Tree Hill, North Carolina

Troy Dawson shot the basketball across the baseline, warming up before the Ravens basketball game.

"Nathan, twenty shots, no less," came the voice of Dan Scott, his best friend Nathan's Dad.

Troy rolled his eyes, unable to fathom growing up under the same level of control as Dan.

Troy grabbed his rebound, dribbling back towards the three-point line when he felt a small embrace envelop his leg.

It was his little sister, Chloe.

"He shoots, he scores!" the girl giggled as she held tightly onto her brother's legs, causing Troy to laugh.

"Hey Munchkin," Troy said as he picked up his sister. "Where are Mom and Dad?"

"They said I can come see you before your game," Chloe said, pointing in the direction of their waving parents.

"That's great," Troy smiled. "You should probably go sit with them; we're about to start soon."

"Okay," Chloe said softly. "Are Kat and Brooke here?"

"I'm sure they're getting ready in the locker room with Peyton," Troy said. "I'll see you after the game, okay?"

"Okay!" the girl exclaimed. "Good luck, big brother."

Troy chuckled as he saw his sister run to their parents. Chloe had always been an enthusiastic little girl, always eager to attend her older brother's games and see his friends.

"Well, isn't that sweet?" Dan Scott interjected as he walked behind Troy. "What a nice sibling moment."

"Hi, Mr. Scott," Troy muttered. "Our game is about to start, what do you want?"

"I just wanted to wish you luck," Dan smirked. "I'm expecting a win and a big game from my son."

"Well, Nathan always delivers," Troy said, shooting his basketball. "One more thing, Troy," Dan said before taking his seat in the bleachers. "Don't choke."

Troy looked at the man in disbelief, wondering who he thought he was.

Meeting Jordan in the huddle, Troy led the team back to the locker room for Whitey's pregame speech.

"A basket by Nathan Scott," the announcer boomed. "He looks sharp out there tonight."

Jordan ran down the court, stealing the ball from an opposing player and sprinting the other way.

"Now a steal by the Ravens as they go on the offensive, Coach Whitey Durham urging them on."

Jordan launched the ball forward, finding Troy in the open lane as he slammed the ball into the net.

"Jordan Jagelski finds Troy Dawson who hammers it home!"

Troy jogged back the other way, high-fiving Nathan and Jordan as he got back on defense.

It was his tenth point of the night, with hopefully many more to come.

"Tonight it's all about Troy Dawson and Nathan Scott. I tell you, I haven't seen talent like this since their fathers, Dan and Jack, played for Whitey!"

🏀

"You guys are stinking up the place!" Whitey bellowed, calling a timeout, even though they were leading by nine. "What the hell is going on here?"

"Whitey, relax!" Nathan exclaimed.

"We're up by nine, Coach," Troy argued with his friend.

"Issac, Jordan, go in for these two hooligans," Whitey said sternly, gesturing for them to take a seat.

Troy sighed, making his way to the bench alongside Nathan.

"Bunch of bullshit," Nathan muttered.

"What have I told you two about that?" Whitey asked as he broke the huddle. "I don't care if we're up by five or fifty. I'm still the coach, and it's still my team."

"Sorry, Coach," Troy said. "Won't happen again."

Whitey nodded before turning his attention back towards the game.

🏀

"Under twenty seconds to go, and it's all tied up. Fasten your seatbelts, folks, we're going down to the wire here at Tree Hill High School, with the Ravens' undefeated season on the line."

Jordan swiped the ball from an opposing player, taking it up the court before slinging the ball to Nathan.

"Oh my goodness, it's stolen by Jordan Jagelski! The Ravens have it!"

Nathan passed to Tim, who stood in place to set up the offense.

"Ten seconds remaining! Now nine!" the announcer exclaimed. "Who's going to take the final shot?"

Tim passed the ball towards Isaac, who passed to Troy on the wing.

"Dawson for the game!" the announcer shouted as Troy released his shot.

The ball swooshed into the net, and the crowd went wild.

Nathan jumped onto his best friend, who fell to the floor laughing as the team clamored around him.

Troy made his way to the cheerleaders, who huddled around him, cheering as Chloe launched herself from Kayla's shoulders, screaming her way towards her brother.

