A/N: Hi Everyone! So happy to post the first chapter of 2021. Sorry to leave you for a few months with the cliffhanger! I know many are confused on what really went down, but remember, there is always so much more to a story in Tree Hill. Thank you for your comments and support of this story.

Also, if you're in the US, have you watched James and Stephen's new show "Everyone is Doing Great"? It's dare I say, great? I really enjoyed! It was so sweet and funny and really cool to see their creativity. Stream it on Hulu!

Please enjoy!

…

Chapter 24: A Tree Hill Raven always knows, what you don't say hurts the most. And, tequila.

The group watches Nathan run off, Brooke makes a move to follow him, but Lucas and Haley cry out in unison, "Stop!"

Brooke turns, surprised to find the twosome in agreement.

"Lucas, he needs us," Brooke says, holding back a sob.

"He needs to process," Lucas says. "And so do I."

Lucas walks over to Haley with grave concern. "We need to talk."

Haley nods, looking at the group – Peyton's anger, Jake's shock, and Brooke's pain.

"I'm sorry," she whispers, before following Lucas back out of the woods.

…

As soon as he reaches the edge of the woods, Nathan starts to jog, keeping a brisk pace around the lake, and by the time he's on the path up to campus, he's running. Sprinting. His calves burn. His lungs ache. His eyes brim with emotion as he pushes his way across campus and into the Alumni Residence Hall.

When he reaches his room, he closes the thick oak door behind him, and slides against it onto the floor. It is in this moment, he lets out the first cry, a guttural sound, before allowing the tears to fall. He'd gone over every reason Haley could have left. Every possibility, and he'd be lying if he said he'd never thought his father was involved, but a pay-off? It was too much. He wasn't prepared. It was the most callous thing he could think of, and it broke his heart.

"Nathan?"

Nathan looks up from his place on the floor to find Rachel standing in the bathroom doorway – her face refreshed, her clothes adjusted. She looked nice. He sits up immediately, wiping the tears away with the back of his hand; a much-too-late attempt at composure.

"Rachel, hey."

She takes a few steps forward, sitting on the end of the bed. "You want to talk about it?"

Nathan shakes his head. "Not really."

Rachel scoots over on the bed, hovering over Nathan on his place on the floor. "You want to not talk about it?"

Nathan eyes her, considering the offer. It would be so easy to fall into this distraction. God knows he has time and time again over the last ten years. But as much as he wants to forget, as much as a part of him wants to hurt Haley in this very moment, he knows sleeping with Rachel won't change anything. In fact, it could even make it worse.

"Nah," Nathan says, smiling small-y. "I'm –"

"Too good for her," Rachel says matter-of-factly. It's a statement, not a jab. It's what she believes, which has always been a sweet surprise to Nathan.

"You always say that," he laughs.

"It's the truth."

"Definitely not," Nathan says, coming to a stand. "But I appreciate the sentiment."

"Well, I was actually on my way back down to the fields," Rachel says.

"Me too," Nathan says. "I just needed a minute."

Rachel gets up, walking around him to the door. "Want to head out?"

Nathan shakes his head, emotion bubbling back up before he can speak again, "I still need a minute."

Rachel eyes Nathan, a rare moment of empathy radiating through her. "You know, I'll never understand this connection you feel. I've been jealous of it ever since Haley stepped foot at Tree Hill Prep. But, it's obviously there."

Nathan nods, listening.

"I guess what I'm trying to say is, there's a reason you're hurting right now, Nathan. And have been hurting."

"Because I'm a masochist," Nathan says with a laugh, wiping a stray tear.

"Because you won't settle for feeling anything less."

And with that, Rachel closes the door and leaves Nathan Scott with his feels.

…

Lucas and Haley walk in silence around the lake before finding themselves at the old boat. He lifts it up, finding the stash Haley dipped into last night. Without a word, he picks up the tequila bottle and takes a long, too long, of a sip.

"Lucas, I'm not sure now's the – " Haley stops speaking off his look. He hands the bottle to her. She eyes it, knowing it's probably not in her best interest, but takes a swig anyway. The feel of the tequila in her throat burns almost as much as the pain in her heart.

