One Week Later

School is stupid. Jamie acts like he isn't Riley's friend, but when they're with family; he's her best friend. Boys are dumb. They can't make up their minds on anything. In Charlotte, at least kids were nice to one another. They didn't flat out ignore them like they're doing to Riley now. New kids were openly welcomed by the students because all the other kids are intrigued by them.

Tree Hill is a different story; people stay in their groups. At least her teacher, Miss. Bethany is nice. But, Riley doesn't talk to her much; she doesn't want the other kids teasing her about being buddy-buddy with their teacher. It's strange how the students call their teachers by their first names. Riley has to wonder what genius thought that stupid idea up. Calling teachers by their first names; what's next, kids and teachers playing catch at recess?

Madison managed to rile up most of the playground against her. Well, besides the fifth graders who could care less about idiot fourth grade drama. Andre Fields is the nicest out of all of them. He even volunteered to be her school buddy.

Andre glances over at Riley feeling sorry for her. "Hey" his tone is soft and full of pity. "You wanna play?" Andre asked with a gentle smile, he likes Riley. She was kind to Chuck at the River Court and now Chuck's being a jerk to her.

"Are you sure Madison wouldn't mind?" Riley retorted causing Madison to whirl around, angrily.

"Riley, I'm sorry about…you know, everything" Andre kicks the ground, his Momma would wear him out if she ever caught wind of what's been going on.

Riley doesn't say anything for a moment. "I wish I lived in Charlotte, least they were nice" she whispered as Andre looks down, people in Tree Hill are nice.

Madison rounds the corner with Jamie and Chuck. "Andre what are you doing talking to her?" she demanded glaring at Riley.

"He can talk to whoever he wants" the foster child said glaring at her, Madison started this mess. She was the one who decided to cause all the pain by being a bitch.

"Not orphans, he'll catch orphan disease if he does" Jamie's eyes widen at his girlfriend's words.

"I'm not an orphan" Riley shakes her head, trying to keep the tears suppressed behind a false bravado.

"You so are" Madison grins seeing this as Riley's weakest point, "my Momma said you don't have any parents and the Bakers only took you cause they feel sorry for you"

Foster kids are real sensitive about the topic on parents. Riley doesn't remember much of her mother, but Grams minded her. If Madison jabs at her 'parents' she's technically jabbing at Grams.

"Shut up" Riley lunges at Madison, not caring who sees; a crowd forms around them chanting fight, fight.

Teachers run over and pull the girls apart. Miss. Bethany looks out of breath and annoyed. Madison's lip is a little messed up, but other than that there's nothing wrong with her. Riley wipes the tears rolling down her cheeks and sniffles.

"What is going on here?" Miss. Bethany demanded sternly. "Who started this?" nobody says a word and the crowd disperses.

"Riley started it" Madison points touching her upper lip finding only a little scrape.

"I did not" Riley answered angrily, Miss. Bethany looks from her students wondering which looks less injured than the other; Riley wins.

Madison glances at Chuck and Jamie. "She did" Chuck said nudging Jamie who glances apologetically at Riley before nodding in full agreement.

"I saw her, Miss. Bethany. Riley started it, not Madison" Jamie added keeping his eyes cast downward, he doesn't want to see the betrayal written on Riley's face.

Andre frowns at his friends. He can't believe they just did that, Riley didn't even start it. The brown haired boy watches the scene unfold feeling apprehensive and guilty. He should say something, but if he does, his friends won't want to be friends anymore. Riley's tough, she can take the heat.

Riley looks at all of them; angrily, Andre and Jamie guiltily avoid eye contact while Chuck and Madison smirk. The nine year old reluctantly follows Miss. Bethany back into the school.

"That was great, Jamie. We're not fighting anymore" Madison beams at her boyfriend who sighs in relief; he thought their fight would never end. He isn't sure getting off the hook at Riley's expense.

"That was kinda mean, don't you think Madison?" Andre asked glaring at his friends who glance at Madison for the answer.

Madison shrugged, "She would've gotten in trouble anyway, Andre."

"You don't know that" Andre murmured softly watching the doors shut behind Riley; the boy looks at Jamie. He can't believe Jamie Scott out of everyone in the entire world took part in this.

Jamie quickly looks down; he's never felt like this before. It feels like his insides are being ripped apart by rabid dogs. His Momma's gonna be so disappointed in him. So will Dad and now that he thinks about it Aunt Brooke will be too.

