ok guys, firstly, i want to say thank you to everyone who has been reading this story. i also want to thank the people who reviewed. i have to say i was absolutely gutted with the lack of reviews for the last chapter. A LOT less than i usually get, and less that i expected. i like to think people read this story. if you could review and let me know that you are reading it, and let me know how i am doing, then i would love it.
so this is a very long chapter, one of the longest in the fic, so PLEASE review nice. :)
this chapter goes out to the reviewers from the last chapter.
Drama4zashley-Naley
ItalHunni28
NaleyIsLove23
naley4ever2333
also, guys. i NEED you to listen to a song when you read the last part of this chapter.
it's called almost here by delta goodrem and brian mcfadden. youtube it or something, then listen to it when the bold song lyrics show up. it works so much better for the chapters. :)
17. Almost Here
Haley walked into the studio and found Jake sitting playing his guitar. She waved at him and he waved her in.
'Hey Jake. You're really good.'
'Thanks Hales. I have a favour to ask you. I really need to go home and take Jenny from my parents-'
'Who's Jenny?'
'Oh yeah, you've got the whole 'I haven't been here for two years' thing going on. Jenny's my daughter. She's 6 months old. Once when Peyton and me broke up I saw her flirting with another guy so I got drunk and slept with a random girl. She called me up a few weeks later to tell me she was pregnant. Of course Peyton went crazy and we didn't talk for a while. But soon we became friends, then Jenny was born and Nikki ran off.'
'Oh, ok.'
'So anyways, I've already paid for this studio time and I don't want to waste it. It was good that Brooke phoned because I need to get Jenny, but you could do some work while I'm not here?'
'Emm, ok. How long are we talking about here?'
'Well it's one thirty, so I would say until about six o'clock. I'm really sorry Haley but there are a lot of things I would like you to do…'
'It's ok, I don't mind working.' Haley smiled.
'Great, can you sort these files out and…' Haley listened while Jake explained everything. It didn't sound too hard.
She smiled and waved to Jake as he left. Then she flipped on the ipod speakers and sang along while she organised folders and files.
It was now 5 o'clock, and Haley had finished all of the work she was due to do. She had even brought out the vacuum and dusted the place.
The case in the corner of the room was taunting her like crazy. She gently sat down on the stool and opened the case to reveal the guitar.
She grabbed her purse and pulled out her trusty notebook. Sitting it on the music stand, she flicked to the pages she had written when Lucas had died. She had eventually turned her scribbles into a song, after Nathan had come home and she had left.
She had never played it, so she didn't know how it sounded. She started strumming the chords on the guitar.
Once she had played the song through once, she decided to play about and try a rough recording. It would be amateur, but she had a studio and some free time.
After the recording, she quickly burned it onto a disc before leaving for Brooke's to get ready for tonight.
'So tutor-girl, whip out the goods.' Brooke said excitedly, pointing to the bag of clothes Haley had bought earlier.
'I'm not sure Brooke...I haven't dressed up properly for a long time.'
'Shoosh Haley you'll be fine.' Peyton's voice came from the en-suite.
'Ok... fine.' Haley grabbed her outfit out of the bag and laid it on the ground.
'Very, very, very good Hales!' Brooke squealed. 'Accessories, a bag, shoes, everything! I'm so proud of you!'
'I learned from the best.' Haley smiled.
'Good, now get changed!' Brooke squealed again. 'We have half an hour!'
Nathan sat at the bar with Jake, constantly looking around for any sign of Haley or Rachel. He didn't want them to come into contact tonight.
His breath soon caught in his throat as one of the girls walked through the doors, along with her two friends. He had to admit, she looked absolutely stunning, she had obviously worked hard for him.
She wore a tight fitting bright blue top and a high waisted black pencil skirt. On her feet were very high black patent stilettos, but she walked perfectly on them. She held a silver clutch bag and her short brown hair was slightly wavy.
'So you going to say hello?' Haley's voice interrupted Nathan as he stared at her.
'Wow...' Was all Nathan could pry from his lips. He was literally speechless. Haley looked so sophisticated and beautiful, he wasn't used to this mature version of Haley.
Haley giggled softly, then leaned in to kiss Nathan. Nathan wrapped his arms around her waist and pulled her towards him, so that she was standing in between his legs.
Soon enough, a good song came on, and Peyton insisted that they dance. Brooke was busy chatting up the hot bartender, but she would never miss an opportunity to dance, so she lead the way to the centre of the dance floor, and the group began to dance.
Haley, Nathan, Peyton and Jake finally managed to sneak away from Brooke's hold on the dance floor and they went to the bar to get a drink. Brooke was too busy dancing with her new bartender interest to notice them leaving.
