It's Wednesday night at the pier. Lauren is wearing her gauchos and a pair of stilettos. Most guys were shorter than her but Jake wasn't. She felt comfortable wearing heels with him. She walked along the pier to the place where he told her to meet him. He was sitting on a bench with a bouquet of pink gerbera daisies. She saw him and she felt her stomach drop. She liked him so much but was afraid he did not feel the same.
As Jake sat there waiting for Lauren he didn't have a care in the world. He usually was self conscious about what he was wearing or what to say, but with her everything came easy. He watched her walk up and his stomach dropped. He couldn't put into words how gorgeous she looked. Jake stood up and handed her the flowers.
Jake-You look amazing!
Lauren-Thanks, so do you.
She gratefully accepted the flowers and kissed him on the cheek. He couldn't believe it. The night had just started and it couldn't be anymore perfect.
Jake-I'm happy you came.
Lauren-Yeah I am too. So did Nathan tell you that he and my sister are going to Michigan for the weekend?
Jake-Yeah, he sounded really excited.
Lauren-Yeah so did Michelle.
Jake-I've never seen him this happy. I haven't seen myself this happy either.
Lauren-Me either.
The night continued and neither of them wanted to leave. He walked her home and kissed her good night. Lauren walked into her room that was connected to her sisters and saw her sister tearing through her closet.
Lauren-Michelle? What's going on?
Michelle-I can't find anything to wear for the weekend!
Lauren-Want to go shopping tomorrow?
Michelle-Yeah! Can I look in your closet first?
Lauren-Sure go ahead.
The sisters loved shopping and fashion. So any chance they had to go, they took it. It was something they have had in common since they were little. They used to always spend hours making their own clothes and model them. That's probably why they are so close.
Thursday
It's after school and Michelle and Lauren are shopping at the boutiques in town. They run into Brooke in one of the stores. They know who Brooke is, who doesn't? She's the head cheerleader but they had never spoken to her.
Brooke-Hey! Your Michelle and Lauren right?
The girls were hesitant to answer.
Michelle-Yeah.
Brooke-Aren't you guys dating Nathan and Jake?
Lauren-I guess you could say that. Why do you ask?
Brooke-Oh well I never see them anymore and I've seen them talking to you guys so I figured that's why. Well I guess I'll see you in school. See ya!
The girls looked puzzled. Were they spending too much time with Nathan and Jake? Why would she say something like that? Michelle and Lauren finished their shopping and headed home.
Haley and Lucas were sitting on a bench in the park drinking coffee and talking. They hadn't seen each other in a few days and were questioning why.
Haley-I thought you said you were going to play basketball with Nathan the other day.
Lucas-Yeah, I was supposed to but he was busy. Weren't you supposed to be with Brooke?
Haley-Yeah she had other plans. Why didn't you call me when you found out Nathan was busy?
Lucas-Oh well I went to the court and played ball with skittles. Bevin was shopping so he called me and we met up at the court. Sorry.
Haley-Oh. Well I did nothing it was quite interesting actually I had never been so bored or lonely and I missed you so much.
Lucas could see that Haley was acting a little jealous. He didn't like it but couldn't let her go. He had wanted her for too long and didn't want to say anything that would risk him loosing her.
Friday
Its lunch on Friday and Nathan saw Michelle sitting with Lauren at a table outside. He walked up. He was so excited for this weekend and hoped she felt the same.
Nathan-Hey! Do you mind if I sit here?
Michelle gave Lauren the "make an excuse and leave" look.
Lauren-Yeah sure I was just about to go anyways. I'll see you guys later.
Nathan sat down across from Lauren.
Nathan-So are you ready for your tournament tomorrow?
Michelle-Yeah I am.
Her cell rings. She gestures to Nathan that she will be right back and walks away for a few minutes. Jake walked over to Nathan.
Jake-Hey. Have you seen Lauren?
Nathan-Yeah. She was here a minute ago, she just got up and left.
Jake-Okay well I'll catch ya later! Have fun this weekend!
Nathan-Thanks I'll call you.
