Just Call My Name, And Ill Be There Chapter 10, an one tree hill fanfic

Okay. So you guys must hate me. I promised an update a week later and it turned into a month later. So please forgive me. I totally left you kinda hanging. Wondering whats going to happen.

I've been trying to figure this chapter out and finally I figured out how to end it. And watching Monday's episode of OTH really inspired me to finish. I thought the episode was absolutely brilliant. One Tree Hill has totally stepped up a notch. Last season premiere was much worse in comparison.

Anywhoo. Here it is Chapter 10. Please be thoughtful and leave a review. They really inspire me to write faster.

"Sarah! Wake up! You're going to be late!" A voice yelled from down stairs, disturbing Sarah's peaceful slumber. Looking at the clock, Sarah groaned. 7:45. She fell back her head hitting the pillows.

"Sarah!" The woman called again her voice drawing nearer. "Come on!" The door opened and mass of blonde curls popped through the door. "Sarah, seriously you have to get up."

"Why? School sucks." Sarah asked reluctantly getting out of bed.

"Yeah, I felt the same way. But some of the best times of my life were at school, with my friends." Peyton pointed out.

"Like the time you got shot in the leg?" Sarah asked.

"Okay, fine I take that back." Peyton said frowning. "How did you know that anyways?"

Sarah picked up the book on the night table. It was a copy of the Unkindness of Ravens.

"You have like 12 copies on the bookshelf, I thought you wouldn't mind if borrowed a copy. Why do you have so many copies anyways?" She went over to the book shelf and looked at it. "And you even have it on CD!" Sarah exclaimed. "This definitely has something to do with Lucas…"

"Ok enough. Get ready for school. I've got an important meeting….. like in an hour, so I'll drop you off at school and then run to the office."

"Actually Ryder's giving me a ride."

"Oh. In that case, don't you have to be ready and look good if he's the first one seeing you this morning?" Peyton pointed out.

"Right, good point." Sarah said. "I'm getting ready."

Peyton left Sarah sitting on her bed for a moment just thinking about how great this situation was.

23oth23oth

Two weeks earlier

Sarah was a mix of emotions at the moment. Her mothers cab had just left to the airport and she had resorted back to her way of releasing her anger, throwing a tennis ball against the house using her lacrosse stick.

After that night where her mom broke the news, things were pretty rocky at home. She was angry at her mother, but understood that she only had one week with her mom for at least 3 months, maybe more depending on how much longer her mother wanted to run. So she sucked it up and took advantage of the time with her mom. And then really fast the week was up, and her mom was leaving.

The plan was that their housekeeper Gloria, would live in with Sarah. She would cook for her and keep the house clean. Her mom didn't really give her any rules while she was gone, which most teenagers would kill for, but not Sarah. Living in an empty house with no rules was not at all appealing to her. She just wanted what her house used to be like. With her mom and dad, but that wasn't going to happen, so she just had to get over it.

Her phone buzzed in her pocket. Looking at the caller ID she saw it was Ryder calling. It was the fifth time in one hour. Frustrated she turned off her phone. She was sick of it all. His intentions were good, but she just needed to be alone. Putting her phone back in her pocket she continued throwing the tennis ball against the house, creating an angry rhythm.

She stood there throwing the tennis ball angry and sad. It never occurred to her that her mom leaving would take this much of a toll on her. She continued throwing the ball in an angry motion while the tears shamelessly traveled down her face. She was so caught up in her emotions she didn't even hear the door from the house across the street close.

"Sarah?" Peyton asked timidly.

Sarah turned around frightened by someone else's voice. "Peyton…Hi.." She said quickly drying her tears.

Peyton frowned when she saw Sarah's tears. She and Brooke had kinda gotten used to the rhythmic slamming of a ball for the past four months. But tonight Maya was having trouble sleeping so Brooke had sent Peyton to go find out what was wrong this time. In the times that Peyton had come outside to talk to Sarah, Sarah had never cried. The tears were new, and it frightened Peyton.

"Sarah, Whats wrong?" she asked with a worry face.

"Nothing…" Sarah denied. Peyton just gave her a look. "Ok…" Sarah scoffed. "My mom left tonight." She said dejected. The tears that had temporarily stopped resumed.

