Chapter 38
-it is with great sadness that i say that this is part 1 of a 3 part finale. i know where i want the story to end and that is happening now. thank you guys who have taken the time to read and review...your comments have meant the world. i thank you for supporting me in my writing and passion for this story. so i hope you stick around for the end.-
And so we talked all night about the rest of our lives
Where we're gonna be when we turn 25
I keep thinking times will never change
Keep on thinking things will always be the same
Today was graduation, the happiest and saddest day of their lives. Today they would end their lives as high school students and become adults.
"Brooke come on we're gonna be late" Lucas yelled through the bathroom door. "I know you're still doing your hair, and trust me, it looked fine the last time I saw you"
"But that was 20 minutes ago" she shouted back
"Come on pretty girl"
"oh alright" she finally said, giving herself one last look over in the mirror before opening the door. She opened it to find Lucas holding out a ring. "um, what is going on" she asked confused
"Brooke Penelope Davis, will you marry me" he asked getting down on his knee "I have loved you forever, and will continue to love you, until the day I die. You have changed my life, for the better, and I want to spend the rest of my life with you" he said smiling
She didn't know what to say. So many things were going through her head. She began to cry.
"I'm sorry I didn't mean to make you cry" he said
"no, they're not tears of pain. I'm just so happy." she paused. Today was surely the best day of her life "Lucas Eugene Scott, I would love to marry you and would be honored to be your wife" she smiled. He shot up and wrapped himself around her, picking her up off the ground and swinging her around.
"I love you" he said giving her a kiss
"I love you too" she replied kissing him back.
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Nathan and Haley pulled up to the school parking lot.
"I'm so nervous Nathan"
"honey you'll do fine. Everyone's gonna love you"
"Then you better be careful, I might find someone else to go home with" she smiled before kissing him
"then we probably shouldn't go. I mean I don't want to risk it" he kissed her
"I love you Nathan Scott"
"I love you Haley James Scott"
"sometimes I wonder why you chose me, out of all the other guys out there"
"sometimes I wonder too" she laughed
"you really know how to make a guy feel good about himself don't you"
"I'm just kidding" she smiled and gave him another kiss "so where are we meeting the rest of the gang"
"I think over by the picnic tables. We want to get pictures and stuff before walking to the stage"
"gotcha" she said, fixing her makeup in the car mirror
But when we leave this year we won't be coming back
No more hanging out cause we're on a different track
And if you got something that you need to say
You better say it right now cause you don't have another day
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"what are you thinking over there P. Sawyer" Jake asked turning his head slightly as he continued to drive down the road
"I'm not exactly sure"
"You're not sure what you're thinking about"
"I guess I want really thinking about anything particular. Graduation, New York City, everything's just happening so fast you know. I mean I've always wanted to get out of here, but now that its actually happening, I don't know, I guess its all a little overwhelming."
"I completely understand. And its ok to be a little upset about leaving."
"I don't want to be hypocritical"
"you wont be, trust me" he smiled. He couldn't wait to start his life with her, in New York City, together at last.
"what are you thinking about Jake"
"How much I love you and cant wait to start our life together"
"I know" she smiled. She couldn't wait either. She had been waiting forever to finally be happy, and now she couldn't be happier. "so we better hurry up. If we're late, Haley's gonna have a fit"
Cause we're moving on and we can't slow down
These memories are playing like a film without sound
And I keep thinking of that night in June
I didn't know much of love
But it came too soon
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"Where is everybody" Haley screamed "I thought we said we were gonna meet at 12:30 exactly. It is now 12:35."
"Haley calm down. They'll be here."
"I am calm"
"then breathe. I know you're nervous, but just relax. The ceremony doesn't start till 2. We're fine." she took a breath. She loved him so much.
And there was me and you
And then we got real blue
Stay at home talking on the telephone
We would get so excited and we'd get so scared
Laughing at ourselves thinking life's not fair
And this is how it feels
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As we go on
We remember
All the times we
Had together
And as our lives change
Come Whatever
We will still be
Friends Forever
The rest of the gang began to arrive shortly after. Jake and Peyton were fist. Lucas and Brooke following shortly after. Skillz, Bevin, Rachel, and Mouth arrived just after. This whole thing seemed so surreal to all of them. They got together and began taking many pictures. They took some of the whole group, and some with just the couples. Today was the best day of their lives, yet all Brooke could think about was her sickness. She felt fine today, but that didn't always signify good. She quickly shook those feelings to the back of her head, and ran over to her best friends, Haley and Peyton.
"I have some great news" she smiled and thrusted her hand into their faces.
"Oh my God Brooke. That's awesome." Haley screamed
"Brooke I'm so happy for you"
"Are you sure Hales, I mean I know last time…"
"Brooke, trust me" Haley said grabbing a hold of her shoulders "I couldn't be more happier. You and Lucas are perfect for each other."
"thanks Hales" she smiled. "I'm so glad to have you guys in my life"
"Oh Brooke" Peyton and Haley said in unison. They all joined together in a big hug.
"I love you guys" Brooke cried
"I love you guys too" Haley cried
"me as well" Peyton cried. They had to stop soon though, because none of them wanted to ruin their makeup. The guys walked up to them, along with Bevin and Rachel.
"Come on ladies. Let's go graduate" Lucas said, grabbing Brooke's arm. The 10 of them walking, hand in hand, to the ceremony of a lifetime.
So if we get the big jobs
And we make the big money
When we look back now
Will our jokes still be funny?
