Hey everyone(: thank you to yous who reviewed! So this chapter… well I'm not sure about it, I just… I dunno, haha. It also might be a while before I update, it's just with pre-lims this months and exams.. I should actually be studying right now... but I thought I'd update instead, okay again, not sure about this chapter but you tell me what you think(:
Trick or Treat?
-x-
"What are yous two laughing at?" Mam shouted from the kitchen.
I clutched my stomach as I tried to breath, Tommy was beside me, doing as bad of a job as I was. Harvey was having a sneezing fit, and it was just the funniest thing ever.
"Nothing, Mam!" I shouted back to her, before bursting into a fit of giggles again, Harvey making a loud achoo noise.
Tommy rolled about on the floor, in fits.
I heard Mam sigh in the kitchen, muttering something like bloody dog, along with a few chuckles of her own.
I knew if Jason was here he'd be crumpled over in hysterics but he was out with a few of his friends, which just so happened be my three best ones. Yes, sadly my friends were my brothers too. It was like when my dad would tell us when we were younger to share, toys, games… friends happened to fit that category. Suddenly Tommy was up off the floor and in the kitchen, probably jumping up and down.
"Mam! It's Halloween tonight! Will you take me out?"
"Sorry Baby, Mammy's gotta work. Ask your sister."
That immediately stopped my laughing.
I saw out of the corner of my eye his small silhouette stand at the end of the couch, his hands folded behind his back.
"No."
"What? I didn't say anything."
"Yeah, but that doesn't mean you weren't planning on it."
He sighed, giving up his false innocent act and flopped onto the couch, "Haaaaaales." He pouted.
"Tommy, I have to work tonight. So even if I wanted to I couldn't." I said, lamely.
Mam was suddenly standing where Tommy was mere moments ago, her frilly pink apron tied around her waist. "I'm sure Karen would let you off early."
I set my jaw, ignoring her and her ridiculous apron.
"Can't Jas take him?" I was grabbing straws here.
"He has a date." Tommy told me, a big grin on his chubby face.
I groaned, dropping my head back on the couch. "Fine." Sigh.
"YAY!" Tommy cheered.
Mam smiled, patting his head as he ran past her. "I'll take him to get a costume while you're at work and I'll drop him off." She told me, running a hand over my hair and kissing my forehead. "Smile, Sweetheart."
The wind might change.
_-
I'm late, I'm late, I'm terribly terribly late.
I felt like the white rabbit from Alice and Wonderland as I hurried down the concrete pavement, chanting I'm late in my head.
I couldn't be late, I had a few minutes to get there and I couldn't be late, not when I was asking Karen if I could leave a little early as well. As I rounded the corner which would get me to the café I was surprised to find a familiar figure leaning against the side wall of the small business, knee bent with one leg pressed into the wall he was resting against and the other on the ground, in a I'm too cool sort of way.
I decided just to keep my head down, maybe he wouldn't see me?
"Haley."
Oh God. I wanted to close my eyes, was it stupid that I got butterflies in my stomach simply because he remembered my name? And the way he said it…
I stopped mid stride and turned to face him. Phoawr. "Norman, right?" I still hadn't forgotten that stupid falling into him remark he made last time we'd met.
He chuckled, taking a puff of the fag I hadn't noticed him holding. "Nathan."
Nodding my head I looked at the cancer stick in between his fore and middle finger.
"Want a drag?" My eyes snapped to his face and I shook my head.
"Don't smoke." I told him, and you shouldn't really either. I wanted to add that but I didn't, I wasn't his mother, I shouldn't care if he smoked or not.
But you do.
Shhh!
Nathan grinned at me, as if knowing what I was thinking and I immediately stopped.
"Okay well I've gotta go." I told him, even though my feet seemed to be attached to the ground.
He nodded at me, his blue eyes sparkling in amusement.
Stupid good looking Scott boy.
I finally got my legs working and walked into the café, the bell above the door jingling as I opened and closed it.
"Haley!" Karen greeted me warmly, coming from behind the counter to stand in front of me. "God you must be freezing, c'mon get in the back and I'll make you a nice hot chocolate," She practically pushed me through to the back room.
-x-
"Where have you been? You're twenty minutes late."
I turned my head up from the coffee I was making towards Karen's rare, stern voice, and my eyes widened as I saw who she was talking to, Nathan freaking Scott.
"Sorry, Keith needed some last minute help at the shop."
I snorted in my mind, but it must have been out of it too because the customer I handed the coffee to gave me a weird look, I smiled at him while handing him his change. Oops.
Keith needed help my ass, he was outside having a smoke.
"Mmm." Karen murmured, trying not to smile and I could tell one of the words running through her mind was chancer. "Don't let it happen again, you can get an apron in the back. Haley can you show Nathan where to go. Thanks sweetie." Then she was gone, a flash of dark hair and then she was taking orders.
Excuse me?
