Nathan's Raven: She just could be, you never know.
pink pony: Peyton knows Jake from 'another lifetime', I just hinted that in, like she remembers him from real Tree Hill, you know? Lol. Thanks!
hilaryhilary: Yes they are, that doesn't mean I'll be putting them together though, lol.
HalesnLukeBFF4ever: Thanks! Hehe, I had to add her in at least a little bit.
Britt: Thanks so much!
1THLUVR4EVA: Sorry I didn't update sooner, but I'm glad you liked the chapters!
Jacqueline22393: I wanted to incorporate Peyton, and I didn't want to have like, Haley's real dad die, and then have to explain it all, so I settled with her brother, lol. I've always imagined Haley close to her brother. Yep, just a few more chapters left .. Five I think, lol. Jaley or Naley? Hmm.. You don't know, but I do! -grins evilly- I do now, but I'm sorry, I lost track of time, lol.
Let Me Go
Chapter Fifteen: Enjoy It While You Can
"Hey friend!" Haley jumped as she received this greeting from Brooke.
"Someone's happy today." She grumbled.
"Haley James, I am appalled! Do you not know what's coming up soon!" Brooke seemed generally outraged, as Haley gave up walking to class, and turned to face her.
"Your first pregnancy?"
"No! Junior Formal! How could you forget? We've only been planning it all year."
"Correction. You've been planning it all year." Haley began walking away again, only to hear Brooke's heels click besides hers once more.
"Bitch, much?"
Haley stopped, turning to face Brooke. "Brooke, I don't have anyone to go to the formal with! I don't even really want to go!"
"How can you not want to go? I understand your super problems with Jake and Nate, but that doesn't mean you can't go! Plus, I have some very reliable sources that say you're going to be voted homecoming queen.."
"Really? I mean, no! I don't know want to go. I just want to sit at home all night and cry and be selfish. And by the way, don't you win homecoming queen every year? What would make this year any different?"
"Sweetie, I'm not going to win Homecoming Queen of the Junior Formal. That would be so last year. I'm going to win Homecoming Queen at the Senior Prom, because that's where Luke's going to be. You can't not go, Hales!"
"But I can't go either!"
"Can too! You can totally go with any boy here. I'm sure they'd all love to go out with you."
"I don't want to go out with any random boy here.."
"Well, we could make sure he was cute for you?"
"Brooke, I can't go with Nathan, because that means I'm choosing him over Jake, and I can't go with Jake, because that means I'm choosing him over Nathan! At least in their eyes.."
"Haley, for a really smart girl, you are an idiot."
"I am?"
"Yeah, there is a very simple solution to this problem."
"There is?"
"Yes. You let them choose."
"I do what?"
"You let Jake and Nathan choose who gets to take you to prom."
"Wow, you must be insane. I'm trying to avoid another death match of the century."
"I'm telling you. If you tell them to decide, they will. It'll be simple, and pain free."
"I don't think so. I'd rather be a third wheel to you and Lucas."
"Really?" Brooke squealed.
"Sure, why not?"
The two girls began walking away, until Haley stopped and turned to face Brooke.
"Oh, and by the way, you better not have been lying about that whole, Homecoming Queen thing."
Haley rummaged through her closet slowly, looking for a nice dress. So far, she'd found a grand total of nothing.
Sighing, she leaned her head against the wall. The formal was later that day, and she had absolutely no time to go shopping.
There was no way she was going to wear the same dress she'd worn before, it just couldn't happened. She wasn't even sure it was aloud to happen.
So much for going to the dance.
Footsteps interrupted her thoughts, causing Haley to turn her head towards the direction of her door.
There stood her eighteen-year old sister, Taylor. Taylor had taken a year off, before she'd be attending school in Los Angeles the next year.
"Hey Baby Sis," She said, plopping herself down onto Haley's bed.
"Hi Taylor," Haley mumbled.
"What's wrong?" Haley was actually shocked Taylor cared.
"I can't find a dress for the Junior Formal. I've spent so much time worrying about other stuff, I've let time slip through my fingers, and now it's too late." Haley began to tear up, giving Taylor the feeling she was crying about something a little more then just her dress.
"Hey," Taylor soothed the younger girl, "I'm sure I have a dress you can use. Come on, let's find you a dress."
Taylor stood up and wrapped her arm around her sister's shoulder, guiding her towards her bedroom.
Haley took a seat on Taylor's bed, watching as Taylor opened up her closet.
