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Chapter 22

As soon as we were in the safe haven of my room I relaxed. I was really upset at how cruel Nathan and I were to each other. I don't care if it was for show or not, it made me feel horrible. I laid down on my bed.

"You okay Hales?" Luke took his place beside me.

I shook my head. "No, but I will be when this is all over," I replied truthfully. "I can't wait until I can finally be back with Nathan for real."

"Yeah, it's been hell trying to be all mad at him all the time. He's become my best friend, you know? Besides you of course," he said and I smiled. "There's that smile I missed."

"You always know how to make me better. So, how's my plan doing? Everything seems to be falling into place nicely."

He nodded. "Well, Rachel totally thinks Nate loves her again, that's for sure. They're always together and he's back to his old self. Well, Brooke says he is. I wouldn't know his old self," he explained. "Any new information you have to share?"

I grinned. "There's a possible father for Rachel's baby, but I don't want to say because it might not be true. I mean, it is Rachel we're talking about here. It could be any man in the entire world."

He laughed. "That's very true and observant of you, Hales. Anything else you need to inform me?"

I shook my head. "Nope, that's about it for now. How are things with you and Brooke? No trouble in your paradise, I hope!"

He smiled. "Brooke and I are just perfect, thank you. I didn't knock up any other girls before her and she didn't get knocked up before me, so we're good," he joked. It made me kind of sad and jealous but I gave a short laugh anyways. "Sorry, that was really inappropriate."

I shook my head. "It's okay. It's true, you know. There's nothing wrong with stating the truth. It just hurts a little. I just wish it didn't happen to me," I trailed off as there was a knock at the door. "Come in!"

The door opened revealing Nathan. "Can I talk to Hales alone?" he asked, looking at me.

I looked away. "Where's your fiancé? Won't she be looking for you?" I spat out.

"No, she's talking with the girls and I told her I was going to the bathroom. Can I please talk with her alone, Luke?"

"It's up to her, man," was Luke's reply.

I looked at him and nodded. He kissed my forehead and left. "What's up?"

He sat down on the bed. "You know I wasn't deliberately trying to be mean, Hales. It was all stage, right?"

I nodded. "Yeah, but it felt so real because it really happened. It just stung a little," I admitted, looking at him. "Didn't it hurt you, too?"

He nodded. "Yeah, it did. I'm sorry I hurt you, Hales. That's the last thing I ever want to do," he said, desperately trying to get closer to me without me noticing,

I sat up and pulled him into a hug. "I know, Nate, I know," I soothed and then pulled back. "I love you."

He grinned. "I love you, too, baby." He placed his hands on my stomach. "You look so sexy right now."

I snorted. "Yeah, right, you don't have to lie to me, Nate. I look like a fat cow," I replied.

He shook his head. "You look sexier than you ever have, to be quite honest. It's because I know you're carrying my child inside of you. Nobody else can say that. I don't care what Rachel claims. Only you are carrying my child; a child that was made out of our love."

I smiled. "You mean it?" He nodded. "That's so sweet, Nate, kinda strange, but definitely sweet."

He laughed. "Thanks for calling me weird," he said.

I shrugged. "I would never lie to you, Natey poo," I said, trying to mimic Rachel.

He pulled me to him, kissing me with urgency. I knew this was the real reason he came up to see me. We hadn't had any physical contact, minus the hug from earlier, since he came to visit me the one time. I moaned into his mouth as his tongue caressed mine. It was pure bliss. I can't believe I went months without it!

"Ahem!"

We jumped apart to see Lucas at the door. "What's up, Luke?" I asked, wiping the lip gloss off of Nathan's face.

"Rachel is looking for Nate so I decided to give you guys a warning," he said and left the room.

We quickly straightened ourselves. I was silently cursing that damn girl. We need to make her confess and fast so I can make out with Nathan whenever I want! It's just not fair! He went downstairs first and I left 15 minutes afterwards. When I got downstairs Brooke, Bevin and Peyton took me aside.

"We just wanted to all have a chat, like we used to. It's been so long we figured it was necessary," Bevin said as we went back up into my room.

"So, how does it feel to be preggers?" Brooke asked.

I smiled. "It feels wonderful; especially knowing it was made out of my love for Nathan. It's weird to think about. I mean, I made a human life. I don't know how I'll ever get used to it," I admitted.

They all smiled at me. "How far along are you really?" Bevin asked.

"I'm really 4 months, but I could pass for 3. I just covered my tracks by saying it must be twins because every pregnant girl thinks she fatter than she really is."

"Everyone heard her stumble on how many months she was," Peyton said. "I can't wait until all of her lies blow up in her face."

I nodded. "You and I both, she's driving me crazy. I mean, I hate that I'm trying to pull the niceness thing on her, but I've got to try every angle. I obviously couldn't start out mean and then suddenly be nice. She wouldn't trust me and right now I bet she thinks my niceness is phony, but if I can convince her that I love Chris, the 'father' of my baby, than she might just believe me."

"How are we going to get her to confess, though?" Brooke asked. "I mean, she's obviously not going to tell Nathan, but I don't believe she's going to come out to three of us, either."

I nodded. "But she could rub it in my face. I bet when she does confess, she'll confess to me. It will be when I turn on her, trying to make her feel threatened. It's a foolproof plan. It'll work, trust me," I said.

Conversation switched to the baby. I still didn't know the sex of the baby, but I definitely want a girl. I think it might be a boy, but I don't really know how to tell. Everything was going well, the baby was healthy and so was I.

We stayed there for about an hour before we were called down for dinner. I specifically asked to be seated next to Rachel. I wanted to keep her close by. Like they say, keep your friends close and your enemies closer.

review please! VOTE ON SEX OF BABY! BOY OR GIRL? YOU DECIDE!