And He's Just Paper
Love Is Like Novocain (Last Chapter)
A/N: I know I said that there were going to be 10 chapters, but I changed my mind and decided that this was going to be the last chapter. You all will be happy to know that there is going to be a sequel, and the Tree Hill gang will all be in their 20's (probably around 23).
Taylor and Nathan walked into the apartment, and Nathan sat on the couch with his hand on his side.
"Are you feeling okay?" Taylor asked.
"Yeah," Nathan winced, "This car wreck just did a number on me…"
Taylor sat down beside Nathan and kissed him softly on the cheek, "I'm so glad you're okay."
"Me too," Nathan said with a small laugh and then rubbed his temples, "I'm sorry, but I need to get some sleep…"
Taylor smiled and nodded, "I understand," she said softly and then kissed Nathan on the lips, "I'll be at Brooke's…"
"I love you," Nathan said before Taylor walked out the door.
Taylor smiled and winked at Nathan, "I love you too…"
xxx
Taylor walked into Brooke's room and collapsed on her bed, "This has been the weirdest year of my life," she said with a sigh.
Brooke laughed and sat down beside Taylor, "It's about to get weirder."
"Spill," Taylor said.
Brooke sighed, "You know how Felix came back and was like, all up on you and shit?"
"Yeah," Taylor said in confusion.
"Haley basically hired him to get you out of Nathan's life," Brooke said and then took a deep breath, "Can you believe that bitch?"
"Well Haley's now out of his life," Taylor said with a smug grin, "She and Chris are getting married!" She stated with fake enthusiasm.
Brooke laughed, "Shut up!"
"How great is that?" Taylor asked and then walked over to Brooke's vanity, "I mean, I didn't think she would try that whole marriage thing again."
Brooke smiled at Taylor, "What about you and Nathan? Do I hear any wedding bells in the future?" She asked.
"In the future, hopefully," Taylor said, "But I don't want to rush into things like he did with Haley, you know?"
xxx
Haley walked into Nathan's apartment and saw him lying on the couch. Haley sat down on the couch and stroked Nathan's cheek. He woke up slowly and saw Haley sitting there, "What are you doing here?" He asked; his voice husky and soft.
"Did Taylor tell you about me and Chris?" Haley asked as she started to crack her knuckles.
Nathan nodded, "She told me you guys were going to get married," he said and then snorted sarcastically, "Good luck with that."
"We're not getting married," Haley said quickly; Nathan looked at her in confusion, "We thought about…We really did, but…I don't love him Nate."
Nathan rolled his eyes, "This game is getting old, Hales," he groaned, "Just be happy with Chris."
"I can't!" Haley exclaimed, "I want to be happy with you!"
Nathan looked at her in disbelief, "What are you getting at?"
"I want to be us again," Haley said as she grabbed Nathan's hand and kissed it, "I've changed…I am in love with you," she said and then took her ring out of her pocket.
Nathan's jaw dropped, "You kept that?"
"Yes," Haley said as her eyes started to tear, "I love you Nathan, and I know that I made mistakes, but you have to understand that I just wanted to pursue my dream!"
Nathan looked down at the ground, "I love Taylor."
"But are you in love with her?" Haley asked.
Nathan glared at her, "How can you even ask me that?"
"I'll be at the train station," Haley said, "If you want to be with me then come get me," she said, "But if you don't then I'll wait till 11, and leave," Haley said and then left the apartment.
xxx
Everyone stood inside the café for Open Mic Night; Taylor sat at the piano and looked around for Nathan, but he was nowhere to be seen. Brooke walked up to Taylor and gave her a hug.
"I need to talk to you after this…" Brooke said quietly, "Down at the river court…"
2 AM and she calls me cause I'm still awake
Can you help me unravel my latest mistake?
Nathan looked at the clock in his apartment and took a sip from his beer.
I don't love him, winter just wasn't my season.
Yeah we walk through the doors so accusing their eyes
Like they have any right at all to criticize
Hypocrites, you're all here for the very same reason.
Cause you can't jump the track
We're like cars on a cable
and life's like an hourglass glued to the table,
Nathan walked out of the apartment and started his car; he looked in his glove compartment and saw his wedding band.
No one can find the rewind button girl
So cradle your head in your hands.
And breathe, just breathe, whoa breathe, just breathe
Taylor walked down to the river court and saw Brooke standing there crying. Taylor ran up to her and hugged her, "You told me to meet you all the way down here?" Taylor asked, "What's wrong hun?"
Brooke turned around and Taylor could see her mascara stained on her cheeks, "I'm late," she sobbed softly.
Taylor looked at her best friend in disbelief and hugged her; Brooke cried on Taylor's shoulder.
xxx
Taylor walked back to her apartment and saw Nathan sitting in his car. Taylor walked up to the window and Nathan got out of the car. He hugged her, and rocked her back and forth. Nathan kissed the top of Taylor's head and looked down at her apologetically.
"What's wrong?" Taylor asked as the tears in her eyes fell. Nathan sighed and looked down at the ground; Taylor looked down at his ring finger and saw that he had his wedding band on, "Are you leaving me?"
Nathan sighed, "Baby…"
"Are you leaving me?" Taylor asked again; this time sterner.
"Yes," Nathan said softly, "I'm in love with her, and she's in love with me too…"
Taylor backed away from Nathan and put her head in her hands, "Oh my god," she cried, "So this is it?"
"I'm sorry Taylor," Nathan said, "Everything's so fucked up you know?"
Taylor looked down at the ground, "I don't ever want to see you again," she said and then walked off into the darkness.
xxx
Nathan walked to the train station and saw Haley standing there; she looked over to him and ran to his arms. They kissed passionately, and Nathan looked down at her and ran his hand through her auburn hair.
Taylor looked out the bus window and let the tears fall down her face and drip off of her cheeks. Taylor wiped her eyes and looked at the "Welcome to New York" sign. Taylor looked down at her bracelet that Nathan had given her and took it off.
…
To Be Continued
…
