One Tree Hill s01e03 Episode Script
Are You True?
Previously on "One Tree Hill
" Look, Ive got an opening in my lineup.
Varsity.
What do you say? - What do you want? - What do you want, man? I mean, other than my girlfriend and my spot in the lineup? Hes got our last name, dad.
I cant change the fact this kid exists.
You have no right to think of him-not today, or any other day of his life! How dare you? Youre a really good guy and Im glad were friends.
You and me, one on one.
- So, what if he wins? What does he get? - He gets you.
This is for my mom.
Luke for the win! I want to draw something that means something to someone, but I cant.
Its too important to me.
I can describe Lucas in one word.
Bastard.
He wasnt swinging at me, dad.
He was swinging at you.
I felt like he had a piece of me.
I never felt like that on the playground.
Well, I say hes taken enough from us.
- Youre gonna be okay.
- Yeah, I am.
Time out! Under twenty-five seconds to go, the Ravens trail by two.
Were running black for Nathan.
If they double you, fight through them and take your shot when we have five seconds left.
Lets go.
Ravens on three.
One, two, three, Ravens! So, a quick time out and the Ravens take to the court, their undefeated record at stake, Jagielski to the inbound finds Guy Smith out top.
Were under 10 seconds now.
Smith dumps it down to Nathan Scott, and hes double teamed, but he forces up a 7-footer.
It kicks off the heel of the rim.
Jake Jagielski, though with an offensive rebound, with under 5 seconds on the clock, Jagielski out to Lucas Scott, he is behind the 3-point line.
The Ravens are going to win or lose it right here.
Unbelievable! Lucas Scott with the 3-pointer at the buzzer, and the Tree Hill Ravens are still undefeated! And I tell you what, if youre going to play the Ravens this season, you better take note, there is a new Scott in town! Nice game, Lucas.
Thanks.
- You rock.
- Thanks, Uncle Keith.
For a kid that was about to quit, that was something to see.
But I picked up fouls too early, and I was slow getting back into it.
You were great.
- Thanks guys.
See you soon, mom.
- Not too late.
You did good, Luke.
- You did pretty good, too.
- I can breathe now.
Karen, hi! Keith, hi.
I guess congratulations are in order.
Thank you, Shari.
I dont want to keep you, I just want to let you know that as the mother of a varsity player, youre eligible to join boosters.
So, I mean, not that you need to, its not required or anything.
And I know youre really busy with that little café of yours.
Right.
When do you meet? Well, it varies, really.
Usually Wednesdays.
- At? - Uh, Six-ish.
So, its really good to see you, honey.
Go Ravens! I thought this was your team.
Hey, you.
Oh, I think you got the wrong car.
Nah.
Dont mind me.
I just have to get out of this uniform.
So, anyway, Im Brooke.
But you probably knew that.
Can I tell you that that last shot was awesome? Howd it feel? Good, huh? You know it did.
Oh, my gosh! That game wasnt horrible.
- Thanks, coach.
- Well, dont turn pro yet.
You drag your scrawny butt to the weight room twice a day starting now.
You got it.
Oh by the way, theres a half naked girl in the back seat of your car.
I just thought youd like to know.
Grouchy.
So, anyway Youre in it now, arent you? When that last shot when through, did you feel it change? Feel what change? Everything.
I mean, how many moments in life can you point to and say, "Thats when it all changed?" You just had one.
But dont worry, baby.
The popularity things not so bad.
Unbelievable.
The guy scores 12 measly points and they act like hes Iverson.
You know how many games Ive scored more than that in? All but two.
One of them, I had mono.
Well, you dont have mono now, do you? - Care to prove it? - My dads gonna hammer me.
- Somethings changed.
- With your dad? No, with your room.
Somethings different.
Its my walls.
I took my sketches down.
What sketches? Good! - That is great, right? - Yeah, its all right.
I cant believe I had to work! Tell me about it.
Actually, the beginning wasnt so great, I ran into you-know-who.
Dan? Oh, Im sorry.
Do you want to talk about it? Actually, I wasnt thinking about checking out the burning boat.
- You want to come? - Well, I suppose I could be seen with you.
Let me just call home and tell them not to wait up.
Hey, mom, its Haley.
Haley James, your daughter.
Listen, Im gonna go out after work, and Ill be home.
Okay? All right, bye.
- Was your mom drinking? - No! I got the machine.
"You dont have to join the boosters.
" And did you get that dig about my "little café"? What do you care? Its not like your going to join the boosters, anyway.
Thats not the point.
And that thing about cheerleading? Its like theyre still in high school.
I mean, really, let it go.
Well, thats good advice.
Maybe you should take it.
Whats that supposed to mean? Well, if Im not mistaken, you still own your cheerleading sweater.
All Im saying is memory lane is a two-way street.
Yeah? So is "You dont know what the hell youre talking about" boulevard.
This is not about high school for me, Keith.
- Trust me.
- Whatever you say.
Hey, its Peyton.
You know what to do.
Hey, this message is for Peyton.
Its Jeff Nelson calling from THUD magazine.
Your friend dropped off your sketches and, he was right, theyre terrific.
Give me a call when you get a chance.
Wed love to talk to you about, you know, maybe doing a comic strip for the magazine.
Nice work, Peyton.
Nice work.
Message deleted.
Come one, come all, to the Tree Hill annual Burning Boat festival.
Burn your bad karma, bad luck, or bad choices and start anew.
Well be collecting items all week.
Nothing is too big, too small, too tragic - Nice game, Lucas.
- Hey, thanks.
- You are just blowing up.
- Well, yeah, man.
Im a big star now.
You better hope I keep you around.
