Author's Note:
Sorry about the long wait! I hope you enjoy the next chapter.
Disclaimer:
I own only what you do not recognize.
-
"Ready Em?" Peyton asked starting the car.
Emily smiled at the nickname "Yep. Let's go," she said. The car pulled out of the parking space and onto the road.
"Bye mom" Emily whispered.
Emily and Peyton had been driving for about five minutes. Emily was enjoying the view. Tree Hill was a very beautiful town.
"Hello! Earth to Emily" Peyton exclaimed. "Where's your head?"
"Oh…I was just making a mental list of all the places you could be taking me."
"Really? What's at the top of this list?" Peyton smirked.
"An empty warehouse wear you can kill me" Emily answered bluntly"
Peyton laughed and said "Don't tempt me."
Emily suddenly turned serious "Peyton, can I ask you something…and you promise to give me a straight answer?
"Yea" Peyton answered glancing at Emily. She noticed she seemed very nervous.
"Okay…well do you mind if people know I'm your sister? It's understandable if you do. You're Peyton Sawyer and I'm just Emily Richards, geek. I…I just wanted to know." Emily said, staring straight ahead.
Peyton quickly pulled over the car to side of the road and turned towards her little sister. "Of course I don't mind. I'm not embarrassed by you. And, hey...what's so wrong with being Emily Richards? From what I know she is brave, loyal, smart, and one of the kindest people I know."
"You think so?" Emily asked, eyes watering.
"I know so" Peyton replied sincerely. For the first time in a while, Emily felt loved and like she actually belonged some where in this world.
-
Brooke, Lucas, Nathan, Haley, Skillz, and Mouth were at the River Court.
"Okay everyone please settle down!" Brooke yelled over the several conversations going on.
"Is everything okay?" Haley asked "Why did you call all of us here?"
"Peyton has a big…okay well HUGE...announcement to make to all of you" Brooke said anxiously, she never was good at keeping secrets.
"Wait a second Peyton…as in Peyton Sawyer. You guys are talking now?" Haley asked hopefully.
"Lets just say we're sort of at a truths" Brooke replied skeptically. Everyone nodded.
"Care to elaborate on this announcement?" Lucas added, one eyebrow raised.
"Nope" Brooke answered quickly.
"Okaay…well why don't we play a game until Peyton gets here?" Nathan suggested.
Everyone agreed. It was Nathan and Haley against Lucas and Skillz. Brooke decided to sit with Mouth.
Lucas won the tip off against Nathan. As he turned to pass the ball to Skillz, Haley came out of no where and poked Lucas' side, making him jerk and drop the ball. Haley then grabbed the ball. Nathan picked her up and she dunked it!
"Wow…that's one point for Haley and Nathan" Mouth exclaimed. Brooke was too busy laughing at Lucas reaction to Haley's poke to speak.
"Wait, wait…that had to be a foul," Lucas said "she poked me!"
"Last time I checked poking doesn't count as a foul, bro" Nathan smirked.
"Hey Luke don't worry…I'll pick you up next time" Skillz laughed.
"Good idea, Skillz" Haley said "that's the only way he'll be able to touch the net!"
"News flash, Haley," Lucas smiled "you're shorter than me."
"Oh yeah" Haley said dejectedly. Everyone busted out laughing.
-
Peyton stopped the car and she and Emily got out. Emily looked around. She saw a basketball court and six teenagers laughing and playing around on it. She immediately recognized Nathan, Haley, and Brooke.
"Where are we?" Emily asked.
"A place called the River Court. I thought it was time for me to introduce you to all my friends as my sister…that is if you're not embarrassed by me" Peyton teased.
"Very funny….you know how nervous I get when I meet people, especially seniors" Emily whispered, quickly.
"Yea I know…just try not to faint, okay?" Emily nodded and the duo walked onto the court.
Haley looked up and saw Peyton and Emily coming onto the court. "Guys Peyton is here!"
