Spring Break and Getting Ready For Prom
After Valentine's day, each of the six friends had to focus on their school work so much that they didn't have much time for anything else. Their senior year would be ending in a few short months and along with finals coming up, they also had SAT's to study for, as well as work and getting ready for Prom, which was only a month and a half away.
When March approached, the guys were busy getting the limo and setting everything up for Prom, and the girls were busy talking about their dresses and the whole thing. Brooke had offered to have Haley and Peyton go with her to California for Spring Break so that they could shop for dresses in L.A. The guys weren't too happy about it, because it was their last Spring Break before college, and they had thought that they would all do something together.
"Sorry." Brooke said when Lucas and Nathan mention this one day. "The six of us do everything together, and I love that, but we need a little girl time. I promise that the six of us can take some great summer trip before we're all shipped off across the country."
Lucas sighed but nodded. "Okay." He said, smiling. He already had a plan in mind. After school, he walked up to Nathan and Jake, who were talking in the parking lot. "Okay, I was thinking, this girl time that they want is fine, but we should go up there and surprise them at the end of the week."
Nathan smiled and nodded in agreement. "Sounds fun."
Jake, however, wasn't smiling. "Yeah, sounds fun, but I don't know if I can ask my parents to watch Jenny while I run off with my friends again."
Lucas grinned at Jake. "I've thought about that. And bring her with us."
Jake sighed. "Maybe, let me think about it."
"Okay, but think fast, Spring Break is in two weeks."
"Alright, I gotta go. Your mom is expecting me at the café." He said goodbye to the guys and left for the café.
Nathan and Lucas rode home together. As they pulled into their driveway, Lucas looked over at Nathan. "So, how's things going with you and Haley?" He asked as the two got out of the car and walked inside.
Nathan sighed. "There okay. I mean, I love her, and it's great that she knows and that we're able to be the way we are."
"But?"
"But she was right about one thing. We are going to be on different sides of the country next year. And we have maybe three months left before we graduate, then two before we leave. It doesn't leave us much time and I feel like we keep skirting around us. Like if we keep acting the way we are now, then it won't be as bad when we have to leave each other…but it might just be worse."
Lucas smiled warmly at Nathan. "Nate, you love her…and she loves you. It will happen, you just have to let everything work out the way it's meant to." He laughed lightly. "Brooke keeps telling me that you two are so cute together and that you two are meant for each other. She's also says that if it's meant to be, then you two will find each other, no matter where you go."
Nathan nodded. "Thanks." He sighed. "I got to go study, who would have thought that Senior Year would be this hard. It supposed to be the easiest year ever."
Lucas laughed as he watched Nathan pull his bag over his shoulder and head upstairs.
Haley was standing at the café counter, thinking, off in her own little world when she heard someone saying her name. She turned and smiled at Karen. "Sorry."
Karen laughed and put her arm around Haley's shoulder, leading her over to a table. "It's okay, tell me what's on your mind."
Haley looked at Karen and took a deep breath. "Your son." She said with a small smile.
"Nathan?"
Haley laughed. "No, Lucas…yeah, Nathan." She turned and looked out the window for a moment before looking back at Karen. "I was just thinking about how we started out, and how that seems like a lifetime ago now." Karen nodded but kept silent. "I mean, when I met him, I had been working at the café for a while, and then one day, it was like, someone had lifted a veil that shielded him from anything that wasn't basketball, or his friends, or Peyton. And although he had seen me many, many times before, all at once, he really saw me. At first, it was just simple talking here at the café. Then, the next day at school, he came up to talk to me and proceeded to tell me that he wanted to be my friend. At first, I thought he had been messing with me…" She kept talking as she thought back to that day in school, over a year ago.
Flashback
Haley was sitting on a bench, eating her lunch and reading over what looked like an essay. "Hey Haley." Nathan smiled as he walked up to her. "Mind if I sit down?"
Haley looked up at Nathan. "Sure, I guess." She said as she moved her bag off the other side of the bench, wondering why one of the most popular guys at Tree Hill High was going out of his way to talk to her.
Nathan sat down and looked at the paper she was reading. "Is that the essay for English that's due next week?" Haley nodded. "I'm in that class too. But I haven't even started mine."
"Oh…" then it dawned on her why he was talking to her. "If you want me to tutor you…I can't. Sorry." She said as she put her essay into her bag and started to get up.
"No wait. I'm not asking for you to tutor me. I was just…making small talk." He looked up at the beautiful brunette. "Please stay."
Haley looked at him for a minute before putting her bag back down. "I'm sorry, but why are you talking to me?" She saw the hurt in his eyes and continued. "What I mean is…you've never talked to me before."
