2004 ― Tree Hill, North Carolina

When Brianna walked out of her bedroom the next morning, she could hear herself on film, rehearsing Macbeth, and then she heard Ethan's voice. It was one of their scenes together as Macbeth and Lady Macbeth. Brianna quickly walked over to her sister Amber who was watching the recording on Brianna's laptop and closed it.

"Shut that off," She said to her sister.

"Is this the infamous Ethan? You guys look good together, and I know this was practice, but it's really good," Amber said. Brianna sighed.

"Nathan is in the bedroom. Do you want to start World War Three?" Brianna asked as she took her laptop. "But... thank you, for the compliment," She said and Amber smiled. 

"Bree. You're a good actress, you always have been, this proves that," Amber said. Then she noticed Brianna's shirt rise up as Brianna was putting her laptop in her bag. "Nice henna tattoo," She said.

"It's not henna," Brianna said. Amber's eyes widened as she walked behind her sister, and she was looking at the '23' on Brianna's back. "It... it's real!" Amber exclaimed. Brianna rolled her eyes as she turned around to face her sister. "23? Is that how many tequila shots it took you to do it?" Amber asked.

"Stop it!" Brianna snapped as she walked over to one of the cupboards to grab a bowl. When she was lazy and didn't feel like making breakfast, she would eat cereal. Amber hopped on the counter and sat in front of her sister.

"Hey, what happened to the whole tattoos are for sluts and burnouts sermon that you gave me and Brooke?" Amber asked. Brianna rolled her eyes.

"23 is Nathan's jersey number. Brooke permanently marked her body with a Chinese tattoo that doesn't mean what she thinks it means, and you permanently marked your body with some random... spider," Brianna said and Amber laughed.

"The scorpion paralyzes its victims," Amber said with a smile. "Nothing random about that," She said and Brianna nodded.

"Yeah... I bet," Brianna said as she made her bowl.

"You got a tattoo... and conveniently, it's in the exact same spot as mine. I guess you don't disapprove of your older sister so much after all," Amber said. Brianna shook her head as she took her cereal and went to the island of the kitchen to eat.

"Don't flatter yourself. I've never disapproved of you. I've just disapproved of some of the choices you've made with your life," Brianna said.

"Does this mean you didn't wait for the ring to give it up either?" Amber asked.

"I waited... until I was in love," Brianna responded.

"How about you Nathan?" Amber asked. Brianna looked up to see her husband walking out of the hallway into the kitchen. She didn't even hear his footsteps. "Were you in love the first time you had sex?" She asked.

"Amber!" Brianna scolded.

"What? We're family now, we shouldn't... have secrets," Amber said as she shrugged, and gave Nathan a knowing look. Brianna was trying to figure out what was going on. Did Amber know something about Nathan's first time?

"It's not really any of your business, but the truth is... whoever was my first... wasn't nearly as important as my last," Nathan said as he walked over to Brianna and wrapped his arm around her shoulders. Brianna smirked at her sister before she turned to her husband.

"Thank you," She said. Nathan smiled, leaned down, and kissed her. Brianna smiled because the other day was so rough, and she was tired of fighting with Nathan.

She was hoping they would get things on track.

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Later that day, Brianna was alone in her apartment. She wasn't sure where Nathan went, and Amber said she would visit Stephanie, which was fine with Brianna. The brunette sat at her laptop, drafting a message to Ethan. She wanted to know how his auditions went.

Ethan, how are you? How were the auditions? How is New York? Have you done any sightseeing yet?

That was all she wrote to him, she didn't need to send a long message, she just wanted an update, and honestly, she was jealous. She knew that could've been her in New York too, auditioning for Belle. Nathan and her marriage were important to her, but she also thought about their conversation at the sleepover a lot.

Why should she have to sacrifice her dreams or apologize for them when Nathan doesn't? Almost as if her thought summoned him, her phone rang and she looked down to see it was Nathan calling. She softly smiled as she picked up. "Hey, it's me. Uh, what are you doing?" Nathan asked. Brianna covered the receiver and sighed as she closed her laptop.

"Oh, nothing... just, thinking about you," Brianna said which wasn't a lie. She had been thinking about Nathan, but not in the way that he probably thought when she said it. She was thinking about the fact that he never apologized for his dreams and chasing after them, yet she felt like she needed to apologize for wanting her dream and sacrifice it just to placate him.

It didn't feel right.

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Brianna was at work, which felt like a good distraction. She was working with Haley, but she could tell Haley was distracted too, thinking about the showcase she didn't leave with Chris to go on. It seemed that they were in the same boat, giving up their dreams to make the men in their lives comfortable. The bell to the cafe dinged, Brianna looked up and smiled when she saw it was Nathan. She was pouring coffee from one of her tables. When she was done, she turned to her husband.

