𝐎𝐂𝐄𝐀𝐍 𝐄𝐘𝐄𝐒 | 𝐍𝐚𝐭𝐡𝐚𝐧 𝐒𝐜𝐨𝐭𝐭

𝟏𝟐 | 𝐜𝐡𝐚𝐩𝐭𝐞𝐫 𝐭𝐰𝐞𝐥𝐯𝐞

"I was beginning to think that you had skipped town and left all your stuff." Elena says as Taylor comes in. "What do you care if I haven't been around? You're kicking me out, right?" "Drop the attitude, Tay. You know, you brought this one yourself. You've pulled a lot of crap over the years, but e-mailing Chris as me? I just, I can't believe you'd be such a conniving little bitch."

"Hey, you're the bitch who's kissing a guy who isn't your husband. You need a scapegoat? Fine. Let Nathan think this is all on me but you and I both know the kiss happened." Taylor says as Nathan joins them. "Hey! Have a bear claw, friend." Nathan gives Elena a kiss. "We're celebrating. I'm leaving tonight." Taylor says and there's a knock on the door.

Taylor opens the door to reveal Dan. "Hmm. Upgrade. I'm Dan." "And I'm out of your league." "Want to bet?" "What are you doing here?" Nathan asks and Dan throws a box to Nathan. "That's the last of your stuff. Need to make some room, Lucas is moving in." "Lucas is moving in with you?" Elena asks. "Yeah. Guess I'm not the devil after all. Enjoy your breakfast." Dan says before he leaves.

***

"Alright. We're gonna go out to TRIC. You gonna be here when we get back?" Elena asks. "No, my ride's coming tonight." "Well, where you gonna go?" "Uh, I met some guy starting a surf shop down in the keys. I'll crash their for a while." "And then what?" "I don't know, Elena. I don't think that far ahead." Taylor replies.

"Well, maybe you should." "Oh, like having a plan has worked so well for you." "Well, listen, uh.. it's not much, but.. Here. It's all I've got. I want you to have it." Elena says handing Taylor some money. "Thanks. But this won't make you feel any less guilty about Chris."

***

"Hey!" Elena says as she sees Jake. "Oh, hey!" Jake replies and they hug. "Welcome back." Elena says smiling. "Where's Nathan?" Peyton asks. "Uh... Karen needed some help with boxes." "Oh, well, I'll go help them out. I've been wanting to say hi to Karen, so.. I'll see ya." Jake says smiling and he walks away.

"Hi." Elena laughs. "Hi." Peyton replies. "So... okay, this is gonna sound really weird and groupie but.. I'm a huge Michelle Branch." Elena says chuckling. "Oh." "I was wondering if you could introduce me." "Yes, I will introduce you." Peyton replies laughing.

"Hey, guys, I'm sorry." Peyton says as she interrupts the girls. "Oh, hey." "Uhm.. I just wanted to introduce you to a friend of my. Michelle Branch, Jessica Harp, this is Elena." Peyton introduces. "Hey." "Hey, Elena Davis?" "Elena Davis Scott actually." "Oh, you know what, we've heard a lot about you." "Uh.. I-I don't think that's possible." Elena replies.

"No, our opening act gave you and your friend rave reviews. Haley was it?" "Uh, yeah." "Didn't you?" Michelle asks as Chris comes in. "I said she was okay." He says and Elena looks shocked. Well this is not going to end well. "So.. you're the opening act?" Peyton asks. "Not for long. I'll be headlining soon." "So, Elena uhm.. Chris played us your song with Haley, and him. It sounds really great. You should join him on stage tonight." "Oh, uh, thanks.. but, I don't think, uhm.. I'm just-I gotta head out, but it was really nice to meet you guys." Elena says awkwardly before she leaves. "Nice to meet you too."

***

Chris walks up the stage and the crowd boo's. "What's he doing here?" Nathan asks. "I-I didn't know he was coming. I swear." "You guys still aren't ready for this.. but I'm in a forgiving mood. This one's for you Elena." Chris says before he starts to play.

"Maybe we should go." Elena says, being very uncomfortable. "No, no. I'm gonna waste that guy." Nathan replies and Taylor joins them. "I thought you weren't coming." Elena says. "My ride's running late. Who's the stud?" Taylor asks. "Chris." Nathan replies and Taylor chuckles. "Well, this evening just got interesting." Taylor replies and Nathan walks away

***

"Hey." Elena says as she joins Chris backstage. "Uhm.. you played a really great set." "Yeah, I know." He replies, of course. "Alright, well.. Good luck." "You want to know about it, don't you? The tour, the music, it's all happening for me now. It could still happen for you, Elena." "It will, someday."

"Well, someday's here. I talked to Michelle, she wants you on the tour. Your friend Haley already said yes, she's going." "What?" "People loved our song. It's real. You know, Jessica started off as Michelle's back up singer look at her now. The difference between wannabes and successes is grabbing opportunity. Our tour bus leaves in a couple hours and you know you should be on it. You brave enough?"

***

Nathan and Elena enter their apartment. "You know, now that Taylor's leaving maybe we'll have enough hot water for our own showers." Nathan says as Elena takes a seat on the counter. Elena hugs Nathan and he hugs her back, confused. "Elena.. What's wrong?" "Uhm.. Michelle Branch likes me playing violin. She thinks I can be a violinist, a real one." Elena says.

"Chris said that she wants me on tour. I'm so far ahead with classes and I'd be back in time for finals." "So says the great Chris." Nathan replies. "No, this isn't about him, Nathan. This is about opportunity. I have, my entire life been the reliable one and the dependable one and I've always done.. precisely what's expected from me." "Until we got married." "Exactly. And then I finally did something for me.. something that I wanted.. and the world didn't end. And I have that chance again." Elena explains.

"If you leave me.." "This is not the end for us. This is my shot to find out if I am good enough to have a life in music.. or if nights at TRIC are all I get." "And this has nothing to do with Chris?" "No. Absolutely not." "Then why haven't you asked me to come with you? Did you kiss him?" "Yes. I'm s... I'm sorry. You have to believe me. That's not what this is about, I mean Haley is going to be there. Nathan.." "Elena, listen. If you want to go, you should go. If you do.. we're done." Nathan says and he leaves.

***

Elena is lying on her bed and Taylor takes a seat. "I know what it's like to search for something more, Elena. It's why I'm always running. But then, I've never had a Nathan to come home to." Taylor says.

***

Elena approaches the bus and gives her stuff to Chris. "Hey, you came." Haley says. "Yeah." "What did Nathan say?" "We're done." Elena replies and Haley slungers an arm around her. "We're gonna do this together. Like old times."

***

A/N:

This is making me way too emotional.

Also, I might update a bit less during the week, cause I have school till late and I have tons of tests. But I'll try my best!

(don't mind the gif but I'm too lazy to make a new one, maybe I'll do it later)