Riley wonders if she should have told Grams about her new living arrangements. She should have told her last night. But, Riley didn't want to tell her. Grams would either be glad she's living the high life or angered she's leaving her kind of people, the poor kind of people who work a lot more than the rich.
The child glances sleepily at the clock, it's nearly two and she hasn't been able to sleep all night. Riley hasn't had a decent night's sleep since before Grams got sick. When Grams was alive, Riley was scared she'd die in the middle of the night, so she would watch her.
After Social Services took her away, Riley couldn't sleep. She worried too much about Grams; in the group home, there were six beds per room with snores coming from all the kids. Riley would sit up and read her books for school. However, the fourth grader purposely receives lower marks so she doesn't look too smart.
For the second time that night, the child kicks off the covers and opens the window. She crawls out and starts exploring Tree Hill. The basketball court is right next to a river with a picnic table and bleachers next to it.
An abandoned basketball is by one of the nets. Riley takes it and dribbles it around the court. "Ladies and gents, Riley O'Connor is the best we've ever seen!" she cheered taking a shot and watching the ball swish into the net. The girl smiles before dropping the ball and walking away.
Tree Hill is so quiet, almost like its sleeping. The streets in Charlotte were always lit up with vehicles and other noises. Well, where Riley lived there were always lights flashing; possibly from a party or the police coming to nab someone. The child walks for awhile longer, looking at all the building wishing Austin was here.
He'd know something fun to do. They even each other out, Austin thought of the ideas and Riley executed them. Most of the time, Riley took the fall for those actions and occasionally Austin took the fall for them. Their friendship was always easy to understand due to their blaring similarities. The nine year old sees Baker Man, Brooke was right it isn't a bakery. Neither is the café across the street, Riley closes her eyes trying to remember where she started out and walks back in that direction.
Sleepily walking back to the Baker house, Riley climbs up the terrace and over to her open window. She collapses in her bed like a dead log. Less than two hours later, Riley hears a loud knock on the bedroom door.
"Riley, time to wake up" Brooke announced flipping on the bedroom lights. "We have a busy day ahead of us."
"I'm tired" the nine year old closes her eyes sleepily. Its morning and light out, sleep seems like a great idea right now. After exploring all of last night, all Riley wants to do is fall asleep forever.
Brooke watches her for a few seconds. "Riley, I know it's early, but we really need to go. I have to open the store" the foster parent sits down on the bed. "Sweetie, you can sleep when we get there."
"Can I wear my pajamas?" Riley asked turning over and staring sleepily at the woman.
"Yes" Brooke nods. "Be ready to go in fifteen minutes" the foster parent said softly as she leaves the bedroom.
Riley groans, but reluctantly does as she's told. Pulling an old green sweatshirt over her sweatpants, Riley stares at herself in the mirror. She looks like a drowned rat in this thing; Grams never had enough money to buy her luxuries. Foster kids only receive clothes from a thrift shop and when they desperately need it.
"Is she ready?" Julian asked smiling at the sleepy Jude. The baby has his head rested on his father's shoulder.
"She's getting there" his wife agreed taking a sip of orange juice and tickling her curly blonde haired son's side.
Davis giggles up at her mother. He's defidently a lot like Brooke in the sense that they both are early risers. Jude is more like him, not an early riser. Over the past few months, the raven haired little boy has enjoyed sleeping in more. Davis on the other hand tries to climb out of his crib when he's awake.
"I can take the boys to the sitter" Julian offered shifting Jude's position in his arms, the boy groans crankily, but manages to find a comfortable position in his father's arms.
Riley waits at the top of the staircase wanting to hear the conversation. Brooke checks her watch and groans, she's late. "Riley, it's time to go" Brooke called, she comes thudding down the staircase and into the kitchen.
Julian smiles warmly at the youngster. "You don't look so good. Did you sleep alright last night?" he asked looking concerned. She has dark loops underneath her eyelids making it seem like she hasn't slept in ages.
"Uh-huh" Riley lied.
