Chaos:
Haley finished all of Brooke's ridicules favors. It was now going on 6:00 and Haley was getting ready to go home. She couldn't wait to get as far away from Brooke as possible. She took off the heels Mouth had given her and replaced them with her own. She was just packing up her bag when Brooke came walking out.
"Rachel I need you to work down with Mouth tonight. He's staying late to get everything ready for the fashion show next week. Haley that means you get the privilege of joining me at my humble abode. I want you there in 30 minutes." She said as she put her coat on and headed out. Haley didn't even have a chance to protest. Brooke was gone.
"I can't believe this. I have been at it all day and she has the audacity to tell me to join her little shindig tonight. Does she think I don't have a life?"
"When you work for Brooke Davis that IS your life. Get use to it." Rachel said with a laugh behind her words. Haley grabbed the phone to call Jake and let him know she would be late.
"Hello?"
"Hi. It's me." Haley said feeling a little nervous at what he was going to say.
"Hey baby. How was your day?"
"Never ending." She said with a sigh.
"What?"
"I have to work late. I won't be making it for dinner. Do you think maybe we can just meet up at my place later?"
"Sure thing baby. Don't worry about it."
"Thank you Jake. I'm gonna need you after the day I've had."
"Well I will head over in an hour or so. Sound good?"
"Yeah. Thanks."
"I love you."
"You too. Bye Jakey." Haley hung up the phone and gathered her things. She figured might as well head over to Brookes now and try to get done as soon as possible.
Haley arrived at Brooke's 10 minutes before she was told. She really didn't want to be there. Brooke got on her every nerve. But she guessed that that was normal to hate your boss. Haley was standing at her door trying to calm herself before knocking when a voice came from behind her.
"Haley?" He was surprised but happy to see her.
"Oh…hi. I was just- "She was cut off.
"Oh don't worry. I hate coming here too. I don't blame you."
"Yeah. Why is she like that?" She said trying to buy a little more time.
"I don't know. I think that maybe she's got a heart of stone. But that's me." They both laughed. "I'm glad you came." HE said smiling at her.
"You are?"
"Yeah. I was hoping I would get to see you again."
"Um…Nathan, I think you should know…I have a boyfriend."
"I know. Doesn't mean I can't enjoy your company."
"No I guess not. Why are you here so early? The meeting doesn't start for another half an hour."
"Well…this is going to sound lame but, I had nothing better to do."
"Wow…that is lame."
"Yeah thanks. You know you didn't have to agree."
"Just calling it as I see it."
"Boy you really know how to melt a guy's heart."
"Yeah I am a regular old charmer."
"Yeah." They fell into silence and just stood there staring at one another. She was nervous under his gaze. No one ever looked at her the way he was. Not even Jake. He looked at her like he could see into her soul. "Well we should probably get inside. Brooke will kill you if you're late."
"Yeah. You're probably right. Shall we?"
"I'll go first. I can be your bodyguard."
"Oh why thank you Mr. Bravery."
"Anytime beautiful." Her face turned a light shade of red. He was flirting shamelessly with her. But what bothered her more then anything is that she liked it. She had to admit he was hot. Probably the hottest guy she had ever met. But she had to force herself to stop having these thoughts about him.
The two of them walked in and Haley was surprised to see Rachel was there. She was supposed to be with Mouth.
"Well, well. Look who decided to finally show up. Haley how nice of you to grace us with you presence."
"Hi Rachel. What are you doing here?"
"Mouth didn't need me after all so I came here." She smirked at Haley then turned her attention to Nathan. "Hey Sexy."
"Hi Rachel. The reason Haley was late was because she was helping me with something."
"Really? Well after the meeting there's something I might need your help with. If you get what I mean." Haley couldn't believe how forward Rachel was. It made her stomach twist and she felt like she would throw up.
"Wow…Rach…that's really flattering but…I'm really not interested. Sorry."
"You're kidding right? Why wouldn't you want me?"
"I sorta have eyes for someone else." If Haley didn't know any better she would think that Rachel's head was going to explode. You could practically see the steam coming from her ears.
"Whatever." Rachel turned on her heels and walked away.
"Wow…I thought she was going to swallow you whole. She wants you bad my friend." Haley said joking with Nathan.
"Well…who wouldn't? I mean…just look at me."
"Ok…and I thought Rachel was full of herself. You have her beat."
"That hurt Hales." Nathan said putting his hand over his heart in mock hurt.
"Let's just go see Brooke." Haley said laughing at Nathan. "Oh shoot. I have to make a phone call. Um…can you tell Brooke I went to the bathroom or something?"
"Yeah. Or something."
"Watch it." She said as she walked away. She took out her cell phone and dialed Lucas' number.
"Hello?"
"Lucas, it's Haley. Look I need a favor."
"Ok who do I have to kill? Just to warn you, you have to get rid of the body. I only do the killing."
"Wow…you are such the comedian. Really. That was side splitting."
"Ok, ok. What can I do for you Hales?"
"Could you pick me up from work? I am actually at my boss' house and I have to stay here until around 9. So can you?"
