A/N: My, my...you guys asked me more questions about the last chapter than any of my other readers...I like! Brooke told Nathan about the date because she wanted him to be fine with it. He said it would be okay and that he wanted to buy her the dress for the date. BTW...you'll probably recognize that Cherise, Lucas' sister, is in this story a lot...what can I say...she's based on my own cousin who was just like this when she was younger...big things going to revolve around her in future chapters! I think once someone suggested that she was Haley's daughter...well sorry to disappoint but no she isn't. Anyways...enjoy this chapter...the next one will be just as great...goodness knows it has made many people cry...but you'll love it! So reply soon and loads and I'll put up the next chapter!

Chapter 15

Haley sat in the classroom and stared at the open seats in front of her. It was unbelievable to her that time had passed so quickly without him. Sure the first few months were hard but Lucas and Brooke helped. Then after a while Lucas offered her a job but she declined...like she told Nathan on that last call...she and Luke would kill each other. So...there she was, almost a year after Nathan left, a teacher at Tree Hill High. It was a good thing for her that her grades were so good in high school...they offered her the job with some night studies. She and James chatted frequently...they had become good friends in such a short time. He visited her a lot whenever he could...but he was now on set and they had not seen each other in a while. Keith and Karen, along with Cherise, had moved back to Tree Hill. According to them it was because they missed the place but Haley knew the truth. They came back to help. But Haley knew a long time ago she didn't need help...she needed Nathan.

Suddenly the bell rang and students poured into the class and took their seats. Always the same...some in the front, some in the back...some not even bothering to show. Haley sighed as she stood up and the sound of the students subsided. Haley smiled as she noticed that most of the guys were sitting in the front – staring at her. She liked to call it TTB – Typical Tim Behaviour. Soon the lecture started and all thoughts of Tim and Nathan were out the door.

oOoOoOoOoOoOo

"So your assignment is to write a 500 word essay on the fall of Othello...you can start now...but I know you won't so you can take the rest of this class off." Haley said as she finished her lecture. She was about to sit down when she heard one of her student, Michael, speak up.

"So did you guys see the photo of the Lakers Lucas Scott in the hallway...he really went the school here." Michael said and his friends nodded.

"Yeah...but who's with him in the photo? I don't know them." Conrad asked.

"She's kind of hot and the other guy is built man!" Terry agreed.

"I'm sure Lucas and that girl were getting freaky together." Sam quipped and Haley couldn't help but laugh – they were, after all, taking about her, Lucas and Nathan. The boys' voices all died down as they stared at her walking towards them.

"Actually Sam they weren't...they were best friends and she was the other guy's girlfriend." Haley said as she sat on the bench in front of them.

"You knew them Miss James?" Terry asked in disbelief and Haley shuddered at the use of her maiden name...she had given that name to the classes because there would be to many questions and she couldn't handle that.

"You could say so. Don't look so shocked Sam...I was young once to. I'm only a few years older than you." Haley laughed at his shocked expression. Some of the girls moved closer to hear what they were talking about.

"Can you tell us more about them?" Mel pleaded. Uncertainty flashed over Haley's face but it was lost on all the students except one.

"Sure...why not. Well Lucas and Haley – the girl in the photo – were best friends since...oh forever it seems. They never really mixed with anyone till Lucas was chosen for the Ravens and that's where they got to do with Nathan. He's Lucas' half-brother and to explain that would take forever...but to sum it up they hated each other. Then Haley started tutoring Nathan and they fell in love and got married at 16." Haley said.

"Wow...16?" Carmen asked.

"Yeah...they really were in love. Of course Lucas had his doubts but he got over it and they were all friends." Haley said as sadness crept up in her voice.

"But what about poor Lucas...who did he turn to?" Mel asked and Haley smiled...everyone cared about the big Lucas Scott.

"To Haley's friend Brooke...I'm sure you know her, you're wearing her clothes." Haley said and pointed to Mel's top.

"Wait...you don't mean THE Brooke Davis from Clothes Over Bros?" Mel asked excitedly.

"Yeah...she always was THE Brooke." Haley laughed.

"Can you read something for us?" Kelly – the hardest working student in the class – asked. She reminded Haley a lot of herself.

"Sure..." she said and grabbed the book closest to her on her desk. The weird thing about this class was that they didn't mind listening – they wanted to hear what she wrote.

