This Time Around
By: Sari
Disclaimer: OTH isn't mine. It belongs to Warner Brothers and those other cool people. Kali and any other character you've never heard of, however, are ALL mine.
Chapter 19: New York, New York
They were ready for the countdown, forty-five of Kali's closest friends with some adults as chaperones crouched down behind various objects and furniture strewn about the room. Any minute now, Jake would be arriving with Kali who, to the party-planning committee's surprise, didn't know anything about the party. Everyone who had been invited had been very secretive about the event, hoping to give Kali the best gift they could give her: their love and their best wishes for her future.
The summer house was decorated inside and out, the front hall had been turned into a New York City block. Posters of taxi cabs whizzing by on the street, street light replicas placed strategically around the hall, and decorations made the hall look festive and inviting only the precursor to what was to come. The living room had been converted into Broadway thanks to Peyton's artistic ingenuity. The backyard, which was connected to the beach, had a stage and dance area set up for the entertainment, the only part of the house that hadn't been touched by the group was the kitchen which was strictly reserved for the reheating of food. The gang had clearly lived up to the expectations of making the best party of the year.
The door squeaked open and everyone quieted down, waiting anxiously to hear Kali and Jake's footsteps into the room which would be their cue. With an exclamation of surprise, Kali walked into the room and the party begun.
"SURPRISE!" Over forty voices shouted at her. Flashbulbs went off as Lucas, the resident photographer, took pictures of Kali's shocked expression.
"Oh my god…you guys did this all for me?" She asked tearfully.
Haley gave her a huge smile hugging her tightly. "This is all for you K, we wanted to send you to New York with a bang."
Kali looked around taking in the rooms that had been transformed into a microcosm of New York. "Who did all of it? The decorating?" She asked, obviously in awe.
"Peyton did." Brooke said smiling. "Just think of it as an extra peace offering."
Peyton, who was standing shyly behind Brooke, was tackled by Kali who pulled her into a tight hug. "Thank you so much Peyton. This means a lot to me that you did it."
Brooke laughed happily. "Alright, enough of the mushy stuff. Let's get this party started!"
Kali giggled and allowed herself to be pulled into the crowd of people that were dancing outside. She gyrated, rotated, danced, and grinded with every boy and girl on the dance floor. Generally the gang just had a good time. Under the supervision of Karen, Keith, and Deb drinks were passed out for those old enough and wine coolers (non-alcoholic of course) for the minors. It went on like this until a voice was heard from the stage.
"Hey guys! I'm Peyton Sawyer, one of the six hosts of your party and your DJ for the night. We have something special for the Kali, who is leaving us tomorrow. Haley James is going to sing all of you a song."
The crowd cheered as Haley walked on stage, quieting down when she began to speak.
"Kali, this song is dedicated to you! I don't really like to sing in front of audiences but this is a special occasion and I just couldn't help it."
Staring at a maple leaf
Leaning on the mother tree
I said to myself we all lost touch
Your favorite fruit is chocolate covered cherries
And seedless watermelon
Nothing from the ground is good enough
Body rise
Look what's over me
Oh Chariot your golden waves
Are walking down upon this face
Oh Chariot I'm singing out loud
To guide me
Give me your…
Strength
Remember seeking moons of birth
Rains made mirrors of the earth
The sun was just yellow energy
If there is a living promise land
Even over fields of sand
Seasons fill my body
Cover me
Bringing back
More than a memory
Oh Chariot your golden waves
Are walking down upon this face
Oh Chariot I'm singing out loud
To guide me
Give me your…
Strength
You'll be my vacation away from this place
You know what I want
Holding that cup,
It's Pouring over the sides
Make me wanna spread my arms and fly
Oh Chariot your golden waves
Are walking down upon this face
Oh Chariot I'm singing out loud
To guide me
Give me your…
Strength
Give me Your Strength
Haley smiled brightly at Kali as she came up on the stage during the last few lines of the song. They sung the last part of the chorus together, although Kali's voice was choked up with tears. "Thank you so much Haley. You're voice is beautiful and the song was beautiful…" She trailed off, tears running down her face again.
