And He's Just Paper
What Kills You Doesn't Make You Stronger
(A/N; Summary) This is the sequel to the story "She's The Blade" and I highly recommend that you read that story before reading this one. Okay so, this story is set one year later the gang are seniors (I know that they're all seniors now on the show, but I didn't want to get them into college and all that stuff) Taylor and Nathan are together, and so are Brooke and Lucas. Haley and Chris are together as well in LA, and Brooke and Taylor have become best friends. Peyton might make an appearance in this story as Taylor's sister and I plan on making her start some drama between a particular couple (Brucas) So, enjoy the story and make sure to review! And oh yeah thanks to everyone for all their awesome reviews for "She's The Blade" you know how much I appreciate you guys, and I hope you enjoy this story as much as you did the first. Thanks! Also, there was a change to "She's The Blade" at the end of Ch.10 when I had the spoilers for this story I decided to change them. So, if you haven't checked that out already then you should.
Taylor and Brooke walked into the lingerie store and looked around. Brooke picked up a hot pink bra and threw it at Taylor, "Buy that for Nathan," she teased with a wink.
Taylor looked at the bra and laughed, "Maybe I will," she said as she went up to the counter and bought it.
"I'm going to buy this one," Brooke said as she held up a neon green bra and thong, "For Lucas," she said with a saucy smile.
The girls walked out of the store and saw Chris Kellar on the TV in a punk rock clothing store. Taylor glared at the TV, and Brooke pulled her away, "Come on Tay," she said and then they walked out to the parking lot, "It's been a year you know," Brooke said.
"Yeah I know," Taylor said as she got into Brooke's car, "I can't believe how this year's been going so far…Without Haley and Chris."
"I know what you mean," Brooke said, "I haven't seen Nathan so happy in his life…"
Taylor smiled and turned on the radio, "You really think he's happy?"
"Yes!" Brooke exclaimed, "He's had a permanent grin attached to his face ever since you two moved in together…And by the stories you've told me, he has a reason to be grinning," Brooke said seductively.
"You are bad!" Taylor squealed and then busted out laughing, "I'm just glad that all the drama's over…"
Brooke smiled and nodded her head in agreement, "Same here," she said, "You know?"
"Something's just…Weird," Taylor said as she got quieter.
Brooke turned off the radio and looked at Taylor seriously, "What?"
"It just seems like Nathan misses her," Taylor said, not mentioning Haley's name; something she had mastered for a year.
Brooke sighed, "You know he loves you…"
"I know," Taylor said, "I know…It's just…"
Brooke cut her off, "Taylor. I haven't seen him so happy before in my life…He's gotten over Haley…Believe me he loves you."
Taylor smiled and turned back on the radio, "I guess you're right…"
"I am right," Brooke said confidently and then laughed.
Taylor walked into her and Nathan's apartment and got on Nathan's lap top. She got on the internet to look up something for school, and saw that Nathan had two new messages. Taylor looked around the apartment and opened up the emails. She looked at the first one and saw From: Haley. She looked at the second one and saw From: Haley. Taylor's face fell and she felt her heart drop.
She looked at Nathan's outbox and saw messages sent from him to Haley. Nathan walked in and smiled at Taylor, "Hey baby," he said but then saw the look on her face, "Something wrong," he said.
"Have you been keeping in touch with her?" Taylor asked as she turned the computer so Nathan could see the emails.
Nathan sighed, "I just want to make sure everything is okay…" He said, "You have nothing to worry about…"
"I've dealt with a lot shit with you and Haley, Nate," Taylor said with an unsatisfied look on her face, "It's not fair!"
"Do you think it's fair to me that my wife is across the United States with Chris?" Nathan yelled without thinking.
"You're wife?" Taylor scoffed.
Nathan took a step towards Taylor and calmed his voice, "I didn't…I didn't mean it like that…" Taylor rushed past Nathan and stormed out of the house. Nathan looked at the emails Haley sent him and closed the laptop softly.
Taylor walked into Brooke's room and sat on her bed. Brooke smiled at her and sighed thoughtfully as she looked through her closet, "Hey you," she said; perky as usual.
"Hey," Taylor said with her best, fake perkiness.
Brooke looked at her in confusion and sighed, "Okay…What's wrong?"
"Nothing," Taylor answered glumly and then flipped through one of Brooke's magazines, and avoided eye contact.
Brooke began to look through her closet some more and then sighed in annoyance, "Alright, are you going to tell me what's up or am I going to have to beat it out of you?"
Taylor laughed softly and set down the magazine, "I got in a fight with Nathan…"
"About?" Brooke asked.
Taylor sighed, "Haley…"
Brooke stopped what she was doing and jumped on the bed beside Taylor, "Details!" She squealed excitedly.
"He's been emailing her and 'checking up' on her," Taylor said as she looked down at the bed, "And he called her his wife…"
Brooke put her arm around Taylor, "Awe Tay…"
Taylor began to cry softly and rested her head on Brooke's shoulder, "I don't even know what to do anymore…" She sobbed, "I love him so much, and he loves me…"
"Of course he does hun," Brooke said sincerely as she hugged Taylor.
Lucas walked down to the river court and saw Nathan shooting around and missing every shot he took.
"Trouble in paradise?" Lucas asked with a friendly grin.
Nathan looked at him, "What makes you say that?"
"Well," Lucas began, "I usually always find you down her suckin' up the place when you're having problems with girlfriends, specifically Taylor…"
Nathan laughed bitterly, "Let's just say Taylor isn't happy with my emails to Haley…And I kind of accidentally called Haley my wife…"
Lucas rubbed his eyes and let out a groan, "I thought this drama was over, man?"
