A/N- Thank you so much for all the R&R's and again for those of you who have taken interest in this story. I know it is revolving around Lucas a lot and not much of anyone else but I have to do that to build the rest of the story. Bare with me. Please. Thank you. Here is the next Chapter and I hope to have another up before the end of this week.

This is so fun.

Chapter 5

A few weeks had passed and school was going pretty well. I was starting to fall into a routine of coming home, having Haley and Luke over to do homework and then we would hang out at the River Court or sometimes Haley and I would walk down town and hangout but Luke went to the River Court every single day after he was done his homework to play basketball with Skills and Junk while Jimmy and Mouth would watch. He found out the 2nd day of school that he also had two other classes with Nathan one was English which me and Haley had with him too and the other class he had to sit next to him. When we asked how it was he said that he was just ignoring him and Nathan seemed to be doing the same thing. He found out the "hot" girl he had been talking about was also Nathan girlfriend who was also a cheerleader. That didn't stop him from crushing on her though, he talked about her all the time. Haley and I would just roll our eyes and laugh at him because she was a popular girl and he was not.

-X-

While in English we were having "quiet time" as Mr. Dabble like to call it, which meant we were to read, someone entered the room and everyone looked up to find the Varsity basketball coach standing in the door way.

"Sorry Mr. Dabble to interrupt. Scott." He said.

I looked to Nathan because I was sure thats who he was talking too, Nathan went to get up.

"Not you." He said pointing to Nathan, "you." he then pointed to Lucas. "Can I borrow him for a minute?" He asked the teacher.

Mr Dabble nodded, "sure."

Luke got up and walked out of the room. What in the world does Coach want with Lucas. Nathan seemed confused as well as Haley.

-X-

"So what did Coach want?" I asked sitting down at the lunch table with my lunch tray.

I was just the two of us at the table right now.

"I'll talk to you after school about it." he answered.

"OK."

Haley sat down next to me. "I swear every time I get lunch here I always say I will be bringing a lunch from now on but no I always think that maybe at some point they will change it."

"Its not that bad Hales." Luke said to her taking a bite of his salad.

"It looks like something they scrapped off the side of the road." Haley informed us.

"Thanks, now Im not hungry and I was actually starving five minutes ago." I said pushing the tray away.

"Sorry."

"Yeah, yeah. when you start packing lunches make sure you pack me one too-" I was cut off by Nathan walking over to our table.

"So what did Whitey want?" Nathan asked standing next to Lucas.

Lucas looked up at him from his seat. "To talk."

"What about?" Nathan asked again.

"Stuff."

"Whatever." Nathan then walked away laughing.

He doesn't talk to Luke ever and thats the first thing he wants to say to him. What an ass. Luke didn't mention that little exchange, just went on eating his lunch. Haley and I looked to each other and just shrugged.

-X-

Me, Luke and Haley decided to go to the Cafe for dinner since my mom and Luke's mom were working that night.

"Hey kids!" I heard my mom yell from behind the counter.

"Hey!" The three of us returned sitting at the bar.

"Whats for dinner?" Luke asked.

"Chili, want some?" Karen said coming from the back.

"Sure, dads cooking and Kristin's not home which means either cary-out or a frozen dinner." I said looking straight at my mom.

"No, I made meat loaf yesterday. I told your dad to heat it up and you guys could have that for dinner." My mom told me.

"Come on mom, you know that does not mean he will do it."

My mom rolled her eyes. "OK, fine. Does he know you're here?"

"Of course."

Karen handed us bowls of food and got us drinks. Mom and Karen were pretty busy so I knew they wouldn't be able to hear us not that they even cared enough about what we were talking about.

"So are you going to tell us what Coach said or are we supposed to guess." I asked.

"Shhh," Luke turned to look and see where our mothers were.

"They are over there Luke, this place has too many people in it for them to be able to hear us." Haley then spoke.

He looked to his mom and then back to Haley and I, "Whitey asked me to join the basketball team."

