A Matter of Circumstance
A Naley Story
Background:
Throw basically everything you know about Tree Hill out the window. Nathan and Lucas aren't brothers. Peyton and Brooke were never cheerleaders. Haley and Nathan never dated. Peyton and Haley have been best friends since the age of 5/6 respectively. Besides the friendship between Haley and Peyton, the main common denominator is that they all attended Tree Hill High.
Our characters are now adults, ranging in age from 27-24
Chapter 1
Haley grumbled as she gulped the last of her vodka sour and stood to head for the bar, "Want anything?"
Peyton shook her head, "How many is that Haley?"
Haley shrugged and stumbled slightly, "I stopped counting."
"Don't you think you should slow down?"
Haley chuckled, "Not if I'm going to put up with her and her stupid friends all night."
Peyton glanced over at Brooke and her posse, "They're not that bad."
"Right," Haley huffed and made her way up to the bar.
Upon her return she flopped down next to Peyton, a drink in each hand, "Are you happy now? For every drink of vodka, I'll take a drink of water."
"Better."
"So, if they're not so bad, why'd you drag me to this thing? I wasn't even invited to the wedding – which is fine, because I wouldn't want to go anyway."
"You're right, they are annoying. I needed someone to keep me company." Peyton laughed, "and I have to admit, you're a funny drunk. I've never seen you like this."
"It doesn't happen real often."
The pair sat in silence watching the festivities until Peyton elbowed Haley, "Is that who I think it is?"
Jake glances from the Tim, the groom-to-be, to Nathan. They were hoping that marriage would finally slow Tim down some. But Nathan seemed to be somewhere else during what was supposed to be a guy's night out.
Nathan looked up and chuckled at the sound of a hoot that came from his friend Tim. The place was full of women, which suited Tim perfectly, despite the fact that he would soon be married.
Tim draped an arm over the shoulder of each of his friends, "Would you LOOK at all of the beautiful ladies!"
Jake shook his head, "You do realize you can't take any of them home, right?"
"Well, yeah, but we can still look, flirt, and have a good time."
After the guys got drinks and found a table Jake looked at Nathan, "Nikki was bummed that Rachel couldn't make it out this weekend."
"She couldn't take the time off. But she'll be here for the wedding next weekend."
"How are things going?"
Nathan sighed, "Let's just say this week out of Chicago is going to be nice."
"Things are that bad?"
"Well…"
Tim came sauntering at them from the dance floor, "You'll never guess who I think I just saw."
"What do you mean think you saw?"
"Yeah," Jake looked out on the floor, "you're not even drunk yet."
"Do you remember Haley James?"
Nathan scoffed, "Of course. She was basically a member of the team junior and senior year."
"Well, I think she's at the table over there."
Jake shook his head, "How do you NOT know if it's her?"
"When was the last time you saw her? I don't think I've seen her since college."
Jake shrugged, "I don't know, she's one of Nikki's friends on MySpace. I think she moved to Charleston a few years ago."
"I saw her at Target after Thanksgiving," Nathan continued to survey the bar, "she pretty much looked the same."
"Then it wasn't statgirl I saw. The woman I saw was lookin' mighty fine."
Nathan stood, "I need another drink, anyone else?" HE walked away without waiting for a response.
Jake watched Nathan walk away with purpose in his step before returning his gaze to Tim, "Did you really see her?"
"It was her," Tim tried to catch sight of Nathan, "Remind me why he never dated her."
"Because he's chicken."
"Think that'll change tonight?"
"Tim, he's married."
"But we both know that's not going so well. And well, you didn't see Haley."
"There he is, at the bar, just like he said."
"You thought he would too…"
"One can hope."
Haley watched as Nathan Scott crossed the dance floor. After Peyton had spotted Tim, it wasn't long before they'd seen Jake and Nathan too.
"You know, I saw him and his wife at Target after Thanksgiving."
Peyton looked at her, "Who, Nathan?"
"Who else would I be talking about?"
Peyton smiled, sober Haley was a talker, but drunk Haley talked much faster and more freely, "Do you still love him?"
