Ok, So i know its been a while since I last updated. First of all I am a Junior at a dual curricular school so I get a lot of work, and it's killing emotionally its been difficult, my friends sister died in a car crash, and my grandmother was diagnosed with a really bad cancer so it was a little difficult finding inspiration. Second, I was planning on making this chapter so jam packed with info and drama I realized that it would be too jam packed. So I cut it in half, the basketball game you will hear about soon. Its mostly written, it just needs to be fixed up and stuff like that.
Any ways, One Tree Hill tonight was decent. I find that its becoming a little bit fake (cough cough PEYTON). Next weeks episode looks interesting. I'm a fan of Casablanca. Ok. Enough of me speaking. Enjoy.
If someone was to walk past the Tree Hill High gym on Wednesday afternoon they would be able to hear the sound of basketballs pounding, the sound of rubber sneakers screeching against the waxy wooden floors, and surprisingly the sound of people chanting. Walking by the gym that's exactly what Haley James Scott heard. She stopped abruptly and listened and she was right the guys were chanting.
"I got soul but I'm not a soldier. I got soul but I'm not a soldier."
She quickly recognized the song as a snippet from All These Things That I've Done, by The Killers. She never thought she would hear basketball players singing. Slowly she pushed open the door and saw that the boys and Sarah were standing at half court in a semi circle singing. But instead of seeing her husband, her best friend or even Skills coaching them she saw Miles singing along with them. She looked toward her left and saw her husband watching, very amused.
"What's going on?" Haley asked, laughing at the boys antics.
"Well Miles is letting them have some fun… Actually it wasn't Miles doing at all. Sarah has been singing this whole practice and her brother started too and then the whole team started. Its kinda becoming that team on Disney channel with the singing basketball player…you know.." Nathan said trailing off.
"High School Musical?" Haley asked laughing at her husband.
"Whatever."
Haley laughed. "I see you've been watching too much TV with Jamie."
Nathan shrugged.
Haley laughed again. "I'm gonna head to the studio and work with Peyton, do you think you can handle ordering pizza?"
"Hales, please ordering pizza is my specialty."
Haley laughed. "I know baby." She kissed him on the cheek. "Hey Lucas, you wanna come too?" but Lucas wasn't answering, it didn't even look like he knew what was going on.
She was right Lucas was in a far off world swimming in his memories
Flashback
Lucas was driving through the streets of Tree Hill in vintage red Mustang, stirring up the leaves in his wake. It was another one of those nights where his mind was wandering and he couldn't sleep. He tried to write, but there was only one thing he could think about.
PEYTON.
God, she was beautiful He yearned for her so much that sometimes it ached. All he could think about were those beautiful green eyes, her smile, the skinny chicken legs, and the beautiful golden locks.
In the four years that they were apart Lucas had had many of these nights. Unfortunately even when he was with Lindsey, he couldn't control his thoughts. Now that she was back, and now that he was single, thoughts of Peyton plagued his mind. He had so many chances to make a move, but he hadn't had the guts to do anything, and now he was truly regretting it.
He had no idea where he was driving, his mind was wandering, so his body was on auto – pilot. He soon found himself turning into the grass of the river court.
Driving up he saw a figure sitting on the picnic table. Someone with curly blonde hair and skinny legs…
This happened all the time. Whenever Lucas was thinking about Peyton he always saw her wherever he went. One time he saw her on the subway in New York, once at the movies, another time at a restaurant, but it was never really her, it was always just his imagination.
Opening his door Peyton's head turned toward him her green eyes reflecting from his head lights.
"Lucas?" she asked.
Lucas pinched himself to make sure he wasn't dreaming. Nope. She was still there.
"Peyton?" That probably sounded idiotic. Of Course it was Peyton! "What are you doing here this late?"
She shrugged. "I couldn't sleep."
"Join the club." He took a seat on the bench next to her. They stared at the court in silence for a few minutes.
She was the first to say something.
"I remember our last day here together like it was yesterday. Back when I thought my life was perfect."
Lucas nodded absently, replaying that day in his head. "What happened?" He asked his voice hoarse.
"I don't know you tell me?" She said harshly.
