AN/Hello everyone! Thank you for reading and reviewing! I totally forgot to mention in the last chapter that Dan never killed Keith. Keith never came back after Jules left him at the alter (Dan wasn't involved this time) but he keeps in contact with Lucas sometimes. I love Keith and hated the fact that he died :) Jimmy is still alive too but he and his Mum moved away when some bullies beat him to pulp. I hated the fact that Jimmy took his life in the show so I let him live… Prepare for a hate filled chapter
Disclaimer: I don't own One Tree Hill or any of the characters associated with it. The characters that you don't recognise are of my imagination. I also don't own Ludacris and his song Act A Fool, Rihanna and her song Umbrella or ADCD and their song Highway To Hell either.
Day two of Izzie's and mine stay in the Scott's apartment. Talking of Scott he is sleeping on the couch, snoring slightly after he offered us his bedroom. He still hasn't decided if he is going to take care of Izzie or not but hopefully he will. I sighed and took the bowl from Izzie and poured the contents of the Cheerio box into it and then added the milk. Izzie walked across the kitchen and turned on the radio. Rihanna's Umbrella broke the silence.
"You can stand under my Umbrella. Ella ella eh eh eh…" Izzie sang along before looking up at me. I shook my head teasingly at her for singing along.
"What it's catchy!" I laughed and passed the bowl of cereal to her.
"Thank you"
"No problem Sugar" I replied. She jumped up onto the counter and shook her head at my nickname for her.
"You're the best Goldilocks!" I playfully glared at as I took a sip of my coffee. She smiled innocently at me before turning back to her breakfast and I returned to my sketch pad.
"Morning" I looked up to see Lucas stalk into the kitchen half asleep.
"Morning" I replied. He poured himself a coffee and lent against the counter watching Izzie silently. Izzie was too busy eating to notice or he would have got an ear full by now.
"I decided that I will look after you Izzie… if you want me to" He stammered nervously making me smile. Izzie looked up at him and shrugged uninterested. He looked over at me confused.
I chuckled. "That's fine with her" He laughed and nodded. "Well now that you have decided to look after Izzie you now have to decide where you two are going to live. Are you going to move Izzie into this apartment? Or a bigger apartment in Tree Hill? However, if you do you will need to move all of Izzie's thing here, get her into another school and so forth. On the other hand you could move into Amy's house in New Jersey which would save you finding Izzie a new school, you would have me living next door to help you, she would be closer to Amy but your life is here so it's up to you" I explained. Lucas just stared at me dumbfounded which made Izzie laugh and milk spray out of her mouth. Everyone cracked up laughing at that.
"Err… Just let me wake up first" Lucas said through laughter. I nodded and gave Izzie a dishcloth to clean up the sprayed milk. She thanked me and wiped the counter.
"So Scott Izzie and I are bored how about a tour of Tree Hill" I asked. Lucas looked over at me and laughed.
"I see we are still referring to each other by our surnames then" I just smirked at him. He raised his eyebrows at me, a small smile on his face.
"Fine Lawson" He turned to Izzie then back to me. "Sawyer I will give you a tour of Tree Hill"
Once we all got dressed Peyton, Eugene and I all left his boring apartment and started the tour of Tree Hill. That is what I've decided to call Lucas now because a) I know it annoys him and b) if I call him Lucas or Scott like Peyton does it means that we are on good terms and I like him when I don't. I am definitely not calling him Dad. He is no more a father then Mum's ex husband Jack the Jackass. The one thing those two have in common is that they both left. I shake my head at that.
"Come on Sugar" Peyton teased as she linked her arm with mine. I smiled at her and catch up with Eugene. Peyton is like the big sister I never had and I love her to death. She is the one person I can tell anything to, no matter how bad it is. We met the first day she moved in six years ago and Mum and Peyton hit it off immediately so she was always at our house. The older I got the more I grew to like her and confide in her, especially since Mum got ill. I fought back the aching in chest brought on by thinking about Mum's condition.
