Thanks to nh4luv, jenn, Lauren, OTH.daddy'sgurl.06, naley23lover101, goober396, coupling-all-the-time, charmed36, NaLeYBaBiixo, and Sw33t Lavender for reviewing! ENJOY! Song is Lie in the Sound by Trespassers William.

Chapter Five

Haley POV

What is love? What is the purpose of giving your heart to someone, completely and unconditionally? Personally, I think it sucks. When you accidentally break someone's heart it comes back to bite you in the ass. Suddenly don't want you anymore. They don't trust you anymore. You can't get that trust back, no matter how hard you try.

So what do I do? Nothing. Will he ever trust me again? Possibly. Is it worth all the pain now? …That's a very good question.

As I lay next to him I can't help but think these things. I wonder if he'll ever forget about Brooke and just stay with me. I wonder if he'll ever forgive me. If he'll ever trust me. If I deserve that trust.

"What are you thinking about?" he asked into the darkness.

I turned to face him, a smile forming on my face. His hair was tousled from his sleep and his eyes were slightly closed. I grinned as I lowered my gaze to his bare chest. It never ceased to make my heart race.

I love you more than I should
So much more than is good for me
More than is good

I shook my head. "Nothing, just wondering what the morning will bring, that's all," I replied softly.

He tightened his grip around me and sighed. "You know I want to give you everything you are asking of me, Haley, right?" he asked and I nodded, trying to keep the tears from falling. "But I can't. I just can't."

Oh the timing is cruel
Oh I need and don't want to need
More than I should

"Why not?" I whisper so softly, wanting him to hear but hoping he didn't.

"My heart can't take it again, Hales," he replied just as softly.

I am falling, say my name
And I'll lie in the sound
What is love, but whatever
My heart needs around

I looked up into his eyes, tears falling down. I wrapped my arms around his neck and sobbed. "Why can't you forgive me? I'm sorry! It's not like I cheated on you, Nate! I just didn't want to get married at 17!" I cried into his neck.

He rubbed my back, allowing me to get this off my chest. My sobs turned into soft whimpering before they became small hiccups. "Haley, a part of me will always love you."

I sighed and pulled back. "Why do I feel a but coming on?" I asked, bitterly.

"But I can't do that again. You hurt me so badly. I've never felt more horrible in my life than when you turned down my proposal, and you know how terrible my family life was. I just don't ever want to live that again," he explained.

Oh my sheet is so thin
So I say I can't sleep because
It's so very cold

Oh but I know what I need
And if you were just near to me
Would you go...

I sat up, turning away from him. "So that's it, huh?" I asked. "We'll never get what we had back?"

I heard him sigh. "I think you knew that when we started this… whatever we are."

I gave a short laugh. "What are we, Nathan? I mean, we don't even have a title. I'm just your little fuck buddy, aren't I?" I raised my voice slightly.

"Hales-"

I stood up. "I want you to leave," I said, crossing my arms over my chest.

He sat up. "You've got to be kidding me! It's four in the morning!" he protested.

I shrugged. "We're done, Nate. Besides, your future wifey awaits at your apartment," I said.

He stood as well. "You don't mean that, Haley," he reasoned.

I gave him a bitter smile. "Oh, but I do. You are the one with the greatest situation. You get me and you get Brooke! Oh, but not anymore, mister! I'm done. There's nothing you can do or say to change my mind."

He shook his head. "If I walk out of that door, Haley, I'm not coming back," he said.

I am falling, say my name
And I'll lie in the sound
What is love, but whatever
My heart needs around

I shrugged. "Maybe that's for the best. That way you won't be able to mess with my head anymore," I replied and opened the bedroom door.

He put on his pants and picked up his shirt. "I hope you're happy," he muttered and slammed my bedroom door.

I am falling, say my name
And I'll lie in the sound
What is love, but whatever
My heart needs around

I closed my eyes. "Goodbye, Nathan," I whispered, one last lone tear falling from my eye. "I love you."

And it needs you too much now

I need him. I want him. I love him. I can't have him. Nothing is worse than that.

Lucas POV

I still love her. You don't just fall out of love. As Pascal wrote, 'the heart has reasons that reason does not know.' I'll probably always love Haley, even if she never loved me. I knew when we met that we should have remained friends. Hell, we'd make great best friends. I just had to push and push only to wind up with a broken heart.

I sighed. Remembering that day brought back good memories of her. Freshman year at Stanford University. She was only 17 and eager to learn. She looked the part of a small town girl who had a boyfriend back home.

The sad thing was I knew about him back then. She told me all about him, but I still didn't care. I was the reason for my own broken heart.

I ordered my 4th beer of the evening. Sure, we'd only been at the club for a short while, but I needed it. What's a better way to put the pieces back together of your shattered heart?

"Dude, why don't you slow down?" Jake asked, taking a seat beside me. "I know you've got a lot going on, but come on! She's not worth the hangover you're going to have tomorrow!"

I looked over at him with a glare. "Thanks for the advice, dad, but she doesn't run my whole life. Can't a guy drink just to drink?" I snapped.

He held up his hands. "Don't take it out on me. I didn't break up with you," he replied and stood.

I sighed and pulled him back down. "Fine, you're right. I just need to forget," I replied.

He laughed. "It's not going to make you forget her, man. You'll just have a killer headache tomorrow morning at work."

I chuckled slightly. "So, where is that girlfriend of yours?" I asked, changing the subject.

He looked down at his watch. "She should be here soon," he replied. "Maybe I should call her, just to make sure she's on her way."

As he started dialing her number I saw her walking towards us. "No need, dude," I said and pointed to her. He grinned and walked over, kissing her. I rolled my eyes and turned back to my drink.

"Hey, Luke!" she exclaimed.

I gave her a small smile. "Peyton," I replied.

She pulled a girl over with her. Wait, let me rephrase that. She pulled over a down right sexy woman. I've never seen someone so hot. "Hi," I managed to say, all thoughts of Haley gone.

She nodded no smile or anything. "Hey," she replied and turned to Peyton. "Let's go dance!"

I gulped down the rest of my drink. Of course she wouldn't want me. Who wants me anymore?

Nathan POV

After storming out of Haley's I went to cool off down at the beach. Who does she think she is anyways? I'm in control. I'm always in control. She was the one that messed up in the first place! She has no right to demand my heart.

I lay down on the sand. Looking up at the stars I found myself in a short peace. It was so beautiful. So many stars. Life seems so less complicated in that moment.

Reality brought me back. Rain began pouring down. I jumped up and rain as quickly as I could to my car. I rested my head on the wheel as I entered. The events of the night flooded back to memory and it hit me. There was no more Nathan and Haley. There was only a Nathan and Brooke. I'm just not sure if that's what I want.

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