AN: It feels so good being back :) And all the great and sweet reviews just made my day, so thank you :)
Nothing much exciting happens in this chapter, but just hang in there... & of course let me know what you think!

Nathan jumped and threw the basketball, not even looking back to see if he made the shot. Instead, he grabbed his bottle of water and sat down. He had to stay in shape if he wanted to go to Duke, and with basketball season already over, he made sure he practised as much as he could. He was about to get inside when he saw someone walking over to him from the corner of his eye. Someone he didn't really want to see. "Lucas."

"Hey. Still practising I see."

"I've got to stay in shape if I want to pursue a career in basketball, Luke. You of all people should know that." Nathan saw the look on Lucas' face change and knew he shouldn't have made that last comment.

Lucas held his hands up in defence "Ok, I deserved that." He bend down and grabbed the ball "But don't think I don't miss it, Nate. When I played my last game I couldn't stop looking at the clock, to see how much time I had left. I made sure I enjoyed every minute of it, knowing that I would never play basketball again, only because I have a bad heart."

"Are you here to reminisce about those days? Because that was only two weeks ago, so you still have a whole lifetime to think about your last game," Nathan walked over to Lucas and grabbed the ball "Why are you here, Luke?"

Lucas shook his head "You're not making this any easier."

"And why should I? You blamed me for killing Keith, man. That's something that isn't easy to take."

"I know, I came to apologise," Lucas sat down on the bench and looked at Nathan "I'm sorry that I said you are the reason Keith's dead. I shouldn't have."

Nathan sighed "It's ok, I know you didn't mean it, just," he sat down next to Lucas and put the basketball down "Think a little before you say things like that next time, ok? I'm pretty sure you don't want Peyton to lecture you every time you say something stupid."

Lucas looked at Nathan "She told you that?"

"Of course. I was wondering how long it would take you to show up here when she told me she went to see you today." Nathan laughed.

"She's fierce, Nate. I have to admit that." Lucas shook his head.

"Did she scare you? I know things can get pretty intense when she want to get her point across."

"No," Lucas laughed, but saw the look in Nathan's eyes "Ok, maybe a little." He got up "Don't let her go, Nate. She's a good person."

Nathan got up as well "I know. I hope she'll come with me to Duke, but, we'll see, I guess. It's up to her."

Lucas gave his brother a hug "Alright man, I'll see you. Say hi to Peyton for me."

Nathan laughed "I will." He grabbed his bottle of water and headed in.

"Hey."

Peyton looked up and saw Nathan entering her bedroom "Hey," she got up and gave him a kiss "You're early."

"I know," Nathan sat down on Peyton's bed "But I was bored and thought I could go see you before I'd go to Duke's orientation day."

Peyton nodded "I'd forgotten that was today," she sat down next to Nathan, who took her hand "Only a couple more weeks, Nate, then you'll be gone."

"You could come with me." Nathan gave her another kiss.

She sighed, knowing that Nathan really had tried not to push her, but she also knew that was hard for him. He wanted her to come to Duke with him, something that Peyton hadn't ruled out completely, she just wasn't sure if it was the right way to go. Not letting go of his hand, Peyton laid down on her bed.

"What are you thinking about, Sawyer?" Nathan laid down as well and put his arm around Peyton's shoulders, pulling her in for a hug. He knew she struggled making a decision about what she should do after high school.

Nathan really hoped she would come with him to Duke. He was meeting the dean there later today and he planned on asking if it would be possible for them to rent a house on campus together.

Peyton grabbed on to Nathan "I don't want you to go, Nate."

"Peyton-"

"I know you have to and I don't want to stop you, you know that. It's just that," Peyton closed her eyes and took a deep breath "I wish we could be kids forever, you know. Not having to deal with all these difficult decisions."

Nathan kissed Peyton's forehead "Me too."

"I really want to be with you, Nate, because I love you and you mean the world to me, but it's scary." Peyton sat up and looked at Nathan "What if things don't work out between us? What if we go to Duke together and for some reason our relationship changes and we end up breaking up? I don't want that."

"Me neither, Sawyer. But there's only one way to find out." Nathan tried to smile at Peyton, trying to reassure her everything would be fine, knowing this was one of the things she feared most.

"And if I don't go to Duke with you," Peyton lowered her eyes "I'm afraid we'll grow apart and end up breaking up anyway."

Nathan sat up "You have to have faith in our relationship, Peyton. Otherwise we might as well give up right now."

She shook her head "I do, Nate. I believe in our relationship." Peyton looked at Nathan and saw the worrying look in his eyes "I really do, believe me. But I just need something that tells me we'll be ok, you know."

"I," Nathan sighed "I don't know if I can give you that, Peyton. I am willing to fight for our relationship once we've finished high school, because I love you and I couldn't stand being without you, but I can't guarantee that's enough."

"I know," Peyton took a deep breath "I know."

"Come here." Nathan gently cupped Peyton's face and gave her a kiss. "Now, what's this I hear about you giving Lucas a piece of mind?" Nathan smiled when he saw the look on Peyton's face change from doubt to excitement.

"Did he tell you?" Peyton smiled.

"He came over to apologise yesterday," Nathan laughed when he saw Peyton's self-satisfied expression. "You made quite an impression."

She laughed "Do you blame me? He was being ridiculous and he knew it. Somebody had to tell him."

"And I'm pretty sure you did just that," Nathan gave Peyton a wink "Thank you."

"No problem, I'm glad you guys cleared the air." Peyton got up and walked over to her computer. She got out the CD she made earlier and put it in a case, labelled Music to Duke.

"What's that?" Nathan looked at Peyton, who smiled.

"I was lying earlier when I told you I'd forgotten you were going to Duke today." Peyton handed him the CD "Here's something for the road."

Nathan smiled "Thank you."

Peyton shrugged "It's nothing, just some music I know you'll like." She laughed "None of that crappy music I listen to anyway."

"I shouldn't have said that, Peyton," Nathan laughed and gave her a kiss "But I did kind of meant it."

Peyton laughed and gave him a punch "Off you go, Scott. Otherwise you'll be late."

Nathan nodded and gave Peyton one last kiss "I'll see you at school tomorrow."

Peyton smiled "Bye."