him with kisses.

"Hey buddy." Nathan said smiling at the sight of his wife and son. He stooped down and kissed the top of his sons sandy blonde spikes.

"So little brother, you ready for the game tomorrow?" Lucas asked, a hint of apprehension was heard in his voice.

"Its not me that has to be ready… its more like the team. What do you think about them?"

"They're ready, and this pep – rally is only going to boost their spirits." Lucas said.

"Lets Go!" said Jamie impatiently, as he tugged on his fathers pants leg.

The adults laughed at the little boy as they made their way to the gym.

23oth23oth

Lucas stood at the center of the gym in the middle of the Tree Hill logo. Holding the microphone in his hand he looked around the gym. In the crowds he saw a see of black, white and blue. Girls with pom poms, and boys with sound sticks. He smiled to himself, taking the image in. It was like a scene out of his book, when he went to high school. Nothing seemed to have changed, but in the end everything had.

He took a deep breath and began, "Ladies and Gentlemen, the students of Tree Hill High school. Basketball is a big thing in this town. I mean, it's the sport our town is the best at. It's actually really sad that since I was a student here that the football team hasn't gotten any better."

Lucas chuckled along with the crowd, but there were a few "boos" heard in the gym.

"Last year our team was 8 – 7, not the best record. But this year it'll be much different. This year were winning the state championship!" He yelled the last part, and the crowd went wild.

"And you know why our teams going to go all the way? Its because we have an amazing team this year. Students of Tree Hill….." He paused dramatically "Meet this years Tree Hill Ravens!"

The music started to blast, and with that the crowd went nuts.

23oth23oth

Sarah had changed quickly into her new Ravens uniform, and spent some time looking at herself in the mirror. She was so nervous, now the whole school was going to see her as a member of the Ravens.

Her white uniform was crisp and clean. She looked at how the boys uniform fit her. A little baggy, but she still looked good after she rolled up the shorts once or twice. She then took a look at her jersey number. 41. It was her dads number, she knew that if she was going to play on the team she would use her dads number. When she was little she asked her father why 41 was his favorite number and he always told her with a glint in his eye, "Because my heart is for one girl only." She would always laugh at how cheesy he was, and then she would remind him of her mother. He would always roll his eyes, and then pretend how his sense of humor and sucking up was never appreciated.

Sarah closed her eyes. This wasn't the time for memories. She couldn't take that much right now. Taking a deep breath Sarah left the girls locker room to go to the boys locker room where the rest of the team waited to be introduced.

She walked in, and was greeted by a weird smell of body odor and mold.

"Hi." Ryder came up to her and gave her a peck on the lips. He sensed her tension, and started rubbing small circles on her back. Sarah shrugged meekly, she wasn't too sure.

The boys were already set up alphabetical order, waiting for Lucas to introduce them. Sarah got into her spot in the alphabetical line up. She happened to be right after Zeke Peters.

Zeke and Sarahs relationship had been strictly basketball. Their little project in English was totally forgotten. The most they would ever say to each other is "pass the ball" or "I'm open!" That would be it. He was still extremely embarrassed by his out burst on her first day of practice, but he was paying for it. His spot as captain was taken away, and he always got a death stare from Ryder. But other than that he was just concentrating on Basketball. Turning to Sarah, he murmured a "Good Luck," and turned face forward concentrating to hear Lucas call his name.

They could hear the crowd go wild as Lucas introduced the team. He soon started calling each team member one by one to run out of the lock room.

Lucas called Zeke Peters, and Zeke smiled and started jogging out of the locker room into the chaotic gym. Sarah tensed knowing that she was next. She kept telling herself to breathe. Taking a deep breath, she smiled as she waited for Lucas to call her name.

From the gym the next thing Sarah could hear was, "Next are our two captains, brothers, Landon and Ryder Thompson!"

Sarah's face fell. Had Lucas forgotten her? Ryder who had a frown on his face, ran out of the locker room. Sarah was on the verge of tears. Had her hard work and effort been completely forgotten these past two weeks? I mean how hard was it to remember the only girl on the team?

And then she heard it. Lucas was announcing something on the mic in the gym. "And last but not least, Ladies and Gentlemen, its what you all have been waiting for. Give it up for Tree Hills first ever female to play Ravens basketball, SAAARRRAAAHHH PRESSSSTTTOOONN!!"

