Once in the car, Jake looked at Peyton. "Did you know that Haley can sing?"
Peyton pulled out of the parking lot. "No." She said not even looking at him.
"Yeah, she plays the piano, guitar, and she even writes her own songs."
"Really?" Peyton said glancing at Jake
"Yeah, we're gonna try to work on a duet for the next open mic night." Jake sighed. "It's nice."
"What is?"
"Being able to connect with people on something other than basketball." Peyton looked over at Jake and smiled.
Brooke and Lucas were driving behind Peyton. "Why do I have a feeling this night is gonna get worse before it gets better?" Brooke asked.
Lucas just glanced at her and smile slightly. "Probably because it is." He said simply.
As Nathan pulled up to the beach house, Haley tried again. "Are you gonna tell me what has got you so worked up?"
Nathan took a deep breath and got ready to say something when the others pulled up. "We'll talk inside." Was all he said before getting out and taking their bags inside.
Haley sat there with her face in her hands. She had no idea what had gotten Nathan to become so angry. She jumped when someone knocked on the window and turned to see Lucas. She opened the door and stepped out. Lucas pulled her into a warm embrace. "Hey Buddy. You okay?" He asked as she pulled away.
She shook her head. "No, but I will be once I figure out what the hell is going on." She turned and walked inside with Lucas close at her heels. Haley walked straight to Nathan, taking his hand into her own. "Let's put our stuff in the room." She watched as Nathan picked up their bags. The two walked upstairs and into the master bedroom. Nathan let go of Haley's hand and put the bags on the bed as Haley shut the door. Neither one said anything for a few minutes. Haley finally broke the silence.
"Talk to me, Nathan." She said as she walked closer to Nathan. He took a deep breath then glared at Haley.
"What were you doing with Jake?" He said trying to keep an even tone.
Haley laughed and walked over to Nathan. "Is that what this is about?" Nathan looked down at her but said nothing. "Nathan, I walked down there by myself. I told you that I'm not a party girl. You were having a great time with the guys so I took a walk. I sat down and was thinking. Jake walked up behind me later and heard me singing. We started talking about music. We were just about to come find you when you walked up." She looked at him in the eyes and saw his face soften. "Nate, Jake is my friend and that's it." She put her arms around him. "You're the guy I'm with…The guy I love." She said not even thinking about it. By the time she realized what she had said it was too late. She watched as a smile spread across Nathan's face, all the way up to his eyes.
"So, you love me huh?" He put his arms around her also. Haley smiled then nodded her head.
"Yeah, I do." She said in barely a whisper.
"Well, that's good." He said as he leaned down to kiss her. "Because I love you too." He said just before their lips met. Nathan broke the kiss and pulled Haley close to him into his arms and into a tight embrace.
The others watched Nathan and Haley walk upstairs. Brooke turned and looked at Peyton. "Are you upset that Jake and Haley were off alone too?"
Peyton looked over at Brooke. "No, I', not." She turned and looked at Jake then the two smiled at each other. Jake looked past Peyton's shoulders. "It's raining." He turned and walked into the living room. He turned the T.V. to the weather channel to see what they were in for. Peyton and Brooke followed.
"What's up?" Peyton asked sitting down beside Jake.
"Pretty bad storm heading out way."
Nathan walked downstairs and into the living room. "He guys, anyone hungry?" He looked at the T.V. "Or maybe not."
Just then they heard thunder and the lights went out. The all heard Haley scream and come running down the stairs. "Nathan!" She yelled out. Nathan walked over to the stairs and took Haley's hand, leading her into the living room with the others.
"It's just a storm. Peyton, will you help me get the flashlights?" Peyton nodded and stood up to go with Nathan.
Haley reached out and grabbed Nathan's arm. "Don't leave me. I hate storms!" she said the fear apparent in her voice.
"It's ok, Hales." He took her over to the couch. "Just stay here with Jake and Brooke." Haley sat down as the two walked out.
