Chapter 18:
Once again, Haley found herself on the steps leading up to the Scott's house. She braced herself and rang the doorbell. She heard footsteps coming from inside, and Nathan appeared in the doorway. "Hey." He smiled at her, surprised, but pleased at the visit.
"Hi." Haley said.
Nathan's smile faltered, and Haley could tell that he knew, or at least had an idea, what she was here for. "Come in." he held the door open wider for her.
"Is your mom around?" Haley said, looking around. There were so many memories of the two of them here.
"No, she's out, why?"
Haley stuck her hands in her pockets and turned to face him. "I think we need to talk."
"Sure. What's on your mind?" Even if he knew what was coming, Haley could see that Nathan was trying to keep it as normal as possible.
Haley took a deep breath and said the words that had been tumbling around inside her head ever since she had made up with Brooke. "I don't think that we're…meant to be together. And I think that there's some part of us that will just never fit. And actually, that's ok, because I know that the time we did spend together will always remind me that love is possible."
"I know you'll always love me, Nathan. But I also know that this isn't it for us. We both have to move one, and that's ok. And I know that this won't be the end of our relationship, you mean…so much to me, and I know that you'll always be there for me when I need you. Even though we aren't meant to be, you will always be my first love. Always and forever."
"And you'll always be my first love, Hales."
"I know. But I won't be your last."
"What?" Nathan said, confused.
Haley smiled, "She may not want to admit it, but she already loves you. How could anyone not? And some part of you didn't stop hoping that she loved you, even when we got back together. So go. Go to Brooke, and tell her that you won't have to keep secrets anymore. Tell her that everyone in the world should know how much you care about her."
"But how…?"
"It's ok, Nathan, really. I figured it out on my own. And I can't say that I wasn't willing to accept it. I could just feel that we weren't right for each other."
"Thank you, Haley. For everything. You are an amazing girl, and I am so glad that I had the chance to know you. You changed my life, Hales. You changed me, you made me a better person. So thank you, and I hope that whoever you end up with knows that he is the luckiest man on earth."
They hugged, and Nathan kissed her on the cheek. "Nothing should come in the way of love." Said Haley. "So go find it."