Chapter 21

General POV

Nathan and Haley pulled up to the address Lucas had texted to them. It didn't seem like much, an older looking building with a couple cars parked around it. They knew what this was, they just didn't know what to expect once they got inside.

"Are you ready for this?" Nathan asked, looking over at Haley. The way she looked tonight, he wished they'd just stayed home for selfish reasons. "You look amazing by the way."

"Thank you," Haley blushed a little. Nathan still had that effect on her. "Come on, I wanna party with all are friends."

The two made their way towards the entrance of the place where they met Junk manning the stairs towards the top floor. Without a word, he stepped aside with a smile, gesturing for them to walk towards the top.

Haley excitedly grabbed her husband's hand and raced towards the top. She tried her best not to trip as her excitement guided her. She hadn't realized how much she was looking forward to this until now.

"Let's do it," She squealed climbing the steps until they heard music and saw flashing lights.

Walking into the place, the two were bombarded with a hoard of people. The music was drowned out from the yells and shouts as the happy couple walked into the mob of their friends taking in every single sight.

Posters decorated the walls with there faces, confetti fell from the ceiling sprinkling everyone around them, silly string was hurled around catching Nathan in the face, horns blared, balloons hung, and soon everyone was chanting Haley and Nathan.

There were too many sites for either of them to look at for long. They just wanted to take in every single aspect as quickly as possible. What their friends had done was just mind blowing.

"Ah there you are," Haley shouted, running over to her friends. Peyton and Brooke tackled her into a hug while Lucas hugged Nathan. "I can't believe this, it's insane guys."

"I know right," Brooke laughed, turning to Nathan. "Congrats Nate!"

"You guys are awesome," Nathan laughed, hugging Brooke. "Seriously this place looks awesome."

"It's what you guys deserve," Lucas smiled, turning to his best friend. He noticed Haley's tears as he brought her in close. "Oh don't cry Hales."

"I know it's stupid," Haley laughed through her tears. She hugged her friend close. "Thank you so much."

The two heard a cough as they turned to Keith. "Don't hog them Luke."

Soon the happily married couple found themselves being congratulated and hugged by all their friends and family. To see how many had turned up was incredible, just knowing all these people cared about them was an amazing feeling.

Haley soon found her parents, while Nathan found his mother tentatively walking around too. Soon came Whitey, and Tim, and some of the cheerleaders, then the rest of Nathans team. Afterwards the boys of the river court huddled around Haley giving their congratulations.

They had so many people to talk to and thank but every time they turned they were swarmed with new people to talk too.

After awhile, the crowd started to spread and enjoy the party without harassing the lucky couple. They found themselves leaning against a table, silly string all over their faces, both with tired looks.

"Please don't tell me you're calling it a night," Peyton joined the two. She noticed both their faces, and wouldn't accept it. "Cause I swear I'll lose it."

"Are you kidding?" Haley laughed. She looked around as everyone enjoyed themselves. "There's no way we miss this. We just needed a little breather from all the hugs and kisses."

"Well here comes one more," Peyton smiled, swinging an arm over the two and bringing them in close. "I'm really happy for you guys. Seriously."

Haley smiled happily into her friend. It meant a lot to have Peyton behind this, especially seeing how she used to date her husband. It just showed how good of a friend she was. Haley wouldn't forget that.

A few feet away, Lucas stood laughing with his uncle Keith. It was the first time since they'd been back from Charleston that they just got to hang out like old times.

"So how are things?" Keith asked. "Now that you're back?"

Lucas gestured over towards the table where Brooke had joined the others. "I'm doing really good. I mean, how can't I be looking at that. It just feels life for the first time in a long time, we're happy."

Keith smiled. "Guess it's a good thing you came back then."

Nodding, Lucas agreed. "Can't run away from are problems right?"

"I guess not," Keith spoke looking around to find Karen watching the two. "Can't keep running away."

"I don't understand," Haley mumbled sadly. Her parents had just broken the news that they were leaving. "How can you leave now?"

"Haley," Her mother said lovingly. She grabbed hold of her daughter's face gently. "The good news about a moveable home is that we could stop in at anytime. This is your life now, you have a new family, but that doesn't mean we're gone forever. It just means that it's time we gave you your space to live your life."

