Authors Note: Hey everyone! Sorry about the wait again. I think updates are going to be quite slow now until summer but I will try and get them to you as soon as possible. I'm only going to be working on this story & 'Won't Go Home Without You' for the time being, until I have more time on my hands. Thankyou to those who reviewed last chapter, I replied to all of your comments. I want to especially thank ObviouslyADreamer for such an inspiring review. I was lost for words so thankyou!

I've tried to make this chapter a long one, the next chapter will probably not be as long. Enjoy :')

March 2029-

"State Championship Semi-Finals day!" Haley cried out excitedly to wake Nathan up. He groggily opened his eyes to his wife's beautiful smile beaming back at him. Her hair flat on one side where she was lay on her pillow and a red mark from where she had been leaning on her arm in her sleep.

"Morning to you too," he huskily replied, his eyes barely open. Haley had always been a morning person and today was clearly no different. She leant in and gave him a quick peck on the lips.

"Are you nervous?" Her bubbly demeanour still intact. Nathan knew that there was no chance of him going back to sleep now so he sat up and leant against the head board.

"Nahh, the team have got this in the bag. We're going to State Championship Final this year." He spoke like a true coach.

"That's my man," she continued to grin and then closed the gap between them again by connecting their lips, this time more passionately. "I'm gonna wake up Q. Lyds has been awake for a while."

"Like mother like daughter" Nathan laughed and then took a sip from the coffee cup on his bedside cabinet that Haley must have left for him as she ran from the room and down the hall to Quinley's bedroom.

"Wakey wakey!" Haley cried out again as she flopped herself on Quinley's bed to find that it was empty. "Quinley?" She looked around his room but everything seemed to be in the right place. "Lydia, have you seen your brother?"

"Back yard" Lydia called back.

Haley made her way to the window of her son's bedroom to find him outside shooting hoops in their very own small basketball court. Haley had offered to let Nathan have a full size court but he said that he liked playing at the Rivercourt so a small one at home would be fine. Nathan appeared behind Haley and followed her gaze to their son who was the double of his father, even more so from behind. He didn't seem to have inherited any of Haley's gene's, except maybe her clumsiness.

"Like father, like son," Haley said to Nathan, quoting what he had said to her previously. She stroked his arm before leaving her son's room. Nathan decided to join his son on the court so headed into the back yard.

"Someone's up early?" Nathan spoke causing Quinley to turn around before making another free throw.

"It's game day, I thought I'd get some more practice in."

"I didn't even know that you were capable of getting up so early," Nathan smirked.

"Very funny dad. Think fast," Quinley said before throwing the ball at his dad who made a perfect shot after the ball landed in his hands.

"Still got it," Nathan cockily smirked. "How about a game of horse before breakfast?"

"You are so on old man."

"Old man huh?" Nathan scoffed before executing a perfect free throw. "We'll see about that kiddo."

Over on the other side of town, Julian had decided to focus the entire day on Sawyer and Jonny. Despite his optimism, the two teenagers were still arguing at every chance they got; Jonny would taunt Sawyer with a sarcastic remark which would get her angry and she would refuse to work with him. It was the same thing every time they had to shoot a scene together. Luckily for Julian, his other actors were co-operating fine and he was powering through their scenes. If only he could get his two leading actors to find some common ground.

"I can't take your bickering anymore. Both of you go and wait outside my office," he ordered in a stern but not aggressive tone. The teenagers slouched out of his office, neither saying a word, walking past Brooke who was stood in the doorway waiting. Once Sawyer and Jonny had left, she closed the door behind her.

"You know, you sounded like a dad then." She walked towards him and sat on his desk.

"You think so?"

"Hell yeah, those kids were too scared to speak," she giggled.

"Was I too strict?" he asked worried. His brown eyes gazed up at Brooke; she reached out and stroked his cheek.

"Of course not babe. But I only caught the last part of the conversation, fill me in; what have they been doing?"

"Constant bickering. You would never have guessed that they were in high school."

"Wait...arguing? Why are they arguing?"

"Because wifey, they hate each other," he informed a supposed clueless Brooke.

"They don't hate each other."

"Yes, they do."

"No, they don't. I could feel the sexual tension when I walked into the building. I'm just glad it wasn't you and Louise," she joked.