Lucas winced. Recently he had been feeling so guilty about the ultimatum he gave her in LA four years ago. He hated himself for being so stubborn.
"Sorry…" She mumbled.
"No…I guess I deserved that."
"What happened Luke? For once in my life, something was perfect." Her big green eyes were brimming with tears.
Lucas' heart broke. He hated to see her cry, he hated even more that he was the reason that made her cry.
"I'm Sorry…" Was all he could muster up to say. It probably sounded idiotic, but he just couldn't come up with something better.
She looked over to him and sighed. She had just given him an opportunity to do something pivotal in their relationship. They both knew that they liked each other, but he still hadn't made a move. She had tried almost throwing herself at him, but that still hadn't made any improvements. She closed her eyes and got up from the picnic bench. Stuffing her hands in her pockets she started walking off in the darkness not even bothering to say goodbye.
"Peyton!" he yelled. She didn't turn around, she just kept walking. She really didn't want to get her hopes up.
"Peyton wait!" seeing that she was ignoring him he jumped up and ran after her. Catching up he grabbed her wrist and turned her around. Saying a quick prayer he crashed his lips onto hers and gave it all he had. He hoped she would give in… and within a second he could feel her muscles relax and give in to the kiss.
"I love you." He blurted out when they broke apart. "I always have."
She smiled. She couldn't count the many times she wished and prayed for him to say that to her.
"I was hoping you'd say that. I love you too, Lucas Scott. I always have and I always will." She leaned up and once again pressed her lips against his.
The rest of the story is history. But the memory of that night two nights ago was all he thought about. Now that he and Peyton were back together he couldn't stop thinking about her. He tended to zone out all the time.
"…Lucas, Lucas! Are you listening to me?" Haley said amused that she just spent almost a whole minute calling his name.
"Huh?" He turned to see Nathan's arms crossed wearing his signature smirk, and Haley smiling with her hands on her hips. The realization hit him that once again he totally zoned out.
"By any chance you got a certain blonde on your mind?" Haley asked smiling.
Lucas smiled a little ashamed. "Something like that."
"Uhuh." Haley said rolling her eyes. "Peyton's the same way. I'll see you later." She waved walking out of the gym.
Lucas focused his attention on the boys and realized that they were playing around. He saw they were having a break dancing competition and Zeke was really ripping it up. He laughed and blew his whistle.
"Okay guys, you had your fun for tonight. Shower up. I'll see you here the day after Thanksgiving for the game. Have a happy Thanksgiving."
Miles stayed back as they watched the boys head to locker rooms.
"Thanks for coaching them today." Lucas said giving Miles a high five/ handshake.
"No thank you man, it was fun." Miles said smiling. "I thought today would be a good day to balance out the work and play."
Nathan laughed. "They certainly got a lot of play in today."
"Yeah well it was my playtime also." Miles laughed. "Now sorry boys, I gotta cook a killer turkey."
This year as a way to say thank you, Miles was making Thanksgiving dinner for the whole gang who had taken an immediate liking to him. Miles pleaded to let him make Thanksgiving at his house because when he heard that Brooke, who lacked all culinary skills, was planning on making a turkey he knew it meant trouble. Luckily for everyone else Miles was a great cook. It was expected to be a really great Thanksgiving.
23oth23oth
Thanksgiving day.
For the Preston family, Thanksgiving was always a great family day. Since they lived so close to New York, they always attended the Macy's Day Parade, then go home and play football and soccer until dinner.
But this year it was different. It was just Sarah and Miles, and their new friends from Tree Hill, North Carolina, and Miles room-mate from New York was also going to join them. There was no Macy's Day Parade, and no football. The house was quiet. Miles didn't even think Sarah was home. He walked around the house looking for her. Walking down the hall he opened the door at the end of the hall.
The music parlor.
Memories hit him like a brick wall. Looking around he saw a thin film of dust on the piano. He sniffed the air, looking for his fathers smell, but it was long gone. He walked over to the wall where his guitars were mounted. He caressed the strings sighing. He closed his eyes forcing his tears back, trying to remember all the great music his family had made in here.
"What are you doing in there?" He heard a growl from the doorway.
