Ok, we all know that it's their senior year at Tree Hill high, and I don't quiet get why colleges haven't been brought up yet in the show, but I am gonna put them in my fic. Enjoy!
The classroom was filled with Lucas, Haley, Brooke, Peyton, Nathan, Tim, and Mouth. Whitey was at the head of the classroom. Whitey was lead what he liked to call a "college workshop". It was a small group thing that all students had been grouped into with different teachers and it was going to go on twice a week until they all got college acceptance letters.
Whitey: all right listen up. This is a college workshop. You all are graduating at the end of this school year and I'm hoping you all plan to go to college. Now if you don't plan to go to college, then you can walk out right now, because this class will be of no use to you.
Nobody moved. They all just kinda stared at Whitey.
Whitey:(half smiley) Good. Ok so we're gonna start by having you all write down the colleges where you want to apply.
Whitey handed out papers and people began to write down on their papers. After it looked like everyone was done writing down the colleges Whitey spoke again.
Whitey: all right, now I'm gonna ask you all to share with us where you plan to apply. Mrs. Scott, why don't you go first.
Haley blushed a little. It made her happy that Whitey called her Mrs. Scott. It was kinda evidence that her and Nathan were still legally married.
Nathan, Brooke and Lucas all stared anticipatingly in Haley's direction. Lucas wanted to go to school near where ever his best friend went. Brooke wanted to stay pretty close to Haley. Nathan was kind of dreading this. He knew Haley could get into places he wouldn't have a shot at and he wanted to stay near her, I mean, how could they work it out if they went to colleges far away from each other?
Haley: Ok um... Julliard, Bard, NYU, UC Berkeley, and UNC.
Whitey: UC Berkeley, that's out in California isn't it? Kinda far away from here don't you think?
Haley: Yeah, I like it because they have a good writing program and I dunno, it'd be nice to go somewhere outside of the East Coast. Although I guess if I can help it, I'd rather stay closer to home.
Whitey: Yeah, I think you've got a pretty good shot a Julliard. I bet they'd love to have a rock star. Ok, Lucas you go next.
Lucas: Ok, firstly a lot of these are the same as Haley's, because, well I wanna be near my best friend. (smiles at Haley, she smiles back.) Ok, UC Berkeley, also for the writing, Bard, UNC, NYU, Emerson and Sarah Lawrence.
Whitey: Fair enough to want to be with your friend, but make sure there's something at the school to interest you too.
Lucas: Yeah, I know. All the schools I picked have pretty good writing programs and that's what I'm really looking into.
Whitey: Hmmm...not basketball?
Haley gives a worried glance at Lucas and Nathan gives him angry yet curious look.
Lucas: Nah,I think I've lost my touch some.
You could read the relief on Haley's face. Two people noticed this, one was Lucas and the other was Nathan. Nathan looked puzzled. Why would Haley be relieved that Lucas wasn't doing basketball?
Whitey: Ah well, it's your choice. I can't decide for you. Ok Nathan, where do you plan to go.
Nathan: I don't really know yet coach.
Whitey: Why the hellnot?
Nathan: I need to do some research on the basketball programs at some schools first.
Whitey: Like where?
Nathan: well...(kinda embarrassed) Berkeley, NYU, UNC...
Haley's heart lept a little. Nathan wanted to be with her in college or at least near her.
Whitey: They've all got ok basketball teams.
Nathan: Well, I'll apply to those places then.
Whitey: Hmmm...yeah, Nathan, what made you choose those places any ways?
Nathan: Well um...um...
Nathan was too embarrassed to say it in front of the class. He wanted to be near Haley, plain and simple.
DING DING
Whew saved by the bell.
Whitey: Ok, well pick up on this on Friday. I suggest you all do a little research on some colleges and maybe add some more to your lists, or(looks at Nathan) get to know the ones you already have on your list.
Everyone gets up and walks out of the classroom to head home. Brooke comes up behind Haley as she's walking out.