I walked over to Karen, ignoring the pair of eyes I could feel burning into my back, "Karen, what do you mean show him where to go? He's not working here, is he?" I asked, keeping my voice low so Nathan couldn't hear me.
Karen sighed, as if what she was about to say displeased her, "Yes. Keith asked me to give him one, so he could keep busy and stay out of trouble."
"Oh." I nodded, swallowing as my throat was suddenly dry. He was going to be here, everyday, beside me, in touching distance…Oh my.
"Haley, are you okay?" My eyes snapped back into focus and I smiled at my best friends' mother.
"Yeah." Nodding. "Better get back to work." With one last smile I walked over to Nathan, I could feel the head radiating from my body and was I…was I… blushing?
"C'mon," I mumbled, walking into the back, and I didn't have to turn around to know he was following me. It wasn't the fact that I could hear his trainers on the floor but the fact that my heart was going at an unhealthy rate, and the stupid butterflies were going mental inside my stomach. "So this is the kitchen," I pointed to the other side of the room, "and this is yours." I picked up an extra apron and turned back to give it to him but I gasped in shock as he was there, in front of me, seriously close. No. seriously. I could feel his breath on my face.
And god, his face. I noticed his jaw first, and I have no idea why but it was just…sexy to me.
God I fancied him.
I swallowed, "what?" I squeaked so quietly I wasn't sure he heard me.
Thud, thud, thud.
Then he smirked.
Thudthudthudthudthudthudthudthud.
"Nothing." He shrugged, smirk still in place, taking one step away from me.
"What was that?" I asked, a little pissed off. No way was he allowed to make my heart beat that fast then simply step away. Bloody boy.
His lips twitched, hands slid into his jeans pockets and he shrugged, I sighed with an eye roll then threw his apron at him. "You." I pointed at him, "go take orders." Then I was about to make a big exit by storming out but I couldn't even have that could I? Oh no, I tripped over the toe of his stupid big trainer and one of his arms slipped around my stomach, catching me before I fell and in between all of this I couldn't help but wonder what size trainer he wore.
Fore fucks sake.
"Nice trip?"
Jesus, did he have to breath against me ear when he said that?
"Could've been better." I smiled sarcastically at him before muttering a thank you and then walking to the counter, grabbing my notepad and pen.
-x-
"Oh God." I dropped to my knees, "Karen I am so sorry," I apologised for what felt like the millionth time that day.
"Haley it's okay, I'll get a cloth."
I sighed, picking up the pieces of the broken glass I'd just let slip from my hands, all my focus had been on the gorgeous boy I was working with.
I couldn't help but let my eyes drift back to him and my breath caught in my throat as I saw that he was staring at me and I looked away quickly, my face immediately heating up.
"Owe." I muttered, dropping the piece of glass I'd picked up and wrapping my palm with the bottom of my apron. "Fuck."
"Let me see." Suddenly Nathan was bending down in front of me, taking my wounded hand from my apron and holding it in his hand.
"Nathan it's okay," I swallowed, trying to ignore the tingles shooting up my arm at his touch, "you'll get blood-"
He chuckled lowly, "C'mon, I'll clean this up." He stood up, taking me with him.
"Oh, Haley." I heard Karen gasp slightly, "What happened?" She rushed over.
"It's fine." I rolled my eyes, playing it off even though it really stung as Nathan put extra pressure on it with his apron. "I guess I'm just klutzier than usual today."
She sighed, "Well please be more careful, I need you here." She smiled, "Now go get that cleaned I'll get the rest of it."
"Thanks Karen." I smiled, grimacing slightly as another sting went up my hand.
Karen shook her head with a soft laugh before walking back to the mess I'd made.
"C'mon." Nathan grunted, pulling me towards the sink in the back, turning on the cold tap and running my hand underneath the cool water.
I bit my lip, ouch.
"Sorry," Nathan spoke softly, and I kept my eyes on my hand as I felt my heart rate pick up.
"So what's that? The fourth glass of the day?" He grinned teasingly at me and I found myself grinning back.
"Third, actually."
"Oh, my apologies."
I nodded, trying not to grin but we both started laughing as our eyes met.
I took a sharp intake of breath as he fingers were suddenly prodding at the now cleaner slice in my palm.
"It's pretty deep, maybe we should go to the hospital."
"No, no." I shook my head, " It's fine Nathan, really." I promised, and it was, apart from the pain and the fresh blood now dripping form the cut.
He lifted his eyebrows at me, "No it's not, you might need stitches-"
"I can't go, I promised my little brother I'd take him out tonight for Halloween, and he'd be crushed if I bailed, plus no ones in so I have to look after him." Wow, tell him your life story why dontcha.
"It's Halloween?" He joked, earning a very unattractive snort from my mouth. "Okay fine, but at least let me bandage it."
I nodded, "Okay."
"Okay." He nodded, looking very pleased with himself. Then started looking around the room.
"Cupboard above the sink." I told him, still running my hand under the cold tap.
