Chapter 24

After taking a nap Nathan got ready for the party at Tim's brother's place. He slipped on a pair of jeans and a polo and then made his way to Lucas'. When they finally arrived at the party it was obvious that all the girls were on the prowl since two of the hottest bachelors at school had become single again. Lucas was loving all the attention, Nathan however was another story.

"Yo dawgs, you finally made it! Whaddup?" Tim exclaimed from the end of the hallway.

"Hey man and newsflash: you're white!" Lucas exclaimed while laughing.

"Whateva, so you ready to hit up some hotties Luke?"

"Hell yeah," Lucas said eyeing the various woman around the place. "And our boy Nathan here is fresh on the market again too."

"Single and ready to mingle. I love it," Tim exclaimed. "You got rid of that tutor girl pretty fast huh Nate?"

"It's not like that man. We're technically broken up but we both have each other's hearts."

"Enough of this cheesefest. We're good looking guys, there are decent looking girls, there's beer, and we are at a party. No sulking tonight, just having a good time," Lucas said butting in.

"Whatever Luke, where's the keg?" Nathan said pushing through.

"In the kitchen," Tim called after him.

After finally getting himself a cup of beer Nathan found a Lazyboy to sit on. He wasn't really in the mood to socialize and there was one word that just kept tackling his mind. I. 'I,' he thought to himself. 'Of all the things should could have said to me and she sends a postcard saying I?' As Nathan sat there questioning the absurd postcard he began to get angry. I mean, since Haley broke things off he'd felt confusion and sadness, but never anger. Now however, the more he thought about it, the more anger he began to feel towards Haley as much as it pained him to do so. I mean, she barely gave him a reason and then she just vanishes for who knows how long. All throughout this time Nathan had continued to sit on the chair nursing several beers causing him to become quite drunk.

"Hey," a petite blonde said taking a seat next to him.

"Peyton!" Nathan slurred. "It's been a while!"

"Yeah it has," Peyton shrugged. "How are things with Tutorgirl?" She added sarcastically.

"Sucky actually," Nathan responded.

"Really?" Peyton questioned, suddenly intrigued.

"Yep. She dumped me and then left to who knows where."

"So she's out of the picture?"

"Um, I guess you could say that. Let's add her to the list of people who have abandoned me!" Nathan exclaimed, anger rising in his voice.

"What are you talking about Nathan?"

"Nothing, nothing. So what is up with you Peyton?" He stated, taking another sip of his beer.

"Same old crap. Looking for a man really right now. I've had my eye on someone for a while now. Two people actually."

"And who might these mystery men be?"

"It's complicated but I'll tell you who one of them is."

"Tell me. Tell me," Nathan slurred. Obviously beyond tipsy by now.

"You."

"Me?"

"You," Peyton replied, sliding her hand on top of his then leaning in to kiss his lips. If he had been sober and not drowning himself in the pity and sadness of Haley, Nathan would have probably shoved Peyton off of him. However, he was now drunk and angry, and quite frankly didn't care about Haley. With that being said, Nathan leaned into Peyton's kiss and continued to make out with her.

After a while Peyton pulled away. "Do you want to move this somewhere else?" Nathan nodded in return. "My dad is at my house, let's go to yours," she continued pulling Nathan up and out to her car. After about five minutes they reached his house and stumbled out of the car and up his front steps. Nathan however stopped short in his tracks when he saw a small white postcard sitting in front of his door. He picked up the card and flipped it over.

Nathan,

WISH

- Haley

"I can't do this," Nathan stated sharply, as if he had becoming instantly sober from his findings.

"What?" Peyton replied in shock. She was not used to being turned down.

"I can't do this. Haley."

"What about her Nate? You're not together!" Peyton exclaimed.

"That doesn't mean she can't have my heart still."

"Damn. Little miss goody two shoes isn't even here in Tree Hill and you're not even her boyfriend still and yet she still has you on a ball and chain."

"What are you talking about Peyton?"

"I'm talking about the fact that you're whipped. That you are not the confident jock we know and love anymore."

"Maybe I just want something more than living some meaningless arrogant superficial lifestyle. Maybe for the first time I found someone who accepts me for me. And maybe, just maybe I'm actually being Nathan Scott the person instead of Nathan Scott the jock or Nathan Scott the 'Dynasty.'"

"Nate I-"

"Save it Peyton. I've been noticing for a while now just how fake and deceiving our little group of friends is and I must say, I'm sick of it. I know you don't like Haley. So what, I've never been a fan of some people but that doesn't mean you have to be Miss Bitch to her."

"I have no-"

"Don't deny it Peyton. I've seen you do it and you've seen you do it."

"You've changed Nathan," Peyton said looking at her friend while shaking her head.

"For the better."

"I don't think so," Peyton said taking a step back towards her car.

"If it's for Haley then it's for the better."

"You mean the Haley that left town and broke your heart?" She snapped back.

