Disclaimer: All publicly recognizable characters, settings, etc. are the property of their respective owners. The original characters, ideas and plot are the property of the author. The author is in no way associated with the owners, creators or producers of any media franchise. No copyright infringement is intended.
Chapter 3:
Nathan and Peyton sat inside Nathan's car.
Now usually this would be the time for their after-game make out session where Peyton congratulates Nathan on winning the game.
And, if the situation was different, Nathan would probably laugh his head off, filled with glee at Lucas' failure at the game that night.
However, they got the shock of their lives after the game; Valerie Lucretia Scott.
Nathan was furious for not knowing. He wished that he could blame his dad, but the problem was – he didn't know either. Peyton was embarrassed and ashamed at her actions before the game. She actually insinuated that Valerie was trying to hook up with Nathan, and Peyton was never bitchy to anyone, she usually left that for Brooke.
Peyton was just jealous that a gorgeous model was in the gym talking to Nathan when they had just fought the other day after his one on one game in the river-court, and she was feeling insecure.
"What exactly did Valerie mean when she told you she wasn't interested in me?" Nathan's voice snapped Peyton from her reverie.
"Um, well, you see- the thing is…" stuttered Peyton.
"You spoke to her didn't you? Told her to stay away from me?" asked Nathan, but Peyton could see from the look on his face that he already knew, he just wanted her to be honest.
"Yes," whispered Peyton, looking anywhere but at her boyfriend that sat next to her with an incredulous look on his face.
"God, Peyton! She's my half-sister!" ground out Nathan.
Turning in the passenger seat to face Nathan, she yelled, "Yeah, but you didn't know that when you first met her, did you? Come on I was honest with you, now you be honest with me!"
"The problem is, you don't trust me," stated Nathan.
"No, I don't! How do you expect me to when every time I see you, you're flirting with a cheerleader … or, or, or in the parties, you drink belly shots from them," snapped Peyton her voice getting louder and louder with every word, "Honestly, I saw a hot girl, a really hot girl that's a model, a famous model, and she was talking to you, smiling at you … what do you expect me to think? How do you expect me to feel?"
"We've always been like that Peyton. We're sixteen! So I flirt with a girl, so what? You're my girlfriend, not them," said Nathan.
"And that's supposed to make me feel better!? How would you feel if I went and flirted with all the guys on the basketball team?" snapped Peyton.
Nathan shrugged. Peyton stared at him in disbelief, "You know you are unbelievable!"
And with one last glare at Nathan, she got out of the car.
"Oh, Peyton, come on, I was joking, kind of…" said Nathan.
Peyton continued walking away, and Nathan rolled down the car window, shouting after her, "Are you getting in the car? … Please?"
Peyton continued walking away.
"Fine!" snapped Nathan. He threw her pompoms out the window, and as an afterthought he yelled out, "Take your lame music too! And have a nice walk home!"
He drove away, leaving Peyton to yell out into the night after him with rage in her voice, "Damnit Nathan! Those CD's were hard to find! It's an import!"
###THE SISTER SCOTT###
Karen's Café.
Karen was closing up the café when Keith walked in.
"Is Lucas okay?" asked Karen worriedly, wiping her hands with a dishcloth.
"I don't know, last I left him he was good, but you should have been there," said Keith.
"Well you shouldn't have gone to Whitey!" snapped Karen.
"That's the least of your worries. Why didn't you tell me?" asked Keith abruptly.
"What do you mean?" asked Karen, confused.
"About Valerie. Why didn't you tell me she came by yesterday from California?" snapped Keith.
"Ugh, Lucas told you," Karen stated with a grimace and an apologetic look.
"No, sad to say it wasn't him. She told me."
"What?!" gasped Karen.
"Imagine my surprise," Keith raised his voice, "When I see my niece after three years at the game tonight!"
"She was supposed to have gone back to her grandparents when I didn't allow her to stay at the house!" roared Karen angrily.
"So it's true. When Valerie told me, I-I didn't want to believe it. I couldn't believe that her own mother, the most compassionate woman I know, kicked her daughter out of her home when she flew all the way from California," said a shocked Keith.
"Don't be ridiculous Keith, it wasn't exactly like that. I knew dad's private jet would still be there waiting for her," defended Karen.
"That still doesn't make it RIGHT!" shouted Keith, looking at the woman he loves with wide eyes.
"Dan saw her didn't he?" said Karen, ignoring Keith's anger.
