Chapter 10: Glad

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They spent most of their time doing beach stuff. The girls got their tans, gradually playing frisbee, or volleyball with the guys. During their morning time, they spent it either going banana boating, scuba diving or snorkeling. Once at night, all of them went skinny dipping. It wasn't part of the deal that Brooke and Lucas weren' allowed to see each other naked so there. It all happened during their 4 day stay in New Mexico. All of them loved the weather there. Lucas even taught Brooke more surfing tricks than just standing on the board. She can now do some wiggly stuff with her surf board. At night when the moon shone on them as they all lay under it, they ordered food then it was served to them. Then the next day, they will all realize that they slept at the beach. Actually, they only got to go to their respective hotel rooms when they need to take a shower or they need to get something. During those 3 nights, they slept at the beach with only the moolight as their lamp, the beach mats as their beddings, and the wave of the high tide as something to rock them to sleep.

Now it was time to leave it. They all had a hard time deciding if they will stay there for 3 more day but since it's a road trip, they stuck to their original plan. Their next stop would last for three days.

Next Stop: ARIZONA

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This time, Peyton was driving, Jake was shotgun. Brooke, Lucas, Nathan and Haley switched places. Haley was now driving Lucas' car and Nathan is shotgun. Brooke and Lucas were passengers of Peyton and Jake. They were driving along the freeway for about three hours now then a detour blocked them. The only way to the heart of Arizona is to go around the view site mountain of the Grand Canyons. They all decided that since they were here and that they were tourists, cam-whoring should take place.

3 more hours later, they arrived at the hotel called Arizona State Hotel. The girls as usual, went to the mall but this time, they were with their guys. The guys went separate ways with them and went male-shopping. As the girls were rummaging through several stores, they noticed that there was an album promotion happening at the center stage of the mall. They all looked to see who will be guesting. The three girls exhaled then gulped all at the same time when they read the tarpaulin hanging from the background. A guy with scrawny hair with his guitar case and hands in his pocket. The guy has his back turned to the camera to get a "going-away" effect for the album cover. Then a few seconds later, the announcement presented the singer.

"Everyone, Chris Keller!" He said. Cheers and claps erupted at the grounds surrounding the stage - mostly, from girls.

"Hey there everyone," Chris greeted with his usual smirk as he appeared from the backstage witha microphone headset on his head. "How y'all doing? Hope you're all great. So this song I'll be performing is from my sophomore album called "Glad." This song is actually the single for this album and is entitled, of course, "Glad." Then he started strumming his guitar.

Everywhere you go, perfection
Follows you the wrong direction
And you will never see if for
You get all that you need and more
You see it, you want it
You find it, it's yours

But you can't say what you want or
Take what you want or
Choose the moods that you fake when you want
You said your needed something special
Then where it's at
And aren't you glad

The only one of 5;exception
The child of your pride, deception
And on your list of things to do
Is make me fall in love with you
You find one, you want one
Cause I'm one, who plays


You can't say what you want or
Take what you want or
Choose the moods that you fake when you want
You said your needed something special
Which you don't have
You can't say what you want or
Take what you want or
Rest and wake anyway that you want
You said your needed something special
Well, here I am, and aren't you glad.

Now you got it bad
I know you do
You can't say what you want or
Take what you want or
Choose the moods that you fake when you want
You said your life couldn't get much better
Then where you're at
And you can't say what you want or
Take what you want or
Rest and wake anyway that you want
You said your life needed something special
Which you don't have
Well, aren't you glad
Well, aren't you glad
Well, aren't you glad

Cheers erupted just after he sang, some instinct of him told him to look at a certain direction. The three girls weren't the ones clapping after he sang. Suddenly, Chris looked and beamed at them. The girls, well they snobbed him with annoyed faces. Then he said to the microphone attached to his head: "Everyone, I'd like you all to meet my guest...Haley James.." and he pointed her as like a waiter guiding their customers.