You know, Im gonna try not to lose sleep over that, thanks.
So, last night, Im watching Scandinavian week on the history channel, and I- - Because ? - Because blonde Viking guys are hot.
Anyway, this whole Burning Boat thing is a total rip-off of a Viking funeral.
Did you know that? - You know, youre the bomb.
- Thanks.
Check it out.
B+! Brandon, all right! You did it! Yeah, I just threw all my bad grades into the pot.
Im not going back there.
I know youre not.
Ive had I dont know how many tutors, and this girls a miracle worker.
No, this is all you, man.
Congratulations! Thanks, Haley.
See you.
Yes! I knew he could do it! Yes! - Nice work, Hales.
- Thank you.
So, what bad mojo are you burning this year? Im not wearing that on my jersey.
So, were going to watch this together, right? Maybe.
I have to check my schedule.
You know, the word around town is that Im the bomb.
Oh! Wow.
Great game, Lucas.
All right, Im going to the tutoring center so I can feel superior.
Oh, listen-theyre playing "Attack of the 50-foot Woman" at the Crescent tomorrow.
- Do you want to go? - Yeah.
Count me in.
- All right.
- Ill call you later.
Hey, whos that girl hes always hanging out with? Who knows? Why? You feel like slumming? - Who do you think you are? - Someone youre pissed at.
- You submitted my sketches to THUD magazine.
- And they liked them, didnt they? If I wanted your help, I would ask for it.
Hey, girl.
Hey, you didnt happen to find my Thank you, gorgeous.
Youre welcome! - What you got there? - What? You know what.
The Brooke Davis leopard bra-dude, that things like a welcome mat.
- Anyway, I heard you were naked in his car.
- No.
I was partially naked.
At one point I had mittens on cause it was cold.
Oh, did you see my- Okay, focus.
Youre a slut in mittens, youre in his car.
Then what happens? Well, then nothing.
He was really sweet.
He drove me home, said "Good night," waited till I got inside.
- Maybe hes gay.
- No, I think hes just nice.
Anyway, its gonna be so great when he sleeps with me! I was just getting used to low-waist jeans.
Lets go, ball boy.
Hows things been since the game? Different.
People Ive never talked to say "Hello" to me like theyve always known me and the teachers smile more.
- Cheerleaders strip in your car.
- Sounds like the good life.
- Yeah, it sounds like it, but not really.
- No? No, the teams hazing me a little bit.
Well, believe it or not, I wouldnt take it too personally.
See, we did that when I played.
Unless it gets completely out of hand, just roll with it.
Show em what youre made of.
Nathan! Im tinkering with the offense.
Youll be playing more small forward.
Forget it.
Im the shooting guard.
Thats funny.
I thought I was the coach.
As a matter of fact, you can call me that, and Ill call you "small forward".
Nathan Scott, small forward.
Has a nice ring to it.
I hear Whitey gave your spot to Lucas.
Do you even care that its slipping away? All the work weve put into it, all the plans that weve made.
All the plans youve made, dad.
All the work Ive done.
Fine, quit the team.
Hell, quit school for that matter.
Ill tell you what; Ill give you a job working at the dealership.
You can spend the rest of your life haggling over free floor mats with morons with bad credit.
How does that sound? Because thats where youre headed, and thats if I give you the job! I just want more for you, Nathan.
More than a 9-5 and the feeling you couldve had a better life.
And, I want you to be happy.
I do.
But, you need to tell me if you still want to do this.
Do you? Okay.
But, happiness doesnt come cheap.
Hell, if it did, wed all be smiling.
Didn't I tell you that was gonna happend? Whiteys using you to get back at me, and I apologize, Nathan, because its not your fault.
What do you want me to do, dad? Its Whiteys team.
No, its not.
Whitey didnt understand when I was playing for him.
He doesnt get it now.
This is your team.
Not his.
What position do you want to play? - I think Im stronger at shooting guard.
- I agree.
So, if this new kids taken your position, hes no longer your teammate, is he? Hes your opponent.
And how do we defeat an opponent? Identify his weaknesses and attack them.
Look, you guys are the ones I feel sorry for.
Me? Im going to get my minutes.
But you guys have been busting your tails since the junior leagues.
Now you finally get your shot and Whitey gives the starting spot to this guy? Its not right.
If you ask me, he shouldnt even be on the team.
- So then, what are we going to do? - Were gonna make him earn it.
At least make him suffer like we did.
Its only going to get worse, man.
So, the hazing begins right on schedule.
Can you smell the desperation? We all went through it.
Hang in there.
So, what happens if we haze this guy and he doesnt go away? With what Ive got planned, he will.
- But, what if he doesnt? - If he doesnt, Ive got a backup plan.
Hey.
- Can I help you? - I hope so.
Youre my tutor.
- Right.
I dont think so.
- Youre Haley James, right? Im sorry.
Im best friends with Lucas.
Well, then Im sorry, too.
- Forget it.
Ill find you someone else.
- Whoa, look.
There is nobody else.
All right? Id be fine with it if there was.
- If there were.
- See? Youre helping me already.
Look, I cant help you and on top of that, I wont help you.
Okay? Interesting.
Where have you studied? Mostly in my bedroom.
Is that a bad thing? No, just surprising for someone with your talent.
Well, your stuff is great.
I do have a few concerns, though.
Youre younger than I expected, and we have firm deadlines to make a press run.
Give me a deadline.
Ill meet it.
All right, then how about a test strip? Use your high school characters, but, give them a twist.
A twist? The way you portray high school, the girls are so tragic.
Dont get me wrong, I like it.
But, the magazine wants wish fulfillment.