He jumped and turned to see Sarah who was close to tears.
"Sarah," he said softly. "You've got to face the music some day." His voice was pleading, hoarse with emotion.
"This is not your place!" She yelled. "Don't tell me that I have to face the music when you hid in your room of despair for three months!" Her tears were cascading down her face, and Miles' heart broke. "Finally you find out that mom left so you come help your little sister! Well guess what Miles!! You were three months too late! Where were you when I really needed you?" She asked her voice breaking.
He was tearing now. Her pain was too much to bear. He took a step closer to her, enveloping her in a hug.
"I'm sorry." He said into her hair. "I'm so, so sorry."
She snuggled into his strong arms even further. "I love you." She said her voice broken.
" I wont leave you again. I promise." He said, his tears getting the best of him.
"Good" she said pulling out of the hug. She wiped her tears and looked around the room. She saw Miles looking longingly at the guitar.
"I know you want to play it." She said to him softly. "I know he would also want you to."
Miles nodded carefully taking it off the wall. He sat down on the stool nearby and strung a chord.
Upon hearing the sound Sarah took a sharp breath in. It was her fathers sound.
"I've been working on a song for a while." Miles said playing another chord.
"Great. I wanna hear it later."
"Ok. Yeah, now I have to cook. And I need to help Brooke out and get some groceries at the same time." Miles let out an exasperated sigh.
"I'll get the groceries for you if you want?" Sarah offered.
Miles smiled "I forgot you drive and have a credit card." He chuckled. "The List of stuff I want is on the counter."
"Sure. I'll see you soon."
As soon as Sarah left Miles went over to Brooke's to help her attempt to cook, and to brainstorm the final touches for the world wide clothes over bros makeover. Walking across the street he saw a flustered Brooke with baby Maya.
"What's wrong?" Miles asked.
"Shes just fussy. And I really need to pee, but I can't just leave her crying." Brooke rasped, you could hear the frustration in her voice.
"Go pee. I'll watch her." Miles smiled.
"Thanks," Brooke said running in the direction of the bathroom.
When Maya saw that her mother had left, it only made her wail louder. Unfazed, Miles picked up the screaming baby and lifted her high in the air. The baby suddenly stopped crying and giggled as Miles threw her into the air. He blew a raspberry on her white belly, causing her to break into a fit of laughter.
"You're a natural with her."
Miles turned around quickly. He hadn't realized Brooke was back. Maya smiled realizing that her mom was back. Miles shrugged, "I grew up with lots of babies." Maya reached out towards her mother, and Brooke walked over to her taking her into her arms and kissing her on her head.
"I didn't know that the Preston's had anymore children." Brooke asked.
"No. I didn't always live with the Preston's. In many of the foster homes I was in, there were a lot of baby's."
"Oh I see." She said nodding in understanding that there was a lot more baggage to Miles Preston than she thought. "So how did you end up with the Preston's?"
Miles smiled recalling the memory. "Well I was about eleven when I had come to their house for the first time, and I was really in bad shape. I was mischievous in school, I stole, I hurt the other foster kids, so the agency thought it would be a good match with the Preston's who were pretty wealthy and were looking to really change a child's life as opposed to foster a child for the check that came in the mail every month. When I first got there I was still pretty bad, I picked on Sarah and the other foster child, Hannah that lived there, and ditched my new school. But the Prestons sat on top of me. They put me in a private school, Eric played basketball with me, Debbie taught me how to play piano, Sarah and Hannah played soccer with me and I totally changed. Then after being with them for about a year and a half my real mom died in a car accident."
Brooke looked at him sharply and put a reassuring hand on his arm.
Suddenly Miles' demeanor changed. He clenched his jaw, and his eyes darkened. "Since I was little, I knew my mom didn't want me. She cared more about drugs and alcohol than her son. As a kid I always thought she would change her mind, and get better. That she would realize that I was really cute and that I was her son. I used to tell all my foster parents that the arrangement was temporary because I truly believed she would come back for me. But when she died…" His jaw unclenched. "I realized that she was never going to come back for me, and that she never even wanted to. But before I could really think about it anymore, the Preston's offered to adopt me." He turned to look at Brooke. "You went through the adoption process with Maya, you know what its like. For a foster kid, the only ones that ever got adopted were the baby's, so it was a pretty big deal. So they adopted me and here I am." His voice grew quieter. "I haven't told that story to anyone else."
