"You ready, Haley?" Chase asked as he noticed Haley nervously playing with her pinky ring, as they stood outside the reception hall.
Haley gulped nervously and gave Chase a small smile, "I guess so..."
"Hey, there's nothing to be nervous about. I saw the way Nathan was starring at you at the alter, and believe me, I bet he was the one wishing you guys were getting married."
Haley scoffed lightly, "Yeah right, he hates my guts!"
"Why would you say that?" Chase asked.
"Because I brought you as my date."
"I thought he was bringing that Alex girl? Let me tell you she is hot! Nathan is so luck-"
"Finish that sentence, and you won't ever be able to speak again." Haley warned.
"Sorry." Chase mumbled. "But seriously, Nathan was drooling when he first saw you." Chase stated.
Haley giggled, "Yeah right!"
"I'm not joking. You would have thought you were a couple the way he was undressing you with his eyes-"
"Okay! Okay!" Haley shouted. "I get it! But that doesn't mean anything."
"Mayb-"
Haley quickly placed her hand over Chase's mouth to shut him up, and pulled him into the bushes.
"Shhh!" Haley quickly quieted Chase. "Nathan's coming!" She pointed from their spot behind the bush.
"But why are we hidin-?"
"SHHH!" Haley whisper-yelled again.
Nathan stepped out of his range rover, and to be polite, he held open the passenger door for his date, Alex Dupre.
"Thanks." She smiled.
Nathan gave Alex a short nod and awkwardly put his arm around her skinny waist.
He tried to act nonchalant as he searched the outside for Haley, but he didn't see her.
"So what was up with you and Brooke's maid of honor?" Alex questioned.
Nathan was caught off guard by the question and almost started choking on air. "You mean Haley?"
"Yeah. Who is she?"
"Oh... um... she's just an old friend." Nathan lied.
Chase looked at Haley's face as he heard Nathan say that, and Haley squeezed her eyes shut, and frowned visibly. Chase grabbed her hand and gave it a friendly squeeze.
"Well you certainly didn't look like friends. You were drooling over her the entire ceremony!" Alex nagged.
Nathan inwardly groaned. He hated naggers. "I'm sorry, I haven't seen her in a while, I was just shocked, but trust me- you look a million times better." He lied.
Haley squeezed her eyes tighter, so that the tears that were piling in her eyes would stay at bay.
"Really?"Alex asked in a high voice. "I figured you would like this dress." She winked.
Nathan wasn't going to lie, Alex was a very attractive woman, and he knew if he had never met Haley, he would have thought she was really hot, but no one could ever compare to Haley James.
Alex had on a tight black dress, that was more suitable for a club, not a wedding, and it left little to the imagination. Nathan thought she was pretty hot, but Haley was classy, sophisticated, and drop dead beautiful. He quickly shook his head of those thoughts. Tonight he was going to get over her, no matter what it would take...
Nathan was going to have to embrace the fact that he would have to lower his standards, and Alex would probably be the best he would be able to get. When Nathan was with Haley when he was eighteen, he was always self conscious because he knew Haley could do a lot better than him, and he was afraid she would realize that, and leave him.
"Yeah... you look... great." Nathan smiled.
Alex smirked happily and pressed her hand on Nathan's muscular chest. "Thank you, and you don't look too bad your self, Scott." She winked, causing Nathan to laugh.
Haley felt her jaw tighten, and her hands balled to the sides of her body. She always called Nathan, Scott, and he would call her James. Oh well. Old habits die hard.
"So you ready to go in?" Nathan asked as Alex eyed Nathan flirtatiously.
"Yep, lead the way."
Haley stretched her neck to see if Nathan and Alex were holding hands, but as she did that, she lost her balance, and tumbled forward out of the bush, dragging Chase with her. She let out a loud yelp, and Chase chuckled loudly. To anyone near by watching, it would have seemed as they were just kissing in the bush.
Nathan heard a loud scream and turned around to find Haley and Chase covered in dirt and leaves, and laughing wildly on the grass. His eyes narrowed, and he bit his tongue hard. The blood in his body was boiling with fury. Were they seriously just making out in the bushes? At that thought, Nathan's grip tightened on Alex, and forced a smile.
Haley looked up into Nathan's glaring eyes, and her stomach dropped. She knew that he must've thought that she and Chase were just hooking up in a bush, which was the complete opposite.
Alex also turned to look at what Nathan had his eyes fixed on, and smiled.
"You must be Holly! Nathan was just telling me how you used to be friends!" Alex said offering her hand for a hand shake.
Haley looked up into Nathan's glare, and matched his stare. "Actually it's Haley." Haley corrected as she took Alex's hand and gave it a rough shake.
"Oh sorry." Alex said, feigning embarrassment. "I'm Alex Dupre, Nathan's girlfriend."
