AN: First, thank you all for the wonderful reviews! I'm so glad you liked the inclusion of Joy's song and the Naley scene. Originally, Naley were supposed to reconcile in the shed. But when I heard that song and was writing the shed scene, they just didn't seem ready. I thought Haley reaching out to Nathan through the music and them coming together because it was their conscious choice was much more meaningful.
So this is the last chapter before the epilogue, which will be posted this week. There is a song in this chapter I took from one of my all-time favorite camp movies called Meatballs. Definitely a classic. Also, I was asked if I had any more fics planned. There is another story I have in mind, but I don't know when I'll get to writing it. Grad school is pretty demanding right now. If I do write it, I'd like to have a huge chunk finished before posting. That way I can post chapters more quickly, regardless of my busy schedule. You can check my profile or follow me on Twitter (Bindy_417) for updates.
Chapter 28
Nathan drew Haley against him and wrapped her tightly in his embrace. Their lips joined in a tentative caress at first, before the passion ignited into something fierce and possessive. For months, despite all the secret meetings and forbidden kisses, they'd been so far away from each other. Her loss had been like a black hole in Nathan's heart. It grew stronger every day, threatening to paralyze him and leach any attempts at happiness. Kissing Haley now, after finally admitting the truth, felt like he'd gain a crucial piece of himself back. Being with her was like coming home.
Haley's knees felt weak as she clung to Nathan. It was like the tension had just melted from her body, taking all of her doubts and fears with it. She sank into Nathan and let him support her. With each kiss, she could feel her heart healing. The enormous weight that had been on her chest was gone. Finally, she could breathe again.
It wasn't until he tasted the salt that Nathan realized Haley was crying. He pulled away just enough to look into her eyes. Tears spilled down her cheeks. Gently, he wiped them away with his thumb. It did little good as more came.
"Hales, what's wrong?" he asked, concerned.
Unable to speak, Haley shook her head. Her entire body was trembling. Nathan drew Haley close once more and let her bury her head in his neck. He whispered comforting words in her ear and rubbed her back as she sobbed.
"I'm sorry," Haley muttered after a couple of minutes. "It's been a long summer."
"I know," Nathan soothed.
"I'm just so relieved. And happy."
"Me, too."
She looked up at him. "And mad that we wasted so much time fighting."
"I feel the same way," Nathan replied, running a hand through her golden locks. "But I think we needed to work through all of this. Everything is about to change, but I know now that not having you in my life isn't something I'm willing to accept."
"Me neither." She placed her hand on his cheek. A smile started to form before a curious frown took its place. "Not that I'm complaining, but why were you so willing to let me go before?"
Nathan sighed and leaned his forehead against hers. "Because in that moment I was frustrated and kind of scared. I didn't know how much more I could take, and I thought being the one to walk away would lessen the pain. I did notice a change in you this summer. You've always been strong, but there was this new kind of confidence.
"I've always known how important your music is but Chris and Jake, as jealous as I was of them, they got that more than me and they pushed you. You were so great tonight and that day at the game. They helped get you to that point. All I've done this summer is make you doubt yourself. I held you back, and I'm so glad that you succeeded in spite of that."
Haley was quiet for a moment as she chose her words carefully. She couldn't for a second let Nathan believe that he wasn't a part of her success. It threatened to break her heart all over again. "The only reason I doubted myself was because of the bad decision I had made. Yes, Chris and Jake helped me with my music. Maybe they even helped me write the lyrics for a few songs. But if it weren't for the feelings you ignited in me, there wouldn't have been a reason for the music. I would be empty, Nathan. Every song I've written has been about us."
"But you've got so much talent, Hales."
"So do you," Haley fiercely replied. "You're the most fearless person I know. No one has a greater hold on me than you. No one inspires me more than you." She wrapped her arms around his neck. "Being the youngest of six children, it's easy to get lost in the shuffle. You were the first person to really notice me. You gave me the confidence to break out of that."
Her words put his previous doubts at ease. Pecking her lips, he started to tease, "Well, you were pretty hot when you were insulting me."
"You totally deserved it," she joked back, forcing him to kiss her full on. It was so good to see him actually smiling again. It was even better to feel him kissing her into oblivion.
"So right here, right now, I say we let it all go," Nathan proposed in between kisses. "I love you. You definitely love me. All is forgiven."
"All is forgiven," Haley agreed, gasping as he traced the length of her neck with his mouth. She hated to bring it up and ruin their reunion, but the question couldn't be avoided. "What are we going to do about school?"
Nathan met her gaze. "Whitey tried to explain something to me. I didn't get it at first, but I get it now. It's okay that you want Stanford and I want Duke. We owe it to ourselves and each other to follow our dreams," he explained. "What really matters is that we still want each other."
