Chapter 675: 24:00
Monday, March 13th, Early Morning
(Beaulieu Manor)
The lights were dimmed in the galleries as Izzy walked past several doors. The floor was cold underneath Izzy's stocking feet. Finally, she came to the door that was once her room. Quietly, Izzy turned the knob and opened the door.
She stepped through the door and closed it behind her. Izzy quietly walked over to the bed and found her daughter Nomi asleep on her side. Nomi was Izzy's little girl, not so little now, as Nomi seemed to be growing like a weed. Angela had asked about basketball, and Nomi did play, but also stuff like ballet. Nomi didn't take ballet, but she had done gymnastics; Izzy thought her daughter would be a cheerleader and short. Nomi seemed to be getting the Scott height.
One thing Izzy liked and was proud of in her life it is Nomi. Especially how close Nomi seemed with her cousins, PJ and Key. Izzy was close to her sister Chase and hoped their daughters were also close.
Nomi stirred, got comfortable again, and went back to sleep. Izzy smiled; Nomi was just ten, an innocent girl; that would all change in a few short years. The hormones and culture of high school will rip away the innocence of primary and middle school.
Izzy took a few more steps to the bed. She fixed the covers, climbed onto the bed, and cuddled with Nomi. When Nomi was younger, she would get out of bed and run to Izzy and Keith's bedroom in Leighton. Nomi would crawl into their bed between them, and all three would cuddle together. It made Nomi feel safe. Now Izzy did it to hold on to one more moment of her daughter's innocence.
(Tree Hill Hall)
In the master bedroom of Tree Hill Hall, Chase, and Huck sat up in bed. They leaned back against the headboard, and the covers were drawn up to them, and they looked at a scrapbook in Chase's lap.
"Hard to believe how much all the kids have grown," Chase said, adjusting her nightwear.
"That was only five years ago when you pinned my Lieutenant's badge on me," Huck said.
"Yeah, Col was so little, and look at PJ wearing a dress," Chase said.
Huck chuckled, "She does wear dresses," he said.
"After a cage match," Chase said.
Huck chuckled, "I remember that fight," he said.
"She's not that bad," Chase said and laughed.
"Yeah, but she's eleven; where has the time gone?" Chase asked.
"Like everything else, it slips away," Huck said.
"Yeah, and I have a feeling it's getting close," Chase said.
"What is getting close?" Huck asked.
"Mom, asking if PJ would want to walk for her," Chase said.
"Hmm, Paige Davis? Interesting," Huck said.
"What do you think?" Chase asked.
"That's a matter we'll discuss with PJ, Key, or any of our children when we get there," Huck said.
Chase nodded, "Noah was at the skate park tonight," she said.
"Well, I bet that didn't go over well," Huck said.
"No, it didn't," Chase says.
"Your relationship with your brother is your business," Huck said.
"Do you think I'm wrong?" Chase asked.
"I think it's your business," Huck said.
"Are you sure?" Chase asked.
"Yes," Huck said.
Chase nodded.
(Jamlyn)
Jamlyn was quiet as she lay in her bed. The kids, her niece, nephew, three younger ones, and Buck were all bedded down. Basketball season is over; her daughter won a state championship. But Brett changed houses today and is probably not staying at her dad's tonight.
Every day that passed was one more day closer to Brett's graduation. It was another day closer to June Tenth, the day she'll walk across the stage, but there was no downtime because the Summer Session at Norte Dame starts on June twelfth. So, there was a quick turnaround there. Ashlyn knew that Chase and Huck would help move Brett in. James was lukewarm, mainly because of his fame and the season. But that meant Ashlyn was losing her baby girl.
It didn't help that the bed was empty, as always. James was still playing, and it was still up in the air if they would make the playoffs. They had a 32-35 record right now, so unless they pulled off a miracle, they were coming home in April. That didn't help Ashlyn now; she was in the big, lonely bed and house., On the weekends, she needed her husband, but he was in a hotel in Indiana. She is having a crisis, and the only adult she can talk to is the sleeping Buck.
Maybe she could wake Ashton or Angela, but she didn't want to burden them with her drama. They have their own, Ashton co-parenting her son, and Angela raising her strong-willed daughter. Ashlyn thought how much Jess was a clone of her mom. But this left Ashlyn alone as she cried herself to sleep.
