AN: Thanks for the reviews! And for those of you who are worrying about the relationship between Nathan and Lucas: They will develop a friendship at some point in the story :) And I hope you like the promised Naley parts of this Chapter :)
Chapter 7
The rest of the week passed uneventfully. While Peyton and Lucas spent a lot of time with each other and with the kids they were looking after, Brooke concentrated on her lessons, surprising everyone.
Somehow Haley got through the lessons without talking to Nathan. He had tried to talk to her during the first days, but it seemed he had given up by Wednesday. Haley wasn't sure how she felt about it. Sure, she was glad that she could stop being so careful to avoid him, but she was also kind of sad that he had given up this easily.
During the week, Mara had told Haley and the other tutors that there would be camp games for the younger kids this weekend. A lot of the younger kids had gotten homesick during the week and they wanted to take their minds off of it, so Mara and David had come up with the idea of camp games.
It was supposed to be a surprise and since it was a last minute idea, Haley and the others were asked to help.
Everyone thought about what kind of games they could prepare and how to keep it a surprise. While the supervisors kept them occupied on Friday afternoon, the tutors and Mara met in the main hall.
"Thank you for coming", Mara greeted everyone.
"We are really happy that so many of you have decided to help us. To keep this as short as possible, we've decided that everyone can just put their ideas down on a piece of paper and David and I will go through them and choose the best ones. We will meet back here at 3 o'clock so we can all prepare the games! Please write down your ideas and pin them on the black board here", Mara explained and everyone started writing.
Haley went back to the cabin after writing down "can knockdown" and "egg-and-spoon race". She knew her ideas weren't very original but she wasn't in the mood to be creative. She just wanted to stay alone her cabin until she had to help prepare the games.
Haley was beyond relieved to find the cabin was empty when she got there and so she decided to take a nap.
"I need a break", Peyton said storming into the cabin.
Haley startled awake at the sudden sound.
"Sorry! I didn't think you would be here", Peyton apologised when she saw Haley wide eyes.
"It's ok. What's up?" Haley asked, wiping her eyes.
"These kids will be the death of me! They are constantly complaining, running around, arguing with us or each other, hitting and kicking each other or doing the exact opposite of what we tell them to do", Peyton rambled while dropping next to Haley onto her bed.
Haley patted Peyton on the back soothingly, not knowing what she could say to make her feel better. That's when a thought crossed her mind.
"Did you just leave Lucas alone with them?" Haley asked accusingly.
"I just couldn't take it anymore!" Peyton defended herself but was starting to feel guilty.
"Peyton!" Haley scolded. "You can't just leave him alone with them! Especially if they really are as bad as you just told me!"
"I know! It's just… ugh!" Peyton tried to argue but failed.
Haley laughed at her friend and got out of bed when her view fell on the clock.
"Oh my god! I have to go!" Haley exclaimed and started running towards the door when Peyton caught her by the arm.
"You might want to put on some jeans and change out of your pyjamas before you leave", Peyton commented with a smirk.
When Haley arrived at the main hall a few minutes later, completely out of breath, she realised that everyone was already leaving. She cursed under her breath and went over to Mara.
"There you are!" Mara said, putting an arm around her shoulder.
"I'm so sorry! I took a nap and I overslept. Just tell me what I can do! What's the plan?" Haley asked without taking a breath.
"I wasn't sure if you were coming, so all of the tasks are already assigned." Mara said with an apologetic look on her face.
"Haley can help me", Nathan suddenly said from right behind Haley.
"That's a great idea, Nathan! You seem to be full of those today!" Mara said, relieved and truly grateful for his help.
"But…" Haley started to argue but Mara was already out of earshot.
"I guess you're stuck with me for the rest of the day then." Nathan said, hiding a smile.
"So what are we doing?" Haley asked, ignoring Nathans comment.
"Wait and see…" he replied, grinning openly at her now.
Haley supressed a groan and started trudging after Nathan.
