Hey everyone! Here is the next chapter, it also happens to be the next to last chapter. The conclusion to this story will be posted on Sunday. I am going away for a couple of days. Thank you for all the replies, and I apologize for the wait!!
Chapter 3
It was now the night before prom and three days before graduation. Nathan and Haley were celebrating with their annual movie and then walk around the park. The movie had already ended so Nathan and Haley were wandering aimlessly eating ice cream. Haley's eyes landed on a young couple sitting by the river. All of the sudden the guy got down on one knee.
"Oh! Nathan look! He's proposing to her!," Haley said excitedly
Nathan looked over at the couple, "Can't they do that in the privacy of their own home?"
Haley frowned, "Nathan, it's cute. Don't you ever want to be so in love that you just have to be with that person for the rest of your life and you don't care who knows it?"
Nathan ran his hand through his hair, "I don't think I'm that type of person Hales. I think the only women that I'll keep around forever are you, and unfortunately, Brooke,"
Haley ignored his comment, "Look! She said yes! Aww, that's adorable,"
"Jesus, Haley, try and be a little louder," Nathan hissed
"Congratulations!" Haley yelled at the couple. The turned, smiled, and waved.
"I can't take you anywhere," Nathan said pulling her away from the river
"You're so grouchy," Haley replied shaking his hand off her arm
"I'm not grouchy, I just prefer not to indulge in the mushy things in life," Nathan said
"Whatever, take me home. I have to get my beauty sleep for tomorrow night," Haley said skipping in the direction of Nathan's car
"I don't think one night of sleep is going to help your mess of a face," Nathan joked
Haley turned and narrowed her eyes, "You know what I think I'll walk,"
Haley turned and sped off in the direction of her house. However, it only took Nathan a few steps to catch up with her. He wrapped his arms around her and kissed her temple.
"I was just kidding Hales, you know I think you're beautiful," Nathan said
Haley tried to hide the blush spreading across her face, "You're an ass, I hope you know,"
Nathan smirked, "You love me anyway,"
Haley rolled her eyes, "Take me home,"
Nathan held his arm out, "It would be my pleasure mi'lady,"
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The next day, Haley was nervously waiting Nathan's arrival. She put a lot of effort into how she looked tonight. She really wanted Nathan to take notice, but she was afraid that she would come up short again.
"Haley Caroline James!," Her mother yelled up the stairs, "Get your butt down here to see this fine, upstanding gentleman!"
Haley laughed softly at her mother's antics, "Showtime,"
Haley gracefully descended the stairs concentrating on not falling and breaking her neck. Her eyes met Nathan's and she now she had to concentrate on breathing. This keeping her feelings inside thing was going to be harder than she thought.
Nathan on the other hand was daydreaming when he saw his best friend walk down the stairs. She looked beautiful. Her honey blonde hair was pulled into an intricate updo that accentuated her features. She also wore a chocolate brown strapless, empire waist gown. Nathan had never felt as he did when he saw Haley walk down the stairs. Something new was bubbling in his stomach. He was always happy to see Haley, but this was something different, something bigger. Nathan's thoughts were broken by Haley's voice.
"Hey Mom, you're right. Nate does clean up nice," Haley said with a smile
"Thanks," Nathan said shortly, too afraid to say anything else
After a moment of awkward silence, Haley finally spoke up. "Okay Mom, we better be going, so I'll see you tomorrow morning,"
Lydia gave her youngest daughter a hug and whispered in her ear, "You look beautiful, Bub. Don't be afraid to say how you feel,"
Haley broke away and rolled her eyes, "Thanks Mom,"
"Have fun you two!" Lydia said waving them off
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Hours later, Haley laid on Brooke's bed sandwiched between her and Peyton. They were doing kind of a postmortem of prom.
"Lucas was so romantic," Brooke sighed
"So was Jake," Peyton joined in
"Nathan sucked," Haley said abruptly
Peyton and Brooke sat up.
"What?" Brooke said
"Why?" Peyton asked
Haley started to count off on her fingers "He didn't say two words to me, He LEFT me for like two hours on my own, I saw him talking to Rachel, of all people, and finally, he didn't even dance with me. Senior prom was supposed to be this great night where we would all just have fun one last time before graduation and it sucked ass!"
"This kind of situation only calls for one thing..." Peyton said throwing a glance at Brooke
Brooke smiled, "Consider me halfway down to the freezer,"
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Before getting the ice cream, Brooke took a little pit stop in her brother's room. She considered knocking, but slamming the door open was much more fun.
"Shit Brooke!," Nathan yelled when the door slammed open
"Shhh! I'm not supposed to be here right now, so keep it down," Brooke scolded
"What do you want?" Nathan asked
"I want to find out what happened between you and Haley tonight. She said she had a horrible time and you didn't say two words to her. That doesn't sound like my brother, so what happened?" Brooke asked
"I don't know," Nathan said annoyed
"Well, figure it out!" Brooke said matching his tone
"I got scared. alright?" Nathan said
"Of what?" Brooke asked shocked. Nathan Scott did not get scared.
"ThatImightloveHaley," Nathan mumbled
"I'm sorry I don't speak mumble, you want to try again?" Brooke said
"That I might love Haley," Nathan said quietly
Brooke jumped on his bed, "Are you serious? That would be so awesome!"
Nathan chuckled at his sister's antics, "Brooke she probably doesn't feel the same way,"
Brooke waved her hand in the air, "Pfft, she totally does, it's so obvious,"
"You think so?" Nathan asked
Brooke nodded, "Now all you have to do is tell her,"
Brooke then returned to Mission: Get Haley Ice Cream. leaving her brother with his thoughts.
"Now all you have to do is tell her"