"Haley James, party girl!"
Haley looked around to see Lucas sitting at his kitchen table, waiting for her. He stood up and walked over to her as she shut the door.
"Where were you, rock star, trashing hotel rooms, getting wasted in famous clubs?"
Haley raised her eyebrows at him. "And I thought you knew me." She laughed and turned around, and began to her room. Lucas followed her interestedly.
"Where were you? C'mon, tell me. You know you want to." He sat on her bed as she peeled off her jacket.
"I was with Nathan." Haley said, and turned around before she saw his reaction.
"Really? Hales, that's great!"
Haley looked around. "And, by the way, where's Brooke?"
Lucas waved it off, intending to pay his full attention to Haley. "She went home awhile ago. So, what did you two do? And, is that where you disappeared to at the party?"
Haley turned around slowly and smiled exasperatedly. "Yeah. He was so wasted, and Tim had cut him with a bottle, and I patched it up for him."
"Peyton said he didn't go willingly."
"Yeah, well, I'm his wife. And whether he likes it or not, that's the way it is." Haley turned to grin at Lucas. "But tonight he defiantly liked it."
Lucas smiled and hugged his friend. "Good for you, Hales. I told you he would come around eventually."
"Yeah," Haley said quietly "I think you're right."
One Tree Hill- One Tree Hill- One Tree Hill- One Tree Hill- One Tree Hill
"Hey." Peyton fell into step with Nathan as he walked to basketball practice. She pushed a flyer into his hand. "Tric is having another club night on Friday."
Nathan looked at her. "Really?"
Peyton smiled. "Yeah, Karen and I are getting off our hiatus-friendly butts and kick-starting the new year with Gavin DeGraw." She turned to him. "And this time I promise to not invite your wife's sexy macho co-worker!" She slapped his shoulder and began to walk away, but suddenly turned back. "I think it's time you climbed back on that horse. I mean… its safe now. She won't buck you off again." Peyton grinned and nodded towards Haley, who was laughing with a cute guy from her 3rd period class. "Before she finds another rider."
One Tree Hill- One Tree Hill- One Tree Hill- One Tree Hill- One Tree Hill
"Wow!" Haley exclaimed as she and Lucas walked into Tric. "This place looks amazing!" Lucas had one protective arm around her shoulder, and pointed out the table where their friends were sitting with the other. "Look, over there!"
Brooke, Peyton, and Nathan were sitting around a circular table on high stools. "Hey you!" Brooke said excitedly as she hugged Haley and Lucas at the same time. Peyton patted the stool next to her, and Haley hung her bag off of it. "Ohmigosh!" Brooke tilted her head to hear the music playing. "I love this song! Come on, P. Sawyer!" With that, she dragged Peyton to the dance floor, moving to the fast paced song.
Lucas and Haley watched the dancing crowd, smiling. Nathan looked at Haley, missing her, wanting her.
Brooke and Peyton suddenly appeared behind Haley, grabbing her arms and pulling her, laughing, to the dance floor. Nathan watched as the three friends danced to the pulsing sound. Lucas chuckled, "Boy, can they dance." Nathan nodded in agreement.
Brooke cheered and grabbed Haley and Peyton's hands, pulling them into a circle, the three girls dancing to the beat. Brooke nodded towards Nathan. "I think he's watching," she said smiling. Peyton laughed as Haley grabbed Brooke playfully around the neck.
Skills, Fergie and the Rivercourt gang walked up to them. "Haley? You're back?" Skills asked as he put his arm around her neck. "Gimme some love, girl." She laughed and kissed him on the cheek lightheartedly. Everyone laughed as Fergie asked, "What about me?" Haley grinned and hugged him in turn. Skills nudged her, saying, "It is a good thing you came back, girl. Luke missed you." Haley smiled at him as she hugged her friends from long ago.
Lucas watched as Nathan crumpled his napkin a napkin in his fist. He was watching Haley hug and playfully kiss the guys from the Rivercourt. Lucas laughed and looked towards the heavens. "I'm gonna go out there," He said, motioning to the group of people greeting Haley, "You want to come?" Nathan shook his head curtly. Lucas walked over to his friends, dancing and laughing. Nathan watched them, wondering why he couldn't find the strength to do that anymore.
One Tree Hill- One Tree Hill- One Tree Hill- One Tree Hill- One Tree Hill
An hour later, the group was sitting back at the table. Haley turned to Lucas, her hand outstretched. "Keys, mister." Lucas raised an eyebrow. "Excuse me?"
"Please! I'm tired." She yawned as if to prove her point. Lucas grinned at her. "Fine, I'll take you home. I'm exhausted." They said goodbye, and after a few hugs from Brooke, left the club, Lucas with a protective arm around his best friend.
As soon as they left, Nathan groaned and put his head on the table.
"Oh my god! I can't do this anymore. I need her, I love her." He looked up at the two girls. "Even seeing her with Lucas or Skills makes me mad." He sighed. "I love her, and I don't need anymore time."
Brooke smiled sadly. "There's no time like the present."
One Tree Hill- One Tree Hill- One Tree Hill- One Tree Hill- One Tree Hill
What happens next? Will Nathan go after Haley? Have Lucas and Brooke find they've made a mistake? What happens when Deb takes a stand? All next time on After the Summer.