"You know that there's only one woman for me Brooke Baker. Plus I think it helps that Louise is a lesbian," he got her back with a joke of his own which earned him a slap on the arm from Brooke. "I'm kidding. Even if she wasn't a lesbian, I still wouldn't like her because I have you."

"You do indeed," she smiled sweetly.

"So what am I supposed to do with Cathy and Heathcliff out there?"

Brooke stared back at him puzzled.

"Come on Brooke, you've watched 'Wuthering Heights' with me. Black and white, Laurence Olivier ring any bells?"

"He's the tall, dark handsome one right?"

Julian knew from the mischief in her eyes that she was teasing him which made him chuckle.

"Yes that would be him. You remember the movie right?"

"Yeah I do but what does the movie have to do with our niece and the new guy?"

"Because Cathy and Heathcliff's entire relationship was built on their sarcastic and sometimes bitter responses to each other but despite all that they still loved each other. Now that that's cleared up, care to help me with those two," he said pointing towards the door where they could see Sawyer rolling her eyes whilst Jonny smirked.

"Are you coming to the game tonight?" Avery asked her dad as they drove to her school. Avery had to work early today whilst Brooke was preparing costumes over on the movie set, so Chase had agreed to take Avery and Caleb to school.

"I think the whole of Tree Hill will be there."

"I know but I wasn't asking about the whole of Tree Hill dad. I was asking about you," she pointed out.

"Of course I'll be there Ave," he confirmed, giving her a quick reassuring look before averting his attention back on to the road. "Is everything okay Princess? Nothing bothering you? You're still...urrrm eating?"

"Dad. You don't have to worry about me all the time you know. I'm fine, just nervous about the game that's all."

"And the eating?"

"I had my breakfast before I left, you can ask mom and I have my lunch in my bag. You guys can trust me okay?"

"Okay, I'm sorry. I just worry about you that's all. I feel like I'm missing out on stuff with you and Caleb when I'm not there all the time," he admitted as he pulled up in front of the school.

"Can't you just come home dad? You and mom have been getting along great."

"Exactly, we're doing great as friends. Me and your mom have a lot of things to fix and that's going to take some time. But I love you and Cale, you know that right?" Chase often worried that his children thought that he didn't love them just like Alex thought that he didn't love her.

"I know dad," she nodded. "Well I best go. I'm meeting Annie at her locker. See you at the game dad." She kissed her father on the cheek before leaving the car.

"I actually don't have any idea what to do with you both. I get it okay, you hate each other but you have to put this hatred aside otherwise this movie will flop again," Julian explained to Jonny and Sawyer who were stood in front of his desk. He looked at Sawyer. "Do you really want your dad's story fail again Sawyer? So many people have put so much of their energy into this movie; me, your dad, your mom, Brooke. Are you both okay with letting so many people down? And if you are, are you okay with letting yourselves down? Because that is what you would be doing." Neither said anything, just stared guiltily back at Julian. "I'm going for lunch; I'm leaving you both here to talk." Julian saw Sawyer's face turn to shock. "Talk, that's all I'm asking from you. Just get to know each other a bit better. I'll be back in an hour." He told them before leaving the room.

"I'm not spending my spare time with you Scott," Jonny remarked. "I'm outta here." He headed for the door to find that Julian had locked them in. "Damn it, its locked."

"Go figure," Sawyer said as she slopped down onto the couch in Julian's office.

"What are you doing?"

"Sitting, what do you think I'm doing?"

"Well aren't you going to help me get us out of here?"

"There's no point. Plus, he's right. Too many people are depending on this movie. We can't let them down. What's an hour of talking going to hurt?" she asked, lowering her guard slightly.

Jonny looked at her questionably before deciding to join her on the couch, taking a seat far away from her. "So what are we supposed to 'talk' about?" he asked using air quotes.

"I don't know...what made you audition for the movie?" she asked. It had been a question that had been bugging her for some time. He didn't seem like the acting kind.

"I mainly wanted to just piss your dad off," he smirked so Sawyer rolled her eyes.

"Why do you always have to be like that?"

"Be like what?"

"Like-" she couldn't find the right words, she just indicated towards him.

"Like you, you mean?"

"What? We are not alike," she said defiantly, turning away from him.

"Unfortunately we are and that's what bugs you. You hate that I'm the male version of you," he pointed out.

"Oh yeah, how so?"