"Are you sure?" Riley nods feeling her cheeks turn red. "Well, if you say so, I'll see you later Rye" he leans in and kisses Brooke on the cheek. "She's defidently lying, right my sex wife?" Julian asked.
"Oh defidently" Brooke agreed confidently and smiles at the now curious youngster.
"Well, we gotta go" Julian ruffles the top of Riley's head and leaves carrying his boys on each hip.
Brooke frowns, she can tell Riley's lying, but she doesn't want to say it. She wonders why she's not telling the truth. Brooke makes a mental note to talk to her foster child before they tuck her in tonight. They need to get to the root of this problem.
"Here's your breakfast" Brooke hands her a plate of waffles with eggs. Riley frowns at the eggs; she doesn't like eggs or breakfast for that matter. She always refused to eat breakfast and Grams never enforced any rules.
Riley takes a seat and starts pushing around the eggs. Brooke watches with her hands over her chest. "What's the matter, aren't you hungry?" she demanded checking her watching again.
"I don't like breakfast" Riley informed her foster parent with an honest shrug. She doesn't like eating that early in the morning.
Brooke said, "Breakfast's the important meal of the day" she doesn't want to be one of those annoying and overly obnoxious parents.
"I didn't hafta eat breakfast in Charlotte" the child's blue eyes narrow. Brooke can't tell her what to do, she isn't her real Mom and this is probably only temporary.
"Well in Tree Hill, you do" Brooke answered pushing the plate back towards the little girl who groans.
This isn't a bit fair in Riley's opinion. She shouldn't have to eat breakfast, if she doesn't want it. "I don't like eggs" Riley answered grumpily.
"Then don't eat the eggs, eat the waffles and orange juice" Brooke stated deciding to let Riley have some leeway. This is new to both of them and perhaps they both need some time to get used to this.
"I'm not hungry" Riley lied shaking her head, firmly.
She may be hungry, but considering the fact that Riley wasn't disciplined as a child; she never had any parental figures to rebel against. Grams wasn't very involved in Riley's life, she never saw herself as a parent to Riley. They saw one another as friends.
Brooke's eyes narrow, warningly. "Riley, eat your waffles" she ordered sitting across from the child with her arms folded across her chest.
"But…" Riley started already knowing she's going to lose this battle. Grams didn't argue with her like this.
"No, buts just eat" Brooke cuts her off, sternly.
"Fine" Riley huffed taking a nibble out of the waffles, all the while avoiding eye contact with her foster mother.
Brooke sips on her orange juice; this was her first real fight with Riley. She wonders what it's going to be like in the future. Riley's only just becoming apart of their family and feels uncomfortable. The future arguments should prove to have much more interesting arguments.
Lydia crawls onto her older brother's lap. Jamie is her favorite person. He's smart and always telling her about everything. Momma and Daddy, tie for second. Jamie is a lot more fun, though; his teeth have funky things on them too. They always look so colorful, like little rainbows.
"Morning Lyddie" Jamie answered, flicking through the channels and deciding to stay on Sports Center.
"Jay-Jay" the year old chanted happily.
Jamie watches a basketball player dunk it into the net. "I'm gonna be in the NBA someday, Lyd" he whispered confiding in the only person, he knows who won't judge him about this.
"First, I'm gonna be on the Ravens and then I'm gonna be on the Bobcats. Just like Dad, he was in the NBA too. Before you were born" Jamie explained softly. Lydia stares up at her big brother with a dopey grin.
Haley walks into the living room. "Jimmy-Jam, I need your help at the café today" she called smiling at her two children.
"Why?" Jamie groaned. He helped out only just a few days ago and now Momma wants him to help again. He doesn't mind working at the café, but it stinks when he has t o work almost every weekend.
"Because we're short-staffed and I need your help" Haley answered giving her son a pleading look. "Please, Jamie, I really need some help."
"Will I get paid?" Jamie asked, Lydia glances over at her mother.
"Depends on how well you do" Haley smirked knowingly. "If you do a really good job; I'll pay you twenty dollars, but only if you do a really good job" Haley answered as Jamie nods wildly.