"Like the varsity basketball team?' I asked

"Nathan's basketball team?" Haley then asked.

"Yes the varsity team and its not quite Nathan's team."

"What did you say?" I was a little shocked, I mean Luke's one hell of a basketball player but that was on the River Court. Luke has not played organized basketball in a long time and to be asked to be on the Varsity team, it seemed strange. When in the world did Coach see him play? How would he know if he was a good enough? Personally I knew he was good enough.

"I told him No." He said.

"Wait, you told him no?" I was a little confused.

"No, I said no."

"Why?" Haley spoke.

"Because I can barely stand to pass Nathan in the hallway let alone be on a team with him. We would have to spend so much time together and I don't want to." He shrugged.

"Luke, come on, it may be a good thing. You love to play and to be able to play on a team would be awesome." I said to him. We were now talking in a hushed tone because Karen wasn't too far from us and apparently Luke didn't want his mom to know.

"Yeah Luke there are more people on the team then just Nathan." Haley added.

"You said it yourself Hales, 'Nathan's team'." Luke said with air quotes. "Just because he isn't the only one on the team doesn't mean I won't have to have contact with him."

"Well can we vote?" I asked.

"Sure but it doesn't mean I'll go with it." Luke said.

"I think you should do it." I told him.

"Me too Luke." Haley added.

After we ate our dinner we went to the River Court. The guys had somehow gotten wind of Lucas being asked to be on the team. I guess they just figured it out because as far as I knew Haley and I were the only ones that Luke had told. When the coach of the basketball team wants to talk to someone you cant help but to put two and two together, for guys at least.

"So are you going to tell us?" Skills said.

"It's nothing." Luke responded. Haley and I went to sit on the bleachers with Mouth and Jimmy.

"Whitey asks you to play on the team and its nothing?"

"Its nothing because Im not playing." Luke said shooting the ball into the basket. "Not with those guys."

"We have been coming out here since we were, what nine and I have won how many games? I don't know it just seems like a waste to me man."

"It doesn't to me. I mean don't you guys ever think that maybe we belong here?"

"No, we belong here." Skills said pointing between the rest of the guys on the court. "You never belonged here,"

"Thanks but lets shoot for teams."

"Look Luke, you know you are one of my best friends but keep it real, we aren't shooting for teams, we are shooting to be your excuse and I am not about to be apart of that."

Haley and I sat there watching the two have this conversation, exchanging looks between the two of us. It was nice to have someone else think the same thing we did. Lucas belonged in a gym, not here.

-X-

The next day after school Luke had come over to my house.

"When I got home this was at the door." He said throwing what looked to be a jersey onto my bed.

Picking it up, "Who do you think left it?"

"Coach, Im sure."

"I can't believe the guys wouldn't play ball with me yesterday. I don't even want to go to the River Court because of them." He plopped down on my bed. Milo jumped up and started licking his face. "I told my mom."

"Yeah? What did she have to say about it?"

"She told me that I should play."

"See Luke, you should."

"I don't know." he sat up " Oh and I forgot to tell you, last night while playing at the River Court, when everyone left me, Nathan decided to show up."

"And?"

"He want to play me-" he looked up at me "-one on one."

"What? Are you going to do it?"

"I don't have anything to prove."

"Yeah but don't you want to just show him?"

"Show him what? That I can play? Thats obvious or else I would not have been asked to be on the team."

"True."

-X-

The next day before school Luke told me that Keith was going to take him to school so my sister didn't have too but then Haley called and said that Quinn was sick and wasn't going to school and wanted to know if Kristin could take her.

Haley had seen a help wanted sign on the school board for tutoring while we were walking into the school. She loved school and loved to help people. This was all her. Me on the other hand, I got good grades and was smart enough but I was not Haley smart but I was smart. I did what I had to in school and that was it.

"That is so you Hales." I said to her as she ripped down the paper.

"Yeah, it looks fun." She put the paper into her bag.

"I don't know about fun but OK."

"Oh come on Sophie, do it with me." She teased.