(Raven Hill)
When Mina brought LK to the front door, Haley looked at her drunk daughter. Mina explained what happened, and the incandescent Haley started to calm down. She took LK and steered her toward the stairs.
Nathan looked at his wife and drunk daughter from the top of the stairs. "What's wrong with LK, Hales?" he asked.
"LK's drunk," Haley said.
"What?" Nathan asked.
"Apparently, they had Jell-o shots, and LK thought it was plain Jell-O," Haley said.
Nathan nodded, "I'll go get some water for her," he said and headed downstairs. Haley waited for Nathan to pass; she led LK upstairs and to LK's room. Haley got LK undressed; she noted that her clothes looked like LK's cousin Sawyer's style. After undressing her daughter, Haley helped her into her pajamas and got her into bed.
"I'm sorry," LK said.
"Why?" Haley asked.
"I ate a lot of Jell-O," LK said.
"It's okay, LK," Haley said as she helped LK lay down and tucked her in. Nathan came over and put a couple of water bottles on the nightstand, along with a bowl. Haley nodded as Nathan headed off to their bedroom. Looking down at LK, Haley worried about her, shook her head, and lay beside LK. Lk cuddled into her mom like she did when she was a child. LK needed her momma.
(Beaulieu Manor)
After Mina brought them home, Keni got Sawyer up to her room. The blonde was coherent enough to get changed for bed. Keni started to head to her bedroom.
"Don't leave me," Sawyer said.
"I'm going to change. I'll be back," Keni said.
Sawyer nodded and lay on her side. Keni went to her bedroom, changed quickly, and returned to Sawyer's room. Keni found Sawyer curled up on her bed, holding Jon-Jon. Keni walked over and sat on the edge of the bed.
"I messed up," Sawyer said.
"How did you mess up?" Keni asked.
"I had sex with Keir," Sawyer said.
"Okay," Keni said and rolled her eyes. All her instincts were screaming at her. The first thing Keni wanted to do was ask why, then berate her for picking Keir Hammels, but something told Keni that Sawyer just needed an ear and sympathy. Keni reached out and rubbed Sawyer's shoulder.
"I thought I was ready; I thought Keir was a good guy, or at least, okay, but I'm not so sure," Sawyer said.
"Why?" Keni asked.
"I don't know, nothing seemed right, it seems rushed now, and I hurt. When it was over, Keir got dressed and took off," Sawyer said.
"Did Keir put pressure on you?" Keni asked.
"No," Sawyer said.
"Okay," Keni said and just kept rubbing Sawyer's shoulder.
"It was all impulse and just so stupid, Keni; it sucked!" Sawyer said.
"It's okay, I'm here," Keni said.
"Stay with me," Sawyer said, "I don't want to be alone."
"Okay," Keni said, cuddled up with Sawyer, and used the bedside switch to turn off the light.
(Deb Lee's Beach House)
Standing on the back second-floor screened porch, looking over the beach and into the dark ocean, two friends stood silently watching. Avril had her hands on the railing and looked towards the deep midnight blue sky; the night wind blew through her hair. Standing beside her, Brett leaned her elbows on the railing, cupping her chin in her hands.
"So, some night," Avril said.
"Yeah, some night," Brett said.
"So, no more you and Garvan," Avril said.
"Correct," Brett said.
"It's really over," Avril said.
"Yes, Garvan and I are really over," Brett said.
"No, not you and Garvan," Avril said.
"What is really over?" Brett asked.
"Basketball, us playing basketball together," Avril said.
"Yeah, Saturday was our last game," Brett said.
Avril looked to the other door; the light was still coming from the windows. It was the room Baylee was staying in. Avril looked back to Brett.
"What do I do from here?" Avril asked.
Brett shrugged, "You go to college and go on from there," she said.
"Baylee will be just fine, no matter what happens. You, Brett, will be on your feet, but me, I don't know," Avril said.
Brett nodded, "Av, you'll do fine; you'll find your path. I've always envied that about you, Av; you always had the choice to be who you are and what you want to be," she said.
"You chose who you are," Avril said.
