Okay kiddies, you ready for this? The final chapter of "How Do I Get There?". It's sad, I know. This story is definitely my baby and I can't believe it's ending, but I want to thank all of my readers/reviewers, new and old for being completely awesome. You guys are what kept me going throughout this whole story, and I hope that you're proud to have contributed to this story. As always, I have to thank and dedicate this one to Fatima, you have been my rock and my inspiration throughout this process and I'm so lucky to call you my friend. Love ya girly! Just so everyone knows, the flashbacks are in Italics. So without further ado, here is the final chapter of "How Do I Get There?".

(6 months later)

Haley's POV

Okay, so I was never really one for public speaking, so sitting up here, on this stage, it's killing me man. I have 300-something people just staring at me, why are they staring at me?!? Oh, haha yeah…I'm supposed to be talking.

"Faculty, parents, friends and, most importantly, Tree Hill class of 2007, welcome. Today we gather here to celebrate the ending of one chapter and the beginning of the next. Parents, I know you're probably thinking you can't believe how fast time has gone by; students, I know you're probably wishing it would go a little faster." I smile as I pause for the scattered laughter. I grip the edge of the podium a little tighter, attempting to calm my shaking hands.

"And as excited as I am to begin the next phase of my life, I too wish that time would slow, if only for a moment, so that I can take all this in. I look around today and with every face I see, I recall a memory, a story, an inside joke that we once shared. I treasure the last four years I've shared with all of you, even if we didn't really know each other."

I look around again, pausing to catch my breath, which I once again lose when my eyes catch a certain pair of baby blues. Nathan. We have been through so much together, going from friends, to best friends, to being in love. He winks at me, shaking me from my daze, reminding me I still have a speech to finish.

"Before I leave you with my final words, there are a few people I want acknowledge. My parents, of course; without them, I wouldn't be here. Lucas, you and I were destined to be friends, we've been through everything together; Rambo, practices SATs…headgear." I have to stifle a laugh as I watch Lucas' face turn a deep shade of red.

"I love you buddy, and I'm so excited to see what we go through together in the future." I navigate my eyes a few rows up to find a smiling at Jake.

"Jake, what to say about my Jake? I love you so much, you always were wise beyond your years. You're a loyal friend through and through, and I don't know what I'd do without you." I send Jake a wink in response to the 'thank you' he mouths.

"P. Sawyer and B. Davis, my crazy girls. I love both of you. We've had amazing times together, done everything together that best friends should; laugh, cry, cause a little trouble. I don't know where I'd be without the two of you, and I don't ever want to know. Here's to many more years of craziness. I love you girls!"

"We love you too Tutor Girl!" they both shout back, causing everyone in the audience to erupt in laughter. I shake my head and laugh, tears already glistening in my eyes as I turn to the last person on my list.

"Nathan." I start, my voice soft, but strong as I struggle to find the right words. "Nathan, you and I have been through so much together. Who would have thought ten years ago, this is where we would end up? You have been my rock, my inspiration, my guiding light through everything, even in the bad times. I love you more than words can describe, thank you for everything." I finish with a smile, tears threatening to spill as Nathan mouths 'I Love You.'

I clear my throat, smiling at Nathan one more time before turning my attention back to the audience. "Tree Hill Class of 2007, I leave you with these words 'Remember tonight, for it is the beginning of always.' Now…let's do this!" I shout in to the mic with a smile, clapping along with my peers as they yell in excitement.

The ceremony continues on, a few words from Principal Turner, a surprise retirement announcement that leaves everyone in tears, and then, of course, getting our diplomas.

Nathan's POV

I will never forget the way Haley looks as I sit here watching her cross the stage to get her diploma. Her smile wide, eyes glistening with happy tears. She looks beautiful. She is beautiful, and she's all mine. A few months ago, the thought of graduation scared me completely. Not because I feel safer in high school, not because basketball would be that much more demanding or because classes would be too hard. No, my fears all rested on that gorgeous petite blonde that's smiling at me from the stage. But all those fears vanished in one night, prom night.

FLASHBACK (Nathan's POV)

The six of us stand in Karen Scott's living room, posing for countless pictures as the adults go on and on about how they can't believe their babies are growing up.

