...🏀...

𝐏𝐑𝐄𝐒𝐄𝐍𝐓, 𝐓𝐑𝐄𝐄 𝐇𝐈𝐋𝐋

𝐒𝐞𝐩𝐭𝐞𝐦𝐛𝐞𝐫 𝟐𝟎𝟎𝟒

"Under twenty-five seconds to go, the Ravens trail by two," the announcer's voice boomed through the gymnasium.

Sitting in the bleachers, I watched the basketball game, focusing on the Ravens huddled around Coach Durham.

My eyes followed Nathan as he broke out of the huddle, and I frowned as two players from the opposing team surrounded him and blocked him.

Nathan jumped and shot the basket, I held my breath, but it bounced off the rim. A collective groan filled the gym, and I could feel the tension in the air as the clock ticked down.

The ball found its way to Lucas, positioned behind the three-point line. Time seemed to slow as Lucas released the ball, a hush falling over the crowd, and the buzzer rang out, echoing through the gym.

It goes in.

I stand up and clap, cheering for my best friend as the Ravens win another game.

My eyes drifted to Nathan's, and I stared into his blue eyes as his team swarmed Lucas. He looked defeated, with his hands on his hips and breathing heavily from running up and down the court for most of the game.

I broke my gaze away from him and headed down the bleachers as the crowd dwindled.

"I thought this was your team."

I frowned as my eyes watched Nathan's dad storm away from Nathan. I sighed and turned, heading for Nathan, unable to get that defeated look on his face out of my mind.

"Hey," I said. His eyes found mine. "Nice game."

"Thanks," Nathan said.

"Mya!"

I looked over my shoulder and smiled. "You don't have to shout."

"How else am I going to get your attention?"

I rolled my eyes at my brother as he wrapped his arms around my shoulders. "How about walking up to me like a normal person?"

"Nah." He said.

I turned to Nathan, and I could feel my brother stiffen beside me.

"Scott," Alex grumbled.

"Evans." Nathan cocked a brow.

"Let's go, Mylah," Alex said, pulling me from Nathan and across the gym.

I shoved his arms off my shoulder. "Don't start."

"I don't know why you were talking to him in the first place," Alex said.

I sighed. "I don't know why they can't let it go."

"Maybe because Dan played dirty and almost ended Dad's career," Alex explained.

"And this is why I hate basketball." I sighed.

"Don't let Dad hear you say that." Alex reminded her.

There was a reason I didn't go to basketball games, not because I didn't want to support my brother but because my dad and Nathan's dad always got into it.

Everyone in town knows about the rivalry between my dad and Nathans', which started when they played for the same team in college. It was the championship game, and Dan played dirty, leaving my dad with a high ankle sprain. The injury almost prevented my dad from getting drafted for the pros, but he fought through the high ankle sprain and was drafted by the New York Knicks.

At least that's how my dad tells it.

"Just stay away from him," Alex told me. "He's nothing but trouble."

I looked over my shoulder, finding Nathan's as my brother pulled me out of the gym.

Maybe my brother's right.

...🏀...

I etched words into my notebook as my hand drummed along the table. A melody was stuck in my head.

No one knows about my songwriting, and I keep it that way because of my dad. He doesn't believe that songwriting or even pursuing music is an attainable career. But dancing in a studio for almost four hours every single week is a different story.

"Hey,"

I looked up from my notebook and frowned at Nathan standing in front of my table in the library. "Hi," I glanced around, wondering if he was looking for his friends. "Are you looking for someone?"

"Yeah," Nathan said, pulling out a chair and sitting beside me. "You."

I blinked. "Come again?"

"Mr. Reynolds paired me up with you since I'm failing two of my classes," Nathan explained.

He handed me a slip, and I grabbed it, looking it over. The blue paper had my name and Nathan's attached to it. I frowned, realizing Nathan was telling the truth, but I couldn't.

My dad and brother would kill me.

"Sorry, I can't," I told him, handing him the paper. I grabbed my notebook and bag and got to my feet. "Lucas is my best friend, and if you haven't noticed, our families hate each other."

"Mylah..." Nathan started.

"I'll find someone else," I told him.

He shook his head. "Whoa, whoa, look, look. There is nobody else. All right? I'd be fine with it if there was."

"Were." I corrected.

"See? You're helping me already." Nathan said.

I stared into his eyes and felt the urge to help him, but I thought about my dad and knew I couldn't.

"I can't," I said.

I turned and walked out of the library and tried to ignore Nathan's gaze on my back.