Sarah immediately brightened and started jogging out towards the gym. The crowd had gone nuts. Some people even had signs cheering for her. She took it all in. Her fears of not being accepted had quickly drifted away. This was the perfect way to get her pumped for the game.

23oth23oth

Game Day.

The first game of the year means a lot to a team. If they win, the teams sees their strengths as a team and they earn a little respect from their coach and their school. Winning the first game of the season is always good.

But losing… Losing is always bad. Especially if its your first game. And that was one thing that Sarah was positive wasn't going to happen tonight. The Ravens were not going to lose.

Sarah was once again dropped off the school by Peyton this morning, and since the moment she pulled up to the school people had been wishing her good luck on tonight's game.

The boys had a dress code today, if they weren't wearing a dress shirt and tie, they wouldn't be able to play tonight. Since wearing a tie wasn't Sarahs thing she just dressed with a plaid button down shirt with her jeans.

Walking into school she caught up with Michelle.

"Well, Well," She smirked, "It's the captain of the cheerleaders."

"Well, Well, isn't it the newest star player of the Tree Hill Ravens." Michelle smirked back. "Youre going to do awesome tonight."

"That's if the coaches decide to play me." Sarah said down heartedly. She had been thinking about it a lot lately. She may have been a really good shooting guard, but that didn't mean that she would play tonight. Her playing in the league was bound to cause some controversy. The coaches may want to avoid it during the first game.

"I doubt that, youre better than a couple of the guys on the team." Michelle said sincerely.

Sarah laughed. "We'll just pray that I do play."

They parted ways and Sarah headed to her locker. She was surprised to see her boyfriend leaning against her locker looking at book. It still amazed her how she scored such a guy. Today more than ever he looked gorgeous. Today he was wearing dark jeans a white button down shirt with the sleeves rolled up, a baby blue tie, and a navy sweater vest. His hair was spiked up in a little faux – hawk.

Smiling Sarah strutted up to her locker.

"Now what did I do to get the sexiest guy in school to get all dressed up to go to my locker?" She asked a smile on her face the whole time.

Looking up from his book Ryder said, "Well, I think maybe it was joining the team… Or looking really sexy last night with a really big smile on your face."

Sarah leaned in towards him. "You're lucky you're such a sweet talker." They shared a small kiss. "So you ready for tonight's game captain?"

"As ready as I will ever be. And how about you…. You do realize that this game youre playing in will be making history. Everyone in Tree Hill will know who you are." Ryder said as he slung his arm around her shoulder holding her close.

"That's only if I play." Sarah said dejectedly.

"I wouldn't worry about that. Let me walk you to class?" Ryder asked.

"Sure." Sarah said leaning into a kiss.

23oth23oth

The gym was packed. It had been four years since Ravens basketball attracted so many fans. The team sat in the locker room awaiting a speech from their coaches. Emotions were high in the locker room, and the overall feeling was tense. For most of the team this was extremely important, being that they were upper classmen and had to worry about scouts and college.

As the team sat on the two benches facing eachother in the locker room, their three coaches filed silently into the room, with Jamie following them in his Ravens uniform.

"I am not going to tell you that this is going to be easy, because its not. Pontiac has a very strong team." Lucas started. "But just because its going to be hard doesn't mean that I am going to let you off the hook. I want you to go out there and play your heart out. Don't let them intimidate you, you've worked too hard to back down."

Skills and Nathan looked on silently nodding their head in agreement.

"So lets go and beat them!" Lucas yelled. "Bring it in."

"Ravens on Three!" Jamie called. "One – Two – Three…"

"Ravens!" The whole team yelled in unison and made their way out to the bench on the court.

"Okay, I want the Thompson twins, you two are in. Zeke, you'll be playing the point. William you'll play down in the post. And Sarah….:" Lucas said pointing at her. "You'll stay up by the wing, lets see some of those threes."

Sarah was in complete and utter shock. In a daze she took off her warm – up jacket and ran onto the court.

"Find your man!" Skills called from the sideline.

The guys from the other team looked at Sarah in bewilderment. They had heard about the girl playing for Tree Hill but they didn't think she would start.

"Hey Scott!" the coach from the other team called. " Couldn't find enough guys to put on your team? Is that why we have a little girl playing in a mens game."