Jake left to go find Lauren and Michelle came back.
Michelle-Sorry that was my coach. Looks like I have late practice tonight.
Nathan- That's nuts!
Michelle-Yeah it starts at night at like 9 until like midnight. You can come and watch or I can call Peter and you two can hang out. He's cool you'd like him. Just let me know so I can call him.
Nathan-Okay. Yeah I'll meet him. If you like him, then I'll probably like him.
Michelle-Great! I'm excited for you to meet him now! Okay well I'd better go. I'll meet you here after school!
With that Michelle left. She meant what she said about being excited for Nathan to meet Peter. Peter and her sister dated for 3 years before they moved. After seeing him every single day for three years, they became friends. He always helped her with the guy problems her sister couldn't help her with. She missed Peter but not as much as her sister. She unlike Lauren would admit it. Lauren and Peter hadn't officially broken up but they are still close and talk to each other almost every day just to say hi or tell each other whats going on. The day went on very slowly for Michelle and Nathan. Finally the last bell rang at 2:55. They dashed out to Michelle's car. Nathan was waiting when she got there.
Nathan-All ready?
Michelle-Yeah. You?
Nathan-Yup.
They left and spent the long flight to Michigan sleeping. Michelle had a long and late practice tonight and she needed her rest. Her head was on Nathan's shoulder and he had his arm around her. He obviously had gotten over his fear of flying. Nathan heard the captain come over the speaker asking them to fasten their seatbelts and that they would be arriving at the Detroit air port in about 5 minutes. Nathan looked down at her and smiled. Michelle was still sleeping. He gently whispered in her ear for her to wake up then he kissed her on the forehead. She woke up.
Michelle-Are we here?
Nathan-Yeah. Were in Michigan. I have never been here, it looks nice.
Michelle-It is. I miss the snow; I miss everything about this place.
Michelle felt her eyes tearing up and didn't want Nathan to see her like this so she turned her head away from him. Nathan saw a tear roll down her cheek and he held her in his arms.
Nathan-We are here now, let's make the most of it.
Michelle-Thanks for coming with me Nathan. I'm glad you decided to come.
Nathan-I am too. I can't wait to see you play and meet all of your friends and to just see where you grew up. It should be a lot of fun.
The plane landed and they walked down the gate and saw Peter standing there. Michelle flipped out and ran over to him and gave him a huge hug. She couldn't believe he was there. She hadn't seen him in so long. Michelle gestured for Nathan to come over.
Michelle-Nathan, this is Peter.
Peter-Hey Nathan, Lauren's told me so much about you.
Nathan-Lauren has? Ha-ha that's cool. Well it looks like were going to be hanging out tonight.
Peter-Cool! Well we should probably go get your bags.
Nathan liked Peter. He liked that the fact that he came all the way down just to pick them up.
Later That Night…
Nathan was lying on the bed in the hotel room while Michelle was in the bathroom getting ready for practice. She came out just as Peter was getting back from dinner at his new girlfriends house. Michelle was afraid Lauren didn't know about his new girlfriend.
Michelle-Hey Peter, does my sister know about you going out with Maggie?
Peter-Yeah, she said she was cool with it. She said she was kind of seeing someone too. His name is Jake.
Nathan-Yeah he's my best friend.
Peter-Yeah I think she mentioned that. So Nathan, what did you want to do tonight?
Nathan-I don't know, what is there to do here?
Michelle-Okay boys, I'd better go. I'll be back later!
Nathan gets up and kisses her on the cheek. He couldn't kiss her on the lips with Peter right there. She walked out of the room. Peter saw the look in Nathan's eyes after he kissed Michelle.
Peter-You really like her, don't you? I've never seen a guy look at her the way you do.
Nathan-Is that a bad thing?
Peter-No! Not at all. She's happy. And I'm glad. She's dated a lot of jerks and I had a feeling that you would be one of them but I can see I was wrong.
Nathan-Thanks. I'm not that jerk. I do really like her. So what are we going to do?
Peter-Well I got tickets to a Pistons game. Do you like basketball?
