2003 ― Tree Hill, North Carolina

Basketball Game

"Good evening, ladies and gentlemen, and welcome to Tree Hill Ravens basketball, brought to you by webcast at Ravenshoops.com. I'm Mouth McFadden, and the playoffs are finally here. So, throw out the perfect record if the Ravens lose this one. It's over."

The boys were in the locker room, Dan Scott as their fill-in coach since Whitey is getting surgery. It wasn't too far-fetched to say that the boys hated Dan as their coach, especially Nathan and Lucas. "Tonight's obstacle is Masonboro. If you win, you're one step closer to a state championship, an undefeated season of greatness. Lose and be losers." Dan said to them. Nathan and Lucas met each other's eyes at the same time.

Nathan passed the ball to his brother.

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Earlier That Day

Nathan and Lucas Scott were at the river court together. The brothers had been spending a lot of time together. Getting to know each other and form their own opinions of each other. They bonded over basketball, some of their experiences due to Dan, or the lack thereof. They were seeing each other as real people.

They were seeing each other as brothers.

"You know, all this working out doesn't mean anything if you can't hit the shot," Nathan said when Lucas missed another shot.

"What's wrong with you?" Lucas asked. He knew whatever was making Nathan angry wasn't him. So Haley must not have forgiven him yet, but Nathan wasn't ready to fess up.

"I'm just saying it's a waste of my time to get you ready for this game if you can't score when we need it," Nathan said, and Lucas rolled his eyes.

"Hmm. Give me the ball." Lucas said. Nathan passed the ball back, and Lucas easily knocked down the shot. "Now, do you want to tell me what's really wrong?" Lucas asked, and Nathan sighed.

"I guess, uh... I guess I'm just dealing with Haley." Nathan said, and Lucas nodded his head.

"Ari and I really tried... but she's still not talking to you, huh?" Lucas asked, and Nathan shook his head.

"No... she's not."

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Basketball Game

"Just moments away from the beginning of this playoff game. Winners advance. To the losers, well, their season is over. Dan Scott is standing in for Coach Whitey Durham, who is out with an illness. Not sure who signed off on that one, but let's hope Coach Durham gets well soon."

Deb Scott was looking at her soon-to-be ex-husband from the bleachers. The team was still on the court warming up. Aurora was on the sidelines with the rest of the cheerleaders doing stretches. Lucas looked at Nathan, who had been scanning the bleachers for Haley.

"You alright?" Lucas asked. Nathan let out a deep breath before turning to Lucas.

"Have you seen Haley?" Nathan asked. Lucas frowned as he shook his head.

"No."

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Earlier That Day

Aurora and Haley James were coming home from school. Aurora was driving through the pouring rain. When the girls got out of the car, they saw Nathan waiting outside in the rain. "Nathan, you're soaked; what are you doing here?" She asked.

"I just went for a run to clear my head. I guess this is where I ended up because I need to talk to your sister." Nathan said, and Aurora nodded her head.

"Well, I'll leave you to it," Aurora said as she ran inside while Haley approached her boyfriend.

"Haley, the picture of Peyton didn't mean anything, okay?" Nathan said.

"It did to me. Clearly, you still have feelings for her." Haley said. She didn't sound angry; she was sad. It hurt her to think Nathan still had feelings for Peyton, and she couldn't stay with him if he did. Nathan shook his head.

"I saved that picture back when we were still dating. The other ones too. You can go back and look. Her webcam hasn't even been on for months." Nathan said.

"Why didn't you tell me this last week?" Haley asked, and Nathan sighed.

"Because I should've deleted those images a long time ago. I just felt bad because I didn't do it. Besides, Haley... I don't want Peyton. I want you." Nathan said.

"Is that it?" Haley asked.

"You know, my pride says, yeah. That's it, just walk away and let Haley deal with the fact that she's clearly threatened by a sexual relationship." Nathan said, and Haley sighed. It stung a little bit because she knew he was right. "But my heart says, just forget about your pride, you idiot. You love this girl, and even if you're going to catch pneumonia, your ass is going to stand out here in the rain until you convince her to forgive you. So come on, Hales, meet me halfway here?" He asked.

"Why should I?" She asked.

"Because I'm sorry. Because I love you. And because you're looking really hot standing out here in the rain, and I'm thinking I have to kiss you." Nathan said. Haley's stubborn expression broke off into a smile.

"Well... if you have to."