"He didn't just see her Karen, he ran into her before the game. Of course, Valerie didn't tell him who she was. He just thought the famous model was in town for a visit," snapped Keith.
"Good, that's-that's good, good! Valerie should leave, tonight before he begins to connect the dots. Dan isn't stupid, he's bound to find out," said Karen, muttering to herself like a crazy person, cleaning the countertop with the same dirty rag.
"That won't be needed. After the game, Dan and Nathan were curious to know how Lucas was so close with the famous iconic model; Valerie told them. They know. The lies and the secrets, they're over Karen," Keith informed her.
"No! No! No!" wailed Karen, "After all I have done to keep her safe, after everything … NO!"
"What did you expect Karen? Did you really think that Luke and Val would go on like this? Keeping their relationship a secret from the world? To see each other for a month once a year? They're twins; they need to be in each other's life. It is downright cruel to hide her existence!" said Keith calmly.
"To keep her safe! Why won't anyone get that?" she yelled indignantly.
"Why won't you understand that it has been going on for too long? Valerie is a big girl; she can take care of herself."
"There's still time, she can leave tomorrow and-"Karen began muttering again.
Keith shook his head and went to leave the café.
"Where are you going?" yelled Karen after his retreating back.
"Out!" yelled Keith. Stopping by the door, he turned around and said, "You should have told me," before heading back out, leaving Karen alone with her thoughts and her paranoia.
###THE SCOTT SISTER###
River Court.
Peyton walked over to the river court and saw Lucas shooting some hoops, but missing.
"I guess misery really does love company," said Peyton in a voice lacking hilarity. Lucas turned around startled.
"Well I don't know about company, but you've got misery written all over you," said a snide voice from behind Peyton, and she whirled around to see Valerie Scott pocketing her phone and walking over to Lucas.
"Oh hey, uh, Valerie didn't see you there," said Peyton nervously.
"And why would you," stated Valerie, taking the ball from Lucas and shooting it straight into the hoop – three-pointer, "You got your eyes peeled for the Scott boys, right?"
"Val-"
"No, Lucas, let me talk!" snapped Valerie, taking the ball once again, bouncing it as she kept glaring at Peyton.
"Look, I didn't know Nathan was your half-brother," Peyton tried to apologize, but Valerie wasn't having it.
"So that makes it okay? Hmm," said Valerie thoughtfully. "Let's say I was just a friendly girl – not a Scott, and I was having a friendly chitchat with your boyfriend, then that gives you a right to be a bitch?"
"Well, no, I mean ye-no," stuttered Peyton, stamping her foot slightly in indignation.
"What is it Blondie, yes, no, pick!" snapped Valerie.
"I thought you were flirting with my boyfriend; as the girlfriend I had the right to confront you," said Peyton angrily.
"Look girls-"
"Stay out of it Luke!" said Valerie, not even sparing her twin a glance, her eyes locked onto Peyton's, "I can understand that you were feeling threatened that a girl was talking to your guy – believe me, I get it. But until you get your facts straight, or you have proof, then you have no right to insult and jump to your own conclusion."
"I said sorry, I didn't know-"
"No, you didn't. I try not to judge everyone from the first time, but you Blondie, you really are the icing on the cake," snorted Valerie. "And right now you better watch yourself, because you just made a formidable enemy," Valerie passed the ball over to Lucas and as she passed by Peyton she hissed, "I don't like you."
"VAL! Come on, where are you going?" Lucas yelled out after his sister as she was sliding into her car.
"Home, I'll see you tomorrow. It looks like the Scott slut wanted a ride home since her B.F probably threw her trashy ass out on the streets."
Peyton watched, completely shocked as the enigmatic Valerie Scott drove off into the night, the purring sound of her sports car all but drifting away, leaving nothing but an awkward silence between her and Lucas.
"Wow, I have never been spoken to like that before," breathed out Peyton, still in shock.
"Yeah, what happened between you two?" asked Lucas unsurely.
"You mean she didn't tell you," snapped Peyton rudely.
"Val isn't like that. She isn't one for gossiping," glared Lucas.
"I'm –ugh, god! I'm such a bitch today! Pretend I was never here," said Peyton, turning her back to walk away.
"You know, I shoot the ball and it goes in. I don't ask questions, I don't think about it, it's just the way it is," said Lucas, matter-of-factly.
"Or the way it was," Peyton turned around slightly to see Lucas better.
"So… you've clearly come to cheer me up," Lucas chuckled and Peyton smiled slightly.
