Shelter
Chapter Two: Thoughts
"So, are you really ok with this, Haley?" Karen asked her carefully, while cleaning some tables at the café. Haley was helping her out, since they were almost ready to open on that Saturday morning.
"Yeah, I am." She nodded and sent Karen a small smile.
"Good to hear that." Karen smiled back. "He must be pretty troubled, and probably he's grateful that your parents agreed to help him for a while."
"I'm not really looking forward to it, you know…" Haley sighed and shook her head, taking a seat after they finished. "Not that I mind, it's not that… but with all the things I heard about Dan and how he can be an ass, I don't think that things will stay calm as they are around here anymore."
"You can count on that." Karen agreed. "I just hope that Dan don't try to make things worse for Nathan. I bet he's been through a lot from him."
Haley nodded. She knew that could happen. And she didn't really want a pissed off Dan Scott arriving unannounced at her home anytime soon. It would certainly not be any good to Nathan, and for sure it would be even worst for Lucas.
"You see…" Karen started again, while opening the door. "Dan always made his best to keep Nathan away from Tree Hill, but now he's coming to live here by his choice."
"Do you think Nathan might have a problem with that? With…living here in Tree Hill? Having to actually face Lucas and you…"
"I don't really know, Haley. I don't know Nathan. Sometimes Deb calls me, and she just say that her son is a good kid. He's just troubled by his dad. I believe her. And if Nathan agreed to live here, then I think he doesn't see a problem with it after all."
"Maybe he just wants to piss his dad off by accepting moving here." Haley stated. it could be true.
"It can be. But that doesn't really matter. Let's just make an effort to make him feel like he's welcome. I already talked to Lucas…"
"Yeah, he told me." Haley nodded her head. "He's not very fond of the idea, especially because he thinks that Nathan will draw some trouble to my house."
"I just told him to back off and let Nathan be. He and Dan are not the same person, and unless he proves us wrong, we'll give him the benefit of doubt."
"It's true."
"So, you're thinking that it could be awkward… having a strange boy living in your house…" Karen smiled.
"A little." Haley laughed lightly. "The truth is that I don't really know him and he's just going to be there… I don't know if I should try to be friends with him, I don't really know what he is like…"
"You'll find out. Since you're going to the same school, there'll be time to get to know him better."
"Do you think he's going to be around for a long time?" Haley asked. Karen raised her eyebrows and sighed.
"I don't know. Deb didn't tell me anything about how much time Nathan would stay here. I think she let it up to him. When he wants to go back, he will."
Haley didn't know how his presence would affect their friends, especially Lucas. And besides that, she didn't know how Nathan's presence would affect herself and the life around her house.
Haley was curious about it, and at the same time, she was a little scared. Well, he was going to be there by the end of the day, so there was no point trying to figure out what it would be like.
"Hey, mom. Hey, Haley!" Lucas greeted them while entering the place some minutes later. He seemed to be in a cheerful mood that morning, and Karen and Haley exchanged a curious look.
"Hey!" Haley smiled and went to join him near his mom. "So, what's the plans for today?"
"Nothing much. I'll stop by Jake's house now; we really need to finish that English paper, since its due Monday."
Karen placed some coffee in front of them and poured her a little bit too.
"Thanks, mom." Lucas smiled at her and then turned back to Haley. "So, you finished yours?"
"Of course I did! Last week, I suppose."
"I don't even know why I ask." He rolled his eyes, smiling. "But we're all heading to the river side court after lunch to hang out and me and the guys are playing a little bit. You in?"
"Sure." She nodded. Her shift at Karen's Café was only until noon, so she was free after lunch. "I can meet you guys there around two o'clock."
"It'll be cool." Lucas took a sip on his coffee and turned to his mother. "I think I'll have lunch at Jake's. His mom invited me."
"So, seeing as my son is leaving me to have lunch all by myself, I have to ask Haley if she wants to stay and have lunch with me."
"That will be cool actually." Haley agreed. "My parents are not home, so I would have to eat alone too…"
"Where are they?" Lucas asked.
"They went shopping for a bed… for Nathan, you know. They didn't have time during the week, and they decided to do it in the morning, since he's coming later today."