"No problem Kali" Haley said. "I don't know how much times we're going to say you deserved this party and that means everything in it."
After Haley's song, Peyton had gone back to DJ'ing and the other members of the group had decided to sit together on the stage, watching the happenings of the party.
"So I'd say this was a success." Nathan said, laughing at one guy who was being yelled at by two girls.
Lucas nodded. "Kali's happy, everyone else is having a good time, and our popularity points went up a couple notches again. All in all, I'd say everything is all good."
Nathan grinned at his brother. "Where'd Jake and Kali go?"
"Off to say their goodbyes again I guess. I feel bad for those two you know? They could have had something special. Jake deserves something like that and so does Kali."
Nathan sighed, running a hand through his unruly dark hair. "Maybe it will all work out in the end. If you're meant to be you're meant to be."
Lucas grinned. "Since when did you become such a romantic?"
"Getting married does that to you. When you're bound to one person for the rest of your life a lot of things come into perspective. I know it must sound sappy but Hales is the one for me and she made me a believer."
"Believer in what?"
"That everyone has their soul mate, somewhere out there just waiting to be found. I'm lucky I found mine so early."
"That's not sappy." Lucas said. "Nate, you've been through a lot and Hales has been good for you. I'm really happy for you two."
"And I'm happy for you and Brooke." He responded. "You guys finally made it."
Lucas smiled happily. "Yeah, I guess both of us finally did make it bro." He slapped his brothers back before leaving him alone, going off into the horde of teenagers to find Brooke.
Some distance away from the main party, Jake and Kali sat side by side on the beach looking into the waves each hoping desperately that the minutes would slow down. Their hands were entwined and their bodies leaning into each other, just savoring the comforting blanket that surrounded them. Finally, as if emerging for a dream into harsh reality, tears once again splashed down Kali's face. One's that she couldn't stop even if she tried.
"So I'm gone in less than 8 hours." She mumbled into his chest. "I'm going to miss you so much."
Jake sighed, wiping away the tears he could. "I'm going to miss you too K. We have the telephone though and email, vacations, and surprise visits."
She shook her head. "It won't be the same though." Refusing to meet his eyes, choosing to instead stare into the dark, depressing waves she continued. "You're going to meet a new girl, or even worse rediscover an old friend and you two are going to connect on a level deeper than we ever did and then I'm going to be forgotten. That's how long distance relationships always work out, it happened to my parents. It'll happen to us."
Jake shook his head adamantly. "We choose what happens in our lives K, if we don't want to forget each other it won't happen."
Kali laughed cynically. "Jake I'm miles away in the big city, you're here in Tree Hill we're going to become a victim of circumstance just like every other couple."
He grabbed her face gently, making sure she was looking at him. "K, don't give up on us. I'm not going to."
She pulled away burying her face in her hands hiding away from his caring eyes and his inviting words. She was living in the real word, whereas obviously he was not. She looked up once she felt the something weigh down on her wrist.
"What?" She asked looking up and then down at her wrist. Jake was attaching a beautiful gold charm bracelet to her hand; on every charm was a different date, each one commemorating a special moment in their relationship. "Oh Jake…" She murmured.
He smiled at her, kissing her softly on the forehead, then the nose, then both cheeks, until finally placing a gently kiss on her lips. "A long time ago I found a quote that I thought would never apply to my life, but then I met you and I suddenly realized I had found it with you."
"What's the quote?" She asked tearfully.
"It's by Krishnamurti, 'the moments you have in your heart this extraordinary thing called love and feel the depth, the delight, the ecstasy of it, you will discover that for you the world is transformed.' I found love when I found you Kali, and you changed my world. I love you." He whispered.
"Oh Jake…that's beautiful" Kali gasped, kissing him forcefully. "I love you too."
He stood up, pulling her up as well. "We should get back."
She nodded. "Yeah, they're probably waiting for us. This is my party after all."
