"What... what's going on?" Lucas asked stepping into the club, Nathan following behind him.

Brooke jumped off the stage and walked over to him, "broody! Happy Birthday!"

Lucas looked at Brooke in his arms, "thank-you, what is all this?" He asked gesturing to all the people looking at him.

"It's your birthday silly, we threw you a party, " Brooke answered swatting his chest.

"But... why?" This time he looked up at us on the stage.

"Come on Luke, your eighteen. You think were just gonna have a party with the eight of us," Peyton said gesturing to us all on the stage.

"I guess I'm just really surprised," Lucas said.

Brooke leaned up and kissed him, "that's the whole point," she said when she broke away from his lips.

"Well," he said running over to the stage and jumping up and turning to the crowd, "thank you everyone for this great surprise!"

Everyone clapped and started merging into their own groups as Lucas turned to us," you guys are so dead."

We all laughed as I stepped up and into Lucas's arms, "happy birthday Luke."

I stepped away to let everyone else wish him a happy birthday, my eyes wondering over to the very uncomfortable looking guy. Why was he here?

"So Luke, you wanna tell us what you're doing with him?" Conner asked once everyone was done.

I wiped my head around, "I found him at the rivercourt, thought he might want to hang out or something. Speaking of," he turned to look for Nathan, "I'm going to go talk to him."

"Make him know that he's not wanted," Conner said,

Lucas looked at him with questioning eyes, "why would I do that?"

"Because," Conner said, "he's not. Lucas come on, no one wants him here."

"Maybe you don't want him here, because of the looks of it," Lucas turned his head towards all the other people in the club, "they don't seem to care."

Conner looked stunned and looked away, Lucas then jumped off the stage and started walking over to Nathan at the bar.

"Hey man," he greeted him.

"Hey. Didn't know it was your birthday."

"Yeah well, it's not a big deal." Lucas said taking the seat next to him.

"Well I don't want to be the elephant in the room so I think I'm gonna head out. See ya at school," Nathan said getting up, Lucas following suit.

"Wait Nate! You don't have to go."

Nathan turned around, "I'm not really sure anybody wants me here."

"I want you here," I said stepping up next to Lucas, Peyton, Brooke, and Jake behind me.

Nathan looked at me before returning to Lucas, "I don't know."

"Nate, your part of the team now. The team is a big part of me and if they're here you should be." Lucas said.

Nathan was silent and then smiled, "you're not going to like hug me now are you?"

Lucas laughed, "no, but I better not come looking for you and find out that you bailed," he slapped Nathan on the shoulder before turning around and throwing his arm around Brooke. They started walking over to the private booth that was for Lucas. Peyton and Jake followed them and I turned to Nathan.

Nathan smirked at me, "your boy's watching."

"Let him, he doesn't control me."

"Since when?" He asked still smirking.

"Since always."

"So you wouldn't care if he saw me..." Nathan took a step towards me," do this."

I took a step back, "Conner loves me. And he knows that I would never betray him."

"Except... you are betraying him aren't you?"

"Nathan, what are doing?"

His smirk still hasn't left, "nothing. Do you know if Rachel is here?" He asked changing the subject.

That took me back, "what?"

His smirk grew, "Rachel. You know hot, redhead, cheerleader, killer body."

He was doing this on purpose, "yeah she's here." I was not going to let him know that it effect me.

"Good, I'm gonna go find her."

"Have fun," I said crossing my arms over my chest.

"Don't worry baby," he tucked a loose strand of hair behind my ear, "I will."

I watched him walk away, disappearing into the crowd.

This was going to be a long night.

------------------------------------------------------------------------

"Hey everyone, you all having fun?" Peyton asked into the mic.

Everyone responded by clapping or yelling.

"Great, great. Well here's a little present to all of you and the birthday boy. Please give a warm welcome to the Goo Goo Dolls!"

Screams could be heard from miles away as the curtain rose and Sympathy started playing.

People made their way to the dance floor and started dancing or watching the band.

