Leaning back onto the bed, Nathan Scott folded his arms, letting his head move to the sound of the beat he was receiving courtesy of his new MP3 player. He was a big fan of rap music. Not that he could relate to some of the stories of growing up on the mean, inner city streets. He just loved the rhythm and the rush. It was a time for him to get lost and tune out the world around him. With the events that had recently happened, music, along with his girlfriend, Haley, were more than welcome escapes.

Tossing the Nerf ball onto the hoop attached to his door, he let out a sigh. Haley was busy tutoring, which meant they probably wouldn't be able to see each other that day. Not wanting to stay at home, the River Court was a welcome option. It would be nice to let out a little steam and shoot hoops with Lucas and the fellas just for fun. Anything to get out of the house, he thought, shaking his head with annoyance when he heard a knock on the door. If his parents wanted to have another "talk" about the "incident", he thought he just might go crazy.

"What?" he grumbled, already searching for his shoes.

"Hey, man, it's me", came a deep breath from the other side of the door. "Can I come in?"

Nathan jumped up. It was Cooper. He'd had little contact with his uncle in the days that had passed since the "incident", the terse term dubbed by his mother and father that had described Cooper sleeping with cheerleader, Rachel Getina.

"Coop. What's up?" Nathan opened the door a little wider.

"I, I wanted to talk to you."

"Yeah, come in."

"I'm glad you're home, Nate. It was real important for me to see you before I left."

Nathan hung his head. It was what he had feared but all the while knew was inevitable. The scandal was the biggest to hit Tree Hill in quite a while. No way Dan and Deb Scott would allow the black sheep of the Lee family to remain under their roof.

"When are you leaving?"

"In a few minutes. I just came to say good bye."

"Look, Coop…"

"I messed up, Nate. I know you must be pretty disappointed in me."

Nathan shrugged.

"I don't know. I guess it's just kind of hard to believe. I'm not disappointed though. I mean, Rachel is hot but still it's weird at the same time because she's my age. We even have some of the same classes together."

"What I did was wrong."

"It's not a big deal."

"Yeah, it is."

"Whatever. You know Mom and Dad are spazzes about everything. It's not right that you have to leave just like that."

"Rachel is only 17. I don't know what came over me but it's like I lost all control for a moment. I know that's not a good enough excuse and believe me, I'm not trying to justify it but it's all I can do to try to explain."

"Look, I know Rachel. Hell, everybody knows Rachel. I'm sure it wasn't all you."

"It wasn't but it's unfair to place all the blame on her. She puts up a tough front and she wants people to think she's mature beyond her years but when it comes down to it, she's just a kid. I'm the adult here, Nathan and I should have known better. I should have stopped it. I feel bad that I didn't. I know this must be hard for Rachel as well. I feel like I took advantage of her."

"It was only that one time, right?"

Cooper nodded.

"One time is all it takes to make a terrible mistake. I guess temptation got the best of me. I was in a weird place and I had a lot of things on my mind. We were talking, things got heavy…the storm kind of set the mood and it just happened from there."

"I still don't think it's right that Mom is kicking you out."

"Don't give your mother a hard time. Promise me that. I made a promise to her that I was changing and growing up and that things would be different this time. Deb believed me, she took a chance on me and I screwed up. I didn't mean to, but I disrespected her house and I disrespected her and your dad. Rules were set, I broke them and now I have to go. It's only fair."

"What are you gonna do now? Where are you gonna go?"

"I don't know", Cooper shook his head. "Wherever the day takes me, I guess. We'll just have to see. But it's cool. In a roundabout way, this is kind of good for me. It puts things into perspective and gives me a chance to really clear my head and figure out where my life is going."

"You gonna be okay?"

"Always", Cooper forced a grin. "You know me, man, always landing on my feet. I've got more lives than a cat."

"It's cool. I just hope you get everything straightened out."

"Yeah."

"Coop?"

"Yeah?"

Nathan made a face, looking around as he awkwardly shifted about, not knowing exactly how to get his words out.

"Just…I don't know. Don't be a stranger, man. Look, I know you've got stuff to take care of but it'd be cool if you could stay in touch."

Cooper smiled.

"You bet. It'll take a lot more than this to keep me away from my best nephew", the older guy ribbed him.

"And what happened with Rachel may have been wrong but shit happens, right? I mean, we all make mistakes."

"That's true."

"So it sucks that you have to leave. And it's not like my mom and dad haven't screwed up because they have…a lot. So I don't see the big deal them acting like they're perfect."

"Don't sweat it. I understand their decision and I'm cool with it."

"I'm not disappointed in you, though. What you said earlier? That's bullshit."

"I'm not proud of the things I've done. I want to be someone you can look up to and I want to look in the mirror and feel good about the things I've done, not ashamed."

"You'll be back?"

"One day."

"What about Brooke?"

Cooper bit his lip.

"What about her?"

"I know you guys were close and you really cared about her."

"She's uh…Brooke's not too happy with me right about now and I can't really blame her."

"Maybe you can talk to her."

"I don't know if it's such a good idea."

"Well, you at least have to try. I know how you felt and you can't deny that."

"I know it, too but it doesn't make it right."

"Why? Because of age? Because of some stupid number? Who cares?"

"A lot of people care."

"So? Let it be their problem."

"It's more complicated than that."

"You can't help who you love."

Cooper nodded in agreement.

"No, I guess you can't."

"It's your business but it's at least worth talking to her. It's at least worth a try. You owe her a good bye and you never know what could happen with that. And you'll never know unless you take a chance. It could be bad or it could be real good."

"And how do you know all that?"

Nathan shrugged.

"Because Haley took a chance on me", he answered truthfully.

Cooper looked away, shoving his hands in the pocket of his jacket.

"I tried."

"What?"

"I said I already tried but Brooke doesn't want to see me. Look, man, I've caused enough trouble around here. Maybe it's just best that I go."

Nathan knew he was right but it hurt just the same.

"Anything you need me to tell her? Brooke, I mean."

He thought for a second but shook his head after a few minutes.

"Nah, it's cool. I think she's heard enough about me from other people. There are things I'd like Brooke to know but it's no good if I can't tell her myself."

"That's cool."

"I've got to get going, man. I just couldn't leave without saying good bye."

"Alright, man", Nathan said as the two exchanged a manly embrace.

"Take care, Nephew. I'll see you again."

He forced a smile as he left. Bags packed he walked through the Scott home for what would be the last time for a long time. He sighed as he passed the living room where it had all began and ultimately all ended. He was headed for parts unknown, leaving behind the comfort and sanctity Tree Hill had provided. Everything had been said and done and there was nothing else left. Throwing his belongings in a rental car, he was headed to the Interstate, just miles away from leaving the Tree Hill city limits. Then it happened.

"Hey", he answered his ringing cell, perhaps a little too eagerly.

"It's me."

"I know."

"I, I got your message, messages…all of them."

"Yeah…"

"So I guess we kind of need to talk…" she said with a heavy sigh and even heavier heart.

It was funny just how quickly life could turn around. Just like that. And one phone call had suddenly changed everything.