Thursday, April 11th
Morning before School
Brooke hears her daughter stomp downstairs and smiles. Riley hates school more than anything in the entire world. Of course, her grades aren't exactly great, but they're working on that. Julian can tell Riley's unfocused and doesn't care much about her grades.
"Riley, come here. We need to have a talk" the foster mother ordered shifting Jude onto her hip.
Riley guiltily walks into the kitchen wondering if they know what they have planned today. If they do, she honestly doesn't mind taking the fall for everyone. "I didn't do anything" she said quickly as Julian frowns feeling more than a little suspicious.
"We're not accusing you of anything. Brooke and I need to talk to you about something" Julian said squinting at his daughter, she's acting very strange.
"What?" Riley asked smiling at Davis who grins back at her, glad to have his sister's full attention.
"We'd like to adopt you" Brooke stated excitedly.
The girl glances up feeling a smile crinkle onto her face. "We applied for your adoption weeks ago, but its taker longer than we thought. Apparently, there are some complications" Julian added as Riley blinks and feels the smile falter.
Riley doesn't say anything for a moment. She's heard tales about this; couples back out later cause they want a baby instead. It's a bit like dogs; people don't want the mutt, they just want the puppies. Riley shouldn't have gotten excited; of course they wouldn't want her. She's presently stealing off them and a trouble-maker.
"I gotta go to school" the nine year old reaches for her backpack and slings it over her shoulders.
Julian and Brooke share looks of uncertainty. Wasn't it just a few minutes ago that Rye was happy? Both parents wonder what they could've said to make Riley unhappy. "I can drive you" Brooke offered as Julian cringes wishing he didn't have a meeting.
"Babe, you hafta take the boys to daycare today" Julian has to go to a work meeting early and it's one he can't reschedule.
Brooke asked, "Can't you?"
"I have an early meeting" her husband answered glancing uncomfortably at Riley who offers him a soft smile.
"I can walk with Lily and Austin" Riley ushers out the door before either one of her parents can object.
Afternoon
Riley, Lily, Jamie, and Austin managed to leave while Chuck was getting into a fight with Ben Grant. It was most likely over something stupid, but they were still able to cut. Riley, Austin, and Lily were proud of that while Jamie wasn't too sure how to feel.
Austin checks the cell-phone Lucas and Peyton gave him for Christmas and groans. "Come on, we gotta hurry up" he encouraged jogging towards the train station.
The others follow his lead and sprint over to the station. "How are we gonna get tickets?" Jamie asked chewing nervously on his lower lip.
"Gimme the money, I'm good with people" Riley takes the money from each of their hands. She walks over to the cashier and flashes a sweet smile. "Four tickets please" she stated handing over the cash.
"Aren't you a bit young to be buying tickets?" the teenage cashier asked curiously, looking very concerned.
Riley puts on a compassionate smirk. "Well, you see my brothers and sister and me are visiting our grandparents in Charlotte" she explained knowing the more elaborate the lie, the more it sounds like the truth.
"What about your parents?" the older teen asked pursing her lips together and squinting.
"Mom and Dad needed a break from us. They just dropped us off, you can call them if you like" the girl offered for a brief moment, thinking about her biological father.
The teenager squints, the kid looks sincere enough. "Have fun with your grandparents" she answered handing over the tickets as Riley skips away wearing a satisfied smirk.
"You really got them?" Jamie asked trying to hide his surprise, he didn't think Riley could get the. He was hoping she'd fail, so they wouldn't have to go.
Riley shows him the tickets and beams with pride. Austin isn't sure if this is a wise plan, obviously Miss. Bethany is gonna be worried and call their parents. Peyton and Lucas are gonna be pissed, maybe he can take the fall for everyone involved.
They all board the train; Riley sits down realizing the last time she was in Charlotte, all she wanted was Grams. She still wants that, but if Grams was alive, things would be different. Her life would be different than how it is now and Riley likes how things are going.
"You okay, Rye?" Austin nudges his best friend, she looks odd and he's concerned about her emotional state.
Riley doesn't want to attract any unnecessary attention. "Why wouldn't I be?" she asked forcing herself to smile.
"Cause last time you were here, things were different; with you're Grams…" Austin tries to continue, but Riley shoots him daggers.
