When Two Worlds Collide
Chapter rating: T
Excuse please the weird x breaks between parts. Unfortunately pretty much doesn't allow any symbols, so this was the one way to get breaks in. I don't like how it looks, but for now I guess it's the one way to make it work. The breaks are just too important for me to omit.
Chapter 3: The Game Begins
Pulling into a parking spot that wasn't far from the entrance to the school, Nathan brought the SUV he was driving to a stop, and closed his eyes. Monday, back to school. Oh…yea…
Slowly opening his eyes, he laughed. School was okay…most of the time. It was just too bad academics had to get in the way of the good part.
He ran a hand through his dark brown hair, making it move further away from his face. Truth was he was a great basketball player, a social mascot who had more admirers than you could count on two hands, a true winner by his own arrogant admission, but…
Well everyone had to have one downfall, and his was his classes. He was coming close to failing all except for physical education and his carpentry elective. Being able to make a decent bookshelf had saved him in that class…with a little bit of 'help' from some of his 'friends.' Hey, what the teacher didn't know didn't really matter as long as Nathan made the grade.
Unfortunately though, that wasn't going to be enough. Cheating and getting a little extra help wasn't as easy when it came to his core classes…Geometry, English Lit, American History, Chemistry, and of course…French class. Huh, too bad French class didn't stand for the study of French kissing. He'd be getting an A most likely then.
It all really wouldn't matter he kept insisting to himself if too factors weren't getting in the way. Basketball and Mother Dearest. His grades were what decided if he could play basketball. Basically, if he didn't start improving he could kiss the hoop and ball goodbye. And as for Mother Dearest…well Mom wasn't psycho enough to go around threatening him with wire hangers, but she was getting angry and Mother Lionish enough to be on his case over and over again about his 'unacceptable' grades.
What he didn't want to admit though was just how lost he was feeling about it all. The theorems in Geometry were making his head spin. Every chemical combination in Chemistry was starting to enter his restless sleep, making him never want to see a balancing equation again. The book he was supposed to be reading for English Lit was still sitting in his backpack, where it moved back and forth from class to home, his reading status still in the tens place…for a book that surpassed the low hundreds. American History was a blur of people and places that he cared not one iota for and…truthfully didn't understand. Lastly came French, a language that made him feel like a blind person navigating a maze.
Yes, truth was, Nathan Scott needed help.
And the sad fact was…he had no idea how to go about getting it.
And he had no plans to get it.
/x\
Wearing a dark blue mini skirt, a black button down top that fit snugly, a black leather jacket over it, Peyton walked from her car over to her boyfriend's…noticing how he was just sitting there wearing a striped shirt and jeans…doing absolutely nothing it seemed. Shaking her head, she tapped on the window.
/x\
Nathan shook himself, smiling as Peyton's face came into view. Rolling down the window, he leaned against the door. "Hey…"
Peyton smiled back, though still with a bit of curiosity. What was he doing? "What's going on Nate?"
"Just thinking of you Baby."
She laughed fully now, leaning against the window so she was face to face with him. "Oh yeah. Right."
He didn't laugh. "Come on Peyton. Maybe I was."
"Open the door."
Hearing that no nonsense voice, Nathan did as asked.
Peyton climbed into the SUV, bringing her hands up to Nathan's face, and kissing him. Sitting back afterwards, she laughed once more. "You are so full of bull. You were not thinking of me. What…conjuring up new ways to torture your brother?"
Nathan's face soured as he moved away from his girlfriend. "You had to go and do that, huh? Bring up the bastard I have for a brother, the one who has not only stolen my position, but also wants to rob my girlfriend."
"So…what you going to do about it?" Peyton stroked his cheeks with the tips of her long fingernails lightly enough to not scratch him.
"This." Without any more words, Nathan cupped his girlfriend's face and brought her in for a kiss.
/x\
"Hi Blue Eyes."
Lucas jumped at the unexpected touch, feeling two hands come from behind to lock around his neck, and then without warning…let go. "Uh…"
Brooke laughed, amusement and sparks of fire seeming to come out of her mouth. "Ha…oh, seems I've captured the golden boy and made him speechless. So, you willing to teach me any of your winning moves? Like that one you used to cinch the game for the Ravens the other night?"
Lucas looked down into Brooke's very up close face. Man, she was pretty…pretty sexy too. But he had always considered the chase to be one of the most fun things, and here with Brooke the chase seemed to be unnecessary. Still, she looked good in the tight black jeans and fur collared sweater she was wearing, her hair framing her face in flirtish waves. Very…very good…
Brooke smiled irresistibly. Ahh, Golden boy was looking right at her, those intoxicatingly blue eyes sinking right into her line of vision. And boy, if this wasn't a crowded high school hallway…
"Luke…hey…"
Hearing the familiar voice, Lucas shook himself out of his reverie, smiling weakly at his best friend since kindergarten. "Hey Hales…uh…do you…uh…"
Rich laughter came from Brooke's mouth now. She turned to Haley with a friendly smile. "I think what he means is have we been introduced." She brought out a hand that had cherry red paint on the fingernails, along with a gold bracelet on her wrist. "Hi, I'm Brooke."
Lucas noticed the tentativeness and bit of guard in the way Haley smiled back, her voice sounding a bit unsure to him. It made sense. Even he was a bit surprised how Brooke had suddenly turned from him to Haley.
"Yeah…hi…Haley James."
Brooke laughed with a curious look on her face as she shook hands with Haley. "That is so funny. You have a first name, first name…and so does blue eyes here and his favorite brother, Nathan. So funny."
Lucas questioned Brooke, not catching on. "What do you mean?"
"Haley James…both first names…Nathan Scott…both first names…and Lucas"
Lucas cut her off quickly. Having his name said right after Nathan's, comparing their similar last names, the connection they shared because of their biological father, was not something he wanted to be discussing. "I get it Brooke."
Still a little surprised by his reaction, but also agreeable, Brooke's dark sculpted eyebrows rose for one second, and then relaxed with almost the same quickness. She turned to Haley once again before returning her attention to Lucas. "It was so nice to meet you Haley. And you…" She reached forward, bringing her hands up the collar of Lucas's flannel shirt. "You keep playing games like you did the other night and you may just become the cream of the crop of Tree Hill…maybe even break Na"
"What's wrong Brooke? Ran out of guys to go after that now you're even pursuing the riff raff?"