- You know, pretty, popular, like a - A cheerleader? Perfect.
Cheerleaders are always happy.
Identity-this was a common theme in the work of E.
E.
Cumings.
While its true he was most known as a Lucas, whats your favorite color? Black.
B-l-a-c-k.
When Cummings died in 1962, he was enormously popular, especially with young readers.
Whats your favorite number? Okay, whats your favorite sexual position? Ill use mine.
So, you like me.
Mostly because he dealt with sex and war.
Okay, folks, listen up-I want everyone to bring in something by Cummings- poem, essay, whatever-to the next class.
Okay, thank you for your work.
Hey.
I just wanted to let you know that Im gonna be fine.
Good.
I mean, F is for fine, right? You know shell never go for it.
So, hows your Lucas quest going? Fine.
Ow! Hand.
Let me ask you something.
Why are you being so persistent with this one? You normally would have moved on by now.
- Why? Are you jealous? - No.
- Do you like him? - No.
See, theres this guy named Nathan, whos also called my boyfriend.
Yeah-ow! Ooh.
Well maybe I want a boyfriend, too-someone reliable for once, steady Without all the drama, anger, and pettiness you and Nathan have.
Ow! - Isnt Haley working today? - Shes making a delivery.
Doesnt that girl ever go home? Haley comes from a big family.
When Lucas met her, I think they were eight or nine.
But she saw it was just me and Lucas, and she said "Yeah, I come from a big family.
I think you guys need me more.
" Did he tell you about his troubles with the team? Yeah.
I told him not to take it so personally.
Speaking of taking things personally, I was thinking about my brush with Shari and the boosters.
I think I may have overreacted.
I think I know how you can find out.
Okay, the last item on the agenda is fundraising.
So, we will have our booth at Burning Boat and - Karen, hi.
- You start at six, right? No, sweetie, we start at five sharp.
You must have misunderstood me.
Sure.
Everybody, this is Karen, Lucas Scotts mother.
Oh, so youre Dans ex? - Actually, we were never married.
- Oh.
I just thought Id come down here and introduce myself to all of you and say "Hello.
" - Is Lucas on the team for good? - What do you mean? Well, I mean, it just seems strange that a new boy on the squad becomes a starter ahead of boys who have been Ravens for years.
Um, now then, as I was saying, um, I think that Burning Boat- Its cause hes good.
Coach Durham thinks he deserves to, and maybe you want to tell your sons that so next time they steal his wallet, or ruin his clothes, or whatever else they have planned for him.
- Excuse me? - Hes a kid whos doing his best.
Whoa, whoa.
You walk in here-late, I might add-and start making accusations about our boys? Our boys are the good ones.
- Exactly what does that mean? - You know exactly what I mean.
You know, Shari, I came down here wanting to give you the benefit of the doubt, but clearly youre still the same petty little bitch you were in high school.
Well, um Hey.
I heard about this.
I hoped it wasnt true.
What do you want, Peyton? I just want to tell you Im not doing the comic strip.
Thats a mistake.
Yeah, well maybe some people arent ready to expose themselves to the world like you and your basketball.
Maybe you are ready, but youre just scared.
Well, did you at least meet with them? Yeah.
Yeah, I mean, the editor loved my stuff.
He just wanted me to change it into something totally different.
Its really not that big of a deal.
Guess I just I just want to say thanks.
Wow.
Did Peyton Sawyer just say "thank you"? Look, if Nathan did this, Im sorry.
Why do you stay with him, anyway? Cause sometimes its good.
Sometimes theres no one else.
Hey, Peyton that editor is wrong.
- Karens Café.
- Im calling for Haley James.
- Yeah, this is her.
- Hey, its Nathan Scott.
I really need your help.
Sorry, this isnt her.
- What was that? - Wrong number.
You just said this was her.
What, did you forget your own name? Whats up? This guy wants me to tutor him, and I said "No" cause hes kind of a bad guy.
You know him? Not really.
I just know of him.
Dangerous? No.
- What? Youve got that look.
- What look? The look that my mom always gets when she wants to throw her two cents in.
What? Well, Haley, I think you have pretty good instincts so Im not trying to tell you what to do, but just to play devils advocate, if this boy came for tutoring, maybe hes trying to change.
Might be something in there worth saving.
Well, Luke, I owe you an apology.
For what? I told you not to take things personally, but theyre making it personal.
All right, lets give her a try.
Sorry, were closed.
Hi, Im Jake.
- Oh, hi, Jake.
Im Keith.
- How are you doing? I got some paperwork to do.
See you.
- I heard about the court.
- You heard about it, or you were there? Hey, I dont buy into that mob rule nonsense, all right.
I play defense.
I live my life.
Thats it.
Yeah, and what about the rest of the team? Look, Luke, the guys on the team-theyre in a tough spot.
Because of the suspension, most of these guys are younger, and theyre not going to stand up to Nathan.
Its not right, but thats the way it is.
Yeah, well, the way it is doesnt work for me, and it doesnt work for my friends.
Yeah, I know.
But thats thats kind of why I came here.
This thing could get really messy if someone doesnt take the high road.
And, I know this is not my place to ask, but I was just hoping that you could rise above it.
I dont think I can do that.
Okay.
Just know that if you do, the teams gonna come around.
Their gonna see that youre a good guy and a hell of a player.
And if I cant? Then I got your back.
- They trashed the court? - Yep.
What else? Broke into my locker, soaked my stuff.
I dont know, Hales, I dont know how much longer I can put up with this.
Do you think theyre gonna, like, let up anytime soon? - No chance.
And you want to know why? - Why? Because Nathan controls the team.