"Are you Ok?" Peyton asked, stopping me from walking. I smiled weakly at her. She could always tell when I was upset. She pulled me into a comforting hug and I wrapped my arms around her.
When we let go of each other Eugene was watching us curiously. I rolled my eyes at him and look away. I don't see why he has to look after me. Why can't Peyton just adopt me instead of having to live with this guy? I thought to myself as we started walking again. When Peyton told me that Mum wanted Eugene to look after me I thought she was joking since I haven't seen the guy in years and I don't actually know why he left or hasn't kept in touch like Dan does. At first I didn't mind his absence because I had Jack but Mum got ill and he left and I started to wonder but was too afraid to ask. I remember hearing Jack and Mum argue about Eugene when I was younger so I just assumed it was a touchy subject. The only time I ever brought up his name and eventually asked Mum she got upset which made her hyperventilate and all these doctors rushed over to her so I never brought his name up again, afraid it would kill her. I stopped that train of thoughts and paid more attention to my surroundings. We are all standing on a worn out basketball court that sat by a magnificent looking river. I wished I had my camera with me to add the amazing view to my scrapbook.
"I practically grew up here with my friends Skills, Junk, Fergie, Jimmy and Mouth" Eugene's word's brought me out of my daydream and I watched as he stood on the free throw line with glazed over eyes. I wondered what he was thinking about.
"Boys and their basketball" Peyton teased. I laughed and joined her on the bench, nodding in agreement. Eugene chuckled and turned to face us, his hands in his pockets.
"Well is there something you love with a passion?" Peyton and I fell silent. I don't want to tell him about my life, my hobbies. He should already know. "Basketball and literature are mine"
"Art and Music" Peyton admitted. I looked back out at the river wishing I was back home with my friends. A nudge from Peyton made me look back at Eugene.
"…Fine. Photography and Music"
"Photography" He repeated with a smile. I regarded him wondering if he remembers that Mum is crazy about photography and was forever taking pictures of me and nearly everything else that sparked her interest but after a few moments I drew to the conclusion that he doesn't.
"That's what I said" I replied dryly, getting up and breaking the silence that fell on us. He sighed and I could feel his eyes watching me, Peyton's too.
"Let's go" I said slightly annoyed. Eugene nodded and started to walk back the way we came. We walked down a long deserted road that inhabited large oak trees which shed great shadows on the road.
"So what other things are you interested in?" Eugene asked as he walked in step with me. I sighed deeply and continued to watch the shadows the leaves and branches made silently. I can tell that he is trying to spark a conversation with me but I don't particularly want to talk to him. He suddenly stopped walking and I looked over him, my curiosity getting the best of me. He looked across the road at a busy looking auto shop, the radio echoing throughout it masking the noise of tools and employee conversation. It sounded like Highway to Hell is playing.
I looked up at the sign and read it out loud. "Keith's Auto Shop"
"Keith is my uncle but he left last year and hasn't returned. Dan owns the shop now" He explained, never taking his eyes of the shop. I regarded him silently taking him in. He is taller and older then I remember, for obvious reasons but I don't remember him having a goatee or being so muscular. But I have noticed that when he is nervous he buries his hands in his pockets and he tends to wonder off into his world exactly like I do and there was me thinking we had nothing in common I thought sarcastically.
"You miss him huh?" I ask.
"Yeah. He was like a Dad to me"
"Unlike you" I mumbled under her breath and walked off ahead again. We headed for his high school next where he and Mum met but he didn't go into detail. He just said that they met at a basketball game and dropped the subject. Im guessing that Mum was one of the cheerleaders at the game he was playing.
Next we went to this amazing pier and he explained that Uncle Nathan and Aunt Haley met for tutoring session there and fell in love. I rolled my eyes at the true love, soul mates jig. I don't believe it for a second. Love is overrated. Then he took us to the building he works at but I zoned out and only heard the word newspaper. So Im guessing he works for the local newspaper and lastly he showed us the house he grew up in until he was sixteen. I never actually met my Grandmother Karen and was hoping she would be home but she wasn't. Another thing to wonder about. Why haven't I met my grandmother? Another mystery!
