CHAPTER NINE.
edge of the deep green sea

        NATHAN ROYAL SCOTT HAD FINALLY RETURNED TO TREE HILL AND LOLA HERNANDEZ WAS NERVOUS, TO SAY THE LEAST. She was dreading having the conversation with the boy, afraid their friendship would somehow be ruined if that night was brought up. The girl had even spent the last few hours trying to find the right words and making her brother act as if he were Nathan. Andre finally had enough and told her to face her fears and just talk to the boy.

        So, that's where the girl currently stood, inside Nathan's bedroom as she glanced around the white walls, looking anywhere but at the brunette. Her fingers gripped onto her skirt tightly and if she kept it up, they'd probably turn white.

        Nathan grabbed her hand and pulled her to sit beside him on the bed, "It's okay." His large hand didn't leave her smaller one. "You can talk to me."

        "Okay," Lola hadn't felt this damn nervous in a long time, she hated it. "I know you almost kissed me that night because you weren't in your right head. You just liked actually having somewhere there for you, which is understandable. I really hope this doesn't ruin our friendship."

        His heart almost broke at the words, but he shook those thoughts away, ignoring his stupid brain that tended to get in the way of things. "Of course, not. And you're right, I - I wasn't in my right mind."

        Which was honestly true. She had been there for him, unlike the other people in his life, and something just pushed him to do it. But, a tiny part of him sort of wanted to.

        Lola smiled, practically jumping into his arms. He smelt really good. "Thank god, I was worried for a second there." She went to pull away, but the tightening of his arms caused her to stop. "How was High Flyers?"

        "Pretty good. I made some amazing friends and it felt refreshing being away from my crazy parents." He absentmindedly stroked the side of her right arm with his thumb, shivers running up and spreading through her body.

        She laughed, causing him to genuinely smile, something he hadn't done in weeks. "I'm sure that was the best part about it all besides the basketball bit."

        "How was things here with Lucas and Peyton?"

        The girl shrugged, enjoying the warmth that came from him which was the opposite of her, since her body was always cold. "Sometimes it was alright, but other times, it felt like I was third wheeling. Thankfully, I had my brother to fake call me whenever I needed help."

        Nathan chuckled, "Sounds like Andre. Do you think Lucas and Peyton still love each other?"

        "I'm not sure, to be honest. In my opinion, if you love two people at the same time, which is obviously the case with their triangle thing they've got going on with Brooke, you should choose the second. Because if you really loved the first one, you wouldn't have fallen for the second."

        He hummed, taking her words in. "So, Brooke was the second then?"

        "Technically, he said he dated Brooke first, but has loved Peyton his whole life. So, yes, Brooke is considered the second. And if you think about it, Lucas is probably just in love with the image he has of Peyton in his head. Don't get me wrong, I love Peyton, but it's obvious she's not the right choice. Lucas was her first and Jake was the second, meaning she should just choose him."

        "Wow, you're very observant." He laughed.

        Lola shrugged, "I know. Lucas should either just stick with trying to win Brooke back if that's what he truly wants or leave both girls alone."

.・。.・゜✭・.・✫・゜・。. .・。.・゜✭・.

        Walking alongside the beach for the party, with the moonlight shining down on her, Lola spotted Lucas and Haley sitting together, talking back and forth. Letting out a small sigh, she goes in the opposite direction and bumps right into a hard chest, almost knocking her red solo cup over.

       Looking up, she meets Nathan's hazel eyes and lets out a breath, glad she didn't run into someone she didn't know. "Sorry." She stepped back and noticed the look plastered on his face. "What's wrong?"

       "I talked to Haley today and just not really in the mood to party, but Tim wouldn't shut up about it, so here I am." He stole her cup and started chugging the contents inside, emptying it. "Sorry."

        She just nodded, looking around the place as everyone partied or made out. Peyton was miserable, controlling the music which she finally decided to play something good. Sugar We're Going Down by Fall Out Boy started playing and an idea popped into her head.

       Nathan felt her clutch his hand and he started getting pulled away somewhere. "Where are we going?"

        "Swimming, duh!"

        His eyes slightly widen as they make it to the water, Lola ripping her clothes off and revealing her swimsuit. "Are you sure it's not gonna be freezing?"

        She giggled, "Who cares? You needed a distraction, so here it is." She grabbed the end of his shirt and helped him lift it off. "It'll be fun!"

       The boy looked between her and the water before a grin broke out on his face. "Alright. I'll race you in?"

        But, Lola had already taken off in a head start, causing him to follow after and reach his arms out to grab her waist, throwing the girl over his shoulder as she let out a scream. "It's not nice to cheat, Lola." He suddenly threw her in, the girl plugging her nose before she went under.

        Her head finally reached the top and came out from the water, gasping at the brunette that was in front of her, laughing in her face. She splashed him, ignoring his protests as the boy started doing the same to her.

        Nathan wrapped his arms around her body and carried her Bridal Style, the waves making noise beside them. The water wasn't too cold, but it was enough where they could feel each other's warmth. He planned on dunking her, but that had been completely forgotten once he couldn't stop staring into her eyes. Just as he goes to say something, he's interrupted by a voice calling out to him from the land.

        Lola pulled away from him as the voice registered in her mind. It was Haley. She glanced up at Nathan to see a frustrated look stewed upon his face. "Go, I'll be fine."

        "Are you sure?" He didn't want to have a talk with his ex wife, but he knew she'd never stop trying to get his attention.

        She fake smiled, nodding. "Yeah, I'll just fine Luke or something." She watched him offer a smile before he left the water, walking off with Haley after grabbing his red shirt, his shorts still soaking wet.

        Lola felt stupid in that very moment. She had a freaking crush on her close friend, which was pathetic.

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you guys better vote & comment ur asses off bc i gave y'all some good lathan?? not sure what their ship name is, scenes lmao.