It was the first day of senior year and all the new seniors had been at a party on the beach the night before and it was also the last that Nathan had spoken to Lucas and it was all because of some red head whose Nathan didn't even know. Nathan walked onto the school quad and saw Lucas sitting with Brooke and Julian before school started. ''Hey guys mind if I sit with you.'' Nathan asked them one he reached the table.
''Why is your new girlfriend not here to sit with you.'' Lucas asked him with a sneer. ''I'm going to head to my locker.'' Lucas told Brooke and Julian. ''Would you look at the Nathan's girlfriend seems to be right on time.'' Lucas commented as he walked past Nathan and spotted the red head from last night.
''Luke come on it wasn't like that.'' Nathan told him.
''It wasn't like what, I saw the two of you locked at the lips. So don't you dare tell me that it wasn't like that when I saw the two of you doing it along with half of our grade.'' Lucas snapped at him before walking away and into the school.
''I swear it was nothing like what you saw. She kissed me.'' Nathan told the two who were still sitting at the table.
''You didn't exactly push her off did you.'' Brooke asked him. Nathan stayed quiet. ''Tell me this Nathan did you like it, did you enjoy it?'' She asked again as she and Julian stood up ready to leave.
''No Brooke, of course I didn't enjoy it. I love Lucas. Brooke you know I would never hurt Lucas. After everything that Luke and I have been through, after everything that my asshole of a father and that bastard Felix put him through.'' Nathan told her.
''Luke has the right to be upset, but I'll talk to him, you stay away from that bitch and I'll deal with her after I've talked to Lucas.'' Brooke told him. ''Come on let's get to our lockers.'' She added as all of them headed into the school.
-X-
Lucas had been avoiding Nathan all day at school. Lucas walked into the canteen with Brooke, they saw Nathan sitting at a table with the others. ''Would it be okay with you if it was just the two of us for lunch?'' Lucas asked Brooke as they got their lunch and went to find a table.
''No that way then it gives us a chance to talk without anyone interrupting us.'' Brooke told him. They both went to take a seat at the only empty table left. ''You and Nathan have been through so much already are you going to let some bitch come between you.'' Brooke told him.
''I can handle the fact that his dad hates me and the fact that we are together so much that he paid Felix to rape me in the hopes that Nathan will leave me, but I will not and cannot do cheating.'' Lucas told her as he looked over at the table that Nathan was on and saw that Nathan was looking over at them. ''Why does it hurt so much, pretty girl.'' Lucas asked her.
''Because you love him, have you talked to him about what happened last night.'' Brooke asked him just as the red head came into the canteen.
''No I was angry, if he wanted to experiment with a girl he could have told me and we could've ended, he doesn't need to do it behind my back.'' Lucas told her as the red headed girl sat down beside Nathan.
''Nathan told Julian and I that she kissed him and that he didn't enjoy it.'' Brooke told Lucas as they saw Nathan get up and throw his lunch away and leave the canteen.
''I'll think about talking to him and even if it was her it doesn't mean that I have to forgive Nathan right away either.'' Lucas told her.
''Just talk to him.'' Brooke told him. ''Why don't you go and sit with the others. I have someone I need to talk with.'' Brooke told him as they got up. Lucas went to sit with the others while Brooke followed the red head.
-X-
''Why are you following me. You caused enough trouble last night.'' Nathan asked the person who was following him.
''I thought you enjoyed last night, I thought you liked me.'' The person told him.
''If I liked you, I would have found out your name, I didn't enjoy last night. I'm married, Happily married.'' Nathan told her.
''My name is Rachel Gatina. Your wife doesn't need to know all I want is a bit of fun.'' Rachel told him.
''No offense but you're not my type, and I'm not a cheater. My partner and I have been through enough already with people who didn't want us together in the first place.'' Nathan told her.
''What is your type, I could always wear a wig for you. Although I must say red heads are more fun and better in bed.'' Rachel told him unknown to the both of them Brooke was listening to them from behind a corner.
''I prefer blondes always have always will, but just to let you know a wig wouldn't work as you don't have what it takes to satisfy me.'' Nathan told her as he bit his lip to stop himself from laughing at her eagerness.
''Why don't you tell me and I bet I can do better than her.'' Rachel told him.
''Unless while we were talking you had a sex change or you suddenly grew a dick you can't do anything better. And as I said before I don't do cheating.'' Nathan told her.
''Y…Y…Your-Your.'' Rachel stuttered to get out but she was so shocked she couldn't even get a full sentence out.