Eugene of course shot questions at me but I only gave him one word answers or no answer at all and in the end I got into a long conversation with Peyton about the similarities and difference between Bridgetown and Tree Hill to stop him asking me questions.
"So where about in New Jersey do you live?" He asked Peyton when we grew silent again.
"Bridgetown in Cumberland County, basically in southern New Jersey"
"Do you both live in the same street?"
"Were next door neighbours" I snapped, rolling my eyes at him. He looked away and shoved his hands in his pockets. I guess he is taking the hint and realising that I dislike him. My belly grumbled loudly and I wrapped my arms around my waist, hoping it would help.
"Hey, Eugene Im hungry!" I called to him. He stopped dead in his tracks and turned to me a hint of blush on his cheeks.
"Eugene?" He asked, looking over at Peyton. She giggled at his discomfort.
"I dont know you well enough to call you Dad" I replied looking directly into his eyes, letting him know I mean it. He looked down and his hands immediately buried deep into his pockets. Peyton shot me a warning glare but I ignored it and looked for a restaurant or even a Café close by. Looking up the road I saw a sign saying Karen's Café. Finally I thought as the pleasant thoughts of food entered my mind.
"Look there is a Café up the street. Come on I'm hungry!" I demanded as I started to walk off ahead.
I watched as Izzie speed walked up the road into the direction of the Café in horror. I don't want Izzie meeting Karen full stop and I stood frozen for a moment trying to think of some way to get out of this. Nothing comes to me.
"Come on Scott!" Peyton shouted as she followed Izzie and brought me back to reality. I watched as Izzie pulled the Café door open and walked in. Peyton soon followed. I sighed and run after them, not wanting Izzie to find out about Karen and my messy past.
The bell above the door tingled and announced my presence but I was too busy looking around the Café. It hasn't changed one bit and I almost feel like I am seventeen again. That is until I caught the eyes of Karen Roe. She glared at me from behind the counter and I rolled me eyes at her.
Flashback
Sighing I entered the house, my mind going a mile a minute with theories on how to tell my Mum while thoughts of Amy and my unborn child circled in my head. My thoughts were cut short as the light suddenly turned on blinding me.
"Is it true?" I jumped and looked over at the table to see Mum regarding me. I placed my hand over my heart and took a deep breath trying to calm myself down.
"Well?" She prompted. I knew what she was going on about immediately and from the look on her face I know she isnt in a good mood either.
"Yes. We went to see the doctor today and he told us she is two weeks gone" She slammed her hand on the table making me jump.
"How could you be so Goddamn reckless Lucas? To get a girl pregnant at seventeen years old! Are you trying to follow in Dan's footsteps?" She snapped at me. I clenched my jaw, fighting the urge to argue with her. All I want to do is sleep. I rolled my eyes and headed for the door.
"Get your butt back here! This is far from over!" She shouted after me.
"There is nothing left to say. We are keeping this child and we are going raise it together!" I shouted back before slamming my bedroom door shut behind me and collapsing on my bed.
"Dont make me laugh! You are not ready for a child! You are still a child yourself!" She replied coldly as my bedroom door slammed open. I sat up and faced her.
"You can think what you want! I am going to raise this child no matter what!"
"Oh really? You're ready to devote your whole life to a child huh? Are you ready to give up basketball, school, and your friends?" I didn't answer. I was too busy worrying about what Amy and I will do to think about that. "My word I cant believe I raised such a foolish child-"
"I learnt from the best!" I snapped, knowing that is the stupidest come back ever and is only proving her point but I didn't care. I am going to raise my child. I want it to have a proper family and a better life then I did.
"This is about Dan isnt it?"
"No! Why won't you accept the fact that I am ready to take responsibility for my unborn child? I thought you of all people would understand what I am going through"
"That is why I am trying to make you realize that a child is a big responsibility! I don't want you to make the same mistakes I did" I tensed and looked over at her.
"What like having me at such a young age?" I replied. She looked over at me but feel silent.