Lucas felt Brooke finally move away as Nathan and Peyton approached from the opposite direction of the locker lined hallway, Peyton looking not happy, and Nathan displaying that mocking smile on his face. His own face turned to surprise though at Brooke's words.
"Ah…Nathan…feeling a little jealous? After all, Luke did play much better than you the other night."
Standing near Luke still, barely over her bewilderment at Brooke's unpredictable personality and very forward ways, Haley noticed also how her comments brought a frown to Nathan's face, an angry defiant one…and…wait, was that just a bit of…uncertainty?
Peyton, who was standing beside Nathan, was well aware of her own feelings though. She quickly gave him a dirty look for his remark about Lucas. Then wanting to end the whole situation and…well…wanting Brooke away from Lucas now…she linked arms with her best friend. "Come on Brooke." With a wave of her curly hair she also pointed to her boyfriend as she took hold of his arm. "And you…you stop picking on your brother."
With a look of disgust though, Nathan moved his arm from Peyton's grasp. "Shut up Peyton." He tightened his hold on his backpack. "Ah, I've had it with this. Go ahead and spend time with your flirting gossiping friend and I'm going to go hang out with the guys before class starts…" He turned to Lucas with a sneering remark. "You know Luke…real guys…ones who don't rely on their cute little girlfriends to protect them…"
Lucas just frowned, noticing that even though he did it quickly, how Nathan gave Haley a look before he turned to leave.
Angry and annoyed with the whole Nathan-Lucas situation, Peyton called back to Nathan. "You are such an ass sometimes Nate!"
He didn't even bother to turn back.
Brooke laughed to break the tense mood that only someone like Nathan could create. She loved the guy, really she did. He was an unpredictable bad boy who didn't even insult her with his remarks. She was a gossip and a flirt. No secret there and the more who realized it…well…the more fun it made things. But anyway, back to Nathan, Brooke liked him because underneath his hard sometimes cold exterior, there was a bit of a sweet guy…maybe about ten percent anyway.
She smiled. Okay, so he could do with some learning in the tender loving guy department, but at least he was fun…and a good basketball player…and rich. Noticing Peyton's look of discontent still she strengthened the link with her friend. "Come on Peyton, let's go to class."
Of course before she left though, she smiled up at Luke, bringing a hand to his face. "And you…do me a favor and just think about teaching me some of those moves, okay? I promise I'll be a very good student and behave myself…" She winked suggestively at him. "Well…maybe I'll behave myself…maybe not…bye honey…and nice to meet you Haley."
/x\
Haley loosened the dark red scarf she was wearing and shook her head at the two departing forms. "Okay Luke, so what was that?" She watched as he shook his head.
"Haley, I have no idea. I mean Brooke…well she's making it pretty obvious."
Haley laughed dryly, putting her hands on the waist of her dark brown jeans that went with the scarf and patterned sweater she was wearing. "Well what do you expect from someone who is known be in pursuit of everything that is categorized as a male?"
Lucas laughed too, though a little less sarcastically. "Ah Hales…come on. She's not that bad…I mean I think she just unintentionally encourages a lot of negative attention about her."
Haley scoffed. She had so much respect and admiration for her friend. But sometimes when it came to the opposite sex he was just a little too trusting. From the beginning she had noticed his naive ness sometime when it came to girls. He was very wary of members of the same sex.
But girls…well he seemed to trust them more, which probably was because he had such a good relationship with his mother, a woman who Haley admired and respected too. It was easy to see why Lucas was so close to her. It was just kind of unfortunate that it made him a little gullible when it came to girls. Especially now. Before his whole involvement with the Ravens, Lucas had seemed to hang out with her the most, Luke and Hales all the time…even though Lucas would hang out at the court too playing ball a lot, it wasn't that far from her house and the café, so she would just pop on over lots of times.
Now though, things were changing. Girls were looking at Lucas more, especially this Brooke it seemed…and then there was Peyton. Haley barely knew both girls and still hadn't been formally introduced to Peyton, but she could already see how interested they seemed to be in her friend. Even with Peyton being Nathan's girlfriend, something that was well known all around the school, and a relationship that was considered a staple of Tree Hill High, Haley had already seen signs of her attraction to Lucas.
It wasn't that Haley thought he would reveal any dark secrets to either of them. He was too secretive a person to do that. Even with her, he still kept certain things held in tight. And as naïve as he could be with girls at times, he still had that part of his personality that protected him from anyone who wanted to hurt him…that part that stopped him from opening up with anyone too much…except his mom she supposed, and maybe Keith. It was just…well…
She cared about him…and looked out for him as she knew he did for her…and…
Haley didn't know if she would ever admit to her friend the truth…that she wouldn't mind if their friendship went beyond…
"Hales…"
Haley looked up, seeing Lucas waving his arms in front of her, trying to get her attention. She pushed away her thoughts and went back to trying to convince him that Brooke wasn't worth pursuing. "Oh come on Luke, she loves the attention. Brooke is a total flirt. I barely even know the girl and I realize that. And she's probably not above using someone…"
"You mean someone like me?" Lucas asked with a smile and then wrapped a friendly arm around Haley. "Ah come on Hales. You don't have to look out for me. I can take care of myself. And don't worry so much. Maybe I'm not really looking for something serious anyway. Maybe I don't mind a little flirting and risky business."
Haley's finely defined brown eyebrows came up in surprise. "Really?"
Lucas smiled and let out a low chuckle. "Yeah…I'm getting kind of tired of all the pranks and everything. Playing on a team where some of your teammates consider you more the enemy than the other team can be kind of aggravating."
Haley frowned and her thoughts immediately centered upon Nathan. That day by the water had been…weird. She hadn't known how to react, but now, after talking to Brandon and everything, she was starting to wonder if that meeting had been for a reason…if there was a way she could help her friend.
She refocused her attention on Lucas. "Uh, what if there was a way to get them to stop…to get it all to stop? If there was, it would have to start with Nathan, right?"
