A/N: Thank you so much for the reviews! They keep me motivated to write faster. Well, here's chapter four. Please read and review! Enjoy!
Tree Hill, North Carolina was one of those towns where everybody had endless history. Haley James stepped out into the bright sunlight, shielding her eyes with a pair of dark sunglasses. She was fond of her hometown; it carried so many precious and dear memories. Tree Hill was where she was raised and born. It was where she took her first steps, had her first dance, received her first kiss, and became a woman. It was where her and her many siblings before her grew up into the human beings they are today, and that meant a lot to Haley.
However, Tree Hill was where she made her first very big decision.
Marriage.
Married at 18, the whole town was surprised at Haley's bold actions. She was always the good girl. The girl who did what she was told and obeyed every rule. She never did anything out of line and always got the best grades since Kindergarten. Haley was the ideal overachiever stereotype. And like most people with stereotypes, she wanted to change all that.
Enter Nathan Scott. Hot shot. Deadly handsome. Captain of his State Champion basketball team. A rich boy with a mayor for a dad and a corporate worker for a mom. Most of all, a ladies man. And, like most girls at Tree Hill High, Haley fell for him.
Their relationship was just a tutoring job in the beginning, but leave it to her best friend Brooke Davis to figure it all out.
"You like him!" she had accused gleefully.
Haley was the worst liar. And he was just too damn charming. Nathan had everything down; the looks, the body, the skill, the eyes... everything but the manners.
Nathan Scott may be the hottest guy Haley James had ever seen, but he was also the rudest and cockiest one, too.
But she couldn't help but fall madly for him. He made her want more than everything she already had. Nathan made Haley want to be a little on the bad side. To do things outside of her comfort zone. He wasn't the best example in the world, but he let and helped Haley do the things she always wanted to do in her life.
Nathan fell for Haley James. He fell hard. And he changed his ways just for her.
She was beautiful, innocent, and intelligent. Most of all, she was kind. Nathan never had too many people who were kind to him in his life. His father was a bitch, his mother was a druggie, his coach was always on his case, and everyone he knew expected more and more from him. But all Haley wanted was him. And all he ever wanted was her. He wanted to show the world that he loved her. She wanted to show everyone that there was more to her than meets the eye.
Their solution was getting married.
It was quick and simple. Just the two of them. Of course, Haley felt a deep sense of guilt for not inviting her family and Brooke and Peyton to the wedding, but it was all in the act of being spontaneous. She had decided then and there that for once in her life, she was going to do something for herself. Not for her mother, not for her father, or for her teachers, or for the town, but for Haley James.
And damn, did it feel good.
Haley glanced upwards, staring at the house before her. It was smaller than she remembered, but still the same whiteness with the red roof and shiny glass windows. A sweet smile formed in her heart; to her, this would always be home.
Knocking on the door softly, Haley felt slightly culpable. She hadn't seen her parents face to face in a whole year. She had tried, many times, but she was just too busy with school, work, and Chris.
Chris Keller.
Now that was a man who could love her.
Sure, he as just as cocky as Nathan. Sometimes rude. Okay, sometimes really rude. A bit of a party animal. Constantly horny. Well, on top of all that, he managed to be a good guy. From time to time. But what mattered was that he gave Haley opportunities of a lifetime. He provided her with a wonderful house, fancy car, clothes, jewelry, and an amazing lifestyle. It was all materialistic, but Haley had never really experienced any of it before.
And was it so bad to like all those things?
A new voice caught her attention. "Come here, baby! Give your Mama a hug!"
Haley's face glowed. "Hi Mom," she squealed, throwing her arms around hr mother.
"Let me take a good look at you, baby girl." Haley made a little spin, filled with giggles. "Oh my God, I raised a model. Look at you all fancy and with your New Yorkish attitude. And you have time to visit us little people?"
"Mom, knock it off," Haley laughed, hugging her mom once again. Mmm. She always smelled like freshly baked cookies, ever since she could remember.
"Who's at the door, Lydia?"