There was a moment of silence.
"Thanks." Brooke rasped.
"For what?" Miles asked. He turned to look at her.
"For trusting me." Brooke said.
They looked at each other in the eyes for a few seconds and found themselves leaning in closer and closer until their noses touched. Brooke closed her eyes, and leaned even closer in.
A loud slam of the door was heard and the two of them pulled back.
"MILES! You are an idiot! You almost burned the turkey!" Sarah yelled. Finding the two on the couch so close to each other she sensed something was up. She smirked. "Did I interrupt something?"
"What?" Miles asked, praying his voice didn't reveal his true feelings.
"No," Brooke said, feeling her face flush. "We were just…"
"..just going over some blue prints." Miles said recovering from his initial shock.
"Uhuh." Sarah said her hands on her hips. "Anyways Emerile. Your Turkey is going to burn if you don't go home and check on it."
"Shit!" he cursed. "You're right. Kay Brooke, just come on over soon we'll finish it up at my house."
"uhuh." Brooke told him, still unable to formulate a real sentence.
With the click of the door, Brooke plopped down on the couch with an exasperated sigh.
Brooke Davis was smitten.
23oth23oth
A few hours later the Preston household was bustling with action. The adults were waiting for Miles' guest from New York to arrive, drinking a bottle of wine. The ladies were on a couch talking while the guys watched the highlights of the game, Jamie busied himself with Sarah and Maya.
Suddenly the doorbell rang.
"That must be JJ." Miles said getting up heading towards the door.
"Hey man! Its been too long." Miles said, wrapping his friend in a man hug,
"Man, you saw me a week and a half ago." He said smiling.
Miles chuckled. "Still too long. Come, let me introduce you to everyone." Miles ushered his friend into the living room.
"Guys," Miles said gesturing to his friend. "This is my friend…"
"Jake?" Peyton asked.
"How did you know?" Miles asked, a confused look on his face.
Lucas' face burst into a smile. "It's great to see you man. It's been way too long."
"I know seriously." Jake continued with his welcome and was excited to see everyone for the first time since the beginning of senior year.
Sarah and Miles however were really confused.
"Okay. So I'm confused Jakey. Explain please." Sarah demanded.
Jake laughed at Sarah. "You haven't changed a bit junior. I lived in Tree Hill until I was a senior and then I left taking Jenny to Savannah."
Sarah nodded in understanding.
"Where is Jenny anyways?" Peyton asked. Jenny was like a daughter to her for a very long time.
"My parents. She hasn't seen them in a long time, plus the ride up here was really long."
"Ok Jake, lets eat, y'all can ask him as many questions you want while we eat."
The group of friends sat down together and ate their meal with light banter going on. They discussed The Ravens, what they were thankful for, the past election, each persons business and such.
"So what have you been up to Jake? I mean the last time we saw you was senior year." Haley asked as they were settling for desert.
"Yeah, so I went to Savannah where I found Jenny. Once I won full custody, I headed up to New York to try and get a job and possibly go to school. So I got a job with a Real Estate firm as a paid intern learning about the real estate market and stuff, and that where my boss Eric Preston, decided to introduce me to his son, claiming that I needed a little bit of fun. When I met Miles there were three girls sitting on his lap, I knew I was in for trouble." Jake laughed and Miles smiled cockily.
"So I roomed with Miles and his family was pretty awesome they watched Jenny a lot, and we had fun, I worked hard and it was working out really well. Now I don't have a room-mate because mine moved to Tree Hill, but its okay because I just got my license as real estate analyst."
There were murmurs of congratulations heard around the table, and the gang continued to play catch up with Jake, explaining careers and what their lives were like. When the meal had ended the gang hung out in living room with a blazing fire.
Haley was in the middle of telling a story when something caught her eye.
"No Way!" She exclaimed. Everyone stared at her.
She was too preoccupied staring at the guitar propped up on a stand right next to the couch. She hadn't realized it before.
