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Chapter Nine

I kept running. I needed to catch up with him. I needed to speak with him.

I saw him walking away from the building and ran up to catch him. I pulled his arm so he turned to face me. "You asshole!" I screamed and slapped him across the face. "How could you do that to Nathan? To Brooke? Better yet, how could you do that on Mouth and Rachel's wedding day?"

He laughed bitterly. "What better way then to make everyone feel the way I feel? I want them all to be as miserable and bitter as I am!" he yelled back.

"None of them deserved it! You should've done that to me, not any of them! I'm the one that hurt you, Lucas, not any of my friends!" I slapped him one more time. "I hope you're happy, Lucas. If you thought that Brooke was going to just run into your arms after this you were very wrong. I bet she never wants to talk to you again, just like me."

I walked off, happy I told the bastard off. How could he just do that? Now Nathan was probably miserable, just like Lucas wanted. Mouth and Rachel are probably confused as hell. Brooke… well, Brooke was probably ashamed of herself, just as I was when cheating on Lucas. It was all just falling apart, thanks to Lucas. I guess I was to blame, too. It was my entire fault, after all.

I sighed and walked back inside to get my things and then leave. I didn't go into the reception room, but into the dressing room for the bridal party. I grabbed my purse and jacket and then moved towards the door.

"What did you just say to him, Haley?"

I turned, startled. "Oh, Nathan, I didn't see you there!" I exclaimed and held my heart.

He stood and walked closer. "Sorry, I didn't mean to scare you. So, what just happened?" he asked softly.

I shrugged. "I told him he just hurt a lot of people and I asked him why he did it," I said. He motioned for me to continue. I sighed. "He said he wanted everyone to be miserable like he was."

Nathan nodded and turned away from me. "I knew he wasn't her assistant," he said quietly, his voice raspy. "I knew that cheating on her would come back and bite me in the ass."

I put my head down. "I'm sorry, Nathan, I really am. This is all my fault and I'm just going to go. You'll never have to see me again," I said and started to walk away.

He grabbed my arm and pulled me back. He grabbed my chin and made me look up at him. "This isn't just your fault, Hales. It's my fault, too. I mean, we decided to hurt these two people with no cares. I take full responsibility. It's not just your fault," he said and then hugged me. "And who said I never want to see you again?"

I gave a sigh of relief in his arms and hugged him tighter. "I'm so happy to hear that," I said into his chest and he laughed. "I know this may be a tad inappropriate to say, but I've missed you, Nate."

He kissed the top of my head. "I've missed you, too, Hales," he whispered. He pulled back and looked me in the eyes. "I mean really missed you. I guess it's true what they say. Distance makes the heart grow fonder."

I felt all giddy inside. Did he really want to be with me? Was this all an act? Was this him rebounding because of the whole pregnancy thing? I gave him a smile. "Yeah, I guess it is true," I replied.

He grinned and leaned down to kiss me, but I moved so he caught my cheek. He pulled back and had fire in his eyes. "Hales? Why'd you pull away?"

I sighed and grasped his hand. "Nathan, I'm not going to do this again," I said.

He shook his head. "I'm not with Brooke anymore, Haley! It's just you and me, like it was always supposed to be!" he exclaimed.

"Does Brooke know you're not together anymore? Huh? Cause the girl I saw wasn't sure what was happening in her life anymore. I know she still wants to be with you, Nate, I could see it in her eyes!"

He gave a short laugh. "She should've thought of that before she cheated on me!" he fought back.

I shook my head. "Do you hear yourself? You're such a hypocrite! You cheated on her first! It's okay for you, but not her?" I asked.

He threw up his hands. "That was different! I never got you pregnant, Haley, and you didn't lie to Lucas and say it was his, did you? She did all of that to me, Hales! It's a completely different situation!"

I sighed. "I'm not starting this back up again. I'm not going to be your rebound because your girlfriend cheated on you. You need to talk to Brooke, see where she stands. If you two decide to be together, great. If she wants to be with Lucas, good for her, maybe she can deal with all his crap. If you decide you want to be with me and not just because I'm convenient for you then I'll be happy to be with you, Nate, but right now you need to go see what is going on, okay?"

He nodded. I gave him a small smile in return and started to walk away again. This time he called me back. I turned and looked at him. "Always and forever, Hales. I've never stopped loving you. Never."

I nodded. "I know, Nate, I know," I replied and left.

Brooke POV

After Haley left the glares came my way. I didn't know any of these people and they were all judging me! I excused myself from the table and stood to leave. I needed to find Nathan. I needed to explain everything.

I saw Haley walk into the bridal changing room and decided to talk with her first. Yes, I knew about her. I knew when I had spoken to her on the phone. Sure, I didn't want to believe it because I thought I was in love with Nathan. I thought he was the one.

But he's not. He's nothing compared to my one. My one and only just ruined the entire wedding. My one and only had ruined my relationship with Nathan. My one and only had just made it possible for us to be together.

I grabbed the handle and looked inside. I didn't turn the knob. I saw Nathan holding her and kiss her on top of her head. It was then I knew it would all be okay. It would all work out because he didn't want to be with me anymore, either. I tried to make eye contact with him to tell him it was okay, but he only had eyes for her.

I smiled to myself and walked off. I could talk with him later. I had to find Lucas and deal with him. "Brooke, where are you going?"

I turned to Peyton. "I need to find Lucas," I replied.

She shook her head. "I thought I knew you, Brooke. I thought you were in love with Nathan! I thought you were a good person!" she exclaimed.

"Hey, she is a good person! Don't talk down to her like that!" I turned to see Nathan, fire in his eyes. "Brooke didn't do anything that I didn't do to her. She deserves to be happy and if that's not with me than so be it, you got it?"

Peyton nodded and walked back inside with no further looks at me. Nathan finally looked at me with sad eyes. "Nate, I'm so sorry you found out like that! I wanted to tell you and I tried so many different times, but it never seemed right!"

He sighed and motioned to the bench. We both sat down. He took my hands in his. "Brooke, I love you, okay?" I tried to speak but he stopped me. "I love you, but I'm not in love with you. I've never been in love with you. My heart was Haley's a long time ago and I never got it back. I'll always be in love with Haley."

I smiled at him. "Good for you, Nate. You finally know what you want," I said and stood. "As for me, I need to go see the man of my dreams. The same goes for me, I love you but I'm not in love with you."

He stood as well. "Why don't I give you a ride? I really need to get out of here before anyone else tells me what a horrible person I am."

I laughed. "Sure, anything to get out of here faster!" I exclaimed and we left.

Rachel POV

There was a damper on the wedding, sure, but I was more confused than anything. Haley was with Nathan? That was news to me. I thought we were best friends… I guess I understand why she didn't tell. I just wish she would've.

"Rach? What are you thinking about, sweetheart?"

I turned and smiled at my husband. It was great to be able to call him that! "Well, hubby, I was thinking about how lucky I am to have you as my husband," I replied.

He grinned at me. "Nice save, but I know you weren't thinking about that. You were thinking about Haley, weren't you?"

I nodded. "I'm just confused and worried! I mean, she hasn't come back. I guess I don't really expect to see her back, but it's our wedding day! She's my best friend and the only one I want to be here."

Mouth nodded. "Yeah, I know what you mean. I wish Nate would still be here. We've been best buds since high school."

I bit my lip. "Well, since everyone else that was important did, do you want to cut out of here early?" I suggested.

He nodded. "I would love to. All the guests are giving us sympathetic looks and I don't think I can take it anymore!" he exclaimed.

I laughed and took his hand. We walked over to our parents to say we were leaving and then ran off, leaving everyone else confused.

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