"So basically we'll be texting like crazy and having Skype dates," Haley concluded.
"Don't forget the phone sex." His chuckle turned into a groan when she smacked him. It was totally worth it to see her face turn cherry red.
"You are so bad."
"You love it. Just remember that when some stuffy, cardigan-wearing future brain surgeon starts trying to hit on you."
"Oh yeah, and I'm supposed to believe that some big-breasted, blond bimbo sorority girl isn't going to make a play for you, Mr. Basketball Star?"
"I'll just start rambling about how hot and sexy my girlfriend is. I'll even pull your picture out of my wallet. Eventually, she'll get so bored she'll be desperate to get away from me."
"Mm hm," Haley mumbled, playfully narrowing her eyes at him.
His expression turned serious. "We'll try the long-distance thing. But I think we should make a pact. If either one of us wants to transfer at some point, we can. No argument whatsoever. We trust in the other's decision. Deal?"
"Deal." Her fingers ran along the nape of his neck as her lips hovered over his. She couldn't stop touching him. "Should we seal it with a kiss?"
His voice turned husky. "Only way to make it legit." He closed the distance between them and groaned when her tongue ran across his lower lip. "You are going to kill me, Haley James."
"Just making sure it sticks," she breathed, unable to pull away. It didn't seem like Nathan was quite ready to come up for air either. They had a lot of lost time to make up for. She shivered when his hands ran down the length of her curves.
"Are you cold?" Nathan inquired. "They're having a campfire-"
She kissed along his jaw. "I don't need the campfire. I've got you."
Nathan took her face in his hands and grinned. "Yeah, you do."
"Why did I encourage them to get back together again?" Brooke teased, causing the others to laugh.
Haley pulled away from Nathan mid-kiss, blushing furiously. It wasn't the first time they'd been caught making out tonight. She kept forgetting that they had an audience. It was difficult to concentrate on anything else with Nathan so close again.
The night they'd chosen to get back together, they'd stayed at the lake kissing and talking. After watching the sunrise, they went to the mess hall for breakfast. The catcalls and cheers their friends gave them when they walked in were embarrassing, to say the least. But they meant well and were thrilled to see them reconciled. Brooke, in particular, wouldn't shut up about how their scheming had paid off.
Unfortunately, Haley still couldn't be with Nathan as much as she wanted. With the campers gone, all of the counselors and junior counselors had to finish closing the camp down. Most of the equipment and outdoor furniture had been put in storage. Windows were covered and storage areas were locked. Camp Aldrich looked bare and abandoned, so unlike the busy, fun atmosphere she was used to. In a way, seeing it like this made leaving that much sadder than the year before.
Tonight was their last night at camp. A huge bonfire had been constructed. Music was blasting and spiked punch, courtesy of Grubbs, was passed around. After all of their hard work this summer, the counselors wanted to party one last time. The fall chill was in the air, and people huddled in groups to keep warm.
Haley and her friends had danced for a while before taking a seat by the fire. She'd snuggled into Nathan's side and sighed in contentment. To be surrounded by the people she loved, this was all she wanted this summer.
"Oh, leave them alone," Lucas jokingly chided, for once not complaining that seeing them kiss would make him go blind. "Have some more punch."
"Broody, are you trying to get me drunk?"
"Yup."
"I hope this means you plan on doing very naughty things to me later," Brooke replied, wriggling her eyebrows suggestively. She took a long sip.
Jake chuckled and drank his own punch. "That's more than I need to know."
"This is my third cup and I don't feel a thing," Tim slurred, tipping his cup upside down and spilling the remaining liquid on his pants. "What the...did I wet myself?"
"I think you're done, Timmy," Kat declared and took the cup from him. She handed him a bottle of water. "Drink up."
"I haven't done that since fifth grade." He put his finger to his mouth and made an obnoxious shushing sound. "Don't tell anyone, Kitty Kat."
"I don't have to," Kat muttered. "You just did."
The group chuckled. As usual, Tim was their main source of entertainment.
"Babe, I think your marshmallow is on fire," Jake said to Peyton.
"I like it burnt. It's black, like my soul."
"Well, you'll definitely have the tortured artist thing down at art school." He handed her the graham crackers and chocolate before passing it to Haley.
"No, we won't talk about that," Brooke interjected. "No S-word and no C-word."
Tim frowned. "What C-word? The only bad one I know is cu-"
"College," Kat hastily interrupted. "She means college."
Haley felt Nathan's hold on her tighten. He must be thinking the same thing. Their time together, though wonderful, was seriously limited. She squeezed him back and rested her head on his shoulder.
