𝐄𝐍𝐂𝐇𝐀𝐍𝐓𝐄𝐃 | 𝐍𝐀𝐓𝐇𝐀𝐍 𝐒𝐂𝐎𝐓𝐓 | (𝟏)

1 | 𝒂 𝒇𝒓𝒆𝒔𝒉 𝒔𝒕𝒂𝒓𝒕

𝐒𝐎𝐍𝐆: 𝐁𝐞𝐥𝐢𝐞𝐟 𝐛𝐲 𝐆𝐚𝐯𝐢𝐧 𝐃𝐞𝐠𝐫𝐚𝐰

...🏀...

𝐏𝐑𝐄𝐒𝐄𝐍𝐓, 𝐓𝐑𝐄𝐄 𝐇𝐈𝐋𝐋

𝐒𝐞𝐩𝐭𝐞𝐦𝐛𝐞𝐫 𝟐𝟎𝟎𝟒

On a cold September night, I paced around my room, cradling my month-old daughter against my chest. I rubbed the back of her navy blue onesie while she snuggled closer, seeking warmth. I turned to the clock on my nightstand. A cool breeze brushed leaves against the doors connecting to my balcony.

𝟏𝟎:𝟑𝟎

It was a late Friday night, and everyone in Tree Hill had already left their homes to go to the high school for the evening. Basketball season had started a week ago, and the gym was packed with fans watching Nathan Scott, the star player for the Ravens, leading the team to victory.

I didn't care much for basketball.

A vibration on my bed caught my attention, and I turned to find my phone. I carefully placed my daughter in the crib near my bed, pulling the light purple blanket over her and listening to her take deep breaths.

I grabbed my phone and pressed it to my ear. "Hello,"

"Mylah," A familiar voice spoke. "You missed the game, not just any game, the season's first game."

Rolling my eyes, I walked away from my daughter's crib. "Brooke,"

"Yeah," Brooke asked.

"You're doing the rich, popular girl shallow thing again." I reminded her.

"Oh," Brooke said, pausing. "Sorry. I'm back."

A smile slowly formed in my mouth. "Good," I said, lowering myself onto my bed. "I'm home with Leila."

"Really?" Brooke asked. "I thought your mom was going to babysit for you."

I sighed. "I stayed home."

"Mylah," Brooke's voice took on a concerned tone. "I don't want to push you, but soon, you'll have to leave your house and Leila."

I knew Brooke was right, but I didn't know if I would be ready after everything. "I know."

"Your brother got into it tonight," Brooke said.

I rolled my eyes, glancing at my ceiling. "With Nathan?"

"Yes," Brooke said. "I swear if we weren't winning, I think Whitey would bench both of them."

I sighed with a hand on my stomach. "What was it this time?"

"Who knows," Brooke said. "Anyway, my friend Peyton left me here, and I had to call my mom to come and get me."

I glanced at a knock on my door and saw my mom standing in my open doorway. "Speaking of moms."