"Stranger than your sympathy

And this is my apology

I killed myself from the inside out

And all my fears have pushed you out"

"Thank you, you guys. I really appreciate it," Lucas said once Peyton had come back.

"Anything for you, man," Jake said, him and Lucas doing their man handshake.

"Just wait till you see what Haley has planned for you," Brooke said from next to him.

Lucas looked at me, "what's going on?"

"Yeah, what are you talking about?" Skillz asked Brooke.

"You'll see," Peyton said smiling.

Lucas was still looking at me, "Hales?"

"Not telling," I said zipping my lips and throwing away the 'key'.

"Fine, but it better be worth it." Lucas said leaning back into his seat and looking at the band.

"Oh, yeah

It's easy to forget, yeah

When you choke on the regrets, yeah

Who the hell did I think I was?"

"How the hell did you guys get Goo Goo Dolls anyway?" Lucas asked.

Peyton groaned, "long story, way to many details."

Lucas laughed, "well thanks again. They're one of my favorites."

"I know," Brooke said cuddling up to him.

I leaned my head against Conner, who had been pretty quite since his little talk with Lucas.

He ran his hand up and down my arm, "what were you and Scott talking about earlier?"

"Umm, nothing. He just wasn't sure if he should stay or not."

"Oh," he said turning he attention back to the band.

"And I was in love with things I

tried to make you believe I was

And I wouldn't be the one to kneel

before the dreams I wanted

And all the dark and all the lies were

all the empty things disguised as me"

I let my eyes wander to the people dancing, or off to the sides laughing with friends, and then to the bar. Nathan and Rachel were there, talking.

Rachel was dressed in low cut jeans, with a black halter top, her red hair flowing over her shoulders. She really was gorgeous, but she was also a skank. She was practically leaning on Nathan because she was so close, and of course he was loving every minute of it. He even had his hand on her hip.

I wouldn't be surprised if they had sex right now.

--------------------------------------------------------------

"Hey guys, thank you very much. We'll be back soon!" Johnny Rzeznik, the lead singer, said.

Karen then stepped up to the mic, "hi everyone. If you don't know me, I'm Lucas's mom. I hope you all are having fun!" Everyone cheered, "and now I would like Lucas to come up here."

Lucas stepped away from some of his teammates and onto the stage next to his mom, "you're not going to pull out my baby pictures are you?"

"No," Karen said, "but I would like for you to sit down in this chair."

Jake came out with a chair and placed it next to Lucas in the center of the stage.

"You're gonna like this man," he said before jumping off the stage.

Lucas looked confused as he sat down in the chair as the club became quite, waiting what was going to happen.

I walked out onto the stage with a mic in my hand and started singing when the music started

"We met some time ago

When we were so young

We've been through thick and thin

We lost, we've tied, we've won"

Lucas smiled at me as he watched, I smiled back.

"Friends Forever (We'll be friends forever)

With you everywhere (With you everywhere)

Friends forever (We'll be friends)

Always will be friends (Always will be friends)"

I sat down next to him as he made room for me on the chair.

"If you're down,

I'll pick you up,

I'll never let you fall.

If you ever need someone,

I'm waiting for your call."

Brooke, Peyton and the others watched with everyone else, with smiles on their faces. Lucas and Haley had a friendship like no one else, and Haley was singing it exactly how it was.

"Through it all, hangin' tough,

We'll stay side by side.

We'll be friends forever,

Til' the end of time."

I got up off the chair and walked over to the curtains, still singing, and grabbed the box that was behind the curtain.

"Friends Forever (We'll be friends)

With you everywhere

Talkin bout Friends forever (Always will be there)

We'll be there (We'll be there)

Yeah, yeah friends. (Friends forever)"

I handed Lucas his present and watched him open it while I was still singing, and a huge smile swept across his face. He pulled the small basketball out of the box and stared at the signature.

"Always be friends. (With you everywhere)

We'll be friends together. (Friends forever)

Yes we will, (Always will be there there)

Yes we will, (Will be there)

Oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oohhhh."

