Author's Note: Okay I officially hate my computer. It won't read my stupid floppy disk that has every single chapter of this story on it including the one that was going to be this one that I hadn't posted yet. So forgive me that this took awhile, but I had to completely start this chapter over. But here it finally is, only about 3 or 4 installments left. I'm thinking of starting a more current OTH story…any story ideas? Post in your review and I'll gladly take them into consideration! Thanks:)
Chapter Fourteen- Senior Skip Day
"Haley, stop it", Nathan Scott said calmly to his soon-to-be wife. "You really don't need to do this."
"Yes, for your information I do!" Haley replied and she helped him out of her car and into his wheelchair that they'd borrowed from the hospital.
"The doctor said that you are not to strain yourself, my God Nate you just woke up from a coma!" Haley said slipping her backpack over her shoulder.
She grabbed the handles to Nathan's wheelchair and wheeled him into Tree Hill High School. Nathan slumped in his chair. He was so uncomfortable. There was a huge bandage on his forehead, his ribs were wrapped with gauze, and his right leg was in a brace that was propped up, jutting out from the chair.
People flooded around Nathan the minute he arrived in school. Choruses of "Oh my God Nate what happened?" and "What the hell'd you do dude?" filled the halls. Haley gave them all the cliff notes version, saying he fell down the stairs.
After several pats on the back from the guys and cheek kisses from the girls, the crowd dissipated and Haley wheeled Nathan into first period.
She moved a desk out of the way so that Nathan could sit next to her and then she sat down in her normal seat beside him.
"Hey little brother, you look like hell", Lucas said entering the classroom in his signature sweatshirt and jeans.
"Thanks, glad to see you too big brother", Nathan smugly replied, then cracked a smile. "You're right though. I not only look like hell, I feel like it too."
"You sure you should be back this early?" Lucas asked, sliding into the seat on the other side of Nathan.
"That's what Doctor James said too", Nathan said nodding to Haley.
Haley glared at him.
"I'm fine. I really am okay. I'll live. I'm fine", Nathan repeated throwing up his hands. "Really, I don't need to be doted upon."
"Did you just use the phrase 'doted upon'?" Lucas asked.
"Thou art Haley has been reading classic literature to me all weekend", Nathan replied. "I'm pretty sure I could recite Shakespeare's 18th sonnet in 2 minutes flat."
Peyton and Brooke entered the classroom, chattering excitedly, but then settled their chatter when they saw Nathan. They both rushed over to him hugging him and giving his kisses on the cheek.
"How are you feeling?" Brooke asked frowning.
"Like I just got into a fight with my fiancé's ex and then fell down a flight of stairs", Nathan said with a charming smile.
No one laughed.
"What, too early for jokes?" He asked.
Haley hit him playfully. "As a matter of fact, yes!" She said before heading off to talk to Peyton and Brooke.
"Oh, guess what little bro?" Lucas asked him.
"What?"
"Guess what tomorrow is."
"Uhhh…Tuesday…" Nathan replied.
"No, it's Senior Skip Day jackass!" Lucas said. He reached into his backpack and pulled out three rectangles of paper. "And guess who scored tickets to the NCAA Championship?"
"No way", Nathan said slowly in disbelief.
"Oh and they're front row!"
"Hell yeah!" Nathan said getting up out of the wheelchair and giving Lucas a high-five.
"Nathan Scott!" Haley called. "You sit down this instant!" She said disapprovingly from the back of the room.
Nathan immediately sat down and talked to Lucas quietly.
"How did you get those?"
"Mom's cousin works at the UNC campus, but his wife's mom got sick and they had to fly out to Vermont last minute, and guess who got the tickets?"
"Dude that's awesome…not that your mom's cousin's wife's mom got sick or anything, but I have to say, scoring tickets to this game is…"
"I know that biggest basketball phenom of our entire lives", Lucas finished for him.
"What about the girls?" Nathan asked. "Aren't they gonna want to do something?"
"Nah, Peyt told me that they're planning on taking Hales wedding dress shopping in Raleigh."
Nathan nodded. "Wow, wedding dress shopping…"
"I know dude your wedding's getting really close…"
"And I'm scared out of my freaking mind", Nathan said.
"Nah, everything will be perfect, trust me. As much as you and Haley love each other, nothing could possibly go wrong."
Haley James hugged Nathan goodbye before he hopped into Lucas's car to head to Chapel Hill. Lucas sat in the driver's seat, Tim in the back. Nathan hobbled on his crutches toward the door and slid into the front seat.
"Bye baby, have fun", Haley said kissing him through the open window. "Don't hurt yourself."
"I'll be careful I promise", Nathan said kissing her back. "I love you."
"Mmm…I love you too", Haley said kissing him again.
Lucas and Tim rolled their eyes.
"Okay not-yet-newlyweds, let's break it up we got a game to get to!"
Haley waved goodbye as the sped off down the road. As if one cue, Peyton pulled up with her car, Brooke in the passenger seat and they ushered Haley into the back.
