Never Too Late
By Bindy417
Disclaimer: I don't own One Tree Hill. It belongs to Mark Schwahn and the CW.
Summary: Haley James excelled in everything she did. Whether it was school or cheerleading, she always managed to work hard and come out on top. But when she develops feelings for her older siblings' hottie of a friend Nathan Scott, Haley finds herself in unfamiliar territory. She's desperate to prove that she's more than her siblings' innocent baby sister. But even with all of her hard work and strategies, will Nathan ever notice?
AN: Hey guys, so here is my new story. It's an idea that I've had in my head for a couple of months now and have been itching to write. Unlike my previous stories, it's not all written out. I know what I want to happen but I'll be writing the chapters as I go along. I'm still working on More Than Anyone and Secrets of Life (which will not be posted until after MTA is finished). So this fic is like a fun little side project for me. I can't guarantee that it'll be updated as frequently but I'll try my best.
Now, I want to stress that this isn't going to be a story where Naley are best friends. There are already many stories like that at the moment and I'm not going to do the same thing. Nor do I want to. In this fic, Naley are more like casual friends/acquaintances. They "know" each other, but they don't. This first chapter is really just a taste of the plot. The characters and their situations/backgrounds will be explained more in depth in the following chapters. So I hope you like it. Please read and review! Thanks!
Chapter 1
Haley James stared intently at her reflection in the mirror. She was normally never one to care so much about appearances. She always thought that a person's character was what mattered most. But tonight was different. Haley wasn't really concerned if her personality was genuine or not. She already knew that it was. What mattered now was making sure that she looked perfect. It was her first college party, after all. She didn't want to stick out like a sore thumb. It had taken a week of nonstop begging and pleading for her to get her brother and sister to agree to this. And Haley wasn't going to blow it by showing up to the place wearing some hideous outfit that just screamed "high school."
Sure, she may be graduating in a couple of weeks, but that didn't mean anything to college students. Haley wasn't naïve. She knew that her brother Matt and sister Taylor were much more experienced with the party scene than she was. But then again, the twins were two years older than her. Haley was never really the partying type. She preferred just hanging out with a small group of friends at the movies or the café where she worked. Haley liked situations where there was control. She liked to know what could and could not happen.
Parties, however, were the exact opposite. They were crazy and spontaneous. One minute people could be standing around having a good time, the next minute there was some drunk girl dancing topless on a counter in the kitchen. She recalled hearing Matt and Taylor laughing their asses off about witnessing that one. Tonight, though, Haley was going to put her trepidation aside. She was determined have some fun—although, she'd make sure to do it with her top on.
Haley shook her head clearing her thoughts as she tried to focus on the task at hand. She looked at her reflection in the mirror, once again, and began to appraise herself. Her hair looked good. The straight, honey-blonde tresses fell nicely against her shoulders. Haley glanced further down at her top. She was wearing a black, Aztec sequin jewel tunic. It didn't really show any cleavage but it seemed to fit her curves perfectly. The skinny jeans that she was wearing also appeared to hug her petite, yet slim legs in all the right places. Finally, her eyes landed on her shoes. Haley sighed while shaking her head. These won't do. They were just plain black flats. They didn't complete the outfit or add any flavor to it. She looked over at the clock. It was now seven thirty. She had only a half hour left until it was time to leave. What the hell am I going to do about these shoes? As if on cue, Haley's bedroom door burst open. In waltzed a bubbly brunette with a wide smile and large box in her hand.
"Thank God I made it in time. There is no way in Hell that I'm letting you leave the house wearing those," her best friend Brooke Davis declared. Haley had known Brooke since they were eight. They'd been in the same class for second grade. Brooke had moved to their small town of Tree Hill, North Carolina from Los Angeles, California. Right away Haley could tell that she was different. Brooke was always smiling and talking a mile a minute. Not many people in Tree Hill were that peppy all of the time. Haley often called her "Tigger" since she was so bouncy. But they were qualities that Haley loved about her. No matter what, Brooke could always make her smile.
"Actually, I agree with you. These shoes suck," Haley replied.
"Well, lucky for you, I figured something like this would happen. So I brought a few pairs of mine with me," she stated. "But when you come to California with me this summer, we are definitely shopping and updating your wardrobe."
