A month…I never thought I would go a month without updating, but my life has been so stressful I have barely had any time to write and edit. I'm still not as happy with this chapter as I wanted to be, but I felt so bad for not updating that I'm going ahead and posting it. I can't promise how much I'll update for the next three weeks as my junior year finishes, but once summer comes I'll update more frequently….I hope.
This is obviously my longest chapter ever, I finally hit 10,000 words and I would really appreciate the reviews, even though I know I don't deserve them due to lack of updating. (I'm really sorry everyone, I always hate it when authors wait long to update and I feel really bad)
Please Read and Review and thanks so much to those that have stuck with me, no matter how bad I am with updating and such.
Disclaimer: I do not own One Tree Hill or any of the characters and such.
Bold face is reality with Haley in a coma, Normal is the dream world, and Italics are the thoughts and memories.
The next installment of the story shall now begin in Nathan Scott's bedroom….
23
Oh shit. Lucas thought to himself. He seriously doubted that Dan knew about the tapes of Haley and didn't want to know what Dan would do to Nathan if he ever found out.
Lucas was grateful when Jake stepped in front of the TV and said in his loudest voice, "Good morning Mr. Scott. Are you excited for the championship tomorrow?"
While Jake was talking Lucas pressed the off button on the TV. Dan didn't even notice because he was too busy glaring at Jake.
Dan coolly said, "I'm looking forward to my sons playing the game of their lives. I only hope everyone else stays out of their way."
"We were going to warm-up with Nathan, except we can't seem to wake him up," Lucas said. He kept a neutral expression on his face since he didn't know the mood Dan was in.
"I was going to do that myself, but if you boys want to, you can I guess. Make sure you don't go easy on him though." Dan walked over to Nathan and in his ear yelled, "Get up Scott! Give me twenty push-ups, for every extra minute you sleep I'll add fifty!"
Immediately, Nathan rolled out of his bed and onto the ground. He started to do the push-ups. What Lucas found interesting was that Nathan never opened his eyes. It was like he was still asleep while doing the push-ups.
"He's awake now. Have fun boys," Dan said with his most charming smile.
"Thank you Mr. Scott," Jake said with the politest smile he could manage while horrified at what Dan did to Nathan to wake him up.
As Dan exited the bedroom he paused for a second. He spun on his heel and made eye contact with Lucas, "Has Keith stopped by to see your mother yet?"
When Lucas said nothing Dan continued, "I'm sure he's gone to see you by now. The only reason I ask is after how your mother and he ended things so badly, I wasn't sure if he had the backbone to go see her."
"Keith is back?" Lucas asked without meaning to, he had fallen right into Dan's trap.
"Oh yes, he's been back for days. Has he really not gone to see you yet?"
Lucas couldn't think of anything to say.
"Well well, the good uncle isn't so good after all is he?" Dan asked with a smirk.
Lucas merely blinked and stared at the wall by Dan's head.
"Get out."
Dan turned to see Nathan glaring over at him. His eyes still had a sleepy look to them, but his face and voice gave enough of a warning.
"You're awake son. It's good to know you didn't party too much at the Boy Toy auction. Who ended up buying you anyway?"
"Get out Dan. We don't want you here. This isn't your house anymore," Nathan said.
"Now now Nathan. Without your mother, this is my house. I can come and go as I please," Dan laughed. He did leave though when he noticed Nathan, Lucas, and Jake all glaring at him with menacing expressions.
"Keith. You saved me before. You even saved Rachel and Cooper, people you didn't even know," Nathan said as he stared out the dark hospital window. "Can't you save Haley now? The little girl who you knew so well, Lucas' best friend; why can't you save her? She grew up under your protection. Are you really going to let all that work go to waste now? Please Keith, bring Haley back."
Nathan placed his head against the window.
"You can't even hear me Keith can you?" He slammed his fist on the cold glass. "It was just my mind that convinced me that you saved me on the bridge that day!" Nathan let his fist slide off the cool glass and said in a defeated tone, "You really are gone."
A rain drop splattered on the window. It was followed by another and another. It was suddenly pouring.
Nathan's blood froze. The rain had always been the symbol between Haley and him. He knew Keith would know that.
"You are there Keith, aren't you?" Nathan said, his voice full of hope. "You are listening!"
Jake shook his head. He was at the river court with Lucas and Nathan, or at least the bodies of Lucas and Nathan. Lucas was shooting three pointers, but missing every one of them. Nathan would get the rebound if it went near him and then pass the ball to Lucas without even trying to shoot. Both boys were obviously distracted.
"If you two keep playing like this, we're going to lose tomorrow," Jake finally said after Lucas missed an easy shot and Nathan missed the rebound even though it went practically straight towards him.
Jake ran to the ball and picked it up. He threw it over to Lucas, "Lucas don't think, just shoot."
Lucas caught the ball and stared at the hoop. He got ready to shoot, but then slammed the ball on to the gravel beneath his feet.
He turned to Nathan and asked, frustrated, "What did Dan mean about Keith being back?"
Nathan paused a moment before answering, unsure of what to say. Finally he replied, "It was just Dan being Dan. He's trying to mess with your head, don't let him in."
"If it's Dan being Dan why did he wait until now to mess with me, why not months ago when the championship was merely a faraway dream?"
"I don't know how Dan thinks. Thank God," Nathan added. "Where's the ball?"
"Here," Jake said as he passed the ball to Nathan.
Nathan caught it and drove for the basket. He easily jumped into the air and tried to dunk the ball, but managed to miss.
"Gah!" He yelled as he landed with a stumble. He immediately placed his hands on his bad knee. "Damn knee."
"You wouldn't have a problem with your knee if you hadn't slammed a racecar into a wall last year," Lucas said to Nathan.
"How about I give you a bigger face problem than you already have by introducing you to the picnic table?"
"First off, I already met the picnic table last year courtesy of Felix. Secondly, Nate, what happened between you and Haley last night?"
"What makes you think I would tell you? And what makes you think something happened?"
"You missed a dunk Nathan."
"So? Everyone has their off days."
Jake pointed out, "Not you."
"Why don't you keep your big nose out of my business Jagielski?"
"Nathan!" Lucas said angrily. "You just established something happened with Haley! You're acting like Dan!"
