So i was thinking, trying to figure out when the last chapter is gonna be, but i haven't figured it out yet to keep on reading!!
ENJOY AND REVIEW!!!!!!!
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Nathan found himself at the Rivercourt alot lately.
He didn't know if it was because of the whole tournament, or something else. But somehow the Rivercourt was part of every little thing that ever happened in this town. The one on one game betweem himself and Lucas changed everything. Lucas joined the team, which led to Peyton's attraction to him. Jimmy Edwards would hang out here with Mouth and be 'sports announcers' during a game. The guys neglected him, which led to the school shooting. The Rivercourt was first known for a place the river rats hung out at. Now it was a place where anyone could go, a place to think.
Nathan had been doing alot of thinking lately. He thought about almost everything. Haley and the baby, and how much it scared him. He never thought of himself as a father, in any sense. And no matter how many people told him he wasn't, he was scared that he was gonna be like his father. He didn't want his son to grow up in a life that he didn't want, playing a sport just to win. When Nathan thought about it, his life had changed drastically. If you asked him where he thouight he would be two years ago, he would say, being co captains with Kyle and living it up senior year. Kyle just recently came back, and he really lived it up. Just not in the way he thought.
When he first started high school, he knew it was gonna be a long ride. BUt at the time it didn't really faze him, he had Kyle and Brooke. He didn't really care about the bad stuff that would happen, if there ever were bad stuff, because he had his friends. His true friends. Then Kyle moved and him and Brooke just kind of... drifted. He didn't think he could rely in just Brooke, as much as he wanted to. But at the time basketball was taking over his life, as well as his father. He had to toughen up quick, or be eaten by your opponents. That's where the asshole side of him kicked in.
If he could redo his whole year, he would. First off, he would've been a little more excepting of Lucas. It wasn't his fault. And he would've put his foot down when it came to Dan and his obsession with Nathan being the best. Nathan loved basketball, he was good at it, but his father made him be a powerhouse, that hunger to win and be the best. And it would've helped if he put in a little more studying, but it was a good thing he hadn't, cause then he would never have met Haley.
The sound of a car brought him uot of his thought. He saw Brooke's powder blue beetle parking in the grass.
Nathan hadn't really had a conversation with Brooke in so long. The only time he could really remember was when he went to her house to apologize about the sex tape. Even then it wasn't really a conversation, it was just two people exchanging awkward words.
"Kyle ditching you again," Brooke asked as she sat down next to him on the bench.
"Naw, just here by myself, thinking."
"That seems to be everyone's hobby lately."
"Yeaa. So what's up?" asked Natha, getting to the point.
Brooke looked straight ahead.
"I wanted to thank you," she said simply, causing Nathan to look at her.
"Thank me? For what?"
"For calling Kyle."
Nathan sighed, "I thought i told him not to tell you."
"Why wouldn't you want him to tell me?"
"I don't know. I mean we haven't exactly been the best of friends."
"I know. But still, i'm glad you did call him."
"I knew he was the person you needed, not Lucas, or Peyton, but him."
"When i really think about it, Kyle was the only guy that i could ever count on, besides you."
"Yeaa, and i let you down."
"I think we both let each other down, Nate. I think Kyle moving made us weak. We were changing, and we couldn't hold onto each other as much as we thought. We grew up, your head was in the game, and up your ass. And my head wasn't even existent. I just didn't care anymore."
"You're right. That was such a messy time. I just feel like such an asshole now. I mean, me and you were in the same crowd, but not once did we even really talk. And i was dating Peyton, who was your best friend, and still, nothing. I just feel like i could've done something to prevent this."
"I think we all could have done something. BUt in a way it's a good thing, because we wouldn't be where we are today. You and Haley probably wouldn't have known each other, and she wouldn't be pregnant with Tutorbaby."
Nathan laughed, "Yea, but honestly. I don't know if i'm ready for this, having a baby."
Brooke frowned, "How do you know that?"
"I dont know. It's just that i never thought i would find myself a soon to be father. I never once thought i would even have kids."
"Well, did you ever find yourself married and still in high school?"
"NO, no i didn't. But i'm still scared of becoming Dan."
