So heres the next chapter, I hope you all like it!

These hands belonged to the man with piercing blue eyes who had been watching the girl the whole time. This man was Lucas Scott.

23oth23oth

Lucas needed to clear his head, he had just had practice with his new team, and it had not gone as well as he hoped. There were new players on the team who were making some trouble, being cocky since they were only sophomores. In addition Lucas was having a really hard time finding a new editor that he liked, and there was a lot of trouble since his first book was published under a different editor.

Along with all his problems with his book, he had problems with Peyton. After Lindsey had ditched him at the altar, Lucas was in a dark place. He blamed it all on Peyton, she was the reason why Lindsey had felt so insecure. She was the reason why Lindsey didn't trust him. And above all, she was the reason why Lindsey had left him at the altar, shoving her rings into his hands, and crying. He was a broken man after that, nothing could soothe him. Even after throwing a few punches at Dan, letting some anger out, didn't work. Lucas decided to go to Peyton's house and have it out. It was one big screaming match. He had left her in tears, a broken woman. He was too angry at her to feel guilty. Feeling that he needed to get away Lucas went on a trip in the yacht with Andy, his mom, and his little sister. They had gone to the Caribbean, and Lucas used the time to think.

Walking along the beach Lucas realized it wasn't Peyton who had caused Lindsey to be so insecure and ultimately leave, rather it was all his fault. That's when Lucas had started feeling guilty. The feeling hit him like a ton of bricks. He packed up his things and took a plane back to Tree Hill in a frenzy to get Peyton to forgive him. Rushing straight to Peyton's office, he walked in preparing himself for a peace offering but then he saw Peyton he was feeling even more guilty and ashamed.

Peyton sat at her desk reading over some papers. Her face was paler then usual, looking gaunt and tired.

Flashback

He walked in and made his presence known by clearing his throat.

Peyton looked up from what she was doing and her face fell. It was the last person she wanted to see. The man who had made her feel like complete shit, and had caused her to rethink all that she was fighting for, making her feel even more insecure. He had caused her life to be horrible for the past three weeks. She couldn't sleep, eat, think, talk or even drive in her car without remembering Lucas.

Lucas saw that her face fall and he cringed. He knew that he had caused her a lot of pain, "I…" he started. "I know Im probably the last person you want to see right now."

She scoffed, "You got that right. What are you doing here? What have I done to ruin your life this time?"

Lucas sighed, this wasn't going to be easy. "Actually I came here to apologize…"

He was interrupted by her bitter laugh. "Apologize? Now you come here and tell me that!? Lucas Scott for the past three weeks I've been sitting around trying to figure out what I did wrong. I admit that trying to come in between you and Lindsey may have not been innocent at all, but you were the one who gave into it!! It's not my fault that I drive an effing Comet! It's more like your fault since you wrote a book about it!" Peyton was fuming. All the feelings that had been stored up were pouring out.

Lucas was desperate. "I know, you're right." Peyton looked up, tears streaming down her face. She wasn't really expecting him to give in.

He continued "… I realized that I was the one who was wrong. I was blaming you for all my mistakes and all my screw ups, when the person who really deserved all the blame was me. The truth is Peyton, you are number one in my heart. You will always be. I…I…

I love you Peyton."

Though that was exactly what Peyton had wanted to hear since she came back to Tree Hill, she couldn't forgive him so easily. "Lucas…"

Lucas blew out the breath that he had been holding in for a while. He swore under his breath. Peyton flew out of her chair, standing in front of him she cupped his face. "You know how I feel about you Luke, but I don't know if I can trust all that comes out of your mouth. How about taking it slow? First lets rebuild our friendship. I need to know if I can trust you."

Lucas nodded. "Ok, friends." They hugged, and Lucas gave Peyton a sweet kiss on top of her head.

"Seeya around Peyt." And with that Lucas left. The whole way home he was thinking "God, I'm going to fight for you Peyton Sawyer."

23oth23oth

After practice Lucas got into his mustang, and started driving. He didn't know exactly where he was going but he was just driving. Sooner or later he found himself at the river court. It was still light out, and the weather was great for playing. He turned in the direction of the court, "damn" he thought, someone was already there. He looked to see if it was any one he knew, maybe his brother, or one of his team members. Lucas squinted and saw that it was neither. It was a girl!

"Wow" he murmured. In all of his years at the river court Lucas had never seen a girl play there. Of course Brooke, Haley or Peyton attempted to play with the boys back in the past, but never had he seen a girl seriously playing since his friend Faith (season 3 when Peyton goes to visit Ellie and Lucas meets up with a friend) had moved away. Ok, fine he had seen a girl play there, but not for a really long time.

Silently Lucas got out of his car and inched closer to the court wanting to get a closer look. The girl about 5"8, she looked to be about 16 and didn't seem to notice Lucas, she was so engrossed in the game. She had her headphones in her ears, and was just shooting around. Lay ups, jump shots, and three pointers she was making her shots more than missing them.

Intrigued, Lucas inched closer and closer and watched the girl. She smirked a little, furrowing her brow, and her tongue sticking out of the corner of her mouth. Her form was exquisite. He watched as she went up for her lay up she jumped up off her right foot, bringing her left foot in. She had a great hook shot, standing still and throwing the ball lightly over her head, remaining with a great follow through. It was what she did next that completely she had taken a jump shot which bounced off the back board, quickly she had ran to catch the ball jumping, while still in the air she shot. The ball did a toilet bowl around the rim, and finally went in. She smiled with satisfaction.

