Once Upon a Tree Hill
"Haley. Haley! HALEY!"
Muttering under her breath about desperately needing to have her name legally changed, the person bellowed after raced up the two flights of stairs that led to an expansive bedroom. Hands planted on her hips, she tamped down a glare while giving the redhead posing in front of a full-length mirror a tight smile. A pair of light brown eyes didn't bother to conceal their annoyance while regarding her via the mirror.
"What took you so long? I've been calling you for like five minutes!" Obviously not that interested in receiving a reply, the redhead grabbed a small plastic bottle from the vanity and tossed it to the petite young woman standing in her doorway. "I need you to put some of that on my back." Tugging at the ties holding her bathing robe together, she allowed the fabric to fall from her shoulders and pool around her feet. "I know how much you like the ladies squirt, but try not to ogle the merchandise." Wearing nothing but a smirk, she headed toward her king-sized bed and lay on her stomach, hands tucked beneath her chin as she waited.
Meanwhile, Haley released that glare on the bottle of suntan lotion within her grasp. Ogle it? I'd rather toss it out the window! If this jackass were the only woman left on earth Haley would force herself to become straight.
"Rachel it's nighttime."
"Your point?"
"You're going on a night cruise. I don't think you'll require suntan lotion. Mr. Sun won't be back in North Carolina until tomorrow morning."
Raising her head, she looked at Haley. "Screw Mr. Sun. After several days of shopping I've found the perfect backless dress and I want my alabaster skin glowing underneath Mr. Moon." She actually had the nerve to snap her freshly manicured (by Haley) fingers. "Now get busy squirt. Peyton and I have to leave in a little less than an hour."
Trudging toward it, Haley knelt on the bed and began the task of making the other woman's skin glow. After the application along with a short massage was completed, she stood up just as a curly haired blonde walked into the room. With an inward groan, she waited for further instructions from the harried looking blonde.
"Haley." Yep, she would definitely need to alter her name. "Which of these should I wear? Which one brings out the color of my eyes more?" Two dangerously short cocktail dresses were held up for Haley's inspection. Regardless of which dress she chose if she happened to lean over at any point during the evening she could be arrested for indecent exposure.
Just as Haley's lips started to move, Rachel interrupted. "What're you asking her for? I'm the fashion expert." Standing, she retrieved her robe from the plush carpet and began to slide it on. "You wanna know something about mathematics or science, then you seek squirt's advice." 'Squirt' was about to march out of the room when those manicured fingers snapped once again. "Hold up. I need you to help me with my hair after I put my dress on." Assuming that Haley would indeed wait, the redhead disappeared inside a walk-in closet leaving her fraternal twin and stepsister alone for the time being.
"So Haley…"
I don't give a rat's ass which dress goes with your eyes better! She wearily ran fingers over an unkempt ponytail. "Yes Peyton…"
"I know you live in jeans and sweatpants, but I'm asking your opinion anyway." Holding them by the hanger hooks, she shook each outfit. "Which is your favorite?" Haley offered a noncommittal shrug. "I know! They're both so pretty! But if you simply had to choose…" Peyton again shook the dresses for affect. Her lips curved into a grin when Haley finally selected the dark green number. "I so agree! Hold these." Given the remaining dress and an empty hanger, the brunette waited with an impassive look upon her face as her stepsister slipped into the cocktail dress.
"So?" The blonde performed a 360-degree turn for thorough assessment. "Do I look like a million bucks or what?"
Or what. "Fine."
Peyton appeared disappointed by this reply. Her grin melted into a pout. "Fine? Just fine Haley?"
Deep brown eyes searched the high ceiling -- for what they weren't sure. "Peyton," she regarded the woman who was half a foot taller than herself, "you look gorgeous. Outstandingly beautiful actually. No woman who has ever worn that dress has adorned it half as well as you are now."
Too self involved to detect the sarcasm leaking through those compliments, Peyton happily smiled. "Excellent." Walking over to her sister's mirror she admired her reflection. "I hope Lucas feels the same way. I think he's intending to pop the question tonight!" She glanced at the other woman who feigned interest. "And if he does and of course I'll say yes, Haley I want you to be a part of the wedding. Rachel will of course be my maid of honor but since you're such a good baker I want you to design the cake! In fact," Peyton's grin was broader than a 100-watt light bulb, "you may plan the entire wedding! How do you like that huh?"
I'd prefer to visit an inebriated dentist to receive a root canal. How Haley managed to produce a smile she had no idea. "We'll see."
