Tired was an understatement Lina thought as she walked out of the spent most of the weekend learning all the routines and practicing with squad plus Essie was up all night and she barely got any sleep. It was her first day at Tree Hill High. It was only 615 but with a baby you needed all the time to not only just get yourself ready and but to get your kid ready as well. She made sure to pack the diaper bag the night before and had already gotten Essie ready who was playing in the playpen waiting for her mother to be done. Lina had just finished curling her hair and doing makeup for the day now she just had to find the perfect outfit for the day. Something that said available but not too available but nothing that didn't scream mom. she slipped into a pair of light blue skinny jeans and put on white short puffy sleeved crop top that hooked in the front, slipping on a pair of white skate shoes. Lina stood in front of the mirror fluffed her hair,She glanced at the clock it was 630 she was supposed to meet Karen at the cafe in fifteen. That lady was a saint and free child care, she'd have to figure out a way to pay her back maybe helping out at the cafe, Lina thought to herself. She didn't know why she was so nervous she was a big girl it's not like it was her first day of high school, she was a senior. Maybe it was the fact that she was a teen mom or maybe it was the fact she was the Dan Scott's other kid. Speaking of,Dan called four times this weekend all calls she sent to voicemail. It wasn't that they had the type of relationship like him and Nate or him and Luke. It was strained, she admit he did try for a while and on the summers she came to tree hill she did spend some time with him,But Lina knew it was only to save face with her grandparents old money families had a way of making you take responsibility for your actions even when you didn't want to not that she needed him she had a dad growing up. With Dan It always seemed when ever they spent time together it was to appease his parents and her grandparents to make himself look good and keep a good name in the business. She loved him because he was her father and she hated him for all the things he put Nate and Luke through. She would eventually call him back and they'll have dinner which would most likely be held at her grandparents' house to prove he was a good dad. Lina glanced at the clock again 640am, good thing the cafe was close though she will be just a few minutes late. She sent a quick text to Karen as she grabbed her backpack, diaper bag and picked up Essie. Heading to the car she buckled Essie into her new car seat. The old one now a permanent fixture in Keith car. Once Essie was buckled in she closed the back door and hopped into the driver's seat placing her backpack and diaper bag in the front passenger seat. As she started the car she got a text from Karen, no worries see you when you get here :) looks like Essie won't be the only baby hanging out today. Apparently Karen's cafe moonlights as a day care too Lina thought to herself putting her phone down and backing out the driveway and making her way to the cafe. She parked right in front of the cafe as she was making her way out the car she saw Karen was at the door talking to a guy holding a little girl in his arm next to a stroller. huh must be the other baby Lina thought opening the backseat removing Essie from the car seat shutting door then making her way to the passenger front door grabbing the diaper bag. Making her way to where Karen was standing she finally recognized the guy standing with Karen, it was 00. "Hi Karen sorry I'm late" Lina said approaching the pair. "Oh you're fine, Jake here was just dropping off Jenny too" Karen replied pointing to Jake as she unlocked the cafe door for them to walk in Damn he was cute Lina thought shaking her self out of her thoughts. "Hi" Lina said quietly, "you're on the team right?" Lina questioned. Jake looked at the girl who just approached them taking her in 5"5' big green eyes with long brown curly hair and tanned skin. Damn she cute He thought and gave her a small smile. " yes, wait you're the other Scott?!" Recognition displayed on his face with a little bit of disappointment. " yup that's me," Lina shrugged, "so is this your little sister?" Lina asked as they walked into the cafe following Karen to the playpen she had set up. "actually Jenny is my daughter" he said ready to see the look, the same look every girl gave him when they were