And theres no way in hell hes gonna back off.
What are you thinking? This weird thing happened at the tutoring center.
Its not important, nevermind.
- Are you sure? - Yeah.
Mm-Hmm.
Are we still going to go to the movie tomorrow night? - Yeah.
Sounds like fun.
- Okay, cool.
Luke, how far do you think hes really gonna go.
- Nathan? - I dont know.
As far as he wants to go until somebody stops him.
Hey, Luke.
Lets go, lets go! Get him in! Well, well.
The gangs all here.
I told you it was gonna get worse.
Now, see, normally this is when you become part of the team.
Wed have a keg, tell some war stories but you had to know that wasnt going to happen, right? Look these guys made a choice to back me.
But were going to be nice, and were going to let you walk away.
Just quit the team, man.
Otherwise, its going to get ugly.
- Lets get out of here.
- Bye, Luke.
Hey, where you been? Nowhere.
Luke What happened to you? I had a little run-in with the team.
Luke, Im sorry this is so hard for you.
I wish there was a way that I could help, but I dont think there is.
Theres not.
Well, if it makes you feel any better, I called some woman a bitch the other day.
Im proud of you.
You know that? Sometimes I wonder where you get all your strength.
- I get that from you.
- Oh, I dont know about that.
- I havent been on my best behavior lately.
- Well, they dont make it easy, do they? No, they dont.
That doesnt mean we have to sink to their level.
Take the high road, huh? Yeah, sounds familiar.
But, mom, I tried that.
And I want to make you proud, I do.
But there comes a certain point when you have to fight back.
And Im at that point.
Ball! Ball! Ball! Over here! Ball! What the hell was that? - Here! Second team! - But he stole the ball from his own team! But nothing! That guy has hit seven in a row and you wont pass him to ball! And you! This is a team game.
If you guys dont get your heads out of your asses, I might be forced to suspend my second team this season.
Go home! So much for the high road, huh? Hey! Hey.
- I tried to call you about last night - No, its okay.
Youre mom told me what happened.
Are you all right? I was really worried about you.
Yeah, I know, and Im sorry.
- Luke, I just want things to get better for you.
- Trust me, so do I.
- Theyre not going to, are they? - Well, not without a fight.
Hey.
Ill find a way to get past this.
Dont worry about it.
You know what? I need to do something.
I will see you tomorrow for Burning Boat, okay? - Okay.
- Okay.
Uh, sorry.
Im sorry too.
For what? Ill see you tomorrow.
- Hey.
- Hey.
I looked over your English exam, and if you really want to learn, I can help you.
Thats great.
All right.
I just I have two conditions.
One, Lucas does not find out, okay? Ever.
All right, fine.
And number two, you leave him alone.
Well, I dont really have much of a choice, do I? Okay, meet me tomorrow, 7AM at the Market Street dock.
Well, what about the tutoring center? No way.
The dock.
Take it or leave it.
Okay.
7:00 then.
Okay.
- Breakfast of champions.
Want some? - Youre late.
Ugh, please let this be a cheat sheet.
Its for you.
- Stop it.
- Come on.
Dont say I never gave you anything.
Do you see this book? Because this book is me.
I am math.
- Whats that supposed to mean? - Its supposed to mean that you can work your whole "Im Nathan Scott, Mr.
Big shot, scoring my touchdowns" on somebody else, - because I dont - I dont even play football.
Whatever.
Look, the point is at the end of the day, all your bluster and BS dont mean anything to math because math dont care, and neither do I.
Well, does English care? Cause I really suck at that, too.
Please dont waste my time.
I am already taking a huge chance on you because my instincts are screaming that youre full of sh Lets just get started, okay? Page 81.
Hey.
This is who I am.
This is how I am.
And 95% of the time there isnt a moral, or a victory, or a silver lining.
Take it or leave it.
And if we leave it? If you leave it then youll miss that other 5%.
Your mistake.
Good evening.
Usually the master of ceremonies at this deal is Red Legner.
But, well Red died, so what are you gonna do? Now, every year we have a Burning Boat, and every year people find things to toss into it.
I guess if everything was perfect, we wouldnt be human.
Time to let the past go.
- Shari! - Karen.
I just wanted to introduce you to my son, Lucas.
Lucas, this is Shari, Tims mother.
Stepmother.
Nice to meet you.
- Im gonna take off, okay? - Okay.
- You be careful.
- I will.
Look, Im sorry about what I said before.
Because-lets face it-its been a long time.
We really dont know each other anymore.
But I want to give you the benefit of the doubt so that next time we meet, at least Ill be dealing with the person youve become.
And I hope youll do the same.
I guess its not every day that we get a shot at starting over and putting our feet on the right path.
That said, I guess we better get to the rat killing.
Say "good bye" to cheerleading, mom.
So, you my date tonight, Luke? You know, Brooke, you dont have to act like this.
I know that.
But youre the first guy to ever say it.
You do your thing and try to resist.
Its actually kind of cute.
You left that at the court.
- I dont know what youre talking about.
- Then call it a gift.
Besides, youre gonna need it to paint over your scoring title in the gym, - 'cause Im taking it.
- Yeah, in your dreams.
I dont care what you do to me.
Whatever you got, you better bring it, cause Im not going anywhere.
Burn these for me, would you? E.
E.
Cummings once wrote, "To be nobody but yourself, in a world which is doing its best, night and day, to make you everybody else " Hey.
Hey.
" means to fight the hardest battle, which any human being can fight " Nice bracelet.
" and never stop fighting.
" Hey, its Jeff Nelson.
I just wanted to let you know, were running your strip in the next issue.
