I've been asked on this subject, so I wanted to make it clear that this is a Brucas and Naley story. Also, I'm having much trouble deciding if the 'ship name for Rose and Jake should be Jose or Rake? I'll take a vote and let you guys decide that.
Jake opened the door to Karen's Café for Rose, going in after her.
"Looks cozy," Rose said.
Rose looked around and she saw that Lucas was the only one at the counter.
Reading Rose's expression, Jake nodded. "I'll go order for us. Anything you want specifically?"
"No," she said. "Surprise me."
Rose took a seat as Jake approached the counter.
"Hey, man," Jake said.
"Hey," Lucas said. "What can I get for you?"
"A couple burgers, two cups of your best coffee, and a basket of fries," Jake ordered as Lucas wrote it down.
"Well," Lucas laughed, "are you loading up on carbs for basketball?"
"No, I'm here with somebody," Jake informed.
"Oh? Who?" Lucas asked, before scanning the somewhat-empty café. He saw Rose. "The new girl?"
"Yeah," Jake nodded.
Lucas placed the order on the serving window before asking Jake, "How is she as a person, from what you've seen?"
"She's nice," Jake said. "Just seems to have a bit of a temper."
"She is Nathan's sister," Lucas said.
"Yours, too," Jake pointed out. Lucas shrugged.
Rose sighed. She couldn't hear what they were talking about, but by the way Lucas kept glancing at her, she figured it was her.
She was relieved when Jake finally came back with the food.
The burgers were good, the fries were good, and the coffee was strong, but that was the way Rose liked her coffee.
"So, what was that thing with Dan at the River Court, anyways?" Jake asked after they finished their food.
"He thought he could pay me to run off and leave them alone, and he threatened to take me to court if I didn't comply," Rose rolled her eyes. Normally, she wouldn't confide in someone this early in a friendship, but there was something about Jake that made her want to.
"Wow," Jake said. He couldn't understand Dan's nerve. This was his daughter , but of course he was just going to act like she was some con artist, because after all, Dan Scott is Dan Scott.
"I know," Rose frowned.
The café started to get busier, and Jake and Rose figured they'd just be in the way if they stayed, so they left.
...
Nathan sat in his bedroom, thinking about the past couple of days. He had the papers Rose had given him in his hands, and he'd been staring at them, trying to make sense of it all. He no longer doubted that she was his sister, but he knew that if he got close to her, Dan would have an easier time trying to ruin her.
"Son."
Think of the devil
Nathan glared at his father. "Come to lie to me some more, Dad?"
"Listen, Nathan," Dan said, "we only kept her from you with your best interests in mind."
"Right, because keeping my sister from me is so good for me! And what about her? Oh, wait," Nathan chuckled bitterly, "you don't care about that, do you?"
"I will not have you speak to me that way," Dan warned.
"Looks like I'm doing it anyways," Nathan shrugged.
"Whatever, Nathan. This girl isn't worth tearing our family apart."
"Of course not, Dad. You've already done that," Nathan said bitingly.
Dan sighed and left Nathan's room without a word.
...
Over the next few days, Nathan contemplated talking to Rose, but never got up the nerve to do it. Then, he found out Rose had joined the cheerleading squad and decided to talk to her at practice.
"Hey," he tried.
"Hi," she raised an eyebrow at him, obviously wanting to know why he was talking to her.
"So, I talked to my parents, and what you said turned out to be true," he said.
"Hm...and that matters why? Didn't your father tell you what went down at the River Court the other day? To sum it up, he still doesn't want me in your lives," Rose snapped.
"Maybe he doesn't," Nathan said, "but I do. I made the mistake last year of being a total jerk to my brother last year and I'm not gonna do that again. I'm not going to force you into getting to know me, but if you need to talk, I'm here."
Rose's hard face softened. "Okay," she nodded curtly.
Nathan decided he'd take it like it was. He went back to his team and practiced.
...
"Why won't you get to know your sister?" Brooke asked Lucas.
"Because she could decide she doesn't like it here and leave at any time," Lucas explained, "I don't want to get attached."
"She doesn't seem like she's going anywhere. She joined the squad today," Brooke said.
"Did she? I wouldn't have pegged her as the cheery type," Lucas looked amused.
"Well, neither is Peyton. And they really got along today. Apparently being adopted is a good bonding point," Brooke shrugged. She turned to Lucas. "Why do you think Dan and Deb gave her up?"
"Because of Dan, probably," Lucas said grudgingly.
"I think you should get to know Rose. I think you two would have a lot in common," Brooke said.
"Maybe," Lucas said.
...
Sorry it's so short, you guys. I promise I'll make Chapter 4 longer! Please review.
