Season 6. Chapter 6.14 (36). 'Running Scared.'
Voice over: (Haley James-Scott) --
"I might have just got all of my memories back, but it's kind of ironic. I now feel like all of these memories are someone else's thoughts and experiences, like I didn't live them at all. Maybe it's because I've been disconnected from myself for so long - I don't know -, but I do know I don't like feeling this way. I guess that's why I'm here - to find peace, and happiness, and get away from all of the drama back home. I do admit, though, I am afraid of -- "
Haley is on a train writing in a journal. Chris Keller is sitting beside her.
"Haley," Chris says suddenly, as Haley then puts down her pen. "You've been writing in that journal forever." Chris continues. "Give me some attention."
"OK." Haley says. "God."
"Seriously, good show back there, Haley." Chris compliments her. "It's good to have you back."
"Thanks, Chris." Haley smiles, taking his hand. "It's good to be back."
Cut To:
Lucas' bedroom. Nathan is laying in his bed, on his stomach, asleep, with the covers half-covering his lower half as he is wearing a white tank top. Suddenly, Lucas walks in with a cup of coffee.
"Oh, no." Lucas says. "Did you fall back to sleep?"
"No." Nathan says picking up his head a little.
"Here's your coffee." Lucas says, placing the mug on the night stand.
Nathan sits up and takes a sip of his coffee.
"Nate," Lucas begins. "You gotta stop this. I know Haley left and you got suspended from the Ravens, but you're better than this. This isn't high school anymore. You can't just get drunk every time you have a problem. You don't want to go back down that alcoholic road of no return."
"Maybe I do." Nathan says. "Ever think of that? Give me one good reason why I should care if I'm a drunk again."
"Your son." Lucas says. "Both of them. I'm sure Jamie doesn't want to see his father like this again."
Nathan is silent.
Cut To:
Brooke's house. There's boxes all over the place, and there's pizza boxes thrown about, wine bottles, beer bottles, etc. Peyton and Brooke walk out from the hallway, with their hair messy, looking tired, looking at the messy house in disbelief.
"Oh...my God." Brooke says. "I haven't felt a hangover this bad since high school."
"I haven't seen a house this messy since our high school parties." Peyton adds.
"Do you remember it looking this bad last night?" Brooke asks.
"We should start to clean up." Peyton says.
"Why don't we just call our boys to help us?" Brooke asks.
"Oh, yeah." Peyton says. "Call the boys to help us clean up from the party we didn't invite them to. That'll go over well."
Brooke grins, while starting to pick up the pizza boxes to clean up.
"How's things going with Ben anyway?" Brooke asks. "He seems really nice. Not to mention he's crazy about you."
"Oh," Peyton begins. "Things are going wonderfully. How are things with Jake?"
"Good." Brooke says. "He's been really sweet. Listen, are you sure there's no weirdness with that?"
"I'm positive, Brooke." Peyton assures her. "Just be happy with him. You both deserve each other."
Brooke smiles.
Cut To:
W.E.C.T. News Station. Mouth is in the film room going over videotapes.
Close-Up of Video Screen: Nathan at the Ravens game as he puts his hand on the other team's player and pushes the referee.
Suddenly, Mouth's boss walks in. Mouth shuts off the video screen.
"McFadden." The boss says. "You get any footage of the Ravens' coach putting his hands on that high school basketball player?"
"No, sir." Mouth shakes his head. "I'm sorry."
"Well," The boss begins. "Guess you just don't have what it takes to be a sports reporter." The boss turns to the exit.
"Uh, sir." Mouth says, standing up. The boss turns around. "I quit. That's why I'm sorry."
The boss shakes his head.
"Your mistake." The boss says, closing the door behind him.
END OF TEASER.
Haley is singing in front of a bunch of people on stage. Chris is watching from off-stage, smiling. Haley keeps looking back at him and smiling.
"I wanna be somebody," Haley sings. "I wanna be somebody. I wanna be someone. I-I wanna be somebody, who can face the things that I've been running from. Let me feel, I don't care if I break down..."
The crowd dances along. Haley takes a short pause to look back at Chris.
Cut To:
Mouth/Sarah's apartment. Sarah is professionally dressed as she is walking down the stairs with her purse around her shoulders. Suddenly, Mouth walks in the door with a smile on his face.
"Hi." Mouth says happily.
"Hey, smiley." Sarah replies. "Good day at work? Even though you should still be there right now." Sarah sounds confused.
"I quit." Mouth says.
"What?" Sarah asks. "And you're happy because of this? Why would you quit now?"
"We're going to leave in a less than a month, anyway." Mouth says. "And besides, I didn't want to stay at a place that would only make me a sports reporter if I used footage that would make things worse for my friend. I plan to be a sports reporters with hard work in California - with my girl, and soon-to-be bride."
"You're quite charming, Mouth McFadden." Sarah smiles, giving him a kiss. "So, what are you going to do in the next month?"
"Help you get ready for the wedding." Mouth says. "We can start today. Now, in fact."
"Well, that would be great," Sarah begins. "But some of us still have work to go to."
"Come on." Mouth says. "You're going to quit in two weeks anyway. Just quit now."
"Well, alright." Sarah says. "Spending the day together while planning our wedding does sound really good."
"Awesome." Mouth says. "We will go to the news station and you can quit, and then we can go straight to the mall."