interested and then realized he had a kid, everyone but Peyton he thought angrily,but the look never came. "Now we have two things in common" Lina flirted, what is wrong with you trying to make teen parents into a line Lina thought as she lifted Essie just a little. "teen parenthood and basketball" Jake smiled damn did he have a thing for Scott he thought. "If your music tastes is any good I'm just going to have to marry you" Jake said, what the hell jake he thought to himself that was so lame. Lina laughed despite herself he was so lame she thought which made him even cuter. "Well i didn't see any other cars so if you'd like, you can ride with me to school and check out my library." Lina shrugged. Was she really flirting while she was dropping of her kid seriously what was wrong with her? She thought to herself. "it's a date" he replied smiling. Did you really just say that Jake thought shaking his before either could embarrass themselves anymore they were interrupted by Karen. "I think it's time you said goodbye or you'll be late to school" "Right!" Lina said, "ok Essie be a good girl for Karen ok,"giving a kiss to the little girl and putting her in the playpen, "have fun with baby Jenny ok" as Jake sat Jenny next to Essie after kissing her on the head. "Thank you again Karen if you need any help with the cafe in return let me know ok?" Lina replied. "Labor in exchange for babysitting" Karen laughed, "that's everyone form of payment here." "Well you won't take money" Lina pouted, "I'll let you know, for now just get to school both of you." Karen said motherly. "Yes Karen" Jake and Lina said at the same time walking out the cafe. "So you're coming?" Lina asked walking to her car looking at Jake. "I did say it was a date" Jake smiled walking to the car and getting into the passenger seat. Lina started up the car and hooked her phone to the aux handing her phone to Jake to browse her library. "So how old is Jenny?" Lina said pulling away from the curb heading to the school. "She just turned 9 months"Jake replied,"there's a lot of Britney on here, I think we have to postpone the wedding" he joked. "Haha"Lina mocked, "I have a very eclectic music taste keep scrolling" she said slowing down at the red light. "How old is Essie?" Jake asked finally selecting a song and looking up from the phone. "She'll be eight months Friday " Lina replied as the starting chords to someday-Bryan Greenberg started playing. "It's crazy you know," Jake said looking through the phone as the song played. "What is?" Lina said pressing the gas as the light changed to green. "The first girl to catch my interest in a long time just so happens to be a Scott" Jake laughed ,selecting another song once the first one ended this time la cura by Frankie Ruiz started playing through the speakers, looking at Lina. She blushed and laughed as she made a right. "Don't hold it against me?" She replied sheepishly. "Oh i won't" Jake half smiled that almost caused Lina to melt right in her seat. Lina coughed not sure what to say next glancing at the clock on the dash 725 they were only five minutes away from the school. As the song ended Jake put on another as Lina pulled into the parking lot of the school, lust for life came through the speakers she gave a look to Jake. "You're a fan of lana del Rey?" She questioned. He shrugged " i like her voice, and plus i put it on cause it was in your top 25 playlist." Jake smiled. Lina saw her brothers standing in the parking lot between a powder blue beetle and a red pickup truck. She pulled in the open spot on the other side of the beetle. Turning off the car she turned to Jake, "so if you want we can drive together to the cafe after school?" Lina asked nervously. "I'd like that" Jake replied, "what does you schedule look like?i can meet you at you last class?" Before she could answer there was knocking on her window turning around seeing Brooke standing there smiling. "Is that hot dad in there with you hot mom?!" Lina and Jake laughed. "Looks like we're caught" Lina said. Jake grabbed her hand "got your back i'll go first" he laughed opening the passenger door. "Yo Jake!" Nate said as he exited the car. Lina followed grabbing her backpack from the floor in the front seat and putting her phone in the small packet exiting the car to face a curious Brooke. "Damn hot mom" Brooke said putting her arm through Lina's, "here three days and already got a man?" "It's not like that" Lina replied watching as Jake greeted