Chapter 12: First Official Date
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Previously on : When the Tables Turn
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"Hey Boyfriend!" Brooke happily called out from the nearly empty corridor as she made her way to him. Nathan was tying his shoes. When he was done, they shared a short yet passionate kiss and hug.
"Hey.. I missed you.." Nathan sweetly said with his arms around her petite waist.
"I missed you too.." Brooke was still clinging onto Nathan's shoulders as they both look at each other.
"So classes are over..wanna go somewhere?"
"Sure..I'll go change first okay?"
"Alright. I'll get you around 5. Sounds good?"
Brooke nodded as they shared another passionate kiss. But this time, it's longer. They both just can't hide their smiles and their selves apart that much.
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It's been a little over a month since Brathan got together. Nathan asked her to a nice, fun date this Saturday.
Nathan wore his usual Lacsote polo shirt in baby blue and a pair of cargo shorts together with his white Lacoste shoes. When he was done fixing himself, he went over to Brooke's dorm. Brooke can't decide whether to wear a dress or jeans but she decided on the latter. She paired a white bolero and a purple tank top on her skinny jeans and white ballet flats. Nathan rang their doorbell and Brooke shouted something like "wait a minute!" When Brooke opened the door which revealed her waiting boyfriend, he was in awe to see her in such simple yet stylish clothes. She locked their dorm and they held each other's hands.
Their relationship may seem fast but only Brooke knows how she feels about Nathan. She likes him. She has always liked something in him even when he was an ass. It was something in him that she's seen only in him. Not in Lucas or to anyone else. It's his charm about something like never wanting to stop and ability to choose and his self-confidence added to his points. No one of their closeness in the past. Not even Peyton.
When they were very young, around 5 years old, they played together, slept in each other's house and all. All of this happend when their parents are still normal people. Not an ass like Dan or and addict like Deb or like Brooke's parents who's always away. She has always liked Nathan ever since. Like he's her first best friend but no words just bonded their friendship. Peyton was only her second best friend.
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"So where are we going today?" Brooke excitedly asked as they rode Nathan's SUV.
"It's Friday...naturally, people like us, go clubbing.."
"Nothing more??"
"No idea. Any suggestions?" Nathan asked as he maneuvered and exited the university's parking lot.
"Uhmm..How 'bout we play pool? Then we'll go watch a movie.."
"Is it a date then?"
"Official first date."
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As usual, Brooke won a two out of three games. Nathan had to pay for her drinks, which is unusually light for Brooke. When they were done, the two decided to watch a movie. When they arrived at the movie house, the two debated whether to wacth Fantastic 4: Rise of the Silver Surfer or Pirates of the Caribbean: At World's End. Their debate lasted for like 10 minutes and at the end:
"C'mon Brooke..Jack Sparrow's funnier..And I know you'll just be drooling over that flaming guy in that movie.." Nathan whined. "And you won the pool game we had and i had to pay for your drinks.."
"I'm smelling jealousy from Nathan over Torch.." Brooke teased as she decided whether to watch Pirates or Fantastic 4. "Fine whatever...You better explain to me everything when we get in there."
The two were holding hands until the movie was somewhere in the middle part, where the crew picks up Jack Sparrow at Davy Jones' Locker, Nathan slipped his arm protectively around Brooke. She looked at him and smiled as he planted a small kiss on her cheek. Suddenly, Nathan remembered something.
F L A S H B A C K
"Nate!" Haley called out as she went inside their apartment. He emerged out of their bedroom as he played his PSP. The two shared a short kiss.
"What?"
"Remember the costume party we went to?"
"Yeah..I'm trying not to since Keller kissed my wife.."
"C'mon Nate.."
"Alright, what is it?"
"I forgot to tell you what Lucas was suppose to wear that is so cool looking!" Haley exclaimed.
"Er-
what?"
"He was wearing this Jack Sparrow costume and imitated Johnny Depp's voice..he was so good at it.."
"But he went in as Tommy Lee..??" Nathan asked in confusion.
"Yeah..'coz that's what I heard Brooke told me and Lucas asked me to spy on her to know what she'd want Lucas to wear..and I didn't know she was just playing.."
"You're such a gullible girl Hales.." Nathan said as he jokingly patted her head.
E N D F L A S H B A C K
When the movie ended, Nathan thought they should go back to their dorms but Brooke didn't want to.
