02x17 - Something I Can Never Have

[bunniefuu]

LUCAS: (v.o) Previously on One Tree Hill.

[INT. STUDIO – BACKSTAGE – DAY]

(Haley, Chris and some guy who works on the show are talking.)

BACKSTAGE GUY: Take off the wedding ring.

HALEY: (Dumbfounded) What?(!)

BACKSTAGE GUY: Let them think you’re a couple.

(Chris is obviously pleased.)

HALEY: But we’re not a couple(!)

CUT TO:

[INT. NATHAN’S APARTMENT – LIVING ROOM – DAY]

(Nathan sits in front of the TV, watching Haley and Chris on it.)

NICK ZANO: (On TV) You a couple in real life?

HALEY: Um, actually-

CHRIS: (Puts his arm around her shoulders and cuts her off.) -You know, the music never lies.

CUT TO:

[INT. TREE HILL HIGH SCHOOL – LOCKERS – DAY]

(Peyton and Brooke stand next to Peyton’s open locker. They have both had a hard time of it recently.)

BROOKE: Somebody bashed in my car windshield last night. I mean, could things get any worse?

(Peyton looks at her, shocked. She shuts her locker to show the word ‘d*ke’ sprayed across it in red.)

PEYTON: (Pointing to it.) You wanna ask me that again?

(Both girls look at it.)

CUT TO:

[INT. THE CHURCH – BACKROOM – DAY]

(Karen has just confronted Jules about the agreement she had with Dan.)

JULES: I fell in love with Keith for real.

KAREN: (Tears in her eyes.) I want him to know… who you really are.

CUT TO:

[INT. THE CHURCH – ALTAR – DAY]

(Keith waits at the altar, with Lucas and Whitey, for Jules to come down so that they can get married.)

ANDY: (Appears, looking helpless.) I’m sorry. She left.

CUT TO:

[INT. JULES’ HOUSE – BEDROOM – BED]

(The camera pans up to show Jules’ wedding gown which she has taken off and put onto the bed.)

KEITH: (v.o) Jules!? Jules?!

(Camera pans up to show Keith standing there, looking at the gown.)

CUT TO:

[EXT. THE CHURCH – PARKING LOT – DAY]

(Lucas looks angrily at Dan, his mother by his side.)

DAN: I didn’t do anything.

LUCAS: (In his face, pointing.) You – sick – bastard(!)

KAREN: (Intervening) (To Dan) I found out about your arrangement and I went to Jules. (Lucas looks at her.) And I threatened to tell the truth.

(Karen glares at Dan.)

BROOKE: (v.o) My dad got that job-

CUT TO:

[INT. THE CHURCH – SEATING AREA – EVENING]

(Brooke and Lucas are sitting in the dining/seating area.)

BROOKE: -In California(!) (Sadly) We’re moving next week.

LUCAS: (Holding her hand.) What’re we gonna do?

CUT TO:

[EXT. SAWYER RESIDENCE – DRIVE – EVENING]

(Peyton and Jake get out of her car. Jake is holding Jenny. They stop and look up, shocked.)

BROOKE: (v.o) I don’t wanna go.

(Nikki walks forward, smirking.)

PEYTON: (To herself.) Nikki.

(Jake sighs.)

(The camera zooms in on them before cutting back to a heavily smirking Nikki.)

CUT TO:

[EXT. THE BEACH – TREES – EVENING]

(Nathan is standing in front of a bonfire that is destroying all of his memories of Haley. HiS mum walks up to him.)

NATHAN: (Sighs) What’re you doing here?

DEB: (Holds out money to him.) Go get Haley. (Close up of the money.) She’s your wife. (Nathan takes it.)

(He walks away without a thank you.)

FADE TO BLACK:

END OF PREVIOUSLY ON:

OPENING CREDITS ROLL:

FADE IN:

[EXT. SAWYER RESIDENCE – DRIVE – EVENING]

(The camera pans down from the trees and stops at Jake and Peyton playing with Jenny.)

LUCAS: (v.o) Charles Bukowski once wrote; ‘There will always be something to ruin our lives.

(Peyton stops and looks up as Nikki approaches.)

LUCAS: (v.o) It all depends on what or which finds us first.

(Nikki stops and continues to smirk as Jake and Peyton gape at her.)

LUCAS: (v.o) You’re always ripe and ready to be taken.

NIKKI: Well, well, well. Isn’t this the picture of a perfect family?

(Jenny whines.)

JAKE: What’re you doing here, Nikki?

NIKKI: Oh, you mean why am I not in Seattle? Right, some skank writes a random city on a napkin and I… catch the first flight out(!) No. We had a court hearing a few weeks ago and imagine my surprise when you didn’t show up. (Off Jake’s distressed face.) I guess you didn’t have your mail forwarded to… ‘Seattle’. So, since you didn’t show, the judge granted me sole custody of my daughter, which, for the brunette impaired, means that Jenny comes home to mommy.

(The camera focuses on Peyton, Jake and Jenny as they look at Nikki disbelievingly.)

PEYTON: You’re lying(!)

NIKKI: (Laughs) It’s cute, she talks for you. (Pause) (Walks forward.) But I have a feeling that a judge would have a problem awarding custody to a high school drop-out who kidnapped his baby anyway.

JAKE: (Bounces Jenny lightly.) Well how do judges feel about women who abandon their children, huh?

NIKKI: (Cockily) I don’t know, there was no one in court to ask. (There’s a pause as she smirks slowly.) So she’s mine now. Hand her over.

JAKE: Forget it(!) She’ll never be yours. (Pause) You know, I don’t even believe you, anyway.

NIKKI: (Laughs and walks forward again.) Oh, you can not believe me all the way to jail if you want-

(Peyton moves forward, in front of Jenny and Jake.)

NIKKI: (Amused) -Oh, ho, ho, she fights for you too! (Sighs deeply and looks at Peyton.) Fine,… we’ll let the police deal with it. (Looks past Peyton to Jenny.) See you soon bunny.

JAKE: (To Jenny, while looking at Nikki.) Shush.

(Nikki turns and walks away.)

(Peyton doesn’t know what to do as she fears that Jake will run again.)

CUT TO:

[EXT. DAVIS RESIDENCE – THE ROAD – EVENING]

(Lucas drives up and stops the car outside of Brooke’s house. She is sitting in the passenger seat, depressed. He stops the car and takes the keys out.)

LUCAS: (Long pause.) Don’t go. (He’s not looking at her.)

(Brooke looks at him. He looks at her and smiles.)

LUCAS: I just needed to say it. (Pause) You have to stay(!)

BROOKE: We’re finally friends again and now I’m leaving. (She sighs sadly and looks at her red front door.) …I really liked being the girl behind the red door.

(She smiles sadly and looks back at Lucas. She smiles, close to tears, and gets out of the car, closing the door and walking away without looking back. Lucas looks away.)

CUT TO:

[EXT. TREE HILL (STOCK) - THE TRAFFIC LIGHTS – DAY]

(Cars drive past.)