"He left today. I don't know when or where but when I came home he was gone. He says he needs time and I'll give it to him – though I can't pretend to understand. After I talked to Tigger I decided not to go stay with her and Broody. I know one day he'll come back and I'll wait for him.

I woke up today with a hangover...can't remember what happened...Tigger says to just forget about it.

I found records today...we would have had a baby girl. I'm telling you she would have had his eyes...those unforgettable eyes. She would have been the spitting image of him.

I went to his mother's grave...there are new flowers there. He put them there. He's still in Tree Hill but I know he won't be for much longer.

I saw him on TV today...they did a special on Broody so they talked about him. Me to. I'm probably famous now as the best friend to the hunk of Tree Hill. But I'm okay with that.

Keith received a letter from him...he asked Keith to go back and work at the dealership. Jake, Peyton and Jenny moved in with me for a while...they pretend it's because their house is getting fumigated but I know the truth. I sleep in our bedroom again...the first time since he left. I found his jersey...I wear it constantly. I just keep reminding myself...always and forever." Haley said and closed her journal. The room was silent as they all thought about the deep and personal message.

A few minutes later Tim came in followed by Cherise who, when she saw Haley, ran straight to her. Haley picked the little girl up.

"Awntie Hawley." Cherise said as she hugged her tightly.

"Hey Cherise...this is a surprise." Haley said and kissed her forehead.

"Hey Haley...I found this one looking for you." Tim said as he left.

"Hey little girl...where is Luke? Wasn't it his turn to look after you today?" Haley asked her, not even looking at the students.

"Lukey gone." Cherise pouted and Haley sighed as she pulled out her phone and dialled the familiar number.

"Hello?" Lucas answered out of breath.

"Luke, you better have one hell of a good reason why your sister is in my class...alone!" Haley threatened and Lucas let out a sigh.

"She's with you?" Lucas asked desperately.

"Yeah...she's here." Haley replied.

"Thank God! She ran away when I went to visit Skills! I'll be there in a few seconds." he said and hung up.

Lucas came bursting in the class a few minutes later and both he and Haley ignored the reactions of the student who were surprised to see Lucas.

"Cherise Ashley Scott! Don't you ever do that to me again!" Lucas said as he walked up to them.

"Sowwy big bwother." Cherise said softly but her eyes were directed away from them to the back of the class.

"It's okay...you just gave Luke and me a fright...we were just worried about you." Haley said and put her down. But instead of going to Lucas she ran to the back of the class and was greeted by a student in a hoodie with open arms.

"What the hell?" Haley asked confused.

"Uncle Nate!" Cherise said as she kissed the man and pulled down his hoodie...revealing Nathan. She let go of him and ran to a shocked Lucas and Haley and Nathan stood up.

Haley and Nathan stared at each other and both noticed the changes. Nathan's hair was cut considerably shorter and on his chin was a hint of a beard. Haley's hair was a shade lighter, longer and had more waves.

"Nathan?" Haley asked unsurely.

"Haley." Nathan stated with his usual Scott smirk.

"Always..." Haley said softly.

"And forever..." Nathan finished and Haley's eyes filled with tears. Nathan walked to the front and kissed Haley softly.

"Baby brother...what a nice surprise to have you back!" Lucas said as he pulled Nathan into a manly hug, Cherise standing behind them tugging at Lucas' pants. Lucas quickly picked her up and she nestled into his arms.

"It's great to be back...and to be able to kiss my wife again." Nathan smirked.

"You're THE Lucas Scott?" Mel asked Lucas with big eyes.

"Yeah...I am." Lucas said and walked closer to them and put his media face on. The student immediately started fussing over him and Cherise...except Kelly who kept looking at the reunited couple. If this guy was Lucas' brother...then Miss James...was the Haley from the photo...Mrs Scott.

"I'm so glad you're back!" Haley said softly as Nathan intertwined their fingers.

"Yeah well it was time...plus I couldn't let you go to the reunion alone could I?" Nathan asked jokingly.

"Wait...how did you know about that...Brooke." Haley said as she realised the answer to her own question.

"What? I had to know how you were doing and I knew Luke and the others would blab it to you." Nathan said and kissed her again as the last bell rang. Then Lucas, holding Cherise, joined them and they walked out of the school building.

A/N: Yeah! We have Naley again! Yay! R & R!