Chapter 11

Acceptance without limitations…


With the music playing, I decided that it was finally time for all the objects to go back into place.

The misfortunate items that were thrown down during my rampage…

I had situated all the substances into place, except for one. My gazed switched downwards and I saw it lying on the floor with radiance and glamour.

I bent over and grabbed the plaque Haley had given me that bright day at the dock. I smiled as I recalled the memory, happy for her warm influence in my cold life. Everything in my existence was planned and sinister before she made an unexpected appearance and changed it all.

She was the one that had given me my voice and I was thankful.

Her distinct personality and loving character influenced me in an everlasting way.

Who would have known that a petite auburn haired girl would have had so much power?

I began to walk towards the dresser and was ready to put it back in place, hidden, but as I saw the shadow overtake the radiant metal, I stopped.

It would be a waste if it were unforeseen from the world around me, again.

I commenced to look around my room, searching for a place to situate the special object and suddenly my eyes found the proper position. I sauntered over to the area and began to grin. On the wall now stood all my plaques that were given to me when I had participated in the basketball championships and the games that I had brought the team to victory, but there was one vacant spot.

It was right in the middle of all the awards.

I lifted my hands to the spot where I had already placed a pin and laid the tablet on it. I took a few steps backwards and saw it stand with brilliance.

It was the perfect spot, linked to all my prestigious recognitions.

In between what I loved and who I loved…

I beamed as I turned around and strolled towards my bureau where all my trophies stood once more. My gawk began to roam around my winnings and unexpectedly something blue caught my sight from the mirror.

I twisted about and stared at my letterman jacket. It was the one entity that was a perfect representation of what I had given up to become the person I used to be; a person with arrogance, no heart, and no care of the world around me.

What I had always worn with such great cockiness and satisfaction…

Till now.

It held me back from my new life.

As I stared at the blue jacket with delicate stitching and of fine material, I couldn't help but feel as if the Tree Hill logo mocked me. I had gotten rid of almost all the negative people and objects in my life, but there was still one article left to ridicule me.

I suddenly knew what to do.

I quickly grabbed the jacket and descended down the stairs.


Part II

My Jordan's grazed the bricked floor as I approached the wooden table and sat down on it. I gazed out in front of me and took in the stunning magnificence of Mother Nature. The full moon radiated high in the sky, illuminating civilization with soft white glows, allowing us to see the distinct yet spectacular exquisiteness around us.

I smiled as I stared at the intelligent vivacity hit the slow moving water, allowing the disguise of the shadows to unravel.

It was utter beauty.

I had left my house ten minutes before and calmly drove here with no rush. I now sat on the very table Haley and I had commenced our unusual, yet everlasting journey together. I stood on the dock, content. Everything in my life had begun to go right.

It had started to become like I had wanted it to be.

Except for the love of Haley…

I got up from the table and walked towards the wooden rail that separated one from the endless poignant stream. I looked at the dark water and suddenly began to smile as I took the needed step and brought the jacket over the sea. My rough hands let go of the expensive and momentous jacket; I watched it fall into the cold water.

The fill of tears welcomed the important cover as they enclosed it, ceasing the crying of the boy who had worn it with pride and yet with heavy weight.

I observed the eternal shifting water drift it farther and father away from my glowing entity.

And I smiled with appreciation, knowing that it was the beginning of something incredible.

Without any restraints to live my life however I wanted.


Part III

The sun shone with bright rays the following day as I opened the door and paced outside after a long day of school. Earlier in the day when I had walked into the hallway, everyone's intent gazes made its way onto my tall form. I just ignored them as I strolled to my locker, grinning.

Not caring of the world around me…

Throughout the day I was astonished to find that a great amount of my peers understood and accepted me. It appeared as it they were pleased of my burst yesterday during lunch; pleased of my and their truthfulness to the 'popular' crowd.

Everything today went perfect, except for one thing.

My eyes then caught sight of her ginger hair bounce on her small, delicate shoulders.

This was my last chance to talk to her.

Before I would stay with her or leave her alone forever…

My Jordan's picked up their pace as I ran after her moving shape, grabbing her arm and catching some of her delicious sent.

She looked at me with a puzzled expression as I let go of her.

"You asked me what I wanted at the dock and my answer is to play like I used to," my confident voice filled the tensioned air.

She gazed at me in wonder again and after a few apprehensive moments, she spoke.

"And how did you use to play?" she asked me, her voice containing some curiosity and astonishment.

"With thrill, excitement, joy," I answered. "And just having a good time. "

Haley nodded her head in acceptance.

Stress filled the sky once more.

"Thank you," her tone spoke, low.

"For what?" I inquired, confused.

"For yesterday," she replied shortly.

I comprehended with the few words of what she was talking about.

"Can I ask you a question?" she asked me, her brown eyes suddenly looking up at my metallic gaze.

Brown on blue…

"Sure," I retorted.

"What made you change your mind?" she said with a normal pitch, interested and determined.

I stared at her intently. I examined her simple outfit and straightened hair.