"Is it true?" Lucas says, before taking the bottle and another swig. "Did my dad pay you to end your marriage with Nathan?"

Haley pauses. The question was direct, the answer a simple yes or no. But the truth was so much more complicated. She answers painfully, "yes."

"Fuck," Lucas says. He takes a seat in the sand against the boats. Haley walks across from him, kneeling to face him.

"It's complicated," Haley says.

"Not really," Lucas bites. "My father offered you money and you took it. And it says a lot about both of you."

"Lucas," Haley says, on the verge of being upset. "There is so much more I want to tell you, you deserve to know, he's your father. But, I need to talk to Nathan first."

Lucas nods, he doesn't challenge that. He takes another swig of the tequila before handing it to Haley –an acceptance of sorts. She takes a drink as he watches, studying who he thought was one of the most honest people he'd ever met.

"You know I've always worn rose-colored glasses when it comes to my dad," Lucas says. "I owe him a lot and he was never as bad with me as he was with Nathan. Their relationship never really found legs, but he always did everything in Nathan's best interest. I've seen it. So this… this surprises me. Like, unfathomable."

"And I'm sorry for that," Haley says. "I really am."

"I know in my gut it's true though," Lucas admits. "Which makes me wonder, what are you hiding? Who are you in all this? Because the Haley James I know… the Haley James Scott I know… she had so much conviction and morals and care. She wouldn't burn her life to the ground."

Haley eyes Lucas, the truth almost escaping her lips. "You're right, she wouldn't. Unless she had a very good reason."

"Time will tell I guess," Lucas resigns.

"I am sorry," Haley reaffirms.

"I know you are," Lucas agrees.

"And don't be mad at Brooke, ok?" Haley pleads, taking a swig of the tequila and passing it off to Lucas. He considers the question long and hard before taking another drink.

"It's not that simple," Lucas says. "She and I, we grew the closest we've ever been helping Nathan through everything. The fact that she knew why you left, sat there with my brother as he cried, and didn't say a word. I can't look at her right now."

"She was protecting you both," Haley says.

"Maybe that's both of your problems," Lucas quips. "You think we can't handle the truth."

"It was most definitely mine," Haley states, looking him directly in the eye. "And it ruined my life."

Haley stands up, extending her hand to Lucas. He grabs it, lifting himself up.

"Time to play some games," Haley states.

"They're getting old," Lucas retorts but follows.

…

The paired events were an absolute mess, so perfectly ridiculous that they could only be devised by Bevin "Master Mind" Mirskey. First a potato-sack relay, followed by a Leap Frog race, and now, Haley sits on a bench at the sidelines, Nathan a no-show, watching as Brooke and Lucas and Jake and Peyton compete in a Dizzy Bat competition.

She watches as Peyton crouches over a baseball bat and spins 10 times before attempting to hit a wiffle ball off a tee to Jake before they can run to the finish line. She very animatedly cannot find her balance and walks with the limber of a milk-drunk baby. It would be funny if all of their moods weren't so sour.

Haley moves her attention to Brooke and Lucas, their coordination gone, their banter cold. She'd never intended for them to be involved in her break-up, and yet, as intrusive as they all were with each other, she probably should have seen it coming. It doesn't make her heart ache any less.

When she and Lucas arrived back, the reception was icy at best, but with some tequila-induced courage, Haley decided to stay. She needed to show them, and herself, she was done with running. So as much as her friends ignored her, and as much as she deserved their silence, she would wait it out.

As she sits watching, Haley's cheeks grow rosy under the North Carolina sun and the warmth of the tequila as it blossoms in her system. What perfect timing for…

"Haley."

She turns in her seat to find Nathan Scott, disheveled and heartbreaking, looming over her.

"Can we talk?" He asks.

Haley nods, surprise in her eyes. She comes to a stand, a little wobble in her step as she gets her bearings. She was most definitely drunk. Great! She finds her stride next to Nathan as they make their way under the bleachers for some privacy. She pinches the skin of her elbow, willing sobriety back into her.