...🏀...

"So I know your family and Nathan hate each other, but why?"

I sat down at a table, looking at my friend look through folders in the tutoring center. "It's a long story."

"Well, if you can't tell, I need something to keep me busy," Haley said, shuffling through the papers.

"My dad still pissed that Dan almost ruined his career." I sighed. "He almost didn't get drafted because of it, or at least that's how he tells it."

"Hmm." Haley nodded. "I think they should just sit down and talk about it."

I agreed. "Yeah, but apparently, because of what Dan did to my dad and how Dan didn't make it to the NBA because of his knee injury, which he blames on my dad, we are destined to hate Dan Scott."

"But not Lucas." Haley pointed out.

I shook my head. "No, not Lucas."

"Seems complicated," Haley said.

"Tell me about it." A voice called out.

I looked up to see Nathan approaching the table.

"I'm going go." Haley rushed out, slipping out of the room.

"I just wanted to let you know that I'm gonna be fine," Nathan told me.

I got to my feet. "Okay."

He held up his exam, revealing a red F on the front.

"I mean, F is for fine, right?" Nathan shrugged.

I rubbed my forehead as guilt swarmed through me. I knew I was doing what my dad wanted me to do: stay away from the Scotts, but Nathan needed me, and I could tell that was huge for him.

Nathan turned, heading for the door, and I called, "Wait!"

I moved around the table and reached for his hand, stopping him. His eyes met mine, and I went against my dad's orders for the first time.

"Nathan, I'll help you." I rushed out.

"That's great." Nathan smiled.

I dropped his hand. "I have a couple of conditions," Nathan nodded. "One is that our families don't find out."

"All right, fine." Nathan agreed.

"Second, Lucas can never find out," I told him. "He's my best friend. Third, you leave him alone."

"Well, I don't really have much of a choice, do I?" Nathan sighed.

I held my hand out. "Meet me at 7 AM after the burning boat on the docks."

"Well, what about the tutoring center?" Nathan asked.

I shook my head. "It's there, or I'm backing out."

"Okay." Nathan nodded, shaking my hand.

"Get away from my sister."

I sighed and pushed Nathan behind me. "Walk away, Alex."

"I would listen to her," Nathan said as I felt his breath hitting the back of my neck, and a shiver went down my spine.

My brother glared at Nathan, clenching his fists. "Let's go."

I grabbed my bag from the ground and swung it on my shoulder, slowly following my brother out. I looked back, staring at Nathan briefly before my brother pulled me into the hall.

"What was that?" Alex asked.

"Alex, I love you, but let it go," I told him, ripping my hand out of his grip. "Some days, I wish Dad would let go of this stupid rivalry. It's ruining our lives."

"He's just trying to protect us." Alex pointed out.

I rolled my eyes. "Sure."

I don't think I need protection from Nathan.

...🏀...

I watched the waves, leaning against the wooden beam of the walkway overlooking the ocean. The sun slowly rose over the waves, and I closed my eyes against the light breeze on my face.

"Breakfast of champions."

I opened my eyes and pushed off the path to a small picnic table. "You're late,"

I sat down and waited as Nathan sat across from me, setting down two cups of coffee and a cracker jack box.

He ripped the box open. "Ugh, please let this be a cheat sheet."

A beaded bracelet fell into his hand, and I picked up my books, placing them around us.

"It's for you," Nathan said.

I sighed. "Nathan, no."

"Come on." He insisted.

He took my hand and placed the bracelet around my wrist. Our eyes met, and a half-smile graced his lips.

"Don't say I never gave you anything," Nathan said.

I grabbed a book. "I know that you are usually used to getting your way with your whole 'I'm Nathan Scott, Mr. Big Shot,' but that's not going to work with me."

"I see," Nathan said.

I turned my book to him. "I'm too smart to fall for you."

"I know." Nathan breathed.

I gestured to the coffee cup in front of me. "Is one of those for me?"

"Yes," Nathan said.

"Hmm," I mused, taking a sip. "Maybe you're not a total lost."

"In math and English, yes, I am," Nathan said.

I shook my head, trying to hide my smile. "Let's get started. Page 90."

As Nathan worked through the problems on his paper, I leaned back, feeling a shiver down my spine. I glanced behind me, a sense of being watched lingering, but I shook it off.

He can't get to me here.

...🏀...

I walked away from the crowd, holding a white dress. Glancing at the burning boat before me, I knew it was time to get rid of it and move on from that part of my life. With a determined grip, I crumpled the dress and threw it into the flames, feeling a weight lift from my shoulders. A hand on my shoulder made me look to see my mom softly smiling.