Luke and Nate. "Right" Brooke said not believing a word Lina said. "Just be careful not with Jake he's a great guy, but let's just say your number one fan and him have a past" "Peyton?" Lina asked knowing the answer. Ugh of all the guys in Tree hill she likes Peyton's Ex she thought to herself whatever Lina shrugged she won't hold it against him smiling to herself. "Ok so what's your first class?" Brooke asked Lina as they join the rest of the group. "Um.." Lina said reaching into her backpack to grab the schedule she picked up Sunday during cheer practice. "First period i have English Literature and Composition with , second period Calculus with Miss. Jones, third period AP chemistry with Mr. Johnson, lunch , fourth period AP US Government with , Free period and sixth period French 4 with miss. Beaufort" Lina read of the classes front the paper. " ok nerd!" Brooke said despite what people thought of her she was one of the top 10 in their class. "Well you have first period together with me, Haley,and Luke" Brooke smiled, "and second period with me and Haley and sixth period with me." "You have third period with me and Haley" Luke added. "And fourth and fifth period with me" Jake said. Hmm she thought. "And we all have the best subject together" Nate said, " Lunch" Haley just shook her head at her husband. "There goes the bell let's go hot mom, tutor wife and broody we have class" Brooke declared linking her arms with both Haley and Lina. Broody he thought happily. Following behind. Broody?! She thought, it was a slip of old habits she shrugged it off. "Looks like it's just us two off to Chem" Nate said patting jakes back. "So you and my sister,huh" Nate said walking with Jake through the halls. "Um we just met this morning dropping off the kids at Karen's" Jake defended. "Hey don't worry,she grown enough to make her own decisions" Nate said, "if anything were to happen,you have my blessing" Nate said seriously then bursting into laughter. Jake laughed shaking his head, "thanks i guess" scratching the back of his neck. "Let's get to class" Nate said nodding is head to room 1134. Jake looked across the hall to Lina as she entered room 1129 with Brooke,Haley and Luke. This year just got more interesting Jake thought following behind Nate into the classroom.
By the time the group got to lunch Lina was the number one topic in the school. "Ugh" Lina said sitting with Luke and Haley at the table joining Brooke. "So how was your first day?"Jake asked sitting next to her. "It's been interesting to say the least" Lina answered. "All everyone talked or asked me about today was either about my father or about my baby" Lina replied putting her head into her hands frustrated. "I knew people would know but you'd think they'd have the whole weekend to talk about it and move on" Lina said. "yo pauly you're the talk of the town" Nathan said joining the group and taking the last seat next to Haley. Lina just glared at Nathan. "Hey it'll pass trust me" Brooke said from across from her. "Yea it's only Monday I'm sure by the end of the day someone will do something to steer the attention from you" Haley agreed from beside Brooke. "Even if that doesn't happen, Wednesday we have a game and all anyone will be talking about is how the tree hill ravens beat those Timberwolves" Luke added from beside Lina high-fiving Nathan and Jake. Causing Lina to laugh and Brooke to roll her eyes. "Oh trust me they'll still be talking about Lina" Brooke replied. "Brooke!" Haley said shocked. "But not about who your dad is or your baby,"Brooke continued,"they being talking about how hot and talented you are as a cheerleader" Brooke finished grinning. "True" Jake said before realizing what he said blushing and focusing on his food. "Thanks Brooke that's oddly comforting" Lina smiled. "it's what I'm here for" Brooke shrugged. They continued to discuss Linas first day and their plan to all meet up tonight to go to the movies. The bell rang advising the end of lunch. "let's go wifey" Nate said taking Haley's hand heading"I'll drop you off at the office on my way to health." "Luke come on Creative Writing is on my way to the library"Brooke said grabbing her backpack and getting up leaving Jake and Lina alone. "Looks like you're stuck with my for 2 hrs" Jake said getting up. "You're such a tease" Lina winked grabbing her backpack and linking her arm with Jake. They didn't notice they had an audience. She was really starting to hate this girl Peyton thought.
