Its a blink 182 song. Its really good.

Chapter 19: Don't Tell Me It's Over

I hear the phone it rings so violently
Can't leave my room, can't breathe since she left me

Nicole angrily stomped off to her bedroom, flung herself onto her bed and swore, loudly. She couldn't do anything about it, well she could but it would take too much plotting. At least this one's voice didn't sound like cats crying. She actually smiled, not faked it. But god, what was up with him anyway? Is he trying to run a marathon of girls or something? Probably. She glanced over at her clock. Almost five. She threw some money and her cell into a purse and climbed out the window. At first she wasn't sure where she was headed. Then her stomach growled.

"Hey slut. Want to eat with me? Luke was supposed to meet me, but he wanted to stay and lift weights." Brooke asked, she must have just down at one of the tables. A waitress immediately rushed their table, looking rather frazzled. She must be new.

"Welcome to Karen's Café. Can I get you anything?"

"Pie. And lots of it." Nicole mumbled. Brooke smiled. "She'll have a slice of apple pie and a plate of mac and cheese. And I'll have... the same."

"Thanks." She muffled before scrambling to her next table.

"So my almost teenage slut, what's wrong?"

"Dad got a new blonde. And he's been acting all depressed lately. And.. I dunno." She sighed.

"Wow. Wasn't expecting anyone new yet. And I thought he was into..." Your mother.. her head screamed. But her mouth stopped. "...trying to get his shoulder back. That's probably why he's acting funny. Ya know? Tired and stuff."

"Yeah.. Maybe that is it." Nicole sighed.

- -

I will admit I hate those things I said
Girls will always cry, guys will never admit they did

Nicole dressed for school the next day, specially putting on a cute outfit and doing her hair and make up. She walked down stairs to see Nathan trying to make eggs. Not pancakes, but it'd work. "Good morning dad." She smiled. He glanced over at her shortly.

"Hey." He said briefly, disinterested. She frowned, okay... what the heck.

"So, um. When are you going to be home from practice today?" She tried again.

He shrugged. "Late, I guess. But maybe you could go over to Brooke's so your not alone or something. Or you can stay here, doesn't matter to me." No, this wasn't happening. He couldn't, actually forget her 13th birthday. She really had thought he'd remember. She didn't actually think he'd forget. How could he forget!

"Well. Is there ANYTHING else before I leave for school on this lovely Tuesday?" Please remember, please remember...

"I don't think so. Have a good day. God I feel bad for you, School sucks, especially in Tree Hill" He grumbled to himself, and he walked out of the room. She bit her lip, fighting the tears. God, she was being such a girl. So he forgot, it's not the end of the world. Right...? She slammed the front door behind her, swinging her backpack over her shoulder as she began her walk to school. She flipped open her cell phone and dialed the familiar number.

- -

Don't tell me that it's over,
I'm not used to this temptation

Hannah was lazily flipping threw channels as her mother busily scurried around the kitchen. The phone echoed through the room and Haley wiped the flour off her hands and answered it.

"Hello?" She sing-songed into the phone

"Mom..." She cried.

"Baby, what's wrong?"

"He... he forgot. He really did. Not like "I bet he won't remember" He just didn't... at all." Nicole sobbed. She sat down on the nearest curb and buried her head in her hands.

"Oh good lord. Baby, go to Karen's. I'll talk to you soon." She rushed out. Great, now her mother didn't even want to talk to her.

"Hannah!" Haley called. "Pack a bag!"

- -

And when you come back running,
There is no use for explanation

They got to Tree Hill at noon. Haley made Kenny find the quickest flight, and get her on it. They rushed into the Café, Karen must have closed it.

"We're closed." Karen shouted, hearing the bell ring, her back turned to them as she held a crying Nicole.

"Yeah, yeah." Nicole's head sprang up at the voice she sniffed and wiped away tears. "Gosh. Look at the mess he made this time. I swear, we should get him a personal babysitter. Or whatever they call them. Assistant maybe?" Haley says, rushing over to her and pulling her in a hug.

"Why did you come?" She muttered into her.

"I heard there's a sale on Macaroni and Cheese." She snorted. "I came for you of course. By the way. Happy Birthday." She whispered.

"Dude. You will not believe these sweet things we bought at the store yesterday. They are chouette!" Hannah says ignoring the tension in the room, and pulling something out of her bag.

"Chouette?"

"It means great or sweet or something like that in french." She brushed off. She handed her sister a small wooden music box. "You can have that one, mine is still in the car. It plays that one Disney song, 'When You Wish Apon a Star.'"

"Thank you."

"Come on ladies, let's go pig out on ice cream or something. You coming Karen?" Haley asked.

"No, thanks, but I need to open." Haley nodded and left, followed by Hannah.

"Um...Grandma?" Nicole started softly, Karen looked over. "Thanks for.."

"No problem, you are welcome here anytime." Nicole nodded and followed her mother as well.