All the three girls shouted in chorus: "SCOTT!"

"I'm a Scott you idiot!" Haley added for emphasis. "And what the?" Her reaction? Like 10 minutes late.

"Uh..yeah..Haley James Scott everyone!" Chris cleared. "Would you like her to sing with me?"

And everyone cheered for Haley to sing. Peyton and Brooke encouraged her and she eventually gave in. The audio guy gave her a microphone and they both sang "When The Stars Go Blue."

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"Hey Nate, let's go," Lucas said as he paid for some beers and Nathan was browsing through an opened magazine. Jake, Lucas and Nathan were together and separated with their girls.

"Hey someone's singing," Jake said as they neared the stage. "I meant, a duet is there."

"It's Keller," Nathan said. "And I know that voice. Very much." He added as his eyes narrowed. Then there he saw her.

"Hey Luke!" Brooke shouted amidst the cheering watchers. "Over here!" She motioned them to their place and the three guys went up to them.

"Why the hell's my wife singing with him?!" Nathan asked at once.

"The git called her when he saw us then invited her to sing," Peyton started to explain. "Plus we encouraged her. Sorry...?"

"Whatever. I still don't like Chris even though he sold his guitar for Haley's record to be released. I hate him and his guts," Nathan replied.

"Nate, don't go attacking some wannabes like Keller," Lucas reminded his little brother as he shooked his head. "He's not worth it. Plus, this ain't our territory." And Nathan just nodded his head in defeat.

When the duet ended, they all cheered for Haley and Chris. Then it was autograph signing for Keller album buyers. While they were performing, Haley noticed some anger in Nathan's face and decided to talk him out of what's happening.

"Nate, you gotta understand," She said at once she went down the stage and to her friends. "It was pressuring."

"Ok whatever. It's done," Was all he replied as he smiled at her.

"So you're not mad?" Haley asked.

"I am still at Keller."

"Excuse me," A girl approached Nathan. "Would you mind taking a picture of me and Haley James Scott? Thanks." Even without Nathan's answer, the girl dumped her digicam at Nathan and he took a picture. "And can you sign my ass?"

Then she did autographed someone else's back side embarassingly.

Then a guy in a suit went up to them and asked: "Want to go on tour James?"

"It's Scott and because you called me James, it a really huge NO!" Haley said confidently. :Plus even if you caled me Scott, I'd still say no."

The guy shooked his head and replied, "Whatever, your loss." The walked away.

"The nerve.." Haley said as her husband directed her away from the guy.

"I Guess your a 15-minute, ass-signing star now Hales," a beaming Nathan said as they walked away from the crowd. He had his arms around Haley.

"Haha. Take your laugh now Mister. I don't like signing asses. And I don't like ass-"FUL" guys like the guy who asked me to go on tour."

Nathan has learned a lot from Haley eversince they got together that pebble-throwing-at-the-window incident. And up to now, he still is. He's managed to elongate his patience towards everything just like when Haley was tutoring him. This is something he wants to be remembered by the people he's known to. That he's not some dumb jock who hooks up, cheats the dumps. Haley managed to soften the "Bad Scott." Everyone knows it. Everyone's happy with it. As he learned a lot of virtues when with his wife, he knows where to put it when in a situation that could lead to an argument when one wrong thing is said during the discussion. He really has changed. For the better. And it was all because of his Plan B when he wanted to haze Lucas out of the team.

They stepped out the mall and looked for somewhere to eat. They ate at a corner cafe and walked around the town. After all those sight-seeing, they retired to the hotel and decided to call it a night. Lucas had his laptop on when Brooke stirred.

"Luke?" Brooke said groggily. "Why are you still up?"

"Nothing. Uhmm..Just, just taking advantage of the free WiFi," he replied after a few seconds of thinking of this excuse.

"Okay. G'night. Love you," Brooke replied and went under the covers.

"Love you too." And he continued to browse around some websites for his plan.

