Archways and Endings
A/N: Well aren't you guys sweethearts?! You all should know how much I adore you now before you start reading, because I do! I got my school stuff in the mail Thursday and I was shocked by where my time had gone. Now it's almost time to go back to being in High School, isn't that fun? haha. But I still promise Wednesday updates. Sometime in the evening EST. I'm not busy that night ever and won't once school starts. This is a little bit late but I just couldn't get it right in time. Then my wireless adaptor starting acting funny again. Sorry guys:)
Ivy: I realized that in my last "note" to you I messed up. I said you'd get Naley family in last chapter, which there wasn't any. I meant this chapter (Ten) and some more next chapter. I thought it mostly be this chapter but I decided to spilt this day in two different chapters so it's about even in this chapter and next chapter.
Charlotte: Do you have any idea how much I want to make that promise to you?! I do so badly. But I can't. There's this ethical bone in my body saying I can't spoil the ending, for anybody. Even if I got all your readers to come over and give me 300 reviews, I just can't spoil it. It might take a long time to get there, but when I do. It'll just feel amazing. So I understand if you can't give me a shout out, but I'm sure glad you can play with me;) haha.
Sabine: No, sadly I don't have as many readers as Charlotte. But I do have amazing ones! I'm actually trying to even out the ratio between BLers and LPers. Even the playing field out a bit. I'm ashamed but I'm also just a little review whore. But I'm okay with that. :D
EleniLeonora: It is very Brooke to not bring a shopping list. I can see it. And yes the line about Jewish people, I laughed when it popped in my head. So I'm glad you thought it was funny. Haven't seen a new chapter of "Maggie in Wonderland" in a bit. How's it going?
Reese Holden: I have seen the picture and I've been waiting from the CW to update the website for months because they had the picture of all 5 of them up for so long. It's down now and very sad for me. My question, why isn't Brooke wearing a shirt? I mean really?! It's just a blazer. I don't even think she's wearing a bra! And is it just me or does Sophia and Bethany's hair look exactly the same as it did in last years promo pics?! I don't know. It's weird to me. You get Haley/Paige scenes this chapter! YAY! And then they're also going to be some more Naley and family next chapter!
Stagediva23: I'll see what I can do. Can you wait a little bit?! I might have to think of when and where I can place those flashbacks for Brooke. For the next few chapters we are going to focus on Paige.
Cayt- We will find out soon, you've just got to wait. Build-up baby, build up!
Stephanie- I can't believe you can't tell! Well I'm sorry my chapters are too short for you taste. I'll try harder.
Kelly- Thank you so much! You are a big sweetheart! I'm so glad you're in love with my stories! I think I'm in love with you! haha. :)
Stupid-cookie-cutter-popstar: Thanks for the love! It means a ton! :)
Charlotte (you not a registered user and I only know you by your first name): Thanks for reading! You so nice to review! Is it okay if I call you Charlotte # 2 since I also have another Charlotte reading? Let me know.
You know what you guys want to do? Check out my brand new one-shot if you haven't already. It's called "Hold Me, Wrap Me Up" (.net/s/5319767/1/) It's dark LP and very sad. And if you have the excuse of not liking LP, I don't care. Go read it!!! I know you love me, and it's dark! And plus Brooke administers sedatives to Peyton!!! See you want to read it!? So after reading this chapter and placing you wonderful review, copy and paste the URL in the window and read it. Pretty please. By the way you guys can start excepting regular one-shots from me at the end of each week.
Happy Ten Chapter Anniversary Archways! You made it to double digits!!! And also hit 100+ reviews! I'm so proud and thank each and every one of you bunches. Without you guys none of this could have happened. I'm so looking forward to another 10 chapters and another 100+ reviews. Thank you!
-Kelsey
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Ten: You Can't Make it Come or Go
July 2, 2016
Tree Hill, North Carolina
Paige
Sometimes you wake up and it's quiet. Beyond quiet, it's silent. Whispers seem loud, creaks of the floorboards make your skin jump, the A.C turning on reminds you of a lion's roar. Some people hate this quiet. Some people find their solitude in these small but rare moments.
This is what I'm greeted with when I enter my Aunt and Uncle's house. Which is strange because the house is usually bustling with noise and action, it's early everyone must still be asleep. And as I stand in the foyer, I listen in to the silence.
I wonder what plagues little Sawyer's dreams. I wonder if Dave and Jamie dream of basketball, like my father once told me consumed his dreams as a child, of winning that one big game, of making that one winning shot. I wonder if Uncle Nate's arm is draped around Aunt Haley's waist as they dream of the future they're sure to have. I wonder these things as I stand in the foyer, just listening.
"Paige?"
I turn around at the sound of the voice, coming down the stairs is my Uncle Nathan.
"Hey Uncle Nate. Good morning,"
"You're here early." He says with a yawn.
"Sorry. You want me to go back home?"
He laughs and meets me at the bottom of the stairs. "Sure. You want me to go on a coffee run with me?"
I look him over. He's got on flannel pajama pants and a loose white t-shirt on.
"You're going out like that Nate?"
"It's just Starbucks. I've got a wife. No one to impress,"
I shrug. "Okay,"
He slips some shoes on and I follow my Uncle out the front door.
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The car is relatively quiet. The radio is on at a low volume, set at some top 40s station, and my uncle has his sleepy eyes focused on the road.
"How's Brooke doing with the party plans?"
I laugh. "Okay, she has no idea what she's doing but besides that,"
"I bet. Your mom knows how to party but never really plan that was always Pey…" And he stops himself.
"Never mind,"
I shrug and try to catch his eye. But he's driving so lean back into my seat.
"Guess what?" I ask him trying to change the subject quickly, changing it from whatever he feels so afraid to say.
"What?"
