Chapter 20,

One week later-

Haley forced back a tear as she ran her hands over the most graduation gown. Today was one of the most important days of her life. She was finally going to be an adult. The gown seemed to trigger all of these emotions inside her. Where would she be at in two years? Would Nathan still hate her? She tried to push away the thoughts but in the end, that damn gown would still be there.

Haley turned away from the silk gown and walked over to her computer. Haley had been working non-stop on her graduation speech. After all she was top in her class. She quickly re-reads her paper. Her nerves seemed to jumble up tightly in her stomach. She was never good at getting in front of people.

Lucas drummed his knuckles across the wooden door before entering Haley's room. Haley flashed him a smile as he walked up next to her.

"What's this Halz?" He ask leaning close to read. Haley clicked the X and the speech was gone.

"You have to wait along with everyone else." She said laughing. She loved teasing Lucas. He hated suspense. Lucas sat down on Haley's bed; he too stared at the gown.

"Nathan called me last night." He said chin tightened. His eyes trailed the pictures on the wall.

"What did he have to say to you?" She ask sitting down next to Lucas.

"The usual, 'Damn you for ruining my life' you know the story." Lucas laced his fingers with Haley's.

"Are you okay Halz?" Lucas leaned closer to Haley. Her face seemed a pit of apathy. It saddened him to see Haley upset. He knew that graduation would be hell. He would have to sit next to Nathan another downside to having the same last name. He hated what this had all turned into.

"Why would there be something wrong with me?" She asks with bright eyes. Her smile suddenly diminishes and she looks away from Lucas.

"A lot had happened, were almost High School Graduates, I would expect you to be a little upset. He pulled her closer and kissed her hair.

"Are you scared, about having all of this responsibility, and being alone?" Her voice was muffled, tears ran off her nose. Haley squeezed his hand with hers, "Do you think we can make it?" She asks in a small voice. All time seemed to freeze for that one second.

Lucas looked at Haley; hair was falling lightly over her face. Tears imploded her cheeks and fell upon her black dress. Even in the state she was in, she had never looked so beautiful. A kind of love filled Lucas then, so many troubles they had been through together. And as much as they had tried to fight it off, they would always run back to one another. Tears formed in his eyes as he stared at her, "We can sure as hell try." He pulled her close and gasps for air.

Haley moved to look Lucas in the eye, "Third times the charm?" She asks playfully. Haley wiped away a tear from his cheek and leaned close, her cheek upon his. "I think that we're written in the stars." She pulls him into a kiss. Lucas tasted the softness of her lips; her sugary sweetness entered his mouth. Every bone in his body tingles. Haley pulls away quickly, knowing just how intense the kiss was. She raises her eyebrows and smiles, "Wait until tonight."

One hour later

Haley takes on more look in the mirror before going out the door. Her mother had promised she would come to the graduation. She said she would find time, "You know Haley money doesn't walk on trees." But the truth was, her mother was on a business trip in Chicago, her father was gone and no other family member would even show up. Sadness filled Haley. But something was good; Lucas and his mother would be there. And of coarse Dan Scott would make an appearance. Haley pulled up in the crowed parking lot; parents were all dressed up, little kids screamed for their mothers. Haley's hills clicked under her as she walked in the packed High School. She looked around for a familiar face; Jake's parents were sitting down in the corner with Jenny. Lucas's mom and Keith were standing beside the entrance doors.

"Hey you." Lucas ran up next to Haley and slipped his arms around her. I was wondering where you were. I guess it's almost time right?"

"Yeah, we better go change."

Everything in the auditorium was set up perfectly. Ever single chair was set directly in place. If only tonight would just be over. Seniors were already sitting down. Haley and Lucas slipped their gowns over their heads quickly. Then both darted back into the auditorium with hat and gown on. Lucas squeezed Haley's hand tightly before taking his seat.

A grinning Nathan glared at Lucas as he sat down next to him. "Once a bastard always a bastard." He mumbled over his breath. Lucas fought the erg to punch him; he promised himself that he wouldn't make a scene. He swallowed a lump in his throat and sat up strait.

"Welcome to tonight's graduation. As you know the class of 2004 has been through a lot this year, the ravens almost went all the way, science club won first place at contest; among many other things. This people standing up here have grown in many ways over the years, they are all leaving these doors forever tonight. With out further comments, here is our first speaker Haley James.

Haley walked up to the podium and smiled. Cameras flashed people clapped. Haley paused and took a breath.

"Classmates, friends, loved ones, and family. Tonight something very important to me is happening, not only to me but the other students in the room. I came here tonight nervous, so nervous I could hardly think of the right words to say. I think that there is something that everyone learns in High School, you learn to adapt. This year has been one that changed me the most. I figured out some of the most important things about myself. I hope that we all can look back at this year and realize that we have to grow. High School is almost past us; we can't live in what we could have had. Because that is over. Today is over, shape what you will do with tomorrow. Live for the day not the past. That is what I encourage all of you to do here today. All the broken promises you made, apologize, all the bad things you did, make up for them. Tonight is the last time we will be able to clear everything up. I hope that we can look towards life in a positive way. So that's the message I will leave with you tonight. Make now important." Haley stepped back from the podium. She could hardly stand there and smile, she could fell Nathan's stare. People applauded; Haley searched the crowd for her parents. But no matter how hard she hoped, the truth was they weren't there. She walked back to her seat and wiped a tear away from her cheek. She felt like the biggest Hypocrite. 'If you made a mistake, make up for it.' The words repeated in her head.

The rest of the night was a blur. The band played a song, people cried and many others gave speeches. All that Haley could think of was how everything was flying past her eyes and she couldn't see a thing. The principal gave the announcements and finally Diplomas started.

Lucas slouched into his seat. He turned away from Nathan, and reached into his pocket. He pulled out the small velvet box. He looked at the ring again, fantasizing how it would look on Haley's finger. He was positioned so that He could see the side of her face. A look of complete boredom was visible on her face. His thoughts were shot as he heard, 'Haley James'. He watched her reach for the diploma and noticed the cloud of tears that appeared. He knew that this was important to her. He of coarse couldn't wait to get out of Tree Hill High. He sat up straight and waited for his name to be called.

Haley sat down and squeezed the piece of paper in her hand. It was weird to know that all her life she had worked so hard for this one piece of paper. It hurt her to think of where her parents were, probably under a mound of paper work at the office. Some how Haley could feel the change from kid to well, adult. She remembered having all of these worries about what she would do with her life, and now she really just wanted to see where she would turn out. Life was too short to waste.

She looked out into the crowd again and smiled. She didn't want to be sad, today was her day and she would try to over look the bad things. After all Lucas was acting very suspicious, she was excited to see what he had planned for them tonight. Jake was having a graduation party and everyone in the school was going to be there. She had also heard rumors about Nathan's big house party. Part of her longed to apologize to him, for then, now, and everything in the middle.

Hey I really intended for this chapter to be longer but owell.... finals are so long, Sorry for the long wait! Bye