I don't own anything, I wish I did but sadly I don't so don't sue me please! Nathan and Haley aren't married in this story either.
This is my first One Tree Hill story so please read and review, it means a lot to hear your feedback.
Haley's alarm clock went off at six and with out looking where she was aiming, she threw her hand onto her bureau trying to turn off the incisive beeping. It was time to get up for school and today Haley, more then ever, didn't feel like going. For a few days now she'd been feeling ill, throwing up constantly, headaches and dizziness. She felt weak and tired and school was the last place she wanted to be. Haley stood next to her bed, amassing her blankets in her hands and pulling them up towards the top, throwing her pillows on last.
She feebly walked over to her dresser, her hand covering her mouth, as the nauseous feeling seemed to rematerialize, she was ready to bolt towards the bathroom at any second. She wasn't sure why her sickness was lasting so long, not to mention what she had anyways. No one around her seemed to be sick, or at least sick with similar symptoms but Haley shrugged it off, thinking that hopefully it'll be done with in a few more days. Haley took a few deep breaths trying to stabilize the nauseous feeling and it seemed to work for the time being, though she knew it was a matter of time before it came back.
"Great." She muttered to herself while looking through her dresser drawer, skimming the clothes that were neatly piled inside and finally after five minutes of debate, settling on a shirt. She took off her pajama shirt and chucked it into the dirty hamper soon replacing it with the shirt she decided on for the day. After she finished getting dressed, she struggled to fit into some jeans she found hung over her desk chair. Haley stood in front of the mirror and examined her jeans, lifting up her shirt slightly to reveal her stomach. She found it odd that these jeans were now tight on her, especially since she was able to fit in them just a few weeks ago. It was possible for her to have gained some weight, her appetite had become a little strange lately not to mention this flu bug she had, and she decided she'd just exercise more and eat less.
Haley glanced at her clock and seeing that it was 6:30a.m, she hustled off into the bathroom to finish getting ready. Her appearance seemed to be matching her mood, drained and ailing. The nausea resurfaced and this time she couldn't hold it back, hunched over the toilet she emptied the contents from last night's dinner into the toilet. Maybe this flu bug will help her take off some of this new weight she's been gaining, especially with all these bathroom trips she's been having. Haley splashed some water onto her face and rinsed out her mouth. There was time to get out of going to school but as much as she wanted to, she knew how behind she'd get if she missed a day. This was high school; if she were absent today she'd be bombarded with so much schoolwork it'd consume her time for at least a week, tops. Looking at her reflection in the mirror, her face pale, she brushed her hair and put it back into a ponytail. By the time she was done eating, throwing up again, and getting all her things ready, it was time to get to school.
Pulling up to her parking place, she turned the car off and dropped the keys into her purse slamming the door behind her when her feet touched the cement.
"Haley," Peyton said walking up to her friend doing a double take and continued "you look.... awful." Her face perplexed while she spoke, not wanting to hurt her feelings. It was obvious to Peyton though that Haley wasn't bothered by Peyton's comment.
"I know. I'm not feeling good and right now and I could care less about what I look like." Haley started walking towards the school, Peyton running behind her to catch up.
"Hey wait a second." Peyton grabbed Haley's arm making her stop walking and Haley sighed, not really in the mood to hear more about how awful she looks.
"What Peyton? I have to get to class so could you make this quick." Peyton found it odd at Haley's new attitude and she wasn't sure if she liked it. Haley was a nice girl, a tutor, who never had an enemy and now she was being snappy and irritable and Peyton didn't know what to think of it.
"I just am worried about you okay? I was going to tell you that Tim's having a party at his house tonight and I wanted to know if you like to go, but I'm guessing you can't because you're sick."
"No, I can't. I'm still recovering from the one he threw last time. Plus, I know I'm going to have a ton of homework to do. Sorry." She began walking again and this time instead of stopping her, Peyton stood by her side talking while they walked.
"Haley that party was over a month ago. What exactly went on at Tim's party? It looked like things between you and Nathan were heating up, you two didn't, you know?" Peyton raised her eyebrows wondering if the infamous 'virgin-Haley' wasn't a virgin anymore. Haley didn't respond leaving Peyton to come to her own conclusions. "Haley James you little hussy. Details please." Haley stopped walking and stood to face her giddy friend.