CUT TO:

[INT. KEITH’S APARTMENT – LIVING ROOM – DAY]

(There’s a knock on the door and Karen stands to answer it. She’s wrapped in a throw and doesn’t look like she’s slept. She yawns and opens the door to Lucas.)

LUCAS: (Confused) Mom? (Looks around the apartment before entering.) What’re you doing here?

KAREN: I was waiting for Keith. (She shuts the door and turns to him.)

LUCAS: (Defeated) He never came home?

KAREN: Guess not.

LUCAS: Yeah, he wasn’t at Jules’ apartment, either.

KAREN: Any idea where else he might be?

LUCAS: If I had two guesses, they’d both be at a bar getting drunk.

KAREN: (Looks down and shakes her head.) Why didn’t you just tell me what was going on?

LUCAS: (Smiles simply) Coz I knew you’d tell Keith. (Karen stares at him.) You know, and I thought… moving with Dan… was the only way to… get him to leave Keith alone.

KAREN: You should have told me.

LUCAS: I’m sorry I hurt you. (Shakes his head.) You have no idea how hard this has been.

KAREN: (Smiles tightly.) I have an idea.

(Karen nods at him. Lucas laughs sadly.)

KAREN: So how did you find out about Dan’s arrangement with Jules?

(Lucas scoffs.)

KEITH: What arrangement with Jules? (Keith is suddenly standing in the doorway.)

KAREN: (Shocked) Keith…(!)

KEITH: (Bedraggled and unshaven.) What arrangement?

(Lucas looks lost.)

KAREN: (Defeated) Dan… paid Jules to be with you.

KEITH: (Sighs) So, both of you knew about it… and you said nothing(!)?

(Lucas looks down, not knowing what to say. Keith sighs again and turns to leave.)

KAREN: (Rushing to him.) Keith, wait, wait, wait(!) (Sighs)

(He turns back to her.)

KAREN: Let’s talk about this.

KEITH: Everyone I thought I cared about… lied to me. What’s there to talk about? (He turns and leaves.)

(Karen stares sadly before sighing and turning back to Lucas. He shakes his head slightly.)

CUT TO:

[INT. TAGARRO RESIDENCE – GARAGE – DAY]

(Anna is holding a bundle of clothes as she walks into the garage, shutting the door behind her. She puts the clothes in a box labelled ‘Goodwill’. She pulls out a top and looks at it before spotting another one. It’s white and has patches of red paint on it. She looks and it, realising.)

CUT TO:

[INT. TAGARRO RESIDENCE – FELIX’S BEDROOM – DAY]

(Felix is looking into the mirror, messing around with his hair. Anna walks up behind him and he looks at her.)

ANNA: I’m not gonna need a ride home after school. I’m going to dinner with Peyton.

(Felix stops and looks at her.)

FELIX: (Scoffs) How romantic. Velma picking you up in the ‘Mystery Machine’? (Scoffs again.)

ANNA: (Stiffly) She’s not gay, Felix.

FELIX: (Talking to her through the mirror.) Well, everyone at school thinks she is.

ANNA: Yeah, because you painted ‘d*ke’ on her locker! (Throws the t-shirt at him.)

(Felix picks it up and laughs while looking at it. He turns to Anna.)

FELIX: It practically wrote itself.

ANNA: That’s not funny.

FELIX: Look, whatever! She’s always jealous of me hanging around Brooke and you know she has a crush on you.

ANNA: (Shakes her head.) That’s not true.

FELIX: Why did we leave our last school, Anna? Because once the rumours started, we couldn’t stop them. And no one cared if they weren’t true. (Pause) You cried every day, remember?

ANNA: Yes, Felix, I remember.

FELIX: And I wasn’t gonna let that happen again. I knew if I painted ‘d*ke’ on Peyton’s locker, everyone would think she was gay.

ANNA: (Angrily) THAT’S THE DUMBEST THING I’VE EVER HEARD! I WAS FRIENDS WITH HER!

FELIX: Really? I haven’t seen you guys hanging out as much since then.

(Anna looks away.)

FELIX: You see, Anna, (Walks forward.) you’re so predictable. (He stops in front of her.) One well placed rumour… and you go running off, scared. (Smirks) besides,… (Gives the t-shirt back to her.) better her than you.

(He walks off and Anna watches him, her eyes hardening.)

CUT TO:

[INT. DAN SCOTT MOTORS – DAN’S OFFICE – DAY]

(Dan is sitting behind his desk, sorting out papers and folders. He hands a folder over to a lackey and looks back down. Keith walks into the shop and up to Dan’s office. He walks in and stops at Dan’s desk.)

DAN: (Sits back and looks at his brother, amused.) Little formal for work, don’t you think?

KEITH: Did you set me up? Huh? (Throws his arms up.) Jules, the wedding, was it just all a big lie?!

DAN: (Standing) What?(!) Of course not. (Walks to him.) We’re brothers, Keith, I would never do anything to hurt you. Especially with the woman you’re gonna marry. (There’s a pause as Dan can’t hold it in anymore and smiles.) I’m sorry, I can’t keep going, it’s just too good. (Laughs) What can I say? Of course I set you up.

KEITH: (Upset) How could you do that?

DAN: Well, I just pictured you screwing my wife over and over again and then I thought about the heart att*ck it gave me and after that, it was easy.

KEITH: (Sneering) Where is she?

DAN: (Seriously) I honestly don’t know. (Pause) Check in the yellow pages under ‘W’ for whore. Oh, wait; she’s not that bright, you better check under ‘H’.

(Keith pauses for a second before lunging at Dan. They fall on his desk and then off it. Keith, on top, punches Dan twice before trying to strangle him. A couple of Dan’s lackeys enter.)

LACKEY 1: Hey, come on, Keith. Get off him.

(They pull him off of Dan. He struggles with them.)

LACKEY 2: Hey, calm down, man.

KEITH: (Aggressively) Get off me! (Pushes them off.)

(He sneers before walking out of the office.)

DAN: By the way, you’re fired, too!

(Keith walks to a stand of car wheel rims and pulls one off. He turns and walks back to Dan’s office.)

DAN: Can you believe that guy? (Dusts himself off. He looks up and fear crosses his face.)

(Keith lifts the rim and yells as he throws it through the office window. Dan turns and protects is face, arms over his head.)

KEITH: Congratulations, Dan, (Holds his arms out.) I got nothing left to lose. (Smirks) But you do. Remember that.

(Keith exits the office. Dan looks around, unsure and shaken.)

FADE TO BLACK:

COMMERCIAL SET:

FADE IN:

[INT. TREE HILL HIGH SCHOOL – CORRIDOR – DAY]

(Peyton and Brooke walk slowly to class, both visibly sad.)

PEYTON: I can’t believe this is almost our last time walking to class together.

BROOKE: I can’t believe I’m getting weepy about walking to class.

PEYTON: Oh. (Hugs Brooke.)

BROOKE: I feel like somebody needs to yell out ‘Dead girl walking’(!)

(Peyton laughs. A very frizzy haired guy with glasses looks at Brooke. She turns to him.)

BROOKE: Ben geek staring(!)

(Peyton laughs again.)

BROOKE: God(!)