Her mother beamed. "Why don't you get off your tush and check it out yourself Jimmy?" Soft grumbles and reluctant moans followed as the distant sound of a squeaking couch echoed all the way towards the doorway.
"What is it," Jimmy mumbled, walking towards his wife. Abruptly, his eyes lit up. "Well, if isn't it my Haley-Bop."
"Hi Daddy," Haley smiled, embracing her father in a warm hug. It was nice being called Haley-Bop again.
"What is all the fuss?" a perky voice came from the background, the sound growing increasingly louder. The figure joined the rest of the group at the door, and Haley's jaw fell straight onto the floor.
"Oh. My. God."
"Hi there, little sis," Taylor James grinned, placing her hands on her hips. "What? I told you I moved back home."
"Yeah," Haley managed to get out, completely dumbstruck. "You just never told me you were... pregnant!"
Taylor glanced down at her protruding belly, smiling distantly. "Oh right. I forgot."
"You forgot!?" Haley gasped, reaching down to touch her sister's pregnant stomach. "It looks like you're about to give birth!"
"I am eight months along."
"Tay! How could you not tell me?!"
She shrugged it off. "I thought I did. Why else would I move back home?"
"Because you love your mama," Lydia said simply, walking back inside the house as Taylor rolled her eyes. "Come on. You must be starved. I'm gonna fix up the best dinner feast that anyone in Tree Hill has ever seen." Her mother always seemed to know exactly what Haley needed. It was so nice to finally be at home.
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"My God, Hales. That is gorgeous!" her mother gasped at the dinner table, putting down her napkin.
"It looks expensive," her dad added quietly.
"Damn! You think he'll get me one if I asked?" Taylor laughed, staring intently at Haley's wedding finger.
Haley rolled her eyes. "Of course, Tay. It always works that way." Taylor shrugged mischievously and wiggled her eyebrows.
"I can't believe my baby girl snagged Chris Keller. He's a household name all over Tree Hill," her mother commented proudly.
"Because of me?"
"Because he's hot," Taylor grinned, touching her stomach gently. Haley laughed, playfully hitting her sister's shoulder. "Hey! Careful! Bun in the oven, Hales!"
"Jimmy, you're awfully quiet," Lydia nudged, staring at him with much concern.
"Well, what can I say?" he began softly. "One of my daughters is knocked up, and my youngest one is getting married for the second time before she's twenty-one while still being married to another man." Taylor and Haley both abruptly turned red, settling down. "I still don't know why you left Nathan. He's a fine young man."
"Jimmy!" Lydia exclaimed with disapproval.
"It's just not what I had in mind for my children," he admitted, leaning back in his chair. "Excuse me." Tossing his napkin aside, Jimmy suddenly left the dinner table in a quiet hurry. Haley sat, stunned.
"I'm sorry. I didn't know I'd be such trouble."
Taylor rolled her eyes. "It's not all about you. Dad is pissed at me for getting preggers. Your just the icing on the cake." She emphasized cake by rubbing her belly affectionately.
"Well, I think I've had enough of dinner," Lydia gave up, pushing her plate away. First night in Tree Hill equaled a disappointed father, a stressed mother, a knocked up sister, and a still married Haley. Woo.
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Haley and Taylor both laid cozily under the warm sheets of their old bunk bed, Haley on top and Taylor on the bottom. Just like always. The two sisters laid in comfortable silence before Taylor quietly piped up. "Who else knows about you and Nathan?"
Shocked by the question, it took Haley a couple of seconds to recollect herself. "Besides you and Mom and Dad, Peyton and Brooke. And probably the rest of Tree Hill." Haley sighed, rubbing her eyes. "I bet the whole town is gossiping about me. Great."
"Well since they are going to talk to you, might as well give them something to talk about," Taylor figured, laughing slightly. Haley grinned, but not joining in on the laughter.
"Do you think Dad's really upset?"
"Of course. Daddy's been in a sour mood ever since I came home pregnant. Now he finds out his precious baby girl is getting married to some famous guy he doesn't know just tops it off. Plus the fact your not divorced yet. I think you're arrival kind of made him explode inside or something."