"If I go," Haley stressed. Although Brooke's family had moved to Tree Hill, they still kept their house back in Los Angeles. Brooke's father was a successful business man and her mother a corporate lawyer. Needless to say, the Davis' were raking in the dough. But it was because of their jobs that they were never around. They'd often be at long meetings or go on extended business trips, leaving Brooke all by herself. Haley didn't know how her friend dealt with it. Haley was very close to her parents—especially her mom. She couldn't imagine what it would've been like to grow up with a nanny and never have her around.
"Please, we both know that you're going to cave," Brooke teased. "My parents are paying for everything and you're not going to leave me to suffer by myself with them for the whole summer."
"We'll see," Haley kidded back. But deep down, she knew that Brooke was right. She wouldn't abandon her friend. Plus, Haley had always wanted to visit the west coast.
"Whatever. Now get your skinny ass over here and try on some of these shoes," she ordered playfully. Haley rolled her eyes before making her way over to the bed. She searched through the box until she came upon a pair of cute, black high-heels.
"What about these?" Haley asked while trying them on.
"The Joni sandals?" Brooke questioned.
"Um, yeah," she replied a little confused. She didn't know designers like Brooke did. Her best friend was the fashion guru.
"Well, they're very sexy and classy," Brooke stated matter-of-factly. "So I approve."
"Thank you," Haley responded while mirroring her serious tone.
"Is that how you're going to have your makeup, though?" Brooke asked as she looked over Haley's face.
"Yeah, why?"
"I can make it better. You need to have smokey eyes," she declared. "I read in Cosmopolitan that men are always more attracted to women with darker eye shadow on."
"Well, your eyes aren't smokey. They're green," Haley pointed out.
"Dark green," Brooke corrected. "But I'm already fabulous so let's focus on you."
"Gee, thanks, Brookie."
"Oh, you know what I mean. You look beautiful. But when I'm done with you, you're going to look drop-dead gorgeous," she announced as Haley took a seat on the bed. Brooke reached into her purse and pulled out a large bag of makeup.
"Tigger, how much crap did you bring with you?"
"Hey, this crap is what's going to make the man of your dreams fall hopelessly in love with you. So be nice."
"I am being nice. Just don't make me look like a clown," Haley shuddered. God, I hate those things. Brooke didn't answer. She just stayed focused on Haley's face. Every now and then she'd tell her to close her eyes or open them.
"Haley, five more minutes," she heard her brother Matt shout from down the hall.
"Brooke," Haley urged.
"I know. I'm almost done," she assured her.
"Yo, Haley Bop, you guys ready yet?" her sister Taylor questioned a few minutes later as she peeked her head into the room. "The pimp mobile is leaving in two minutes." If Brooke wasn't doing her mascara right now, Haley would've rolled her eyes. She hated it when her sister tried to act cool and sound all "ghetto fabulous" or whatever it was.
"We'll be down in a second," Brooke answered for her.
"You better or we're leaving your asses behind," Taylor said before taking off.
"Man are they crabby," Brooke commented. Haley laughed. Matt and Taylor could definitely be annoying at times. A minute later, Brooke finally declared that she was done. Haley got up and looked at herself in the mirror and smiled. Brooke had done an amazing job.
"Thanks, Tigger. I really like it," Haley said.
"No problem. Now let's go. Hott college guys await," Brooke replied excitedly. Haley laughed as she grabbed her purse and followed her friend out the bedroom door. She was really glad that Brooke was coming tonight. If the party sucked or things didn't work out like she'd planned, at least she'd have her best friend there to help soften the blow.
"There they are," Lydia stated. Haley saw that her mom, Matt, and Taylor were all waiting at the bottom of the stairs. "You girls look great."
"Thanks," both Haley and Brooke replied.
"Ok, so here are the rules," Matt began. Here it comes, Haley thought with dread. Her brother could be too protective at times. "No drinking, smoking, making out/hooking up, skinny dipping, going anywhere near the second floor where the bedrooms are, or…"
"Oh, for Pete's sake," Lydia interrupted laughing. "They're not children—or stupid, for that matter." Thank you, Mom!
"Well, they shouldn't even be coming. It's not the place for them," Taylor stated. "And I don't want to get yelled at if Haley comes home smashed, puking her guts out."
"I'm not going to drink," Haley declared.
"Then why are you coming again?" Matt asked.
"Because we want to get a feel for college life. We'll be freshman in a few months. It's important that we get familiar with it now," Brooke answered. Haley smiled at how well her friend could lie and sound believable. Like I'd actually get all dressed up just so I could check out the campus and obnoxious, drunken frat brothers. No, she was definitely not going to the party for that. Haley had a much different agenda. But only she and Brooke really needed to know that.