"I fought for who I wanted to be; my mom never wanted me to play basketball; she wanted me to be like Shannon," Brett said.
Avril nodded and looked out towards the ocean.
"I'm going to bed," Brett said and headed inside.
Avril sighed and heeded inside after Brett went to bed.
(Deb Lee's Beach House)
The door closed behind Baylee and Parker; they looked at each other. Baylee approached the window and saw Avril and Brett on the porch. She pulled the blinds closed, then turned back to Parker.
"Interesting party," Parker said and sat on the bed.
"Yeah," Baylee said and sat on the bed next to Parker.
"So, Brett and Garvan," Parker said.
"Yeah," Baylee said.
"Who's that, Felicia?" Parker asked.
"Kind of a girl with a reputation," Baylee said.
Parker nodded, "So, Garvan wanted a side piece?" she asked.
"I guess, but with basketball and work, Brett has been busy," Baylee said.
"So, he couldn't wait," Parker said.
"I guess not," Baylee said, "Maybe because Brett has been more successful than Garvan."
Parker shook their head and rested their hands on their knees. "Bay, tell me something," Parker said.
"You'd never cheat on," Parker said.
"I won't and never planned on it," Baylee said.
Parker leaned over and kissed Baylee. When they stopped, Parker looked into Baylee's eyes. "Let's go to bed," Parker said.
Baylee nodded, "Let's," she said.
(Beaulieu Manor)
The day after a championship was always a letdown, like coming off an adrenaline rush. Which usually meant two nights at least of no sleep. So, Lucas would lie in bed and try to fall asleep.
Tossing and turning, he lay on the bed. He looked at the bedside table. He had several framed pictures looking back at him. The first picture was of his son and family. Keith's family, with Izzy holding Ellis on her lap and Nomi standing between Keith and Izzy. They were his only grandkids, and life was so different for Keith than when he was in high school. Now he was wondering if Keith was even alive.
Lucas moved his gaze to the following picture. His oldest, Candi, and the younger twins, Ellie, were in their kayaks, smiling for the camera. Those two are so different but so the same. They bonded when Ellie was sick and took up kayaking together. The picture was from one of their summer trips before Candi went to the west coast.
The following picture was of Kay sitting on the bench at Le Palacium when she played for ESB Villeneuve-d'Ascq. It was taken at a practice, and she was laughing. He chose that picture because he rarely saw the older twin laughing and having fun. Kay was always so serious.
The fourth picture was of Sawyer and Keni. Those two were trouble, and they were living up to it. The picture was them on the bench in Central Park, New York, New York, taken on one of their summer vacations. Those two were so full of life; even though Keni wasn't his daughter, she ought to be. There was this one father-daughter dance when Tucker couldn't make it, so he escorted both Sawyer and Keni. People thought he was experienced because of the twins, but Kay didn't go to dances.
The final picture was of Peyton. Lucas looked at it; a tear came to his eye. He rolled over, curled up before the tear came, and forced himself to fall asleep.
(Beaulieu Manor)
In her room at Beaulieu, Fallon sat at the desk with her laptop open. The internet at Beaulieu was secure; one of the best internet security firms was responsible for it all, so Fallon had no worries about doing her work here.
Fallon's smartphone lit up and chirped. Fallon turned away from her laptop and saw the message. Reaching over, Fallon picked up the phone and checked her message.
Grant: Finally, back at my apartment.
Fallon smiled.
Fallon: Wish I was there.
Grant: So do I.
Fallon: I will be in New York in two days.
Grant: I can't wait, and I have to see Alex.
Fallon: Why?
Grant: Things are cooling off with Waldenburg; according to Alex, she wants to do her showing there.
Fallon: What's with her obsession with that place?
Grant: IDK
Fallon: Yeah, I have to tie up loose ends when I return to NYC.
Grant: Will you be able to have dinner with me Wednesday?
Fallon: Let me check.
Fallon turned to her laptop and brought up her calendar. She nodded and blocked off Wednesday night.
Fallon: You have me all night.
Grant: I'll figure out the details.
Fallon: See you then.
Grant: If not sooner. ;-)
Fallon smiled and leaned back in her chair.
