Disclaimer: I do not own anything OTH related. There are a couple of lines in the dialogue that belongs to OTH.

Epilogue

"People have had fire rituals since the beginning of time. For some people it's witchcraft; for others, religion; but for us, it marks the beginning of our senior year!" Brooke began her speech to kick off the party. A crowd, mixed with juniors and senior raised their cups and cheered just as Lucas and Peyton made their way to the front with Haley close behind. They had arrived just in time for the end of summer beach party to begin.

Brooke's eyes met Haley's for the first time that night.

Flashback

"Haley, that was amazing!" Peyton exclaimed as she hugged her rock star friend.

"We're so proud of you, Hales," Lucas added.

"Thanks, guys," Haley invited her two friend into her dressing room, "I'm glad you guys could make it,"

"We wouldn't miss it for the world," Lucas replied.

The tour was in Charlotte for its final show for the summer. Haley had put a side tickets and backstage passes for her friends to watch her perform – it was also a way for Haley to hitch a ride back to Tree Hill.

"So only two of you guys came?" Haley asked, sounding disappointed.

Peyton and Lucas eyed each other for a second. Neither of them knew what to say about Nathan and Brooke but somebody had to tell her. Then at the same time they nodded their heads towards Haley, signaling each other to tell Haley. After glare from Peyton, Lucas finally caved in and turned to look at his best friend.

"Not exactly…" Lucas began.

It had been a month since Haley had last seen Nathan and it had been a month since he told her that he had met someone else. Although Haley had kept in touch with Lucas and Peyton, neither one of them had told her that the someone else Nathan had moved on with was Brooke. Nobody was sure of how Haley would handle the news. But since Nathan and Brooke were now an official couple, it was time for Haley to know the truth.

"Ummm…Nathan and Brooke are here too…"

KNOCK KNOCK KNOCK

The sudden knocking on the door interuppted Lucas.

End Flashback

Brooke and Haley smiled at each other as Brooke continued with her speech, "I know we have to go back to school soon, but tonight, as long as this fire burns, summer is still ours!"Brooke then lowered her torch to the pile of wood, which was drenched in lighter fluid, and ignited the bonfire. As the fire lit with a roar, the rowdy teens cheered again. She then signaled Mouth, the DJ for the night, with a nod of the head to drop the first upbeat song of the night.

Flashback

"So… Brooke, huh?" Haley in a calm but surprised voice.

Nathan and Haley were alone in her dressing room. Nathan had decided that it would be best for him to tell Haley about Brooke. Haley deserved at least that much. She leaned against her vanity table as she stood in front of Nathan.

"Yeah, who would have thought?" they laughed. "Are you mad?" Nathan finally asked.

Haley smiled, "Honestly…no. I'm happy for you…for the both of you,"

It was the truth. Deep down, they both knew it was over between them. Their lives had gone in separate directions and it didn't seem like there was a path leading them back. Or maybe there was and they just couldn't see it just yet. But whether or not if it was there, they would have to continue on their own separate journies first.

"Yeah?"

"Yeah…I'll admit it's a little surprising but I can see that you're happy…and if Brooke is responsible for it then…" Haley shrugged, unable to find the right words to finish her thought. She took a few steps towards Nathan, "Look, before this tour…when you told me you moved on, I was crushed…I thought we would have been able to work things out but after being on this tour…I wouldn't change a thing,"

"You're a great person, Hales…I owe a lot to you, you know,"

Haley laughed modestly, "No you don't,"

"Yeah I do, Hales. You saw something in me when everyone else just saw a selfish jerk…and for some reason, you stood by me and brought the best out of me,"

Haley shook her head, "You wanted to change and you did. You did it yourself,"

Nathan chuckled, "Could you quit being so modest and just take the credit,"

"Alright…fine. I am the greatest person in the world," Haley joked.

Laughing, Nathan pulled Haley into a hug, "I just want you to know that I don't regret we shared together," he whispered into her ear.

"Me too," she replied.