Nathan and Peyton walked into the kitchen and immediately found the flashlights. As Nathan checked the batteries and set the flashlights on the counter, Peyton opened a drawer near the sink and pulled out candles. Nathan smiled then picked up the flashlights and walked with Peyton, who had grabbed the candles, back into the living room.
Jake was down by the fire place trying to start a fire. Nathan laid the flashlights down on the coffee table then picked up a remote. "I got it." He said and as soon as Jake leaned back, he pushed a button causing the fire to roar into life. He turned, looked at Haley, and smiled. As he looked around at the others he noticed Lucas wasn't there. "Hey, where's Luke?"
Brooke looked back to the foyer, where they had been standing earlier. "I'll go look for him." She said before picking up a flashlight and walked out. She passed the stairs and noticed him standing outside on the porch. She sighed and walked outside.
"I love the rain." Lucas said hearing Brooke walk up to him. Brooke started to say something but Lucas cut her off. "You don't have to say anything back. I just thought you should know how I feel about you."
Brooke sat down on the porch swing, taking a deep breath before speaking. "I'm scared."
Lucas turned around and looked at Brooke. "Of what?"
Brooke laughed. "Of getting hurt. Of telling you how I feel and then finding out that you really don't feel the same."
Lucas walked over and knelt down in front of her. "Brooke, I love you. How much clearer can I get?"
"Lucas. Do you love Haley?" She saw the confused look that formed on his face. "Just answer the question."
"Yes. But she's my best friend."
"Yeah, but you love her. Lucas…" She closed her eyes and took a deep, cleansing breath. "I'm falling in love with you. The things you do and say…the way you look at me…it makes my heart beat faster just to see your face. To even read a message on my phone from you…" Lucas smiled. "Can you honestly tell me that you feel the same way?"
"NO…it's different for me." Brooke's eyes dropped to the floor. "For me, it's like…I think about you all the time. That's what makes my heart race…all I have to do is think about you." He lifted her face so that she was looking at him again. "I'm not falling in love with you, Brooke. I'm already there." He added as she started to get up and leave. She turned slowly and looked at him.
"Tell me again." She said as tears fell from her eyes.
Lucas stood up and walked over to Brooke, snaking his arms around her waist. "I love you, Pretty Girl. I am madly in love with you Brooke Davis."
"I love you too." She said quietly before reaching up, wrapping her arms around his neck and pulling him closer to her, into a deep kiss.
It was now almost 1:30 in the morning and all six of them had been in the living room, by the fire, talking. Every time they heard thunder, Haley would jump, making everyone laugh. They talked about their childhoods, their plans after high school, and the upcoming spring break. Jake, of course, would be staying home with Jenny. Lucas and Nathan were going to Miami. But the three girls were still undecided.
By the time the sun rose the next morning, showing a new beautiful day, nearly all were asleep somewhere in the living room. As the sunlight shown in through the windows, Haley's eyes fluttered open. She stretched then sat up, looking around at the others. She stood up and walked over to the sliding doors, looking out at the ocean and smiled. She opened the door and stepped out quietly, pulling Nathan's jacket tightly around herself, before closing the door again. She walked over and put her arms around Nathan's waist from behind.
"Morning." She said as he turned around.
"Good morning." He said pulling her into his body.
"Did you sleep at all?" She asked, looking up into his face.
"No, not really. I watched you sleep for a while. Then I came out here to watch the sunrise."
Haley smiled up at Nathan. "Oh, that sounds nice. So are you tired now?" She asked putting her head back on his chest.
"A little." He said shortly.
Haley took Nathan's hand and led him inside, upstairs, and into the master bedroom. She laid down on the bed with Nathan, pulling his arm around her and laying her head on his chest. "Get some sleep." Was all she said before reaching up to give him a kiss.
Nathan kissed her back then closed his eyes and immediately fell asleep.