"Want a ride?" asked Lucas politely.
Peyton thought about refusing, especially after what Valerie last said, but she really didn't want to walk home and so she nodded timidly.
###THE SCOTT SISTER###
Nathan walked into the house, going up the stairs to his room, wanting to think of everything he found out that night, when Dan's voice interrupted his thoughts.
"Nathan!"
Sighing wearily, Nathan walked over to see his dad was watching a rematch of tonight's game and he looked at his dad questioningly.
Pausing a part of the match, Dan said, "Look at this. What did you do there?"
"I was double teamed, so I found the open man," shrugged Nathan bewilderly.
"Wrong!" snapped Dan, "You gave up a scoring opportunity in the post."
"What?" yelped Nathan, "Dad, I was double teamed. I scored 28 points!"
"30 points would have looked better to the scouts, don't you think?... Go sleep. You look winded in the fourth quarter. We'll go for a run tomorrow morning."
"Yeah, and then maybe you can tell me about, um, I don't know, your daughter," Nathan sneered.
"Nathan! I didn't know she existed, and as far as I'm concerned, she still doesn't," said Dan impassively. "Just because she walked into our lives now, doesn't change a thing. She's not my daughter."
Staring blankly at his dad, Nathan shook his head, walking up the stairs to his room, Dan heard him say, "If you say so."
Dan stared at the short glass of whiskey in his hand and drank it in one gulp, turning back on the television and ignoring all thoughts of Valerie Lucretia Scott from his mind.
###THE SCOTT SISTER###
The next day, Tree Hill High, English Class.
"Early in his career, Hemingway was frustrated. He was a good writer who wanted to be great. And eventually, he discovered that less is more," the teacher paused, looking at Peyton, "Peyton. Describe Lucas using just one word."
The whole class waited with abated breath for Peyton to answer. Nathan glared at Peyton and Lucas' back. Finally Peyton said, "Choke."
The whole class laughed, and Nathan couldn't help but smirk at the hurt look on Lucas' face.
"Okay, okay, everyone be quiet please, settle down please. Thank you," the teacher said as the class became quiet again. "Lucas, care to respond and describe Peyton?"
Lucas looked at Peyton intensely and said, "Lonely."
Peyton gaped at him, and Nathan got angry as everyone said, 'Ooohh.'
Nathan raised a hand, "I can describe Nathan in one word," smirking as Lucas looked at him, he said, "Bastard!"
Everyone looked shocked, but Lucas had enough of Nathan's crap and so, he jumped him and began punching him, making Nathan punch him back and a whole fight broke out as the class began chanting, "Fight, fight, fight…"
###THE SCOTT SISTER###
Whitey's office.
"I'd stand up and every time I do, somebody kicks me in the ass for putting you on the team. Sit down!" Whitey yelled at Lucas. Lucas obediently sat down and Whitey continued ranting.
"Boy, I must be getting senile. Because I thought just maybe you were different. I stuck my neck out for you. Damnit! I trusted you."
"I shouldn't have hit him, you're right," said Lucas quietly, taking full responsibility for his actions.
"Oh come on Luke, you know very well that I would have done worse than you did," a feminine voice sounded out from the door.
Whitey and Lucas snap their heads up to see Valerie Scott in all her glory dressed in a tight black leather skirt, red slimming halter-neck top and black ankle high-heeled boots.
Lucas beamed but Whitey stared at the girl and said, "I'm sorry and you are?"
"Oh, do mind my manners," Valerie smiled pleasantly, walking forward and holding out her hand, "Valerie Scott, and you must be the famous Coach Durham, I heard so much about," she said, flashing him a pearly smile, straight teeth and all.
Hesitantly, Whitey shook her hand and said, "Scott?" looking down at Lucas, he asked, "And how exactly are you related to Lucas?"
"Sister," she grinned noticing the shocked look on Whitey's face, "Twin sister," she stressed out.
"Never heard about you before," he said doubtfully.
"And why would you? That's exactly what mother dearest wanted," said Valerie with heat.
"Another Scott huh," Whitey whistled looking slightly amused, muttering to himself, "Damn your sperm Danny."
Valerie laughed out loud, "Oh, don't blame Dan for this, he didn't know until I blew the lid off last night after the game. The twin looks of shock on Nathan and Dan's face was not to be missed."
Whitey chuckled, "I like you. You know, you look familiar."
