Disclaimer: I don't own One Tree Hill. It belongs to Mark Schwahn and the CW. The dialogues I borrowed from the show belongs to the original writers. I am simply reusing their great lines into my story in the characters they created.
A/N: First of all, thanks a lot rachtree for your constant support and feedback. Really appreciate it. And tiff for a great song suggestion. It is quite suited for Naley but the lyrics weren't strong enough as Carrie Underwood's. However, because I liked it and felt like it matched Naley, I'm going to use it into another scene I added on this story. Keep reading. And sasha, yes there will be Baley friendship in this story. I really like their friendship too. So Haley's support will be Lucas and Brooke while Nathan's support will be Peyton as I found Nathan and Peyton as friends very interesting. Too bad show didn't use them much after early Season 3. And as for your song suggestion, I liked it but didn't feel Naley in it. But I am adding it to my playlist.
This chapter is when they have the fistfight and for different reasons than from the show. Read on and review please. Last chapter had very few reviews.
It was the next morning after the masquerade party at TRIC. Nathan managed to come for their daily tutoring session and Haley was also there. Nathan was working on his problem in math while Haley was sitting in front of him. Haley is really agitated to be there as she's not sure if she can handle being there that morning. She kept going through the book she was pretending to read and kept turning the pages forcefully. Nathan looked up when he heard the rustling of the pages.
"Are you alright?" Nathan asked her concerned. She was not acting herself that morning ever since he arrived. He didn't want to pry but now it seems to be a matter of concern. Haley was never careless with her books. Infact she's the one who insists on taking care of the books.
"I'm fine." Haley said. She couldn't hide her emotions from showing in her voice. She hoped Nathan didn't notice it.
"You're not fine Hales. You're ripping into the book like it owes you something." Nathan chuckled at her pouting look. "Come on Hales. Tell me." He asked earnestly.
Haley puffed out the air she's been holding unknowingly. After her talk with Lucas last night, she thought she should keep quiet about what she saw and not confront Nathan. She felt guilty to cause so much pain to the person she loved with all her heart. So she decided not to force him to forgive her but let him come to her in his own terms. She will wait until then and if it ends up she loses him, she will bear the pain so he can be happy. But the way Nathan was looking at her right now and asking genuinely makes her confused. She decided to throw her decision into the wind and ask him straight.
"I thought we were going to try and work on our relationship together." She started. Nathan immediately knew what she was talking about and sat straight tensed. "I am really trying Nathan but I need you to try as well." She told him.
"I am trying. Isn't that what we're doing? Doing schoolwork like we used to and hang out with friends?" Nathan asked confused. He thought maybe she's expecting more and he's not sure he's ready for that yet.
"Yeah. Sure. But it doesn't help when you go around flirting with Rachel and trying to move on with her." Haley said visibly upset.
"I wasn't flirting with her. She's just a friend whom I got to know when I was at High Flyers. That's all." Nathan said. He's not sure where Haley got the idea he was flirting with Rachel or anyone. This whole conversation is out of the blue.
"I saw you kissing her last night." Haley said as a matter of fact getting straight to the point.
"What? Kissing her last night?" Nathan asked genuinely lost.
"I was waiting for you to bring me my drink and then I saw you flirting with her. Then I catch you both making out in the dance floor." Haley said with her voice raising.
"First of all, the bartender delayed making your drink so I was waiting for it at the bar. I ran into Rachel there and when I returned back to you with your drink, YOU were gone. Then Rachel and I danced before I left." Nathan explained. "I don't know where you got the idea we were kissing."
"I don't know what's worse. The fact that you kissed Rachel while we're trying to save our marriage or you lying about it to my face." Haley told him. She didn't believe his version of events. While he admits to being in the dance floor with Rachel, he's pretending that he didn't kiss her. Which only makes her wonder if it was more than just kissing and that's why he's lying about it. The thought makes her sick to her stomach.
"Believe what you want. I'm done trying to explain myself to you. Not that I have to." He got up and started packing his books. Haley looks at him shocked at his response and refusal to admit what she saw. When he started walking away, she called back. "Wait. Where are you going? Stay and let's talk about this."
"No Haley. I'm done. I am not the one who went and kissed someone else in this marriage. And if I did, I wouldn't have any reason to lie about it. So I'm walking away before I say anything else." He said and walked away fast. Haley looked flabbergasted at his conviction that he didn't kiss Rachel. A part of her thought and hoped that Nathan was indeed telling the truth and she was mistaken. But another part of her kept replaying what she saw last night and that is the part that ended up winning her inner debate.
