Wild Horses
A new story that I hope will please readers. This is based on the song Wild Horses by Natasha Beddingfield. I love the song, and it has a great meaning to it. Haley James is this girl who feels like she is closed in and doesn't feel like she is truly living her life. She meets this guy Nathan Scott, and they become great friends, and he slowly tries to break down the walls she spent her whole life bulding. It may sound cliche but give it a try, and reviews would be greatly appreciated. Thanks a ton! Hope you like it.
Chapter One: History
"Mom, please just stay with me a little longer." A young Haley begged with tears stinging her eyes.
Lydia James was gasping for air. "Baby, you have to be strong." Her eyes were fluttering open and close. "I promise you, I will always be here with you." She weakly picked up her daughter's hand and put against her heart. She could feel it hammering her chest. "Take care of your dad, okay?"
"Mom..."
"I love you so much," Lydia said, crying. Her eyes closed, and a then her body went limp.
Haley stared at her mom's lifeless body, her body shaking with fear and sorrow.
Her eyes opened, and she could feel sweat trickling down her forehead. Her mom's image haunted her mind. A second later, her alarm clock went off. She reluctantly pressed down on the snooze button.
It was Monday morning, which meant it was only the beginning of the week. She groaned. Haley got up, and went to take a shower.
She had the same dream everyday for the past three weeks, maybe because it was almost the anniversry of her mom's death. She dried her hair, and chose her wardrobe for the day: jeans and a halter top. She put her hair up in a messy bun, showing her angular features. Everyone said she looked like her mother when she put her hair up. It seemed like that was the only thing her mom left her: herself.
She brushed her cheekbones with pink blush, and lined her eyes with liquid black liner. She coated her lips with strawberry lipgloss, and then she heard a car honk outside her window. It was Brooke.
Haley made her way down the stairs, and checked her living room. Her dad was sitting on the chair with a blank expression, and this time there were 6 beer bottles on the coffee table. "Dad, I'm leaving." Haley said to him.
He looked at her and smiled. "You gonna be home for dinner?" His voice was rough.
"I took an extra shift at the cafe. I'll see you when I get home, 'kay?"
"Be careful, honey."
She smiled and nodded. There was long pause before she said something else. "I love you, dad."
"I love you, too, kiddo." But he didn't meet her eyes.
She backed out of the living room, and opened her front door. She pulled her sunglasses down from her head, the sunlight was blinding. She got in the front seat of Brooke's car. "Hey girlie."
Haley plastered a smile on her face. "Hey. Where's Lucas?" It was wierd not seeing them together. They're always together.
"He's meeting us at school. He needed to get his brother enrolled." Brooke explained.
"Brother? Lucas never said anything about having a brother."
Brooke kept her eye on the road. "It's his half-brother. He just came here. I think his name is Nathan, or something."
The rest of the ride was in silence. They arrived at the front of the school, and Lucas was standing there. Brooke got out, and walked to him wrapping her arms around him and giving him a kiss.
Haley awkwardly sat beside Lucas on the bench. "Hales...what's up?" Luke broke away from Brooke, and stared at her.
"Just tired. Didn't get much sleep last night." She admitted.
"The same dream?" Lucas sounded concernced.
Brooke got out of his grip, and sat beside Haley. "Maybe," Haley answered.
"Why didn't you tell me?" Brooke asked. "Hales, maybe you should talk to someone."
"You want me to talk to a shrink? You think I'm crazy?" Haley sounded insulted.
"You're not crazy, that's not what we're saying. But maybe Brooke's right. Maybe talking to someone about it will help you." Lucas tried to rationalize.
"I don't need to talk to anyone, I need my friends and apparently they're not here." She got up, and went straight to her classes.
She didn't need her friends telling her to talk to a shrink. She didn't need to, she was fine. So what if she was getting reoccurring dreams about her dead mother? So what? Many people got them, right? She took a deep breath, and took a seat in the class. Even though it was 5 minutes early, she wasn't the only one in there. She put her bag down, and took out her books.
"Hey," a student said, sitting next to her.
She just smiled and went back to what she was doing.
"I'm Nathan." He said. "A transfer. Are the rumours true?"
"What rumours?"
"That the teacher sleeps with the students?"
Haley laughed. "Are you serious?"
"I don't know," he shrugged. "That's what I've been told."
"Sorry to disappoint you, but no. Mrs. Carter is married with three kids. She has the perfect life, and perfect family. Why would she need anything from naive school boys - high school boys to say the least." Haley explained. She gave out an irritated sigh. She didn't want to talk to anyone right now.
