: Playing around with this music thing so please be patient. lol For added OOMPH play Coldplay's Scientist.

It swished through the hoop in an almost perfect wind before dropping to the ground bouncing away until it rolled onto the grassy area. The shooter stood in one spot not making an effort to even fish for it, much less make any movement for that matter. He was too caught up in his thoughts to even think about his number one love...basketball. Of course it came split second, next to the person that had been occupying his brain for so long now. Why was it so complicated? Why couldn't it ever be easy and simple? Of course he had to learn it the hard way, his life was never easy. But that's what made him stronger and wiser. The more shit he faced the more he learned to love what he had and appreciated its lessons. Having lost Haley, his first love he vowed never to fall for someone else in that way again. But who was he kidding. Soon he realized that it was inevitable, no matter what he did or how much he vowed to be emotionless, time always threw something at him. Instead of regretting that feeling he embraced it, almost accepting its nature. It was about time. But it wasn't about him this time around, it was someone else. The black haired blue eyed vixen entered his life right when school began and it seemed the more they got to know each other the more he fell. Kind of like love at first sight you could say except love was too much of a cliché to use. It came with a price though, along with her was what she harbored, a broken heart just like his. Lucas told him to wait and be patient which he did…for more than 3 months now, and all seemed to run smoothly as it took its course but just like that he got kicked and trampled back to the ground.

"Hey."

He was startled to find he wasn't alone. Turning around he turned to face the meek voice that was barely audible as it was whispered.

"Hey," he smiled shyly.

The sun was beginning to set as the clouds enveloped the sun leaving the sky in such an entrancing state. Almost like one of those magnificent landscape paintings that adorned the Tree Hill art gallery, all shades of magenta, red, orange, and blue.

It was a little bit nippy as the evening weather began to settle in. Wrapped in a beige oversized wool sweater she tugged at it trying to cover her whole body, partly because it was cold but also because she was nervous. She had already started biting her lip.

"I was umm I was looking for you."

"Yeah?"

She nodded still keeping her distance from him, her on the grass and him on the court pavement. She was still unsure as to why she was there. Only minutes ago she couldn't pry herself from her car seat imagining being in front of him. Now she was, plain as day.

"I was about to head over to your house but I figured you'd be here instead."

He slightly nodded knowing she was right on the money. He always came to the River Court whenever he had things on his mind. Just like she had the water tower he had this place. Although tonight it seemed the River Court did him no justice for his mind was still racing, but he was glad it lead her to him. God she was so beautiful. Her eyes glistened as the sky reflected itself off the sheen.

"What's up?" Trying to sound normal.

Jill looked at him debating whether she should take a step closer or remain where she was.

"I'm sorry," she paused, "I'm sorry about what I told you earlier or about what happened between us this whole weekend."

He looked down.

"It's okay."

"No, no it's not. Far from it actually," she took a step forward but retaliated squirming back to her original point, "it was unfair to you and it was selfish of me."

"No it wasn't. You explained it to me, we're just friends, it's cool," he almost choked as he said 'friends'.

"I lied."

Nathan looked at her confused. His tall muscular body seemed together on the outside but deep down within, he was a mess. What she did to him was unbelievable.

"I was scared and afraid. Nathan I-I didn't want to get hurt again."

"Jill…"

"No it's okay you should know," she sighed before continuing, "You know how bad Vegas hurt me. He was my first serious boyfriend. Not like those immature 'hey be my girlfriend and I be your boyfriend kind of thing.' We actually had something, well more like I thought we had something. It was good for the most part, when we were together. Little did I know he had this whole other life in Tree Hill. When I found out first hand what he did behind my back I was crushed. Just like how you felt when Haley left but yours probably hurt more. I've just I've been vulnerable ever since."

"I know."

"That's why…I know you know and that's what kills me. You understand me, my melodrama, my tantrums, all that glitters and glows about me, and even my ugly side. We're so in sync with things it kind of scared me. Not a bad scary, a good scary. To know that someone understands you and is willing to put up with all your BS is kind of cool, especially when that someone had just been burned. This is where the bad part comes in. Every time I want to let my heart out on the line I get hurt. Even though I want to I guess what happened with me and Vegas kind of stuck through. So I can't and it sucks for the other person," she paused to exhale, "I umm I lied when I ignored you after the basketball game."

"You did?"

"Yeah I was afraid of falling for you so I tried to brush it off, brush you off in hopes of ridding the feeling," she picked up the ball that lay by her feet and walked over to him, "it didn't go away."

"It didn't?" He choked saying it.

She shook her head.

"No…I tried to ignore something that couldn't be ignored and it shouldn't. I lost out on time I could have spent with someone special because I was being stupid."

"You weren't being stupid."

"I was and no matter how I put it I am. Nathan I was being an idiot. You were in the same situation as me and you knew how it felt. You moved on but I didn't. I wanted to but I didn't. I should've known you weren't like Vegas but my idiocy blocked me from thinking logically. I just I was so afraid of getting hurt I dismissed what could've been good. I pushed you away and I'm rambling because this is how I get when I'm nervous. I talk a lot and I bite my lip. I can't help it. I don't want to get hurt again."

Nathan walked over to her and grabbed her hand gently stroking it to calm her down. She was a babbling mess but he loved it.

"Shh," he tucked a strand of her hair behind her ear, "it's okay," coming closer, "I would never hurt you."

Jill looked up at him staring into his eyes. Just one glimpse sent her into a daze. They were so beautiful, so innocent, so truthful.

"I know," the words barely escaped her mouth as she whispered. She was lost in his gaze.

She stared at him as he did the same. No words were exchanged just their eyes searching for answers, answers that seemed to surface between them. They didn't have to say anything, they just knew, so simple and serene.

"Jill.."

He was cut off as her lips met his. Shocked for a second Nathan settled down and moved along with hers as they massaged each other's lips gently. She tip toed in order to reach him as he pulled her in closer stopping midway due to the ball that stood in the way. She was still holding onto it until she realized what it's downsize was.

"Oops," she smiled kind of embarrassed. He just grinned.

Giggling she dropped it before wrapping her arms around his neck once again as he in turn started the kiss. It was sweet and slow, not wanting to rush a great moment nor did they even want to. They were content with the pace. All they wanted was to be close to one another.

Pecking him once more she released her lips from his. The newly lit sky was dark now and the harbor lights glimmered causing a subtle glow around them. With his arms around her waist he held her close, feeling the moment.