Haley groaned guiltily. "Jeez, Tay, thanks for making me feel better."
"I wasn't trying to make you feel better. I'm trying to tell you the truth."
"Yeah, well, I'd like to feel better instead," she mumbled, rolling on her stomach. "Taylor," Haley began, biting her bottom lip. "Why didn't you tell me your pregnant?" The room grew silent. Stillness took over as the only sounds that echoed across the room was Haley's anxious breaths and the quiet noises of the shifting and ruffling sheets from the bottom bunk. Haley sighed, turning back on her back.
"It's the biggest mistake I've made so far," Taylor began, her voice peaceful. "The biggest, but my favorite mistake."
Haley smiled. "Is it a boy or a girl?"
"A girl," Taylor giggled. "God forbid I have a boy. Poor kid might turn gay with a mother like me."
Haley joined in the laughter as the two sisters had a good round of giggles. Haley's tone, however, abruptly became serious as the laughter diminished. "Who's the father?" Silence, once again, took over everything. "Tay?"
"I was in a bar, and it was just for one night," she said quickly. "I'm a bar whore, remember?" Haley frowned, fiddling with her blanket. "I don't even have his number. I don't even remember his last name."
"Tay - "
"I'm not the responsible one. You are," Taylor paused. "Well, you were." Haley rolled her eyes. "How are you planning on breaking the news to your hubby?"
"He's not my hubby! Chris is."
"Not yet."
"Well, technically no. but emotionally yes. Rings and big fancy ceremonies won't matter as long as if I'm with the person I love."
"That was on the Hallmark card I gave you for your first wedding," Taylor snorted.
"Well, I liked that card!" she laughed defensively. "Where exactly does he live now?"
"He?" Taylor smiled amused.
"Fine, if you're going to make me say his name, where does Nathan live now? It'll save me the whole day tomorrow just searching for him."
"Well, if you're going to act like a whiny five year old, then I'll tell you. He lives in the big old Scott mansion," Taylor commented, tapping her stomach gently.
"Seriously?"
"Yeah. Deb went psycho and landed herself in rehab. And apparently Dan is in jail for killing his brother."
Haley's eyes went wide. "Are you serious?" Flopping onto her pillow, she realized she felt bad for ex, well, almost ex-husband. His relationship with his parents always sucked, and Haley was usually the one who helped him escape all that. Who was helping him now? "How did I not know all this?"
Taylor shrugged. "Dan's got people in the right places. He probably didn't want word to get out. Besides, I thought you wouldn't care."
Ouch. That hurt. "Well, I always knew Dan was a crazy evil perv."
"At least you and Nate we'll have something in common to talk about."
"Tay!" Haley rolled her eyes.
"He's stubborn, Hales. You of all people should now that," Taylor explained softly. "What makes you think he's going to listen to you now?"
She thought carefully for a moment. "I don't know," Haley admitted truthfully. "But by the end of tomorrow, you'll see. I'll be a divorced woman."
"Yeah, and I'll be a virgin," Taylor rolled her eyes. Haley responded simply by hanging her head over her bed and sticking her tongue out, an infamous move the two James sisters often kid each other with since childhood. Some things will never change.
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"So, hows the whole divorce thing going?"
Haley James bit her bottom lip before crossing the street with her cell phone glued onto her ear. "Currently nonexistence. I'm walking to his house right now."
"Tell me why the funeral march just came into my head right now."
"Shut up, Peyton," Haley laughed, glancing at a store window. "Hey, did you know Dan killed his brother a couple of years ago in Tree Hill?"
"Dan, Nathan's dad?" Peyton inquired on the other end.
"The very one."
"Woah! That's crazy!"
Haley nodded enthusiastically. "I know! His brother, Keith, I think. Or Kenneth. Something along those lines."
"Okay, I know this sounds incredibly crazy, but you know Brooke's super hot but super annoying roommate Lucas? Now, I'm thinking that Keith guy could be the dad of Lucas. They got the same last names and everything."