PEYTON: I just, I can’t imagine what it would be like to not have you to talk to every day.

(Brooke frowns.)

PEYTON: (Turning to her and pointing.) I’m gonna get you a web cam. That way it’ll be like you’re living with me. (She stops at her locker and opens it.)

BROOKE: (Getting an idea.) Or,… (Peyton turns to her.) I could just live with you.

PEYTON: You could.

BROOKE: Yeah.

PEYTON: You can. You spend most of your time at my house anyway.

BROOKE: This is such a good idea, I’m so excited. I’m gonna find a phone and call my mom.

PEYTON: Why not just use your cell?

BROOKE: Uh,… my parents put me on that ‘pay as you go’ plan… (Peyton makes a knowing face and dumps a few books into her locker.) I haven’t paid-

PEYTON: (Hands her phone over.) Then go. (Brooke pauses.) GO!

(Brooke takes the phone and bounces off. Peyton shuts her locker and locks it. Anna walks up to her.)

ANNA: Hi. I have to tell you something.

PEYTON: Alright, tell me on the way to class, I’m running late. (Takes Anna’s arm and steers her down the corridor.)

ANNA: It’s gonna upset you.

PEYTON: Well, that seems to be the trend this week. Are you leaving town or here to steal a baby?

ANNA: (Pause) Felix is the one who spray painted your locker.

(Peyton gapes and the bell rings. She takes a moment.)

PEYTON: You know what, um, I’m not all that surprised. I thought I saw him goose-stepping down the hall. (Smiles)

ANNA: I’m really sorry.

PEYTON: Anna, you’re not the one who owes me an apology.

ANNA: Well, I wouldn’t hold your breath. Felix isn’t the remorseful type.

PEYTON: He owes you an apology, too. You know, he might have… spray painted ‘d*ke’ on my locker but he was talking about you. (Pause) He might not know that but you do.

ANNA: (Nods) I know. (She walks away.)

(Peyton watches her.)

CUT TO:

[EXT. THE ROAD (STOCK) – NATHAN’S CAR – DAY]

(It’s raining. There’s a bird’s eyes view of Nathan’s car as he drives past.)

CUT TO:

[INT. NATHAN’S CAR – THE ROAD – DAY]

(Nathan fiddles with the tape deck. The camera pans to him driving in the rain. He sighs. Camera cuts forward and we see his wedding ring.)

FADE TO FLASHBACK:

[INT. JAMES SCOTT APARTMENT – BATHROOM – DAY]

(Haley is in the bathroom having a shower.)

NATHAN: (Walking into the bathroom and up to the mirror.) Haley, come on already, we’re gonna be late for our own wedding reception.

HALEY: OK, just give me two more minutes. The shower massager has three speeds.

NATHAN: Yeah, and you have one: slow.

HALEY: (Laughs) Would you quit complaining. I need the extra time. Besides, people expect the bride to look beautiful.

(Nathan stands in front of the mirror and messes with his hair.)

NATHAN: Yeah? What about me?

(Haley slides open the shower door.)

HALEY: (Smiling) Don’t be silly, no one would ever expect that of you. (Slides the door closed again.)

NATHAN: (Laughing) Oh, OK. That does it.

(He pulls his t-shirt off, sheds the rest of his clothes, and steps into the shower.)

HALEY: (Giggling) Nathan(!)

NATHAN: We’re gonna be late, we’re gonna have to do it together.

(Haley laughs and kisses him.)

FADE TO PRESENT:

[INT. NATHAN’S CAR – THE ROAD – DAY]

(The camera focuses on Nathan as he continues driving.)

CUT TO:

[EXT. THE ROAD – NATHAN’S CAR – DAY]

(Nathan drives past the camera.)

CUT TO:

[EXT. TREE HILL HIGH SCHOOL – COURTYARD – DAY]

(Brooke is on the phone to her mother, looking quite distressed.)

BROOKE: Mom, I wanna stay with Peyton. I don’t wanna leave school right now(!)

(Brooke continues to talk in the background as Lucas sees Anna and walks up to her.)

BROOKE: (o.s) Oh, that is ridiculous, you and dad are never even home. No, mom(!)

(Lucas sits next to Anna.)

BROOKE: (o.s) I spend all my time at Peyton’s house anyway(!)

LUCAS: You look about as happy as I do. (Anna smiles.) You OK?

BROOKE: Come on(!)

ANNA: Yeah, I’ll be fine. I just,… have some things going on. (Lucas looks at Brooke.) Nothing I can’t handle. (Anna turns to see what he’s looking at.)

BROOKE: (Still yelling into the phone.) Because it’s totally unfair(!)

(Anna turns to Lucas, smiling.)

BROOKE: (o.s) Yes, it is(!)

ANNA: Have you told her how you feel?

(Brooke continues to yell in the background.)

LUCAS: Nah, (Looks at her again.) anyway, she’s moving.

ANNA: (Shrugs) At least she’d know, that’s something.

LUCAS: You’re encouraging me to hit on your brother’s girlfriend?

ANNA: Yeah, well, I like you better.

(Lucas laughs.)

LUCAS: I barely even knew her last year… and now I can’t imagine life around here without her. (He shakes his head.)

BROOKE: No, I hate you! (Hangs up the phone.)

LUCAS: (Shrugging) She’s so sweet(!)

(Anna laughs.)

(Peyton walks up to Brooke as Anna and Lucas watch them.)

BROOKE: (Dejectedly) They said no.

PEYTON: Why?

BROOKE: Because this week they’ve decided to be parents.

(Peyton grumbles. They walk together.)

BROOKE: They said that since you have no adult supervision it would be the same as having me stay alone.

PEYTON: Are you kidding?(!) Charlie Brown has more parental supervision than you.

BROOKE: Yeah, well, they also… think…

PEYTON: (Smiling) What?

BROOKE: (Smirking and laughing as she faces her.) They think you’re a bad influence on me.

PEYTON: (Laughs) Unbelievable(!) Have your parents even met you?

BROOKE: Only briefly.

(Peyton groans.)

BROOKE: I can’t believe they won’t let me stay with you. My mom is being such a major bi-

(Brooke stops short when she sees Nikki.)

BROOKE: -tch.

NIKKI: (Smirking at them.) Well, if it isn’t the other woman… and my favourite travel agent. Any other places you’d like to recommend?

BROOKE: Yeah, far away from me(!) Unless you’d like you next period to come out of your nose.

(Nikki looks away from Brooke and laughs.)

NIKKI: So, I showed up at Jake’s this morning with Tree Hill’s finest and guess what, no Jake, no baby. (Her smile falls) Where the hell are they?

BROOKE: Phoenix.

PEYTON: Are you even sure Jenny’s your daughter, coz,… (Turns to Brooke.) I mean, she doesn’t look like a bitch.

(Brooke shakes her head.)

NIKKI: Well, we’ll see who the bitch is once Jake spends some time in jail.

PEYTON: (Smiles) It’ll still be you.

NIKKI: (Sighs) Look, I’m tired of these games.

PEYTON: Then leave(!) You don’t even care about Jenny, OK? You’re just doing this to get back at Jake.