"Nate, let's go visit...her...Haley.."
"What?" Nathan was caught offguard.
"We gotta let her know about us..." Brooke said seriously. "Even though I think she does..we still have to formally let her know.. It'd look kind disrespectful.."
Nathan thought for a minute. "Sure..I understand."
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"When's the last time you visited her?" Brooke asked as Nathan drove their way to Tree Hill Memorial Park.
"Middle of sophomore year.."
"Why'd you stop then?"
"'Coz I know I just can't be always like this..y'know..and I've moved on.." Nathan said as he looked at Brooke sincerely.
"The last time I visited her was a day before the post-freshmen party..." Brooke said sadly. "And I feel guilty about it. I treated her as one of my bestfriends especially when all kinds of craps happened to me. She's always there for me. She's in my team. Team Brooke. And this is what I give to her in return. Some friend I am.."
"I'm sure she'll understand you," Nathan comforted as he patted Brooke's shoulder. "She always does."
They made a stop 45 minutes later. The past fifteen minutes, they were trying to figure out the shortest distance to Haley's grave and the place is creepingly dark. They went out the SUV and Brooke immediately seized Nathan's hand into hers.
He laughed a bit and put and arm around Brooke as they walked to where Haley's grave was. "Brooke..why are you scared?" he said in a louder voice than usual.
"Sssssshhhhhh!!" Brooke said in a scared voice.
"Brooke, these people, they're dead!" Nathan said, emphasizing as he gestured the cemetery.
"Still..you might wake up these zombies if you don't keep your voice low!"
They found her headstone which said "Haley James-Scott. 1989-2007. Greatest young wife, daughter, sister, best friend and tutor. We will love you always, and forever."
Nathan remembered their old vow. Always and Forever. Those three words which meant eternal happiness for them which suddenly came crashing down. He still felt guilty. Until now. He knows that a part of him wouldn't want to let go of their great past and that he wanted to pay off his guilt by being guilty.
Brooke privately talked to Haley in her thoughts.
Hey there Hales. I hope you're hearing me..I hope you're happy wherever you are. I miss you a lot. All of us do. I really want to see you again, Hales. Maybe we'll have a party when all our friends are too old and all of us die. So anyway, I think y'know why we're here. It's because of Nathan and me. We're kinda together now. I hope you won't feel disrespected and betrayed. It's just that I really like him. This isn't a bargaining chip, but, wouldn't you rather have Nathan be with someone you know so well?? I promise you, Hales. I will take care of the man you love so much you married him by 16. I swear and if I break it, you can take me. Nathan's such a nice guy because of you and I thank you for changing him to someone better than before. It must've felt great making a badass a softy. I hope you're gonna be happy with us, Hales. Anyway, I'd also like to update you with our friends. Apparently, Lucas and Peyton broke up and I don't know what the hell I feel. Maybe you could help me? Then Mouth emailed me the other that he got an internship for sports announcing at a local university game. Bevin emailed me too that she's doing well in her psychology course. She even told me she got an A+ for interpretation or something. Nathan's doing well. He's becoming a greater basketball player and he gets good grades. So do I, by the way. I'm getting good grades like you pushed me. God, I miss you so much Hales. I know I don't have any right to say this to you but, it's okay with me that Nathan will always have feelings for you. I understand that. I hope one day, I could be happy like you were when you're in love..
Nathan was also communicating with Haley at the same time as Brooke.
Hey Hales..I miss you.. I love you. But I want and need you to know that I'm with Brooke now. Better her than any other girl you don't know right? I hope you'll be happy with us. I have to move on and I know that you know that. I'm not telling you that I don't love you anymore. I still do. I probably always will. You're the first girl I really, truly loved but since you're not here, we both know I just can't sulk. If this news of me and Brooke makes your blood boil, I'm sorry. It's just that I started liking her when you..passed away. You've probably seen us from up there. She's always the one comforting me and all. She made me feel a little bit better. And about the prom, I explained to you what happened the very same night I came here to visit you. I'd like to pay respect for you so that's why I came here, we came here. Formality. I love you Hales. And I know you love me too. We married each other. But you know I've to move on. I really like Brooke. I hope you'd really be happy for us the way you were when you're still breathing. I love you. Always, and forever.
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A/N: Fluff chappie..just had to do this..err..school work's really bugging me that I've to start doing it at 4pm and end 1am the next day.it's hard being in Section 1!
