Disclaimer: I do not own OTH or any of it characters places or such. I am simply borrowing them.
AN/ Here is the next chapter. Two chapters in one week…I am getting better. Thanks to everyone who has stuck with me. Thanks for all the reviews and all of the encouragement. Please don't forget to review for this chapter.
As always suggestions are welcome!
Ten minutes later, as the four sat waiting for the rest of their friends to arrive the bell over the door rang and Mouth, Erica, Theresa, and Skills walked in
"Hey guys" Mouth said as the joined the group at the joined tables
"Hey" Lucas replied, "Sam, Chris, This is Mouth, Erica, Theresa and Skills, Guys, this is our brother and sister, Sam and Chris"
"Nice to meet you" Theresa said as the group took a seat
"How many close friends do you guys have?" Sam asked with a smile
"We are only missing two more" Lucas replied
"Actually there are three more coming" Theresa said, "My brother, Trent came in town this morning for a surprise visit"
"He isn't staying with you guys?" Brooke asked
"No, we don't have room right now. So, he is staying with Peyton and Jake" Skills said coming up with a quick answer
"Speaking of the them" Nathan said as Peyton, Jake and Trent walked through the door
"Hey everyone" Jake said as the three sat down
"Okay, last time" Lucas said, "Chris, Sam, this is Peyton, Jake and Trent, Theresa's brother, Guys, this is Sam and Chris"
"Hi" Peyton said
"Trent, I don't think you know anyone here," Theresa said
"I know you"
"Don't be a smartie pants" Theresa said smiling at her brother, "This is Nathan, Haley, Lucas, Brooke, Mouth, Erica and you have already been introduced to the other two."
"Hello everyone" Trent said
"Looks like everyone is here" Karen said approaching the table, "Hi, I am Karen Scott, Lucas and Nathan's mom"
"Hi, Ms. Scott. I am Trent Williams, Theresa's brother."
"I didn't know she had a brother"
"I am 8 years older so I was in college when my family moved here"
"Oh, well welcome to Tree Hill"
"Thank you"
"Okay, What can I get everyone to drink?" Karen asked
After drinks and entrees had been ordered the group settled into conversation.
"So, Haley, how long have you and Nathan been dating?" Sam asked
"Only a couple of days"
"That is my fault" Nathan said
"Your fault?" Sam asked
"It is a long story" Haley replied
"Oh, How long have you two known each other?"
Nathan and Haley looked at each other and replied, "Since diapers"
Sam laughed, "really?"
"Yea, Lucas, Haley, Peyton and I all grew up together. Our parents have known each other since high school" Nathan replied
"How do you know everyone else?" Chris listening to the conversation.
"We met Skills when we were six. Theresa and Jake moved here when we were twelve, right?" Nathan asked
"No, We met Jake and Theresa when we were ten. We got to know Brooke and Mouth when we were twelve." Haley replied
"So you have basically all grown up together," Sam said
"Yea, it is kind of scary if you think about it" Brooke said breaking into the conversation
"Scary, how?" Chris asked
"We can't keep anything hidden. We all know everything about each other and you can't hide anything from people who know everything about you" Brooke answered
"That is a good point" Lucas added, "Haley has already threatened to tell embarrassing stories about us"
"I know you probably have a lot," Sam said
"Oh you have no idea" Haley replied as Karen began placing plates in front of the group
Andy Hargrove got out of his car across the street from the café and began walking towards the door. He looked in the window and saw a large group of young adults sitting together among them, Nathan and Lucas. He recognized the Sawyer girl and the James girl, but everyone else was just another face to him. He needed to talk to Karen. He needed to make her understand. Andy decided that it was not the right time to try and make Karen listen to him at least not with the boys around. He quickly reversed his steps back to his car. He would find a better time and it would be soon.
"Rivercourt, anyone?" Skills asked once all the plates were clear
"Rivercourt?" Chris asked
"It is a basketball court down by the river. We used to play there as kids and we still do when we are in town" Nathan answered
"Chris, Do you play?" Jake asked from his spot next to Peyton
"A little" Chris responded, "Sam is better than I am though"
"I am not better than you, you just let me win all the time so I will think I am." Sam said smiling towards her brother.
The group laughed as Chris smiled back at his sister. "What can I say, I aim to please"
"Let's get out of here and go down to the rivercourt," Lucas said as the group began to stand.
"Leaving?" Karen asked walking over to the tables
"Yea, we are going to go play some ball" Nathan replied to his mom
"Okay. Dinner is at 6"
"Remember I won't be home for dinner tonight. Brooke and I have a date" Lucas replied
"Okay. Haley are you joining us?"