'I thought she would never let us go.' Haley panted as the four grabbed barstools and sat down.
'It was crazy, but that's Brooke for you.' Peyton smiled.
'You having fun?' Nathan asked, rubbing Haley's thigh. Haley nodded and grinned. 'I'll have more fun when we get home.' She winked at him.
'Oh, Nathan, when you asked me to buy us drinks later I thought you meant there would just be two of us.' A red head appeared in between Nathan and Haley.
'Rachel? What are you doing here?' Haley asked slowly, looking suspiciously at Nathan, who looked sheepish.
'Nathan invited me.' She stated simply, setting a drink in front of Nathan, and two in front of her. She turned to Nathan. 'I made mine a double, because I know you like taking advantage of me.' She smirked.
'Rachel, what are you doing?' Nathan asked sternly.
'I'm just having fun with you, like we used to do.' She replied sweetly. 'So much fun...' She whispered, trailing her fingers up from Nathan's knee up to very near his area.
'What is she talking about Nathan?' Haley asked, standing up.
'I want to ask the same thing.' Peyton said from her seat.
Nathan said nothing.
'He didn't tell you?' Rachel asked, faking shock. 'Me and Nathan are together.'
'You're lying.' Haley stated quickly. 'You can't be.'
Rachel laughed. 'He really didn't tell you did he?' She smirked, enjoying the pain and confusion she was causing. 'Nathan used to call me when he needed some attention, and we had some pretty amazing, sensual, breath-taking nights together. Didn't we Nate?' She asked him.
Nathan still said nothing.
'He told me he loved me, and I love him as well.' Rachel said quickly.
Haley stayed silent as well.
'Oh it's ok.' Rachel faked sympathy. 'I used to be a fat chick with a little head too.'
'Nathan...' Haley stumbled over words. 'Is this true?'
Nathan didn't respond, he didn't even look at Haley. Rachel stood and smirked.
Haley grabbed her clutch from the counter. 'You know, you say a lot when you stay silent.' She spat, storming out of the club.
'Rachel, what the fuck?' Nathan finally found words. 'You know fine well that there was nothing between us, that I felt nothing! I would never love you, ew, just the thought of loving someone other than Haley makes my skin boil.' He snapped, pushing the drink towards her and walking away.
Haley walked home as quickly as her high heels would carry her. Why did she have to have something to drink? She tried to flag some taxis but they drove straight past her.
She sighed as the rain came on and started to run home.
Nathan slammed his fist hard against the wall outside Tric as he tried to find Haley. She wasn't answering her phone. She wouldn't walk home in this weather…. Would she?
'What am I going to do?' Nathan mumbled to himself as he smacked the wall again.
'Go home? Wait for her.' Peyton suggested, coming up behind him.
'I can't, I can't get home.' Nathan sighed.
'I'll drive you, I haven't had a drink yet.' Peyton offered, and the two walked towards her car.
Haley flung the apartment door open, panting heavily. She grabbed a towel from the cupboard and walked to her spare room, the tears forming on her face.
Why would Nathan not tell her that he was in love with someone else as well? She would have understood… she had been away for a long time. Of course Nathan would move on.
But Rachel? Seriously? Haley couldn't believe it. She felt so…betrayed, hurt, upset.
Haley reached the spare room and saw it was completely empty. Where was all of her stuff?
She walked through to Nathan's room, and gasped when she saw it.
'Why did you invite Rachel?' Peyton sighed, stopping at a red light.
'I didn't invite her Peyton! She invited herself!'
'What went on with you two? You don't seriously love her Nathan?'
'No way, never ever would I love anyone else but Haley. I just… used Rachel when I was bored; she let me release the sexual tension that I had built up over the years, from not having Haley. I never felt anything. It didn't work. I thought that eventually it might work, so I kept doing it. I didn't realise Haley would ever be home, but then she came back. Rachel appeared at the apartment today, wondering why I hadn't called. I told her to leave me alone so I could get things sorted before Tric tonight…and then she invited herself.'
'Nathan you should be so ashamed of yourself-'
'Spare me the lecture. I want to focus on Haley right now. You know she's the only one for me. She always has been.'
Peyton just nodded and sped up the car.
Haley couldn't believe it, the room had been transformed. The three of the walls were a very light cream colour, while the other one was a light soft brown colour. The furniture was all new, beach wood, and all placed perfectly around the room.
In the middle of the far away wall sat the bed, a glorious four-poster bed with white-cream curtains flowing from the posts. All around the room were pictures of Haley and Nathan hung up on the walls.