Cut To:
Skills' apartment. Skills has a towel wrapped around his waist as he exits the bathroom. There's a knock on his front door, so he goes to answer it. It's Lucas standing in the door way.
"What's up, dog?" Skills says extending out his arm and fist to Lucas. Lucas hits Skills' fist with his own.
"You always answer the door naked?" Lucas asks.
"If you want." Skills teases, as he gestures and pretends to undo his towel, he stops and smirks. "So, how's it going?"
"Ah. Fine, I guess." Lucas shrugs. "Just worried about Nathan. He's been drinking since Haley's left."
"That's too bad." Skills says. "Can't get through to him?"
"No." Lucas says. "Feel free to try if you want."
"I just may do that." Skills says.
"So," Lucas begins. "How have you been?"
"What do you mean?" Skills asks.
"Well, you know." Lucas says. "You had a life in the NBA. You were living your dream, until you got thrown out. I mean, you've been back in Tree Hill for some months now. What's your next move?"
"Ah." Skills says. "Big questions from Counselor Scott."
"Na, man." Lucas says. "Seriously. What's your plan? Or don't you have one?"
"Just taking things one day at a time." Skills admits. "Hoping something will jump out at me."
"Well, you know," Lucas begins. "I hear there's a head coaching position open at Tree Hill High."
"Yeah." Skills says. "Just that position seems to be a little cursed, don't you think?"
"Well," Lucas begins. "You can always try for an assistant coaching position at, say, I don't know, Lakeside High."
"Yeah, we'll see." Skills says. "If that's what I want, I'll definitely hit it up there."
"Oh, hey." Lucas says. "Anna's suppose to email me a picture of us that we took yesterday at the ice skating rink. Can I use your laptop?"
"Yeah, man." Skills nods. "In my bedroom."
"Gotcha." Lucas says, as he goes back to Skills' room.
Lucas enters the door/bedroom and sits down in front of the laptop. He turns on the monitor and proceeds to click on the internet service link. As it loads, the default page comes up which is a dating site called, "Lust Factor." Skills' name on the site is already logged in, and just as Lucas is about to type in the internet address window box, an instant message pops up.
Instant Message: "Hey BBallPlayer13!"
Lucas looks surprised and begins typing in the instant messenger window.
Instant Message: "Hey, what's up?"
Lucas clicks send, and beings to chuckle.
"Hey, Skills!" Lucas says out loud enough for Skills to hear him. "You gotta get in here!"
Instant Message: "Nothing much. Just getting ready for work."
Suddenly, Skills enters the room and checks out the laptop screen.
"Hey!" Skills says, looking embarrassed. "That ain't no Yahoo! Mail site!"
"Sorry." Lucas laughs. "It just came up when I clicked on the internet."
"Whatever, man." Skills says.
"You're actually on a dating site?" Lucas asks.
"Hey, man." Skills says. "Not all of us have high school girls kissing us while we still married."
"Come on." Lucas says. "You used to play professional basketball. You really need help from the internet to find a date?"
"Used to being the key words." Skills tells him. "Na, man. You were right. Ever since I returned to Tree Hill I feel like I've been aimlessly moving through life with no real plan for myself. I just felt like I needed to spice things up - maybe get a serious relationship going."
"Na, I understand." Lucas says. "But - I mean - you don't even know this girl." Lucas says as he clicks on the girl's icon which directs him to her profile. "And she doesn't even have a picture?" Lucas turns to Skills. "You don't know what she looks like?"
"Man," Skills. "I don't care what she looks like. I've been having a great time talking to her. I don't have my pics up, either. I figure we'll find out when and if we meet up."
"You know," Lucas begins. "I think Brooke put Peyton on this site in high school."
"Brooke was just on here herself last year." Skills says.
"Really?" Lucas asks.
"Just do a search, her profile may still be up there." Skills says. "Besides, who do you think I got the idea from to go on there?"
"This is too crazy." Lucas laughs. "You do realize I'm going to tell all of our friends about this, right?"
Cut To:
Brooke's house. Brooke and Peyton are cleaning up.
"Next time we throw a party," Brooke begins. "Lets not let the guests leave until they've helped clean up."
"Well," Peyton begins. "You know, then that means we won't be able to get drunk and not know what's going on at the next party."
"OK, never mind." Brooke changes her mind. "We can clean up. It's fine."
Cut To:
Outside of Brooke's house. Jake and Ben pull up in their cars at the same time and park right in front of the driveway. They both get out of their cars holding coffees.
"Jake, right?" Ben asks.
"That's me." Jake nods, shaking Ben's hand. "Ben, right?"
"That's what it says on my driver's license." Ben nods. "So, I guess we had the same idea, huh?" Ben gestures toward the coffees.
"Oh, yeah." Jake says. "To bring our girlfriends a surprise coffee."
Ben nods, as they walk up to the front door together and Ben is about to press his finger on the door bell button.
Cut To:
Inside Brooke's house. The door bell rings.
"Who's that?" Brooke asks Peyton.
"Gee, I don't know." Peyton begins, looking at the door. "Just let me use my x-ray vision, Lois."
"Since when do you do Superman references?" Brooke asks.
"Lucas is surprisingly a fan." Peyton says.
Brooke smiles, as she walks to the door with Peyton and opens it.
"Surprise!" Ben and Jake say in unison as they hold the coffees in their hands.
Peyton and Brooke look at each other.
"Could you, uh, not yell?" Brooke asks, as Ben and Jake look confused.
