One Tree Hill- Taylor Scott

Chapter 12

***Not edited

My father is a man who takes every opportunity possible to show off his money and basketball legacy. Therefore, every year at my house there is an annual basketball appreciation party. Unfortunately I have to be there but at least I won't be alone. Nathan is obviously going to be there, although I probably won't see him since he'll be with his friends. I've also kind of been avoiding him since our last fight. I meant it when I said I'm done giving him chances. If he wants another he's going to have to earn it. Brooke will be there and so will Peyton, but one of them will probably be with Lucas. I thought that Brooke was trying to get with him, but now it seems like Peyton likes him. Honestly, I have no idea what is up with my two friends. I just hope they don't end up fighting over the same guy- especially if that guy is my brother. The bright side to all of this is that Jake will be here. 

Until then I have to deal with Dan. I wish that I had juts stayed in my room until people got here because then I wouldn't have to talk to him right now. I'm in the backyard neatening up some decorations when Dan comes up behind me. "Is that really what you're wearing? This is a classy function, not a strip club."

Turning around, I look down at what I'm wearing. It's a tight navy blue dress, and rather modest for that matter. Sure, it's tight and has a plunging neck line, but I've worn worse. "Well in that case, I guess I'll have to cancel the call girls I ordered to help me out," I shoot back at him. He just laughs coldly. I swear, every day I love my father less and less. 

"She looks beautiful," my mom speaks from the open doorway. I didn't even see her standing there. I smile at her and she looks at Dan. "The rule that you have to be on your best behavior includes when you're speaking to our daughter."

I don't know what my moms talking about, but I don't ask. Saving me from my parents is the doorbell. I mumble that I'll get it and make my way towards the front of the house. Unfortunately, it's none of my friends. Just two sets of parents of members of the basketball team. I'm still grateful though, because they ask where my father is. If they're talking to him, that means I don't have to. About a half hour later, pretty much everyone is here. Surprisingly, Karen and Keith came. I didn't expect Karen to dare come to a party that Dan Scott is throwing but I'm glad she did. It's kind of a slap in Dan's face if you ask me. The son he abandoned, the mother of that child, his brother that raised the child, and himself all under one roof. If that doesn't make Dan uncomfortable, I don't know what will. 

I'm also still confused about the whole Peyton-Brooke fiasco. Brooke is clearly trying to win over my half brother, and she also seems to be trying to get Nathan and Peyton back together. I don't know if my friends can see it, but it seems like Lucas is into Peyton, and I think she might feel the same way- whether she knows it or not. Because of that Brooke's plan for Nathan and Peyton isn't going to work. Plus Nathan and Haley obviously have something going on. I was teasing Haley about it last night, but she refused to budge and give me any information on the subject.

I've been alone this whole time, standing inside the house, because there's no way I'm getting between Brooke and Peyton right now. They're not fighting or anything, but I don't want to be there if or when they realize that they're both into the same guy. It hasn't been that long, but it feels like hours that I've been standing here in boredom with my elbows resting on the counter waiting for Jake to get here. 

Just when I think I can't wait any longer, a pair of hands cover my eyes from behind. A goofy smile immediately forms on my face because I know exactly who those hands belong to. "Jake," I breathe and turn around. 

Jake kisses me lightly and then takes my hand in his. "Sorry I'm late. I had to stop for gas on the way over."

"It's okay, you're here now," I tell him. Jake and I have been dating for a couple of weeks now, and I still get that fuzzy feeling in my chest whenever I'm with him.