Author's Note: Song lyrics are in bold. To up the reading experience if you have it, play The All American Rejects Move Along while reading. It changes everything, trust me! Ooh and our announcer for the evening is none other than the veryloveable Minkus!

"Good evening ladies and gentlemen, I'm Mouth McFadden and I'm coming to you live from our very own Tree Hill High gym. Tonight's a very special night regarding the Tree Hill Ravens. Aside from it being the first game of the season but it's against none other than our number one competitor, The Bear Creek Warriors. Last season we beat them four to three, including one game from the championships. That was one hell of a lucky streak if you ask me. This year we've got our poster boy Nathan Scott who's just come back fresh from a summer at High Flyers as the official captain of the Ravens with Lucas Scott standing by his side as co-captain. With all this man power I'm sure the rivals are going to have a hard time keeping track of their points or lack thereof. Now enough introduction, make way for the Ravens cheerleaders."

The crowd started cheering as Mouth popped Peyton's CD into the player. The All American Rejects Move Along engulfed the gym as the squad lead by Brooke ran in through the door. They were taking a new approach this year, with the help of Peyton's great taste in music and Brooke's unique choreography. Instead of teeny bopper cheers for home games they thought it would be a good idea to incorporate upbeat rock into their routine as they experimented with different dance methods.

'...Go ahead as you waste your days with thinking
When you fall everyone sins
Another day and you've had your fill of sinking
With the life held in your
Hands are shaking cold
These hands are meant to hold

Speak to me, when all you got to keep is strong
Move along, move along like I know you do
And even when your hope is gone
Move along, move along just to make it through
Move along
Move along...'

Jill popped in at the hype of the dance routine. Everyone was standing up and cheering. She tried to walk in unnoticed which wasn't too hard, all the attention was towards the cheerleaders on the floor, all except for one. Even with all the high energy noise and commotion he spotted her.

'...So a day when you've lost yourself completely
Could be a night when your life ends
Such a heart that will lead you to deceiving
All the pain held in your
Hands are shaking cold
Your hands are mine to hold...'

He ran over to her, a little sweaty from pre-game practice.

"Hey you made it, I was starting to think you weren't going to show up."

she gasped.

"Did you doubt me Nathan Scott? That's a big no no," she giggled, "I'm just kidding, of course I made it what did you think I was going to do? Sit at home and what, miss sweaty guys with bulging muscles playing hard core basketball? Never."

"Even Vegas?"

Her eyes widened.

"When I look at him I see nothing, therefore he's nothing. Sooo that means I don't see him. Works for me."

"Good theory."

"I like to think so."

He chuckled but was distracted when Lucas called him over for an emergency team meeting.

"I gotta go, they need me. I am after all the captain," he pointed at his badge proudly.

Jill rolled her eyes as she playfully hit him.

"Alright get off your high horse and head over there before they start the meeting without you and veto you out as captain. Who'll be cocky then?"

He just laughed and shook his head. She was cute when she ran her mouth.

"Okay okay I'm going. I saved a seat for you beside Mouth so you can get all the inside game scoop cause we all know you know jack squat about basketball."

"Hmmmph, is that so?"

"That, and I want to be able to spot you quickly."

He smirked a little before jogging off to join his team in their huddle.

'...Speak to me, when all you got to keep is strong
Move along, move along like I know you do
And even when your hope is gone
Move along, move along just to make it through
Move along
(Go on, go on, go on, go on)...'

Alone once again Jill looked around feverishly for Mouth who she spotted in the middle of the sidelines. He had his own little announcer booth all to himself. Once he saw her he waved and motioned for her to come over.

"Hey Mouth," she smiled.

"Hey Jill, we thought you weren't going to make it."

"When you say we are you referring to Nathan?"

"Yeah how'd you know?"

"I got the speech from him when I came in," she rolled her eyes giggling, "so what kind of competition are we up against tonight?"

"The notorious Bear Creek Warriors. Known for their great defense, outstanding point guard, and the best choreographed cheer squad."

"Okay, what are our chances of beating them?"

"A pretty good chance actually. We've got a great team this season. Nathan's upped his game since he came back from High Flyers, Lucas has gained immense strength from last season and is playing his all time best, and the rest of the team are pumped to win."

"And how do you know all of this Mouth? This is their first game."

"It's called basketball practice my fellow announcer, can't beat the inside scoop."

She looked at him funny.

"Wait, fellow announcer, what do you mean?"

"Oh the microphones are on. We're live on Jill."

She scoffed and pushed his arm gently.

"You're sneaky Mouth McFadden."

He chuckled.

"I know."

'...When everything is wrong we move along
(Go on, go on, go on, go on)
When everything is wrong, we move along
Along, along, along...'

"Wipe that smirk off your face Scott, it's time to get serious," Whitey stood in the middle of the boys noticing the tardy Nathan who had just arrived, "this is our first game which is a lot of pressure for you boys. Adding a little to our stress is our rival team, the Bear Creek Warriors. Give it to the big guy upstairs to throw us a bone like this one. Let's not look at it like some sort of bad luck sign, see it more as our first challenge of the season which of course we will conquer. Now I got a good play for us this year, unlike last year's. I'm not saying it was bad but I thought we needed a toss up to switch things around for you barbies, didn't want to keep you all comfortably now," he grinned big, that loveable cute Whitey, "okay Nathan as captain I need you to keep your team in check on and off the court. That means no daydreaming or lollygagging. Lucas you know your place, make sure Nathan keeps his mind on what needs to be done. Tim my head offense," he stopped for a second noticing Tim was missing, "where's Smith?"

"Sorry coach."

Everyone turned their heads to the heavily breathing Tim. He was panting like there was no tomorrow, not to mention his choice of attire for the evening.

"Tim Halloween's over, what the hell are you doing dressed as a french maid?" Nathan pointed out as his bestfriend stood before the team.

"What? I didn't get a chance to dress up for Halloween. I'm making up for it by dressing up today."

"Dude why couldn't you have done it yesterday or something?"

Tim shrugged.

"Geez Nathan talk some sense into your girlfriend later," Whitey looked at Tim, "get out of that ridiculous outfit and into your uniform pronto. You want to dress up do it on your own time, you're running on my clock and I want you in anything but that. Now go."

Tim embarassed nodded as he scooted off towards the locker room.

Whitey took out his handkerchief and wiped off the small drops of perspiration forming on his forehead.

"All right ladies on the court. Let the games begin!"