"We have very, very bad hangovers." Peyton explains to them.
Ben and Jake peak inside the door, behind Peyton and Brooke.
"You threw a party here last night?" Ben asks.
Peyton and Brooke nod.
"And you didn't invite us?" Jake asks. "Thanks."
"It was -- " Brooke begins, looking at Peyton.
" -- More of a girl's thing." Peyton says, finishes Brooke's sentence.
"So," Ben begins. "We brought you coffee."
"And no," Jake begins. "We didn't plan to do it at the same time."
Peyton and Brooke grab their coffees.
"Thanks." Brooke and Peyton say in unison.
"Do you want to come in?" Peyton asks them.
"Yeah, sure." Ben accepts. "Any left over pizza?"
Jake and Ben begin to walk in passing Peyton and Brooke.
"Oh, no, honey." Brooke says. "If you stay, you're helping clean."
Ben and Jake walk into the kitchen to see how messy the place is. Peyton looks at Brooke, regarding her last comment.
"What?" Brooke asks. "We didn't call and ask them to come over and help. They came on their own."
Cut To:
W.E.C.T. News Station. Mouth and Sarah walk in to the news station. Suddenly, the same boss who talked to Mouth before sees Sarah and Mouth walk in.
"Oh," The boss says. "You're here. You're also late, but I'll forgive that if you stay over time. OK?"
"Uh, no." Sarah replies, declines.
"Excuse me?" The boss asks.
"I'm taking Mouth's lead, sir." Sarah tells him. "I quit."
The boss notices Sarah and Mouth are holding hands.
"How long have you two been together?" The boss asks.
"Awhile now." Sarah replies, vaguely.
"Well," The boss begins. "You two sure did a fine job at keeping your little romance a secret. If you both didn't quit today, I'd fire both of you love birds."
"Ah." Sarah replies. "Well, I'll be looking for my check in the mail soon for this pay period, k?"
"Me too." Mouth says. The boss nods.
"Have a great life together." The boss says sarcastically, as he notices Sarah's engagement ring. The boss begins to walk away.
"Thank you, sir!" Sarah replies, as he keeps walking - finally into the elevator.
Sarah and Mouth smile contently at each other as they turn to the exit to leave.
"Marvin!" A woman's voice yells. Mouth and Sarah turn around and it's Rhonda running toward them.
"Is it true?" Rhonda asks.
"Is what true?" Mouth asks her.
"I heard you quit." Rhonda clarifies.
"Yeah. It is." Mouth says. "Wait a second. I just quit this morning. How did you find out already?"
"Please - this is a news station." Rhonda says. "News travels fast here."
"Ah, gotcha." Mouth nods. "Well - we should be going now. We have a wedding to plan for."
Rhonda gasps surprisingly and happily.
"Aw," Rhonda begins. "You two are getting married?"
Mouth and Sarah smile at each other, while holding hands.
"Yeah." Mouth replies.
"This Valentine's Day." Sarah adds.
"Oh. Well," Rhonda begins, smiling. "Then I'll be expecting my invitation in the mail any day now. I'm sure you sent it already."
Mouth and Sarah glance at each other, awkwardly.
"Uh," Mouth stutters. "Yeah. Yeah - we just sent all the invites out earlier this week."
Sarah looks shocked at Mouth's response. Rhonda continues to smile.
"Oh, wonderful." Rhonda says. "Well, I'll see you both in a month then."
Mouth and Sarah put on 'fake' smiles.
"Well," Rhonda begins. "I should be getting back to work. You never know when that Nazi boss will pop out and see me standing around. Bye-bye, you adorable love birds!" Rhonda walks away.
"Nice going." Sarah says sarcastically. "You invited the woman to our wedding who almost broke us up by flirting with you - and when she isn't even on the guest's list!"
"So, what?" Mouth asks. "We're never going to see her again. Just don't invite her."
"We can't not send her an invitation now that your big mouth intervened!" Sarah replies.
"We have a lot of guests coming to the wedding." Mouth says. "If we do end up inviting her, you won't even notice her there."
"Are you kidding?" Sarah asks. "Her mouth's bigger than yours!"
Mouth chuckles, leading Sarah out of the news station with him.
Cut To:
Jamie's school. Mrs. Wait is reading a story book to the class, while some kids are sitting listening to her, and others are playing while listening. Jamie is playing with the toy train on the "play" tracks.
Close-Up: Jamie's hand (and the toy train) as he moves the train through a tunnel.
Flashback - Few Days Earlier:
Close-Up: Jamie's hand is moving his toy train out from a tunnel on the toy tracks. Suddenly, he hears his mom's voice, as he plays in his room.
"Hey, buddy." Haley says stepping into his room.
"Hi." Jamie replies.
"Where did you get that train?" Haley asks.
"Santa gave it to me." Jamie replies.
"Oh." Haley says. "I remember all of the cool stuff he gave me when I was your age."
"Like what?" Jamie asks.
"Like a rag doll," Haley begins. "And a mystery dating game, and a poncho."
"Boys' toys are so much cooler." Jamie says.
"Oh, yeah." Haley agrees with him. "You get basketballs, and trains, and action figures."
Jamie nods. Haley looks at a stuffed animal sitting on his bed.
"But, you know," Haley begins. "That bunny is kind of girl-ish."
"It is not!" Jamie says, running to his bed, as he picks up the fake bunny. "I love Chester."
