Hey you guys! I'm so sorry that this update took so long. Trying to post this chapter quickly before I go to sleep, but I promise the next update will be so much quicker!

Special thanks to all of you who reviewed the last chapter! :) I appreciate you all so much!

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Chapter Nine - Meant To Be

Marvin McFadden couldn't believe his eyes for a moment when he saw the familiar gate of the tall blonde approaching the river court. He fought the urge to rub at his eyes to confirm that it wasn't an illusion. But as the figure got closer, accompanied with the increasingly infamous Brooke Davis, he knew that his eyes weren't deceiving him.

"Ladies and gentleman, we are in for a real treat tonight here at the Tree Hill river court." Mouth recovered his initial shock by doing what he did best, announcing it. "That's right, folks! Legendary Lucas Scott is in our presence tonight. Prepare yourself for an epic match."

Granted, Luke had said he was coming tonight but Mouth had long learned not to hold him to that.

"Good to see you too, Mouth." Lucas chuckled, reaching out to slap him on the back affectionately. He couldn't help but notice how close in proximity the brunette was to his best friend. But what was even more unmistakable was the bright grin that Mouth hasn't seen on Luke's face since Karen passed away.

"Mind if I sit with you?" Brooke's voice cut in as she took a seat next to the blushing boy before he could say yes.

"Aye yo, is that really him?" Skills voice broke in as he jogged over from the court.
"Because I know we ain't been able to mop the court with Lucas in awhile."

Skills reached out and slapped fives with Lucas before pulling him into a hug. Mouth couldn't help but feel as if this was the most natural the river court has felt in a very long time as the two made their way over to shoot baskets with the rest of the guys.

When he had first met Lucas and Clay, Mouth had just moved into a neighborhood that was close to the river court. Even though he loved basketball, right away he could tell he was never going to physically be able to keep up with these guys. So instead, he began taking a seat beside the court to watch his best friends tear it up. And that's when he learned where his real passion lied, in the art of the sports announcer.

"So I hear you're pretty good at this." Brooke said, motioning to the microphone in Mouth's hand.

"I try." Mouth shrugged humbly. "Plus, I just love the game."

"Have you ever thought about doing a podcast thingy?" Brooke slipped her arm to link with his and he could feel his ears burn red. "Because I bet you would be great at it and everybody listens to those things."

"I don't know…" Mouth sounded unsure at the idea.

"What don't you know?" She pressed.

"I mean, don't get me wrong I've thought about. It's just… It's one thing when it's at the river court but out there," he gestured out past the park." It's a different story."

"Well it doesn't have to be." Brooke stated plainly. "Just give it a try, Mouth. Sure there's people who may try to knock you down along the way but I get the feeling you're a lot stronger than you let on." She gave his arm a squeeze of encouragement and Mouth began to nod slowly as he absorbed the wisdom in her words.

Just as Mouth began to rack his brain for some sort of response, Haley came striding over to them.

"Hey guys!" She put her hand up in a quick wave as she took a seat next to them. If Haley was here that had to mean Nathan showed up to play too, which just made this whole night even better.

"Tutor girl!" Brooke exclaimed and Haley let out an exasperated sigh in response.

"How many times do I have to tell you, new girl. My name's Haley." She corrected.

"I know, and you also tutor. Which makes you tutor girl." Haley inhaled to respond with some sort of retort back but the bright smile Brooke wore halted her. So instead, she leaned back and enjoyed the company of the two people she was growing fonder of each and every day.

X

Lucas dribbled the ball hard as he attempted to find a hole in Nathan's defense. The game had started like any other river court match. With copious amounts of show boating and over the top plays. The mood was light and the teams were having just as much fun messing around with each other as they were playing the game.

"Come on, Luke. Make your shot." Nathan teased, as he once again caught sight of Lucas footing and blocked his entrance. Mouth's excited voice was heard over the rest as he hurriedly narrated each play made by the guys.

Finally, Lucas took a step back and caught Nathan at his well known weakness. The fade away shot. With that, Lucas sank the basket and Nathan shook his head shamefully.

"You know me too damn well." He chuckled, slapping fives with his cousin. That final basket had broke the 21 barrier on the imaginary scoreboard, causing Luke and his team to win. "Good game, man. I'm glad you're back." Nathan nodded, before slapping fives with some of the other guys.

"I know you still had it in you, dog!" Skills whooped triumphantly as he congratulated Lucas. He couldn't help but grin at how happy all of his friends were to have him around.

If he wasn't careful, Lucas could be fooled into believing that it was exactly like old times. Before everything in his life got so messed up. But he figured that since he had already thrown careful out the door earlier that day when he kissed Brooke that he might as well grant himself an all day pass. So when Nathan suggested they all head back to his beach house to hang out, Lucas didn't decline the offer.

"Hey, Handsome. You looked good out there." Her raspy voice broke him from his thought as he turned to face Brooke. She was standing so close that he could just barely feel the graze of her chest against his. It caused his whole body to come to attention. "It was good to see you having fun like that. You know?"

Lucas nodded, not sure where this was going. It was if one day she had managed to chip away a large piece of his wall and she knew it. As much as he wanted to rebuild it up around him, it felt good to have someone peering over. Especially someone like Brooke.

"I'm trying." He admitted softly. Brooke reached out and took her hand into his. It was as if her fingers were made to mold into his calloused ones.

"Well, it's working Lucas. You look happy." She gently stroked the outside of his hand and he felt so whole in that moment. So connected to this girl that it blew his mind. In response, he squeezed back lightly.

"Where did you come from?" Lucas almost said to himself more than to her.

"Uh… I thought I already told you I moved here from New York…" She furrowed her brows slightly in confusion. Another adorable trait Lucas was learning to love about her.

"No, I know that." He laughed a little and her hazel eyes danced with laughter back. "It's just that you're exactly what I needed."