Lucas peered at Haley closely, trying to understand the intent in her eyes, but they were revealing very little. "Hales…what are you talking about?"
Haley laughed. "Oh, just how it would be if someone found Nathan's…I don't know…oh forget it. It's so ridiculous. The guy is simply a jerk." She placed her hands on her friend's shoulders. "Look, you don't have to dive into risky waters if you want to get away from the game and the Ravens. You can call me too. We can go catch a movie and do some pee wee golf and…"
Lucas laughed too, his earlier suspicions fading with the way she had turned the conversation, though still there in the back of his mind ready to leap to the front if needed. "Yeah Hales, we can do that. Anytime. It's just…hey…going out with Brooke could be fun."
Haley's smile slowly faded and she turned away from Lucas so he wouldn't see. Why…why couldn't he see her as more than just a friend…why couldn't… "Yeah…I guess…" she replied with disguised sadness.
/x\
"Okay, so that was WEIRD!"
Brooke laughed at Peyton's remark as they sat down by each other in their American History class. They had come in early so their teacher still wasn't there. "Weird? I thought it was kind of nice talking to Lucas Darling."
Peyton refrained from commenting on the way Brooke referred to Lucas. That was annoying yes, but the conversation that happened in the hallway, that had just been strange, irritating and…infuriating. "Brooke, I'm talking about when we were all there…Haley…"
Brooke interrupted suddenly. "What do you think of her Pey…Haley I mean…what was your first impression?"
"I've seen her before today."
"Yeah…but you haven't really talked to her, have you?"
Peyton thought about it for a moment. She had Haley in one of her classes and she had seen her around, but that was it. "Uh, no. Our paths have never really crossed until all this stuff with Lucas and Nate got started." She frowned after mentioning her boyfriend. He was the one who had made her feel infuriated.
Brooke was too occupied with her sleuthing though to really notice her friend's reaction, just listening to her words. "That's what I thought. She's definitely not like us…more goody goody I think."
Peyton shook her head. "Yeah…maybe. I get the feeling though that she's not really a part of that category. Mostly, she seems to spend time with Lucas, which could mean a lot of things I guess..."
Brooke's eyes sparked with enthusiasm. "Yeah…you know what Pey…I think she has a case of puppy love for him. Just our blue eyed scene stealing player doesn't seem to realize it."
"I guess. Look, what does it matter?"
Hearing the annoyance in Peyton's voice, Brooke could tell she was thinking of something else. She put her hand on her friend's shoulder. "Hey, don't get upset because of Nate. He was just going through one of those temporary jerk stages…he'll come around."
"Brooke, he acts that way all the time around Lucas. I'm sick of it. We're fine. Then he sees him and…it's like he becomes this total ass. And he's so focused on here…" She gestured around the room. "High school and basketball and…he's just so limited in his thinking sometimes. And so focused on revenge now."
Brooke's eyebrows came up. "Wow Pey… It's almost like you're saying you're not happy with him. But you guys have been going out with each other for forever." Even as Brooke made those remarks she remembered some of the questions she had had when Nathan and Peyton had first gotten together almost a year ago. Outwardly they seemed perfect, Nathan the star basketball player and Peyton the top cheerleader, but inwardly they were both very different people. Inwardly they didn't blend as well. And it seemed that now…both were starting to see that…maybe… anyway…
Brooke spoke tentatively now. "So…are you thinking…I mean…" She looked around making sure no one could hear. "You're not actually thinking of breaking up with him, are you?"
Remembering some of her encounters with Lucas…and then flashing back to some actually pretty nice memories with her boyfriend, Peyton shook her head in the negative. "No Brooke, I'm not thinking of that…I just…I think there has to be some change…in us. And I definitely think he has to make his peace with his brother…before his hatred for him destroys everything we have that is good."
/x\
Keith had a look of surprise on his face. Around lunchtime he had looked up from the car he was working on to see Dan standing underneath the open garage door with two bags in his hand. Now, minutes later, he was sitting next to his brother on a concrete wall that surrounded a small tree, eating the lunch he had brought for both of them.
It wasn't that Keith and Dan never talked. They did. It just wasn't often, and Dan certainly did not make it a habit to drop by the garage. There was always that unfortunate possibility that he would run into Lucas there. Keith guessed anyway that was the main reason why his little brother stayed away from the place.
Keith watched his brother for a minute now. Dan Scott. Years after high school and he still had that athletic build he had had when playing for the Ravens. His hair too looked pretty much the same, though now the way he had always worn it in front of his face no longer made him look boyish, just…a little younger than he really was. Probably why Dan insisted on wearing it that way. He had always been the vainer one. All one had to do was look at the basketball team photos and see how Dan had made sure that his best side was always showing, that the way he was angled in the picture was just perfect.
And that, Keith supposed, was what made Dan Scott…Dan Scott. Since he had been a kid he had always wanted to control everything. He had always done everything he could to be the best, to succeed. The one time he had messed up royally had been of course when he had managed to get his girlfriend pregnant in high school…and then decided to abandon her and the child. Dan Scott's perfect control had all of the sudden developed a huge chink in it.
"So you know Keith, I'm glad you're finally coming to the games. It just would be kind of nice if you would start routing for your nephew."
Keith smiled amicably, the gesture bringing a nice touch to his simple yet appealing facial features. "I am rooting for my nephew Dan, every time I come to a game."
Dan frowned. "Ah come on Keith. I don't mean rooting for…him. I mean supporting your family…your own nephew."
Keith laughed dryly. "Him…Dan? You can't even say his name, much less admit that he's the son you were stupid enough to abandon."
Dan frowned. Why did Keith always have to make such a point of it? It was in the past. And it wasn't like Lucas was totally without a parent or anything. He had his mother. That should be enough. He had made one mistake, getting Karen pregnant. Was he going to have to live with that mistake the rest of his life? And why had Keith insisted on becoming so much a part of the kid's life, and yet barely had anything to do with his real nephew…why? "Look Keith, I made my decision a long time ago and that's it. You insulting me isn't going to change anything."
"Well Dan, I too made my own decision a long time ago, and I can tell you one thing. You've missed out on a lot."