"Hey, so I was thinking about asking Karen if we could live here until Amber's gone; maybe like, put a mattress behind the counter or something?" Brianna teased as she laughed. She walked back to the counter and Nathan followed.

"Yeah, um... we need to talk about her," Nathan said and Brianna laughed.

"Yeah, I warned you about her! She's worse than Brooke sometimes. Give Amber an inch and she'll take whatever the hell she wants. I know her a lot better than you do," Brianna said. Haley had solved Brianna's mystery of where Amber was. Haley told her that her older sister Taylor had spontaneously come into town to visit. Taylor and Amber were in the same grade and they were friends, so Haley told her that their sisters were catching up.

Nathan gently took Brianna's arm and led her to the couches that were toward the front corner of the cafe.

"Alright, Bree, we got married... so quickly that we never really... had the talk that most people have when they get engaged. About... you know, past relationships... sexual history," Nathan said.

"Ah, well, that's probably because I can give you mine in under 10 seconds while yours is cataloged in the Library of Congress," Brianna teased with a smile, but then her smile dropped when she saw Nathan wasn't laughing too. "No? I'm sorry/ Okay, what's going on?" She asked. Nathan sighed and looked down before looking at his wife.

"Alright... My first time was at this party at my parent's beach house... I was pretty wasted and I never really saw the girl again... Until now," He said.

"Until now?" Brianna repeated.

"Brianna, listen, I swear! Of course, I knew who you were, but you hated me, and wouldn't even utter the words 'hi' to me when this happened, okay?" Nathan said. Brianna cocked her head to the side as she was thinking about it. Her eyes immediately snapped to Nathan's when she put the pieces together.

"Amber?" She asked.

"I'm sorry. I just... look, she threatened to tell you and I just thought you should hear it from me," Nathan said. Brianna couldn't hide the shock on her face. Nathan saw it all over her features. Her husband's first time having sex was with her older sister.

How does someone wrap their head around that?

"You slept with my sister?" Brianna asked. Obviously, she knew the answer to that question since Nathan had just told her, but she was so shocked, she wasn't sure what else to say.

"This was like years ago! I didn't even know that we would be together. You hated me back then," Nathan said and she knew he was right. She was not a fan of Nathan at all during their freshman year. If someone had told her during freshman year that she'd be married to Nathan by junior year, she would've told them they were insane.

"I should get back to work," Brianna said as she stood up from the couch and took a deep breath. She needed to process this. She wasn't mad, not exactly, she didn't really have a right to be. She was just shocked.

"Brianna?" Nathan asked. She wasn't sure what to say. She didn't want to be mean, but she truly had nothing else to say to him.

So she walked away.

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Amber Davis sat in her younger sister's apartment and she was on Brianna's laptop. As she was browsing on the internet, Brianna's laptop dinged and an IM message popped up. Amber couldn't leave it alone, so she opened it.

EWellington: New York is amazing. The auditions went well. They're still auditioning Belle. They really want you, Bree. Are you sure you can't come? I've been thinking about you.

Amber raised an eyebrow at the message. She knew it wasn't Nathan since the name started with E. She decided to do further digging.

TutorGirl: Who's this?

EWellington: Ethan. I figured IM chat would be faster than email.

A mischievous grin spread onto Amber's face when she saw it was Ethan messaging her sister. Amber knew she should leave it alone, but she couldn't help it. She didn't understand the big deal about Ethan, especially since Brianna didn't tell her anything. She knew the guy wasn't famous.

TutorGirl: I'm thinking about you too

EWellington: I want to kiss you again, Brianna

Amber's eyes widened at the last message because she didn't know that Brianna had kissed this guy. Before Amber could type a response, she heard the front door opening. She quickly exited out of the IM right as Brianna came through the door.

"You're home early," Amber noted. Brianna shut the door, set her purse down, and then took off her shoes. When she looked up, she noticed Amber was on her laptop, and then she started thinking about Nathan's confession and she started getting mad. She knew she should be mad at Nathan too, but it's just like Amber to do something like this. She knows that Amber clearly didn't know Brianna would end up married to Nathan when she slept with him, but she still couldn't believe that as a senior her sister slept with a freshman.

"And you're home all the time. What are you doing on my laptop? Cruising for jail bait?" Brianna snapped as she rolled her eyes. Amber raised an eyebrow.

"Excuse me?" She asked.

"Well, I heard your specialty is deflowering freshman during your senior year, you know in some places that's statutory rape," Brianna snapped as she dropped her keys onto the counter. Amber started laughing as she realized why Brianna was so mad.

"So the Boy Scout told you," Amber said. Brianna's eyes narrowed into a glare. "Quite a coincidence, huh? But look at it this way; now we can compare notes," Amber said. That only pissed Brianna off more.