Haley crunched up her face, "I never loved Nathan," she smiled and shrugged, "Sure I stalked him, was infatuated with him for 8 years and longed to have his babies, but it wasn't love. Okay, and I was crushed when I discovered he was getting married. But it wasn't love. How can it be love if it's not mutual? Oh, who am I kidding, I loved him. Probably always will, at least to some extent." Haley stood and quickly finished her drink, "I'll be back."
"Don't forget more water!" Peyton shouted pointlessly after her friend, suddenly regretting asking her about loving Nathan.
"Well, well, Nathan Scott, what brings you back here?"
"Haley?" Nathan tried not to show his shock as he turned to face her, "You look amazing."
"I know, right," she twirled unsteadily.
Nathan reached out to keep her from falling over. He looked into her eyes as her body rested against his. Coming to his senses he helped her onto a barstool, "Are you okay?"
Haley laughed, "My balance never was very good." Taking a sip of her new drink as Nathan paid for it Haley spoke again, "You didn't answer my question. What are you doing in Tree Hill? Aren't you supposed to be far away in Chicago with your wife?"
"Tim's getting married."
Haley looked down, "Of course he is. Everyone's getting married. Don't even bother looking," her gaze returned to his face, "there's no ring. Nobody wants me. I once thought you might want me. I entertained the notion off and on for more than eight years."
Nathan looked at her in shock but she either didn't notice or didn't care because she kept talking.
"That was until you came into the place where I worked to get your engagement pictures taken. That was when I knew you had never felt that way about me. Because if you had, you would've gone somewhere else, instead of flaunting it in front of me. I literally felt like I was kicked in the gut that day, and that you'd done it in imitation of sliding into home, feet first with your cleats aimed right at me. It took a long time to truly get over you after that. When I knew there would be no more chances. In fact, I'd been living in Charleston for a year before you stopped invading my thoughts constantly. But the feelings must be there somewhere. Otherwise your name wouldn't still be my password. And I wouldn't have the urge to do this," Haley gripped the bar top as she leaned in and gently kissed Nathan's mouth.
Nathan was stunned. But then he felt her begin to pull away. Quickly he grasped her face lightly between his hands and made an effort to deepen the kiss.
Haley moaned and granted his tongue access to her mouth.
Haley awoke and grasped the covers closely in an effort to warm herself. Focusing her eyes, she suddenly realized she had no idea where she was. Sitting up, she found a note taped to the TV. Wrapping a blanket around what she was startled to discover was her naked body, she crossed the room to read the note. It simply read,
"Thank you Haley."
Why could she not remember who it was from? Who she'd obviously spent the night with last night. She knew she'd been drunk, but she'd never before forgotten the events of the night. And of course, it appeared as if she's lost her virginity the one time she had. 'Great, just great,' she thought.
Digging through her purse, she located her phone and called Peyton.
"Where the hell are you? I've been worried sick."
"I don't know. What happened at the bar last night?"
"You don't remember?"
"No."
"Oh Haley," Peyton sighed. She knew she couldn't tell her the truth. It would probably devastate her. "You started talking to a guy up at the bar, kissed him, and then left with him."
"And you let me!" Haley screeched.
"I figured you were okay. It seemed like you knew him. And I think I recognized him from high school. Someone from your class maybe."
"Shit Peyton! This is bad!" Haley sat on the bed, "How can I not remember a thing? I slept with the guy for pete's sake. I can't even remember that."
"Maybe he wasn't very well, um, equipped, so you blocked it out."
"Somehow I know that's not it…"
"Are you going to tell Rachel?"
Nathan stared into his cup of coffee, "I have to. We both knew it wasn't working, but I don't think either of us knew how to end it."
"Well, this is definitely one way."
"Not the best way though."
"You're right about that," Jake sighed, "Nikki and I want you to know you're welcome to stay here if you need to."
"Thanks."
"You know, Tim was disappointed that you upstaged him last night. But he applauds you just the same. He said it's about time that you get rid of Rachel. He thinks she's already cheating on you."
"I'm sure she is. But that doesn't make this right."