Story Title: The Best Years
Synopsis: He had a passion for basketball, she had all the right connections to make his dreams possible. How far would you be willing to go to make your dreams happen?
Rated: PG
Chapter Summary: Peyton Sawyer and Haley James wrap up their lives in Charlotte, North Carolina before heading to Hollywood, to make their next dreams come true. But, they leave behind more than they thought they would.
Author's Note: This is the last chapter of the story, so I really hope you enjoyed it and I am sooo sorry for the long wait you all had to go through, haha! The song at the end of this story is an unreleased song by Tyler Hilton called "Girl Who Got Away", a song that I am hoping will be on his new album. If you would like to listen to it, just search it on youtube and there are some good versions of it out there. I listened to it while writing the ending, which is kind of what inspired it, so if you would like to listen to it while reading, I encourage you to do so . I'm not sure if I'm going to mess with this story I'm quite proud of and do a sequel, but you guys should let me know and maybe if y'all want it I'll do one!
So, please, read and enjoy the last chapter of "The Best Years".
Special thanks to all who subscribed and reviewed - you guys kept me from giving up on this story.
AngelOfDeath07 (I always loved reading your reviews for your reactions), HJS-NS-23, xxbabii (I loved your detailed reviews of your thoughts and reactions), elosie09, naley19, and last but certainly not least Loves A Fool for your inspiration at the very VERY beginning of this story. And thank you to all whose names were not mentioned too, please don't feel like I am any less thankful to you guys too.
The Best Years
Chapter 21: Everything In Its Right Place
Part 2
"Haley..." he hesitated, "What are you doing here?"
"Oh, just came to hang out with my favorite person in the whole world." she responded sarcastically.
"You're not here just to hit me, are you?"
Haley laughed softly at the idea, "No, but it sure would be fun. I'm not here because of me, I'm here because of Peyton."
"What? Why?" he wasn't quite sure he understood what she was talking about. Was it to tell him off again, or did something happen to the curly blonde he soon found out he loved?
"Because I need to know whether you love her or not." she let it flow out into the open. Haley knew that the answer would end up hurting her, but she had to know. After a few impatient moments, Haley once again forced the question, "Well?"
"How am I supposed to answer that?"
"With a yes, or a no, Lucas. It's not rocket science."
"Yes." The words hit her like a shot to the chest as Haley stood there like a deer just about to get hit by a car. She expected as much, and she thought she would have been prepared for his answer. She thought it wouldn't hurt. She thought that the feeling of betrayal she felt before wouldn't come back, but it had. All of it had, and in that moment all she could think of was how fast she could get out of there.
"Good to know." she mumbled, shaking her head. What an idiot she was. "I'm gonna go now. Let you get back to whatever it was you were doing." she rambled, turning around to exit the room.
"Wait, Haley." Lucas reached for Haley's wrist and kept her from walking away, "I'm sorry. I know I was a total ass to you, and you didn't deserve it. You never did. You don't deserve a guy like me, and I know I don't deserve a second chance. I just, really hope you can forgive me. I don't think I'd be here if it weren't for you."
"And that's the truth." he added shortly after, letting Haley's wrist go as quickly as he realized he was still holding onto the girl. Haley nodded her head, trying to show her appreciation yet let him know she wasn't letting him off the hook at the same time. He knew it wouldn't be that easy. Haley was stubborn, if there was one thing he had learnt throughout the years, it was that he was going to have to fight for her trust again.
"I'll probably see you around sometime. I'm warning you now - just don't kill Nathan."
"Wait - what are you talking about?" Lucas cocked an eyebrow.
"The team. My Dad's team." Haley responded with a shrug, before heading out of the room. Did the boy just hear what he thought he had? Did he really get on the team? "Just answer your phone when it rings, Scott."
Haley had been able to get home without punching anything at the idea of what was happening. How could her boyfriend of years and years be in love with her best friend? She had told herself earlier on that there would be no asking, or wondering, how long the affair had truly been going on. That their wandering eyes had been finding each other. That when Lucas would drop her off on their date nights that he would leave and find Peyton to finish off his night. Now she truly understood how Lucas could have been so understanding about Haley wanting to wait to have sex. He had her best friend to make up for what she didn't hand out. A sigh slipped from her lips as she parked her car in the driveway and sat for a few moments, staring up at the house she had lived in for most of her life. It was then that she really was regretting her choice. Could she really give them her blessing? They had hurt her in one of the worst ways possible. How could she sit back and watch them, knowing that their whole relationship was based on lying to her?
Grabbing her bag and taking the key out of the ignition, the blonde opened up the door to her car and headed towards the front door, letting herself into her house.
"Haley!? Where have you been?" a voice stopped her in her tracks, and Haley turned around on her heel - halfway up the stairway, seeing a blonde standing down on the landing.
"Just taking care of some things before it's too late." The older woman quirked an eyebrow curiously at the young graduate.
"Tell me the truth now, Haley."
"Anna, how am I supposed to be able to just forgive and forget and allow it to ... be?" Haley asked the woman hesitantly, not sure how to word her question so that it would be understandable. Taking a step down one of the stairs, she sat down on the top step while Anna followed her way up the steps and found a spot beside the girl.
"I don't know, Hales, but you can't hold it against them forever. It'll just eat you up inside, until you're bitter and angry at the rest of the world." Anna scooted closer to Haley and wrapped an arm around the other blonde. "There's no weakness in forgiveness, Haley. And if you can't forgive them, you can't really punish them either. You and Peyton have come so far, I don't think I can believe you guys can't get through this - one boy."