Nathan looked down at the ground, slightly ashamed. "I know. Basketball sort of runs my life." He said then looked back up at her. "But I'm hoping to make up for it."
She looked at him quizzically then looked over his shoulder at a blonde woman who looked liked she was watching them from the parking lot. "And how do you think your going to do that?" She asked looking back at him.
"Well, I was hoping we could get to know each other. You know, maybe even be friends."
Haley blushed slightly as she glanced at the woman that was still watching them. "Do you know who that woman is?"
Nathan turned and looked at the blonde who immediately turned to walk away. "No." He turned back to Haley. "So, what do you say…friends?"
Haley sighed. "Fine, but you better not be messing with me." She said pointing her index finger at him.
Nathan laughed. "I'm not, I promise."
"Famous last words." Haley said as she leaned back against the bench.
"Okay, so, now that we're friends…tell me something about you." Nathan said with a sexy grin.
Haley looked from Nathan's face, to his arms and chest, and back up to his face. Look at me, I'm sitting here talking to the hottest guy at school, who wants to be friends with me. She smiled at that thought. "Well, from what I hear, you've found out a lot about me today, so why don't you tell me something about yourself."
Nathan looked at her then smiled. "Okay…you know my mom and dad, their great. My brother is a pain in the ass."
Haley laughed. "I mean something real…not stuff I already know."
Nathan nodded. "Okay…something real…" He thought for a minute then continued. "Well, I've played basketball since I was little. It pretty much is everything to me." As he talked, Haley looked at him…she really listened to him, and he liked that. It was never like that with Peyton. With Haley, it was just different. He liked talking to her…he liked how she seemed to hang on his every word yet it was different from the other girls at school.
"So, what about your girlfriend…Peyton is it?" She asked
"Yeah, Peyton…what about her?" He asked looking over at his brother, Brooke and Peyton.
"Well, how does she feel about you trying to be friends with me…not that I'm some kind of threat to her or anything."
Nathan looked back at Haley. "Are you serious. Haley, why do you do that?" He asked, noticing that she didn't seem to think much of herself.
Haley sighed. "I'm smart…I put a lot into school and tutoring. I don't really have many friends. I'm not in the 'in' crowd or anything…not really on the same level…are we." She said looking away from him.
"Compared to me, who is pretty much counting on basketball to get into college…and friends…yeah, I have a lot, but not many true friends…and your right…we're not on the same level…so it looks like I have my work cut out for me to get up to yours."
Haley looked up into his eyes and smiled weakly. "Now I know your playing me…"
Nathan shook his head. "Haley, you got it all, beauty, brains…and probably more talent in your little toe then most of the girls at this school."
Again, Haley blushed. How did he have this effect on me. "Thanks." She said quietly.
Nathan nodded his head as the bell rang for class. "Can I walk you to class?"
Haley smiled. "Yeah." The two got up and started walking back to the main building together. "You never did answer my question."
"And what question is that?" He asked as they walked into English class.
Haley sat down and watched as Nathan sat in front of her. "How does Peyton feel about you trying to be my friend?"
"I don't know…and honestly…I really don't care. That's her problem if she doesn't like me making new friends." Nathan smiled faintly before he turned and looked at Mr. Ellis as he walked into the class.
Haley smiled to herself as she got her things out of her bag and started taking notes. This year just got very interesting.
End Flashback
Karen was smiling at Haley as she listened to her recount how her and Nathan had started to become friends, turning soon, into best friends. "That night at the café, Peyton came, upset at Nathan. She told him to choose, her or me, and unbelievable as it was at the time, he chose me. Then all that stuff happened with Deb, and…"
"And you were there for him like no one else was. Like no one else could be. He opened up to you more than he did most other people, even me during that time." Karen said. She had been very thankful that Nathan had found such a good friend in Haley.
Haley nodded. "Yeah, Nathan turned out to be my best friend. He may not know this, but he is different from most people, in a way that has nothing to do with basketball. He challenges me, like no one else can. He doesn't just tell me when I mess up, but helps me clean up the mess. He has become so much a part of my world, and I really do love him."
Karen smiled bigger when she heard this, but a moment later, noticed that Haley wasn't smiling. In fact, she was frowning. Karen reached over and put a hand on Haley's. "Haley…"
Haley looked up at Karen and sighed. "He has become so much of my life, that it scares me to think about not having him there next year, rather we're just friends, or more."