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Basketball Game

Aurora was the first to notice when Haley walked into the gym. She saw her sister take a seat next to Keith. Haley scanned the court, and when her eyes met her sister's, she smiled and waved at her. Aurora smiled, waved back with her pom-pom, and then took a deep breath.

The game was about to begin.

"This is your night; this is your gym. Take no prisoners. Hands in." Dan said to the boys as they were all in their huddle.

"Let's win this one for Whitey." Lucas said as the team all stacked their hands onto each other. All the boys nodded in agreement with Lucas, but Dan shook his head.

"Hey, forget the old man; you win it for yourselves!" Dan said to them.

"Come on, boys. When are we going to lose? 1... 2... 3... Nevermore!" The team chanted together as they broke their huddle and the starting lineup took the court.

"Hey!" Dan Scott called out after Lucas as he walked onto the court. Lucas turned around to face his father. "There's no name on your jersey." He said. He was referring to Lucas ripping the Scott last-name tag from his jersey.

"Yeah, there is." Lucas said as he pointed to the front of his jersey where the "Ravens" name was on the jersey. "Right there." He said as he turned around and went back onto the court.

"So, the Ravens take the floor, and we're all set to go." Mouth commented.

As the boys lined up for the tip-off, Lucas was next to one of the players from the other team. "You better watch that bad shoulder." He taunted him, and Lucas scoffed.

"You better watch the scoreboard," Lucas responded.

"Here we go, ravens fans. The playoffs are underway. Ravens control the tip. Nathan Scott brings it up the court to the pride of his hometown crowd. I'll tell you; there's a lot of love in the air tonight."

"Early in the second quarter, this Masonboro team, big underdogs, are giving the ravens all they can handle."

"All night, baby! All night!" The Masonboro player who taunted Lucas earlier said as he scored.

"Shut up, you little punk," Dan muttered from the sidelines; he knew his words would have no effect. He probably did the same thing when he was in high school.

"It could be the time away, or maybe Dan Scott's influence, but whatever the reason, the players have dug themselves into a hole, and they're looking at a long road back. The Ravens grab the rebound and push it up the court. Tim Smith passes to Lucas Scott, over to Nathan Scott for the slam! I see the Ravens are finally working together!"

"Go, Ravens!" Aurora cheered from the sidelines. As she watched Lucas and Nathan play, she thought about what had happened earlier today before the game.

It wasn't all that cheerful.

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Earlier That Day

"Hey, you know you're one of the most important people in my life, right?" Lucas Scott asked Aurora James as they were walking through town together. Aurora nodded her head as she raised an eyebrow.

"Yeah, I'm pretty sure I know that, but why are you telling me?" Aurora asked, and Lucas laughed a little while shaking his head.

"No specific reason. I just want you to know." He said. Aurora knew something else was going on. There was something Lucas wasn't telling her.

"What's going on, Lucas?" Aurora asked.

"There is something I have to tell you. But I want to tell you and Haley together. So just wait, maybe a little bit longer? Is that okay?" Lucas asked. Aurora nodded her head. She was still a little suspicious, but she was willing to give him the benefit of the doubt.

"Yeah, that's fine."

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Basketball Game

"Coming up on halftime and the Ravens continuing the lead. Lucas Scott with the ball that leads to Nathan. Caw! The birds have taken flight. They look sharper now, but something tells me Masonboro isn't going away."

"The Ravens lead a close one by two as we come up on halftime. Daniel Lawrence gives it to Tim, who dribbles out top. Luke breaks free on the wing, puts up a three-pointer, release rotation, splash, and the ravens lead it by five. Time for the score at halftime. Ravens 39, Bears 34. This is a webcast at ravenshoops.com."

As the players went to their separate locker rooms at halftime, one of the Masonboro players bumped into Lucas' bad shoulder, and Lucas fell to the ground. "Wow, Masonboro just hit Lucas Scott with a cheap shot."

Nathan was the first one to jump in defense of his brother, and the rest of the team backed Nathan up. Soon both teams were in the middle of the court fighting.

"Nathan comes to his defense, and things are getting ugly as the refs hurry back to the floor to try and break up a brawl. Lucas Scott is still down protecting his bad shoulder."

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When the second half of the game started, Lucas passed the ball to Nathan, who went in for a layup and made the shot. "Reverse layup by the ravens for another two. Nathan and Lucas Scott have taken over, keeping the ravens close, but it may be too little too late as Masonboro leads it by five, time running out in the fourth."

Haley looked at Keith as she gently grabbed his arm. "Oh man, I'm scared."

