You have become
Someone, someone
Who matters to me
"Haley. Hales, wake up."
Haley rolled over, trying to figure out why Nathan was waking her up. She didn't feel like she'd overslept. When she opened her eyes she saw it was still dark in the room, meaning the sun definitely wasn't up yet.
"Nathan? What's wrong?"
"Nothing. I want to take you somewhere."
"Now? It's like, 3 am."
"Actually, it's a little after 6."
"Your point?"
"C'mon, I want to show you something and we need to leave now."
Against her body's wishes Haley got up and threw on some decent clothes. They left the house quietly and soon Nathan was driving them down the highway.
"So are you going to tell me where we're going yet?"
"We're going to the beach."
"The beach? Nathan, it's the middle of November. I know it's warmer here than in New York, but that doesn't mean its warm enough to go to the beach. Especially at this hour."
"No no, my family has a beach house."
"A beach house? Like, a house on the beach?"
Nathan laughed. "Is there another kind? I thought we could watch the sun come up, which happens at approximately 6:54am today."
Haley looked at some of the houses they started passing. Every now and then she'd look through a gap between them and see the ocean. "Are we almost there?"
"Actually," Nathan started turning into a driveway, "we're here." They got out and Nathan pulled a blanket from the backseat before they started walking around the house. They both kicked off their shoes by the stairs that led up to the deck and rolled up their pants before getting into the sand.
Nathan led them up a yard or two from where the waves were coming up to and laid out the blanket. They both sat down, Haley in front of him leaning against his chest. He wrapped his arms around her to keep her warm and they sat and watched as the sun came up over the ocean.
"So have you ever been to a beach before?"
"Nope. My family didn't really take any vacations anywhere."
"Well then you need to get the full experience." He stood up and pulled her with him. "Come here."
Haley got a little hesitant as they got closer to the water. "Nathan, what're you doing?"
They stopped right where the water reached up to. "Just stand here and wait." After a few seconds a wave came towards them and washed up over their feet. The water was freezing and Haley jumped back.
"That's so cold!"
"It's not that bad." Nathan came back and tried to pull her back. She didn't budge. "Alright, you leave me no choice." He wrapped his arms around her waist and picked her up, carrying her towards the water.
"Nathan Scott you put me down this instant." Of course he didn't listen. Instead she found herself out in the water now where the waves were reaching up to her knees. Haley braced herself as a huge wave started rolling in but it died down before it reached them.
After playing in the water for a bit more they headed back through the sand to the beach house. "I still can't believe your family has a beach house."
Nathan sighed and looked up at it. "Yeah, this was where I used to come if I just needed to get away from school or my dad or anything that was bothering me." They stopped walked and he turned to face her. "But now I can go to you and you make everything better. There's no way I could've made it through yesterday without you."
Haley's heart picked up its pace as he took both of her hands in his.
"You make me want to be a better person Haley. You make me want to be the kind of person that's good enough to be seen with you."
Her heart started beating even faster. And unfortunately, her stomach started doing some tricks of its own. Oh of all the times to feel sick.
"Nathan I-"
"No, I just need to get this out. I've never felt like this. Ever. I have absolutely no idea what I'm doing, just that I hate when we're not together and I love it when we are."
"No Nathan, really, I-"
"I'm almost done I promise. I know we haven't been together that long but I want to you know how much you mean to me. I love you, Haley. And I'm not saying this to pressure you or do anything like that. But yesterday made me realize how much I need you. I love you Haley, I'm in love with you. And I just wanted you to know."
Haley was speechless. She couldn't believe that this extremely good looking, nice, wonderful man was in love with her. Because she felt the same way. She also couldn't believe that her stomach chose this moment to make her want to hurl.
"Nathan, I-" Before she could get her response out she covered her mouth with her hand and ran around the corner of the house. She found a nice bush off to the side where she chose to kneel and let loose the contents of her stomach. She felt Nathan come up behind her and help hold her hair back. She tried to swat him away. "Nate, go away."
"Why?"
"I don't want you to see me like this." But he didn't go anywhere. He sat beside her and rubbed her back as she finished her business. She made a mental note to make an appointment with the doctor when she got back to the city so she could figure out what kind of virus was ruining her life.
"Are you ok?"
She sat back and tried to calm her body down. "Yeah."
"Is this what you've been sick with all week?" She nodded. "Hales, promise me you'll go to the doctor next week?"
"I will, I promise." They sat for a few more minutes before getting back up. Just like always, she was feeling fine now. She started to pick up where they left off but Nathan spoke first.
"I was thinking we could make breakfast here, but if you're not feeling well we can head back."
"You? Cook?"
Nathan smiled as they walked up the stairs onto the deck. "By 'make breakfast' I mean put frozen waffles into the toaster and push the button."
Haley laughed. "That sounds delicious."
"Haley if you're not up for it I promise it isn't a big deal. It's not like I don't eat enough of those at my own apartment anyways."
