Chapter 3: Trouble
Pounding, nausea and pain, these were the three all too familiar sensations that greeted Lucas when he awoke the next morning. The boy silently cursed himself for not taking one of those pills to suppress these little mornings after shocks like he had done on many occasions before this one but because he neglected his usual regimen he was going to be forced to deal with the effects of a hang over and the fact that he felt as if his mouth were filled with cotton balls did nothing to ease his discomfort.
Glancing at the clock on his nightstand the boy could see that it was six thirty in the morning and almost time for school.
"Great" he thought.
With a heavy sigh he turned on to his back before bringing his hands to his temples and rubbing softly in an effort to relieve the painful throbbing and stop the room from spinning as flashing images of the night before invaded his vision causing a smile to form on the boy's face and a slight laugh to escape his lips. He wasn't able to comprehend much about the pervious night's events but he knew without a shadow of a doubt that it was one hell of a party.
The big bash was thrown by his best friend Jake at his parent's beach house and everyone who was part of the in crowd had attended. Basketball players, football players, cheerleaders, any one who was of any importance was there and of course no one was more important then him.
Well…maybe there was one other person.
Peyton Sawyer.
She was the most beautiful girl at Tree Hill High, not to mention the fact that she was the captain of the cheerleading team, homecoming queen, rich beyond believe and most importantly of all, she was his. After all he was the captain of the football team so it was only natural that they followed in the grand tradition of high school politics and date each other.
So, together they rule Tree Hill High as its reigning king and queen of the popular crowd and would smile every time they walked down its hallways to the stares of all the guys and girls who wanted to either be them or date them. They were the teen dream, perfection at its best.
But aside from the usual teenage drama and popularity contest the super couple had a lot more going for them then what they appeared to be on the surface. Underneath it all lay something deeper. Something…precious.
They weren't together just because they were supposed to be in the grand belief of the high school elite but the young couple was actually in love with on another. Not the teenage crush kind but the real and true kind that even some adults can only dream of.
They had a special connection.
Their bond was so strong that they could spend an entire afternoon together without saying a single word but yet communicate more effectively than a couple who had spent an entire day together, taking to each other for three hours straight. The pair was in sync. In fact they were so in tune with one another that they always finished each other's thoughts and easily saw into others soul. They were just one of those couples that were meant to be and they had something that very few people have now in days…true love.
Just the thought of her brought a smile to the boy's face. That was until a severe wave of nausea come over him, forcing the boy to leap from his bed and run to the bathroom where he got to the toilet just in the nick of time.
A few minutes later he crawled back into his king sized bed and pulled the covers over his head. He closed his eyes and tried to relax enough to fall back into a peaceful slumber. He figured that he was way too sick to even attempt to go to school today so what better way to nurse a hang over then with some much needed rest, right?
He was extremely comfortable and just starting to drift when he heard his bedroom door open and listened as the person approached.
If this is Nathan, he's so dead. The boy thought as he opened his eyes to search the darkness when a familiar voice called out a little louder then necessary.
"Time to rise and shine party boy!" yelled the boy's mother as she pulled back the dark curtain, allowing the bright morning sunlight to fill the room.
The boy became instantly blinding as sharp jabs of pain held his thoughts hostage.
"Mom what the hell?" he shouted as he tried to find refuge in his bed sheets, pulling them once again over his face to avoid the daylight.
"Hey, watch your mouth Lucas Eugene Scott" said Deb as she moved over to the boy's stereo "Besides you brought this all on yourself" with that she turned on the system that cranked out wall shaking volume as "One Step Closer" by Linkin Park sounded loudly throughout the mansion.
The woman couldn't help but smirk in triumph as she watched the boy pile all four of his pillows on top of his head, trying to evade the loud ruckus that was probably sounding ten times louder then normal to him. She knew it had to be extremely painful for him but she had to do something to make him pay for his awful behavior and, of course, to pay him back for worrying her so much the night before.
When she was satisfied Deb turned off the music and made her way over to her son and ripped away his layers of protection in one swift motion.
"What did I do to make you hate me so much?" questioned Lucas as he buried his face in his arms.