"I have this thing that I like to use frequently, its called sarcasm. I believe it's your weapon of choice too. If you want to push someone away, you get sarcastic and close yourself off. You're not afraid to tell people what you really think about them but you are afraid of getting your heart hurt hence why you never let anyone see it."

"You don't know me," she quickly added not aware of the irony. Jonny laughed as he realized that they sounded just like Peyton and Lucas. Sawyer joined in. "God, I sound like my mom don't I?"

"A little bit. You look like her too," he pointed out.

"How do you know what my mom looks like?" she wondered, knowing full well that Jonny and Peyton had never met.

"Errrrm, I've seen her around that's all," he quickly said which made Sawyer suspicious but she chose to ignore it for now.

Julian got back from lunch to find his office door open and Sawyer and Jonny missing; someone had cleverly picked the lock he thought. He walked to his desk to find a note in Sawyer's handwriting:

Dear Uncle Julian/Mr Baker,

We accept the fact that we had to sacrifice a whole lunch time in your office for whatever it was we did wrong, but we think you're crazy to make us get to know each other. We see each other as we want to see each other: in the simplest terms and the most convenient definitions, which isn't going to change. Sincerely yours, your leading stars.

Julian grinned to himself at the note in his hands. It was clearly Sawyer's idea to quote a movie, even more importantly, one of his favorite movies. Maybe they hadn't solved their differences but he felt like progress was being made.

The cheerleaders were ready to leave the locker room to begin cheering in preparation for the night's game.

"Avery, we're going on to the Court, are you coming?" a petite dark haired girl called to Avery who was stood at her locker talking to Annie.

"I'll be out in a minute," she replied.

"You don't have to wait for me Ave," Annie told her friend as she stood up from tying her shoe laces. "I'm coming out on to the court now too."

"I actually have to go pee," she awkwardly smiled. "I'll meet you out there."

"Are you sure?"

"Yeah go ahead. You have to warm up. I'll be out in a minute," she confirmed before heading to the toilets. Once she heard Annie leave the gym, Avery kneeled on the floor next to the toilet, in a position that she was getting used to each day she did it. She also found that the burning sensation at the back of her throat that caused her eyes to water because of the pain was no longer as painful as it once was; especially now that she was gaining back the control and power that she had when she was skipping meals. Now all she had to do was gain her parents trust back to get them off her case.

The game was a lot tougher than Nathan and the team had expected. The Riverside Lazers were playing the best they had played all season and the Ravens were using all of the energy they had left to stay in the lead. The Ravens were two points in the lead and they were determined to stay that way; but the Lazers currently had the ball at the side lines. The ball was thrown from a tall tanned boy to smaller boy, who Quinley had noticed was faster than most of the others and was able to weave himself between the players. He dribbled it all the way to the 3 point line and threw it to a fellow player who executed the shot, putting the Lazers in the lead with 56-55.

Nathan called for a time out and the Ravens gathered before him. He could tell that they were exhausted and frustrated from their red faces and pants of breath.

"You've been doing great out there guys, I'm so proud of you, but are we really going to let the Lazers win. This is our shot at State Championship. You have worked hard all season, don't let the Lazers steal it form you now. A lot of you are going to play college basketball next year and some of you will be heading to the NBA in a few years, but having played both, I can tell you that neither compare to your high school basketball games. Sure, college basketball means theres more at stake, but there you'll be a little fish in a big pond. Here on this court, you're the big fishes in a small pond and that feeling that you get every time that you walk out onto this gym floor, nothing comes close. I would give anything to be in your position now. Most of my high school basketball playing life was stressful and not enjoyable. I ignored my coach because I thought I knew best; when all he wanted to do was get me to my full potential. It wasn't until I started to listen to him that basketball became fun again, a game. I gained brothers in my team mates but we were never the team that you are. Who would have thought that a group of basketballers would willingly accept a girl onto their team and appreciate her talents, treating her like an equal? I know that the Ravens that I played for wouldn't have. You're a family," Nathan told them as they all looked around and smiled at each other. "You guys don't play the game to win; you play it because you love the game. So go back out there and play like you've never played before, but have fun doing it because if you don't, I know that you'll regret it. And whatever the outcome is, I'm proud of the team that you've become, the team that you are. You win together and lose together."