"Haley I can barely get myself through high school let alone someone else."

"Well im going to sign up."

"Did Luke tell you about Nathan propositioning him to play one on one?" I asked her.

"Yes! What an ass."

"I wonder if he's going to do it."

"I think he should but you know Lucas 'I have nothing to prove to him' so who knows."

"He told me the same thing."

"He said he talked to Keith about it too. He said that Keith told him he should play on the team."

"He may actually do it now seeing as Keith, the great and powerful said so. "

"Yeah really."

"Hey guys, wait up." We heard Luke yell from behind us.

"Hey Luke." Haley said as he caught up to us.

"So I decided im going to play Nathan. At the River Court. Tomorrow."

"Really? What changed your mind." I asked.

"I don't know, I just think its what I have to do."

"And what if he wins?" Haley asked, "I mean whats the deal?"

"He says that if I win I get "his spot in the line up" and if he wins "I crawl back into the hole I came out of."

"Oh geez." Haley said as she walked to class.

-X-

After school that day I went home and told my mom the there was going to be a small basketball game at the River Court after the basketball game at the school and that I would be a little late getting home. It was a Friday night and I didn't have school tomorrow.

"How late is late Soph?"

"I don't know. The school basketball games are usually over about 9 and the game at the River Court is after that so probably 1030 maybe 11." I was waiting for her to tell me no.

"Who all is going?"

"Ill be with Haley, Lucas, Mouth, Skill, Junk, Jimmy and half of the school."

"Why are they having a basketball game after a basketball game?"

I didn't want to tell my mom the real story because I was afraid she would tell Karen and then she would get involved so I decided not to tell her. "Just for fun."

"OK, but you stay with Haley, Luke and the boys. Don't go anywhere alone and I want you home at 11, no matter what. 11." My mother said giving me a stern look.

"Promise." I said running out the front door to Haley's. I didn't think that was going to go that well.

-X-

There were about 50 people at the River Court waiting to watch this match up between these two brothers. This was going to be a fun. Not. Haley and I stood side by side on the edge of the court. The game was starting and it was back and forth the whole time. First one to 11 wins. Suddenly Nathan had elbowed Lucas in the face making him bleed from his mouth. The score 9 - 10 Luke down by one. Luke said the last basket would count, the one Nathan scored after hitting Luke in the face. Nathan went to make a shot and Luke was able to stop him, stole the ball and scored tieing the game at 10. People began hooting and hollering. Luke and Nathan had a small exchange of word but no one could hear it. Luke went to the basket moved around, did a few swing moves and went for the shot. It was like slow motion and then the ball went into the basket. Everyone went nuts, some in shock others in pure joy. Nathan just stood there unable to believe what had just happened. Luke was surrounded by all of our friends. After everyone had dispersed me, Haley, Lucas, Junk, Skills, Mouth and Jimmy went to get ice cream to celebrate even though Lucas kept telling us that it was not necessary but it was.

"So Luke you joining the team?" Jimmy asked.

"Yeah, Im going to join the team." Luke answered with a smile.

We all looked at one another and just smiled.

"So does this mean you get Nathan's spot in the line-up?" I asked

"Nope. Nathan stays right were he is." Lucas answered.

"Why?"

"Because it's the last thing he wants."

-X-

With Lucas having practice everyday after school and sometimes before, Haley and I didn't see him much. He would come home and do his homework at his house and then sometimes come over and hangout with the two of us but other times he was too tired. He did tell us that it was nice because Peyton and the cheerleaders practiced in the gym at the same time th team practiced so he go to see a lot of her.

"Doesn't she have a boyfriend?" Haley said sitting on the floor in Luke's room.

"Who happens to be Nathan?" I added sitting in his computer chair at his desk.

"Yeah. I don't know what the heck she sees in the guy. He's an ass." He added from the bed.

