Chapter Fifty-Seven

Shell shocked, we all departed in different directions at the end of the night.

Sawyer and I were too tired, confused and surprised by the day's events to have a particularly exciting night, but we went to school the next day, pretending to forget everything that had gone so, so wrong.

Sawyer went off to Algebra, but I had a first period spare. My feet took me to Uncle Nathan's office. I knocked timidly on the door.

When I entered, he was staring at the pictures on his desk. I glanced at them-one of me and Sawyer, pre us, with me on his back, wearing a candy necklace at a festival. One of him and his wife on his wedding day. And a third of Tess and Sawyer, posing for a professional photograph when they had been tiny. He stared the hardest at this one.

"How long have you known?" I asked.

"When she was in the accident, the hospital ran a blood test. It made it fairly obvious," he said.

"What are you going to do?"

"She has our support to keep the kid. We'll help her out as much as we can, try and keep her in school. She'll pull through this, she won't have to do it alone," he said.

"Yeah she will," I whispered. He jerked his head up. "When I thought I was pregnant I didn't want to marry your son because I thought I was too young, but I also knew, from what Mom had told me, that everyone needs their parents at least partially involved in their lives. Eventually, she's going to have to do it on her own," I said.

"You're all grown up kid," he said, smiling. I noticed, for the thousandth time, how much Sawyer looked like him.

"I have to go find someone," I said suddenly. He nodded and I ran out of the room.

John Fenning was sitting by himself on a picnic table outside, working on science homework. I sat down next to him.

"Where's your brother?" I asked.

"Ah. I take it you know?" he asked nervously.

"We all do now. She already told you? Where's Jason?" I asked again.

"Mom won't tell me. I think she's worried I'll go find him, at boarding school or wherever, and kick his ass from here to Canada. That's true," he said. I giggled in spite of myself.

"She's going to have to do it all by herself?" I said sadly.

"No."

"No?" I asked, perplexed.

"No. I'll help her. I decided last night. I'm going to be there for her. I'm going to go to the hospital, hold back her hair, change diapers if I have to," he said, looking past me to the brilliant blue sky.

"Why? I mean, it's incredible, but this isn't your responsibility," I breathed.

"Sure it is. At least partially. Tess' kid is my niece or nephew. And she needs someone, someone who isn't a parent, and I'm here for her. I always will be," he promised.

"You're such a great guy. Have you told her?" I asked.

"She already knows," he said quietly. I leaned forward and put my arms around him. For a moment he leaned in, held me tightly, before pulling away quite suddenly.

"What's wrong?" I asked.

"Sawyer wouldn't like that," he said tightly.

"I don't care. He doesn't own me," I said.

"Doesn't he?" said John, his mouth twitching ironically.

"No. Why are you being like this?" I demanded.

"Like the only girl I've ever loved has married someone else? Like my little brother has knocked up her sister? Like I'm being forced to make decisions I shouldn't have to concentrate on for another five years?" he said.

"I'm sorry," I said. He pushed a gentle finger to my lips.

"Don't be. You're one of my best friends, Callie. That means a lot to me. If you'll let me, I'll be your friend always," he said.

"I wish I could offer you more," I said.

"Don't sweat it. I'll go down in Tree Hill history as a guy who actually dated a Scott girl," he said.

"I wasn't one then," I reminded him.

"You've always been," he said. For some reason, I didn't press him for an explanation.

My cell phone rang, throwing the moment into the wind. I reached distractedly into my bag and answered it.

"Cal? My God, where have you been girl? I've been trying to talk to you for weeks," came Jenny's familiar voice. I felt my face harden.

"I have nothing to say to you," I said coolly.

"What?"

"You slept with Sawyer," I reminded her. Deep down, until I'd said that, I'd hoped it wasn't true. Her silence confirmed it.

"I'm sorry," she said finally.

"Sorry? You slept with Sawyer Scott and you say sorry? I was in love with him! You knew I was in love with him! You knew even before I did that he was the love of my life! And you say sorry?" I yelled. John stared nervously into my face.

"It was an accident," she tried again.

"What, that you fell into bed and started licking each other? Bull," I said.

"We were drunk."

"God Jenny, stop digging! There's nothing you can say to make this better!" I said, a tear running down my face.

"I'm coming home," she said. I clicked the phone off. In real, actual life, had she actually said that?

"What happened?" asked John tensely.

"She's coming back," I volunteered.

"Oh. Probably a good thing," he said.

"Right. By the way, did you say you were in love with me?" I asked.

"I'm not sure," he said slowly.

"Sawyer says the same thing. I'm sorry if I've led you on," I said.

"It's not your fault that you're you and I'm me. Or that you love him and always will, and I'm destined for other things," he said.

"I don't put so much faith into fate," I said.

"Yes you do," he said. I smiled.

"Maybe. Goodbye, John," I said.

"What?"

"We can't be friends anymore," I said sadly.

"Why not?" he asked.

"You know!"

"Because I'm in love with you? That doesn't concern our friendship!" he cried.

"Sure it does. Look," I instructed. Taking a breath, I leaned forward and gently kissed his lips. His mouth opened slightly under mine, and I felt him try to open my mouth for a second before I pulled away.

"I'm sorry, but it does nothing for me, and seems to do slightly more for you," I said, standing. I glanced back at the building as I did, suddenly coming to a horrible realization as I realized who occupied it. Who was in Algebra. Who always sat by the window in Algebra. Who would much, much rather stare out the window than listen to his teacher.