Every memory of looking out the back door

I had the photo album spread out on my bedroom floor

It's hard to say it, time to say it

Goodbye, goodbye

Every memory of walking out the front door

I found the photo of a friend that I was looking for

It's hard to say it, time to say it

Goodbye, goodbye

I miss that town

I miss the faces

You can't erase

You can't replace it

I miss it now

I can't believe it

So hard to stay

Too hard to leave it...

As Nickelback played the lost song of the concert, Rose downed another Monster.

"Careful," Jake shouted over the music, "you're going to give yourself a heart attack."

"Oh, shut up," Rose laughed, slapping him on the chest.

Jake grinned.

Look at this photograph,

every time I do, it makes me laugh

Every time I do, it makes me

The song ended and an applause filled the void of noise, the singers thanking the audience.

As Rose and Jake headed to his car, she asked him, "How'd you know I liked Nickelback?"

"Wild guess," Jake shrugged.

Rose gave him a doubtful look.

"Nathan told me," Jake admitted.

"That's what I thought," Rose grinned.

"Speaking of Nathan, why aren't you going up to Rachel's cabin with him and the others tomorrow?"

Rose shrugged. "I don't care much for Rachel, and there's already so many people going. Besides, I'm pretty sure Lucas still hates me, and it'll just bring drama that I don't want."

"I'm pretty sure Luke doesn't hate you, Rose. You're his sister."

"Yes, the sister that totally betrayed him."

"And the sister that's trying to make it right," Jake added, trying to make Rose feel better.

"I'm not sure if he knows that," Rose sighed, running a hand through her raven-colored hair.

"He will."

It was sort of a long ride, being from Charlotte to Tree Hill. They talked most of the way there, mostly about random things that popped into Jake's head.

They got to Rose's room door. Rose knew that this was usually the part where some would kiss, after a date. She didn't know if this was going to turn out that way. She looked around. It was 2 o'clock in the morning, so Rose guessed that everyone was in their rooms. They were alone, then.

She looked up at him, and she noticed that his warm brown eyes rested on her faded-red lips. She stepped forward, closer to him, to let him know that she was in if he wanted to go through with it.

Rose wasn't sure how long they'd been standing there before Jake gently pulled her into him and his lips met hers. She noticed his lips tasted salty, like the fries they'd picked up on the way to Charlotte. She also noticed, as her heart rate increased, that he was an amazing kisser. When they pulled away, which disappointed Rose, Jake said, quite dazed, "Well, um...it's late. I guess I better get going."

"Yeah," Rose breathed.

As Jake walked away reluctantly, Rose wasn't sure if she was shaking from the energy drinks or from what had just happened.

...

Rose woke up late, and she realized she was late for work. She cursed under her breath as she got dressed for work, hating herself for not setting an alarm.

"Oh, there's our early riser," Haley said sarcastically but good-naturedly as Rose entered the café.

"You're funny," Rose said, tying an apron to herself.

"So..." Haley drawled out, "how was your date last night?"

Rose smiled but didn't say anything.

"I guess that means it was good, right?" Haley prodded.

"Yes," Rose said as a customer walked in. She looked up to see who it was.

"Look who it is," Dan smirked, "my own daughter working at my ex's cafe. Well, I like my coffee black."

Rose glared at him. As she turned around to fill his coffee, she wondered if she should spit in it. "I'm not your daughter," she muttered under her breath.

After she was done filling the to-go cup, she put the lid on it, and set it down on the counter in front of Dan. "I'd advise you to take this to go, Mayor. I've heard you're very busy," she growled.

Dan still smirked, and raised his cup as he left.

...

Rose spent all weekend working at the cafe, since basically everyone was gone. Brooke, Lucas, Peyton, Nathan, Skills, Mouth and Haley were at Rachel's cabin, and Rose kind of regretted not going. Jake and his family were on a weekend vacation, also, to somewhere in South Carolina. Rose somewhat regretted not thinking of visiting New York. After all, she hadn't been there in a while and missed the hustle and bustle of Big Apple. However, the quiet of Tree Hill was comforting and caused less anxiety.

...

It was the first game after Keith Scott's death, and even though they all seemed excited, there was some negative energy. Rose watched from the stands, leaning on Jake.

She watched as Lucas said something to Whitey and walked back into the locker room. Nathan also said something to Whitey and followed Lucas. Mouth announced that the Ravens were going to forfeit the game.

Rose sighed. "Dammit."

As they got up to leave, Rose wished she could go say something to Lucas to make it somewhat better, but she figured at this point she'd only make matters worse.

She got in her car and turned the music on, not quite ready to leave school premises.

Nothing's so loud

As hearing when we lie

The truth is not kind

And you've said, neither am I

And the air outside, so soft

Is saying everything

Everything

All I want is to feel this way

To be this close

To feel the same

All I want is to feel this way

The evening speaks, I feel it say...

Nothing's so cold

As closing the heart when all we need is to

Free the soul

But we wouldn't be that brave, I know-"

Rose changed the music, feeling that the song was mocking her. When she wasn't able to find a song she wanted to hear, she drove in silence until she reached the hotel room.

Her phone rang. It was Nathan.

"Hello?"

"Hey, um...Luke wants to see you. He says he needs to tell you something."