Haley let out a loud laugh that captured some onlookers' curious stares. "Okay, I think spending too much time it that crazy town of yours is doing you no good. How is life in Middlebury anyways?"
Peyton snorted on the other end. "Well Sara the Sunflower threw this huge fit at me when I ordered chicken for lunch, the basketball guys only call me 'skinny honey', and Arnie still won't lend me a pair of sunglasses."
Haley giggled. "Nice friends. It's like an episode of Gilmore Girls." Gazing around the corner, she turned right onto a bustling new street. "How about that Jake guy?"
A soft sigh was heard from the other end. "He's different," Peyton put it lightly.
She raised an eyebrow. "How, exactly?"
"It's like he's there when I don't need him, but not there when I do. I think he has some sort of secret or something because one minute he's there, and the next minute he says he has some 'business' to take care of."
"That's awkward."
"Very," Abruptly, soft rustling was heard in the background. "Ugh, sorry Hales. Nicole wants to spend some 'quality' time together, which basically means shopping for clothes at stores like Banana Republic or J. Crew." Haley needed a picture of that. "Kill me now."
"I have a feeling you might kill Nicole first," Haley laughed, dragging her feet along the sidewalk. "Bye."
Making a swift turn left, Haley felt her arm collide violently against someone's hard shoulder. A small stumble backwards, she could already feel the bruises forming. "Oh, God, I'm sorry," Haley muttered, rubbing her arm gently. "Are you okay?"
"I'm fine, it's okay," the not-so-injured blond reassured, pulling her hair behind her shoulders. "Are you okay?"
"Yeah. I will be," Haley smiled, looking up. Suddenly, her jaw drop. "Shelly?"
"Oh my God. Haley James?" the blond gasped, gazing at her with intense curiosity. Haley smiled and nodded awkwardly, giving a small wave. With the tiny greeting, Shelly threw herself on her, giving Haley a proper reunion hug. Awkward, now, yes. But in high school, Shelly was one of Haley's closest friends outside of Peyton and Brooke. "Oh, my. I haven't seen you since I think that senior grad party three years ago! You look so..." Shelly tilted her head. "Modern."
Haley smiled, thinking of it as a compliment. Living in a big city upped her appearance slightly from girl-next-door to sophisticated New Yorker. "You look so..." Haley thought cautiously. "Clean."
"Well, I stopped running Clean Teens, actually," she admitted. Haley grinned. It wasn't exactly what she meant, but sure. "Now, I heard from a certain little grape vine that you're getting engaged to that cute guitarist Chris Keller? Oh my God, it's true isn't it? Well, isn't that divine. Little shy Haley James marrying a rock star! And we all thought that would happen to Brooke instead, and you'd marry a stock broker. But also now, this little birdie nearby told me you're still married to Nathan Scott! Well, actually, that birdie probably told everyone because everybody here in Tree Hill still knows that." Haley raised a nervous eyebrow. Shelly Simon was that all-American poster girl for two things. Virginity and gossip.
And she's doing her job well.
"Actually, that's what I'm in town for. To sort of officially clear out me and Nathan's marriage," Haley spoke quickly, a bit careful to tell Shelly the whole truth. Too bad Haley sucked ass at lying, so sticking to the truth was all she did.
However, before Shelly could say another word, a horn honked at the two ladies from across the street. Good timing, Haley praised the Lord as she searched the driver's seat. Squinting her eyes, she gazed at the waving man who was staring at the pair with a big, cheesy smile.
"Always trying to pick up ass," Shelly rolled her eyes. "When will this boy learn?"
Haley gasped. There was only one boy in the whole world who she knew would hit on anyone. "TIM?" she called anxiously.
"Hey, baby, what's your sign?" he beamed, jumping – no, skipping out of the car.
"Do not enter," Shelly rolled her eyes, folding her arms across her chest.