"Does it even matter?!" Nathan looked at the faces of Lucas and Jake and realized they weren't going to leave him alone. Angrily, he said to them, "Haley rejected me alright? I kissed her and she backed off. The end. You guys happy now that I 'opened up'?"
"Keith…I know you're listening," Lucas said in his silent, empty hospital room. "I know I just saw you when I was unconscious and you convinced me to come back, but I need more of your help…"
Lucas rubbed a hand through his bleached hair. He felt a little awkward talking to a dead person, however he knew Keith would be right beside him.
"Nathan, he's a mess right now. He blames himself and he sees his wife hurt with nothing he can do to help. You know Nathan, it's hard for him to trust anyone but himself, this is killing him. Please let Haley wake up so he can have some peace."
Lucas looked out the dark window to see the lights of Tree Hill. "And Keith….can you wake Haley up for Haley? She has so much promise, she's so full of life, so optimistic….She can't die now…she just can't Keith…"Lucas' voice began to break down, "I need her Keith. I can't lose two of the most important people in my life in one year…I can't handle it…and neither can my mom."
"Nathan isn't one to stick around is he?" Haley asked Brooke as they prepared their dinner that evening.
"What do you mean?" Brooke asked distantly, after all Haley had been "subtly" bringing Nathan up all day.
"I mean he brought me home last night, but he was gone soon after. I guess he didn't care to check if I was alright."
"Tutor-Girl!" Brooke exclaimed with her full attention now on Haley. "Nathan stayed the whole night! He simply left before you woke up. Actually, he had to wear my emergency basketball shorts because a certain someone threw up on him last night!"
"What are you talking about?"
"Nathan went and checked on you every ten minutes last night. I don't know details, but after one of those check-ups he came out of the bedroom and immediately went to the bathroom. A few minutes later he came out in just his boxers—which is a great view in case you forgot—and asked for a new pair of pants. He wouldn't even tell me why, so I assumed he wet his pants until I went to use the bathroom myself and saw his pants with your barf all over them. Nathan cares more than you give him credit for," Brooke added after Haley's continued silence.
"Haley…you know I'm sorry right?" Nathan said quietly while the rain pounded on the window.
He looked down and then back up at her, "I didn't mean to hurt you. I thought our money troubles would finally go away if I did what Daunte asked, only he kept coming back. And then, he threatened me and he threatened you so I kept doing everything…Except you came along and convinced me to be the man I'm supposed to be. We won the game and I thought Daunte would just leave…"
Tears once again rose to the usually tearless Nathan Scott, "I didn't know he would try to hurt you…I wish I could go back….I hope you know Haley James Scott how sorry I am and how much I wish I could change places with you and let all the hurt go away."
"Nathan, you mean the world to Haley," Lucas said sympathetically.
"She sure as hell shows it," Nathan mumbled.
"She doesn't necessarily realize it yet. Her own guard is up because yours is and can't see all the good things you're doing for her," Jake said.
"Like it matters. No matter what I do to show I still love her, she's still going to leave for tour in a few months and I'll be left heart-broken again. I was fine before she showed up and if I act like she isn't here, I'll be fine again."
"You see that's the thing," Lucas started while slightly shaking his head. "You weren't fine and you aren't fine. Haley has an obvious affect on you Nate, whether she's here or gone and there's no way you can deny it."
"Once again, it doesn't matter. She's leaving at graduation and she's going to shack up with Keller again. End of story."
"You don't know that Nathan!" Lucas exclaimed. "You can't know if she'll leave unless you try to convince her to stay!"
"The person you love is the only reason to stick around somewhere," Jake pointed out. "You have to show Haley—in all of your actions, not only the rare few—that you still love her more than anything."
"Besides," Lucas said with a teasing smile already forming, "You're going to act like a pathetic wimp if she leaves no matter what you do now."
Nathan managed a small smile, "My worst is no where near as wimpy as your normal Lucas."
"Oh is that so?" Lucas laughed. "You wanna prove how unpathetic you are in a match of 2-on-1?"
"Bring it on," Nathan said with a hint of his former cocky smile.
"If Nathan cares so much why does he act like he does?" Haley asked while she and Brooke cleaned up their macaroni dishes.
"What do you mean?" Brooke replied. Their meal had been eaten in thoughtful silence and Brooke was grateful for the conversation, even though it was once again about Nathan.
"If Nathan truly does care about me, why does he tell me how bad I was in bed? Why does he talk about how much he can't wait to hook up with freshmen? Why did he pay Red simply to piss me off? Why does he tell me he doesn't want to be friends?"
"Tutor-Girl, how many times do we have to go over this?" Haley shook her head so Brooke continued, "Nathan still loves you, which explains the kind side of Nathan Scott you discovered last year that still reappears every once in a while. The only problem is, you broke his heart Haley James and the thought of returning to the dark place he was in when you left, scares the hell out of Nathan Scott. So he figures if he's mean to you, he'll cut his losses and not get his heart broken again."
"That's probably a smart idea," Haley said with a defeated sigh.
"Are you kidding me Tutor-Girl!?" Brooke asked as her jaw dropped a little. "That is a horrible idea! You and Nathan belong together and you shouldn't let your fear of getting hurt get in the way of that!"
"But I am going to leave again right after graduation."
"So take Nathan with you, even if only for the summer, it will be a start."
"You gotta understand Nathan, Haley loves you—"
"Lucas, stop." Nathan commanded while the two of them walked to Lucas' that night after playing at the River Court. Nathan had decided to stay the night at Lucas' and avoid Dan as much as possible before the big game. "I'm finally back on track with my game, don't mess me up again by talking about Haley."
"Nathan, they're one and the same. Haley and basketball go together for you. You only started to play well again when Jake and I pointed out that she only has her guard up right now. Also, don't forget her music and you are the same too. She had a bad case of writer's block until she came here when she mysteriously had a boost in song-writing ability. You guys have to be together in order to function."
"Luke, can we not talk about this? It's going to mess me up, I promise you."
"She's a cheerleader Nathan, she's going to be there tomorrow."
"I'll be fine at the game."
"You better be," Lucas mumbled as they walked out into his house and greeted a smiling Karen.
--
"Game day," Nathan said right when he awoke on Lucas' couch. He immediately sat up, already wired. He glanced at the clock, it read 5 a.m. "Perfect timing for a run," he whispered.
Nathan climbed off the couch and put on a pair of shorts and a tee shirt. He quietly walked out of the house and into the cool Carolina morning air.