The three Ravens coaches just laughed. "Wait till he sees her," Nathan said in Lucas' ear, "The guy will probably have a heart attack."

The ref started talking to the players. "Ravens shooting at this basket, Cougars shooting there. Step back, and I am going to toss the ball."

Sarah stood in an athletic stance. Waiting. The ball went up and the William won the tip and sent it in Landon's direction. Landon easily put it up in the basket because no one was guarding him.

The crowd cheered wildly. Running back on defense Sarah had their smallest player on their point guard. The team was playing no press for now, so Sarah stood just behind half court in a perfect defensive stance, waiting for the guy to come down.

Just before the guy reached half court he started laughing.

"Hey girlie!" He taunted. "What are you doing here? Girls don't play real basketball. Why don't you just go home and paint your nails." He laughed.

Screw this no press, Sarah thought to herself. Quickly and methodically, Sarah lunged forward and got possession of the ball. The kid who was she was guarding was too shocked to run after her, so she had an open shot at the basket. With a little swish of the net Sarah had her first two points of the season. The crowd was going nuts, and Sarah smiled, pleased with herself, and quickly ran back on defense.

23oth23oth

The game was really close. The other team was winning by three points and there was only a minute and a half left in the game.

The plan was to let Zeke take up the ball and swing it until Jackson was open under the basket.

Sarah waited anxiously on the three – point line. Zeke took down the ball and passed it to Caleb. Caleb then passed it along to Landon, who then passed it to Sarah. Once the ball was in Sarah's hands though, the guys started double teaming Jack and Landon, making it an open drive to the basket. Sarah decided to take the risk. The opposing team didn't have much time to gain their thoughts back, so the point guard who Sarah had stole the ball from before, stood in her way. When he realized that she was taking a shot, he put out his hand and squeezed her boob, pushing her down while doing so.

The ball went in, and luckily the Refferee saw what the guy had done. Sarah was fuming, and so was Ryder.

"Get youre disgusting hands off of her!" Ryder yelled shoving the guy.

"Sorry," The guy smirked. "I just couldn't help it."

Nathan, Lucas, and Skills were in complete shock on the sidelines.

"I guess that's what happens when we put a girl on the team huh." Nathan said with a smirk, while Lucas rubbed his scruff on his beard apprehensively.

The ref blew the whistle. "That's a foul! And a Technical! For that, there are four shots. The foul shots, will be shot in the last ten seconds. The technicals, after the buzzer."

The kids lined up under the basket, and Sarah took her spot on the foul line. The team was now only down by one, she only had to make two of her shots in order to win. The crowd which had been loud the whole game, had suddenly hushed.

The gym which ten minutes ago had been so loud, was as if no one was there. Sarah could hear her heart beating in her ears. Her fingers tingled at the touch of the ball.

Bounce. Bounce. She dribbled twice then set herself. Her feet were shoulder width apart and her shoulders squared. she held the ball mainly in her right hand, using the left hand only for support. She bent her knees, and shot while standing up straight, holding her perfect follow through. The ball went in through the hoop, with the glorious sound of a swish.

The crowd suddenly came back to life. "Second Shot!" the ref yelled, and the crowd resumed their quiet manner.

She took two dribbles again and planted herself the same way. She was once again praised by the sound of a swish.

The crowd was cheering. The buzzer sounded and the boys stepped off the court so she could take the technical shots. Those two also went in. And the fans went nuts. They had won the game, so the pressure was off. But Sarah was determined to make the next two shots.

She set herself again. The first shot went in. The team looked on in amazement and the crowd cheered. Nathan gave Lucas a high five. Once again Sarah set herself. This time she looked over at Ryder and winked. Then she turned her head towards the basket and swished the next shot.

The whole team erupted in cheers. And enveloped Sarah in a big team bear hug. The crowd was chanting her name.

Once the team had let go her, she found herself with only Ryder.

"You did an awesome job tonight." He told her cupping her face and leaning in to kiss her. "Ive got to go… but I'll stop by your house later tonight okay?"

"Sure. I'll see you then." Sarah said and then left him.

"Sarah!" Sarah looked around and saw her mom calling her name. She brightened, running over to her mom.

"Wow sweety, I didn't know you played basketball that well." She said enveloping her in a hug, and kissing her on the head.

"Hey Sarah!" Sarah once again heard her name being called, this time it was her coaches calling her over.

