The Other James ~~ One Tree Hill FanFiction

Chapter 16

No A/N

Season 3 Episode 19

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Tonight was our first game back, and I sat in the locker room with Lucas.

"Black jersey's... for Keith." Nathan said.

I sighed, taking my jersey out. There was a 'KS' patch on the left side of the jersey now, and I turned to Lucas. He just nodded, getting dressed.

We all took the court, shaking hands with the other team just before tip off. I noticed Lucas zoning out, so I got Nate's attention and he talked to him. That's when Lucas turned off the court, and I followed Nathan over to Whitey.

"We're in this together, Coach." Following Lucas into the locker rooms.

"That's a forfeit ref..." Whitey sighed.

***

I walked with Rachel after the game, because we had plans for once instead of just going with the flow. But she stopped in her tracks, eyeballing a poster.

"Rachel? What's up... do you know her?" I asked, wrapping an arm around her.

"I used to..." She paused, looking at me. "Brooke did this." Then stormed off.

That's when Brooke walked out of the gym, so I approached her. "What are you doing to Rachel? She knew whoever is on that picture you posted everywhere"

She rolled her eyes, "Nothing, I am just messing around. And she knew her...?" She handed me a picture, "Maybe you should check the back."

"What are you trying to pull, Brooke?" I asked, knowing that this behavior wasn't normal for her.

"Really, it's nothing! I was never planning on revealing her, I just wanted to shake things up..." she defended.

I shook my head, "Didn't you learn anything from the shooting?" I said and stormed off.

***

The next morning, I helped Rachel take down all of her posters. "It's you, isn't it. The girl in all of the pictures?"

She nodded, looking at the ground. I smirked and lifted her head up to look at me, "You've always been beautiful, Rachel. It's all in your heart."

She fell into my arms for a tight hug and then gave me a long, loving kiss. Then turned away to leave.

Afterwards, I headed to practice. Lucas showed up later on to talk about possibly quitting the team.

"Unless you can tell me why this game matters right now, I don't think I can play." He said.

Nathan and I exchanged glances. That's when Whitey finally spoke up. He went into detail about 'The Monarchs'. The best team in the state, back in the day. One night the blacks and the whites mixed up the teams and then the team was even better than they could imagine. "You want me to tell you that this game matters? It does matter, Lucas."

***

Another game day came, and I was in the locker room going over some plays with Whitey and Nathan. That's when Lucas came in, not dressed in his uniform. Nate and I went to leave, but Lucas stopped us.

"You guys are gunna need to hear this too." He started, taking a breath. "I lied. I have HCM, so if I play then that means I could die..." He said, his voice cracking slightly.

Lucas left, while Nathan and I took the court and went on with the game. It was a different game now that Lucas wasn't out here with us.

***

After the game, I was on my over to Rachel's. I was over the whole fooling around without a label, so I was going to ask her to be mine finally. I knocked on the door and she answered.

"Toby... w-what are you doing here?" She said, stepping out and closing the door.

"I just.. you have been such a big help for me and you know how I feel about you so I was just wondering if you wanted to make it offic-" I stopped.

"Hey babe, who's at the door?" a guy said, joining behind her without a shirt on.

I nodded and clenched my jaw as it hit me. "Nevermind." I said, turning and walking away.

I can't believe it... I was so torn and thought it was actually something real. Brooke was right, and Haley. Everyone. My heart started pounding and I could feel my hands getting clammy. I took a seat on a bench and relaxed myself.

I was over this. I would focus on me and Haley from now on.

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No A/N

till next time!

*kelsey*