Haley admired the sunrise from her seat on the boardwalk. The same seat she had sat on over a year before when she had tutored Nathan for the first time.
"There's a certain stillness when I see the sunrise," Haley heard a voice say to her from behind.
"Nathan!" She exclaimed in shock. Nathan was never up this early in the morning. "What are you doing up?!"
"It's the Championship day, I couldn't sleep."
"Did you pull your stupid all-nighter thing? I still don't know how you manage to stay awake the next day considering how much sleep you get every other night."
Nathan laughed a little, "Nah, even I can't pull two all-nighters in a row. I went to bed around 10 last night though so I got some sleep."
Haley turned slightly red at the mention of the night before last where she had evidently thrown up on Nathan. "Brooke told me I uh, gave you the Dan treatment… I'm sorry about that."
"It's fine Hales. I deserved the "Dan treatment" anyway." Nathan took a small step forward, but still didn't sit in his respective seat.
"Do you want to sit down?" Haley asked him, realizing what he was doing.
"Thanks," he said. He moved to his seat and smirked. "Don't say I never gave you anything."
Haley, instead of making a reply to Nathan's reference to their past, asked, "What were you saying about the stillness and the sunrise?"
Nathan sighed at Haley's obvious deflection of talking about their history. "When I was a kid…I had this paper route. Dan said it built up a work ethic or something; I'm still surprised he made his pampered son work, but whatever. Anyway, every morning I would take a minute and simply watch the sun rise and light up the earth. And every day I would get this stillness, a moment of peace away from everything I had to face from Dan, my mom, school, and everyone…I've only been able to find that stillness in one other place in my life."
Haley was truly interested in Nathan's story and was intently watching his face as he opened up to her. "Where?" She asked as she stared into his hypnotizing blue eyes.
Nathan looked away, and broke the spell. "This one person who is very important to me and can always create a sense of peace and escape within me."
Abruptly, Nathan stood up. "See ya later Hales," He said as he turned his back and continued on his morning jog.
Haley gave a simple wave while she wondered if she were that important person in Nathan's life and who else it could possibly be.
"Cheerleaders in cars, players on the bus! Player cell phones with me!" Whitey commanded. "No distractions, just concentrate!"
Lucas smiled. He leaned in and placed a gentle kiss on Brooke's forehead. He mumbled, "Bye pretty girl, I'll see you before long."
"Good luck superstar," Brooke said quietly as Lucas climbed onto the bus and into the seat across from his little brother who was intently staring at the seat ahead of him and not looking out the window.
Haley, meanwhile, was leaning against Brooke's parked car in the distance and staring into the bus at Nathan's seat. She was willing him to simply glance over at her, to confirm that the morning hadn't been merely a dream.
Nathan never looked over.
"Ready to go Tutor-Girl?" Brooke asked as she linked arms with Haley.
"Hm? Oh yeah," Haley said as she brushed her hair out of her face and gave Brooke a false smile.
"Do you want to do me a favor?" Brooke asked with a hidden smile that Haley didn't notice. She knew Nathan had left something for Haley.
"Yeah sure what is it?"
The school bus holding the basketball team began to drive away.
"I left the map to the arena in the apartment, but I can't leave here because then the girls might scatter. So could you go and get it for me? I don't want to be stuck behind the bus the whole drive."
"Yeah sure, I'll be back soon."
"Haley?"
"Yes?" Haley asked, suddenly alert because of Brooke's use of her name.
"Are you alright?"
"I'm fine Brooke. Really," she added when Brooke continued to stare at her with a concerned expression.
"You will be Tutor-Girl, you will be," Brooke whispered while Haley climbed into the bug.
"Where the heck did she put that map?" Haley asked herself for the hundredth time as she tore apart the apartment.
As if answering, her cell phone started to ring.
She sighed in relief when she saw Brooke's name on the caller ID. "Hey Brooke, I was just about to call you."
"Tutor-Girl, it seems I had a moment of smartness and gave the map to Peyton so I wouldn't forget it, but then I forgot I gave it to her."
"So I've been running around the apartment for no reason for the past ten minutes?"
"Uh, not exactly. It seems there was a mud puddle by Bevin's car and we need more socks. Do you want to grab us some? I know you have like fifty pairs."
Haley sighed, "Sure Brooke, I'll get you some socks."
"Thanks. You're the best Tutor-Girl!"
"Yeah whatever," Haley said as she hung up her phone.
She walked into the bedroom and walked over to her dresser. She opened the drawer where she kept her socks and noticed out of the corner of her eye a slightly bulging sock. She pulled it out and discovered a wad of cash similar to what she had spent the other night at the Boy Toy auction.
Except money wasn't the only thing in the sock. When Haley shook the sock into her hand a small pink bracelet that she had last seen sitting on a table the night she left for tour fell out. Written on a slip of paper that was tied around the bracelet was "Don't say I never gave you anything."
"The bracelet," Brooke whispered as she walked into Karen's kitchen only to discover Karen sitting in a chair with a coffee mug in front of her and a small pink bracelet in her hands.
Karen put the bracelet down on the table and turned around so her head was facing Brooke. "They gave it to me when they took it off of her. Each night I've been looking at it, wondering if she misses it…"
"Haley loves that bracelet."
"Who could blame her? It was the first thing Nathan ever gave to her."
After a pause Brooke sat down in the chair next to Karen and asked her, "You know she left it right?"
"Left it?"
"When she went on tour, she left the bracelet behind with Nathan. Apparently, he walked out that night and when he came back to tell her it was alright and that he was wrong to make her choose, the bracelet was on their little table."
"No, I didn't know that."
Brooke felt the tears she had been hiding for a while come springing to her eyes, "That bracelet is one of her most prized possessions, but for some reason, whenever she goes away, she leaves it behind."
Karen kindly placed a comforting hand over Brooke's. "I think Haley always leaves it as a sort of promise to everyone."
"A promise for what?" Brooke asked the only sort of mother she had.
"A promise that she will come back to us, and especially to Nathan. She loves the bracelet, and the people she trusts it with, too much to simply abandon it."
"Geez Tutor-Girl, you took long enough! We might as well have followed the bus!"
"Yeah, sorry Brooke," Haley replied distantly.
Brooke simply rolled her eyes while Peyton caught on.
"Ravens! In the cars, now!" Brooke commanded. Nobody dared argue with her and obediently went into Bevin's large car while Peyton and Haley climbed into Brooke's bug.
