Chapter 38- Coming Home
Haley pulled her coat around her tightly. There was a chill in the air that she could not escape. While the majority of the time Haley loved the climate that North Carolina afforded, December was notoriously a bitterly chilly month. Haley fought off a shiver and picked up her pace, heading towards her suite.
Walking into the suite Haley quickly stripped off her coat, as the heat was going full blast. Haley glanced around, checking to see if any of her suitemates were around. Before she got very far, Emma emerged from her bedroom.
"Hey Haley, you dropped off your paper?"
Emma had been Peyton's roommate freshman year, and along with Haley's freshman roommate Katie, the four became fast friends. Sophomore year their roommate pairings had remained the same, but the friends had moved in next door to one another. Junior year, they were all thrilled to have won the housing lottery and moved into one of the few and coveted four person upper classmen suites, each had their own room and they all shared a very large living room and kitchen.
"Yeah, it's all taken care of. Now, just one more final this afternoon and then I'm headed back to Tree Hill for Christmas break."
Haley was looking forward to break. This past semester had been ridiculously hard, and Haley was in dire need of some time to relax.
"Well I'm off to take my last final, and then I'm hitting the road. So Haley, have a good break and I'll see you in January."
Haley hugged Emma and nodded, "Yep, see you then. Good luck with your test, and drive safe."
Emma nodded and headed out of the suite. Haley headed for her room to finish packing and do some last minute cramming.
Later that day, Haley breathed a huge sigh of relief as she made her way to her car. One more semester down, three more to go. Haley found it hard to believe, she was more than halfway done with college already. The years had flown by and Haley was well aware that before she knew it, it would be time to face the real world.
Haley got into her car and started the engine. It was time to head home.
ooooOoooo
Nathan glanced down at his odometer, 600 miles down, 100 more to go. Nathan had made this same trip countless times the last four years, and each time he felt as though it took longer and longer. At least he could breathe easy knowing that this could be his last trip home. Come May, he was graduating and with all honesty, Nathan had no idea what the next chapter in his life would bring.
After changing his major countless times, Nathan had finally settled on a business major. While he had no idea what he would do with it, he was thankful that he had settled on a major that afforded him the luxury of having a multitude of choices as to what he would do for a career.
Nathan knew that the smart thing to do was to begin considering his options and making some kind of choice before he graduated, but that wasn't the path he had decided to take. Instead, Nathan had decided to just enjoy this last semester coming up, and worry about the real world when he was standing on its doorstep.
Having decided on his plan months ago, Nathan was nervous to share it with his father. Nathan's dad had begun working the day he graduated college, and it was only through his blood sweat and tears that he had come to be one of the richest men in Tree Hill. Nathan knew his dad would be disappointed that Nathan didn't want to follow in his dad's footsteps, having mapped out his life path well in advance of graduation.
Nathan had done well in school. He had buckled down sophomore year and realized that he had to create his own destiny. He had begun to take his classes more seriously, and had improved his grades immensely from his less than stellar performance freshman year. But now, Nathan knew that he had a good chance of graduating with honors.
Quickly losing himself in thought, Nathan failed to notice the miles flying past him. Before he knew it he saw the sign, Tree Hill 10 miles. He was almost home.
ooooOoooo
"Brooke, I know. I said I'd be there. Calm down, I'm just at the store now getting all this food you instructed me to bring. I'll be there as soon as I can."
Haley flipped her cell phone shut before Brooke could go on any longer. Brooke had decided that the girls would have an old fashioned slumber party tonight, their first night all back in Tree Hill. Brooke had called Haley about 20 times, adding something else to the shopping list each time.
Haley finally got all of the items on the list and headed quickly towards the check out lines. Realizing that she had forgotten the hot fudge Haley debated for a minute as to whether or not she should just forget about it, but she decided against it. No hot fudge would be a fate worth than death in Brooke's eyes. Whipping around to make her way back to the dessert aisle, Haley stopped, stunned. She couldn't believe it. There he was, right in front of her.
"Nathan."
"Haley."
The two stood there, absolutely silent, just looking at one another. They had somehow managed to avoid each other successfully for the past two and half years. They had managed to avoid this extremely awkward situation that they were now faced with.
Haley hadn't seen Nathan since he had kissed her and walked away just days before she started her freshman year of college. Despite the years that they hadn't seen one another, a day had never passed where Haley didn't think about Nathan. Even if that thought was a brief fleeting one, it was a thought nonetheless. Haley felt as though she had moved on from Nathan, but now, with him standing there before her, she found herself at a loss for words.
"How are you?" Nathan somehow managed to spit out.
"Ummm, good. Just heading over to Brooke's for a girls' night."
"Sounds fun. How are Brooke and Peyton?"
"They're good. Peyton's still at school with me, and Brooke's up in New York City going to fashion school."
Nathan nodded, "Yeah, I know. I see Lucas around school from time to time."