"Come on girl, that wedding dress ain't gonna buy itself!" Brooke called, popping her sunglasses down on her nose.
Haley buckled her seatbelt as Peyton rolled down the top of her convertible and pumped up the music.
"Buildings with a hundred floors, swinging round revolving doors, baby I don't know where they'll take meee! Gotta keep moving on moving on, fly away, breakawaayyy!" Peyton, Brooke and Haley all sang dramatically to Kelly Clarkson as they flew down the highway towards Raleigh. Brooke and Peyton were swaying in the front seat with Haley following along in the back. All had on their sunglasses they had dubbed, "movie star hotness" and we grooving to the sounds of EZ 102.5, who was broadcasting live from the UNC Chapel Hill Stadium where just about every basketball-loving person in the world was at.
"That was just Kelly Clarkson with her hit single 'Breakaway'. I'm Marc Johnson and I'm here with you aaalllll day broadcasting to you live from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill where everyone is tailgating and partying away before the big game this evening.
"Here are two Tar Heel fans now", Marc said. "Hey guys, what are your names?"
"I'm Lucas and this is my brother Nathan and our friend Tim and it's Senior Skip Day!" Lucas screamed in the mic over the radio. A loud chorus of screams followed behind him.
"Oh my God is that Lucas?" Peyton asked turning up the radio.
"Alright", replied Marc, "Where are you guys from?"
"Tree Hill, North Carolina", yelled Tim. "Go Ravens!"
"Oh my God", Brooke said shielding her eyes in embarrassment.
"This a guys day out?" asked Marc.
"Yeah, the ladies are off buying wedding stuff", Lucas replied extremely hyped up.
"Congrats, whose the one engaged?" questioned Marc.
"My little brother Nathan!" Lucas yelled.
"And who is the lucky lady?"
"Why that would be my best friend and future sister in law Haley James!"
"Hales, do you hear that, now everyone in North Carolina knows you're getting married!" Brooke said whipping around to face Haley whose faced was plastered with a bright smile.
"Anything you wanna say to her?" Marc asked.
"Yeah", Nathan began. "Haley I love you and I can't wait to marry you and see you in that dress you're buying today. I can't wait until we can start our lives together; I know we'll be together for eternity."
Haley could hear the chorus of "awww"s in the background. She smiled as a tear rolled down her cheek.
"Okay, and we hope all you listeners out there stick around all day because there's more excitement to come. Now here's The Killers with Mr. Brightside."
The sound of The Killers filled the car as the girls continued to drive down the highway, they got off at the exit for downtown Raleigh and drove for a few miles, until they reached their destination.
Brooke led the wed into the elegant boutique.
"BrookeLynn dah-ling!" An accented blonde woman said coming towards them. She kissed Brooke on each cheek and took her hand. "Let me have a look at you."
Brooke spun around.
"Ah, just as gorgeous as you were I last saw you", the woman said. "How ever is your dear mother?"
"She's just divine Carolina, just marvelous. Her and father are off on a jaunt to the Caribbean for the next two weeks", Brooke replied with oddly impeccable essence.
"Why that is just wonderful my darling", the woman named Carolina said letting go of Brooke's hand. She paused as if noticing Peyton and Haley's presence for the first time.
"And who pray tell are your two lovely friends here?" Carolina asked clasping her perfectly lacquered nails together.
"These are my two best friends, Peyton Sawyer and the bride-to-be Miss Haley James", Brooke said putting an arm around each of them.
"Oh how divine!" Carolina said throwing up her hands. "Aren't the as pretty as a little picture? Ah, such flawless features!" Carolina said lifting Peyton's chin into better light. "And oh, what glorious eyes", She said moving on to Haley.
"Brooke dah-ling you must come see me more often", Carolina said. "Come along now dears", Carolina said grasping Haley and Peyton's hands lightly tugging them along.
Haley and Peyton looked back at Brooke with wary eyes. Brooke just smiled and popped her shoulder a bit and followed them to the back.
"Ahhh…no, no, no", Carolina said as Haley stepped out of the dressing room about a half an hour later.
She came out with a light pink, puffy-sleeved, crystal-beaded dress on.
"Too much, too much", Carolina said shaking her head as Haley returned to the dressing room and slipped out of the dress. She threw it over the top of the door.
"Gregoire", Carolina said. "Please return this dress to its original place immediately and bring Miss James something white, yes I think white and elegant, simple, yet complex. Can you handle that Gregoire?" Carolina asked in a low tone.
"Yes, of course madam", Gregoire said before asking, "Ms. Davis, Ms. Sawyer, would you care for anything while you wait for your friend?"
"A bottle of water would be great", Peyton replied.
"Venti white mocha latte, two shots, soy, honey, dab of cinnamon, no whip", Brooke replied without a thought.
Peyton looked at her and Gregoire went off to get their drinks.
Within a minute another assistant came and brought another dress. Brooke handed it over to Haley.
"Is it true Jennifer Garner shops here?" Haley asked as she slipped into the dress.
