Chapter

Stamina

AN: Guess what? The story should be ending soon! Well, if I get allot of feedback I might leave open a possibility of a part two... Hope so, maybe results, consequences and everyone after high school? This chapter is set a week after all of the drama that was going on...

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Through life, one must endure hardships, discover truths and adapt to new surroundings, but all of these require strength, courage.

Luke...

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A week later...

Peyton furrowed her eyebrows, sketch book in hand, but when she stopped her illustration, she smiled and examined it. The picture was of a girl crying, but the sun shinning over her dim day and under the illustration were the words 'through the dark there's always light ... one just has to find it...'

Lucas, he was her light and through all the bad times, he never failed to be that amount hope which kept her alive.

The bell rang, abruptly interrupting her from thoughts.

"Peyton," Haley called, walking toward her, "I was looking for you."

The blonde stood up and grabbed her bag, following Haley out of the class. "What's up?"

Haley bit her lip, "I was thinking maybe we could hang out tonight, since you know?"

Peyton smiled softly, "sure, I'll pick you up from work at?"

"At eight?" the brunette chirped.

"Sounds good to me," she said and started to walk away.

Haley stood, watching her friends retreat, a frown expressed her sadness.

"What's wrong?" Her best friend asked as he approached.

"Nothing," she shook her head, "what's up?"

"Basket ball practice then I was thinking we could go to the movies?" he arched his eyebrow in question.

She chuckled softly, "actually, I've got a date with your girlfriend."

"So first you wanted to steal Brooke and now it's Peyton?" she giggled, making him respond, "it's not funny, you have an obsession with my women, I'm surprised my mom wasn't first on the list."

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Later that night...

"Are you done?" Peyton asked, entering the cafe.

Haley looked around, grabbed her coat and switched off the light, "yep, were good to go."

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The girls sat in Peyton's room, after grabbing a bite to eat and stopping by a party.

"That was crazy," Haley laughed.

"I can't believe that happened," Peyton chuckled, shaking her head, "Tim kissing that old lady."

"It was hysterical!"

"Sure was," the blonde sighed, "so, what's on your mind? You seem preoccupied tonight, well, your thoughts that is..."

"Oh," she shook her head in hesitation, "it's just, you know everything with Nathan."

"Yeah, he still hasn't talked to you?" she frowned.

"No, but I mean, I'm okay with it, Jake's nice and all, I just..."

"It's Nathan," Peyton responded for her, "I get what your saying, but you and Jake are dating steady?" she arched her eyebrow.

"No," Haley shook her head, smiling, "Not exactly, I'm too confused."

"Still having sex?"

"Well," a blush came over her cheeks, "only one other time, other than the first time," she blabbered.

"You feel guilty," the blonde smiled, "don't you?"

"How'd you know?" she frowned, "oh yeah, I blabber." Haley furrowed her eyebrows, "I shouldn't anymore, but I do."

"I'm sorry Haley; I don't know what to tell you," Peyton shrugged, "Nathan doesn't forgive easily, it's not him, but if it means anything he did love you."

Haley was about to say something when an interruption came knocking at Peyton's bedroom door.

"Peyt," a pause, "you in there?" the door cracked open.

Peyton gave a soft smile, "hey Jordan, any luck finding good food spots?"

"No," the younger girl frowned, "this town still sucks."

Haley arched her eyebrow, "um Hey."

Jordan stuck out her hand, offering it to Haley, "you must be um... Brooke?"

Haley shook her hand, "No," she chuckled, "Haley."

"That was my next guess," Jordan laughed.

Haley smiled, but was still confused. "Are you Peyton's old friend?"

"Well," she hesitated, "I'm kind of her sister."

The brunette responded wide eyed, "Peyton since when did you have a sister?"

"For seventeen years, I'm a year older," she bit her lip, "don't ask why no one knows, it's a long story."

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Nathan dribbled the ball, reflecting on all aspects of his life. "Lucas, were graduating," he said simply.

The oldest brother looked up, chuckled and stole the ball from Nathan. "Yeah, we are."

"So what do you think of that?"  He furrowed his eyebrows.

Lucas shook his head, "are you--," he hesitated, "nervous?"

"No," Nathan's voice rose, shrugging, "I'm just wondering what you think, that's all."

The blonde rolled his eyes, "I don't know, Peyton and I decided that we would both still go to college."

"What about the ba—,"

"I know, the baby, but we decided once it's old enough, day care has to be an option," he shrugged, "I'm going to college and Peyton wants to take up her arts so..."

Nathan nodded, "that's good, and at least you both are trying to work everything out."

"Yeah," Lucas smiled, "what about you?"

"Well, I still want to go to Stanford or maybe UCLA, not sure, but either way its fine," he smiled, "it's good Haley made me take up Law, something to fall back on if basket ball doesn't work."

"Yeah, Haley," the other responded, "She has a way of making people realize everything. Maybe the Scott brothers will be together again."

"Yeah, she got you too?" Nathan smiled.

"Yup, but as you know I'm looking into Psychology."

The younger of the two laughed, "You can't help yourself."

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 Haley walked down the empty street, hands tucked in her pockets as the wind blew her hair simultaneously while she pondered. Nathan, the name brushed over her thoughts quickly and at the time her body radiated warmth, even if for only a second. Graduation, the word ate her insides, but suddenly she was confused; the one thing she waited her life for was around the corner and yet she felt like running in the opposite direction.

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Morning of graduation...

"I can't do this," Haley cried, plummeting onto a couch.

"What do you mean you can't do this tutor girl?" Brooke sat down beside her.

"I mean, I'm not strong enough Bo," tears slipped down her cheeks, "I thought I wanted away, but I realized I like how things are; you, Lucas, Peyton, Nathan, everybody."

The dimpled face brunette bit her lip, "I can't believe I'm hearing this, are you high Hales?"

"No," she chuckled, through breaths, "I just...I'm not ready yet, I don't have the courage to move on, away from everybody and everything I know."

"No one's ever ready," Brooke sighed, "you just need to go with the flow of life, follow your own path."

Haley pouted, "Can I follow yours with you?"

Both girls laughed, embracing each other.

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