A/N: thanks for all the amazing reviews!
ejc717: I made the three years thing a tag-line/ sort of. :-D She'll be eighteen, so she only has to live in Tree Hill till then.
woot woot fer chapta sevennnn
I don't know when I'm gonna work in the Lucas/Brooke, but it will be here. Suggestions are welcome!
BTW: Lucas and Jake are in their senior year. Everyone else is in their Junior year. (just go with it even though she's turnning sixteen near the end of her junior year)It's like april
Chapter Seven
It had been a month since Jake and Peyton had started dating. Same with Haley and Nathan. Haley's sixteenth birthday was the next day.
Haley woke up and immediately smiled. She knew it was her birthday. Her birthday was her favorite day of the year. She wasn't sure it was going to be the same this year, and her smile faltered a bit at that thought. She pushed it into the back of her mind and jumped out of bed. She picked Jenny up and swung her around. Jenny placed back in her crib and Haley went off to do her hair. Jake soon woke up and came over to where she was standing.
"Happy Birthday Haley Bop," Jake said wearily, rubbing his eyes. He wrapped his arms around Haley, pulling her in for a hug. Even though things were awkward lately, this was her favorite day of the year. Usually, every year on her birthday, their parents would surprise her with something amazing. Last year, it was her favorite band in concert. He knew this memory would make her upset.
"Thanks Jake. It means a lot," Haley continued to pin back her light wavy hair. He let go of her and went to take a shower. He soon got out and saw Haley wearing her favorite outfit. Her dad had given it to her in addition to the concert the year before. She had only worn it for special occasions. It was a nice brown skirt with white hight lights running down the sides. It fit her perfectly and showed off her form. The shirt was a whit tank top with black polka dots. Of course she wore her locket and everything.
She walked out into the kitchen. She knew Jake was already out there. So was everyone else in the house. She stepped in the kitchen and everyone (including Lucas) started singing 'Happy Birthday'. She smiled widely and blew out the candle on her birthday breakfast cupcake. She took out the candle, licking it in the process and then proceeded to eat the cupcake.
"Happy birthday Hun," Karen said stirring her coffee cup leaning against the counter. "Got any huge birthday plans?"
"Nah, just gonna hang out later," Haley answered, licking frosting off her fingers.
"Well, actually I'm pretty sure you do have plans. Jenny and I are throwing you a party," Jake said, taking a sip of his orange juice.
"Well I'm pretty sure that Jenny can barely talk yet. Whatcha got planned? Will there be confetti? Who are you inviting?" Haley fired off questions to Jake.
"Hmmmm. Can't answer the first one. Of course there'll be confetti. Karen and I put up fliers all around. It's at Tric tonight, at five. So you'll have to come straight from tutoring," Jake answered the questions in order.
Haley bit her lip, wanting to ask a question, not sure if she should. They were getting along and she didn't want to mess it up. She ended up asking it anyways.
"If I'm coming straight from tutoring, can I invite Nathan? Or will you hate me even more?" Haley hesitantly asked. Jake let out a breath. They all noticed that Lucas had tensed up.
"It's your party Haley Bop. You can invite anyone you want. I don't hate you, Hales. I just don't think he's goos enough for you. I'm your brother. I'm allowed to think like that," Jake stated, his eyes telling her that he was being totally sincere.
"Thanks. I gotta go. I promised Peyton I'd come help her this morning with her History homework. Thanks so so so much for the cupcake and everything," Haley said, giving everyone a hug. Even Lucas, who appears to hate her, offered her his arms open wide. Haley smiled and accepted the offer graciously. It was a little weird and Haley felt sort of uncomfortable. The hug ended as soon as it had started. At least it had ended with a laugh, though.
Haley had walked only a block when she stopped and sat at the curb. She opened her cell phone and realized there was a missed text. Reading it, she stood up and walked around the corner. There, Nathan stood, holding out flowers for her. Haley had lied about seeing Peyton for homework help. But Peyton knew this too. Haley wanted to spend alone time with Nathan on her birthday. Also, because of testing, they each didn't have first period. Haley walked over to him and wrapped her arms around his neck. She kissed him sweet and gently. He responded by letting his hands go to her hair.
"Happy birthday, girlfriend," Nathan said, emphasizing the 'girlfriend'. A while back, they had made it official and Haley loved the sound of it. She smiled and took the flowers.
"Awh, for me? You shouldn't have! But I'm very happy you did. I love daisies!" Haley said looking at the card. "Happy birthday slash One month anniversary!" Haley read the card aloud.
"Oh, please don't tell me you're gonna be one of those boyfriends that celebrates everything, are you?" Haley whined, teasing him.
"Well I've never gone this long in a relationship without: seeing anyone else, breaking it off or forgetting," Nathan said, defensively. Haley pinched his cheek and said this:
"Aw, for me??? How sweet. I feel special," Haley said with a laugh, indicating that she was joking. He took it like a joke and laughed also, holding the car door open for her. She nodded, smiling and winking at him. He smirked, that sexy, cocky smirk of his.
Sitting on the edge of the bridge, their feet dangling off the side, they intertwined their hands, cuddling. Haley wasn't as afraid of heights anymore. With Nathan's help, of course. It was almost time to go to school and they hadn't talked much yet. It had been a comfortable silence, though.
"So, there's a party tonight. For me, of course. With a cake and everrrrything," Haley said, breaking the silence. Nathan scratched his chin, jokingly thoughtful.
"Hmm, I like cake. What kind? I only eat chocolate cake, you know," Nathan said, know what she was going to ask, but was teasing her. She laughed, hitting him.
