Chapter 7: Makes Me Wonder
The rest of the school day was a blur. The day had been pretty chaotic and it brought a lot of changes. They could tell by what happened after school.
It was a tradition for them to go to Karen's Café after the first day of school. This time was different.
Peyton went straight home because her dad was home for once but they all knew that was just a convenient excuse. She didn't meet anyone's eyes as she said what she had to say before going over to Adam who was honking his horn.
Dan had ordered Nathan to come straight home. Dan insisted that now that he was in high school, scouts would be dropping by at the games so Nate was in training every day.
Haley had to baby-sit her niece and nephew while her sister and brother-in-law went out. Her sister Taylor was going to "help" her she informed them, rolling her eyes as she prepared to leave.
Brooke's parents were on an extended vacation in Italy. They were having new carpet put in and they needed her there to supervise Brooke told them before dashing to try to catch a ride with Peyton and Adam.
Jake's parents had roped him into visiting his great-aunt against his will. He looked extremely disgusted with the whole thing because his great-aunt didn't remember any of them.
That left Lucas who went to his mom's café alone. The place was packed and Karen was understaffed so Lucas had to work.
After he mixed up two orders, his mother reduced him to bussing tables which was mindless work.
'I wonder what everyone else is doing?' Lucas wondered while scrubbing a table.
……………………
Against his better judgment, Nathan took his time getting home. He stopped by the corner store to get a soda and then he went to the music store to see if they had anything new but they didn't.
When he finally did get home his father was already outside warming up.
"I thought I told you to come straight home?" Dan yelled down the driveway when he caught sight of Nate.
"I don't see the big deal." Nathan shrugged off Dan and went inside.
"You don't see the big deal? Nathan, everything we've been working for is finally in sight and now you want to act a fool?" Dan questioned, following Nathan.
"Whatever." Nathan muttered, taking a swig of his soda.
Dan grabbed it and poured it down the sink.
"What was that for?" Nathan protested.
"You're in training. This is like battery acid running through your system. Now go change." Dan commanded.
"I swear, Luke is the lucky one." Nathan mumbled angrily, storming out the kitchen.
"What did you say?" Dan asked dangerously.
"You heard me!" Nathan retorted, whirling around to face his father.
"Does Lucas have everything he wants? Does he live like this? Does he have someone willing to train with him anytime?" Dan hissed.
"Maybe not but he also doesn't have someone on his back all the time. He doesn't have to deal with you living your dreams through him!" Nathan yelled.
"Nathan Scott, I swear if you don't go change right now." Dan told him, his eyes closed in anger.
"Fine." Nathan said, running up the stairs. His door slammed seconds later.
Dan poured himself a glass of Scotch before settling in the armchair, waiting for his son.
………………………..
"Molly! Ethan! Stop it!" Haley scolded.
Her three year old niece and five year old nephew were tearing around the house, screaming and shouting.
Taylor was sitting down, blasting music from her headphones, effectively blocking out the noise.
"Tay, a little help here?" Haley requested as she poked her sister's arm to get her attention.
"Oh sure." Taylor agreed, flashing Haley the smile that made her blood boil. Whenever Taylor wanted something she simply smiled and got her way.
Taylor took off her headphones and looked at the scene before her.
Taylor whistled loudly which immediately got their attention.
"Cool! Teach me, teach me!" Ethan exclaimed.
"Me too!" Molly demanded, a big grin on her face.
"Show off." Haley muttered.
…………………………….
Brooke caught the cousins just in time.
"Hurry up, unlike you, I have places to be." Adam teased.
"Shut up Blondie." Brooke laughed, not taking offense.
"What did I tell you about calling me Blondie?" Adam asked.
"You are blond. Therefore you are Blondie. Duh!" Brooke told him, flicking her silky dark hair out of her face.
"Peyt's blond. Why don't you call her Blondie?" Adam reasoned.
"Because Peyton would kick my ass." Brooke laughed, elbowing her distant best friend.
Peyton let out a forced chuckle but it was hardly needed. Adam's laugh covered hers.
Brooke and Adam playfully bantered the rest of the way to Brooke's house and not for the first time did Peyton wonder about what exactly was going on between her cousin and best friend.
Yes Adam did have a girlfriend and Brooke did like to be single, still… Just as soon as the thought entered her head, she kicked it out. There was nothing between them, they were just extremely flirtatious by nature.
"Bye!" Brooke called as she hopped out the car.
"What, no thanks?" Adam questioned.
"Hmm. Let me think about that….no!" Brooke grinned, her dimples showing and her hands on her hips.
"Yeah, we'll see how you feel the next time you need a ride." Adam grumbled, revving the engine.
"Whatever. Bye Peyt. Call me later okay?" Brooke said.
"Yeah, sure." Peyton agreed.
With that, Adam and Peyton sped off.
AN: Sorry, I've been sick, sick, sick. Then a string of bad luck…but yeah. Now that it's summer I should have more time to write. The only thing is that I'm currently operating without a mouse. While I've learned all kinds of shortcuts, let's face it: it's easier and quicker with a mouse.
Important: Dan's relationship with Lucas is sort of difficult to explain. Dan acknowledges Lucas but obviously treats him different from Nathan. Nathan and Lucas get along great with no real tension.
P.S. The season finale was awesome. And wasn't James Lucas Scott cute?