Nathan had totally redone the room for her, and Haley burst into tears. Why now? Why did Rachel have to show up now? Why did they have to be in love?
Haley grabbed her suitcase from the spare room and started to quickly pack some clothes, she had to get out of here.
Nathan ran to the apartment, and seeing the lights on, heaved a sigh of relief. Haley must be inside.
'Haley!' He shouted, opening the door and running in.
No answer.
Nathan ran into the bedroom, and saw it exactly the way he left it, only all of the photos were gone from the walls.
Confused, Nathan looked around, and his eyes caught a purple envelope sitting on the bed. He walked over and picked up the envelope, opening it slowly. He dreaded what was inside.
A lilac piece of paper slid out of the envelope as an object dropped to the floor. Nathan ignored it as he unfolded the note, his hands shaking.
Nathan,
You know I love you, I always have. I never thought it was possible to love two people, but I managed it with you and Lucas, and obviously you are managing it with Rachel and me. I probably shouldn't have come home. I didn't know why I expected you to still want only me; of course you were going to move on after I left. I never said sorry for leaving, so here it is. I am so sorry Nathan, I know I put you through hell, and I don't want to do it again. You obviously found comfort, and healed, with Rachel, so I suggest you stay with her. She deserves it.
I took down all of the pictures of us; I put them in the closet in the spare room. I thought if Rachel would be living here, she wouldn't want these pictures everywhere.
I don't know why I thought everything would be ok, cause it won't be. I should have thought about that, our life isn't a movie. The two best friends won't end up together in the end. Cause this is real life.
Please keep in touch Nathan; I am still your best friend, just not your girlfriend. Please don't follow me Nathan. It's easier this way
All my love,
Haley.
Nathan scrunched up the paper and threw it across the room in frustration. He couldn't believe this was happening again. Haley had left him again.
He slowly walked into the kitchen, just as Peyton, Jake and Brooke came through the door.
They all looked at him hopefully, but he shook his head.
'She's gone.' He whispered hoarsely, trying to hold back the tears.
Did I hear you right?
'Cause I thought you said
Let's think it over
You have been my life
And I never planned
Growing old without you
Haley sat in the taxi, crying her eyes out. She probably shouldn't have left. She was just running away. But she was scared, she didn't want to face the reality that she wasn't the only girl for Nathan, especially because the other girl was Rachel.
Shadows bleeding through the light
Where the love once shined so bright
Came without a reason
Don't let go on us tonight
'You have to go after her Nathan.' Brooke said quickly, walking about the room.
'She told me not to, I don't want to upset her.'
'And you don't think you've upset her already?' Peyton put in.
'Of course I have.' Nathan sighed. 'I just, I'm just doing what she asked.'
'Nathan! Get a grip!' Brooke practically screamed. 'Do you love her?'
'More than anything.' Nathan replied sadly.
'Then fight for her!' Peyton continued Brooke's way of thinking.
'But she doesn't want me to.'
'Because she thinks you love Rachel.' Brooke whined. 'You have to go after her Nathan, before it's too late.'
'You can either stay here, and always wonder what might have been, or you could get off your whining ass and go and fight for her. Even if she still leaves, at least you've said what you needed to say!' Peyton reasoned.
Haven't I always loved you?
'Right…' Nathan thought about it. 'OK!' He agreed. 'I'll do it!'
'I'll drive you!'
But when I need you
You're almost here
And I know that's not enough
Haley arrived at the airport.
'I need a ticket to L.A, as soon as possible.' She said quickly to the woman in the check in desk.
She grabbed her ticket and checked in her luggage. She walked quickly to the departure lounge, she needed the plane to leave now, but she knew it wouldn't.
She sat down and checked the time. She was to board in 5 minutes. She couldn't wait.
And when I'm with you
I'm close to tears
'Cause you're only almost here
'You fucking joking me!' Nathan yelled, storming out of the car. 'What the fuck?'
A lorry had overturned on the motorway, blocking their way.
Nathan walked up to the policemen o the scene. 'How long is this going to take? I'm in a rush!'
'I'm sorry sir, but you are going to have to find another route, it's going to take us all night to sort this one. You will be re-directed shortly. The cars at the back of the queue are being redirected now.'
Nathan turned around and looked behind their car. The queue of cars was massive. There was no way they would be out within an hour.
Peyton rushed up to Nathan. 'I called the airport. Haley's flight boards in 5 minutes.' She said quickly.
I would change the world
If I had a chance
Oh won't you let me?
Nathan put his head in his hands. 'I don't believe it!' He turned to the policeman. 'How long will it be until we get to move?'