Haley's eyebrows shot up, and looked back up at Nathan who was starring at Alex with wide eyes.
"Oh really? Nathan's never mentioned you before." Haley stated bitterly.
"We just got together actually. He's really great, I don't think I'd ever be able to be 'just friends' with him. He's totally gorgeous!" She whispered.
Haley forced a smile and a fake laugh.
"So is this your boyfriend?" Alex asked as she looked at Chase who had his hands in his pockets and starring at the ground.
"Oh, um, n-"
"Actually, I am." Chase suddenly piped in. "The name's Chase."
"Nice to meet you Chase. I'm Alex."
"The pleasure is all mine." Chase smiled.
Nathan inwardly rolled his eyes- was Haley seriously dating this tool? Since when?
"Well, we'll see you guys later, Nathan was just going to buy me a drink. Right honey?" Alex asked with wide eyes, and pouted flirtatiously, making Haley want to gag.
Nathan forced a smile, "Of course."
"Nice meeting you Nathan." Chase called.
"Right." Nathan grunted.
Once the couple was out of earshot, Haley slapped Chase on the forehead. "What the hell is wrong with you?" Haley seethed.
"What I do?" Chase asked innocently.
"You just told them you were my boyfriend!"
"I thought we were trying to make him jealous?"
"Yeah jealous, not angry!" Haley muttered. "I knew this was a bad idea!"
Chase frowned, and pulled Haley in a tight hug. "I'm sorry Haley, you'll get him back. I promise."
"I ruined everything!" She cried. "He asked me to be his date, and I said I was going with you, and now he's dating that stupid hoar!"
"I thought she was really nice-"
Haley looked up at Chase and if looks could kill he would be dead.
"-I mean she was a bitch, I hate her." Chase recovered.
Haley playfully rolled her eyes, and let out a small laugh. "I don't know what to do Chase." She pouted.
"I told you not to worry. Nathan will come around. I promise. We just have to make him see what he's missing out on, so that's why I'm going to pretend to be your boyfriend. Trust me, it'll work."
Haley bit her lip, "Okay, I'm trusting you, but you're not allowed to kiss me with tongue. Got it?"
Chase laughed, "Okay, deal."
"Haley! We've been looking for you everywhere! Where have you been? ...Doesn't matter! We need you in the Bridal Suite right away!" Millie, one of Brooke's other Brides maid, and wedding planner shouted.
Haley followed a frantic Millie into a small room located near the cocktail party. Brooke, Lucas, and Nathan were all in the room laughing about something.
"Haley! You made it! We've been waiting for you!" Brooke screamed.
"Why? What's going on?" Haley asked confused.
"You're my maid of honor, and Nathan is the best man, you have to walk out together when the DJ announces the bridal party." Brooke explained.
"Are you serious?" Nathan asked exasperated.
"Um it's my wedding, and you have to do what I saw dammit!" Brooke scolded playfully.
Nathan rolled his eyes, "Okay, anything else princess?"
"You have to dance with Haley for a song."
"I don't dance, so no." Nathan said smugly.
Haley looked at Nathan and bit her lip. "You danced with me when we were together.."
"Yeah, well we aren't anymore." Nathan snapped.
"Nathan.." Brooke whined. "You have to, it's wedding tradition!"
Nathan shot a sideways glance to Haley who was biting on her lip, and then he looked at Lucas who had pleading eyes.
"Okay fine. One song." Nathan said strongly.
Brooke smiled and pulled Nathan in for a tight embrace. "Yay! You're the best!"
Nathan just shrugged, and Brooke bounced over to Haley.
Haley giggled, "Yes, Brooke?"
"Can you sing for us?"
"...Brooke, no-" Haley sighed.
"Please, Please, Please.' Brooke begged.
"I haven't sang in a really long time.." Haley relented.
"I just heard you singing the other day, the lyrics were like "If this was a movie, you'd be here by now.." or something like that."
"Brooke, that song was personal, it's not a wedding song... it's about um a break up." Haley said shyly.
"You should sing Haley. I mean I'm dancing, so it's only fair..." Nathan said, and Haley could have sworn she saw a slight smile on his lips.
"Okay. I'll do it." She smiled and inhaled had a sudden boost of courage when Nathan told her to do it.
"Oh my god really? You're the best! I love you!" Brooke squealed.
Lucas chuckled at his wife's antics.
"Okay well I'm going to finish getting ready for my big debut as Mrs. Scott." Brooke smiled cheekily and pulled Lucas into the bathroom with her. Sensing the awkward tension between Naley, she figured she should give them alone time.
Neither Nathan nor Haley knew what to say to each other. After about two minutes and thirty six seconds, (Yes, Haley counted) She finally decided to speak.
"So um Alex seems nice."
Nathan shrugged, "Yeah." He said as he stuck his hands in his pockets.
