Story: I know what I Want

Writer: TooWeirdTooFunction

Part 1 of 2

This story was inspired by ToBecomeAClown's story "Fahrenheit" You should check it out if you haven't already – it's really amazing J

P.S. Don't worry it's in English, despite of the title ;P

~…~

A smile costs nothing, but gives much-
It takes but a moment, but the memory of it usually lasts forever.
None are so rich that can get along without it-
And none are so poor but that can be made rich by it.

It enriches those who receive, without making poor those who give-
It creates sunshine in the home,
Fosters good will in business,
And is the best antidote for trouble-
And yet it cannot be begged, borrowed, or stolen, for it is of no value
Unless it is given away.

~…~

Haley had been studying the guy for a while. She didn't mean too, but something about him automatically drew her in.

His eyes closed as the liquid burned his throat, and then wiped his hand down his face. She didn't know how long he had been in the bar. He probably didn't know either: He was so lost in his own little world. He hadn't even noticed all the women that circled around him, sending him alluring smiles.

He was the image of the ultimate bad boy; rolled up sleeves, untucked shirt, liquor in one hand, with disheveled untidy black hair.

Muscles bulged through his shirt. He was definitely fit and physically threatening. Maybe that was why no woman had dared to directly approached him?

Well, that, and the fact that he was brooding worse than Lucas Scott – one of her best friends.

"Hallooo?"

A questionable voice sounded and a hand was waved in front of her face. Her eyes fluttered as her eyes refocused on the blonde, curly-haired girl before her.

"Sorry" Haley mumbled to the blonde, Peyton, as she took a small sip of her own drink.

"What is with you tonight? I swear, you're more unfocused than a toddler"

Haley fake-laughed, as her gaze automatically drifted to the guy again. Peyton followed her gaze: An appreciative smile grew on her lips.

"Nice!" she proclaimed as her eyes appreciatively ran over every inch of his body. "A little broody though, not really your type?" Peyton questioned at the petite girl in front of her.

Moody, mad, menacing – all words that automatically popped into Peyton's mind as she studied the guy.

Despite the fact that he was mad hot as well, he was definitely Haley's polar opposite.

"Don't know what you're talking about" Haley quickly, too quickly, amended. As if she hadn't even seen the 6'2 man towering at the bar.

"Haleyyy" Peyton warned.

"What?" Haley asked innocently, but Peyton didn't fall for it. She gave Haley a pointed look.

"He isn't the kind of guy you want to mess with. Trust me" Peyton took another look at the mysterious guy at the bar: The Rolex, the designer clothes. Everything just screamed arrogant bastard. It was obvious to her that he would just take advantage of Haley's kindness.

His drunken state and threatening demeanor only added to her suspension.

Haley looked too see what Peyton meant – but found nothing about the man threatening. He just looked… lost. Despite his tough outer shell, he seemed to truly troubled - something Haley definitely recognized.

She actually felt bad for the guy as he sat there alone. He looked like a beautifully crafted disaster.

She continued to stare at him and considered her options: It wasn't like her to be so straightforward - especially at a bar. But something told her that he needed her. Or at least someone.

Someone who wasn't just going to take advantage of him.

When Haley watched the stranger struggle with his inner voice, she smiled sympathetically: The choice had just been made for her.

Haley looked to Peyton, and smiled convincingly:

"I'm just going to talk to him"

"Haley, no!" Peyton hissed quietly, as Haley got up from the bar stool.

"It'll be fine"

"Haley!" Peyton hissed once again and tried to stop her, but Haley had already gone.

There she goes again. Peyton thought to herself – always trying to save everybody. As much as she loved Haley for being so kind and attentive towards people, she kind of feared it was going to bite her in the ass someday.

Or rather today.

~…~

Haley had weighed her option as she neared the man. How should she approach him?

She decided to go for the simple approach, as she sat on the stool besides him. He probably had had enough with people who tried to play him around.

He didn't even seem to notice her as he still sat with his head cradled in his hands staring at his drink.

"Hi" Haley said kindly, as a genuine smile stretched across the face, illuminating her face.