"What happened is between me and Nathan."
"So you did do it with him. It was only a matter of time." Haley rolled her eyes seeing Peyton was clearly more excited about this then she ever was. Peyton looked down at the ground, her mouth slightly ajar as she began to laugh, a thought entering her mind and she turned back to Haley. "I guess I won, Brooke owes me twenty bucks."
"Again, none of your business – what? You two had a bet going on when Nathan and I'd have sex? God Peyton, I don't butt in to your life and we're done discussing it." The bell rang and kids flocked by the two girls to get to their classes. "I got to get to class, you know how Mr. Thompson is when you're late. But Peyton," Haley grabbed Peyton's arm stopping her before she took off to class, "please don't tell anyone, promise? It'll be our little secret?"
"Of course Haley, I promise." Haley smiled at her and the two took off in separate directions to get to their classes.
Haley, out of breath from running, entered her history classroom and took her seat promptly before the teacher could yell at her for something.
"Haley I was looking for you in the parking lot but you weren't there. I was going to walk you to class." Nathan whispered, leaning frontward over his desk to right behind Haley's head.
With out turning around to talk back, she whispered quietly trying not to get caught by their teacher. "I was running late to school and then Peyton wanted to talk with me about something. Sorry." She rubbed her temples with her fingers shutting her eyes tightly. She felt like she needed to vomit and was hoping she could bypass the humiliation by taking deep breaths.
"That's fine, I was just wondering if we were still on for tonight. You're still coming over at six to help me with math right?" She could feel his warm breath on the back of her neck and the nausea worsened. She clenched her eyes shut tightly, fearing if she opened her mouth she'd throw up and that's just what she needed added to her reputation – throw up girl. "Right?" He asked again when he didn't get an answer. Haley nodded yes and Nathan sat back in his seat looking at the teacher whose gaze was now on the two of them.
"Is everything alright Ms. James?" Mr. Thompson asked, stopping his lesson due to their talking. The whole class turning around, all their eyes focused on Haley as she felt more then ever like she had to vomit.
"I...I...." She got to her feet and ran out the classroom door down the hall to the bathroom. Her hand was covering her mouth and she was trying with all her might to hold it in until she got to the bathroom. The class roared after Haley left, all wondering what that was about and Mr. Thompson soon gained control, quieting them back down and continuing his lesson. Nathan stared at the door, bewildered at Haley's sudden departure.
The bell couldn't have rung any sooner and when it did, Nathan flew out the door hoping he'd be able to talk with his girlfriend before his next class would start. He met up with Lucas in the hall, who seeing his mystified expression, Lucas came over to ask what was wrong.
"Have you seen Haley?" Nathan asked glancing each way down the hallway in hopes of seeing Haley.
"No I haven't, but all the kids are talking about how she just got up and left the class. What was that about?" Lucas asked looking around trying to spot Haley too.
"I'm not sure, I didn't get the chance to talk to her and she didn't come back to class so I don't know what's wrong." Nathan tensed up, the bell was going to ring any second and he really wanted to speak with Haley before hand.
"If I see her I'll tell her you're looking for her." Lucas patted Nathan on the back trying to ease up his nervousness. "Relax man, she's fine."
"I hope so, but thanks again." The bell rang and Nathan forlornly had no choice but to go to his next class.
The bell rang for lunch and Nathan sat at the lunch table picking at his food, looking miserable. Peyton and Brooke joined him, seeing how desperate he looked and wanted to keep him company.
"No word on Haley, huh?" Peyton questioned, watching Nathan push his mashed potatoes around with his fork.
"No." His attention still down at his food.
"So, are you going to Tim's party tonight? Everyone's going." Brooke hunched over the table, her hands folded in front of her.
"Can't, I have to study for a major test."
"C'mon Scott, it's very unlike you to choose studying over a party. Haley really is getting to you, all this tutoring is paying off?" Brooke raised her eyebrows staring at Nathan who looked up from his food to meet her glare. He knew what Brooke was hinting at and she was the last person he'd discuss that with.