"Um Mom?" Nicole started while they were in the car.

"Yeah baby."

"You do know that by telling me to go to Karen's that I kind of skipped school." She laughed, knowing normally her mother would never let her skip school, she liked it too much. A little too much in her opinion.

"That's alright. I'll call the school."

"Oh my gosh, do you know who's extremely hot?" Hannah asks as they pass a few stores.

"Usher?"

"Gross mom, he's older than you."

"Yeah, but he's hot..." She tried.

"Sean Pierce." Hannah says. Nicole's head snapped back at her.

"No, he's not. Do not say that."

"Whoa.. What's wrong with you?"

"I just, I used to know him. His dad was on dad's team a few years ago."

"And you were friends?" Hannah goaded.

"Drop it. That's all I'm telling you."

"Only Nathan." Haley sighed at the expansive size of the mansion, located at the dead end of a court. 2301 Beech Hailer Ct. "Nicole, you said you moved in over the weekend?"

"Yeah."

"Have you been to all the rooms in there yet?"

- -

I think these things are too hopeful, even with my expert knowledge
Most girls most do mean trouble, because they are rarely honest

Nathan drove home at about seven that night, Cherie in tow. He wondered who's car was in his driveway. It had a Hertz license plate, therefore, it was rented.

Cherie giggled as he threw his arm around her waist and pulled her hip toward him as they walked up the walk to the front door. Nathan laughed as Cherie whispered something in his ear, but his smile faded when he saw who was sitting on the front step.

"Cher, why don't you go inside and wait for me okay?" He said, staring at Haley, but talking to Cherie. "What are you doing here, Haley?" He bit out, walking past her. He was aloud to mad. She left them. God, she did look hot though.

"You forgot." She whispered so he barely heard her, but he knew whatever it was: It wasn't good. He sat down next to her. "Forgot what?" He asked.

"You forgot their 13th birthday." She whispered, his head dropped. Damn it. "My parents forgot mine too. It was Quinn's first year at college, and they went to visit her that weekend."

"How did I forget that!" He yelled at himself. "Well. I didn't forget really. I just didn't know it was today. I mean, with the move and whatever, I just kinda forget about the date. I know it's the 21st. I'll have Alzheimer's disease before I forget that day. I still have nightmares about it. Oh, god, Hales, what am I gonna do?" Shivers shot threw her spine at the mention of her nickname.

"Well, my parents didn't even realize they had forgotten it, or if they did, they didn't admit it. So I'd say first thing would be to admit you're a screw up..."

"Are you EVER going to forget that?" He muttered angrily.

"Highly unlikely." She smirked. "Then, take her out another night to celebrate. But be prepared, that is probably the best guilt trip a girl could ask for. Guilt is power."

"Did you guilt trip your parents?" He winced.

"No. Part of me kind of hoped that they'd remember on their own, so I never said anything." She shrugged.

"I'm sorry..." He whispered.

"For what?"

"Being a screw up." He smiled, extending a hand to help her stand up. "And that your parents could never see how amazing you are."

Haley blushed. "Mr. Scott, your complimentary lines no longer work on me. I am not a groupie and therefore there is no reason to waste your charm on the likes of me. And by the way, thank you." She smiled, accepting his hand and leading him through the front door.

"Are those real?" Haley heard Hannah ask and as they turned the corner from the hallway into the kitchen she saw Hannah on a stool next to Cherie, pointing at her boobs. Cherie cleared her throat, and slapped on an annoyed, fake smile. Haley glanced over at Nicole who was clearly suppressing her giggles at her sister's interrogation as she stood across the island from them.

"Yes..." She gritted out. Haley held out an arm to block Nathan from walking any further into the kitchen.

"They don't look like it. My mom's are real. My mom sings. Do you sing?"

"No. I don't sing."

"Aw. Too bad... Don't you think that's sad Nicole?" She asked, Nicole agreed. And Hannah continued with her sarcastic questions.

"Do you dye your hair that shade of yellow or is it normally that odd colored?"

Cherie glared at her.

"Okay.. Guess so. Did you go to college Cherie?"

"I dropped out my sophomore year." She rolled her eyes as Hannah kept going.

"Gee, that's too bad. Our mom graduated. She's really smart. She hates most professional cheerleaders, she says that they are too pretty to have a brain. But, I'm sure that's not your case, right Cher? You don't mind if I call you Cher right?" Nicole couldn't take it anymore, she burst out in laughter and slid to the floor, leaning against a cabinet behind the island. Haley looked up at Nathan's face. She was surprised to see he was amused.

"Actually, I do mind."

"Oh. So, are you and my dad going to get married or something?" More laughter from behind island.

"We just started dating."

"Yeah, but you can't tell me you haven't thought about it. I mean, I've never been on date, seeing as how I just turned thirteen today, but I would think once I got to be your age, and I was dating, I'd think about commitment pretty quickly. I mean, you're like what? Twenty five?"

