278A story that came to me a few weeks ago and I can't stop writing it! Hope you all enjoy :)
Chapter 1: The Butterflies Begin
"Thanks for the ride home Mama James," thirteen-year-old Brooke Davis said as she slid into the backseat of the van.
"Of course Brooke," Lydia James said before turning to her daughter who sat on the opposite side. "How was school Haley-Bop?"
"Awesome! I checked the answers to the GEPA revciew packet with Mrs. Benson and I got almost all of the right!" Haley smiled as she redid one of her French braids.
"Haley, we don't even take those stupid tests for another three months. Why are you bothering studying for them now?" Brooke asked her best friend, opening her purse in search of her signature sparkle lip gloss.
"Don't you want to do well?" Haley asked. Brooke rolled her eyes and began to apply the lip gloss. Lydia chuckled at how different the girls were. They had been together since preschool and although they had their moments, she knew Haley and Brooke would do anything for each other.
"Well girlies, we have to stop at the high school-your brother had a basketball meeting and needs a ride home." Lydia said, turning down the road to Tree Hill High.
"Haley, can you believe we go to high school next year? Think of the parties, boys, basketball games-"
"Woah, don't you have a boyfriend already?" Haley laughed.
"Yeah but Chase is nothing compared to the high school boys we will meet and love. Plus, we've been going out for two weeks-he's getting boring. I mean, hello, do you seriously think I care about skateboarding?" All three women in the car laughed as they pulled up to Tree Hill High. Jake James and a boy Haley didn't know walked towards the car.
"Who's that?" Brooke wondered aloud as Haley stared at him. He was the most gorgeous boy she had ever seen in her life: tall, built well and had dark brown, almost black hair which was slightly spiked in the front. He walked down the courtyard as if he
were gliding, casually laughing at something Jake said. When they reached the car Haley saw he had midnight blue eyes and a charming smile.
"Hey mom, this is Nathan Scott. Can we give him a ride home?" Jake asked.
"Of course honey. Jake you should sit in the back with the girls then, we'll be a little cozy."
"Oh no, it's fine Mrs. James. I get out first, I can sit in the back." Nathan said, opening the door.
"Okay, well then scooch over Haley-Bop and let the boy have some room." Haley snapped out of her trance and quickly took the middle seat as Nathan moved next to her.
"Hey," he said, looking at her. She looked up at him and could barely breathe. She felt a nudge in her side from Brooke and again had to snap back into reality.
"Hell-ey," she bluted out. "I mean hello. Or hey. They kind of came out together. But either works I guess." She stopped talking at the realization that she was rambling. He let out a smile.
"I'm Brooke, Brooke Davis." Brooke introduced herself before focusing her attention on Jake. "So Jakey-poo how was the meeting?"
"You are so annoying Brooke." Jake muttered. He turned around to face Haley. "So Hales, how'd the GEPA review packet go?" Haley smiled at her brother, gratefully. She and Jake were just over a year apart and had grown up so close. They rarely fought and were often mistaken for twins, which they found funny because Jake was easily a foot taller than Haley.
"It went great, thanks for your help last night."
"So you're in 8th grade?" Nathan asked Haley. She nodded, turning a shade of red just being addressed by him. Sensing her discomfort, Jake turned the subject away from
Haley. The remainder of the ride to Nathan's was spent discussing the basketball team and Coach Whitey with Brooke throwing in random questions and Haley keeping silent.
"Thanks again for the ride Mrs. James." Nathan said when he got out of the car at his house.
"Of course honey, anytime.'
"See ya tomorrow man,' Jake said, giving Nathan a nod. Nathan nodded in return and walked up to his house.
"He seems nice." Lydia said. "Don't you agree Haley?" She winked in the rearview mirror.
"Uh..." Haley started, turning red.
"Hales you so love him."Brooke nodded. "I'll tell you what- I promise I'll never go after him, until Junior Year prom that is. You get a three year courtesy hold on him. Fair?" Haley shook her head.
"I don't like him like that. I don't even know him. Plus, he's too old for me."
"Sweetie, you're only a year apart. " Lydia added.
"And a whole school apart," Haley reminded.
"We won't be next September!" Brooke said, giddy. "Oh my gosh, Jake, will you take me to one of the basketball game after parties so I can get an early in with the starting lineup?"
"Absolutely not." He replied. Brooke scowled and Haley suppressed a grin.
"I swear Jake, your nicer to me than Brooke."
"You don't drive me insane." He reasoned.
"Jake," Lydia warned.
"Tis okay Mama J." Brooke piped up. "Jake is just mad cuz if he took me to the party then all of the attention will be on me."
"Yes, that's exactly the reason." Jake sarcastically said. Haley chuckled at the two of them. They fought like a married couple, even at such a young age.
"Anyway, back to you and Nathan." Brooke said to Haley.
"There is no me and Nathan," Haley reminded her, getting butterflies just saying the name.
"Not yet anyway. But there will be. Trust me Hales...there will be."
NEXT: Flashforward three years to the present