NIKKI: (Walks forward.) You know, only someone without a mother could think that.

(Peyton is about to retaliate but Brooke stops her.)

BROOKE: You know, you’d better leave before Jenny knows what it feels like to be motherless. (Gasps) Oh, wait, she already does(!) (Glares Nikki down.)

(Nikki pauses for a moment before walking between them and past.)

NIKKI: (Turning back.) Tell Jake that the longer he hides, the worse it’s gonna be for him. (Turns and flounces away.)

(Peyton looks away, distressed.)

BROOKE: Don’t let her get to you, Peyton. No judge is gonna side with that psychopath over Jake.

PEYTON: Looks like they already did. (Shakes her head defeatedly.) I don’t even think Jake’s going to court to challenge it.

BROOKE: You think he’s gonna run again?

(Peyton nods.)

PEYTON: He might. If he thinks that Jenny will wind up with Nikki. (Pause) Damn it(!) I hate Mondays.

(Brooke puts her arms around Peyton’s shoulders.)

BROOKE: Come on.

(They walk away.)

CUT TO:

[INT. TREE HILL HIGH SCHOOL – PRINCIPLE TURNER’S OFFICE – DAY]

(Felix enters Principle Turner’s office.)

FELIX: You wanted to see me?

(Principle Turner looks at him. Felix stops short as he sees the t-shirt. The smile falls from his face.)

PRINCIPLE TURNER: Mr Tagarro, close the door please. It’s the one without ‘d*ke’ painted on it.

(Felix scowls and looks away.)

FADE TO BLACK:

COMMERCIAL SET:

FADE IN:

[INT. NATHAN’S CAR – THE ROAD – DAY]

(Nathan is still driving. It has stopped raining. He looks around and sees a sign saying ‘Welcome to Atlanta’.)

WHITE FLASHBACK TO:

[INT. JAMES SCOTT APARTMENT – THE KITCHEN – DAY]

(Haley is sitting on a stool, looking at a postcard of the same sign.)

NATHAN: (o.s) Haley, what’s wrong? (Nathan has just entered the apartment.)

HALEY: (Lowers the postcard with a frown.) My parents.

NATHAN: What happened, are they alright?

HALEY: Yeah, they’re fine. (Almost crying.) I’m just being stupid, I,… (Shakes her head.) when they were here, I spent all my time at Lucas’ house or with you and now that they’re gone, I just… wish I could see them again.

NATHAN: Haley, (Taps the postcard.) they’re in Georgia. I’d hardly say they’re gone.

HALEY: Well they’re not here! (Pause) My house isn’t even my house anymore. It’s like my whole family just, like, packed up and left before my high school graduation.

NATHAN: Not your whole family, Hales. You still have me. I’m not going anywhere. And your house is here too, it’s just… smaller and a lot more… apartmenty.

HALEY: (Laughs) Yeah. I know, I just… urgh, I don’t mean to be such a baby about this. (Sniffs) I just really miss them. (Smiles sadly.)

(Nathan stands and walks to the closet door. He opens it and pulls out a bag.)

NATHAN: (Walking back to her.) Pack a bag. (Puts it on the counter.) We’re going to Atlanta. (Smiles)

HALEY: Uh,… yeah, right(!)

NATHAN: I’m serious.

HALEY: We can’t do that, we’re broke, and we have to go to school.

NATHAN: I’m sure I can scrounge up enough money for gas and screw school(!) You’re a year ahead of everybody and there’s no way I’m gonna flunk; I married my tutor.

HALEY: (Laughs) That’s really sweet. It’s not that big a deal.

NATHAN: Hey, yes it is, alright? (She sighs and he puts his arms around her shoulders.) Now, listen, I may not always be able to give you everything but I can do this. (Pause. Haley smiles.) Come on; let’s go see your family.

(Haley smiles and looks up at him. He kisses her on the forehead.)

HALEY: Thank you. You know, as long as I have you I have everything I want. But we’re still going. (She grins and jumps off the stool, grabbing the bag as she goes. She disappears into the bedroom.)

(Nathan turns to look at the kitchen, grinning.)

END OF FLASHBACK:

HARD CUT TO:

[INT. NATHAN’S CAR – THE ROAD - DAY]

(Nathan smiles slightly as he remembers.)

CUT TO:

[EXT. THE ROAD – NATHAN’S CAR – DAY]

(The car drives past as Nathan continues on his way.)

CUT TO:

[INT. TAGARRO RESIDENCE – FELIX’S BEDROOM – DAY]

(Anna stomps after Felix.)

ANNA: You brought it on yourself, Felix!

FELIX: (Turning to her.) I can’t believe you. DO YOU KNOW HOW BAD THIS IS?! Mom and dad are gonna have to buy the school a new wing to get me out of this!

ANNA: You are missing the whole point! Everything is always about you. You never stop to think about other people!

FELIX: And you do? Did you even consider what would happen to me when you turned me in? YOU TOTALLY SCREWED ME OVER WHEN I WAS THE ONLY ONE LOOKING OUT FOR YOU!

ANNA: You were looking out for yourself(!) You couldn’t handle anyone thinking that your sister was a lesbian(!)

FELIX: Whatever. The whole thing would have blown over if you would have just kept your big mouth shut(!) (Waspishly) No one’s gonna even care when they find out I did it. (Turns and walks away.)

ANNA: Even Brooke?

(Felix stops and turns to her. He knows that Brooke will. Anna glares for a b*at before walking away. The camera zooms in on Felix’s unsure face.)

CUT TO:

[EXT. THE STREETS – BROOKE’S CAR – DAY]

(Brooke drives up in her formally silver, curiously blue, VW Beetle. She stops the car and gets out. She walks to the footpath leading up to her ‘for sale’ house. A girl is standing there.)

BROOKE: Can I help you with something?

CHARLOTTE: (Turns her head to Brooke.) Oh, hi. I’m Charlotte. My parents are (Points to Brooke’s house.) looking at the house. It’s cute, I guess, for the ‘Sticks’.

BROOKE: The ‘Sticks’?

CHARLOTTE: Oh, you live here, right. Must be a huge drag, like, what do you do for fun without cute boys or good parties?

BROOKE: (Putting on a fake accent.) Well, well. We have a nightly banjo duel and then there’s the cousins swap and on Friday nights we all take baths together. (Smirks at her.)

CHARLOTTE: Oh, look, I’m really sorry. I-I didn’t mean to insult you. I guess I’m just… bitter about this move.

BROOKE: (Back to normal.) Yeah, I know the feeling. (Smiles)

(Felix walks up to the pair.)

FELIX: Hey, (They look at him.)

CHARLOTTE: Hey(!) (Turns back to Brooke.) Maybe Tree Hill’s not so bad after all. (Wiggles her eyebrows.)

(Brooke glares at her again.)

(Charlotte’s parents exit the house and she waves goodbye to Brooke and Felix. Brooke watches her with a catty glare.)

CHARLOTTE: Well, cya.

FELIX: (To Brooke.) Who was that?

BROOKE: (Pause) The new me.

(She walks away. Felix looks at Charlotte who looks back for a b*at.)