Haley looks at him sweetly, as she begins to get misty-eyed.
"Come here, Jamie." Haley says, sitting on his bed. "Sit on momma's lap."
Jamie, with Chester, gets onto Haley's lap. She puts her arms around him.
"Momma," Jamie begins. "What's wrong?"
"There's no easy way to say this, buddy." Haley says. "But momma's gotta go away for a little awhile."
"Like to the grocery store?" Jamie asks.
"No." Haley replies. "Remember on your last birthday I sang that song for you?"
"Yeah." Jamie replies.
"I gotta go do that - sing." Haley explains. "Like on stage, in front of thousands of people. But I will be back, buddy."
"Will you be back before my next birthday?" Jamie asks.
"Absolutely." Haley says. "I promise. So, are you OK with this?"
Jamie nods.
"I guess." Jamie replies. "I'm going to miss you, mommy."
"Aw." Haley says. "I'm going to miss you too, buddy."
Jamie rests his head on Haley.
/End of Flashback - Present Time:
"Go up the hill!" One kid says to Jamie. "Move the train up the hill - come on!"
"Class," Mrs. Wait begins. "Why don't you all come sit down and listen to the story? You can play with the train later."
Cut To:
Lakeside High. Lucas walks into the school and sees the principal walking toward him.
"Someone must be excited that you got this job." The principal tells him.
"What?" Lucas asks.
"Check out your office." The principal says, as he walks by Lucas and into the boys' rest room.
Lucas gets an intrigued look on his face and proceeds down the hall to his office. As he approaches the door, he opens it and inside finds balloons all over the office and a blown-up picture of Anna and Lucas ice-skating sitting on top of his desk. Lucas steps inside slowly, as he leaves his door opened.
"Wow." Lucas says in awe, looking around at all the decorations. "I can't believe she did this."
The principals comes walking by Lucas' off and stops, looking in at the picture on his desk.
"I assume that's your girlfriend - or wife?" The principal asks. "She's cute. Lucky man."
"Thanks." Lucas nods as he smiles kind of embarrassingly. The principal walks away again.
Cut To:
Lucas' bedroom. Nathan is wearing jeans and is shirtless - he is proceeding to put on a t-shirt. Suddenly, Skills walks in.
"Hey." Nathan says, quickly finishing putting on his shirt. "I could've been naked."
"You sound like Lucas, man." Skills says.
"Speaking of Luke," Nathan begins. "Let me guess - he told you I've been hungover all week and asked you to come over and give me a motivational talk."
"I'm here because I want to be, dog." Skills tells him. "Why are you doing this to yourself?"
"Because I can." Nathan replies. "Why not?"
"Nate," Skills begins, sitting on the bed. "You gotta grow up eventually. You do this every time something goes wrong. Remember at the hospital when Rachel was in labor? Or when your mom died? You're doing the exact thing that made Haley leave in the first place."
"It just hurts too much if I'm not drunk." Nathan admits.
"You have a son to think about." Skills says. "And that little boy needs at least one parent sober and in the same town with him."
"I know." Nathan agrees.
"Listen, Nate." Skills says. "I have a lot going in my life, too. Actually, let me rephrase that. I don't have a lot going on in my life and that's part of the problem."
"What are you talking about?" Nathan asks.
"Ever since I came back to Tree Hill last year," Skills begins. "I've had zero direction in my life. I was feeling sorry for myself for months for getting thrown out of the NBA - and it did me no good at all. Do you know what I did to fix that?"
Nathan shakes his head.
"I seriously asked myself what will make me happy?" Skills says. "What will make my life feel more complete? And the answer to my question I found out was to fall in love. So what I did was join one of those online dating sites."
Nathan chuckles.
"Oh, God." Nathan comments.
"It's legit." Skills says. "It's not one of those sex sites. The point is, I stopped feeling sorry for myself and I found something that would make me happy. I found a way to get out of the ditch I've dug for myself. What's going to get you out of this?"
"I don't know." Nathan shrugs.
"Well," Skills begins. "Figure it out - and then make it happen."
Nathan nods, as Skills pats him on the back.
"Hang in there, OK?" Skills asks, as he leaves Nathan be and exits the room from the side/back door.
Nathan glances over at Lucas' night stand seeing a picture with Brooke in it. He looks at the picture and thinks.
Cut To:
Lakeside High. Lucas' office. The balloons are still all over the room, but the blown-up picture is face down against the wall so it can't be seen. Lucas is typing on his laptop computer. Suddenly, Josh approaches Lucas' door way and knocks softly on the opened door. Lucas turns in his direction.
"Oh, Josh." Lucas says. "Did you transfer schools or something?"
"No." Josh replies. "I'm here on a mission."
"And what's that?" Lucas asks.
"I don't like you with Anna." Josh says bluntly. "I think you're too old for her, and, even with me being in high school, I can see the whole relationship is inappropriate considering she was your student at one time."
"And you're here to try and get me to end things with her." Lucas guesses.
"Na." Josh says. "She's my friend and I promised her I would just be happy for her. So that's what I'm going to do."
"Thank you, Josh." Lucas says.
"But make no mistake," Josh begins. "I'll be watching you with her. If you hurt her in any way I will get involved."
"Anna's lucky to have a friend like you who watches out for her." Lucas says. "Now I should be getting back to work."
Josh walks out without saying a word.
