Note- Okay, so this chapter involves Naley of course, Brucas, and Jeyton. Now I know there maybe some people who don't like Brucas or Jeyton. But, I don't like Leyton, so this is going to be a minor Brucas and Jeyton as well a major Naley. So, if you don't like a certain couple just skip over it. That's totally okay! So, enjoy this chapter.

23

Haley has never felt lower than this week. Jamie really didn't want to hear, see or speak to her. He was stubborn just like his father. Jamie was staying at Jake and Peyton's place. He couldn't wait to get out of his mother's presence. But, I guess Haley deserved it, she went off on Nathan. She felt bad about what she said, but oh well. He deserved it as well, right?

Haley vacuumed her living room floor, trying to keep herself busy. She let out a sigh, usually adults complained about wild kids running up and down the apartment. Well, that was not Haley, she missed Jamie so much. She walked over to the linen closet where she kept her febreeze. Jamie loves that stuff, and he wasn't afraid to spray it everywhere. So, keep James away from it, she them in the closet. Haley stood on her tip toes trying to find the febreeze. She moved the big box; she stumbled back at the heavy box. Haley quickly walked over to the kitchen counter. Her eyes widened at the Naley things in the box. She had forgotten that she put the box up there. Haley reached down into the box picking up Nathan and Haley's wedding picture. She couldn't help, but to stare at the picture; they both looked extremely happy. She looks outside at the thunder and rain. She squeezed her keys in her hands, when she picked up her keys off the counter. She dropped her keys in the box, along with her wedding picture. She picked up the box and walked into the rain.

23

Lucas and Brooke sat on there couch watching a movie. There engagement was coming to an end. They were having a there engagement/bachelor/bachelorette party in a few days. Brooke was trying to hide it, but she was starting to have cold feet. I mean she loves Luke, with all her heart and soul. However, this was the guy who broke her heart. Twice!

The couple sat silently on the couch, Brooke snuggled up to the man she loved. Lucas let his hand run up and down her shoulder. It was so peaceful, they were peaceful. Until…

"AHH!" Brooke screamed, jumping on top of Lucas.

"Pretty girl, come down. The power just went out," Lucas held her body.

Brooke's breath was still rapid but not that heavy.

"Come on. You get the flashlight. I'll get the batteries," Lucas said against her neck.

"Okay," Brooke kissed him quickly, and then took herself off of him.

23

Peyton walked out of Jenny's bedroom, where both Jenny and Jamie were sleeping. The thin blonde walked into her shared kitchen with her boyfriend, Jake. She smiled at the scent of her favorite peach tea. Peyton put her hands on Jake's shoulders.

"Thank you," Peyton said softly watching Jake stir her tea.

He smiled, "who said that this is for you," Jake teased handing the cup to Peyton.

Peyton smiled before taking a sip of her tea. Peyton and Jake walked over to their couch, right before sat down. All there electronics shut off, the couple looked round curiously.

"Well, I guess I'm stuck with you, huh?" Peyton joked while sitting down.

Jake laughed for a moment, and then sat next to his girlfriend,

"Actually it's not that bad. I've wanted to talk to you anyways."

23

Haley ran to Nathan's parents' beach house door. She rapidly knocked loudly. Her whole body was soaked, just for being in the rain for like five minutes. Nathan hurriedly open the door, his eyes widen at a wet Haley in front of him.

"Hales, what are you doing?" Nathan moved side letting his wife come in. "I found this stuff," Haley said getting right to the point, "I thought you should have it. I don't want it," Nathan's eyes followed Haley's nervous eyes, but he said nothing.

"So, um," Haley struggled. She let her fingers run through her wet hair, "bye."

Haley headed for the door, when BAM! Lights out. She looked around with darkness surrounding her.

"Well, I guess this means your not going anywhere," Nathan smirked.

23

"You find it, baby?" Lucas yelled from the other room.

Brooke opened her mouth to say something, but her mouth went dry. She picked up the letter's that were marked from Lucas to Peyton, then one form Peyton to Lucas.

"You find it," Lucas peeked into the semi-dark room except for the candle; Brooke jumped t Luke's voice behind her.