CUT TO:

[INT. KAREN’S CAFÉ – COUNTER – DAY]

(Karen is spraying the plants on the counter with water. Lucas enters. Karen stops and looks at him.)

LUCAS: (Smiling) Any word from Keith?

KAREN: (Shakes her head.) No.

LUCAS: (Sighs) Do you think he’s gonna be OK?

KAREN: Not for a while.

LUCAS: (Sighs again.) Keith was right; (Shakes his head.) I should have told him.

KAREN: You though you were looking out for him, Lucas. Your heart was in the right place. Yeah, it may take some time, but eventually, he’ll understand that.

(Lucas nods.)

KAREN: (Resumes spraying the plants.) So, when’re you moving home?

(Lucas pauses, trying to put off the inevitable bad news.)

LUCAS: (Straightens) …I’m not.

KAREN: (Looks at him.) Like hell you’re not! What reason on Earth could you have for staying?!

LUCAS: If Dan could do this to his own brother,… who knows what else he could be up to? (Karen frowns, wanting to argue.) Look, I’m his one weakness. I gotta stay(!)

(Karen frowns, uncertain of where to look. She can’t argue with it and Lucas knows it.)

CUT TO:

[INT. NATHAN’S CAR – THE ROAD – DAY]

(Nathan is still driving along, heading for Haley. There’s a close-up of his phone as he flips it open and dials home. He holds the phone to his ear and hears his own voice as the answer phone message plays.)

ANSWER PHONE NATHAN: (Through the phone.) Hi, you’ve reached the Scott’s, um, my wife and I are, uh-

ANSWER PHONE HALEY: (Through the phone. She cuts him off.) Your wife? What do you, like, own me now?

(Nathan smiles as he listens.)

ANSWER PHONE NATHAN: (Through the phone.) Yeah, I do. (Haley laughs.)

(Nathan pulls the phone away from his ear.)

FLASHBACK TO:

[INT. JAMES SCOTT APARTMENT – BEDROOM – EVENING]

(Nathan and Haley are sitting on the bed, recording the answer phone message.)

HALEY: Hi, this is Nathan and Haley Scott, please leave a message… or… not.

(Nathan frowns at her.)

NATHAN: That’s the worst thing I’ve ever heard.

HALEY: (Gasps and turns the recorder off.) Shut up, it rhymed, I like it!

NATHAN: (Presses a button.) Oops(!)

ELECTRONIC VOICE: Message has been erased.

HALEY: Oh fine, let’s just do one together, OK?

NATHAN: Wait a minute, isn’t that something only really cheesy couples do?

HALEY: (Completely leaning on him.) Yeah, well we are a really cheesy couple, Mister.

NATHAN: (Nods) Good point.

HALEY: OK. (Presses the record button.) Hi, you’ve reached Haley-

NATHAN: -and Nathan, I live here too.

HALEY: Yes, Nathan lives here too because we’re married(!)

NATHAN: And, uh, we can’t get to the phone right now because we’re, um…

HALEY: We’re having sex? (Looks at Nathan.) I mean, just, we’re having really-

NATHAN: (Smirks) OK. (Lunges at her.)

HALEY: -hot sex. Oh(!) (Groans)

(She laughs.)

HALEY: Oh, we’re still on. Uh, leave a message!

NATHAN: And, uh, we’ll get back to you when we’re done(!)

(Haley yells and they fall off the bed, laughing.)

(The camera closes in on the answer phone.)

END OF FLASHBACK:

FADE TO:

[INT. NATHAN’S CAR – THE ROAD – DAY]

(Nathan is still listening to the message. He smiles, looks at his phone and shuts it.)

FADE TO BLACK:

COMMERCIAL SET:

FADE IN:

[EXT. KAREN’S CAFÉ (STOCK) – DAY]

(sh*t of the entrance to the café as people and a car go past.)

JAKE: (v.o) This is crazy. I don’t-

CUT TO:

[INT. KAREN’S CAFÉ – COUNTER – DUSK]

(Jake and Peyton are sitting at the counter. Peyton is bouncing Jenny on her leg.)

JAKE: -wanna get anybody else in trouble. I should just go.

(Peyton gapes at him.)

ANDY: (o.s) Jake, you need to be smart about this, and running isn’t smart. (Cut to Andy.) You need legal help. Settle it that way, especially if Nikki’s already done that.

(Cut to Karen and Lucas sitting at the other end of the counter, listening to Andy talk. Karen smiles at Jake.)

JAKE: I can’t afford a lawyer(!)

ANDY: I can. (Nods) I got a great attorney.

JAKE: I can’t ask you to do that.

ANDY: You’re not, I’m offering. (Smiles)

(Peyton looks at Jake hopefully.)

JAKE: (Looks at Peyton before turning back to Andy.) Well, thanks(!) I mean,… I appreciate it but,… costs aside, there’s no guarantee that I’ll win.

ANDY: It’s true, (Takes out his phone and opens it.) but at least this way you get a chance. (Indicates the phone.) I’ll make a call.

JAKE: (To himself.) OK.

PEYTON: (Beaming) So, that’s great news(!)

JAKE: (Unconvinced) (Looks down at Jenny.) Yeah. (Sighs) But if there’s even a chance that Nikki could get custody of Jenny, I can’t take it.

FADE TO:

[EXT. KEITH’S APARTMENT – FRONT DOOR – EVENING]

(Karen knocks on Keith’s front door. Keith opens it slowly.)

KAREN: Keith, I-I am so sorry(!)

KEITH: (Looks down and nods.) Yeah, me too. (Starts to close the door.)

KAREN: (Slams her hand against it, stopping him.) Wait, please!

KEITH: (Sighs) Karen, haven’t you already done enough? (Leaves the door open and walks away.)

KAREN: I wanna help! (Walks in, trying desperately to make him understand. He keeps his back to her.) Look, I-I didn’t know about Jules until right before the wedding… and the only reason I know anything is because I-I was worried about Lucas and… so Andy and I… hired a private investigator to look into Dan.

(Keith shakes his head.)

KAREN: I had… no idea that he was involved with Jules.

KEITH: (Turns to her harshly.) Well it doesn’t really matter anymore(!) Does it?!

KAREN: Of course it does!

(Keith looks down and Karen walks forward.)

KAREN: If she truly loves you,… couldn’t you still love her?

KEITH: (Shakes his head and ponders.) I don’t know. (Looks around and sighs.) I guess I’d at least… like a chance to… (Shrugs and shakes his head, pausing for a long while.) I guess I’d at least like to find out the truth.

KAREN: (Looks heartened and holds out the folder to him. Keith frowns at it.) Her real name… is Emily Chambers.

(He takes the folder.)

KAREN: Everything in that file is… what the investigator found out about her. (Turns and walks away.)

(Keith sighs and shakes his head.)

KEITH: (To himself.) Emily.

KAREN: (Turns back.) Dan,… is a monster. (Pause as Keith stares at her.) But he gave me Lucas… and, despite his worst intentions, I have the one person I love most in the world. (Pause) Maybe you can, too.

(She exits. The camera zooms out to show Keith holding the folder to himself.)

