Nathan and Haley made their way back onto the porch hand in hand. Everyone had gone back to playing the game.
"How are things?" Brooke asked cautiously even though she knew it was a good sign that they were holding hands.
"Things are good." Nathan said as he unlinked their hands and wrapped his arm around her shoulders pulling her close. He then placed a gentle kiss on her temple.
"Do you guys want to play again?" Shelly asked. Nathan glanced at Haley unsure if she would want to but she just shruggged her shoulders not caring.
"Yeah, I guess we're in." Nathan said taking a seat in his previous chair as Haley went to sit in hers but grabbed her waist and pulled her onto his lap. Haley just giggled as Nathan wrapped his arms around as he rested him chin on her shoulder. She slowly turned her head and placed a gentle kiss on his cheek before turning back to the table to face her friends.
"Who's turn?" Lucas asked not sure where they left off.
"Oh, I think it's my turn." Millicent answered taking a second to think. "Never have I ever been a cheerleader." Brooke, Haley, Peyton, and Rachel all drank. They went around a few more times before they finally got bored of playing. They continued to stay at the table talking though.
"Haley did you decide what college you were going to go to yet?" Peyton asked glancing over at Haley. Everyone else continued talking having their own seperate conversations.
"Yeah, I'm going to Duke." Haley answered with a smile.
"That's great Haley." Peyton said with a smile. "What are you and Nathan going to do?" Peyton whispered since Nathan wasn't paying attention. His attention was turned to the conversation to his left that he was having with Lucas, Brooke, Rachel, and Brian. Haley was still sitting on his lap but he was busy talking. "Are you just going to visit each other?"
"Nope." Haley answered shaking her head as Peyton gave her a confused look.
"Why not?" Peyton asked as Haley smiled softly. "I think you could make it work." Peyton said sympathetically as Haley started laughing. "What?"
"I don't need to visit him because he's going to Duke too." Haley said with a huge grin on her face as she turned her head to the side and kissed his cheek. This got his attention and he turned his face towards her and Peyton.
"You guys are going to college together?" Peyton said happily. "Well that works out. Did you plan it?"
"No, I made my decision before we got together." Haley answered snuggling closer to Nathan.
"Now I have my girlfriend at school with me." Nathan said wrapping both arms around her waist again squeezing her as she placed her arms on his.
"Did you say girlfriend?" Brooke asked jumping into the conversation.
"Yes miss nosey." Nathan said rolling his eyes as him and Haley laughed. Brooke squealed clapping her hands together excited.
"When did this happen?" Quinn said now paying attention.
"Before we came out." Haley answered.
"That's great you guys." Peyton said sending them a small smile before reaching over to lace her fingers with Jake's as he kissed her cheek. Peyton then turned her attention back to everyone else. Everyone was now listening to the conversation.
"So you, Nathan, and Lucas are all going to be at the same school. That's fun I wish I knew someone in LA." Peyton said sadly. She was going to LA for college.
"I'll be there too." Brooke told the group.
"Aw that's so cool." Shelly commented.
"Brooke and I are going to be roommates." Haley added.
"I'm definately jealous now." Peyton whined as Haley laughed.
"Where is everyone else going?" Nathan asked looking around.
"Millicent and I are going to UNC together." Mouth said speaking up as Millicent sent him a smile.
"I'm going to UNC too." Skills said.
"Really that's great man." Lucas said. "You guys are going to be in school together." Lucas commented. "Are you living in the dorms?"
"Yeah, I got my roommate info last week. I got some kid named Antwon Taylor." Mouth said as Skills shot his head up.
"Marvin McFadden." Skills said as Mouth looked confused. "Antwon Taylor but you can call me Skills." Skills said smiling shaking his hand nto believing the chances.
"Your my roommate?" Mouth said laughing as Skills nodded. "Nice."
"What are the odds?" Nathan said laughing as well.
"That's too funny." Brooke commented. "Shelly what about you? Where are you going?"
"I'm decided on Yale last week." Shelly answered.