"Hey, mom," I said.

"Why that dress?" My mom asked.

I led her away from the boat and explained, "It was the first thing he saw me in."

Finding a spot to watch the opening ceremony, I observed a small crowd forming around the stage, waiting for the speaker to start. Coach walked onto the stage, clearing his throat, and silence fell over the crowd.

"Good evening!" Coach Durham's voice rang out.

I rubbed my arms against the biting wind, listening as Coach addressed the crowd at the festival stage.

"Usually, the master of ceremonies at this event is Red Legner, but, well, Red passed away," Coach continued. I felt my mom pull me closer, and I smiled at her. "So, what are you gonna do?"

Laughing with the crowd, I glanced at my dad, who held my mom's hand. Our relationship had been strained, mostly because I didn't care about basketball, and he was always coaching on the road.

"Now, we have a burning boat every year; people find things to toss into it." Coach Durham went on. "I guess if everything were perfect, we wouldn't be human." I felt someone grab my hand. "I guess, uh, well, it's not every day that we get a shot at starting over and putting our feet on the right path."

I glanced up to see my brother standing at my side and squeezing my hand. I looked back at Whitey and smiled.

"Nice bracelet," Alex said.

I looked at my wrist at the bracelet Nathan gave me and smiled. "Yeah."

"That said, we better get to the rat killing." Coach Durham said.

Cheers sounded as everyone watched him head for a torch near a Viking boat. There was applause as Coach lit the bot on fire, and I, for the first time, felt like I could try to move to pass him. I knew for a year that I had been stuck in the past, but I realized he no longer had control over me.

It's a small step.

...🏀...

"The guys kidnapped you, trashed your court, threatened you with bodily harm. Party, yeah. Sure, why not?"

"Okay, listen, I know it's all a setup, alright?" Lucas began gripping the wheel of his truck. "But I'm not gonna let him screw with me. Whatever he dishes out, he's going to get back double."

I looked out the window at the raindrops falling and sighed. "Maybe he's changed. You know, trying to put all that behind him for the team's sake."

"That requires a heart, Mya." Lucas scoffed.

"Right," I muttered.

When Lucas stopped and got out, I grabbed the door handle. I waited for Haley before shutting the door.

My eyes looked over the white beach house with twinkling lights covering it, illuminating it against the darkness. I shoved my hands into the pocket of my jean jacket, not getting over the uneasy I felt being back at another party.

I pushed it to the back of my mind and followed Haley to the house, not wanting to deal with the memories that those feelings would most likely bring up.

"I wasn't sure you'd come."

My gaze found Nathan's, and my breath hitched. His brow quirked upwards, a hint of a smile playing on his lips. I felt a jolt shoot through me.

Was that amusement or something more?

"That makes two of us," Lucas grumbled, pushing past Nathan.

I quickly looked away, hearing the beat of music from the house suddenly deafeningly loud.

"Hi," Nathan pushed past Haley and held out his hand. "I'm Nathan Scott."

I took it, ignoring the shock that ran up my arm. "Yeah, I know. I'm Mylah."

I felt him by my side as I walked up the stairs into the house.

The thumping bass vibrated through the floorboards, making the plastic cups on the tables and counters wobble precariously.

"Well, I bet their plumbing works." Haley whistled, turning and marveling at the house.

Lucas laughs, shaking his head.

"I'm just saying..." Haley said.

"Alright, thanks." Lucas breathed.

I let out a breath, letting my gaze travel over the keg in the middle of the room and the packed house from couples making out on the couches or basketball players crowding girls who looked at them expectantly, biting their lips.

This wasn't my crowd.

The Scott Beach house, notorious for wild parties and questionable decisions, was not my scene, especially since it was enemy territory.

"So, I know you're, like, having the time of your life, but can we please make like a tree and get out of here?" Haley asked.

"We just got here." Lucas reminded her.

"I'm with Hales," I said, walking beside them.

"Mya," Lucas sighed.

I held up my hands. "Just let me know when you make your point. I'm going to get some air."

"Gonna be back in five?" Lucas asked.

I nodded. "Yeah."

I pushed open the door and walked onto the porch, gripping the wooden banister. I felt like I could finally breathe and inhale the chill ocean air.

"You know the party inside, right?"

I looked over my shoulder, leaning against the doorway nonchalantly stood Nathan.

"I know," I said, turning from him.