"Haley, he may not be there physically, but he will always be there with you, just as you will always be with him. Don't worry so much about what the future may hold for the two of you. The only thing you need to do is make the most out of the time you do have together, and next year, make sure you carrying him in your heart, and you will never be without him."
Haley smiled weakly. "Thanks, Karen."
Karen nodded and pulled Haley into a hug. "Everything's going to work out the way it's supposed to, you just have to have a little faith, in yourself, and in those that you love."
Haley had taken Karen's words to heart. She was right, no matter what, Nathan would always be with her.
Two weeks later, Haley, Brooke, and Peyton, stood in the airport, saying goodbye to the guys, who had drove them to the airport. Brooke was kissing Lucas, Peyton was holding Jenny, with Jake by her side, and Haley and Nathan were talking.
Brooke pulled out of the kiss and smiled. "I'm going to miss you." Lucas said as he held Brooke's face in his hands.
"You better." Brooke grinned then kissed Lucas again.
"I'll see you in a week, Jenny." Peyton told the little girl in her arms. "Be good for your daddy, and keep an eye on him for me." She smiled at Jake.
"Be careful, okay." Jake said then put his arms around both of his girls and kissed Peyton on the forehead.
"You too." Peyton said with a smile.
"Maybe I should just go with you guys…."
"Nathan, it's only one week, you will be fine here without me. Plus, you have a lot of things to do. Prom is just a few short weeks away."
Nathan sighed and glanced at Lucas before turning back to Haley. "I know." He said as he wrapped his arms tightly around her waist. "I just don't like saying goodbye to you."
Haley smiled. "This isn't goodbye, it's see you soon." She kissed Nathan softly before turning and looking at the other two girls. "We better get on the plane, or there going to leave without us."
Peyton laughed before kissing Jenny softly on the forehead and handing her back to Jake. "Bye, I love you."
"I love you too."
Lucas looked at Peyton and Haley. "Keep an eye on her for me." He said with a grin then flinched as Brooke hit his arm. He turned back and kissed her. "I love you."
Brooke smiled, showing her dimples. "Yeah, yeah, I love you too."
Nathan and Haley shook their head before Nathan stole one last kiss. "Be safe, and call me when you get there."
Haley rolled her eyes playfully. "Yes, Father."
"That's just all sorts of wrong." Brooke said, walking up to Haley and Nathan.
All of them laughed as the girls turned and walked away and onto the plane. As they took their seats on the plane, Peyton turned on her Ipod and put the earphones in her ears, Haley leaned back against her seat as Brooke pulled out a magazine that had nothing but prom dresses in it.
Haley leaned over and looked at the magazine with Brooke. "Ooh, that one would look so good on you, Tigger." She said, pointing at a light blue dress.
Brooke smiled and looked at the dress. "Yeah, I hope we can find some like this in California."
Peyton turned her head and rolled her eyes. "I'm sure you will find something just perfect for all of us."
The three laughed then fell silent as the plane took off. In what seemed like no time at all, they were landing at LAX and soon walking out to meet Mark, who was waiting by a smaller limo to take the girls to Brooke's house. "Hi Mark." All three said in unison as they started to get into the limo.
Mark smiled at the girls then looked at Brooke. "Hey, Princess. How's school been?" He asked as Brooke got into the car.
Brooke sighed and looked at Mark. "It's school, what do you think?"
Mark laughed and closed the door before getting in and driving the girls to the house. He helped them with their things then turned to them at the door. "Well, Princess, have fun. And I hope you find the dresses you girls want." He smiled at them before walking out, and leaving them.
Brooke turned and smiled. "This is going to be so much fun." She said, clapping her hands together, but a voice soon took her smile away. She turned to see her mom walking down the stairs towards them. "Mom, I thought you were going to Capri with dad." Brooke stated.
Mrs. Davis smiled as she stopped just in front of her daughter. "What, and miss seeing my only daughter in her prom dress?" She said before hugging Brooke.
Brooke laughed dryly as she hugged her mom back. "Well, seeing your only daughter on Christmas didn't stop you from going to Paris." She said bitterly.
Mrs. Davis sighed and stepped back. "Didn't Mark explain to you that it was business and how very sorry we were?"
Brooke rolled her eyes. "Yeah, he did." She turned to Brooke and Haley. "Come on, let's put our things upstairs then go get something to eat."
Mrs. Davis turned and smiled at the other two in the foyer. "Peyton, it's so good to see you again. And Miss. James, I've heard so much about you."
They both smiled politely at Mrs. Davis as they picked up their bags. "Bye, Mom." Brooke said as she headed upstairs.