"I don't wanna talk about it" Riley cut him off, not caring if it hurts his feeling; she's going to Charlotte for him. Not for her, this is all for Austin, she just has to pretend it doesn't hurt.
"You never talk about her" Austin said, Riley hasn't spoken about Grams since she died. "I know you think it was your fault, but people get sick and die all the time" this causes her blue eyes to narrow.
"Shut up, just…stop, okay?" she snapped, sniffling. "I don't wanna talk about it, Aust."
Jamie and Lily watch the pair, wondering what it's like to feel loss the way these two obviously had. Jamie lost Q, when he was young and doesn't remember the teen that well. Lily lost Keith, but she never met him and Andy's always been the only father figure in her life.
Riley moves and sits beside Jamie who offers her a gentle smile; she looks about ready to cry. Austin sighs, wishing he hadn't said anything about Grams, it wasn't his place. Or maybe, she's just being her stubborn self or bottling her feelings.
"You okay?" Lily asked; this has to be hard on Austin, he's never once talked about his family before. If visiting his brother is scary for her, it must be terrifying for him.
Austin glances over and nods, his thoughts are elsewhere; they're mostly with Coop. What does he want? It's been almost two years, why does he suddenly want to chat now? Brothers are stupid, Austin likes having a little sister.
Jamie opens his mouth to ask Riley if she's okay, but Riley rubs her damp eyes. "I hate talking about her" she whispered feeling like a jerk for dismissing her friend. "Everyone wants me to, but I don't wanna."
The boy leans in close; so no unwanted listeners one will eavesdrop on their conversation. He can feel Riley's mint scented breath cooling his cheeks. "Why not?" he asked curiously, when Grampa Dan died; he wanted to talk about him all the time.
"It's like if I talk about her, then my life then is over and I don't want it to end. Things are different, now" for some reason, Riley feels closer to Jamie than she has with Austin.
"Your life is now, Rye" Jamie answered quietly. "Your grandma will always be part of your life. It doesn't matter where you live; she's a part of you."
Riley smiles warmly at him; she loves Austin like a brother, but Jamie's a lot easier to talk to. It feels like since she and Austin are best friends; they joke around and can't be serious. Jamie is different, their relationship is different.
"I knew they were up to something" Brooke claps her hands trying to hide her delight.
"Congrats" Peyton's eyes are narrowed. She hopes to God, they're okay; Austin's been acting weird for a few weeks now. Now she finally knows why, he's going to be in a world of hurt when he gets home.
Brooke rolls her eyes, "you know what I mean. They've been acting strange since Thanksgiving" she replied shooting her friends a look.
"Lily stole money" Karen added, her brow furrowing in wonderment; what could be going on with her youngest baby?
Haley runs a hand through her hair. "Do you think something bad happened? I don't think I could take if…" she trailed off as Quinn pulls her little sister into a hug.
"Shh, Haley-Bob, they're probably fine. My guess would be, they're doing something they shouldn't" Quinn knows her nephew is a good kid, but he gets roped into trouble too easily.
Nathan rushes into the café with Lydia in his arms. "I just heard about the kids. Why'd they do this?" he asked juggling Lydia who giggles.
"No one knows" Haley whispered leaning against her husband.
Brooke feels her phone vibrate, she answers hoping its Riley. "Hey, Bev, it's really not a good…they're in Charlotte? Of course, we'll get them as soon as we can" Brooke hangs up looking pissed. "The kids are in Charlotte" she announced shaking her head.
"We'll get them" Haley offered as Nathan passes Lydia off to Quinn who smiles and bounces the baby girl. Soon, she and Clay will have a baby of their own.
Karen and Andy share a look. "We can get them too, mate" Andy offered as he helps Karen into his jacket.
"Hales, we'll watch the café" Quinn offered as Brooke and Peyton nod seriously, at the moment they're too pissed to even want to think about dealing with their children.
Clay watches his wife with a smile. "You look really sexy with a baby in you arms" he murmured kissing her.
Quinn ordered nudging him, "Shush you."
"I don't know whether to be happy or pissed" Brooke whispered to her husband who shakes his head. Only, Brooke would say that about something like this.
Julian smiles softly. "Why would you be happy?" he asked giving his wife a kiss.
"Cause I was right; I knew they were up to something" Brooke said as though it's obvious. "Scratch that, I'm pissed."