Dan was bristling with anger. He had always been the one with the more fiery temper. Yes, Keith could get mad too, but it took a lot to get him there, and his anger was very different from Dan's. Keith rationalized things more, whereas Dan had been and always would be very spontaneous. He supposed it was a flaw of his, along with the other flaw some accused him of having, being too controlling. He didn't look at it that way though. His supposedly 'controlling' part of his personality had gotten him where he was…rich and successful. "Look, I don't want to hear anymore about that kid, alright. I wanted us to just have lunch together. But as usual you've got to start lecturing me. I swear, just like Dad was."
The thought of his father made Keith turn more melancholy. Their father had died about five years ago, having suffered from a heart attack. It hadn't been sudden though. He had been in and out of the hospital for most of that year. It had been so hard for their mother especially. Afterwards, she had moved in with her sister in Texas. Keith missed her and knew Dan did too just as much, if not more, though he wouldn't admit it. Though Keith had pretty much felt close to both of his parents it had always been obvious that Dan had gravitated towards their mother. She was a strong minded yet kind woman. And as for their dad…he had been strong too, but added to that had been a domineering quality. One that could turn people off, and also make them look up to him with respect.
Though their father had been impressed with Dan's basketball abilities, he had also been concerned by Dan's laziness when it came to his schoolwork. And that was where much of the grief between Dan and his father had started.
Keith could still remember how Dan had acted when he was in high school. He was always cocky and sure of himself on the outside, but there were the few times, especially with those he felt safe with, that he would reveal a little more of himself.
One night, a very vulnerable night, Dan had even gone to Keith for guidance. He had Whitey breathing down his neck about the upcoming games, scouts coming to look at him, his father insisting that his schoolwork stay up to par…and…a girlfriend…a girl he believed he loved…pregnant.
It was because of nights like that that Keith loved his brother. It was because of the time a nine year old Keith had fallen off his bike into a dry gulf, breaking his arm, and a frightened yet determined five year old Dan had run to go get help, promising to come back for his big brother. It was because of the night their father had died when both of them had reached out for each other…needing the understanding that only two brothers could have. It was because…
It was because of many things, and for that Keith felt guilty about Dan's questioning. Yes, he was angry and probably always would be at his brother for abandoning a woman as special as Karen, and for not embracing his son, but it wasn't like he was on some mission to hurt his brother…or his own nephew. Yes Lucas was his family, but Dan was right about one thing. Nathan was too.
Looking straight into his younger brother's sharp blue eyes he responded to the comments about their father and about Nathan. "Dan, I'm not going to lecture you. You made your decision and now it seems your content to live with it. Fine. I just will never be okay with how you have left things with Lucas and his mother. They are both important to me, more so than you know probably"
Dan interrupted angrily, wanting to end his older brother's calmness. "And what about Nathan, huh Keith? He doesn't matter?"
Keith's stillness irked him, that composure that had always encouraged people to be honest and trusting with him. Though Dan had always had admirers on every side of him since he had started showing his prowess at basketball, he had rarely had people he could trust, really trust, people who cared about him. He had always gotten the feeling that most of his friends had been there simply for one reason…that he was great at what he did. If he had been poor at playing they probably would have retreated. They stuck around because he was good.
Keith on the other hand, had never had many admirers, but Dan had noticed one thing. He had always had friends who were faithful and who cared about him, the person, not so much about what he did. As far as Dan knew he wasn't really in touch with those high school friends anymore, but that probably had to do more with the practical side of Keith, that aspect that just made him accept that friendships come and go…
But he also had the feeling that if Keith chose to call up one of those friends they would be there for him…it would be just as it was in high school…because he was Keith.
And from the time they had been teens Dan had secretly envied his brother for that, his ability to choose people in his life who cared about him. People like his ex girlfriend…
As much as Dan wanted Karen away from his life now, he inwardly had to admit that she was a person who genuinely cared for people because of what was inside of them, not for what was on the outside. It was one of the things he had seen in her right away, one of the things that had made his decision to leave her not as easy as he had let on.
The truth was there was a part of him deep inside that had questions about the choice he had made that fateful night.
But that part never came to the forefront, because Dan had never been one to wallow too long in self miseries, or the miseries of others. He was too ambitious and driven to let those things bother him that much. Even with the car dealership he owned, he approached everything with a nearly ruthless intent, leaving the hard edged physical motivation he had always applied to sports, now for his son, Nathan.
Keith sighed wearily at Dan's outburst. He hadn't slept well the previous night. Karen's actions in the café that day had frightened him. He had come in, ready to get some of her delicious coffee, and instead found himself comforting her. When he had asked her why she was upset, she had reassured him that nothing was wrong with her or Lucas, but still, she hadn't told him what it was about, only that she would tell him when she could. That hadn't been enough answer though, and now he was still anxious about what had worried her so. "Of course he matters Dan. I am his uncle."
"You barely act like it!"
Keith shook his head. "What, Dan? What do you want? You come saying you want to have lunch and you start it out with one attack after the other, even complaining about Dad. I'm sorry that I'm not there for Nathan that much. But you see he has you and his mom. Lucas only has his mom…and me. Now having her is one tremendous thing, believe me. But financially it hasn't always been easy for her. But you don't want to talk about that, do you Dan? You want to act like they don't exist. But I can't do that, you see. So you tell me, what do you want to talk about? Nathan? You want me to be closer to him?"
Dan sighed. "Yeah, I would like that."
Keith's face displayed a short smile. "Fine. I'll try Dan. I swear, I don't mean to hurt him. I don't think I really am anyway. He doesn't seem to need me in his life."
"And…that kid…does?" Dan questioned bitterly.
Keith shook his head with an ironic smile. "Yeah Dan…Lucas does."
"That kid…ruined everything. Nathan was in top form before he joined the team. Now Nathan…you saw him the other night…his playing was lousy."
"I wouldn't say that, after all the baskets he shot."
Dan's eyebrows came up in surprise. "You were watching him?"
Keith let out a low chuckle. "Of course I was Dan. I come to see Lucas, but it doesn't mean I don't notice Nathan too. It's hard not to notice him on the court. He's damn good."