Nathan got the First Aid kit from the cupboard. He then took my hand, wrapping it in a tea towel to dry it before getting out a bandage wrap and some antiseptic cream.
I closed my eyes as he took my hand and with the small amount of cream on his fingertip he spread it across the cut, making me hiss a little at the stinging. Owe, owe owe.
"Sorry." He apologised, all his concentration going into wrapping the bandage around my hand.
"Done this before?" I asked, looking up at his face.
His lips twitched. "Yeah, I used to be just as clumsy as you. When I was five." He added, earning himself a small in the stomach from me, with my good hand.
"Hey!" He laughed, sticking a safety pin in the material to hold it in place. "Sharp thing in hands here."
I didn't hear him, the only thought running through my mind was, his chest is rock solid…
"There you go." Nathan smiled, seaming pleased with his handiwork and I looked over my hand.
"Not bad." I smiled cheekily at him, "thank you, Nathan. Really." I added sincerely. "You didn't have to do that."
He shrugged, "it was nothing." He muttered, then cleared his throat and I tried not to giggle, was he embarrassed? "We couldn't have you bleeding all over the customers could we?"
I smirked as he tried to play off his embarrassment and was about to say something when I heard the café door jingle, and before I saw then I could hear them.
"Aunty Karen!"
"Wow, who's this?"
"It's me! Tommy!" An excited voice squealed and I groaned. Hyper.
"Where's Haley?!"
"In the back." Karen chuckled.
And then there was the quick sound of running feet and he was standing in front of me, all smiles.
"Haley!" Tommy bounced happily.
I couldn't help but laugh at how hyped up he seemed to be. "Sorry Batman, I thought you were my little brother, do you know where he is?"
He giggled. "It's me!" He took off his mask and I acted shocked.
"Wow, so it is." I grinned, bending down and squishing him in a hug.
"Who's that?" Tommy asked, his face still squished against my chest.
Looking over my shoulder I saw he was looking at the boy behind us. Standing up I motioned towards him, "this is Nathan, and this is my little brother Tommy."
Nathan stuck out his hand, "pleased to meet you."
Tommy's neck was craned so he could look up at Nathan's face. "Wow you're tall." Then he took off back to the café. "Aunty Karen!"
I laughed slightly, "Not really a kids person?" I offered, as he placed his outstretched hand back in his pocket.
"Not really." He admitted with a small smile.
Without thinking I pulled on his wrist with my non bandaged hand, "C'mon."
"Haley, thank God," My Mam rushed over to me, holding something that looked an awful lot like her best friends baby daughter. "I completely forgot I'd promised Miranda I'd look after Charlotte tonight." Oh, that's because it was. "I'm so sorry Baby, but I need you to look after her, I got called into work early, Sandra called in sick."
"Mam…" Trick or treat?
"I already asked Karen, she said you could leave."
Again. "Mam, I-"
"I'm sorry sweetie but I've got to go," she placed a quick kiss on my cheek, dumping the little girl in my arms before taking off towards the door.
Trick, defintely trick.
I did everything I could not to grind my teeth together. Thanks Mam, really, oh and my hands fine by the way, thanks for asking.
"Bleghgim,"
I looked down at Charlotte, looking adorable in her black and pink fairy costume, chewing on her fist. "You and me both, kid."
I turned to find Nathan making a face, it looked like he was trying not to laugh and I followed his line of sight and my eyes nearly fell out of my head.
"Harvey!"
"Isn't he cute?" Tommy grinned, sitting behind the counter with the brown dog.
"What's he supposed to be?"
"Robin. Duh." Tommy rolled his eyes. He was definitely my brother.
"Are you serious? I have to walk around Tree Hill with a dog with a cape?" Oh God, it got worse, he also had shoes and a mask. A mask.
Chuckle.
I glared at Nathan over my shoulder. "Not funny."
"A little." He grinned.
"Why is Harvey here?" I asked Tommy, bouncing Charlotte softly in my arms.
"He's my sidekick." He replied, another eye roll. Great. A boy, a baby and a flying dog.
"Well we're not taking him." I said defiantly.
"What? We have to!" Tommy pouted, his arms wrapping around Harvey's neck. "We're Batman and Robin!"
"I can't manage all of yous on my own." I explained to him.
"What if he came too?" TJ pointed over my shoulder, and looking over it I saw that he meant Nathan.
"I'm sure Nathan has better things to do than traipse about town all night with a bunch of little kids."
"I'm not little." He huffed.
"And who says I have nothing better to do?"
Was this a trick?
I turned in surprise, looking at the sparkling blue eyes Nathan Scott.
"Do you?" I asked, lifting an eyebrow.
"Not really," he shrugged.
"So you're coming?" Squee!
"I'm coming."
"Alright then." I smiled. "I guess we're going."
"Yay!" Tommy cheered, wrapping his short arms around my legs. Looking up at Nathan he asked, "so where's your costume?"
"Whoa, no one said anything about a costume."
"Too late, Scott. You already agreed."
Treat, definitely treat.
-x-
