Chapter 8: Chances and Misses

"I'm sorry Hales, I really am," Nathan pleaded to Haley whose eyes were filled with tears.

Haley shook her head as she looked down, "You think it's that easy, Nate? You think sorry can turn back time and make things right?"

Nathan face was streaming with tears as he took Haley's hand in his, "No Hales, nothing I say or do can take away the pain that I caused you."

Haley looked away briefly then turned her gaze intently at him, "So what do you expect me to do now?"

Nathan let out a heavy sigh before looking straight into Haley's eyes, "I want nothing from you, Hales. As much as I want things back to the way it was, I know that would be too much to ask of you..." He briefly looked down before he gazed back into her eyes and continued, "I just want you to forgive me, Hales. I want to tell you that what I did back there was really stupid and...I wish I never lost you." With that, he gave Haley a sly smile while tears continued to flow down his cheeks. He let go of her hand and turned around to walk back into his car.

Haley looked on as he walked away from her. Suddenly, she felt the need to do something. "Nathan..." she called out. Without wasting any more time, she ran towards him. Nathan stood still as he watched Haley rushing over to his side.

As she got closer, she stopped right in front of him. Looking deep into his eyes, she softly spoke, "I wish I never lost you too and...I wish I won't lose you now."

Nathan let out tears of joy as he managed to choke out, "I love you Haley." With that, he took her in his arms and gave her a very passionate kiss...

Haley's dreams were abruptly interrupted when she heard the doorbell rang. "Some dream that was," she thought as she dragged herself out of bed and headed downstairs to see who was at the door.

As she opened the door, she was surprised to see a familiar tall figure stop by. The sight of him also gave her a strange feeling, "What is this? The twilight zone?" she thought as she gave him a casually surprised smile. "Nathan, what are you doing here?" she asked.

Nathan was surprised to see Haley in an oversized t-shirt with her hair all-tangled up at 11:00 in the morning. "Uh...Hi Hales! I saw Peyton at school and she told me I would find you here," he replied as he allowed himself to take a good look at her. "She still looks beautiful...all tousled up in the morning," he thought as he looked at her.

Haley still looked quite surprised, "Whoa, Peyton's at school...already? What time is it anyway?"

Nathan just smiled, "It's 11 in the morning already, Hales. Don't tell me you just woke up."

Haley shook her head as she laughed, "Actually, I just did..." "And damn, was I just kissing you!" she added in her mind.

Nathan now understood why she answered the door looking like she just got out of bed, "Well, I actually wanted to ask if...." He suddenly didn't think his proposal would be a good idea, but he went ahead anyway, "You see, the guys and me are having our first game for Anne Dale U next week. Since you've forgiven me yesterday, I was hoping you'd..."

Haley just laughed as she continued for him, "Be there? Yeah, I would love to."

Nathan couldn't stop the wide grin from forming along the corners of his mouth. "That's great," he exclaimed, although trying not to sound over-enthusiastic.

They were smiling at each other when they suddenly met each other's eyes. For a moment, they just stared at each other. Finally, Nathan felt the need to tear his eyes away from hers. "I might end up grabbing her for a kiss," he thought as he looked down.

Scratching his head, he awkwardly said good-bye, "So...I guess I'll see you around. Bye Hales!" With that, he turned around and began to walk away.

Haley suddenly felt the same urge she felt in her unconscious self earlier. "Nathan," she called out.

Nathan stopped on his tracks and turned around, "Yeah?"

Haley crossed her arms as she tried to find words to say. "Umm, I was just about to fix myself something to eat....you 'wanna stay for...brunch?"

Nathan smiled at her gratefully, "Yeah, I'd love to."

With that, he walked back towards Haley who was holding out the door for him. As he reached the door, he found himself standing only a few inches apart from Haley. He looked straight into her eyes with a big smile on his face, "You know, I'm really glad we get to do this again. I really missed you, Hales."

Haley smiled at him, "Me too."

Peyton was walking along the hallway when she suddenly heard someone singing. She tried to find where it was coming from and eventually, she spotted a band. The room was open and she let herself lean on the door as she listened to them perform:

You know I want you

You know I need you...so bad

You know I love you

But you're the one I never had

Baby, I've fallen

I've fallen bad for you...

Why can't you trust me

And feel the same way too...

Trust is an issue between us

That much I know

But do you really want us over

Do you really want to go?

As they stopped for a break, the lead singer of the band noticed the blond girl silently listening to them. "Hey, you 'wanna jam with us?"

Peyton just laughed, "Me? I only sing in monotones."

The singer just laughed as he approached her. Peyton couldn't help but notice how ruggedly handsome the guy walking towards her is. He had ruffled chestnut hair and irresistible green eyes. She also noticed his sexy grin. As the guy approached, he held out his hand, "I'm Sean, by the way."

Peyton shook his hand smilingly, "I'm Peyton."

"You got a good ear for music, Peyton. You sure you don't sing?" asked Sean who felt immediately drawn to her.

Peyton just laughed, "Nah, I just like listening to them. I'd rather draw, actually."

Sean was impressed, "Maybe you can do posters for us then?"

Peyton gave him a smile, "Sure, you performing in school?"

Sean nodded, "Yeah, in a couple of weeks."

Peyton nodded, "Alright. Just let me know if you need my help...great song by the way. Did you write that?"

Sean smiled at her, "You like it?"

Peyton's eyes widened, "I love it!"

Sean laughed, "Then, I wrote it!"

Peyton just chuckled, "You're unbelievable."

Sean smiled at her, "You're stunning."

Peyton gave her a sly smile, "Uh..thanks."