"I wasn't talking to you," Tim stuck out his tongue. "I was talking to the married-to-a-billion-people girl over here." Haley rolled her eyes, sticking out her tongue too as she brought him in for a hug. So Tim wasn't the brightest crayon in the box, and Haley, well, was. But he was Nathan's best friend since forever which had made him and Haley required friends. They clashed almost everyday, but it was something that Haley had missed dearly. And as uncharming and ridiculous as he was, Tim knew how to be one thing very well.
A good friend.
"Tim! I haven't seen you in forever."
"Well, you could've brought your tiny, but very nice butt over here every once in awhile." Haley blushed; his tone wasn't harsh, but it wasn't kind either. But Tim, being Tim, had an attention span the size of an ice cube. "So, uh, does Brooke still want me?"
Haley tapped his back sympathetically. "Not yet."
"Tim, can't you hit on someone who isn't engaged? I mean married. Almost divorced?" Shelly wondered out loud.
"Unfortunately," Haley sighed. "All of the above."
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Haley examined the door right in front of her. For one, it belonged to a huge, old fashioned house, which was none other than the Scott household. The door was dark red. Oak, probably. Tall. With a golden knocker. And... dark red. She tried desperately to think of another adjective for it, her mind running wild. Well, there was that plant next to the door. Oh! Maybe she could think of adjectives for the plant instead! Oh, there was a bug there too! Haley smiled faintly. She was open to anything to prolong her meeting with Nathan.
She had been standing in front of the Scott residence for the last 10 minutes without doing anything but describing every item on their front porch. Well, what was she suppose to do? Knock on the door, greet her husband she hadn't seen in three years, and ask for a divorce? Haley snorted. She only wished it would be that easy. Readjusting her shoulder bag, Haley fluffed her hair gently. Then fluffed it again. And again. She was doing everything she could to stall.
"Bark, bark!"
Haley raised an eyebrow, whipping her head around. Then, in a blink of an eye, an enormous golden lab pounced on the unsuspecting blond. "AHH!" she shrieked, falling onto the scratchy, grassy lawn. Thankfully, the dog was more friendly than scary, but it was trying desperately to lick poor Haley's face. Hoping to pry the lab of of her, it, however, managed to pin her down with pure enjoyment. Sighing, she decided to give in, gently petting the dog around its neck, whispering "good boy." The dog was enjoying it a bit too much and started barking loudly for all the world to hear.
Well, at least she didn't need to find something else to stall her.
"Duke, come here, boy!"
The dog briskly left Haley to her peace as he trotted away to to the deep voice that had called out to him. She let out a breath of relief, falling back down onto the grass.
"Don't worry. He doesn't bite," the calm voice assured her. Haley nodded gratefully, sprawling herself onto the grass. Taking in another deep breath, she pushed herself up on her palms, finding the energy to stand on her two legs.
"Yeah, he's pretty friendly," she laughed, brushing the grass off her bright green dress. Glancing up at the mysterious voice, Haley dropped her hand in shock. The man stared right back at her, completely stunned as well.
There, standing right there, happened to be the one and only Nathan Scott.
They stood in silence, just staring at each other blankly. Her brown eyes met his beautiful blue ones. Haley noted that he actually did look good. Very good. She could see he was tan from the summer sun. Most probably from playing basketball all day. He was even in his basketball apparel. His hair was fortuantely shorter than it was in senior year, and she was personally thankful. Haley always hated his long hair. Nathan suddenly bent down, scratching Duke behind his ears. She gasped. God, he was toned. He did have the best body Haley had ever seen. Well, not that she ever actually seen a lot of male bodies up close.
"What are you doing here?" Nathan suddenly spoke, his voice irritated.
Haley furrowed her brow at his frustrated tone. "You've been sending my divorce papers back for the last three years." He stayed silent, playing with Duke. "I want my divorce, Nathan."
Frowning, Nathan narrowed his cold eyes at her. "What makes you think you could just bring your uptight, fancy, New York ass down here and get whatever you want?" He scoffed, standing back up. "Well thanks, Haley, very much for the standard 'hi husband, how have you been for the last three years? I wouldn't know, even if I am your wife.' I really appreciate it."