"I didn't say that!"
"But that's what you meant! Wasn't it?" I shouted as I stood up. She looked away and started to rearrange the items on top of my book shelf. I regarded her wondering where my supportive and loving Mum went.
"You jumping in the deep end over something that Dan did all them years ago isnt going to make things right. I know that you are not ready and only want to look after this child because you don't want to turn into Dan!"
"Damn right I don't! And I don't want Amy to turn into this bitter woman you have become either! I want her and my child to be happy and if you don't support me then I'll just do it on my own" I snapped, walking over to the door.
"You are a damn fool! I thought you was a mature young man who had a bright future ahead of you but your just throwing it all away" She retaliated as I reached the door.
"Just like you hey Ma?"
"Yes" I stopped dead in my tracks and turned to her.
"So now the truth comes out! I was all just a mistake to you wasn't I?" I asked.
"You wasn't planned at all and if you never came along Dan and I would have got married and be happy together!"
I laughed at how stupid this is sounding. "Happy? With Dan! Ha! You've seen what how miserable Deb is, how she resorted to drugs and don't get me started on Nathan! Getting away from Dan made them happy!"
"We would have been happy together but your ruined it! He left me!" She screamed at me, knocking the bookshelf so that all my books fell to the floor.
I shook my head at her. "Grow up!" I took one last look at the state of a woman that I once called my mother before turning back to the door and slamming it behind me.
End of Flashback
I moved out the next day and into Amy's house. Her parents weren't too happy about that but they let me stay. I had a feeling that deep down they are happy that I am standing by Amy. Dan found out about our fight a few weeks later but only heard minor details and offered to pay the rent for an apartment. I refused since it is Dan Scott giving me money he properly would want something back.
"Over here Scott!" Peyton called from one of the booths. I snapped out of my thoughts and walked over to them with a smile. I can still feel her eyes boring holes into me but I choose to ignore her and look over one of the menus to see if they have changed too. They haven't.
"What can I get you?" Hearing her voice I looked up and caught sight of a now older looking Karen with wrinkles and greying hair. She cut her eye at me and looked at Peyton then Izzie. Her eyes grew wide and I knew she recognised her immediately. I tensed, waiting for her to make some stupid remark but she didn't she just stared at Izzie.
"…Ok. I gotta a crazy woman staring at me!" Izzie spoke up, looking at me. I laughed at her comment. The crazy part is right.
"Sorry dear… you just have grown so much" Karen said. I stood, shaking my head at her.
"Im sorry I don't remember you" Izzie replied, regarding her. I walked over to Karen and took hold of her arm, dragging her away.
"Don't you dare! We already had this conversation"
Flashback
I quickly unbuckled my seatbelt and got out of the car before Izzie exploded with excitement. When I opened the door a very excited three year old jumped out and started jumping up and down on the sidewalk. I couldn't help but laugh at how cute she is. Her golden pigtails that she decided she wanted swayed wildly with each jump while her pink summer dress that I brought her swayed from side to side, her pink Barbie sandals clicked every time her feet bounced off the floor and into another ecstatic jump.
"Park, Park, Park!" She started chanting as she lifted both arms up to me, Teddy held tightly in one hand. I chuckled and locked the car before picking her up and putting her on my shoulders. She laughed happily and once I checked no cars are coming we crossed the road, heading for the local park.
"Park, Park, Park!" She started chanting as I put her down. She handed me Teddy and run off to play in the sandbox. I made my way over to the bench nearest the sandbox and watched her play, not knowing when I will see her again. Izzie lives with her Mum and step-Dad in New Jersey and I usually go to see her at least three or four times a month but Jack surprised Amy with a holiday on a cruise ship for four days so Amy reluctantly let me look after Izzie in Tree Hill until they got back. My phone started to vibrate in my pocket so with a sigh I pulled it out thinking it was Amy ringing for the second time this morning.
"Hello?"
"Hey Luke" Haley said. Izzie looked up from the sandcastle she is making in search of me. I waved over in her direction until her eyes met mine and with a smile she returned to her sandcastle.