Sean knew he had to take advantage of the moment, "Hey, I know we just met and all but...would you like to go out sometime. You know, nothing formal...we could just jam together...I can even teach you to sing."

Peyton just laughed. For some reason, she felt so comfortable around him. It's as if she's known him forever, "Alright, don't expect I'll turn into a diva though. Chances are, I'd still sound like a frog afterwards."

Sean just laughed, "Maybe you can come by on Thursday again, same time?"

Peyton nodded, "Sure, see 'ya!" With that, she left. "Damn, that guy is cute," she excitedly thought as she imagined how her so-called date with Sean would turn out.

As she stepped out of the building, she saw two familiar faces hanging out by the playground. Jenny was happily playing in the swing as Lucas pushed her. "Higher Uncle Luke, higher!" she happily yelled as Lucas kept trying to push her higher.

Lucas just laughed, "Alright, if you asked for it!" He tried to push her as much as he could.

Peyton smiled at the sight of Lucas and Jenny. She immediately walked over to them. "Hey you two!" she greeted as she came near.

Lucas felt his spirits soar as he saw Peyton walking over to them. Jenny squealed as she caught sight of her aunt, "Aunt Peyton, look at me. I'm flying!"

Peyton just laughed as she got near them, "That's great sweetie, just don't fly too high now."

Peyton turned to Lucas, "Hey, you want me to take over? You look like you could use some rest."

Lucas just smiled, "That's alright, I'm having fun anyway."

Peyton just nodded. She turned her attention to Jenny and started to play with her. Suddenly, Lucas spoke up, "Peyton..."

Peyton suddenly looked up at him, "Yeah?"

Lucas gave her a sly smile before he continued, "Um, we're having a game next week. I was hoping that you could come and watch."

Peyton nodded, "Sure, I'll bring Haley and Brooke along too."

Lucas smiled at her gratefully, "Great."

They were busily playing with Jenny when suddenly two middle-aged women passed through the playground. As they looked at them, one remarked quite audibly, "Oh, that's such a lovely family."

Peyton and Lucas both didn't say anything upon hearing the comment. As soon as the two women were out of earshot though, they burst into laughter. "I guess we make a pretty good team," Peyton commented when the laughter died down.

Lucas let out a chuckle as he nodded, "Yeah, we sure do."

Jenny suddenly turned to her uncle, "Uncle Lucas, do you like Aunt Peyton?"

Lucas looked intently into Peyton's eyes, "Sure, I do."

Jenny then turned to face her aunt, "Aunt Peyton, do you like Uncle Luke?"

Peyton smiled as she faced Lucas, "I do, sweetie."

Jenny smiled in delight, "Great, then you can kiss each other."

Both turned to look at Jenny surprised. "What?" they said in unison.

"My daddy said that when two people like each other, they kiss," explained the 4-year old in a matter-of-fact voice.

Lucas looked at Peyton intently and smiled, "Jenny, I would kiss your aunt only if she wants me to."

Peyton just let out a sly smile. "How about now?" she found herself thinking. Feeling Lucas's lips to hers never failed to make her feel so alive. He makes her feel like nothing in this world matters. She's sure of one thing, a part of her still wants Lucas.

Suddenly, Peyton heard someone calling out her name. "Peyton," Sean called out as he walked over towards her.

Peyton smiled as she turned and saw the cute singer she just met,"Hey Sean!"

As Sean approached them, he smiled at Jenny who was looking curiously at him, "You didn't tell me you have a daughter."

Peyton laughed, "Well, I don't. This is Jenny, my niece."

Sean let out a chuckle, "Oh, hi there." Lucas just stood in silence, looking intently at the guy playing with Jenny. Peyton suddenly realized that Lucas was feeling pretty uneasy.

"Um Sean, this is Lucas...a good friend of mine," Peyton said as her eyes turned from one guy to the other.

Sean looked up at him, "Hey man."

Lucas just let out a sly smile, "Hi"

Sean looked at Lucas again then at Jenny, "Is she.."

Lucas laughed, "No, we're just babysitting for our friend."

Sean nodded, "Well, I guess I'll go ahead." He turned to look at Peyton, "See you Thursday?"

Peyton smiled as she nodded, "Yeah, see 'ya."

Sean smiled at both Lucas and Jenny as he walked away.

Lucas didn't feel good about Sean. He actually felt quite jealous of him. Problem is, he can't do anything about it and this only made him feel pretty frustrated. "Um Peyton, I remembered I have to do something. Do you mind watching Jenny?" he asked while trying his best not to show how upset he has become.

Peyton looked at him and realized he was just trying to make an excuse to get away from her. Although she didn't want him to go, she knew he needed to, "Um...sure, I can take her back to Jake later."

Lucas nodded with a sly smile, "Cool, I guess I'll see you around."

Peyton nodded while trying to give him an apologetic smile, "Umm, yeah...see 'ya"

With that, Lucas leaned down to give Jenny a kiss on the cheek, "I'll see you soon Jenny."

Jenny sensed how hurt her uncle is feeling as she answered softly, "Okay, Uncle Luke."

Lucas gave Peyton a smile as he turned around and walked away. Peyton just stood there, watching him. Suddenly, Jenny tugged her arm, "I'm not sure if I like Sean, Aunt Peyton."

Peyton was surprised at the young girl's comment, "Why do you say that?"

Jenny pouted as she answered, "Because he made Uncle Luke sad."

Peyton stopped laughing and took a deep sigh, "He did, didn't he?" She found herself looking at where Lucas was just walking from awhile ago. "Lucas deserves to be happy...but I can't say it would be with me..." she thought.