I stood in the corner of the church. I haven't been in a church since dear night and before that….since my mom died…so churches aren't my favorite place to be. I watched as people walked up to the open casket to get one last look at Whitey before taking their seats. As the large crowd began to settle down I watched a familiar face stand front row center and begin the wake. Nathan Scott. He looked the same for the most part…he no longer held his baby face however…he looked like a man…not quite a 28 year old…but still a man.

"Whitey was more than my coach…he was like a mentor and a father…" he continued speaking and relaying fond memories of the beloved basketball coach. I stopped listening somewhere in the middle however…mainly because I caught sight a petite brunette sitting in the first pew…a small smile pointed in Nathan's direction.

"You know I never thought they would last…" I looked to my right and smiled down at Brooke who just shrugged her shoulders.

"I'm glad they did" I watched her nod before I turned my attention back to Nathan.

"How are you holding up" she asked with sincerity in her voice. However, there was something about her presence that led me to believe the question wasn't about my feelings towards Coach Durham or being back in the church.

"I'm okay Brooke…really I promise" I didn't look at her…if I did she would see right through me and I couldn't handle that right now. I watched as Nathan slowly walked back towards Haley. I saw him lean in and whisper into her ear…she immediately turned around and beamed in my direction. I smiled back instinctively…a twinge of fear shooting through me. I'm glad to see Haley again…really I am…but she has a way of weaseling information out of people…out of me. Yet another thing I'm praying to avoid.

I stood next to Brooke for the next 2 hours…listening to different people stand and speak about the former coach. Some of them I knew other's I didn't. When someone stood and thanked us for coming my face must have revealed what I was thinking because Brooke spoke up.

"He said he didn't feel like talking to a big crowd…we're all meeting up at the café now though so you'll be able to see him." She began to turn and walk away.

"I think I'm just gunna go back to the hotel." I watched the brunette stop dead in her tracks and shake her head in disbelief.

"What happened to you…the old Peyton never would've let some guy keep her on this short of a leash…" she didn't turn to look at me and I'm glad because she would have made the tears start to build. Before I could respond I felt a pair of strong arms slide around my waist, wreaking havoc on my already shot nerves.

"It's been too long…what your too good for us now" he spun me around and I couldn't help but smile…for a moment it felt like I was back in high school. As soon as he set me down a spun on my heel and threw my arms around him.

"I missed you Nate" I whispered into his ear…I really had. During our senior year Nathan and I had grown close. It had started at the end of our Junior year when Haley left…followed by Jake. It wasn't so much that it was Jake leaving that upset me…it was more so just the fact that it was someone else claiming to care right before they walked out of my life. Regardless the result was an unbreakable bond between Nathan and me. It never surpassed friendship; in fact it was more of a brother/sister relationship. When Haley finally came home Nathan's heart healed but he stayed by my side, determined to help me find the broken pieces of mine and put them back together. He was extremely protective over me during my last year in Tree Hill and he was the only one I told about my plans to leave. I wanted to tell Brooke but she would beg me to stay…Haley would do the same. Nathan on the other hand would understand. I didn't have to tell him…but I felt I owed it to him to let him know I was going to be okay after how much he helped me.

"Okay…its my turn now…" Haley pulled Nathan away from me and in turn broke me from my thoughts. I smiled as we embraced tightly.

"Hey Hales" I whispered into her hair.

"How are you" she questioned as she stepped back and looked at me with a genuine smile.

"I'm good…and you…Brooke tells me you're a mom now." I raised an eyebrow at her and she smiled shyly…the excitement still showing on her face though.

"Yup…its great…you'll get to meet her tonight at the café." I had missed so much when I cut myself off from these people…my friends. I regretted it.

"Oh, Peyton's not coming to the café." Brooke finally turned around stared directly at me…I could see the anger in her eyes…and the hurt…hurt for me.

"What are you talking about…yes she is…she doesn't have a choice. I'll make Nathan carry her there if I have to." Haley had a hand placed firmly on her hip and we all just laughed…mostly because we knew that she wasn't lying. So it was settled…I was going to the café…simply because Hales wanted me to.