Nathan reached school still in a bad mood after the morning he had with Haley. After the party, he thought they were getting to a good place. But today's morning shattered that idea to pieces. Haley's accusations riled him up especially seeing how she was the guilty one of the accusations she's throwing at him. He knew Rachel had a thing for him but it was not a two way street. And just because she liked him doesn't mean he will avoid her and not treat her as a friend. Other than Battle, she was the friend he had at High Flyers. He's not willing to lose that over Haley's suspicions.
After hearing from his Vegas that Whitey was looking for him, he went to the gym and stood at Whitey's office entrance.
"You wanted to see me Coach?" Whitey turned from the whiteboard towards Nathan when he heard Nathan.
"Nathan. Good timing. Come in." Nathan took a few steps inside and got close to the desk in front of the whiteboard Whitey was staring at.
"Look at this." Whitey pointed to the whiteboard. Nathan looks at the sketches of gameplay Whitey had drawn. "Triangle offence. It all runs through you." Nathan gives a smile in appreciation and nods.
"I'm ready to do whatever is necessary coach." He said confidently. He knew this year was going to be his year. The year when he can prove himself to not just the scouts but everyone else. And this will be the year he outgrows from the shadows of his father's reputation and career.
"I know you are." Whitey smiles and pauses thinking how to phrase it next. "You know it may not come as a surprise but…" he reaches into the box next to him and takes out Nathan's uniform and throws it to Nathan. "…I'm making it official. I'm making you the captain of this year's squad."
Nathan looks at the jersey surprised. He knew he had the talent and skills to be the captain. But Whitey quite often seemed to favour Lucas. And he wasn't sure he would be getting the captainship as he once thought. "I don't know what to say."
"There's nothing to say. You've earned it." Whitey tells him.
"In that case, I promise to do whatever it takes to get you that championship this year." Nathan promises.
Whitey laughs when he heard Nathan's vow. "Nathan, I appreciate the sentiment but if we do get that far, the trophy belongs to the team and not just me. Team Unity. That's the captain's responsibility." He pats Nathan in the arm before leaving the office.
Nathan stood there with the jersey that had the "C" symbol stitched as proof that he's the captain. He touched it slowly as if it's an illusion that could fade away anytime. After taking a few minutes to let the information sink into his head, he smiled. Things are changing in his life for the better.
After her morning argument with Nathan, Haley needed some way to relax. She always found music to be relaxing and since she didn't have any classes to attend at that time, she decided to stroll into the record store and look at the new releases. She was browsing through the latest releases when she came across a CD released by Chris Keller. She pulled it out and noticed the album titled "Keller Instinct". She was looking at the CD lost in her thoughts and memories of her on-the-road trip and the path not taken. She gets pulled out from her thoughts all of a sudden when someone pulled the CD she was holding out her hands.
"If you want, I can autograph it for you." Chris told her with a smirk holding the CD in his hands.
"God!" Haley lets out the breath she was holding at the sudden shock.
"I knew you'd be happy to see me. No need to thank god for it." He told and gave her a wink.
"I wasn't thanking." Haley said briskly and started to go around him out of the store. But Chris moved in her way blocking her path.
"So how's married life?" He asked like he's chatting casually.
Haley looked away from him for a minute. She didn't want this today after the morning she had. She wanted to relax. Not stress even more. "What're you doing here, Chris?"
"Truthfully, I came to Tree Hill to ask you to make music with me again."
"Huh?" Haley looked at him astonished like he's lost his mind. "Are you kidding me?"
"Come on. You know Chris Keller don't…" he stopped finishing the sentence at Haley's glare. He knew she was being serious.
"Sorry. Old habit. You and I made great music together before. Why not do it again?"
"Are you out of your mind?" Haley asked him shocked. "Do you remember what happened last time?"
"Yeah. It wasn't easy but we made it work before. And now that all the crap is over…"
"That crap is my marriage Chris. And it is definitely not over." Haley said with conviction.
"That's not what I heard in the streets." Haley looked at him reproachfully. "I'm just saying what I heard." He held up his hand as a sign of surrender. "Come on. Me and you like old times. We connect together more than you do in your short-lived marriage to Nathan."
"Chris. I'm warning you." She said threateningly. He was really making her angry.