''I'm gay. Yes married to my husband.'' Nathan told her as they both heard laughing coming from around the corner. Nathan looked round and saw Brooke standing there with her hand over her mouth, she was trying to stop laughing. ''Brooke what are you doing here.'' Nathan asked her.
''I was talking with Luke at lunch and we saw you leaving, then we saw her following you so I followed her so that I could talk to her like I told you I would do.'' Brooke told him. ''But I'm sorry for laughing it was just so funny to see her face when you told her you were gay.'' Brooke told him.
''It wasn't funny. I kissed him and he's fucking gay.'' Rachel snapped at her.
''Maybe you should have looked at his hand and when you saw the wedding ring on his finger, that should have told you that he wasn't single. You're in Tree Hill High now, and people here don't like it when people like you try to hit on their boyfriends.'' Brooke told her. ''And you have a husband to make it up too.'' Brooke told Nathan as she pushed in the chest with her finger.
''Thanks Brooke, see you after school at practice.'' Nathan told her as he went off to find Lucas. ''Can we talk.'' Nathan asked Lucas once he found him sitting in the English classroom in his seat.
''Not just yet. I need more time and space. I promise you that we will talk about this.'' Lucas told him as he stood up and placed a kiss on Nathan's cheek. ''I'll see you at practice.'' Lucas told him as he left the room.
''He still not talking to you.'' Someone asked him from behind.
''No what am I going to do Peyton. He hates me.'' Nathan asked her as he took a seat and waited for Mrs Marsh to come in and start the class.
''He doesn't hate you. He's just hurt and you're the one he can take it out on.'' Peyton told him. ''Doesn't Luke have this class with us.'' She added as she took her seat beside Nathan.
''Yeah, he'll be back. It's English. Luke doesn't miss English.'' Nathan told her.
-X-
Later that night after practice Lucas went home to his parents' house where he was staying, when he saw his Aunt and Uncle and their 3 kids in the living room. ''Hey Aunt Kathy, Uncle Michael.'' He said as he passed by on the way to his bedroom.
''Hi cousin Lucas.'' Katie said.
''Are you going to watch Toy Story with us.'' Aidan asked him.
''No I'm going to go and do my homework. Maybe later.'' Lucas told him as he headed into the kitchen before going to his room. ''Hey mom, dad.'' Lucas said as he saw his parents making sandwiches and coffee. Lucas headed to the fridge and got himself a soda before going to his room. He had just gotten starter o his English homework when his phone beeped, it was a message from Brooke.
I overheard Rachel talking 2 Nate at lunch B x
Who's Rachel L x
The red head frm last nite B x
Wat did u hear L x
Nate telling her he was gay B x
Wish I could have seen her face L x
It was priceless. Lol Have u talked to him yet B x
No not yet, I saw him in English told him I need space L x
Y he is crazy for u B x
Wat if it was Julian she kissed L x
I would be mad and ignoring him B x
The same way I feel L x
Julian is here, we're going to a movie wanna come B x
No thanks talk to u 2morrow L x
2morrow in the quad B x
After talking with Brooke, Lucas began studying for his pop quiz in History tomorrow. An hour had passed when Lucas heard a knock on the front door and he heard his mom greet the person. ''Hi Nathan. Are you here to see Lucas.'' Karen asked.
''Yeah is he here.'' Nathan asked as Karen showed him to the living room.
''Kathy, Michael this is Nathan, Lucas' husband. Nathan this is my sister Kathy and her husband Michael and their three kids Katie, Aidan and Hannah.'' Karen said as she introduced them.
''Hi.'' Nathan said as Karen told him to go on down to Lucas' room. Nathan opened the bedroom door and saw Lucas sitting at his desk on his laptop.
''What part of I need space and time didn't you understand.'' Lucas asked him, when he heard the door open and smelt his cologne.
''I would have went to Haley but she is out with Chris and I need help with my English, and considering you and Haley are top of the class.'' Nathan told him.
''Take a seat on the bed and stay on the bed.'' Lucas told him as he took the English paper and began to explain it to Nathan.
Karen knocked on her son's bedroom door. ''Come in.'' Lucas called out.
''I'm going to begin dinner and I was wondering if Nathan was staying.'' Karen asked.
Lucas and Nathan shared a look. ''Yeah mom, he's staying.'' Lucas told her. Karen nodded and left the room. ''The only reason I said you could stay was because you can't cook.'' Lucas told him.