Once under the bleachers, Nathan takes a seat at the end of a metal equipment box. He outstretches his legs into crossed ankles on the ground. It was a casual enough stance, but something about it drew Haley's attention. She eyes Nathan, so aware that he sits before her as a man, not a boy. So capable, and strong, and intelligent, and everything he's always been, but it hits different. The shelter he once had, gone. She could see in the way he carried himself, he'd been through it. And something about that made her realize he could have carried her burden all along.

And it's in this deep thought, under his dark gaze, with the help of the tequila that Haley starts to cry. Standing in front of Nathan Scott, she bawls. She wraps her arms around her torso, hugging herself in an attempt to control the emotion but she can't. It's exhausting.

Nathan watches her, willing himself to get up, to comfort her, to show an ounce of outward sympathy, but he knows for once in his life, he needs answers. And nothing, not even the drop of his stomach at the sight of Haley in pain, can stop him.

"Haley, come sit down. Please," Nathan asks. She nods, holding back a sob, taking a seat on top of the equipment box. She turns to face him, crisscrossing her legs in front of her. He glances at her, but doesn't move to face her head-on.

"Tell me everything," Nathan whispers.

…

It was right before spring break of Senior Year that Haley realized she had never felt so secure in her entire life. The structure of Tree Hill Prep, the independence of living away from her parents, and the support of her friends made her life feel truly hers. For the first time in a long time, Haley James' world revolved around Haley James.

She smiled at the thought, knowing it wasn't completely true. Her world was her own, but her sun, was without out a doubt Nathan Royal Scott. He was so bright, and magnetic, and comforting, and hers. She revolved around him, and he around her, and it was truly inexplicable. He made her hopeful and she made him strong and together they'd weathered her anxieties, his pressures, and their own preconceived notions about each other.

She was in love – not teenage love, not first love, but life-changing love. The kind of love that builds on the smallest of conversations, the silliest of jokes, until you realize the person you're with is equally a part of you. Hardcoded to your DNA. A part of your decisions. A foundation to your world.

Last year, being loved and loving like this would have shut Haley down. But the past year and a half had made her realize life was meant to be lived as a willing participant, not defensively, bracing yourself for when the walls come down.

And once she accepted that, once she heard Nathan say "I love you," and felt the fear in his voice and the excitement beating in his chest, she knew, he was as scared as she was. This was as important to him as it was to her. And she knew in that moment she deserved his love. And he deserved to be loved fiercely. So, fiercely she loved him back.

But there was one thing he didn't know, and one thing she would never tell him. And it killed her every day. The thought of him finding out crept up the back of her spine at all hours, but it was worth the feeling that bloomed in her chest every second she thought about Nathan Scott. Which was, of course, most seconds.

"Hales," Nathan whines, bringing her back to reality. She realizes she's been in a daydream staring out the convertible at the ocean. She turns to him, smiling, bringing her hand to rub the side of his face sweetly.

"So needy," Haley jokes.

"You have no idea," he laughs.

"Mhm," she says. He glances at her, completely at ease. They were driving down to his basketball championship game – the last of his high school career. His dad had convinced Coach Durham that the star player needed to drive separately to clear his head.

They weaved the coastal roads down to Myrtle Beach.

"You ready for tomorrow?" Haley asks.

"I've done everything I can. Win or lose, I'll be happy," Nathan states.

"That's very mature of you," Haley observes. "But I hope you kick their ass."

They both laugh, giddy at the thought.

"But no pressure Twenty-Three," Haley jokes.

He glances at her, amused, his heart beating out his chest. A pressure was building, but it wasn't the game. He knew he'd beat Masonboro Academy in his sleep.

"None at all," he smiles.

"Nope," she smiles back.

They come around a curve to a particularly beautiful stretch of road. Old oak trees fold overhead, Spanish moss hangs from their branches, and a long pier stretches out over the inlet marshes. It made for the most romantic drive, and would make the most romantic stop.

Nathan pulls his Mustang over near the pier.

"What are you doing?" Haley asks curiously.

"Come on," Nathan says. He gets out, jogging around the car to open her door. She gets out and takes his hand, walking beside him down to the pier.

"Well this is perdy," Haley jokes.

"You're such a goober," Nathan laughs, leaning down to kiss her forehead.