Haley opened her mouth, stunned, as she pointed her finger at him angrily. "What, you really expect me to do that? You'd probably laugh at my face and slam the door on me, and don't even pretend you wouldn't do that. So, just give me what I want, and I'll give you what you want."
"And what, exactly, do I want?"
"To be left alone," Haley stated harshly.
"I sent back those papers. What makes you think I'll sign them now?" He snapped moodily.
"Why did you send back those papers, Nathan?" she asked curiously, narrowing her eyes.
"Because when you left, I wanted to do nothing but piss you off as much as I could."
"Well, the game's over, Nathan," Haley frowned, grabbing the divorce papers out of her bag. "I'm pissed. Are you happy?" He made a mocking smile at her, completely aggravated. "Just sign the papers." Nathan stared impatiently at her, rolling his eyes. "Please?" She asked exasperated. It was more of a demand than a question.
"You're different," he muttered, glancing at the papers.
Haley sighed sharply. It was true. Haley wasn't the same shy and simple girl-next-door who once lived in Tree Hill, and for one, she was utterly proud. "You're right. I changed. I don't even know who that girl is anymore."
"Then let me remind you," Nathan said, and Haley could have sworn she had found the sense of hurt in his voice. Abruptly, he turned around and walked away, leaving Haley all alone as Duke trotted behind him. Haley frowned, realizing he was gesturing the fact that he was 'leaving,' just like Haley did after senior year.
"Ugh!" Haley groaned. "You're just so stubborn!"
Nathan swifted gears and turned back around towards her. Duke strolled in between the quarreling pair with interest. "And what, you're all high and mighty? The amazing Haley James Scott?"
"Don't call me that," she frowned.
"It's your name until I sigh those papers."
"Then just sign them!"
"No."
"Why the not?!" she groaned exasperated.
"Because I'm not going to let you come back and get everything you want just because you're here! You're not the princess of this world who can do whatever she wants when she wants to. The old Haley would have been smarter than that."
"Are you saying I'm dumb now?"
Nathan tilted his head back. "I'm saying you're not the same."
"I think that's a good thing."
"You can think whatever you want, but when you stop being this prissy princess, then I'll sign you're damn papers."
Haley scoffed, but stayed silent. She didn't know what to say to that. Suddenly, Duke started barking loudly between the two for attention. "Why do you have a dog?" she blurted out curiously.
His pure blue eyes stared at her for a moment as if he was battling what to say. "It gets lonely," he admitted finally, his tone slightly painful. Haley frowned, more out of pity than anger. His father was in jail, his mother was crazy, he had no other relatives in Tree Hill, and she, of course, was also gone. Nathan had every reason to be alone, and Haley was reluctantly feeling sorry for him.
"I'd love to stand here in silence for the rest of the evening, but I actually have a date," Nathan stated matter-of-factly, walking back towards the house.
"What!" Haley exclaimed, completely bewildered. He had a date? He had a DATE? What the hell?! That's not possible!
"I just thought it was only fair. You're engaged, and I get a hot date. It's a win win situation for both of us."
She gasped, biting her bottom lip. Nathan knew she was engaged. Haley should have suspected it, but it was still hard to believe. How did he know that!? "How did you know that!?"
"Baby, I may not be the smartest guy, but I'm not dumb." She let out a deep sigh, folding her arms across her chest. "I'd ask you to join us, but I wouldn't want you to feel awkward," he grinned smugly.
Haley raised an eyebrow, feeling the tables turn. "Actually, as a matter of fact, I would like to come. It'd be nice to meet your cute little date." Nathan's eyes widened as he tried to protest, but Haley cut him off. "Oh, don't you worry. I won't embarrass you. I'll just introduce myself as your bitchy New York wife who you won't divorce. How's that sound?"
Nathan narrowed his eyes coldly at her. "Just peachy." She gave him a sweet and satisfied smile.
Two can play at this game, and Haley was determined to win.
A/N: Loved it? Hated it? Only one way for me to know.. review please: Now, you know the format. Peyton is next, and things are about to get discovered, revealed, and a whole lot fluffy!