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Earlier That Day

Haley and Aurora James stood in a cemetery, separated from Lucas. They had no idea why Lucas would bring them here and then ditch them, alone, in a cemetery. Haley was also freaking out. "Lucas! Luke! I'm scared; this is so not cool." Haley said.

"Lucas Eugene Scott! Come out here right now!" Aurora yelled. Lucas jumped out from behind a headstone and scared the two girls. They both had quick reflexes, and Lucas got punched in the stomach twice.

"Damn it, guys, you're going to kill me. You know Houdini died like that." Lucas said, and Aurora rolled her eyes.

"You deserved it, dumbass," Aurora said, making Haley nod in agreement.

"I told you I didn't want to take this shortcut." Haley snapped at him, but she was whispering.

"What are you whispering for?" Lucas asked.

"Because..." Haley trailed off.

"Hales, you do know these people are dead, right?" Aurora asked as she laughed. Haley nodded her head.

"I know, but if you two keep yelling, the stinking zombies will hear us," Haley said. Aurora shook her head and started laughing more.

"Haley," Lucas said.

"What?" Haley asked. Lucas sighed as he looked at the sisters. He hated what he was about to tell them because he knew they would be upset.

"Look, I've got to tell you both something. I hinted at it to Aurora earlier, but I wanted you both together before I told you." Lucas said, and Haley rolled her eyes.

"What's her name, and what did you do that you regret?" Haley asked. Lucas quickly shook his head as he looked at Aurora to reassure her that it was nothing like Haley suggested. After everything he put her through, he didn't want her thinking he went off with another random woman.

"I'm going to Charleston with Keith," Lucas responded. Haley immediately felt terrible that she assumed that Lucas was with another girl.

"Alright, for how long?" Aurora asked. She thought that Lucas would only be gone for the summer. Lucas sighed as he looked at her.

"For good... I'm moving there." Lucas said. Aurora's expression completely fell. She understood he would still be in North Carolina, but Charleston was far. It wasn't terribly far away, but it was still far enough.

"What are you talking about?" Haley asked, taking the words right out of her sister's mouth. Aurora didn't know what to say. She was mainly trying to hold her tears back until she was alone.

"Keith got a great job in Charleston. And I will live with him there after the season ends." Lucas said. Both girls remained silent. "Ari, Haley. I need to go." He said. The sisters turned around as they both started to cry silently. "Come on, no... Don't do that." Lucas said.

"Don't do what? You cannot bring us out into the middle of a creepy cemetery and tell us that you're leaving Tree Hill for good! That's not fair!" Haley snapped.

"Guys, please. Come on; it's not that far. I'll still see you." Lucas said, and Aurora shook her head.

"Not like now. Who's going to go thrift store hunting with us? Or play one-on-one basketball at the river court with me, knowing that I suck, so you let me win anyway." Aurora said.

"Who's going to buy bad music or lie to the campus lost and found and claim dumb stuff, Lucas? Who's going to do that with us?" Haley asked.

"Nathan, you both have Nathan in your lives, and me too. Once in a while. Look, I've thought a lot about this, okay? And I feel like I can be a better person if I go now. Of course, I am going to miss you guys. You guys are my best friends, and you always will be." Lucas said.

"Idiot," Aurora mumbled through her tears as she hit his chest.

"Come here... both of you," Lucas said as he wrapped his arms around the twins and pulled them into a hug. Haley and Aurora laid their heads on Lucas' shoulders as they hugged him back. "Are you guys okay?" He asked, and Haley shook her head.

"No, I'm scared again."

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Basketball Game

"No going back now, folks. This is it. Down by two, less than a minute on the clock. Ravens need a stop."

On the court, Nathan turned to Lucas. "You got anything left in that shoulder?" Nathan asked. Lucas nodded his head.

"A little bit." He said.

"Well, come on, man. Let's take this thing." Nathan said. The brothers nodded as the other team was about to inbound the ball.

"Masonboro inbound, full court pressure by the ravens, with under 20 seconds."

"No fouls!" Dan Scott yelled.

"Dan Scott calls for no fouls. Time is running out, and he wants the birds to make a play. At half court, Lucas Scott pokes the ball free. Nathan Scott grabs it and timeouts. A sensational steal, the Ravens, have it, down by two, 12 seconds left in the game."