"You have no idea." Peyton chimed in laughing. She could feel his eyes burning holes on the side of her head and she knew if she were to look at Nathan, the moment would be ruined.
Brooke caught on to what Peyton was saying, and her mouth forming an 'o', looked at Nathan animated by the news. "You and tutor girl finally had sex? And it only took you six months, wow. Really exercising your self-control. Usually you score on the first day with some cheap slut, no offense Peyton."
Peyton nodded adding in, "none taken" and continued to watch Nathan squirm.
"And who told you that Haley and I had sex? Which by the way is none of your business."
"You two really are a couple, she said the same thing." Peyton uttered grabbing a chicken nugget from her plate.
"Like you're one to talk, how many people have you slept with after just meeting them? Nine, ten...fifteen? At least I have a serious, something you'll probably never experience." Nathan smirked and Brooke stuck her tongue out at him. He grabbed his tray throwing it in the trash then left the cafeteria.
"What a jackass." Brooke hissed pushing a strand of her hair from her eye.
"I know, but the prince is with out his princess and he's miserable about it. I'm guessing you're going to Tim's party tonight right? At least I'll have some one to go with." Peyton rested her arm on the table and supported her head on her fist.
"Wouldn't miss it for the world. Can you pick me up? I'm sure I'll get wasted tonight and I'll need a designated driver." Peyton rolled her eyes and smiled.
"Fine, I'll be there at six thirty and you better be ready to go. You promise not to get crazy tonight at this party and not get thrown out like you usually do?" The girls both stood next to the table holding their trays in their hands.
"I can't promise anything, we'll just have to see where the night takes me. I'll see you at six, bye Peyton." She threw her trash away then spotted some of her cheerleading friends on the other side of the cafeteria and joined up with them.
Haley was in the nurse's office lying down on a cot, a wet towel resting on her head. The nurse entered the dark room, dimming the lights slightly so she could see.
"Haley, are you feeling better?" The nurse asked pulling up a seat next to the cot. Haley took the wet towel off her forehead and handed it to the nurse and then turned onto her side.
"Yes, my stomachs not hurting anymore and the dizziness is gone."
"I'm just curious, how long has this been going on for?" The nurse set the towel in the sink and grabbed a pen from the counter, getting ready to write in Haley's file.
"I'd say almost a week. Do you think I have the flu or something?"
"It's hard to say, it could be the flu but there's other things that cause nausea and dizziness, as well as the other symptoms you've been having. I think it'd be best if you went home and took it easy for the rest of the day. Have your mom call your doctor; he'd be better at diagnosing what you have. Should I call your parents? Are they home?"
"No, no. I drive now so they don't have to come and get me, if it's fine with you I could just drive home. I know my parent's won't have a problem with that."
"Okay, I'll write you a dismissal pass and while I'm doing that you should get your bag's from the class you were in." The nurse grabbed a pad of paper and started writing on it while Haley left to go back to Mr. Thompson's class to get her bag.
She grabbed her bag from next to her desk and put it on her shoulder. Mr. Thompson wasn't there, she figured he was at lunch and hopefully so wasn't Nathan. She didn't want to explain to her friends about what happened, she just wanted to get home and get to bed.
When she was walking back to the nurse's office, which was only a few feet a way, she heard a familiar voice from behind her. She stopped, tightening up. It was Nathan, great, that was all she needed.
"Haley, wait up." He was breathing heavily and was hunched over trying to catch his breath, one hand on Haley's arm. "Are you okay?"
"I'm fine, really, so don't worry."
"Don't worry? Of course I'm worried. Everyone's talking about what happened earlier, what was up with that?"
"I felt like I had to throw up and instead of doing it in the classroom I just figured that puking in the nurse's office would be better. I don't think I'll be able to come over tonight, but we can reschedule for maybe tomorrow or something?"
Nathan scrunched the right side of his face and shook his head not liking Haley's sudden cancellation of their plans. "It's just my test is tomorrow and I was hoping that you'd be able to help me. That's fine though, I'll just pull an all nighter...its no big deal."
She was realizing what he was doing and while she usually would give in, she didn't really appreciate the feeling of guiltiness. "Nathan, I'm sick and I don't feel good. Why do you have to act like this?"