"Wow you must be really smart." Rachel said speaking up.
"I don't know..." Shelly said not wanting to sound stuck up.
"She is." Haley said cutting her off knowing Shelly was never one to brag. Shelly just smiled and shrugged. "Her final chose was between Harvard and Yale."
"Wow that's impressive." Erica commented. "I'm going to University of Miami."
"Me too!" Matt said speaking up. "Looks like we are going to spending more time together." Matt said as he jokingly put his arm around her.
"Oh yeah who said I was gunna hang out with you." Erica teased sticking her tongue out at him.
"Mature." He laughed rolling his eyes.
"I try." Erica answered smirking.
"I'm going to University of Texas." Brian said speaking up.
"Why Texas?" Matt asked him.
"It's a good swimming school, I got a scholorship." Matt answered. Matt had always been big into swimming as long as he'd known Lucas, Nathan, Haley, and Brooke.
"That's awesome dude." Brian responded as others nodded. "What about you Nicole?"
"University of California...LA." Nicole answered.
"No way! Me too!!" Rachel exclaimed.
"Peyt that's not too far from you." Haley encouraged. (Not sure if that's true but of well lol)
"We will have to all get together." Rachel said sipping her drink. Nicole and Peyton just nodded in agreement. "What about you guys?" Rachel asked referring to Jake, Mia, and Chase who still hadn't said where they were going.
"I'm taking few classes at Tree Hill Community College. It's all I can do with Jenny." Jake answered.
"All that matters is that your going to school." Haley encouraged.
"Yeah, it's great." Peyton said squeezing his hand.
"So Chase and Mia what did you decide?" Jake asked.
"I'm going to Duke also." Chase told them.
"That's great!" Haley exclaimed. She was happy to know someone else there.
"I'm going on tour." Mia spoke up.
"Really?!?" Haley said excitedly.
"Tour for what?" Brooke asked.
"I sing." Mia told her. "I just signed with a record label a month ago and I decided to go on tour. At first when they offerd it I wasn't sure but this is my dream so I decided to do it."
"That's awesome Mia, I'm so happy for you." Peyton said smiling as Mia smile only grew.
"My girls amazing." Chase said kissing her cheek.
"We forgot Quinn." Erica commented.
"Oh, that's because I still have one more year of high school but my dream is to go to Duke." Quinn told them.
"One more year of high school that sucks." Rachel said lazily as she sipped her drink.
"Tell me about it." Quinn said sipping her drink.
"I don't know what you guys are talking about I love high school." Brooke exclaimed. As Haley and Rachel shot her a look. "Okay maybe I liked the social aspect rather than the education." Brooke said shrugging. As they laughed.
Everyone had a great time the rest of the night just hanging out and talking as they continued to drink. Around two they all finally called it a night. Their friends from the other beach houses went home and they all squeezed in theirs. Rachel had ended up going home with Brian. Which didn't really surprise Brooke. Rachel had a habit of ending up in different guys beds after a night of partying. Brooke was just a little releaved that for once she actually knew where she went usually she was trying to find her. Peyton and Jake took Haley's bed because Haley insisted they did she said she would find somewhere else to sleep. Brooke insisted that Shelly and Quinn could take her bed. Mia and Chase had set up an air matress in the girls bedroom. Another air matress was set up in the living room for Mouth and Millicent. Haley and Brooke were about to set up another air mattress for themselves to sleep on when Nathan and Lucas stopped them.
"What are you doing?" Lucas asked watching them start blowing up the final air mattress.
"Blowing up the air mattress." Brooke answered as it was the most obvious thing in the world. By this point Brooke and Haley were still pretty drunk.
"I can see that but why?" Lucas asked.
"To sleep on Lucas. Why are you asking stupid questions?" Haley asked shaking her head as they continued to try to blow up the air mattress.
"He's asking because you guys don't need to do that." Nathan said laughing as a frustrated Brooke and Haley as they tried to blow up the air mattress. "Haley you know by now you can sleep in my bed."