''Thanks I know you don't want to talk about it but will you please just hear me out.'' Nathan asked him. ''I didn't enjoy the kiss.'' Nathan told him.
''It just hurt Nate to see you kissing a girl.'' Lucas told him.
''I'm sorry but I don't want to lose you. I'll do whatever it takes to keep you and to get you back.'' Nathan told him.
''Have you kissed any other girls other than Rachel.'' Lucas asked him as he got up from his desk and sat on his bed beside Nathan.
''Before we got together and before I was ready to admit to myself or anyone else that I was gay.'' Nathan told him.
''Did you sleep with any of them.'' Lucas asked him. 'This should have been a conversation we had before we got married.' Lucas thought to himself.
''No once it went as far as taking each other's clothes off when I pushed her away and made her leave.'' Nathan told him.
''Who was it?'' Lucas asked.
''Haley's Sister Taylor, it was a party I went to, when I started acting like an ass to you guys.'' Nathan told him. ''Have you ever kissed or slept with any girls.'' Nathan asked him.
''I kissed Brooke when we were 14. I had a feeling that I was gay and when I told Brooke that I thought I was gay, we decided to make-out, but I didn't feel anything. If you want me to be honest when I kissed Brooke I thought about you so I told Brooke that and she told me that my feelings were right, I was gay. That was about the time I started to pull away from the gang, as I couldn't stand to see you and not touch you or tell you that I love you.'' Lucas told him.
''Can we take it slow again. You don't need to move back in just yet. But maybe we can go out on dates.'' Nathan asked him.
''There's still two hours till dinner how about we take my cousins to the park.'' Lucas asked him as they both stood up and headed out of Lucas' bedroom to the living room to get his cousins. ''Hey Aunt Kathy, Nathan and I were going to go for a walk, if you want we can take the kids to the park until dinner is ready.'' Lucas asked her.
''Well Hannah is sleeping but you can take Katie and Aidan to the park if you want.'' Kathy told him. ''Aidan and Katie, Lucas and Nathan are going to take you to the park.'' Kathy said to her oldest two kids who were playing their DS's.
''Yay.'' The children cheered.
''Aidan you are to hold Lucas' or Nathan's hand the whole way to the park and the whole way home again. And the both of you are to listen to whatever they say to you, and leave when they tell you that it's home time.'' Kathy told her two kids the rules. ''Lucas, Nathan don't be scared to put them in time out. Aidan is 4 minutes and Katie is 6 minutes.'' She told the two boys.
-X-
Lucas and Nathan were sitting on a bench at the park while the two kids played. ''Brooke told me that she heard you and Rachel talking at lunch time and that you told her you were gay.'' Lucas told Nathan.
''Yeah she wasn't too happy with that news.'' Nathan told him.
''Lucas is Nathan your boyfriend. Daddy said he was.'' Katie asked her cousin.
''Yeah he is why don't you go and play with Aidan again.'' Lucas told her. ''Stop smiling I'm not going to explain to a 6 year old that at this moment I don't know what we are.'' Lucas told a smirking Nathan.
''I'm not smiling about anything.'' Nathan told him as he placed his arm on the back of the bench. ''Thanks for letting me stay for dinner.'' Nathan told him.
''If I didn't you would've burned the apartment down.'' Lucas told him.
''I can cook.'' Nathan protested.
''Reheating left over takeaway is not cooking.'' Lucas told him.
''Well, Well what do we have here Lucas and Nathan Scott looking cosy.'' Both teens heard from behind them.
''Hey Brooke, Julian, thought you guys were going to see a movie.'' Lucas asked her as Brooke sat down beside them and Julian stood by her side.
''We were meant to but we got a little side-tracked. Why are you guys at the park for.'' Brooke asked them.
''We took my Aunt Kathy's kids except for the youngest.'' Lucas told her.
''Have you two made up or are you just kind of talking.'' Brooke asked them.
''We're talking.'' Nathan told her.
''Aidan, Katie we have to go now dinner is ready.'' Lucas called out to the kids.
Aidan and Katie ran over to the bench. ''Hi Brooke.'' Katie said when she saw her cousin's best friend.
''Hiya Katie, Hi Aidan.'' Brooke said to the two young kids.
Aidan waved hello to her as Nathan and Lucas stood up ready to go. ''See you in school tomorrow.'' Lucas told Brooke.