Miles looked in the direction where Haley was staring and saw the guitar. He had taken it out earlier to play, but he hadn't gotten the chance.
"That's a Gibson acoustic!" Haley exclaimed. "What year?"
"Seventy Four. Why do you know that?" Miles
"Its only my dream guitar. Can I play?" She said motioning to the guitar.
"I believe its 'May I"." Sarah interrupted.
"Oh man, you did not just correct your English teacher." Lucas said laughing.
Haley threw Lucas a dirty look, and corrected herself. "May I?" Miles nodded, and Haley wasted no time putting the strap of the guitar on. She played a couple of chords and hummed along.
"So tutor wife you going to perform?" Brooke asked.
"Nah." She said taking the strap of the guitar off. "I need to perfect what I'm working on for it to deserve to be played on that guitar."
"Fine then whose going to play?" Miles asked. "Sarah?" Miles hoped that she would say yes, especially after their conversation earlier.
Sarah shrugged. "Nah. How bout Jake. Or you, you owe me a song." She pointed out.
Back in New York when the boys were rooming together Miles and Jake had made a lot of music. They created their own little studio with a Mac in their coat closet resulting in having coats and shoes lying around everywhere.
"Fine." Miles conceded. "But Jakes going first."
"I love how you volunteered me." Jake said already putting on the strap of the guitar. "I wrote this song when I was in Savannah and I was really homesick. So here goes."
The room grew quiet in anticipation of Jakes song. Brooke sat next to Miles with Maya on her lap and rubbing her back; Lucas threw his arm around Peyton's shoulders pulling her closer into his chest. Jamie scrambled up on the couch and snuggled in between his parents, and Sarah leaned up against the door frame bracing herself for the sound of her fathers guitar.
Jake tuned the guitar a little bit from being out of use for a while and then started to play.
In my mind I'm goin' to Carolina
Can't you see the sunshine
Can't you just feel the moonshine
Ain't it just like a friend of mine
To hit me from behind
Yes I'm goin' to Carolina in my mind
Karen she's a silver sun
You best walk her way and watch it shinin'
Watch her watch the mornin' come
A silver tear appearing now I'm cryin'
Ain't I goin' to Carolina in my mind
Sarah closed her eyes and took in the music. The guitar sound was basically the same as she had remembered it, but now it was being played in a different style. She heard it play in her dreams and thoughts and now she was finally hearing it. She felt some of her worries being lifted as Jake kept singing.
There ain't no doubt in no one's mind
That love's the finest thing around
Whisper something soft and kind
And hey babe the sky's on fire, I'm dyin'
Ain't I goin' to Carolina in my mind
In my mind I'm goin' to Carolina
Can't you see the sunshine
Can't you just feel the moonshine
Ain't it just like a friend of mine
To hit me from behind
Yes I'm goin' to Carolina in my mind
A thousand things were going on in Peyton's mind. She knew that Jake had written this song for her, and hopefully he wasn't playing it now to make a point. She truly did love Jake at some point in her life, but now her heart was fully and totally with Lucas. She loved Lucas, and Lucas loved her, and that's all that mattered.
Dark and silent late last night
I think I might have heard the highway calling
Geese in flight and dogs that bite
Signs that might be omens say I'm going, going
I'm goin' to Carolina in my mind
With a holy host of others standing 'round me
Still I'm on the dark side of the moon
And it seems like it goes on like this forever
You must forgive me
If I'm up and goin' to Carolina in my mind
In my mind I'm goin' to Carolina
Can't you see the sunshine
Can't you just feel the moonshine
Ain't it just like a friend of mine
To hit me from behind
Yes I'm goin' to Carolina in my mind
Goin' to Carolina in my mind
And I'm goin' to Carolina in my mind
Goin' to Carolina in my mind
Goin
I'm goin
Say nice things about me 'cause I'm goin' southbound
Carry on with out me 'cause I'm goin
Jake finished with a huge grin. He received an applause from his friends and handed the guitar to his friend. He knew exactly what song Miles owed Sarah and he was proud of him for finally playing it for her. Miles had come a long way since his fathers death. He had changed from a morose drunk, to a father figure for his younger sister taking all the responsibility for the sixteen year old which most twenty three year olds don't have to do.