"Oh." Haley said looking down before laughing a little. "I forgot." She lied. She didn't forget she just didn't want to assume that she could. They were still a new couple and as comfortable she was around Nathan she still getting comfortable with this new version of there relationship.
"Come on." Nathan said laughing as he reached his hand down to help her up from the ground.
"Wait." Haley said as she stood up. "Brooke, is it okay if I go in Nathan's room?" Haley asked feeling bad about leaving her now. Before Brooke could answer Lucas cut in.
"Yes, because Brooke's staying in my bed." Lucas said but Brooke looked unsure.
"Luke..I'm not sure...I mean we just got back together..." Brooke said nervously.
"All we need to do is sleep." Lucas said gently stroking her cheek. "I don't want to rush this.."
"Okay." Brooke said smiling please with his answer.
"Okay..Now that I just got to much info. Nathan and I need to go." Haley said dragging Nathan with her as she stumbled. Nathan caught her quickly as she giggled.
"Wooppsssyyy." Haley said giggling.
"Do you think your going to be able to make it up the stairs?" Nathan said laughing at her as Brooke and Lucas walked behind them.
"Come on Hales let's show these boys how we get up the stairs." Brooke said shoving Nathan out of the way to link arms with Haley as she left.
"Okay ready." Haley giggled. As they both marched up the stairs laughing. The boys just walked behind them shaking their heads trying to muffle their laughs as the girls climbed the stairs.
"One. Two. Three." Brooke sang as they marched counting each step. "Four. Five. Seven.."
"Brooke! You forgot six!" Haley exclaimed. Suddenly she missed the top step as she was distracted. She let out a little scream as she flew taking Brooke down with her. Haley grabbed her knee after hitting it but kept laughing along with Brooke.
"Are you okay?" Nathan bend down as he laughed while Lucas did the same with Brooke.
"I bumped me knee." Haley said pouting. Nathan just laughed shaking his head. "Will you kiss it and make it better?" Nathan bend down and gently kissed her sore knee.
"All better." Nathan said smirking. Haley just shook her head smiling mischeviously. "No.."
"I think I hurt some place else." Haley said still smiling.
"Oh yeah?" Nathan said raising his eyebrow. Haley just nodded her head grinning. "Where does it hurt?"
"Right here." Haley said pointing to her cheek as Nathan kissed it. "And here." Haley said now pointing to her lips as Nathan smirked before kissing her gently on the lips. Haley quickly deepened the kiss as she wrapped her arms around his neck.
"Oh god my eyes!" Lucas exclaimed as he finished helping Brooke off the ground. He did not want to see his sister and his best friend making out.
"Deal with it." Haley said sticking her tongue out at him. Nathan smirked as Haley gave him another peck on the lips.
"Come on Lucas admit it they are cuteeeee!" Brooke said giggling.
"It's my baby sister." Lucas defended himself.
"And it's my big brother." Brooke shot back laughing. "Now come on. Let's leave these love birds alone." Brooke said pulling him away towards his room. Nathan just laughed as he turned his head to look at Haley.
"Ready to go to bed?" Nathan asked as Haley nodded. Before Haley realized what was happened Nathan swooped her off the ground carrying her bridal style. Haley squealed and giggled.
"Nathan!" She exclaimed as he smirked walking towards his room.
"I just don't want you to fall again." Nathan joked smiling at her innocently.
"My hero." Haley teased grabbing his face to kiss him. Nathan kissed her back before pulling away.
"If you do that I might drop you." Nathan teased as he got to his door. Haley just laughed. "Wanna open the door?" Nathan asked as Haley took one of her arms from around his neck and and twist the door knob pushing the door open. Nathan walked inside and pushed the door shut with his foot. Haley started gently kissing his neck as he walked over to the bed. They already had their pajamas on because they changed an hour ago. Nathan softly tossed her on the bed as they both laughed. He then climbed on top of her trailing kissed up her neck on both cheeks, her forehead, her nose, and then lastly on her lips. Before Haley could stop it their kisses were getting more and more heated. She only realized how intense it was getting when she felt his hands underneath her shirt. She instantly stiffened. Even with the alcohol in her system she wasn't ready for this just yet.