Nathan-Peter, you're looking at the Captain of the varsity team! Let's go!
The guys went to the game. They had fun. The Pistons played San Antonio and won 54-49. Peter dropped Nathan off at the entrance to the hotel and went home.
Nathan-Thanks Peter, I had fun! See you tomorrow night!
Peter-Anytime! Bye.
Nathan walked upstairs and went in the room. Michelle wasn't back from practice yet so he hopped in the shower. He didn't here her come in and she was lying on the bed when he got out of the bathroom wearing only a towel.
Nathan-Oh sorry! I didn't hear you come in.
Michelle-Oh um its ok I just came in and collapsed on the bed. I'm so tired! I haven't worked out with the team in a while. I'm surprised I'm even on the team.
Nathan-Well I'm going to put some clothes on. Sorry bout this.
Michelle-Okay, I'll be right here.
Michelle couldn't believe how gorgeous he was! He had a gorgeous body. And actually she didn't want him to go change. She turned on the TV and was half asleep when Nathan came out of the bathroom. He walked over to her and kissed her on the cheek good night. He pulled away and she took his arm and pulled him back down. She kissed him, something she never did. After that, they didn't stop.
Then next morning came too soon. After spending half the night making out, she couldn't get out of bed to go to the tournament. Nathan got up first and kissed her on the forehead and went and got ready for the tournament.
Nathan-Good morning sweetie.
Michelle (with a smile on her face)-Morning. What time is it?
Nathan-Its 7.
Michelle-What time did we go to sleep?
Nathan-Umm I think like 4.
Michelle-As much as I enjoyed last night, there is no way I can play on 3 hours of sleep.
Nathan laughed at what she said. He enjoyed last night too. He had wanted to kiss her for so long. And he was glad he did.
Nathan-Well get ready and we can go get some coffee. I'll buy.
Michelle-Sounds good. Hey, do you know where my skirt is?
Nathan-Oh sorry I wore it yesterday, um I think I left it on the floor in the closet.
Michelle threw the pillow at him. She was hoping he didn't wear her skirt, but with him, you never know. She hurried up and got ready and they left to go get coffee.
Later on…
They come back to the apartment and Michelle collapses on the bed. Nathan lies down next to her. Her team one the tournament and in two weeks would go onto nationals. She was happy. They fell asleep for about an hour then Michelle got up and took a shower. It was 4 and they were meeting up with her friends to go to prom at 6. She woke Nathan up. She didn't want to; he looked like an angel when he slept. It was 6 and they were at Maggie's house taking pictures. She was really happy she could share this with Nathan. She got to see all of her friends again and she had a blast! It could not have been a better prom. All of her friends loved Nathan and thought he was so hot! She was happy to say he was with her.
Sunday morning came too soon and they left for the airport. 3 hours later they arrived back in Tree Hill and didn't feel like going home so they met up with Lauren and Jake.
Lauren-Hey! How was your weekend?
Michelle-It was good. How was yours?
Lauren-It was fun, so how was everyone?
Michelle-They were great and they missed you! They were sad you didn't come with us. And they loved Nathan.
Lauren-And, um, how was…
Michelle-He was good. Happy to see us. He misses you Lauren.
Lauren-I know, I miss him too. Its kind of hard to date someone for 3 years and then pack up and go. I still love him but I'm not in love with him anymore.
Jake-Um who are we talking about?
Lauren-Peter…
Jake-I'm guessing he's your ex?
Lauren-Well we never officially broke up until we both started seeing other people. Don't worry, Im with you not him just remember that.
Jake-Im not worried, he's states away and he won't have you till I let you out of my arms.
With that, he kissed her.
Jake-Don't freak out when I tell you this but, I love you…
Lauren was shocked to hear those words come out of his mouth especially this soon but there was no denying that she felt the same.
Lauren-I love you too Jake.
They both smiled and kissed.
Nathan-Well, I guess we will see you later. Want to go for a walk along the pier?
Michelle-Sure. I'll see you at home Lauren.
They both walked off into the sunset holding hands…
Well it wasn't that great…but tell me what ya think!
Lo