"Hate you? Oh please Luke, this is love. Eternal admiration if you will, seeing as how I didn't let your father deal with you and we both know how much he just loves it when his sixteen year old son comes home drunk"
"Yes mother, thank you oh so very much for not letting daddy kill me and for trying to make my head explode. It was greatly appreciated. Now can you please close the blinds so I can go back to bed?"
"First of all Luke, no one likes a smart ass. Secondly no I will not because you are getting out of that bed and taking your butt to school"
"Mom you can't be serious" the boy whined.
"You bet your ass I'm serious and if you're not down stairs showered, dressed and wearing a smile on your face like a good little boy in thirty minutes then I will be sending your father up to get you and drag you out of that bed and take you to school in your boxer shorts. Do I make myself clear?"
"Yes Mom" mumbled Lucas as he lifted his head slightly to try and ready himself for the full effects of the sun.
"Good. Now hurry up. Breakfast is almost ready" the woman added before leaving.
His mother didn't have to tell him this because he could smell the eggs, sausage, bacon and pancake scented air the second she entered the room. On any other day the smell of his favorite foods would have made him rush down the stairs and start tarring into everything in sight. Today, however the heavy scent made his stomach turn and the color drain away from his face as every intake of breath made him sicker.
"Hey bro" spoke Nathan as he entered the room eating a piece of bacon.
Lucas could practically feel the chunks rising in his throat.
"Mom and Dad are in the kitchen discussing your punishment as we speak and I have to say I have never seen Dad so pissed before. My guess is that he's finally going to ship you off to military school"
"Thanks, you've clearly come to cheer me up" he mumbled as he watched a smile form on his brother's face. "What?"
"Did you at least get any for all your trouble?" the boy questioned with a wink and even bigger grin.
"Did I get any what?" asked Lucas in an annoyed tone. It was difficult enough for him to breathe without puking. He didn't need to be bothered by his little brother.
Nathan sighed. "You know" he continued with a raised eyebrow and goofy grin as he made obscene gestures.
Luke had to laugh a little despite himself.
"I tell you what. If you run my shower, make my bed and get my clothes ready, I'll give you all the details"
"Seriously?" questioned Nathan with a highly suspicious stare.
"I'm dead serious and if you do a good enough job I may just invite you to the next party"
Nathan eyes lit up at this. Sure he went to all of the hottest parties thrown by the freshmen and sophomore classes but everyone knew that the junior and senior parties were the best.
"Are you serious Luke? You're not just screwing around with me are you? Because if you are…"
"I swear I'm not Nate"
"You swear on?"
"On my next game, Ok?" Luke said while trying to make it to his feet.
"Time is ticking Lucas and I swear you better not be trying to talk your brother into anything" yelled Dan from the lower level.
"Damn he's good" both boys said at the same time.
"Do we have a deal or not?" question Lucas softly, making sure not to be heard by either of his parents.
"Deal" replied Nathan as he got to work on his brother's list of demands.
"Hey shower first" Luke spoke with a smirk. He loved watching Nathan do his bidding, it was the highlight of his day.
"Stupid kid, but I love you anyway" he thought as he fell back down to the bed for the third time.
"Ah the morning after, you've got to love it"
"Well, well, well look who's finally decided to join us" were the first words Lucas heard as he entered the kitchen to find his mother, father and brother already sitting at the table.
"Good morning Dad" he replied softly as he took a seat across from his brother.
"It would have been nice if my son hadn't come home drunk again, after attending a party that neither myself nor his mother"
"Who was worried that her son was lying dead in a ditch somewhere by the way" interrupted Deb.
"Knew that he was going to" Dan said continuing his pervious thought. "So do you have anything to say for yourself Lucas?" growled the boy's father.
"It was just a little booze Dad. It was nothing to be worried about. You know how it is" replied Luke pushing the plate in front of him towards the center of the table.
"Do you think this is a joke Lucas? Huh?"
"No Sir I was just…"
"You were just being completely irresponsible again. Damn it Luke weren't you just punished for the same exact reason three weeks ago? What is it going to take to get through to you?"
"A sledge hammer to the brain perhaps"
"Be quiet Nathan" warned Deb, forcing the boy to put an end to his commentary.