"Probably. I think mom and dad both have late business meetings tonight"
"Then I will plan on you eating with us"
"Thank you for Lunch, Ms. Scott. How much do I owe you?" Trent asked
"Please call me Karen and nothing. It is on the house"
"Please I would feel better if I at least gave you something"
"If it makes you feel better, there is a can on the counter over there. Place your money in there" Karen replied pointing to the can labeled "Meredith" that she had placed on the counter minutes ago
"Who is Meredith?" Trent asked walking towards the counter
"My daughter" Karen replied
"You put money for food you serve in a can for your daughter?" Sam asked
"Yea, when close friends come in such as Peyton or Haley's parents. I don't charge them for their meals. They however insist on paying me, so I just made a can for Meredith and they add to it. She doesn't know it is there and probably won't until she finds it one day" Karen replied
"Why don't we have one of those cans?" Lucas asked
"You did. What do you think helped buy that old truck your dad bought when he gave you two the pathfinder in high school? This money will go toward Meredith's first car also"
"That is why dad didn't seem too worried about mom's reaction" Nathan said
"What you don't know about, you can't miss" Haley pointed out, "Thanks for lunch Karen"
"Your welcome. You are all welcome. It was nice to meet you Trent. Sam, Chris, I will see you this evening"
"Yes, ma'am" Chris replied as the group began filing out the door. Trent was the last one out after he dropped a $50 in to the can on the counter. He smiled at Karen as he exited the café.
Two hours later, a physical game of basketball could be seen at the rivercourt. The Scotts, Lucas, Nathan, and Chris were playing against Jake, Skills, and Trent. The rest of the group sat on the bleachers cheering on their favorite team as Mouth once again brought out his commentating skills. As Lucas made the winning basket, Brooke, Haley and Sam cheered.
"Okay, I need a break" Jake said
"Taking a break is not going to help you win the next one" Nathan replied as the guys walked towards the bleachers
"I am tired. It has been a long time since I have played with NBA stars," Jake said laughing
"Yea, Jake and I are used to playing on a playground level" Skills stated
"Are they making excuses again?" Chris asked
Nathan and Lucas laughed as they sat down next to their respective others on the bleachers
"Good games, guys" Sam said
"Thanks, Sam" Lucas said
"So, what did you girls talk about while we were out there sweating?" Trent asked
"Girl stuff" Theresa answered
"I had no part in it. I was too busy trying to keep up with the game," Mouth said defending him
"We know Mouth" Jake said laughing
"Mouth, why don't you play?" Chris asked
"Oh, no. You don't want to see me play basketball. We are all much safer with me on the sidelines doing what I am doing" Mouth replied
"Yea, that is the truth" Peyton said laughing
"He tried playing one day and it was hilarious" Haley added, "Wasn't it on that graduation video you made?"
"Yea, someone else took my camera and I didn't know about it until I went to make that video" Mouth said looking towards Theresa
"It was a good moment. One that need to be captured forever" Theresa replied
"What happened to that video, anyway? We were talking about it earlier," Brooke asked
"It is at my parents house"
"I told you he kept it around so he could laugh at it" Nathan said
"Actually, I haven't looked at since right after graduation"
"Why don't we all meet at our house tonight after our date and we can watch together?" Lucas said
"Your mom won't care that you have all these people in her house so late at night?" Sam asked
"No. She calls them her kids anyway" Nathan replied
"We used to spend entire weekends over there" Jake added, "She loves having us all there"
"Alright, What time do you think you guys will be back?" Mouth asked
"Brooke?" Lucas asked
"I'd say, llish or so. I figure if we go out about 6 or 7 we should be back by then."
"Okay, then it is a plan. Meet at the Scott house at 11" Skills said
"Right now, though I think it is time to beat some more butt" Chris said standing from the bleachers
"You Scotts are all the same, never give a man time to rest" Skills replied
"Are you complaining again?" Chris asked
"He always does" Lucas replied joining his brother on the court
The other four guys joined them and they began to play another game.
"It is really hard for me to imagine that I am actually related to two top NBA players," Sam said directing her comment to Haley, who was sitting beside her.
"Yea, but even if everyone else sees them as these big NBA players. We always know the are still the same Nate and Luke we know and love."
"Haley, have you had any luck getting your kids to believe that you know them?" Theresa asked from her spot next to Peyton
"They believe that I know them, just not that I grew up with them."
"Are you a teacher?" Sam asked
"Yea, in Montana" Haley replied
"Does anyone still live here or are you all just visiting?"
"Theresa, me, Skills and Jake, all live here and Erica for the time being. Everyone else is visiting for the week. Everyone starts leaving again this weekend" Peyton replied
"I am the first one to leave. I have a 1pm flight back," Brooke added
"Where does everyone live?"
"Nate lives in Florida, Luke lives in Charlotte, I live in San Diego, and Mouth in New York " Brooke answered
"Oh my gosh. How do you guys ever stay in touch?"
"We have phones, email, and Karen" Theresa replied, "We actually keep in touch pretty well considering we are all spread out."