(2 WEEKS LATER)
Nathan was standing with Haley at her locker when he noticed Lucas standing with Brooke at his own locker, when the TV monitors came on and everyone heard. ''I guess we can say what we want and nobody else will hear so here it goes, I know my husband is hiding something from me and I don't know what it is but I do have a feeling that it has to do with the reason as to why his parents keep phoning the apartment looking for him, or it could do with the fact that he knows who paid Felix's bail and I don't know how to get him to open up to me about it.'' He adds before getting of the stool and leaving. Lucas looks down and see's Nathan looking at him sadly.
-X-
''You're sure it's the time capsule from last year.'' Principal Turner asks Whitey as they walk towards a pillar.
''Damn sure.' Whitey tells him as they stop at a pillar with a plaque on it that reads, 'Tree Hill High School, TIME CAPUSLE. Sealed: April 2004 Open:2044.' ''Somebody uncorked it early he adds.
''I don't know Coach. Looks fine here.'' Principal Turner says as he studies the plaque. Whitey moves to the side and shows him a huge hole in the side of the wall were Peyton's Friends With Benefits poster is hanging.
''So, you wanna know what things were like fifty years ago? Well, the truth is… there's not a single person in this place worth remembering in fifty years. So don't believe any of the other crap you're hearing. Everyone at Tree Hill High is a liar. Like I'm sure Russla Hodney, you know, the All-American wrestler, who everybody thinks is this nice, respectable guy I bet he forgot to mention the fact that he's the king of slipping girls the date-rape drug. Or, Miss Perfect, 4.0, Katie Rattison, Yeah, three words gang bang abortion. See, people here are fake. So they stick to their cliques to hide it. I mean, the stoners are medicated, the honour student are afraid and the jocks, well,…they're jocks, man. They'll peak at seventeen and their cheerleader girlfriends will be fat and lonely by twenty-one. Losers! Everyone here is a loser! And the truth is, every day I have to come to this school,… is one less day I have to come back.'' Jimmy Edwards says on his video capsule.
''Attention students. Classes are cancelled for the day. Please exit the school in a timely and orderly fashion.'' Principal Turner says over the tannoy drowning out the rest if what Jimmy says. Jimmy Edwards rushes to the door, moving through the crowd as he does so. His recording is still playing. All of the students glare at him. They shake their heads and exit too.
-X-
Students are milling around outside. Mouth stops at Julian as Jimmy rushes past them, ignoring them completely. ''Hey Jim.'' Julian calls to him. ''Everything ok.'' He asks as Jimmy stops and turns to them reluctantly and Mouth and Julian walk to him.
''You don't talk to me for a year and now you want to be friends again.'' Jimmy snaps at them angrily.
''We just wanna talk.'' Mouth says to him.
''Well forget it. You just heard everything I have to say.'' Jimmy says sourly before he continues walking away.
-X-
Nathan walks into Lucas' bedroom at the Scott household and sees him sitting at his laptop watching the time capsule online. ''Whoever opened the time capsule uploaded onto the web too Nate.'' Lucas tells him.
''How did you know it was me and not your parents.'' Nathan asked him amazed as Lucas can always tell when Nathan is in the room.
''If I told you, I'd have to kill you.'' Lucas jokes with him as he takes a seat on his bed patting the space beside him.
''No need for me to tell you now what I was hiding from you at the time of the capsule as you already know about Dan and Felix.'' Nathan told him as he took a seat beside him.
''I know it's just seeing it brings back memories of what happened and I have tried so hard to move past it all.'' Lucas tells him as he moves to lie down. ''Come lay beside me.'' He tells Nathan.
Nathan joins him lying down and wraps his arms around him. ''You don't need to worry about them anymore. Felix is gone and Dan is too busy being Mayor to bother us.'' Nathan tells him.
''Do you want to be my date tonight for Peyton's charity show at TRIC.'' Lucas asked him as he tried to hide his yawn. He hadn't slept so good the last 2 weeks without Nathan.
''I would love too. How about we both have a quick nap before the show.'' Nathan told him. Lucas nodded and pretty quickly both of them were fast asleep.
-X-
''Since you're the head of the media club and being as you're president of the student body and all around social butterfly. I thought the two of you might know who caused all this mess.'' Whitey asks Brooke and Mouth who are both sitting in chairs in Whitey's office.
''Um…No idea Coach.'' Mouth says as he looks at Brooke briefly. ''Classes check out the keys to media closet all the time. Anybody could've done it.'' Mouth adds.
''How about you Miss. Davis? Any ideas?'' Whitey asks.
