An Entrapment

My love, I have tried with all my being
to grasp a form comparable to thine own,
but nothing seems worthy;

I know now why Shakespeare could not
compare his love to a summer's day.
It would be a crime to denounce the beauty
of such a creature as thee,
to simply cast away the precision
God had placed in forging you.

Each facet of your being
whether it physical or spiritual
is an ensnarement
from which there is no release.
But I do not wish release.
I wish to stay entrapped forever.
With you for all eternity.
Our hearts, always as one.

- Anthony Kolos -

Fear is a very tricky thing. It can keep even the bravest of souls from having what they want. Haley wished desperately she had the strength to fight for him, but it all just seemed like a disaster. Ten years was a long time and it wasn't as if they could just pick up from where they left off. Besides, how they ended things was not on the best of the terms. They loathed each other, or at least he loathed her. Haley wasn't even sure what Nathan felt for her. Maybe he didn't feel anything at all? This was why his calling was disastrous, it brought up past feelings and that wasn't good.

Would it really be horrible if she called him back? Two old friends getting reacquainted, simply platonic. Right, that was all it is. They were friends, or something of that sort, so it wouldn't be completely crazy if she called him and asked how he was. Oh God, what was she thinking? Calling Nathan was like calling for her reservation at the cemetery. This was not going to end well. But blowing off was completely out of the option. Nathan went out of his way to give her a call, and it would be insanely rude and stupid to ignore him.

Even if she actually decided to go through with calling him, what would she say? Haley sighed loudly, leaning back in her desk chair. Life was not supposed to be like this. The decisions should not be so life changing. Calling Nathan changed her life; not calling Nathan changed her life even more. "UGHHH." Haley yelled, slamming her fists on the desk.

"Someone kill me, now."

Her eyes glanced over too her phone. She was always taught to do things when the fear was the strongest, just put yourself on the line and jump. Haley rolled her eyes. Now was not the time for her to be remembering her mom's crappy advice.

It was time to call him.

If her life was going to end, it might as well be when she was prepared for it. Her hands trembled as she dialed his number. As she listened to his obnoxious ringback song, Haley let out a soft smile. But then her smile quickly faded when Nathan answered the phone.

"Hey?"

Oh my God. "Um," Haley mumbled. "Er, I." Great, she sounded like freakin' Forrest Gump . Ten years and she couldn't even form a sentence. Haley slapped her forehead in frustration.

"Oh Shit, OW!" She yelled into the phone.

"Are you okay?" Nathan asked, chuckling. "You were kind of talking to yourself..."

Did he know it was her? Because he was being extremely calm and cool, and she was freakin' smacking herself upside the head. "I'm - uh - fine." She squeaked out. "Oh my God, I am so freakin' stupid." Haley groaned, not realizing that she actually said that, it wasn't just in her head.

"Um, I don't know what to say to that..." Nathan responded tentatively. "So, Haley James ," He said with a smirk. "I see you are still a bit on the strange side." What, is he kidding?

Even after ten years he is still cracking jokes. Well, HA. Haley James had some jokes of her own.

" Nathan Scott , still think you are funny?" Haley fired back; satisfied she could keep up with his antics. "Right, so anyway. You called me last night and I felt that I should be polite and call you back. My mom always taught me to call people back, no matter how random the phone call may be. Well, I didn't have to call back crazy pervs who liked to breathe heavily into my phone, BUT that is not important."

Nathan laughed, causing Haley to scowl. "I know you enjoyed those pervy calls." She snorted. "Look, how about we not act like we are 17 and seriously have a conversation?"

When she didn't respond, Nathan carried on. "How have you been, Haley ?"

"I'm good. Life is just - well you know how life is. Stressful, but I am managing. I work a lot." It was strange how easily the conversation flowed. Funny how it felt like things haven't changed a bit in ten years. " Mr. Scott , the big time basketball player. Did everything I said."

He sighed, running a hair through his hair. "Yep, I did. I guess I have you to thank for it all."

"I did nothing but tease you about it." Haley responded softly. "You did it yourself and I'm proud of you. I always knew you were going to do something great..."

He smiled warmly. That girl had his heart and he couldn't deny it. "What about you? Are you a big time doctor like Dr. Gregory House ?"