"Be honest to yourself Haley. You have talent and we create great music together. You thought coming back to Tree Hill will salvage your marriage. But everyone says it's over and Nathan has moved on. So are you holding onto a false hope in your fictional marriage that will end up nowhere or shall we work together and achieve your dreams?"
Haley kept quiet and not respond. While what Chris told was hurtful, a part of her wondered if there was any truth in it. Maybe she's holding onto a dream where Nathan and she will get back together. When in real, he has already moved on with Rachel.
"Call me when you make your decision." Chris said and walked out the store leaving Haley behind lost in her thoughts again.
Nathan was walking to his next class when he ran into Haley. He was being congratulated by his team mates for most of the day and he had been feeling elated. He had nearly forgotten about the fight he had with Haley until he ran into her which dampened his mood.
"Hi" Haley said as soon as she saw him.
"Hey." He said and tried to walk briskly away.
"Can I talk to you for a minute?" Haley said quickly following him. Nathan stopped and turned around to look at her with a cold stare. Haley knew that was all she was going to get so she has to work with it.
"I wanted to say that I'm sorry." Haley said getting straight to the point. Nathan looked at her surprised. He wasn't expecting that. "I shouldn't have come at you like that today morning. What you do is your business and I should not have questioned you about it." Haley elaborated. Nathan's surprise dimmed a little.
"So you still don't believe me then." He stated with an even voice not showing his disappointment.
"It's not like that." Haley denied. "I do want to believe you. But I'm having trouble with what I saw and what you tell me." She explained her side hoping Nathan can understand where she's coming from.
"Whatever Haley. I have a lot of things going for me today. I don't want to argue with you on this matter anymore." He told her.
"Oh. Anything good?" She asked curiously. Nathan had a glint in his eye and she wondered what it could be.
"Yeah. Whitey officially promoted me to the team captain for this season." He told her proudly. He has come to accept it as reality after a while.
"Oh Nathan. That's great." Haley said excited for him. She jumped on him and gave him a hug quickly. Nathan was surprised at first but he returned it after taking a moment to compose himself. It had been a while since he and Haley had any kind of physical contact like that. Haley let go of him after realizing what she had done on impulse. She blushed in embarrassment while Nathan gave her a disarming smile showing it was ok.
"This is going to be a great year for you. You will surely win the championship. I'm guaranteeing that right now." Haley said that confidently. She believes in Nathan and his ability and with him as the team leader, he will win the championship no matter what.
"I hope so. I promised Whitey I would try. Just have to live up to it I guess." He told her. They both smiled at one another feeling better about their situation.
"I was thinking…" Nathan said after a moment of comfortable silence. Haley looked at him expectantly. "you should get back to your music Hales. And you should really focus on it right now. I have my basketball and the championship this year. You should have your own thing too." He told her. Haley looked at him wondering if this was a weird coincidence or some kind of trick fate is pulling on her.
"Funny. It was what Chris was telling me today morning." She informed Nathan.
"Chris?" Nathan looked at her confused. 'Where did he come from?' He wondered.
"Yeah. Colour me surprised. I didn't even know he was coming and he ambushed me asking me to make music with him." She shook her head at the ridiculous request.
"Oh." It was all Nathan said. In his mind, a lot of thoughts and questions were running. Should he feel threatened? Is he going to lose Haley again? Will she leave again like she did before? Is it worth fighting for in the first place?
But he decided to keep his thoughts and doubts to himself. This may be a chance that would give him a clear choice once and for all.
"I think you should work with him." Nathan told her. She looked at him disbelieving what she just heard. She was expecting a livid Nathan getting ready to pummel Chris. And she was prepared to stop him from doing that. But this calm Nathan telling her to do what Chris suggested is definitely not what she expected.
"You What?" She asked astonished.
He shrugs and said "He's good for your music Haley, and you deserve to be great. Maybe this is what you need to focus on now."
"Nathan, working with Chris nearly killed our marriage." Nathan grimaced when she said that. "Do you remember how jealous you got?" She asked him.
"I do. And that's why I am suggesting this. I need to be able to trust you again Haley." He tells her. "Last time when you worked together, you developed feelings for him. If you work together again and end up having feelings for him once again, then we both will have a clear understanding of where we stand as a couple." Nathan explained. Haley shook her head not believing what she's hearing.
"Nathan. This is ridiculous. Are you testing me?" She asked already knowing the answer.
