𝐒𝐎𝐍𝐆: 𝐂𝐡𝐚𝐬𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐂𝐚𝐫𝐬 𝐛𝐲 𝐒𝐧𝐨𝐰 𝐏𝐚𝐭𝐫𝐨𝐥

...🏀...

𝐏𝐑𝐄𝐒𝐄𝐍𝐓, 𝐓𝐑𝐄𝐄 𝐇𝐈𝐋𝐋

𝐀𝐔𝐆𝐔𝐒𝐓 𝟐𝟎𝟎𝟓

"𝐘𝐨𝐮 𝐭𝐨𝐨𝐤 𝐢𝐭 𝐝𝐨𝐰𝐧?"

A hint of hurt and sadness hit me, my gaze scanning over the completely deserted roof. The golf course that Haley and for Lucas our junior year was gone. Red bricks were bare of any fairy lights and there was no fake green grass under my feet, just concrete.

I shouldn't have been surprised a lot can happen in three months. I guess I just thought that some things would be the same when I got back.

"We didn't think you were coming back, so we... took the course down." Lucas explained regretfully. I moved over, settling between him and Haley. "It didn't feel right, letting it fall apart."

"Personally, I think he was getting tired of me schooling his party butt and not having you here to bail him out." Haley pointed out.

I smiled at them. "Oh, I don't doubt it."

God, I missed them.

It wasn't the same summer without them. I missed consisting sneaking over to my house to rant about the latest thing Taylor did to piss her off. Or Lucas' latest book he was reading, as he always tried and failed to convince me to read it.

Don't get me wrong, I loved traveling and singing to sold-out crowds. It was everything I could ask for. But...I missed Tree Hill.

"I didn't think you'd remember." He handed me a piece of paper and I immediately started unfolding it.

"Where else would I be?" I cocked a brow. "Tomorrow's the first day of school."

"Exactly," Haley rushed out. "Every year we try to predict what the next year's gonna hold and...every year I realize how out of touch I was with the year before.

I laughed, shaking my head. "I think we're all out of touch, Hales."

"Well, zero hour." Lucas said, and I let my eyes roam over my words.

"You first." Haley suggested.

"'This year, I'm going to kiss a boy'."

I bit my lips just as Haley snatched the paper out of Lucas's hands like it caught on fire. Her cheeks burned red and I couldn't help the laugh that escaped. 

"That's mine!" She held it to her chest as if that would hide it. "It's from seventh grade!"

"Well, it finally happened for you, then." He teased, and I smacked his shoulder.

"Be nice," I laughed, shaking my head at him.

"What about you?" Haley reached over and snatched one paper out of his hands. "This year I'll talk to Peyton Sawyer!"

I leaned back just as Lucas took it back. "It doesn't say that!" His eyes scanned over it. "Oh."

Clearing my throat, I looked back at my words. "This year, I'm going to volunteer at the tutor center."

"Mom and Keith will finally get married." Lucas added, his smile slipping.

I gave him a half smile, hating how things broke between Keith and Karen, all because of Dan. He left after the failed wedding and no one could blame him. All because Dan wanted revenge against his brother and he did everything to ensure that he would get it.

"I'll date," Haley started, and I turned just as a frown graced her lips. "...an actor."

I peered over her shoulder and blinked. The words stared back at me and my lips twitched. "Well, would you look at that?"

"Don't even start." Haley narrowed her brows at me. "It's not happening."

I blinked innocently at her. "Oh, yeah."

"Yeah," she said adamantly.

My gaze lingered on the golden trident necklace and its three aquamarine stones etched into each pointed tip shimmer like captured ocean waves, their cool blue hue contrasting against her skin.

"Nice necklace, Hales." The second the words left my lips, her fingers immediately brushed against the trident and it told me everything I needed to know.

Atlas never took it off.

He would fight with the directors and producers in any movie he was in to keep that necklace on. I knew my cousin and he wouldn't give it to just anyone, no matter if that's what Haley believes. She meant something to him, and the only one who is in denial is sitting right beside me.

"How 'bout this year we wait and see how the first day goes before any predictions?" Haley offered, effectively changing the subject.

I lifted a shoulder. "Fine with me. But don't think I'll let this go."

Lucas' arm came around and he pulled me into his side, squeezing me. "It's good to have you back, Mya. We couldn't have done senior year without you."

...🏀...

I knocked on the door and peeked my head in, frowning. "Principal Turner?"

There was no response.

I moved further into his office past the two vacant chairs opposite of the wooden desk along with the empty chair behind the desk. My fingers fluttered against the slip in my hands, and I was trying desperately to understand why Principal Turner would call me to his office. All I could hope is that Camilla didn't call him. Because as I explained to her last night, I wanted to go through my senior year as normal as possible.

No special treatment.

Because here in Tree Hill I wasn't Mylah Evans, the pop star. I was just a girl trying to make it through her senior year.

"He's not here."

I whirled around, my breath catching as my eyes locked onto a man I never expected to see again. His short, salt and pepper hair frames his face, but it was his hazel eyes—sharp, knowing—that sent a jolt of shock through me.