Cut To:
Tree Hill mall. Mouth and Sarah are in a store looking at tablecloths, napkins, etc. Sarah holds up two wrapped up table cloths and shows Mouth.
"Pick." Sarah says.
"Um." Mouth says. "The white."
"Really?" Sarah asks, displeased.
"Well," Mouth begins. "I just think it's more wedding-y an elegant."
"Eh." Sarah shrugs, still unsatisfied.
"Alright." Mouth says. "Well, what color do you prefer?"
"I like the pink." Sarah states. "White is too, uh, traditional. And blah."
"You're not into being traditional?" Mouth asks.
"Oh, no." Sarah says. "I am. But not with wedding colors."
"OK." Mouth says. "Lets just decide on something else. I mean, who cares about the table cloth colors?"
"You're right." Sarah nods. "In fact, we should talk about more decisions over lunch."
"Why over lunch?" Mouth asks.
"I'm starving." Sarah replies.
Cut To:
Brooke's house. The place is all cleaned now. Brooke, Peyton, Ben, and Jake are sitting around with a bottle of wine and glasses.
"So, wait." Ben says. "You three all knew each in high school," Ben begins, gesturing toward Peyton and Jake. "And you two dated?"
Peyton, Brooke, and Jake nod.
"Well," Ben begins. "I totally feel like an outsider now."
"Aw." Peyton says putting her arm around him. "You're my outsider, baby."
"I like being an outsider." Ben grins, as Brooke, Jake, and Peyton laugh.
"So," Jake begins. "We have this whole house cleaned up - lets go do something fun. The four of us."
"I'm always down for something fun." Brooke winks.
"Not that kind of fun." Peyton tells Brooke.
"Yeah." Ben chimes in. "No swinging for us. Besides, I'm sure Peyton and Jake already -- uh." Ben stops.
Peyton, Jake, Brooke look awkward. Ben's embarrassed.
"Anyway," Jake begins. "So something fun, right? Lets go bowling. Couples bowling."
"Yeah." Brooke agrees. "That'll be fun. Jake and I, against Peyton and Ben."
Peyton and Ben nod in agreement.
Cut To:
Ten pins standing up at the end of a bowling lane. A ball suddenly comes rolling down the lane quickly and knocks all of them down.
"Yes!" Brooke smiles, as she high-fives Jake.
"That's my girl." Jake says. "I didn't know you were so good in bowling."
"Me either." Brooke shrugs.
"I guess those bowling lessons your parents paid for in 7th grade was worth every penny." Peyton tells Brooke.
"Who knew?" Brooke asks.
"Alright." Ben says grabbing his bowling ball. "I'm up. Peyton, wish me luck. We need to catch up to the brunette duo."
Ben begins to line his feet up at the lines, aiming his ball.
"Oh, wait!" Peyton says, running up in front of Ben, and giving him a kiss on the lips.
"Good luck." Peyton winks.
"Best good luck charm ever." Ben smiles. Peyton sits back down.
Ben swings his arm, holding the ball, and throws it toward the pins.
Cut To:
Lakeside High. Cafeteria. Lucas walks in and goes toward the food area. The principal walks in and sees Lucas, going to standing behind him.
"Late lunch?" The principal asks.
"Yeah." Lucas replies. "Had a lot of students who wanted to talk."
"You don't bring your own lunch?" The principal asks Lucas.
"Not today." Lucas replies. "Why? The food that bad here?"
"It's terrible." The principal nods.
"I must be missing something then." Lucas says. "Why are you buying the food if it's so awful?"
"I forgot my lunch in my fridge at home." The principal explains. "And I'm trying to save on gas money."
"Yeah." Lucas chuckles. "Gas is becoming ridiculous."
The principal nods in agreement.
"Hey, listen." Lucas says. "Sorry about my office and all of the decorations. I guess my girlfriend doesn't know that's not appropriate to do on a guy's first week at his new job."
"It's sweet, really." The principal says.
"Oh." Lucas says surprised. "Well, thanks for understanding -- "
"But if your girlfriend pulls a stunt like that again," The principal begins. "You might as well go back to Tree Hill High."
Lucas begins to look uncomfortable. Suddenly, the lunch lady comes out from the back.
"Next," The lunch lady says to Lucas. "Sir, you're next."
Lucas walks up to her, beginning to "order" his food.
Cut To:
Tree Hill mall. Food court. Sarah and Mouth are sitting at one of the tables. They have empty coke bottles and empty plates sitting in front of them.
"Marvin," Sarah begins. "I'm worried."
"You must be if you're calling me Marvin." Mouth says.
"This is serious." Sarah replies. "We don't agree on anything regarding our wedding."
"Well," Mouth begins. "We can always just get hitched instead. Yeah - we can be at the airport with two tickets to Las Vegas in an hour, and be married by tonight. What do you say?" Mouth smirks, jokingly.
"Come on." Sarah says. "Be serious. I'm actually worried here."
"Of what?" Mouth asks.
"Of us not working out in the long run once we're married." Sarah admits. "What if this whole non agreement on the wedding stuff is actually a sigh that we shouldn't get married?"
"Someone's getting cold feet." Mouth tells her.
"Be serious." Sarah replies.
"Alright." Mouth says. "Listen, does it really matter if we don't agree on what color the tables should be, or if there should be chicken or steak, or what kind of music should be playing? As long as we agree for the most part on the big important issues, I think we'll be fine."
"Like what?" Sarah asks.
