Chapter 14

Haley POV

Haley woke up slowly that morning, stretching out to reach for Nathan, but found his side empty. She sat forward, surprised to see that he'd woken before her. In the brief time they'd lived together, she was always the first out of bed.

Looking around at all the unpacked bags and boxes, she felt that rush pass over her. She was officially moved out, and married, and her life was just moving so fast at the moment.

It was a definite rush, but one she'd been enjoying, and hoped to for a very long time. Now if she could get her mother in law on board with it, then things would go about even smoother.

"Dude all I'm saying is that we can't trust Tim to find us better players," She heard her husbands voice say from their kitchen. "Do you realize I once caught him trying to put a fork inside a pencil sharpener cause he wanted to turn in into a knife? I love the guy but he's his own kind of crazy."

"This isn't shop class Nathan, it's basketball. Something Tim knows pretty well."

Haley recognized the voice of her best friend and quickly found some suitable clothes and joined the boys in the kitchen. They were both dressed for school and had a file open over her counter with a bunch of papers scattered around.

"Hey Luke," Haley smiled, before giving Nathan a quick kiss. "You guys have an assignment already?"

"Whitey decided to give us a more hands on approach for the team," Lucas explained, gesturing to all the papers. "This is every game report on all are players and new ones who played last year and are enrolled in Tree Hill this year."

"Being a player is fine, but I'm not a coach," Nathan muttered. Him and Lucas had been at it for the past half hour and in that time they just bickered back and forth with no solution.

"Tough luck." Haley opened the fridge but stopped short when she remembered something. "Speaking of tough, how's Dan? Anyone check in with him."

"Still bed ridden," Nathan explained. His mom had called last night before bed. "Apparently they had a scare last night so it'll still be a couple of days."

"Speaking of, has Jack spoken to you about Dan," Lucas wondered. "To be honest I haven't really spoken to him since we've been back about it."

"Me neither."

The three we're interrupted by the sound of knocking coming from behind the door. Nathan shouted it was open, as Mouth walked in hesitantly with a bright smile.

"Hey guys," Mouth said, walking towards them with a big box.

"Whatcha got there Mouth?" Haley asked.

"Game tapes," Nathan explained. He opened the box to see dozens of unseen footage. "We owe you Mouth."

"Yeah no problem," Mouth said nonchalantly. "Although a lift to school would be nice."

"Done," Lucas laughed, getting up. "I'm heading there now. Nate, Hales, I'll see you guys later. Come on Mouth."

"Bye guys," The married couple said together before they were alone.

Nathan noticed Haley smiling towards him as he shuffled through the box of tapes.

"What are you so happy about?" Nathan asked.

Haley shrugged. "I'm just happy to see you and Lucas so close. It means a lot to me."

"Well I have you to thank for that," Nathan smiled, wrapping his hand around her. He bent his head giving Haley a slow kiss. "So thank you."

"You're welcome." Haley sighed in contempt. "I was thinking we can go catch a movie tonight."

"I can't, some of the guys are coming over," Nathan hesitated a little; he'd forgotten to run this by her before he invited everyone. "We're gonna watch these stupid tapes and see if anyone's good."

"What am I supposed to do?" Haley whined. A night on the couch watching basketball with a bunch of guys wasn't exactly a great night for her.

"I'm sorry Hales," Nathan apologized. "Have a night with Peyton or Brooke. I'm sure they'll want too."

"Fine," Haley grumbled. She pulled herself away from Nathan's arms. "But you owe me."

Peyton POV

"Huh, that's interesting," Peyton mumbled to herself.

She'd just gotten off the phone with Lucas who'd explained that he had an idea to celebrate Nathan and Haley's idea. He'd said that it was a secret for now, and only him Mouth and now Peyton knew about.

Apparently Lucas had spent all night planning on what to do and where to go and had found the perfect place. He was mum on details, but had asked Peyton if she and Brooke could meet him and Mouth there after school for a bit to go over some details on the party.

Peyton didn't need any excuses; she thought both Nathan and Haley deserved a celebration, so she quickly agreed.