"And we're all going to be eighty by the time we get to prom if you guys don't let us leave!" Lucas complains for the hundredth time to Karen, who simply snaps another picture.

"Luke man, chill, you sound more excited than the girls about this!" Jake says as he pats Lucas on the shoulder with a laugh.

"I am not! I just wanna go!" Lucas whines, causing everyone to bust out laughing.

"Babe you've been spending way too much time with me!" Brooke exclaims, leaning in with Peyton and Haley for a girls shot. As the adults go to switch out memory cards for what Lucas counted as the third time, Haley turns to face me and I know she can tell something's up, so I pull my eyes from hers, allowing them to roam anywhere but into those chocolate pools.

"Hey you." She whispers, guiding my eyes to hers by softly grazing her hand across my cheek.

I smile back, knowing the smile fails to reach my eyes. "Hey."

Haley's eyes cloud with concern as she tugs at my hand. "Let's go outside for a minute."

I follow silently, amazed that no one notices us leaving. We get on to the porch and Haley wraps her arms around my waist, pulling herself to me. And as if they have a mind of their own, my arms snake themselves around her petite frame.

"Talk to me Nate."

"About what?" I ask, quirking my eyebrow in confusion.

"I don't know, whatever it is that's bothering you, and don't say it's nothing. I've known you since we were 7 and I know you better than most. What's wrong?"

I sigh, a sweet but sad smile playing at my lips as I gently sweep a stray piece of hair behind Haley's ear, letting my hand linger against her soft cheek.

"I don't want to ruin your evening; can we talk about it later?" I ask, the desperation in my voice evident, pleading with my eyes for her to drop the subject.

Haley lets out a soft sigh, standing on her tip toes to become eye to eye with me. "Yes, but we will talk later."

I nod. "Thank you. You look beautiful, did I tell you that?" I ask, attempting to cover up the worry on my face by sending her one of my signature Scott smirks.

"Only about half a million times." She says with a smile. "But I guess it wouldn't hurt to tell me one more time."

"Well then, you look beautiful." I say, letting out a low laugh before dipping my head to capture her lips in a sweet kiss. We pull apart when we hear the click of a camera.

"KAREN!" Haley shouts embarrassed, her cheeks turning a light shade of pink.

"What?!? You two just looked so cute!" She shrugs with an innocent laugh. "Now come back inside so we can finish the group pictures before Lucas has a cow."

END FLASHBACK

Haley's POV

So you can't see me, but I'm smiling. And not just one of those 'I'm a normal happy teenager' smiles. No, this is a 'I'm in love with life and so freaking happy and who knew it was possible to be this in love' smile, yeah and Nathan's got one to match.

We're standing here on the beach, as Brooke's giving the commencement speech to kick off our school sponsored post-graduation party. Nathan's standing behind me, arms tightly wrapped around my waist, and I've never felt safer in my life.

"Okay guys, so I stood on this beach at the end of last summer telling you to enjoy your senior year, who knew it would've gone by so fast? But it was great and now here we are, GRADUATES!" she pauses for a moment to allow the group of excited teenagers to yell and scream.

"Yeah, but tonight, we celebrate four years together. Four years of drama, teachers, homework, kick ass basketball, friends, first loves, first…times." Brooke laughs out, her eyebrow kinking in that classic Brooke Davis way.

"So to help kick off the night we have a special treat. Your valedictorian, one of my bestest friends, Haley James!" Brooke yells, waving me towards the stage.

I turn in Nathan's arms, reaching up to place a kiss to his lips as he whispers good luck to me. I run up to the stage, crashing Brooke into a hug.

"Hey! So, this is a song I wrote especially for tonight, and it goes out to my favorite five people in the world; I love you guys." I say into the microphone as I situate myself at the keyboard. I take a deep breath and close my eyes, smiling slightly at the memory of the last time I did this.

FLASHBACK (Haley's POV)

"Haley come on! PLEASE!" Peyton begged, pulling my arm to towards the stage.

"You guys no way, I got my fill of that last time." I exclaim, shaking my head and grasping Nathan's hand tighter to fight Peyton's pull.

"Tutor Girl, do this for us please please please! It's our senior prom, you have to sing!" Brooke exclaims, now helping Peyton in her efforts to dislocate my shoulder.

"Nathan! Tell them I don't want to." I say exasperatedly, turning to him with pleading puppy dog eyes.