"Hmm, must be all the posters of me your team has plastered onto their lockers that I saw when I made my way over," said an amused Valerie and Lucas fidgeted uncomfortably, he didn't want to hear how other boys ogled at his sister.
"The model! That's right," Whitey whistled, "Never would have expected Danny to have a model as a daughter."
"Didn't think he did either. I say it will be amusing to watch the fireworks happen. Try not to miss it, eh," Valerie winked.
"I'll make sure I don't. Now, may I ask what you're doing here exactly? You don't go to school here," asked Whitey pleasantly.
"Not yet I don't. I start next week; however, as I came to surprise Luke, imagine my surprise when I hear rumors of what happened in English class. I do hope Coach, that Nathan won't be left unscathed," said Valerie, her voice taking a serious tone.
"Lucas threw the first punch, my hands are tied," explained Whitey, and Lucas dropped his head down shamefully.
"Hmm, perhaps. Although, Nathan punched first with his words," sitting down confidently and crossing her legs, Valerie leaned forward and said, "I learned many lessons in life, and one of them is that words have an effect and can hurt more than physical violence, don't you agree?"
"Well, yes of course," said Whitey.
"So then Nathan deserves to be punished," said Valerie with conviction. Before anyone could say anything, Valerie spoke again, "Look Coach, I have been living away from my brother for twelve years, now I don't know how his life here is exactly, or how the students of Tree Hill regard him, but now that I'm here, I won't allow any bullies," she sneered, "To get away with hazing him! No one, no one! Calls my brother a bastard and walks away unscathed," she hissed.
Whitey stared at the young girl; the first and only female Scott with the Scott genes, he began examining her, and he approved. She was not one to take a punch from anyone lying down. She was a fighter, and he respected that.
"I hear you," was all Whitey said.
Beaming brightly, shocking Whitey with her abrupt mood change, she held her hand out for one last handshake, "Wonderful Coach Durham. I will be seeing you soon, and it was nice to finally meet you," walking out the office, she turned to Lucas and said, "Luke I'll wait for you outside, kay?"
"Okay," Lucas grinned, giving her a grateful look and getting a wink in return as she walked out.
"Your sister is a spitfire Scott, I'd keep her close to the heart if I were you, she's mighty special that one is," said Whitey gruffly, his eyes still on the spot Valerie just disappeared from.
###THE SCOTT SISTER###
Locker Room, just as Valerie left Whitey's Office.
"So what happened after you tackled him?" Tim asked Nathan excitedly.
"Kelly broke it up," said Nathan simply. "Any longer, I might've destroyed him."
"Or, he might have beaten your ass," said a voice from behind them. Turning around Nathan and Tim saw one of their teammate, Jake Jagielski, leaning by his locker.
"What do you know about it, Jagielski," snapped Nathan, glaring heavily at the guy.
"What do any of us know about anything?" came the cryptic response from Jake, "But if I had to take a guess, I'd say that he tackled you first," smirking, he said, "And I'm pretty sure that you were at the bottom when Mr. Kelly broke it up."
"Well you're wrong," growled Nathan, but before he could continue, a feminine voice followed by clicking heels spoke.
"Well, sorry lads, but I think Mr. Cryptic over here is right," the three boys looked up to see Valerie Scott staring at them with fire in her eyes. Walking over to Nathan she sang, "Nathan, Nathan, Nathan. What am I to do with you?"
"Why don't you do something to me?" Tim smirked slyly, making Nathan glare at him slightly and for Jake to shake his head in disgust.
Valerie snapped her eyes over to Tim, "You know, I would really like for you to meet my boyfriend. After I'm done crushing you, he would love to have fun with you. He sometimes likes to play with his food, if you get my drift," she spoke threateningly; Tim stepped back, shaking slightly and stayed quiet.
Beaming, Valerie said, "There's a good boy. Just like a dog with a bone, it takes time to train you huh?" her eyes then flickered to Nathan, and he had to admit, he was nervous. Valerie Scott was scary. "You know Nathan, we never got to have a brother sister, têtê-à-têtê, it's honestly sad really."
Valerie stepped back, walking confidently in a slight circle, and she could see from the corner of her eyes that Mr. Cryptic looked deeply amused as he leaned on his locker and watched the two Scotts.
"Uh, I guess?" asked Nathan, not sure what to say.
Looking up amused, a smile curling on her plump lips, she slowly drawled the two words out, "You…guess, huh! Well don't be shy. I'm your big sister – well, by three months, but still counts doesn't it? Tell me about you?"
