Hi there!
It's been a long, long, long time. For that I apologize. I majorly fell off the OTH wagon. But now I've been thinking about this story a lot, I've read through it three times and I'm ready to write.
Enjoy.
Nathan sat on a bench in the park, drumming his fingers against the seat.
He then remembered Lucas threatening to rip off his hand if he kept drumming his fingers on various surfaces and laughed.
"What's so funny?" Haley asked, breaking his thoughts. She sat down beside him and smiled.
Nathan smiled back. He couldn't believe it took him so many years to notice how beautiful she was.
Then he realized he hadn't replied and was just staring.
"Oh. Yeah. I was just drumming my fingers on the bench, which drives Luke crazy and…yeah. Old habits. You know."
"Right." Haley nodded.
"Yeah."
"So…how have you been?"
"I've been alright. My face is looking normal again."
"That's good. Do you think you and Lucas can finally go a week without any trouble?"
"Maybe. It's not like we go looking for it. Often."
"Promise me you won't do anything stupid to Mark and his friends."
"I promise. You know me Haley."
"That's why I wanted you to promise." Haley laughed.
Nathan laughed too. It was nice to joke again.
"So what have you been up to?" He asked.
"School, college applications, the usual."
"Same."
"How are applications going for you?"
"They're fine. I hate writing essays though. I just hope my grades are good enough, they sucked up until last year as you know. I hope that I can impress the scouts enough to get into a good school."
"I'm sure you will Nate, you're so talented. Any school would be lucky to have you."
"Thanks."
"You're welcome. I'm still really proud of you. Before you hardly even cared about school, but here you are working on college applications."
"Thanks Haley. Not to disappoint you or anything, but…"
"But what?"
"You know… sometimes I think that maybe it would just be easier if I skipped the whole college thing."
"What do you mean?"
"I mean like, try to start a basketball career right after high school. What the hell am I going to do in college anyway? I'm not smart like you or Luke. I don't really know what I would major in, and I would just want to focus on basketball anyway. I sometimes don't see the point."
"Nate you are definitely smart, don't let anyone tell you otherwise. Of course I think college is great and all, but you need to do what's right for you. What do your parents think?"
"I haven't told them. I'm not prepared for the ass kicking my father would give."
"Yeah." Haley grimaced.
"I haven't actually told anyone that I was thinking about that."
"Not even Lucas?"
"Not even Lucas."
"Wow."
"I don't know why I haven't told Luke. I don't think he would be a fan of the idea though."
"Maybe not. He's always wanted to go to school and be able to talk about books and writing all day."
"He already does." Nathan laughed.
"That's true."
"I forget what a nerd he is sometimes."
"Hey!" Haley swatted his arm.
"Hey what?" Nathan grinned.
"Nerds are awesome, okay? I love learning too."
"I guess being nerdy isn't so bad."
"Damn right."
"Haley, can I tell you something?"
"Of course, Nate."
"Sometimes I miss you a lot. It's actually pretty much all the time." Nathan admitted.
"I miss you too Nate. But I don't exactly know what that means anymore."
"I don't understand."
"I think what we had was really special. It was crazy, brave and romantic to go off and get married."
"Yeah. It really was."
"But then sometimes I think it was good to end it. The marriage part at least."
"I just felt so ready to do it."
"I did too Nate. You're always going to be my first love. But I don't think marriage was, or is the right thing for me to do right now."
"We're a little young for it I guess."
"There's just so much I want to do. I mean, people got to hear my music and they loved it. People wanted to know me and to hear what I had to say."
"Listen Haley, I'm glad the tour was good for you and all, but—"
"Nathan I need you to know something." Haley interrupted him.
"Go ahead."
"Me wanting to go on tour was never about anyone but me. It wasn't about wanting to leave you, or wanting to be with Chris. I didn't want either of those things. I just needed to go out and put myself out there, you know? It was an incredible experience."
"I guess it really was."
"And sometimes I think, I might just go and do it again."
"Really? Like after college?"
"After college, during college, I don't know. Maybe I'll put it off a few years. College, I mean."
"Haley, if anyone in the history of the universe needed to go to college it is definitely you."
"Thanks Nate. That means a lot.
"Listen. I should get going. But this was awesome. I'm glad you came."
"Me too Nate. Want to hang out again sometime?"
"If its okay with you. And I guess if its okay with Eric."
"Nate…"
"I'm just saying Haley."
"I wasn't thinking of this as a date or anything…"
"Oh me either." Nathan said quickly.
"Good." Haley said, studying his expression for confirmation that he was telling the truth.
"I just think this is important that we get along. I think you were right when you said its hard to know what exactly missing each other means."
"You do?"
"To be honest…dammit I'm just going to lay it on the line for you. I've been jealous of Eric at times. But then there are other times where I'm happy to be with Theresa and to be doing the regular high school senior thing."
"I know what you mean. Its nice to date and be normal."
"I thought you were dreaming of being a big music star a few minutes ago." Nathan teased gently.
"Hey, I'm not saying I don't want the best of both worlds. Its just a confusing time."
"Very true."
"So what do you think?"
"Hey, I just told you one of my secrets. I think we can at least hang out and be friends."
"I would love that."
"You know what's crazy?" Nathan grinned.
"What's that?"
"I heard some kids at our school got married last year. The guy was a basketball star and the girl was this quiet girl who became a music star."
"That's just nuts!" Haley laughed.
"What a weird town we live in."
"You speak the truth my friend."
"See you later Haley."
"Bye Nathan." Haley said, stepping towards him. She paused for a moment and then hugged him tight.
"Thanks for this."
"Always."
Nathan walked up to his room and saw an unfortunate sight through one of the doorways. Lucas was sitting at his computer, Brooke sitting on his lap, and they were making out.
"Luke! Get a room!" Nathan yelled.
"This is my room." Lucas laughed, blushing a little.
Brooke immediately jumped up and ran over to Nathan, her eyes wide.
"Tell me everything!" She exclaimed.
"It was good. Really good actually."
Silence.
"Come on Nate, I'm dying here." Brooke protested.
"Yeah, are you guys friends or what?"
"We're definitely friends. We had a really good talk about everything."
"Does she want to get back together?" Lucas asked.
"No, not really." Nathan said thoughtfully.
"Are you okay with that?"
"Yeah. Yeah I am. I mean, what did I expect?"
"I'm glad it went well for you." Lucas nodded.
"Oh look at the time, I've got to go to work." Brooke said suddenly, gathering her stuff.
"You do?" Lucas asked.
"Yes. Goodbye for now boyfriend. We'll pick up where we left off later." Brooke said, giving him a kiss and running down the stairs.
"Close the door next time!" Nathan yelled after her.
They heard the front door slam.
"She didn't really have to work did she?" Nathan asked, turning back to Lucas.
"She's probably speed dialing Haley as we speak."
"Girls." Nathan rolled his eyes.
"So…video games?"
"Absolutely."