❀⚘

She sat with a pencil in her right hand, one of Lucas' hoodies covering her body as a cold breeze hit her. The sun was shining above them but it did nothing to warm her as she shivered slightly. Mouth noticed and smiled sympathetically at her. He'd suggest studying inside somewhere but Isaac practically begged him to tutor her while their friends had their usual morning pickup game. While she was distracted, he looked over her head and tried to get Isaac's attention but the boy was focused on the game. When he noticed Darla trying to suppress another shiver, he sighed. "We can always study later instead." Mouth suggested. "Or we could go to Karen's?"

"I'm not hiding it well am I?" Darla smiled tightly, biting her lip as another gust of cold wind hit her. "I'm pretty sure I'll be okay. I'll just ask Butch for one of his hoodies." She pushed up from her seat and before Mouth could say anything in response, she was walking away. The game stopped as Isaac noticed her first. He dropped his arms, leaving Lucas free to take his shot, and stepped closer to Darla.

"You okay, B?" Isaac glanced at Mouth before bending his knees to get closer to her short height. "Need a break?"

"No, it's going good." She reassured him. "You have an extra hoodie I can use? It's a lot colder than I thought it would be." Without answering her, Isaac slid the black hoodie he was wearing off his body and held it out to her. She swallowed thickly at the sight of his exposed muscled biceps and broad shoulders. She grabbed the sweater from him and smiled gratefully at him. "Won't you be cold though?"

"Rather me than you." He answered simply before nudging her back to the picnic table. She gave him one last smile before sitting back down, his sweater covering her crossed legs. It was his turn to swallow thickly at the sight of her wearing something that belonged to him.

"Aye man, can we get back to the game now?" Isaac rolled his eyes at Skillz and jumped back into the game, but his focus was ruined now. His eyes kept straying to his girl. Every few minutes he caught her body spasm as she tried to suppress another shiver and he'd had enough. He let Lucas score on him before he called it quits and went to sit beside his favorite girl.

"How's the tutoring going?" He panted as he placed an arm around her shoulders and pulled her body into his. He felt her deflate against him, his body providing all the heat she needed.

"One more session and she'll pass with flying colors." Mouth beamed proudly. Darla smiled brightly up at him and Isaac's heart skipped, even if her smile wasn't aimed at him.

"That's my girl!" Isaac hugged her. "I told you that you weren't stupid. You just needed it explained to you better."

"Try telling that to my Dad." Isaac's jaw clenched as he heard how defeated she sounded.

"Daddy dearest can kiss my ass. He tells you that shit again, let me know and I'll go kick his ass for you." Darla laughed and he swore he could die happy right then and there.

"Thanks, Butch." She placed a chaste kiss on his cheek and his eyebrows shot up in surprise. Mouth smirked and coughed to hide his laugh at how lovestruck his friend became.

"Anytime B." Isaac's gaze softened as he peered down at her. He watched as she became concentrated on the homework she was finishing and ignored the teasing looks Mouth was sending him.

"I think Luke's leaving." The cuddled teens spun around to see the blonde boy jogging away. They both looked at Skillz curiously but he just shook his head.

"Think he's okay?" Darla mumbled.

"He's probably just late for work or something." Isaac shrugged. "What do you want to do after this?"

"What're you thinking?" Darla peered curiously up at him, her eyebrows furrowed.

"Lunch at Karen's? My treat." He suggested.

"I can't say no to that." She grinned. She loved the cafe, especially the lady who owned it. While it was extremely awkward at first, she slowly began to build a friendship with her brother's Mom. Now the two were as close as they could be. She was closer to Karen than she was to her own mother, a detail she didn't really mind most days. She turned away from him as Mouth redirected her attention back to their work. Isaac sat silently beside her as he watched her work while occasionally watching ducks float down the river. To random people he probably seemed bored just idly sitting there but his boys knew better. They knew he was perfectly content sitting beside her as long as she allowed him to. Any time spent with her drove him wild.

❀⚘

The bell above the cafe door chimed as the two teens entered the restaurant. Karen looked up from where she was chatting with a customer and smiled to herself as she watched the male teen hold the door open for the shorter female. He rested a hand on the small of her back as he directed her towards the counter where she stood. "Excuse me for a second." She left her customer politely and approached the two teens. "How're you two doing today?"

"Hi, Karen!" Darla beamed at her. She reached her small body over the counter and hugged the older woman. Isaac moved to stand behind her to avoid someone getting a look at something they shouldn't. "How's business today?" The two teens settled themselves onto the stools and drank the cup Karen poured for them. Isaac dumped two packets of sugar in hers as she poured creamer into his. Karen watched the two fondly, waiting impatiently for the day the two became official.

"Doing pretty good today. The rush is just about over so Haley will be out here soon." Karen moved to serve the two the same muffins they order every time.

"Aw, you didn't tell me Hales worked today!" Darla poked Isaac's side and he jolted back, coughing to hide the fact he was ticklish.

"She's always here." He commented, smiling appreciatively at Karen as she placed the muffins in front of them.