He looks at me, and inside, I'm doing a victory dance because I know I've won. Gotta love the puppy dog eyes, it gets 'em every time.

"You guys, leave her alone." He says, pulling my arm away from the girls and wrapping his around my waist protectively.

"No fair!" Brooke exclaims, reaching for me as I stick my tongue out at her. "She used the puppy dog eyes!"

teehee, I win!

I simply shrug as the two girls go off to find their guys, who will probably get their ears talked off. Nathan waits until the girls are a safe distance away before turning me around in his arms so that I'm facing him.

"Why thank you kind sir!" I exclaim with a satisfied smile.

"Nu uh Hales, you knew you weren't going to get away with it that easy." He says with a shake of his head.

"Nathan you can't possibly expect me to go up there. Been there, done that!" I whine out, burying my face in his chest as he chuckles at my immaturity.

"Baby, I'm not going to force you to do it or pressure you about it, but you know this is something you should do. Something you want to do. Look how well it went the last time!" he whispers into my hair.

"Yeah, so why mess up a perfect record?" I mutter.

"Hales." He laughs out, but his eyes are serious. He has that look, the one he gets when he knows he's going to win. Damn that look.

I sigh, stomping my foot in frustration. "I don't even know what I would sing."

He smiles at me, the first genuine Nathan Scott smile of the night. "Sing what's in your heart."

I roll my eyes and his smile widens because he knows he's won. He always wins.

END FLASHBACK

Nathan's POV

I watch Haley walk up to the stage, her hands shaking as if she has any reason at all to be nervous. She turns to look out at the crowd one more time, smile widening as our eyes connect.

Time, sometimes the time just slips away
And your left with yesterday
Left with the memories
I, I'll always think of you and smile
And be happy for the time
I had you with me

A smile crosses my face as I recall the many times she sat at her keyboard, practicing that song. There was nothing else I'd rather do on Saturdays than to go to her house, lay on her bed and watch her as she sang.

Though we go our separate ways
I won't forget so don't forget
The memories we made

I turn to watch Peyton's reaction, her eyes shining with tears as she watches Haley. Peyton and Jake both decided to go to Savannah College of Art and Design and Peyton's still coming to terms with the fact that now she is the one leaving.

Please remember, please remember
I was there for you
And you were there for me
Please remember, our time together
The time was yours and mine
And we were wild and free
Please remember, please remember me

Haley's voice soars through the microphone, the power and emotion in it running chills down my spine, the same way it did the last time she sang.

FLASHBACK (Nathan's POV)

I applaud loudly as Haley walks off the stage, handing the acoustic guitar she graced with her hands back to the sound manager. I begin to fight the crowd to get to her, but I'm cut short when out of no where, Brooke and Peyton practically jump her.

"AH! H. James that was awesome! Where'd you get that song from?" Peyton asks, her brain automatically going into musical rolodex mode.

Haley shrugs, a light blush crossing her cheeks. "I don't know, it's just something I wrote. Nothing special."

Brooke stares at her, jaw open. "Nothing special? Singer girl that was kick ass!"

As the girls begin to calm down, the DJ starts playing a slow song. I silently thank Lucas and Jake as they retrieve their dates so that I can have mine.

"Hey you." She says, draping her arms around my neck as we slowly sway back and forth.

"Hey. You were amazing Hales, I'm really proud of you." I say, capturing her lips with mine in a slow, mind blowing kiss. When we pull apart, she nuzzles her face in to my neck, allowing me to take in her sweet smell. We dance like that for what seems forever, and I close my eyes, wishing that we could always be like this. Just me and Haley, always and forever.

As if she senses that I'm worrying again, she slowly lifts her head so that her eyes once again meet mine.

"Can we talk now?" she asks softly, and I know she's not trying to pressure me, she's just worried. I nod silently leading her back to our vacant table, knowing it's not fair to let her worry all night.

We get back to the table and I sit, expecting her to sit across from me, but in true Haley fashion she surprises me by sitting down across my lap.

"What's wrong Nate?"

END FLASHBACK

Haley's POV

Goodbye, there's just no sadder word to say
And it's sad to walk away
With just the memories

I close my eyes as I allow the song to climax, releasing all my emotions. I started writing this song a couple of weeks after prom. The six of us decided to all get together one night and each announce to one another what school we had chosen. After that night, emotions throughout our small group ran rampant, allowing my musical juices to flow in excess.