"Yeah, but he needs to focus more. He can be even better. I know he can. He can be the best. I tell him he has to boost up the training. He's into all that social high school stuff now, which is okay, but I keep reminding him that basketball is what matters; he's the best and he needs to maintain that. And I know he can get even better. I know he can be playing for the top college teams if he just"
Keith put out his hand, interrupting his brother. He had already seen it. He had watched it happening after the game the other night when Lucas had made the winning shot. Keith had been so proud of his nephew that he had hugged him hard. But on the other side he had watched as Dan lectured Nathan about not being good enough. It had been easy to read the tension in the boy's body language. He had looked tired and maybe even a little resentful, but also…
Keith wasn't sure, but it had worried him some. If Dan pushed too hard…
He tried to speak gently now. He didn't want Dan to be alienated from his own son. And more importantly, he didn't want to watch his nephew hit rock bottom because of too much pressure. "Look Dan…I know you want Nathan to be the best. And he already is a fantastic player. Just…don't be so overbearing with him, okay? He's just a kid, Dan. He probably plays because he enjoys it, but if you push him too hard…"
Not even the gentleness had worked. Keith could already see the anger in his impulsive younger brother's face.
"Push him too hard? What is that…your hand holding pansy way of dealing with things?"
Keith sighed. If the welfare of his nephew hadn't been involved it wouldn't even be worth it. Dan would always be set in his ways.
"Don't you tell me how to raise my son…MY son! You hear that, Keith? Not yours… you who couldn't even get a woman to be with you that instead you settled for my hand me down!"
Keith's hand came up at the vicious insult directed toward him and Karen, but slowly he brought it back down again, smiling sadly at his brother. Violence wasn't going to solve anything. One of these days Dan was going to be forced to wake up and face reality. But for now…
Well, Keith had done all he could. He stood up, throwing the remains of his lunch down on the concrete wall, and turning his back on his brother, he left.
Before he could hear Dan call out his name…and before Dan let his face fall into his hands with frustration. He was angry, he was upset…but he was also sorry. Sorry for once again, as he had done in the past, hurting his big brother.
/x\
"And a nice A there for you Lucas...Well done…" The teacher moved to the other side of the room and spoke in a quieter voice. "Nathan, this is definitely NOT what I would call an improvement. I've said it in the past and I'll say it again. If you need help come see me. I'm sure we could find a way to improve these grades, even find you a good tutor."
"Hey Nate…"
Nathan drew away from the memory of earlier that morning and finally threw the ball in the basket.
Tim searched the profile of his best friend, but was unable to find a cause for Nathan's distracted attitude.
Nathan simply said nothing as both of them took turns making baskets in the Tree Hill Gym, participating in some pre-practice before Whitey came, and the real practice began. He couldn't deny though how much it bothered him, sitting in his American History class, watching his too good for words half brother getting another stupid A while he was handed back a paper that started with the first letter in dog. He felt like a dog sometimes while in class, a standoffish pet who felt lost and confused. He thought of the teacher's offer. It was so ridiculous and yet…
There was that part of him that wanted to go back to the classroom and tell his teacher that yes he needed help…yes he wanted to do better. Then his senses returned and he realized how foolish it would make him look, how embarrassing it would be to have his friends know that he was an excellent basketball player, but an idiot student.
He didn't want to admit that there was something he should know how to do…that he didn't know how to do.
He took the ball again and threw it, easily making the basket. Too bad he couldn't as easily make a decent grade.
/\
"So, that was a great finale to the game the other night Lucas."
Lucas looked up to see Jake sitting a few lockers down from him as they changed into their practice clothes. The light brown haired guy was one of the few of his teammates who actually talked to him and liked him. "Thanks Jake. Too bad it took me almost the entire game to do it. I swear I got the ball from the opposition more than I had it passed to me from my so-called teammates."
"Hey…I pass it to you all the time."
Lucas laughed at his friend's indignant tone. "Yeah, I know Jake. You've been cool with me since the start and I got to say, I really appreciate it."
Jake responded easily. "Hey, you're a hell of a player and you even like to read. It's not that easy for me to find other guys on this team who read something other than the game results in the Tree Hill Flier."
Jake had never been too picky about who he got along with on the team. The way he saw it, as long as they played good they had a right to be a Raven. But he was picky about who he chose to be close friends with, and already he was counting Lucas on that list. He liked the guy for his determination and resolve. He had already taken the brunt it seemed of the games and teasing. It could only get better from here…
Right…ha ha…tell that to Nathan Scott. He was an unbelievable player, but he also was an egotistical ass at times. Things could be looking up for Lucas soon though, especially with the way he had played the other night. Of course, it could all backfire on him too if Nathan Scott decided he wanted revenge.
Lucas laughed at his friend's remark about their teammates only being interested in reading about the game in the school newspaper. It was true. Not that many of the guys on the team were that literate. Most thought books were the enemy.
Jake was one of the exceptions. It no longer surprised Lucas to see his friend lost in a book on the bus to a game. It was nice actually to have found someone on the team who had that shared interest with him. "Yeah, well, I'm just glad that I have one person behind me on this team."
"Ah, come on Lucas. The other guys are slowly starting to come around, and they'll start to even more after Nathan lets up."
The expression on Lucas's face was a wry one. "If my half brother ever decides to stop being an imbecile."
Jake laughed ironically. "He will…he has to."
Lucas shook his head, not entirely sure.
/\ A Little Later /\
"DAMN IT boys, this is PRACTICE! And while we're at it, try to remember you're on the SAME TEAM!" Removing the hat that covered his shiny head, Whitey grimaced. Those two were going to cause him a nervous breakdown.
The other night's first part of the game had been almost laughable, watching Tim, and Nathan attempting to keep the ball from Lucas, as Jake did his best to get the ball to Lucas, and Lucas simply tried to make a basket. Of course the game had included some great shots by Nathan and a final triumphant shot from Lucas, but it could have been even better. It could have been won much faster if only…
If only the stubborn, bullheaded, surly two best players of the team would learn how to act civilized with each other. When they hadn't been trying to get the ball from each other during the game they had been too busy giving each other dirty looks. It was absolutely infuriating…maddening…
And very sad to see…
Considering…
Considering that years ago while only young boys they had created a magic on the court that had made a man even as hard and tough as Whitey react to…
With unbound emotion.