"Let's see here.." Taylor paused, turning around to face her sister, "Come on Hale, I can't do this alone."
Haley nodded and stood up, standing by her sister's side.
"I know I have a nice dress in here somewhere. Oh, here it is." Taylor pulled out a dress that was on a rack.
The dress was in a bag, so Haley couldn't see it as her sister pulled it out. Taylor grinned and hurried over to her bed, placing the zipped bag on to it.
Haley followed and looked up at Taylor expectantly.
"Okay, I was supposed to wear this the year of my senior prom, but then I decided I would rather wear something less elegant since it wasn't a formal, so I just ignored the dress. But, it is so pretty, and it would look gorgeous on you. I can even do your hair, and everything!" Haley smiled as her sister squealed.
Taylor unzipped the bag, pulling out the dress inside. It was light blue, and was made of silk. It was absolutely gorgeous. It was about knee-length and there wasn't much to it besides that. It was simple, but totally something Haley would wear.
"Taylor, it's beautiful."
"I know," She grinned, "I begged mom to get it for me for weeks, because I obviously didn't have enough money, and she finally did. She was really disappointed when I didn't wear it. But, I'm sure she'll be happy to know that you're wearing it."
"Like mom or dad would care enough to notice." Haley looked down at the dress, smiling softly.
"They'd notice if you were wearing it."
Haley smiled softly, taking a seat besides the dress, and running her hands over her jean covered legs.
Taylor sat besides her.
"Something you want to talk about Haley-Bub?"
And so Haley began about her story of Jake and Nathan, and how she didn't know who to choose. By the end, she was in tears once more, and Taylor was rubbing her back affectionately.
"Taylor," She sobbed, "Everyone says it isn't a hard choice, but I really don't know what to do."
"I can't help you Baby Sis. It's your choice, and that's all I can say. Whoever you pick or don't pick, will be best for you."
"Thanks, Tay."
"No problem. And I know it may seem like I've failed everyone, and I'm a bad person or whatever, but I really want you to know that I really, truly love you. And that I want so much for you. I really do."
Haley nodded, smiling in spite of her tears. "I love you too, Taylor. And I know I don't seem like the best sister, or that I'm always looking down on you, but I really love you, and you're a really great person."
The two sisters, now both in tears, hugged once more before Taylor finally spoke up.
"Now come on, we need to get you into this dress."
Hours later, Haley arrived to the dance, looking as many would say, absolutely gorgeous. Her blondish brown hair was in loose curls, that cascaded down her shoulders, and she'd managed to find a nice pair of black high heels.
She was also, of course with Brooke and Lucas. The three of them had arrived in Lucas's black escalade, and Brooke looked amazing as well in her beautiful pink dress, which went just above her knees. Her hair was down and straight, and she looked perfect and petite next to her tall boyfriend, despite her tall pink wedges.
The three of them walked into the dance room as a trio, but Haley knew it'd be mere minutes before Lucas and Brooke would be off on their own. She looked around, hoping to find any of her other friends.
She spotted Ashley Jane, a blonde junior, who although she didn't hang out with much, was friends with. She shared four classes with Ashley, and they were paired together constantly due to the similarities in their last names. Ashley was dressed in more of a 'boho' style, and Haley thought it suited her well.
Ashley was alone also, until she was joined by Haley.
"Hi," Haley greeted.
"Hey," The blonde smiled, "You look amazing."
"Thanks. You do too."
Ashley rolled her eyes. "Yeah, thanks. My boyfriend has yet to tell me. He went to get some punch, if you want to stick around and hang with us."
Damn, she had company. "No thanks. Just came to say hi." Haley lied, scurrying off.
Once again, she was alone. She looked around the dance floor, and rolled her eyes. She'd come for this?
She heard footsteps behind her, and turned. Haley smiled as Lucas reached out to her. "Want to dance?"
"Sure, but what about Brooke?"
He shrugged. "She's dancing with some freshman who snuck in an like, idolizes her."
"Oh," Haley said, trying not to laugh.
The pair walked onto the dance floor, and Haley smiled towards her friend.
"You really love her, don't you?" She spoke after a few seconds.
"Yeah, I do."
"That's really cool, Luke. I'm happy for you."
"Thanks, Hales. But you know, he loves you." His eyes sparkled, and Haley knew what he meant.
"Nathan," She spoke quietly.