"Oh God, you remember that?" Haley said laughing.

"Of course!"

Haley sat on Nathan's couch, watching intently at what was happening on her favorite show. She giggled as House said something completely sarcastic, it was amazing. Nathan hated doctor shows and could not believe he was watching it. What if he had one of those freaky diseases and was sentenced for an early death. "OH MY GOD!" Nathan yelled, covering his eyes. "Haley, this is fucking gross. Why are we watching this?"

"Oh stop being a pussy." She said with a smile. "It is not that bad, you just have issues."

That girl really was a piece of work. "Anyway, I want to be a doctor and I love this show. House is so amazingly sexy."

Nathan blinked. Was she serious? "Haley, he walks with a cane." She looked at him strangely. Apparently she did not see what he was seeing. "Besides, he is old."

"Who cares?! He is amazing." She said dreamily. "Chase is pretty fine too, but Wilson. Gah, I love him."

What in the world was up with this girl? She was either insanely crazy or really horny. Either was fine for him. "I see. Well, I guess if that is what you are into you. You must be one of those girls who like the smart guys." Nathan murmured, a strange feeling bubbling in his stomach. Oh, what if he was dying. No, that was stupid. He was being stupid. "Can we please watch something else?"

"Like what?" Haley asked as she paused the show, not wanting to miss a minute of it. She had to admit it was a bit strange that she was sitting in Nathan Scott's house like nothing was wrong, that this was perfectly normal. Maybe it was?

He sighed, looking at her nervously. "Uh, how about The Lion King?" Nathan whispered, his cheeks bright red.

"AH! Well, I brought it because I was going to make you watch it anyway. I still can't get over the fact that you haven't seen it. "Nathan smiled and gave a sigh of relief."Oh, and because I know you oh so well. I won't tell anyone about this. Even though Disney movies are the best and you don't need to be embarrassed..."

Nathan rolled his eyes and lay back on the couch. "Haley, just start the damn movie."

A half hour later they were both sitting next to one another, Nathan's arm hanging loosely around Haley's shoulder. It was so normal for them, that neither one of them noticed just how intimate they were being. "This is the best movie ever." She mumbled, placing her head on his shoulder. "Ah, I love this song." She said when "Can You Feel the Love Tonight" came on. "It's so pretty."

"Yeah, it is." Nathan said softly, looking down at her.

They sat in silence for the rest of movie, Nathan glancing at her every few seconds. Being with her was perfection, nothing could ruin this moment.

Haley laughed as Nathan recalled the memory; he of course left out the staring part, but the rest he told. "You know, I just watched that movie last week." Sighing, she tired to think of what to say next, there were so many questions but so little time for explanations. "Were you serious about meeting up next month?"

"Of course." Nathan replied softly. "I think it's been long overdue don't you?"

There was no turning back now; she had to fight her fear. Let herself be in Nathan 's life once again. No matter how painful it was and how scary it was going to be, Haley knew this was something that had to be done. "Just give me a time and place."

--------

It was going to be a good day. Nathan was absolutely sure of it. Haley had agreed to have dinner with him when he was in town, and everything was going to perfect. Hopefully she wouldn't say something that would make him angry, because Lord knows she had a habit of doing that. No, he wouldn't that happen, he had to prove to Haley that he had changed, but old habits die hard. Whenever they were around each other, there would be these moments when things got really hostile, and it made him mad. But it wasn't going to be like that this time, it was going to peaceful and romantic and perfect. Well, at least he hoped it would be.

"You seen happy today, Nate ." Lucas stated. "You called her didn't you?"

Nathan rolled his eyes. Sometimes he just wanted to punch his brother right in the face. "Not that it is any of your business, but I called her. We are going to have dinner when I go to Boston in a month."

"Good job, Nate . Seriously, I am so glad you are finally doing something about your life. You need some happiness." Lucas gave his little brother a smile. "Just don't screw it up."

Would he be able to fix his wrongs? Show Haley that he had changed and was willing to fall in love with her, or maybe fall even deeper in love? Nathan wasn't sure what tomorrow was going to bring, but he was glad that she was going to give him a chance.