"If you're not there, I might cry," Haley said pouting slightly. Nathan placed his chin on top of her head that was resting on his chest.
"Of course I'll go, Hales. I wouldn't miss it for the world. But seriously, what kind of cake. If it's strawberry, I can't go near it," Nathan replied. Haley stood up and started walking away. Nathan, who had his eyes closed, realized the emptiness immediately and stood up to follow her. Haley looked back at him, noticing the sad look on his face and laughed.
"If you really want me, come and get me," Haley said as a joke. Nathan took it seriously and started chasing her. As an instinct, Haley started running away. This went on for about five minutes and soon they left for school.
Haley was sitting in her eighth-period study. She and Peyton were laughing at a joke one of the other cheerleaders had told them. They were supposed to work on homework, but they didn't want to. The teacher had gotten tired of telling them to be quiet and had earphones in his ears. They were free to talk all they wanted. Soon, the bell rang and Peyton left, telling Haley she'd see her tonight.
Haley reached the Tutor center and Nathan was the only person in it. She smiled sweetly at him and walked over to him. He walked toward her also, but instead of stopping when he reached her, he reached behind her and closed the door. Then he smirked at her making her laugh.
"Hey hot stuff. You ready to hit the books?" Haley asked sitting down at a table.
"Well, not just yet. I was hoping.." Nathan trailed off pulling something out from behind the teachers desk. He pulled out a box of cupcakes. There were about six of them and Nathan put them on the table. "We could kiss first." He smirked, know Haley wasn't expecting that request. She turned away from him as he tried to lean in for a kiss, making it so that he kissed her cheek. She opened the box of cupcakes and took one out.
"Oh, I see how it is," Nathan said, turning away from her, but not before grabbing a cupcake.
"I'm sorry, Nathan. I just saw the sweets and got overwhelmed," Haley replied holding his face so that she could turn it to face hers. She then pulled him in for a cupcake-filled kiss. After it, she got serious, like always.
"Alright, Biology, here we come!" Haley said with fake enthusiasm. Nathan laughed and they started to work on Biology.
They had finished up and were continuing a very heavy make-out session when Haley's cell went off. She took it out of her pocket as Nathan continued to kiss her neck. She looked at the caller-id and pulled away from Nathan. He groaned and she motioned for him to be quiet. He smirked and she answered her phone.
"Hello?" Haley answered, standing up, making Nathan even more upset. She smirked at him and listened to the person on the other side.
"Hey Hales, it's five fifteen," Jake said sort of impatiently. "You comin anytime soon?"
"Sorry Jake. I sort of lost track of time. I'm on my way. See you soon. Love you," Haley said, hanging up and pulling Nathan out into the hallway. He put his arm around her shoulders and she leaned into him. They reached his car and they left for the club.
"Haley! Where have you been? We've been waiting for forEVER!!" Jake greeted as Haley climbed out of the car. She laughed. Nathan got out of the drivers side of the car and Jake attempted a smile. Lucas just stood next to Jake not saying anything. He'd promised Jake that he wouldn't say anything rude unless Nathan started it. That's why Haley was later than she planned, she was convincing Nathan to be nice. He had agreed, reluctantly.
"I'm only half an hour late. Where's my cake?" Haley asked pulling Jake in for a hug. Once she pulled away she backed up to stand next to Nathan. She put her arm around his waist, a signal to let him know that it was alright if he put his arm around her. He did so, and they all walked inside.
"Our guest of honor has arrived!" Jake announced. He pushed his way into the big crowd pulling Haley along with him. She tried to make him let go of her, but he smiled. She laughed while being pulled up onto the stage. Her face was red and she was protesting to Jake. He won by pushing her to the Mic. She had to say something now.
"Thanks for coming everyone. Even if you don't know who I am," Haley started, causing a cheer to arise from the large crowd, and a few giggles. "Now, I wasn't really sure of what was gonna happen tonight, but I think I'm liking it so far," Haley said, smiling at her brother. "Now, the only thing I'd like to know is this: where's the confetti!?!" Haley ended her little speech as Jake motioned to let the confetti down. Haley laughed as it fell everywhere. Confetti was a joke their parents used to play on them every birthday. You never knew when it was coming.
Nathan helped Haley climb down off of the stage. Jake climbed onto it, and walked to the Mic. Haley made her way to the refreshment stand with Nathan trailing her.
"Well, I just have one thing to say: PARTY. I'm happy to introduce to you: Teddy Geiger!!!" Jake announced, causing Haley to turn around excitedly. Teddy Geiger was her favorite singer of all time. (A/N: I'm don't think this is true, but it is now :D) His band came onto the stage and then he came out. He sat in the chair that had been placed in front of the Mic. He leaned the Mic stand down so he could speak into it.
"Alright, I understand that there's a birthday girl in the house! Where is she?" The spotlight turned to her and she turned a deep red. Nathan had his arm around her and he smiled holding her hand up. "Hey there! This song is for you, on your sixteenth birthday!" He smiled, beginning to play Thinking Underage on his guitar. "Haley James, if you'd like to sing-along, you can," Teddy started to sing.
"So soon to say it's over. Let's see what happens later on. I'm sixteen, my world just opened wide." He kept singing, with Haley singing softly in the back round. As she listened, she thought about all her other birthdays. Tears welled in her eyes as she thought about her parents. Nathan noticed this, as did Jake and Lucas. They started to ask her what was wrong and it was just all too much for her. She dashed backstage, dodging the crowd and into the restroom.
A/N: I don't know how long I'm gonna make it. I also don't know what the next chaptas gonna be about. Again, suggestions would be nice!