Riley swings her legs back and forth. Worry seeping into her bones, Brooke and Julian are gonna be so mad. She already got in trouble on her first friggen day of school and it wasn't even her fault. She should've anticipated something from Madison, but it took her off guard from Jamie and Andre to fall into line.

A shadow looms over her. "Hey, midget; look at you getting in trouble on your first week, I don't know if I should be proud or sad" Sam winks playfully. "I pick proud, what'd you do, midget?" she wondered sliding into the seat beside the youngster.

Riley brightens instantly, if Brooke was here, she'd probably get yelled at in front of all these people. "What are you doing here?" she asked heaving a sigh of relief.

"Bringing you home, the store's packed and Brooke can't leave. Come on, grab your crap" Riley glances at the principal. "Brooke already talked to your principal about whatever you did. Come on, Jack's making me lunch, it's bound to be disastrous" Sam said causing Riley to groan, whatever Mrs. Turner said wasn't good.

Sam looks at the nine year old; so far their entire ride home has been in complete and awkward silence. Riley tries to turn on the music, but Sam quickly shuts it off. The fourth grader stares aimlessly out the window knowing Brooke and Julian are going to send her packing.

"So, you gonna tell me what's going on" Riley keeps her eyes on the beautiful landscape. "Or should I call Brooke and say I'm worried about you" Sam added raising her eyebrows in a threatening manner.

"Isn't that lying?" Riley asked huffing.

"No, since I am kinda worried about you" Sam reaches into her purse and takes out her cell.

Riley thinks about it; if Sam calls Brooke, then she'll hafta explain what happened with Madison. Brooke will tell the Principal and everything will just get worse and nothing will get better. What will the point of that be?

"Madison pissed me off" the nine year old lied; wishing Austin was here, he'd know what to do. He probably would've punched Jamie and Chuck in their stupid noses.

Sam shakes her head. "I'm not stupid and even though I haven't known you long, I can tell when you're lying" she said wondering if she had been that obvious when she lived with Brooke.

"It doesn't matter" Riley scoffed.

"Riley" Sam tried briefly remembering all those times when Brooke attempted to get through to her. The least she can do now is help Brooke with her newest trouble-maker.

"I can handle it on my own, okay?" the nine year old snapped wishing she could ask for help, but it doesn't work that way.

"Okay" Sam puts the car in drive and starts towards home. "Listen, Brooke and Julian care about you, I care about you too. You can trust us, you know that right?" the older brunette asked causing Riley to sigh, nodding.

"I know, but it'll just mess things up if you guys try…I can handle this myself, Sam."

Sam shrugs wanting to help her, but she can't without Riley's permission. "If you say so, short stuff" she said.

"I'm not short" Riley complained causing Sam to smile over at the girl and shrug.

Peyton studies her new foster son. She doesn't know what to say, her and Lucas are thinking about moving back to Tree Hill later on, but for now they're going to do some exploring. Sawyer's overjoyed about the prospect of having a brother.

"If you're gonna stare, you might as well take a picture" Austin mumbled sourly; normally he would like being on a boat, but he's leaving everything behind. How will he and Riley communicate?

Lucas chuckles at the boy's gall. "I just might" Peyton answered smiling at him; he's certainly got her sassy exterior.

"Sawyer, show Austin the bedroom please" Lucas said causing the curly headed boy's eyes to widen.

"There's a bedroom on this thing?" he asked looking around; confusion flashing through his eyes.

"Yeah" Luke smiles at him. "You, Sawyer and Lily are going to share it, though. Don't worry; I have a curtain so you'll have some privacy and if Soy snoops, I'll talk to her" the foster father offered.

Austin glances around at his crawlspace; it could be worse. The adults sleep on the other end of the hall. There are three bedrooms in total and one room dedicated to work. Mr. Lucas promised they'd think about cleaning the last room out for him.

Lily smiles at him. "So you're like my brother now" the other nine year old answered eyeing him with excitement.

"Lily, Austin will be like your cousin. He'll be more Sawyer's brother than anything else" Karen smiles warmly at her daughter, Lily's always so welcoming of anyone. A lot like Keith was.

The little brunette glares somewhat playfully at her mother. "He's my brother if I say he is, Momma."

Karen rolls her eyes, smiling. "Don't get sassy; I'm just being honest with you Lily flower" the mother reprimanded with a slight smile tugging on her cheeks.

