Playing With Fire || Nathan Scott [1-2]

Pilot

Rose Song was at the River Court with her head in a book as her friends played basketball.....

"Lucas Scott with the ball. And he currently nurses a big winning streak. Come on. 14-13, game point for team Scott. Oh!" Mouth Announces causing Rose to look up from her book.

"For those of you at home, Lucas wears his black shorts tonight with his traditional white high-tops. " Mouth counties announcing. Rose loved how passionate Mouth was about doing this.

"He is currently playing without a shoe contract, Mouth," Jimmy added.

"Yeah, let's go, Luke."Rose cheered causing Lucas to look at her and wink

"Luke flashes in the paint. Fergie finds one on the wing." Mouth announces as Lucas gets ready to shoot.

" Scott for the game!" Mouth yells as Lucas shoots, the ball falling into the hoop causing the metal chains to rattle. Rose to jump up and clap. Lucas looks over to see Rose clapping with a bright smile on her face. Lucas holds out his arms for Rose. She looks at Lucas shaking her while walking over to give him a hug.

*****

After the game at the river court, Lucas was walking Rose home. Lucas dribbling the basketball with his headphones in his ears and his hood up while Rose was slightly in front of him with her headphone dancing.

Neither notice the red car heading towards them, not until the driver slams the brakes. Stopping the car just inches before it made contact with either of them.

Taking off his hood and earbuds Lucas looks at the girl who Rose recognizes as Peyton Sawyer or she liked to call The Tortured Artist. She was a cheerleader and girlfriend to Lucas' jerk of a half-brother Nathan Scott; star of the Ravens basketball team.

She makes a gesture for them to get off the road and Lucas tucks the ball under his arm and with his free one he wraps his arm around Rose and continues their walk.

****

The next day much to Rose's dismay Lucas had dragged her to river court. Rose watched as Lucas shoots the ball and watched it go into the orange hoop like it always did.

Junk checks the ball back to Lucas before speaking "You guys remember Tom Dugan from grade school?"

"Yeah, he used to live next door to you, right?" Lucas asked him, catching the ball that Junk passed to him.

"Yeah some guy slapped him with a wet towel, and he lost one of his testicles." Junk told them.

Rose made a face of disgust as the rest of the guys laughed.

"Okay Junk," Jimmy said, not believing Junk, not that anyone actually did anyway.

"Anyway, what are you reading nowadays?" Skills asked Lucas.

"Ah, Steinbeck- "The Winer of Our Discontent" Lucas replied to him, turning the ball around in his hands.

"Let me hear some." Skills asked. Lucas shook his head.

"Come on dawg. You know I be reading vicariously through you. How about Rose will you read me what you are reading."

"I don't think you will like it," Rose said standing up and walking over him. Lucas shacks his head once more before shooting the ball.

Rose clears her thought and opens her to the page she was reading. She opens her mouth to read but it cut off by loud music causes everyone to turn their heads and see Peyton Sawyer, herself driving past.