After a few minutes of silence and Brooke's frantic driving to get on the highway as fast as possible, Peyton asked a zoned-out Haley, "What were you distracted by on the way back to the school anyway?"
"Hm? Oh, nothing," Haley lied as she absently fiddled with her hair.
"Oh!" Brooke exclaimed. "Haley James, what is the story you're trying to hide?"
Haley looked out the window, wondering whether or not she should share with Brooke and Peyton and if she did, how much.
"C'mon Haley you can trust us," Peyton said. "Besides, I don't think Brooke is going to leave you alone until you spill."
"It's nothing, really," Haley said, trying to think of a way to distract her friends.
"Please Tutor-Girl! Spill!" Brooke begged.
Haley sighed. She knew if she wanted one second more of peace she better go ahead and share at least something. "Nathan paid me back everything I spent on him except fifty dollars because he knew I wouldn't feel right about taking everything."
"So that's why he asked where you kept your money!" Brooke figured out loud.
Haley nodded and pushed her hair back behind her ear, which caused the sleeve of her jacket to slide a little. This revealed a pink bracelet.
"He didn't only leave money, did he?" Peyton asked perceptively.
Haley froze and put her arm back down. She tried to dodge the question, "I don't know what you are talking about."
"What's on your wrist Haley?" Peyton asked directly.
Haley glared as she pulled up her sleeve and showed the bracelet to Peyton. However, the note was in her pocket and that was personal. There was no way she was showing it to either of them.
"Oh yay!" Brooke shouted with pure excitement in her voice. "Have you figured it out yet Tutor-Girl?!"
"What? That Nathan is still 'in love with me' and wants to give it another shot?" Haley asked as she rolled her eyes.
"He is and he does. But I guess you're so stubborn you won't believe it until he says it to you himself, and even then you might not believe him, huh?" Peyton replied. A little bit of the acid that had been present in her tone whenever she talked to Haley before returning.
"I guess so," Haley responded with a glare.
"Okay, claws in and changing topics!" Brooke said. "What are your plans for after tonight's game?"
After a moment of frosty silence Peyton jumped in, "Well it depends on the outcome of the game for what Jake and I will be doing…"
"So either each other or watching a sad movie to remember how much better your lives are than they could be?"
"You got it B. Davis!" Peyton said in her own half-sarcastic tone.
For the rest of the trip the two left Haley alone as long as she put in some input to the conversation at least part of the time, but when she could get away with it, Haley stared out the window at the road thinking about Nathan.
Peyton stared out the window at the road thinking about Nathan…and Haley and everyone else. Her face was a mask of worry as she considered her future back in Tree Hill. She wondered what everyone thought of her since she had skipped out when the people she cared about needed her most.
Peyton sighed, worry radiating off of her.
She felt a large warm hand pull her over onto his chest and smiled.
Jake and Jenny were finally coming home to Tree Hill, for good. As worried as she was, Peyton had faith everything would turn out alright in the end.
"How ya doing little bro?" Lucas asked Nathan around the time they reached the three quarter mark of the trip to Duke's basketball arena and Nathan still hadn't said a word.
Nathan told him flatly, "My game is great Luke."
"I'm not talking about your game Nate, I'm talking about you and your heart."
Nathan rolled his eyes. "I'm fine Lucas. Really," he added at Lucas' doubtful stare.
"You once told me I wouldn't be alright until I told the girl in my heart how I really felt…Nathan that applies to you too you know."
"Whatever man. How about you just leave me alone and let me relax for the rest of trip?"
Lucas simply sighed and leaned back in his seat where he placed his iPod's headphones back into his ears.
"Well, I don't buy it Luke. I think there's something in your heart you're running from."
"What are you? Psychic?"
"You can make jokes about all you but you know there's a girl you have feelings for."
"Nathan…"
"Look me in the eye. Tell me I'm wrong. See? Now you can be mad at me all you want. You can your heart's fine but until you tell this girl how you feel, your heart's gonna be flawed. You need to talk to her Luke."
Lucas looked over at his little brother from the corner of his eye. Why can't you realize that advice goes for you too Nathan?
--
"This is it ladies and gentlemen!" Mouth exclaimed into the microphone he had for his internet broadcast. "The Ravens are making it back to the state championship for the first time since You-know-who played for them!"
"You-know-who like Voldemort?" Gigi, who was now Mouth's ex-girlfriend, asked him.
"No, You-know-who as in Dan Scott."
"Oh…"
"Anyway, the North Carolina boy's basketball state championship is tonight with Tree Hill and star Nathan Scott versus Oak Lake with Damien West! The Ravens' cheerleaders are already on the floor and right next to me I have captain, Brooke Davis. Now Brooke, can you explain to everyone what you and the rest of the cheerleaders hope to accomplish for this match?"
"Of course I can Mouth. We hope to look hot and get everyone turned on so our team can score while Oak Lake is distracted!"
"I don't think that needs to be a goal Brooke, I think that's already the case."
"Oh, well, then I guess we hope to raise the team spirit and cheer our asses off!"
"Alright! Here comes the Oak Lake Academy team….led by number 33 Damien West."
The side of the gym for their fans erupted into cheers as Damien made his way out to the floor. Meanwhile, Brooke rejoined the other cheerleaders.
The rest of Oak Lake's team was introduced to boos and cheers from the respective sides. Then it was the Ravens' turn.
"And now for the moment you've been waiting for! The introduction of the starting line-up for the Tree Hill Ravens!!" Mouth shouted into his microphone. Music began blaring out of speakers as Mouth raised his voice into his mic, "The point guard is number zero zero, Tim Smith!" The cheers from the Ravens' fans roared throughout the gym and it was only for Tim. "Next is number seven, Jake Jagielski!" The applause and cheers were even louder than before. Mouth introduced the next teammate, "Here is number 13, Antwon "Skills" Taylor!" and let the cheering crowd die down before he introduces the next teammate. "The next member of this year's starting line-up is number three, LUCAS Scott!" Mouth could've sworn for a second he felt the bleachers shake from the cheering of the Tree Hill fans.
The teammates all lined up with their hands up for a little wall for the last member of the starting line. "Mouth leaned in to his microphone with a hint of anxiousness in his voice. "Finally introduced is this year's captain. One who is considered to be the greatest player to ever enter Tree Hill's gym. Everyone, number twenty-three, NATHAN SCOTT!!"