"This isn't exactly your scene, is it?" Nathan's voice dipped low, almost barely a murmur.

"Not exactly," I admitted.

I glanced out the corner of my eye at Nathan stopping beside me. His presence sent a jolt through me. It wasn't fear, not that it was a feeling that I knew too well. It was more like my body understood what my mind was struggling to grasp.

The sound of approaching voices shattered the quiet. I looked over my shoulder when Haley emerged from the house, her face expression of exasperation.

"Lucas is being a jerk," Haley sighed. "I'm calling a cab. Are you staying?"

I shook my head. "No."

I pushed from the railing and almost reached the door when Nathan said, "Let me give you a ride."

I stopped and looked back at him. "You don't have to do that."

"I know." Nathan nodded, heading for me. "I want to."

I stared into his blue eyes, ignoring my friend's eyes on me and Nathan. As one thought went through my mind.

This was a bad idea.

It was a terrible, exhilaratingly bad idea. I was supposed to stay away from Nathan, and I should stay away from him. But under Nathan's gaze, a spark ignited within me, something thrilling as it was forbidden.

The word fell out of my mouth, "Okay."

I let Nathan lead us to his car, ignoring how my stomach did a nervous flip-flop as he opened the door for me. Sliding into the worn leather passenger seat, I looked out the window, trying to ignore the boy beside me. The scent of something citrusy and vaguely familiar filled the car – starkly contrasting the stale beer and sweat clinging to the air at the party.

Haley buckled up in the back and talked with me about her fight with Lucas that unfolded inside the house. Nathan remained silent, his gaze fixed on the road ahead. I tried to focus on Haley, but I could feel his presence beside me, a tangible energy that made the air crackle.

"Anyway, I hope Lucas comes to his senses soon." Haley sighed. She grabbed the door handle and pulled the car to a stop. "I'll see you inside."

Haley got out of the car, and I glanced at him; I caught him looking back.

"Thanks for the ride," I said, turning and grabbing the door.

His hand reached and softly grabbed mine. I went, still feeling his burning gaze on me.

"I'm glad you came tonight," Nathan said.

"Really?" I blinked.

He nodded with a ghost of a smile on his lips. "Yeah, Mylah, really."

I bit my cheek as his fingers trailed lazily on my hand, leading up to my wrist, where the bracelet remained.

I cleared my throat. "I'll see you Monday."

His eyes met mine, and he nodded. "Yeah."

"Great," I said. I turned but paused. "Lay off, Lucas."

"I promise you I would." Nathan breathed. I looked at him and could see the sincerity in his eyes. "I don't plan on breaking my promises with you."

I exited his car, walked across the lawn, and headed for the open door.

"Nathan?" Haley raised a brow with her arms crossed.

I sighed, closing the door behind me. "He promised to leave Lucas alone if I tutored him."

"I see." Haley frowned. "Do you want to know what I think?"

I followed her up the stairs to her room. "I have a feeling you're going to tell me anyway,"

"I think you're changing him," Haley said, opening the door to her room. "Just be careful, okay."

I pulled off my jacket. "I will."

Haley raised a brow. "Where's your blue ribbon?"

I ran my fingers through my hair and groaned. "I think I lost it at the party."

Great.

...🏀...

𝐀/𝐍: I'M BACK!!!

THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR 111K READS. 

It took me a while to figure out how I wanted this chapter to go. But I finally got it the way I wanted it. 

THANK YOU TO 899 FOLLOWERS.

Anyway, Mylah and Nathan are slowly getting closer to each other. Yes, the tutor is going to be Mylah, but it's going to be different than how Haley and Nathan's relationship was in the series. 

𝐐𝐔𝐄𝐒𝐓𝐈𝐎𝐍𝐒: What did you like about this chapter? How are you feeling about the rewrite so far? 

𝐒𝐎𝐍𝐆: 𝐁𝐫𝐞𝐚𝐭𝐡𝐞 (𝐟𝐞𝐚𝐭. 𝐂𝐨𝐥𝐛𝐢𝐞 𝐂𝐚𝐢𝐥𝐥𝐚𝐭) (𝐓𝐚𝐲𝐥𝐨𝐫'𝐬 𝐕𝐞𝐫𝐬𝐢𝐨𝐧) 𝐛𝐲 𝐓𝐚𝐲𝐥𝐨𝐫 𝐒𝐰𝐢𝐟𝐭

-𝑀𝑎𝑘𝑒𝑛𝑎𝐵𝑙𝑎𝑐𝑘