Haley cried a little as her mother leaned her head against hers. "I'm just gonna miss you."

"And we'll miss you," She whispered. "I love you so much Haley Bob."

The hugged as Nathan and Jimmy watched the two. It was nice to see how close mother and daughter were, even if they were hugging for sad reasons.

"Can I cut in?" A voice said, surprising the two girls.

Haley turned to see a familiar face. She almost didn't recognize her. "Quinn!"

Releasing her mother, Haley and her sister hugged each other tightly while they laughed. They hadn't seen each other since Quinn had left after her graduation, but they spoke regularly.

"What are you doing here?" Haley asked, so happy to see her older sister.

Quinn hugged her mom and dad before answering. "My little sis gets married and you don't think I'm going to make the party? I thought you knew me better then that."

"Well I'm glad you're here," Haley smiled again. She noticed Nathan standing off to the side as her family got reacquainted. "Oh I almost forgot, Quinn, this is Nathan…my husband."

"Got that's weird hearing," Quinn laughed. She eyed her brother in law with a smile. "It's nice to meet you Nathan, I'm Quinn. I actually think I remember you when you were a freshman."

"Really?"

Quinn smirked. "Never forget a cute face. You did good Haley."

"I know," Haley laughed, seeing Nathan's embarrassed face.

"Speaking of cute, where's dorky little Lucas Scott," Quinn laughed. "You two are finally related."

The three looked around searching for their friend. He was nearby, standing by the picture board with Peyton and Brooke.

"You guys throw a hell of a party," Lucas commentated, surprising the two girls. They turned to give him happy smiles. "Thank you for the help."

"For them, anything," Peyton remarked.

Lucas laughed, pointing to her ankle. "That explains the tattoo."

"It's symbolic," Peyton explained with a grin.

"Well it's a nice touch." He eyed both of them, so much unsaid between what had happened, but he shrugged it off. The past was best left in the past. "We're going to be okay. All of us."

Brooke smiled at the words. Lucas always did know what to say at the right moment. She was about to answer, when she noticed Haley waving over towards them.

"Heads up, tutor wife is trying to call you," She pointed towards them.

Lucas looked over and smiled. "I'll be right back."

The two girls watched as the boy who once held both their hearts greeted people. Both never thought they'd get to this part, when everything just seemed at ease. For so long it felt like this burden on all their shoulders weighing them down, leaving nothing but misery.

They were glad to finally move past it.

"You think he's right?" Brooke found herself saying. She looked at her best friend with a hesitant smile. "We'll be okay?"

"We will," Peyton smiled, throwing her arm around her friends shoulder. She felt a smile form her lips as she noticed someone at the bar. "Just so you know, that guy from the bar yesterday is here. And he's smiling this way."

"What? Where?" Brooke looked around hurriedly. She spotted the grin Chase was giving her from a mile away. "Is it creepy that he found me or sweet?"

"Neither," Peyton laughed, realizing the kids face resembled someone she knew. "He's on the basketball team, saw him at practice the other day. Probably here with the guys."

"Way to take the wind out of my sails," Brooke grumbled, thinking it was sweet that a guy might have looked for her. "I'm going to go say hi."

"And probably more," Peyton teased.

Brooke rolled her eyes but smirked. "Maybe."

Jack POV

Jack stood waiting outside the address Lucas had gave him the day before. He'd been thinking about skipping the entire night, solely to focus on packing, but that wasn't a very good excuse. He had nothing to his name; it'd be a terrible lie just because he was nervous of actually spending a night with his family.

The term was still foreign to him, but he knew it was true. Inside held two of his brothers, his uncle, and newly sister in law, and they were celebrating something he was invited too. It was a celebration that only came once in a lifetime, and he wanted to skip it.

A birthday was clockwork, just like the holidays, and just like anniversaries, but to celebrate a newly marriage, especially when it's your brother, that only comes around once, maybe twice.

He couldn't miss this.

For Haley and Nathan he'd go inside, and show them that he was willing to try.