"I still don't think it's a good idea," Matt muttered.
"They'll be fine. They're very mature and responsible for their age—unlike some of my other offspring," Lydia hinted jokingly. Haley and Brooke smiled triumphantly.
"Whatever, let's just go," Taylor said as she made her way to the door.
"Wait! Don't leave yet," Jimmy called as he ran down the hallway with his camera in hand. "I have to take some pictures."
"Aw, Dad!" all three James siblings groaned as Brooke snickered.
"Haley, just stand over there."
"We're going to be late," Matt stressed.
"Hey, it's my baby girl's first college party. We need to have some reminder of this milestone," Jimmy declared. Haley shook her head defeated. Her dad was a picture fanatic. Every little event or special thing she did, Jimmy was there with the camera. Haley still hadn't gotten over the time a few years ago when she was learning how to drive. Jimmy took one shot of her sitting for the first time behind the wheel. Haley had been so surprised by the flash that she almost ran over their mailbox.
"Just one," Haley urged. "We really have to get going."
"Fine," Jimmy agreed. He motioned for her to stand in front of the door. "Big smile." Out of the corner of her eye, she could see Brooke suppressing her laughter.
"That was nice," Lydia stated.
"It was. But I actually think we need one more. This time Brooke can be in it," Haley suggested with an innocent grin.
"Oh, that's not necessary," Brooke replied.
"Oh, I think it is."
"Yeah, Brooke, why don't you get in there, too," Jimmy said. "You're like another daughter to us." Haley's smile widened when she saw that her best friend was trapped. There was no way she could turn down Jimmy after he said something like that.
"Uh, sure," Brooke muttered as she came to stand next to Haley.
"Smile big," Haley whispered under her breath. Brooke's arm around her shoulders painfully tightened.
"I hate you," she mumbled through her perfectly composed smile. Haley's only got bigger.
"Now can we go?" Matt asked impatiently afterward.
"Yeah, have fun," Lydia stated. "And be safe."
"Call if you're not going to be back before one o'clock," Jimmy added as the four left. Haley and Brooke walked to Matt's car and sat in the back.
"Let's do some damage," Taylor laughed as they drove away.
Nathan Scott made his way through the crowd in the living room of the frat house. It was only nine o'clock but the place was already packed. He'd originally arrived with his brother Lucas but they somehow got separated.
"Hey, Nathan, do you know where they moved the keg?" some random girl asked him. Nathan smirked. It was always like that. People—especially women—knew him but he had no idea who they were.
"Um, I think it's in the backyard now," he answered.
"Thanks," she replied while walking past him—making sure that her body brushed up against his. Oh yeah, I'm definitely going to have some fun tonight.
"Watch out for her. I hear she's got crabs," his friend Theresa said as she sidled up to him a minute later.
"Gross." Ok, she's definitely off my to-do list.
"Yeah."
"Have you seen Lucas?" Nathan asked as they made their way to the kitchen.
"He was in line for the bathroom," the brunette replied.
"Oh." As soon as they entered the room, Nathan saw his best friend since high school Tim Smith mixing drinks.
"Hey, Coach, what do you want to drink?" Nathan rolled his eyes.
"Tim, I told you that you don't have to keep calling me that," he sighed. Nathan was a big basketball player in high school. He'd even gone to Duke and played college ball his freshman year. But after he suffered a knee injury at the end of the season, Nathan couldn't play anymore. He ended up leaving Duke afterward since he was no longer eligible for his basketball scholarship. His mom had tried to convince him to stay but he couldn't. It was too hard watching all his former teammates continue their careers when he couldn't. Plus, Duke was expensive. His mom didn't have that kind of money to pay for him to go there.
So Nathan left and transferred to Tree Hill College—or THC as they called it—as a sophomore this past year. It was a smaller school, more affordable, and right in their hometown. He ended up really liking it. Lucas and all of their friends were already going there. He and his brother eventually roomed together. But what really made it great was the fact that his and Lucas' old basketball coach from high school got a coaching job there. As soon as Whitey learned that the Scott brothers were on campus, he immediately tracked them down and offered them positions as his assistant coaches. Lucas was a great ball player, too, but his career ended their junior year of high school. It turned out that he had a heart condition called HCM. It was serious so he had to quit. But Whitey's presence at THC gave both Nathan and Lucas a way to reconnect with the game that had been such a big part of their lives.