It was an electric night, to say the least.

🏀

"Post-game celebration?" Isaac asked his friends as they changed post-game.

"Not for me, boys," Troy said. "Hanging out with my family tonight."

"The man of the hour choosing family over the boys? That's a low blow, man," Tim said in disbelief.

"Come on, Troy, it'll be fun," Nathan said, still a little upset he didn't take the final shot.

"Not tonight," Troy shrugged. "Maybe next time for sure."

"I'll hold you to that," Nathan said, fist-bumping Troy. "Jagelski, you coming?"

"Sorry, guys, got plans tonight."

"Who's the girl, J?"

"What are you talking about?" Jordan asked in confusion.

"You've been skipping post-game parties all season. If you're not hooking up, what are you doing?"

"It's nothing you guys need to worry about."

"Whatever you say," Nathan shrugged.

As Troy left the locker room, Tim emerged from the door, smirking as he dangled a set of keys in his hand.

🏀

Peyton Sawyer sped through a neighborhood in her 1963 Mercury Comet, blasting music through the speakers.

She decided not to endure whatever post-game antics Nathan was planning, instead opting to spend her night with her best friend Jayden, who also happened to be Nathan's twin brother.

"Jay, what the hell are we listening to?" Peyton asked as they rounded a curve.

"The Smiths," Jayden answered. "Like we have been for the last fifteen minutes."

Peyton ejected the disc, looking it over before reaching into the back seat.

"I bought this demo at the store last week; you might like it."

"That's great, Peyton, but shouldn't you be watching the road?" Jayden asked in concern.

"Relax, you baby," Peyton laughed. "We're in a dark neighborhood, and nobody's around."

"Peyton, just tell me what CD it is, and I'll look for it."

"Jay, relax; I'm fine," Peyton reassured. "Now where is-"

"Peyton! Look out!" Jayden yelled as Peyton shot upwards, slamming on the brakes as they sped towards a walking figure.

The car stopped abruptly, shooting the two friends backward into their seats.

"Okay," Peyton panted. "I should have been watching the road."

"You don't say."

As the two collected themselves, Jayden sighed loudly.

"What?" Peyton asked.

"It's Lucas," Jayden replied, gesturing toward his half-brother.

"It's like he's staring right into our souls," Peyton said in irritation, while Lucas continued to eye the pair.

Peyton rudely gestured for Lucas to get out of the way. Once he did, the two continued to drive into the night.

"I'm sorry about that," Peyton said. "Want to drive around some more? I can take you home if you want."

"And deal with Dan?" Jayden scoffed. "No chance. Now where's that CD you wanted to show me?"

                                             -

Troy awoke early the next morning to get ready for school. He had spent the previous night at Karen's Cafe with his family celebrating his game-winning shot.

He thought the waitress at the cafe had been sneaking peeks at him all night, but he wasn't so sure.

Troy trudged to his closet, picking out his clothes for the day before setting off toward the kitchen, careful not to wake his sister up this early.

"Morning, honey," Rose Dawson smiled as she continued making breakfast. "You ready for your test today?"

"Morning, Mom," Troy replied. "As ready as I'll ever be."

"I'm sure you'll do as great as you did in last night's game," Jack Dawson appeared from the stairs, kissing his wife good morning before going to make some coffee for himself.

"Thanks, Dad," Troy said. "That's the plan."

A few minutes passed before Jack's phone began to buzz; the caller was the principal at Tree Hill High School.

"Principal Turner?" Jack asked his son in confusion.

"I don't think I did anything," Troy replied, just as confused as his Dad was.

"Probably nothing regarding you," Jack shrugged before taking the call. "I'll be right back."

Jack disappeared into the other room, allowing Rose to sit next to her son.

"Have you talked to Riley recently?" Rose asked, making Troy sigh at the mention of his ex-girlfriend.

"Nothing to talk about, Mom," Troy replied. "It just seemed like one of us was fully committed."

"You both will be okay," Rose reassured, sipping her coffee.

Jack emerged from the other room, his face laced with confusion.

"Dad, what's wrong?" Troy asked his father.

"Your friends stole a school bus last night."

"I'm sorry, what?" Troy asked, wanting to make sure he heard his Dad correctly.