(Beaulieu Manor)
After some searching, Ellie was able to find a microcassette player. Once the microcassette player was secure, she returned to Beaulieu Manor. Once there, she locked the door to her bedroom and the bathroom. After changing and cleaning up, Ellie returned to the bedroom. Sitting at the desk, she set up the cassette player and put in her earbuds. With a quick sigh, she pressed play.
After the first listen-through, she looked at the player, confused. Flipping the tape back over, she pressed play again. As she tapped her pencil against her notepad, she quizzically listened through the tape a second time and made no notes.
Shaking her head, she played the tape again. The same monologue played, and she had heard the two times before playing through the earbuds. Still, Ellie couldn't figure out what was being said on the tape.
Ellie sighed and reached over to play it again when her smartphone buzzed. Reaching over, Ellie picked up her smartphone and looked at the text.
Dylan: Hey, what are you doing Tuesday night?
Ellie: I don't know.
Dylan: Eleni wants you to come over for dinner.
Ellie: Am I dinner?
Dylan: No, Eleni is cooking; she's a great cook.
Ellie: No freaky, freaky?
Dylan: What?
Ellie: Never mind, I can come over on Tuesday.
Dylan: Okay, I'll check with Eleni on what time.
Ellie: All right, see you then, whenever that is.
Dylan: See you soon.
Ellie nodded and put her smartphone down. She sighed and looked at the tape player, and shook her head.
(Fire & Ice Cafe)
The night was slow, and the overnight person relieved Eilish. Slowly, Eilish removed her apron and hung it on a hook; she counted out her tips and put her slips away so they could count out at the end of the next shift.
Eilish walked out the back door of the cafe. She pulled her coat close to her body as she headed towards her car. About halfway to her car, Eilish stopped and looked down towards the river, and Eilish could see the lights of some of the ships.
Pulling her coat close around her body, she started heading down the road. Eilish got to her car, got in, and started it up. She leaned back in the driver's seat and closed her eyes to take a few seconds to nap.
After the heat kicked in, Eilish shook awake. She stretched and shook her head to clear out the cobwebs. She rubbed her eyes and sat up; Eilish buckled up and pulled out.
They glided out of the parking lot. Passing through the quiet streets of Tree Hill, Eilish turned up the radio. Her day had been extended, and Eilish was exhausted. All she wanted was her pillow and bed.
As Eilish left Tree Hill, she steered towards where she and her mom lived. Eilish found a place to park and headed toward her house. After getting into the house, she showered and finished, put on a robe, and patted her hair as she went to her room. Once in the room, she changed into her pajamas, then climbed into her bed. Once her head hit the pillow, she was asleep.
(Deb Lee' Beach House)
After talking to Avril on the porch, Brett walked through Avril's room and headed to the main bedroom in front of the beach house. As the door closed behind her, she sighed and started to undress. First, she kicked off her heeled shoes, picking them up and putting them aside.
Next, Brett removed her dress and hung it up. She looked in the mirror and wiped off her makeup. Brett stood up and removed her bra and underwear. Walking over to her bag, she pulled out her lounge pants and a muscle shirt. Brett pulled on her shirt and made sure it sat comfortably. Next, Brett pulled on her pants and turned down the bed.
Brett stood before the mirror, pulled her ginger hair out, and then attacked it with her hairbrush. Once she finished brushing her hair out, she climbed into bed and rested on one of the pillows. Brett reached over and turned the bedside lamp off.
Laying in the bed alone, Brett played with the other pillow. In her dreams, when she won the state championship and threw a party, she wouldn't go to bed alone. Instead, she was alone, and probably the only one of her friends that got any was Baylee.
Brett pulled the covers tighter around her. She sighed and shifted a bit to get comfortable. So, her relationship with Garvan was over, and she was single again—only three more months until the summer session at Notre Dame. New place, new friends, a fresh start, that's what Brett needed, a fresh start.
(Chase Adams Residence)
He lay in bed until he was sure everyone else in the house was asleep. Once he was sure, he sat up in bed and listened. Once comfortable with no sounds, he got out of bed and pulled out a small backpack.
Noah went to his dresser and pulled a few sets of clothes to pack into the backpack. Not much, but enough to start with. He double-checked everything once more and zipped his backpack closed.