They walk to the end of the pier, stopping to lean on the railing's edge, admiring the view. It was beautiful and the salty air whipped across their faces. Everything about this moment was like taking a deep, calming breath.

Which Nathan did, before getting down on one knee. Haley's eyes widen. She grabs the railing tight to stop her knees from buckling.

"Haley James," Nathan states.

"What are you doing?" She whispers.

"Tomorrow, everyone is going to tell me it's the best day of my life. That I've achieved my every dream since I was a kid. And they'll be right," he says, voice shaking. "But it won't be because of basketball. I've spent my whole life waiting to be noticed and loved for no reason but myself. Not for my talent, or my accolades, or my pedigree. I've never felt at home anywhere, until I met you."

"Oh Nathan," Haley says, tears welling. She runs a hand through his hair. "You feel like home to me too."

He smiles from her reassurance, continuing on. "Haley James, you've been a magnifying glass, allowing me to discover myself through your eyes. And it's the person I always wanted to be, but never thought I was capable of."

Haley comes to squat down before Nathan, meeting him eye to eye.

"I love you," she whispers.

"I'm in love with you, Haley James." Nathan sighs. "And I don't ever see that stopping. My feelings for you aren't normal. We're not normal. And I don't ever want to be normal, not with you."

Haley nods, taking in his words.

"Marry me, Hales. Tonight. You're the one I want next to me when all my dreams come true."

Haley gasps, covering her mouth as Nathan pulls out a ring box, the most delicate and ornate ring shimmering in the sunlight.

"Nathan," Haley sobs. "Are you sure? I mean, really, really sure?"

"I've never been more certain of anything in my life," he says, seriously.

Haley smiles.

"I'm serious," he says.

"I know you are," she says, biting her lip. Haley looks at Nathan, at the hope in his eyes and the determination in his stance, and she knows he means this in his bones. And as nonsensical as being a teenage bride feels, and as nonsensical as a whirlwind wedding seems, she knows in her every fiber of being that Nathan Scott is all she needs. Eighteen or not, that fact will never change.

"Hales, say something. I'm dying here," Nathan begs, suddenly unsure. His lips curl up in a playful smirk.

"This is crazy, Nathan Scott. Absolutely crazy," she says.

"I'm aware," he says with a chuckle.

"But love makes you do crazy things. And I love you so much, I don't even know what to do with it sometimes. But right now, I know exactly what to do. And that's say 'yes'," Haley says with a smile.

Nathan's eyes brighten, "Yes?"

"Yes! Nathan Scott, you absolutely hopeless romantic. Yes! Yes! Yes!" Haley says, as he hurriedly puts on the ring and she flings herself into his arms. They topple onto the pier, a knot of entangled limps. Haley peppers his face with kisses before finally finding his lips. The contact is explosive, a newfound energy pouring between them.

When Haley pulls back, Nathan eyes her with stars in his eyes. "Wow."

She leans her chin on his chest, absolutely joyful. "Wow indeed."

"Tonight then. After practice?"

Haley nods in agreement.

"Just you and me."

"Just you and me," Haley beams.

…

"It should have just been you and I, Nathan," Haley starts. "Our marriage was about the two of us. But it never really was just the two of us."

Haley stops, unable to bring herself to say the words. Nathan watches her, his attention fixated on every word.

"What do you mean?"

"Do you remember when we first met, and for a long time after, I would process everything alone?" Haley says, looking up to meet him straight in the eyes. "You'd find me out on the swing."

"Of course," Nathan answers.

"I'm not a private person by nature," Haley admits. "I was forced into a shell of myself. Alone. Until you."

"OK," Nathan states, willing her to continue.

"It's really hard to come back from that. To be totally vulnerable," Haley states. "But you made me want to be. And I tried. I really, really tried."

"Haley…"

"I put you in jeopardy, and that wasn't fair. Your father helped me see that."

"What are you talking about?" Nathan says, frustrated.

Haley shakes her head.

"Haley, please."

"I'm going to be sick," Haley says, jumping off the equipment box and into the grass, puking. The smell of tequila is pungent.

"Are you drunk?" Nathan asks.

"A little," Haley responds, unable to look at him.

And it is in this moment Haley James feels the smallest she's ever felt in her life.