He led her through the woods for what felt like hours without either of them saying a word. Haley was glad he wasn't talking to her but she was also annoyed he didn't even try. Haley couldn't decide how she felt which seemed to happen a lot around Nathan.
But even though she couldn't figure out her feelings, she was sure that she had enough of walking through the woods in silence.
"Where are we going?" Haley asked when she couldn't take it anymore.
"You don't really like surprises, do you?" Nathan answered turning around to look at her.
"What do you think?" Haley answered rolling her eyes at him.
"Don't worry, we're almost there. And it's worth the walk, trust me".
"Trust you… great idea" Haley mumbled back.
Suddenly Nathan stopped walking and turned around causing Haley to nearly walk right into him.
"Close your eyes" Nathan said, smiling down at her.
After hesitating for a second, Haley closed her eyes and covered them with her hands. She felt Nathan leave his spot in front of her and nearly jumped three feet in the air when she suddenly felt his hands on her arms. Her arms erupted in goose bumps from Nathans touch which she chose to ignore and she prayed to god he didn't notice.
He started pushing her gently, causing her to walk forward.
"If you make me walk into a tree I swear to god I will make you pay", Haley threatened.
She felt Nathan chuckle behind her and felt a small smile spreading across her face.
"Two more steps, perfect. Now open your eyes slowly", Nathan instructed.
When Haley opened her eyes, she couldn't help but gasp.
There was a beautiful, bright turquoise lake in front of her. It was surrounded by trees except for the big meadow they were currently standing on. Haley looked around and her eyes grew wider with each passing second.
"Wow", was all she could say.
"I thought we could have the award ceremony here after the games." Nathan told her after giving her the time to take everything in.
"That is a great idea! We could put up a podium here, and drinks and some snacks over there and maybe we can even put up some blankets and pillows over there…" Haley trailed of, only stopping when she caught Nathan starring at her with a huge grin on his face.
"What?" she asked blushing and smiling back at him shyly.
"Nothing, you're just cute when you ramble about things you are excited about" he answered casually and Haley felt her heart jump. She couldn't help but stare at him before snapping out of it.
Haley didn't trust her voice so she just walked towards the lake. There was a little pier that reached about 15 m into the lake. Haley walked to its end and found a little table with two seats attached to it and sat down in the right seat. Nathan had followed her slowly and sat down on the other seat.
"This is amazing, Nathan", Haley said after they had been sitting in a comfortable silence for a few minutes.
"I'm glad you like it", he replied.
"But I'm still mad at you", Haley said only half joking. Nathan shifted uncomfortable in his seat. Even though her tone had been casual he knew there was at least some truth in them.
"Look, I'm really sorry about what happened. I didn't see you standing right behind me and I wanted to help you afterwards but Lucas looked as if he would kill me if I came near you. And then you were gone and avoided talking to me so I didn't get the chance to apologise to you. But I really am sorry, Haley" Nathan rambled.
"I know you didn't mean to hurt me, Nathan! That's not what I am mad at you for!" Haley answered frustrated. Nathan looked at Haley, confusion showing clearly on his face.
"What happened? Why did you fight with Lucas?" Haley asked when she realised that he didn't get it. She wanted to make him understand that there was no point to this fight but she was sure that he wouldn't listen if she just said so. He had to realise it himself.
"He started it! I got us drinks at the bar and when I turned around he ran into me and then we started arguing! But HE ran into ME, Haley. I didn't start this", Nathan started defending himself.
"So what you're saying is that he started the fight by running into you?!" Haley asked to clarify.
"Well yes…" Nathan replied with a lot less confidence than before.
"And it didn't even cross your mind that it might have been an accident? That he didn't mean to run into you?" Haley asked softly. She didn't mean for this to be an interrogation, she just wanted to make him understand.
"It wasn't an accident Haley. I saw it in his eyes." Nathan said, hoping she would believe him.
Haley just shook her head. She didn't know what to say to that. Nathan was convinced that Lucas had provoked him at the bar and that he only reacted to it. He looked really worried about how she would react to his accusation towards Lucas. Haley decided to try again.