"You don't know the whole story Peyton."

"Whatever. This was a mistake. Tonight. You and me." Peyton stated continuing to walk backwards toward her car.

"You're right. It was and I'm sorry." Nathan said truthfully.

"Me too, and not just about tonight."

"What else?"

"Haley. She's passing up something really special," Peyton continued before getting into her car and driving away.

"Yeah," Nathan mustered while walking into the house, postcard in hand. He went up to his room and grabbed the other one from his sock drawer. I WISH. 'She wishes?" Nathan thought. "She wishes what? She wishes we were still together. She wishes we never happened. She wishes things were different. She wishes what?'

"Only time will tell," he whispered to himself while placing the postcards back into his drawer. He then lay on his bed telling himself to be patient, she'll come around. However as he drifted off to sleep he was only half certain of that.

The next day at the café Nathan was cleaning tables when he was met by a distraught looking Lucas.

"Please tell me what everyone is saying is not true?" Lucas exclaimed.

"And what is that?" Nathan said looking confused.

"You turned down Peyton Sawyer. You know hot blonde. Our good friend."

"It's true," Nathan replied while continuing to wipe down the table.

"What the hell man? Why on earth would you turn that down?"

"That Lucas is a girl. Peyton. But Peyton is not Haley. I didn't want to just use her for benefiting and then become disloyal to Haley."

"You have got to be kidding me Nate. Like Haley has been so loyal to you? I mean what is so great about her. She's not bad to look at but it's not like she's a super model or anything."

"You can be so shallow it is amazing Lucas. And I don't care what Haley means to you, it's about what she means to me. So we're not together, but she's coming back. And when she does I'll be waiting for her. I don't understand what she's doing or going through right now but I do know one thing. I think she's beautiful. Not hot, but beautiful. And she gets me. I mean, really gets me."

"Touching Nate really. But I'm sure there are other girls waiting for you who could 'get you' too."

"Not like Haley does. And I don't want other girls. I want Haley."

"I will never understand you man," Lucas said shaking his head.

"That's because you go after girls for all the wrong reasons Luke."

"Alright Dr. Phil. Whatever. Just let me know when Haley gives you your balls back. I've got to go. See you at practice tonight?"

"Yep."

"Peace," Lucas said before leaving the café.

Haley sat alone in the empty house while Quinn was at work just going over who she had become. She used to be Haley James the unique confident type. She didn't care about others. Now however she wasn't so sure. As she looked over all that had happened Haley came to the confusion that she has in fact, one of the most dysfunctional lives ever. Maybe she didn't have to do it all alone. Maybe she could lean on Nathan. She still however, needed to remember how to lean on herself. Do things she used to do. Things she loved to do. Music for example. Music had been a big part of her life until Chris, but why should she stop because of his and Taylor's mistakes. Music was a huge part of Haley James that had been missing.

With that being said Haley got up from her place on her bed and went into the hall closet. She'd stumbled upon the ratty old guitar the day before so as soon as she saw the case she pulled it out and brought it back to her room. As soon as she touched the strings the cords all came back to her. Before she knew it she was making a song up off the top of her head.

Love's labor lost, before it began

I'm not trying to be clever

I'm just saying what I am

Oh, I'm turning over will

And I'm cleaning up this holy mess I made

Everything's fine

Everything's okay

Everybody loves a fool

Everybody walks away

Everybody walks away

Oh, my love

Oh alas, this has been such a sad affair

Such a sad affair

Well here I go again

I'm sinking in my faithlessness and fear

Everything's fine

Everything's okay

Everybody loves a fool

Everybody walks away

Everybody walks away

Oh, I'm turning over will

and I'm cleaning up this holy mess I made

I want to feel your arms around me

I want to know your love is real

I want to give you all you've given to me

But I'm still afraid to leave, to you

By the end of the song Haley felt a mix of emotions. Happiness at how gracefully and easy the music came back to her, but sad at the fact that in the end it still came down to Nathan.

Nathan. The one word she couldn't seem to get off her mind. She knew she still loved him, and that she needed him. It's just at the same time she needed to be just Haley for a while. No distractions. There was a lot to sort out, especially dealing with Taylor, and she needed to do it alone. However, his court appearance was in three days and she was unsure if she would be able to stay away from Tree Hill during that. She had urged Nathan to go for emancipation and she wanted to make sure it was followed through. Only time would tell if she would return to Tree Hill in time. Only time would tell.

a/n: Like it? Hate it? So-so? Love it? Let me know: ) And just for the record... Nathan was drunk when all that stuff went down with Peyton. He kind of forgoed everything he had said prior to Lucas because he was drunk and angry. He quickly snapped out of that bad chance once he saw the postcard though and realized Haley's it for him... I hope you guys don't think less of him. That wasn't my intention. Anyways, leave reviews and let me know what you think! Will Haley make it back ? We shall see!