Austin takes a deep breath as a dark haired teen wearing jeans and a flannel walks over to him. He tilts his head to the side trying to remember what his brother looks like. "I think that's Coop" the boy replied as he flashes back to a moment when Coop left home.
"Huh, he still looks like an ass" Riley retorted, her eyes narrowed causing Lily and Jamie to share stunned looks.
"Riley" Austin knows how his friend feels about Coop. The two never did get along, Cooper blamed Riley for the trouble they caused.
Cooper walks over to them grinning at his brother. "Aust, wow you've gotten so big" Riley snorts at the compliment and glares at him, "Riley, nice to see you haven't changed" Cooper glares at her, the last time he saw Riley O'Connor had to be when she almost got his brother arrested.
It was a few days before he left, they were almost eight and helping some older kids vandalize a building. Austin and Riley got caught and the police brought them in. They would have pressed charges, but they knew Riley's history, so they her off. Only, Cooper had to smooth-talk them into letting Austin go.
Austin said, "Coop." He hates it when Riley and his brother argue, especially over stupid crap that happened maybe two years ago. "You said you wanted to talk, let's talk" the boy sits down at a bench.
Lily and Jamie take the hint; they make an exit for the playground while Riley keeps looking over her shoulder. Austin's brother is a sore subject for him.
"I know you didn't tell your foster parents about this. I called your social worker and your parents are gonna be here soon, first we need to talk" Austin tries to hide his annoyance, how could Coop betray him like that? He came here to see him and now they're all in trouble.
"Talk then" the nine year old mumbled sourly.
Cooper tries not to laugh at his brother's look. "You know, if I could change what happened, I would. I'd take you with me to school and adopt you" the twenty year old replied doubtfully.
"I'm okay where I am now" Austin said, Cooper knows Austin doesn't want him to rip him away from his life.
"Don't worry, I'm not gonna adopt you. I…I wish you had it differently with Pops being the way he is and Mum…Aust, are you happy?" Cooper asked looking mildly curious.
"Uh-huh."
"Bro, there's some stuff you don't know and I want to tell you" Austin mentally prepares himself. "When I left for school, I knew Pops would give you up" Cooper murmured causing Austin's eyes to widen.
Austin asked, "What?" The boy's brown eyes are wide as he tries to register what this means.
"Pops couldn't take care of himself, let alone you" Cooper answered his arms folded across his chest. "I knew that. You had to know that too. I'm sorry, bro."
"How could you just ditch me?" Austin demanded glaring angrily at his brother who shrugs weakly.
"I didn't ditch you. I had to live my own life" Cooper cringes, realizing how harsh that sounds. "I'm sorry, okay? But, everything turned out fine, didn't it?" he tries to give his brother a hug, but Austin shoves him away and hides his face in his hands.
"Go away" the nine year old murmured, Cooper doesn't know what to do about this.
"Aust" Cooper tried, he looks up to see Natalie and Bevin walking towards them looking seriously pissed.
"I hate you" Austin shouted as Riley quickly walks over and glares at Cooper who rolls his eyes, he's seen that glare.
"You don't mean that" Cooper reaches out, wanting to give his baby brother a hug, but Austin swats his hand away.
"I do! I hate you so much" Austin wants to hate his brother. He really does, but he can't. He's only hurt that Coop never thought about, how Pops leaving would affect him.
"Maybe that's a good thing. I'm sorry about what happened, but you have it alright now. Love you, bro" Cooper walks away bidding the women a farewell.
Riley touches Austin's nudges his shoulder. The duo chats about what had just transpired. "What do you thinks going on?" Lily asked leaning against the yellow slide looking curious.
Jamie instantly feels guilty for thinking those mean thoughts about Austin. "Something between them, I guess" he said shrugging.
Lily doesn't say anything for a moment. "I hate it when they do that" she said rolling her eyes in dismay; it's not fair. She and Austin used to be so close.
"Do what?" Jamie asked, but he has a feeling he already knows the answer to that question.
"Keep us, out of it" Lily remarked angrily. "We weren't supposed to come on this trip. You know that, right?"
"Yeah, Lil, I know" Jamie said rolling his eyes at Lily's dramatic attitude, sometimes he wonders how Lily can be Aunt Karen's kid.
Lily remarked, "Why'd you agree to come? You're always such a goody-goody; I thought you'd back out."
