Chapter 7
Brooke glanced at Haley as she was furiously searching through her closet to find something to wear for Tric.
"Um, Hales, don't worry, I picked out something for you already." She watched as Haley sank down onto her bed and buried her face in her hands. She cautiously took a seat beside her and asked softly, "It didn't go well with Nathan?"
Haley tiredly swept her hands through her hair and said with a sigh, "It was fine at first. We just pretended that nothing had happened until Nathan said he didn't want to go out and hang out in public incase people saw."
"That asshole! –"
"No Brooke, I get where he's coming from. People are already talking about us. I would rather they have something else to talk about then feed the fire. So anyway, we realized we couldn't just hang out without talking about it. And then talking became yelling and I told him he needs to seriously think about us."
"It's going to be ok best friend. Let's dress you up so you look super hot!"
"Brooke, we went over this, he's not even going to notice," Haley said as she rolled her eyes.
"Well stop looking good for him and do it yourself. If he's dumb enough to let you go then you be strong and beautiful for you!"
Haley hugged Brooke and whispered a quick thank you. The taller girl knew she meant for more than just the pep talk. They both began to get ready for their night. Neither knew what to expect.
After pulling into a parking spot, both girls got out of the car. Brooke wearing a red strapless skin-tight dress, while Haley wore a green halter dress that ended about mid-thigh. Both girls entered Tric and immediately looked around for any sign of Lucas. They spotted him at the bar talking to a few people from school. They waited till he was alone to approach him; they didn't need random people from school ruining their night before it had even begun by making fun of Haley.
"Hey Luke," they both said as they came infront of him.
"Hey ladies, I must say, you both look lovely." He then leaned down to kiss Brooke as Haley looked away. She really didn't feel like seeing them be all lovey dovey tonight.
"So Hales, are you singing karaoke tonight?" Lucas asked.
"Um, would you mind if I sang an original song?" Haley asked timidly.
Lucas looked surprised but with a look from Brooke he immediately agreed.
Since school was cancelled for the week, Karen had given Lucas permission to serve alcohol, but only to seniors because she knew they would all be drinking at some party anyway. Her only condition was that he takes away their keys and that he makes sure to stop serving a person immediately if they were drunk. Many of the seniors were already getting tipsy and were eager to show off their drunk singing. Haley watched from a bar stool and couldn't help but laugh at Dan Hart, the quarter back of the football team as he sang "Animal" by neon trees drunkenly. She then looked to her left and the smile was immediately erased from her face. At one of the tables off to the side, Nathan and Rachel were sitting side by side. Her heart felt like it was breaking. She had told him to seriously think about their relationship and there he was sitting with that whore. Then suddenly his eyes met hers and they stared at each other. It was an unspoken conversation. Her eyes showed the hurt and anger she felt at him and his held anger and guilt. Their steady gaze continued until Rachel pulled on Nathan's arm before glaring at Haley. Haley just took a deep breath and looked back at the singing.
Lucas tapped her shoulder from behind the bar and passed her a shot. "I thought you might some liquid courage before you sang. Brooke told me what the song was about. I couldn't be more proud Hales."
Haley smiled, not only because of what he said but because she had got her friendship back. She leaned over the bar and hugged him. She shot a wink at him before downing the shot.
"Are you okay to be next?" Lucas asked her.
She shot another look at Nathan and nodded her head before following Lucas backstage.
"Hey everybody, are you guys having fun?" Lucas yelled into the audience.
"YEAH!" The audience yelled back.
"Our next performer is going to be singing one of her own songs. Give it up for my best friend, Haley James!"
The audience was silent as they watched the girl walk on stage. Haley had to bite her tongue so she wouldn't correct Lucas. She was still a Scott…atleast for now.
"Hey everyone…"She cringed at the silence. "I was planning on singing this on Saturday but I decided I would sing it today instead. I wrote this last week and I hope it will touch some of you." She said as she looked straight at Nathan.
She held the mike closer to her and started.
It's been 37 days,
Since you turned and walked away.
Her eyes stayed on Nathan as she sang to him. Their memories shared through her words and their eyes. They both remembered that day. The day he gave her an ultimatum. The day he walked away. The day she left him.
Baby, you were foolish. You were wrong. You should have made it better.
You broke the promise you made 'cause you were jealous and afraid.
Baby, I was rising, you let me down. We should've stood together.
He should have been at her side after encouraging her so much with her music. He should have been supporting her. He let his jealousy and anger control him. He walked away first.
(CHORUS) Now I can't breathe (if I'm not breathing with you)
I can't sleep (if all I'm dreaming is you)
Can't you see? (I've got no air without you) I can't breathe, I can't breathe
She wanted him to how lost she is without him. How she needs him.
(So I, So I, So I) So I cracked and called you today, and the tears froze on my face.
'Cause you said we were over, you were so cold. We should've been forever.
They both flashbacked to the day he crashed the race car. The day she tried to come back but he told her they were done. That it was a mistake to come back.
(CHORUS) Now I can't breathe (if I'm not breathing with you) I can't sleep (if all I'm dreaming is you) Can't you see? (I've got no air without you) I can't breathe, I can't breathe
We could have everything, but all we got is heartache and pain.
I can't catch my breath. It's getting harder to speak.
You should be proud of me, but you're too insecure and too vain.
We should've been forever. I wanted you forever.
Tears began falling down Haley's face at this point.
(CHORUS) Now I can't breathe (if I'm not breathing with you) I can't sleep (if all I'm dreaming is you) Can't you see? (I've got no air without you) I can't breathe, I can't breathe
Why couldn't you just be a man? Why couldn't you just understand? All I want to do is hold your hand. Why couldn't we walk hand-in-hand? Why couldn't you just be a man? Why couldn't you just understand? All I want to do is hold your hand.
That's all she wanted. Just to be with him. Why couldn't he understand her reasoning to go on tour? She just wanted to make him proud and have him by her side.
As she ended the song, her eyes still focused on Nathan's face; there was a silence that followed before there was a monstrous applause. She quickly wiped the tears off her face and said a quiet thank you into the mike before walking off stage. She took a deep breath. She had to admit, she was slightly proud of herself. She knew she needed to talk to Nathan tonight. Time was running out.
Next chapter will be the Naley confrontation. I've already decided if I want Haley to stay or go. Do you guys think Nathan will finally forgive her? Thank you again to everyone who subscribed and for those of you who reviewed!