"Nathan, you and your dad are two different people. He's your dad, and you're his son, but that doesn't mean that you'll become him. Your dad had this determination to be the best, and it followed him his whole life. He pushed you to do the same things he did, until you couldn't take it. That's the difference, you actually did something other than play basketball. You fell in love, got married, and now you're expecting a baby. Dan only thought about himself, he never gave a second thought about Karen, or Lucas. And you know what Dan tried to make you into, and you stopped it. You can never be like yoour father, you're too passionate for that."
Nathan stared at her incredulouslly.
"I think i actually believe you when you say that."
"Good, you better. It's the truth. Haley's got a good husband who's gonna be a great father."
"YOu know, Haley misses you."
Brooke looked away, "I'm not too sure about that Nate."
"I'm sure of it. SHe feels guilty for ignoring you, and she feels embarassed for doing it."
"Then why hasn't she spoken to me in months?"
"I couldn't answer that. But she'll come around."
"We'll see. I gotta get going, i just wanted to say thanks again." Brooke said as she stood up and gave Nathan a hug.
"Before you go, how are things with Lucas?"
"Good, i can't trust him though," Brooke said as she walked away.
"If you can't trust him, maybe he's not the one." Nathan called as Brooke got in her car. She paused.
"Why would you say that about your own brother?" she asked irritated.
"Look i love Lucas, but maybe the guy for you has been in front of you all along. You'll know what i mean later on," Nathan smiled.
Brooke smiled back, not quite knowing what he meant.
But they were friends again, and that was all that mattered.
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For the first time in a long time, Kyle was bored. For awhile, he had been busy all the time, it was a relief when he found time to just sit around the house and do nothing. He didn't want to go to the Rivercourt, he just wanted to forget basketball for a little bit.
Normally the mall would be the place he would like to avoid, but it wasn't like he could go anywhere else. So he grabbed his keys to his truck and left.
When he got there, he was surprised to see alot more people. It was like the population of Tree Hill had increased by a couple hundred.
He roamed around the mall for a little bit, looking at the new stores that had been built, reminiscing about the old places that were still there.
There were times when Kyle wished he hadn't have left Tree Hill, alot of things would've been different. He missed this place alot. It was his home, where he grew up, no matter what kinda of crap went down.
After a few minutes, he realized that he wouldn't find any of his friends around, so he had to call someone. And no one could make the mall more fun than Brooke Davis.
"Missing me already?" Brooke asked as she picked up her phone.
"Of course. And i was bored."
"Oh thanks."
"That's exactly why i'm calling you. I'm bored and at the mall alone."
"You're at the mall by yourself? Why?"
"Because i'm bored. I forgot how boring you could get here."
"Alright since you're at the the mall, i'll be there in two minutes."
"Ok bye," and Kyle hung up. He knew if he was anywhere else Brooke would've said 'too bad' and left him to drown in his boredom. But this was the mall, Brooke spent everyday there anyway.
While waiting he went into a shoe store. Maybe he would find a pair of basketball shoes. He walked towards the back and found this pair of blue and white basketball shoes.He tried them on in his size, and it weas done, he was buying them.
As he was paying for them, he smelled perfume and felt a hand grab his arm.
"You know, you're about the easiest person to find," Brooke said.
"Isn't that a good thing? You'll always know where i'm at," Kyle asked as they exited the store.
"Yeaa, for me it is. But what about people that hate your guts?"
"You have a point," Kyle laughed. "So what are we gonna do now?"
"Well, you already bought something, so it's my turn!"
Kyle groaned, "I'm starting to rethink inviting you."
"Well get over it cause you can probably find something here too," Brooke said as they walked into American Eagle.
"Since when did they build an AE here?"
"Hmm i think last year. Thank goodness though," Brooke said as she rummaged through a rack of jeans.
Kyle went over to the guy's side of the store, just looking, when he heard someone call his name.
"Oh hey Ally, what are you doing here?"
Ally smiled, "Well since we're here for three weeks, the mall was the only interesting place here."
He laughed, "Yeaa it is. I completely forgot you guys were here for that long."
"So, who are you here with anyways? Not even a guy goes to the mall alone."
"Oh i'm just here hanging out with Brooke," Kyle said nodding to Brooke across the store.
Ally turned around and looked at her, Kyle saw a smile forming on her lips.