"Oh… ok." Lucas nodded. Karen just glanced at him and went to the kitchen, leaving the two of them alone.
"Are you ok with this Luke? You know we can talk about it…" Haley started, feeling sorry that Lucas was obviously uncomfortable with the situation.
"It's okay, Haley. Just… it's kind of weird knowing that he'll be living in Tree Hill, and in your house."
"What, are you jealous of your best friend?" She joked and Lucas laughed.
"Maybe a little…" He looked at her and then stroked her face slowly. "You know that you're like my little sister… I have to take care of you."
"I'll be ok, Luke. It's not like he came here to do us any harm… he's just taking some time away from his dad, that's all."
"He is Dan's son." Lucas told her after that, looking back at her. She rolled her eyes.
"So you are." She frowned at him. "And you are an amazing guy, Luke. Just because he is Dan's son, that doesn't mean that he'll be a jackass."
"Well, I'm an ok guy 'cause I was raised by my mom. Nathan always lived with Dan. For me, all I can see is that he can be just like him."
"Yeah, he can be. But we don't know! He can be nice, just like you, and you are just getting all worried for nothing. Just try being nice to him, that's all we can do… I think he is putting up with a lot of crap from his dad lately, that's why he wanted to get away. We don't have the right to make his life worse here too."
"Do you think he'll join the basketball team?" Lucas asked.
"I don't really know." Haley answered. She knew nothing about Nathan's plans on basketball or anything. Her mom told her that he dropped the team weeks ago, and maybe that was a sign of him getting fed up with the game. Maybe he just didn't want to play anymore. "Are you afraid of him doing it? Joining the team?"
"Don't know." Lucas shrugged. "It would be awkward, I think… I heard he played on his school's team, maybe he will want to join the Ravens."
"I don't know, Luke. Really don't. But even if he wants it, please, just let it be. It's just a game…"
"I know." He nodded.
Haley smiled at her friend. He was a great guy, she knew that. Lucas was just afraid of facing the problem that he never talked about… his family problem. But, as everybody knows, you can't just expect things to remain covered forever. Dan got out of Tree Hill long time ago with Deb and a seven years old Nathan, but that didn't mean that the past was dead. Dan could hide all he wanted, but the fact that Lucas was his son was undeniable, and everybody knew that. It was not a secret.
And now was the time for the two brothers face each other again.
"Everything will be fine, Luke." She assured.
"I know… I just… Just be careful ok?"
"I will. And you, just try to be nice. I'm not saying I'll be friends with him or anything, just… I'll only do my best not to make him feel uncomfortable. After all, he'll be living in my house. There's nothing I can do about it, and treating him bad is not the answer."
"Ok…" He nodded. "I'll do my best."
Lucas quickly finished his coffee and the kissed the top of her head, smiling. He then got up.
"I gotta go now. I told Jake I would be there early, so we could finish this thing as soon as possible."
"Ok. I'll help your mom out for now and after I finish having lunch with her I'll go meet you guys there."
"See you there then. Bye mom!" He said the last part a little louder.
"Bye, Luke. See you later." She said back to him.
Karen smiled down at Haley, getting back to her just after Lucas went away. She sighed and shook her head at thought of her son being all fussed because of Nathan.
"You did a great job talking to him, you know?" Karen told the girl. "Maybe this is a good chance for them to know each other and leave all this mess behind. It's not like they could just forget the fact that they are indeed related to each other."
"Let's hope everything turns out well." Haley added and quickly got up, as soon as a customer entered the place. "Let's get to work."
X X X X X X X X X X X X X
"Do they ever get tired of playing this game?" Brooke rolled her eyes while she, Peyton and Haley were watching Lucas, Jake and some other friends play basketball.
"I don't think so." Peyton laughed. "At least we have some time to hang out."
Brooke saw Lucas smiling at her and she winked at him, knowingly. Then she turned back to the girls, a big smile on her face.
"Seems like you and Luke are really okay now." Haley said, while watching the boys play.
"We are. It was just a small fight, we got over it."
"I can tell!" Peyton nodded and then laughed. "I noticed the way he was looking at you all the week. What were you guys up to?"