Jamie looks over at Riley, who's nodding at Austin. The poor guy looks about ready to cry his eyes out. This time, it doesn't bother Jamie about them being so closer with one another.
"I don't know" he lied, feeling his cheeks redden obviously embarrassed.
Lily follows his eyes, smiling. "I think, I do" she answered a smile playing on her lips.
"Oh crap, Aunt Bevin's here" Jamie murmured as he pulls Lily away from the open and tugs her behind a tree.
Riley's eyes widen as Bevin and Natalie frown at her. "W-what are you doing here?" the girl asked shifting uncomfortably from foot to foot.
"I could ask you the same thing I was visiting Natalie, when I got a call about four kids being here; two of which are my cases" Bevin raises an eyebrow at them who wisely shut up. "Where are Jamie and Lily? I know they went with you."
"Huh, I don't know what you're talking about" Riley lied smirking as Bevin gives her the look.
"Rye" Austin whispered, wanting more than anything for his best friend to shut up before they get in even more trouble.
"Riley, knock it off" Bevin ordered raising her voice as the fourth grader takes a step back. "Where are they?" she makes a point to soften her tone.
Riley looks over at the playground for Lily and Jamie, "they were on the playground" she whispered weakly.
Natalie gives her former case a soft smile. "Where are they now?" she dared to ask.
"Dunno" Riley instantly feels guilty, she should've stayed with them; they don't know Charlotte like she does.
"You're all in a lot of trouble" Bevin remarked. "Riley, I have a strong feeling this was your idea." Although, she hasn't known Riley for long, Bevin has come to the conclusion that she's a Mini-Brooke.
Austin doesn't want Riley to take the fall for his actions. "It wasn't her idea, it was mine" he said; quick to defend his best friend.
Bevin and Natalie's eyes widen, usually all of Riley and Austin's schemes are her ideas. Natalie smiles patiently at the young boy before her. "Austin, you don't have to cover for her" she said remembering several instances when he did just that.
"We were seeing his brother! Why would it be my idea? I think the guy's a douche" Riley snapped causing Austin to smile slightly, maybe Rye's right about Coop.
"Language" Bevin scolded lightly.
Riley does her best not to roll her eyes or talk back; Bevin is way too much like Brooke. "Did you call Brooke and Julian?" the nine year old asked hoping they can pretend this never happened.
"Oh, sweetie, we called everyone" Bevin smiles softly at the sight of Lily and Jamie trying to hide behind a tree. "Lily, Jamie, come here let's wait for your parents together."
Lily and Jamie groan as they drag themselves over. Lily sits on the bench beside Austin whose crying. Natalie comforts the boy while Bevin studies the kids. In a bizarre, twisted, kid-like sense they were doing what they thought was the right thing.
Riley can tell they're all in for it now. "I'm sorry, Jay" she whispered as Jamie sits on her right.
"Not your fault" Jamie whispered. "This was kind of fun."
Riley grins at him and sits down beside Austin. Natalie and Bevin then begin their lecture on the dangers of getting on trains without adults; they don't go too in-depth about it. The lecture is mostly to give the kids a headache and stir worry as to their future punishments.
Brooke shakes her head looking dismayed and annoyed. She still can't believe her daughter do this. She's nine years old and already causing twice as much trouble as she should. Although, Brooke can't help, but love Riley; she wants to be Riley's mother. She knows they left things kind of weird when they spoke about it ths morning.
"When she gets back, I am going to kill her" Brooke announced pacing back and forth.
Julian and Clay grin slightly. "You don't mean that" her husband attempts to calm his wife down. He's mad too, but not mad enough to announce that to most of Tree Hill's residents.
"Oh, but I do" Brooke answered quite seriously. "She'll be lucky if she can leave the house without a tracker."
"Babe" Julian squeezes her shoulders and offers his girlfriend a comforting smile.
Brooke warned, "Don't 'babe' me, Julian. I'm pissed."
"No, you're worried and hurt; there's a difference" he replied folding his arms over his chest.
"Oh shut up and comfort me" Brooke whispered as Julian wraps his arms around her and kisses the top of her head. "Tell me the kids will be fine."
"The kids will be fine" Julian reiterated kissing her again, his eyes bright with slight happiness.
"Not when I'm through with them, they won't" Brooke reasoned as Julian shakes his head, instantly feeling sorry for his daughter.