"My dad's right everyone." Quinley agreed. "Let's go out there and not win it for us, but for each other, the school, and our families but most importantly for our coach because without him, we wouldn't be stood here now. Hands in everyone." The team piled their hands one on top of the other, Nathan's being the last on top. "Ravens on three. One, two three; Ravens!" They all shouted in unison, perfectly emphasising their closeness. They all grinned, a few patting each other on the backs as they confidently walked back onto the court, knowing that the next ten seconds were going to be their best played yet.

"Hey son," Nathan called causing Quinley to turn around. "You're a great leader Q and you're gonna make a great captain one day. The winning shot's yours son. Go make me even more proud than I already am," he smiled from ear to ear.

"You got it dad." Quinley promised, joining his team mates on the floor.

Annie started with the ball, throwing it to Kenny. She noticed her family stood in the bleachers. She was pretty sure that she and Q had the biggest amount of support at the game. Her dad had decided to stand with Peyton rather than with Nathan. He looked proudly at her, his goofy squint accentuating. He was her role model and she was determined to make him proud. She dodged through a couple of Lazer players; she was tall but rather petite so dodging had become quite easy for her. She made herself free and Zack, who presently had the ball, quickly hurled the bowl to her which she caught effortlessly. Dribbling, she made her way towards the net but the only person free was Quinley who was stood near the 3 point line. Annie's mind went into overdrive; should she pass to Q and chance him making a 3 point shot or should she wait for someone else to get free? Time was running out with 4 seconds left on the clock. She swiftly threw the ball to Quinley who knew that this was time, his chance of proving himself to everyone.

The moment the ball touched his fingertips, an opposing player defended him and he knew that the only shot he could play from the position that he was in, was the fade-away. So he leant back and threw the ball towards the net. All eyes focused on the ball, the gym was silent as they all took deep breaths as the ball made its way toward the net. And as quickly as the ball left his hands, the game was over. The basketball just missed the net, hitting the rim as it descended to the floor. The cheers of the Lazers could be heard. Victory was theirs and they were heading to the State Championship final. The Ravens dreams on the other hand, were over. Several players sunk to the gym floor at the realization of it all. Quinley turned to look at his father who couldn't seem to look at him; instead he was walking out of the gym. Q caught his mom's eye and she sent him a reassuring smile. But Quinley couldn't help blaming himself for the Ravens biggest loss.

After the game, people dispersed from the gym. Ella and Lanny were walking out together; he was trying to persuade her to go to the after game party.

"Please El? It could be fun," he tried.

"But we just lost the game. It will just be full of people getting drunk and drowning their sorrows," she informed him. She never went to school parties; she usually stayed at home with her books.

"Even more reason for you to come with me."

"Lan, I don't want to go."

He sighed heavily. "Have I even got a chance Ella?"

"Of what?"

"A chance of being with you or are we really just friends?" They had stopped walking and were stood near her parent's car.

"I've already told you, I don't want a boyfriend yet. I thought you understood that?"

"I do, but I also thought that you would start to come round to the idea of us being more than friends. I would wait forever if I thought that there was a little part of you that wanted the same as what I want, and for a while I thought you did but there's only so many times a guy can get rejected."

"I'm sorry," she apologised.

He shrugged his shoulders. "I'll see you on Monday," he said before walking away.

"Lanny wait, you were getting a ride with us."

"Now I'm finding someone to go to the party with," he told her without looking back because it was more than his heart could bear right now.

Ella made her way to the car, disheartened by what had just happened between her and Lanny.

"Where's Lanny going? I thought he was getting a ride with us?" Sawyer asked. She met Ella half way to the comet, whilst Lucas and Peyton were sat in the car. Annie was getting a ride to the party with Avery.

"He said he wants some fresh air," Ella lied but she knew that it was no use. Unlike Sawyer, she was bad at lying.

"Oh right." Ella was thankful that Sawyer didn't push her any further. "So you're not going to the party?"

"No," Ella shook her head.

"Good, only the loser's go to basketball parties any way," Sawyer smirked. Her and Ella were alike in so many ways and would often stay at home whilst Annie preferred to be outside all the time. "And the music is so much better at our place. Come on Sis, I've got some new bands for you to listen to," Sawyer said as she put her arm around Ella's shoulder and they walked to the car.