Next, he pulled up his iPad and opened an email app. There was a maternal cousin he could stay with; they would take him in. So, he shot off an email to them and mentioned he was coming to visit.
Pulling out his wallet, Noah pulled out his debit card and put it in his desk drawer, along with his smartphone, iPad, and MacBook, all bought by his parents and monitored by them and his bank accounts.
Noah quickly jotted down what he was going to need to do. A few school things, and plane tickets, had to get his money from the bank. That shouldn't be too difficult.
Once satisfied, he slung his backpack over his shoulder and grabbed his skateboard. Noah carefully and quietly crept downstairs. He left out the side door and made sure to lock it. Once he was in the street, he dropped his skateboard and skated off. He had about eight hours to kill before getting anything done, but now he had all the time in the world.
(Hartmann Apartment)
The small room she once shared with Kat was still technically her room. Though when in town, Alix would stay over at Kat's or with Tucker most nights. But tonight, she's sleeping in her bed down the hall from Opa.
The room has since been upgraded. Gone were the two twin beds for one full-size bed. The old decorations were mostly gone, replaced with posters of various bands that Kat was in and one of Alix with Tacit Blue. The only decoration left from her childhood on the wall was an old, faded Welsh Flag.
Alix rolled on her side and pulled over her smartphone. Moving through the contact list and found whom she wanted to talk to, and pressed for a video call.
After a few minutes, the person answered, and Tucker's face came in clear on the screen.
"Hey, Alix," Tucker said.
"Hey," Alix said.
"What are you up to?" Tucker asked.
"Lying in bed, alone," Alix said.
"I'm in bed also," Tucker said.
"Let's stay online until someone falls asleep," Alix said.
"Sure," Tucker said.
"I can't wait to see you tomorrow," Alix said.
"Me too," Tucker said.
They stayed online until someone fell asleep. The person that was still awake turned over and disconnected the video call.
What is night? What is not but a time to change your life? What is night but when your life changes? Comment below.
RavenHussar
T3 Collective
The Annus Horribilis Secrets
1) Carson Murphy has passed away. (Episode 2)
2) Spencer Churchill "Church" Grady was killed in action as a US Navy Seal and buried in Arlington National Cemetery (aka The Garden). He is also Jessica Ashlyn Scott's Dad. (Episode 4)
3) Constance "Connie" Garland is in a permanent vegetative state. (Episode 6)
X
X
X
Playlist
Chapter 654 - Nightwish - I want my Tears Back
Chapter 660 – The Cure – Lovesong
Chapter 672 - Montell Jordan – This is How We Do it
Chapter 672 - Flo Rida (Feat. T-Pain) – Low
Chapter 673 – Jay-Z – Dirt Off Your Shoulders
Poems
Chapter 663 – How to Kill – Keith Douglas
Quotes
Chapter 662
1 Corinthians 13 1-8 - King James Version
Chapter 673
Othello ACT V. ii 13-15 – William Shakespeare
Translation Guide
Chapter 652
.. – .. … … -.- — ..- … .- .- -.- . .-. is Morse Code for I Miss You, Sawyer
Chapter 654
Babushka- is Russian for Grandmother.
Chapter 655
Te amo hijo mio - is Spanish for I love you, my son
Te amo mi amada - is Spanish for I love you, my beloved
Chapter 662
Opa – is German for Grandfather
Chapter 670
Opa – is German for Grandfather
Kätzchen – is German for Kitten
Opa, ich muss nicht heiraten, um glücklich zu sein. – is German for Grandpa, I don't have to get married to be happy.
Ich weiß, Alix. Aber ich hatte deine Babuschka, und nachdem deine Mutter gestorben ist. - is German for I know, Alix. But I had your Babushka, and after your mom died.
Da dein Vater weg ist, bleiben nur noch du und dein Kätzchen. Ich mache mir Sorgen, dass du ganz allein sein wirst, mein Herz. – is German for With your dad gone, that just leaves you and Kitten. I'm worried you'll be all alone, my heart.
Danke, Opa, aber ich kenne mein Herz. – is German for Thank you, Grandpa, but I know my heart.