"Call it what you want. This is about me being able to trust you and you knowing who you want while working on your music."
"Nathan, I told you before. I have no feelings towards Chris. I didn't know what I was feeling last time but while on the road, I knew for sure that my heart belongs only to you. And there was no place for Chris or anyone else in there." Haley pleaded hoping it will be enough to convince him.
"You say that now Haley, but your actions spoke louder than words last time. I need to be able to get back the trust you lost by your actions. If you are sure you won't have feelings for him at all, what's the harm in working with him on your music?" Nathan asked her. She had no answer to that. She was afraid that it may split them apart further than where they are now. But it is Nathan who's asking her to do it. And if she doesn't, he may come to the conclusion that she's afraid that she may have feelings for Chris still but just denying it.
"I'll think about it." That was all she was able to tell him at that moment. She still needs to wrap her mind around the idea and be sure before she say she will.
"Thank you. Now I must go. I'm getting late for my class." He said and walked away.
Haley was lying down in her couch after school working on her trigonometry. She wanted to keep her mind occupied and math always helped her do that. Music was reminding her of her impending decision regarding Chris and she wanted to forget about that for a while atleast.
"Hey friend!" Brooke called out cheerily as soon as she entered their apartment. She plopped into the sofa in front of the couch where Haley was at.
"Hey tigger. Had a good session?" Haley knew Brooke had a cheerleading tryout today. And from Brooke's reaction, it must have gone good.
"It depends. I have good news and bad news. Except the good news makes the bad news pointless. So, I have good news." Brooke told her excited.
"Ok. What's the bad news?" Haley asked knowing Brooke is trying to avoid talking about the bad news on purpose.
"Party pooper." Brooke pouted. "You won't believe who showed up for the cheerleading tryout today." She said mysteriously letting out a huff like she's still steamed off.
"Who?" Haley asked curiously. If someone had riled up Brooke this much, it must be someone she really dislikes.
"That two faced slut bimbo Rachel." Brooke said with her voice laced with anger.
"What?" Haley was shocked. She wasn't expecting that. She put her books down and turned her full attention to Brooke.
"Yeah. Imagine my surprise when she showed up in her skimpy outfit looking like a tramp." Brooke huffed. "I wanted to say no but Peyton pointed out that she was a skilled dancer."
Haley can't believe what she's hearing. Not only was Rachel attempting to join the cheerleading squad, Brooke is considering giving her a position in her team.
"Tell me you didn't let her in." Haley asked desperately.
"I didn't have any choice. All the other girls were clumsy and horrible and out of everyone, she was the only one who had the skills. Probably learned it from her stripper days." Brooke said apologetically.
"Brooke." Haley shouted. "She's already making her moves on Nathan and now you're making it possible for her to be with him all the time." Haley said exasperated. Brooke didn't know about the possible kiss Nathan may have had with Rachel. But she knew well enough about how Rachel was always making her moves on Nathan.
"I'm sorry Haley. With Peyton voting for her, I was outnumbered. But that's when I came up with the brilliant idea." Brooke said excited.
"What is it?" Haley asked suspiciously. 'Possibly running over Rachel with Peyton's car so she can't join the cheerleading club' Haley hoped in her mind.
"You should join the cheerleading squad too." Brooke said and sat back waiting for Haley to be overjoyed with the news.
"What?" Haley asked surprised. That wasn't what she was expecting. "Are you out of your mind? I'm a born clutz."
"You'll be fine. You did great in last year's tournament when you helped us out. All you have to do is the same this year permanently." She said delighted that her idea was really great and foolproof.
"I don't know Brooke. I just… I think that if I join the squad, Nathan would see it as some, like, pathetic attempt to be close to him. He would think of me like Rachel." Haley said dejected.
Brooke frowned at the response Haley is having. She expected her to be elated like she is. But Haley is being all negative instead.
"Ok first, you're his wife. Rachel is a slut. Not the same. And It seems to me like worrying about what Nathan thinks is pathetic is actually pretty pathetic. This is something you should do with me. Your room mate. We will have fun together." Haley shook her head unconvinced.
"Ok fine. Did I mention that Nathan's very often shirtless at practice?" She said. As she expected, Haley looked at her with annoyance. "You know, hot, sweaty and… bulging in all the right places." She gave an evil smile noticing Haley's annoyance grew. She was succeeding. "All the girls notice. I'm sure Rachel will too." She gave a shrug like she didn't care. "OK, see ya." She said and pretended to walk away.