Only one more week before the day. The most awaited day. He has already hatched up half of his plan very well without help. All he need was some participation of his friends. Lucas made it a point to to watch and listen to everything Brooke commented very closely because he might find it useful for the perfect anniversary he wants for the two of them. He downloaded a couple of meaningful love songs and made calls at restaurants regarding their services. All he needed now, was to share his plan to the other four without Brooke getting a hint. He remembered some things Brooke told him through out this whole road trip. As if she was dropping hints for Lucas to feed on.

They were all like:

"I like roses," Brooke said as she admired a rose petal. "Especially red ones."

Or:

"I love this cd! These are the only love songs I love to hear over and over again!"

Or:

"Lucas look! That is such a beautiful necklace!"

Or:

"I prefer shrimp than lobster. Or beef than pork. You choose our meal."

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Early morning, the boys went to the seaside and swam their hearts out. He shared another part of his plan with his two friends. They sat at the beach as Lucas told them everything.

"So Jake," Lucas started as he wiped his arms with a towel. "Would you mind a favor for me and Brooke's anniversary?"

"Depends on the pay.." He replied.

"Uhm..??"

"Kidding. Okay what is it?"

"Would you sing during our dinner. It's a really private celebration. Only you, your guitar and Haley would be personally performing."

"What?" Jake exclaimed. "I don't know a lot of songs Luke.."

"Does Haley know this man?" Nathan spoke for the first time. Lucas shook his head.

"So I was wondering if you could tell her and tell her too to not reveal any of it?"

"Ok." Nathan replied.

"And Jake, it's only one song. I've a copy of the song I'd like you guys to sing."

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NALEY's Room

The legendary OTH couple were snuggled with each other when Nathan broke Lucas' plans about their anniversary. As he explained, Haley got more excited.

"That is such a sweet thing for Lucas to do.." Haley commented.

"I know," Nathan replied. "He's been planning this eversince the start of our trip."

"I'll sing for them," Haley said. "Anyway, can I tell Peyton about this? I promise Brooke won't know."

"I don't know Hales," Nathan said. "Ask Lucas first." And she nodded.

The next day, Haley asked Lucas about everything while playing mini golf at the hotel recreation area.

"Thanks so much for doing this for me, us, Hales," he exclaimed at once Haley approved then they hugged.

"It's okay. It's not all the time I get to do a favor for my best friend's most important day."

"And yes, you can tell Peyton. But you should pinkie-swear Brooke won't know a word," Lucas added as he held u phis right pinkie.

"Pinkie-swear." The they hooked pinkies.

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When Haley told Peyton about it while Brooke was with Lucas spending the entire night, she was very joyous.

"That has got to be the best thing Lucas ever really planned," she exclaimed.

"Yeah..it's so fast.."

"Yeah..I mean think about it...Last year I was with Lucas then now it's a Brucas anniversary!"

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Brooke has now realized that only in a few more days, it will be their anniversary. She kept wondering if Lucas remembered. She didn't want to spoil a surprise plan if he did remember. But then again, she didn't want Lucas to not remember it. She didn't know if she'll ask him or not. She's very confused.

"I don't want to argue with him if he doesn't remember..it'll spoil the evening.."

"He won't learn if you I don't get mad...but what if he has a surprise..but then again..he has no time to plan any.."

"I don't have any anniversary plans..but I'd rather ignore than start a fight with my broody.."

"But I badly...desperately..want and need an anniversary dinner we both remembered..."

"He's a guy...guys don't remember dates...married guys do..."

"What the hell?!?!"

A lot of thoughts came through her head making her dizzy so she decided to sleep it off.

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TO CLEAR THINGS UP!

1. It was summer school when Brucas got together again. Haley isn't attending it (duh!) so did Lucas. Haley just helped out.

2. Haley was never pregnant.

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A/N: RnR please and thank you! Thanks also to all those great reviews!

A/N: What would you want the anniversary to look like?? Review in your suggestions...when I use them..I'll credit you here! Thanks!