"What's interesting?" Brooke asked, scaring Peyton.

"Jesus you scared me," Peyton sighed, hating that feeling. She noticed her friend was already dressed and ready. "You're fast this morning."

Brooke gestured to herself. "Well it helps when you're prepared. You like?"

"The boys won't know what him em," Peyton smiled, remembering Brooke's earlier question. "That was Lucas on the phone, was asking for are help planning Nathan and Haley a surprise party."

"Baby shower?" Brooke asked innocently.

"I don't think so B. Davis."

"Well you never know with those two," Brooke walked deeper into the kitchen, noticing a bunch of cash on the counter. "What's this?"

Peyton had noticed it earlier when she first came down. She'd just assumed it'd been Brooke's and she'd forgotten in downstairs when she went to bed.

"That isn't yours?"

"Uh no."

"It's for food," Jack cut in, surprising both girls.

Peyton flinched yet again. "Damn it people stop scaring me."

"Sorry," Jack said hesitantly. He noticed Peyton look towards the money and back at him. "That's yours. I can't stay here and not pay for anything. So that's a start hopefully until I find a place."

"Jack…"

"Please," He pressed. "Just take it."

It didn't feel right taking the money, considering Peyton knew how little he actually had, but she didn't want to turn him away. Being able to support yourself was a personal task that people took very seriously; she wouldn't crush that for him.

Giving a slight nod, she noticed his shoulders relax.

"Thanks," Jack finished. He looked back between both girls before taking a few steps back. "Well I'm gonna take off. I'll see you guys around."

The girls watched him leave before turning towards the cash. Brooke grabbed it quickly, her hands moving over each bill as she counted.

"Uh…160…180…200," She mumbled. "It's 200."

Peyton grabbed the cash angrily. "He's been here two nights. 200 dollars is way too much."

"Maybe it's a sign," Brooke teased. "Wants to stay here longer."

Peyton shoved her friend. "Or maybe it's because we have three mouths to feed now that you live here too!"

"Whatever, you love having me and you know it."

Peyton tried to fight back a smile but caved. She was right; she did love having her best friend over, especially whenever her dad was away. It was all the more special having her over now considering everything she did to almost screw up their friendship.

"I love you B. Davis you know that," Peyton said seriously.

Peyton watched her friend's smug look. "Right back at ya goldilocks. Now come on, let's get moving."

Lucas POV

Lucas sat behind the wheel listening to Skills and Mouth argue back and forth between how the party should go down. It was a bunch of useless crap that if they took a step back they'd realize that both parties could accommodate.

Skills wanted a DJ, Mouth wanted a band, Skills wanted a video tribute, Mouth wanted an open mic, and so on and so on.

"Guys, seriously," Lucas cut them off. His car was too small for all there yelling. "Let's get the girls opinion and then work on it. No point of complaining."

"It's called brainstorming Luke," Skills corrected.

"Well it's loud."

The car came to a stop as Lucas waited the light. Hearing the sound of another car, he turned to his right to see Felix in his car smiling towards him.

"Lucas right?" Felix asked, eyeing the others recognizing Mouth. "Sup Mouth."

"Hey Felix," Mouth noticed the look Skills and Lucas we're giving him. "I showed him around the school yesterday."

"Yeah your boy was giving me the rundown of whose whom," Felix explained, revving his engine. "So what do you say, race you for your girlfriend, Brooke, or ex should I say."

"Maybe some other time," Lucas tightened his grip on the wheel, not liking the smug look of this guy.

"Oh come on, I get it, you're the big fish around here, but now you gotta step aside for the new ones," Felix laughed. "Come on man, defend your turf."

He was close, vey close, to stepping on that pedal and showing this guy a thing or to, but relented. He'd just been in car accident, he'd wouldn't try a prove anything to this random guy.

"So it's a no huh," Felix mumbled, before breaking out into his trademark smile. "Regardless, I could see why you and Brooke didn't work, not much of a man are you."

