Secret
Chapter Four
Buzz
I waited for Haley outside of her house the next morning. I left early to take Breeze to my aunt's house, so I could pick Haley up. I was dying to tell her I'd finally confessed to Lucas. She would be ecstatic. I could hardly even imagine her face. I hadn't gone to the door yet, I was almost afraid to ring the doorbell. I had this paralyzing fear of meeting her parents settling deep inside of me. Haley would eventually come outside, then I would call her over. I could even act like I'd just gotten here. I don't know why I'm so terrified of meeting Haley's parents. I have no reason to be afraid of them. I glanced at the clock on my dashboard. 7:47. I hoped Haley hadn't gone in to school early to tutor someone. It was possible. I was about ready to leave when Haley exited her house, but behind her stood Nathan. I was going to end up disturbing their time together. I couldn't make an unnoticeable getaway since I was parked on the driveway. Not one of my brightest moments. Haley seemed to just realize that someone was watching her. She turned and saw me sitting there like a pathetic stalker who'd just been caught. She waved and made her way towards the car. Nathan seemed surprised that I was there. Of course. He still didn't know that Haley was tutoring me. I rolled the window down as Haley reached the door.
"Hey, Jake. What's up?"
She seemed truly puzzled that I would show up randomly at her house. Lucas must not have talked to her yesterday after our chat.
"I just wanted to tell you the good news."
She tilted her head acutely, a small, curious smile forming on her face. I should wait to tell her since Nathan was there, but I couldn't resist.
"I told Lucas."
Delight spread across her features, making her face seem angelic. She reached in through the window to give me a huge hug. We'd become fast friends, even though we've really only had close contact for four days.
"That's wonderful! I'm so glad you finally 'fessed up."
"Lucas knows what?" Nathan asked from the background. Unfortunately, he wasn't out of earshot. I paused and glanced up at Haley. She appeared so hopeful, I couldn't let her down.
"That I've got a month and a half old baby girl."
Nathan was floored. I could tell. Nathan Scott was rarely shocked and I was almost proud that I'd been the one to render him speechless. It was quite an accomplishment.
"Oh." That was all he said. Oh. I didn't bother telling him not to tell anyone. Nathan would easily spread the news across Tree Hill High. I wouldn't even have to tell anyone else. Maybe that was like cheating. I wasn't owning up to my responsibility, but I didn't really care. I started the engine to my car, not offering Haley a ride. She had Nathan to cover that.
"I'll see you after practice, Hales."
I backed up and left the couple standing there, Haley happy and beautiful, and Nathan completely puzzled and slightly ecstatic to have ahold of the biggest scandal this year.
I sat in
the back of the room during second hour.
I was pretty thankful for that spot today. The chair was almost a sanctuary for me. The school was buzzing with news that Jake
Gagelski had a baby. Everyone was
whispering and giggling over such a scandal, as if I didn't notice the silence
when I entered the room. I melted into
my chair; almost wishing the floor would swallow me up. I've never been one to run away from
challenges, but this was almost more than I could handle. I suppose I should have thought of that
before I had sex with Charisma. Haley
took her seat near the front of the room, but she stared back at me with a
sweet look in her eye. For a moment, I
felt normal. Only a moment. Ms. Embry
walked to the front of the room and began class. I fell into a daydream, remembering the first day I'd met Charisma. I was barely 16, newly licensed and excited
to be 'free'. I was having some trouble
in Geometry and my mom decided I needed a tutor. She'd heard that Charisma McKay could work wonders with Math,
plus no one else would know I was being tutored. Charisma was popular in Woodbury, a cheerleader and president of
her class, but she was virtually unknown here.
She was a bit shallow, but that never really bothered me. I'd driven to Woodbury for my session and
met her at the public library. She
didn't look like your typical math tutor.
She wore a short jean skirt and a pink t-shirt. Her eyes were a crystal blue and she had
black hair that came down to her waist.
She wasn't exactly exotic looking, but she was far above normal. She smiled, revealing perfectly white teeth
and I think that was when I fell in love with her. I hadn't even spoken to her yet.
We sat at an enormous wood table in the middle of the deadly silent library. We sat there quietly before Charisma finally
broke the ice. I pulled out my Geometry
book and she started to teach me. Bit
by bit, my math assignment made sense to me.
And bit-by-bit, I fell more and more in love with Charisma McKay. She was amazing. I continued being tutored by her and eventually we started to
date. We went to parties together and
the movies and all that normal stuff. It was perfect. For a while.
"Mr. Gagelski! The Korean War was
actually known as a what?"
I snapped out of my daydream and realized I'd completely missed the lecture and had no idea she was now asking us questions. Perhaps that was my problem with my grades, not Breeze keeping me up all night. I hadn't read the chapter and I realized all eyes were on me. Including Haley's. I watched her lips as she mouthed, "Police Action."
"Police Action, Ms. Embry."
She nodded, her eyes focusing on me for a few more beats. She seemed skeptical about my knowledge on the Korean War, which was a correct feeling. I smiled a little, and Ms. Embry moved on. I mouthed back to Haley a thank you and I received a smile for it. Haley was perfect. Apparently, I have a thing for smart girls…