"When do you go back to Charlotte?" She asked hoping it wouldn't be soon.
"Tomorrow."
"What?" Haley asked as her eyes widened. "Are you kidding?"
"No, I don't belong here, Haley. I need to go back to my real life"
Haley looked at her shoes as she felt tears start to build up. "I'm going to miss you." She squeaked.
"Don't do this Haley." Nathan warned. "It's not fair."
"You're right, I'm sorry. Are we still friends?" She asked with a glimmer of hope in her eyes.
Nathan ran a tired hand through his hair. "Honestly, Haley, I don't know what the hell we are anymore. I just think it would be best if I went back to Charlotte, and we don't keep in contact anymore. I'm sorry, but I know you know there are still feelings between us, and I know it's impossible to forget each other, so that's why we should just leave everything in the past, and move on without eachother."
Haley gulped and blinked rapidly to stop her tears from falling. "Nathan, we haven't even talked in five years, and our feelings haven't changed. I don't know about you, but I've been miserable for five years. Do you really think not speaking is going to work?"
"I don't know Haley, but being friends isn't going to work either. You have Chase now, so just- forget about me. You deserve a lot better than me trust me." He mumbled. "And don't tell me you've been miserable for five years, because last time I checked, you were the one who told me to leave, remember?"
Haley bit her lip, and just nodded, not trusting herself to speak.
"Look, we can be civil for the rest of the wedding, but after that, I'm done." Nathan declared.
Haley gulped, "But Nathan I-"
"I don't want to hear it." Nathan declared. "It's just easier this way. I thought we could be friends, but it didn't work. I'm sorry."
"But-" Haley intervened again.
Nathan shook his head softly, "Haley, I tried to get you back, but you're with Chase now. I'm not going to keep fighting, because every time I do, it blows up in my face, and I'm sick of it."
"I'm not-"
"...And I have Alex now, and I really think we could have something special, so just please don't do anything to screw it up. I'm finally happy." Nathan said harshly. He didn't know what else to do so he went with plan B. Be an ass to Haley. It would make her get over him, and he would try not to feel about it.
Haley's heart constricted at his words. "Nathan, I-"
"There's nothing you can say or do, that's going to fix us. It took me five years to get over you. I think we were both stuck in a moment that just wasn't meant to last, so it's time to move on. For me at least, because I know you probably moved on right away." Nathan said solemnly.
"Are you kidding?" Haley asked incredulously. "I went to see you at Duke two months after we broke up, and I saw some girl all over you! How do you think that made me feel?" Haley shouted. If Nathan was going to act like that, well, then two could play this game.
"What the hell are you talking about?" Nathan asked.
Haley scoffed, "Don't act like you don't know! It was your first game. I know we weren't together but I promised you I would be there, and I waited for you, and what do I see? Some slut ran in your arms! That should have been me Nathan!"
Nathan rolled his eyes, "You're right. That should have been you, but it wasn't."
"You told me you loved me." Haley whispered, as a small tear rolled down her cheeks. "I guess it never mattered, considering two months later you were already in bed with someone."
Nathan threw his hands in the air and laughed sardonically, as his mind flash backed to the conversation he had with Brooke the other day about Haley seeing him hug his friend Ally.
"Are you seriously laughing right now?" Haley scoffed. "That's really nice Nathan, because I went there that night to tell you I loved you!"
"Well if you didn't run away- like you always do- then you would have found out that the 'slut' I was hugging was my best friend since High School, and she's MARRIED to my best friend! She's practically my sister!" Nathan shouted.
Haley's mouth hung open, and she felt her heart stop. Her mind completely went numb, and she was speechless. She felt like the biggest idiot on the planet.
"Oh." Was all that Haley could respond with.
"Yeah 'Oh' is right!" Nathan spat. "You don't even know what I went through! I didn't even look at another girl for two years! Finally I just gave up on love completely, and decided to just sleep with a girl for a night and forget about her the next day. It helped heal the pain, and I told myself I'd never get attached again. You broke my heart." Nathan said sadly.
'I'm sorry, I never meant-" Haley began.
"Haley, it's fine, you don't have to explain. I understand if you didn't feel the same way. I rushed things-"
"You didn't, Nathan."
"Well it's in the past now, it doesn't matter anymore. You can be with Chase, and I'm with Alex, so let's just forget it. It was just a stupid summer fling, right? Those things never work out." He chuckled humorously.
Haley ran a tired hand over her face. She was truly conflicted. Should she tell him how she felt or was it pointless? He seemed to have already made up his mind..."
"Nathan, there's something you should know..." She began, but before she could finish, Brooke came bursting through the room..
"Are you guys ready to be announced?"
Nathan nodded, "Yeah let's get this over with."
"Okay great so the DJ will announce you, you dance for a song, and then you wait on the side until he says for you to join on the dance floor again." Brooke instructed.
