Chapter Four

Nathan sat down, on the couch, and turned on the television. The Laker's were play and he didn't want to miss the game. He grabbed for the beer and chips he brought with him. Haley walked over, and sat down on the other side of the couch.

"What are you watching?" Haley asked.

"I'm getting ready to watch the Laker game," Nathan said, turning to face her.

"Oh, great, who are they playing?" Haley asked, reaching for a handful of chips.

"I think they got Charlotte," Nathan said.

"Oh, damn, they're pretty good," Haley said.

"Yeah, but the Laker's have Kobe, they'll be fine," Nathan said, a tiny hint of a smile crept on his face.

"I know your brother used to play ball, did you ever want to play?" Haley asked.

"Yeah, but it just wasn't meant to be," Nathan said, shrugging his shoulders.

Right before the game started, Haley's cell rang.

"Damn, who would be calling this late?" Haley asked, more herself than Nathan.

"I dunno, don't you have caller id," Nathan asked.

"Nah, can't afford it anymore, you know, more important stuff," Haley said, before getting up and answering her cell.

Nathan shook his head, thinking about all the money she wasted each night, at bars getting shitfaced.

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Haley hadn't been gone longer than ten minutes, before Nathan heard her yelling, at whoever was on the other end of the phone. He got up, and walked as sliently as possible to the wall right in front of the kitchen. He wanted to hear what was going on, but he didn't want her to see him.

"No, I don't give a shit, that's what you think isn't," Haley yelled.

"Why can't you leave me the hell alone," Haley yelled again.

What the hell is going on, and who the hell was she talking to, where the thoughts running through Nathan's head.

"Why don't you shut the hell up, and kiss my ass," Haley screamed before hanging up the phone. She slammed her fist down, hard on the counter.

"Hey you alright?" Nathan asked, walking into the kitchen.

"Yeah, fine, I'll be out in a little bit," Haley said, as she gave him a quick smile.

"Alright," Nathan said, walking back toward the couch.

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Nathan completely lost track of time, and before long the first half was over. He became worried, as Haley hadn't returned yet. He didn't here her leave, so she must still be in the house. "She's probably in bed asleep," He thought to himself.

He got up, and walked into the kitchen, to get another beer, and some more chips, before the second half started up.

When he got into the kitchen, he found Haley, face down in the kitchen counter, with a half bottle of whiskey sitting beside her.

"Hey, I thought you said you were okay," Nathan said, rushing to her side.

"I am fine, even my friend," Haley paused to look at the bottle, "Jim Beam says I'm okay," Haley said.

"Okay, your obviously drunk," Nathan said, stopping her from falling off the bar stool she was sitting on.

"No I'm not, and I don't need your damn help, just leave me the hell alone," Haley screamed, before grabbing the bottle and downing about another third of what was left.

"Fine," Nathan said, throwing his hands up in defeat.

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Another few hours later, Nathan decided to go to bed. He never heard Haley come out of the kitchen, but she could have went threw the door that lead to the hallway. He decided to check and see if she was still in there, but god knew he wasn't gonna offer any help.

He walked into the kitchen to find Haley sprawled out on the floor, and from the looks of it, not by choice. He ran over to her, and checked to see if she was okay. She was breathing, she was alive. He grabbed her, and threw her arm around his neck. He was going to just lay her on the couch, not wanting to have to carry her up the stairs, but thinking twice against, he didn't want puke on his couch.

He walked up the stairs, with care and grace, to make sure him and her both didn't tumble backwards. He made it up the stairs, and turned the corner, and walked into the spare bedroom, that had Haley's name written all over it.

He laid her down on the bed, slightly on her stomach, and sat a trash can next to her, just in case she felt the need to puke. He covered her up, and turned her ceiling fan on low just in case she got hot.

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He had made his way to his bedroom, and undressed slowly, until he was in nothing but his boxers, and then he crawled into bed, and pulled his covers up to face. All he could think about was Haley, he was worried something would happen to her over night.

He got back up, grabbed his robe, and threw it on. On his way out he grabbed his pillow and his blanket, and headed back towards Haley's room. He was suddenly glad he had put a chair in the room, at least he had something besides the floor to sleep on. He unplugged the alarm clock and plugged it up next to him, sleep was going to come few and far between. He sat it for two hours from now, and decided that every two hours he was going to check on Haley, he couldn't let anything happen to her.