Before she walked long, she got whacked in her ass with a pillow by a very annoyed Haley. Brooke turned back and looked at Haley triumphantly knowing she had planted the seed and it will grow into a tree very soon. She can expect Haley to show up for the opening ceremony. Her scheming doesn't fail her normally and it wouldn't this time as well.
Haley was still confused about all the decisions she had to make. It has been a stressful day for her. Starting with the fight she had with Nathan to Chris' reappearance and Brooke's suggestion, she is being asked to make decisions. And she needed someone to talk to. Seeing how Brooke or Peyton won't be much of a help and Nathan being the way he is, Haley went to the one person she could trust and give sound advice. She knocked on the door of Lucas' home waiting for him to open up.
"Hey Hales. Come in." Lucas said once he opened the door. Haley walked in and started going to his room.
"Is something wrong?" He asked once he followed her to his room. He can tell after all this years when Haley is struggling with something.
"No. Yes. No. I don't know." Haley said confused. "It's been a rough day and I need someone to talk to." She said.
"Oh well, you've come to the right place. I'm here to listen." He said and sat in his bed patting the space next to him. She gave a grateful smile and sat in the space next to him. She took a minute to compose herself and tried to phrase her thoughts properly.
"I ran into Chris today." She said first. That was the first matter she wants address.
"Chris? As in Chris Keller?" Lucas asked confused.
"Yes. The same obnoxious Chris Keller. He's in Tree Hill."
"Oh. What does he want this time?" Lucas asked concerned. He knew how things went last time he was around.
"He wants us to work together again." She said. Lucas stared at her face looking for any sign of emotional reaction from her. "Nathan told me that I should." She defended after seeing Lucas' scrutinizing gaze.
"Hales. You know I love you right?" Haley nodded in response. "But I'm worried that this may lead you down a path you may regret later on like last time. Especially with how tensed things are between you and Nathan lately, this may turn out to be a bad idea." He said softly. While he doesn't want to intrude in his friend's dream, he also doesn't want to see her make the wrong choice again because of the emotional turmoil she's going through lately.
"It won't be like the last time. I won't be keeping things from Nathan. And it's just music." She said confidently.
"It started off that way last time too. And then you end up having feelings for Chris especially when things are not right with Nathan. And whether you want to acknowledge it or not, Chris Keller has feelings for you. He will do everything he can to win you when you're vulnerable." Lucas voiced his concern.
"It's not like that this time. Maybe I was overwhelmed last year. But now that I had lived through my mistake and facing the consequences, I know how I feel. I love Nathan with all my heart and whether Chris has any feelings for me or not wouldn't matter to me. Not the slightest."
"Ok. As long as you know what you're doing. I will stand by your decision as always. But don't give up on Nathan and your marriage." Lucas said. He was still unsure if Haley was doing the right thing but he has to let her make her decision. Atleast this time around, he will be around to look after her.
"Brooke came up with an idea today to help me get closer to Nathan." She told him changing the subject. She has plenty to cover and she feels that while Lucas has his doubts, she has none when it comes to working with Chris after her talk with Lucas and voicing out her conviction. It will be strictly business and since Nathan knows and even encouraged it, she has to do it. It will also prove him that Chris has nothing to do with how she feels.
"What grand idea did she have this time?" Lucas asked chuckling. Brooke's ideas tend to be sneaky but it works out mostly.
"Well, she said that Rachel had joined the cheerleading squad." Lucas gave her an unbelievable stare. She nods to confirm it was true and continued. "She suggested that I should also join the squad so that I can be around Nathan at the games." Lucas started to laugh and she gave him a smack in his arm to stop him from laughing at her. "Stop it." She chided at him when he continued laughing.
"You… a cheerleader. Now that's funny." He said trying to control his laughter.
"What? I did it last year. Ofcourse I am still a clutz but with practice, I can be one." She said trying to convince herself.
"Sure. You can." He said still smiling. She gave him a shrug as if she's just thinking about it. "It's not about the cheerleading but just being around Nathan so that we can talk to one another more often. Lately we only get the chance when I'm tutoring him or we run into one another randomly at school." She said sadly. Lucas became serious when he noticed Haley feeling down about her situation.
"I understand Hales. I'm sure you'll do great and Brooke will be happy to have you in her team. And Nathan will come around. Just give him time." He said comforting her.