"Hey Hales what's up?"
"I was hoping you can come and rescue me from Nathan"
"Sorry no can do. I got Izzie with me for once" I explained.
"So Amy finally let you look after her by yourself huh?"
"Yeah and that is only because they have gone on holiday. But I have her and that is all that matters. What has Nathan done anyway?" I asked, keeping an eye on a little boy that joined Izzie at the sandbox.
"Well I brought a new chest of draws since Nathan and I have too many clothes but it is a DIY job and Nathan decided that he will put it together himself only now he is stuck and is getting agitated" I laughed, knowing how he feels I brought Izzie a swing for her birthday and attempted to put it together myself too.
"He has laid everything out on the living room exactly like it is in the instruction but isn't getting any where. The only good thing about it is he is sitting topless all hot and bothered…" She trailed off.
"Ew! Ok Haley we are talking about my brother here"
"Oh yeah sorry. Look I better get going before he pops a blood vessel. Enjoy your time with Izzie"
"I'll bring her over later"
"Bye" I ended the call and looked over at the sandbox only to see it empty. I stood up immediately, my heart pounding against my chest as all sorts of scenarios run through my mind. What if someone took her? What if she fell over somewhere and is crying for me? What if she walked off with some other children? I started panic and took off in a run searching the play ground. I found her a moment later sitting on the ground with a woman beside her. Relief washed over me immediately and I ran over to her. The closer I got I realised that she has been crying and the woman standing by her is non-other then Karen Roe.
"Hey Honey what's wrong?" I asked, deciding to deal with my daughter before I deal with Karen.
"I fell off the money bars and got a boo boo on my hand" She held out her right hand to show me that the heel of her hand has a scrape on it.
"Aww Hon" I cooed as I kissed her hand gently. "Better?" She nodded a little. "Will Teddy make it all better?" She nodded a smile growing on her face. I smiled back and passed Teddy over. She cuddled her (Izzie demanded that Teddy is a girl) tightly before standing up and turned to Karen.
"Thank you lady" Karen nodded at her and watched as Izzie ran off.
"Be careful!" I called after her. She ignored me and started to climb up the steps that lead to the slide.
"What the hell are you doing!" I snapped at Karen. She has aged quite well and has hardly changed but she ignored me completely and continued to watch Izzie. I took hold of her arm and pulled her over to a bench.
"What she is my Granddaughter?"
"No she isnt! Because that would mean I am your son and actually like you when we both know I don't!" I argued. She looked away from Izzie and at me. We haven't talked in three years, since the night I left.
"You are my son no matter what Lucas" She snapped. I could see Izzie watching us out of the corner of my eye and decided not to argue with her right now. It will only upset Izzie.
"Whatever! Look you have no right to my daughter Ok! You stay out of her life she doesn't need someone like you poising her!" I said, standing up.
"I don't need to poison her she has you for that!" She replied. I looked down at her and shook my head.
"How's life alone?" I asked before walking away and over to my daughter.
End of Flashback
We haven't spoken since well until now. I have made sure I stayed away from this Café and the cold woman standing before me. The funny thing is we see each other everyday when I drive by on my way to work but not one word is exchanged, just glares and evil looks.
"Come on Izzie" Peyton spoke up. I looked over at them and watched as Peyton stood, took Izzie's hand and lead her out. It didn't stop Izzie looking back at us though. Karen yanked her hand out of my grip. I looked back at her, staring her down.
"You just can't help yourself can you! Leave me and my family alone!" I snapped as I walked out too.
AN/ Well firstly I apologize for taking so long to update but I had writers block and trying to decide what I am going to do at college and secondly I apologize for the first flashback it sucked. Writing an angry, Dan loving Karen was harder then I thought. Drop a review and tell me if everything else sucked too.
A Random fact: The other morning I was forced to watch the TV programme "Grim adventures with Billy and Mandy" and I noticed in the closing credits that there is an actual person called Brian Smith! He is the colour stylist or something like that for the show! Lol