"They took a joyride on a school bus after the game," Jack replied. "That has got to be the wildest post-game tradition-"

Jack stopped talking as he looked at the stern gaze of his wife.

"Jack..."

"Yes, sorry, honey," Jack said. "Principal Turner was just asking me if you were involved, but you were with us last night anyway. He had no doubt you didn't participate."

"Dammit, Nathan," Troy muttered. "What the hell did you do?"

"But we will have to go before school today to see what the punishment is going to be," Jack said. "I'll have to ask someone to open up shop until I can come in."

"I'll drop Chloe off at school," Rose said. "God, Troy, I hope this doesn't forfeit your season."

                                               -

Principal Turner and Whitey gathered the team and their parents in the library hours later, their expressions clearly unhappy.

"Some of your parents see this latest incident as tomfoolery, a little prank," Principal Turner began. "Personally, I see a little breaking and entering, Chief Wayman sees possession and consumption by minors, and a smidgen of grand theft auto."

Troy looked at Nathan in disbelief, who didn't seem fazed in the slightest.

"That said, I think it's time we send a message. The following players were not involved and will not be reprimanded."

"Jake Jagielski."

"Jordan Jagielski."

"Isaac Wright."

"Tim Smith."

"Troy Dawson."

"Nathan Scott."

Jack looked at his son with the same thoughts; it was obvious that Nathan was the ringleader in all of this and was only not being reprimanded because his Dad bailed him out.

"All players involved are suspended from extracurricular activities, specifically basketball, for the rest of the season."

                                            -

"This is such bullshit," Nathan muttered as the boys walked to their class.

"What, that you dumbasses decided to hijack a bus and get most of the team suspended?" Troy asked. "Because that, to me, is bullshit."

"How are you blaming me for this?" Nathan asked. "Whitey could have just suspended them for one game."

"We don't even have the numbers for an entire team," Jordan sighed.

"I really don't want to think about this," Troy said in irritation. "We have that damn pre-calc test soon."

"Don't remind me," Jayden said. "We're lucky Kat lent her notes for the test."

"K-Davis always coming in clutch." Isaac followed up.

"Hey, you guys in it to win it for this test?" Tim emerged from the hallway, making the group sigh at his poor choice of words.

"Just ask if we're ready for the test, Tim." Jordan said angrily as they entered the classroom.

                                            -

The following day, the group found themselves in the library during study hour, feigning focus on their homework as a means of passing time.

"Kat, what's your answer for number four?" Nathan inquired of Kat, the school's top student.

"It's 32, Nathan, and I won't be providing any more answers, no matter how many times you ask," Kat replied firmly.

Nathan merely smirked, eliciting an eye roll from Troy, who rifled through his bag before producing a CD and passing it to Peyton.

"You were right, Peyton," he acknowledged. "This track is really good."

"As if I ever steered you wrong,"Peyton smirked back. "Thanks, T."

Suddenly, Whitey appeared in the library.

"Scott," he addressed Nathan and Jayden, causing them to look up.

"Sup, coach."

"Christ, I forgot there are three of you," Whitey muttered. "Not either of you."

"You," he continued, pointing at Lucas, provoking an angry glare from Nathan.

"Nathan, go read a book or something."

"Nate," Troy said as Lucas walked away with Whitey. "You okay?"

But Nathan remained silent, his gaze still fixed on Lucas.

Later that day, Troy and Tim went over to Nathan's house. After a game of horse, they gathered in the kitchen, listening to Nathan vent about his apprehension regarding Lucas joining the team.

Nathan feared his half-brother might usurp everything from him—his star player status, his popularity at school, Peyton, and everything that came with it.

Troy couldn't comprehend Nathan's anger in all of this. Why did it matter so much?

"So your dad finally mentioned the guy?" Tim inquired, to which Nathan nodded.

"I heard he's pretty good; maybe we can utilize him," Troy suggested.

Nathan scoffed.

"Troy, we could make it to the state championship with three blind guys and a cripple, which is practically us and whoever's left," Nathan retorted, prompting laughter from Troy.

"Just saying, man."

"So, where are we heading anyway?" Tim asked.