"Act like what? I just wanted to get an A on this test but it's fine, I can do it by myself."
He was trying to start a fight, she could see that, and right now in her very irritable state a fight was very likely. "I can't believe that you are so conceded that you would have your unwell girlfriend come over to tutor you just so you can get an A on a test. A boyfriend is supposed to be there for his girlfriend and right now you're being very selfish. If you can't realize that then maybe we're not right for each other and maybe we should just take a break. why don't you get another tutor to help you?" Haley fiercely walked back to the nurse's office leaving Nathan stunned by what had happened. He knew they got into a fight but things went so fast, he wasn't sure why.
"Hey Nathan, did you find Haley?" Lucas pulled Nathan over to the side of the hall next to some lockers that weren't any of theirs.
"Yeah and I think we're officially broken up."
"What? Why?"
"I can honestly say I don't know. I not sure what's up with her but she's acting crazy and I don't really feel like talking to her anytime soon."
Lucas looked at him outraged. Was he seriously going to act like this? His girlfriend obviously was sick and he was acting like a complete asshole, like father like son. "Nathan you're her boyfriend, just go over there and apologize. I know how Haley is, she'll forgive you."
"Correction, I was her boyfriend and second, I don't have to apologize because I didn't do anything wrong. Next time you talk to her tell her that, and if she wants to get back together tell her I'll be waiting for the apology." The talk ended and Lucas shook his head completely taken aback by Nathan's behavior. He couldn't believe he was his brother, or half brother really, and even though he was never close with Dan, Lucas certainly could see where Nathan got his manners.
The bell rang, and there were only two classes left until the day ended and then it'd be the weekend. Nathan figured that tonight he'd go to Tim's party, hang with some friends, have a few drinks and maybe hook up with a girl. The party would be a way to forget about Haley. He didn't need her, who dares refuse Nathan Scott, who? Nathan, the star of the Tree Hill basketball team and Dan Scott's son, could get any girl he wanted with no trouble at all. Hell, he'd meet a girl and within the hour he'd have already would had sex with out even knowing her name or ever seeing her again. He was good, real good and Haley was a girl who came along and changed all that. She made it very clear that she was going to wait until she was married and even when Nathan tried to test the waters, she'd still refuse causing a fight. He wasn't certain why she never wanted to have sex, he was a good-looking guy, and her reasons were simply that she wanted more then the physical aspect of a relationship. Nathan was surprised that he stuck with her so long; it was unlike him especially since he was after one thing and one thing only. Well tonight he'd get back to being the old Nathan Scott. Glancing up at the clock in the classroom, Nathan inferred that there was only an hour and a half to go.
Haley pulled into her driveway and after locking the door to the car; she walked up the steps of her front porch. Her eyes were red and swollen, tears streaming down her face and she lifted her hand underneath her eye to wipe away an oncoming tear.
"Stop, he's not worth this." She muttered under her breath while she unlocked the front door with her house key. She loved Nathan, he was the one she lost her virginity to and now she felt ashamed and baffled...and sick. No, she wasn't going to think about him right now because like she said, he wasn't worth it.
She walked into the house, the dark, lonely house and threw her backpack next to the door. Haley walked up the creaky wooden stairs and returned into her room, plunging into her bed. She covered herself with her blankets and grasped onto her stuffed teddy bear, a gift Nathan had given her for their first month anniversary. Instantly tears started escaping her eyes and she tried to fight them off but couldn't. Right now, she just wanted to go to sleep and worry about her problems another time.
Peyton sat in front of her web cam, drawing on a sketchpad a picture of her and Nathan when they were still together. She wasn't sure what Nathan was to her, yes he was a friend, and yes she still had feelings for him but he was with Haley now and she couldn't do that to Haley. She shuddered the thought out of her head, she shouldn't be thinking like this especially since they hadn't been dating in almost nine months. When Nathan and Peyton both realized when they were dating, how terrible they were for each other and the obvious reason they stayed together for so long was the sex. But even that grew old after a while.
Peyton's daze soon was interrupted by a knock on her bedroom door.