"I play in the basketball team, my girlfriend is-"Nathan began, but Valerie interrupted him.
"No, no, no, everyone knows that. Let's get personal. I meant what's your personality like?" asked Valerie pleasantly.
Nathan stared at Valerie dumbstruck; this girl made him so damn nervous it wasn't even funny. He was Nathan Scott basketball star and one of the most popular guys in the school, not some bumbling idiot.
"Oh, gosh, fine I'll start," snapped Valerie impatiently, "You see, I lived in Cali with my grandparents since I was four, and I grew up to become an ambitious girl. Did tons of sports, learned a lot of musical instruments and languages and was one of the top students in my year. I enjoy modeling, singing and acting, and I'm building a career out of them. When I turned thirteen I got my first paycheck, and became the iconic Valerie you all know," pausing slightly to wet her lips, Valerie continued, "I was popular, head of the cheerleaders and I have an amazing boyfriend. However, due to the twin thing, I felt my brother needed me. You see, a personality trait of mine is my ability to love the ones I care about, and when I love, I love fiercely and protect my own fiercely. Comprendé?
"Uh, yeah… look what's your point? Because you're seriously wasting my time, I have practice," snapped Nathan, finally getting his edge back.
"My point Nathan, is that my brother is my world, he holds a huge part of my heart, and no one, no one, messes with him, otherwise they have me to deal with!" growled Valerie, all pretenses of being nice out the window.
Looking at Jake, she said, "Mr. Cryptic, tell me, do I look like a bastard to you? I mean do you think I am one?"
Finally comprehension dawned on Nathan's face, and Jake said, "No, of course not."
"You're too kind," she beamed at him, before snapping her head and glaring at Nathan, "You leave my brother alone Nathan Scott. Leave him to live his life, and you live yours. I dare you to call him a bastard one more time."
And with one last threatening look, she smiled at Jake and walked out of the locker room, walking past Whitey who had heard everything and giving him a wink as she left.
Jake began chuckling at the blank look on Nathan's face, just as Whitey said, "What, are you putting on makeup? Get out in the gym and start warming up."
As Nathan and Tim were leaving the locker room, Tim whispered to Nathan "Damn Valerie is hot!"
"Shut up Tim!" snapped Nathan, ignoring Lucas completely as he just entered the locker room.
###THE SCOTT SISTER###
Rooftop of Karen's Café, Haley and Lucas are playing mini-golf.
"Any side effects?" Haley suddenly asked.
"From what?" asked Lucas, confused.
"Your amnesia."
"What are you talking about?" Lucas chuckled.
"I'm talking about how you never, not once, mentioned to me, your best friend, that you have a twin sister, who is a famous model!"
"Agh, Hales it's not like that. I couldn't tell anyone. Not even Mouth or Skills know. The only ones who knew where my grandparents in California, Mom, Keith and my mom's doctor," said Lucas defensively.
"Seriously?" asked a bewildered Haley, "But why? Why all the secrecy. I mean you two look really close."
"We are close; but mom was paranoid that Dan would get custody over her since she's a girl and all. When we were four, she heard that Dan was moving back to Tree Hill with his family, and she freaked out, hatched a plan with Uncle Keith in the middle of the night and my grandfather picked her up a month later," explained Lucas. "She wasn't supposed to come back, and that's why mom is in a pissed off mood."
"That totally sucks Luke, I'm sorry," said Haley sadly.
"Yeah, well don't be. No matter the distance between us, Valerie and I, we'll always be close," Lucas smiled.
###THE SCOTT SISTER###
Scott House, Nathan is lifting weights.
"What is this I hear about a fight?" shouted Dan as he walked over to Nathan.
"Nothing," Nathan continued lifting weights, ignoring his dad who stood over him angrily.
"Did you win?" Dan suddenly asked.
Rolling his eyes, Nathan said, "Dad, it was nothing."
"No, son, it was something. Because if it was nothing, the principle wouldn't have called me at the dealership. Do you realize how fast a suspension or bad reputation can ruin your prospects?" ranted Dan.
"Dad, he was hitting on my girlfriend! What do you want me to do?"
"Your girlfriend?" scoffed Dan, "Nathan, if you're going to get in a fight, get in a fight over something important. Did you get hurt?" he asked, sounding slightly concerned.
"No."
"Okay, good," said Dan as he started to walk away.
"Did you?" Nathan called out from behind him.
Dan stopped and turned around, his face drawn in confusion, "Me? Why?"