"Maybe one day she will see how much of an ass he really is and realize she made a mistake in being with the wrong brother and then she will come and find you declare her undying love for you in front of the whole school and then start making out with you." I said with my hand over my heart in a dramatic way with my eyes closed and then I felt a pillow hit me in the face.

"Shut up Sophia." Lucas said as we all began to laugh.

"How is practice anyway?" Haley asked him.

"Well lets see, most of the team shuts me out, wont pass the ball to me. it's like Im not even there. When I was in the shower the other day after practice they took my towel so I had to walk through the locker room naked-" Haley and I made faces. "- and then the next day I went to change my clothes for practice and when I opened my locker all of my clothes where wet." He finished with a huff.

"So they are hazing you? Are they all mean to you Luke?" I asked.

'No, not all of them. One of the guys Jake actually gave me something to wear and said that eventually it would stop because they will get bored but I don't think so."

"You shouldn't have to put up with all of that." I said to him.

"Well it is what it is. It's the price I have to pay to be on the team I guess."

"Yeah but the rest of the team did not have to go through all of this Im sure." Haley said.

"Oh Im sure its all Nathan." Luke told us.

"OK, well as much as I would love to stay here and chat I have a family dinner I have to attend." I said grabbing my bag and heading out the door. "Bye guys see you tomorrow." They waved and I shut the door.

-X-

Sitting in the gym with Haley next to me, Keith on the other side of her and a million other people packed in here. The game was just about to start and it was Luke's first game as a Tree Hill Raven. I was nervous for him and excited too but more nervous. I wanted him to do great. I knew he could but if he was nervous... I couldn't think about that. Nathan made shot after shot of course. Luke was not looking so great. He was missing as many shots as Nathan was making. Coach called a time out and made Luke sit out for the remainder of the game. Lucas was visibly upset and I couldn't blame him.

"Oh gosh. Whats wrong with him?" Haley asked

"Nerves, I guess" I answered.

"Its his first game." Keith said joining our conversation.

We watched the rest of the game without Lucas in it. As much as I hated to admit it, Nathan was a phenomenal basketball player. He never missed a shot, every one he took went into the basket. He made it look easy but the terrible part was, Nathan knows he's a great player so he think his shit doesn't stink. The Ravens won the game like they did every other game. Lucas never went back in and he was not happy walking into the locker room.

Haley and I waited for him outside and when he did come out he told us he was walking home, said he needed to clear his head.

"Tell Keith I wont need a ride, till him Im just going to walk."

"OK. You sure you don't ant us to walk with you?" Haley asked him.

"No, I think I want to be alone. Thanks though." Then he turned and began walking toward home.

The next day Luke came over.

"So I walked to the river court after practice and guess who was there?" Lucas said sitting on the bed while I put away my laundry.

"Nathan?" I asked.

"No. Do you know Brooke Davis?"

"Head cheerleader, dark hair, kind of-" I paused looking for the right word, "-friendly?"

"Yeah." He said with a laugh.

"What was she doing there? Was she alone?"

"Yeah she was alone. Said she wanted to play basketball with me."

"Umm, thats weird. She wanted to play basketball with you?"

"Yeah but um-" he turned bright red, "-she told me that she needed to get out of her cheer uniform first."

"What? She did not."

"Yes, right there, right in front of me, just started taking off her clothes."

"What did you do?"

"I turned around until she was done."

"Oh my gosh. I said friendly, didn't I?"

"Yeah."

"So did you play basketball with her?"

"I took a few shots while she watched and then I left."

"Oh gosh Luke. Thats nuts."

"I know."

"Well I guess its expected now that you are one of them."

"One of them?" He looked at me a little quizzical.

"Yeah, ya know, a basketball player. It come with the territory." I said. "Pretty soon you wont have time for us small people."

"Oh stop it."

"What to do, oh what to do?"

He threw a piece of clothing from my folded laundry at me.

I couldn't help but think that maybe I was right. He was going to start hanging out with the b-ball crowd and that was not a crowd that the rest of our friends hung out with. He may start drifting away from us. They say that happens when you get to high school. I hope not.