''Can't think of anybody right now.'' Brooke tells him as she looks at Mouth before looking back at Whitey.
-X-
Julian and Mouth are sitting on the bleachers at the rivercourt. ''I'm telling you he'll be here.'' Julian tells Mouth.
''Hey.'' Jimmy says as he walks onto the blacktop.
''Hey.'' Julian answers quickly as he and Mouth stand up and turn to face him. ''Sneaking up on us Jim.'' Julian asks him.
''Not hard to do when you're basically invisible.'' Jimmy tells them with a shrug.
''Look man. I'm glad you came.'' Julian tells him as he walks towards him.
''Well I almost didn't come but I figured it was the only way to get you to stop calling my house. I mean you don't call for a year and now it's five times in one day! What's up with that.'' Jimmy asks them as he stays standing where he is.
''Look i-i-i-it sucks that we lost touch,… ok? And-and a lot of that's on us.'' Julian says frowning as he indicates himself and Mouth. ''But it is a two way street. You know, our phones didn't ring either.'' He adds.
''Wow.'' Jimmy says as he nods slowly. ''I forgot how much fun this was.'' He says as he backs up ready to leave. ''Sorry I came.'' He adds as he turns to walk away.
''Come on Jim.'' Mouth says stepping forward.
''He speaks.'' Jimmy says as he turns back and walks up to Mouth. Whaddya ya got Mouth? Words aren't gonna make up for a year of being left behind? A year of being forgotten about.'' Jimmy tells him.
''How about I'm sorry. It sucks but it's a start.'' Mouth says to him. ''There's a concert tonight, this cancer benefit thing. We want you to come with us.'' Mouth tells him.
''I can't show m face around those people not the way I went off on the time capsule.'' Jimmy tells them shaking his head.
''Dude everybody went off.'' Mouth tells him laughing.
''Look you know what Mouth is right man. Th-They're not worried about what… you said. They're worried about what they said. Come on.'' Julian tells him.
''Whatever but if it's lame I'm leaving.'' Jimmy tells them.
-X-
''How are you, guys? First of all, I really wanna thank you guys for coming out tonight. Some of you may know, Ellie Harp recently succumbed to breast cancer, so, tonight, we remember her life by trying to save many lives – because, for every ticket you guys have purchased, you all are helping the National Breast Cancer Foundation in their fight against cancer so give it up for yourselves. Thank you. And, also, give it up for Sunkist who helped make all this happen tonight. Alright, now you guys, this next performer had leukaemia, he fought leukaemia and he kicked leukaemia's ass and tonight, he is here to kick yours! Please give it up for Andrew McMahon and Jack's Mannequin!'' Peyton tells the crowd.
The crowd cheers loudly as Andrew McMahon walks onto the stage. The music starts up and Jack's Mannequin begins to play 'The Mixed Tape'. Brooke and Peyton stand behind the curtain at the back of the stage, watching the band and smiling widely. Brooke hugs her. '' You did good, Peyton. Both your mom's would be proud of you.'' Brooke tells her. Peyton puts a hand on Brooke's arm and smiles back at her.
Karen is standing there, arranging things. Keith walks up behind her and puts his arms around her. She stops, smiles and kisses him.
-X-
''This is cool.'' Jimmy says to Mouth as Julian went off to find Skills and Fergie.
Mouth grins widely and nods. It fades when he spots Brooke coming to a stop across the room at the drinks table. She flips through the napkins. ''Hey, um,… I need to talk to Brooke for a second, OK?'' Mouth tells him. Jimmy nods. ''You're sure?'' Mouths asks once again.
''Yeah, man, go.'' Jimmy tells him.
''Alright.'' Mouth says relieved.
Mouth smiles and leaves Jimmy standing there. ''I'm sure you'll introduce me later.'' Jimmy says to himself as he looks around himself unsure.
-X-
Jimmy is still there, by himself Mouth and Julian had been gone for awhile now. He walks out of the VIP room and a girl notices him. ''Oh my god! Did you just get backstage? Who's out back there? Oh my god. Do you think you could get me in?'' The girl says as she rushes over to him. She was obviously drunk.
''Um,… I don't know. I could try.'' Jimmy says shocked as he shakes his head.
''Hey!'' Someone from behind him calls. Jimmy turns his head to see the person who rudely called them and he sees a group of students looking at the pair. ''Don't talk to him.'' The guy says as he walks up to Jimmy. ''That's the guy that was talking all that smack about me on the time capsule.'' He adds.