"Yeah, yeah," Nathan said as he passed the ball to Lucas, "Me too…"
Lucas sighed and looked at the ball in his hands, "You love her?"
"Of course I do," Nathan said.
"You want to lose her?" Lucas asked.
Nathan shook his head and sighed, "No…"
"Then move on Nate," Lucas said and then smiled, "No offence…"
"None taken," Nathan said and put on his sweatshirt, "I'll see you later, man…"
"Later," Lucas said and watched Nathan leaved. He sighed and shot the ball. Swish! Lucas smiled to himself and heard somebody clapping behind him. He turned around and saw Brooke standing there, "I didn't know I had an audience," he said.
Brooke walked up to him and chuckled, "Kind of makes it ten times more embarrassing right?" She said as she pinched his nose lightly.
"Says the girl who air balls a lay up," Lucas teased.
Brooke hit him in the arm, "Hey!" She teased, "I was wearing heels and new jeans…" Lucas pulled Brooke in for a kiss and smiled after they broke apart, "What was that for?" Brooke asked.
"Nothing," Lucas said with a genuine smile, "I just…Wanted to kiss you."
Brooke put her arms around Lucas's neck and bit her bottom lip playfully, "Well do it more often…" Lucas smiled and Brooke kissed him passionately.
Nathan walked into the apartment and saw Taylor packing a small bag and then putting on her coat, "What are you doing?" Nathan asked.
"I'm staying at Brooke's tonight…" Taylor said as she wiped her eyes quickly.
Nathan sighed, "Why?"
"I can't stay here," Taylor said, "Not tonight at least…"
Nathan looked down at the ground then back up at Taylor, "I didn't know those emails were going to hurt you…"
"Well they did," Taylor snapped.
"We're just keeping in touch," Nathan said, "When we signed the papers we promised to still be friends…"
Taylor rolled her eyes and picked up her bag, "You almost left with her…You almost left me for her!"
"You almost left with Chris!" Nathan said defensively.
Taylor glared at him, "That was after I found out about you and Haley…This, this isn't even about me!" She yelled, "I'm not emailing Chris anyways so you have nothing to worry about!"
"You should be able to trust me," Nathan said, "I would never hurt you."
Taylor let a tear drop down her cheek, "I don't know what you're capable of right now, Nate…"
Taylor went to head for the door, but Nathan stepped in front of her, "Don't leave," Nathan said softly as he put his hands on Taylor's shoulders.
"I need to be alone tonight," Taylor said as her voice got raspy. She pushed Nathan out of her way and walked out of the door.
Nathan looked at the space she was just occupying and groaned to himself.
Taylor walked into Karen's Café and sat in a booth. She said her hellos to Karen, and then Karen left her to sit in a booth and think. Taylor slouched in the booth and felt the tears began again. An hour an a half or so later she heard the bell on the door and saw Lucas coming in. He sat across from Taylor and sighed.
"Are you okay?" He asked.
Taylor shook her head and looked down at the table, "…No."
"Nathan called me," Lucas said, "He wanted to make sure everything was okay," Taylor said nothing, "Nathan loves you more than anyone or anything in the world," Lucas said; still nothing. Lucas looked at the sobbing Taylor and sighed, "Go home, Taylor…Your boyfriend misses you."
Taylor wiped her eyes and scoffed, "He's probably having cyber sex with Haley right now, so I don't want to interrupt!"
"You know that's not true," Lucas said as he wiped a strand of hair out of Taylor's tear drenched face.
"I thought I finally found out what it was like to be in love…And I mean real love, not fake love…I don't even know what the difference is anymore," Taylor said sadly.
Lucas looked at her in confusion, "What do you mean?"
"I'm Haley's replacement until she comes back, Luke…I know it, Nathan knows it, you know it…" Taylor said and then began to cry softly, "But the thing is I will never be able to replace her…And that's what fucking sucks. I'll never be good enough."
Lucas rubbed Taylor's hands, "You are good enough…He loves you so much Taylor, and without you he'd be the weakest person," Lucas said and then left the café.
Taylor walked into the apartment slowly and quietly, and saw Nathan sitting at the kitchen counter. He looked up and Taylor saw his eyes glistening. Nathan walked over to her and hugged her, "I'm sorry," he whispered, "I'm so sorry…"
"It's okay," Taylor said and her voice cracked, she cleared her throat and kissed Nathan passionately. Taylor and Nathan walked back into their bedroom both not knowing that everything wasn't okay.
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On The Next One Tree Hill:
(School: Brooke and Lucas):
Brooke: I hate when other girls flirt with you…
Lucas: I hate when guys flirt with you!
Brooke: You're always so nice to them though!
Girl Passing By: Hey Lucas! You're going to help me with my homework during 6th period right?
Brooke: (Looks at Lucas in disbelief; Storms off)
(Taylor and Nathan's Apartment):
Nathan: (On the phone) I'm sorry I can't email you anymore…
Haley: (Phone; LA) It's okay…Kind of sucks though, our phone bills are going to be outrageous (Both laugh) How's Taylor?
Nathan: (Sighs) Not too happy…
(Scott's Motors):
Taylor: (Talking to Nathan) This is bull shit!
Nathan: What's so different about our relationship, and my old relationship with Haley?
Taylor: (Tearing up) You loved her back. (Leaves)
(Side of the road: Lucas's car broke down):
(Car pulls over to help Lucas)
Blonde Girl: Need any help?
Lucas: I'm a mechanic…I've got this covered. (Opens the hood smoke bellows out)
Blonde Girl: And I'm Peyton…