"I was thinking we could go to the park," Nathan replied as the boys climbed into Troy's Mustang.

                                             -

They arrived at the Rivercourt, only to see Lucas Scott shooting a basketball by himself.

Troy sighed, what is with Nathan and his obsession with humiliating this kid?

As Nathan walked up to Lucas, Troy leaned over his car door, listening in to whatever Nathan had to say.

"Nice shot." Nathan spat. "Can you hit that against a double team? Down by two? Packed house telling you you suck? How about two people telling you you suck?"

"What do you want?" Lucas asked.

"What do I want? What do you want man? I mean, other than my girlfriend and my spot in the lineup? Huh?"

"None of us want you on the team man, I don't want you, the guys don't want you, my girlfriend sure as hell, doesn't want you." Nathan continued.

"So here's the deal. You and me, one on one. You can even name the time and place. If you win, I'll quit the team, and if I win, you crawl back into your little hole and remember your place in all of this."

"Nate." Troy said as he walked next to him. "Chill man."

Nathan shrugged before pretending to check the ball at Lucas. "Time and place baby, time and place."

Nathan and Troy walked back to his car, revving up the engine before leaving the park.

This is going to get ugly.

Keith Scott Body Shop

"Did you finish changing Mr. Hamilton's brakes?" Keith Scott asked his nephew, his hands digging through the toolbox. "Or are you planning to stare at Mikayla all day?"

"That old man's been here three times this week, and I doubt he's here to replace his muffler," Jayden said irritably, watching his girlfriend deal with a customer who was getting uncomfortably close.

"It's a double pump carburetor," Mikayla explained to the man. "Pretty impressive, right?"

"What does 'double pump' mean?" the man inquired.

"It squirts fuel in so you can go faster," Mikayla replied.

"I do like to go faster," the man leered, his gaze lingering on more than her eyes.

Mikayla noticed her boyfriend's displeased expression and simply winked at him with an innocent smile before continuing her work. She knew why he was upset.

"Don't tell me you're jealous of a man in his 60s," Keith joked.

"I'm not jealous," Jayden protested, raising his hands in defense. "I just don't like how he's looking at her."

"How about this?" Keith suggested, smirking. "You go answer the phone, and I'll handle that old guy hitting on your girl."

"Fine, whatever you say, Uncle Keith," Jayden sighed before picking up the phone.

"Keith's Body Shop and Towing," Jayden answered, his tone lacking enthusiasm.

"Well, hello to you too, Jay," a familiar voice responded.

"Peyton?" Jayden asked. "What's up?"

"Let's talk about you first," Peyton said. "What's with the tone? Did someone piss in your cheerios this morning?"

"Just this old guy trying to hit on Mikayla," Jayden rolled his eyes. "He's been in here a lot this week, and I doubt it's to get his car fixed."

"You're really considering fighting an old man? I'd love to see that," Peyton teased.

"Don't tempt me," Jayden replied. "But what's going on with you? Comet acting up again?"

"My engine is smoking."

"Oh, very subtle."

"Dude, shut up."

"Did you replace the gasket like I told you?"

"May have crossed my mind..."

"Peyton, come on," Jayden sighed. "That's not a cheap fix."

"I know," Peyton sighed sadly. "Think I could get a best friend discount?"

"I'll talk to Keith," Jayden said. "Do you need someone to come tow?"

"Can you come out?"

"I would, Peyton, but I'm swamped with work."

"What about Mikayla?"

"She's busy too. Why don't I send Lucas out?"

"Ugh, fine," Peyton sighed, knowing he didn't have many options.

"Alright, I'll send him out now. You want to hang out tonight if we're not busy?"

"Maybe, I'll see how I feel."

"Sounds good. I'll catch you later, P-Sawyer."

"Later, J-Scott."

Jayden hung up the phone. "Lucas! I've got a mission for you."
                                              -

After learning the time and location of Nathan and Lucas's match, Nathan had brought the team to his house for some practice shots to get ready for the one-on-one duel.

The following night, Troy walked out of his room, intending to watch the match at midnight. Before he could leave the house, however...

"Where are you going?"

Troy turned around to find his younger sister, who was up way past her bedtime.