"We have a lot of history between us. Most people lose touch with people they have grown up with or gone to high school with. We have been able to stick together pretty well," Haley said
"When does everyone leave?"
"Well, I leave Saturday. Nate, Haley and Lucas are leaving Sunday. When are you leaving, Mouth?" Brooke asked
"Sunday morning. I have the early flight back" Mouth replied
"Do you guys get together often?" Sam asked
"Actually, this the first time we have all been together since Bevin and Michael were killed" Peyton replied, "We did make a pact though to get together at least once a year from now on no matter what and everyone will be back for my wedding"
"When are you getting married?"
"Still haven't decided. Probably soon so that I can find a dress before I get to big"
"Are you pregnant?"
"Yea, a little over two months along"
"Congratulations"
"Thank you"
The conversation was interrupted by Mouth's commentary of the game going on on the court. While they were talking, the guys had been able to play an entire game and it was down to the winning basket.
"Nathan pass to Chris, Chris avoids Skills and pass to Lucas for the basket and the win. Lucas shoots from center court and it is…IN! The Scott brothers win again!" Mouth said as the girls starting cheering once more.
"Good game guys" Nathan said as the guys walked toward the bleachers once more.
"Now, I am tired. I need a nap," Skills said laying across one of the bleachers.
"Come on, let's go home and you can take a nap" Theresa said standing to her feet, "We will see you guys at 11"
"Okay. Bye" Lucas said as Theresa pulled Skills off the bleacher and they began to walk towards their home
"Broody, I think it is about time that I go home and get ready," Brooke said as she got up
"Brooke, it is like 4 o'clock," Jake said
"And? I need time to prepare" Brooke said as she leaned down to give Lucas a kiss, "pick me up at 6"
"I will be there"
"Bye guys" Brooke said as she walked away towards her house
"Erica, what do you say, you and I go for a walk on the beach?" Mouth asked
"Sounds like a plan" Erica said as they both stood
"See ya guys at the house later" Nathan said
"We will be there" Mouth replied
"Don't forget the tape," Haley said
"I won't" Mouth said as he and Erica walked towards the beach
"You guys want to go back to the house and get settled?" Nathan asked Sam and Chris
"Yea, lets go" Sam replied standing
"You guys coming?" Lucas asked Peyton, Jake and Trent
"Yea, for a little while" Jake answered
"I need to go get the truck" Chris mentioned as the rest of the group stood and started walking away from the court
"We have to go past the café to get to the house. We will grab it then" Nathan replied
Andy once again, parked his car across the street from Karen's café. This time though he sat in it for a couple of minutes trying to collect his thoughts. He would make Karen understand this time. Andy got out of his car and crossed the street. A look through the window confirmed that the group from earlier was no longer there. The café was empty. Andy opened the door as the bell chimed.
Karen was standing behind the counter chatting with Meredith who sat in the corner completing homework that she had been given. Karen heard the door chime and looked up with a smile to greet the person. Her smile quickly disappeared when Andy looked back at her.
"Meredith, why don't you take your homework and go sit in mommy's office for a little while?" Karen asked her daughter
"Okay" Meredith said removing herself from the barstool and skipping towards the back
When Meredith was out of earshot, Karen turned to Andy, "What are you doing here?"
"I need to talk to you"
"I am done talking to you. Now, please leave"
"Karen, please. I need you to listen to me"
"Andy, please leave. I don't want to hear anything else that you have to say"
"Karen, you will listen to me"
"I have told you. Now, leave!"
"Karen, please don't make me use force"
"LEAVE!" Karen shouted
The group came around the corner and started walking towards the café and Chris's truck.
"Let's check and see if Mom wants us to take Meredith home" Nathan said as he started towards the café door
"We will be right there," Lucas said to the others as he followed his brother into the café. As the bell above the door chimed, Andy pulled a gun from his behind his back and pointed it towards Karen.
"YOU WILL LISTEN TO ME!" Andy said in a fit of rage shaking the gun in Karen's direction
"What the hell is going on here?" Nathan asked taking a step towards Andy
"Stay where you are or I will shoot her"
"Andy, what are you doing man?" Lucas asked the man
"I am going to make her listen. She needs to hear what happened"
"You have already told her," Nathan said
"No, I didn't tell her everything"
"Okay, You can tell her, but put the gun down" Lucas said
"Give me the gun, Andy" Nathan said walking another step
"STOP! I will shoot her." Andy said. Karen looked at Nathan pleading with her eyes for him to stay put. Nathan stopped, but know that he had to get the gun from Andy. He was not going to lose another parent.
"Put the gun down, Andy" Lucas said again
"Not until she listens"
"She is listening now"
"No, she isn't" Andy replied his arm wavering from the weight of the gun. Nathan chose this moment to leap for the gun.
"I wonder what is taking them so long," Haley said
"I don't know. I'll go find out," Jake said
Before Jake could reach the café door, two shots rang out.