"Okay." Nathan nodded, and reluctantly grabbed Haley's hand, and pulled her over to the door where the party was being held.
"You ready?" He asked, and she let out a small nod.
After what felt like waiting for hours, the DJ finally made the announcement.
"So who's ready to celebrate the marriage of Lucas and Brooke Scott?" The DJ asked the family and friends of Brooke and Lucas, and they all let out loud cheers.
"Okay great!" The DJ responded happily. "Before we announce the beautiful couple, please put your hands together for the Maid of Honor, and Best Man: Haley James and Nathan Scott!"
On cue, Nathan and Haley ran out, hand-in-hand, as the guests stood up and cheered loudly.
"Now as we wait for Mr. and Mrs. Scott, Brooke requested that Nathan and Haley dance to this song! So give it up for the lovely couple!" The DJ said assuming that they were a couple.
In the background the song, "Dancin' Away With My Heart" by Lady Antebellum started playing, and Haley blushed profusely as everyone's eyes were on them.
Nathan and Haley stood in the center of the dance floor, and started to slow dance as the lyrics started booming through the reception hall.
I finally asked you to dance
On the last slow song
Beneath that moon that was really a disco ball
I can still feel my head on your shoulder
And hoping that song would never be over
I haven't seen you in ages
Sometimes I find myself
Wondering where you are
For me you'll always be 18
And beautiful and dancin' away with my heart
I brushed your curls back so I could see your eyes
And the way you moved me was like you were reading my mind
I can still feel you lean into kiss me
I can't help but wonder if you ever miss me
You headed off to college
At the end of that summer and we lost touch
I guess I didn't realize even at that moment we lost so much
Haley rested her head on Nathan's chest and closed her eyes as she listened closely to the lyrics that described her life so perfectly.
Nathan held Haley tightly in his arms and almost laughed at the song choice. It was pretty much his and Haley's 'song.'
"Are you listening to the lyrics?" Haley mumbled.
Nathan smiled softly. "Yeah. Leave it to Brooke to pick this song."
"I like it." Haley said simply.
Nathan didn't say anything, but just looked into Haley's deep brown eyes. He never thought they would be in this moment. When they were 18, he assumed they'd always be together, but when they broke up he thought he would never see her again, and now, here they were, five years later, dancing to some slow song, and he felt himself getting lost in her completely. He had to fight the urge to kiss her because that would contradict everything he just told her about getting over her and blah blah blah.
"What are you thinking about?" Haley whispered as she drowned in his deep blue eyes.
"The last time we danced like this-"
"At my sister Vivian's wedding..." Haley smiled.
"Yeah." Nathan mirrored her smile. "More Than Anyone' was playing.."
"You said the next time we would dance at a wedding it would be ours..." Haley laughed sadly.
Flashback:
Haley practically dragged Nathan over to the dance floor, who was severely protesting the entire time.
"Hales, do we have to dance?" Nathan whined.
"Yes, because our song is playing!" Haley stated happily.
Nathan listened closely as he heard the lyrics of 'More than Anyone' by Gavin DeGraw played.
"Okay fine but only this song. You know I hate dancing!" Nathan warned.
Haley playfully rolled her eyes and wrapped her arms around Nathan's neck, as he placed his arms around her lower waist.
"You look beautiful tonight Hales." Nathan whispered in her ear.
Haley smiled widely, and pulled Nathan's neck down to her a placed a long hot kiss on his lips.
"I thought you hated PDA." Nathan smirked.
Haley shrugged, a gave him a 'innocent' smile. "Are you complaining?"
Nathan shook his head 'no' and leaned down to kiss his girlfriend again. "How did I get so lucky?" He whispered against her lips.
"It helps that you're hot." Haley giggled.
'I'm serious." Nathan stated. "You're amazing. I don't deserve you."
Haley cupped Nathan's cheek, and looked longingly in his deep blue eyes. "Don't you dare say that Nathan Scott. You are the best thing that ever happened to me. I'm never going to take advantage of you.I do deserve you because I only want what's best for me, and you are the best."
"I'm so crazy about you Haley James." Nathan smiled.
"Good because I'm kind of crazy about you too Nathan Scott."
The couple slowly leaned in for a long, gentle kiss, as they got lost in the music. When air became an issue, Nathan pulled away and brushed Haley's blonde curly hair behind her ear.
"What are you thinking about?" She asked quietly.
"The next time we dance at a wedding, it's going to be ours. And we're going to dance to this song, because it's our song. Okay?"
Haley smiled so wide that her cheeks were beginning to hurt. "Okay." She responded in a giddy voice and pressed a kiss on Nathan's soft lips.
Nathan's eyes diverted to their feet, and frowned. "What did I know? We were only eighteen.."
Haley didn't respond, but instead, she grabbed Nathan tighter and never wanted to let go of him. "Please don't leave tomorrow." She whispered, but he never responded. She wondered if he even heard her...