"I don't know." Mouth shrugs. "Like, how to raise our kids. Religion. Money and finances. That kind of stuff."
"OK." Sarah replies. "So what are your religious beliefs, anyway?"
"I'm Catholic." Mouth replies.
"You are?" Sarah asks.
"How did you not know that?" Mouth asks.
"When have we talked about religion?" Sarah asks. Mouth shrugs.
"So," Mouth begins. "What are you?"
"Jewish." Sarah replies.
"Interesting." Mouth responds. "So which way would we raise our children?"
Sarah shrugs. Neither of them say anything. They both begin to look uneasy, as they begin to drink their milkshakes to avoid talking.
Cut To:
Lucas' office. Lucas is eating his lunch at his desk. His door is closed, and suddenly someone knocks from the other side.
"Come on." Lucas calls out.
The door opens, and Anna walks in.
"This is sort of like deja vu, huh?" Anna smiles. "What happened to your day is always opened?"
"That was at Tree Hill High." Lucas says.
"Ah." Anna nods. "So, how did you like my surprise?"
"Sweet gesture." Lucas says. "Would have been more appropriate if it wasn't my new office you decorated at my new job."
"You didn't like it?" Anna asks, hurt.
"Like I said," Lucas begins. "It was a sweet gesture. But you should know better than to decorate a guy's office during his first week on a new job."
"Not a guy's office." Anna says. "My boyfriend's new office. Forgive me for being proud of you."
"OK." Lucas says. "Then take me out to dinner. Don't go marking your territory in my new office by blowing up pictures of us and hanging them on my walls."
"I put it on your desk." Anna corrects him, kind of in a smart-mouth way.
"Anna, come on." Lucas says. "Do you know what that looked like to other people? I don't want my new colleagues, or most of all my new boss, to think I have some insecure, jealous girlfriend."
"I can't believe this." Anna says. "I try and do something nice for you, and you insult me."
"Anna," Lucas begins. "I'm sorry, but you just don't go and pimp someone's office. OK? This is suppose to be a professional setting. And because you're my girlfriend, it just makes you look insecure. I mean, what, Anna - were you hoping my female colleagues would see that picture because you don't entirely trust me?"
"That is not it." Anna says, in disbelief. "But since you brought it up, you have cheated before on certain people."
"Damn it, Peyton!" Lucas says angrily, slipping up. "This isn't high school anymore -- " Lucas stops realizing his mistake. Anna looks surprised. "Anna -- I'm sorry. I didn't -- "
"I should go." Anna says simply. "I'm sorry about your office."
Anna leaves, shutting the door behind her. Lucas, frustrated, throws away his food forcefully into the trash can.
Cut To:
Bowling alley. Peyton and Brooke are sitting on chairs in front of the score pad, and eating hot dogs with all of the fixings on top. Ben and Jake are not seen anywhere.
"You and Ben are adorable." Brooke says. "You guys have been really hitting it off, huh?"
"Yeah." Peyton nods. "He's really sweet. I mean, I didn't think I'd be able to be happy with someone else so soon."
"You deserve it." Brooke says.
"Speaking of deserving," Peyton begins. "You and Jake go well together, too."
"I'm surprised you think so." Brooke admits.
"Me too." Peyton chuckles. "Seriously, you are both my friends and the truth is I couldn't be happier for you both."
Suddenly, Ben and Jake come walking down the steps back to Brooke and Peyton.
"Sawyer," Ben begins. "Put down that hot dog and hit the ball."
"If you had said 'hit the gym,'" Peyton begins. "I would have hit you." Peyton smirks, walking up and proceeding to grab her ball. Suddenly, Ben walks up to her.
"Hold up, babe." Ben says, turning Peyton around to him, and giving her a kiss.
"I'll hold all you want." Peyton says, kissing him back. Brooke and Jake smile looking at them.
"You so don't need any gym time, baby." Ben says, as he reaches behind Peyton and grabs her butt. Peyton then looks horrified, backing away from him. Brooke turns to Jake, surprised. "What?" Ben asks.
"Don't touch me like that." Peyton says sternly.
"Like what?" Ben asks, as Peyton looks offended. "Oh, come on."
"I'm serious." Peyton says, as she walks away.
"I'll be right back." Ben tells Brooke and Jake, as he leaves too.
"I can't believe he did that to her." Brooke says to Jake. "How disrespectful."
Cut To:
Outside bowling alley. Peyton is leaning up against the wall, biting her nail. Ben walks out and sees her, approaching her.
"Hey." Ben says. "I'm sorry if I, uh, offended you in there."
"You think?" Peyton asks. "And why would something like that offend me, Ben, huh?"
"I'm sorry." Ben apologizes. "I'm just an affectionate person."
"No, Ben." Peyton says. "I'm an affectionate person. What you did was just plain disrespectful to me."
"You're right." Ben nods. "I'm sorry. I just got carried away."
"You know," Peyton begins. "I've really liked spending time with you lately. I've really liked where we've been heading - until what just happened in there. I've dealt with my share of disrespectful guys, Ben. I know the signs of such guys."
"Peyton," Ben begins. "I'm sorry I did something that made you this uncomfortable. Whatever I can do to make it up to you and prove I'm not one of those guys, I'll do it. I can leave now, or go back inside and finish our game with you. Whatever you want. But you should know, I love where we're heading. I don't know what good deed I did to meet such a wonderful girl like you."