The three friends watched as the new guy sped past them laughing way over the speed limit. It was times like this Lucas wondered where the cops were in this town.

"Dude's cocky," Skills said from the back.

"He's a nice guy," Mouth defended. "In his own way."

"Yeah I'm sure," Lucas mumbled, watching the light go green. "A real saint."

General POV

"You know, I have a good feeling about this years try outs," Brooke mumbled, mostly to herself.

Peyton stood idly by as her friend put up a flier on the wall signaling a new year for tryouts. It wasn't the funniest part of the day for Peyton, but it made her friend happy so she went along with it.

"Oh yeah, bunch of girls making fools of themselves as we judge them," Peyton said sarcastically.

"I know it's amazing," Brooke smiled happily. "Speaking of cheerleaders…"

The two watched as Bevin and Theresa made they way down the hall and towards them quickly. The two both had a dumb looking smile etched on their faces as they sprinted at the girls.

"Oh my god oh my god oh my god," Bevin repeated, over and over again.

"Come down, breathe," Peyton said, wondering what the girls were on about.

"You guys won't believe the new guy we just ran into," Theresa continued, her excitement taking over her.

"He is so hot," Bevin smiled.

"So hot!"

Both Peyton and Brooke looked back and forth between the girls as of they grew a second head. They had no clue who the girls were talking about.

"We didn't catch this name but his smile," Theresa sighed. "And his body."

"Jesus you sound like love struck sissy's," Peyton mumbled, low enough for no one to hear.

Brooke's face felt warm as she zeroed in on who the two girls were talking about. "Please don't tell me you guys are fawning over that guy Felix. He's a total sleezeball."

"What? No!" Bevin didn't hesitate. "Although he's hot too."

"Yeah," Theresa agreed.

"Oh god," Peyton wondered how these two girls functioned outside of boys.

Haley, not to far away, spotted the girls talking and excused herself from Nathan to head over. She wasn't too familiar with Bevin and Theresa, but they were okay I guess.

"Hey guys," She greeted them with a smile. "What's up?"

Peyton threw her arm around Haley's shoulder, dragging her in close. "These two are gushing about a boy they have the hots for. It's kind of pathetic."

"You're just jealous!"

Haley laughed. "Whose the mystery guy?"

"We don't know," Bevin said sadly. Her shoulders dropped as both girls looked absolutely devastated.

"It's like some one pissed in their cheerios," Peyton whispered, earning a laugh from Haley.

Theresa squealed, pointing behind the girls with a massive smile. "There he is!"

Without a second to lose, all three of them turned around quickly to see who the girls were pointing at.

A few feet down the hall, where Haley had left Nathan alone, had soon been replaced by an all too familiar face.

"Jack?"

Jack POV

Jack was tired after his morning workout, and he loved every minute of it. He felt exhausted, a little bit of pain, and his breaths were shallow, everything pointed to a successful workout.

He was glad he'd run into Whitey the day before. He now had a place to escape too whenever he was bored. He'd gotten lucky both times with the gym being empty, and he'd made a mental note to keep showing up at those specific times.

The solitude of an empty gym was key for him. Nobody to wait on, nobody to talk to, just get what needed to be done and enjoy himself.

It was the complete opposite of what he found himself in at the very moment, standing in a packed hallway with kids rushing past him on both sides.

This was technically his first day, and even though Keith had showed him around, he was completely lost.

Thankfully he spotted a familiar face, who was walking towards him.

"Hey man," Nathan said, glad to see him. They hadn't really spoken since New York, and then there wasn't much talking. Nathan actually still had a pit of a bruise from the punch he took.

"Hey Nathan," Jack answered, stopping near his brother.

Nathan eyed him, noticing his look. "You look lost."

"That obvious?"

"Very," Nathan laughed, gesturing towards Jack. "Let me see your schedule. Figure this out. Hmmmm…first class…English. Oh that's my class too, with Saunders. Come on I'll show you where it is."

Nathan handed Jack back his schedule as the two walked deeper into the halls and towards class. Jack noticed how every now and then someone would say hi to Nathan to stop him to talk.