Now it was Miles' turn to take the guitar and tune it. He took a deep breath and looked up at his sister. She gave him an encouraging smile, urging him to start. Hw closed his eyes and began the intro.
Just yesterday morning they let me know you were gone
Suzanne the plans they made put an end to you
I walked out this morning and I wrote down this song
I just can't remember who to send it to
I've seen fire and I've seen rain
I've seen sunny days that I thought would never end
I've seen lonely times when I could not find a friend
But I always thought that I'd see you again
Won't you look down upon me, God
You've got to help me make a stand
You've just got to see me through another day
My body's aching and my time is at hand
And I won't make it any other way
oh, I've seen fire and I've seen rain
I've seen sunny days that I thought would never end
I've seen lonely times when I could not find a friend
But I always thought that I'd see you again
Before she knew it, Brooke's eyes had filled with tears. The meaning and feeling behind this song was almost unfathomable. The pain was clear through the lyrics of the song reflecting the feeling of losing both parents.
I've been walking my mind to an easy time
My back turned towards the sun
Lord knows when the cold wind blows it'll turn your head around
Well, there's hours of time on the telephone line
To talk about things to come
Sweet dreams and flying machines in pieces on the ground.
oh, I've seen fire and I've seen rain
I've seen sunny days that I thought would never end
I've seen lonely times when I could not find a friend
But I always thought that I'd see you, baby, one more time again, now
Thought I'd see you one more time again
There's just a few things coming my way this time around, now
Thought I'd see you, thought I'd see you fire and rain, now
There was a brief silence when the song ended. Only when Sarah who eyes were brimming with tears applauded him, did everyone else applaud him as well. Miles looked at his sister's, a small smile graced her lips. That action alone said a million words. His eyes quickly darted to Brooke whose eyes were also tearing. She gave him a big grin and mouthed "great job."
The crowd started to wind down, and they were starting to head home.
"Hey Jake it was great seeing you." Lucas told him giving him a handshake/hug. "You should come see the Ravens play tomorrow."
"Yeah come to our game!" Sarah exclaimed. "You've got to see me play, I've gotten a lot better since I was twelve."
Jake laughed. "You have to be, in order to be a Raven you can't be just good, you have to be great." He looked from Sarah to Lucas. "Yeah, I'll be there. I can bring Jenny."
"God, Jenny got older, how old is she now?" Peyton asked thinking of the little girl who woke her up with her crying during the night.
"Six going on Sixteen. The biggest girly- girl you will ever meet. I'll bring her to the game tomorrow, you can see her then." Jake said smiling at Peyton. Jake was touched that Peyton was still interested in Jenny's well being, even if she hadn't seen her in over five years. "Miles, Junior, I'll see you tomorrow." He said winking at Sarah.
"See you all tomorrow. Ravens will be undefeated for nine games in the season, were in the playoffs no matter what if we win this game tomorrow."
Jake smiled at her enthusiasm. "Great I can't wait."
By then everyone had left the house, and the Preston siblings had taken to their job of cleaning the kitchen. They busied themselves in silence putting things in the dishwasher and scrubbing utensils.
"Miles…" Sarah said when she finished putting all the glasses into the dishwasher.
"Hmm…"
"Your song tonight…I really liked it, and well I realized that I wasn't there for you either after this summer, and I just wanted to say sorry."
Miles looked up from the pot he was scrubbing, and smiled. "Thanks. I love you, you know that?"
Sarah smiled. "I love you too. Thanks for making a great Thanksgiving."
"Thank you for helping me out, but get to bed because you've got a game tomorrow that you have to win."
And with that Sarah went up stairs appreciating her brother more than she ever had.
TADA! I hope you liked it! Please review.
The snippet used at the beginning of the chapter is from All These Things I'Ve Done by the Killers. It is absolutely the best song ever listen to it on You Tube and then buy it on iTunes.
The other two songs were both by James Taylor the first one was Carolina In My Mind. The second one was Fire and Rain. Youtube them, they are the most relaxing songs ever!
Don't forget to review!