"It's not funny, Amber!" Brianna snapped as she grabbed her sister by her hair and dragged her off the stool she was sitting on.

"Ow! Would you... let go!" Amber yelled back as she removed Brianna's hand from her hair. The sisters glared at each other. "If you wanted to find someone I hadn't slept with, you should've moved to Alaska," Amber said.

"You know what!? Do you think my relationship with Nathan is just a big joke!?" Brianna yelled.

"No! Of course not! But I think that Ethan is a laughing riot," Amber said as she pushed Brianna away from her. Brianna stopped when she heard Ethan's name.

"What are you talking about?" Brianna asked.

"I'm talking about you. Bitching about your husband's past when you have a present! I was online and I got an IM, or rather, you did. You've been kissing Ethan," Amber said. Brianna's face paled. She didn't kiss Ethan, he kissed her, and since she was shocked, she didn't stop it right away, but she knows she didn't kiss him back.

"I... I don't know what you're talking about," Brianna said.

"Are you sleeping with him?" Amber asked.

"No! Of course not," Brianna snapped and then she sighed. "It's not what it looks like, okay?" Brianna said. Amber scoffed as she put her hands on her hips.

"Oh, really? Because it seems to me like Saint Brianna is just as bad as the rest of us!" Amber said. Brianna sighed as she frowned.

"Amber... Nathan cannot find out about this," Brianna said. Amber recognized the tone of Brianna's voice. She was pleading, she was desperate. Even though they don't always see eye to eye, Amber does love her little sister, and she wouldn't betray her trust.

"Fine, Bree... but you have to let me stay. At least until I figure out what I'm doing," Amber said. Brianna inhaled a deep breath.

"Fine," Brianna said. She gave Amber one last look and then she walked off to her bedroom.

Amber sighed as she watched her sister go.

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"Any broken glass, fires, or girl fights going on in here?" Beckham Davis asked when he came to visit Brianna later that day. Beckham is the only person besides Brianna and Nathan that have a key to the apartment. They only made one extra and Brianna gave it to Beckham for him to share with Brooke, but she knew Beckham wouldn't lose it.

"Amber went out for a jog. All clear in here, Beck," Brianna said. Beckham laughed as he walked inside and closed the door behind him. Brianna was on the island of the kitchen with her laptop. Beckham walked over and gave her a hug.

"How's it going? You two haven't killed each other yet?" He asked.

"No... we haven't, but I'm close. Beck, she's the first girl Nathan ever slept with," Brianna said. Beckham laughed and Brianna rolled her eyes. "It's not funny," She said.

"It's a little funny," He said.

"Beckham, you from the beginning of this year would've killed Nathan for this, and now you're laughing. Whose side are you on?" She asked. Beckham smirked at her.

"Bree, I'm always on your side, you know that. But, I do think it's a little funny that Nathan's first time was with Amber. She was a senior when we were freshmen. I did not think she'd be into that," Beckham said and Brianna rolled her eyes.

"I love her, but I want her to go back to school. It's the middle of the year, what break is she on that's this long?" Brianna asked.

"Who knows? Hales was complaining about the same thing with her sister Taylor who randomly came back in town. They were seniors together and friends," Beckham said and Brianna nodded.

"I know. Hales said they're basically the same person when I was telling her what Amber was like," Brianna said and Beckham laughed.

"How amazing for you both. Speaking of Hales... has she mentioned anything about Chris?" He asked.

"No, why?" Brianna asked.

"Well, I know he wanted her to come to New York with him and play in this showcase, and I feel horrible for arguing with her about it and Chris all the time. I think she's starting to regret not going, and I don't want her to resent me or think I was keeping her from her dream," Beckham said and Brianna sighed. These were words she wished to hear from Nathan.

"Talk to her Beckham. Tell her that you love her, no matter what. If it's not about Chris and it's just about the music, trust her," Brianna said. Beckham nodded as he kissed his sister's cheek.

"Thanks, Bree. I need to go talk to her," Beckham said. Brianna nodded, and when he walked to the door and opened it, Nathan was on the other side, about to walk in. "Looks like I have perfect timing. See you guys later," He said. He and Nathan did a quick handshake before Beckham left. Brianna closed her laptop and smiled at her husband.

"Am I in the right apartment? Where's that... nasty incense smell?" Nathan asked and Brianna laughed.

"Amber went out for a jog," Brianna said.

"Does this mean you're talking to me again?" Nathan asked with a smile. Brianna nodded and softly smiled.

"I'm really sorry, Nathan. I overreacted. What happened with you and Amber was a long time ago, and I don't have the right to be angry with either of you for it," Brianna said. Nathan let out an exhale as he started laughing.

