Chapter 18: I Have to say what's in my heart

Nathan pulled over on the side of the road and then reached into the back of his car for something.

"Nathan, what are you doing?" Haley asked curiously

"Yes! Found it!"

"What?"

"This." Nathan said as he placed a blindfold over Haley's eyes.

"Why did you just blindfold me, Nathan?"

"So, you won't see where were going."

"This is a bit strange. But okay."

"Don't worry. you won't regret this."

"You scare me."

"Great. Then I know i'm doing my job right."

They both laughed as they now pulled back on the road.

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Back at the House

Nathan was sitting at his computer in his room when Holly came by.

"Hey, Nate"

"Hey, Hol. What's up?"

"Nothing"

"Come on,Holly. I know you better than that. What's wrong?"

"You don't know me."

"Yes I do. We're twins. I know when things are wrong with you. Now tell me the truth."

"Okay. Fine. I'm scared."

"About what?"

"Mom."

"Why?"

"I'm scared of her with...him."

"Who? Dad?"

"Yes. And stop calling him that."

"Why? He's our father, Holly. That kinda gives me the right to call him dad"

"He's not our dad. He hasn't been for sixteen years. So I don't know why you and mom think he can be now."

"Because he deserves that chance. He would've been here in our lives if mom would have allowed him. But she didn't. So now you need to stop acting like he's this random stranger and start showing him some respect. He's a really good guy." Nathan sat there for a few minutes and Holly didn't say anything. She had a very serious look. Kinda between angry and tears.

"Holly? What's with you?"

"I'm scared she'll fall in love with him again. And i'm not saying it's a bad thing. I mean every time I see her talking to him she seems so--"

"Happy?"

" Yeah. And if he makes her feel that way then I guess there's nothing I can do. But I just--don't want anything to change. I like our lives now."

"I know. But the truth is...she does love him. Now. And they may want to be together. And Holly, sometimes change is a good thing. At least in this case it is. I haven't seen her as happy as she's been since we've moved here my entire life. And that's how long she's been away from dad. And when I talked to their friend Brooke, that's how she used to be. So, I guess you'll have to get used to it. You wanna see mom happy, right?"

"I guess so. Yeah." Holly said then got off her brother's bed and headed out the door.

"And, Holly, give dad a chance. He's a great person. Just try to get to know him. Please. Do it for mom."

" I'll try."

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Nathan and Haley are walking and Nathan just takes off her blind fold.

"Surprise."

"Oh my god."

"You remember this place."

" Of course. This is the place you were a jerk the first time we went out."

"Okay. I was kinda hoping you didn't remember that part."

"Sorry."

They sat down and ordered. They talked for a while and then went for a nice walk down by the river. They were just joking around and then stopped when they saw something very familar.

"So now this is one place I'll never forget." Nathan said as he took a seat at the table that she first tutored him sixteen years ago.

"Oh no. This is one memorable spot. You were late. And trying to work your charm on me."

"Right. But you didn't buy it. You were serious."

"You were messing with my best friend."

"Well, you know, that's what brother's do."

"Yeah. Close brother's. But you hated each other."

"Yeah. Then. But now we act like that. Were close. Well at least we never were like we used to be again."

"That was a really bad time. But that morning I saw something deeper in you. I saw past everything you were said to be. You were the Jock. The tough guy. But when I really got to know you. I realized you were lost and maybe a little lonely too."

"Yeah. I was. But after I got to know you. All that disappeared. Then I knew something I never thought I would. Someone knew the real me. And...that's all I really needed."

"It's hard when people don't see the real you. And I think one great thing was that...you finally let that out. Let someone discover that part of you."

"Yeah. I was just always afraid to before that. I was known as certain things. Popular. Star Basketball player. And as every girl at Tree Hill ever said to me---Hot. But you saw past all of that stuff. And I'm glad you did."

Haley smiled at him and then decided to tell him what she'd wanted to all night.

"Nathan. You know, earlier when you said you loved me?"

" Yeah. Why?"

"I was scared...of you...and the way that you make me feel but...I guess I never thought that if I ever saw you again you'd still be here in this place, feeling the same way you did before I left. And I guess...I paniced."

"What? Why?"

"Because...you scare me. Your this great guy. And you could've been anything in this life. Yet you waited for me. You waited for me back then. And you waited for me now. And that's something i never thought i'd see again. But yet here you are. Saying all this to me again. Look earlier...I wasn't truthful with myself. And...I guess I have to live up to it now. And say what's in my heart."

"And what's that?"

"I love you, Nathan. I wanna be with you again." Haley said and then closed her eyes while she waited for Nathan's reply.