"How's school going Bambi?" Darla beamed at the nickname. She didn't know the story behind it, it was just something Karen and Lucas started calling her one day and she just accepted it.

"It's going." Darla chuckled. "Thanks to Mouth, I'm passing my classes. Nothing else has changed. Cheer's cheer, Dad's Dad." Darla shrugged. Karen grimaced at the mention of her dreadful ex but she never discouraged Darla from talking about him. She knew the girl wasn't to blame for her father's actions, she was just an innocent casualty in Dan Scott's life.

"Daddy dearest is going to get his ass kicked next time I see him," Isaac grumbled as he chewed on his muffin.

"Oh no, what'd he do this time?" Karen sighed.

"Same old shit, just a different day." Darla smiled tightly, her shoulders lifting as she shrugged. "Let's stop talking about him, it's just gonna bum me out."

"Well if you ever want a break from him, I don't have much but you're always welcome at my home." Karen smiled at her. "Lucas would love having you over."

"I appreciate that Karen." It was times like that one where Darla missed having her mother around more but she knew how dedicated Deb was to her work so she never complained too much and it definitely helped having Karen in her life. She heard Isaac's phone ring and she chewed her muffin silently as she tried to eavesdrop on his conversation.

"Yeah, all right. I'll be there." He sighed heavily and shoved his phone back in his pocket. He ran a hand over his face before he turned to the girl beside him. "Sorry B, we gotta cut lunch short today."

"What's going on?" He helped her off the stool and slid money to Karen who tried to slide it back to him.

"I'll tell you on the way." He shook his head at Karen and left the money on the counter. "You're not gonna like this one B. But there's nothing we can do to stop it now."

Darla held onto his hand as they walked down the street to his truck. "Butch, what happened? Or is going to happen?" Her eyebrows furrowed as she peered up at him.

"Your brothers happened." He grumbled. It was always something with those two and he hated the stress they brought their sister. She'd never pick a side and Isaac knew the day she'd have to was coming soon. They stopped in front of his truck and he unlocked the door, holding it open for her. "Watch your feet." He shut the door and walked to his side. Once the truck was headed down the road, he explained the rest. "Lucas challenged Nathan to a game at the courts. They made bets."

"When is it happening?" Her voice was quiet. Isaac reached for her hand and held it softly.

"Tonight. It's just a one-on-one game but Skillz thinks shit could go down depending on who loses." Isaac glanced her way and Darla immediately knew which of her brothers would be the one to throw a tantrum. Both of the Scott boys were talented in the sport so it'd be an even match but if they went by Rivercourt rules, it wouldn't be a fair game. "It's too late to stop it now Buttercup. This game's been a long time coming, we just need to watch it play out."

"I don't like it." She sighed.

"I don't either," Isaac grumbled. He didn't care if the boys wanted to throw punches or shoot hoops, he just wished they'd leave her out of it. "If you don't want to go tonight, you don't have to. The guys and I will be there, we've got Luke's back."

"It's not Lucas I'm worried about." She wished there was a way they both could win but she knew one of them had to lose and the outcome sucked for both of them. If Lucas lost, it'd just be more taunting from Nathan, she knew he was strong enough to handle that. But if Nathan lost, it'd cost him more. She knew Dan would never let it go and she didn't want Nathan to have to endure any more of that. "You're gonna be there?"

"Yeah, B. Jay's going too."

"Then I'm in." Isaac glanced at her unsurely, letting it go when she nodded assuringly.

"Fine B. But you gotta promise that if a fight breaks out, you won't jump in. I know you have a mean right hook and can hold your own but you know how your brothers are. There's a lot of anger there and they won't care who gets in their way."

"I promise Isaac." He knew she was serious when she used his government name. Once they nicknamed each other, they'd never gone back to using their actual names. He was the Butch to her Buttercup. The Rowdyruff to her Powerpuff. The perfect cartoon pairing.

❀⚘

"This whole thing is so fucking stupid." The youngest of the Scott family sat perched atop the old wooden picnic table that faced the basketball court. Lucas stood beside her, mentally preparing himself for the intense night. "What did you even bet on?" She turned to look up at him and he gave her a small smile and shrugged.

"A couple things." He answered simply. His mind flashed to the conversation he had earlier that day with Nathan and he shook his head to stray away from those thoughts. "Nothing major." His chest felt tight as he lied to her but she'd only be disappointed in him if she knew the truth. "Just guy stuff."

"You're a shit liar." She rolled her eyes and turned her attention to the approaching crowd of teenagers. "Are you good?"

"Yeah," he gave her a soft smile, "I'm good." He shoved his hoodie into his bag and dropped it on the grass, kicking it under the table with his foot. "Cheer for me?"

"I'm staying out of this one." She grinned. "Good luck out there Luke."

"We both know I'm gonna win." He winked at her and kissed the side of her head before running off to talk to Skills. She scanned the court for the one person she wanted to see the most and nearly screamed when Mouth pushed his face close to hers.