"What will we see?" Rachel asked while leaning against the doorframe of her closet to slip on her high heels.
"Haley's agreed to be my wedding planner."
Shrieking in excitement, Rachel folded her twin into a hug. "Congrats! It only took that boy three years to propose."
Peyton held up her naked ring finger. "He hasn't yet, but I feel that tonight is the night. There have been signs lately that he's up to something and Goodie's party cruise is the perfect opportunity to tell me what that something is." They shared another hug while Haley stood back trying not to gag and/or roll her eyes.
**********
Smacking her lips to ascertain that the lipstick was evenly distributed, Rachel recapped the tube and dropped it onto the vanity. She turned to the woman quietly perched on her bed. "Squirt since you're gonna be home tonight, you mind shampooing my carpet?" She giggled while pointing toward a reddish stain near her dresser. "I had some company over last night. Let's just say that you shouldn't attempt dirty dancing while holding a glass of Gaja Barbaresco when you're already well on your way to being drunk!" Rachel stood up brushing at a non-existent wrinkle. "So be a sweetie and take care of that for me will you?"
"I'll try to fit it in between completing my article that's due early Monday morning." Haley bit her lower lip to keep from adding more. Over the last seven years she'd found herself having to bite her lip so many times she was shocked that she still owned a mouth.
"Thanks squirt!" Rachel began to spritz perfume on various parts of her body. "Too bad you can't come tonight. This is the party of the year and you have to miss it just because you couldn't get your work done earlier." Clucking her tongue she proceeded to briskly rub her wrists together.
Brown eyes narrowed for a split second. "Rachel are you forgetting that I didn't finish my assignment because I was busy helping you with your own? You do recall that I did your research and conducted the interview with that new purse designer in your place right?" Not only that but she practically wrote her stepsister's article as well!
Light brown eyes narrowed for a full five seconds. "Haley while I appreciate your help please don't blame me for your inadequacies."
A curly blonde head peeked into the room. "Haley! The doorbell just rang."
"And?"
One of the blonde's perfectly plucked eyebrows raised. "And you wanna get it? It's probably Lucas picking us up. Tell him Rachel and I will be down in a minute."
Releasing a ragged breath, the petite brunette brushed past Peyton on her way toward the stairs. I wonder if I could get a two for one discount if I put a hit on 'em both.
**********
Haley displayed a genuine smile for the casually attired man standing on the James' welcome mat. "Lucas! How are you?" Although they worked in the same building she hadn't seen much of him lately.
"Great! And you love?" As he pulled her into a big bear hug, his pleasant cologne tickled her sense of smell.
"Pretty good," she effectively fibbed. "Come on in. Peyton and Rachel are just putting on the finishing touches. May I get you something to drink?" She could use three fingers of something on the rocks, but her impending work required a clear head.
Lucas shook his head. "Thank you but I'm good Hales." He glanced at her clothing choices and softly sighed. That outfit was barely appropriate for a quick trip to the supermarket. "Why aren't you going? After all this is your dad's party and this is only the second year you've been eligible to attend. Last year you had the flu. What's up this time?"
"Work."
"Work?" She nodded. "Could you expand?"
"Sure could and I intend to after you three leave 'cause there's a large batch of freshly baked brownies in the kitchen with my name on them! Those should get me to expand at least a pound or two."
The blond man chuckled. "Hales, why aren't you going? You've earned it. The music portion of the magazine wouldn't be half as good without you at its reigns. You've written some amazing articles over the last year."
Haley quietly thanked him while her cheeks suffused with red. "An article is why I'm not attending. Deadline as you're aware is the day after tomorrow and I only have an outline written. So that's what I'm going to be spending my evening doing." That and shampooing Satan Jr.'s wine stained carpet. "It's okay though. I'm determined to attend next year's yacht party."
"Usually I'm not a fan of procrastination but can't you write the article tomorrow? You'll have all Sunday. Hell, I'll come over and help you in any way that I can. We'll spend the entire day at the library or wherever."
It was on the tip of her tongue to ask Lucas why he may have been contemplating asking Peyton to marry him because he could do so much better but she didn't. It wasn't her place. Obviously he noticed something worthwhile in the blonde and one didn't need to have 20/20 vision to see the love in his eyes.
"Thank you Luke but I have a full day tomorrow and even if I didn't I wouldn't feel comfortable waiting until the last day before it's due."
Reaching out he gave her shoulder a gentle squeeze. "I'll miss you love."
She blinked several times to keep the tears at bay. "I hope you have a wonderful time my friend."