"Are you sure it's not just something you imagined? Luke isn't the type to just provoke someone for fun, Nathan. And I know you don't get along, but I'm sure if you would just give him a chance, you guys could maybe even become friends. And I'm sure…"
"So I am the bad guy again, right?" Nathan interrupted Haley, standing up.
"I know what I saw, Haley! And have you even considered the fact that maybe I am the one telling the truth here and not Lucas?" Nathan said, getting louder with each word.
And then he stomped away, leaving a shocked Haley behind. Haley's gaze followed Nathan as she processed everything he had just told her. And maybe he had a point. Regardless of what really happened at the party, Haley hadn't even given Nathan the benefit of the doubt. She had just assumed that Nathan had been the one who started the fight. And when Lucas had told her what had happened, her assumptions had been confirmed. But it never even crossed her mind that Lucas might have lied to her. They had never lied to each other, ever, and Haley had no idea why he should lie to her now. And she still didn't want to believe that he did.
But Nathans expression when she had accused him of starting the fight was so full of hurt that she was starting to doubt Lucas' story. The thing that made her question herself the most, though, was the defeated look in Nathans eyes when he had walked away from her.
Suddenly she realised that she had no idea how to get back to the camp. She raced towards the trees Nathan had disappeared between and then stopped. She couldn't even remember if she had to turn right or left and she was starting to panic. Normally, she would have memorised their way but because she had been frustrated and nervous about being alone with Nathan during their long walk, she hadn't paid any attention to the way at all.
She looked around and tried to find something that might give her a clue as to where the camp might be, but the trees all looked the same to Haley.
"Are you coming?" Nathan said a few meters to her left and she felt relief wash over her. Haley turned her head to look at Nathan who still looked a little angry. Without thinking about it she rushed toward him and threw her arms around him. He was completely taken aback but after the initial shock had worn off he wrapped her arms around her. He was at least a foot taller than her and her head fit perfectly into the crook of his neck.
He started tracing small circles on her back and Haley tried to suppress a shiver.
"You didn't think I would leave you here, did you?" Nathan asked, pulling away a little to look down at her. Just then, Haley became aware that she was in Nathans arms and she pulled away blushing.
"Of course I did! You shouted at me and then left" Haley said, slightly accusing to hide her embarrassment.
"I'm sorry I shouted at you. It's just that…"
"Don't apologise." Haley cut him off.
"You were right, actually. So I'm sorry. For just assuming that it was all your fault. Don't get me wrong, I still don't think you were innocent in this, but I was wrong to blame all of this on you", Haley said sincerely.
Haley could see the relief in Nathans eyes as he just smiled as a response. She was glad they had made up so quickly after their fight.
"Let's go back to camp and talk to Mara about the location" Nathan suggested and Haley nodded.
On their way back, Nathan told Haley that he had found the lake a few days back when he was taking a walk. When he heard about the games he immediately thought of that meadow again and Mara told him to check it out and take some pictures so she could decide if it was worth the long walk. Apparently he had taken some pictures when Haley hadn't been looking. They discussed what they would do with the location and what they needed to prepare and before they knew it they were back at the camp.
They showed Mara the pictures and she was so happy she nearly jumped up and down.
"How could I not know that this lake is so close to the camp?" she said incredulously, over and over again.
They agreed that Nathan and Haley would organise everything tomorrow during the games and Mara trusted them to do it on their own. They were allowed to use all the supplies they needed and David would be taking care of the food and drinks.
They started walking back to their cabins and stopped at the crossing where their ways parted. There was kind of an awkward silence.
"So I guess I see you tomorrow at ten then" Haley finally said.
"I look forward to it" Nathan replied smiling and Haley blushed for what felt like the thousandth time that day. She waved awkwardly as she turned around and started walking the rest of the way to her cabin. Before she went inside she looked back once more and found Nathan still standing in the same spot where she had left him, waiting for her to reach her cabin. She waved to him one last time and went inside with a huge grin spreading across her face.
AN: Please review :))))