Austin watches the scene knowing he'd get a smack across the face if he dared speak to his biological father like that. "So, Austin is there anything you like to do? Anything you want us to buy while we're here" Lucas asked clearing his throat.

"I'm not really good at anything" Austin murmured sheepishly, Pops told him he was only good for talking his way out of trouble.

Lucas said, "That's not true, everyone's good at something."

"Not me, my Pops told me so."

Peyton glances at Lucas who feels sorry for Austin. "We'll find you something you're good at" Peyton promised reaching over and ruffling his light curls.

"I can dance" Sawyer announced smiling brightly at him. Austin turns and grins back at her, he's lived with little kids and knows the only way to get along with them is to agree with them. "And I'm really good at reading and Math and Daddy says I'm the best writer in class, but I'm home schooled" she added proudly.

"Does that mean I gotta be home schooled?" Austin asked suddenly realizing only freaks get home schooled.

Peyton and Lucas share a look. They both know what children these days think about home schooling. "Yes, but we'll do our best to make sure you don't become a bible freak or anti-social" Peyton joked her eyes dancing.

"He won't, Peyton cause me and Soy will be there. I'm in the fourth grade, Soy's in first…it's really easy" Lily laughed at poor Sawyer's expense.

"Is not" Sawyer pouted as Austin giggles.

Karen sees the two teaming up against Sawyer. "Lily, quit showing off for Austin and be nice to Sawyer. It wasn't that long ago when you were in first grade" she ordered becoming firm with her daughter.

Lily shrugs annoyed and skips away smirking at her mother. Karen shakes her head. "She's as stubborn as you" Andy kisses his wife's cheek.

"That must be the reason we always argue" Karen chuckled leaning back in her sun chair and resting her eyes.

Peyton sees Austin's tense look; she gets it. The Scotts can be a little intense and scary. They don't always hold back and tend to behave differently than others. "Karen and Lily get into arguments; half of the time I'm not sure if they're joking or not"

"You guys are all really different" Austin observed speaking softly, so only Peyton can hear him. "Good different" he added.

The foster mother smiles at him. "You learn to get used to the craziness and become crazy yourself"

"Is that what happened to you and Mr. Lucas?" Austin joked.

Lucas looks down at the boy. "No, I was born crazy and craziness is a serious disease; one with no cure. You'll catch it sooner or later" he replied his eyes smiling, Austin grins at him. The Scotts seem cool, different, but cool.

Riley plays with Jude and Davis, but her heart really isn't in it. Brooke and Julian are going to send her away. That much is obvious, she got in trouble on her first day of school. They'd have to be stir crazy not to send her away. If she gets sent back, maybe things can go back to how they were before.

"I don't know what I'm going to do with her" Brooke admitted. "We've had her like a week and she keeps getting into trouble."

"Didn't you get into trouble?" Millie asked knowingly, Mouth's told her everything he remembers from their childhood and Brooke got in trouble daily.

"I only did for attention. Riley gets plenty of attention. I just don't know what we're going to do" Millie glances at her former Boss hoping she isn't thinking of sending the kid back. "I love her too much to send her back" Brooke said helping a customer with their purchase.

"You'll be fine, Riley's a good kid. I gotta go; Marvin wants to meet me at the station" Millie said hugging her friend goodbye and excusing herself from the store.

Logan flips through his X-Men comic book. Nate is too busy trying to impress girls to hangout with him. Logan watches his friend attempt to kiss a girl and fail miserably.

Nate walks over trying not to look defeated. "What'd you try to kiss her for?" Logan asked; disgusted. His Mom wouldn't like the idea of him trying to kiss anyone.

"Skills kisses my Mom" Nate reasoned.

"They're old."

"I just wanna know what its like. Jamie says he kisses Madison all the time" Nate lied; Jamie never told him that, but he's going out with Madison so they must be kissing.

Logan shakes his head. He's never seen his cousin do that, but he could be wrong. "I've never seen him kiss her before" he sounds disgusted, he wonders if he should start looking for a cooler role model.

Nate's eyes brighten as an idea hits him. "We should ask him" he said as though they should've figured that out ages ago.

"Why?" the blonde haired boy asked, he doesn't see the point in asking advice on kissing girls. In his opinion, girls are strange and have cooties.

"Cause I don't wanna mess up."

"Girls are gross" Logan's nose wrinkles up in disgust.

Nate shakes his head. "I think they're pretty" he said with a dreamy look appearing on his face.