- Where were you this morning? - Just tutoring.
Oh, yeah? Anyone I know? No.
Varsity.
What do you say? - What do you want? - What do you want, man? I mean, other than my girlfriend and my spot in the lineup? Hes got our last name, dad.
I cant change the fact this kid exists.
You have no right to think of him-not today, or any other day of his life! How dare you? Youre a really good guy and Im glad were friends.
You and me, one on one.
- So, what if he wins? What does he get? - He gets you.
This is for my mom.
Luke for the win! I want to draw something that means something to someone, but I cant.
Its too important to me.
I can describe Lucas in one word.
Bastard.
He wasnt swinging at me, dad.
He was swinging at you.
I felt like he had a piece of me.
I never felt like that on the playground.
Well, I say hes taken enough from us.
- Youre gonna be okay.
- Yeah, I am.
Time out! Under twenty-five seconds to go, the Ravens trail by two.
Were running black for Nathan.
If they double you, fight through them and take your shot when we have five seconds left.
Lets go.
Ravens on three.
One, two, three, Ravens! So, a quick time out and the Ravens take to the court, their undefeated record at stake, Jagielski to the inbound finds Guy Smith out top.
Were under 10 seconds now.
Smith dumps it down to Nathan Scott, and hes double teamed, but he forces up a 7-footer.
It kicks off the heel of the rim.
Jake Jagielski, though with an offensive rebound, with under 5 seconds on the clock, Jagielski out to Lucas Scott, he is behind the 3-point line.
The Ravens are going to win or lose it right here.
Unbelievable! Lucas Scott with the 3-pointer at the buzzer, and the Tree Hill Ravens are still undefeated! And I tell you what, if youre going to play the Ravens this season, you better take note, there is a new Scott in town! Nice game, Lucas.
Thanks.
- You rock.
- Thanks, Uncle Keith.
For a kid that was about to quit, that was something to see.
But I picked up fouls too early, and I was slow getting back into it.
You were great.
- Thanks guys.
See you soon, mom.
- Not too late.
You did good, Luke.
- You did pretty good, too.
- I can breathe now.
Karen, hi! Keith, hi.
I guess congratulations are in order.
Thank you, Shari.
I dont want to keep you, I just want to let you know that as the mother of a varsity player, youre eligible to join boosters.
So, I mean, not that you need to, its not required or anything.
And I know youre really busy with that little café of yours.
Right.
When do you meet? Well, it varies, really.
Usually Wednesdays.
- At? - Uh, Six-ish.
So, its really good to see you, honey.
Go Ravens! I thought this was your team.
Hey, you.
Oh, I think you got the wrong car.
Nah.
Dont mind me.
I just have to get out of this uniform.
So, anyway, Im Brooke.
But you probably knew that.
Can I tell you that that last shot was awesome? Howd it feel? Good, huh? You know it did.
Oh, my gosh! That game wasnt horrible.
- Thanks, coach.
- Well, dont turn pro yet.
You drag your scrawny butt to the weight room twice a day starting now.
You got it.
Oh by the way, theres a half naked girl in the back seat of your car.
I just thought youd like to know.
Grouchy.
So, anyway Youre in it now, arent you? When that last shot when through, did you feel it change? Feel what change? Everything.
I mean, how many moments in life can you point to and say, "Thats when it all changed?" You just had one.
But dont worry, baby.
The popularity things not so bad.
Unbelievable.
The guy scores 12 measly points and they act like hes Iverson.
You know how many games Ive scored more than that in? All but two.
One of them, I had mono.
Well, you dont have mono now, do you? - Care to prove it? - My dads gonna hammer me.
- Somethings changed.
- With your dad? No, with your room.
Somethings different.
Its my walls.
I took my sketches down.
What sketches? Good! - That is great, right? - Yeah, its all right.
I cant believe I had to work! Tell me about it.
Actually, the beginning wasnt so great, I ran into you-know-who.
Dan? Oh, Im sorry.
Do you want to talk about it? Actually, I wasnt thinking about checking out the burning boat.
- You want to come? - Well, I suppose I could be seen with you.
Let me just call home and tell them not to wait up.
Hey, mom, its Haley.
Haley James, your daughter.
Listen, Im gonna go out after work, and Ill be home.
Okay? All right, bye.
- Was your mom drinking? - No! I got the machine.
"You dont have to join the boosters.
" And did you get that dig about my "little café"? What do you care? Its not like your going to join the boosters, anyway.
Thats not the point.
And that thing about cheerleading? Its like theyre still in high school.
I mean, really, let it go.
Well, thats good advice.
Maybe you should take it.
Whats that supposed to mean? Well, if Im not mistaken, you still own your cheerleading sweater.
All Im saying is memory lane is a two-way street.
Yeah? So is "You dont know what the hell youre talking about" boulevard.
This is not about high school for me, Keith.
- Trust me.
- Whatever you say.
Hey, its Peyton.
You know what to do.
Hey, this message is for Peyton.
Its Jeff Nelson calling from THUD magazine.
Your friend dropped off your sketches and, he was right, theyre terrific.
Give me a call when you get a chance.
Wed love to talk to you about, you know, maybe doing a comic strip for the magazine.
Nice work, Peyton.
Nice work.
Message deleted.
Come one, come all, to the Tree Hill annual Burning Boat festival.
Burn your bad karma, bad luck, or bad choices and start anew.
Well be collecting items all week.
Nothing is too big, too small, too tragic - Nice game, Lucas.
- Hey, thanks.
- You are just blowing up.
- Well, yeah, man.
Im a big star now.
You better hope I keep you around.
You know, Im gonna try not to lose sleep over that, thanks.