"Nathan, wait." Haley said pulling away grabbing is hands pushing them down and out from under her shirt.
"What?" He asked staring into her eyes.
"I'm sorry I'm just.." She said trailing off looking away. Nathan instantly knew what she was thinking. He gently turned her face so she was facing him.
"You have nothing to apologize for." Nathan said firmly stroking her cheek. "I just got carried away. I'm sorry. I didn't mean to push you. We can just go to sleep." Nathan said feeling bad about pushing her. He knew she went through a lot with Chris pressuring her and he didn't want to be that guy especially not with her.
"It's okay." Haley said reaching up to run her hand through his hair staring into his eyes as she moved her hand down to stoke his cheek. "You know..." Haley said coyly. "I wouldn't be opposed to JUST making out some more before bed." Haley said as Nathan smiled leaning down to capture her lips in another passionate kiss.
Meanwhile Lucas and Brooke were now in Lucas' room getting ready for bed. Brooke was already sitting in the bed under the covers with Lucas came and joined her.
"Hi." She said softly.
"Hi." Lucas said as he smiled. "Why do you seem so tense?" Lucas asked squeezing her hand gently as she smile.
"It's just been a while since we've been here in this position." Brooke said honestly.
"Brooke, we are only going to sleep. I want to do things right and take it slow this time because I want to be with you. I don't want to screw this up again." Lucas said honestly as he placed his hand on her cheek stroking it gently with the pad of his thumb.
"Neither do I." Brooke said as Lucas leaned in and kissed her.
Haley woke up the next day to the end on Nathan's bed bouncing up and down.
"Haley James!" Brooke yelled. "Get your cute butt out of bed!"
"It's too early." Haley whined refusing to open her eyes.
"It's nine. And we need to spend the day with your friends before they leave. Plus I want to go to the beach." Brooke said bouncing the bed once more.
"Brooke! GET OUT!" Nathan yelled putting the pillow over his head as he rolled over. Haley gently reached over and rubbed is arm without opening his eyes.
"Haley!" Brooke said again as she bounced the bed..
"Brooke! My head hurts! And if you bounce the bed ne more time I will kill you if Nathan doesn't first!" Haley yelled placing her hand on her forehead still not opening her eyes.
"Come on please." Brooke said.
"I am two seconds away from kicking you off my bed." Nathan grumbled from under the pillow.
"I wouldn't do that if I were you." Brooke warned. "Right?"
"YEAH!" Jenny yelled from Brooke's arms. Haley's eyes snapped open as Nathan moved the pillow confused.
"Nathan's grumpy in the morning huh?" Brooke said bouncing Jenny a little. Jenny grinned.
"Yeah!" Jenny giggled out again.
"Jake was crazy enough to trust you with his daughter." Nathan joked tiredly.
"I'll have you know I'm great with kids!" Brooke defended. "Right Jenny?" Brooke said tickling her. Jenny just giggled.
"How's my baby?" Haley asked now sitting up.
"Sure you wake up for her." Brooke laughed rolling her eyes.
"Aun-ttteee." Jenny babbled as Brooke sat her on the bed. She slowly crawled over to Haley.
"Hi Jenny." Haley said picking her up. "Are you having fun with Brooke?"
"Ya." Jenny babbled. Haley laughed kissing the little girls forehead. "Why don't we go in the other room so Nathan can sleep?"
"Okay." Brooke said getting up.
"Go back to sleep." Haley said kissing his cheek he was already starting to fall sleep. When she kissed his he opened his eyes and grabbed her hand to stop her. Haley just smiled and leaned down to give him a peck on the lips before standing up.
"Say bye to Nathan." Haley said to Jenny as she picking up her small hand to make her wave as she walked out.
"Nafan!" Jenny exclaimed. As Brooke, Haley, and Nathan laughed.