There in the middle of the street she pulled Sarah into a hug. She understood what she was going through. It was exactly what she went through as a teenager. And then the idea hit her.

"Why don't you come stay with us?" Peyton offered.

"Peyton, as much as I would love to, I don't think I can…not for three months anyways. You guys have your own life, I don't want to impose."

"Bull Shit, youre not imposing one bit." Peyton assured her. When she saw that Sarah was not giving in she quickly came up with a Plan B. "At least for tonight. We'll figure out the rest tomorrow."

"Okay." Sarah gave in meekly.

"Great." Peyton smiled. "Go grab some stuff from your house and just come on over when youre ready."

"Okay, cool." Sarah said with a smile. "See you soon." With that, Sarah and Peyton went in their own directions.

After she had gathered her stuff Sarah walked up to Peyton and Brooke's front door only to be greeted by a very enthusiastic Brooke planning an all girls night. Both Peyton and Sarah laughed.

Sarah was glad to be there, and thankful for Peyton's generosity.

Since then Sarah had been staying with them. She had her own room and shared a bathroom with the baby, which wasn't all that bad. She could go into her parents house anytime she wanted to get whatever she wanted, and had her housekeeper do her laundry.

When she was ready for school she came downstairs for breakfast. Brooke was sitting at the kitchen table yelling on her cell phone while she was feeding Maya.

"What do you mean my stores aren't up to standard!? Should I remind you that my brand is the top selling line in the country and all over Europe." She smiled sweetly to Sarah and then at the baby and then continued her conversation.

"Fine. Send me an architect. A young one though, someone who knows the situation. He'll be here later today? Great. Good Bye."

"Wow sounds like a tough day already." Sarah said finishing a banana.

"That isn't even half of it." Brooke said sighing. She looked over to Sarah. "Why are you so happy this morning? Boy Toy coming to pick you up this morning." She said with a sneaky smile.

Sarah blushed. "Would you stop calling him that!"

"Don't worry she calls a lot of guys that." Peyton said coming into the kitchen.

Beep Beep

"My rides here!" Sarah exclaimed stating the obvious. "Got to go! Seeya later guys. Bye- Bye Maya." she cooed excitedly and then ran out the door, and down the steps to the silver BMW waiting in the drive way.

"I wonder why she's so suddenly excited to go to school?" Brooke asked quirking an eyebrow.

"The same reason you were when you were in high school... cuz you had a hot boyfriend at your every beck and call."

"Yeah well not anymore..." Brooke pouted.

"Aww Brookie you'll find someone, I'm sure of it." Peyton assured her.

"Yeah but its hard to date a single mom fashion designer. Too much commitment." Brooke sighed. "How bout you P. Sawyer, you and Lucas still denying that you love each other?" she smirked.

Peyton rolled her eyes. "I gotta go. See ya later. Bye munchkin." Peyton said grabbing her keys.

Brooke laughed and turned to Maya and said in a baby voice, "Your aunt Peyton keeps running from her problems."

Maya just giggled and said something in baby language.

23oth23oth

The day had gone by smoothly except for this morning.

When Sarah had arrived in English, Mrs. Scott had made an announcement that the projects with their partners were due soon. They were kind of forgotten in the class. Sarah sighed. She and Zeke had not done anything for their project. She was still not so keen on hanging out with Zeke and he wasn't so cool with it either.

Sarah tried to leave the class really quickly but Zeke was on her tail.

"Sarah!" He called. He had to run, with all the traffic in the halls now, Sarah was getting out of his sight.

She turned the corner quickly. She didn't know why she felt she needed to run from him, but she just wanted to avoid the confrontation. Looking over her shoulder she saw that Zeke was no where in sight. She sighed and stopped by her locker to change some books.

"Sarah, we have to talk about our English project." Sarah jumped when she heard Zeke's voice. "Sorry," he said meekly. "I didn't mean to scare you."

"It's okay." Sarah mumbled.

"Listen," Zeke said sincerely. "I'm really sorry for what I said to you on the first practice. I was totally out of line. I shouldn't have ever said anything like that... I really hope you can forgive me."

