--Chapter Nine--
HALEY'S POINT OF VIEW - 3 DAYS LATER
With tears in my eyes, I finished packing Mr. Waffles into my over packed duffle bag. I glance over my shoulder to take a last look at the room I had grown to love over the past five weeks. I walk towards the door and that is when I notice a single picture sticking out of deserted drawer at my desk. I drop my bag and walk slowly to my desk. I open the drawer and pick up the picture...
NATHAN'S POINT OF VIEW
Lying on the couch with tears in my eyes, I study the picture that holds the girl I love. I brush my finger over her figure and the tears in my eyes flow down. I take another sip of vodka as I think about my last conversation with her.
"Dude, you are starting to drink more than Deb...and you smell like ass." Lucas says while plopping down in a chair and turning on a UCLA basketball game.
"Change the channel." I barely say.
"What?" Lucas says in a joking manner.
"Haley goes to UCLA." I say simply.
"Dude, no offense, but you are wacked. She has you crying, moping, drinking and not showering. Get over her. You only knew her for like two and a half weeks anyways." Lucas says annoyed.
"I love her. I thought she loved me too... I am such a dumbass."
"Yeah you are, but I think she is the one with the real problem if she would rather go marry some guy she hates then be with my awesome little brother!" Lucas says while giving me a nuggie.
"Yeah...I guess."
"So what did she say exactly when you told her you loved her?" questions Lucas.
"I don't really want to talk about it..."
"Come on, I won't tell anybody."
"Luke. Drop it." I bite back.
"It's just one little question."
"Luke, shut the fuck up!" I yell, clearly pissed.
Lucas realizes that he has made me mad and looks sorry.
"Hey, I'm sorry man. It must suck for you." Lucas apologizes.
"Yeah, whatever. I'm going to the beach. Don't follow me. I'll be back when I'm done thinking." I say as I jump up from the couch, walk to the door, and slam it shut behind me, walking in the rain to my car.
HALEY'S POINT OF VIEW
In my hand is a picture of Nathan and I at the beach. I am on his back while he is pretending to drop me. It was taken four days before he told me he loved me and I told him I didn't. I smile when I see how happy we look. How happy Nathan looks. How happy I look.
Before I start sobbing hysterically, I tuck the picture in my pocket. I stand still and just look around. My attention is drawn to the pitter patter of the rain against my window. I used to think that when it rained it was a symbol of new beginings. That it rained to wash away all our mistakes and to give us a clean start. Today, it feels like the world is crying. Crying for me. Crying for Nathan. Crying for us. Crying for our lost love.
At least that's why I'm crying.
I wipe away the stray tears as I walk to the door...and close it.
"Haley-bub! The cab is here and waiting." yelled Brooke from downstairs.
I take a deep breath, pick up my bag, and trudge down the stairs...slowly. When I reach the bottom, I find the two tear-stained faces of Brooke Davis and Peyton Sawyer. My two very best friends.
"Don't make me start crying again." I say while wiping the new tears away from my eyes.
Neither of them say anything. They just rush to my side and give me biggest hug I have ever recieved. We brake apart and start crying again.
"What am I going to do without my tutor girl?" cries Brooke.
"Who am I going to talk to when Brooke gets annoying?" cries Peyton.
"Hey, you have amazing boyfriends that you love, remember? At least you get to spend time with the ones you love." I point out.
"If Felix does anything, you let us know and we will take pleasure in kicking his scrawny little spanish butt, okay?" Brooke states.
"Okay." I laugh back.
"Ho's over Bro's.'' Peyton adds.
"Ho's over Bro's." we all say in unison while giving each other nuckles. We all laugh together.
"Come on girly, you have a cab to catch." Brooke says while linking arms with me and Peyton.
After five minutes of hugging and crying, I finally get into the cab. I wave to Peyton and Brooke as the cab pulls out and starts driving to the airport.
I sink back in my seat and pull the picture of me and Nathan out of my jean pocket. I stare at it. At Nathan. Mostly Nathan. I love him. I know I do...
"Driver..."
Okay! Really short chapter I know, but I wanted to end it like this so you will just have to wait until the next chapter to see what happens!
POLL
Name of chapter?
A) Goodbye
B) End of the Begining
C) Change of Heart