"Twenty one." She corrected. Haley's jaw dropped. Ten year difference! Nathan's eyes widened.

"Girls? Can we talk for a moment please?" He commanded, stopping the continuous laughter from behind the counter.

- -

What's with the jokes, all the routines they play
Screw with my head, never cave til they get their way

"That was very rude girls." He scolded, after sending Cherie home.

"Kinda like forgetting our birthday." Nicole retorted.

Nathan sighed and sat down on a couch across from them.

"I didn't forget, I just... wasn't paying attention. I'm guessing Haley told you about the day you girls were born. Trust me, there's very slim chance that I'll forget that day. It's on my list of days that are imprinted in my mind."

"Yeah, by the way, thanks for choosing mom over us on that paper thing." Nicole muttered under her breath, Hannah sent her a death glare and elbowed her.

Nathan chuckled. "I chose a lot of things back then that I wouldn't of chose now. I mean, I hadn't even seen you yet, and I was in love with Haley, and I couldn't think to live without her and..."

"But you left anyways." Hannah whispered before standing up and running back into the kitchen.

"HANNAH!" He called after her, standing up to go after her, but Nicole pulled her down, shaking her head at him.

"Not now. She hasn't cooled off yet." She instructed. He nodded.

"Look, Nicole, I'm sorry. I can't even begin to tell you how bad I feel about forgetting. I promise I'll make it up to you. Anything you want-"

"Anything?" She smirked.

"Anything legal." He corrected.

"No more dating girls under like 25. You are 31 now dad. That's disgusting."

"Deal." He laughed. "31. When did that happen?" He sighed.

"I'm not sure. Sometime after 30, I'm guessing." She joked

- -

Guys like to run, chicks like to yell you see
Guys hate to fight, girls think its therapy

"Hannah?" He whispered into a dark bedroom he heard cried omitting from.

"GO AWAY!" Her voice came into between sobs from the bed.

"Hann, talk to me. Please?"

"No."

"Okay, then I'll talk, you listen."

"I loved your mother very much. Heck, I still do love her. It's hard not to, something about her just... I can't really explain it. You'll know when you meet a guy and fall in love. Which WON'T be for a VERY long time!" He added quickly. "But, I was very young, and I'll admit, pretty much a jackass. But your mom never gave up on me. And part of me always figured she'd realize after a while that I wasn't good enough for her. But anyways, we started college and she really wanted to go to NYU, but I didn't get a scholarship there, and I always wanted to go to UCLA. And, then we got into this whole huge fight and the next thing I know my stubborn anger took over and I'm on a plane with Nicole to California. It killed me more than you know to leave you and your mother. You can even ask Brooke, I didn't get out of bed for like a week, probably more. I think I picked up the phone to call you guys that first month more times than I had touched a phone in my life. I kept thinking that once college was over, we'd be able to get over it, but then college was over, and I got drafted, and still hadn't talked to her. I came pretty close a few times, I talked to Lucas sometimes when we played them, and I saw her at one of the games, but I don't think she saw me. I came within like maybe five feet of her but I was too much of a punk to do anything about it." By now Hannah was smiling because she knew he wasn't talking like it was some kind of father-daughter bonding thing anymore. He was telling her because he needed to.

"And I wrote out a card for you for each of your birthdays. I just never mailed any of them, I'll give them to you once I unpack the box they're in. I'll warn you though, I suck at writing so they are probably pretty bad..." He sighed. "I had gone out with a lot of girls, not like I have been lately, but I was never serious with any of them, none were near Haley's standards. I guess she spoiled me or something." He chuckled.

"I met Kristin the day Nicole left for camp. I was sitting in one of those chairs at the airport, kinda sad she left me. Then she came up to me and asked if I could help her get her luggage, that it was stuck on the carousel or something. Then she asked if I was really me. And we had this long conversation about how she was a cheerleader and blah blah blah. She seemed cool, until I gave her that damn engagement ring. I sort of knew from the beginning that it wasn't going to work, but it might sound stupid, but I knew I was good enough for her. I never wanted to marry her, I just, I felt like I could marry her without worrying she'd leave me for someone else better than me. Maybe for someone with more money.. But not better. And then I saw Haley and it was weird, because part of me wanted to be with her, then the other wanted to show her that I could make a relationship work, by marrying someone else. Which was stupid, because the logic behind that would be to get Haley, but how could I get her if I was married to someone else..."

"HANNAH!" Haley interrupted, calling up the stairs. "HANNAH! WE'VE GOT TO GO NOW! YOU HAVE SCHOOL TOMORROW!"

Hannah got up silently, kissing his cheek. She stopped at the door and whispered, "I love her too."

"I love you!" He called after her, thinking about what she said. Did he really love Haley like that anymore? God, what did he get himself into.

"Love you too!"

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