One of the river court guys that Lucas hung out with greeted him at the entrance. He'd forgotten his name, but he recognized Jack as he waved him forward with a smile.

Jack nodded hello before climbing the metal stairs up towards the last floor. He'd heard about how much work all the friends had put into the place, but seeing it didn't give it justice.

Lucas had gone above and beyond, and those who helped him, to put this party together and seeing all the people move around dancing and laughing, he knew they'd succeeded.

Walking in without any attention his way, Jack took advantage and headed deeper into the party, trying his best to see anyone he recognized. A few were his classmates but he didn't pay them much attention. They didn't talk to him, so he returned the curtsey.

The first person he found who he could actually talk to was Skills. He'd been dancing with a girl but noticed Jack looking towards him and immediately headed over.

"So the eldest brother shows," Skills smiled, giving Jack a fist bump. "How you doing man?"

"Not bad, but clearly not as good as you," Jack smiled; nodding towards the girl Skills had been dancing with. "Good night?"

"Only gonna get better."

"Yeah I hear you. But hey do you know here Nathan and Haley are? Wanna go say hi."

Skills thought for a minute before snapping his fingers. "Try the fire escape in the back, close to the exit. Pretty sure I saw your bro head that way."

"Thanks Skills, I'll catch you afterwards."

He watched as Lucas's friend smiled before returning to his date. The guy was definitely having fun; everyone seemed to be he noticed.

Following his directions, Jack slowly made his way past the crowd and towards the exit. It wasn't hard to find, and he was glad to see that Skills was right. The window was closed, but he could make out the shape of Haley and Nathan sitting out on the stairs alone.

He wasn't sure if he should interrupt them, but this would be the only chance to get them alone. The amount of people here was absurd; they must have been busy all night.

Slowly stepping out, he cleared his throat.

The two turned, and he noticed Haley's tears. "Is this a bad time?"

Haley's tears faded as her face broke out into a smile. "You came!"

Jack shrugged. "I couldn't miss this."

Nathan laughed as he watched Haley run up to Jack to pull him into a hug. It was crazy to think how comfortable everyone had become with Jack since he'd been here, but he was glad.

"Thank you so much for coming," Haley thanked, as she released him. "It means a lot."

"It really does," Nathan agreed shaking Jacks hand.

He watched the happy couple with a smile. "I just wanted to say congrats, on everything. I know it seems a little cliché seeing as how you've probably heard that a thousand times already."

"From Nathan's backup point guard maybe," Haley laughed, remembering about a dozen faces she'd never seen before congratulate her. "From you, I know you mean it."

"I do," Jack smiled, not really sure what else to say. He eyed Nathan with a smirk. "It's kind of strange, younger brother beats you to the alter."

The three shared a laugh at the poor joke. It was crazy how that one sentence said so much to all of them. It was the first time Jack had referred to Nathan as a brother, albeit a joke, it still was a huge step.

A step all three were glad to have been taken.

Lucas POV

Lucas was nearly blinded as Mouth and Fergie attacked him with silly string. The three had agreed no teams, but Lucas soon found himself on the short end being double-teamed by his friends.

Collapsing onto the floor against the wall, he sighed tiredly. His friends laughed as they continued on, spotting Skills on the dance floor and taking their aim towards him.

He was just glad to get 5 minutes to breathe. The taste of silly string filled his mouth as he attempted to peel it off his body.

"Stupid thing," He mumbled, as he heard a laugh above him. Leaning against the wall was the familiar site of a beautiful smile. "Anna?"

"Every time I see you something always strange is happening," She laughed, pointing towards his current state. "Is this a dare?"

Embarrassed, he pointed towards his friends. "Unfortunate choice of friends is to blame. They ganged up on me first chance they got."

"Poor you." Anna looked down at him with a smile. "So I heard you planned this party."

Lucas nodded as he got up. "I had some help. But I'm curious how'd you hear about it?"

Anna pointed into the crowd. "My brothers around here somewhere, he heard about it at school."

"Which you go to," Lucas smiled. "You forgot to mention you went to Tree Hill."

"You never asked."

The two shared a smile before they found themselves slowly walking towards the bar.

