AN: I was inspired to write today. Although, I don't normally get inspiration so this update may just be based off of lack of sleep and boredom. Either way, you all get an update so win-win for you. I'll make it clear that this story is not planned out and I pretty much type what I feel like. I have no direction for this story and I can't really make any promises other than Nathan and Haley will be together. And it will most likely be without any third-party "cheating" drama since I really like my happy endings. Anyway, this note is long enough so on with the chapter. Read and enjoy!
Disclaimer: I do not own One Tree Hill.
In Fates Hands
Chapter 2
This wasn't awkward or anything. Sarcasm noted. Haley did not understand how she was able to get herself into these kinds of positions. She was naked, in front of a total stranger and was about to cry her eyes out because he gave her his sweater and asked if she was okay. It wouldn't be so bad if there wasn't nudity but she was at least thankful that this guys sweater was big enough to cover her. He might have seen it all already but that did not mean she was going to let him have a free show. Haley was not the kind of girl to parade around naked, but she also was not the kind of girl to go skinny dipping in the middle of the day. It seemed to her that this day was full of surprises.
Shocking even herself, Haley spoke out. "What is your name?" She didn't know why she did it. She really wasn't in the best mood and meeting new people really wasn't her thing. But again, she really was not herself today.
"Nathan Scott. And by the way, I have your dress." He held up the rolled up, dusty material, showing her that he did indeed have her dress.
Nathan watched as her slim fingers gripped the material. He couldn't help but notice the difference between their hands. Hers were small, smooth and thin whereas his were large and rough. Actually, Nathan had noticed that everything about this mysterious woman was small, smooth and thin. Maybe a bit too thin in his opinion but what did he know. He had barely even seen a naked woman in the past couple of months. Maybe this was "in"
Shaking his head to clear his thoughts, he watched her walk over to the discarded bra and panty set that had been thrown on the sand. Without being asked, he turned around, giving her privacy to put her clothes her back on. He tried to focus on anything other than the fact that there was a partially dressed woman behind him. He might not have been himself lately but he was normal enough to have male urges. The time seemed to slow down around him and Nathan waited impatiently for her to finish dressing. He felt a light touch on the back of his shoulder and turned to find her dressed and holding out his now slightly damp sweatshirt. Nathan took hold of it and let it drape over his arm, his full attention back on the woman in front of him.
"You know, I still don't know your name. I mean, I've seen you naked and you know my name. I think it is only fair that I know yours." He had to fight back the eye roll he felt on-coming. This was his first step back into the world of women and flirting and he was severely out of practice. Nathan wouldn't blame her if she turned right back around and walked away from him.
"So just because you have seen me naked, you think it grants you the right to now my name? How do I know you aren't a serial killer who preys on innocent girls?" Haley could feel herself almost having fun. This was the closest to sarcasm she had gotten in a while and it felt like catching up with an old friend.
Haley bit down on her bottom lip while watching the man, this Nathan Scott. She had to admit that he was definitely attractive. Even those who never went for the slightly dangerous, tall, dark, and handsome type would be drawn to this man. His short, dark brown hair was shaved close to his head, making his strong jaw more pronounced against his tan skin. And in the middle of it all were the most hypnotizing blue eyes she had ever seen. They weren't normal blue. They were deep and bright all at the same time and Haley knew they meant trouble.
Haley was still staring at him, trying to figure him out when he finally answered her. "If I was a serial killer do you really think that I would have let you borrow my sweater? Or give you your dress back and turned around to give you privacy while you were changing?" Nathan spoke with a joking tone and waited for her reaction. He would play along with her game if it meant that she would be smiling.
"Well I don't know. Maybe that's your M.O. You stalk a girl, wait for her to go skinny dipping, pretend to be nice to her and then when she least expects it, BAM!" Haley made a sweeping motion with her hands before clapping them loudly together. "You hit her over the head and push her into the water. It is completely diabolical and perfectly safe for you because if someone is skinny dipping they are all alone. No people around equals no witnesses equals no jail time for you."
"Wow, yeah, I confess. You caught me. My name is Nathan Scott and I am number one on Americas Most Wanted. I am impressed though. You even figured out how I kill 'em too. Hit them and push them into the water. I guess the nickname is fitting. The cops out in Vegas called me 'The Splasher.' Guess my run is over now. You going to call the cops or should I make a break for it now?"
"You know, there is no need for you to be so sarcastic about it. Sarcasm is kind of my thing." Haley gave him a small smile, letting him know that she was just messing with him. If she was being completely honest with herself, she actually enjoyed their banter.
"Really? Sarcasm is kind of my thing too. But I guess I can share." Nathan had caught on to the teasing grin she was sending his way and figured it was safe to keep joking around with her. "Well, I mean I can share as long as you don't mind sharing with a serial killer."
"I suppose I can share, and I made up my mind. You're not a serial killer. If you were one, I would have sensed something." Haley had never been very good when talking to strangers and much like past conversations she had, this one reached the lull that always seemed to come upon her. She debated whether or not she should just stop this act now and walk away, but something about this boy was telling her to stay. And even though she did not really want to listen to her inner voice, she did. It looked like it was just Haley and Nathan on the old abandoned road.
Nathan had noticed the break in their banter but instead of coming up with a solution, he stayed quiet, not wanting to scare her off. Nathan was not the kind of guy who had girls as just friends; in fact he wasn't one to have many friends at all. But something about this girl was telling him to stay, telling him to take his time and she would let him in. Oddly enough, as pretty as she was, Nathan was not thinking about sleeping with her. He was just thinking about healing her. He did not want to see the sadness and pain in her eyes.
Nathan knew what it was like to be filled with sadness and pain and he learned the hard way that he needed to let people in. Bottling everything up almost cost him his life and no one wanted to go out that way. He knew that her life would spin out of control if she didn't talk to anyone. Maybe, if he stayed around, she would choose him to save her. Nathan wasn't even sure what was hurting her, but whatever it was, he just wanted to help her.
Nathan looked into Haley's deep brown eyes and made a promise to himself and to he. He would do anything for this girl he just met. Nathan Scott promised to help Haley James free herself of the pain, and maybe free himself as well.