"He wasn't swinging at me, Dad … he was swinging at you," was all Nathan simply said, dropping the weights and leaving the room, leaving Dan to his thoughts.
###THE SCOTT SISTER###
Whitey's Office.
"Knock, knock, you called Coach Durham?" Valerie said walking into the office and making herself comfortable, "Uncle Keith said you wanted to have a word with me … I'm not in trouble am I?" she chuckled.
"No you're not," said Whitey sounding amused, "You're brother however…"
Valerie sat up straight, all joking aside, "Is Lucas okay?"
"I wouldn't know. He skipped practice," was all Whitey said.
"Something got to him, my brother isn't a quitter. I'll talk to him Coach, leave it to me," said Valerie getting up.
"Thank you," Whitey smiled, however it dropped slightly when his office door opened just as Valerie was heading out, only for Dan Scott to enter.
Dan stared at Valerie in shock, and Whitey watched amused as he froze in place. Valerie however acted completely normal as she beamed at him.
"Mr. Scott, it is a pleasure to see you again. I hate to miss what I am sure to be a delightful conversation, but I gotta run," said Valerie briskly, her bubbliness not wavering in the slightest as she passed Dan, closing the door she stuck her head in and said, "Bye Coach!"
Whitey broke out in chuckles, watching the bemused look on Dan's face.
"What was she doing in here?" snapped Dan.
"I assume the she you are referring to is Valerie Scott, your daughter," stated Whitey, leaning back on his chair.
Sitting down, Dan said, "She's no daughter of mine."
"What can I do for you Danny?"
"You can let it go," snapped Dan.
"That's definitely the pot calling the kettle black, isn't it," Whitey laughed.
"If you've got a problem with me, Whitey, don't take it out on Nathan," said Dan seriously.
"What problem would that be, Danny?"
"Oh, I think you know. State Championship," stated Dan. "Now you've gone and humiliated Karen's son in some feeble attempt to get even."
"Karen's son," said Whitey solemnly, all traces of laughter gone. "That's a very convenient way of putting it. It might interest you to know that Karen's son has taken himself off the team," Dan smiled slightly, but Whitey caught it, "Does that make you happy, Danny? Seeing the demise of the kid you fathered and then abandoned?"
Ignoring Whitey's comment, Dan cheerfully said, "Hey, move Nathan back to shooting guard and you might finally win that State Championship."
As Dan started to leave, Whitey growled out, "I would be worried about you destroying kids' lives left and right, but something's changed, something's different now."
Stopping by the office door, Dan turned around, looking slightly curious, "Oh yeah, and what's that?"
"Valerie," was all Whitey simply said, making Dan's face go pale.
"What about her?" he snapped.
"Oh, she's changing the tides around here in Tree Hill, Danny. You wait and see. She came over yesterday after Nathan called Lucas a bastard, and the girl is a spitfire; she's not one to mess around with Danny."
Dan merely scoffed, reaching for the door, but Whitey's voice boomed out once more, "Heed my advice Danny, don't provoke the girl; I'd stay on her good side if I were you. Now, shut the door behind you Danny, I had enough of you for one day."
###THE SCOTT SISTER###
River Court.
"Lucas Eugene Scott!" shouted Valerie, making her way over to her twin brother who sat by the bleachers staring into nothing.
"VAL! Never use my middle name!" yelped Lucas, looking around to see if there was anybody nearby.
"Then go to practice! I never believed my brother to be a quitter," growled Valerie.
"I'm not a quitter, I just … quit the team," said Lucas lamely.
Valerie rolled her eyes and sat next to Lucas, "You say Poh-tay-toe and I saw Poh-tah-toe; same thing Luke!"
"You don't get it Val, it's intense in the gym with all those people watching, waiting for you to fail. It's not like the River Court," said Lucas softly.
"I get it Luke, really I do. When I was thirteen, you think I wasn't frightened when I walked into the modeling agency? I was; but I put myself out there and look at me now," smiled Valerie. "My next step is acting and singing, you won't see me shy away. When I want something, I go out there, I give it my all."
"You make everything look easy Val," whined Lucas.
"Maybe. Look Luke, there's something eating at you. And I don't think its Nathan, I think its Dan. Don't let him rule your life, don't give him the satisfaction of winning."
Lucas stared at Valerie for a while before his face broke out into a smile, "Thanks Val."
"For what?" asked Valerie.
"For being here."
"Anything for you bro. Us twins must stick together, it's us against the world, remember," Valerie beamed.