The song finally ended, and the guests clapped respectively and Nathan and Haley separated as they stood by the DJ booth, anxiously waiting for Brooke and Lucas to make their grand entrance.
"See that wasn't so bad was it?" Haley joked lightly to Nathan.
Nathan placed his hands in his pockets and shrugged. "I guess not."
"Ladies and Gentlemen, can you please put your hands together for Mr. and Mrs. Lucas Scott!" The DJ screamed into the microphone, as the song "Let's Go" by Ne-Yo started playing.
Brooke and Lucas ran out of the doors, hand in hand with giant smiles on their faces, and they made it to the dance floor, as Lucas tipped Brooke back and kissed her hard.
The guests let out loud cheers, and cat whistles while Nathan screamed "Get a room!" and everyone laughed loudly.
The song switched to Brian McKnight's "Back at One" and Brooke and Lucas shared their first slow dance as a couple.
Haley watched them as tears glistened in her eyes at how happy they were. Nathan smiled at the way the couple looked like they were in their own little world, but he quickly glanced at Haley who had a tear streaming down her cheek.
"What's wrong?" He whispered.
"They're so cute together." She gushed.
Nathan just chuckled, and when the song ended he clapped happily.
The DJ announced that the dance floor was open for everyone now, and Nathan made a beeline toward the bar.
Haley sighed as she watched his figure disappear, and she gasped lightly when she felt a hand on her arm.
"Earth to Haley!" Chase laughed.
Haley looked over at Chase and smiled. "Sorry, I didn't see you there."
"So, that dance with Nathan was..."
Haley couldn't help but smile. "Perfect." She finished.
Chase laughed, "Yeah, you could have fooled me. You totally looked like a couple, and that song fit you guys perfectly."
Haley sighed, "Yeah well, he clearly didn't think the same way as me, considering he pretty much bolted away from me the second he got the chance."
"He was probably nervous around you because you brought back feelings, I promise you though that if we stick to my plan he'll be crawling back to you in no time!" Chase grinned.
"I doubt it." Haley said sadly.
"Hey, be positive!" Chase advised. "Now come on, dance with me."
Haley let Chase drag her back to the dance floor, as he put his arms around her waist and playfully spun her around as they danced to "Safe and Sound" by Capital laughed wildly as she sung the lyrics to Chase and she swayed her hips back and fourth to the beat. Chase looked up to find Nathan nursing a can of beer and glaring at him. Chase smiled smugly and pulled Haley closer to his body, swearing he saw a vein pop in Nathan's head.
Nathan's jaw tightened as he watched Haley dance happily with that tool, Chad, or what ever the hell his stupid name was. He chugged his can of beer and glared into Chase's eyes.
He suddenly felt a small hand on his knee and he looked up to see Alex smiling at him.
"Hi." She purred.
Nathan smiled at Alex and put his hand around her waist. "You want something to drink?" He asked.
"Vodka. Straight." She smiled sultry. "It makes me frisky." She winked.
Nathan's mouth fell open slightly ajar and smirked and quickly went to order a vodka for Alex and a couple of tequila shots for himself.
"So what's your story with that Holly girl?" Alex asked as she took a long gulp of her beverage.
"I told you, we're old friends." Nathan lied.
'Bull shit." Alex called his bluff. "I don't believe it."
Nathan took a shot of tequila and sighed. "Alright fine. You caught me. We met when we were eighteen and I fell in love with her."
"She friend zoned you? Harsh."
Nathan chuckled. "No, we dated for the entire summer, and I made the mistake of telling her I loved her the day before I left for college." Nathan explained.
"So then what happened?" Alex questioned.
"She told me to leave, and we never saw each other again after that, and I basically just gave up on love completely." Nathan muttered. "I guess I just never got over her, no matter how much she hurt me."
"I'm sorry Nathan. That really sucks. You don't deserve a girl like that." Alex said simply.
Nathan shrugged, "She was my whole world."
Alex followed Nathan's gaze to where Haley and Chase were dancing, and she frowned.
"I'm sorry." Was all she could say.
"I should be happy that she's happy, but it's killing me." Nathan strained.
"Did you bring me as your date to make her jealous?" Alex asked.
Nathan looked at Alex and furrowed his brows. "I'm sorry-"
Alex smiled, "Hey, it's fine. I understand."
"No I feel like an ass. I shouldn't have done that-"
Alex rested her hand on Nathan's chest. "It's a good thing I'm an actress, right?" She winked. "If you want to make her jealous, then let's do it!"
Nathan smirked, "Really? I don't want to use you-"
Alex rolled her eyes, "I don't care. I've been used before, and believe me I use guys all the time. So whatever you need me to do, just let me know."
"You know, I think I can really like you." Nathan smirked.