"Yeah sure. Anything for my bestest bud."
"Thanks Luke. I gotta go. Bye." She hung up and walked back to where everyone was gathering.
The meeting was to say the least boring as hell for Haley. Even with Nathan making funny faces at her to try and get her to laugh and Brooke going off on him every time she caught him. It was all about Brooke going on and on about the fashion show next week and how everyone had to be ready. Finally it was 10 to 9 and Luke should be showing up soon. Just then they heard the door bell ring.
"Who the Hell is that? No one interrupts me when I am talking. I'm gonna go and give them a piece of my mind." Haley's eyes popped wide in fear for her friend. He didn't know the wrath of Brooke Davis. Brooke threw the door open fully prepared to do some yelling. But upon seeing the tall blond standing in her doorway all her thoughts went right out the window. She tried to regain her composure. "Can I help you?"
"Uh…yeah. You must be Brooke. I'm Lucas. I'm here to pick up Haley?"
"Well I'm afraid you are going to have to wait. MY meeting is not yet over."
"Oh great. I'll just sit in on the rest then." He said as he walked in and past her. Haley stood there shocked at what her friend was doing. She knew he was only doing it to piss of the woman he knew only as the ice queen. Brooke wanted to say something but no words would come out. No one ever stood up to her the way this guy just did. She had to admit though it kind of intrigued her. HE was gorgeous. She would give him that. But there was no way he could speak to her like that and get away with it. But again before she could say anything everyone who showed up started to leave.
"Excuse me? What are you all doing?"
"Its 9:00 Brooke. Meeting's over. See ya." Bevin said running out of the house. Brooke let out a small grunt and stomped her foot like a 5 year old.
"Fine. But we will all pick this up again tomorrow. You got that?" There were grunts and nods from the crowd now working there way to the door. Nathan walked over to Haley before making his exit.
"It was nice seeing you again Hales." He winked at her and then walked away.
"Who was that HALES?" Lucas said giving his friend an amused look.
"He was just a friend. Don't give me that look."
"Ok. If you say so." He draped his arm around Haley and started leading her to the door. He stopped by Brooke first though. "It was a pleasure meeting you Mrs. Davis." He winked at her then walked out. Brooke felt butterflies in her stomach. That NEVER happens to Brooke Davis.
Now outside, both Lucas and Haley bust out laughing. Haley slapped him playfully on the shoulder.
"I can't believe you. Even though you know how horrible my boss is you flirt with her."
"Oh come on Hales. She needed to lighten up. Plus your boss in a major hottie."
"Ew. Luke please don't pick up on my boss."
"Sorry Hales. But it's a little late for that."
"Whatever. Let's just go home."
"Ok let's go."
The two drove to Peyton's laughing and joking with each other. Lucas teased her about Nathan and she teased right back about Brooke. Once they got to the apartment Haley saw Jake sitting outside the door.
"Hey. I was wondering if that boss of yours was going to ever let you come home."
"Yeah you and me both." Haley walked over to him and kissed him softly on the lips. "It's good to finally be in your arms."
"Ok…I think that's my cue to leave. See you tomorrow Hales." Lucas said waving goodbye.
"God I missed you Hales." Jake said pulling her closer to him.
"Well..what would you say to coming inside, taking a nice hot bubble bath with me then settleing in with a movie?"
"Sounds perfect. But I have to work tomorrow so I shouldn't stay too late."
"What are you talking about? You're staying the night." Haley kissed him on the nose then pulled him into her place.
After their bath and deep make out session. Jake and Haley settled down on her bed to watch a movie. They decided on watching American Pie. Half way through Haley had fallen asleep. Jake had to use the bath room so he slowly pushed her off his chest trying not to wake her. After walking out of the bathroom he saw Peyton was sitting her kitchen eating ice cream.
"Hey."
"Oh hey. Sorry I didn't come back for lunch. I got caught up at work."
"Oh don't sweat it. What are you doing up?"
"Couldn't sleep. You?"
"Same."
"Where's Haley?"
"Oh she's asleep. I didn't want to wake her."
"Yeah. If you wake her up its like Jekyll and Hyde. I stay away from her in the mornings."
"Yeah tell me about it. But it's so cute the way her eye brows kink up at you when she gets a little aggravated. Sometimes I can't help but smile at her when it happens."
"You guys are so cute."
"Yeah I really like her. She has this energy that…God…and her love for music is so awesome."
"Yeah that's one of the things that made us friends. We both liked odd music. All three of us actually. Haley, Lucas and I."
"So you're into music too huh? Do you sing or anything?"
"Me? Noooo. No that's Haley's area. I just like the music."
"Nice. Well. I should probably get back. Good talking to you Peyt. Have a good night."
"You too Jake." Peyton could help but smile at him. He made her feel like a light just turned on inside of her. She hated herself for it. But she liked her friend's boyfriend.
Jake lay back down next to Haley who had turned onto her side. He draped his arm over her and pulled her close to him. He looked at her peacefully sleeping and smiled. He was lucky to have her. Soon he found himself drifting off to sleep.