"Yeah. Haley, I've never seen him so torn up about something. He sucks at basketball, he doesn't get any sleep, he's just not Nathan, and it's because he's so in love with you, I just don't even know what to do."
Haley fought back tears. "Luke, what about Jake? I mean, I know Nathan's your brother, so of course you're going to take his side, and I'm not asking you to do differently, I'm just saying that Jake has feelings too, and it's not fair to him if I just choose Nathan."
"Hales, you need to stop thinking about Jake! Or Nathan! What do you want?"
She was silent.
"What do you want?"
She still didn't speak.
"What. Do. You. Want?"
"I don't know! Nathan."
"Exactly."
She was crying now. "But that isn't fair to Jake, and his feelings. I can't just be selfish.." She trailed off, and Lucas pulled her in for a hug.
"It's okay, Hales. I'm sorry. I was being kind of mean. I just don't understand why two people who love each other can't be together."
Haley kissed his cheek. "You're a really great guy, Lucas. But I have to go."
She ran towards the bathroom, and shut herself into a stall, letting tears pour from her eyes. What she was doing, she knew wasn't fair. It just wasn't something she could control. She really loved Nathan, but it wasn't fair to Jake for her to love Nathan.
And it wouldn't be fair to Nathan if she would side with Jake, whom she didn't even really love. Honestly, she knew it was just best for her to choose neither, and let it go.
It must have taken her about an hour and a half to decide just that, because after she'd reapplied her makeup, and left the bathroom, it was time to announce king and queen for Tree Hill High's Junior Formal.
She bit her lip, awaiting a response.
Principle Turner sighed, opening up the envelope slowly. "And the King and Queen for Tree Hill High's Junior Formal is.." He paused, "Nathan Scott and Haley James!"
Cheers came from everywhere. Haley found herself being pushed up onto the stage. She managed to get up there, and she smiled at Principle Turner as he placed the crown on her head. She saw the same being done to Nathan, who looked beyond nervous.
She faked a smile towards the crowd of people, giving a small wave. Principle Turner spoke into the microphone once more. "And now, the king and queen will share a dance!"
Play by Flunk began to play, and Haley took a step closer to Nathan.
"We don't have to-" He began, but she interrupted.
"Yes we do."
She wrapped her arms around his shoulders, and he held her waist. They danced slowly, looking into each other's eyes, and receiving many 'awww's' from the crowd of people.
Everyone
Every lover who's lover's gone
It's a soothing delight
And it's moving my life
They could both hear a few people looking up and whispering:
"Are they going out now?"
"Isn't she with Jake?"
"They're so adorable!"
But they chose to ignore them, and simply enjoy the moment, and take it for what it was. In minutes, they'd be separated once more, by the people that surrounded them especially.
She brought her head to his chest, and let it rest there, looking into the crowd.
"I love you," She mumbled quietly, so that he could not hear her.
She saw Brooke and Lucas, lost in each other, with Brooke's forehead pressed up against Lucas's, and with him whispering sweet nothings to her. She felt so happy for her best friends, who seemed to have defied every rule of relationships, and had still managed to find each other.
She was Tim, with his new girlfriend, laughing and joking, and she could only think of how much he'd grown as a person since they were kids.
She saw Jake, who was standing by himself, looking up at her and Nathan, biting his lip. Then she saw Peyton, the girl from the graveyard, approach him, and begin talking to him. She watched a smile form on his face, as she held out her hand. With one last look towards Haley and Nathan, he began dancing with her.
She looked back up at Nathan, who was staring at her deeply, with his crown on his head. Damn, he was handsome.
So cold, cold
Yeah beautiful
Everybody knows that life can be wonderful
And just like that, he leaned down, pressing his lips softly against hers. Their kiss was soft and sweet , one that would be forever remembered.
She pulled away after what seemed like a few seconds, looking into the crowd to see who'd seen.
No one had.
Except for Brooke. She was resting her head by Lucas's shoulder, and Haley could only assume his was on hers. She wore a small knowing smile on her face, as she winked.
Haley looked back up to Nathan. He looked nervous once more, and she had to admit, it was adorable.
So, instead of pulling away, or slapping him, she settled into his arms. Maybe they'd never experience this moment again, or maybe they would, but right then and there, she was just that.
She was just there, with him. And they both deserved that moment right there.
Whatever the future held, she'd let happen, as long as fate would allow her to happy then, even if it was just for that minute.
It's a soothing delight
And it's moving my life