"Okay, bring it in. Bring it in." Dan said as the boys ran into the huddle. "Look at me; who out there is scared? Who's scared? Because if you're scared, you sit your ass on this bench. I don't want you on that court. Nathan, look at me. Get the ball in your hands, okay? Hold the ball until there are five seconds left on the clock, then you bang inside and tie this thing up." Dan said the last part to Nathan.

"But they're going to double-team him," Tim said, and he was right. Almost every team they play against sets up a double-team on Nathan.

"I don't care if they put five guys on him, Tim. Listen to me. Five seconds, okay? Then you shove it down their throats. Great players make great plays, Nathan. Hands in." Dan said. The boys continued their huddle without Dan.

"Let's go! Win it on 3. 1... 2... 3. Win it!" The boys said together and then broke their huddle as they returned to the court. Nathan looked at Lucas.

"Hey, it means nothing if you can't knock down the shot," Lucas said. Nathan smiled since Lucas was repeating his words back to him.

"So the Ravens break the huddle. Twelve seconds left on the clock, and they need a basket to tie. Three-pointer to win, or their season is over. The standing room crowd is on their feet. Lucas Scott will throw it in. He does it safely. He finds Tim Smith, who immediately swings it to Nathan Scott. Nathan works out the top. Five seconds on the clock, now four. He spins for the basket, then passes to Luke for a three-pointer and the win."

Lucas threw the ball up, and the whole room held its breath as it seemed like the ball passed through the air in slow motion. Lucas stood to watch his shot, and it hit off the rim and bounced to the ground. Lucas fell to his knees, defeated.

The Masonboro team jumped excitedly in the air and rejoiced in their victory. They were now one step closer to a state championship. The Tree Hill players sadly walked off the court and back to the locker room, but no one was more devastated about the loss than Lucas. He was the one who missed the shot.

'It means nothing if you can't knock down the shot,' he heard Nathan's voice in his head, and he didn't knock down the shot. He missed it. He felt terrible. But when Nathan walked by his brother, he gave him an affectionate squeeze on his good shoulder before he went to the locker room.

A gesture that never would've happened at the beginning of the season.

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Aurora stood with her duffle bag slinging over her shoulders. She changed out of her uniform. Her junior cheer season was officially over. She was waiting for either Lucas or Nathan, whoever came out first. She was heartbroken for a few reasons. She knew Lucas was upset about missing the shot, but the end of the season meant that Lucas would be leaving for good, and she didn't know how to handle that. She had been distracted about it the whole game.

"Hey." Lucas' voice snapped her out of her thoughts. Aurora looked up and gently smiled.

"Hey," Aurora responded.

"We just wanted to make sure you were okay. You know, the shoulder... the game." Haley said. Lucas nodded, but they could still see the hurt on his face.

"I'm leaving tomorrow, guys," Lucas said, and Aurora frowned.

"Already?" She asked, and Lucas nodded.

"Yeah." He said, making Haley sigh.

"Okay," Haley responded. Aurora was now feeling awkward. She didn't understand why Lucas had to leave. She didn't want him to go. She didn't want him to run away because things got rough over the last year. Especially when he was the cause of most of the issues; if anything, it should be her running away.

"Hey, it's okay," Lucas said.

"No, it's not. I really wanted to spend your last night with you, but Nathan is waiting." Haley said, and Lucas shook his head.

"Hey, go. I have to get my shoulder checked out anyway. I'll find you before I leave tomorrow." Lucas said, and they both nodded their heads.

"Okay. I'm really going to miss you, Luke." Aurora said. Haley nodded as well while Aurora was trying to stop herself from crying.

"I'll miss you guys too," Lucas whispered. He hugged the twins separately, and then Haley said goodbye to her sister and went to meet up with Nathan. Aurora turned to Lucas.

"Do you want me to go to the doctor with you?" Aurora asked. Lucas wrapped his good arm around her shoulder.

"No, it's okay. My mom's gonna go with me, but I'll drive you home, okay?" He said, and Aurora nodded her head.

"Sounds good."

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"I told you if you missed that shot, it was all for nothing." Nathan Scott said to Lucas. He found him at the river court. He figured he would be there. Haley told Nathan that Lucas was leaving town, so Nathan figured he would come to see him. "I was wrong. I figured I'd find you here. Word is, you're leaving town."

"Yeah, I'm just meeting the guys to say goodbye," Lucas said, and Nathan nodded.

"You're leaving because of the game?" Nathan asked, and Lucas shook his head.