Logan shrugs and returns to his comic. Nate lifts up his comic and starts reading that too. "Do you think Superman ever had to go to school?" Nate asked suddenly.

"No way" Logan shakes his head wishing he had super powers, then he wouldn't have to go to school.

Julian pinches the bridge of his nose as he re-reads the text from Brooke. "Did I do something wrong, Boss?" the young actor playing, Nathan in the T.V. series asked.

"No, Thomas, it's just my daughter" Julian answered tiredly, Thomas Mills has to be one of his favorites. The kid is nineteen years old and has a bright future ahead of him.

"You have a daughter?" Thomas asked kindly, he thought the Boss man only had two little boys.

"Sort of, we're in the process of adopting her; it's complicated. What's the matter, Thomas?" Julian asked running a hand through his hair hoping it's nothing too bad.

"Max sent me here to tell you he doesn't want to follow the script. He said it doesn't sound like something kids would say" Julian sighs; if Max Hunt wasn't a fan favorites, he would've gotten fired long ago for his crappy attitude. "Sorry, I'm just the messenger" Thomas holds up his hands in defense.

"Thank you Thomas."

"No problem" Thomas said starting out of the office. "Umm, good luck with your daughter and all, my sister's adopted and can I give you some advice?" the young man asked not wanting to offend his Boss.

"Please" Julian nodded, he and Brooke don't know what to do with Riley anymore.

"Be patient, Kyra acted out at first cause she wanted to get sent back…but really, I think she was nervous about everything, being sent to a new home with new people "It's scary if you think about it, like…what if that had happened to you?" the nineteen year old shrugs as he exits the office.

Jack looks at Sam, his eyes pleading with her. He doesn't want to do this, sure he likes Riley, but she's a little spit-fire. A lot like Sam, but more sarcastic and sassy.

Sam nods at him to talk to the nine year old. If anyone can talk some sense into her before Brooke and Julian get home, it's him. "Heard you got into trouble today" Jack observed causing Riley to glare up at him.

"I didn't get sent home early for the hell of it" she answered not caring if her language is poor, it's only Jack and Sam.

Jack gulps and glances back at his girlfriend, nervously. Kids make him so nervous; Jude and Dave make him anxious for Christ Sake. "What'd you do?" he asked, kids can sense fear.

"Fight with another girl."

"Sam's had a few those, herself" Jack laughed causing his girlfriend to give him a look to shut his mouth.

Sam sits beside him at the table. "You did?" Riley's eyes are wide with amusement.

"Sure, I was a foster kid too, you know and I stole off Brooke and a lot of other stores" Sam takes a bite of her sandwich and shrugs.

"Why were they mean to you?" the nine year old asked curiously.

"I lost my temper with anyone who piss…bugged me" Sam replied, Brooke told her last night she didn't want Riley picking up anymore swear words. "Most of the time, I threw the first punch."

Riley asked, "Did you ever get caught stealing?"

"Oh all the time, Brooke caught me and one time I took the rap for Jackie-boy here" Sam smiles at the memory. "He stole hot-dogs, of all the food in the world; hot-dogs" the college student admitted wishing she could go back and tell her younger self to trust Brooke.

"I don't like hot-dogs" Riley frowns at the idea of eating a hot dog, those things are nasty.

"Me neither" Sam quickly shakes her head, she didn't like them when she was thirteen and she doubts she ever will.

"Why not?" Jack complained. "They're delicious and not really made of dogs or anything" they don't buy hot dogs because Sam openly refuses to look at them.

"You don't know that the government could be lying" the adorable fourth grader pointed out causing Sam to smile at the child's wild imagination.

"They wouldn't do that" Jack said shaking his head, kids and their wild imaginations.

"They could if they wanted to impregnate your mind with a microchip so you'd be a robot" Riley rambles on and on, forgetting for a moment she's not with Austin.

"Impregnate?" Jack questioned trying to suppress a growing smile as he takes a sip of his beer.

"Yeah, that's when something's put into you" Riley looks at him, her gaze becoming solemn. "Do you know what sex is?" she asked causing Jack to choke on his beer.

"We're getting off topic here. Listen, I know what it's like to get harassed cause of where you come from. My advice would be just to ignore it and act like it doesn't bother you"

Riley nods, she isn't going to tell Sam that's what she's been trying to do for the last week. "We're home" Brooke announced causing Jude and Davis to stumble into her arms.

The nine year old catches Brooke and Julian's eyes as they hug the little kids, oh crap she's in so much trouble.