"Nothing much!" Brooke laughed too. "We just had to catch up on our lost time…"
"You guys only stay separated for… less than a day!" Haley raised an eyebrow at her friend.
"Well, that's much time! Me and Luke had to do something about it…"
"Don't even bother telling us the details." Haley made a face and Brooke rolled her eyes, playfully. "It's great to see that you two get along so well."
"Yeah, 'cause Lucas can be a butthead sometimes." Peyton joked.
"Whatever." Brooke rolled her eyes. "So, there's this huge party tonight, and we all need to go."
"I'm sure Jake will be up to this." Peyton nodded. "Sounds like a plan. What do you say, Haley? You're coming with us, right?"
Haley wasn't so sure about that. Nathan was getting there later, probably by dinner time, and she didn't think it was nice not being home. Okay, it was not her problem, but it didn't feel like the right thing to do in the end.
"I don't know, girls." Haley let out a small smile. "You know, Nathan's getting home today and…"
"There's no excuse." Brooke exclaimed. "You don't need to be there, it's not like you have to be waiting for him or something."
"I know, it's just that I don't think it would be nice." Haley shook her head.
"We doesn't even know the guy, Tutor girl. And he could be the real butthead if you asked me." Brooke said that, looking at Peyton. The blonde girl laughed a little, but soon enough shook her head at what Brooke was saying.
"Maybe Haley is no wrong at all. Of course she doesn't need to stay home, but it would really be nice if she did. On the other hand, I don't think you need to skip the party just because of him." Peyton told her. "You should stay home and help your parents out in order to make him feel welcomed, but you can meet us there later. Or I can tell Jake to get you around nine. This way you're not missing anything."
Haley nodded. It was good for her.
"Yeah, I think we can manage that." She smiled. "So tell Jake to pick me up at nine o'clock. I'll be waiting."
"Oh, that's so cool!" Brooke said, excited. "Peyton, you're coming with me to my house so we can get ready. I wish you could come too, Haley."
"Yeah, but let's just do it like Peyton said. It'll be better."
They just keep talking about the party and about the outfits they would choose and everything else. Haley, on the other hand, was just quiet, looking the boys play. She was nervous and anxious, and as the minutes and hours passed, she was more and more drawn to the feeling that meeting Nathan Scott would change her life in a serious way. She didn't know how, when or why, she just felt like that.
And it was scaring her a lot that a guy she didn't even know at all could make her feel like that.
X X X X X X X X X X X X
Nathan sighed while he closed his eyes and decided to keep his attention on the music that was blasting through his earphones. The trip was not so long, but being in that bus without someone to talk to was getting him nuts.
Well, it's not like he really wanted to talk about things, but being alone was making him thinks about the choice he just made, by accepting his mom's suggestion to go back to Tree Hill.
Maybe it was better if I stayed home.
That was an option, but Nathan was feeling so down for months that he didn't think he could handle all the things his dad was doing to him anymore. For a long time now, Nathan was thinking about quit the team, stopping playing basketball for good, and all of that just because of Dan. Since he was little, back in Tree Hill, he would remember being taught how to play by his dad. When they decided to move out of there, Nathan was seven, and after that, all he did was practice with his dad everyday.
His entire life was about being good at playing basketball.
Well, he couldn't say he didn't like it, 'cause he really did. The game was his life, he could say that. But what made him so fed up with it was purely his dear dad. Dan would almost kill him every time he missed a basket or every time where the team lost a game. Even when they won, and basically they won almost every game, Dan would always find a flaw and bully him about it for weeks. He would say he was sloppy, or he was losing his focus, or he was just going to say how Nathan never would be as good as he was.
Nathan couldn't care less about his dad's regrets about his life. He was tired of always being threatened by him every fucking day of the week just about a stupid game. A game that should be just for fun. Well, it sure wasn't fun to Nathan anymore. Actually, he couldn't even remember when he really enjoyed playing basketball, since his sanity depended on doing more than he could to be the best.
He almost flunked in English and Math last year just because his dad thought that practicing and running with him was more important than studying for the exams he had to take. Sure, Nathan wasn't very fond of studying, but sometimes he felt like his life was just turning the wrong direction and there was nothing he could do to stop that.
