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I HATE YOU
:: xxx. | till then . . . tree hill

It was graduation day, the next day after the senior party. Everyone had to wake up extra early. A lot was going to happen that day and for starters, Ashely was finally going to have a sit down with Rachel about her leaving so abruptly.

Ashely had spent the night at Brooke and Rachel's place. Everyone was finally waking up at eight in the morning. While Brooke and Rachel were getting ready for the day, Ashely took it upon herself to make a quick breakfast run to Karen's Café.

She was just walking into the house when she heard footsteps coming down the steps. Rachel was in shorts and tank top when Ashely walked into the kitchen with two small bags in her hands. As the blonde set them on the counter, Rachel pecked her girlfriend's cheek with a smile.

"Morning, sweetheart."

Ashely lightly smiled as she began to take the food and coffees out the bags. She was happy to be there but she was still upset at Rachel who definitely noticed the change of mood in her girlfriend.

Rachel jumped and sat on the counter, gently taking Ashely's hand, "Hey, what's wrong?"

Ashely sighed as she looked up to Rachel, "You're leaving today and you didn't talk with me about this. I really thought we were passed that."

"We are." Rachel nodded.

"Then why didn't you talk to me about this? I feel like it's happening all over again. I love you but I'm leaving." Ashely continued, "Then what? You're going to come back after years and expect me to be waiting for you?"

Rachel jumped off the counter, "I'm sorry for not talking to you but there's nothing for me here."

Ashely scoffed, "Let me know when you see the bigger picture."

The blonde grabbed her coffee and then headed out, leaving still very angry and Rachel confused in the kitchen.

Soon enough Brooke came down. Halfway through their talk, Brooke stood on the steps listening. She didn't want to interrupt but she also wanted to know what was going on between her friends.

Brooke sat at the island as Rachel sipped her warm coffee, "Y'know, Ashely has a point."

"Yeah and what's that?" Rachel's tone was a bit snarky.

"You should've spoke with her. The bigger picture? Other than me, you have friends that want you to be there on their day." Brooke briefly paused, "Or maybe it's because you're scared that you'll mess it up with Ashely in the long run so it's best to do it now because it's too go to be true."

"I want her to be happy." Rachel whispered.

"And she is — with you." Brooke stood up, "Learn to trust yourself with her. And I would recommend not leaving." Brooke lastly said before retreating back upstairs to get dress for the day.

Rachel on the other hand, continued to stand in the kitchen. She was sinking in every word Brooke said and the burnette was right. She has to be there for her friends but she was iffy about leaving or not.

• • •

Graduation was now less than two hours away. A lot of people were still getting ready, getting off the plane or just arriving to get the good seats. As some people were walking into the school, Brooke Davis was making her way in as well. She was heading to principal Turner's office.

She approached his office and lightly knocked on his door. He announced it was open and so Brooke opened the door, stepping into the room. What she was about to do, could risk a lot of things for her but she figured it was worth it because she wouldn't have this secret weighing her down anymore.

"Ah, miss Davis, what brings you by?" Principal Turner questioned from behind his desk.

She took a deep breath, "I have something to confess. I am taking full responsibility and will accept any consequences."

"Does this have to do with the tutoring center?"

"Yes, sir." She nodded.

He nodded slowly, "I appreciate your honesty but it's graduation day."

She was a little surprised, "So that's it?"

"I'll see you out there, miss Davis." He gave her a small smile.

Brooke turned on her heels and exited the office, still a bit stunned. She gets to graduate, no consequences and she's relieved because she told the truth. What better day was there than that day? For Brooke, there wasn't so far.

• • •

Rachel ended up staying for the graduation. She sat in the audience behind all the graduates with Ashely and Alexa. They watched their friends walk across the stage and get their diplomas. Just before principal turner passed the mic to the valedictorian, he had one last thing to say.

He spoke into the microphone that stood on the podium, "Before I pass the mic to our valedictorian, I am happy to say that there is one more person graduating today. That person is Rachel Gatina. Would you please come up and accept your diploma?"

Claps erupted through the atmosphere and cheers. Alexa even had a smile on as she clapped for her friend's girlfriend.

Rachel stood up and headed down the aisle to the stairs of the stage. She walked up them and approached principal turner who held her diploma in one of his hands. The two shook hands he gave her the roll up.

The redhead smiled and mouthed thank you before exiting the stage and walking back to her seat. On her way back, she looked to Brooke and she knew Brooke did something but she wasn't mad about it. Maybe she thought it was stupid because Brooke risked everything, but that didn't stop her from smiling at her crazy friend.

After about a couple of minutes, valedictorian, Haley James-Scott began her speech. She talked about the past, future, and present. She continued to talk about those that were lost and what tomorrow would bring. However, during her speech, Haley began to feel a bit of pain. She thought it was nothing at first, then she felt her water brake on stage.

"I'm sorry everyone, but I think I'm having my baby . . . "

Nathan stood up with a smile on face and Haley just shrugged with a nervous expression.

Soon enough, Haley was put into an ambulance and Nathan drove with her to the hospital. Just as they left, everyone else did too. All of Nathan and Haley's friends took their vehicles to the hospital as well to be there for the two.

• • •

The whole gang sat in the waiting room for any news. As they all sat in silence, mouth brought up a rather relevant question.

"What's life after graduation?"

Lucas lightly chuckled, "This man. We're all going to be aunts and uncles."

"And some of us are going back where we came from." Rachel mumbled under her breath.

Ashely leaned over and whispered in Rachel's ear, asking her if they could talk privately. So, the two got up and went somewhere to talk. They found a quiet room and walked into it. Ashely switched on the light and closed the door after walking in behind Rachel.

Ashely released a sharp sigh, "You're really going to leave me again? After all this time?"

Rachel pinched the bridge of her nose, "You're going back to school, ash. I'm not going anywhere."

"Then come with me!" She blurt out.

"To England? Cramped up in a small room with you and Nicole down the hall?"

Ashely sighed, "I don't know what else to say, rach. I love you and I want us to work and it's not going to if you're on the other side of the world." She concluded, "Why are you rooting against us?"

"Because this doesn't feel real. It never did for me." Rachel admitted, "I know it's real, but this just seems like it's too good to be true."

"Hate to break it to you but this is very much real and true." The blonde shook her head, "Can't get rid of me that easily — not again."

"You really want me to come?" Rachel stepped forward a bit.

Ashely moved forward as well, "More than anything."

"Ok, then." The redhead practically whispered.

The two were so close to each other now and even though they wanted to do just more than kissing right that second, they knew their friend had a baby on the way. So the two exited the room and rejoined the group out in the waiting area.

So when they approached their friends, Chad stood up from his seat next to Peyton.

"So, everything ok?" He looked between his sister and Rachel.

Rachel grabbed Ashely's hand, "We're good."  She passed Ashely a smile which the blonde happily returned.

Before anyone knew it, Nathan came running out, "It's a boy."

Everyone shared smiles with one another, before they all followed Nathan to the room where Haley and her son waited. It was all around a happy moment.

Haley and Nathan just had their baby, everyone graduated, and Brooke and Peyton were going to Los Angeles.

Then there's Rachel and Ashely who made it through thick and thin. They know life is going to send tons of curve balls their way but they loved each other so much that it didn't matter what they are because they were going to try and make it through together.

I guess it was clear to say that Ashely didn't really hate Rachel anymore.

a/n:
and that's it !! however,
there is one more story &&
im excited that you all
get to read the completed
series very soon.

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