/x\
"You can't keep it to yourself forever. You're going to have to tell them."
The woman across from Karen nodded her head, but still looked unsure. Karen herself didn't know how to act. When Deb had given her the news yesterday she had been dumbfounded. She couldn't believe what she was saying. Now as she sat in one of the café's booths across from her friend drinking a hot coffee, she still couldn't quite believe it…didn't want to.
"I know Karen. I know. I just…I don't know how and…I want to make sure it's the right time."
Karen shook her head. She had no idea how this friendship between Deb and her had happened, what force had been at work to pull them together, but she was so glad it had, that they were friends. Not even the thought of Dan could ruin that. They rarely talked about him anyway. If it was about Dan it had to do with Nathan and for some reason that didn't really bother Karen. It had at first some, so Deb had kept quiet, but when Karen had noticed her friend's distress about the lack of a relationship between her and her son, she had put away her own bad feelings about Dan and encouraged the conversation.
It would be nothing new to those that had gone to school with the curly dark haired petite woman. Even as a cheerleader and member of the Tree Hill High Social Club, Karen had always put others first. The difference now though was she wasn't as naïve as then, she thought. She didn't easily believe promises of others. She didn't fall for the flattery like she had then. Now, she was much more wary… because of…
Well Dan Scott had done two good things for her. He had inadvertently given to her a beautiful son who she treasured with her heart and soul. And he had given her a strength she had never known she had…all by being his usual selfish self.
That's not fair she thought. Not entirely anyway. It hadn't been all bad. If it had been, his leaving her never would have hurt as much as it had. It never would have twisted her heart so …
She liked to pretend that it was only because she had been pregnant, but that wasn't entirely so. There had been more, more than just Lucas, more than just her being scared. There had been the pain of lost love.
Taking a long sip of her coffee, Karen drew away from her memories, looking at Deb's face, such a young face. Deb was a very pretty woman. Karen felt like she was already looking older, even though they were nearly the same age as each other. But Deb had such a youthful face, such a kind one. How Karen hadn't wanted to like her at first, but with just a little bit of time the other woman's friendliness and ability to extend an olive branch of peace had broken down Karen's barriers.
She spoke gently now to her friend, knowing that if she was going to be a real friend to her she was going to have to remain strong and supportive. She brought her hand out, touching Deb's. "You'll think of it Deb. You'll find the right place. Just don't take too long. After what you said…after the news you gave me…well Deb, you and I both know…"
"That time is imperative…"
Karen closed her eyes. Time…how it moved too fast sometimes…how it just wouldn't slow down…
Slowly she opened her eyes again, nodding her head. She wouldn't lie to her friend. She would help her, but she wouldn't engage in false truths. "Yes Deb…yes…"
/x\
That day, Whitey thought back now, had been captivating…captivating to watch two boys who knew nothing of their relation to each other, playing as if they had the bond of blood and a joined spirit uniting them.
Of course they had…just hadn't realized it.
From the beginning Whitey had been watching them, both of them, secretly. He had gone to junior games to see them play apart from one another. Those first years Lucas and Nathan had been on separate teams. Then the day had come, that one unbelievable day when they had joined on the court together. It had been an outside one, similar to the one they had played at when they had engaged in their little competition before Lucas had joined the team. And Whitey had been there to watch it.
Though they hadn't been aware of it, Whitey had known the history of the two boys. He could still remember when he had learned of Karen's pregnancy, not from Dan of course. Then he had learned that Karen was going to have the baby on her own, that Dan wanted nothing to do with it, that college was more important, and basketball.
Whitey had come close to laughing when he heard Dan had committed the same stupid act again, got a girl in college pregnant. Had come close to laughing until he had thought of the implications…now Dan had two women who he wasn't even married to, pregnant with his baby. One, he wanted nothing to do with, and the other, who he probably had not one iota of how to raise. After all, Dan was still such a boy himself, still that arrogant selfish boy who craved attention and desired mainly his own happiness…who was too impulsive and greedy to be a real team player…
But that day Whitey had let go all the past with Dan and simply watched the two boys play…play as if they had always been meant to play together. It had been nothing short of amazing, watching the laughter come to their face, watching the pure joy both felt for the sport, the love they held for it. They played simply because it brought them exhilaration; it filled them with life's happiness.
And together…oh together. One played with a driven force, a hard ferocity that exploded on the court, a raging bear, and the other was like a graceful eagle, flying across the court. Separately, they were good, made more than just decent baskets and dribbled the ball with style. But together, they were a force to be reckoned with. Where one was rough, the other was softer. Where one was a little less sure, the other was purely confident. Where one was too light, the other was deeper.
It was easy to see though that neither of the two boys was thinking of any of this that day…slapping hands with each other and teasingly moving the ball away from the other. That day they had simply found another person who loved the sport as much as they did…someone who played for the same reasons…someone who…
"NATHAN…stop trying to keep the ball away from him! And LUCAS…work with the team! You're not each other's ENEMY!"
But the looks the two boys gave each other now told a different story.
It was a look so different than the ones shared between them when they had been those two younger boys, two boys who had not realized yet…
Who had not been told yet that because of the sins of their father…
They had to hate each other.
/\ Later that afternoon after practice /\
"I'm getting so sick of Whitey's constant yelling."
Tim laughed as he walked near his friend. "Ah Come on Nate, when does Whitey not yell?"
Nathan frowned. "But he does it so much more now. Always getting mad at me for not giving the ball to"
Tim smiled, barely listening to his friend now, noticing a certain brunette, as they made their way down one of the school's hallways. Hmmm…time to help his friend get this little plan along… "Well what do you know Nate…it's your future girlfriend over there."
Nathan frowned once more and then looked over in the direction Tim was pointing at, noticing Haley carrying a lot of books and trying to shut her locker at the same time. "Shut up Tim."
Tim laughed. "Ah come on Nate…now's as good a chance as any. It's perfect."
Nathan's voice became suspicious as he noticed Haley finally managing to get her locker shut, and then starting along her way down the almost deserted hallway. "What do you mean Tim?"