"I got some information from the High School in the mail."
"Really?" he asked intrigued and makes a left hand turn on Burton Street.
"Yeah, because of all my test results I got into the Honors Program."
"Paige! That's awesome girl!"
"Thanks Uncle Nate,"
"Your Aunt Haley is going to be so proud of you!" He says grinning and turns into the Starbuck's parking lot.
"I hope so!"
"She will. I'm proud of you too," I grin and he places the car in park, taking the keys out of the ignition.
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As we walk into the coffee shop the strong aroma of coffee wakes me up instantly. I can close my eyes and taste it.
I order a "fancy girl drink" as Uncle Nate affectionately calls it and he orders Haley an iced late and himself a hot black coffee. How he drinks that tar I will never know.
We talk about summer and the Slam Ball tournament that's happened last night on ESPN. The one my father begged me to watch with him. The one I watched and winced every time a player was slammed into the wall. We wait for the coffees to be made and once our order is called we pick them up and walk out the door. It's pretty hot out and as we step into the car, I realize how ten minutes with out AC really feels.
My Uncle and I sit in the car waiting for his car's AC to kick in, sipping coffee. I try my best to slurp up the thick frapachino, the condensation from the cup running down my wrist. Nathan starts laughing at me.
"Gosh Paige! Can you get that up or what?"
I slurp my Java Chip a few more times before finally getting the beverage down my throat. "I've got it!" We both grin and began to drive towards his home.
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We arrive back to the Naley house and it's still quiet.
"Why's everyone so tired?"
He chuckles and kicks his shoes off at the door. "We were up all night playing Rock band. It got a little uh competitive."
I arch my eye brows at him. "Really?"
"Yeah even Sawyer got in on the action,"
I thought about Jamie on the drums, Davis on bass, Nathan on guitar, Haley singing. Why couldn't I have a family like that? We never did anything together.
"How?" I thought chuckling.
"She helped her Mama sing."
"Aww!"
I followed Uncle Nathan up the stairs and into his and my Aunt Haley's bedroom.
Haley was fast asleep and sprawled out in the kings sized bed. Her hair was also a mess and tangled up all over the pillowcase.
I jumped on top of her and bounced up and down on the mattress. "Wake up Aunt Haley," I sang. "Wake up! WAKE UP!"
"Five more minutes." She mumbled into the pillow.
"No! Get up now!"
"I don't wanna," When it came to Haley and sleep she was just like a child.
"I've got coffee," I sang out annoyingly.
"WHERE?!"
"You've got to get up if you want some!"
I was tempting her so bad. Aunt Haley had a really serious coffee addiction; she couldn't survive without her morning Starbucks or her mid day caffeine intake. That had started when the other teachers at school had starting bringing back Starbucks at lunch. I knew what she was now like without coffee and it wasn't pretty. She was no where near the nice, pretty, smart, put together Haley I knew. She was a mess.
"Nathan tell our niece if she doesn't bring me my coffee I won't love her anymore!"
"Hey!" Uncle Nate yelled holding his hands up with his cup of coffee clearly in hand. "I'm so not getting involved in this!"
I knew she could smell the coffee and it was driving her insane. "Please Paige!"
"Let's compromise! You've got to sit up!"
"Fine," She pouts and stuggles to sit up.
She finally sits all the way up and I hand her the latte, she smiles. "Yum," And she sucks it down like a crazy person.
"Better?" I ask now sitting beside her.
"Much. Thanks!"
I began to laugh hysterically. I've always thought my parent's were crazy.
Uncle Nathan has long since excused himself, going in to kitchen to make my cousins breakfast.
"So Paige? What's going on?"
"I got into honors…for school."
"Oh my gosh! That's awesome!" She squeals. She's definitely had some coffee.
"Yeah, I just hope I'm good enough for it."
"Oh honey," Haley says reaching over and patting my thigh. "You are. You're going to do so well. What did Lucas say when you told him?"
"I haven't."
"Why?"
"Things have been so crazy with the cook out and everything. Did you know he went to AA?"
My aunt smiles a small smile and looks at me. "Yeah I did. How do you think he's doing?"
"I don't know. He seems better."
"Does he really?"
"Maybe. Mom suggested I go to meetings too."
"Do you want to?"
"I'm not sure. No matter what I do it's always going to be there. I'm going to have to live with my parent's problems. You know?" I ask and we lock eyes.
"Yes Paige I do."
I lean my head into her shoulder and wonder what it'd be like if Haley was my mother, if Nathan was my father, if my parents were normal and loved each other in a way that wasn't so volatile.
No matter what happens I'm always going to have to live with what has happened around me. I couldn't make it come or go even if I tried.
-TBC-
A/N: Hope you liked this chapter. It was quite long and as of right now the longest so far. I know I promised Naley family too. You'll get that next chapter. I decided to split the day into two different chapters. Please try to take a look at the one-shot. Now let me ask you this. What's your favorite Starbucks drink? And do you know anyone who's crazy for caffeine like Haley? Or are you that crazy without caffeine? Share with me! You know I love it:)
And if you're wondering.
I like the Java Chip Frap! YUM.
But I also loved mochas! Iced! Me and chocolate with coffee= match made in heaven.
Which means if I go to…
McDonalds: Iced Mocha
Dairy Queen: Mocha Moolatte! It's chocolate, ice cream, and coffee, all mixed together! You've got to try it! It'll change your life.
7-11: Iced Mocha from the machine. It's still yummy:)
So if you can't tell I have a severe caffeine addiction. It I'm not drinking coffee I'm drinking Dr. Pepper or sweet tea. And there's a tons of sugar in that tea let me tell you.
:) I think I want to go change my pen-name to something to do with coffee! I'm so silly I know!
Leave me your thoughts please!