Authors Note: Alright, so I figured it'd be a good idea to go ahead and just introduce you to the rest of the main characters in this story, I'm pretty sure the title of this chapter should give it away...lol. Anyways, I really hope to get reviews for this, I really want to know what you guys think about it cause I have so much stuff planned for it and I need to know your interested in reading it. Thanks for checking out my story!

The Super Star and the Tortured Artist

Sitting on the couch, he flipped through the channels and searched for the one he was looking for. Finally he was able to locate it and after a few commercials, the program came back on.

"Welcome back, Stuart Scott here and now, we head to the Tar Heel state. This is from a local high school game in Raleigh and you gotta see this to believe it. Nathan Scott, a forward for the Raleigh Hawks, scored an unprecedented 59 points in the state championship game. The player has got mad skills. He dropped 7 dimes and took down 19 boards. He scored more points by himself…then the entire opposing team scored combined. What's next for Nathan Scott…North Carolina University, as if they needed another superstar?"

Nathan flicked off the TV with a much needed ego boost. However, the person behind him was not so amused.

"Sorry I forgot to wear my 'I heart Nathan Scott' t-shirt today."

Standing in the doorway to the living room was a very petite and feisty blonde, a smirk painted across her face.

"I was just checking the scores and it came on."

Peyton rolled her eyes. "Oh please, I'm surprised you didn't tape it."

"Whatever." He grumbled before standing and walking into the kitchen. "What're you doing here this early in the morning anyways?"

"My dad left early for sea, so I woke up to say goodbye to him, cried a little and couldn't go back to sleep."

Nathan knew he heard something off in what she had just said. "Wait. You cried? Why?"

"Cause it's the last time I'm going to see him before I leave and I'm going to miss him."

"Oh…I guess I should have figured that out myself."

Peyton smiled as the comment came into her mind, she had to take the shot. "Yeah well you didn't get into UNC on a common knowledge scholarship."

Nathan scoffed and turned back to his fridge. Opening it up, he pulled a bottle of water out and took a sip from it. "So what…did you come here to tear me down or have sex?"

Peyton sighed and then propped herself up on the counter, she lifted her legs up spread eagle and smiled. "Yes, take me Nathan."

He rolled his eyes and then confidently walked over too her, but just a second later she playfully kicked him away.

"In your dreams Scott. You had me once and that's all you'll ever get."

"Whatever, that night was the best you've ever had."

"Seriously, should I just get 'Nathan Scott rocked my world' tattooed on my forehead? I was drunk and it slipped out that you were good in bed. I didn't realize that you'd hold it over me for the rest of time."

Nathan picked up his water and walked by her with a playful smile, whispering, "I'd pay for that tattoo."

With his back too her, Peyton lifted her leg and kicked him square in the back. The force was just enough to knock the water from his mouth and all over his face and shirt. He turned back, evil intentions in his eyes.

"You're so dead Sawyer!"

Peyton laughed a little before running from him and diving over the kitchen counter. Nathan stormed to the side of it and tried to grab her, but the slimness of her body slipped through his grasp. He was able to snatch hold of her ankle as she tried to pull away. His grip was too strong as he started to drag her towards him. Then taking his free hand, he found her waist and began tickling her. Peyton kicked and screamed as tears started to seep out from laughing so hard.

"Nathan, stop! Oh god I'm going to pee myself!"

After another second or two, Peyton slipped away from him and stood. She leapt back onto the counter, but just as she tried to step off another shout startled her.

"Hey! What the hell is going on in here?"

Peyton lost her balance and tumbled off the counter, her elbow scraping against the corner as her butt smacked the floor. Nathan stood quickly and started for her side, but felt a strong hand clench his throat and drive him against the wall.

"What's the matter with you? You have…three days before you head off to Chapel Hill and you're chasing the parentless whore around our kitchen?"

"Dad!"

"Shut up! You better focus Nathan. Your future, everything we've worked for is at stake…" He then turned and looked a teary eyed Peyton straight in the face. "…and let's leave our mistakes behind, okay?"

Dan let go of his son and adjusted his collar before turning away and waving at Peyton who lowered her eyes away from him. After Dan made his exit, Nathan went over to Peyton and helped her off the floor.

"You okay?"

"Yeah, I'll be fine."

She was a bit huffy and he didn't blame her. She didn't deserve this. Just then, Nathan noticed the stain soaking through the long sleeve of her shirt.

