CHAPTER SEVENTEEN.
hard to face reality

        THE SKY TRIED, BUT FAILED MISERABLY, to cheer up the loved ones of Keith Scott as they stood around his grave. Once everyone heard about him dying at the hands of Jimmy, they all reacted the same: heartbroken. Keith Scott was pretty much like the father-figure people needed in their life's, if someone needed certain advice, they'd go to him and he knew exactly what to say. It's definitely hard to face the truth of him truly being gone.

        Lola's arm was wrapped around Nathan's, the two trying to look anywhere besides the Preacher as he talked. The couple both hated funerals in their own different ways and they were glad to have each other for support. No one knew about them being together and at first, they weren't going to tell people, but now it seemed not as important to keep it a secret.

       "Oh, that I had the wings of a dove, I would fly away and be at rest. My companion attacks his friends, he violates his covenant. His speech is smooth, yet, war is in his heart. But you, oh, God, will bring down the wicked into the pit of corruption. Bloodthirsty and deceitful men will not live out half their days. As for me, I trust in you. And now we ask for the strength to navigate the stages of our grief as we lay our brother Keith to rest."

        Lola watched Lucas walk up to Keith's grave, sprinkling dirt upon the top. His face was neutral, but it was obvious how many different emotions had been swimming inside his head at that moment. Her heart clenched in pain for her best friend, wishing she could do something to help him.

        Nathan had been next in line and once he was done, he grabbed Lola's hand inside his and squeezed lightly. She brought the right one to her lips and kissed it, offering him a smile as his eyes looked upon her's.

        Grief is a bitch and Lola knew all about it. Too much.

        The two left once the others did too and they went back to Nathan's house. Dan and Deb were too focused on their own grief to question their son on his new girlfriend and he was relieved he didn't have to explain while still in mourning of his uncle.

        Lola looked at herself through the mirror, noticing black smudge underneath her eyes. With a sigh, her eyes move to Nathan who sat on the bed, watching her. "Could you come unzip me?"

        He didn't say anything, crossing over to her, hands going around her shoulders to hung the short girl from behind. Warmth spread through his body and he wished he could stay like that forever. "I love you." The words blurted out from his lips before he could stop.

        "What?" Lola whispered, eyes wide as she looked at him through the mirror. "What'd you say?"

        No turning back now, he thought. "I love you, Lola. Yesterday was a terrifying thing for me, I didn't know if you were safe or hurt and once I saw you in that classroom, I just knew it. And I need to say it now, so if something else happens, you'll know."

        "No one has ever told me that before." She admitted, tears springing in her eyes. This time, the black haired girl didn't care if they fell.

       "I'm glad to be the first then," His head went down to her height and pulled her into a kiss. "You don't have to say it right away if you're not ready."

        She nodded, sharing one last kiss with him as he unzipped her black dress.

.・。.・゜✭・.・✫・゜・。. .・。.・゜✭・.

        After having a long talk with her brother on whether she should talk to Lucas or not, Lola stood outside the blonde's house, waiting for him to open the door. The girl wanted to see how he was doing since she knew exactly what he currently went through. She has Nathan's hoodie on, the cold wind blowing her hair everywhere as she stood patiently. A few moments pass by before she's faced with the boy and as soon as he sees who the person is, he slams it in her face.

        With a gaping mouth hung wide open, the girl grabbed the handle and twisted it, immediately walking into the boy's room where he sat on his bed, a look of annoyance plastered onto his face the second he caught sight of her. "What's your problem, Luke?"

        "What's my problem, what's yours, Lola? Someone died and you're just walking around, holding hands with Nathan, all happy and smiles like nothing even happened. What kind of person does that?"

        She blinked, watching him as he frantically moved his hands around back and forth. "I know someone died, alright! Two people died in that hallway, Lucas. I know it hurts, I've been there, but I can't stop living my life just because of this."

        Lucas shook his head, "It's not even that. It's also the fact that you're with Haley's husband! They were going to get back together and I bet you just stepped in and begged him to be with y—"

        A slap echoed throughout the room, Lucas' head whipping to the right. Lola couldn't believe what she was hearing, after everything they'd been through, he actually thought that low of her.

        "I can't believe you'd think that way about me. You, the first person I ever befriended in this town. Well, you can kiss that friendship goodbye now, Lucas Scott." She moved over towards the door and opened it, not looking back to say her next words. "If you ever wanna man up and apologize to me, you'll know where to find me."

        Who knew Dan Scott's genes were so strong that he spewed out his long lost twin.

.・。.・゜✭・.・✫・゜・。. .・。.・゜✭・.

        Brooke Davis had the idea to bring all of the students that went to Tree Hill High together for a large party in the school hallways. Lola didn't want to be there at first, but after a few drinks entered her system, she felt better about the idea around her best friend's plan. Now, herself, Nathan and Brooke all sat in a classroom together after the brunette insisted that she needed to give them something.

        "Okay. So, I've heard all about your new relationship and I'll admit, I was a bit skeptical about it at first, but after seeing the way the two of you look at each other, I decided to give you this." Brooke reached into her pocket and grabbed a set of keys. "It's always been your place, Nathan, and I think you should have it back. So now, if the two of you ever need some alone time together, you have it."

        Nathan accepted her gift with a beaming smile, "Thank you, Brooke. It means a lot."

        "You have no idea how much." Lola took ahold of her friend's hand and squeezed. At least I still have one friend left, she thought.

        "I love you guys." Brooke pulled them into a hug, not caring about the large table that was in the way.

        The other two laughed, "We love you too."

        Brooke pulled away and stood up from her seat, "I'm going to check on Mouth, he had a little too much in his drink the last time I was with him."

        Once she was gone, Nathan turned towards his girlfriend. "I can't believe she let me have the apartment back. I did kind of miss it."

        "You won't have the chance of running into Dan as much." Lola nodded, smiling. "I don't wanna bring the mood down, but Lucas doesn't agree with our relationship. He thinks I got in between you and Haley."

        Nathan shook his head, a scoff escaping. "Of course he doesn't. He'll apologize soon after realizing how big of a douche he was, that's what he always does. People used to think I was Dan made over, but it's actually Lucas."

        "As much as I hate to agree with you, you're right. I love him, but he has this tendency of messing everything up in his life. I wouldn't be surprised if he tried to blame it on me, honestly."

        The boy took her hand in his, "Let's not talk about him anymore. How about we go back out there and dance our hearts out, just the two of us."

        "Let's do it."

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okay, quick question! what the hell should i do at the end of this season? it's coming soon and those are the episodes where haley and nathan get remarried & he and lola are NOT going to be doing that. idk what to do with that plot line, so please help! also, nathan did get the keys back to his apartment, but it's just for him only. lola will still live with her brother.