Surpisingly Nathan was in all of her classes, but after first period, he didn't say another word to her. After school she walked to the cafe, didn't bother catching a ride with Brooke. But Brooke visited her there. "I'm sorry." Brooke said.
Haley didn't say anything.
"Look, I just suggested it, doesn't mean anything. Hales, you haven't been like yourself, and me and Lucas are worried."
"I'm fine, Brooke. After Thursday, I'll be back to normal." Haley said, handing her a cup of latte.
"Thursday? What happens Thursday?" Brooke forgot about July 10.
Haley didn't reply, and with a simple sigh Brooke remembered. "Oh...Hales, every year you act sad and mopey when it comes close, but this year is different. You don't open up to me or Lucas. At least last year you smiled." Again no response.
Lucas came in, and put his arm around Brooke. "Wow, you could cut the tension with a knife." He said.
"Do you have to be so cynical?" Haley asked, giving him coffee.
"Does that mean we're friends again?" Lucas asked giving her a smile.
Haley's mouth cuved alittle.
"Good, because I have someone I want you to meet. Everyone, my brother, Nathan Scott." A tall brunette walked into the cafe on cue as if they rehearsed it. Haley rolled her eyes, and turned her head. "Nate, this is Brooke, my girlfriend, and this is Haley."
"That's my introduction?" Haley scoffed. "No subtitle, like best friend? Or what about the girl who saw you try on make-up in the fourth grade?" Haley reminded him with a smile.
"You promised we would never speak of that in public." Lucas glared at her, but everyone else was laughing. Haley just smiled at him.
"We've met," Haley said turning her back.
"That's great." Lucas said smiling, but he could feel the tension in the air.
After Lucas and Brooke left, they left Nathan and Haley alone. It was almost 10 o'clock, and she was beginning to close up. "Uh...It's closing time." She informed Nathan who was sitting on the couch just staring blankly.
He nodded and got back up. "Look, I'm sorry about class today."
"No, I'm sorry. I was the bitch. I'm not usually like this, and your brother and his girlfriend seemed to notice." Haley said, bringing mugs to the back.
He sighed, "'brother'" he seemed to echo. "You know I've never called him that before. He's like a stranger to me." He admitted.
"But you guys seem close." Haley told him. "I mean with how he talks about you."
"He talks about me?"
Haley chuckled lightly. "Actually today was the first I've heard of you, but i don't know. Just never mind what I said." She turned off the lights in the kitchen, and placed her patterned apron on the hanger. She turned off the main lights, and put her back over her shoulder. She got the keys out of her pocket, and let him exit the cafe before she did. She turned the key into the lock and heard the click. "Bye." She waved at him, and walked in the opposite direction.
"Do you need a ride home?" He asked her.
"I'm fine, thanks." Haley assured him.
"It's dark and late. It won't be a problem. And with you being Lucas' best friend, I think it's best if I drive you home."
Haley laughed quietly. "I don't live that far away. I can make it."
"I won't take no for an answer." He insisted.
She smiled and walked with him to his car. Like a gentleman, he opened the door for her, and let her slide in before entering through his door. The car had that new car smell. The leather felt good against her skin, and very comfortable. He rolled down the windows so they could feel the cool breeze. Haley instructed him on where to go. He opened the door for her. "Wow, nice house."
"Thanks, my mom chose it." Haley said.
"Is your mom home?" Nathan asked.
Haley's eyes widened. "No, she passed away when I was 9."
"I'm sorry." Nathan said looking down. He felt horrible for asking.
"It's okay." She lied. "So thanks for the ride."
Nathan smiled. She never realized how attractive he was. "It was my pleasure. So I'll see you tomorrow?" There was an excitement to his voice.
"I guess so." Haley turned around and opened her door. Her house smelled like beer. There were a lot more beer bottles on the coffee table than she last remembered of this morning. She sighed, and took them to the kitchen. There were dirty dishes in the sink. Haley was the type of person who needed to have everything perfect before doing anything else. She washed the dishes, and cleaned up alittle in the living room. She slowly went up her bedroom, passing her parent's bedroom. Or was it only considered her dad's? She saw him already in bed, but over the covers with shoes on. She walked in, and the smell of alcohol burned her nose as she bent down to take off his shoes. She placed a blanket over his body.
She turned on her light in her bedroom, and placed her bag on the chair like she's done everyday. She went to take a shower, and changed into her pajamas. She got into bed and let out a yawn. She was exhausted. Her head touched her pillow and she was facing her nightstand. A picture of her mother was in full view. "Goodnight, mom." She whispered and then she turned off her light, and closed her eyes.