CUT TO:

[INT. SAWYER RESIDENCE – PEYTON’S BEDROOM – DAY]

(Peyton sits by her window, looking out at the world in a depressed state of mind.)

BROOKE: (o.s) You know, TV might be more entertaining.

PEYTON: (Examining her hands.) There’s nothing on TV I wanna see.

(Cut to Brooke who is lying across Peyton’s bed, propped up on one arm.)

BROOKE: Talk to me.

PEYTON: (Smiles sadly.) My whole world’s being ripped away from me. So is Jake’s… and yours… and (Laughs helplessly.) all I can do is sit here and watch it happen.

BROOKE: (Sighs and ponders.) Tell you what, let’s change that; I’ll k*ll Nikki for you… (Peyton laughs.) no, really, at least that way… Jake would stay here, I’d be sent to a prison in North Carolina and be close to you and Felix could come and give me multiple conjugals. (Smirks)

(Peyton worries and looks away.)

BROOKE: That was a joke(!)

PEYTON: Yeah, um,… Brooke, you know how they say ‘misery loves company’, um,… there’s something I gotta tell you about Felix.

(Peyton pauses and Brooke turns serious.)

CUT TO:

[EXT. TAGARRO RESIDENCE – FRONT DOOR – DAY]

(Brooke bangs loudly on Felix’s front door. She waits and Felix answers.)

BROOKE: (Points and hisses.) We are finished(!) (Turns and hurries away, not wanting to hear him.)

FELIX: Look, let me explain.

BROOKE: No, (Turns and points at him again.) I CAN NOT BELIEVE YOU WOULD BE SUCH A HATEFUL SCUMBAG AS TO WRITE ‘d*ke’ ANYWHERE, LET ALONE ON MY BEST FRIENDS LOCKER! (Turns and rushes off again.)

FELIX: Brooke, wait.

(She laughs angrily.)

BROOKE: (Whirls on him.) I am so glad I am moving, I had no idea I was a greying wizard’s next door neighbour! And you actually had me starting to think you were a decent guy(!) (Walks away.)

FELIX: Look, I was trying to protect my sister, Brooke(!) Look, I did it the night at the dance when-when Peyton and I argued and you dumped me(!) I wasn’t thinking.

BROOKE: (In his face.) Well, what a surprise(!)

FELIX: Look, I was in a dark place and I took it out on Peyton, I’m sorry.

BROOKE: Yeah, you’re right, you are sorry. So WHY DON’T YOU CRAWL back into your dark little place and die there(!) (Glares harshly at him before turning and leaving him behind.)

FELIX: Brooke? (She doesn’t stop.) Brooke?! (Felix looks around but doesn’t go after her.)

CUT TO:

[INT. SCOTT RESIDENCE – KITCHEN – DUSK]

(Dan is stamping his folders. Lucas comes up to the office. Dan turns and sees him.)

DAN: Lucas, coming in to say goodbye?

(Lucas leans on the doorframe.)

LUCAS: Actually, I think I’m gonna stay. (Gesturing forward.) Well, at least for now? (Dan doesn’t understand.) Look, as messed up as it was, you did keep your promise to leave Keith alone… so I need to keep mine. (Nods) And, well, (Pause) you’re also paying for my HCM medicine and since I really don’t wanna die anytime soon,… (Nods and shrugs.) I need it.

DAN: What about your mom?

LUCAS: (Smiles and sniffs.) Well, she’s not… too happy with me right now. I think,… besides you, I’m… currently her least favourite person. (Nods)

DAN: (Pleased) I’m sure that’s not true. (Pause) But I’m thrilled to have you.

LUCAS: (Nods and stands straight, obviously about to leave.) Thanks.

(He turns and walks away. Dan turns back to look straight ahead.)

CUT TO:

[EXT. THE ROAD – NATHAN’S CAR – DUSK]

(Nathan’s car drive past.)

CUT TO:

[INT. NATHAN’S CAR – THE ROAD – DUSK]

(Nathan sits behind the wheel and thinks.)

CUT TO:

[INT. DAVIS RESIDENCE – BROOKE’S BEDROOM – DUSK]

(People carry Brooke’s dollhouse out of her house. Lucas is sitting in the red convertible, watching the move. He drives off.)

CUT TO:

[INT. NATHAN’S CAR – THE ROAD – DUSK]

(Nathan fiddles with the tape deck, fixed from when he and Lucas last used it. He’s smiling.)

HALEY: (v.o) Nathan, I’m slipping, you’re gonna drop me(!)

NATHAN: (v.o) Drop you? If I wanted to, I could sh**t you across this room like a three pointer.

(Haley laughs.)

NATHAN: (v.o) You want me to try?

HALEY: (v.o) Don’t you dare(!)

FADE TO FLASHBACK OF:

[INT. JAMES SCOTT APARTMENT – FRONT DOOR – DAY]

(The door opens.)

NATHAN: Well, we’re gonna do this the right way. (Nathan enters, carrying Haley in.) Now, since I couldn’t get the fancy honeymoon suite…

HALEY: Um-hum. (She kicks the door closed.)

NATHAN: …I figured I could, you know, at least carry you across our one bedroomed threshold.

(He sets her down and Haley gasps loudly. She stares at the apartment, speechless. There are candles everywhere, including in a parallel line that leads to the bedroom. White rose petals are strewn across the floor. She puts a hand to her heart.)

HALEY: Oh my god!

NATHAN: I wanted everything to be perfect. I know you didn’t get your dream wedding, or your dream honeymoon-

HALEY: -I got my dream guy.

NATHAN: Well, yeah, you did get that. (Kisses her.)

(She looks around the room again, in awe. She looks at the open bedroom door with a sign reading ‘HONEYMOON SUITE: DO NOT DISTURB’.)

HALEY: (Looks at Nathan and then walks forward.) Honeymoon suite, huh? (Prances forward.)

NATHAN: (Sighs) Listen, we don’t have to do anything, alright? It’s not why I married you.

HALEY: (Laughs) You gotta be kidding me. (She kisses him and drags him into the room by his tie.)

NATHAN: Oh, what’ve I gotten myself into?

(Haley laughs and slams the door shut. The sign falls off.)

FADE TO:

[EXT. THE WRECK CENTER – PARKING LOT – EVENING]

(People are taking luggage out of a bus. Nathan walks past and stops to look at a sign that says: ‘THE WRECK CENTER TOUR mark. GAVIN DEGRAW, THE WRECKERS, CHRIS KELLER & Haley James’. Nathan frowns at it before walking on. He stops in front of a person holding a clipboard.)

NATHAN: I’m here for Haley Scott.

GUY: Haley who?

NATHAN: (Looks away for a b*at before turning back.) Haley James.

GUY: Are you on the list?

NATHAN: (Sighs) I’m her husband. (He’s frowning.)

FADE TO BLACK:

COMMERCIAL SET:

FADE IN:

[INT. THE WRECK CENTER – BACKSTAGE – EVENING]

(A guy walks past with a clipboard. Gavin DeGraw plays in the background. Nathan enters and walks forward, looking and feeling very out of place. He walks into the dressing room. He sighs and looks around it, touching the outfits and stopping in front of two mirrors, bordered with lights.)