When I finished the song, Lucas jumped up and pulled me into his arms twirling me around in circles. I laughed as he did it, knowing he loved his presents. The club was booming with applause, whistles, and cheers.

Lucas let me down back onto the ground, "thank-you Haley. You have no idea what this means to me."

"No problem," I said before our friends had joined us on the stage.

"Let me see it," Jake said holding out his hand. Lucas handed him the ball and Jake admired it.

"When Haley told me what she was getting you, I was so jealous. I still am," he said.

"What is it?" Brooke asked from next to Lucas.

"It's a basketball with Charles Barkley's signature on it," Lucas responded taking it back from Jake.

"Whose that?" Brooke asked.

"He's only the best small forward in NBA history, and my favorite player," Lucas said looking at me, reminding me that he loved it.

I smiled back at him and looked at Brooke, "don't worry Brookie, I'm sure your present will top that." I said teasingly.

Brooke shot me a death glare as everyone laughed and we made our way off the stage. Soon after, the band came back on.

Everything was going great. Hopefully it will stay that way.

-------------------------------------------

"Oh hey Holly," I mentally groaned when I heard her voice. I turned and leaned against the bar as I faced Rachel.

"What do you want?" I seriously was not up for her and her voice right now.

"I just wanted to thank-you Holly."

I gave her confused look, "thanks for what?"

"Oh you know, for not hanging around Nathan tonight. Him and I have really talked" she said with a purpose look on her face.

"That's great Rachel, I'm really happy for you," I said turning around but only to walk into Nathan's hard rock chest.

"Where you going?" He asked looking down on me. Have I mentioned that he is like ten feet taller than I am.

"To my friends," I answered. Being stuck in between my not-so-great friend and my-not-so-boyfriend really was not all that flattering.

"Why don't you hang out with me?"

I gave him an 'are you serious' look and he just smirked, as usual.

"Yeah, like I'm going to do that."

"Come on Nathan. she would rather be playing house with her boyfriend than you," Rachel said from behind me.

Nathan didn't look up at Rachel when she addressed him, his eyes never left mine.

"What are you afraid of?"

I leaned back, shocked. "What are talking about?" I asked in a whisper.

"Why are you so afraid that your boy is going to see, why are you so afraid of being without him? Why do you think your life will be a complete mess if he's not there?"

Nathan was scaring me right now, not because of his questions, but the look in his eyes as he stared at me. He needed to know why I wouldn't leave Conner for him.

"Because I love him," I whispered and started to walk past him but he grabbed my waist.

"You sure about that?" He asked in my ear.

I looked up at him and our eyes locked. How long we were standing there, I have no idea. But when I heard Conner's voice I immediately pulled away from him.

"What the hell do you think you're doing Scott?" Conner roared.

Nathan rolled his eyes, "nothing, just mind your own fucking business Jacobs." He said turning to face him.

"No, when I see your fucking hand on my girlfriend I'm not going to mind my own business."

Nathan was still smirking, "why not? It looks like she likes me touching her more than you."

I didn't even see Conner's fist collide with Nathan's jaw, I didn't even realize what was going on until Nathan was wiped around and holding his jaw facing me.

"Nathan! Are you okay?" I asked putting my hands on his face.

He straightened back up and turned back to Conner, laughing.

"You know what Jacobs, if that did hurt I you would be dead right now. But because it didn't I'm gonna let you live, this time." The worst part was that Nathan was completely serious.

Conner then laughed, "right. I'm so scared."

Nathan smirked again before turning around, "see you around Jacobs."

"What?" Conner called out, "is the great Nathan Scott walking away? What will everyone think now?" I then looked around to see about everyone in the club staring at us. Rachel had stayed to the side the whole time.

Nathan was facing me, and I could tell it was taking everything in him not to beat the shit out of my boyfriend. Why he was holding back? Why hadn't he beaten Conner to bloody pulp yet? What was stopping him?

Then as if reading my mind Nathan turned his attention towards and me, and whispered, "you."