Everything in the gym was deafened as Nathan, his emotionless mask on, trudged in through the banner made specifically for him and through the cave of players, at the end of the line he high-fived Lucas. Mouth was absolutely positive that the entire gym was shaking from the roars of the crowd.
"The captains, Damien West and Nathan Scott, head for the center for the jump ball. Scott didn't start doing jump balls until this year, but it has proved to be a wise move on Coach Durham's part to place him in that position."
The Ref held the ball for a second between the two before launching it high up in the air. Nathan waited a split second before jumping high in the air. As he figured, he ran into Damien's arm and was able to shove it out of the way while slapping the ball to Tim.
"The Ravens have won the jump-off!" Mouth said excitedly into his mic.
Tim dribbled up the court and easily dodged one defender, but saw he was about to be double-teamed and passed the ball to Lucas.
Lucas got the ball and got an immediate opening. He launched a three-pointer and saw the ball swish through the net.
"Go Lucas!" Brooke shouted with a grin.
Lucas smiled at her as he ran up the court to his defensive position.
Oak Lake passed the ball in, but not to Damien. They managed to score a two-pointer.
Jake passed the ball to Tim who dribbled the ball to half court before quickly passing to Nathan. Nathan grabbed the ball and started to dribble. The one guarding him was none other than Damien West.
"That girl over there, the cheerleader from the other night, she's looking pretty hot today. You think when I win she'll get with me? I heard she only likes winners and not losers, like you Scott."
Nathan narrowed his eyes and put up a shot, only to see it bounce off the rim.
"I can't believe it, Nathan Scott has missed a basket," Mouth announced in an astonished tone.
"See Scott? You are just a loser!" Damien shouted as he ran up the court where his team passed him the ball and he easily dunked it. "All night baby!"
"Sorry I'm late, what did I miss?"
Mouth sighed, "We're at half time and we're down by twenty-one. It's the worst deficit we've had all season." Mouth ran a hand through his spiky hair before turning his gaze to the girl who had sat down next to him. "Where have you been anyway? I was a little worried you had relapsed, Rachel."
The red-haired girl couldn't keep the grimace off her face.
"You're Rachel, not Red and that's what I'm going to call you. You shouldn't try to change yourself to make you seem more 'cool' or something because all it does it make you lame," Mouth said sternly.
Rachel sighed, "I know. And I got stuck at home because the repair guy for my fridge came by and would not leave. I'm not going to get drunk and land myself in some park again while you're too busy to come rescue me Mouth."
"You're not going to get that drunk ever again, right?"
Rachel let out an annoyed sigh, "Yes Mother Mouth." She would never show it, but Rachel was actually glad someone was showing at least a little concern for her well being.
"Good, but please, don't call me Mother. It makes me feel weird."
Rachel laughed and placed an arm around Mouth's shoulders, "You got it Mouth."
"How's Nathan?" Mouth asked emotionlessly when Rachel joined him on the bleachers at the River Court in the middle of the night.
"I haven't been to see him. I don't think Haley would like it."
"That's assuming she's alright."
Rachel sighed and put an arm around Mouth, "Hey, chin up Mouth. I may not get along with her, but Haley is one strong girl and wouldn't let some stupid bookie get her in the end."
"Don't you regret it?"
"Mouth, I don't regret you know that."
Mouth turned to Rachel, anger in his eyes, "All the bad things you've done to Haley, don't you feel at least a little bad for it now that she's fighting for her life?!"
"Mouth," Rachel said, her voice full of concern.
Mouth simply started to break down much like he had the day of the shooting.
And just like that day, Rachel took him in her arms and simply held him, trying to get him to feel better.
"Nathan, what's going on?" Jake asked Nathan in the locker room during halftime as the rest of the boys sat around, disappointment written all over their faces.
"I don't know," Nathan's voice actually managed to crack. "I've been working for this my entire life, but for some reason I can't seem to play."
"Stop listening to that punk Damien West first of all," Jake said as he sat down next to Nathan on the bench he was on. "And then stop thinking about everything else. I've heard a few of the things West has been saying to you, and they're all about Haley. Nathan, don't let troubles with her interfere with your playing."
"What if I can't? What if Lucas was right and they are one and the same?"
"Well I guess then it's too late now. So you can either sit around moping or you can do better, with Haley and your game."
There she was. Keith drew in a breath as he watched the love of his life buy a bag of popcorn at the concession stand. Yet again, he decided to change his plan. He was going to reveal himself to Karen now. Just as he was going to walk out of the shadows and show himself he saw a familiar figure walk over to her, Dan.
"Lucas is playing great tonight," Dan began.
"Nathan isn't though. I wonder what's wrong," Karen replied without glancing up at Dan
"Hopefully halftime can fix that up."
"Let's hope he's not like his father too. We wouldn't want him to sit down because Whitey said something he didn't like.
"That was eighteen years ago Karen, do I really need to pay for my mistakes from back then still?"
"Why not? Repercussions from your decisions are always around through Lucas and Nathan, why not 'pay' for you other mistakes too?" Karen asked before returning to the crowded arena.
Dan shrugged his shoulders and turned to walk to the bathroom. Unfortunately for him, Keith was waiting.
"Danny, can I talk to you?" Keith asked right behind Dan.
"My dear older brother, why aren't you drunk yet? It's past five after all."
"Dan, I know things that could bring you down. You know I do. Do you really think now is the most appropriate time to be heckling me?"
"Every time is the right time Keith."
"Dan, do you feel bad at all for what you've done?"
"Why don't you tell me exactly what I've done and then I'll let you know."
"C'mon Danny, you know exactly what I'm talking about."
"I do!? Why, that's news to me."
Keith sighed, "I guess that's a no." He looked Dan in the eye and said, "I'll be talking to you later Danny."
They were warming up briefly during the half. Nathan threw shot after shot, and he missed them all.
"Damn it," he whispered. Nathan couldn't understand why he was doing so badly at the game he had been preparing for his whole entire life.
--
"Haley, can you get me a water bottle?" Brooke asked Haley who was standing behind her at an angle watching Nathan miss all of his shots.
"Yeah sure," Haley replied as she walked over to the cooler with the water bottles.
--
Nathan took the ball and started to dribble in the direction of the cheerleaders. At least I still have some ball control. Right at that second the ball bounced off his large foot and bounced over to Haley.