''Look, Russ, I'm really sorry-'' Jimmy tries to say as Russ shoves him back into one of his friends
Russ punches him in the stomach. Jimmy's glasses fall off and hit the floor. Russ punches him in the face now as one of his friends holds Jimmy in place. Jimmy hits the floor. Russ reaches to do more damage but Rachel runs in and sprays him with pepper spray. Russ yells and covers his face. Rachel continues to spray. ''Stay out of it!'' Russ's friends says to Rachel. He struggles and finally pushes Rachel to the floor. Lucas spots it and runs to Jimmy and Rachel. He grabs the guy that pushed Rachel and punches him in the face. Another guy holds Lucas steady while the first one returns the favour and punches Lucas in the face – repeatedly.
Nathan comes up behind and sees what they're doing to Lucas. ''Hey!'' Nathan calls out as he grabs the guy holding Lucas and punches him, a lot. Jimmy's still on the floor through all the commotion. The fighting continues until security personnel intervene and stop the fight. One pushes Nathan up against the wall. Jimmy reaches for his glasses but they're broken.
Mouth rushes to the group and stops when he sees Jimmy on the floor. ''Are you alright?'' He asks as Lucas reaches down to help Jimmy up. Jimmy violently shakes him off and steps back.
''Leave me alone!'' Jimmy tells him angrily. '' Just forget about it.'' He says as he pants sadly. ''And forget about me.'' He says as he turns away. Jimmy walks out. Mouth looks at Lucas. Nathan stands in the background. Lucas and Mouth spare him a glance.
-X-
Jimmy Edwards walks out of the club and puts his broken glasses back on. He notices they're broken and throws them aside. He pulls a pack of cigarettes out of his pocket and takes one out – putting it in his mouth. He tries to light it but his lighter sparks but keeps fizzing out. ''Damn it!'' Jimmy says as he throws his lighter aside harshly. A lighter is flicked on and held in front of his face. Jimmy Edwards looks at the person before leaning in and lighting his cigarette. Rachel is holding the lighter. She flips in closed and steps back, still watching him. He blows smoke out of his mouth. ''You're the one with the pepper spray, right?'' Jimmy asks her. Rachel just smiles but doesn't say yes. ''Thanks for helping me out.'' He adds.
''To be honest, it really wasn't about you. I've just… always wanted to pepper spray someone.'' Rachel tells him. He looks at her. Rachel walks away. He watches her while smoking.
-X-
Nathan and Mouth are standing by Lucas as he washes his mouth out at the drinking fountain. ''Took one in the jaw, huh?'' Nathan asks his husband with sympathy.
''Yeah, it wasn't one. It was, uh, three.'' Lucas tells him as he spits again. Lucas straightens and looks at Mouth. ''Any idea where your friend went?'' Lucas asked Mouth.
''Nah, I'm gonna see if I can find him.'' Mouth tells him as he leaves the two lovers alone.
Lucas touches his jaw and groans. Nathan shakes his head. ''You think we'll ever have a function in this town that doesn't end up in a brawl?'' Nathan asks him as he pulls Lucas into him and kisses him.
''Don't think so it's Tree Hill, home of the drama.'' Lucas tells him when they break apart. ''My jaw isn't too sore anymore. Kiss me again.'' Lucas tells him. Nathan pushes him up against the wall.
Later that night Nathan and Lucas went their separate ways with a promise of seeing watch other tomorrow after Nathan's tutor session with Haley. ''Luke don't forget to remind Coach that I have a tutor session tomorrow and I can't make morning practice.'' Nathan tells him as he drops him at Karen and Keith's house.
-X-
''It's been fifty years, fifty long years since I've done this. Looking back on what I said all those years ago; all the hopes and dreams I had… I've come to the conclusion that… if having things turn out the way you wanted them to… is a measure of a successful life,… Then, some would say I'm a failure. The important thing is; not to be bitter over life's disappointments. Learn to let go of the past. And recognise that every day,… won't be sunny. But when you find yourself lost in the darkness of despair… Remember, it's only in the black of night… that you can see the stars. And those stars will lead you back home. So, don't be afraid to make mistakes. To stumble and fall. Coz, most of the time, the greatest rewards come from doing the things that scare you the most. Maybe you'll get everything you wish for… Maybe, you'll get more than you ever could've imagined. Who knows where life will take you. The road is long, and in the end, the journey is the destination.'' Whitey hears himself say on the time capsule as he looks at pictures of his wife and of the basketball team.