"That's Brooke?"
"Yeaa, that's Brooke. What's with the look?" he asked confused.
"She's gorgeous. No wonder me and you didn't work out," Ally joked.
"Umm yeaa she is. But what does that have to do with us not working out?"
"It has everything to do with it. Whenever you would mention her your face would light up, and you were happy. It's her Kyle."
"What are you talking about?"
Ally smirked, "Like you don't know what i'm talking about. You're in love with her."
He shook his head, "No she's just my friend Ally. There's nothing going on."
"Believe what you want, but don't worry, i won't say anything."
Kyle smiled, "Thanks. I'm sorry we never worked out. I do care about you though."
"I care about you too. I got to go, but tell her soon ok?" Ally asked as she hugged him.
"I don't know about that. She has a boyfriend."
"So? I'll see ya at the game," she said as she exited the store.
Kyle shook his head and walked over to Brooke, "Find anything?"
"Psh, i found more than anything. What about you?"
"Hmm, sorta, but i need your help, i don't know what shirt i should get."
"Well that's what i'm here for. Now what shirt do you want?" Brooke asked as they stood in front of all the types of shirts.
"That's the problem, i like all of them. But i don't know what color would look good," Kyle said.
Brooke stood in front of the shirts for a second, "I like either the black polo or the long sleeved white one."
Kyle grabbed the black polo and asked her, "The white one with the outline of an eagle?" Brooke nodded and Kyle picked that one out too and held them in front of them.
"Whats so special about these ones?"
"Well, the black polo brings out your eyes, and makes them more brighter, plus it would look good with those khaki shorts you have. I like the white one because it's clean, and if you push up the sleeves, your muscles are more showable. And they would look good with your wash jeans that you bought last week."
"So basically, you're saying that i'll look good wearing either of them?"
Brooke nodded.
"In that case, i'll buy them both, and i need to buy some more boxers too." Kyle said as he walked towards the socks and boxers.
"Need help deciding on those too?" Brooke joked.
Kyle turned around, "Ha ha. But tell me, should i buy the ones with the eagles on them, or the ones with the eagles on them?" he asked sarcastically.
"I think you should go with the ones with the eagles on them." Brooke smirked.
They both paid for their stuff and walked out.
"I'm getting hungry," Kyle said.
"Same here. Where do you wanna go?" Brooke asked as they entered the foodcourt.
"I don't know. I'm craving a philly cheesesteak or something."
"Let's go to Charlie's then."
"Oh my gosh, they still have it here?"
"Yeaa, it's still making kick ass business," Brooke said as she ordered.
As they sat down, Brooke said, "So i talked to Nathan today. I thanked him for calling you."
"He's probably pissed now."
"No he's not. We talked about why we stopped being friends, and he started going into how scared he was to be a father."
"He still thinks that?"
"Yeaa, but i think i got through to him. He said i was the first person he believed."
"Well, you once were a big part of Nathan's life. Maybe you still are." Kyle shrugged.
"Maybe, but we're getting there."
"Something tells me we'll all be fine."
"I think we will." Brooke smiled as they continues eating.
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"So you never told me what college you were going to?" Kyle asked as he sat in Brooke's living room.
"Well at first i wanted to apply to NYU for fashion merchandising, something like that, then Victoria's Secret wanted me to sketch and create my own line in their stores, but i would be getting all the credit. So i can really apply anywhere i want, but i was thinking along the lines of Duke," Brooke said as she handed him a soda.
"That's funny, because i already applied there."
"Really?"
"Yeaa. Duke scouts came during one of my games in Virginia, said they were interested, so i mailed in my application."
"That's great. You'll get in. You and Nate playing on their team? Of course they'll accept you."
"Yeaa, and you still cheering at our basketball games?"
"Hmm maybe," Brooke laughed as she sat down next to him.
"Ok so we better not be watching a chick flick."
"Why would we watch one of those?" Brooke asked innocently as she started the movie.
"Awwww Mean Girls?!"!"
"Why not? It's not that girly," Brooke said defensively.
"Yeaa, not really. Plus the Plastics are pretty hot," Kyle joked.
Brooke threw a piece of popcorn at him.
"Just watch the movie."