"Oh. That," Tim belched loudly.
"Yup, Tim will fit right in at the fraternities," Lucas chuckled.
Brooke stole a piece of chocolate from Peyton and smiled when the blonde protested. "Do community colleges have fraternities?"
"I'm only going to community college until I can transfer to a state school. They have the fraternities. Nate, you going to join any at Duke?"
"According to Bobby, Coach K sort of discourages it." Nathan shrugged. "Not that I care. You don't need to be in a fraternity when you're on the basketball team. They practically beg us to come to their parties."
"Nice to know it hasn't gone to your head," Peyton teased, biting into her S'more.
Haley's stomach grumbled. Dinner had been difficult to get down, now that the camp was trying to get rid of their leftovers. She hadn't eaten much, so she was starving.
"Is my marshmallow almost done?" Haley questioned Nathan.
"A couple more minutes."
Peyton rolled her eyes. "You're so slow."
"Hey, a good toasted marshmallow takes time." He kissed Haley's cheek. "Trust me. I've got this."
She smiled and kissed his lips. "Of course you do."
Peyton leaned her head on Jake's shoulder. "I can't believe the summer is already over."
"P. Sawyer, will you stop?" Brooke scolded. "All this talk of school is killing my buzz."
"I'm just saying, it's going to happen. This is probably the last time we'll all be together like this for a while. We have to at least acknowledge it."
"I think we should go around and say one thing we're most excited about," Kat suggested. "I'll go first. I can't wait to explore Los Angeles and spot my first celebrity."
Tim looked like he was thinking hard. "I can't wait to get my first A in school." The group seemed surprised by that answer. He continued, his words completely serious, "I never thought I'd graduate high school. I'm ready for a fresh start with college."
Kat was beaming. "That's so sweet." She kissed his cheek.
"I also can't wait to do my first college keg stand," he added.
"And he's back," Nathan declared, shaking his head.
Lucas was next. "Becoming a Tar Heel. That's what I'm looking forward to."
"A New York shopping spree," Brooke exclaimed. "And my first sale when I create my own clothing line."
Peyton smiled mischievously. "My first nude painting class." She nudged Jake. "This one here is too shy."
"Call me crazy, but I don't want my manhood on display for the masses. Not my thing." Jake picked up his guitar and strummed it. "I can't wait until I play in my first college coffee shop."
"First day of classes," Haley said. "That's what I'm excited about."
Lucas snorted. "That's almost as bad as you making me play pretend SAT's."
"You are such a nerd," Nathan affectionately teased
"I can't help it if I love school. That's why I'm Tutor Girl."
"Nathan, what about you?" Brooke questioned. "You're last, so it better be good."
"Mine's easy. I'm looking forward to phone sex with Haley."
Lucas choked on his drink mid-sip and spat it into the fire. The flames ignited as their friends roared with laughter.
Haley had turned a bright red. "Nathan!" she scolded before looking to her friends. "He's just kidding." Haley jabbed him in the ribs. He was having too much fun torturing her with that. "Tell them."
"Oh, you can't fool us, Tutor Slut," Brooke replied. "We always knew you had a bad girl in there somewhere. Weren't you the one that left Clean Teens by flashing the school?"
"I was making a statement, not offering a free peep show," Haley defended, her cheeks coloring.
"I can't deal with this," Lucas coughed. "I did not need to hear that. I really did not need to hear that."
"She's right, I'm kidding," Nathan amended. "Brooke told me to make it good." If Haley hit him any harder, he was going to have bruises. "Seriously, I can't wait for my first game as a Duke Blue Devil. I've been dreaming of it ever since I was a kid."
"I can't wait to watch his first game on TV. You're going to be great," Haley encouraged and kissed him.
"What about me?" Lucas replied, finally getting his coughing under control.
"Don't you worry, Broody. I'll always be your personal cheerleader," Brooke spoke up. She stared into her cup as her eyes turned glassy. "Aside from Peyton and Jake, we're all going to be separated."
"No, we are not going to get sad," Peyton declared. "So what if we're in different places?"
"Yeah," Tim piped in. "We're all going to be friends forever. I know it."
Lucas nodded in agreement. "We'll always have this place. It's where we all came together, and it's where we'll be again in a year from now."
"You're saying we should come back here?" Jake asked. He seemed to think about it and grinned. "It's a great idea."
"It'll be like tradition," Haley agreed. "The rest of the year we do what we have to do, but the summer will always be ours."
"I'm down for it." Nathan couldn't think of a better way for them all to come together and reconnect. That was the scariest part-embracing the future without losing sight of your past.