"I'm not sure. He may be moving on from me." She said voicing her painful concern of all her problems.
"He's not. Trust me. We may not be talking to one another but I can tell you that he's in love with you as always."
"I didn't tell you something last night." She said softly. Lucas gave her an enquiring look. She took a deep breath before proceeding. "Last night… I saw Nathan at the party kissing Rachel." She told him.
"What? I don't believe it." Lucas said. He cannot believe Nathan would do such a thing. No matter how badly things are between them now, the Nathan he got to know last year after he came back was not capable of such an act.
"Nathan denies it too. But I was there Luke. I saw them making out in the dance floor." She said.
"Are you sure it's him? Nathan wouldn't lie like that Hales. You know him. He may close up emotionally he wouldn't lie to you like that." Lucas told her. He was pretty sure there must be some misunderstanding.
"Are you saying I'm lying or I didn't see it with my eyes?" Haley asked incredulously. She can't believe her best friend is telling her she was wrong and his half-brother is right.
"I'm not saying that." Lucas denied immediately. "I'm just saying that maybe things aren't how they appeared. Don't jump to conclusions without having all the facts." He said hoping it would appease her.
"I don't know what to do. I don't know if I can bear it if it was true. Part of me hopes that he is telling the truth and I was just imagining things. But another part of me is telling me that I'm just hoping for something that doesn't exist anymore." She said visibly upset.
"Have faith Hales. Fight for what you want. Don't let anyone or anything get you down. Join the cheerleading squad, talk to Nathan. Do what you have to but don't let it go without a fight. I still believe that you two will get back together." He said confidently.
"You think so?" Haley whispered with little hope. "I know so." He confirmed. "Come here." He invited her into his embrace and she hugged him tightly hoping what he says will become true. Talking to Lucas had been a great help and allowed Haley to come to decisions on the choices she had.
After hanging out with Lucas and making her decisions, Haley called Brooke to tell her that she will join the squad. Brooke was ecstatic that her plan worked and told Haley that she had already left her costume in their room. Haley went home and changed to get ready for the opening ceremony of the Basketball season for the year.
She was nervous when she walked into the dressing room where the rest of the cheerleaders were getting ready.
"What is she doing here?" Rachel asked loudly as soon as she noticed Haley.
"I invited her." Brooke announced to Rachel and others. "She's joining the squad." She told and gave Haley a wide welcoming smile.
"Hi!" Haley waves nervously at everyone.
"Nice outfit." Rachel mocked her. Then she turned her attention to Brooke. "She can't join the squad. The routine won't work with an extra person." She argued.
"Sure it will. Right girls?" Brooke asked the rest of the squad. The other girls were nervous to speak out and endure the wrath of Brooke the Cheernazi. So they remained silent. "Right?" Brooke asked again but this time threateningly. Almost immediately, all the girls nodded and yelled "Right".
"See. Problem solved. Besides, I'm the team leader here and I make the rules. And I say she's in." Brooke told Rachel as if that's the end of the discussion. She then started to get ready to leave the locker. The rest of the girls welcomed Haley with their own greeting. Peyton remained impassive and didn't bother welcoming Haley.
"What are you doing here? Do you really think your pathetic attempt at joining the cheerleaders is going to make Nathan notice you?" Rachel asked angrily when she was near Haley and out of the earshot of the other girls except for Brooke who was standing close to Haley protectively.
"Listen bitch!" Haley said turning around towards Rachel to address her. "You may think you have your claws on Nathan, but I can guarantee you that I will not give up on us without a fight. And he knows that." She said harshly hoping her voice didn't show any doubt.
"Why would he want to go for you when he has a better choice in front of him? A sexy good looking girl who can show him a good time or a cheating two timing whore with a big head and a fat ass?" Rachel mocked at Haley. Haley almost leaped at Rachel but Brooke noticing it immediately held her back.
"I'm warning you now. Stay away from him." Haley said threateningly.
"That's not what he said yesterday." Rachel said and walked to the court while Haley was standing there in the strong hold of Brooke seething. If Brooke didn't hold her back, Haley would have attacked Rachel for sure.
In the other side of the court, the guys were getting ready to enter the court. They were standing in a lineup with Nathan at the front wearing the captain patch in his jersey. Lucas was standing behind him.
"What are you doing to Haley man?" Lucas asked unable to keep himself silent. Nathan looked back at him coldly showing he's still not talking to Lucas. But Lucas couldn't keep silent.
