I do not own One Tree Hill or its characters.

Chapter 1

Why does the world judge this way?

I didn't quite know the exact reason that angered me. Memories of my pain just flooded my brain and as hard as I tried to clear my head, they stayed in tack. One person I could trust with my life, Haley, she was almost like a mother figure in my eyes. We're cousins, we're family, she's the only family I got. As I walk towards her apartment door, I hear the clatter of pots and cupboards doors closing. The smell of Bolognese just grazes under my nose. I close my eyes and inhale the scent, sensing that she added too much sugar. I scavenge my jacket and my suit pants to find the spare key she gave me. I find it behind a picture, one that was taken 5 years ago. A smile escapes my lips, my thumb running over her smile. A smile I miss so much. Sometimes I have to think so hard to remember certain quirks she had, her memories put in storage, a place so safe that sometimes I don't even know where it is.

I slowly unlock the door, Haley was cooking. Her apartment was never clean; she always referred to it as her cluttered mess. Haley is a teacher, she always had a nurturing nature, and her touch was gentle and reassuring, someone whom you could trust with your child.

"Haley will look after you when I'm gone. I might be millions of miles away, but my heart is always with you. You know that I love you, I'll be back…. I don't think I could live without you anyway." I kiss her forehead. It was like a sixth sense telling me not to go, that this goodbye would be final, but I ignored it. "Goodbye Peyt, I love you" I slowly let go of her hand. Leaving her behind to further my studies in France.

"Lucas, I'm gonna love you forever" I nod and walk away from her.

The biggest regret of my life……..

" What did Dan do now?" I bring myself back from the past. I stare blankly at Haley and shake the wasted emotions.

"Brooke Davis" I had that same gut feeling when I saw her walk out of my father's office, one feeling that I will not ignore.

"Who's that?" Haley asked.

"She will be our new regional sales manager" I anticipate her reaction. "Dan's new little girlfriend" sarcasm dripping from my throat.

"Well, you don't know for sure Luke. I mean you were looking to fill that position, maybe she was qualified and that's why he hired her"

"I know, but she's only 23, she's a walking prototype of his other girls. I just wish I didn't have to be there to witness it that's all. Oh she's just graduated from Oxford"

"Oxford, as in from England?" I dip my head. Yep. "That's pretty impressive Luke, Oxford is one of the world's best universities. She's more than qualified and because she's good looking, wouldn't that improve your sales"

"I hope that's all she does". I cock my head backwards, hoping that Dan wouldn't cause any more problems for the company. There was enough on my plate without fixing his mistakes as well.

"Lucas, stop thinking. It's knock off time now, go home, work starts tomorrow" Haley's always right.

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The door creaks open. Letting the sun in from the windows near the staircase. Since I got home from Scott corp, I've been sitting in the dark trying to make sense of what had happened. Wondering why I didn't defend myself to that guy or why I let him talk down on me. I just wasn't myself today but tomorrow is a new day.

"How did the job interview go Bubbles?" My mum, always trying to get me to work for her. Working for your parents came with privileges, your own office, early knock off times, and I didn't want that. Tomorrow the creation of a woman who ventures into the real world and works her ass off for her promotion begins. A woman that can endure hardships and struggles while working 9 til 5, a woman I want to become.

"I start tomorrow… Mum?………. Have you ever been judged?.. Like I've gotten use to it you know. Beautiful, rich, cheerleader, and your daughter". She smiles at me.

" But I practically got called a gold digger today. I just don't know how I should react."

"Its life darling, we do the same thing to other people, everyone is guilty of judging someone. I'll tell you something that your grandmother taught me when I just finished college. It's hard not to let what people say affect you but only time can really prove them wrong. No matter how hard you try to fight it, they'll never believe you. Don't let their fear of your greatness put you down. Because you are destined to rule your own castle.

"That's beautiful. I wish I could hear her say those words to me."

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Please read and review. This chapter was a little more insight to their characters.