Thinking about the way his life was turning upside down the last months, he agreed that getting away from Dan Scott would be his salvation. It didn't matter if he had to live in Tree Hill for awhile, nothing really mattered to him now. All he wanted was to be away from Dan for some time, he wanted to think about his life, think about what he really wanted to do and who he wanted to be. His head was messed up, and being like this was not a great way to be living, especially when you also need to deal with school work, teachers, tests and the results of the games.
All he wanted was a little bit of peace. He wanted to have no more pressure on him about anything.
He didn't want this to be like they were in the past few weeks, when everything just got worse and pretty ugly….
Flashback on
Dan entered Nathan's bedroom with his face all flushed. He was surely angry and Nathan knew something like that would happen. They lost the game, and the team was no more undefeated. Nathan had the chance to make the victory basket, but he missed and then, he knew all the world would crash down on his shoulders as soon as he got home.
"What the hell was that about?"
"What?" Nathan asked his father, knowing what he was talking about.
"How could you fucking missed it? Nathan, what are you thinking?"
"I just missed it, dad! There was nothing more I could do!" he said, clearly tired and angry at his dad's attitude.
"I'm making my efforts for you to be the best and you just go there and mess everything up?"
"If you don't want me messing up your stupid game, dad, then why don't you go there and play it yourself? I wouldn't mind stepping out so you could get my place on the team!" Nathan told him, a smirk growing on his face. Dan closed his fists, his face full of anger.
"Don't kid with me, Nathan."
"I'm not kidding. I couldn't care less about you or what you think, or about this stupid game! I'm done with it, dad, ok?"
Dan took a step closer to his son, his eyes turning darker. Nathan knew he couldn't take it anymore, and that was the perfect time to just let out all his frustration about the way Dan was treating him all this time.
"What do you mean by saying that?"
"I mean what I just said. I'm done with it. Tomorrow I'll let Coach Burton know that I'll be out of the team."
"You can't do that."
"It's not like you can force me to play, dad, I already decided it. I'll quit the team and there's nothing you can do about it. I just can't stand it anymore, I don't enjoy it anymore. All you did was turn this game into something horrible."
"Stop saying bullshit…"
"I'm just stating the truth, dad. Too bad if you continue refusing to accept it. I already said what my decision is, and I want nothing to do with basketball anymore!"
After that, all Nathan felt was Dan's fist connecting with his jaw, and then he fell back near the wall. He wasn't sure about what had happened at the moment, but as soon as he felt his face hurting like hell, he knew that his dad hit him forcefully.
"You little piece of shit…"
Nathan tried to protect himself from his dad, but all he got was another punch, right on the eye. He let out a frustrated and painful sigh and Dan pointed a finger to his face.
"You don't have the right to take a decision like this! Not after all the time and money I spent on you, Nathan!"
Nathan didn't answer that at all. He was too shocked. Of course it was not the first time his dad got angry, but it was the first time that Nathan was actually afraid of him. Besides, his face was hurting a lot and he bet that he would get a black eye.
What a sweet way to show up at school the next day.
Dan grabbed him by his shirt and made him stand again. Nathan was really surprised by his dad's reaction, and now he was almost regretting what he said about stop playing basketball. His dad shoved him against the wall, visibly mad about Nathan's words. And he was just about hitting him again when Deb entered the room, shocked at what she was seeing.
"Dan, let go of him!"
He just did what she asked, but shoved his son against the wall again for good measure. Nathan touched his jaw and knew it would be pretty bad too.
"Nathan, are you alright?" His mom asked, joining him a second later. As soon as he nodded, still seeming lost and confused, she turned to look at her husband again. "Dan, what were you doing? You lost your mind?"
"He said he'll quit the team! After all I did to help him out all these years and..."
"No, dad, you didn't do that for me!" Nathan spoke again, his mom standing right by his side. "You did it for yourself and you know it. You did just because you want to live your dream through me, but guess what? I'm fucking tired of it! You can have this whole thing if you really want it, dad! I already said it, and I'm not taking it back. I'll quit tomorrow."
"You're going to regret this, Nathan." Dan told him, seeming to calm down a little. "You know you are."