Lucas was approaching the court, he needed to talk to this girl. He had never seen someone that age and that gender play like that. She was better than some of the guys on his team. He was now standing by the picnic table, yet the girl still didn't seem to notice.

She had taken her spot at the foul line, the very same spot he had gone so many times before. He watched as she set herself. Her feet were shoulder width apart. With her shoulders squared she held the ball mainly in her right hand, using the left hand only for support. She bent her knees, and shot while standing up straight, holding her perfect follow through. The ball went in through the hoop, with the glorious sound of a swish.

The ball had bounced towards Lucas and he picked it up, that's when Sarah saw him.

Sarah was surprised. This was Lucas Scott the coach of the boys infamous Tree Hill Ravens, not only that, he was extremely hot, even for a guy who was like 8 years older than her. "Eww" she thought to herself. But seriously what was he doing here? How long had he been there without her noticing? And why the hell was he watching her?

Lucas saw the girls expression, realizing he may have freaked her out he quickly asked "Where did you learn to play?" He shot the ball, it went in with the satisfying sound of a swish.

Sarah rebounded the ball, and held it under one arm. She shrugged, "My dad played, he put me on the town team where we used to live in New Jersey and I was on my middle school team." Sarah immediately regretted saying that because now that entire she had on her mind was memories of her and her father playing basketball.

Lucas nodded in understanding. "Whats your name?" he asked.

"Sarah Preston." Sarah said nervously. Why was Lucas Scott asking her so many questions? It was starting to get a little weird, he was totally starting to freak her out.

"Look Mr. Scott, I've got to get going, its starting to get dark."

Lucas nodded, "Yeah sure, just one more question." Sarah turned towards Lucas.

"Have you ever thought about playing on the team?"

Sarah looked at him with a weird face, "Mr. Scott I don't mean to be rude, but Tree Hill only has a guys team. But I really have to go home now. Have a nice night."

And with that Sarah turned her Ipod on a high volume and started running home.

Completely forgetting the reason he came to the river court in the first place, Lucas got in his car and drove to Nathan and Haley's.

23oth23oth

The whole car ride Lucas was thinking about Sarah Preston. She was an amazing player. He had something in mind, something he would have never thought about. Allowing a girl, Sarah Preston to be specific, to be the newest member of the Tree Hill Ravens.

23oth23oth

Sarah ran all the way home thinking about what had happened at the River Court. That last question Lucas Scott had asked was a little weird. Was he thinking of starting a Lady Ravens team? Was he just asking because he was a really weird person? No it couldn't be, he was too hot to be that weird.

Sarah reached her door and unlocked it. The whole house was dark, which meant her mom still wasn't home. Shocker.

She washed her hands and then took her dinner out of the fridge and put it in the microwave. While waiting for her dinner to heat she dialed her friend, Michelle's number. She told her encounter with Lucas Scott.

"Maybe he thinks your hot?" Michelle said. She was always thinking about boys.

"Eww!" Sarah said truly disgusted. "I know he's hot and all, but he's like eight years older than me, that's gross."

"Well then, this is a maybe, only a maybe, Maybe…." Michelle started, "Maybe he wants you to join the Ravens."

Sarah was quiet. What if she was right? "I don't know. That would be weird, plus I'm not that good" Sarah said unsure.

"Sarah you know you're good," Michelle said, "it may be the reason he was asking you. So anyways let me tell you about this new boy Riley…"

Michelle went on and on about this kid named Riley, but Sarah wasn't listening at all, she was still thinking about joining the Tree Hill Ravens.

23oth23oth

Lucas drove fast to Nathan and Haley's; he knew Skills would be there because he was watching Jamie tonight thill 7:30. Lucas looked at his watch 7:28. With that he gunned the motor. He arrived at the Scott residence just in time, Nathan and Haley were just walking in.

"Lucas? What are you doing here?" Nathan asked his older brother.

"I actually have a team thing to discuss. I knew Skills would be here so I ran over."

Lucas, Skill and Nathan sat down at the counter in the kitchen, while Haley cleaned up around the kitchen. Lucas started telling the guys about what he had seen at the river court.

"This girl was amazing!" Lucas said excitedly, "I mean she did an effing allyoop! Some guys on our team can't even do that!"

Nathan was intrigued. "I need to see it to believe it. What's this girls name anyways?" Nathan asked.

"Sarah Preston. Her form was brilliant!"

At the sound of that name Haley perked up. Sarah Preston? "Oh I know her, shes in my first period English class!" The guys all turned to look at Haley, she never really was involved with team discussions. "Yeah I'm surprised she's playing ball. Her father passed away suddenly this summer, and she dropped her three other sports teams. Told all the coaches that she wasn't going to be playing this year. She really hasn't been herself lately."

The guys all stared at Haley with an understanding look.

"So Luke brotha, Why did you run over here so fast to tell us about some girl?" Skills asked.

"Well…" Luke started, "I was kind of wondering if we can let her play on the team."

Well that was the end of this chapter, hope to update soon!

So tell me what you want to do about Brooke? With Owen, With no one? Tell me!

Questions? Comments? Suggestions? Reviews are greatly appreciated.