"What else don't I know about you?" Lucas asked, curious to know more.

"Play your cards right and you'll learn." Anna shot him a flirty smile before it dropped. "Oh no."

"What's wrong," Lucas asked but was cut short when he felt a hand spin his shoulder around. His body jerked as he turned to face Felix. "What the hell man?"

Felix glared at him as he held a phone towards his face. "You wanna explain why you're kissing my sister?"

Lucas didn't bother to look at the picture. "You wanna get that out of my face."

"Felix stop," Anna shouted, stepping between the two. "Out, now!"

Lucas watched as Anna pulled him towards the exit. He didn't have to ask who the brother was now. Of course the one girl he finds cool had to be related to a douche bag. He almost laughed at his misfortune but refrained. He was just worried about Anna.

"Everything cool Luke?" Peyton asked. She'd made her way towards them after seeing the confrontation.

"I hope so."

General POV

"So I'd say you should meet my mom," Nathan mused, remembering his mother's outburst. "But I'm pretty sure she ditched."

Nathan and Jack found themselves at the bar after Haley had taken off to go find her family. They'd sat comfortably for the last half hour talking about how Nathan knew some of the people around them.

"You have no other family here?" Jack wondered. So far he'd seen Keith and that was about it. He knew Lucas was around here but hadn't seen him yet.

"Guess not," Nathan answered, not really caring. "My parents aren't exactly thrilled with the idea of me getting married."

"What about Haley's?"

"They support us," Nathan explained. He was glad to have at least someone in their corner. "I'm sure they're a little skeptic, but they're doing a good job of hiding it."

Nathan smiled at the two being mentioned as he watched them interact with Haley a few feet away. They were so at ease, maybe a little too much, but it just seemed to fall into place. Jimmy and Vivian supported their daughter, even if it wasn't the best of choices. He wondered what that was like, to know that you'd have a parent in your corner even when you're wrong.

Even Lucas was lucky enough to have Karen be by his side. He may not have had a father, but he grew up with a great mother. Nathan didn't question whether his mom had it in her, he'd seen it, just at the moment, and he needed her support, even if he didn't want to admit it.

It was times like this where Nathan and Jack were alike. It was them against the world. There was no parent to turn to when things got tough. Sure they had Keith, but at home, alone, when they look for guidance, they could only look to themselves.

Nathan was lucky to have Haley. He wasn't sure he could deal with growing up alone without help.

"So Keith mentioned you might join the boxing team," Nathan mentioned, remembering what their uncle had told him earlier. "Any truth to that?"

Jack shrugged. "Haven't given it much thought. Though I gotta admit, crazy as it sounds, I do miss the feeling of it."

Nathan smirked, remembering their first encounter. "Hey if you ever wanna fight, let me know. I still owe you for that punch."

"Eye for an eye," Jack smiled, raising his glass. "I can respect that."

"Respect what?" Haley asked, joining the two. She wasn't alone as she dragged Quinn with her to meet Jack. "Oh Jack, this is my sister Quinn. Quinn, this is Jack, my new brother in law."

Quinn smiled at the newest member of her sister's family. "It's nice to meet you Jack. Haley's told me all about you."

Jack returned the smile, seeing the resemblance between the sisters. "Hey it's good to meet you."

"Quinn's my older sister," Haley explained, feeling the need to clarify. She knew Jack didn't know much about anyone outside of them. "She actually graduated from Tree Hill."

"Oh cool."

Jack wasn't really sure what to say. He noticed the looks he was getting from the three, mostly encouraging smiles, but no one said anything. For a brief moment all four of them stood staring waiting for the other to speak.

Thankfully Jack saw an out. "Can you guys excuse me for a minute. I'm gonna go say hi to Peyton."

The three nodded as they watched him walk away.

"Did that feel like an ambush?" Haley asked Nathan worriedly. She saw how confused Jack looked.

Nathan waved it off with a smile. "I think that's just him. He's a little awkward with new people."

Quinn smiled. "Kind of like Haley."

"I'm not awkward!"

Laughing at her sister's expense, Quinn turned back to Jacks retreating form. "I will say this, the Scott's have some good genes. Jack's pretty easy on the eyes."