I open my eyes as I come up to the next phrase of the song, locking eyes with my blue eyed love, knowing I wouldn't be here if it weren't for him.

Who's to know what might have been
We'll leave behind a life and time
We'll never know again

Please remember, please remember
I was there for you
And you were there for me
And remember, please remember me

FLASHBACK (Haleys POV)

I look into his worried eyes, wondering what I can do to make them shine with their normal happiness.

"Nathan?" I ask again.

"I'm just worried." He states simply, shrugging it off to not be a big deal.

"Really? Cause I would have never guessed." I state with a sarcastic smile on lips.

"Hardy har. Seriously Hales, it's fine, let's just dance and have fun." He says, attempting to move me from his lap but I don't budge.

"First of all, the only kind of dancing you're allowed to do in public with me is slow dance, and you'd look awfully funny doing that to Fall Out Boy. Secondly, you're not fine, talk to me babe." I say, knowing the first statement will make him smile.

"I just…I'm worried about college." He states so softly, I almost missed it.

"What? Why? It can't be your grades, I'm your tutor and you're doing fine. And you're a shoe-in for multiple basketball scholarships." I say, listing off all the possible things that he could be worried about.

"Okay, let me reword this, I'm worried about you." He says, his intense gaze focused upon my face.

"Why are you worried about me?" I ask, still completely confused as to what the problem is.

He sighs, and I know he's frustrated just by the way he rakes his hand roughly through his hair. "Not you, like…you. Just…you, me, us. College, what are we going to do Haley?"

"Oh." I breathe out, finally understanding the situation.

"Like, you're dream is Stanford, mine was Duke but-"

"Was?" I ask, wondering when his dream of playing ball at Duke changed. For as long as I had known him, that had been the plan.

"Yeah, was. I just, I love basketball, and I love Duke. But…I love you more than either. I don't want us to be separated. I don't even like the fact that you sit two rows away in Spanish, I couldn't handle you being 6 states away!" he says, clearly exasperated.

I'm so speechless so I say the first thing that comes to mind. "You counted how many states were between California and North Carolina?"

"Haley!" he exclaims in frustration as his shoulders slump. I smack my palm to my forehead, knowing that was the worst thing to say.

"I'm sorry Nate, I just…I don't know what to say." I whisper softly, unwanted tears slowly filling my eyes.

He sighs, rubbing his thumb across my cheek as a few tears spill over.

"It's okay, I just…please tell me you've thought about this." He says.

"Of course I have, I just try to push to the back of my mind so I don't constantly worry about it, but yeah…I've thought about it a lot." I say.

"Well? What do you think? I have no problem going to California with you, I'd just have to go to a community college. Even with a sexy ass tutor, my grades aren't good enough for Stanford." He says trying to lighten the mood.

"Nathan, I love you more than anything, but…I don't want you to go to California." I say, swiping the tears from my face only to allow more to fall.

"What?" he asks me breathlessly, pulling away when I try to snake my arm around his neck. "Haley, after all we've been through, ten years of friendship, the 'falling out', our getting together…you don't want to be with me?"

"No, Nathan that's not it, it's just-" I start but once again he cuts me off.

"It's just that what?" he asks, the pain and confusion evident as his voice quivers.

"It's just that if you go to California then we'll still be six states away from each other, 'cause I'll be at Duke." I say as a small smile breaks through my tears.

"Damnit Haley. I don't under…wait, what?" he asks, shock written all across his face.

"I got my acceptance letter last week, I was going to tell you tonight after prom. I'm going to Duke with you Nathan, I wouldn't survive without my heart." I say simply, and before he can even think of a response, his lips crash on to mine, releasing so much passion that I think had I been standing, my feet would've gone from under me.

END FLASHBACK

Nathan's POV

As I stand there, watching Haley come close to ending the song, I feel two arms snake around mine on either side of me. I look down to find Brooke and Peyton staring up at me, goofy grins on their faces and tears in their eyes. Lucas and Jake are next to them shaking their heads in laughter, but they have the same goofy grin. I chuckle as I pull my arms from the girls and wrap them around their shoulders, placing a light kiss atop each of their heads.