So, last night, Im watching Scandinavian week on the history channel, and I- - Because ? - Because blonde Viking guys are hot.
Anyway, this whole Burning Boat thing is a total rip-off of a Viking funeral.
Did you know that? - You know, youre the bomb.
- Thanks.
Check it out.
B+! Brandon, all right! You did it! Yeah, I just threw all my bad grades into the pot.
Im not going back there.
I know youre not.
Ive had I dont know how many tutors, and this girls a miracle worker.
No, this is all you, man.
Congratulations! Thanks, Haley.
See you.
Yes! I knew he could do it! Yes! - Nice work, Hales.
- Thank you.
So, what bad mojo are you burning this year? Im not wearing that on my jersey.
So, were going to watch this together, right? Maybe.
I have to check my schedule.
You know, the word around town is that Im the bomb.
Oh! Wow.
Great game, Lucas.
All right, Im going to the tutoring center so I can feel superior.
Oh, listen-theyre playing "Attack of the 50-foot Woman" at the Crescent tomorrow.
- Do you want to go? - Yeah.
Count me in.
- All right.
- Ill call you later.
Hey, whos that girl hes always hanging out with? Who knows? Why? You feel like slumming? - Who do you think you are? - Someone youre pissed at.
- You submitted my sketches to THUD magazine.
- And they liked them, didnt they? If I wanted your help, I would ask for it.
Hey, girl.
Hey, you didnt happen to find my Thank you, gorgeous.
Youre welcome! - What you got there? - What? You know what.
The Brooke Davis leopard bra-dude, that things like a welcome mat.
- Anyway, I heard you were naked in his car.
- No.
I was partially naked.
At one point I had mittens on cause it was cold.
Oh, did you see my- Okay, focus.
Youre a slut in mittens, youre in his car.
Then what happens? Well, then nothing.
He was really sweet.
He drove me home, said "Good night," waited till I got inside.
- Maybe hes gay.
- No, I think hes just nice.
Anyway, its gonna be so great when he sleeps with me! I was just getting used to low-waist jeans.
Lets go, ball boy.
Hows things been since the game? Different.
People Ive never talked to say "Hello" to me like theyve always known me and the teachers smile more.
- Cheerleaders strip in your car.
- Sounds like the good life.
- Yeah, it sounds like it, but not really.
- No? No, the teams hazing me a little bit.
Well, believe it or not, I wouldnt take it too personally.
See, we did that when I played.
Unless it gets completely out of hand, just roll with it.
Show em what youre made of.
Nathan! Im tinkering with the offense.
Youll be playing more small forward.
Forget it.
Im the shooting guard.
Thats funny.
I thought I was the coach.
As a matter of fact, you can call me that, and Ill call you "small forward".
Nathan Scott, small forward.
Has a nice ring to it.
I hear Whitey gave your spot to Lucas.
Do you even care that its slipping away? All the work weve put into it, all the plans that weve made.
All the plans youve made, dad.
All the work Ive done.
Fine, quit the team.
Hell, quit school for that matter.
Ill tell you what; Ill give you a job working at the dealership.
You can spend the rest of your life haggling over free floor mats with morons with bad credit.
How does that sound? Because thats where youre headed, and thats if I give you the job! I just want more for you, Nathan.
More than a 9-5 and the feeling you couldve had a better life.
And, I want you to be happy.
I do.
But, you need to tell me if you still want to do this.
Do you? Okay.
But, happiness doesnt come cheap.
Hell, if it did, wed all be smiling.
Didn't I tell you that was gonna happend? Whiteys using you to get back at me, and I apologize, Nathan, because its not your fault.
What do you want me to do, dad? Its Whiteys team.
No, its not.
Whitey didnt understand when I was playing for him.
He doesnt get it now.
This is your team.
Not his.
What position do you want to play? - I think Im stronger at shooting guard.
- I agree.
So, if this new kids taken your position, hes no longer your teammate, is he? Hes your opponent.
And how do we defeat an opponent? Identify his weaknesses and attack them.
Look, you guys are the ones I feel sorry for.
Me? Im going to get my minutes.
But you guys have been busting your tails since the junior leagues.
Now you finally get your shot and Whitey gives the starting spot to this guy? Its not right.
If you ask me, he shouldnt even be on the team.
- So then, what are we going to do? - Were gonna make him earn it.
At least make him suffer like we did.
Its only going to get worse, man.
So, the hazing begins right on schedule.
Can you smell the desperation? We all went through it.
Hang in there.
So, what happens if we haze this guy and he doesnt go away? With what Ive got planned, he will.
- But, what if he doesnt? - If he doesnt, Ive got a backup plan.
Hey.
- Can I help you? - I hope so.
Youre my tutor.
- Right.
I dont think so.
- Youre Haley James, right? Im sorry.
Im best friends with Lucas.
Well, then Im sorry, too.
- Forget it.
Ill find you someone else.
- Whoa, look.
There is nobody else.
All right? Id be fine with it if there was.
- If there were.
- See? Youre helping me already.
Look, I cant help you and on top of that, I wont help you.
Okay? Interesting.
Where have you studied? Mostly in my bedroom.
Is that a bad thing? No, just surprising for someone with your talent.
Well, your stuff is great.
I do have a few concerns, though.
Youre younger than I expected, and we have firm deadlines to make a press run.
Give me a deadline.
Ill meet it.
All right, then how about a test strip? Use your high school characters, but, give them a twist.
A twist? The way you portray high school, the girls are so tragic.
Dont get me wrong, I like it.
But, the magazine wants wish fulfillment.
- You know, pretty, popular, like a - A cheerleader? Perfect.
