On the River Court
It was probably one of the last games I would have with Jamie at our place on the lake, because in just a few days my plane was leaving to L.A., where soon a new life would start for me. It wasn't easy for me to leave everything behind. But I knew that only in Los Angeles I could achieve my dream of becoming an actor. Jamie's dream job was already set. Like his father, he wanted to become a professional basketball player. And though I've been coaching the 'Ravens', the basketball team of Tree Hill High for almost two years now, it wasn't the fulfillment of my life. Maybe it was because my birth mother had been an actress or the fact that Julian had often taken me to the move set that I wanted to become an actor. I didn't know what ultimately had been the trigger to it. But my decision was definite. And at 21, it was the perfect age to start my career. My birth father, Tom, had offered me to live in his apartment until I had found something of my own. He had lived in Tree Hill for several years before returning to L.A. And even Julian would often commute between Tree Hill and Los Angeles, because he owned an office and a casting studio there.
"Hey man, you missed the basket twice already. What's up with you today?"
I looked at Jamie, who had just asked the question and dropped the ball. "I think I'm not in the mood to play," I confessed honestly.
"Okay." Jamie frowned. "Do you want to talk then?" He suggested pointing to a bench.
I nodded and sat down. "It's strange to do all things the last time," I confessed softly. "I've never seen anything other than Tree Hill in my life, and the thought of going to L.A. is exciting and frightening at the same time." I gazed at Jamie, who looked thoughtful. I never would have admitted to others that I was scared, but I knew that Jamie wouldn't laugh at me.
"I know what you mean. That's why I stay in Tree Hill. But that doesn't make it easier to let you go." He lowered his head. "Call me sentimental, but 17 years is a damn long time."
I knew he was referring to the time we knew each other. I had been just 4 years old when my birth mother had died in a plane crash and the Bakers had adopted me. Jamie had been only half a year older at the time and we had understood each other from the beginning. For many years we had been inseparable. Had that really been 17 years? I wondered. "Yes, that's a damn long time," I agreed. "But that's the way things are. You don't usually stay in one place until you die. You go out into the world and explore everything. I can't imagine staying here and settling down."
"If you had the right girl by your side, maybe you would."
I jerked my head and looked at him startled. Did he suspect something? No, that was impossible, I tried to calm myself. Nobody, not even Jamie, could know about my secret feelings for this girl. I cleared my throat. "I'm too young to commit myself to a woman," I said, lowering my head again.
"Did you know that my parents were already married at our age? I think it's exciting when you meet in high school the woman you want to grow old with."
I nodded. "It was the same with Brooke and Julian," I remembered. "But that's not the rule but rather the exception."
"Actually, my sister sees this completely different." He rolled his eyes. "Lydia has this fixed idea with marrying at 17, so she can have her first child by the age of 19."
"We're not talking about my brother as a potential marriage candidate, are we?" I asked, frowning.
"Who else?" Jamie shrugged. "She's been with Jude since elementary school. I'm afraid that his fate is sealed."
I laughed. "I really feel sorry for him. Too bad that I won't be around to see that."
"Don't worry, I'll invite you to my wedding in time," Jamie promised and grinned.
"You have a girlfriend?" I looked at him in surprise.
"Not yet. But my day may come. And the girls in L.A. will surely run after you, too," he grinned. "You will hardly be able to ward them all off."
I forced a smile. If he knew I didn't care about this, because I had already lost my heart to a girl, even though I knew nothing would ever happen between us, he would think I was crazy. "If you can't find a suitable girlfriend in Tree Hill, then visit me in L.A.. I can give you one of mine," I said jokingly.
"Oh man, I miss you already," he confessed. "And everyone from the team as well."
I suddenly felt a lump in my throat. Even though I had spent the first years of my life in California, I had no memory of it anymore. All that mattered was the years after my 4th birthday. Here was my home, my family, my friends. Actually, I didn't want to leave Tree Hill. But I didn't want to stay either, especially now that it had become harder for me to suppress my feelings. I jumped up. "I think I have to go now," I said hoarsely, hugging Jamie briefly. "Thanks for the game and the talk."
"Anytime again." He smiled sadly.
I nodded once more and was about to turn away when he called me back.
"Justin?"
I turned to him and waited.
"You know that Tree Hill won't be the same without you, right?"
I didn't give him an answer, but turned away quickly and left because I felt that tears had formed in my eyes. My decision was final. I would leave Tree Hill and go to L.A., even if it broke my heart. I quickly got into my car and drove home.
