Chapter 4

Two weeks had passed since Nathan had declared his intentions, and he still hadn't made any head way. He decided that he was going to need some help in order to get Haley back. He set off in search of the two people that would be the most help.

Nathan knocked on the door of the first person he needed to visit. "Coach?" he asked upon entering.

"What can I do for ya, boy?" Whitey asked his star player.

"I think you already know that I screwed up pretty badly with Haley," Nathan started.

Whitey nodded in response. "I've heard something to that effect."

"I really want to fix things . I love her Coach, and I think you can help." Nathan told his mentor.

Whitey thought for a moment, "I wouldn't normally do this for anyone, Scott. However, I do have a little soft spot for Ms. James, so tell me what I can do."

Nathan and Whitey spent the next half hour putting together a game plan. When they were finished and confident with the plan, Nathan set off for the second assistant. He knew that this person wasn't going to be as willing to help.

Nathan nervously paced outside the apartment that held so many memories of his life, and most importantly his marriage. He mustered up enough courage to knock on the front door. When it finally opened, the occupant's green eyes instantly narrowed.

"What do you want, Scott?" Brooke spat.

"I need your help Brooke." Nathan said.

"Like I would ever think of helping you after you destroyed Haley! Do you even know the extent of what you did? She shut down Nathan. She wouldn't talk to anyone. Not even Lucas. She gave the apartment to me and moved into her parents house. She would go to work and come home. She wouldn't eat, she wouldn't sleep. It took both Lucas and I to finally get it out of her. When she did, she cried for days Nathan. It took her so long to pick herself back up again. So, no I won't help you." Brooke started to slam the door.

Nathan stopped her before she could. "Please Brooke, just give me five minutes to say my peace."

Brooke saw the desperation in his blue eyes and relented. "Fine you've got five minuets, but this better be worth my while."

"Brooke, I messed up and I know that. I was in a dark place two months ago. I felt that Haley was abandoning me, but only stayed because she didn't want to get divorced. After my parents, I couldn't deal with another person giving up on me. I tried to push her away before she could do the same to me. Looking back, I was stupid. Haley loves me and I love her. I made a stupid mistake Brooke, and I need you to help me fix it." Nathan finished his speech and looked at Brooke hopefully.

"Why should I?" Brooke questioned. She could feel her hatred slipping when she saw how much Nathan meant what he said.

"Because you know I mean it. I need Haley, Brooke. I need her like you need Lucas. Please just help me." Nathan pleaded.

"I never said I needed Lucas." Brooke countered quietly.

"You didn't have to. Will you help me?" Nathan asked.

Brooke gave up with a sigh. "What would you like me to do?"

Nathan smiled. He told Brooke his plan, and she added her own flair to it. Together, they came up with a plan that just might help him get Haley back.

At school the next day, Haley was packing her books when Whitey walked by.

"Morning Whitey!" Haley said cheerfully.

"Detention Miss James!" Whitey barked.

"WHAT?! I only said Good morning!" Haley protested.

"You called me Whitey, that's disrespect, Miss James. Would you like me to add another for talking back?" Whitey questioned, trying hard not to smile.

"No, sir." Haley mumbled.

"I'll see you after school then." Whitey walked away, feeling pleased that he had completed his task.

That afternoon, Haley walked as slowly as possible to the detention room. While walking in, she saw Nathan in there and immediately turned around.

"Going somewhere, Miss James?" Whitey smiled.

"Of course not Coach, just, you now, stretching the legs" Haley replied. She then sat down in the seat farthest from Nathan and took out her homework.

"Glad to hear it! Now I'm leaving you two in here, because I have better things to do than watch delinquents all afternoon. I'm locking the door so don't even think about cutting out early." Whitey said before leaving.

As soon as he heard the lock click, Nathan decided to strike up a conversation. "So, what are you in here for?"

"Seriously Nathan, you're trying to make small talk?" Haley said incredulously.

"Well I..." Nathan began.

"You know what Nathan, just drop it. I've made it fine without you for two months, so you can just leave me alone." Haley said bitterly.

"Liar." Nathan accused.

"Excuse me?" Haley turned around in her seat.

"I called you a liar. You and I both know that we have been miserable without each other. We need each other Hales, Always and Forever." Nathan said.

"Oh so is that why you cheated on me?" Haley said sarcastically.

"It's no worse than you did with Chris." When the words left Nathan's mouth, he instantly wanted to get them all back in.

"Don't you dare. Don't you dare tell me that I am on the same level as you, Nathan. Chris kissed ME. As soon as he did, I pushed him off and told him to go to hell. However, I had to show up and knock over a lamp for you to realize 'Oh yea! I have a wife!'" Haley yelled.

"Haley.." Nathan started.

"No. Screw this I'm out of here." Haley gathered her things together.

"The door is locked from the outside, you can't get out." Nathan told her.

"That's what windows are for," Haley replied before climbing out the window.

Nathan blew out a frustrated sigh and ran his hands through his raven colored hair. "Back to the drawing board."