Cheerleaders are always happy.
Identity-this was a common theme in the work of E.
E.
Cumings.
While its true he was most known as a Lucas, whats your favorite color? Black.
B-l-a-c-k.
When Cummings died in 1962, he was enormously popular, especially with young readers.
Whats your favorite number? Okay, whats your favorite sexual position? Ill use mine.
So, you like me.
Mostly because he dealt with sex and war.
Okay, folks, listen up-I want everyone to bring in something by Cummings- poem, essay, whatever-to the next class.
Okay, thank you for your work.
Hey.
I just wanted to let you know that Im gonna be fine.
Good.
I mean, F is for fine, right? You know shell never go for it.
So, hows your Lucas quest going? Fine.
Ow! Hand.
Let me ask you something.
Why are you being so persistent with this one? You normally would have moved on by now.
- Why? Are you jealous? - No.
- Do you like him? - No.
See, theres this guy named Nathan, whos also called my boyfriend.
Yeah-ow! Ooh.
Well maybe I want a boyfriend, too-someone reliable for once, steady Without all the drama, anger, and pettiness you and Nathan have.
Ow! - Isnt Haley working today? - Shes making a delivery.
Doesnt that girl ever go home? Haley comes from a big family.
When Lucas met her, I think they were eight or nine.
But she saw it was just me and Lucas, and she said "Yeah, I come from a big family.
I think you guys need me more.
" Did he tell you about his troubles with the team? Yeah.
I told him not to take it so personally.
Speaking of taking things personally, I was thinking about my brush with Shari and the boosters.
I think I may have overreacted.
I think I know how you can find out.
Okay, the last item on the agenda is fundraising.
So, we will have our booth at Burning Boat and - Karen, hi.
- You start at six, right? No, sweetie, we start at five sharp.
You must have misunderstood me.
Sure.
Everybody, this is Karen, Lucas Scotts mother.
Oh, so youre Dans ex? - Actually, we were never married.
- Oh.
I just thought Id come down here and introduce myself to all of you and say "Hello.
" - Is Lucas on the team for good? - What do you mean? Well, I mean, it just seems strange that a new boy on the squad becomes a starter ahead of boys who have been Ravens for years.
Um, now then, as I was saying, um, I think that Burning Boat- Its cause hes good.
Coach Durham thinks he deserves to, and maybe you want to tell your sons that so next time they steal his wallet, or ruin his clothes, or whatever else they have planned for him.
- Excuse me? - Hes a kid whos doing his best.
Whoa, whoa.
You walk in here-late, I might add-and start making accusations about our boys? Our boys are the good ones.
- Exactly what does that mean? - You know exactly what I mean.
You know, Shari, I came down here wanting to give you the benefit of the doubt, but clearly youre still the same petty little bitch you were in high school.
Well, um Hey.
I heard about this.
I hoped it wasnt true.
What do you want, Peyton? I just want to tell you Im not doing the comic strip.
Thats a mistake.
Yeah, well maybe some people arent ready to expose themselves to the world like you and your basketball.
Maybe you are ready, but youre just scared.
Well, did you at least meet with them? Yeah.
Yeah, I mean, the editor loved my stuff.
He just wanted me to change it into something totally different.
Its really not that big of a deal.
Guess I just I just want to say thanks.
Wow.
Did Peyton Sawyer just say "thank you"? Look, if Nathan did this, Im sorry.
Why do you stay with him, anyway? Cause sometimes its good.
Sometimes theres no one else.
Hey, Peyton that editor is wrong.
- Karens Café.
- Im calling for Haley James.
- Yeah, this is her.
- Hey, its Nathan Scott.
I really need your help.
Sorry, this isnt her.
- What was that? - Wrong number.
You just said this was her.
What, did you forget your own name? Whats up? This guy wants me to tutor him, and I said "No" cause hes kind of a bad guy.
You know him? Not really.
I just know of him.
Dangerous? No.
- What? Youve got that look.
- What look? The look that my mom always gets when she wants to throw her two cents in.
What? Well, Haley, I think you have pretty good instincts so Im not trying to tell you what to do, but just to play devils advocate, if this boy came for tutoring, maybe hes trying to change.
Might be something in there worth saving.
Well, Luke, I owe you an apology.
For what? I told you not to take things personally, but theyre making it personal.
All right, lets give her a try.
Sorry, were closed.
Hi, Im Jake.
- Oh, hi, Jake.
Im Keith.
- How are you doing? I got some paperwork to do.
See you.
- I heard about the court.
- You heard about it, or you were there? Hey, I dont buy into that mob rule nonsense, all right.
I play defense.
I live my life.
Thats it.
Yeah, and what about the rest of the team? Look, Luke, the guys on the team-theyre in a tough spot.
Because of the suspension, most of these guys are younger, and theyre not going to stand up to Nathan.
Its not right, but thats the way it is.
Yeah, well, the way it is doesnt work for me, and it doesnt work for my friends.
Yeah, I know.
But thats thats kind of why I came here.
This thing could get really messy if someone doesnt take the high road.
And, I know this is not my place to ask, but I was just hoping that you could rise above it.
I dont think I can do that.
Okay.
Just know that if you do, the teams gonna come around.
Their gonna see that youre a good guy and a hell of a player.
And if I cant? Then I got your back.
- They trashed the court? - Yep.
What else? Broke into my locker, soaked my stuff.
I dont know, Hales, I dont know how much longer I can put up with this.
Do you think theyre gonna, like, let up anytime soon? - No chance.
And you want to know why? - Why? Because Nathan controls the team.
And theres no way in hell hes gonna back off.