"I think I just came up with the perfect way to move along our plan to get rid of your dear old brother…to get him where it hurts most."
Nathan started to protest. Yes, he wanted to stick it to Lucas. But Tim could sometimes do things that…well…that ended up backfiring. And right now he didn't care for the sly smile Tim was directing towards Haley either as she haphazardly tried to navigate her way, still carrying the load of books, almost completely blocking her face from view. "Tim"
But Tim was already moving and before Nathan could act, he started acting like he was rushing, heading straight toward Haley.
Tim didn't feel that great about what he was going to do. Poor girl had to be caught up in the line of fire. But…soon she'd be receiving a bit of help from an unexpected source. Yes, his friend could be a total jerk, they both could be, but he also had always had the ability to be a bit more chivalrous...which would work perfectly in this case.
Doing her best to hang onto the books she was carrying, Haley reacted with shock when she felt something…someone push by her, sending the books flying …and her along with them.
Nathan's frowning look turned to one of concern and disgust as he watched Haley fall down in the nearly empty hallway, the books she had been holding scattering all over the floor as they fell too.
Tim grimaced, but continued hurriedly along his way. Oops, he hadn't meant to knock her down, only to knock some of the books out of her hand. Taking one look back, noticing how Nathan was quickly making his way over to her now, he felt a little better to see that she appeared to be all right, just caught off guard. Secretly saluting to his friend, he continued along his way. Time for Nathan, the snake charmer of the female population at Tree Hill High, to do his work.
Nathan shook his head at Tim's salute, still furious that this was what his friend had meant. Quickly he got down on his knees and searched Haley's down turned face. "Haley…are you okay?"
Haley looked up slowly, noticing a pair of concerned, familiar eyes watching her carefully. She looked up into those eyes, temporarily hypnotized by their color…their sharpness…their… "Green…no blue…bluish green…"
Nathan's face displayed confusion. Oh man, had she gone down on that hard edged floor too fast…was she delirious? "Uh…what?"
Haley shook her head, scooting backward, away from those piercing eyes…that looked so different now. She felt mortified. She was sitting across from Nathan Scott, and she was mumbling incoherently about the color of his eyes. Then the mortification turned to anger. She was sitting across from Nathan Scott, the guy who was out to get Lucas, who had backed her up against a tree, who had probably planned this whole stupid scenario with the idiotic help of…
She grabbed at the book he had just picked up for her. "Give me that. And why don't you just go join your stupid friend, you know the one who just did something as rude and asinine as push a girl down in the hallway..." She searched his face angrily. "Yeah, you probably do know since I'm sure you're the one who persuaded him to do it. Whatever Nathan Scott wants, Nathan Scott gets, right?" With one more furious look she moved away and reached for the rest of her fallen books.
Nathan inwardly recoiled at hearing his own words of an earlier time, his own vow thrown back at him in such a negative way, with such hostility.
'I always get what I want…'
But this wasn't what he had meant. It was almost as if he had knocked her down himself. It made him feel uncomfortable and sorrowful… It made him…
It made him reach out for her arm, turning her around so she'd be facing him when he tried to explain, inadvertently causing him to knock the book out of her hand.
"Wait a minute. You think I planned this?" He regarded her incredulously. "Come on Haley, do you think I'm that much of an ass that I would plan to have you knocked down in the hallway…and then make my way over to you, acting like I was your defender! Give me a break. It sounds like something out of a stupid 80's teen movie, or even worse…one of those gangster movies from the 30's." He did his best impression of one of those old time gangsters.
"Okay…I want you to knock the girl over and then I'll make my way over, sweep her up off her feet and plant one right on her-
He was cut off suddenly by the sound of her laughter, such an enlightening sound, soft and vibrant. It brought an unintended smile to Nathan's face in just seconds.
Soon in fact, both of them were grinning, as they sat across from each other, forgetting that they were still in school, that they were down on the floor, that even though the hallway was pretty much vacant, it was a very noticeable area of the school.
"I…I guess it does sound kind of stupid…kind of overdeveloped." Haley added with a sheepish voice.
"Yeah, but I get it. You don't really like me much obviously." Well, he hadn't really liked her at first either…had he? And yet now…
Haley faced him with resolve. "Well, why should I? After the way you treated Lucas earlier today…how you always treat him…I find it absolutely disgusting…and then you go and…"
She looked away. Nathan reached out though and touched her shoulder. "I go and what…"
"Nothing."
"Haley…"
She shook her head, speaking quickly and shrugging her shoulder away from his touch. "Oh come on, what does it matter anyway? Why should you even care if I don't like you? It's not like anything I feel affects you."
"What if that's not true?" Whoa! Wait a minute, where had that come from?
He had spoken so quickly that Haley blinked now. Was he actually being honest with her? It was hard to tell.
She had always been good at being able to tell when someone was giving her a load of garbage, when someone was lying to her. And with Nathan, even though she had barely spoken to him, even though she hadn't really noticed him that much, not until all this had started with Lucas anyway, she had already sensed that he pretty much bluffed his way around everything and everyone. There was no reason to believe he wasn't doing the same with her. And yet…
Nathan noticed it now, how she was watching him with such quiet intensity, her deep brown eyes scanning him. How those eyes made him think of a …a deer…a watchful deer…a cautious deer…a perceptive one…
And now he wasn't sure why, but he simply knew, he didn't want her thinking that he had planned this… that he was simply using her to get to…to stick it to…man, everything was getting so complicated.
Turning away from her now he started gathering the books that were nearby, including the one he had accidentally made her drop, and afterward got up, picking up the farther away fallen books. Then turning back to her, balancing the books a bit precariously in one hand, he held out his other hand to her.
Haley looked up from her place on the floor still, seeing that concealing smile come to his face.
Nathan laughed awkwardly, still attempting to keep the books within his grasp. Geesh, what was she planning to do, open up her own library? "Uh, I'm offering you some help here…you know…doing the gentlemanly thing and holding my hand out. Kind of the thing they do in those thirties gangster movies…ah…"
A giggle escaped out of Haley's mouth as she watched him try to juggle one bigger book on top of a smaller one, another one starting to slip down in between his arm and the front of his shirt. The sight made her smile humorously.