"You," I vocalized with my gaze still strong on her.

I watched her look of inquisitiveness turn to one of confusion, puzzlement, and then to understanding.

"Where's the trademark letterman jacket?" she asked, ignoring my honest reply to her question.

I glanced down to my navy blue jacket and smirked.

"Probably somewhere near Charleston," I told her with a slight chuckle.

She gave me a look of bewilderment.

I saw a tug of a smile appear on her face.

"So now that I yelled at my dad and told him that I was moving out in a few weeks I kind of need to start looking around for some scholarships. Do you think that they have any for the best looking athlete?" I joked cockily, vanishing some of the stress in the atmosphere.

"Maybe for jerk of the team," she teased back.

"Well that isn't very nice Miss Haley James," I answered with a grin.

"It's not a very nice world," she replied, her voice ironically taking a serious tone.

I knew that sooner or later we would have had the chat, but I didn't expect for it to come so soon. I let out a fresh breath of air.

"So I guess it's finally time to talk about it," I confessed to her, my voice hiding some nervousness of the conversation.

"Well we obviously can't act like nothing happened," she replied tainted.

"I know we can't," I responded. "All I can honestly say is that I am sorry," I added. "I am sorry for all the pain I caused you, for acting like an ass, for my friends, for yesterday…" I spoke with deep sincerity. "For not knowing what you meant to me…" I continued with a low voice. . "For everything…" I finished louder as I gazed into her chocolate pools, feeling remorse for all I had done to her.

I watched her stare at me with deep thought. She examined my form and expression gradually. I observed her perplexed facial turn to one of assurance as she knew from my appearance and tone of voice that I was speaking the truth.

She looked away from me.

"You really hurt me Nathan," she confessed as she brought her lightly damp eyes to mine.

I wiped the forming tears from her gentle eyes.

My action being instinctual…

"I know," I admitted with genuineness as I closed some of the immense gap between us. "We'll just have to take it one step at a time," I told her as I grazed her tender cheek softly.

My strong eyes stared at her with worry and anticipation, waiting for her answer.

A bit impatient for her reply…

"Okay," she finally spoke the dominant and relieving word.

I grinned.

"So we can start by you helping me out and tutoring me," I replied with excitement.

Joy of knowing that our friendship and hopefully one day, relationship, did not end…

"I don't know…" she replied unsure.

She was still reluctant of my faithfulness, but I understood her.

"I promise that I'll be on time and bring some caffeine every morning," I joked around with her as I blocked the strong rays from my eyes. "Then after I get A's on my test because of my excellent tutor, I'll treat you to a game of pool. Deal?" I told her as I turned around and gave the sun my back.

She still looked a bit hesitant.

"Sure," she finally accepted while a smile formed on her luscious cheery lips.

The same smile that radiated a dark room…

I gazed at her beautiful face and striking features. The light wind stirred her hair faintly, cascading it into succulent motions. The beam on her face radiated with a stronger elegance then that of the ancient star above us.

A true smile made its way on my handsome features, satisfied.

Time will heal our ruined spirits, and I knew we would do it with each other, every step of the way.


AN: Hey you guys! Well first off I want to say that I am so fricken sorry for not having this chapter up sooner, life has been hectic so I haven't found time to do so. Well, I've been partying and then I went to the OTH concert on Saturday, which BTW totally rocked! So recommend it to everyone! Bethany is just such a sweetheart! So nice!

But anyways, this is the final chapter to this story. Awww, right? LOL. Well I still have the epilogue left. I will tell you right now that the epilogue is like a regular chapter, except the only reason I am calling it an epilogue is because it is going to be taking place 2 years later. So that means that I want to hear on what you think happened to all the characters! Yup, the last chapter is kinda tell you all what happened to all the characters and it might even contain a Naley kiss! Gasps That might be a possibilty my friends! But anyways I want to hear what you all think all right!

So my friends what did you think of this chapter? Well I have to admit that I am not big fan of it, but whatever. I do have to say that Part 2 is my favorite part! Just the way Nathan did with the jacket and the symbolism behind it...well that is pretty damn powerful! Also, apologizing for my lack of theseaurs in this chapter. I just didn't really want to use it...LOL.

BTW, just to clear some confusion I have not finished writing The Spanish Experience or Prohibit Love. If you all remember I mentioned in my previous EOTB update that I was going to finish this one up then moving on to an UD for PL. Okay my friends!

So hopefully I'll have the update next week, but not making any promises. I am just crap with them. LOL. BTW, the reason I take so hella long to update is because they honestly do take a long time to write and also I have picked up a new hobby which is making blends, layouts, that sorta thing (art basically on the computer) so I spend a lot of my time doing that. LOL.

Thank you all so much for those awesome reviews! They really make me smile you guys! I just love hearing your thoughts on the pieces of fiction that takes me so long to write, but that I enjoy to write for you guys! So once again I expect nothing less and thanks everyone! I can't wait to hear what you think is going to happen next and what you thought of this chapter! Bye guys!

Ivonne