"Ah yes", Carolina stated as if fondly remembering, "We designed her dress for the Emmys."
"Okay", Haley said. "I'm coming out."
Haley opened the door to the dressing room and stepped out.
Peyton and Brooke gasped while Carolina stared in awe.
"Ohhh, this my darling is the one", Carolina said guiding Haley's shoulders to face the mirror. "This is definitely the one."
Haley smiled and looked in awe at the dress. The glanced down at the price tag.
"There is no way I can afford this", Haley said shaking her head.
"Oh dah-ling", Carolina said placing a comforting hand on Haley's shoulder. "I'm sure I can make you an offer you cannot refuse."
Haley bit her lip and then smiled radiantly, swirling the skirt of her white dress.
"Dude, that game was awesome!" Lucas commented taking a swig of his water.
"I know, when he hit that three from half court!" Tim stated. "Damn!"
Nathan agreed with them and they made their way outside to stand and wait for the players.
The guys played the our-friend-has-a-broken-leg-so-let-us-to-the-front card and they weaved through the crowd, ending up as close as they could get.
The players came out and fans started to scream, asking for autographs and thrusting out eager hands.
While one guy was signing an autograph, he talked to Nathan, Lucas, and Tim.
"Dude that was an awesome half-court shot tonight", Nathan commented sticking out his arm that wasn't injured and shaking his hand.
"Thanks man. You guys balers?" He asked giving the magazine back to the autograph-ee.
"Yeah", Lucas replied. "I'm Lucas, and this is my brother Nathan and our friend Tim. We start varsity at Tree Hill High."
"Hey, I heard that got a real good team up there."
"Yeah, we went 10-0 last year", Tim replied.
"You all know the Scott brothers?" The player asked.
"Yeah, that's us", Nathan said motioning to himself and Lucas.
"No kidding?" The player asked incredulously.
"Damn, when they televise ya'lls games", the player said. "The whole team sits down and watches looking for some recruits. We saw you guys in that game against Valley a couple years ago, you guys were great."
"Thanks man", Nathan said in awe as he shook his hand.
"Hey, when you guys graduate give me a holler", the player said scribbling on a piece of paper. "Here's my private cell. Call me and we'll see if we can hook you guys up. Coach talks about the infamous Scott boys all the time."
"Definitely", Lucas said shaking his hand. "Thanks."
The player gave a nod and walked onto the bus with the rest of the team.
"Can you believe that just happened?" Lucas asked Nathan.
"That was so awesome! I can't wait to tell Hales!"
They made their way to the car and hopped in. The second they began down the highway Nathan pulled out his cell and dialed Haley's number.
Haley had just hung up with Nathan and filled Peyton and Brooke in on the great news. They were headed back to Tree Hill---or so Haley thought.
"Wait, you missed the exit Peyt", Haley commented glancing behind her.
"No I didn't miss it", Peyton said calmly.
Haley's face looked puzzled.
"Because we're not going back to Tree Hill", Brooke said from the front seat.
"Not yet anyway", Peyton added.
"Hold on Haley J, you're in for a wild night", Brooke said with a devious smirk.
"Luke, where the hell are you going?" Nathan asked as they got off onto an unfamiliar exit on their way back to Tree Hill.
"You'll see", was all Lucas said.
Nathan shrugged and sat back in his seat.
About ten minutes later they pulled into the parking lot of a rather honky-tonk bar called Duke's.
"You guys didn't…" Nathan began.
"Yep lil bro, it's your bachelor party."
Peyton swung the car into the back parking lot of a bar.
"Where are we you guys?" Haley asked.
"We are at Duke's Bar in Lowell", Brooke answered.
"Lowell? Aren't there like 5 people in that town?" Haley asked.
"Yep, and they'll all probably be here", Peyton replied.
"Come on Haley J get ready for the fun to begin."
Lucas, Nathan, and Tim stepped into the bar and ordered Cokes for each of them and some buffalo wings. There were waitresses floating around in dangerously short shorts and extremely low-cut tops with nametags that said things like, "Flower", "Moonlight", and "Breezy."
Tim hopped up out of his seat to get another drink and bumped into someone.
"What it dumbass!" A girl's voice said. The girl looked up.
"Brooke?" Tim asked in disbelief.
"Tim?" She replied. "What the hell are you doing here? This is Haley's bachelorette party!"
"This is Nathan's bachelor party!" Tim retorted.
"Tim", Haley said coming up. "What are you…"
"Nathan!" Haley called seeing Nathan a few feet away.
"Hales?" He questioned.
She sat down on his lap and kissed him.
"Hi Mr. Scott."
"Hi Mrs. Scott", Nathan answered.
"Mmmm…Mrs. Scott. I could get use to that."
Brooke looked at Haley and Nathan cuddling with each other and muttered to Peyton, "Operation Bachelorette Party…Terminated."
Author's Note: Hey all! What did you think? Everyone see the finale? Oh my gosh. Post all your finale rants and raves, and tell me who you think set the fire to Dan's office! Review please:)