"I'll be the best employee ever, Momma." Jamie promised gently sliding Lydia off his lap and running out of the room.
Lydia looks around feeling abandoned. Haley sits down on the couch. "I can't believe he just left either, Lyddie-Bob. Let's play patty-cake" Haley takes the tot into her arms and holds out her hands.
Austin Teague leans against the brick building. His best friend is gone. Now he'll have to make a new best friend. This afternoon some parents are coming by to check them out, it's like being at the pound. People come by and gawk at the puppies, but mostly ignore the older ones. Unfortunately, he's one of the older ones that nobody will ever want.
Tessa Flynn smiles at the sight of her Boss practically dragging an adorable little girl towards the store. Tessa has been working for Brooke for almost a year now; she knew they were deeply considering adoption. Tessa lives with her father, step-mother, brothers, and step-sister on the rich side of Tree Hill.
"Tessa, I'm sorry we're late. We had a late morning" Brooke apologized opening the door and leading Riley inside.
"Oh it's not a problem, Mrs. Bake" Tessa shrugged following her employer with a kind-hearted smile.
Brooke grins at the teenager. Tessa is her favorite employee; she's a hard worker and is a sweet young girl. She reminds Brooke a lot of herself in high school, well besides being a bitch and all. Brooke knows Tessa has a reputation for being kind of the school slut.
"Thanks oh and if you want, you can leave early. I hear there's a home game tomorrow, which can only mean one thing" Brooke gives the girl a knowing look. Everyone knows the teens of Tree Hill like to party before and after all the games.
Tessa grins shyly. "I don't know what you're talking about, Mrs. Bake. Is this your new daughter? She's really cute" the teenager tries to change the subject causing Brooke to roll her eyes.
"Yes, this is Riley" Brooke nudges Riley forward. "Riley, say hi to Tessa" the foster parent encouraged.
"Hi" Riley mumbled sleepily.
"You're like the cutest ten year old I've ever seen. You're going to look just great in Brooke's clothes" Tessa squealed causing Riley to grin shyly.
"Not right now, Riley's going to sleep in my office" Brooke explained as Riley yawns resting her head against Brooke's side. She really should've tried harder to fall asleep last night. The foster parent gently pats her soft brown curls.
Tessa watches wishing her own mother was still alive. She really misses having a mother around, her stepmother is a bitch; she doesn't give a damn about her or her brothers.
Brooke takes a blanket out of her closet. "Are you going to tell me why you're so tired, when you had eleven hours of sleep last night?" she asked tucking the child in.
"I'm not used to living here" Riley lied badly.
"You're lying, but right now, I'm not going to push it. The next time something like this happens, we're going to have a long and honest talk," Riley nods; begrudgingly. "I'll wake you up during lunch-time" Brooke promised giving her a quick kiss and exiting the office.
Riley tiredly watches her go; so far all she's done with the Bakers is lie, lie, lie. It's strange; she was never such a liar before, Grams detested lying. She didn't see the real need it in. The truth is easier than a lie.
Sam plays with Jack's fingers. He smiles and stares at the road. Really, Jack's worried about how much has changed in Tree Hill and how much has remained the same. His brother got sent back to prison, yet again. Jack doesn't hear from Xavier and that's just the way he likes it.
"Sam, are you sure this is the right thing for us?" Jack asked worriedly. The events that happened in Tree Hill were good and bad; it led to him and Sam becoming an item and Quentin Fields murder.
"It's just for a visit, Jack" Sam insisted rolling her dark green eyes. "I only want to meet Riley and get a feel for how she is."
Jack smirks at her. "I have a feeling she's a lot like you were; a trouble-maker" her boyfriend chuckled causing Sam to playfully swat his hand.
"Julian and Brooke always did like the messed up ones" Sam said smiling softly.
"We're all messed up, Sam" Jack replied. "It just depends on how we handle our messed up problems."
"You're such a dork" Sam leans in and kisses his cheek.
Jack looks over with a growing smile. He knows he could continue the rest of his life, loving this girl. The same girl he's known since they were thirteen years old; the one and only girl who understands him.