Alex laughed and flirtatiously tossed her hair over her shoulder. 'I'm pretty likable, and do-able." She smirked.
"Oh really? I might have to take you up on that offer tonight."
'I know your reputation Nathan. Love 'em and leave 'em right?" Alex asked.
Nathan licked his lips and gulped, "Uhh.."
Alex laughed, "I like it that way too. And believe me, if this jealousy thing doesn't work- I know something else we can do to heal the pain." She winked.
Nathan laughed and took another shot of tequila.
"So let's make this bitch something to be jealous about!" Alex said as she grabbed Nathan's shirt collar and pulled him in for a frenzied kiss.
Haley and Chase were dancing, when suddenly she noticed Chase's eyes widen.
"What?" Haley asked.
"Whatever you do, don't look behind you." Chase warned.
Haley laughed but was curious as to what Chase meant and she made the mistake of looking behind her anyway.
"Oh My God." She muttered as she felt tears spring behind her eyes.
Nathan rested his hands on Alex's ass, and kissed her back with as much force as she initiated it with.
'Is it working?" He asked.
Alex peaked over Nathan's shoulder and smirked. "Yup." She whispered and ran a hand through his hair.
Haley bit her lip as she starred at Nathan and Alex's make out session.
"I can't believe this!" Haley spat.
Chase frowned and pulled Haley to him, as he met her lips and kissed her.
'What the hell are you doing?" Haley pulled away from the kiss.
"Making him jealous, shut up, and pretend you like it." Chase joked and Haley reluctantly kissed him back.
"This feels wrong." She whispered.
Chase opened his eyes and looked over to the bar where Alex and Nathan were still kissing. "No. That's wrong." He said referring to Nathan and Alex.
Nathan pulled away breathlessly from Alex. "Wow." He smirked. "That was kind of hot."
Alex smirked and popped a pretzel in her mouth. "It totally worked too."
Nathan smiled and looked over at Haley, expecting her to be crying, but his smile fell when he noticed Chase's hands in a risque part of Haley's body, and their lips were locked.
Nathan seethed and his fists automatically balled at his side. "I'm going to kill that piece of shit!" She mumbled angrily.
Alex placed her hand on Nathan's bicep. "You can't lose it now. Act like you don't care, trust me, girls hate it when guys don't care."
Nathan squeezed his eyes shut, and took a deep calming breath.
Haley pulled away from Chase and looked over at Nathan who was smiling at her. What? He was SMILING? What the hell?
"Why the fuck is he smiling?" Haley asked Chase.
Chase looked over at Nathan, and Nathan waved. "I could have sworn he was just about to kill me." Chase mumbled.
"Maybe he really doesn't care..." Haley muttered sadly.
"He does, he's just doing a really good job of hiding it." Chase responded.
"So now what do we do?" Haley asked.
"Don't worry, we'll figure something out." Chase promised.
Just then, the DJ announced that it was time for the Best Man and Maid of Honor speeches.
"Oh no." Nathan grumbled. "I don't know what I'm going to say."
Alex smiled and kissed Nathan square on the lips.
Nathan furrowed his eyebrows at her.
"Haley was watching." She explained. "Plus, tonight you can get more if you want." She winked
Nathan smiled, "Oh."
"Good luck!" Alex called, and Nathan walked up to the center of the dance floor, while Brooke and Lucas took a seat at their respected table.
Nathan grabbed the microphone from the DJ and took a deep breath. "Okay so uh, I'm not really good with words, so I'm just going to keep this short and sweet." Nathan laughed nervously. "So first off, congratulations Lucas and Brooke. I'm really happy for you guys. Welcome to the family Brooke." Nathan announced, and Brooke cheered happily. "So uh, I don't exactly believe in love." Nathan stated a little coolly as he locked eyes with Haley. "But you guys show me what love is, and I'm really happy that you guys found each other. I hope maybe one day, someone could love me the way you guys love each other. I remember Lucas telling me all about his crush on Brooke Davis, and how she was the one for him. I always made fun of him, because how could you be in love so young? Little did I know he would actually marry her. So way to go Luke. I'm happy that you're happy and you get to spend the rest of your life with the love of your Brooke right, and Brooke don't break his heart because I don't want to deal with him brooding." Nathan laughed. "I expect you guys to give me a lot of nieces and nephews to spoil, because there's no way in hell I'm ever having kids. So again, congratulations, and have a great honeymoon! I love you guys!" Nathan toasted, and everyone clapped loudly. "So um, I guess it's my turn to announce the maid of honor, Haley James." Nathan said quietly, and Haley walked over to him and grabbed the microphone, muttering a small 'Thank you'.