Will we still remember everything we learned in school?
Still be trying to break every single rule
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"Good evening ladies and gentlemen" Principal Turner began "I welcome you all here today to join us in the ascending of these teenagers into adulthood." people began to clap. "I call upon this stage our first speaker of the evening, Rachel Summers" he said starting another clap as a blonde-haired girl began walking toward the stage. Brooke looked over at Lucas and smiled. Rachel Summers presented her speech and walked off the stage as Haley got up and began walking over. "Now we have a beautiful rendition of 'Good Riddance' by Greenday. Brooke cupped her hands around her mouth and shouted for Haley. Haley smiled at sat down and began strumming her guitar.
"Another turning point, a fork stuck in the road
Time grabs you by the wrist, directs you where to go
So make the best of this test, and don't ask why
It's not a question, but a lesson learned in time
It's something unpredictable, but in the end it's right.
I hope you had the time of your life."
Peyton turned to Brooke, who was already crying. This was so emotional, and none of them could take it any longer. "I love you" she mouthed at her best friend. "I love you too" Brooke mouthed back She flashed back to the time they were all dancing on the stage at their last cheerleading competition. They were all having so much fun then, not a care in the world. Back then Brooke didn't have cancer. Haley didn't have a miscarriage. Brooke wasn't pregnant and lost her child in a car accident. Jake hadn't come back and then left again to break Peyton's heart yet again. They were just teenagers. Having fun with their friends. Now they were about to graduate and leave all that behind. They would always have those memories, but the time that they would all see each other again, seemed so far in the future.
"So take the photographs, and still frames in your mind
Hang it on a shelf in good health and good time
Tattoos of memories and dead skin on trial
For what it's worth it was worth all the while
It's something unpredictable, but in the end it's right.
I hope you had the time of your life."
After Haley had finished, Brooke was the first one to stand up and cheer and clap. The rest of them quickly followed suit. She came back to her seat next to her husband.
"see, it wasn't that bad"
"I know" she smiled and gave him a kiss
"Now I invite Jessica Taylor up to the stage for the next speech." Principal Turner announced. The shiny red head bounced her way to the stage and gave her speech. The crowd followed the speech with a clap as she went and sat down. "and finally, our last speaker of the evening is Haley James Scott" he said. Haley walked up to the stage yet again.
Will little brainy Bobby be the stockbroker man?
Can Heather find a job that won't interfere with her tan?
I keep, I keep thinking that it's not goodbye
Keep on thinking it's a time to fly
And this is how it feels
"Good evening" she smiled as they responded "Isn't it weird how we've ended up here? Doesn't it seem like just yesterday we were in Elementary School playing like there wasn't a care in the world. But it's also scary, isn't it? How we have changed so much. Change is a very scary subject. As we approach the beginning of a new era in each of our lives, we can't help but look back on the memories that have shaped us all. How we have come from playing on the playground, to deciding where to further our educations. I once heard that the hardest thing in this world is to live in it, to be brave, and live. A lot of the time we let our fears get the best of us. They keep us living in the past instead of the present and future. Fear keeps us from achieving out goals and making our dreams come true" This part touched Brooke. She hadn't been living like she should. She was always afraid that she would soon die. Fear, had begun to run her life. "We don't want to move on because change scares us all. Fear of moving on. Fear of moving forward. Fear of leaving our friends and loved ones behind. Fear of what lies ahead of us. We will always have the people we love with us forever because they have each made a place for themselves in our hearts. I heard a song that goes: 'Another ditch in the road, you keep moving. Another stop sign, you keep moving on. Oh the years have gone so fast. Wonder how I've ever made it through.' Don't give up on today for you never know what tomorrow brings. For it's not the obstacles we go through that define us, but the way we react to these obstacles that make us who we are. So I give you this challenge today. Don't be afraid, be brave, and live. Live like there's no tomorrow because you only get one life, so make it a good one." she smiled before heading off the stage. The crowd stood up and applauded her. She looked over at Brooke, who was definitely crying by now. This speech meant so much to her. Haley walked over to her before going back to her seat and have her a hug.
"its okay Brooke" Haley whispered
"thank you" Brooke whispered back
As we go on
We remember
All the times we
Had together
And as our lives change
Come Whatever
We will still be
Friends Forever
"Now, we would like to start handing out the diplomas. As the names were announced, excitement filled the bleachers that held the 200 some students. "Elizabeth Bogdan…..George Cope….Brooke Davis" she stood up and walked toward the stage, got her diploma and walked off the other side. She was so happy. Her life actually had a bright and happy future. She would be marrying Lucas and they would be going to Paris. What more could he want? "Jake Jagelski…..Brian Love….Bridget Peters…Peyton Sawyer…..Haley James Scott….Lucas Scott….Nathan Scott…."
Will we think about tomorrow like we think about now?
Can we survive it out there?
Can we make it somehow?
I guess I thought that this would never end
And suddenly it's like we're women and men
Will the past be a shadow that will follow us 'round?
Will these memories fade when I leave this town
I keep, I keep thinking that it's not goodbye
Keep on thinking it's a time to fly
After all the students' names had been called they all returned to the bleachers. "I now present you with the class of 2007" Principal Turner announced as the seniors of Tree Hill High threw their caps into the air.
As we go on
We remember
All the times we
Had together
And as our lives change
Come Whatever
We will still be
Friends Forever
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enjoy! please continue to leave reviews as the last three chapters are posted...thanks again for all the support and i promise...this story will go out with a bang : )