Archways and Endings

A/N: Surprise! I came back from where I was hiding! I wasn't hiding really. I seriously hadn't touched my computer in months. I ended up not being in creative writing class (which blows!) But I joined Polaris (which is my school literaty magazine) and my English teacher is the creative writing teacher, so she told me to submit some of my short stories. (so I'm going to try to come up with some "orginial" work) Forgive me for being a big jerk to guys and making promises I can't keep. I'm so sorry.

Special Shot out this chapter for: LPfan4forever. By know I'm sure she's so busy on new and exciting stories. But "Going Back" entertained me like nothing else. I really like her storylines. Maybe you guys might too.

Othlvr16: I've got to lighten up the mood somehow. And I think it's really become a part of Paige's nature to lighten things up and also shocking Haley sounds like a lot of fun.

Sabine: Yes, that was a typo. It should have been "tried." I was up late writing that chapter and was starting to get sleepy. There was quite a few typos and I'm sorry about that. Good Question about Sawyer's name. I'm planning on having that question addressed to Haley in one of these chapters coming up. So be on the look out.

Stephanie: It's okay. I'll take your reviews any time I can get them. :) I'm glad you liked Naley last chapter. Now be prepared for the whole gang together. BL and Paige+ Naley and all their kids=Craziness :)

Dolcegrazia: Glad to hear it. Enjoy:)

Cayt: Thanks, when we get there you won't be disappointed.

ReeseHolden: I whole heartily agree with everything you said in your review. (I couldn't have said it better myself) The sword fight, I've seen my little brother and cousin participate in this when they were younger. Davis and Jamie are a little older but still I think boy's that age are a little immature. (This is the complete opposite of Paige) Shocking Haley, I'd love to go to Tree Hill and do it myself. The interesting thing to me is that in the pilot Haley's a lot different then she is the rest of season one. She says Hell a lot and rambles, but then they turn her into this shy girl, and I don't know, I really liked Haley from the pilot. Anyway, yes Paige and Lucas put on a good show. It's sad. And BTW: I finally saw the UGLY picture with the forest background at fanpop. It wasn't cute. I like the ones they have up now, way better. Do you?

Stupid-cookie-cutter-popstar: Well you've only got to wait one more chapter. YAY! :D

Okay guys, enjoy the chapter And I'm so sorry that it took this long. Guilt has overtaken my body.

-Kelsey

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Twelve: Careful Child

July 4, 2016

Tree Hill, North Carolina

Paige

Insanity. That's the perfect word for what's happening now. Plates are being shuffled around, Sawyer and Dave are chasing each other around in the yard. Dad, Jamie, and Uncle Nathan partake in a basketball game. And I sit at the picnic table, headphones in ears, watching this all take place. I don't feel any connection to this at all. I feel very far away. And I can't put my finger on weather or not that's a good or bad thing.

I feel a nudge on my shoulder blades and look up to see Jamie. I take my headphones out of my ears and smile at my cousin.

"What's up?"

He scoots in next to me at the picnic table and I feel the sweat on his body.

"Nothing. You look sad Paige."

"I'm not."

"You sure about that?"

"I'd know if I was or wasn't Jamie."

"I don't believe you. You're hurting Pay."

I feel tears coming to my eyes and try to stop them by smiling. "I am. But I'm going to be okay."

He places his hand my shoulder. "I know you are. You know why?"

"Why?"

"Because you're going to come play a round with us."

"Do I have to?" I ask.

"Yep." He stands up and drags me away from the picnic table to our makeshift basketball court.

"Look who I found?" He calls out as he drags me to our driveway.

"Well, well, well if it isn't Paige Karin Scott, once this courts champion." My father says grinning at me.

"Returning for one and only one match." I add, crossing my arms over my chest. I'm going to kill Jamie.

Uncle Nathan tosses me the basketball and smiles. "Let's do Jamie and me versus Paige and Luke."

My dad smiles at me and stands beside me on our half of the court.

The ball is tossed up and my dad and I win the toss-up.

We continue to play until Mom and Aunt Haley call us in for dinner.

We all squish into a picnic table built for four and laugh, chocking down hotdogs and hamburgers. Maybe I was wrong, maybe there's nothing wrong with us.

Maybe we are fine just the way we are.

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It's late and Sawyer and I are twirling sparklers around. I spell out my name into the night; it disappears in the flutter of an eye. Sawyer draws squiggles and laughs out loud when they disappear. Dad and Uncle Nathan tip back beers and watch as their wives paint each other's finger nails and sip on wine coolers. Jamie and Davis play bat-mitten and equally suck at it.

"Paige!"

"Yes mom!" I call out setting my burnt down sparkler in the grass.

"C'mere for a second."

Sawyer links her fingers in mine and we run up the yard towards the back porch.

"What's up Mom?"

"Do you mind getting that catalog off the dresser? I want to show it to Haley."

"Sure."

"Hey Momma?" Sawyer asks her mom.

"Whatcha doing?"

"Nothing baby girl, just painting my nails."

"Oooohhh. That's pretty Momma." Sawyer smiles.

"Hey," My mom suggests. "Why don't you let your Aunt Brooke paint yours?"

"Is it okay?" She asks looking at her mom to my mom and then back at me.

"Sure," And she jumps on to Aunt Haley's lap, letting my mom get started on her nails.

I go inside and make my way upstairs to my parent's bedroom. I find the mail piled up on mom's dresser. I quickly go though it and find the catalog. Just as I'm about to run out an envelope falls on the floor. I pick it up and look at it carefully.

It's addressed to my mother, with a return address of someone by the name of Peyton Sawyer.

-TBC-

I almost forgot to tell you guys what I think of Season Seven. I flipping miss LP. The storylines Mark's got going on need some pulling together, they just aren't satisfying me, you know? It's not that I don't like the new characters or anything but it just needs a little work or maybe a little more getting use to. I don't know.

Sorry this chapter sucked so bad. I know I'm awful.