(He sits in Haley’s chair and smiles as he sees their wedding picture stuck up on the mirror. The camera pans up to pictures of her and Chris.)

HALEY: (o.s) Oh, that’s great. Tell her I said ‘hi’. (Laughs) OK.

(She runs on-screen and stops, shocked, when she sees Nathan sitting there.)

HALEY: (Whispering) Nathan, oh my god(!) What’re you doing here?(!)

(Nathan turns to look at her and stands. He walks to her.)

(She smiles and guiltily pulls the fallen strap of her top up.)

NATHAN: I wanted to see you. (Haley smiles.) I needed to see you, I- (Pause as he doesn’t know what else to say.)

HALEY: I’m so glad you did, (Hugs him.) I miss you.

(Nathan hugs her.)

NATHAN: Listen, I asked you to marry me because I wanna spend my life with you. I still want that. (He lets go of her and stands back.) I love you, Haley.

HALEY: (With that horrible look in her eyes.) I love you too.

NATHAN: So I came here for you and I’ll be here for you no matter what. (Haley smiles and he rushes on quickly.) I’ll go with you on the tour, I’ll wait for you, whatever you want me to do.

(Haley’s smile falls and she nods.)

NATHAN: I’m not giving up on us. (Pause) I’m not giving up on our marriage.

(Haley closes her eyes, nodding, and laughs. She exhales forcefully.)

HALEY: (Takes a step back.) I don’t know what to say. (Pause as she looks at the mirror.)

(Nathan turns to the mirror and looks at the pictures of Chris again.)

HALEY: Oh, no-no, Chris and I aren’t together, I promise you. It’s never been about that.

(Nathan takes her hand and sees that she isn’t wearing her wedding ring.

NATHAN: (Looks at her hand for a while before dropping it.) You’re not wearing your ring.

HALEY: (Looks down and then up again. That look in her eyes is more pronounced.) (Whispering) I love you. (Exhales) Oh, I do, (Pause) but I feel like… maybe we rushed things a little bit (Nathan looks away, he knows what she’s gonna say.) maybe I… I rushed things a little bit. We’re so young and I wasn’t ready for all this.

(Nathan doesn’t know where to look or what to do.)

HALEY: You and the music and,… now it’s all happening at once and… it’s really hard(!)

(Nathan shakes his head.)

HALEY: I don’t know if I can be… who you need me to be.

NATHAN: All I want you to be is my wife(!) (Pause) Is it too much to ask?

(Haley tries to answer.)

BACKSTAGE GUY: Haley! (She closes her eyes and turns to look at him.) We’re ready.

(Nathan struggles with his emotions as he looks back at Haley.)

HALEY: (Shaking her head.) I have to go. (Nathan scoffs and looks away.) Um,… god, can you just wait here and I will… meet you after the show and then… we can talk and,… (Puts her hands to her head.) I-I-I don’t even- (Nathan frowns at her sadly.) I’m really happy that you came.

(She rushes to him.)

HALEY: (Whispering) I love you. (Hugs him.) (Nathan inhales.) I love you. (Kisses his neck.)

STAGE GUY: (o.s) Please welcome back, Haley James!

(She lets go of Nathan and walks on-stage amidst cheers.)

(Nathan watches her, his face set and restrained.)

(Cut to Haley on stage, taking the guitar and looping the strap around her shoulders. She stands in front of the mic and looks back at Nathan. He doesn’t smile.)

(The spotlight hits her and the crowd cheers louder. Haley smiles and begins to play. Cut back to Nathan as he stands and contemplates.)

FADE TO:

[INT. TAGARRO RESIDENCE – ANNA’S BEDROOM – EVENING]

(Anna is sitting on her bed, typing away on her laptop. She looks up as Felix enters her bedroom.)

FELIX: (Sourly) Mom and dad are sending me to m*llitary school.

ANNA: At least there won’t be any lesbians to scare you.

FELIX: Yeah, well Brooke dumped me, too. (Walks forward a little.) You know,… no matter where we moved or how we fit in, you always had my back and I always had yours, always(!) (Pause) Now you turn your back on me coz I wrote ‘d*ke’ on some stupid chick’s locker?

ANNA: (Offended) She’s not stupid. (Pause) Peyton has been more of a friend to me than you have… and she didn’t do anything to deserve you tagging her locker!

FELIX: Who cares?

ANNA: (Getting off her bed.) I care(!) It’s a hate crime!

FELIX: It’s just a word.

ANNA: It’s not just a word,… it’s who I am(!)

(Felix blinks repeatedly. There’s a long pause.)

ANNA: (Walking forward slowly.) Peyton isn’t gay, Felix. I am. So you wanna spry paint ‘d*ke’ somewhere,… (Walks up to him.) do it on my walls! SPRAY IT ON ME!

FELIX: (Uncomprehendingly) What’re you talking about?

ANNA: You know what I’m talking about(!) (Turns around.) The rumours,… they weren’t rumours. They aren’t.

FELIX: Shut up, Anna(!)

ANNA: (Whirls back around.) NO! I WON’T ‘SHUT UP’! You think I’ve been running from this?! I haven’t! I have been carrying it around! And if you think what you’ve been doing is protecting me, then you’re wrong! You have been making me afraid to be who I am! Well I won’t be afraid anymore. (Pause) Now you know the truth,… I’m gay. (sh*t of Felix’s distressed face. Anna walks forward purposefully.) So, do you still have my back?

(Felix’s gaze hardens and he turns around, walking out of Anna’s room slowly.)

(Cut to Anna who has tears in her eyes. She looks away sadly as the tears fall.)

FADE TO:

[EXT. STREETS – OUTSIDE LUCAS’ HOUSE – EVENING]

(Brooke and Lucas are walking together, slowly.)

LUCAS: Sorry about you and Felix.

BROOKE: (Not believing him.) Yeah(!) (Laughs lightly.)

LUCAS: Are you OK?

BROOKE: Yeah, it’s just,… every time I see something in Tree Hill, it’s probably the last time so I feel like I have to take mental pictures of everything, you know?

(Lucas and Brooke walk up some steps.)

LUCAS: Well,… make sure… you make me look good when you take my picture.

(Brooke laughs.)

BROOKE: So, what’re you gonna miss most about me?

LUCAS: I can only choose one thing?

BROOKE: Yes, and it has to be something good; not… how much you’ll miss hanging out with me or how hot I am(!)

(They stop in front of a red door.)

LUCAS: (Ponders) Hmm… neither one of those, huh?

BROOKE: No.

LUCAS: (Snaps his fingers.) Damn(!) (Pause) (Smiles) I miss the girl behind the red door.

(Brooke smiles and tilts her head. Lucas points to the red door behind him. Brooke looks at it and them at him, confusedly.)

LUCAS: Come on.

(He opens his old bedroom door to show all of Brooke’s belongings. Her dollhouse is the first thing seen. Her lamps, mirrors and everything from her old room is now in Lucas’ old bedroom. Brooke looks around and gapes. Lucas shuts the door.)