"Yeah, I'll be right out," Brooke looked back at her fiancé with an assuring smile.

Lucas nodded and walked away. Brooke waited until she knew Luke was back in the living room. She took the letters back out of the box, she opened the letter. Her begin to water at Lucas' beautiful words to Peyton. It seemed like a good-bye letter. That didn't make Brooke feel any better. Brooke stared at the date of letters, it was only month and two weeks before Luke and Brooke had gotten back together. She couldn't help, but to let few tears from her eyes.

23

"What's on your mind, Jake?" Peyton shifted her body facing her boyfriend.

"Well, you know watching Haley and Nathan lately. I just want you it knows that, well… I love you Peyton," Jake nervously told Peyton. Peyton blushed at Jake's words, returning him with a kiss.

"And I want you to know that I wouldn't hurt you. You're there for Jenny and for me, and I just want to know if you can consider me as more than your boyfriend, and maybe your husband," Jake tried to explain to his girlfriend.

Peyton was in complete awe, her amazing boyfriend was practically proposing to her. But, Peyton suddenly she felt a feeling of doubt flash throughout her body. Peyton knew she loved Jake and Jenny, but was she really over Lucas. Was she even cut out to be wife?

"Jake, I-I don't know," Peyton thanked God it was so dark, she could barely see Jake's face fall.

"I mean, I might not be the one for you. We could be making a mistake," Peyton explained. Jake's silence told her she explained that wrong.

"I mean, with everything between Lucas and I," She immediately stopped when felt Jake tense up, "No, there's nothing going on between Luke and I, " Peyton's eyes watching Jake stand and walk away.

Peyton let out a big sigh, running her fingers through hair. Well, she was pretty sure she just blew it.

23

Nathan knelt down by the fireplace placing more wood in the fire. He looked up at Haley, "I'll give you some clothes," Nathan stood.

"No, I'm fine," Haley replied, she was holding her arms, trying not to shiver.

"Haley, you're going to catch a cold," Nathan walked upstairs, quickly walked back downstairs with old t-shirt and basketball shorts.

"Thank you," Haley said softly taking the clothes.

She was dying to her sweater take off the soaking wet; she pulled the sweater off right in front of Nathan. She looked at him, then walked over to the bathroom

She walked off; Nathan heard something for fall on the well carpet house. Nathan knelt down a picked up the bracelet that he had given to her along time go. He gripped the bracelet in his hand, he couldn't help but smile. Haley walked out of the bathroom, Nathan hadn't moved. She saw the expression on her husband's face.

"Nathan," Haley started putting her hair in a bun.

"Why are you here, Haley," Nathan asked quickly before Haley could say anything else.

Haley took asleep back, she had gotten used to hearing his voice gently and soft. He spoke with firmness, "I came to drop off a box of your things. I didn't want it in my house," Haley folded her arms.

"Oh, what's in it," Nathan said, lighting a candle.

"Just old pictures, clothes, things like that," Haley said.

"What kind of things, Haley," Nathan asked again, his voice was stern.

'Go look for yourself," Haley told her husband.

Nathan looked at Haley for a moment, and then walked over to the box that was on his floor. He knelt down in front of the box; he was hurt by her actions. Haley had stood there and called their history junk. But, he knew that she was lying about not caring.

"So, you didn't want this in your house?" Nathan asked Haley wile standing back up.

Haley just looked at Nathan and nodded.

"So, how come this isn't in your box of junk?" Nathan pulled out the bracelet out of his pocket. Nathan watched Haley's face loose color

"Nathan?" Haley started with a questioning look.

"Fine, if it means nothing, then you wouldn't be mad if I did this," Nathan pulled out a lighter from the kitchen cabinet.

Haley's eyes widen, she hurried herself over to the kitchen, "Nathan, what are you doing?"

"It doesn't matter, Hales," Nathan didn't even look up and flicked the lighter causing a flame to appear

"Nathan, please don't," Haley practically run up to him and grabbed husband's arm.

Nathan ignored her, moving his hand closer to the bracelet.