Brooke threw her bag down on her bed and turned to look at Haley and Peyton. "Can you believe her? She's more interested in me looking decent in my prom dress then seeing me at all. She's afraid I will tarnish the Davis name…as if her and my father don't do that enough."
Haley, not knowing what to say, looked at Peyton, who walked over and took Brooke by the shoulders. "B. Davis, why are we here?"
Brooke looked up into Peyton's eyes. "To find perfect prom dresses." She mumbled sadly.
Peyton nodded. "And who is better at shopping then anyone else in the world."
"Me." Brooke said.
Haley smiled. "Exactly, so stop pouting and let's get shopping."
Brooke turned to Haley and smiled. Haley wanting to shop was enough to take her out of her bad mood. "Thanks."
Haley nodded and dropped her bags. "But first, I am starving."
Brooke, returning to her normal self, shook her head. "I don't think so, first we look at dresses, then we eat. You don't want to be bloated as your trying on dresses from eating too much."
Haley pouted then rolled her eyes. "Fine, but only an hour of looking before eating…otherwise, I'm going to die of starvation, and I won't need a dress at all."
"Okay, I mean, we do have a whole week to look." Brooke said before linking arms with both of her best friends and starting back downstairs.
Haley groaned as they got to the foyer again. "I knew this was a bad idea." She said, making the other girls laugh.
Just as Brooke promised, they spent only an hour shopping for dresses, with no luck, before going to get something to eat. The next four days were the same; they woke up and went shopping for hours, got something so eat for lunch before shopping some more, and by the fifth day, Haley was sure they were never going to find their perfect dresses.
Brooke walked into Haley's room and jumped on the bed. "Wake Up Tutor Girl, we're already running late."
Haley turned over and groaned. "Need more sleep."
Brooke pushed Haley back to where she was just moments before. "Nope, we have a long day ahead of us…we need to find a dress for you that will make Nathan fall apart at the seams."
Peyton walked in with a mug of coffee. "Are you kidding me? Haley could go in a pair of jeans and a t-shirt and Nathan would just melt." She said as she handed Haley the coffee.
Haley sat up and took a sip. "Thanks"
It took Haley another hour and a half to wake up and get ready. By the time they left Brooke's house, it was nearly 11:30. They walked around Rodeo Drive, going in and out of different shops before they finally found one with dresses worth trying on. As soon as they walked in, Brooke immediately started pulling things off the shelves and handed them to Haley. Just as Haley was about to go try them on, she turned and saw the dress. She threw the ones that Brooke had picked out for her to Peyton and pulled the light blue dress off the rack and turned to show it to Brooke. "It's the one from the magazine, Brooke."
Brooke's mouth dropped open as she stared at the dress. "Wow, it looks even better in person." She whispered.
Haley smiled. "You're trying it on." She said, handing the dress to Brooke and pushing her towards the dressing room.
A few minutes later, Brooke walked out wearing a tight, light blue dress that flowed down to her feet and looked at her friends. "What do you think?" She asked sheepishly.
Haley and Peyton, who had been looking through the dresses Brooke had picked out for Haley, turned to look at Brooke. Haley's face broke into a smile as Peyton nodded. "It's perfect." Haley said.
"Are you sure?" Brooke asked as she turned and looked at herself in a mirror.
"Yes, you look gorgeous." Peyton said.
Brooke finally smiled. "I do, don't I." Both Peyton and Haley rolled their eyes. "Okay, this is the one for me." She said before turning back to her friends. "Haley, why are you not in the dressing room, trying on those dresses?"
Haley laughed. "Just waiting for you." She said before picking up the dresses and walking into the dressing room. There were about 9 dresses in all, and Haley had tried on each of them, always finding something wrong, until she put on the last dress, which was a yellow strapless, flowing gown. She stepped out and smiled at Peyton and Brooke. "I like this one."
Brooke clapped her hands together. "Finally." She said, walking around Haley, examining the dress. "Okay, so we just have to find Peyton's dress." She said, with a huge grin.
However, they did not find Peyton's dress at that store. After looking at every dress in the place, they finally decided to go to another place, so they paid for Brooke's and Haley's dresses and left. They had been walking down the street for what seemed like 30 minutes when they heard Peyton gasp.
Haley and Brooke turned to see what had happened, only to find Peyton staring through a window at a cream colored dress that was in the display window. "It's beautiful." Peyton said in a whisper.
Brooke and Haley stepped up on each side of Peyton and smiled at the dress. "Well, let's go get it." Brooke said, taking Peyton's arm and pulling her into the shop. After asking the clerk about the dress in the window, they were pointed to a rack that held only a few left.