Nathan ran after the ball to go get it.
--
Haley saw the ball roll by her and figured a player or Bevin would pass it in. She leaned over to pick up a water bottle for Brooke and her cheerleading uniform rose a little.
--
Nathan was close to the ball when Haley bent over. He couldn't help himself and slowed down so he could watch her while he got the ball. Her top rose a little and revealed a small printed number just above her ass.
The number was 23. Nathan's number.
"Well, what do you think?"
"I think that you're my girlfriend, and I like to spend time with you. Look, I just don't want to push you."
"You're not."
"But I am. Haley you got a tattoo for God sakes. It just freaks me out a little bit because obviously this whole thing with us means a lot to you. I just don't want to anything to pressure you. Or drive you away. Even though sometimes I can't help it… Just like I can't help that I fell in love with you. Cause I did. I love you, Haley. And it scares me a little bit, but there it is."
"Wow.. There it is.."
She leaned over and pulled his face to hers with a kiss and gained the courage she needed to tell him.
"I love you too."
Strength. Suddenly, it was flowing through Nathan.
"Haley," he breathed. The number reminded him that there was a part of her that would always remember their golden days together. They did happen. Nathan and Haley would always be there in history, just like the small tattoo on Haley's back.
That thought powered Nathan in a way he hadn't felt in a long time.
"Nathan!" Lucas shouted from the court. His yell caused Haley to turn around and give Nathan a questioning stare.
Nathan smiled at her and picked up the ball before he ran back onto the court.
A few minutes later, the second half started with the other team getting the ball. Right when the point guard from the other team got to the half court line, Nathan stole the ball. He sprinted down the court and dunked the ball into the net.
Brooke got a gleeful expression as she turned to Haley. "Nathan's back," she said with a confident smile.
Nathan started to jog back towards the other side of the court for defense. The point guard trudged up the court and was ready for Nathan this time. He did a spin move to avoid Nathan and thought he had, until he noticed he was dribbling air. He turned to see that Nathan was already on the other side of the court and putting up an easy lay-up.
The point guard glared as he once again made it to the halfway line for the next play. Nathan simply smirked at him.
"Just try to get past me," he challenged.
The glaring point guard passed the ball to a teammate, but he was so concentrated on Nathan he didn't notice Lucas standing by his target. Lucas easily intercepted the ball and threw it to Nathan who was already by their free throw line.
Once again, Nathan dunked the ball into the hoop.
"That's three baskets for Nathan Scott right in a row!" Mouth shouted into his microphone, which hurt all the ears' of the people listening to the podcast.
The substitute buzzer rang and Damien West stepped onto the floor for the point guard.
"You're going down Scott, like that cheerleader girl will be on me tonight," Damien said in a sleezy voice.
Nathan shook his head, "Not even in your dreams West."
Damien started to the right, but quickly moved to the left and crossed over behind his back. Nathan wasn't expecting it, nobody was. Damien smirked watching Nathan the whole time as he ran for the basket. However, because his eyes were glued to the basket, he missed Tim firmly planted in the paint.
The whistles blew and Nathan smiled. "Good job Damien!" He cheered as Tim was given the ball to pass in bounds.
He passed to Nathan who ran up the court and then passed to Lucas who put up a three.
"We're still up by twelve!" Damien said angrily when he got the ball again.
Nathan smirked, "You don't sound so confident West. You sure you can keep the lead?"
Damien let out an angry grunt and drove towards the basket. Nathan purposely fouled him though.
The whistle blew and someone from Oak Lake went out to pass the ball in. He slapped the ball to start the five seconds only to discover no open teammates. He threw the ball over to the one Skills was guarding. However, Skills caught the ball and passed it over to Tim.
The Ravens got into formation and Tim passed to Jake who made another three pointer.
"Lead is down to nine, you alright there Damien?" Nathan mocked with a smirk.
The red-faced Damien replied, "I'm simply hot Scott, something you wouldn't know about."
"Your insults don't sting so much West, what happened?"
Damien passed the ball to a team member who put up a jump shot which bounced off the rim before going in.
"Yeah!" Damien shouted.
"Oh wow, a whole basket! Good job Damien!" Nathan teased.
Skills launched the ball past Tim and right to Nathan. "Watch this Damien," Nathan commanded as he took a few dribbles around him. Nathan, well outside of the three point line, shot a basket and made it. "I think that makes your lead down to eight and look, we still have twelve minutes left."
At eight minutes Oak Lake called a time-out, their twenty-one point lead had been reduced to a mere five points.
"Damien, what is going on? You had Scott playing his worst game ever and now he's playing his best game ever, care to explain?" The coach ordered of his star player.
"It's going to stop Coach," Damien said fiercely with a nod.
"It better. Double-team Scott, and watch the other Scott carefully. Take out those two and the Ravens will fall!" The coach said. He glanced to see five seconds left of the time-out. "Oak Lake on three!"
"Nathan, you alright?" Lucas asked his little brother during the time-out.
"Yeah man. Doesn't it look like I'm alright?" Nathan replied.
"That's why I'm worried. You're playing so good, you're not going to cop out on us in the last few minutes are you?"
Nathan glanced over at Haley who was watching him out of the corner of her eye. Nathan smirked, "Not a chance Luke."
"They're going to expect the ball to go to Nathan every time, be sure to mix it up. However, Nathan is playing the game of his life so if the opportunity is right get the ball to him," Whitey told the team. Whitey turned to Nathan in particular, "Don't forget the fade away Nathan, use it if you need to."
Nathan glanced at Lucas, "Fade away's weak."
Whitey rolled his eyes. "Hands in!"
Everyone placed their hands in and without counting they all unanimously shouted, "RAVENS!"
It was brief and only out of the corner of the eye, but she was sure it was real. Like the day of the fire that seemed so long ago that she couldn't be sure he really was there, except in her heart she knew he was.
Karen stood in her seat and looked at the arena door that she had sworn she had seen him.
However, nobody was standing there.
Keith wasn't standing there.
Karen's face fell and she sat back down as she returned her attention to the game, not allowing herself to look at the door again.
"Scott is mine, none of you touch him!" Damien West commanded his team as they made their way back out onto the court.
They all nodded seriously, whatever Damien said was always done.
Keith walked out of the corner he had shoved himself into when he had noticed Karen suddenly look over.