"Nathan, please, what do you want from me?" Haley pleaded with tears filling her eyes.

"Say that you DO care," Nathan stopped and looked at his wife's pleading eyes.

He instantly felt bad for doing this to her. Haley looked at Nathan, biting her bottom lip in nervousness. Nathan waited for a moment for her to say the words. When she looked at him and still said nothing. He begins to move the flame onto bracelet.

"OKAY, I CARE NATHAN! I CARE ABOUT IT ALL," Haley pulled his arm back, tears streaming down her face.

Nathan closed the lighter placing it on the counter with the bracelet.

"Yeah, I thought so," Nathan looked her square in the eyes.

23

Brooke sat on the couch, staring at the flame on the candle. She wasn't sure how she should feel about those letters. She knew that Lucas was in love with her, but was she enough for him. Would she ever be enough for him? Her thoughts were interrupted when Lucas joined Brooke on the couch.

"I got chips," Luke smiled at a tense Brooke, "Are you okay?"

"Yeah, um Luke," Brooke faced her fiancée, "can I ask you something."

"Yeah, pretty girl what is it?" Lucas asked, while opening the family sized bag of chips.

"Um, why do…do you," Brooke stuttered on her words, she stopped and took a deep breath.

"Why do you love me," Brooke said softly.

Lucas stopped and looked at Brooke.

"What?" Lucas asked in a confused tone.

Brooke placed her face in her hands and groaned.

"I'm being stupid."

"Brooke, if your getting cold feet, that's okay. I will make one of my embarrassing speeches. I mean it wouldn't be the first time, but," Lucas smiled he heard Brooke giggle.

"I do love you, Brooke. I love you so much," Lucas let his hands touch her hair.

Brooke kissed him gently. Suddenly, her fears were washed away.

23

Haley and Nathan sat by the fireplace and also surrounded by candle. Nathan brought the box over by the fireplace and started going through it. Haley sat on the floor quietly. Nathan didn't say anything to her since their little situation.

Nathan pulled out the short silk gown; he brought her on their date it was also the gown she wore on their wedding night. Nathan let out a huff as we picked up the gown.

"So, you want to get rid of this too," Nathan asked his wife. Haley turned and suddenly her mouth went dry. She was speechless.

"That's a shame," Nathan said when Haley didn't reply; "it looked really good on you."

Haley felt her cheeks heat up. She quickly looked away, "maybe I won't get rid of it.
She looked back at Nathan, who was looking at her. He tossed the gown into his wife's lap.

"Oh, that's nice," Nathan looked back into the box. Haley watched Nathan pick up the broken glass wedding picture. Haley felt her anger rising again.

"What do you except, Nathan," Haley said lowly.

"Shut up," Nathan put the picture on the floor.

"Excuse me," Haley looked at him taken aback.

"Shut the hell up! You think you're the only one who was pain. You think I never wanted to come home. I couldn't come home. Once your in the camp, that's it. Plus, you weren't the one been answering her phone was because she was screwing Chris Keller," Nathan yelled.

"Oh, don't give me that shit!" Haley said loudly.

"No! You don't give me your shit. You wanted to conquer your dreams, Hales. Fine! I would be right behind you. But, my dreams come around and your no where to be found. I was ready to give everything up for you. I wasn't going to go to High Flyers. I thought your dreams were more important, you were more important then a basketball. But, your precious Chris Keller and when the freaking stars go blue was all you wanted! GOD! I hate that song," Nathan said angrily, he was near shaking.

"I never asked you to choose," Haley said softly looking at Nathan.

"You never had to," Nathan stood up, he started to walk away. Nathan stopped when he felt Haley's hand on his hands.

"I'm sorry, Nathan," Haley looked up at him with water in her eyes, "Nathan tell me something."

"Anything," Nathan looked down at Haley.

She looked so vulnerable and hurt. Her heart was aching. Her heart was aching for him.

"Tell me you love me. Tell me you love me more than basketball."

23

Okay, so I know I took forever and ever amen. Lol. I am truly sorry though. So, thank you so much. Love and kisses from me. Please review.