This one's inspired by "Indian Summer" by Brooks and Dunn.
Dedicated to 'othfangirl' for suggesting it.
"I'm leaving, Nathan."
It was the end of the September when I told him; I remember how it still felt like summer, with a high of ninety degrees- an unusual forecast for North Carolina at the start of autumn. We sat perched on the edge of his hood watching the sun set over the river. An occasional gentle breeze whispered through my hair as silence settled among us.
"What do you mean?"
"I mean, tomorrow when you wake up I won't be here."
He took a moment to study the sinking lines of my lips before speaking. "I'll come with you."
I didn't want him to. He deserved more, but my voice sounded before my mind could stop it. "Okay," I said.
Nathan exhaled slowly. His blue eyes bore into mine, practically seeping with a well blended mixture of both fear and determination. My teeth sank into my lower lip, and I started wondering how life brought us there, to that exact moment, where the rest of the future was so uncertain.
I first met Nathan officially the night of the Homecoming football game. I'd seen him around before but barely knew his name. As a cheerleader for the Oak Lake Bears, all I knew about Nathan was that he was the star quarterback for our rival team, the Tree Hill Ravens. We played them every year, and as much as I hated to admit it, he was one of the best, if not the most, talented football players I've ever seen. I heard some of the other girls on the cheerleading squad talking about how he received a full ride to Duke University on a football scholarship. He was definitely going places after high school.
The Ravens won that night- with Nathan, of course, scoring the winning touchdown- but a few of us went out after the game anyway. Coincidence or not, we ended up at the same place as Nathan and his teammates, who were eagerly celebrating their first win of the season.
I didn't pay too much attention to them at first, until Macey insisted that he kept staring at me. Turning my head slightly, I tried to hide the smile when I learned that Macey was right. Nathan was staring at me, and he was walking towards me.
Macey winked and got up, freeing the seat across from me for Nathan to occupy.
"Hey," he grinned a boyish smile- you know, the one that makes every girl want to drop her panties right there, no matter who was around.
"Hi."
"I can't believe I'm talking to an Oak Lake Bear right now, but I just had to tell you," his smirk widened, "I nearly lost the game tonight because of you."
My own playful grin pulled between my lips, "Me? What did I do?"
"I kept staring at you when I was trying to focus. Did you see me fumble the second half? That was because you smiled and I couldn't look away."
A scarlet blush exploded across my cheeks; I'm sure it must've looked like blotches of red paint spilled on my skin. If the ground could've opened and swallowed me whole, I would have been thankful.
"Well that didn't stop you from scoring that last touchdown. Congrats on the win, by the way." I tried to sound confident and aloof, but the truth was, he was even more attractive up close and my body was shivering despite the warm southern air hanging around us.
"Thank you. I'm Nathan Scott, by the way."
"Haley James," I stuck my hand out and felt an electric current shock my arm when his hand met mine for a gentle shake.
We traded flirtatious stares, ignoring the twenty other high schoolers surrounding us.
"Do you want to get out of here?" He asked suddenly.
I stood up before I could even speak. "Yes."
We spent the rest of that night driving through town, talking about our dreams and fears. I knew we'd only just met, but somehow, I felt like I had known Nathan my entire life. I found myself confessing secrets not even my best friends knew. He told me how much pressure his dad put on him to play football; how he wanted him to go pro after college.
"I don't think I'm good enough," he said.
I looked him straight in the eye, reached across the console and grabbed his hand. "You are more than good enough, Nathan. Believe in yourself."
His eyes sparkled like the reflection of the stars in the river. We smiled, then shared a slow, brief kiss.
"I don't want this night to end, Haley."
"It doesn't have to."
Looking back, I don't know what came over me that night. I wanted to wait until I was in love, but something about Nathan had me forgetting all my inhibitions.
He looked at me, pure astonishment drawn across his face. "Hales, we don't have to do anything tonight. I've just had the best time getting to know you-"
"I know, and I did too," I cut him off and kissed him again, "but I want you."
"Are you sure?"
He knew I was a virgin. I told him earlier in the evening when we were trading secrets, but he didn't judge me for it.
"Yes," I nodded confidently. "You make me feel brave, Nathan. I never want to forget tonight."
He placed a soft kiss on the inside of my palm. "I don't either."
We drove to the outskirts of town and found a cheap motel across the street from a 24 hour convenience store where Nathan used his fake-ID to buy us a bottle of wine. I was nervous, but one look into his blue eyes, and all my worries were quelled. We danced without any music, and just swayed in the comfortable silence, sharing passionate kisses before stripping out of our clothes.
Everything about it was perfect; Nathan was sweet and gentle, continuously comforting me. As the evening progressed, we grew slightly more drunk and a lot more passionate. His hands were everywhere, my lips tried tasting every inch of him, and neither of us wanted it to ever end. Somehow, we ended up on the floor and woke up there the next morning- it was blissful, just laying there in his arms. We stayed and ordered room service, still in a dream-like state. Together we stayed in that dream for about five weeks- up until the night I told him I was leaving for California.
I know he said he'd come with me, but I left before he could. I left without him, I had to. I drove slowly past his house, with tears in my eyes, then sped off before he could even know I was gone.
He had a football career ahead of him, and everything was happening way too fast. I didn't want to hold him back. So I went to California and never looked back.
. . . .
"Catch, Jamie!" I yell happily as I toss the football across the beach, and into the two-old-boy's arms. California has been good to me these past two years. It hasn't always been easy, but raising Jamie here is more than worth it.
I'll never forget how scared I was the day I found out I was pregnant. I didn't know what to do, so I ran. It was why I had to leave North Carolina. I didn't want to be known as 'that girl.' Nathan and I had been together for only a short time and I couldn't expect him to drop everything for me, but one thing I knew for sure was that I was keeping the baby.
The day I held James Lucas Scott in my arms for the very first time was the day my life changed forever. I was a mother, I was eighteen, and I was barely making ends meet. But I'd do it all over again if I had to. Jamie's my entire world.
I playfully chase him on the sand, only to be caught off guard by two very strong arms wrapping around my waist.
"Hi, baby."
I turn and squeal excitedly, "Nathan! What're you doing here? I thought you had practice."
"I did," he grinned and pressed a long, slow kiss on my lips, "but we ended early and I rushed here to be with you guys. I missed you today."
I lean on my tippy-toes and kiss him back just as hungrily. "I missed you more."
My plan of leaving Nathan in the dark two years ago didn't work out very well. Only a week after getting here, he found me and proposed. I said no at first, that I didn't want to trap him, but he insisted he could have both dreams; a family and football. After a bit more convincing, I said yes, because in the end, I knew it was what my heart truly desired.
So, he applied to Stanford-where I was set to attend- and got in on a full ride for football. Next year he'll be playing for the San Diego Chargers and I couldn't be prouder. He's worked so hard. In two years, I'll be graduating Stanford with an Education degree and hopefully start teaching. Nathan and I also plan on expanding our family in the future, but for right now, everything is perfect.
"Look, Jamie. Daddy's here! Show him how to throw the football, buddy."
Nathan laughed as his son threw the ball on the sand. He then rushed over to the blonde haired boy and picked him up, "I missed you, boy! Are you having fun with mommy?"
Jamie gurgled contently, "ya!"
With the arm he wasn't holding Jamie with, Nathan pulled me into his side and we walked along the beach; it was another Indian Summer, with a high temperature of 95 degrees in late September, but we both agreed it was our favorite time of year.