"Nah. Keith needs to be with someone right now... and I need a change. I figured since the season is over, it's a good time. Plus, I know I'm leaving Haley and Aurora in good hands." Lucas said. Nathan could tell he was teasing, and he smiled.

"Well, I gotta tell you, man. I never thought when we played that one-on-one game that I'd end up back here feeling like this." Nathan said.

"Feeling like what?" Lucas asked.

"Feeling like I'm going to miss you. You've got to do what you feel. I actually wish you weren't going to leave. Because you're one hell of a basketball player and because you're my brother. Take care of yourself, man." Nathan said.

Lucas couldn't help but smile at his words. He never thought Nathan would acknowledge him as his brother. He never thought he would acknowledge Nathan as his brother, but he liked it. It felt good to be on the same side as him instead of the opposite.

"You take care of Haley and Aurora," Lucas said as they hugged each other. "I'll miss you too, little brother."

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Aurora and Lucas went to Nathan's apartment the following day because they figured Haley would also be there. Lucas was about to leave, so he wanted to say bye to both of them. Lucas knocked on the door, and after a few moments, Nathan opened it.

"Hey, is Haley here? I promised her I'd see her before I left." Lucas said, and Nathan nodded his head.

"Yeah, come on in." He said. Lucas and Aurora walked inside, and Nathan walked back to his room. Then Aurora saw her sister walk by, and she was only wrapped in a sheet.

What the hell?

"Nathan, where's your sweatshirt?" Haley asked.

"In the bathroom!" Nathan responded. Lucas looked a little nervous as Haley walked out of the bathroom with just Nathan's hoodie and a pair of shorts.

"Hey," Haley said, and Aurora smirked.

"You little minx. We're definitely talking about this later." Aurora said. Haley rolled her eyes, but her cheeks were also flushing a light pink color.

"Hey, um, you know... I'm sorry to...-I just wanted to say goodbye." Lucas said. He was awkwardly stumbling over his words because he didn't know what to say.

"No, no, it's okay. I don't want you to go without...-" Haley started to say, but Lucas shook his head and cut her off.

"...-No, I'm sorry. I'm just going to go." Lucas said as he turned to the door.

"No, Lucas, please don't," Haley said as she shook her head. Lucas turned around and sighed.

"Haley! It's cool. I just... I thought you weren't ready. I thought that you were going to wait until you got married." Lucas said as Nathan walked out and approached the door. "I mean, I just figured, I didn't expect to...-" Haley cut in.

"...-Well, we did. We did wait," Haley said. Aurora and Lucas looked at each other before turning back to Haley.

"What are you talking about, Hales?" Aurora asked.

"Um..." Haley trailed off as she held up her left hand. "We got married last night." She said. Aurora's eyes widened. They got married last night? She and Haley used to talk about their wedding days all the time and how they would be each other's maids of honor, but Haley went and impulsively got married.

She didn't know how to feel.

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Lucas said his goodbyes, and now it was just Aurora with Nathan and Haley at the apartment. "Married!?" Aurora exclaimed.

"Yeah, I'm sorry. It was a spur of the moment; mom and dad were there." Haley said.

"But I wasn't? And I've known both of you all of our lives, especially you." She directed the last part to Haley. Nathan and Haley both sighed.

"I'm sorry, Ari. I figured you'd be spending last night with Lucas since he was leaving." Haley said, and Aurora shook her head.

"No, I was home... by myself since my sister decided to get married and only let our parents attend the ceremony," Aurora said, and Haley frowned more.

"I'm so sorry," Haley repeated. Knowing that she hurt her sister by not inviting her hurt. That wasn't her intention.

"It's okay. I'm happy for you guys. I am. I saw it coming anyway, just not this soon. I, um... I'm gonna go home. I don't want to be an imposition." Aurora said as she turned toward the door.

"Aurora, wait," Haley said, and Aurora turned around.

"Haley, it's fine. I promise I am happy for you. I'm just hurt I didn't get to be a part of it. My two best friends in the entire world got married, and I didn't even get to see it, but mom and dad did... it just stings a little." Aurora said, and then she left the apartment.

She didn't want Haley to think she was mad at her because she wasn't. She really was happy for Haley and Nathan, but like she said, she was hurt that she didn't get a chance to be part of it. She and Haley always talked about their weddings when they were younger, so it just hurt. Lucas was gone, and Haley was married.

Aurora just felt alone.

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─── AUTHOR'S NOTE
and that is the end of season 1 folks. season 2 will also be in this same book.

don't forget to vote/comment. 

xoxo.