Jake and Lina were sitting in the library during their free period. Lina was helping Jake with his chemistry homework. "How do you retain all this information?" Jake asked. "I like science " Lina shrugged. "Science is my worst subject,"Jake said, "lower top fifthteen cause of it" "hopefully above Nathan," Lina joke, "Haley worked her magic with him, every-time I spoke with him he complained about school and his grades but now it seems like he is doing really good I'm proud of him." "When you find the right person it awakens something in you" shrugged Jake, "Nate needed to find the right person to pull it out of him" Lina smiled at that. "Well I'm happy for both of them," Lina said,"though i really hope they redo their wedding so i could be apart of it, I've know Haley since i was 6 she's had her dream wedding planned since she was 10" "what about you?" Jake asked, Lina laughed "same thing i have a Pinterest board and everything" "thanks again" Jake said suddenly. "for what?" Lina asked. "For helping me with my chemistry homework, for the ride this morning and the ride later" Jake said, "just being you" Jake finished. Lina blushed. "Well you make it easy" Lina replied. Looking into Jake's eyes they both slowly leaned forward. "Jake" they pulled apart quickly as a book slammed onto the table, "can we talk?" Peyton asked glaring at Lina. "I'm busy Peyton" Jake said getting back to his chem homework. "Right real busy" Peyton sneered walking away. She knew he would never forgive her and Brooke refused to acknowledge she even existed. Luke acted like she had the plague. And Haley and Nate tried their best to steer clear of her whenever they were in the same vicinity. How was it that they can so easily forgive Luke like it didn't take two people to cheat. Maybe it's because you've never apologized Peyton replied to herself. Maybe it was time to take her dads offer moving up to Georgia with him starting over with a clean slate she thought waking out the library reaching for her phone calling her dad. It was time to let go of the past Peyton thought. "Hey dad, I've thought about it, I think it's time I joined you in Georgia I've missed you so much, I'm going to pack up some stuff and drive up tonight. Love you bye"
She finished the call as she got to the parking lot looking back at the high school one last time before getting into the car and driving off.
"You could've talked to her" Lina said after awhile of silence since Peyton walked off. "Trust me we've talked..a lot there comes a point where you can no longer talk,actions speak louder than words and Peyton just walked around angry at everyone, at least Lucas apologize gave everyone their space during the summer until we were ready to talk to him, Peyton didn't understand that." Jake finished shrugging. "Anyways i don't want to talk about Peyton, i want to know what you're doing this Saturday?" Jake asked. Shocked Lina Just smiled, "i don't know what did you have in plan?" "Well i was wondering if you'd like to come over for dinner and a movie play date?" "That's sounds great with Essie new in town she really needs to make friends" Lina joked. "Jenny is very picky about who's around her but they seemed to click this morning when they met this morning." Lina laughed. "Well it's a date" she smiled. "second date in one week i hope we're not moving to fast?" Jake joked. The bell rang signaling the end of 5th period. "you have French next right?" Jake asked as he packed up his things. "Yes" "I'll walk you to class it's in the foreign language hall and right across from my Spanish class" "ok" Lina said packing up her stuff.
Lina walked into the classroom instantly spotting Brooke. She was sitting by the window and she looked down. Lina walked over to her taking the open seat next her. "Hey, everything ok?" Lina asked. Brooke turned to Lina pulling herself out of her thoughts. "Um Peyton texted me, apparently she's moving to Georgia with her dad" "oh" Lina said not really know what to say. "I mean is it wrong that I'm kinda glad she's gone?not having to worry about her stabbing me in the back again, you know she never apologized she just expected to be forgiven because we've been best friends since 1st grade, like our history trumps what she did, the first boy I loved and she just slept with him and expected me to put her happiness above mine" Brooke wiped a single tear. "I'm sorry Brooke,and no you have every right to feel how you feel weather is glad or sad they're your feelings and you don't need anyone's approval" Lina said patting Brooke's hand. "Thanks Lina," Brooke gave a watery smile sniff and wiped her face. "Tell me some good news" Brooke said placing her head in her hand leaning on the desk. "Well i have a date with Jake on Saturday" Lina said causing Brooke to to squeal in excitement "jalina" Brooke smiled dreamlike causing Lina to laugh. "Très bien classé régler nous avons un pop quiz" miss Beaufort announced to the class. "Ugh" both Lina and Brooke said.