'I would say at least a quarter of an hour. I'm sorry for the inconvenience.' The policeman walked away.
Nathan and Peyton sat back in the car. 'It's only two minutes to the airport from here…' Nathan whispered.
'Well, for what it's worth, we would have made it if this lorry hadn't over turned.' Peyton shrugged sadly.
Treat me like a child
Throw your arms around me
Oh please protect me
'Would all passengers boarding flight number FL2943 please have their boarding cards and passports ready for boarding.'
Haley stood up quickly and joined the queue. She reached the front and dug into her bag for her passport.
'Miss, we asked that you had you passport ready for us.' The flight attendant said as he took her boarding pass.
'I'm sorry. It's right here somewhere…' Haley muttered as she searched her bag. The truth was, it wasn't right there. Haley couldn't find her passport.
'I can't find it.' Haley panicked. 'It was in my bag…'
'Miss, can we ask that you take a step to the side while you search your bag. I cannot let you on board without your passport.'
Haley sighed, and moved to the side. Her passport had to be there somewhere.
Bruised and battered by your words
Dazed and shattered now it hurts
'There's no point in driving to the airport now.' Nathan sighed, as he and Peyton made t out of the queue.
'Shut up you!' Peyton scolded. 'We are going there anywhere. You never know!' Peyton sped right up and broke the speed limit.
Nathan sighed again and leaned back against his seat. Tightening his grip on the sides of his chair while Peyton swerved up the motorway, he closed his eyes and prayed that somehow, the flight had been held up.
Haven't I always loved you?
'Where the fuck is my passport!!' Haley yelled, emptying her bag over the departure lounge floor.
'Miss, we ask that you hurry. You are delaying the plane!'
'I want to leave as much as everybody else does!' Haley whined, rifling through her belongings.
But when I need you
You're almost here
And I know that's not enough
Peyton screeched her car to a halt and both of them jumped out and ran up the stairs to the airport.
'We need past!' Peyton yelled, pushing through the crowds of people.
'I'm sorry you cannot pass without a boarding card.' The attendant warned.
'We'll take anything!' Nathan yelled, grabbing he tickets as soon as they were printed.
'Hmmm, I've always wanted to go to Hawaii.' Peyton looked at the ticket.
'Come on!' Nathan yelled, running to the departure lounge.
'The flight going to L.A, where does it board?' Nathan asked quickly.
'Gate 5.' The attendant pointed to the gate, which was too far away to shout.
'It's Haley!' Nathan yelled, seeing the small girl stand up from the ground.
And when I'm with you
I'm close to tears
'Cause your only almost here
'I've GOT IT!!' Haley yelled triumphantly, handing it over and packing her bag.
'Thank you.' The flight attendant let her through the door.
Finally, Haley was leaving Tree Hill.
A voice broke her from her thoughts.
Bruised and battered by your words
Dazed and shattered now it hurts
Haven't I always loved you?
'Haley!' Nathan yelled, running up to the gate. 'You need to let me speak to Haley!'
'I'm sorry sir please step back.'
'No!' Nathan yelled. 'HALEY!!'
Suddenly Haley appeared at the doors. 'Nathan?' She whispered, the tears already filling her eyes.
But when I need you
You're almost here
Well I never knew how far behind I'd left you
'Haley please, don't leave me again. I am so in love with you, I need you to stay with me. Rachel meant nothing to me, she made everything up. I did use her, but I never managed to get over you, and I'm so glad I didn't. Haley please stay. I'm just…god, I'm so in love with you. I want to be with you, not Rachel.'
'But Rachel said…'
'Rachel was just being annoying because she knows we were always made for each other. Please don't break my heart again Haley.'
Haley walked up and hugged Nathan. Nathan sighed with relief and wrapped his arms tightly around her waist.
And when I hold you your almost here
Well I'm sorry that I took our love for granted
'I love you.' She whispered in his ear. Then she pulled back from him.
'I love you too Hales.'
Haley nodded slowly. 'But you love Rachel….' She started to walk backwards.
'Haley.' Nathan panicked. 'What are you doing?'
'Making your choice easier.' She said quietly, then turned and ran through the door to the plane.
And now I'm with you I'm close to tears
'Cause I know I'm almost here
Only almost here
'No Haley! There is no choice!' Nathan yelled.
But she was gone.
Nathan walked back to Peyton, who noted his sadness, and gave him a hug.
'I told her, but she left anyway….' He sniffed the tears back.
'What are you going to do?'
A determined look flashed across Nathan's face as he walked through the airport, walking to a desk.
'I need a ticket to L.A please, A.S.A.P!'
Only almost here
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