"Hand's off," Haley warned. She saw her sister smirk. "Stop acting like Taylor. Jack's off limits, Peyton and I agreed that we're going to find him a nice girl."

"I'm not nice?" Quinn fake pouted.

"Nice girls stay," Haley answered with a smile. "They don't leave."

"What if I stay?" Quinn's face broke into a smile, not able to hide it any longer. "What if my wedding gift was me coming home?"

Haley choked back a sob, not giving in to believing it. "You're lying!"

"It wouldn't be now," Quinn explained, not wanting to give her sisters hopes up. "But once I'm done this semester, there may be another James back in town. Well, now I guess it's just me, seeing as how you're a…."

Quinn was cut off as Haley pulled her into a tight hug. The two didn't realize how much they missed each other. This news meant so much for both of them, and right now, they couldn't imagine anything ruining that.

"I can't believe it," Haley whispered, so happy at the idea of her sister coming home soon.

"Believe it Hales," Quinn whispered back, giving a comforting squeeze.

Across the room, where Jack had left the others, he made his way towards his blonde roommate who was currently standing near the DJ on her computer.

He knew about Peyton's passion for music, hearing it countless times during his two-week stay at her house. He'd never heard so many unheard of bands before in his life, and if he were being honest, he wasn't that keen on hearing again, but it was nice to see how passionate she was about it.

Some people spent their entire lives looking for that one thing that made them who they are. For Jack it was fighting, and for Peyton, it was music.

He was glad to see she had found her calling, even if she hadn't realized it yet.

"Hey stranger," Peyton smiled, lifting her head from the screen to spot her roommate walking towards her. "Didn't think you'd show."

"You're not the first," Jack smiled; happy he'd proved them wrong. "You guys did a hell of a job."

Peyton waved it off like no big deal. "I can't take all the credit, but I will."

"Well I'll have to say great job to Lucas and Brooke for doing nothing when I find them," Jack joked.

Peyton gestured towards the bar where her best friend sat. "I saw Luke about 5 minutes ago but he took off with Keith somewhere, but Brooke's at the bar if you wanna go say hi. Careful though, she's in her element, don't wanna break up a potential hook up for Brooke Davis."

The two turned to see the girl in question laughing at something Chase had said. They'd spent the last hour getting to know each other and hadn't left their spot once.

"That's the guy from the bar," Jack noted, remembering his face.

Peyton nodded. "Yeah, Chase. Actually goes to Tree Hill. Don't know him but Brooke seems a little infatuated with him."

"Seems like he might have some competition."

Near the bar where Brooke and Chase sat, a few seats down stood Felix glaring towards them. Peyton wondered if he might do something, considering he'd nearly attacked Lucas before but thought against it. He didn't have a claim on Brooke.

"He's persistent," Peyton commentated.

"It's weird," Jack finished. He didn't want to talk about Felix any longer; he'd come here for a reason. "But anyways, I actually came here for a reason. Got the place today, so I'm officially moved out."

It wasn't news to Peyton, seeing how Jack had told her he was looking at a place this weekend, but the news still surprised her a little. She'd been so used to seeing him these past weeks that she'd forgot that he'd be gone eventually.

"Oh wow," Peyton said, happy for him. "That's awesome Jack."

"Yeah," Jack scratched his head shyly. "But I just wanted to say thank you."

"It's no big deal…"

"It is," Jack cut. What Peyton had done was a huge deal to him. "You took a chance and gave me a roof over my head. I can't possibly repay that. I just wanted you to know how much that meant to me."

Peyton watched as he pulled a crumpled up envelope from his pocket and handed it to her. She was a little confused, but opened it up nevertheless. Inside, expecting a thank you card, Peyton found something much better.

"These are two tickets to the Foo Fighters later this year," Peyton whispered. She'd been trying to get tickets for months to no avail. She looked up shocked. "How did you….?"

"Jerry," Jack explained. His old friend new quite a bit of people up in New York. "He owed me a favor."

"I…I don't know what to say."

Jack smiled happy to see her reaction. "You don't have to say anything. Just have fun."

