Disclaimer: Nope. Own NOTHING.
Peyton and Nathan walked down the halls of Tree Hill High together. Their hands were laced together, but they were recieving dirty looks from pretty much everyone. Well, everyone that mattered. Haley, Lucas, Brooke, and for some reason, Tim weren't talking to the couple.
Peyton sighed before leaning over to whisper into Nathan's ear. "I'm about to kill myself. Everyone hates us."
Nathan nodded his head. "I know, Peyt. I still can't figure out why TIM isn't talking to me." He added, chuckling.
Peyton laughed as they stopped at her locker. "He's a follower." She said shrugging.
"She's a boyfried stealer." Brooke said coming up to the couple, her arm linked into Haley's.
"No, Brooke, she's a HUSBAND stealer." Haley said, narrowing her eyes at Peyton.
Peyton slammed the locker closed before turning to her once close friends. "Listen, bitch number one and bitch number two, green's an ugly color on both of you. Why don't you at least PRETEND to stop being jealous of me...save yourselves some pride." She said before grabbing Nathan's hand and dragging him away.
Peyton looked back to see the angry faces of Brooke and Haley. She then began laughing. "That felt...so good."
Nathan lead her into a classroom. "No it didn't." He said, shaking his head.
Peyton looked up at him.
"You miss your friends. You need them, so I'm getting them back for you." Was all he said before leaning down and giving her a peck on the cheek. He then proceeded to leave the classroom. Peyton was shocked. What was he going to do?
Nathan walked over to Brooke, Haley, Bevin, and Theresa. "Ladies." He said with his signiture smirk.
Theresa sent him a sexy smile. "Hey, Nate. Looking good." Bevin winked at him, causing him to laugh.
"I have a girlfriend." He said before turning to Brooke and Haley. "Which is why I'm here."
Brooke rolled her eyes, as did Haley. "Look, Nate, whatever you're going to say doesn't change that she.." Brooke began, but Nathan put a finger on her lips to make her shutup.
"Just hear me out...both of you." Nathan asked, his eyes pleading with Haley. Haley smiled, seeming to understand. "Okay." Haley nodded her head, speaking quietly.
"Okay?" Brooke asked a bit louder.
Haley nodded her head again. "Yeah, Brooke. Okay. We'll listen."
Nathan nodded his head, sending Haley a greatful smile. Haley smiled back.
"Brooke, Haley..I didn't mean for any of this to happen. Neither did Peyton. But it did, and we're not going to be sorry about it. Peyton DOES love me, but she loves you guys too..and I know it would mean so much to her to have her two best friends with her. Please, give her one last shot. She misses both of you so much." Nathan pleaded, his eyes on Brooke's. He knew he already had Haley's vote. He always would.
Brooke nodded her head. "I miss her too." She said quietly.
Nathan smiled. "So, are we all friends again?" He asked, hopefully.
Brooke nodded her head before hugging him. "You bet, boytoy. Although... I still think you are insanely, insanely sexy." She winked before walking away.
Haley was about to leave before Nathan grabbed her arm. "Hales.."
Haley closed her eyes. His touch still sent shivers down her spine. With her back still to him, she spoke. "Your welcome."
Nathan smiled. "You still have the wife intuition thing." He said laughing.
Haley nodded her head, tears burning her eyes. "Yeah, they didn't make me give it up in the divorce. I got to keep that...along with the memories."
Nathan grabbed her, and pulled her into a hug. He simply held her while she cried. Kissing the top of her head, he spoke. "I will ALWAYS love you, Haley. I will ALWAYS protect you. ALWAYS"
He repeated the words he had said to her not all that long ago. "I always have and I always will. That never has, and never WILL change."
Haley looked up as she stroked his cheek. "I'm sorry I broke my vows." She said through her tears.
Nathan nodded his head. "Me too." was all he said before walking away.
Haley stood in the middle of the empty hallway with a smile on her face. That was what she needed. That was what they both needed. Closure. She would always love Nathan, and she would probably always be IN love with Nathan, but NOW she could set him free.
Later that day, during lunch, all sitting together again were Nathan, Peyton, Brooke, and Haley. They were all happily laughing and joking around, but someone was missing.
Spotting Lucas, Nathan spoke. "Luke." He called from across the courtyard.
Lucas looked up, shocked that Nathan was even speaking to him. Hesitantly, he walked towards the table. "Yeah?"
Nathan nodded to the empty seat. "Pull up a chair."
Peyton smiled. From under the table, she gave Nathan's hand a reassuring squeeze.
Lucas nodded his head. "Yeah, thanks." He said smiling wider than ever.
The group of friends continued on with the playful bickering and jokes.
To any outsider, you would simply see 'The In-Crowd' or 'The Popular Kids', but in reality, it was a group of friends so strong that nothing would ever be able to break the bond they have with one another. Not lies, or betrayal. They were and always will be best friends.
THE END!