"I'm sorry ok, it won't happen again"
"You're damn right it won't happen again because this time you're grounded for a month!" yelled Dan.
He loved his son. He really did, but sometimes the kid could just really piss him off. Not too often, but often enough.
"Dad you can't be serious!"
"Well I am. From now until the end of your punishment you will not be driving that Porsche, going to any parties, seeing any of your friends, except for at school and during practice or participating in any activities. You are to come home straight from school and there will be no cell phone or phone calls until you learn how to act responsibly and realize that there is no such thing as a little booze. Do you understand me boy?"
Lucas wanted to argue with his father but given his current state and the fact that he actually enjoyed being alive he simply replied "Yes Sir"
"Good now hurry up because I have to get to work early and because of your constant need to impress your bone head friends you can't drive yourself and Nathan to school so I'm going to have to drop you off on the way"
"Oh, honey don't forget about the dinner tonight" added Deb.
"Was that tonight?"
"Oh Dan please tell me you didn't forget"
"Judging by his answer Mom I think it's pretty much safe to assume that he did"
"I did not forget Nathan" Dan said in a dangerously low voice. "Really I didn't. It's just that I've been really busy with this whole possible merger thing that I haven't had time to sit and think, let alone plan for a party"
"Well don't worry I called the caters and set everything up, all you have to do is show up"
"Perfect" Dan smiled. "See I knew there was a good reason I married you. You're always one step ahead of the game"
"Hey, somebody's got to look out for you" the woman replied giving the man a kiss on the cheek and grabbing her briefcase.
"Ok boy's" she said before giving each on a kiss on the head. "I will see you tonight at seven sharp and please make sure you're wearing your formal dinner suits. I would prefer not be embarrassed in front of our friends, family and business associates"
"Sure thing Mom"
"Right" replied Lucas who was still sulking over the lost of his car and social life.
"Don't worry sweetie your punishment will be over soon and you'll live to give your parents a heart another day" the woman added before heading out the door.
"Alright men, fall out" said Dan as Nathan rushed off to get his backpack and Lucas put on his sunglasses.
"You wouldn't need those if you listen to your father more often"
"I do listen to my father. I didn't drive home drunk did I? You can at least give me some credit for that" said Lucas as he leaned up against the front door and folded his arms across his chest.
"That's true. You didn't. But then again you did drink which you weren't supposed to do, and you went off on your own without telling me or your Mom where you were going, I could go on for days but that would make me angry and only add to your punishment"
Lucas through up his hands in defeat, "Have I mentioned how absolutely dashing you look in that suit father. You know, you are the most intelligent man I've ever known. I want to grow up to be just like you" he said with both hands over his heart in a dramatic fashion.
"Ok Luke, if you're doing kissing Dad's ass I'm ready to leave now" said Nathan with a smirk before Lucas slapped him in the back of the head hard, much to Dan's amusement.
"Alright boy's that's enough. Let's go"
Lucas and Nathan climbed into the jeep as Dan paused for a moment to lock the door.
But in that instant a strange feeling came over him. He felt as if he were being watched. It was an eerie feeling that he just couldn't shake. He turned around and locked the door to his car where his two sons sat eyeing him curiously. He didn't know why he was feeling this way but if it was something bad at least his sons would be safe from whatever or whomever it was that was stalking them.
His eyes searched his surroundings with extreme caution, making sure to pay close attention to every detail of everything around him. He didn't know what he was looking for but he had to make sure that nothing was out of place or something new wasn't lurking in the shadows.
"Dad?" questioned Lucas as he rolled down the window "What's wrong?"
"I don't know son. Just roll the windows back up"
"But Dad"
"Now Lucas!" the man yelled as he quickly shifted his focus from his son to a dark figure standing right across the street.
It was a woman. She was wearing all black from head to toe and held an evil glimmer in her eyes. He searched her face trying to remember where he had seen her before. The hateful, cold demeanor sent chills down his spine as he forced himself to lock eyes with mystery woman, but the second he did the mystery was no more and his heart nearly jumped into his throat at the shocking discovery.
It was her.
It was Karen Roe. The woman of his dreams and his worst nightmares all rolled up into one.
The only questions that came to mind were what the hell was she doing back in Tree Hill and more importantly what did she want with his family?