"What the hell are you doing here, Christian?" I mumbled against the shock coating my voice.

He pushed off the wall, and I tensed when he pushed the door shut, closing us in. My breathing faltered, feeling everything close in around me.

"We need to talk, Mylah." He said as if that was explanation enough. It wasn't. "Have a seat."

"I rather stand." I rushed out, trying to get a handle on the panic that rattled against my chest.

He sighed, rubbing the line between his brows. "For the record, I told my son to leave you alone, but it looks like he didn't."

I didn't look at him, hugging myself, trying not to feel small under his scrutinized gaze. "No, he didn't."

"Mylah, I failed you." The words left his mouth with regret and sincerity that it took me by surprise. "I should've noticed the signs. But even if I didn't, I know my son. I guess it was wishful thinking that he wouldn't turn out like his father."

I looked at him finally and his eyes glinted with a mix of disgust and hatred not at me, no at what I assumed was Andrew and his real father.

"I am truly sorry, Mylah. I know nothing I say will change what happened. But I am sorry."

I swallowed back the sob that wanted to escape. "As much as I appreciate your apology, Christian, you're not the one that I need an apology from. Also, you still haven't told me why you're here?"

He looked out the window, shoving his hands into the pocket of his slacks and I waited, bracing for the worst. "I'm here because of Andrew. He got kicked out of boarding school."

"Again, what does that have to do with me?" I pushed.

"There are no more boarding schools or private schools that will take him." Christian explained, and dread filled me. "The reason I'm here, Mylah, is to warn you."

I shook my head before he finished. "No."

"I can't stop him, Mylah." Christian sighed, and it was taking everything in me to keep myself upright. "Not without a court order. He doesn't have a record. You can thank my current ex wife for that."

The walls were closing in around me. "When?"

"Turner showing him around campus right now." He revealed.

I turned, heading for the door, needing to leave. "I need to go."

"Mylah..."

I didn't wait for him ripping open the door and ran. 

The first bell hadn't rung yet, and I didn't care that I would be late for class. I kept running. Down the hall grasping the handle of the double door and slamming it open. I barely even notice the warmth of the sun against my skin or the breeze brushing wisps of curls against my cheeks. I didn't stop until I was in the almost empty courtyard.

Metal bit against my hands harshly, and I welcomed the pain. My fingers gripped tightly to the picnic table and slowly crouched my knees, feeling my chest rise and fall erratically with my heartbeat. It wasn't slowly down even as I gulped in air for my starving lungs. Panic just kept building and it wouldn't be long before I would be in a full-blown panic attack.

I squeezed my eyes shut and placed my hands on my chest.

Breathe, Mylah. Breathe.

"Find Nathan." Brooke's voice reached my ears.

A hand brushed lightly against my arm, and I flinched. "Don't."

"Okay, Mya." Brooke pleaded, and I felt her drop beside me. I opened my eyes and turned to her and all I could find was worry in her eyes. "But I need you to take deep breaths for me."

"We're here, Mya." Haley's voice cut through the panic, and I found her on my other side. "That's it."

The throbbing in my ears subsided, and I blinked. Another breath came and went. With it, more of my panic lightened. I timidly grabbed their hands and let them drag me to my feet.

"Better?" Brooke asked after making me sit on top of the picnic table.

I nodded. "Yeah."

"Good, because you scared us," Brooke said, and Haley nodded in agreement.

"Sorry," I mumbled, hugging myself.

"You don't have to apologize." Haley grabbed my hand, giving it a squeeze. "Whatever it is we know you'll tell us when you're ready."

Brooke nodded. "Yeah."

I opened my mouth when a voice cut me off. "Hello, Mylah."

Dark eyes met mine, and panic seized in my throat, stripping me of my voice. There, standing with a few of steps separating us with a wicked smirk gracing his lips, was Andrew. He shifted from side to side without a care in the world, not even caring at the glares that I was sure that Haley and Brooke were sending his way. It seemed only to make his smirk grow.

"What the fuck is Satan incarnate doing here?" Brooke fumed, stepping in front of me protectively. "Are you stalking her?"

"No, though, it's always a pleasure, Brooke." He said, a hint of boredom in his tone.

"I don't know what would give you that idea." Brooke scoffed. "The only pleasure I will have is cutting off your dick and feeding it to you."

"I'll help," Haley added.

Andrew's jaw ticked. "As much fun as this has been, Mylah, we should be going. Don't want to be late on my first day."

"I'm sorry, did you just say first day?" Brooke gaped. "Like you go here."

"I know having brain cells is hard for you, but yes, I go here now." Andrew droned on. He shoved Haley and Brooke out of his way, grabbing my arm roughly, pulling me to my feet. "As fun as this has been, we're leaving."

I stumbled over my feet, trying to wrench my arm out of his grip, knowing it was going to leave a bruise. "Let me go."

His grip tightened, and I had to bite my tongue to keep from crying out. "Don't make a scene."

I swallowed my fear, staring into his eyes, and held my head high. "I said let me go."

"You've got three seconds to let go of my girlfriend."