The three of them walked over and started to look for one in Peyton's size. When they was almost through all of them, thinking they wouldn't have any for Peyton, Brooke grabbed the last one and held it up to Peyton. "Go put it on."
They all walked over and Brooke and Haley waited for Peyton to put the dress on. A few minutes later, she walked out in a cream colored dress that tied around her neck. The top of it was tight, showing off her curves, while the bottom of it flowed out into a slight princess style.
An hour later, they were walking back into Brooke's house, each holding a dress bag with their dresses in it. "I can't believe we actually found the perfect dress for each of us." Haley said as they started up the stairs.
"Brooke, honey…" Brooke turned and sighed when she saw her mom.
"Yeah?"
"There are some people here to see you. Their waiting in the study." Mrs. Davis said with a smile.
Brooke looked at Haley and Peyton. "Will you take my dress up to my…"
"No, I'll take them upstairs, you three go see whose here." Mrs. Davis said, walking up and taking each dress from the girls and going upstairs.
Brooke rolled her eyes and led the other two into the study. "Jenny?" Peyton said as she walked in and smiled. She walked over to Jake, who had stood up and pulled Peyton into a hug. Peyton then took Jenny in her arms and held her tight. "Oh, I missed you, Jenny."
Haley smiled then looked over at Lucas and Nathan. "What are you guys doing here?" She asked, but instead of an answer, she was swept up in a kiss from Nathan.
Brooke looked at Lucas. "I thought I told you this was supposed to be a girls week?" She said as she walked slowly over to Lucas.
Lucas, who was smiling, put his arms around his girlfriend. "Yeah, and we gave you three almost a whole week before coming out here, give us some credit."
Brooke laughed lightly. "Well, I'm glad you're here." She said as she hugged Lucas and kissed him softly.
"So, did you girls find your 'perfect' dresses?" Nathan asked, turning to look at the others.
"Yeah, we did actually." Haley said with a smile.
"When can we see them?" Lucas asked, looking down at Brooke once more.
Brooke, however, shook her head. "At Prom." She smiled wickedly. "Sorry, how about we make it up to you guys by taking you out to eat?"
Jake nodded. "Yes, I'm so hungry." Everyone laughed before they all headed back out of the house.
The six friends spent the next few days just enjoying the beach and each other. Brooke had taken many pictures of them at the beach and wherever they went. Before they knew it, it was the night before they left and they were all sitting out on the beach, once again, only this time, they had a mini bonfire going.
Brooke was sitting in between Lucas' legs, Peyton was beside Jake, with Jenny laying asleep on a blanket beside them, and Nathan was sitting beside Haley, who was playing her guitar. They were just sitting around the fire, talking, eating smores, and having fun.
After a little while, Brooke looked over at Haley. "Hey, sing us a song." She said, smiling.
The others nodded in agreement and said 'yeah'. Haley rolled her eyes but smiled. She played a little bit before she looked up and started singing.
Honestly
I didn't mean to cry so hard
But the heartache was pouring in like rain
I didn't mean to show I care
Honestly
I didn't mean to laugh so loud
But it just sounds so absurd
To say that you want me
Say that you need me
After everything you've done
Really, truly I didn't mean to hurt you
I just thought that maybe now
We'd have better luck the second time around
It's always better the second time I hear
Find me in the evening
When you're ready to dance
And I will
Take you to the places
Where you'd never thought you'd the chance to love
Love
Love is all we have
I will run myself in circles here without you
Please believe that I tried my best to forget you
But the memories keep flooding back like tears
I didn't mean to fall in love
But sitting here just waiting for this is torture
I'm so glad you're far away
Is that a terrible thing to say
Well I wonder if you're okay
Find me in the evening
When you're ready to dance
And I will take you to the places
Where you never thought you'd have the chance to love
Love
Love is all we have
I will run myself in circles here without you
Oh I would run myself in circles here without you
Oh I've tried and tried
And I can't hide from your love
Darling it's too late
To show me your intentions
You know we've got to find a way
To get past all the implications, every situation
Every complication that we've come from
Love is all we have
I will run myself in circles here without you
Darling Love
Love
Love is all we have
I will run myself in circles here without you
AN: Okay, that was the 12th chapter of Feelings of Love. Let me know what you think.
Also, I am already thinking of the next part of this big story. It will be called Inside of Love.
Inside of Love - The Sequal to Feelings of Love. Take a look back as the six friends remember college, and find out how their lives turned out now, 10 years after graduation, at their high school reunion. Who stayed together? Did any of the three couples get married and have kids? Who lost there way to each other, desperate still, to find their way back?