"Earth to Peyton? You there?" Brooke giggled walking further into Peyton's room waving her hand in front of Peyton's face.
"Yeah, sorry I was just..." Peyton glanced down at her sketch and quickly held it up to her chest trying to hide it from Brooke. She hid it away in a dresser drawer and walked back over to Brooke who was flipping through a pile of sketches Peyton had on her bed looking curiously at a particular one. She held the painting in her hands and turned to it so Peyton could see, she then walking over and grabbing it."Tell me you're still not into Nathan? Peyton, he was like the worst boyfriend. I mean he cheated on you while you two were still dating." Brooke laid the outfits she brought over for the party tonight on Peyton's bed wanting Peyton's expert opinion on what she should wear.
"No I'm over him, believe me, I don't think of him anymore. I don't dream about how incredible his body is or how great he is in bed," Peyton said staring off into space forgetting that Brooke was right there and basically admitting her feelings out loud.
Brooke covered her mouth with her hands, flabbergasted by Peyton's confession. "You're still totally crushing on him, I can't believe this."
"I'm not, okay? Really, let's stop talking about this. So what are you going to wear to the party?" Brooke grabbed her hand and dragged her into the main part of her room letting Peyton eye the possibilities.
"I can't decide between the red dress or this tank top and skirt, what do you think?" Brooke's hair was neatly done, makeup was done too and all she needed was an outfit and she was all set.
Peyton placed her index finger and thumb on the bottom of her chin debating on which outfit to pick. "I'd say the red dress, it gives the sexy but sophisticated look."
"Can I use your bathroom to change?" Peyton nodded and Brooke scurried off into the bathroom to get changed. Peyton took the opportunity to put on her makeup while Brook was getting dressed, planted in front of her full-length mirror hanging on the wall, applying lipstick to her lips. When Brooke finally emerged from the bathroom, Peyton was done applying her makeup and the girls were ready to get partying.
Brooke sat down at the end of Peyton's bed grabbing at her purse, revealing a half-empty bottle of vodka. She shook the bottle, the liquid inside swirling around and Brooke cackled as she unscrewed the cap. After taking a sip, she swallowed the liquid and offered it to Peyton.
"Drinking already and the party hasn't even started yet." Peyton asked declining the drink and taking one last look in the mirror.
"It has now, Brooke Davis always knows how to party. Are you sure you don't want some?" Brooke said sticking the bottle of alcohol in Peyton's face.
"No thanks. Someone has to get us there and back alive and since you're already drinking I guess I have to do it. Ready to go?"
"Of course." Brooke danced out of the room, Peyton following behind her. This was going to be a long night.
Lucas was in his car holding his cell phone to his ear, dialing Haley's phone number. He was driving towards Tim's house and before he got there, he wanted to check in with his best friend and make sure she was okay.
"Damnit Haley, pick up." His third attempt was unsuccessful and Lucas pushed the end button on his cell phone and threw it into the passenger's seat forcefully. Haley was acting odd; it was unlike her not to pick up her phone especially after Lucas tried calling so many times. When he arrived at Tim's house he sat in the car trying one last time to get in touch with Haley but again, she didn't answer.
Lucas entered the chaotic house, there were swarms of teenagers all over the place, drinking and making out everywhere he turned. He spotted Nathan and Tim in the living room and after circumventing some drunken teenagers he finally caught up to them.
"Luke, man, I'm glad you made it." Tim said engaging in a handshake.
"Yeah, I'm not sure if I'm going to stay though. I'm worried about Haley." His eyes directed on Nathan when he mentioned Haley. "You remember Haley, right? Your girlfriend?"
"Former girlfriend, and I'm not here to talk about Haley, I'm here to have fun." He took a sip from his plastic cup of beer, Tim joining the drinking game.
"You really are a jackass." Lucas chuckled to himself realizing again why he had hated Nathan for so long and old memories beginning to resurface.
Nathan jerked his glass away from his lips, agitated by Lucas's comment. "Do you really want to start something right now? I'd really hate to have to kick your ass especially since you just got here."
"I told Haley it'd be a mistake to go out with you and I guess I was right?"