Nathan.

I turned my head and relief filling me at the sight of my boyfriend and cousin glaring at Andrew. Nathan's gaze darkened when his eyes landed on Andrew's hand, still wrapped tightly around my arm in a vice like grip.

"Or what?" Andrew scoffed. "You don't scare me."

"He's a fucking idiot." Atlas murmured, moving in front of Haley protectively.

Andrew didn't even get the chance to open his mouth before Nathan's backpack slammed into his face. The force sent him stumbling backward, his grip on me breaking as he struggled to regain his balance. He barely had time to process what had happened before Nathan's fist crashed into his jaw. The impact snapped his head to the side, and before he could recover, Nathan tackled him to the ground, pinning him with a ferocity I hadn't seen before.

The first punch landed hard. The second was worse. A sickening crunch filled the air, making my stomach twist.

Brooke, standing beside me, didn't so much as flinch. "We're supposed to stop them, right?" she asked, her gaze never leaving the brawl.

Haley crossed her arms. "Technically, yes."

Brooke hummed. "I think we should look the other way."

"I second that." Haley nodded.

A sharp pain shot through my arm as fingers clamped down on it. I hissed. "Ow!"

My cousin's expression darkened, his jaw tight. "If Nathan doesn't kill him, I will."

A grunt tore my attention back to the fight. Nathan hauled Andrew to his feet, his fingers twisted in his shirt, before throwing him against a picnic table. Wood splintered beneath Andrew's weight, the sound cracking through the air. A crowd had formed around us, students whispering, some cheering, others watching in stunned silence.

"What the hell is going on?" Whitey's voice cut through the chaos like a blade.

The crowd shifted as he pushed his way forward, his expression tight with frustration. No one spoke. No one moved. Andrew groaned, struggling to his feet, his eyes blazing as he lunged at Nathan.

They crashed against a tree, the force making its branches tremble. Nathan's elbow shot back, landing between Andrew's ribs. A pained grunt escaped him, and he staggered—just enough for Nathan to flip him over a metal bench.

Brooke exhaled. "Do you want the long or short version?"

Whitey's gaze swept over the wreckage—the broken table, the scattered students, the bruises already forming. "Someone tell me what's going on before I give everyone detention."

I sighed, the weight of the moment pressing down on me. "He wouldn't let me go."

Silence.

Whitey dragged a hand over his face. "I'm too old for this." Then, louder, addressing the crowd, "If you don't want detention, I suggest you get your butts back to class. NOW."

The students scrambled.

Whitey turned to us. "Ms. Evans, get Nathan. Ms. James, Ms. Davis, stay put. Mr. Gray, you're with me." His eyes landed on Andrew, still groaning on the ground. "Let's go."

I nodded, stepping toward Nathan just as a sharp whistle rang out. It sliced through the air, piercing and disorienting, and Nathan froze, his fist still raised.

I moved. Before he could swing again, I grabbed his arm, pulling him away. "Nathan." My voice was steady, but my chest ached.

Andrew laughed, and I flinched. "It's going to be a fun year."

Whitey and Atlas took Andrew, dragging him toward the school. I didn't watch them go. My attention was on Nathan—the bruise darkening beneath his eye, the cut on his lip.

Brooke and Haley lingered at the entrance. "We'll see you in class," Brooke called before tugging Haley inside.

A hand brushed my cheek. Warm, rough, hesitant.

I turned, meeting blue eyes that burned with something unspoken. "I'm okay." He just stared at me. "I promise, the arm doesn't even—"

He didn't let me finish.

His lips crashed into mine, stealing my breath, my words—everything. Heat surged through me as I kissed him back with the same desperate intensity, my fingers twisting in his shirt. A sharp gasp escaped me when he pulled me flush against him, his body solid, grounding. His tongue brushed against mine, deepening the kiss, and I felt the tension in him unravel.

His hand slid to the back of my neck, fingers threading through my hair, holding me like he wasn't ready to let go. My grip on his shirt loosened, my palm settling over his chest, feeling the steady thrum of his heartbeat—no longer frantic, but slowing, matching mine.

Nathan broke the kiss first, his forehead resting against mine. "Your okay?"

I nodded because with him, here I was.

"Good," he breathed, pulling me even closer. "What the hell is he doing here?"

I winced. "Um, he transferred."

Nathan pulled back and growled, "He did what?!"

...🏀...

𝐀/𝐍: YOUR GIRL IS BACK!!!!

I can't believe I haven't updated this book since January. But thank you for over 150K reads on this book literally y'all are the best.

But anyway, Mylah and Nathan are back. We are literally halfway through this book right now, which is wild because that means I'm also finished with my rewrite and can get to the new stuff (AKA Mylah and Nathan getting married and possibly kid or two)

𝐐𝐔𝐄𝐒𝐓𝐈𝐎𝐍: How do you feel about the rewrite? How do we feel about Andrew (don't be shy, do your worst)? What would y'all like to see more of in the rewrite???

-𝑀𝑎𝑘𝑒𝑛𝑎 𝐵𝑙𝑎𝑐𝑘