Peyton rushed over around the table to hug him. "I will. Thank you so much."

Smiling back, Jack noticed someone from the corner of his eye. "No problem, but hey, I just spotted Lucas. Gonna run over before he disappears again."

"Yeah yeah of course," Peyton said hastily. She was still on cloud nine.

Across from the two, Lucas sat laughing with Anna who'd made it back a few moments ago. She'd excused her brother but Lucas shrugged it off. He wasn't exactly supportive when he'd found out about Haley and Nathan, so he'd give Felix a pass this time.

"So you move almost every year?" Lucas asked amazed.

"Yeah, it kinda of sucks," Anna said sadly.

In a way Lucas could see why she'd say that. Couldn't be easy leaving your friends and memories at the turn of the calendar year. Yet all he could think of was all the new sights and wonders her family saw. Each year they got to make a whole new story for themselves regardless of their past.

He guessed it's what he tried to do in Charleston for a short time. Change his life style, become someone different, it was appealing in a way. Still, he found himself back home in the end, and probably for the best.

Looking around, spotting all his friends and family, it was an easy decision. Just looking up the first sight he saw was Mouth spraying nacho cheese all over Skills. Where else would he find friends like that?

"Well hopefully Tree Hill sticks," Lucas raised his glass. The two shared a smile before looking back around at the party. It'd been almost two hours and Lucas still hadn't seen Jack.

But he did notice something else.

"Excuse me," Lucas said seriously, quickly out of his seat.

"Where are you…?" Anna asked before following his path. "Lucas wait!"

Ignoring the pleas, Lucas headed towards where Felix and Mouth stood arguing.

"I just need some advice," Mouth pleaded. "Please, I'm gonna call afterwards and I just want to know what to say."

"Seriously Mouth, I don't have time for this shit," Felix said annoyed. He'd been having a crummy night. His sister had fought with him and he'd spent the night watching some smiling baby faced loser flirt with Brooke. "Find someone else to help you solve the mystery to your virginity."

"Come on man," Mouth said, feeling the shot he'd just took. "Please."

Felix shoved past the pleading boy to come face to face with his sister's newest affection.

"You gotta problem with my friend?" Lucas asked seriously.

"Maybe I gotta problem with you," Felix answered seeing his sister approach them.

"Yeah I think you do," Lucas stared him dead in the eye before quickly looking around. He spotted his mother and Keith watching him and a few feet away Haley and Nathan stood laughing with some friends. This wasn't the place. "You're lucky, I'm not gonna do this in here."

"That's too bad," Felix answered, turning his body away. "Cause I am."

Lucas didn't see the punch coming until it was too late. The fist collided with his jaw, sending his body backwards and onto an unsuspecting group of people. His face hurt as he managed his way up, but the adrenaline guided him forward.

He saw Felix attempt to swing again but before either could throw a punch a body tackled Felix to the ground.

Jack saw the cheap shot Felix had thrown moments before he'd made his way towards Lucas. Reacting on instinct, he tackled him hard to the ground before he could throw another punch.

A switch turned off inside his head as the two guys battled for dominance on the floor. Getting the upper hand, Jack swung his fist and connected. He opened a gash right above Felix's left eye. He sent another towards his mouth, landing it quickly and painfully.

Lucas watched as his brother wrestled on the floor and acted quickly. He shouldn't have let it get this far, especially getting his brother in the middle of this.

With the help of Nathan, the two ran towards the guy and attempted to separate them. It wasn't easy, even with Keith's help, but they pulled Jack off before he could land another punch.

"Hey it's over, it's over," Lucas whispered, holding Jack back. He moved angrily trying to break free from Lucas and Nathan's grasp but couldn't.

"Okay let's go," Keith wrestled with Felix, who was shouting profanities towards the boys. "You're out."

"I forgot, everyone's related in this town," Felix spat.

The crowd parted as Keith dragged away the stubborn teen. The music had stopped and many had made their way towards the commotion.

Jack watched the questioning glances of the crowd as they stared his way. He saw them whisper and point, their judgmental eyes looking him over. He knew what they thought; it was the same thing going through his head.

He'd screwed up.