Chapter 48: After You've Had a Few

"So Nate, how's life treating you?" Skills asked as he balanced Bevin on his knees. She was facing the other way talking to some girl in the other direction.

Nathan grinned. "How do you think?"

Skills smiled. "I'd say you're on top of the world."

"I'd have to agree."

"Yeah, how you ever managed to get with someone as classy as Haley is beyond me," Skills said raising his eyebrows.

"Shut up man," Nathan smiled and shook his head.

"Things are really different than the beginning of this year."

"I know," Nathan sighed and let out a whistle thinking about it.

"Well I'm just glad everything worked out for the best."

"I am too."

They were a silent for a few minutes thinking about it. "So how are you and Bevin?"

"We're good. Complete opposites in every way," Skills paused and smiled at this part, "But I guess that's what makes it work."

"I know what you mean."

"So tell me, why aren't you over there with your girl?"

"Oh we made this rule that we would mingle at the party since we spend too much time together."

"Sounds fun," he teased.

"Haha."

"Seriously man, you know if you don't hang out with her, some horny dude might go up to her."

"I have to go," Nathan said hurriedly standing up.

"I thought you might," Skills said laughing.

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"Haley," Nathan said sounding out of breath as he towered above her.

"I think I'm gonna go," Jake said awkwardly jumping up and making his escape.

"Hey Nathan," she smiled.

Nathan was a little surprised. He figured she'd chew him out for breaking the rule, but instead she seemed glad to see him. That was weird.

"Hey."

"What's up?" she asked still smiling.

"I missed you."

"Oh thank God I missed you too. I was getting so bored. Not that Jake's boring, but I just wanted to hang out with you and,"

Nathan captured her lips in his and silenced her. He eased his way onto the couch next to her and let his hands rest around her waist. He finally let go of her and placed his forehead against hers.

"I just didn't want to break that silly rule," she finished lamely.

He nodded touching her lips with his again but not really kissing them, more like resting them there. He could feel the curve of her lips turn upward.

"We should go," she whispered.

"I thought you'd never ask," he smiled and helped her up off the couch.

"Yeah well it took you long enough to come over," she smiled getting the last laugh.

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About an hour later, as the party began to wind down and groups of drunken teenagers dispersed all over the beach, Lucas sat down on a stool in the now disheveled kitchen.

"Where's Haley?' he asked Peyton and Jake who were leaning against the countertops.

"She and Nathan left like ages ago," Brooke said coming into the kitchen and plopping herself down in the stool next to Lucas's. She nuzzled her head against his and rested it down on his shoulder.

"What happened to the rule?"

"Please. As far as I'm concerned they're the smart ones. They left early while the rest of us are too tired out to even do anything fun."

"Yeah, and as far as I'm concerned, Nathan's too horny and making Haley go along with it," Lucas retorted.

"Oh shut up," Brooke said lightly slapping his cheek, "Girls get horny too."

"Occasionally," Peyton smiled and then let out a huge yawn, "Man I am tired."

"Luke, man I think this party was a little too fun," Jake said smiling.

"I had a good time," Brooke countered.

"Yeah because you're a social butterfly."

"You used to be like that," Brooke said pouting.

"Yeah and then I got serious, so I wouldn't do something stupid like get drunk and make-out with random girls."

"Oh yes that would be bad," Brooke kissed Lucas lightly.

"Right so I think we'll be leaving now," Jake joked.

"Actually, I really am tired," Peyton smiled, "So I think we should go."

"Alright catch you later man," Jake said high fiving Lucas, "Have fun Brooke."

Peyton gave both of them hugs goodbye, but the one with Lucas lingered. "Follow your heart Peyton," he whispered.

She nodded and smiled before walking out with Jake.

"So," Lucas said turning to Brooke, "Are you really that tired?"

"Well I think I might have some energy left somewhere," Brooke smiled, her dimples prominently displayed on her face.

"I was hoping," he said smiling back.

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Haley smiled still loving the feel of Nathan next to her. She would never get tired of it. Not that she ever wanted to. She reached out and gently stroked Nathan's shoulder waking him up.

"Hey," he said rolling over, and smiling at her, "Couldn't sleep?"

"Nope, I just wanted to talk to you."

"Always a great reason," he smiled again in the darkness.

"Actually when I think about it, you're not the best conversationalist in the world. I could do better," Haley teased.

"Hmm that's too bad. Because you're perfect."

"You really think so?"

"Yes," he said truthfully, kissing her forehead and then her eyelids as they fluttered.

"I love you."

He responded by kissing her again, this time on the mouth. At first the kisses were slow and tender but they quickly became more heated and Haley moaned softly as his hands traced out the shape and lines of her body. She pressed her hands firmly against his stomach and then tickled them until her arms were wrapped around him her hands on his back rubbing up and down. Nathan smiled and burrowed his head into her neck kissing it softly.

"Definitely perfect," he whispered into her ear.

"I'm glad you came to get me tonight," she whispered back as she curled her body against him.

"Yeah."

"What's wrong?" she asked noticing his quietness, "And don't say it's because I stopped kissing you."

Nathan chuckled softly. "You know I love you more than anything. I can't picture life without you."

"I know," Haley murmured wondering why he was saying it. Was something wrong?

"I guess I just can't say it enough," he remarked.

But Haley knew that deep down something was bothering him. Maybe it wasn't something bad, but she was still worried.

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Rachel stumbled out onto the long deck from the beach house. A bottle of some undefined alcohol was in her hands. She tripped and heard the bottle smash, breaking into a million little pieces. She cursed loudly before groaning. She was clearly drunk. She grabbed one of the wooden poles holding up the deck for support. She tried to get up, but her body wasn't letting her. She sighed and sank back knowing that everyone had probably already left.

Out of nowhere, Brooke and Lucas appeared at the edge of the deck and moved down closer. They had heard the glass breaking and the fall from an open window.

"Oh it's you," Brooke said walking over her brow furrowed into a confused yet not upset frown.

"What are you doing here?" Lucas walked over confused and slipped his arm around Brooke to protect her from the cold night air.

Rachel sighed and felt herself sink deeper into the wood. She shrugged her eyes half closed.

"Lucas, we have to help her," Brooke said trying to lift her up.

Lucas sighed and pulled her up swiftly, and supporting her with one arm around her waist.

"Thanks," she slurred drooping her head against his shoulder.

"God, this is awkward," Lucas muttered as he half dragged half carried her inside the house towards the living room.

It was Brooke's turn to sigh. "What else can we do?"

"Left her there," Lucas suggested. Rachel was completely out of it by now.

"Lucas!" Brooke chastised.

"What?" He replied shaking his head tiredly, "I thought you hated her."

"Yeah, but no one deserves to be friendless and drunk on an empty beach in the middle of the night. Not even Rachel."

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Hey everyone. As always thanks for reading. I just want to say that I'll most likely only be having two more chapters of this fan fic. I feel that this one has grown and developed so much and that where it is coming to soon will be the best place to end it. I also want to start working on other fics I have in mind. So I hope you don't kill me yet, but just know that I will definitely keep writing others (if you like my writing), and will probably have a sequel for this in the future (if you like this story). Thank again for everything.