Peyton gives in, and smiles. By the look, it's clear she has forgiven Ben.
"You know," Peyton begins. "I think we just had our first fight. And also, our first make-up."
"Boy, we're -- " Ben begins. "We're really becoming deeper in this relationship, huh?"
Peyton smiles, nods.
"Looks that way." Peyton says, giving Ben a kiss. Ben kisses back.
"So," Ben begins. "What do you say we go back inside and show the brunette duo that this couple's comeback is about to shine."
Peyton grabs Ben's hands as they walk back into the alley.
Cut To:
Jamie's school. Inside. Nathan walks in and sees all the kids getting their coats on. Mrs. Wait is standing nearby.
"Oh, hi, Mr. Scott." Mrs. Wait smiles. "Jamie is already to go home."
"Oh, good." Nathan replies.
"He's doing so much better these days." Mrs. Wait comments. "He's stopped the play gun gestures and he's been quite the little angel."
"Glad to hear that." Nathan says, as Jamie walks to Nathan. "You hear that, buddy? Your teacher just gave you a compliment."
"Thank you." Jamie replies.
"OK." Nathan says. "You ready to go home?"
Jamie and Nathan wave bye to everyone and walk out.
Cut To:
Parking lot of Jamie's school. Jamie is in the back seat and Nathan is fastening his seat belt.
"Tight enough?" Nathan asks.
Jamie nods.
"Daddy," Jamie begins. "I'm glad you are picking me up from school again. Uncle Skills is cool, but I like when you come to get me."
Nathan smiles at his son.
"I'm going to be here for you a lot more, bud." Nathan says. "I promise."
Nathan proceeds to stand up to shut Jamie's door.
"Will mommy be here more, too?" Jamie asks. "Is she ever coming back?"
"I hope so." Nathan says. "I'm sure she'll be home soon."
Jamie smiles, as Nathan shuts the door and goes to the driver's side.
Cut To:
Skills' apartment. He's in his bedroom on his laptop. He makes an 'O ooh' sound while smiling at the screen.
Instant Message: "I think we should go talk on web cam now."
Skills' reply (via I.M.): "I'd love that, but I don't have a web cam. Sorry. :-("
Instant Message: "Well, then we should meet up. What do you say?"
Skills' reply: "Sure. Tonight. Where?"
Cut To:
Lakeside High. Lucas is in his office, popping all of the balloons with a needle. He throws them in the trash can once they've popped. The picture is still hidden behind his desk. Suddenly, the principal walks in.
"Hey, Mr. Scott -- "The principal begins. "Hey. Why did you take down all of the decorations?"
"Are you serious?" Lucas asks. "I thought you didn't approve."
The principal begins to laugh. Lucas looks confused.
"Oh." The principal says. "Did you think I was serious in the cafeteria? Listen, I just wanted to make sure you knew I was just joking with you. Apparently, you didn't. Well, now you know."
"So," Lucas begins. "You really thought it was sweet then?"
"Yeah." The principal nods. "I wish I had a girlfriend who cared enough to decorate my office. That girl must really think you're the cat's meow. Don't let that one get away, son."
The principal walks out. Lucas smiles, relieved. He picks up the picture from under his desk and hangs it on his wall. Stepping back, he stares at the picture of him and Anna and smiles.
Cut To:
Train - Inside. Haley is writing in her journal. Chris is thinking, and suddenly turns to Haley.
"I think you need to go home." Chris says.
"What?" Haley asks.
"You need to work things out with Nathan, Haley." Chris says. "You need to stop running from that part of your life."
"Who says I'm running away?" Haley asks.
"You do." Chris says.
"And when did I say that?" Haley asks.
"On stage." Chris says. "In your song. 'I wanna be somebody who can face the things that I've been running from.'"
"Chris -- " Haley begins.
"People write down the things they can't say." Chris tells her. "And you wrote those lyrics yourself. You need to start being that person, for yourself, for Nathan, and most of all, for your son."
Cut To:
Bowling alley. Peyton and Brooke are sitting in the middle keeping score. Ben is picking up his ball from the machine. He holds it up and faces the other three.
"Man," Ben begins. "Doesn't this ball look particularly shiny?" Ben winks at Peyton. "One more strike and we'll be tied."
Ben begins to roll his ball toward the pins. Brooke turns to Peyton.
"You OK?" Brooke asks.
"Yeah." Peyton nods. "I'm good."
Brooke puts her hand on Peyton's. Ben throws his ball on the lane toward the pins. He gets a strike and starts cheering. Peyton runs up to him and they hug.
"Oh, wow." Jake says. "Talk about a premature winning celebration. The score's still tied."
"Not for long." Ben says. "Alright, Brooke. You're up."
Brooke picks up her ball and takes a stance behind the line, holding up her ball.
"Not for long is right." Brooke says, as she swings her arm back and throws her ball toward the pins. Nine of them get knocked down. "Oh! God!"
"You'll get the spare, babe." Jake tells her.
Brooke bowls again and gets the last pin down.
"Yes!" Brooke cheers, hugging Jake.
"Bring us home." Ben says to Peyton. "I know you can strike it."
Cut To:
THAT NIGHT --
Voice over: (Haley James-Scott) --
"I'm afraid of being vulnerable with Nathan again. I'm afraid of being hurt again. I'm afraid to get close to him, because what if he leaves for Rachel again? My heart still races when I see him. I don't think it could take another beart break. Vulnerability - it's what we all have to go through when we give our heart to someone. Sometimes it's hard, but to be with someone there's no getting around it."