Brooke looks over at Haley and Nathan. They look angry too, but Haley's doing her best to hold it in. "We'll be back, soon" Haley whispered wrapping her arms around Brooke.
"Give them hell for me" Brooke answered. "And Riley a hug" she added in a quiet whisper.
Karen and Andy smirk at one another. They've both come to the agreement to travel the world with Lily. They can still visit Tree Hill and do everything they did before.
"I'll be sure to lecture the kids" Karen assured Brooke who glances over at her mentor, stunned.
Lucas and Peyton share looks of confusion. "Wait Ma, why are you guys going?" Lucas asked his eyes full of bewilderment.
"Haley and Nathan don't have enough room in their car" Karen said, when really she wants to see her daughter and throttle her.
"Anyway, this is a great chance for your Mum and me to explore the open roads" Andy added in a weak attempt to lighten the mood.
"I also figured Lily and Austin would feel more comfortable with us, considering they know us better" Karen whispered causing Peyton smile; they'd go, if they thought Sawyer wouldn't have a tantrum about them leaving.
"Don't worry, Brooke they'll be home before and grounded before dinner" Haley added causing all the adults to share a smile.
Brooke said smirking, "Grounded is nothing compared to how long she'll be in her bedroom."
"I almost feel sorry for the kids" Nathan murmured into his wife's neck, Haley raises an eyebrow at him. "I said almost, they probably don't even know the kind of trouble they're in."
Quinn and Alex share looks, watching this makes them feel a little at ease with their boys. Alex knows Chuck probably would have gone had he known what they were planning. Only, she doesn't know if it's her place to ground him.
"I think I want Logan to stay six forever" Quinn stated as she hugs Logan close, he leans against his Momma trying not to look at all bored with the adults conversation.
"Is that a fact?" Clay asked his eyes dancing with amusement.
"Yeah" Quinn kisses the top of his head. "Will you stay six for me, Log-man?" she asked half-jokingly.
Logan shakes his head, giggling. "Mom, stop holding me, you're gonna hurt my sister" he said sliding off her lap and reaching for a cookie.
"His what?" Brooke turns to Haley's older sister with an excited smile; having another baby around may be exactly what they need.
"Oh, didn't I mention? I'm pregnant, we don't know the sex of the baby yet, but I'm pregnant" Quinn shrugged, she already told Haley during Thanksgiving.
"I thought sex was when a Momma and a Daddy…" Sawyer began, looking confused.
"Bean" Peyton cuts her daughter off. "Why don't you play outside with Logan while the adults talk?" she asked plastering a grin onto her face.
"Okay, come on Logan" Sawyer called over her shoulder as she dashes out of the café.
Logan looks at Quinn, unsurely. Sawyer always has these wild ideas and most of the time; they could land him in trouble. "Go on" Quinn nudges her son.
Lucas smiles warmly at this 'nephew' he knows his daughter has her flare for dramatics. "I know Soy can be a bit crazy sometimes, but she really likes you" he whispered to the worried boy who looks out the window at an annoyed Sawyer.
"I like her! I don't want her to marry Nate" Logan said as he runs to catch up with the little blonde.
Peyton, Brooke, Alex, and Quinn snort. "Well, it looks like there's a new love triangle in Tree Hill" Brooke observed causing Lucas to shake his head.
"No way, Sawyer's not gonna start dating till she's thirty. Actually, forty sounds good" Lucas said nodding precisely as Peyton nudges him, rolling her eyes.
"Same goes for Riley" Julian added causing laughter.
After awhile the giggling dies down and it becomes quiet. "You know, I feel sorry for the kids" Alex admitted causing several eyes to be shifted onto her.
"Why?" Chase asked frowning; he knows Alex's history and thought that would change her viewpoint on certain things.
"Well, at the time, they probably thought they were doing the right thing and now they're in trouble" Alex can remember being young and doing things for attention.
Brooke stated firmly, "Of course, they're in trouble; what they did was dangerous and stupid. No matter the circumstances, they still should've come to us."
Millie squints, realizing something. "How'd they get enough cash to buy a train ticket?" she asked as Julian, Lucas, Peyton, and Brooke share knowing looks and groan.
"I'm so putting her on lock-down forever" Brooke murmured folding her arms over her chest.