"Shit Peyt, you're bleeding. Here, let me clean that up."

"I'll be okay. I should go."

"Stop being stubborn and roll up your damn sleeve."

She caved, it really did sting. Pulling up her sleeve, she saw the cut. It wasn't bad, just a scratch. Nathan walked over and dabbed a q-tip with a bit of peroxide on it. She cringed and bit her lip to not cry out in pain as it stung even more, sending a shock of pain up her arm.

"Alright, now for this."

He opened the band-aid and covered the cut as she pulled her sleeve back down.

"Thank you."

"No, I'm sorry, my dad's a…"

"Jackass."

"Yeah…pretty much. You wanna get outta here?"

"Sure. Where?"

Nathan thought for a second. "Mall?"

Peyton gave him a look of complete confusion. "The mall? You want to go to the mall? Are you high?"

"No, I just feel bad about my dad and I want to make it up to you."

"Aw, Nate you don't have to do that, I'm okay…really."

"I want to Peyton. Come on. I'll follow you around the record store while you search for more of those damn Emo albums of yours."

As they walked down the hazy street, Peyton pulled the leather jacket over her body a little more. Nathan didn't even bother with a coat; he was too tough for that.

"You know…pneumonia doesn't care how many points you score."

"What?"

"This whole 'no jacket' thing., I know you want to be tough, but sickness can hit you at any time."

"Thank you Nurse Sawyer. I'll be sure and write that down."

Peyton rolled her eyes and smacked him in the arm. "Well you know, your dad would be really pissed if you got some cold before heading to UNC."

"Screw him."

"Yeah. So…he doesn't know that I'm going there too?"

Nathan stopped and Peyton had her answer with that one act.

"I guess not."

"I'm sorry, he…he thinks you're no good for me. That you'll distract me from the game and all my focus or something. Apparently to him, I have the attention span of a 2week old monkey."

"Yeah."

He could tell the words bothered her. 'Hey. I don't think that. You're one of my best friends Peyton. I mean…even after we broke up, I could still come to you when I was pissed or upset. I need you in my life, Sawyer."

"Thanks Nathan. You're important to me too. Even if the sex was horrible." She laughed as he rolled his eyes and pushed her a little.

"Whatever, I owned you in the sack."

"Well considering you were my first…and only time, I don't really have anything to base it off of."

Nathan looked over at her with a bit of confusion, the crinkle in his eyebrow giving off that impression. "Wait…you and Jagelski never?"

He made a sexual gesture by rocking his hips forward, an action that caused Peyton to shake her head with disgust.

"No! I only dated him for three weeks Nathan, besides, he was real touchy feely. I'm happy if you're happy. I mean, he was a great guy but…a bit too cheerful for me."

Nathan watched as she hid all her insecurities. Truth was, he knew the whole story behind that, but she didn't know that he knew. One of her blabber mouth friends had spilled it to him. Peyton had caught Jake cheating on her three weeks into the relationship and it had really torn her up. However, she did what she always did, she buried it.

"Yeah, well...no one can compare to my last girlfriend."

"Oh god…no, you're right about that one."

"Hey, you introduced us."

"Only because she cheers with me, besides, she's a cool girl. I just never imagined she'd get all crazy when I told her you wanted to go out with her."

"Yes, well Rachel Gattina will no longer be in my little black book…ever!"

Peyton laughed and nodded. "Yeah…that one was my bad."

"So…are you gonna cheer at UNC?"

"Ha! No way, my mom cheered in high school never in college, so no. I'm done with the pom poms and cheer skirt."

"But damn, your legs looked so hot in that skirt."

"Oh god, there ya go. Yet another reason why I will never put one on again."

"Peyton? Your mom would be proud of you…you know that right?"

She gazed up at him with sadness and bewilderment. "That was random."

"I know, but you should know that. You're a good person and a great friend. She'd be proud of who you are."

"Where is this coming from?"

"I don't know I just…wanted to say it…sorry."

He walked a little faster, creating distance between them. Peyton moved faster and caught him, grabbing his arm to stop his movement.

"Hey. I'm sorry; I didn't mean to go bitchy there. What I should have said was this: thank you Nathan, that means a lot to me."

He smiled as they made their way to the main doors of the mall. "You're welcome. Now let's get this over with."

"Hey, it was your idea to come here."

"Cause you scraped your elbow on my counter."

"Because your dad is an ass!"

"Good point."