"I'll always love you, Haley,"

A tear slipped from her eye, "I love you, too,"

End Flashback

The five friends sat on a deserted part of the beach. Brooke, Nathan, Haley, Peyton and Lucas all sat in a line, facing the ocean. They were close enough to the actual party to see them but far enough to have their own private beach.

As Haley and Peyton laughed at a joke Lucas had just made, Brooke was whispering something into Nathan's ear when a voice from behind yelled, "So this is where the real party is,"

Each one of them turned their heads around to see who it was. They were pleasantly surprised, but happy to see a barefoot Jake walking towards them. Nathan and Brooke stood up and were the first to greet Jake.

"Glad you could make it man," Nathan said.

"Yeah, I had to put Jenny to sleep before I could get out," Jake explained his lateness.

"Well, we're umm…gonna go for a walk. Want to come?" Brooke asked.

Jake gave Nathan a questioning look.

Nathan innocently shrugged his shoulders.

"Nah…I think I'll stay and catch up here," Jake said.

"Suit yourself," Brooke said and she grabbed Nathan's hand, "See you guys later,"

Jake shook his head as he watched the two walk away. He then turned back to his remaining friends.

"Hey," Jake said when he finally saw Haley sitting beside Peyton.

"Hey," Haley smiled as she stood up. They stood there eyeing each other for a few second before Haley broke the silence, "So you miss my concert to take care of another girl and now you're just gonna stand there and not give me hug?" she joked.

Jake smiled as he walked towards her and gave her a hug.

"Long time no see," Haley said as she wrapped her arms around his neck.

"Yeah, too long," he whispered.

Lucas and Peyton smiled as they watched their friends flirt a bit.

Laughter and light conversations were shared between the four remaining friends. Jake was fascinated by some of Haley's tour stories. Although it wasn't the first time Peyton and Lucas had heard them, they didn't mind hearing them again. Jake on the other hand was excited for her.

"Ah, man… I can't believe I missed the concert," Jake apologized.

Haley waved a hand, "Don't worry about it. I'm just glad Jenny is feeling better…anyways I'm sure someone made a bootleg," she nudged Peyton.

Peyton grinned, but didn't fully admit about making the illegal recording.

Jake looked at his watch and cringed, "Speaking of Jenny...I'm sorry. I have to get going. I promised my parents I'd be home early tonight,"

As Jake stood up, Peyton elbowed Haley in the ribs, "Ow," Haley glared at Peyton who was wriggling her eyebrows up and down as her eyes darted back and forth between Haley and Jake.

Haley quickly caught the signal and smiled, "Um, Jake…do you mind walking me home?"

"No not at all," he smiled.

Lucas silently chuckled and shook his head and his girlfriend's meddling tactics.

"Bye, guys," Peyton called out with a big grin on her face.

Jake and Haley turned back and waved as they walked towards inland.

And just like the beginning of the summer, when everyone left, only two remained behind.

From the corner of her eyes, she saw Lucas moving around. She turned her head to see him dusting sand from his hands.

"Looks like it's just you and me," Lucas whispered. He then moved and scooted behind her. His arms wrapped around her and held her close with his chin resting on her shoulder.

Peyton smiled and looked at him. She leaned in for a kiss, "The way it's meant to be," Peyton replied as she leaned back into his chest.

And it was the truth. Even though everyone had come back, in the end, it would always be just Peyton and Lucas. Together they watched the ocean water crash along the shore line, like they did almost every summer night. Sitting in silience, the listened to calming ocean sounds. Both of them took a moment to remember everything that had happened that summer.

It had been a whirlwind of a summer for both Peyton Sawyer and Lucas Scott. It had been a summer of heartache; a summer of truths; a summer of love. It was a summer to remember.

This is it for this fic. It was fun writing it even though it was hard at some times. I also want to give a huge THANKS to everyone who read and especially to those who reviewed. I have a short Christmas fic that I'm working on right now...it's loosely based on "A Christmas Carol" I'm still working out a few plot lines, but it should be up in a few days. Anyways, thanks again and I hope you all like this story!