"Darla Scott!" He smiled obnoxiously at her. Jimmy sporting a shit-eating grin beside him. "What are your thoughts on tonight's game?" Mouth moved to sit down but he was hauled to his feet by Jay.

"My client will not answer any questions at this time" The giant boy perched himself on the table beside her and grinned at the two sportscasters. "Sorry M and J, you gotta bug someone else."

"You do this every time Jay," Jimmy whined. "She's the exclusive!" He gestured to her wildly. "Plus you guys know us!" Mouth tried to move closer again but Isaac appeared from behind him and swatted his arm.

"Tim's here, go bother him." He patted Darla's knee and she took the cue to open her legs to allow him room to sit. His back hit her chest and she rested her chin on his beanie-covered head.

"There's so much happening now." The trio had the best seats to watch the spectacle.

"Nathan's here." Jay nudged her with his shoulder. Junk sat beside them and snorted at the cheering that erupted around them.

"Please don't say whatever it is you're thinking." She glared at him. He smirked at her and was about to let himself retort but one glance at Isaac, and he let it go.

"Last chance to bail B." She watched Nathan look around for her, sending her a soft smile once he found her. He turned and her eyes met Lucas'. He wore a similar smile and that solidified her decision.

"Sorry Butch, we're staying." He didn't answer her, just patted her knee assuringly. She leaned forward and wrapped her arms around his neck anxiously. His right hand came up and held her forearm comfortingly. The boy was the girl's security blanket, he eased her stress in ways not even her own brothers could, especially since they were the main source of it.

From the center of the court, Nathan taunted Lucas as they bent towards each other. The blond male held the ball tightly in his hand, a small smirk on his face as he threw back his own shade. "You can have your life, there's only one thing I want anyway." Nathan expected Lucas' eyes to travel to Peyton but when he followed Lucas' stare, his eyes landed on his little sister. Her doe brown eyes were trained on them as she anxiously chewed on her bottom lip. She was a weakness for both of them. She was their little sister and she mattered more than anything else for them. "There's two girls Nathan, and you can't have them both."

"I remember the bet, I was there." Nathan glared at him. It was a stupid bet, one he immediately regretted agreeing to. Lucas wanted both of his girls and whoever won got to pick which girl he kept. Nathan knew the bet would bite him in the ass one day but he had to agree.

Lucas gave Nathan one last little smirk before his face grew serious. He had to get into game mode, he had a bet to win.

❀⚘

"Anything exciting happen yet?" Haley grinned at the trio as she made Junk move from his seat so she could squish in between Jay's legs.

"Just some really intense eye contact." Darla sighed. "I thought you weren't coming?"

"Twinny said Luke wanted me here so here I am." She shrugged. Darla rubbed the back of Isaac's neck softly, the boy shivered and tilted his head back to meet her eyes. Haley smiled softly at the interaction. Since the very first moment Isaac laid eyes upon the youngest Scott, he was starstruck. She was it for him. As kids, whenever Darla was around, Isaac (and Jay by default) wasn't too far behind. If there was one thing Haley James would bet her life on, it'd be that the oblivious duo beside her were built to last. "I'm surprised Dan isn't here looming around in a dark corner." Isaac shot his sister a look as Darla smiled tiredly. "No offense B."

"Its cool Hales." Darla laughed to herself. "I wouldn't be surprised if he was."

"Looks like we're getting somewhere." Jay interrupted them. Darla hadn't noticed that the cheering grew louder and it took a second for Mouth's commentary to reach her brain. She searched for her brothers and caught them in another intense stare-down. Nathan was crouched in front of Lucas, his mouth moving with a smirk on his face. Lucas stood to his full height and muttered one sentence. "This is for my Mom." He shot the ball through the air and it sunk in the hoop. He had won. He stepped closer to Nathan and glared harshly at him.

"She's off the table, we don't involve her anymore." Nathan instantly knew who he was referring to. "See you at practice." Nathan winced and glared. He left the blond alone and walked towards his car. While he stood back waiting for Peyton, he looked for his little sister. He found her on the court, standing in between her much taller friends. She must've felt his stare as she turned and met his gaze. She gave him a loving smile and his body instantly warmed. He tucked his hand under his chin and wiggled his fingers at her. She immediately giggled and copied his gesture.

"Was she really one of the reasons for the bet?" He glanced at Peyton as she sidled up to him.

"Don't." Nathan shot her a look as he opened the car door for her. "Not tonight Peyton."

"Fine." She conceded. "You better hope she never finds out Nathan," Peyton warned him. "This shit you two pull stresses her out enough now. Don't add to it. Isaac might kick your ass if you do."

"I could take him." Nathan scoffed. Peyton quirked an eyebrow at him, they both knew he couldn't. Not when it concerned Darla. "She won't find out because there's nothing for her to know." He assured her. "Now get in, I want to go home." He shut the car door and looked back for his sister one more time. Isaac was spinning her around in circles as her other friends passed the ball around. She was happy and he never wanted to be the one to take that away from her.

❀⚘