"Yeah, that makes sense." Haley's eyes darted around nervously. She had no idea what to say. "Well, I should probably get going. Brooke and Peyton are waiting."
"Okay, well it was good to see you Haley."
"You too Nathan." Haley turned to try and make a quick getaway.
Nathan watched as Haley began to walk away, and before he could take it back he called out to her.
"Haley."
Haley slowly turned around and looked questioningly at Nathan.
"Have dinner with me, tomorrow night? I would really like to catch up. If you're free I mean."
Haley answered immediately, without allowing herself to debate the possible ramifications, "Yeah, okay. I'm free."
"Okay, well, I'll pick you up at 6? If that works for you."
"Yeah, that's fine. I'll see you then." With that, Haley turned and headed back towards the register, knowing Brooke would get over the fact at the lack of hot fudge.
As she gathered her bags, and walked out of the store, Haley wondered if accepting his invitation had been a huge mistake.
"Did you get everything?" Brooke asked as she took the bags from Haley's hands the second Haley walked into the house.
Haley just nodded, standing there absolutely silent. She was still in shock from her run in with Nathan.
"Oh good, you got mint chocolate chip. Mmm, and Doritos. Wait, Haley." Brooke looked through all the bags, "Where's the hot fudge? I told you to get hot fudge didn't I?" Brooke put her hand on her hips and looked at Haley, waiting for an answer.
Haley just stood there, still silent.
"Seriously, Haley, the hot fudge?"
"I saw Nathan." Haley said quietly.
"WHAT?"
"I saw Nathan, at the store. He asked me to go out to dinner tomorrow and I said yes."
Brooke stood there stunned. It was her turn to be at a loss for words.
"I'm having dinner with Nathan tomorrow night. I still can't believe it. I've said it over and over to myself on the way here and I still don't believe it."
As Haley spoke Peyton walked into the kitchen, "Hey. Brooke, what's wrong with your face? Shut your mouth, you look like you're trying to catch flies."
"I saw Nathan. We're having dinner tomorrow night."
As Haley announced her news Peyton's jaw also dropped. All three girls stood there in silence, digesting the news.
Finally Brooke broke the silence, "What're you going to wear?"
ooooOoooo
Haley gazed across the table at Nathan. He looked older somehow, more mature. His eyes though, his eyes looked exactly the same, they hadn't lost their innocence, their boyish charm. And Haley could swear that when Nathan looked at her, there was a twinkle in his eyes.
Nathan looked up from his menu, and caught Haley staring at him. Their eyes met and she quickly averted her gaze, putting her full attention towards the menu in her hands. Nathan didn't think it was possible, but somehow Haley looked even more beautiful than he remembered. It amazed him that his dreams and memories of her didn't hold a candle to the woman sitting in front of him.
She wore her hair differently now. Back in high school she would always straighten her hair, just as all the other girls had, but now she wore it natural. It was wavy and fell loose around her shoulders. Haley had always worn minimal makeup, but now she wore even less, just a little lip gloss and mascara. She was more natural, it was as though she had grown into her beauty, like she now accepted it and just let it be.
"So how's school?" Haley's voice broke through Nathan's trance.
"It's good. One semester left. It seems unreal, I feel way too young to be graduating college."
"Any plans for after graduation?"
Nathan laughed. Leave it to Haley to ask about his plans for the future. "No, not yet. I'm just taking it day by day for now." Nathan paused, "What about you? How's school?"
"It's great. Hard, but good."
"Yeah, you always did love a challenge. Are you still planning to go to law school?"
"That's the plan." Haley smiled and then looked down, focusing on the salad in front of her.
The two made small talk while they waited for their meals. Once they arrived they ate in silence, just enjoying one another's company. The awkwardness of the situation had melted away and now it was just a familiar comfort.
"So you're happy?" Nathan asked as he looked towards Haley.
"Honestly?" Haley looked to Nathan, who nodded. "No, I'm not happy. I'm not unhappy though. I just am. Does that make sense?"
"Yeah Hales, it does."
Haley nearly choked on her water. She couldn't remember the last time he had called her that. The sound of it made her heart melt. Haley smiled, and placed her hand on the table. Nathan reached out and placed his hand on hers.
They just sat there like that until the waitress came over with the bill. Nathan slowly removed his hand, reaching into his pocket in order to pull out his wallet. He removed some cash and handed it to the waitress, telling her to keep the change.
Nathan stood up and walked over to Haley, pulling her chair out behind her as she stood. He helped her into her coat and then, placing a hand on her lower back, escorted her out of the restaurant.
Nathan guided Haley through the parking lot towards his car. Neither said a word, but somehow both knew what was going to happen. After Nathan opened the door for her, Haley slid into the passenger's seat. Nathan shut the door behind her and walked over to the driver's side. He got in and looked towards Haley.
Neither said a word, but she could see the question in his eyes. She nodded, her answer yes.