"Wow, I am in the wrong apartment," He said. Brianna smiled as she stood up from the stool.

"Besides... the things we did in the past don't mean anything, right?" Brianna said as she took a step closer to him. She knew that she should tell Nathan about Ethan kissing her, but she was scared that nathan would blow up on her. She didn't kiss him back because she was shocked, but she also didn't immediately stop the kiss either, because she was in shock.

"Well," Nathan said as he took Brianna's hands into his. "You don't have to worry anymore. I haven't slept with any of your other sisters," He said and Brianna rolled her eyes while playfully hitting his arm. Nathan laughed as he pulled her into a hug. "Listen, Bree. I don't want to hurt you, and I don't want to lie to you either. I know how honest you are with me," He said. He leaned down and kissed her and then kept his arms around her.

Brianna sighed as she laid her head on his chest and hugged him back. She looked at the wall beside her. She was lying to him, she wasn't being honest.

And she felt horrible about it.

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Later that evening, Brianna was out on the balcony when she heard the sliding door open. "Hey," She heard Amber's voice. She knew she needed to talk with her sister.

"Sorry about your hair," Brianna said. She was sorry, but at the same time she wasn't because she thought it was pretty funny when she thought back on it

"Sorry I slept with your husband," Amber said. She saw her sister's hands on the railing as Amber positioned herself in the same position Brianna was in. "If it's any consolation, I'm not that memorable," She said and Brianna made a fake gagging noise, making Amber laugh. "Okay, that's a lie," She said.

"What am I going to do, Amber?" Brianna asked. Amber could hear her younger sister was serious. Brianna knew that they didn't always see eye to eye, but Amber was her older sister, and by the rules, she was supposed to be there for Brianna when she needed her. And looking back on her life, Amber was there during the times when Brianna really needed her.

"Hang in there," Amber said as she squeezed her sister's arm. "He'll forget about me eventually," She teased. Brianna knew she was trying to lighten the mood, but she really needed her sister, and if Amber couldn't help her, she would call Stephanie.

"No, Amber. I'm serious. I love Nathan and this is all really confusing," Brianna said.

"Because you let Ethan kiss you?" Amber asked.

"No... because I'm jealous of what Ethan's doing, you know? The agents wanted both of us to come and audition, yet he's the only one out there. I could've been there too. I could've been auditioning for Belle and potentially getting my dream role, and I'm just jealous. He's going after his dream and his kissing me, just made it so much messier. I don't know what to do," Brianna said.

Amber hopped onto the railing and was now sitting on the balcony railing and facing her younger sister. "I am the wrong girl to ask for advice. You should've called Steph," Amber said. Brianna laughed a little as she shook her head. "You wanna know why I really got the tattoo? When the scorpion's caught in a fire, it stings itself to death," She said.

"That's a myth, actually," Brianna said.

"Not in my life," Amber said as she shook her head. "When things get bad... I always find a way to make them worse," Amber said. Brianna gave her a sad smile as she felt a few tears trickle down her cheeks. She hopped onto the balcony next to her sister and sighed. "The truth is, bree. You've always been miles ahead of me, and most of the time, I feel like the little sister. You'll do the right thing, Brianna Nicole, you always do," Amber said.

Brianna didn't know why, but those words coming from Amber meant a lot to her. Brianna sniffled, and Amber gently reached up and wiped her sister's tears away. Brianna laid her head down on Amber's shoulder and Amber wrapped her arm around her little sister. Brianna let out a deep breath and she felt better. Even though they had been going back and forth since the moment Amber got there. Brianna appreciated her sister.

Amber always came through when she needed her the most.

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Amber Davis was still awake, while her younger sister was back in her bedroom with her husband, asleep. After their talk, she knew her sister was serious about her relationship with Nathan and wanted to keep it on track, so Amber decided it was time for her to leave. While she was packing her things, she heard her sister's laptop ding. When she walked over, and opened it up, there was a new IM message from Ethan.

EWellington: Hey, gorgeous

Amber rolled her eyes at his message as she thought up a reply, but she knew she didn't need to think hard. After talking with her younger sister, she knew where she stood, so now she wanted to help her get rid of Ethan for good. She knows her sister is passionate about drama and the theater, but she doesn't believe she needs Ethan Wellington to achieve her dream.

So Amber typed up a message.

TutorGirl: I'm in love with Nathan, we can't talk anymore. Please stay away. -Bree

After it was sent, Amber didn't wait for a reply before she closed her sister's laptop and then went back to packing her things. Amid everything, she knew her sister would make the right choice, like she told her, and they both knew the right choice was Nathan.

She continued to pack with a smile on her face.

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aww, gotta love my davis sisters. 

don't forget to vote/comment. 

xoxo.