Nathan then walked past me, but did not get very far before Conner called out his name again.

"What? What the hell do you want Jacobs?" Nathan asked with an agitated voice, turning back around. Lucas had made his way through the crowd and now stood behind Conner, probably to help his good friend out if Nathan did strike.

"I want you to tell me what the hell you were doing to my girlfriend," Conner demanded.

"Why don't you ask her," I turned my head around to Nathan's. His eyes were on me again.

"Wrong answer, I want to hear it from you since it was your hand on her."

"God get over it, it's not like other guys haven't touched her before."

"Excuse me?" This time I was the one asking the question, "what the hell is that supposed to mean?"

"It means you're a whore," I turned my head to Rachel.

"No," Nathan said, "it means that since when do you get all protective when I touch her but what about Lucas? Or Jake? I see them touching her and you don't go all girly on them."

"Because I trust them, unlike you, you son of a bitch."

Nathan made a fake pout, "aw, you don't trust me? That hurts Jacobs, that really hurts."

"Just answer the damn question!" Conner boomed.

"I don't have to tell you anything Connie."

"What are you so afraid of Nathan? Huh? Worried that when I hear the truth I'll beat the crap out of you?" Conner asked with a smile on his face. Did he not hear Nathan's threat a couple minutes ago?

Nathan smiled, an amused smile on his face, and walked closer to Conner until he was face to face with him.

"You got a lot to learn boy."

"I'm shaking in my boots, you pathetic wannabe gangster," Conner spat out.

All of a sudden Nathan swung his arm and collided with Conner's face. The force of impact was so strong his sent Conner flying onto the ground.

There was a loud gasp throughout the club, as Conner rolled on the floor groaning.

"Now you scared?" Nathan asked hovering over him.

"What the hell Nathan!" I yelled yanking him back and bending down next to Conner. "Conner, baby, are you okay?" I asked soothingly.

I looked back up at Nathan, and his eyes were back on me. Most of the emotion in his eyes, were filled with anger, but there was a hint of guilt in them too.

"Come on man, let's go outside and cool off," Lucas said grabbing Nathan's arm and leading him to the exit.

"Let's get him upstairs and put some ice on his nose." Karen came out of nowhere and started helping me try and get Conner up off the floor.

This night could have gone better.

-----------------------------------------------

"What the hell were you thinking last night Nathan?"

Nathan turned around to face me. I searched everywhere in the town, remembering he would probably be at the rivercourt. Of course that's exactly where he was.

"What are you talking about?" He asked walking closer to me.

"Conner has a broken nose Nathan! You gave him a broken nose!"

Nathan tried not to let the smirk graze his lips, but failed.

"And I feel really bad about that, I really do."

"God!" I ran my hands through my hair in frustration, "what the hell Nathan!"

"What's the big deal Haley? Are you forgetting he started it?"

I laughed, "what are you in fifth grade? Maybe playing the whole he started it bid will make you feel better, but it doesn't excuse what you did Nathan."

"What the hell did I do?" He was yelling, he was yelling at me. He never yelled at me before.

"You gave my boyfriend a fringing broken nose, that's what you did!"

"Oh so now he's your boyfriend?"

I was confused now, "he's always been my boyfriend."

"Right, just like he was your boyfriend at the club, or the party, or in my shower, I could go on and on."

"Why are you making this so hard? What happened to that promise Nathan, the promise you made me make? Did that affect you or just me?"

That made him quite for a few seconds as we stared at one another.

"I'm sorry, I never should have hit him."

"Why did you?" I choked out.

"I just..." he paused for a few seconds, "I just wanted to so bad."

"And that's a good reason?" I was back to yelling, no, more like screeching.

"I just thought..." he trailed off.

"Thought what?"

He smiled a little, "I thought that maybe if he had a broken nose you wouldn't want to kiss him anymore."

"Stop lying to me," I sternly said.

The smile vanished, "fine you want to know the truth?"

"Yes!"

"I was protecting you!" Nathan yelled into my face.