"Chloe, what are you doing?" Troy asked softly. "You shouldn't be out of bed this late. Mom and Dad will be home at some point."

"Where are you going, Troy?" she asked again.

"I'm going to the Rivercourt to hang out with some friends."

"Can I come?"

"Munchkin, no." Troy shook his head. "It's 11:45 at night, and I don't think Mom and Dad would be happy about you being out this late."

"Please, Troy?" Chloe pleaded with wide eyes. "I'll be good."

"There's no way I'm getting out of this, am I?" Troy sighed, knowing how persistent his little sister could be.

"Nope!"

"Alright, fine." Troy sighed. "Get dressed and hurry up; we're going to be late."

Troy and Chloe arrived at the Rivercourt, surrounded by numerous high schoolers.

"There are so many people here," Chloe said in awe, holding her brother's hand.

"You're telling me," Troy replied, leading her towards his friends.

"What are you doing out of bed so late?" Peyton teased, scooping up Chloe in her arms as the Dawson siblings arrived at the court.

"Peyton!" Chloe giggled as Peyton swung her around. "I promised Troy I would be good so I could come and hang out with the big kids."

"And i bet you gave him a hard time so he would let you," Peyton replied teasingly.

"That's exactly what she did," Troy joked as Peyton playfully shoved him.

"Nathan showing up by car?" Jordan asked, standing next to Troy. "A little bit extra."

"Way too extra," Mikayla rolled her eyes.

"I don't get his obsession with this, but I don't talk to Nathan, so I don't even bother," Jayden replied.

"Where are the twins?" Troy asked, referring to Brooke and Kayla.

"I think Brooke dragged Kayla to a Duke party," Peyton shrugged.

"Sounds like Brooke," Jayden smirked.

"Peyton," Tim called, passing Peyton her boyfriend's jacket as he expected her to take it from him.

"Back off, Tim," Jordan growled, grabbing the jacket and throwing it behind him as they awaited the start of the match.

The match began, with Lucas scoring the first two baskets quite easily until Nathan stole the ball.

"Is that all you got, man?" Nathan taunted. "If that's all you got, it's all over."

Driving to the hoop to lay in the basketball, the crowd of students cheered.

"Let's go, Nate!" Troy cheered.

The match went on, with both Lucas and Nathan exchanging baskets every so often and jeering at each other while doing so.

Later on, Nathan drove to the post, elbowing Lucas hard in the face before scoring an easy layup.

"Nate, what the hell, man?" Troy shouted, disliking the cheap shot he had directed.

"That was brutal," Jayden commented as Jordan and Peyton nodded.

"Troy, that wasn't very nice of Nathan," Chloe said to her brother.

"I agree, little sis," Troy nodded.

"No foul, basket counts," Lucas said, spitting onto the pavement while composing himself.

Nathan merely smirked before taking the ball to the top of the key.

"Besides," Lucas continued. "You won't score again."

Nathan drove to the hoop, and before he could score the winning point...

Lucas blocked his shot off the backboard.

"Holy crap! Did you see that?" a boy exclaimed from a picnic bench. "Men will write stories about that block, children will be named after it, Argentinian women will weep for it."

Lucas took the ball up top, shooting it into the rusted hoop.

"Down by one, man," Nathan said. "Don't choke now."

"It's over," Troy said.

"He's never mentioned you, man," Nathan taunted as he handed the ball to Lucas. "Not once in all these years."

Lucas shrugged.

"This is for my Mom."

Lucas drove to the side, sidestepping Nathan twice before launching the ball into the air.

It went in.

Lucas had won.

As students clamored and cheered around the blonde, Nathan sulked in defeat, walking back to his car as the others watched.

"So he's off the team now?" Jordan asked.

"They changed the bet so Nate can stay on. At the same time as Lucas."

After gathering his sister and saying his goodbyes, Troy made sure Chloe was situated and turned on his car, rushing home so his parents wouldn't come home and realize they were gone.

The next day at practice, the boys were shooting around as the cheerleaders warmed up.

Troy took a shot, stopping as soon as he saw the new addition to the gym.

Lucas had arrived for his first practice.

This was going to be interesting.

A/N: Let's finally get this going! I'm excited for this book!

See y'all next week!