He sighed, out of disappointment or relief even he wasn't sure, and continued to watch the game with one eye, the other on Karen.
"Remember Nate, it's worth nothing if you can't knock down that shot," Lucas told him as they waited for the Refs to blow the whistle and signal the start of the game.
"You don't have to worry about me, you on the other hand…"
"Hey! Watch it little brother."
Nathan lowered his tone a little and said to Lucas, "Hey, Damien can't shoot free throws. It's his greatest weakness if you're looking for a way out."
Lucas nodded seriously.
The ball was passed in right to Damien. The Ravens were now on zone defense and Damien went right to Lucas' zone. He put up what he thought was an open shot only to feel Lucas' hands push against his wrists. A whistle was blown as the ball went off course.
"Two shots!" The Ref shouted as the teams lined up.
Nathan smirked, "Careful West, you don't want to under shoot. Air ball!"
Damien bounced the ball twice and put up the shot only for it to hit the back of the rim and bounce away.
"Woah Damien, a little too much power!"
Damien glared and put up a light shot, it didn't go anywhere near the rim.
"AIR BALL!" Nathan exclaimed while he clapped his hands. "Hey, maybe next time Damien!"
Nathan jogged up the court as Tim made his way up the court with the ball. Damien for some reason was lagging behind and Nathan was left open.
Tim passed the ball and Nathan got closer to the basket. He went in for a fast lay-up while he had the chance, but felt something hard shove right into his chest as he jumped into the air.
He flipped over in the air and fell right onto the ground on his back as Damien laughed over him, "Little Scott fall on his ass?"
The whistle blew and Nathan was lined up for two shots.
"That little, he did that on purpose!" Haley said angrily from her spot on the sidelines with the other cheerleaders.
"So? Lucas hit Damien purposely," Brooke pointed out. "It's how the game works Tutor-Girl."
"Lucas didn't make him flip over though!" Haley exclaimed with a hint of concern while she carefully watched Nathan at the free throw line.
Nathan felt a pain in his chest, a pain he had long associated with his heart. He ignored it, his father had taught him many times that victory came with pain. Nathan put up the first free throw and easily made it, but as he breathed in he felt a sharp pain.
"Ow," he whispered. Lucas gave him a curious look, but said nothing.
Nathan returned Lucas' glance and nodded at him meaningfully. Lucas smiled. Nathan glanced at Damien West and smirked at him, doing his best to mask his pain. He threw the ball hard at the backboard and caught the rebound, meanwhile Lucas was backpedaling to the three point line. Nathan passed the ball over to him and Lucas put up the basket.
The lead was now cut, Oak Lake had only one more point and there was six minutes left.
Oak Lake got the ball and this time they got in a lucky three-pointer. The next play Damien stole the ball from Tim, but Jake fouled Damien while he put up a shot so he had to shoot free throws.
Nathan didn't mock him this time, he simply watched Damien shoot and miss.
Skills passed the ball to Tim who dribbled to the half court line where he passed the ball back to Skills. Skills did a crossover to get around a defender and put up a lay-up. Oak Lake led by two.
Nathan made his way down the court with a grimace on his face.
Haley carefully watched Nathan through the next few plays. She whispered to Brooke, "Nathan is injured. Should I say something?"
"What? Why do you think he's injured?" Brooke asked her.
"Look at him. The way he's playing, his facial expressions, he's not even mocking Damien anymore."
"Uh Tutor-Girl, this is how Nathan always plays. It was actually weird to see him playing with emotion earlier."
Haley didn't say anything more, but she knew Nathan was hurt.
There was thirty seconds left in the game and Tree Hill was two points behind. The team knew if Damien got the ball to foul him, but if it was passed to someone else they had to work fast.
Oak Lake put the ball into motion and Damien immediately passed the ball to someone else.
"I can tell you're hurt Scott," Damien whispered as the two ran up the court side-by-side, "You're weak and that weakness is going to make you pay!" Damien exclaimed as he ran past Nathan and right by the basket.
"No!" Nathan shouted, but it was too late. The ball was passed to Damien and he made the easy basket.
The Ravens were down by four with fifteen seconds left.
"I know what I said about faith," Nathan began in the dark hospital room while he stared at the prone figure of his wife. His hands were holding one of Haley's still hands, "I know I said it's not enough…and I have the hardest time believing faith helps….I've had so little opportunity to see it in action, but now I am starting to understand what faith is. It is the hope that keeps people going and sometimes I really hate the idea of faith, but I know Haley doesn't…Haley believes in the power of faith…I need you help. I know I'm a son of a bitch asshole who doesn't deserve it at all, but Haley does. She's a good person. She always helps people out, no matter what. When she wakes up she'll probably feel sympathy for Daunte, something nobody else I know would ever have the goodness to feel. Please, not for me, but for Haley, please let her be okay. I'm begging you," Nathan looked up at the hospital ceiling, begging anyone who might have been listening.
Once again tears began to well up in his blue eyes.
"I'm trusting you….whoever you are…I'm having faith that…you'll make everything all right for Haley."
Tim threw the ball down the court and to Lucas who was immediately triple-teamed. Lucas pivoted and managed to get an opening where he passed the ball to Jake, who immediately launched it at Nathan who was across their half of the court.
Damien and the other team member immediately double-teamed him. Nathan smirked, It's worth nothing if you can't knock down that shot, and launched the fade away.
Before the ball was out of his hands, Damien once again threw himself into Nathan's chest. Nathan fell backwards and onto the ground. The whistle was immediately blown, but nobody cared. They all watched in amazement as the ball gracefully fell into the net.
Nathan smirked as he fell completely horizontal on the wood floor.
Nathan was granted two free throw shots. The problem was, he was now in immense pain because of his chest and he could feel something wet on it, oh and Nathan couldn't even get up off the ground. He had no strength left. The pain was overwhelming and his heart hurt in physical and emotional ways as he lie there. He heard no shouts of concern, at least none that he wanted to hear.
"Nathan, get up!" He heard Lucas shout as if from a distance.
He heard Whitey and the rest of the team run over.
He heard the questions, the 'what happened?'s but none of them mattered to Nathan.
Then, he heard the voice he loved:
"WHAT THE HELL DID YOU DO TO HIM?! YOU SON OF A BITCH!" Haley screamed at Damien West. She reached out and slapped him, "It is one thing to sexually harass me, but when you harm my husband you're going to pay!"
