Wes Clark, Columnist

have waited for the right time to bring this to my article. I’m sitting at the computer now thinking back on the past month and how great it is to finally be on my own, living in one of my favorite cities in the world. Granted I haven’t really seen a lot yet.

Welcome to the new life — and a new life it has been. I drove over the bridge for the first time as a “free man,” excited and scared at the same time. Excited for the obvious reasons — living in my new apartment, hanging out with my friends, starting a new school and following my dream. Scared for different reasons — finding happiness, missing my family and friends back home, scared of finding peace and love and scared of being alone.

So far, nothing has ever been like these past two weeks. Not only have I started a new job as a retail salesman at Express Men in the Independence Mall, but I’ve also landed some extra work for CWTV, working on the set of “One Tree Hill.”

During this new job, I had the opportunity to sit down with Michaela McManus. Michaela came to the cast in season five as Chad Murray’s love interest. For those of you who don’t know the back story, let me fill you in.

It is now four years later from the time that we watched the cast graduating from high school. Lucas (Murray) has written a book and met Lindsay Strauss (McManus), who is his editor. The story continues to grow with love between the two characters when Peyton, played by Hilarie Burton, declares her love for Lucas, causing Lindsay to leave Lucas at the alter and exit his life for good.

After talking for a while, she told me that she had bought an apartment in New York to begin work on “Law and Order: SVU” as the new cast member. She is a very kind person at heart. I really enjoyed the time that we spent chatting, even if it was only for 45 minutes.

I am sorry to say that I can’t really reveal any information about the new season of “One Tree Hill,” but I can say one thing — you won’t be disappointed.

The new season will start airing on Sept. 1, on Mondays at 9 p.m., following the new season of “Gossip Girl” on the CW network. You can expect to see all of the characters back for what could be the best season the show has had.

I know now that Wilmington only holds the best for me. After working on this show, I realize that my passion for theater and acting is in my grasp. For those of you who want to know more, the only thing I can say is stay tuned, cause it’s far from over.