"She loves you and you keep hurting her for what she did. Stop messing with her head and start working things out with your wife. Instead of going behind her back and making out with others."
"Ok. You need to back the hell off right now." Nathan said turning and facing Lucas and taking a step forward threateningly. He has been dealing with Haley making accusations at him and now it seems Lucas is doing the same too. He was getting tired of it.
"Stop being a manipulative bastard trying to push Haley at Chris so you can make your move on Rachel." Lucas said not backing up. He was tired of Nathan treating Haley badly.
"Don't push me bitch!" Nathan warned.
"Why? Is that an order Captain?" Lucas responded. He knew what would push Nathan over the edge. He was close to breaking and Lucas was unable to stop breaking his emotional barrier. "You know… I used to wonder why Haley left you last year. But now I get it. She didn't want to be with a manipulative husband like you. You turned out to be just like Dan." He said.
That was the last swing that broke Nathan's wall. He couldn't control himself anymore and he took hold of Lucas by his jersey and swung hard with his right. It connected hard on Lucas' face knocking him back. Lucas recovered and took a swing at Nathan. They both started fighting and the rest of the team got involved into a scrum pushing everyone out of the door into the court.
The cheerleading squad was surprised at the rumble that just came out of the boy's entrance onto the court. Everyone was either fighting or trying to separate one another. At the centre was Nathan and Lucas swinging at each other like Ali and Forman.
"What's going on?" Brooke asked no one confused. Everyone was staring at the rumbling team.
"Maybe Nathan found out that two timing former wife is banging Lucas. Seeking comfort from the other Scott lately?" Rachel mocked. Haley saw red and since Brooke wasn't close enough, she rushed at Rachel full force knocking her down. Haley swung hard at Rachel who was dazed from being knocked off her feet. Haley connected a few times before Rachel pushed her off and Brooke and Peyton held Haley by her arms.
"You just bought yourself a nose job." Rachel said and swung at Haley who couldn't defend herself since she was still in Brooke and Peyton's hands. It connected and knocked back her head. Brooke let go of Haley and hit Rachel in retaliation. Then everyone started getting involved in the cheerleading squad as well. Rachel and some other cheerleader she had befriended were taking on Haley and Brooke. They were punching, pulling each other's hairs and clawing at one another. Peyton was trying to break up Brooke and the other cheerleader while Whitey was trying to do the same with the Scott brothers.
Nathan and Lucas were at Whitey's office icing their injuries. Lucas was nursing his swollen jaw, Nathan was icing his fists. Whitey was walking in front of them steaming angrily.
"Never…" Whitey said loudly shaking Nathan and Lucas from their silence. "in my career have I been so embarrassed by my players." He scolded both. He then stepped in front of Nathan looking down at him.
"What the hell was I telling about earlier? Why should I even bother lecturing you about team unity when you can't even be united with your brother?" He scolded.
Nathan looked at Whitey ashamed for his behaviour. "I'm sorry coach, I lost my temper. There's no excuse and I won't let it happen again."
"And you." Whitey said turning towards Lucas. Lucas looked at Whitey nervously. "What were you doing taking a swing at your brother in front of the entire crowd?"
Lucas also seem ashamed and looked down. "I'm sorry coach."
"I ought to strip you off your captaincy and bench both of you for the rest of the season." Whitey proclaimed. Both of them looked up at him in alarm.
"But I'm not going to do that." Whitey said and sat down in his chair and pulled something out of his drawer. He threw it at Lucas who caught it clumsily.
"Coach?" He asked confused.
"I'm making you co-captain instead." Nathan looked upset but unable to say anything just sighed. Lucas still looked confused.
"Neither of you deserve to be captain. But this is our last season and you two are either going to work together or tear the team apart. You decide." With that, Whitey left his office angrily. Lucas looked at Nathan who was purposely avoiding eye contact. Lucas clutched onto the patch tightly.
A/N: I would like to hear your thoughts through reviews on current story progress. Would like to know if anyone feels uncomfortable with anything in the story. Next few chapters have some exciting stuff happening. Looking forward to hearing your feedback on them.
Now got a question to you readers. If you were to play the role of Brooke from Season 1 in Season 3 Naley relationship, what would your serial date mystery cards will be? What would you set them up for to reconnect them? I have my own list of ideas. Want to see if anyone has better which I can incorporate into the story. So write your review and give your suggestion.