"Lucas, I'm warning you." Nathan clenched his fists, his arms hanging by his sides.
"I told her how you really were, I said that you were a player and that you use girls to meet your needs and then discard them like yesterday's trash. We got in a fight because of you. I almost lost my best friend because of you. I know what a manipulating jerk you are and I was looking out for her well being because I didn't want Haley to get hurt, but it looks like I was right all along. I knew what'd you do and after you got what you needed, you just leave her. She's at home right now, probably a wreck because her heart's been broken. And you don't even care do you?"
"Hey, guys, c'mon. Let's just for one night get along? I really don't want to explain to my parents why their irreplaceable, family heirloom is broken okay?" Tim stepped between them, looking at both Nathan and Lucas' face seeing how heated they were.
"If you care so much about her, why don't you go and check on her? Lover boy." He puckered up his lips making kissing sounds, provoking Lucas even more to kick his ass.
"Well one of us has to and obviously it wont be you." Lucas recognized that Nathan wasn't worth this and stopped before it escalated any further. He pushed his empty drinking cup firmly to Nathan's chest, scoffing at him before he turned to leave.
When Lucas reached the door, he jumped surprised when Peyton and Brooke came into view.
"Hey." Brooke said smiling eagerly at him. Brooke had a major crush on Lucas and every chance she got; she'd flirt with him.
"Hey, I was just leaving..." Lucas wasn't sure what to do, he wanted to leave but then again he also wanted to stay. Though he couldn't stand the thought of being in the same building as Nathan.
"You can't leave, we just got here. C'mon Scott, stay, relax, have some fun." Brooke, who managed to finish the last of the vodka on the way over, had become a little more intoxicated and was using this to her advantage. Throwing herself onto Lucas, he held his hands up in front of his chest trying to block her off. "I bet I can find us a room if you're interested? I know I am." She grabbed onto his loosened tie, wrapping it around her fingers.
"As tempting as that is, I have to pass. I'm worried about Haley, I haven't talked to her all day and I guess her and Nathan broke up."
Brooke crooked her head to face Peyton, her drunkenness taking over and she couldn't control herself.
"Peyton did you hear that, Nathan's single. Go make your move." Brooke, who was still using Lucas's body as a prop, raised her voice loud enough to make people who were standing close by turn around and look at them disgusted.
"Brooke, please." Peyton said truing to hush her while giving sympathetic smiles to the eyes that were looking at them.
"Peyton you like him? You of all people should know what he's like and stay away. Please Peyton, just be careful, okay?" Lucas was one of her best friends, and a former boyfriend, and she knew this was just friendly advice and that he was just looking out for her. "I'm leaving, I'll talk to you guys later."
"No, Lucas, please don't go." Brooke leaned closer, this time kissing him on the lips adding tongue when she felt it was needed. Maybe this way she'd get him to stay. They were in lip lock for a few minutes, Peyton standing there just watching, glancing down at her watch every few seconds.
"No, no, I can't stay," He said pulling out of the kiss. "I have to go check on –"Brooke grabbed his collar, compelling Lucas back into a kiss.
A guy holding three drinks passed by Peyton and she stopped him, grabbing a cup from his hands and then drinking the liquid inside in one sip. She exhaled, covering her mouth with the back of her hand. She wasn't sure what she had just drunken, but it certainly gave her an instant buzz. Peyton walked further into the house, Lucas and Brooke didn't look like they were going to stop anytime soon so she was going to find some people she knew. Another person walked by and Peyton seized the drink, downing it again and throwing the cup on the floor. She spotted Nathan, standing there looking handsome as ever and she just felt constrained to go over and talk to him.
"Peyton, what's –"As though Peyton took a cue from Brooke, she threw herself onto him, kissing him passionately in front of everyone. Nathan didn't seem to mind this and instead of stopping it, he went with the flow and started leading her towards the stairs.