"So unlike Nathan, I am a strong believer of love." Haley started off. "Some times, it takes a while for people to realize they're in love, but not with Lucas and Brooke. I'm pretty sure they invented the expression 'love at first sight.'" She joked. "I remember Lucas fawning over Brooke ever since he saw her. We were thirteen and he came to my house one day and said 'I'm in love', and I just laughed in his face. I'll never forget it. He said 'Brooke Davis is beautiful, and I want to marry her.' Then I remember Brooke being obsessed with Lucas and how 'hot he is'. So I set them up, since I knew both of them, and now here we are almost ten years later, at their wedding! I would like to take full responsibility for their relationship because god only knows Lucas would never have the balls to talk to Brooke if it wasn't for me." She laughed along with the rest of the guests. "So love is a powerful feeling. I think Love conquers all. Brooke and Lucas have a rare and life long love, and I'm extremely happy they can be together. I hope I have a love that is half as good as theirs. You see, Brooke and Lucas were each other's first loves. No one ever forgets their first love. I can only hope that I end up with my first love, just like they did." She said as she looked at Nathan. "So again, Congratulations for the happy couple. I love you both more than anything!" She finished, and the guests stood up to clap loudly. Haley blushed, and Brooke ran up to her and squeezed her in a tight hug.
Brooke snatched the microphone from her and smiled. "Everyone, please give it up for my best friend Haley James! She's not only beautiful and an amazing speaker, but she also sings, so with out further ado, please put your hands together as she sings us a song."
Haley blushed and grabbed her guitar as she took a seat on a stool set up in the middle of the dance floor.
"Okay so Brooke pretty much forced me to sing against my will." She joked. "So I didn't really have time to write a happy love song so instead I'm going to sing a song that I wrote a few months ago, and I've never played it to anyone yet, so I'm kind of nervous-"
"Just sing already!" Brooke screamed.
Haley laughed and began to strum the opening of her song. The entire reception hall had their eyes on her, as they listened to her empowering voice.
Last night I heard my own heart beating
Sounded like footsteps on my stairs
Six months gone and I'm still reaching
Even though I know you're not there
I was playing back a thousand memories, baby
Thinkin' 'bout everythin' we've been through
Maybe I've been goin' back too much lately
When time stood still and I had you
Come back, come back, come back to me like
You would, you would if this was a movie
Stand in the rain outside
'Til I came out
Come back, come back, come back to me like
You could, you could if you just said you're sorry
I know that we could work it out somehow
But if this was a movie you'd be here by now
I know people change and these things happen
But I remember how it was back then
Locked up in your arms and our friends were laughing
'Cause nothing like this ever happened to them
Now, I'm pacing down the hall, chasing down your street
Flashback to the night when you said to me
"Nothing's gonna change, not for me and you "
Not before I knew how much I had to lose
Come back, come back, come back to me like
You would, you would if this was a movie
Stand in the rain outside
'Til I came out
Come back, come back, come back to me like
You could, you could if you just said you're sorry
I know that we could work it out somehow
But if this was a movie you'd be here by now
If you're out there, if you're somewhere, if you're moving on
I've be waiting for you ever since you've been gone
I just want it back the way it was before
And I just wanna see you back at my front door
And I say come back, come back, come back to me like
You would before you said it's not that easy
Before the fight, before I locked you out
But I'd take it all back now
Come back, come back, come back to me like
You would, you would if this was a movie
Stand in the rain outside
'Til I came out
Come back, come back, come back to me like
You could, you could if you just said sorry
I know that we could work it out somehow
But if this was a movie you'd be here by now
You'd be here by now
It's not the kind of ending you wanna see now
Baby, what about the ending?
Oh, I thought you'd be here by now
That you'd be here by now
When she finished the song, everyone stood up whistling and clapping, while Nathan stayed planted in his seat with his eyes wide open. He knew that song was about them. Did she really just sing this in front of everyone? She pretty much just poured her heart and feelings out. Or was he just reading into it too much? Nathan had no idea what to think or so, so instead he just took a long shot of whiskey.
"ENCORE!" A guest member called out.
Haley blushed, and Brooke nodded. "Another song!" She screamed.
Haley bit her lip, "Um okay, but it's kind of about a break up..."
"Just sing! You're amazing!" Brooke's cousin screamed.
Haley smiled and decided to play another one of her songs she had written not to long ago.
"I call this one, 'All We'd Ever Need."