"Bye Jenny." Nathan said smiling before turning over to go to back to sleep. Haley, Brooke, and Jenny made their way out of the room.
"Where is everyone?" Haley asked.
"Our parents went to breakfast and everyone else is still sleeping. I volunteered to watch Jenny so Jake could go back to sleep." Brooke told her.
"That's nice of you." Haley responded.
"Well she's adorable." Brooke commented as Haley nodded.
"How did you sleep?" Haley asked as they walked down the stairs.
"Good." Brooke said smiling. "Lucas and I decided to take things slow this time to make sure it works."
"That's great Brooke. I'm really happy for you." Haley said smiling at her best friend.
"Thanks. I'm happy." Brooke answered. "How are things with you and Nathan?"
"Things are good." Haley answered.
"Nafan!" Jenny babbled as Brooke and Haley laughed.
"So about what you said last night.." Brooke said softly and Haley instantly knew what she was talking about. She was talking about Haley saying she was falling in love with him.
"What about it?" Haley asked nervously.
"Did you mean it?" Brooke asked her watching her intently as they went into the kitchen and took a seat at the table. She looked around making sure no one was around for this conversation. Mouth and Millicent were in the living room sound asleep. She slowly glanced back over at Brooke.
"Yes." She said weakly. Putting her head in her hands. "I know you think it's too soon for this I do too. But we've known each other for so long. I don't know if that makes a difference but I can't help it. I've never felt this way before. Do you think I'm stupid?"
"Not at all." Brooke answered reassuringly.
"I don't think he feels the same way." Haley said looking back down at Jenny. "I mean he's never really been in a serious relationship. He's going to think it's too soon."
"Nathan cares about you more than all those other girls. You know that." Brooke assured her.
"I'm still not going to tell him yet." Haley answered. "So please don't tell anyone. Not even Lucas."
"My lips are sealed." Brooke answered pretending to zip her lips and throw away the key.
"Morning girls." Peyton said coming into the room kissing Jenny's forehead on the way by.
"Hey." Brooke and Haley said in unison as Peyton sat down. Jenny then silently reach for Peyton as Haley passed her over to her.
"Hales, I kind of need to talk to you about something." Peyton said nervously as she played with Jenny in her arms.
"What's that?" Haley asked standing up to get a cup out of the cabinet. As she was grabbed the cup Peyton spoke.
"Lindsey called me." Peyton said as Haley dropped the plastic cup went flying to the floor. Haley ignored it and placed her hands on the counter in front of her taking a deep breath.
"Haley.." Brooke said standing up to pick up the cup that went rolling across the floor.
"Did you answer it?" Haley asked still not turning around.
"No but I thought you should know." Peyton said softly as Haley took another deep breath before turning around.
"She called me too." Haley said finally looking around the kitchen.
"Did you answer?" Peyton asked.
"No why would I?" Haley said looking in Peyton's direction. Lindsey was a best friend of theirs from the start of high school up until a year ago. Lindsey was actually friends with Haley since 5th grade but the three of them weren't all friends until 9th grade. At the end of Junior year before Haley came to the cabin for the summer it was one of the worst months of her life. Her ex best friend Lindsey got a serious boyfriend who convinced her Haley and Peyton weren't good friends. Things were worse for Haley because she wanted to save their friendship and tried really hard too. Peyton was very anti drama and avoided the situation completely. Haley eventually found out Lindsey's boyfriend was cheating on her so she told her. He convinced her it was all a lie and Haley was jealous. Her boyfriend even started a rumor that Haley tried to sleep with him. When Lindsey heard this she decided to tell Haley that the summer before Junior year she slept with Nathan without telling Haley. Peyton didn't understand until now why it had upset her so much but now that they were dating it made everything clear. Haley refused to talk about Lindsey most of the time. Brooke only knew bits and pieces of what happened.
"It's just wierd after a year of silence for her to be calling us." Peyton commented.
