Nathan found out in June that he only had six months to live. He didn't want anyone to know of his limited time, he didn't want to be treated differently. Nathan longed to be like any other seventeen year old; he yearned to be the star forward of the Tree Hill Ravens' basketball team again. But he would never be well enough to play sports again. He would never get to graduate from high school or get married. Nathan's life was just ending too soon.
The one thing Nathan was lucky enough to experience at his young age was something not even all adults ever got the chance to have. He was in love. Her name was Haley and she had the most radiant brunette hair you could imagine. She made everything bad somehow seem okay. Though Nathan may not ever play in the NBA like he had always dreamed, he had something else: a place in Haley's heart. They had been together for a year, and he hated to know it wouldn't last much longer than that. Nathan hadn't told her of his horrible secret yet, but knew he would have to soon.
He told her on a windy day in October. They spent the day in each other's arms crying. Leaves were falling off the trees outside and they both knew that when the last leaf fell they might not be together anymore.
November came and went all too fast. The clock seemed to be ticking faster and Nathan knew that it would soon stop ticking all together.
Within the first week of December, Nathan's condition quickly worsened. He was worried that he wouldn't make it to see Christmas. One day when he felt strong enough, he made a trip to get something he needed. Nathan then found a box, wrapped it up, and taped an envelope containing a card to the top. He hid the wrapped box underneath Haley's Christmas tree.
Nathan passed away three days prior to Christmas. His funeral was held on Christmas Eve; friends and family members were all inconsolable as they placed a flower on his casket at the burial site. After his casket was buried beneath the ground, Haley fell to her knees at his grave, and unable to hold back her tears any longer, began to sob uncontrollably. She didn't know what she would do without him. The whole world seemed to be spinning like a never ending merry-go-round and Haley wanted nothing more than to get off.
When Haley woke up on Christmas morning, she didn't feel the excitement she had felt every year before. Instead, it was replaced with an overwhelming feeling of sadness and a sense of emptiness. Haley walked towards the Christmas tree emotionlessly and watched as her parents' eyes traveled from her to a present which lay in the middle of the floor. Her mother solemnly handed it to her. Haley read the message on the envelope which instructed her to open the present before the card. She carefully ripped off the wrapping paper, fully aware that Nathan's fingers had graced this same paper, and gently placed the paper to the side. Haley opened the box, revealing a giant soft teddy bear. She brought it close to her and hugged it tightly. She then pulled the card out of the envelope and read it. It said, "Hug this whenever you're feeling lonely and know that I am always watching out for you. I'll love you forever Haley James; always and forever baby."
Haley brought the bear closer to her and hugged it against her chest. Haley looked outside the window where snow was falling and knew that somehow Nathan was looking right back at her.