Everyone stopped what they were doing and stared at Peyton and Emily. Emily watched as everyone's eyes (except Brooke) shifted back and forth between the girls, noticing the uncanny resemblance they shared.
"Hey guys" Peyton said "This is Emily Richards…my sister" Emily swallowed nervously.
Lucas was the first one to recover from the shock. He walked up to Emily and extended his hand "Hi, I'm Lucas Scott. It's a pleasure to finally meet you"
"You too" Emily whispered. On the inside she was happy she was finally meeting the guy her sister loved.
After Peyton had introduced Emily to Mouth and Skillz, she brought her over to Nathan and Haley.
"Emily this is…." Peyton was interrupted by Haley.
"Actually…we've already met"
"Really? Okay then I'll leave you guys to it." Peyton said. She looked over and saw Brooke sitting by herself on the bleachers. She decided to go and join her.
"Sorry…I didn't tell you, but in my defense I just found out two days ago" Emily said quickly.
"Oh…that's fine I was just wondering how you're handling all this" Haley said.
"Now I'm handling it pretty good. But when she first told me I kind of fainted" Emily admitted.
Nathan chuckled at this statement and Haley hit him lightly.
"Sorry" Nathan apologized
"Its okay it was kind of funny. Sooo… how long have you guys known Peyton?" Emily said sitting in between Nathan and Haley.
"I've known her for about a year…now. But it feels much longer" Haley answered.
Emily nodded and looked at Nathan expectantly.
"Gosh…we've known each other since grade school." Nathan said, thinking.
"Well since you two know Peyton so well…do you have any embarrassing stories to tell me? Come on please…she's holding the whole fainting thing over my head."
Just as Nathan started to speak, the trio was interrupted by Brooke.
"Hey, guys. Do you mind if I borrow Emily for a second"
"Nope, take her…please" Nathan joked.
"Emily, we'll definitely continue this conversation on Monday" Haley added.
Emily smirked and followed Brooke to spot on the court a comfortable distance away from everyone else.
Brooke decided to start. "I', sorry you had to see Peyton and I argue at the game, but I had no idea you were Peyton's sister. I would never use you like that. I…"
Brooke's rant was interrupted by Emily. "Brooke! Calm down. Peyton and I talked and she assured me you would never do that. Okay?"
"Okay" Brooke replied.
"And I'm sorry…I shouldn't have blown up at you like that without knowing all the facts." Emily apologized.
"It's okay. So are we cool?" Brooke asked.
Emily nodded and extended her hand.
"I think we're past that" Brooke said as she engulfed Emily in huge bear hug.
"Cant…breathe" Emily whispered. Brooke quickly released her.
Peyton walked over to Brooke and Emily. "They're picking teams for another game you two should play"
"Okay…why aren't you playing?" Emily asked
"Cause certain somebody has had me up since nine this morning" Peyton said smiling.
"True" Emily admitted. "Well can you hold my locket? I would hate to ruin playing basketball. You know how clumsy I am."
"Sure" Peyton said taking the locket.
Emily and Brooke joined the game. It was Brooke, Haley, and Emily verses Lucas, Nathan, and Skillz. Peyton took Brooke's earlier spot next to Mouth.
As the game went on, Peyton couldn't help but look at the beautiful gold locket. Curious, as to what was inside it, she easily opened it.
Emily's father had given Emily that locket when she was ten. The pendent was a heart. On the inside was a picture of Emily's mother and father, plus an eight year old Emily. They were at the state fair and Emily's father had won her a stuffed animal, which she was proudly holding up. The inside of the heart was also engraved "To my darling daughter. Love, Dad"
Ever since her dad died Emily hadn't been able to open it, so she was sure Peyton wouldn't be able to.
Peyton was oblivious to how Emily got the locket until she read the last two words. "Love, Dad" She let out a gasp as she looked up at Emily, confusion spread across her face.
(Author's Note)
That's the seventh chapter. What do you think? Please review and tell me.
In the upcoming chapter Peyton will confront Emily about her parents, and you will finally learn what happened to her dad!