The Bitter Taste
The Past Isn't Forgotten
So here's a piece of advice...let go when you're hurting too much, give up when love isn't enough, and move on when things aren't like before, for surely that is someone out there who will love you even more.
xxx
Haley threw the last pillow onto Lucas's bed and then collapsed onto it, "Thanks for letting me have the bed," she said as she twirled her blonde hair.
"I really didn't have a choice," Lucas laughed, "As soon as we walked into the house you jumped on it and fell asleep."
Haley stuck her tongue out, "You see what it's like after a good year or so of sleeping in hotel rooms and on tour buses!"
"I have to say I'm pretty surprised at the whole Chris thing," Lucas began, "Last I heard the two of you were engaged…"
Haley sat up and shrugged, "Didn't work out…Shit happens."
"So was it worth it?" Lucas asked.
"Was what worth it?" Haley said.
Lucas leaned against his drawer and put his hands in his pockets, "Leaving town, leaving Nathan, and then coming back and then leaving again?"
"You still think I came back for Nathan don't you?" Haley said with a roll of her eyes.
Lucas shrugged, "You tell me Hales."
"I told you Luke," Haley started, "I'm back because music wasn't fun anymore and because Chris and I weren't working out. I know that Brooke and Nathan are married, and I know that Nathan and I are finished. The divorce papers were signed, it's over."
Lucas studied her, "I believe you," he said as Haley walked towards him, "It's just…Really good to have you back," Luke said as the two best friends hugged, "I don't want you to leave."
xxx
Peyton walked into Nathan and Brooke's house and saw Nathan sitting on the couch. He got up and gave her a hug, "Hey Nate," Peyton said with a smile and then rested her hand on her belly, "Is Brooke around?"
"No," Nathan said as he looked around the house, "I think she went grocery shopping actually."
Peyton laughed, "Well that's something I'd love to see."
"Believe me, she's the pickiest shopper ever," Nathan said with a small laugh, he looked at Peyton's showing belly and smiled, "How are things going with…"
"The baby?" Peyton asked, "It's weird being pregnant…I'm always craving weird foods, and I'm always hungry."
Nathan laughed, "How are things going with Jake?"
Peyton sat down on the couch and sighed, "It's definitely not what I imagined…"
"I'm sorry Peyton," Nathan said sincerely.
Peyton shrugged and looked down at her stomach, "I just imagined that he would come back and we'd be together, and we'd get married and have a future…And now he tells me that things are too difficult and that we should just be friends…"
"I know I'm a guy and I don't pick up on these things to well," Nathan began, "But…Did you ever think that Jake's not the one?"
Peyton looked at him, "What are you trying to get at Nate?"
"There's a guy that's been there for you ever since day one and he loves the hell out of you," Nathan pointed out.
Peyton looked down and felt her eyes begin to tear up, "Lucas…" She said softly.
"I'm not saying that Jake isn't a good guy," he said, "I'm just saying that Lucas is in love with you, and you need to realize that."
Peyton nodded and smiled sadly, "Thanks Nate," she said; her voice soft and sad. Nathan smiled and gave her a hug; Peyton got up and walked out of the house. She got in her car and started driving towards Lucas's.
xxx
"Look at you!" Haley squealed as her and Lucas looked through old photo albums of themselves from when they were kids.
Lucas slapped her thigh playfully, "Look at you!" He said as he pointed out a picture of Haley with badly crimped hair and a big retainer, "You look like a dork!"
"Shut up!" Haley said as she pushed Lucas, "If I wouldn't have had that retainer I wouldn't have these beautiful pearly whites!"
Lucas rolled his eyes playfully and then flipped to a picture of Haley and him on the night of their Jr. High dance, "Awe looked at us," he said sarcastically.
Haley smacked him playfully, "Shut up we were cute," she said with a smile, "God," she said and then looked at the picture more carefully, "I remember that night…"
"Me too," Lucas said as he looked at Haley.
Haley looked up at him and they stared at each other for a moment, "You know," she said as she cleared her throat, "That was probably one of the best first kiss's a girl could have."
"What can I say?" Lucas said with a laugh, "You weren't too bad yourself," he said with a smirk.
Haley giggled and put a strand of hair behind her ear; Lucas messed her hair up and laughed. Haley tackled him onto the bed and pinned him down, "Ha!" She said as she sat on top of him.
"I'm not afraid to hit a girl," Lucas said jokingly.
Haley rolled her eyes and smiled, "It's because you hit like a girl," she retorted and then laughed.
Lucas laughed and brought Haley closer towards him. The laughter stopped and the two of them looked at each other. Lucas turned his head and kissed Haley softly on the lips. The kiss broke and the two looked at each other for another moment. Lucas rested his hands on Haley's hips and got on top over her; he kissed her softly at first and then slowly his tongue laced the bottom of her lip. Haley smiled and opened her mouth, and ran her fingers through Lucas's hair. They breathed heavily when the kissing stopped. Haley looked at Lucas and smiled; he took off his shirt and began kissing Haley again.
Peyton stood at Lucas's door and looked in on what was happening. It was like watching a car crash; she wanted to look away, but she couldn't. She put her hand over her mouth and let out a soft cry as she walked out of the house. She looked back at Lucas's house and then got into her car and cried.
xxx
"I've been walking around all day, thinking I think I have a problem, I think I think too much," Brooke sang as she strummed her acoustic guitar.
"New song?" Nathan asked as he walked into their bedroom where Brooke was playing.
Brooke smiled and shrugged, "Just something I've been working on…"
"You know," Nathan said as he sat down beside her and kissed her softly on the cheek, "I'd really like to hear it."
Brooke blushed and turned away, "Nathan," she said with a small laugh, "I haven't' played anything for anybody in forever."
"Please?" Nathan said as he ran his fingers through her brown hair, "For me?"
Brooke smiled and started to strum her guitar again, "Fine…For you."
I've been walking around all day, thinking
I think I have a problem, I think I think too much
I've been taught to hold back my tears and avoid them
But you've made pain into something I could touch
Peyton walked into her room and sat down on her bed; she looked around her walls at all her drawings and laid on her back. She looked beside her and saw a note folded. Peyton opened the note and read it, she wiped her eyes and got up.
I've been walking around all day, laughing
Think I'd be better off without you here
And I bet you are sweet and hard to get over
So I'll cry and people will stop and stare
Now that's ok, let them stop and stare...
Haley rolled on top of Lucas and kissed him hard; he looked into her eyes and she bit her bottom lip, "Are we supposed to be doing this?" Haley asked.
"I don't know," Lucas said softly, "But for the first time in my life, I think I'm doing something right for a change."
Haley smiled as she grabbed Lucas's hand and kissed it, "Me too…"
Cause I am fragile
I am hopeless
I'm not perfect
But I am free...
Read and Review, please.