"No no, I'm feeling much better now. Besides, I'm not going to pass up an opportunity to see you cook." She gave Nathan a playful shove. He laughed but didn't do anything back. That wasn't like him. Nathan started to open the door to the kitchen when Haley decided she really wanted to give him an answer.
"I love you too, you know." That got his attention. He turned around.
"What?"
"Well I didn't really get a chance to tell you earlier when I ran off to puke my guts out, but I do. I love you, too."
Nathan smiled and leaned down to kiss her, but Haley put her hands on his face and pushed him away.
"What's wrong?"
"Didn't you hear me? I was just sick. There's no way I'm letting you kiss me."
"Hales, I don't care."
"Why not?"
"Because I love you."
"Yeah, well I love you so I'm not letting you kiss me." This was one fight Haley eventually won out. Nathan settled for kissing her on the cheek.
Nathan didn't disappoint with the frozen waffles. They were about as delicious as was humanly possible for frozen breakfast foods. And after Haley finally found herself the perfect seashell to take home with her she and Nathan headed back to his house. The first thing Haley did when they got back was run up to brush her teeth. Nathan was waiting for her when she went back into his bedroom. He started kissing her the second she closed the door and didn't stop as they made their way over to the bed.
They whispered 'I love you' probably a hundred times, but it never got old. In fact, each time Haley said it she felt like she fell more in love, if that's possible. But each time it was said the intensity of the kiss picked right back up and she lost the ability to think.
After who knows how long, they were interrupted when Nathan's cell phone rang. If it hadn't been such an obnoxious ringtone they probably would've just let it go. Nathan rolled over onto his back and answered it. "Hey Luke, what's up?"
Haley rolled over on top of him, kissing down his neck and up the side of his face that wasn't occupied with his cell phone.
"Yeah we'd love to. Ok bye." He snapped his phone shut and tossed it down onto the floor and rolled them back over.
"You're quite distracting you know."
Haley moaned as he found that spot on her neck again. "What did Luke want?"
"He wanted to know if we wanted to have lunch with him and Brooke at his mom's café before we head out of town today."
"Oh, ok. Speaking of moms, shouldn't we go hang out with yours for a bit?"
Nathan pulled back. "You're talking about my mom at a time like this?"
Haley shrugged. "I was just thinking, if I were her then I'd want to spend some time with you before you leave again." She grabbed his shirt and pulled him back down to her. "Besides," she whispered against his lips, "I'll have you all to myself back in New York." Nathan moaned as he leaned in to kiss her one last time.
"Alright, but you owe me."
They spent the rest of the morning visiting with Deb. Occasionally Dan would make an appearance, but then head back off somewhere else. Haley couldn't say she was too upset, and Nathan didn't seem to have a problem with it either. But soon enough the time came for them to leave. Deb insisted on sending leftovers with them and as if sensing their excuse of having a long car ride Deb pulled out a small cooler already packed. She carried it out to the car, she said out of politeness, but Haley thought she was just making sure they actually took it. Deb told Haley goodbye first, with yet another hug.
"It was so nice to meet you Haley."
"You too. I had a really great time. Thanks for letting me join you guys."
"Of course, of course. You're always welcome here. Especially if you make those pies again." Deb gave Haley a wink before walking around the car to hug her son.
"Alright, now you drive safe."
"I will mom. And I'll call you tomorrow. I promise."
"You better." She kissed him on the cheek before looking back at the front door. "I told your father to come out and say goodbye…"
"It's ok mom, really. Just tell him goodbye for us, ok?"
Deb apparently knew better than to push the issue. "Alright I will. Have a good lunch, and tell Karen I say hi."
"I will." Nathan joined Haley in the car and started it up and he rolled down the window. "Thanks again mom. I love you."
"Love you too Nathan. Be careful."
Haley smiled as she watched Deb stand in the driveway and wave until they couldn't see her anymore. Nathan reached over and took her hand as they drove downtown. Nathan parked across the street and they walked over to the café.
When they got inside Lucas and Brooke were already there, sitting at a table off in the corner. There were a couple other people there but not too many. Not surprising the day after Thanksgiving. Haley and Nathan went over to join them and Karen showed up not too long after. They chatted while they waited for their food, Nathan held Haley's hand under the table. He didn't let go when their food came and they had to do their best to eat one-handed.
Once they were done Nathan and Lucas gathered up their plates and went to take them back to the kitchen. When the boys were out of ear-shot Brooke scooted her chair closer to Haley.
"Ok, spill."
"What?"
"You and Nathan. What happened?"
"Nothing happened."
Brooke gave her the 'do you think I'm stupid?' look. "Come on. Something's different." She got even closer and lowered her voice. "Did you guys do it?"
"Brooke! Come on, I told you we're waiting."
"You were serious about that?"
"Um, yeah."