Peyton, Ben, Jake, and Brooke, are walking out of the bowling alley. Jake high-fives Brooke.
"Nice going, Davis." Jake congratulates her.
"Nice try, Sawyer." Ben says to Peyton.
Cut To:
Lucas' bedroom. Lucas is laying on his bed. Someone knocks on his bedroom door. He answers it and it's Anna.
"Anna," Lucas begins. "I'm so glad you came by."
"Yeah?" Anna asks.
"I am so sorry about earlier today." Lucas apologizes. "I was just stressed about my first week, and my boss said if something like that happens again he'd fire me."
"He said that?" Anna asks.
"He was just joking." Lucas says. "A fact I found out after I snapped at you."
"I forgive you." Anna says. "But there is something else we probably should address. You called me Peyton in your office."
"I guess when we were fighting it reminded me of Peyton." Lucas says. "Sad, huh? I think Peyton and I spent more time fighting than anything else."
"So," Anna begins. "You're not still into her?"
"Anna," Lucas begins. "Peyton is my past. You're the girl I want to be with now."
"You're my guy." Anna smiles, giving Lucas a hug. "I love being in your arms."
"I like holding you." Lucas says. "But -- it is getting late."
"Can I -- " Anna begins, nervously. " -- Maybe stay the night with you?"
Lucas nods.
"I'd like that." Lucas replies.
Lucas and Anna kiss for a moment.
"Let me get out of these clothes." Lucas says, heading for his door.
"When you take them off," Anna begins. "Don't put anything else on."
Lucas smiles and goes into the bathroom.
Cut To:
Brooke/Peyton's house. Peyton's bedroom. Peyton and Ben are in there, undressed - in pajamas.
"I'm sorry again about earlier." Ben apologizes. "I just can't seem to keep my hands off of you."
"You know," Peyton begins. "This would be a time when it would be OK to put your hands on me." Peyton winks.
Ben smiles, wrapping his hands and arms around Peyton's waist. They look into each other's eyes.
"I know we just met." Peyton says. "But I feel like I've known you for longer than I have."
"Me too." Ben replies.
"Wouldn't you say we're an exclusive couple?" Peyton asks.
"Oh, yeah." Ben says. "Very deep, too."
"Then maybe it would be OK -- " Peyton begins, as she kisses Ben passionately. Ben kisses back.
Ben and Peyton move onto the bed and start to make out.
Cut To:
Skills is driving in his car. He has Mapquest papers on the dashboard.
"Damn," Skills begins. "I can't believe I'm going all the way to Georgia for an internet girl. I must be crazy. She better be hot."
Cut To:
Brooke/Peyton's house. The door bell rings. Brooke answers it - it's Nathan.
"Hey, Nate." Brooke says. "Kinda late, huh?"
"I know." Nathan says. "I sorta was wondering if we could talk."
"Of course." Brooke says. "What's on your mind?"
"I haven't been doing so well this week." Nathan admits. "In fact, I haven't been doing so well this whole year."
"Haley will come back, Nathan." Brooke says. "She loves you. And if she doesn't, then she doesn't know what she's missing."
"You think so?" Nathan asks. "Because what I think is I had all of this coming. I treated you bad at times when we were together, and you left. And now Haley's followed your lead. Maybe I deserve this."
"Nathan," Brooke begins. "You don't. You wanna know a secret? I think back a lot, how I got in the way of Lucas and Peyton last year, how I fell for Mouth. I loved you, Nathan. And I'm happy with my life right now. But sometimes I think we could've tried harder to save us."
"Yeah." Nathan nods. "I think about that, too."
Suddenly, Nathan and Brooke look at each other and can't help but kiss on the lips. They put their arms around each other, but then stops.
"I should go." Nathan says. "You're with Jake."
Nathan exits the house. Brooke takes a deep breath and turns around, and Jake is there looking at her.
Cut To:
Georgia. Skills pulls up in his car to a restaurant. He gets out holding a red rose, as he hears a woman's voice.
"Oh, my God." The woman's voice says. "Skills!?"
Skills turns to his left and there stands Bevin. He looks shocked.
"Bevin?" Skills asks. "You the web cam chick?"
Bevin nods.
"It's been awhile," Skills begins. "Hasn't it?"
Bevin nods, as they walk to each other and start to make out.
Cut To:
Tree Hill train station. Haley walks off the train with a baggage. Chris is standing in the door way.
"Haley." Chris calls out. "Good luck with everything."
"I love you, Chris." Haley says. "You've helped me out a lot. And I really thought that this is what I wanted. But I think you're right - Nathan's in my heart, and he always will be."
"You can't fight fate, right?" Chris asks. "I love you too, Haley."
Chris walks back into the train. Haley keeps on walking.
Cut To:
Brooke's house. Jake is standing there looking at Brooke.
"Jake -- " Brooke begins.
"It's OK, Brooke." Jake says. "We haven't been dating that long - and you were engaged to him."
Brooke nods.
"I don't know what is with the women I fall for and those Scott brothers," Jake begins. "But if you feel like you want to get back with Nathan then you should go after him. Don't let a few week old romance stop you."
Brooke turns toward her front door and walks to it, placing her hand on the door knob, and then looking back at Jake.
END OF CHAPTER.