Sarah looked into his blue eyes and saw the sincerity that she heard in his voice.

"It's okay." Sarah said.

Zeke let out a deep breath. "Look," He said, "This English assignment is really important to me. I have a lot of trouble keeping up in school, and I really need to keep up my grades. This project is a no brainier, an easy A. Do you mind if we just get passed our problems, do it, and then we can go back to the way things were."

Sarah nodded. "Sure. That's a good idea. How about you come over to my house this weekend? We'll finish it there."

"Ok." Zeke smiled, "Thanks again. I'll see you Sunday."

As he was walking away, Sarah heard someone calling her name.

"Sarah!" Haley called.

Sarah smiled. "Hi Hal- I mean, Mrs. James Scott." It was kind of weird calling Haley that. Ever since she had moved in with Brooke and Peyton, she had seen Haley outside of school three or four times a week. It was awkward at first but she got used to it. Haley was pretty cool.

"Hey, Listen ,Peyton wanted me to tell you that she wants you to meet someone who were working with at the studio, since there's no practice today. Is that okay?"

"Yeah...sure." Sarah was wracking her brains to think of someone who she would want to meet at the studio. Peyton owned a record label so any band or singer was bound to be there.

"kay, meet me in my classroom when the final bell rings and we'll go."

23oth23oth

The final bell of the day had rung, and students were bustling down the halls excited to go home. Sarah, however, was staying in school to go to the studio with Haley. She had no idea whom to expect and she was very excited.

The car ride to the studio was quick and Sarah was getting nervous. Pulling into the parking lot of Tric, Sarah literally hopped out of the car.

Haley chuckled. "Come on, its this way. " Haley said heading towards the long fire escape stair well.

The went through the door and heard a conversation going on between Peyton and someone else. They approached the back of the club and entered through the door that said "Red Bedroom Records."

There she saw Peyton sitting on her desk, and a brown haired girl sitting on the chair in front of her.

"Hey guys!" Peyton said when she saw the two walk through the door. Then the girl turned around, Sarah saw that the girl was none other than Mia, Peyton's first client, and biggest success.

"Mia, this is the girl I wanted you to meet. This is Sarah, shes been living at my house for the past two weeks."

"Hey, nice to meet you..." She said, reaching her hand out for Sarah to shake. "Youre the neighbor who slams a ball against their house right?"

Both Peyton and Haley laughed at that comment.

"Yup, that would be me. Its great that I'm known as the ball slamming neighbor." said Sarah sheepishly shooting a look at Peyton. "Anyways... I was planning on going to your concert at Six Flags, but it didn't end up happening."

Peyton watched on confused. She had assumed that Sarah would totally flip out when she met Mia. But there Sarah was acting all chill with Mia.

Mia had picked up on it too. She was expecting a teenage girl who was going to be squealing and jumping up and down. She was surprised that she hadn't been asked for an autograph. But it wasn't a bad type of surprise. She was sick of all those screaming fans, it was nice to be with a girl who treated her like a normal adult.

"So erm – Can I have your autograph?" Sarah asked pulling her journal out of her backpack.

Mia chuckled. "Yeah sure."

Her journal had been with her since she was ten. It wasn't her diary that she wrote in everyday. Just when something special happened she would write it down. In side were also notes from all her friends in New Jersey, and the back section was filled with autographs.

She opened her notebook to a page filled with signatures and pointed to a blank spot. After she had signed, Mia took a look at the page in the journal.

"Wow you've got a lot of signatures here. Is that Panic at the Disco?"

Sarah leaned in to see what she was pointing at. "Oh yeah, that was a great concert. I told my parents that I was staying at a friends house that night and we both hopped on a subway and went. And basically I'm online to meet them and I see my brother. Well, lets just say that I almost had to give him the autograph. But the reason I didn't is because its on the same page as the Plain White Tees." She pointed to the other signature.

"That's awesome." Peyton said looking over Mia's shoulder.

When they had finished looking through the rest of Sarah's signatures, Mia looked at her watch.

"Guys, I need to get out of here soon. Let's just finish this up now."