The couple walked back slowly, hands intertwined smiling and laughing, just enjoying the little time they had left together. They finally reached the house where they were immediately accosted by Brooke.
"Where the hell have you two been? We want to open the presents!" She shouted.
Kali held up her arm so the light caught on the gold bracelet immediately drawing Brooke's eyes to it. She squealed loudly and whistled at the beautiful bracelet.
"So is this what you were hiding from us Jake?" Brooke asked.
Jake nodded. "I didn't want you to spill it to her."
Brooke rolled her eyes, "I wouldn't have." She dragged Kali over to where Lucas was setting up the table with the gifts. By this time, almost two in the morning, the only people that remained were the ones passed out on the floor or close friends of the group. He looked up as they approached.
"Hey K, haven't seen you the whole party."
"Never mind that." Brooke said impatiently. "Do you see what Jake got her? It's beautiful! Lucas, Valentine's Day is coming soon I think you should be taking notes."
Lucas rolled his eyes. "Of course honey, I've been following around Jake all day so he could tell me his secrets. You'll find some out when we go to bed."
Brooke blushed before swatting Lucas on the arm. "Shut up!"
Kali laughed at them. "Where are Nate and Hales?"
He shrugged. "Last I saw them, passed out somewhere upstairs. So it's only us four that will be doing the present opening then you three can help me kick the last of these people out."
Brooke nodded before grabbing the large card from the hallway. "First off here's the card."
Kali laughed at it, looking at all the cute phrases and memories her friends had left in the card. They went on for like that for at least a half hour laughing at all the silly gifts people had given her. From a huge box of condoms with a note to "watch out for AIDS in NY" to a gift card to FAO Schwarz because "you can't deny the kid in you" her friends had recognized every possible need she might have going to New York, living in New York, and contacting them from New York.
Focusing on the presents she received from her closest friends she tucked away over 20 phone cards that Lucas had bought her, the 2-way messenger that Brooke had gotten her, the sketchbook filled with sketches of the whole group she had received from Peyton, the autographed basketball from Nathan, and the books that Haley had bought her. She was truly overwhelmed by the love they had shown her.
She settled on the couch while Lucas, Brooke, and Jake pushed all the stragglers out of the house. She was eventually lulled into a nap by the soothing music playing. A few minutes later, Jake shook her awake.
"You're plane is going to leave at 8 am, I should take you home."
She nodded sleepily. "Mmhmm…"
"Hey guys we're leaving!" Jake shouted towards the kitchen.
Lucas ran out. "Wait!"
"Let me go wake up the rest of the guys, they'll want to see you off. We're not all going to be able to make it to the airport in a couple of hours." Brooke said rushing upstairs. She came bounding down the stairs again with Nathan, Haley, Keith, Karen, and Deb.
Haley had already started the water works, tears streaming down her face as she hugged Kali tightly to her. "I love you girl, you keep in touch okay?"
Kali smiled, trying hard not to break down. "I love you too Hales and you know I will. There are just some friends you never lose contact with and you're one of them."
It went on like this for Nathan, Karen, Deb, Keith, and Peyton. Only Jake, Brooke, and Lucas were going to accompany her to the airport.
Finally, when all the goodbyes were said and the last teardrop shed Brooke decided to take pictures. "You can never have enough pictures!" She said.
So they posed: Adults in the back, boys in the middle, and girls kneeling in front. The last straggler who had not yet left the one who took the picture.
They handed the Polaroid to Kali and kissed her once again.
"A picture is worth a thousand words, K, don't forget us." Haley whispered.
Kali nodded. "I couldn't even if I tried."
Next time: The final chapter where everything comes to an end.
A/N: Whoo, successful chapter here! I absolutely loved this one for all the Jake/Kali fluff. The two people who volunteered to be a beta thank you so much but someone from livejournal asked before I got your reviews so she will be betaing for me. Thanks so much for being so kind to offer though! You guys…the last chapter is finally here! –cries- I'm going to miss this story but we always have the sequel! Last chapter up in a couple of days. Review please!