The Art Of Living

The distinction between the past, present and future is only a stubbornly persistent illusion. –Albert Einstein

((I own nothing when it comes to One Tree Hill))

"Ashley?" Karen exclaimed. "How are you honey?" she asked running and giving the young girl a hug as she entered the café.

"I've been good Karen. How about you?" Ashley asked with a huge smile. She had always loved Karen, I mean who didn't? She was one of the few people who could find the good in anyone. After all she had dated Dan, that was quite and accomplishment.

"Same as always. Dealing with this pain in the ass over here." She said, nodding towards Lucas with a smile.

"You're an amazing women to do that." Ashley said with a wicked smirk.

"Hey! I am right here you know." Lucas said with a pout. "Nathan is the only cool one here." He said walking over to his brother.

"Oh Nathan, I didn't see you over there. How are you honey?" Karen asked with a warm smile. She would love to get to know this kid better seeing how he was Lucas' brother and Haley's husband. But with such a twisted past behind them, the progress was slow, but constant.

"I'm fine Karen, thanks." Nathan said with a shy smile. He too wanted to get Karen better. But he knew it'd take some time.

"So anyone hungry?" Karen wondered out loud.

"Yes! Gosh, I never thought you would ask." Ashley exclaimed but stopped and asked "What?" when she saw everyone starring at her.

"I guess some people aren't used to you and the fact that you eat constantly."

"Thanks Tay. And I do not." Ashley said glaring at her sister Taylor. The two of them had never gotten along. Their relationship made Taylor and Haley's relationship seem like it was the epitome of sisterly love.

"Whatever… Luke! How are you hottie?" Taylor said with a smile walking over and hugging him.

"Great, and yourself." Lucas asked politely. He and Taylor had never really been close, but he didn't have a problem with her.

"Good, thanks. You know seeing you two Scott boys next to each other makes me realize just how lucky little sis is. Although it seems that the other little sis, was a bit more lucky with one, isn't that right Ash?"

Ashley nearly chocked on the eggs she had been stuffing her face with. Nathan had taken a seat next to her, and was now trying to help her breathe again.

"I'm good Nate." Ashley said with a smile as she felt Nathan continue to hit her back.

"Oh, right. Sorry." He said slightly embarrassed. But it was nothing compared to how embarrassed Lucas looked. Nathan was lost, but when he thought about what Taylor had said, the looks on Lucas' and Ashley's face, and the way they had greeted each other, it all made sense.

"You two slept together!" He yelled jumping out of his seat. Ashley pulled him down as Lucas and Taylor joined them in the booth so they were all sitting together.

"No, okay. We never slept together, although that's more than I can say for you two." Ashley said eyeing Nathan and Taylor.

"Yeah, so? Don't act like there was nothing ever going on between you and Lucas. I saw the way the two of you used to look at each other. I mean it makes sense since you're only a year younger than Hales." Taylor said shooting back.

"Hold on." Nathan interrupted before another word could be said. "You can't be younger than Haley. At the wedding reception your parents said that they would move when the last person left the nest. And the last person that left was Haley."

"Yeah Haley was the last person to leave the house. That doesn't mean that she was the youngest, just that she was the last one to leave." Ashley said vaguely.

"Wait, how could a 16 year old leave home?" The only answer Nathan received was blank stares. "Okay, so I did that, but how come Haley never mentioned it before?"

"Did she ever mention Taylor before?" Lucas countered.

"True, but." Nathan started.

"But nothing Nathan." Ashley said with a sharp tone. "I'm younger, case closed." She said getting up and leaving. "Thank you so much for the food Karen. I'll see you all around." She said leaving the café, but not before bumping into someone.

"What did I say?" Nathan asked, completely confused.

"You asked her about her past. Never a good thing." Taylor said, exiting as well.

"What happened in her past?" Nathan asked Lucas.

"Oh, no. I'm not the right person to ask. The only person that can tell you that is Ashley." Lucas said giving Nathan a pat on the shoulder and leaving him with his thoughts.

So there Nathan sat, alone in a booth, thinking about any and everything, but he was interrupted by yelling.

"Well well, if it isn't little Ms. Ashley James. How are you?" Dan Scott asked politely.

"Cut the crap Mr. Scott. We all know that you're one to hold grudges." Ashley said a bit remorsefully.

"Yeah but I'm also one to let secrets slip."

"Go ahead. Everyone here knows."

"Everyone? Dan asked eyeing Nathan, who was watching the scene intently. "Don't worry." He said catching Ashley's look. "Secrets are better revealed by the person themselves. It makes them hurt more."

"Shocking you know all about that." Ashley said leaving the café.

"You can't ever things alone can you?" Karen asked enraged. "Get the hell out of my café Dan."

Dan just smiled and turned to leave. Nathan debated running after him and asking him what the hell was going on, but he realized it would be better to hear from a more reputable source. So he sat there more confused than ever.

I love reviews, and I promise to answer any and every review that I get. So if you have a question, comment, or would like to criticize something please leave me a note in the form of a review. I would love to hear from you!

Reason4life: Thanks so much for the review! I'm glad I caused to branch out in your story choices. You'll have to read on to find out who Ashley ends up with . I hoped you liked this chapter as well.