"Then it's settled. We'll spend every summer until graduation here." Brooke raised her cup in the air and the others followed suit. They then drank to seal the deal.
"Holy monkey balls it's getting cold out here," whined Alex. She pushed Julian into a seat by the fire before sitting on his lap.
"Please, dear God, let me not have to deal with this one every summer," Brooke muttered, rolling her eyes.
"What are you guys talking about?" Alex asked.
"If you must know, we were having a moment. Which you've managed to ruin like everything else."
"Obviously someone is grumpy because she hasn't had a S'more. Tubby girls get like that."
If looks could kill, Brooke would have already fried Alex with her death glare. Those two made trading insults look like an Olympic sport.
Haley happily took her own S'more that Nathan had made her. She bit into it and moaned at the warm, gooey center. "Oh my God, this is good."
"I told you I had skills," Nathan bragged while wiping away a spec of chocolate that had gotten on her cheek.
"Aren't you two just adorable," Chris mocked, approaching them. "So this is where the party is."
"What do you want, Keller?" Nathan demanded. Just because he wasn't jealous of the guy anymore didn't mean that he wasn't still annoyed by him.
"You didn't think Chris Keller would pass up the chance to spend some time with his protégé before she leaves." He winked at Haley. "Right, Frosting Doodle? Scoot over, Jake. Make some room for the Keller."
"Is he for real?" Nathan whispered to Haley.
"He's a pain, but he's harmless," she assured him and giggled when Nathan pulled her tighter against him. He was so protective, and she loved it.
"So are we going to sing the song?" Julian spoke up. "Grubbs said it was part of our graduation."
"What song?" Alex asked, sitting up straighter.
Chris took it upon himself to answer. "There's a special song the counselors sing with the CIT's at the end of every summer." He picked up Jake's guitar and shouted to Grubbs. Grubbs took the hint and had everyone gather around the fire.
Chris started to play the guitar and sang:
We are the CIT's so pity us.
The kids are brats, the food is hideous.
We're gonna smoke and drink and fool around, we're nookie bound.
We're Aldrich CIT's.
"Think you all can handle that?" Grubbs called.
After one loud cheer, the group joined in the second time. Chris played it faster and faster until people got tongue-tied and started laughing. He held the last note, and everyone sang at the top of their lungs-quite off key and out of sync.
"By the power invested in me by Camp Aldrich," Chris shouted above the noise, "I now proclaim you CIT's full-fledged counselors."
There was clapping and drunken high-fives before the regular music was cranked up once more.
Chris sat back down and handed Jake his guitar. "Half these people probably won't be here next year. Not everyone comes back even though they've passed the program." He looked from Haley to her friends. "What about you guys?"
Haley glanced up at Nathan. He grinned and looked to the rest of their group. Camp Aldrich wasn't just a summer job to them. It was the glue that brought and held them all together. It was the glue that mended the broken pieces of her and Nathan's relationship. That was something she would never forsake, and neither would her friends.
"We'll be back next year," Haley proudly declared. "Nothing could keep us away."
It was hard to breathe. People were coming and going every which way as boarding announcements were made for another flight. The hustle and bustle of the busy airport was daunting. Haley's plane would be leaving soon enough but if her mother didn't let go of her, she wasn't going to be conscious to catch it.
"Make sure you call us as soon as you land," her mother said.
Her father added, "And when you get to your dorm."
"Don't worry about the time difference. Any time you need us-"
"Mom," Haley croaked. "I need air."
"Oh, sorry." Lydia let her go and took a step back. "After the first five kids, you'd think I would've gotten the hang of it by now."
"She is our baby," Jimmy said and wrapped his arm securely around her shoulders.
"Seriously, you guys are acting like you're never going to see me again," Haley joked, causing her mom to tear up. "Mom..."
Lydia dabbed at her eyes with her already soaked tissue. "Don't mind me. You go to Stanford, and you enjoy yourself. You've earned it, Haley Bop. We're so proud of you."
Haley smiled at her mom before looking over at Lucas and Karen. They'd been patiently waiting for their turn to say good-bye.
Karen embraced her first. "We're going to miss you, kiddo. Thanksgiving can't come soon enough. You're coming back to spend it with all of us, right?"
"Yes, I am. I'll miss you guys, too." Haley's words couldn't ring more true. Karen and Lucas had been a second family to her. It was going to be weird waking up in the morning and not stopping by the cafe to get in a shift or simply say hi. It was such an important part of her.
Lucas didn't say anything as he wrapped his arms around her. Haley didn't say anything either. After a lifetime of friendship, they didn't need to. Both knew how much they meant to the other. No matter what changed, they would be a permanent fixture in each other's lives. With one last squeeze, they let go.