"Hey Sarah, just make yourself comfortable and we'll go back home soon." Peyton said sitting down at her desk taking a look at Mia's schedule of upcoming shows.

"Sure."

Sarah looked around the space. Behind Peyton's desk she saw a calloge of record albums, which Peyton for sure made herself. But what was at the far end of the office is what really interested her. There was another room there, pretty small too. She walked toward the room and saw it was dark. Without much hesitation she turned on the light, and soon realized that she walked into the real RED Bedroom Records studio.

The room she was standing in had big windows looking into the recording studio. On the tables and walls were tons of sound equipment and a couple of computers. But that wasn't what really caught her attention.

In the middle of the recording studio was a big grand piano. The guitars that lined the room were just as enticing. And suddenly as if there was this magnetic force pulling her to the piano. Before she knew it there she was sitting at the bench of the piano admiring it. Carefully she stroked the keys, playing a chord. The sound was heavenly. She played a few more chords and before she knew it she was playing a song.

I know there's something in the wake of your smile
I get a notion from the look in your eyes, yeah
you've built a love but that love falls apart
your little piece of heaven turns too dark

listen to your heart
when he's calling for you
listen to your heart
there's nothing else you can do
I don't know where you're going
and I don't know why
but listen to your heart
before you tell him goodbye

In the next room over Peyton looked up from the document she was reading and cut Haley off from whatever she was saying.

"Do you hear that?" Peyton asked.

They were all silent.

"Where's Sarah?" Haley asked as she heard the music.

All three girls turned their head towards the studio. Peyton was the first one out of her chair heading towards the studio. Haley and Mia were on her heals.

Sure enough, there in the studio was Sarah, sitting at the piano with perfect posture singing. Peyton flipped the switch on the control panel that let them here her better. She was pretty incredible. Who knew Sarah Preston could really sing!

The three of them just stood there and listened.

sometimes you wonder if this fight is worthwhile
the precious moments are all lost in the tide, yeah
they're swept away and nothing is what is seems
the feeling of belonging to your dreams

and there are voices
that want to be heard
so much to mention
but you can't find the words
the scent of magic
the beauty that's been
when love was wilder than the wind

Haley let out a whistle. The girl had range. She obviously had some training. Not many people could hit that note with such precision on their first try. She gave Mia and Peyton a look.

Sarah, who was still completely oblivious to the three of them watching her, kept singing.

Listen to your heart...mm..mmm

I don't know where you're going
and I don't know why
but listen to your heart
before you tell him goodbye

Sarah looked at her fingers on the keys. She suddenly felt different, like a weight had been lifted off her shoulders. The last time she sat down at a piano and sang or played was the night her father died. She shook off the memory quickly.

She turned her head and saw Mia, Peyton and Haley all applauding her.

How long had they been there?

Peyton flipped another switch on the control panel which allowed Sarah to hear what she was saying.

"So you wanna tell me what that was?" Peyton asked disbelief evident in her voice.

Sarah shrugged. She was definitely not in the mood for this. Getting up from the piano bench she left the recording studio.

Peyton didn't seem to get the point. "Since when did you sing? Youre incredible. "

Sarah shrugged once again.

Peyton pressed on. "Why didn't you tell me you sing?"

"That's cuz I don't?" Sarah answered. She was trying to avoid the subject, the last thing she wanted to do was bring this up.

"Sarah there is no way that you have never sung before after what I just heard." Haley said with her hands on her hips.

The three women looked at her. The room was uncomfortably silent, until Mia's phone went off.

Quickly she looked at the caller ID, and picked up the phone.

After a few minutes it was clear that Mia needed to go, and had an agitated tour manager on the phone.

Sarah was glad for the break of focus on her. After a sweet goodbye and four angry phone calls later, Mia was gone and it seemed like no one remembered.

"So you wanna tell me what that was?" Haley said when Mia had left. Peyton sat down at her desk and listened.

"I come from a musical family, we used to do a lot of jamming together. But now we don't." Sarah shrugged. It took everything in her right now to not cry. "I don't know I just saw the piano and started playing, but its not the same. So the answer to your question is, yes, I can sing. But right now, I don't enjoy it like I used to." Peyton nodded in understanding.