"Hey mom, come meet my coaches." They walked over.

"Great game tonight Sarah." Lucas beamed. "You were the second highest scorer after Landon tonight. 21 points out 65. Impressive for your first game. You should be proud Mrs. Preston."

"Actually, I'm Dr. Catz. But you could just call me Debbie."

"Mom these are my coaches, Lucas Scott, Nathan Scott, and Skills Taylor."

They all nodded in acknowledgement.

"Nice to meet you all. You guys are doing a great job so far."

"Well if it wasn't for Sarah we wouldn't of won tonight." Nathan said beaming. "Have a nice night."

Sarah and her mom headed out the door, till once again Sarah heard someone call her name.

"Sarah!" Peyton called, interrupting Brooke. She and Brooke came over to her and her mother.

"Mom this is Pey….." She started the introduction.

"Peyton Sawyer and Brooke Davis." Her mom finished. Sarah looked at her with a questioning glance. "They live across the street and are both my patients." Debbie said with a smile.

"Hi Dr. Catz." Brooke said in her raspy voice, "I never realized the connection." She admitted.

"Me neither." Peyton admitted as well. "Well Sarah, just wanted to tell you that you had an awesome game."

"Yeah, I had no idea that girls knew how to play basketball like that." Brooke told her.

Sarah laughed. "Thanks guys, see you around."

23oth23oth

The car ride home was comfortable as Sarah recounted her experience to her mom, but once again her mom seemed really distant. They got home and as Sarah started up the stairs to her room her mom called her name.

"Sarah, do you mind coming to the kitchen I need to talk to you about something."

A bunch of things went off in Sarah's head. "What did I do? Did I go over on my texting plan?" Anything she may have done wrong in the past week suddenly popped into her head. She walked into the kitchen cautiously. Her Mother rarely ever lectured her unless it was serious or she did something bad. Sarah sat down on the kitchen stool.

"Sarah," her mother began timidly. "I know that these past few months have been really difficult on both of us. And lately I have been feeling the void in my heart where your father and our ambitions together had been." She paused for a minute, and took a deep breath and continued. "I recently have been offered to do something that your father and I always wanted to do…. Do you know what Doctors Without Boarders is?" Her mother asked timidly.

Sarah shook her head no. One thing was clear though, she did not like where this was going.

"Well, it's a program where Doctors who are selected from all over the country and sometimes the world, go off to different third world countries and treat children and adults medically. I applied to the program a couple of months ago. Before anything really changed….And well….This man, Thomas, we've been in contact recently, and he told me that... I've been accepted. I leave for Ethiopia next week."She waited, anxious to hear what her daughter was going to say. She saw Sarah's face change in realization.

It was all too much for Sarah. "You cant be serious?" She looked at her mother incredulously. "Youre going to leave me here all alone, parentless, while you fulfill your dreams?! What happened to your old dreams? Like music, huh mom! You haven't played anything since Dad died! Your dreams were about opening a night club, a jazz club! Do you remember those dreams! I know helping others is really important to you, but you have to help yourself before you can help anyone else!" Sarah yelled.

She looked at her mother straight in the eye. She seemed embarrassed and hurt. Like she was sinking in the hole of realization that her 16 year old daughter was digging for her.

With her voice breaking Sarah said, "But if you think going to Ethiopia is going to help you fulfill your dreams, then go." Sarah was crying hysterically now. "To me, it seems like youre just running away from your problems." Sarah sighed, trying to calm down. The tears were flowing endlessly. After taking a few deep breaths Sarah said in a broken voice. "Go mom, do what you need to do. But just realize, running away is never a way to fix your problems. Oh, and mom, don't worry about me, Ill be fine on my own."

With that, Sarah got up and went up stairs leaving her mother broken in the kitchen. Slamming the door Sarah flopped on her bed. At this point her tears had started flowing again. Her body wracked with sobs. She stayed that way for a long time. Her ten minute rule didn't apply anymore, because now she was crying for both her parents.

Poor Sarah. A little random right? Tell me what you think, I am really interested. I needed to get rid of her mom so that I can continue with my plan but I needed her to leave so that Sarahs living arrangement changes...(thats a hint right there.) I hope to have the next chapter up within the next week. It will introduce a new character who was briefly introduced last chapter.

Also, Please leave a review. It really encourages me to continue knowing that people are interested and want to hear more.