"I'm not. Get over it already."
"When you realize that you're just throwing your future at the garbage, don't come crying to me, son. Basketball is the only thing you can really do in your life. You know that." Dan shot him a mocking smile. "Without it, you'll be fucked up and pathetic. It's not like you are smart enough to be accepted in a good university just 'cause of your grades. You're throwing your future away, Nathan... mark my words."
Nathan just clenched his jaw and watched his dad walk away, leaving him and his mom alone in the bedroom. Deb hugged Nathan and touched his face slowly.
"Don't let him get to you, Nathan... nothing he said is true. You know it's not like that."
He wanted to believe her, he truly wanted... but it was a shame that his dad always knew what to say in order to get to him. There was nothing Nathan could really do. He was already suffering.
Flashback off
Nathan sighed and opened his eyes again after reviving that moment a few times on his head. He really quit the team the day after that and Dan told him that he would take it back as soon as he realized the big mistake he was making. But Nathan didn't think it was a mistake and never came back to the team. It was done, it was his decision, and there was no going back.
Basketball was out of his life, just like his dad was. There was no other way to be free.
Nathan then shook his head and realized they were already arriving in Tree Hill. He just secretly wished it was the best choice, wished things would get better and he could live his life. All he wanted was to be a normal and happy teenager after all; he just didn't know if it was nearly possible.
X X X X X X X X X X X X
"You surely grew up, huh?" Jimmy patted Nathan's back as soon as they got to the car, smiling. The boy they saw ten years ago was now taller than they ever imagined.
"A little." Nathan's did his best to smile back.
"We hope you enjoy your stay with us, Nathan." Lydia now looked at him, smiling fondly at the boy. "We prepared a room for you, it's not fancy, but it sure looks good. Haley helped me clean up before we came to pick you up, I think she's just finishing it right now."
"Well, thanks, Mrs. James, it means a lot to me. Even though I don't want to get you into any trouble…"
"It's not trouble." Mr. James laughed. "Now let's get going, you must be really tired from the trip, and probably hungry! Lydia, call Haley and ask her if she can make some sandwiches before we get home."
"Sure."
Nathan sat on the back seat and felt weird for being there. They were doing their best to be nice to him, he could see it, but they were not his family. Even though, deep inside, he just wish they were.
After that, he thought about Haley. He had forgotten all about the James having a daughter by his age, but they had. They went to kindergarten together and he was always picking on her about something. He didn't remember her face that well, and of course he didn't have any idea on how she looked like now. It was a long time ago, and it was a little before his dad decided it was the best if they just leaved the city.
"Do you remember our daughter Haley?" Lydia asked him, right after she hung up the phone. Her daughter told her she would make some sandwiches and orange juice.
"Ah, actually I do. When you mentioned her I kind of remembered. We went to kindergarten together when I lived here." He answered.
"That's right. You were such a cute little boy!" She smiled. "Haley always would make a fuss about how you were picking on her."
Nathan smiled. So he actually remembered how Haley James would always be aggravated by him.
Now, thinking about it, could be a little more awkward living with them knowing now that they had a daughter. Nathan was not facing good days and he really wished he could be alone most of the time and try to work things out by himself.
When they were there, Nathan thought they had a pretty good house, even though it was plain and simple, different than his own house. He could get used to that, of course.
Jimmy helped him out with his bags, and Lydia James rushed to open the door and announce that they were home. Nathan entered the house slowly. He looked around to find himself in a cozy living room, which actually felt like a real home. Way different that his own house.
"Make yourself at home, son." Jimmy told him. "Haley, we're here!"
Nathan looked at the kitchen door and then she finally made her way to the living room, a smile playing on her lips. God, she's beautiful. She was certainly feeling a little shy, he could tell, but even though, Haley managed to look up to him and say:
"Hey, Nathan." She smiled. "I'm Haley."
He smiled down at her, nodding his head in response. Now there was no way back. He just hoped his time on Tree Hill could be bearable.
TBC
A/N: Well, thanks if you read it, please leave a review and tell me what you think. All I can say is that things will not be easy to Haley and Nathan, 'cause I happen to love a little drama. Next chapter should be up real soon!