Boy it's been all this time
And I can't get you off my mind
And nobody knows it but me
I stare at your photograph
Still sleep in the shirt you left
And nobody knows it but me
Everyday I wipe my tears away
So many nights I've prayed for you to say
I should've been chasing you
I should've been trying to prove
That you were all that mattered to me
I should've said all the things
That I kept inside of me
And maybe I could've made you believe
That what we had was all we'd ever need
My friends think I'm moving on
But the truth is I'm not that strong
And nobody knows it but me
And I've kept all the words you said
In a box underneath my bed
And nobody knows it but me
But if you're happy I'll get through somehow
But the truth is that I've been screaming out
I should've been chasing you
I should've been trying to prove
That you were all that mattered to me
I should've said all the things
That I kept inside of me
And maybe I could've made you believe
That what we had was all we'd ever need
It was all we'd ever need
Oh, I thought it was all we'd ever need
I should've been chasing you
You should've been trying to prove
That you were all that mattered to me
Oh, you should've said all the things
That I kept inside of me
And maybe you could've made me believe
That what we had, boy
Oh, that what we had, what we had, it was all we'd ever need
It was all we'd ever need
Nathan couldn't take it anymore so he stood up and rushed outside. Haley looked up and saw him make a dash for the exist, so she quickly thanked everyone and ran after him.
"Nathan!" She called after him as he continued to walk down the sidewalk.
"Nathan!" She tried again.
Nathan heard her but didn't answer, so he continued to walk away.
Haley huffed and decided to run after him. She finally caught up and she grabbed his suit jacket. "Nathan, please talk to me!"
"I have nothing to say to you Haley!"
"Why did you leave?" She panted.
"Because I need to clear my head."
"Why?" Haley pressed.
"Because I'm confused as hell!" Nathan sighed. "I don't know what to think any more. You show up with a date, you say you're going to miss me, you make out with that tool bag, and then you sing about how you want us to get back together! What are you trying to do to me Haley?"
"I want you back Nathan." Haley said.
Nathan threw his hands in the air. "Are you kidding me?"
"No. I'm serious. I'm done playing games. I want to be with you Nathan. You promised me always and forever, and I want that!"
Nathan ran a tired hand through his hair. "I tried to get back together with you Haley, but you brought someone else. I can't keep playing games like this. You're killing me. My heart can't take it anymore."
"I don't want to play games either, and that's why I'm telling you I want to be with you. I really think we can make this work. We aren't kids anymore, Nathan. I want you."
Nathan sighed, "Why couldn't you tell me this a few years ago, when I needed you to say it?"
"I don't know I was just young and scared and it took me five years to realize this but I lo-"
"Don't say it." Nathan interjected. "Please, I can't take it."
Haley pulled Nathan close to her and looked into his deep blue eyes, "What we have is special. I don't care what you say, that summer was not just a fling. We would've been able to move on if it was just a fling, but I never moved on and I know you didn't either, so why are we even fighting this? When we danced tonight-"
"It meant nothing Haley-"
"Stop lying to yourself!" Haley shouted. "You know it meant something. We belong together Nathan, and I'm going to fight like hell until you realize it too."
"I'm leaving tomorrow Haley. My life is in Charlotte now. I'm sorry, you had your chance and you blew it."
Haley felt the tears springing behind her eyes and it slowly cascaded down her cheek.
Nathan saw the small tear and he could see her heart breaking. In the beginning of the night he wanted to break her heart just like she broke his, but now standing in front of her he couldn't do that. He couldn't deny his feelings either. He slowly leaned down and captured Haley's lips in an earth shattering kiss. The stars were twinkling in the sky, and the moon was shining bright over them. It was the perfect setting, and just like in Haley's song- it was really like a movie.
Haley reluctantly pulled away, her eyes still shut, afraid that if she opened them, it would be just a dream. "That was..." She began.
Nathan sighed. "So wrong, but felt so right?" He offered, and Haley opened her eyes and nodded.
Haley bit her lip and glanced toward the hotel where the party was being held. "Listen, I have to go back to the party, but tonight, I'll be in room 323, if you want to um, drop by..."
Nathan only meekly nodded and watched as she made her way back into the hotel. He took a deep breath, and glanced up at the sky, hoping there would be some kind of answer there.
The rest of the party went by in a blur, and finally Chase came up to him at the end.
"Hey man I just wanted to let you know Haley and I aren't together. I only was here to make you jealous, and right now she's in her hotel room crying because she think's you're leaving tomorrow so if I were you I would go an talk to her." Chase advised.
Nathan just nodded, and took a deep breath.
When Chase walked away, Alex came strutting over to Nathan and smiled.
"So I'm to my hotel room. It's 324. I expect you to be in my bed. Naked. In five minutes." She winked and then skipped away.
Nathan gulped and squeezed his eyes shut. He walked over to the elevator and sighed.
He could either go to Haley's room and talk to her, and hopefully work things out with her, or he could go with his original plan which was to screw Alex, and forget about Haley.
Nathan walked down the long narrow hotel hallway and stopped at the door. He looked to his right. It was room 323. He looked to his left, it was room 324. He took a deep breath to calm his heart rate. He could only hope he was making the right decision as he turned and knocked on the door.
"Here it goes..." He muttered to himself.
Hahaha so I made the ending purposely like that. Find out next chapter what room he goes in. DON'T HATE ME
thoughts and reviews? Thanks :)