She didn't know what got into her, she'd confess later when she was sober, but at that moment all she saw was Nathan and an overwhelming feeling of desire came over her. They didn't care who was watching, all they were focused on was each other and the moment they were creating. Nathan's fingers were entwined in Peyton's curly locks; their lips barely estranged and while Nathan was running his fingers through her hair, Peyton was working on unbuttoning his shirt. They both stumbled a little when they got to the stairs but they managed to make it to the top and Nathan opened the door to the first room he saw and both fell onto the bed ready to get started. She unbuttoned the last of his shirt, pulling it off his arms and throwing it onto the floor and then Nathan took action and lifted her shirt over her head and threw it into the pile of clothes they were starting to make. She kissed his chest as Nathan laid back on the bed enjoying it, soon giving the favor back to her. As much as she felt guilty about having sex with an ex-boyfriend a person who she loathed for months after she found out he cheated on her, she missed him. And as much as she'd deny it now, Peyton had secretly hoped something like this would happen. Just she never expected it to happen like this.
"Nathan? Man –"Tim opened the door to the room Nathan and Peyton were in, seeing them sleeping in each other's arm looking almost like a normal couple. Tim was stunned after seeing Nathan and Peyton together, in bed, clearly after they had sex. Peyton was the last girl he'd expect to see with Nathan, she was too good for him and he imagined Nathan knew that was true. He peeked his head in and after seeing the site, shut the door and just stood in the hallway.
Peyton woke up after hearing the commotion Tim made and recoiled in bed, looking down at the hand that was covering her. When she turned more to see the person she just slept with, she almost had a heart attack when she saw Nathan beside her.
"Oh no, no, no, no." She leaped out of bed quavering in disbelief over the realization of the situation. Peyton grabbed her clothes from the ground, tears forming in her eyes as she quickly got dressed.
"Peyton, where are you going?" Nathan asked sitting up in bed, he too trying to get dressed. After putting his boxers on he stood next to the trembling Peyton, trying to understand what was wrong.
"I can't believe I had sex with you, what about Haley? She's one of my best friends and I just betrayed her. If she ever found out what I did she'd kill me." Dressed in her bra and blue jeans she faced Nathan, his image disappearing when she pulled her shirt over her head and then pushed the hair out of her face.
"I'm not dating her anymore, and since I'm currently single I was wondering if you wanted to be my girlfriend again. You know, give it another chance? We already have one common interest." She stared at him incredulous as to think 'you got to be kidding'.
"Nathan I can't, my friendship with Haley means too much to me and I don't want to jeopardize it. I just, I can't. I have to go." She walked out of the room, past Tim and down the stairs collecting Brooke who was currently making out with Lucas. "Brooke, let's go."
Their lips broke apart and Lucas looked down at his watch to see what time it was. "I was suppose to be at Haley's house two hours ago."
"Peyton, where'd you go? Is something wrong?" Brooke asked concerned, from the expression on Peyton's face she knew something happened.
"I'll tell you later, please, can we just leave?" Peyton reached out for Brooke's arm and Brooke followed to the door.
"Here, I'll walk you to your car." Lucas followed the girls to their car, opening the door up for Brooke and then for Peyton. He hunched over her car door seeing the worry in her face. "If you're not up to driving, I can give you a ride home."
"No, I can drive." She grabbed her keys from her purse and with out looking to see where the ignition was, she stabbed the keys against the dashboard clearly conforming that she wasn't drunk.
"Yes, I can see that. Here, both of you get in my car and I'll drive you home. We can get your car in the morning, I doubt Tim would mind if it spent the night here." He laughed and opened Peyton's car door and with out a fight, she got out and sauntered over to Lucas's car.
Lucas pulled onto the road; the car was completely silent until ms. chatterbox decided to end the silence.
"So what happened that you said you'd tell me later?" Brooke leaned in-between the two front seats glancing back and forth between Peyton and Lucas.
"I don't really feel like discussing it. I'm too embarrassed." Peyton rested her head against the headrest staring at the road in front of them.
"C'mon Peyton, tell, tell." Brooke persisted getting angry by Peyton's quietness.
"Just remember I was drunk.... and, and, that I didn't know what I was doing until afterwards." Peyton turned to face Lucas who was now inquiring over this secret.
"Peyton you didn't?" Brooke's mouth dropped, she picked up right away on what she did while Lucas took a little longer. She knew this was serious, especially since this situation had happened to her – her best friend and boyfriend cheating on her.