What are you thinking? This weird thing happened at the tutoring center.
Its not important, nevermind.
- Are you sure? - Yeah.
Mm-Hmm.
Are we still going to go to the movie tomorrow night? - Yeah.
Sounds like fun.
- Okay, cool.
Luke, how far do you think hes really gonna go.
- Nathan? - I dont know.
As far as he wants to go until somebody stops him.
Hey, Luke.
Lets go, lets go! Get him in! Well, well.
The gangs all here.
I told you it was gonna get worse.
Now, see, normally this is when you become part of the team.
Wed have a keg, tell some war stories but you had to know that wasnt going to happen, right? Look these guys made a choice to back me.
But were going to be nice, and were going to let you walk away.
Just quit the team, man.
Otherwise, its going to get ugly.
- Lets get out of here.
- Bye, Luke.
Hey, where you been? Nowhere.
Luke What happened to you? I had a little run-in with the team.
Luke, Im sorry this is so hard for you.
I wish there was a way that I could help, but I dont think there is.
Theres not.
Well, if it makes you feel any better, I called some woman a bitch the other day.
Im proud of you.
You know that? Sometimes I wonder where you get all your strength.
- I get that from you.
- Oh, I dont know about that.
- I havent been on my best behavior lately.
- Well, they dont make it easy, do they? No, they dont.
That doesnt mean we have to sink to their level.
Take the high road, huh? Yeah, sounds familiar.
But, mom, I tried that.
And I want to make you proud, I do.
But there comes a certain point when you have to fight back.
And Im at that point.
Ball! Ball! Ball! Over here! Ball! What the hell was that? - Here! Second team! - But he stole the ball from his own team! But nothing! That guy has hit seven in a row and you wont pass him to ball! And you! This is a team game.
If you guys dont get your heads out of your asses, I might be forced to suspend my second team this season.
Go home! So much for the high road, huh? Hey! Hey.
- I tried to call you about last night - No, its okay.
Youre mom told me what happened.
Are you all right? I was really worried about you.
Yeah, I know, and Im sorry.
- Luke, I just want things to get better for you.
- Trust me, so do I.
- Theyre not going to, are they? - Well, not without a fight.
Hey.
Ill find a way to get past this.
Dont worry about it.
You know what? I need to do something.
I will see you tomorrow for Burning Boat, okay? - Okay.
- Okay.
Uh, sorry.
Im sorry too.
For what? Ill see you tomorrow.
- Hey.
- Hey.
I looked over your English exam, and if you really want to learn, I can help you.
Thats great.
All right.
I just I have two conditions.
One, Lucas does not find out, okay? Ever.
All right, fine.
And number two, you leave him alone.
Well, I dont really have much of a choice, do I? Okay, meet me tomorrow, 7AM at the Market Street dock.
Well, what about the tutoring center? No way.
The dock.
Take it or leave it.
Okay.
7:00 then.
Okay.
- Breakfast of champions.
Want some? - Youre late.
Ugh, please let this be a cheat sheet.
Its for you.
- Stop it.
- Come on.
Dont say I never gave you anything.
Do you see this book? Because this book is me.
I am math.
- Whats that supposed to mean? - Its supposed to mean that you can work your whole "Im Nathan Scott, Mr.
Big shot, scoring my touchdowns" on somebody else, - because I dont - I dont even play football.
Whatever.
Look, the point is at the end of the day, all your bluster and BS dont mean anything to math because math dont care, and neither do I.
Well, does English care? Cause I really suck at that, too.
Please dont waste my time.
I am already taking a huge chance on you because my instincts are screaming that youre full of sh Lets just get started, okay? Page 81.
Hey.
This is who I am.
This is how I am.
And 95% of the time there isnt a moral, or a victory, or a silver lining.
Take it or leave it.
And if we leave it? If you leave it then youll miss that other 5%.
Your mistake.
Good evening.
Usually the master of ceremonies at this deal is Red Legner.
But, well Red died, so what are you gonna do? Now, every year we have a Burning Boat, and every year people find things to toss into it.
I guess if everything was perfect, we wouldnt be human.
Time to let the past go.
- Shari! - Karen.
I just wanted to introduce you to my son, Lucas.
Lucas, this is Shari, Tims mother.
Stepmother.
Nice to meet you.
- Im gonna take off, okay? - Okay.
- You be careful.
- I will.
Look, Im sorry about what I said before.
Because-lets face it-its been a long time.
We really dont know each other anymore.
But I want to give you the benefit of the doubt so that next time we meet, at least Ill be dealing with the person youve become.
And I hope youll do the same.
I guess its not every day that we get a shot at starting over and putting our feet on the right path.
That said, I guess we better get to the rat killing.
Say "good bye" to cheerleading, mom.
So, you my date tonight, Luke? You know, Brooke, you dont have to act like this.
I know that.
But youre the first guy to ever say it.
You do your thing and try to resist.
Its actually kind of cute.
You left that at the court.
- I dont know what youre talking about.
- Then call it a gift.
Besides, youre gonna need it to paint over your scoring title in the gym, - 'cause Im taking it.
- Yeah, in your dreams.
I dont care what you do to me.
Whatever you got, you better bring it, cause Im not going anywhere.
Burn these for me, would you? E.
E.
Cummings once wrote, "To be nobody but yourself, in a world which is doing its best, night and day, to make you everybody else " Hey.
Hey.
" means to fight the hardest battle, which any human being can fight " Nice bracelet.
" and never stop fighting.
" Hey, its Jeff Nelson.
I just wanted to let you know, were running your strip in the next issue.
- Where were you this morning? - Just tutoring.
Oh, yeah? Anyone I know? No.