Chapter Twelve

"Together Again"

Haley found Nathan in the gym the next day. She knew where to look for him at lunch. Basketball was his life, and he was always playing. As much as they would deny it, Lucas and Nathan had more in common then they thought.

Haley caught the ball as it rebounded. Nathan was surprised to see her, since she had not really talked to him much since that infamous day she dumped him. "Haley."

"Nathan."

They paused. Nathan, "What's up?"

"Not much," she said, shooting the ball. Nathan was confused with her intentions.

"Okay..."

He passed her the ball. "Thanks."

"No problem."

The awkward silence continued. Haley burst out laughing for no apparent reason.

Hearing Haley laugh made Nathan smile. "Something funny?"

"I'm sorry, its just that you and I never had this awkwardness before. If we weren't making out we were arguing about Luke or something."

"Yeah those were the good old days."

Haley said softly, "I miss you Nathan."

"Yeah?"

"Yeah."

"You want to know something? I miss you too."

She walked over and sat on the bleachers. "I feel like I overreacted with the whole porn thing."

Nathan muffled a laugh. Innocent Haley saying porn was hilarious. He tried being serious. "I'm the one who was looking at it."

"Yeah," she said, scuffing her foot on the floor.

"So..."

"So I don't know. I don't even know why I'm here."

"I think you know."

"Why?"

Nathan grinned slyly. "You want me back."

She protested, "No I don't! I don't... I mean you are with Brooke and I...I..."

Nathan pulled her up and put his arms around her waist. "Brooke and I aren't anything," he insisted. "And I am sorry about everything that happened."

"Nathan, we can't just go back...

"Why not?"

"Because... we just can't." She tried backing away but he held onto her.

He whispered, "Haley we can do whatever the hell we want." She tried turning away but couldn't help staring into his eyes. "Is this what you want?"

She was helpless. "No. I mean I want to be with you, but..."

"But nothing." He leaned down and laid a gentle kiss on her lips. When she didn't pull back he kissed her again. "Still not wanting it?"

She leaned her head into his. "No. I want it. But it has to be different."

"So... does that mean I can be your boyfriend again?"

"Two conditions. One, no more porn. Second, break up with Brooke," she laughed.

"Okay I can comply to both. Haley, I swear to you I am going to try my best not to hurt you anymore. I love you."

She looked up at him. "Nathan I love you too. But we have to take things slow," she added.

Nathan nodded. "Right. Slow. Does that mean I can't kiss you again?"

Haley smiled. "Of course you can kiss me."

He crashed his lips onto hers once more, and they kissed until the bell rang, signaling the end of lunch.

Nathan reluctantly pulled away. "I really don't want to go back in the school."

Haley giggled. "Me neither."

"Are we going to go public?" He joked.

"After you end whatever is going on with Brooke."

"Okay." Freshmen and sophomores streamed into the gym, so Nathan led Haley out by hand. Before going back into the school, he kissed her once more. "Hales... thanks for taking me back."

That afternoon, school had just ended when Nathan walked to Brooke's locker.

"Brooke..."

"Nathan...." They both laughed. Brooke said, "Go ahead."

"Can we talk somewhere? In private."

"Sure, let me get my backpack and I will meet you on the benches."

Nathan nodded and ten minutes later they were sharing a bench. "This whole thing has been fun and all, but I can't do it anymore."

Brooke let out a huge sigh of relief. "Thank God!" She exclaimed.

Nathan was confused. "What?"

"I was coming to break up with you! Or...call off our thing."

"Cool. I thought you were going to be broken hearted," he kidded.

"You kidding me? Me heartbroken over you? Puh-lease," she grinned. "Why the sudden change?"

"Haley agreed to take me back."

Brooke grinned and hugged him. "Nathan, that's great! Looks like something good did come out of this."

"Yeah you could say that. What about you? Why were you breaking off our plan?"

Brooke admitted, "I couldn't stand the way it was hurting Luke. I know I said I wanted him to hurt just as much as he is making me hurt, but I now see I have to take some time to myself. So I am swearing off boyfriends," she declared.

"Wasn't Lucas your only boyfriend this year?"

"He wasn't my only sex this year. Before I dated him I hooked up with some guys."

"But no commitments. Wasn't that your rule?"

"Yeah but you could say I changed."

"You have definitely changed. You are no longer a sex kitten."

She playfully hit him on the shoulder. "Shut up!"

Haley walked up. "Hey Brooke."

Brooke smiled. "He's all yours."

"See you at the café?"

She shrugged. "Maybe. I may be going to the mall or something."

Nathan stood up. "So we're good?"

"Very good," she nodded.

Nathan and Haley grasped hands and waved good bye to Brooke. She sat there on the bench, watching them go. She was so happy they worked things out. Haley made Nathan such a better person, and she was afraid once they broke up he would continue downhill.

She looked over at the parking lot to see Peyton leaned on her car and Jake giving her small kisses. Brooke had to smile. They were so cute together. She then saw Lucas getting into his truck, alone. She was alone as well and she hated it.

Peyton walked over a few minutes later. "Hey babe. What's going on? Was that Haley and Nathan I saw holding hands?"

"Yeah, their back together."

"So doesn't that kind of ruin your plan?"

"No, not really. I was planning on calling it off anyways."

"Why?"

"I talked to Karen. I love Luke, and right now I just need to be single."

"Glad you finally came to your senses."

Brooke smiled. "Yeah me too. Come on, give me a ride to the café."

Peyton was surprised. "You are voluntarily going to the café? I don't have to beg you?"

"Trying to change. I'm trying to move on."

Peyton put her arm around Brooke. "Its hard isn't it?"

A tear slid down Brooke's face. "Yeah. One day I'm up, and the next I'm down. I feel so empty. Is that normal?"

"For a girl who just had her heart broken? Hell yeah its normal. Come on lets get to the café. Maybe Tim will do something stupid and make us laugh until our stomachs hurt." Brooke smiled at the thought of her friends.

Twenty minutes later they were sitting in their regular booth. They didn't need to pull any tables over, because Nathan, Haley, Tim, Brooke, and Peyton were the only ones sitting at it. Jake was working while Peyton watched Jenny.

Peyton grinned as Nathan and Haley flirted with each other. "Congrats you guys."

"Thanks."

Brooke asked, "Where has Carson been?" The entire table looked at her. "What? I'm just curious!"

"She's been sick the last couple of days."

"Good," Brooke grinned. "Wait was that mean?"

"For Brooke? Never." Tim joked. The front door opened and Lucas walked in. Tim called, "Lucas! Over here!"

Lucas looked over and hesitantly walked over. He pulled up a chair. "Hey."

Nathan kissed Haley while she was still eating. "Nathan!" She giggled, kissing him back.

Lucas was immediately confused. Last he knew Haley was pissed at Nathan and Brooke and Nathan were together. Haley noticed his confusion. "Nathan and I are... together again."

Brooke sighed, pretending to be flustered. "He broke my heart."

Peyton and Tim grinned. Peyton said, "Your poor heart! Its been through hell the last few days."

"Seriously," Brooke agreed. Looking around the table, she knew she would be okay. It would take awhile, but she would eventually get over Lucas and move on with her life. Maybe not today, maybe not tomorrow. But someday.

Author's Note: Thanks for all the reviews! Keep them coming! i will update again tomorrow. btw, i hope you naley fans are happy! i tried writing a chapter just for them. enjoy it!