NATHAN RUBS HIS FOREHEAD, back pressed against the wall of the room. the party was bustling with laughter, music, the stench of sweat, alcohol, and smoke from cigarettes vivid in the air. he wasn’t feeling it at all—another party after another won game on the court.

he looks down at the cup in his hand as he takes a long sip. that’s when see you, standing somewhere in the crowd, he doesn’t think he’d seen you anywhere before—maybe you moved to tree hill and somehow heard about the party—or maybe he just didn’t realize you attended the same school, which wouldn’t be too surprising.

peyton had broken up with him a week earlier, but he wasn’t too heartbroken about it, more so about losing the control in the entire situation.

nathan doesn’t know what’s going on in his head, when he decides to approach you, but he does. “hey.” he says, loud enough for you to hear over the music.