Nathan smiled. Haley had publicly admitted that he was still her husband.
"Haley, Haley, back off," Brooke begged the girl who was now chasing a fearful Damien West around the court.
"Not until this son of a bitch at least apologizes for hurting Nathan!!" Haley shouted in reply. She hated getting angry and she rarely ever was, let alone as mad as she was, but this was an exception, someone had purposely harmed Nathan on a day he had been waiting for his whole life. Haley wasn't going to let the one responsible get away with it.
Lucas walked away from Nathan and grabbed Haley around her arms, "Shh Hales. Nathan is alright, he wants you by him, that's all."
Nathan heard Lucas and immediately sat up. He didn't want pity from Haley, he wanted her to come because she wanted to, not because Lucas told her to come. "I'm fine," he said stubbornly as he pulled his dark blue jersey away from his skin so no stain would show from the suspiciously sticky substance he felt slowly dripping down his chest.
Nathan stood up and went to the free-throw line. "Let's do this, shall we?" He asked everyone around.
Everybody gave him cautious looks, but lined up all the same.
Nathan put up his first shot and made it with no trouble. Somehow, he was able to mostly block out the pain.
Now though, Nathan couldn't figure out what to do. His move with Lucas would be too risky now, but if he made the free throw Oak Lake would get the ball with eight seconds left, plenty of time to score and win.
--
Haley watched Nathan stand at the free throw line, staring at the hoop. He didn't have long before a technical was called on him. Haley couldn't take it anymore after a few more seconds, she shouted, "YOU can do it Nathan!"
Nathan heard the voice and he glanced over at Haley. She had her hands at her side with her fists tensed from anxiety. But what intrigued Nathan most was what she had on her wrist. Nathan had no idea how he had missed it before, but there on her wrist was the bracelet he had given her on their first tutoring session.
Nathan smiled a smile worth a thousand words. An idea finally came to him. It would be risky, but it was their only chance now.
Nathan made his second free-throw and waited for Oak Lake to pass the ball in.
Lucas and Jake fell back to the other half of the court and Skills went to the half court line, while Tim and Nathan waited by Damien West.
The ball was thrown to Damien and he immediately started to run up the court. He was about to pass the ball up when Tim pushed his hand.
The whistle was blown and since it was now in the bonus, Damien got to shoot two free throws.
Nathan smirked. "ESPN doesn't watch the free throws do they?" He asked Damien as they walked over to Oak Lake's half of the court.
"Shut up Scott, you'll never win."
"Look at the score, we're up by a point."
Damien glared as he went to the line and Nathan waited at the half-court line.
The entire gym was silent as Damien put up his first shot. The ball bounced off the rim straight up into the air….and then into the hoop.
"Damn it," Lucas whispered.
Nathan smirked again. At High Flyers, Damien could always make one free throw when under pressure, but then he would get cocky and miss his second.
Sure enough, Damien missed his second free throw when he shot an air ball.
Nathan's face went serious now. He looked at the clock. Four seconds.
They had four seconds to score or the game went into overtime and Nathan knew he would have to sit overtime out because as each minute went by the pain intensified 10x.
Nathan started running towards his basket.
Jake slapped the ball and immediately threw it to Lucas who was at Oak Lake's three point line.
Lucas threw the ball down the court as hard as he possibly could.
Nathan jumped into the air and managed to find the ball in his hands.
Damien West let out an angry scream, "NO!"
Nathan let go of the ball into the hoop right when the buzzer went off. The basket was good.
An alley oop between two former enemies had won the state championship for the Ravens.
Lucas ran down the court as fast as he could and grabbed his little brother in a tight hug.
"We did it Nate, we did it!"
"You got that right!" Nathan shouted back in his ear.
"We're state champs bitches!" Tim shouted as loud as he could.
He went over to Damien West and shouted, "Gonna practice your free throws boy? You lost if for your team!!"
Jake immediately ran to Peyton, a broad smile on his face. "Thank you Peyton, for letting this dream and all my other dreams come true."
Lucas and Nathan finally released each other and Brooke went bounding into the former's eyes.
"Broody, you made up for last year! We're the champions!"
"Thanks Brooke for reminding me of last season's incident," Lucas said with a faux glare, but his eyes remained gleeful.
Brooke replied with her own smirk, "It's no problem."
--
Nathan walked to his giggling Coach, "You did it Whitey. You got us here. You finally got the title you should've gotten eighteen years ago."
Whitey stopped giggling, however he made no response. Nathan noticed the tears in his eyes. Uncomfortable, Nathan turned away, but Whitey tapped him on the shoulder.
He managed to say, "You're ten times the man your father ever was. I hope you know that son."
Nathan nodded as if to thank the old man and walked to the center of floor. With the confetti raining down he glanced around the room. He saw Damien West beating his head against the wall, Tim running in circles, and Brooke and Lucas, Jake and Peyton, and Bevin and Skills all making out with each other.
The truth was though, Nathan didn't really care for any of those sights. When he found the one he was looking for, his eyes lit up.
He had found Haley.
Right in front of him was the person he wanted beside him more than anything.
Nathan walked towards her still form while everything else seemed to be in constant motion.
"Hey, great job!" She said in her 'I'm uncomfortable' manner when he got about a foot away from her.
Nathan acted as if he didn't hear her comment and said, "It was you, you who convinced me."
"Me? What did I do?"
"You reminded me of the strength I have within me. The strength I thought I had lost…You brought it back to me…You are my strength Haley…"
Haley smiled, unsure of what to say.
Nathan took a step forward and placed his large hands on Haley's waist. With direct eye contact, he said, "Always..."
It was Nathan's way of telling Haley how much he loved her and was ready for a second chance, but he wanted confirmation from her before he did anything else.
In that moment, with the confetti raining down on her, with their best friends making out, with Whitey giggling and Mouth shrieking in the background, Haley realized how much she still loved Nathan and how much he still loved her. She realized they needed each other and it was simply their fear that was keeping them apart.
Haley returned the intense gaze of Nathan Scott and quietly said, "And forever."
And then, despite the pain Nathan was in, and the fear that Haley still felt, the two met in a brilliant kiss that made all the pain and all the fear and all the other things keeping them apart simply disappear.
Finally, even if only for that moment, all was well for the habitants of Tree Hill, North Carolina.