Over at Tasha's beach house, the party was already in full swing. Drinks were being poured, music was blasting and people were dancing as they tried to forget about the game that they were sure they were going to win. Avery had been looking for Q for the past half an hour. She knew that he would have taken the Ravens loss hard; it was the game that he had spent all year training for.

"Hey Cody, have you seen Q?" Avery asked one of the players who was talking to a group of guys.

"I think I saw him at the keg last."

"Thanks," she said before heading to the keg out on the porch. She saw him sat on the porch steps with a plastic cup in his hands. She joined him. "Are you okay?"

"Leave me alone Ave," he said somewhat bitterly.

"I don't think you should be drinking right now."

"Who are you, my mom? Just go away."

This different side to Quinley shocked Avery; she had never seen him act like this. He was the nicest person she knew, but now it was like he had changed.

"What have I done?" she asked softly, a little hurt.

"I can't be doing with your whining," he sighed as he stood up, heading back in doors. Avery followed.

"My whining? I'm just worried about you. I'm being a good friend," she shouted to his back as she followed him.

"Well maybe I don't need a friend right now," he turned around.

"Maybe you don't, but you're gonna need one the next time you and your girlfriend argue. Who's the one who has to pick up the pieces? Me, because I'm stupid enough to always be there for you."

"Whatever. I'm gonna find Tasha!"

"Thanks again for giving me a ride here Lydia," Lanny thanked her as they walked into the beach house together.

"Its no big deal," she smiled sweetly. "Is Ella not coming tonight?"

"No, it's not really her thing."

"Well I guess it's just you and me then," she nudged his arm playfully. "Fancy a walk along the beach? I don't drink, unless you do?"

"I'm tutor boy, do you think I drink?" he joked.

Lydia giggled, she liked Lanny. He was light hearted and easy to be around. "Beach it is then."

Ella changed her mind the minute she set foot in her bedroom and saw her English notes scattered on her bedroom floor. Lanny had come round to her house earlier that day before the game and they were supposed to be studying for their pop quiz on Monday but they ended up talking; that seemed to happen a lot. They would have plans to do one thing but they would finish up playing cards, watching movies or just talking. She realized that she had spent the majority of her time since she met Lanny with him. Would one date really be so bad? She knew that she was attracted to him, from his floppy brown hair and his intense grey eyes to his contagious laugh and his black, square rimmed glasses that he only ever wore around her.

So she persuaded Sawyer to take her to the party in hope that he would be there like he said he would. The entire drive to the beach, she had been planning what she was going to say to him, would she just blurt out that she felt the same way about him or would she apologise and see what his next move was? Her thoughts were too confused to even try and work out: her frantic search for him wasn't helping things either. Finally she saw a face that she recognized.

"Avery, hi," she greeted the girl who was like a cousin to her. "Are you looking for someone?" She noticed that Avery was looking frantically round the room just like her.

"Yeah, just Q. I'm worried about him," she admitted.

"I've just seen him making out with Tasha," Ella said, not sure whether to tell Avery or not, knowing full well how she felt about Quinley.

"Well that won't last long," Avery shrugged off. "Where were they?"

"They were errrm, heading upstairs," Ella began to nervously tug at her sweater sleeve as she saw Avery's face drop.

"Oh-"

"I'm sorry Ave."

"No, its fine," she pretended to smile. "Were you looking for someone?" she tried to change the conversation.

"Yeah, have you seen Lanny around?"

"I think I saw him out on the beach with Lydia. I think I'm gonna go find Annie. Do you want to come or?"

"No go ahead, I'm gonna talk to Lan. Thanks Avery."

The girls both went their opposite directions. Ella walked out onto the back balcony which over looked the beach. She usually would have appreciated the view if she wasn't so shocked by the sight in front of her; Lydia holding Lanny's hands as they kissed on the beach. Ella couldn't believe what was happening. Lanny was asking her out only an hour previous and now he was making out with her cousin. She ran from the party before either Lanny or Lydia knew that anyone had witnessed their kiss. Least of all Ella.

Authors Note: There it is guys. The Ravens lost the State-Championship semi-final. I didn't think it was right to give everyone their 'happily ever afters'. The consequences of this loss will be in the next few chapters, because there will be some consequences for Nathan/Quinley at least. There will obviously be drama between Ella/Lanny/Lydia now. Which part was your favorite part? Let me know in reviews :) Thankyou xo