This is slightly longer... and thanks to Drama4zashley-Naley who had already reviewed the last chapter! i'm just about to reply, of course it was long enough! :):) This chapter's for you! :)
6. 2 years, 12 days
TWO YEARS LATER
Haley paced up and down her office in L.A. She ran her hand through her hair. It was growing back to what it used to be like, she needed to get it cut again.
'Millicent?' Haley called, and a dark haired girl ran in. 'Can you please book me an appointment at the salon?' the girl nodded and turned to leave. 'Oh and Millicent? You can treat yourself to something as well. On me.' She dark haired girl smiled at Haley and left.
Haley fell down onto her chair. She opened up her laptop and checked her emails. There were numerous unopened emails from Brooke Davis, her old friend. The more important emails were emails from her clients. She clicked on one and it opened.
'Hey Haley, it's Abby. I just wanted to let you know that mom and me are talking a lot more, and getting on better. Thank you for all of your help. I was wondering if we could schedule one last counselling meeting before we call it quits. A joint session with my mom and me. Thanks Haley.'
Haley sighed and replied. She didn't know why she had decided to work as a councillor, but she loved it. Helping other people with their problems made her own problems disappear.
She closed her emails and gazed for a second at her desktop background. It was a picture of Brooke Davis, Nathan Scott, Peyton Sawyer, Jake Jageilski and Chase Adams. Then in the corner of the photo, edited on, was a photo of Lucas Scott, Brooke had emailed her this picture. It was from their graduation, but she had edited a picture of Lucas on as well, because he wasn't there.
Haley didn't go to graduation, she dropped out of school before her senior year. She bumped into Millicent at a bar in L.A, and they got talking. Haley was renting an office, and started to run her own counselling company.
Haley looked once more at the smiling faces in the picture, dressed in their blue robes.
1 year ago.
Haley was sitting at her usual spot at the bar in a club in L.A, drowning her sorrows away. She missed everyone at home, but she had needed to move on with her life.
'Haley?' Haley whipped round at a familiar voice.
'Brooke?'
Brooke ran up to Haley and hugged her. Haley only slightly returned the hug, she was still in shock.
'What are you doing here Brooke?'
'I'm meeting my parents, we are staying here for a week before I go home to graduate! Do you live here?'
Haley thought fast. 'No, I'm just here for a break.'
Brooke's face dropped. 'Oh ok. Well do you wanna hang out?'
'No, actually Brooke I've gotta go.' Haley started to gather her things.
'Haley wait!' Brooke grabbed her arm. 'Let me fill you in. I missed you!'
Haley sighed. 'I missed you too.'
They sat at the bar and talked while Brooke filled Haley in on what was going on.
'So everyone is basically back to normal. Peyton and Jake are constantly on and off, they can't decide what they want. I've been with Chase for a month now. Things are going really good. I really like him hales. Karen and Keith are finally back to normal. Of course they miss Lucas, but they knew it was time to move on.'
'And Nathan?' Haley whispered. His name tingled on her lips and her heart ached for him.
'Well… Nathan's um, fine I guess.' Brooke paused. 'So anyway.' She brightened up. 'How are you?'
'Brooke please, how is he really?' Haley urged.
'He's horrible Haley. His basketball career has ended, he just couldn't play without you or Lucas. He skips classes and drinks. He's only just managing to graduate. He's been in a lot of fights and been in jail a few times. He's not Nathan anymore. He seems to have slipped into who Lucas used to be before he met you.'
'I have to go.' Haley spoke slowly.
'Haley!' Brooke shouted after her. 'Come to graduation, just to watch. Everyone would be so pleased to see you! They really would.'
'I can't Brooke. I made a promise to Nathan, that I would always be there for him, but I didn't keep it. I can't face him. He didn't even try to look for me.'
'Haley! Don't say that. He tried. He did. But then his heart hurt too much. Please come home.'
'That's not home anymore Brooke. I'm sorry, I just cant come.' Haley ran away from Brooke, leaving her standing alone in the crowded bar.
Haley looked at Nathan in the photo. His eyes showed pain. And his fake smile never reached his eyes. She sighed and closed the laptop.
Nathan sat on his sofa and stared at the TV screen, not actually watching it. He was surrounded by empty bottles of alcohol and take away food boxes.
He knew he was pathetic. It had been over two years since Lucas died, and he could move on from that. But why couldn't he get over Haley? He felt like he was no longer complete. Even if she came home married to another guy, he might feel slightly better. He just wanted to see her again. For her to smile at him.
Part of him was angry with Haley for leaving everyone. She was a hypocrite, blaming him for leaving and then running away. He felt betrayed.
'Nathan…' Brooke breathed as she entered his apartment. His parents had thrown him out, so he was now living on his own.
Nathan watched Brooke walk around his apartment and pick up all of the bottles and boxes. He didn't say anything.
Brooke was being really good to Nathan. She was always cleaning up after him, without lecturing him or questioning him. She was being a good friend, but she wasn't Haley. She couldn't be there all of the time, because she was off at UNC studying fashion design, along with Peyton, Jake and Chase. Peyton was studying music, and Chase and Jake were there on basketball scholarships.
Nathan was jealous of the boys. He should have had a basketball scholarship. But something had happened to him when Lucas died. Lucas and Nathan always used to work as a team. Lucas always knew what Nathan was going to do, and no one else on the team could fill his place. So Nathan had just stopped caring. He dropped out of the team a few months later.
'Nathan please, you need to snap out of it.' Nathan noticed Brooke was crying. Losing Haley hadn't been easy for her either, but she was taking it a lot better.
'No I don't. There's nothing for me to snap out of 'it' for.' Nathan stated bluntly.
'But Nate, it's been almost two years…' Brooke trailed off.
'And twelve days.'
'What?' Brooke looked confused.
'It's been two years and twelve days since Lucas died.' Nathan said flatly. 'Which means it's also been one year and two-hundred eighty five days since Haley left.'
'Wow Nate, count much?'
'Go away Brooke.'
'Look Nate, the summer has started, so that means everyone will be home. There is a party in two days. That will be a Saturday Nate, in case you've lost track of the days. Come along please, if you do anything.'
'Fine. But just because there will be drink.'
Brooke sighed and Nathan heard her leave.
Haley sat staring at the unopened emails from Brooke. She didn't know whether or not to open them.
Suddenly a new email flashed on her screen. It was another from Brooke. Haley took a deep breath and clicked on it.
Haley.
Again I would sit and type out about how much I miss you. I would ask where you were, how you were doing, how your love life was, what the gossip was. But you never reply, so I'm not going to go that way.
Look Haley, everyone misses you; it is the start of the summer, so now everyone is meeting up for a party on Saturday. I know it is short notice, but I would love you to come. You can leave the next day, and you don't even have to tell me where you are staying.
Please Haley, think about it. Nathan is still a mess, and everyone wants to see you.
Love from Brooke.
Xxxxx
P.s. Haley, remember, a best friend's support should be unlimited and unconditional, no matter what happens. I love you, and so does Nathan.
Haley sat and stared at the email. Should she go? She really wanted to. She needed to see everyone.
'Millicent?' she called. 'When is my hair appointment?'
Millicent checked her organiser. 'It's at 4 o'clock today. I can change it if you want.'
'No, don't bother.' Haley smiled. 'But you can pack my suitcase and buy me tickets to Tree hill, leaving on Saturday.'
Millicent nodded and left the room, leaving Haley with an uncertain and nervous feeling in her stomach.
SO WE JUMPED TWO YEARS, AND HALEY IS GOING HOME! wow caps. :)