Haley gave Lucas a sad smile before searching the crowd. Nathan had promised he'd be here, but time was running out. She still had to get through security and find her gate. The process was all too familiar. Just yesterday they'd said goodbye to Brooke, who couldn't stop crying.
A couple of days before that was Peyton and Jake. Kat still had a few more days, but her family was throwing her a going-away party today. So she and Tim had said goodbye to Haley last night.
The disappointment must have been written on her face because Lucas said, "He's coming. No way he'd miss this."
While she loved her friends and family, there was one person Haley absolutely had to see before she left. It wouldn't feel right if she didn't.
They all chatted for a couple of minutes, while Haley nervously kept glancing at her watch. Her mother said something in her ear about it being time to go. Haley panicked, preparing to stall. Just when she thought she couldn't stand it anymore, someone called her name.
Relief swept through her at the sight of Nathan working his way through the crowd. Haley met him halfway and threw herself into his arms. "I'm so sorry," he apologized. "I got held up."
"That's okay. As long as you're here now." Her parents and Lucas and Karen kept their distance. Probably to give them some time alone to say goodbye.
"Trust me, there's no way I'm letting you go that easy ever again." He cupped her cheek and guided her lips to his. They'd tried to make the most of their remaining time together. Whether it was hanging out at the cafe and River Court or helping each other pack, they were practically attached at the hip. That is until today. Nathan said he had to do something earlier, but that he'd definitely be at the airport in time to say goodbye.
"I love you," Haley whispered against his lips, unable to hold on tight enough. "So much."
"I love you, too." He wiped at the tears running down her cheeks. It was the first time he'd seen her cry since leaving camp. Nathan knew she was trying to be strong. "I have something for you. It's why I was late. I couldn't quite remember which brick to move." He pulled a small tin box from his pocket.
"Oh my God," Haley couldn't help but laugh. "I can't believe you remembered that."
"You said it was tradition every year to make a prediction before school starts. I wanted you to see mine from last year." He unfolded the paper and handed it to Haley. His hands returned to her waist, needing to touch her for as long as he still could.
She rested the paper against his chest and read: "'This year we'll be state champions. I'll finally be free from my father. Haley and I will...'" The words caught in her throat. For a second, she thought she was seeing things. "'Haley and I will be engaged.' Nathan..."
"It might have been a little ambitious, but it's how I felt. It's how I still feel."
Her curious eyes met his confident ones. "Are you...?" She felt like she might pass out from a lack of oxygen.
"Proposing? No. At least not right now." He grabbed something from his other pocket. "But I want you to have this." It was a small gold ring with two interconnected hearts. At the bottom of the hearts were a row of small diamonds. Nathan turned it so the inside of the band showed. Their names were engraved, along with the date of their first day at camp together.
"Will you wear this?" Nathan asked.
Haley stared in awe at the promise ring he was offering her. She couldn't get the words out fast enough. "Of course I will." Nathan slid it onto the ring finger of her left hand. "It's beautiful," she said when it caught the light.
"You're beautiful," he whispered, taking her hand. Nathan touched the ring before kissing it. "I am going to marry you someday, Haley James. I promise."
Stroking his face, she smiled. "I'm going to hold you to that, Nathan Scott." Haley didn't care who could see them. She poured every ounce of love she had for Nathan into that kiss. Four months ago it felt like she had lost everything. Now she was getting more than she'd ever dreamed. And it was only the beginning.
"I hate to break up the love-fest but, Hales, your parents said it's time," Lucas interrupted.
Nathan smirked at the blush forming on her face. She said she'd be there in a minute before turning back to him. "Unfortunately, I have to go."
"I know. I'm not saying goodbye, though. That's not what this is."
"No, it's not. But I am going to miss you." In classic Tutor Girl fashion, she pulled a pen out of her pocket and gestured for Nathan to hand her the paper again. "We can't forget tradition already."
Smirking, he followed suit and wrote his own predictions down for the next year. Once they were sealed, he kissed Haley again and brought her back to her friends and family. There were more quick hugs before she grabbed her things to head over to the security line.
When she was through, she waved back at them. Lydia and Karen were clinging to each other as they dabbed their teary eyes. Jimmy was waving like a fool, clearly using comedy to keep from getting choked up. Lucas was brooding but smiling.
Nathan waited for her eyes to finally reach him. When they did, he could see Haley trying to memorize every part of him. He was doing the same and felt the familiar stutter in his heart as she mouthed "always and forever." Haley turned around and descended into the terminal. And just like that, she was gone.