"Didn't what? Can somebody tell me please?" Lucas retorted.
"I had sex," Peyton scrunched up her face staring out the window trying to drain out the conversation, that way, to Peyton, she didn't have to face what she did or at least think about it.
"Yeah, and?" He didn't get it, and when Brooke filled him in, her heart dropped. Lucas was going to kill her not only for sleeping with the enemy, but also for betraying Haley like she did. "Peyton." That was all he could say and just hearing that made her start to cry.
"I know, I'm disgusted with myself, believe me. I don't need anyone else's pity. Haley can never know about this, you two have to promise me on your life, okay? Haley's like a sister to me and if she found out about this I just, I couldn't live with myself." Brooke agreed that this could never leave the car and Peyton's little announcement put a damper on the rest of the car ride home.
Haley woke up after a refreshing little nap and looked at her clock on her nightstand seeing 9:15p.m flashing in red lines. Running her fingers through her hair she looked down at her cell phone seeing there were three missed calls. She was wishing that it was Nathan maybe calling to check up on her and apologizing but instead all three calls came from Lucas's cell phone. She grabbed her cell phone and dialed his number to get this over a soon as possible, she didn't want to talk to anybody but she knew if she didn't call him that he'd come over and she definitely didn't want to see anyone.
"Lucas, hey it's me." Haley started pacing around the room, her stomach started to act up again so this phone conversation may have to be cut short.
"Hey, Haley." He turned to look at Peyton, she then turning her head to stare out the window somehow feeling guilty by looking at Lucas. "I've been trying to call you all day, where were you? Are you feeling better?"
"Yeah I'm sorry about that. I was actually taking a nap and I just woke up. I'm feeling a lot better; my stomach is still a little queasy but other then that I'm good. Did you go to the party?"
"Actually, I'm just leaving. I'm bringing Peyton and Brooke home, they're both wasted."
Haley started laughing on the other end of the phone and Lucas smiled happy to hear the eccentric sounds.
"Did you see Nathan?" There was no way of getting around it and she knew it. Haley wanted to know about him no matter how much she'd refute it.
"I did actually." How was he going to break the news, he was sworn to secrecy about Nathan and Peyton's one night stand and inside, it was killing him to keep this from her.
"And...?"
"I told him to call you and he said he would. I bet he's sorry for whatever he did but you know how he is, it'll be a while before he apologizes." He heard her exhale from the other end of the phone.That's what she wanted to hear, he was sorry and that meant the world to her. To know Nathan was as miserable with out her as she was with out him made her want to call him up right now and apologize. "But I'd give him a few days you know, to cool off and let him clear his mind. Let him call you."
"I'm so glad to hear this Lucas, thank you for being such a great friend. I'll talk to you later this weekend." She clicked the end button and placed the phone back in it's cradle, then sitting on her bed she stared at the ceiling with a smile creeping onto her face.
Lucas pressed the end button and placed it back into his pocket, the color was drained from his face. "I feel just awful."
Brooke repositioned herself in between the two seats cocking her neck to look at Peyton. "Why, what's wrong with Haley?"
"She thinks I'm the greatest friend ever. I can't do this, I can't lie to her, Haley and I go way back. Peyton I know you don't want to ruin your friendship with her but you know you need to tell her."
She couldn't deny this forever, though right now she wanted to. Lucas was right, Haley would probably never forgive her but at least she'd respect the fact that Peyton had the guts to tell her the truth in the first place. Peyton was going to tell her she just needed to find the right time, yeah like there'd ever be a right time.
A thought popped into Haley's head and for some reason it wouldn't leave her mind. Her stomach jumped as this thought she had begun to make her shudder. She hurried over to her desk to check something quickly. Maybe this wasn't illness related; in fact the more she thought about it the more she realized that it had been awhile since she had her period and that maybe this was the indicator that she'd be getting it soon. Grabbing her calendar from a desk drawer she opened it to August and finding the days date, she counted backwards.
"Wait, no..." her eyes glued onto the calendar she counted back the appropriate number of days and her face went pale, her joints stiffened and she looked like she was about to pass out. Looking down at the calendar, her fears were confirmed. She was late, very, very late.