Brooke: So, looks like your all set with choices of where you wanna apply.
Haley: Yeah, my hopes are set a lot on Julliard, but I'd be cool with just about any of them.
Brooke: So...seems like Nathan wants to be near you, remind me again where you two are again.
Just then Nathan comes up behind them.
Nathan: We're right her Brooke.
Nathan then grins, puts his arm around Haley and begins to walk her away from Brooke.
Brooke: Hey! Where are you going with my roommate? We were heading home.
Nathan: Don't worry Brooke. I just want to talk to her. I'll bring her home safely.
Brooke: Talk, right, suuuuuurreeee.
Haley gives Brooke a look. Then she looks over to where Lucas is.
Haley: Hey Brooke, speaking of talking, maybe you should go TALK to Lucas.
Haley give Brooke a little push in Lucas's direction.
Brooke:(groan) Haley, do...
Haley: Go Brooke. I'll meet you back at the apartment later. And if you have a guest, PLEASE remember the scruchy system.
Brooke: Hehe, yeah same to you. Later Tutor roomie.
Haley: Bye Brooke.
Brooke walks off toward Lucas and Nathan and Haley begin to walk together away from school. Nathan has taken his arm off of Haley's should and taken her hand instead. As the walk, Nathan starts a conversation.
Nathan: So, what's the scrunchy system?
Haley: Oh, um..nothing. Maybe I'll show you later, or some other time. So where are we walking any ways?
Nathan: Um..how about to the beach?
Haley smiles to herself a little. Nathan catches this and smiles a little too.
Haley: Yeah, the beach sound good.
------------------------------------------
When Nathan and Haley got to the beach they found a dry spot of sand and sat down beside each other.
Nathan: So got your heart set on Julliard?
Haley: I dunno, it's my first choice, but I'd be happy at any of the places I'm gonna apply to. I mean, I can work on my music anywhere and I wanna be near my friends too.
Nathan: Yeah, me too. So how's the music thing going any ways.
Haley: Not to well... Also I'm not really working with Chis anymore, because he says my heart isn't in the music right now, well...that's actually kinda true.
Nathan: Why isn't your heart in it?
There was silence for a few seconds and then Haley responds softly.
Haley: You.
Nathan: Meaning?
Haley: Look Nathan music is connect to love, and I love you. Basically without you constantly in my life my music is crap.
Nathan, well I'm here now.
Haley: Yeah, but what is a courtship exactly? I mean what does it involve in your mind?
Nathan smiles slyly.
Nathan: Well it involves me stalking you sometime (he winks), leaving you thinks like poetry and rose, oh and this.
Nathan leans in and kisses Haley: Haley kisses him back and puts her hands on the back of his neck. Then after a little while Haley pulls away.
Nathan: Why'd you do that?
Haley: You're not gonna come and serenade outside my window are you? (jokingly)
Nathan:(laughs) No I think we'll leave the singing to you.
Haley: Good, cause I've heard you sing and...
Nathan: Um...ouch!
Haley: Haha, sorry, you know I love you.
Nathan: Yeah (softly) I love you too.
Haley smiles. Her heart basically lept at those words. Nathan smiled at Haley too and reach over to grab her hand.
Nathan: So, you wanna go get something to eat, or to you need to get home for Brooke.
Haley: Getting something to eat sounds good. If things went well with Lucas, then the two of them will want some time alone together and if they didn't go well, well Brooke will want some time alone.
Nathan: Ok, where do you wanna go.
Haley: mmm...Karens! Oh, haha that reminds me I have to work tonight.
Nathan: So what your gonna work on, our date?
Haley: Oh, is this a "date" (She says this playfully)
Nathan: Yeah, it is. (smirks)
Haley: Ok, well I'll eat with you first at Karen's and then start working. I'm sure that'll be cool with Karen.
Nathan: Alright then, but first before we go.
Nathan leans in and kisses Haley sweetly.
Haley: mm..I've missed this.
Nathan: Yeah, me too.