"I'm not interested" the man stated coldly. His raspy, callous voice startled her. He didn't even bother to look up at her, but instead he tightened his grip on the drink in front of him.

"I'm sorry?" She questioned, slightly startled at his hard tone. He did not sound happy at all.

"I said: I'm not interested!" he repeated slowly in a mocking manner, as if she was retarded or something.

Haley just sat there frozen in complete shock. She knew beforehand that he wasn't going to be a bundle of joy, but this extreme she hadn't seen coming. He wasn't just brooding like her friend Lucas did, he was fuming with anger, frustration, and… hurt? She actually felt kind of bad for him.

The way he had talked to her though, was unacceptable. In fact, that was no way to talk to anyone.

Now that she was close enough to him, she could see the way his brow seemed to be creased into a permanent scowl. It made worry lines stretch across his forehead.

"What do you want?" he asked abruptly, as he noticed Haley had yet to move.

"I don't want anything?" Haley questioned confused. What was with this guy?

This answer made the man snort rudely as he mumbled "Everybody wants something". He took another sip of his drink, and continued to look straight-ahead.

Haley felt contradicting emotions swirling trough her body: She was angry with the way that he talked to her, but on the other hand she felt really bad for him – like she wanted to hold him tight and tell him that it was going to be alright.

So, should she hug him or slap him?

This she contemplated when he startled her: She barely heard him groan in frustration and anger before he roughly turned towards her. In that split second Haley felt fear and adrenalin rushing through her veins, and prepared herself for the worst. He wouldn't really hit a woman, would he? Had she really misjudged him so much? These kind of thoughts ran through her mind - so what happened next surprised her: With a firm hand he grabbed her jean clad thigh… and started to stoke her thigh! He never even tried to make eye contact as he started to grope her.

Haley's eyes turned into two small slits, as she glared at him. If the way he had talked to her before had made her mad, this on the other hand made her furious! Who did he think he was? She was just about to shove his hand away, when his voice sounded:

"Is this what you want?"

She couldn't quite decide if the tone of his voice was seducing, or mocking? It was deep and soft like velvet; enough to make any woman swoon, but it also had a certain edge to it. It was probably a bit of both, she decided.

"That's definitely not what I want!" Haley answered as she pushed his hands away from her thigh. "… And trust me, it's not want you want either if you value you're reproduction system!"

This seemed to snap something in him, or maybe just confuse him enough to make eye contact with her: Brown clashed with blue.

But his eyes were not just blue; they were ocean blue, and seemed as deep as the ocean as well. She felt herself like slipping into it.

Her eyes had slightly widened at the sight of him, completely forgetting that she was supposed to be mad at him. She quickly realized that she had to snap out of it though, and put the glare back onto her face.

His eyes, no matter how beautiful there were, was not going to excuse his behavior.

The man before her seemed to have been slightly shaken as well, as he studied her: The way that her eyes were the warmest shade of brown. Even through the glare she tried to carry, she still looked innocent and... Sincere? A quality he hadn't met in a long time. Actually he didn't think he had ever met it. Not really. Not ever.

… And this girl in front of him probably didn't have it either, he rationalized. Looks can be deceiving, he reminded himself. He knew this first hand.

But she did seem pretty damned close, he had to admit: With her big brown eyes and the way her slightly curled, honey blonde hair tumbled down from her shoulders. It made her look innocent and stunning at the same time. Even her skin looked gloving, and soft… and inviting.

Haley studied him, as he seemed to be rendered speechless. All he did was to continue to stare at her. Normally she would probably have found it creepy, but right now, she actually preferred it rather than have him speaking!

It was like he was trying to solve a puzzle where a couple of pieces were missing. The way his head slightly tilted to the side as he tried to figure it out, was actually quite adorable. It made some of all that bravado go away, that he had been shielding himself with.

Haley briefly wondered if she should just walk away. It was clear that he didn't want any company. The rational thing would be to walk away. So why couldn't she?

For once in her life Haley James was going to act irrational.

~…~