"You two are such pansies." I say to them, receiving a pinch to either side of my chest.

"Shut up Nate. Peyton's still coping with the whole, not going to be here thing and my tears are tears of pride. Our little girl's growing up." Brooke says as she sniffles. Brooke and Lucas both decided upon UNC. Lucas because he wants to be closer to his parents and of course, his awesome brother and Brooke because she wants to be with Lucas.

I shake my head in amusement as I turn my eyes back to Haley who has her eyes closed, putting all she has into the last few phrases of the song.

And how we laugh and how we smile
And how this world was yours and mine
And how no dream was out of reach
I stood by you, you stood by me

Haley slowly opens her eyes, immediately spotting the five of us in the crowd. Her smile widens as she continues to belt out the lyrics, shaking her head softly at the two girls wrapped in my arms. I wink up to her, mouthing 'I love you' which, to my great joy, only makes her smile more. God I love this girl.

Haley's POV

I pull my eyes from Nathan's for the last time, allowing the last phrase of the song to pass softly through my lips, knowing that for five specific people, the words hold so much power.

We took each day and made it shine
We wrote our names across the sky
We ride so fast, we ride so free
And I had you and you had me

Please remember, Please remember

I finnish the song as soft as I started it, lingering at the mic for a moment before pulling back and facing my favorite five people, two of which are crying, two others clapping loudly, while the last one just stands their smiling, pride shining from his eyes as he watches me come down from the stage.

And once again, before I can get to Nathan, the girls pounce. I hug them both back, allowing my tears of happiness to mix with theirs. When we've finally had our moment of girliness, I pull away, searching for that pair of baby blues I just can't get enough of.

"Hey you." He whispers into my ear softly before leaving a kiss there, his hands automatically on my waist.

"Hi." I say, turning in his arms to face him. "What did you think?"

He smiles, a smile that could melt my heart over and over again. "I think all that practicing you did paid off."

"Thank you." I say, feeling a slight blush graze my cheek as he leans down to kiss me.

"So guys, this is it…we're officially out of high school." Lucas says as he walks up to us with his arm wrapped around Brooke.

"Oh shut up Lucas! We still have the whole summer, don't start with that already!" Peyton whines out, causing the rest of us to laugh.

"Haley, correct me if I'm wrong, but wasn't P. Sawyer over here the one counting down the days until graduation?" Brooke asks me with a smirk.

I nod. "Yeah I believe she said 'I get excited about the first day of school because it means that I have one less day that I have to go there.' And that's a direct quote ladies and gentlemen." I say, hiding behind Nathan as Peyton swats at me.

"Shut up you guys!" Peyton says, sticking her tongue out at the two of us.

"Oh come on Peyton, you're going to Savannah, you'll still be close." I say, looping my arm around her neck.

"Yeah I know. I just, all you guys will be closer together, I just don't want you to forget us." She whimpers out, causing Brooke and I to burst out into a round of 'awwws'.

"Peyton Elizabeth Sawyer, there is no way we could ever forget you." Brooke says in a scolding manner.

"Yeah." I start. "I mean, where else would I get my music connections?" I ask jokingly and start running when Peyton comes after me.

She chases me around the beach until Jake catches her and begins tickling her. I sprint safely into the arms of Nathan, who's laughter is dying down.

"Hey." He starts, guiding my eyes to meet him. "I love you. I love you more than anything, and I'm so happy you're going to Duke with me, but are you sure it's what you want?" he asks, his eyes serious once again.

I smile softly, admiring the man in front of me. God I love this boy. I graze the back of my hand across his cheek and I feel my smile widen when he leans into my touch.

"I love you too Nathan, and baby, believe me, I'd go any where with you…just tell me how to get there." I say, and before he can say another word, I pull his face to mine, our lips crashing together, hearts colliding. This is the way I want it, this is the way it'll always be, Nathan and Haley, Haley and Nathan. Always. Always and forever.

Ohhhkkkayy…so that was extremely long. But that's it guys, I hope you like it and enjoyed reading this story as much as I enjoyed writing it. Thanks for all the support and all the feedback, it means the world to me! Fatima, you are a jewel I love you and Sweet Baby James to the moon and back (and back and back…yeah, you know what I'm talking about!)