"What actually happened?" Brooke asked timidly. "I know about him convincing her not to be friends with you and the rumor he started. Did anything else happen? I feel like theres more because you were still trying to be her friends before he started the rumor. But did she have anything to do with that?" Brooke asked. "I'm not trying to pry or anything I just feel like missing something. You always give second chances and your the most forgiving person I know." Haley just nodded looking down.
"I finally get it." Peyton said causing Haley to snap her head up.
"Get what?" Haley asked.
"Why you were so angry with what she said. I hadn't thought about this is so long but I finally pieced it together." Peyton said. "I was right!" Haley laughed a little before looking down again.
"Wait what?" Brooke asked confused watching Haley. Haley slowly raised her head up.
"I stopped trying when I found something out." Haley said biting her lip. "Do you remember the summer she spent here?"
"Before Junior year." Brooke answered.
"Yeah." Haley nodded taking a deep breath. "She slept with Nathan."
"What?!?!" Brooke exclaimed. "Why didn't you tell me?"
"I wanted to forget about it. I never even told Lucas or Nathan that I knew." Haley answered.
"Did you like Nathan then?" Brooke asked. Haley nodded.
"I didn't tell anyone except for her. It was just a little crush but when she told me I felt like someone punched me in the stomach. I stopped trying to be friends with her and buried it. I buried my anger, my sadness, and my feelings until this year." Haley answered wiping a lone tear that slide down her cheek.
"Aw Hales." Brooke said going over to hug her friend.
"It's fine." Haley said shaking her head. "Losing a best friend is the hardest thing I've ever had to do." Haley told them honestly. "Promise you guys will always be my best friends."
"Of course." Brooke and Peyton said together going over to hug Haley as Jenny giggled being squished between them. As they pulled away Haley began to tickle Jenny as she giggled.
"Hales!" Nathan said walking into the kitchen.
"Yeah." Haley said looking up at him.
"Are you okay?" He asked noticing her eyes were a little red.
"I'm fine. What's up?" Haley asked.
"Your phone was ringing." Nathan said as it started ringing again.
"Who is it?" Haley asked walking over.
"Lindsey." Nathan answered. He didn't know anything that happened. All Haley said was that they ended their friendship.
"Thanks." Haley said taking the phone pressing ignore and shoving it in her pocket.
"Why did you do that?" Nathan asked staring at her intently.
"Because I don't care what she has to say. We haven't been friends in over a year." Haley answered.
"Maybe she saying Happy Birthday." Nathan said smiling weakly.
"Doubt it." Peyton spoke up as Haley sent him a glare.
"Why don't you just answer the phone? Maybe it's important.." Nathan suggested.
"Of course you'd want me to answer for her." Haley said rolling her eyes as she grabbed the cup and got herself a glass of water.
"What's that suppose to mean?" Nathan asked.
"Nothing." Haley said shaking her head. "Forget I said that." Haley said walking into the living room and sitting down.
"What was that?" Nathan asked Brooke and Peyton.
"Did you forget big brother? Lindsey was another notch on your bedpost." Brooke asked sitting at the table.
"How did you know that?" Nathan asked his sister.
"Haley told me." Brooke answered.
"Lindsey told her during their fight a year ago. We kind of just brought up the fight so she's kind of on edge." Peyton explaine.
"Maybe I should talk to her." Nathan suggested as the doorbell rang.
"I'll get it!" Haley said rushing to the door. She opened it and was shocked to see who was there. Lindsey was standing there crying. "What are you doing here?" Haley asked as Lindsey continued to cry.
"Who is it?" Peyton asked coming up behind her. "Lindsey?!"
"What happened?" Haley asked as Lindsey broke down in front of them.
"I didn't know where else to go..." Lindsey cried. "Jimmy's d-d-dead." Lindsey stuttered out. Jimmy Edwards was Lindsey's brother. Haley knew him very well because she was very close with their family. They were like a second family to her. Haley stumbled backwards as the tears streamed down her cheeks. Her knees soon gave out and she began to fall Nathan caught her quickly and brought her to the couch. Peyton not knowing what to do handed Jenny to Brooke as she went over and wrapped her arms around Lindsey.