"It's not so much about that, it's just ... I found out today that that one boy loves her. And it's just ... I know Peyton has feelings for him too, but I don't think I could go through watching them be together when I know their relationship started out lying to me. I told myself a while back that I wouldn't let myself think about how long they had been lying, but it's hard not to think about it when it turns out he loves her, when he's supposed to love me."
"You've always known what to do, Haley. I can't help you with this one, this time." Anna cracked a small, sympathetic smile, squeezing the girl's shoulder lightly and kissing the side of her head before disappearing up the stairs.
It was the night before Haley James and Peyton Sawyer were set to leave town to Los Angeles, and in result, their parents were throwing them a going away party. "Nathan ... What are you doing here?" Haley asked, seeing the brunette haired boy coming through the front door of the Sawyer-James residence, the blonde found her way fully down the stairs as she reached Nathan Lee.
"Your uh-Dad, invited me." the boy replied hesitantly, "Is it okay that I'm here?" He couldn't help his eyes from wandering over the girl who looked perfect in her little black dress that hugged her in all the right places, showing off her curves.
"Yeah, sure. I've decided that I'm not leaving anything on a sour note."
"Good, 'cause I was hoping I didn't waste thirty bucks on this new shirt for nothing." Nathan joked lightly.
"Well, you didn't. And might I add, it fits you very well." she responded with a small smile, smoothing out his collar before stepping back, realizing that maybe what she had just done wasn't the best choice. "Uh - Want a drink?"
"I'd love one."
Peyton smirked lightly to herself as she watched the interaction between Haley and Nathan, patting herself on the back for getting Mr. James to invite him to the party. Little did she know, she had a surprise coming for herself, but that was for later. For now, she was focused on chatting with some friends and refilling the punch bowl. "So, my grown up daughter, are you enjoying yourself?" she heard a voice question.
"Yeah, thanks Mom." she responded, turning around before finding herself caught in an embrace. Her mother had been exceptionally affectionate for the past week, and Peyton had allowed it, knowing it was just her leaving finally hitting her mother.
"Oh-Oh! You have a guest asking for you." the woman soon changed the subject, pulling away from her daughter and turning her in the direction of a blonde haired boy in the corner of the room - obviously feeling awkward and uncomfortable.
"Why is he here?" she whipped around to her mother who simply shrugged and nodded her head towards Haley who was watching her while hanging around Nathan. Sending her a questioning glance, Haley nodded as though forcing her to go see him without having to give her a physical push. Peyton went, hesitantly, over towards the blonde. "What are you doing here, Lucas?"
"I came here to tell you I hope you have a good trip, and that I'm sorry, and ... to ask you to dance." he rambled, pausing briefly to wonder whether Peyton would actually agree. The curly blonde turned to look at Haley who winked at her with a sly smile, before she turned around and looked at Lucas' offering hand.
"Fine. But you say one stupid thing and you're out of here." she warned, taking his hand in hers before they found their way to the dance floor and a slow song came on.
"Haley -" Nathan offered the blonde his hand, and Haley nodded, taking it.
"Don't go thinking this is a free pass for you to feel me up, though." she added, with a smirk to show she was only kidding around. There was the old Haley.
"Aw, well I might as well just leave then." Nathan responded as they got to the dance floor and his hands found their right position - on her lower back, and the other intertwined in hers.
I can't believe it's cold enough to wear this coat I just put up
With every step on crowded streets
I'll hold my breath to watch it leave
It never sounded quite as nice you said my name
And closed your eyes
One more shot will get me to the morning
One more night will get me through today
If all I had was one more word
Than all that I could say
I would say goodbye to the girl who got away
"I never thought you'd be allowed in this house again." Peyton told Lucas honestly, as the couple swayed as one to the song.
"Yeah, me either. But, actually, Haley called me." Peyton's head shot up curiously, and Lucas shrugged in response, "I uh - told her, I loved you."
"Wha-?" she furrowed her eyebrows in confusion. Was he lying again?
"I uh - I love you Peyton. I mean it."
"I don't believe I'm hearing this." Peyton's eyes widened in disbelief. Lucas Scott loved her? Those were three words she never expected to hear from him.
"Not exactly the correct response, but I guess I'll take what I can get." he forced a short lived, awkward, laugh, before being interrupted by Peyton's lips crashing down on his own.
"I love you too." she said softly, before he kissed her once again.
I see your face it's everywhere I hear you name you're never there
One more shot will get me to the morning
One more night will get me through today
If all I had was one more word
Than all I that could say
I would say goodbye to the girl who got away
We talked about the film you'd seen
It remined you of you and me
From the glass of wine for which I paid
'Til I caught the cab you took away
One more last shot will get me through 'til morning
One more night will get me through today
"Whatever it takes, as long as it takes... I'm not going anywhere." he whispered in her ear, "I'll be here when you get back."
"Promise?" Haley questioned quietly.
"Promise." he repeated. And so, Nathan Lee received everything he could have ever dreamt of; a spot on the Charlotte Bobcats basketball team, an education from Duke University and hope. Hope that this girl, Haley James, would return to him someday and be able to love him, like he loved her. And, if you were to ask him if he would take back his lies, he may say yes, but he would never take back the chance he got to fall for Haley James. And that, well that was a fact.
If all I had was one more word
Than all that I could say
I would say goodbye to the girl who got away
Goodbye to the girl who got away
I would say goodbye to the girl who got away
THE END ... FOR NOW.