BROOKE: …This is all my stuff, I don’t understand.

LUCAS: I,… (Nods) had my mom talk to your parents and they said that you could stay here till the summer. (Brooke gapes.) They didn’t… want to, Brooke, but… my mom can be really convincing.

BROOKE: …You did this for me?

LUCAS: (Takes a deep breath.) I wasn’t ready to lose you yet. (Shrugs)

(Brooke is touched and smiles at him.)

LUCAS: So, you, gonna stay or what?(!)

BROOKE: (Speechless) Yeah, of course(!)

(She rushes forward and hugs him. Lucas smiles happily.)

BROOKE: Oh,… I wasn’t ready to be lost. Thank you.

(Lucas closes his eyes and hugs her.)

CUT TO:

[INT. SAWYER RESIDENCE – PEYTON’S BEDROOM – EVENING]

(Close-up of a sketch that Peyton’s doing. It is of her tear-filled eyes. In one eye there is a sketch of Jake and Jenny and in the other there is a sketch of Brooke. Peyton finishes sketching the eyelash. She stands up and sticks the picture up.)

(Jake enters the room – with Jenny – slowly. He waits in the doorway. Peyton, hearing Jenny, looks at the doorway and spots them.)

JAKE: So much for painting happy little trees, huh?

(Peyton laughs sadly.)

JAKE: I think you might wanna start locking your door if a man with a baby can take you by surprise.

PEYTON: (Visibly sad.) Well,… if every surprise is this man with this baby, then… the door stays unlocked. (Nods once.) I was worried you skipped town again.

JAKE: No, no, I’m gonna stay. (Pause) Look, I said when I came back in town, I wasn’t gonna run anymore, I meant it. If Nikki’s ready to fight for custody… then so am I.

PEYTON: Well, what if she shows up tonight?

JAKE: Well, lock the door, just in case. (Smiles)

(Peyton smiles too.)

JAKE: Look, Peyton. (Walks forward.) I know this is hard. I’m sorry you have to deal with this, it’s just,… the last time I left town it was me and Jenny and now it’s… me and Jenny and… you.

(Jake looks at her for a reaction. There’s a b*at before Peyton sighs tearfully and hugs him.)

CUT TO:

[INT. THE WRECK CENTER – BACKSTAGE – EVENING]

(Haley finishes playing. She is seen through the opening in the dressing room curtains.

HALEY: (Waving to the crowd.) You guys have been great. Chris Keller’s up next.

(The crowd cheers and Haley rushes off the stage. She takes the guitar off and runs to the back but stops when she sees that Nathan’s gone. She stares at the empty room and her mirror with a sad and searching look.)

CUT TO:

[INT. ROE RESIDENCE – BROOKE’S BEDROOM – EVENING]

(Brooke closes the drawer and turns around. Karen walks into the bedroom carrying towels and smiling.)

KAREN: Dinner’s in ten minutes.

BROOKE: (Self-consciously) OK. (Pause) Thank you, Karen. You know you saved my life, right?

KAREN: (Seriously) Don’t thank me yet, Brooke. Sit down.

(They both sit. Brooke has a smile in place.)

KAREN: Now, I know your parents are a lot more… hands off.

BROOKE: (Nods knowingly) Yeah(!)

KAREN: But I’m not gonna make it easy on you and sometimes you’re not gonna like me for it. (Pause) When you’re in my house, you live by my rules. (Brooke nods.) There will be no staying out all night. No boys sleeping over. N-no-

(Brooke pulls Karen forward and hugs her.)

KAREN: (Taken by surprise.) Oh(!)

BROOKE: (Happily) It’s just like having a real mom.

(Karen smiles and hugs Brooke. They let go and Karen smiles and nods at Brooke. Brooke laughs.)

KAREN: Alright(!)

BROOKE: (Nods) OK.

(Karen stands and walks out of the room, looking back once. Brooke smiles, pleased.)

CUT TO:

[EXT. KEITH’S APARTMENT – DRIVEWAY – EVENING]

(Keith is packing the car as Lucas walks up to him.)

LUCAS: Keith, are you leaving?

(Keith looks down but doesn’t say anything.)

LUCAS: Look,… I know I made the wrong decision in not telling you about Jules and Dan… and I’m sorry. But you gotta know, Jules loves you.

KEITH: (Scoffs and walks forward.) You mean Emily? You should have told me the truth, Luke. (Pause) I’ve always been honest with you. I just, it though… I thought we meant more to each other. (Off Lucas’ hurt expression.) Maybe I was wrong.

(Keith opens his car door and gets in.)

LUCAS: Look, Keith, where’re you going?

KEITH: Don’t know.

LUCAS: You coming back?

KEITH: (Scoffs) For the first time in my life,… I don’t know if I have anything to come back for.

(He looks at Lucas and starts the engine. Lucas can’t stop him and Keith drives away. Lucas doesn’t move or look back as he shakes his head slightly.)

FADE TO:

[INT. TREE HILL HIGH SCHOOL – LOCKERS – EVENING]

(Felix empties his locker and puts his things into his backpack. He slings it over his shoulder and takes his jacket out. He slams the locker shut, looks at it and walks down the corridor. He comes to a halt at Peyton’s scrubbed-down locker and examines it before looking around and walking away. He exits the school.)

FADE TO:

[INT. DAN SCOTT MOTORS – DAN’S OFFICE – EVENING]

(Dan is standing on his desk and has his head stuck in the ceiling. He has removed one of the tiles and is messing around with something up there. Lucas watches him without Dan knowing it. With a curious look in his eyes, Lucas backs away, past the life-size cardboard cut-out of Dan.)

(Dan jumps down from his desk and looks back up at the ceiling tiles before walking away.)

FADE TO:

[INT. THE WRECK CENTER – DRESSING ROOM – DAY]

(Haley puts her guitar case on her dresser and opens it. Her wedding ring is inside. She takes it out and looks at it.)

CUT TO:

[INT. NATHAN’S CAR – THE ROAD – DAY]

(sh*t of a close-up of Nathan’s hand with his ring clearly visible. He takes it off and brings it closer so that he can look at it.)

CUT TO:

[INT. THE WRECK CENTER – DRESSING ROOM – DAY]

(Haley looks at her ring in much the same way.)

CUT TO:

[INT. NATHAN’S CAR – THE ROAD – DAY]

(Nathan continues to look at the wedding ring.)

FADE TO:

[INT. THE WRECK CENTER – DRESSING ROOM – DAY]

(Haley puts the ring back inside the case.)

FADE TO:

[INT. NATHAN’S CAR – THE ROAD – DAY]

(Nathan puts his ring inside one of the compartments in the car.)

FADE TO:

[INT. THE WRECK CENTER – DRESSING ROOM – DAY}

(Haley puts her guitar into the case – most probably in top of the ring – and shuts it.)

FADE TO:

[INT. NATHAN’S CAR – THE ROAD – DAY]

(Close-up of Nathan’s poker face.)

FADE TO:

[EXT. THE ROAD – NATHAN’S CAR – DAY]

(Birds-eye view as Nathan’s car drives beneath the camera and away.)

END