He was popular, he could tell, from the constant way his name an picture were splattered all over this school. It was like a building completely dedicated to the guy.

"You must be quite the player," Jack offered, as the two headed inside the empty classroom.

Nathan shrugged. "I guess. Lucas is pretty good too."

"Yeah noticed a rock outside that had his name and jersey number."

"Yeah fans can be pretty crazy."

Jack chose a random seat and wasn't all too surprised when Nathan sat nearby. Soon after, the room started to fill but they were all mysterious faces to Jack. No one he remembered from yesterday.

The teacher, and older looking man, with a genuine smile walked in and greeted the class. He started off his lecture with attendance before asking the class to break out their books so he could start.

The first 40 minutes of the class was relatively boring, Jack noticed. He was never one who enjoyed school all that much, but understood its value. You want a good like, paying job, you go to school, but that didn't mean you liked it.

Jack noticed though he wasn't the only one. Nathan too had a bored expression in his face, and even caught him dozing off once or twice during the lecture. He wondered if Lucas was like that too.

Maybe Scotts just didn't excel at paying attention.

"Okay before class ends I want you guys to partner up. Since this is our first class I thought it'd be good to get to know each other a little bit better. So in twos please, and I'll give you a few minutes before introducing the person your with."

"You gotta be kidding me," Jack mumbled, listening to the sounds of chairs moving and people whispering. This was incredibly juvenile. This was a grade two exercise, not something nearly adults did.

Nathan watched his brother shift back and forth uncomfortably. "Partners?"

Jack noticed a girl staring at the two, well mostly at Nathan, blushing slightly. "I don't know, that girl seems kind of interested in you."

Nathan turned to catch the girl. Her blush deepened before turning away pretending to be busy. He laughed. "I'm married now, so I'm off the market."

"Poor girl," Jack mumbled, laughing a little. He didn't have much a choice anyways, as he agreed. Could have been worse he thought, at least he was related to his partner. "So what do we do?'

It was usually Nathan asking that question when it came to homework, but he decided to just run with it.

"Well we know each others name," Nathan started.

"I think we know a little more then that," Jack joked, feeling a little more comfortable.

"True," Nathan racked his head trying to think. "Okay well what about favorite boxer, or type of music, or movies you like."

Jack shrugged. "Um….James Braddock, I guess rock, and I really don't watch movies."

"What? Who doesn't watch movies!"

"Me I guess, how about you. What don't I know about you?"

The question held a lot more to both of them. These questions were for class, but they'd been asked in each of there heads over the past couple of days. As freaked out as they both were, they both wanted to know more about each other.

"Well I'm married," Nathan started, but he already knew that. "Don't really have a favorite basketball player, I like too many. I have a dysfunctional relationship with my parents, and sometimes growing up, I was jealous of Lucas."

Jack didn't expect that. He noticed Nathan had said too much but decided against back tracking. He shrugged lightly, okay with admitting what he had.

"When I was younger," Jack began, forgetting about the assignment. "Ed use to sneak me out at night whenever there was a big fight in town, and we'd watch it together. Jen always knew that he stepped out but never thought that he'd take me too. She use to yell, scare all the damn kids. It was the first time I felt like I actually had a father and wasn't just some kid they'd forget about once another came along."

Jack smiled at the memory before looking at Nathan seriously. "Let me ask you something? If you could go back, and change it all, you and Lucas, you and your parents, would you?"

Nathan thought long and hard about the question, before shaking his head. "Never. I mean yeah, sure, everyone wants to change something, but it's led me to Haley. To being married, and now I have an actual relationship with Luke that's pretty damn strong. So would I cut out the crappy stuff, sure, but not if it meant I didn't end up where I am today."

It was a smart answer. Nathan knew what he wanted and he was lucky enough to have it. Not many people could say that same.

"What about you?" Nathan asked. "You ever want to go back and change something?"

Jack turned away, choosing to stare outside when he spoke his answer softly. "Every day."