Nathan glared. "Ahhh…you find this funny do you? Me struggling to hold this load of books while you sit there on the floor, acting totally rude and laughing at me!"
She giggled once more, but this time accepted his hand, feeling its firm strength lifting her up off the floor easily.
But as for his grip on all her books…well…
Just in the nick of time Haley reached out for the one that had been slipping down in between his arm and his blue striped shirt. And then with a helpful gesture, she reached for another.
Her action caught him off balance though, and Nathan struggled to keep hold of the rest of the books so they wouldn't go toppling down upon her head, which just reached the level of his upper chest. In about a minute he was able to get his balance back, successful in his measure to keep the books from falling.
And that one solitary protective act surprised her. He could have just yelled out and let the books fall, but instead he had done his best to keep a hold of them so they wouldn't fall…fall on the floor…on her.
"Thanks."
Nathan smiled…a genuine smile…that made his eyes an even deeper color.
And for one second Haley wished they were on the floor again so she could be looking directly across from those eyes, see their depth. But now they were both standing and he was so much taller than her that it was a struggle to really see him up close, that if she wanted to she would have to move closer and that was something that she didn't…
"Uh…please tell me that you weren't planning on taking these all the way home. I mean if I keep up this defender hero scenario that's going to mean that I'm going to have to carry them all the way for you and you see…I'm really not that unselfish. There's only so far I go when being the so called gallant knight."
Haley couldn't help but smile at his sarcastic admission. "Well, don't worry. They're all back to the library. But you don't have to help anyway. I can do it myself."
Nathan just shook his head and started walking towards the library, holding the majority of the books still. He watched as she started following alongside him with the lesser amount of books she was holding. "So, what do you do with all these books?"
Haley answered dryly. "Uh…STUDY."
He regarded her incredulously. "With this many books?"
"Well I tutor too."
Nathan's face showed some interest. "Really?"
"Yeah." She watched him intently as they came to the book chute for the library. The interest in those eyes… "Why, do you need some tutoring yourself Nathan Scott? Are you not as perfect as everyone thinks you are?" She teased lightly.
The question instantly hit him hard though, almost like a physical attack. She was too perceptive sometimes, too watchful. He laughed nervously, trying hard to cover it up. "No…I mean…I don't need any tutoring. I understand the three execu…executive branches of government and all that." What the heck was he saying…mumbling about his history class?
She replied calmly. "It's the three branches of government: executive, legislative and judicial."
Nathan's eyebrows came up in frustration. "Whatever! I get it all!"
An easy smile came to Haley's face. "Fine." She put her books in the chute and watched as he put his in too. "Well, thank you for your help."
Nathan watched as she started to turn around from him, but still bristling with anger at her earlier comments and her actions giving him the impression that she was inwardly laughing at him, he grabbed at her arm, turning her around suddenly to face him. "I'm not stupid!"
Caught by surprise, her eyes widened. His hold on her arm was not hurtful, but it was sort of tight. "I never said you were." Up so close, his hold had brought her just inches from him, Haley read the vulnerability in his eyes, seeing it flash away as he blinked, but for one second it had been there, and she had witnessed it. "I'm sorry if I gave you the wrong idea." She touched his hand, feeling it slowly move away from her arm, and then she started to leave again.
Nathan completely let go now, moving back from her and watching as she turned her back to him. But he didn't want to leave things like this. It was too much with him the victim. It was like the deer had gotten away, the prey had become the victor. He pushed away the thought. Now he was starting to look at things the way Tim had. And he didn't want to do that. He had called her the bait…and he supposed she was that. But she wasn't anything as crude as the prey.
Also…
He had actually enjoyed laughing with her, seeing the genuine smile come to her face, brightening it. She seemed such an honest person…and her smile was so truthful…her laugh real.
Hmmm…maybe there was a way to keep things still to his advantage and at the same time see that smile again.
"Aquamarine."
Haley turned around questioningly, that one word stopping her retreat. "What?"
He smiled deliciously. "My eyes…I mean that's what you meant earlier…right?" He walked forward. "You know…when you were staring right at my face…talking about colors…it was my eyes, right?" He continued to walk, managing to corner her against a wall.
Haley looked up at him, swallowing. "Uh…"
Finally, satisfaction. Finally, he was the one with the advantage, just the way he liked it. "I know how hypnotizing they can be."
Haley's own eyes widened, but seeing the way his lips curved up after his last remark, understanding he had meant it humorously, she felt herself smiling too…and laughing.
Seeing that laugh, what he had wanted, Nathan laughed too.
"You are so full of yourself."
"But I do have the most hypnotizing aquamarine eyes."
Haley looked away, but was still smiling. "Oh enough. You are a complete jerk sometimes and…"
Nathan watched her intently. "And what…"
Haley looked back up at him, suddenly turning serious. Those eyes…oh… they were sort of hypnotizing…and yet… Her thoughts turned to Lucas and she immediately sobered. Lucas was her friend, her best friend, and Nathan was…was… "Nothing. I have to go."
"Haley…"
She faced him meaningfully now. "You're like a snake Nathan Scott, charming and trying to be charismatic, yet inwardly…" She moved up closer to him, advancing steadily, until this time it was him who was being backed up into a corner as her actions and words caught him off guard. "Inwardly you're always planning something, aren't you? Well I'm not going to be a part of any game you have planned to get to Lucas. I'm not as dumb as you may think."
"I never said-
She cut him off quickly. "And I'm not as gullible either."
She turned and walked away. Nathan Scott was using her…she was almost sure of it. But what he didn't know was that…
She wasn't the only one being used.
Nathan watched her back with a smile, thinking: No, you most definitely are not gullible Haley James. I get the feeling you are up to something too. Let the games begin.
What both didn't realize though was just how dangerous this game was they were playing…how surprises were in store for them…how personal this game was going to get…how it would bring a strange unexpected feeling…
And the pain to come as unbelievable revelations started to come to pass.
They thought it was only about them, but it was about so much more.
/x\
To be continued…
Thank you for reading. / Let me know what you think. I enjoy reading people's comments.