"Oh. Well then what happened? You guys are definitely acting differently."
Haley messed with her hands. "Well, um, he told me he loved me."
"And?"
"And what?"
Brooke practically jumped up and down in her seat. "What did you say?"
"Well, after I threw up-"
"You what? Seriously Haley?"
"Oh come on, it's not like I planned it. And after I was done I said it back."
Brooke rolled her eyes and sat back in her chair. "Oh, well that makes it all better."
"Well it did for Nathan."
Brooke smiled and gave Haley a hug. "I'm happy for you Hales. I really am."
"Thanks Brooke."
As the guys were coming back Keith and Lily came through the door. Lily ran right up to Nathan and he picked her up.
"Nathan!"
"Hey, how's my favorite girl?" Haley smiled as she watched Nathan and Lily together. Lily whispered something in Nathan's ear, and then he looked at Haley.
"I don't know, you'll have to ask her." He set Lily down and they walked over to their table. "Haley, Lily has something to ask you."
Lily looked up at Nathan before looking at Haley. "Do you really play the piano Haley?"
Haley looked and Nathan then back down at Lily. "Yes I do." She watched Lily look over at the piano in the corner then back at her.
"Will you play something for me? Pretty please?"
"I don't know, does your mom like people playing in here?"
"Yes! Yes! I do it all the time. Please please please?"
Haley looked up at Nathan and he shrugged. "Alright." She let Lily drag her over to the piano. She sat down at the bench and looked around the café. There was only one other customer left, Keith and Karen were over in a corner talking, and Lucas and Brooke were lost in themselves back at the table. Nathan was the only one watching.
Lily sat up on the bench next to her.
"What do you want me to play?"
Lily tapped her finger on her chin and thought for a moment. "Um, something you wrote."
"Something I wrote?"
"Yeah. Nathan said you wrote your own songs."
"Oh he did, did he?" Haley looked over at Nathan and he shrugged again.
"Yep! Pleeeeease?"
"Alright." Haley took a breath and started to play.
Spending all your money
Ain't it funny how the time goes by?
First you start believing
Then you're leaving for no reason
And you're wondering why
So till the morning breaks
Go and make your mistakes
Don't be surprised if your head hurts
Life is for the living, the forgiven and for leaving town aliveWhisper in the ways
Watching days and moving on
You wake up every Monday then suddenly it's Sunday
And the week is gone
So till the morning breaks
Go and make your mistakes
Don't be surprised at the sunrise
Life is for the living, the forgiven and for leaving town aliveOh, do you wonder where it starts
Where it ends
What you find around the bend
Oh, do you wonder where she's from
Where she goes
No one knows
Now and then you wonder
Why you're spending all your money
Ain't it funny how she walks on by?
She had you all believing
Now she's leaving for no reason
And you're wondering whySo till the morning breaks
Go and make your mistakes
Don't be surprised if your heart hurts
Life is for the living, the forgiven and for leaving town aliveOh, do you wonder where it starts
Where it ends
What you find around the bend
And oh, do you wonder where she's from
Where she goes
No one knows
Now and thenOh, do you wonder where it starts
Where it ends
What you find around the bend
And do you wonder where she's from
Where she goes
No one knows
Now and then you wonderWhy life is for the living, the forgiven and the leaving town alive
Life is for the living, the forgiven and the leaving town alive
When Haley looked up after she was done she found every eye focused on her. Blush crept into her cheeks as she turned to Lily beside her. "There. What did you think?"
Lily looked up at her and grinned. "I love it!"
Haley smiled. "I'm glad. How about you play something for me and I'll go sit over there and listen ok?"
That got Lily refocused and she started playing all the songs she knew. Haley got up and went over to where Nathan was standing. "You are in big trouble mister."
"Oh come on, you were great." They sat down and Karen and Keith brought over some cups and coffee to join them.
"Nathan's right Haley, you're really good."
"Thanks Karen."
They spent a little while longer chatting, but after awhile they had to say their goodbyes and get on the road. As they were driving out of town Haley saw the 'Welcome to Tree Hill' sign, only this side said 'Thanks for visiting, Come again'. Haley smiled and sat back in her seat, bracing herself for another long drive with Lucas and Brooke in the backseat. Nathan took her hand again, as if sensing her thoughts. Haley smiled at him. This trip had definitely given her an insight into what made Nathan into who is today, and for that she would always be grateful because she now had a wonderful man who she loved, and who loved her back. Could it get any better than that?
You have become
Someone, someone
Who matters to me
-Long Story Short, Someone
A/N: Hello! Hope y'all liked this chapter :) For the record, the song Haley sings is Leaving Town Alive by Bethany Joy Galeotti. I absolutely love that song (and all her other songs for that matter) but I thought it was semi-fitting for this chapter as well.
So yeah, let me know what you think! Oh, and the artist of the song for this chapter is another band I would highly recommend y'all check out :)