"Sorry, Coach. Err, Nathan," Tim quickly corrected when Nathan gave him a look.
"I'll just have a beer," he requested. Tim handed it to him before turning to Theresa.
"And what do you want, pretty lady?" he asked while staring at her up and down.
She gave him an unamused look before replying, "Can you whip up a margarita? Or is that too complex for you?"
"Please, The Tim can make anything." Nathan took another large swig of his beer. He also told his friend to stop referring to himself in the third person as "The Tim." He is so weird sometimes.
"Good," Theresa commented before turning and whispering to Nathan, "Is he ok?"
"He was dropped on his head as a child. At least, that's what we've all assumed," Nathan replied.
"Got it."
"Here you go," Tim said while passing Theresa her drink.
"Thanks."
"So, did you maybe want to…" Tim began in an overly seductive/cheesy tone.
"Later," Theresa interrupted and took off.
"Real smooth, Dim," Nathan laughed.
"Dude, she is hott. I have got to get with her," Tim declared as he stared after Theresa's departing figure. "I love a woman with attitude."
"She's kind of picky," Nathan warned. He'd first met Theresa in one of his classes last semester. She was nice but definitely didn't put up with any bullshit from guys.
"Whatever, The Tim always loves a challenge."
"Well, while The Tim is doing that, I'm going to go find Lucas," Nathan declared. He could only deal with his friend for a few minutes at a time before he got a headache. He walked back out into the living room and began his search. How long could it really take him to go to the bathroom? But once again, his brother was nowhere to be found. Nathan also searched for some of his other friends. They weren't around either. Seriously, where the hell is everybody?
"Haley, you look great," Brooke whispered. "Stop fidgeting."
"I'm sorry," Haley replied. "I can't help it."
"Take a few deep breaths. You're nervous for nothing." Haley did as she was instructed. But it only made her feel more lightheaded.
"We're almost there," Matt announced. Haley then felt the butterflies in her stomach grow to the size of softballs.
"Relax," Brooke muttered while patting her back soothingly.
"Taylor, watch it!" Matt admonished. "You almost elbowed me in the eye."
"It's not my fault your car is so small."
"Can't you change later?"
"No," she replied stubbornly. Haley watched as her sister pulled off her short-sleeve shirt to reveal a red tube top underneath. She thought that Taylor's outfit was nice before. But she always had to go one step further. If their dad had seen it, he wouldn't have let her out of the house. "Much better."
"Unbelievable," Matt mumbled while shaking his head. A few minutes later, they finally pulled up in front of the house. Haley immediately heard the loud booming music and saw a few people puking their guts out on the front lawn. Oh crap, what have I gotten myself into?
"Ok, does everyone remember the rules or do I have to go over them again?" Matt asked as they all got out of the car.
"No, that won't be necessary," Haley replied.
"Are you sure? Because…"
"I think they get it. Let's just go," Taylor interrupted and started walking to the front of the house. Matt followed with Haley and Brooke lagging behind with their arms looped.
"You ready?" Brooke asked. Haley gave her a timid smile and nodded. A second later, they walked through the front door. Haley gasped at the craziness and chaos before her. It looked just like a scene out of Animal House.
"Whoa," she muttered as she saw two people going at it and practically stripping down as they made their way upstairs.
"And I thought that my parties were ragers," Brooke replied.
"Let's see who's here," Taylor proposed.
"Alright," Matt responded. He then turned to Haley and Brooke. "Stay with us." The girls nodded as they followed Taylor and Matt through the large crowd of people. Occasionally, Haley noticed some of the guys leering at them. At least the outfit is working, I guess.
"Ok, we are definitely staying together. Look at these horny losers. We'll be mauled by the end of the night," Brooke stated. She was usually the more outgoing and forward one of the two when it came to parties and guys. So for Brooke to want to be cautious, Haley knew it must be bad.
"No objections here," Haley retorted when she noticed some sleazy guy making a very inappropriate gesture at her with his tongue. She cringed at the sight and walked faster. It was a couple of minutes later that she saw Matt and Taylor stop a few feet in front of them. When Haley noticed who they were talking to, she automatically felt her heart start to hammer in her chest. There he was. The reason why Haley had been so adamant about going to this crazy party. The reason why she had gotten all dressed up. That reason being Nathan Scott. Haley looked to Brooke who gave her a reassuring smile. She then straightened out her top and hair before starting to walk over to him. Here goes nothing…