What? "What?"

"I was protecting you, the only way I could get him to stop asking questions was to make him stop talking altogether. Punching him was the only thing that came to mind."

"Why did you have to make him stop talking?"

"So he wouldn't keep asking me why I was touching you."

My anger slowly went away, "so you punched him?" It came out more of a laugh though.

Nathan smiled again, "yeah. It was a good punch though, wasn't it?"

I smiled, "it'll go in the record books."

He stepped closer to me, "you were turned on though weren't you?"

I laughed as I said, "no." Truth was, it was pretty hot.

"Don't lie, you wanted to caress my fist more than his face didn't you?"

"And what makes you think that?" I asked crossing my arms across my chest.

"Because I know you, you want me James. I know it."

"And I know the real reason why you came with Lucas to that party."

"Why's that?"

"Cause the truth is, you really wanted to see me." I said with a smile.

"You got that right," he said before grabbing my crossed arms and pulling me closer, his lips meeting mine.

I ran my hands up his hard chest as his tongue ran along my bottom lip, I opened my mouth to grant him access. I felt the pleasure of it as he explored my mouth. I leaned into him more when I felt his hand come up and start massaging my shoulder.

I then pulled way from him and made my way to his neck, kissing and sucking on it.

"Hales," Nathan moaned out my nickname. I smiled against his neck as he placed his hand underneath the hem of my shirt, grazing his finger across my bare skin.

"If only we were in my shower right now," Nathan said.

I laughed softly moving my mouth back to his, our tongues battling. I pulled away after a couple of minutes, air becoming an issue.

"I have to meet Brooke," I said softly.

"I have to meet Lucas."

I leaned back, startled. "Lucas?"

"Yeah, I'm going his house to check out the new NBA Live."

"Oh, well have fun."

"I'll try not to think about you."

I smiled, "don't try too hard."

"Never."

I leaned up, the kiss soft, and long. A goodbye kiss. A kiss Conner and I never do. Nathan linked his hand through mine during the whole thing.

I pulled away slowly, "bye," I started walking away our hands still linked. We let go when our arms were completely straight.

I was about to get into my car when the door slammed shut. I turned around to be face to face with Rachel. Wonderful.

"What now?"

"I want you to stay the hell away from him," she said with fire in her eyes.

"What are you talking about?"

"Stay, the, hell, away, from, Nathan." She said emphasizing every word.

"And what if I don't?"

"Then I'll show the whole school what a cheating liar whore you are." She said with a small smile on her face.

"Show them what?"

"This," she opened her cell phone and showed me a picture.

A picture of Nathan and I, kissing at the club.

I took a deep breath, "what do you want?"

"For you to stay the hell away from Nathan."

"You really think that I'm threatened by a picture?"

Rachel smiled, "if you knew that you could end up loosing Conner, you would."

She had me. She wanted Nathan, and now she could get him. I had to let one go if I wanted the other. I realized then that I couldn't have both of them. I was being careless with Nathan, and now it's come back to bite my in the ass.

"So we have a deal Holly? You stay the hell away from Nathan, and you get to keep Conner."

"How do I know that you won't show everyone the picture anyway?"

Rachel laughed, "you don't. I guess you're just gonna have to trust me. So deal, or no deal?"

I looked at her, then turned my head to look at Nathan who was shooting on the rivercourt. I turned back around to the bitch,

"deal."

Who knew that kiss would probably be the last kiss Nathan and I ever had.

A/N: Hey everyone! Sorry bout the long update, hope this chapter makes up for it! Now this is where things are going to start to get very interesting! Haha, hope you are looking forward to is as much as I am.

Update: Flying Without Wings- It's not coming along, sorry

Somebody To Love- Update sometime this week!

Oh and p.s. this past episode of OTH had me in tears! I was crying the moment Nathan walked into the house, knowing this would be turning point for Naley. But don't lose hope Naley fans, like our favorite couple always say "ALWAYS AND FOREVER!"

PLEASE REVIEW!!!!!!