So-I've decided to continue for a while, at least. This is thesecond chapter, in which Nathan is introduced.
The ball pounded against the backboard of the basketball hoop in a driving rhythm as a tall, dark haired man aimed and shot repeatedly. Intensely focused, he was alone in a darkened stadium.
Only an hour earlier, Nathan Scot had been smiling and cocky, playing his usual perfect game for the Lakers in his second season since finishing college and being drafted to the NBA. The cameras loved him, and he them.
Now he was all but alone in a stadium littered with popcorn boxes, spilt soda, and half eaten hot dogs. He could vaguely hear the sound of cleaners chatting as they efficiently cleaned out the worst of the mess: the remnants of the sizable body of people there to see him, his teammates, and the opposing team play.
Nobody had been surprised that the Lakers had won. Nor had they been surprised that Nathan Scott, the new leading scorer, had been central to this victory. Arrogant, self-assured, and well known for his exploits both on and off the court, Nathan Scott was soon becoming a living legend among basketball fans. Seen playing as if his life depended on it thoughout the basketball season, he was also frequently pictured on the pages of tabloids, out with this starlet or that socialite.
No singers, though.
Nobody, however, could have expected to see him here, alone, shooting and scoring as if there were nothing else in the world, as if he wanted to think of nothing else, as if he wanted to forget.
The lights shut off completely as the cheerful voices of the cleaners faded off into the distance.
The pounding continued.
Five.
Years.
Five.
Years.
Five.
Years.
Lucas Scott sat at the bar, waiting for his little brother. A triple shot of scotch sat by his elbow as he sipped on a soda.
The team was in training, and there was no way coach would do anything but ream him out completely if he didn't stay completely sober. Nathan, on the other hand – Lucas's gaze moved from his hands grasping his drink to the untouched shot next to him – Nathan would definitely be ignoring it tonight.
Lucas could still hear the conversation he'd had with Haley two hours ago ringing in his ears.
"So you don't remember what day this is?" Lucas had asked.
There had been a pause. And then Lucas had heard an indrawn breath, a slight shudder. And silence.
"Haley?"
The pause continued. Awkwardly. And then Haley had spoken.
"I don't want to talk anymore."
There had been a soft click, and then the dial tone sounded loud in Lucas's ear.
Lucas hadn't called back.
He shouldn't have called in the first place. Maybe if he hadn't, she wouldn't have remembered.
Of course, she would never have forgiven herself, if she'd forgotten that day.
Lucas shut his eyes, briefly leaning his head on his forearms as if to shut out the world.
That day. This day. All days since that day, five years earlier. It had shattered Haley's world. And Nathan's.
And nothing had ever been, could ever be, the same.
Five.
Years.
Five.
Years.
Five.
Years.
The ball fell to the ground, dropped by fingers suddenly slack, suddenly nerveless.
Silence.
And Nathan Scott turned away. He buried his hands in the pockets of his sweatpants. He walked to the edge of the court, hefted a bag over his shoulder, and left.
There was no turning back.
The next chapter may be helpful: there will be a bit of an explanation for what is going on.
Remember to read and review: I need comments!