"Ok. Wanna go home now?" Peyton asked.

Sarah nodded, glad that she was finally going home.

23oth23oth

Meanwhile, back at Peyton and Brookes house, Brooke was preparing to meet with the architect for her new Clothes over Bros boutique. She was still pissed at her marketing director for thinking that their stores were not "chic" enough. Now that she had dropped off Maya at the daycare center she went to her home office preparing for her meeting.

At two o'clock her doorbell rang. This guy was an hour late. She let out a frustrated sigh and opened the door.

"Hello." She said sweetly. Her mouth dropped. In front of her was a gorgeous guy with blonde hair who looked like he stepped out of an Abercrombie ad. He was a V-Neck shirt, and a blue blazer coat on top, in addition he was wearing faded jeans and brown converse.

"Hi," he smiled showing off a big pair of pearly whites. "I'm Miles, the architect from the firm." He held out his hand for her to shake.

"Brooke," she said while shaking his hand. "Shall we?" She asked, while letting him into the house.

They sat down at the home office desk and started talking. Unfortunately for Brooke she kept spacing out on Miles. She had to keep telling herself to snap out of it.

"So, to be blunt I don't think that you're Fifth Avenue store needs a real make over." He smiled.

"I agree." Brooke said nodding

"It just needs a face lift." Miles said pulling out a blue print from his case.

"What? I thought it was fine. As of last month it was totally up to date."

"Unfortunately whatever that was in fashion one month ago is not in anymore. You're a fashion designer, you should know that."

"That's true, but buildings are different. They don't just go out of style."

"Unfortunately that's not the case. Hear me out, I think we should just buy the building that the store is in. That way each different kind of clothing material is on a different floor. Like you athletic and every day ware on one floor, the couture and evening ware on another, and now you're new line, Baby Brooke on one more." He paused waiting to hear her opinion.

"I see someone's done their research." Brooke said with an eye brow tweak.

Miles laughed. "Yes, I do admit that I know a lot about C/B. I googled you."

"Well that comforting." Brooke said with a laugh.

But just before she could say anything else, Peyton burst through the door.

"You have no idea what just happ…." She looked and saw Miles sitting there.

"Peyton this is Miles, he's the new architect for C/B."

But before Peyton or Miles could say anything in return, Sarah wondered into the office.

"Sorry Brooke I think I left my laptop…" She looked up and her face immediately brightened. "MILES!!"

Miles quickly stood up and enveloped the girl in a hug.

"Sarah… I missed you so much." He stood there rocking back and forth with Sarah in his arms.

Peyton and Brook who were now very confused watched on. Brooke produced a fake cough which broke Miles and Sarah's hug.

"Oh Sorry, Peyton, Brooke this is my brother Miles."

"Wait." Peyton asked. "You have a brother."

"Well, he is adopted, but yes he is my brother." Sarah explained. "He has been hiding out in New York forever though. I haven't seen him….since the summer."

"Yeah so I kinda volunteered to go to Tree Hill to help you out Brooke, that way I could see my sister since my mom recently jetted off the Africa."

"Now I thought the reason you came was to meet me?" Brooke said pouting.

Everyone laughed in return.

"Unfortunately, I'm only here for one day." Miles said.

"Oh." Sarah said her face falling a little bit.

"Yeah the firm is only giving me the night to stay and I leave at eleven tomorrow." Miles told her. "But I promise I'll come visit more. Don't worry."

"Unless…." They all turned to Brooke. "I tell your firm that I want you to give a 'face lift' to all the C/B stores in the world, and I would like to overlook all of them. That way each one can be unique."

"You would do that for me Brooke?" Sarah asked so hopeful.

"Yeah. I know what its like to be without family. I wouldn't want anyone else to have to live like that either." Brooke said with a raspy voice.

"Thank you." She said hugging Brooke.

And in that moment Sarah realized that she wasn't really alone. She had people who were willing to do anything for her, there to back her up, and support her. And for that alone she was forever grateful.

What did you think?

The Song Used is "Listen To Your Heart" by D.H.T, it was chosen because I had planned on Sarah using only a piano so that was one of my few choices.

Please leave a review.