Chapter 8

"Well the truth is Haley, I needed you in my life to survive." He said in voice that made me want to cry, but I never had the chance. Nathan pulled me to him and he kissed me softly at first.

"You shouldn't have done that Nathan…." I began

"I wanted to" he said, his gaze in my direction burning through me.

"Yeah…" I replied simply before I lunged towards him. I wrapped my arms around his neck and I kissed him before I had time to think about what I was doing. Just when we were started to get into it, there was a knock at the door and the person entered before Nathan and I could get out of our embrace. This won't look good…I thought before I locked eyes with the person that entered my apartment.

"Uh hi Luke, what are you doing here?" I said nervously stepping out of Nathan's arms.

"I think I could say the same about him" Lucas replied as he crossed his arms.

"This isn't what it looks like…" I stuttered.

"Really Haley? Then what does it look like?" Lucas bit out angrily at me.

"Lucas calm down, this is nothing to get upset over" Nathan said trying to reason with his slightly older brother.

"Nathan, I'd stop talking before you make yourself look like even more of a jackass."

"Excuse me? What the hell is wrong with you?" Nathan said getting closer to Lucas.

"Oh I'm sorry, or did you forget that you have a fiancée? Last time I checked her name was Rachel, not Haley." Lucas said, clearly not backing down.

"Lucas, enough. This didn't mean anything, it was stupid and it'll never happen again" I said eager to get Lucas out the door so Nathan and I could discuss what just happened between us.

With a look of hurt and anger in his eyes, Nathan looked defeated. Only Lucas could see this because Haley was slightly behind Nathan. Her words were like a sharp slap in the face, but he refused to let her see how much her words had affected him.

"You know what? Haley's right. I'm going to go home now to be with my fiancée" Nathan said with a small smile, which was only there to make it appear that he wasn't crushed.

Haley had no time to protest before he was already out the door.

"Thanks a lot Lucas, why did you come over here to begin with?" I said glaring at him.

"Um, Sawyer left her giraffe and she can't sleep without it." He said as he picked up the stuffed animal from under the couch. Its little head was poking out from the back of the couch and I hadn't even noticed it was there.

"I never meant for this to happen." I said in a tone that barely above a whisper.

"Haley, what were you thinking? He's engaged. What you guys had ended a long time ago, maybe you should leave it in the past?" Lucas replied

"You're right. I don't know what came over me." I said trying to think of a way to get out of this mess.

"I think I know what did" he said smiling as we both sat on the couch.

"Oh and what's that?" I said looking at my best friend.

"You've always wanted to be a Scott and I'm already taken" Lucas said with a goofy grin.

"Yeah that's it. You're such a dork. And that's totally not true!" I said playfully punching him on the shoulder.

"Look Hales, we all know you still love him. It's painfully obvious when you look at him. All I'm saying is that maybe there's a way you guys can be friends while not ruining his relationship." He said putting an arm around me.

"Wait, you would rather Rachel be your sister-in-law than me? I'm hurt Luke." I said dramatically before smiling at him.

"No, of course not. If it were up to me you would be my sister-in-law already, but right now he loves Rachel so we have to be supportive." He said trying to comfort me.

"Fine. I'll make sure nothing ever happens again" I said in defeat.

"That's good Hales. If it doesn't work out with Rachel, I'm sure he'd want to be with-" he began.

"Don't even say it Luke!" I said with a laugh.

"Alright. I better get this thing home to my girl" Lucas said shaking the little giraffe.

"Thanks Lucas, for tonight. Kiss Miss Sawyer Brooke Scott for me" I said walking him to the door.

"You take such good care of my baby. It's the least I can do." He said with a smile before he left my apartment.

I didn't really want to admit that maybe Lucas was right. It's a hard thing to hear from someone you trust. Especially considering that tonight when Nathan and I kissed and talked about the past, I had never been happier.

Nathan's Apartment

This wasn't how it was supposed to be. Nathan had intended to sort out what had happened between Haley and him, but with Lucas' interruption it was no longer possible. He was home for about an hour before he got a call from Rachel telling him that she'd be home late tonight, and not to wait up.

He padded around their apartment and couldn't help but think of Haley, his Haley. Why had everything become so confusing? Why did he have to be a stubborn jackass and try to test Haley all those years ago? It's not a simple answer, and that was the problem. He sighed to himself before he decided that he was with Rachel now, and he should try to salvage their relationship because he owed her that.

Maybe tonight was just a sign of weakness, but now that he had told her the truth he could simply move on. If only it were that easy…Nathan was shaken from his thoughts when there was a knock at the door. Who could be here this late?

Just to make sure it wasn't some creep, he checked the peephole before opening the door.

Haley.

What was she doing here? His breath caught in his throat the minute he saw her. Without thinking about why she would be here this late, he opened the door.

"Haley, what are you doing here?" I said, trying to show no emotion in my voice.

"Well, Luke kind of interrupted an important conversation and I couldn't sleep before we finished it." Haley said with a nervous smile.

"Yeah, about that. He's right, I'm engaged and I need to be the good guy here. I'm sorry Haley, I don't know what came over me but I promise it'll never happen again." I said while secretly hoping that Haley called my bluff.

"That's what I was hoping that you'd say. Friends?" Haley said looking up at me with her brown eyes.

"Friends." I replied with a grin

"Okay great. Night Nate!" She said as she walked out of my door.

First Day of School

Haley walked the halls of Tree Hill High School feeling as though it was just yesterday that she and Brooke Davis were gossiping by their lockers, while Peyton and Lucas were making out by the tutor center. She smiled to herself as she walked into her classroom. Lucky for her, she had managed to score a room near the teacher's lounge. As she walked into her classroom, a sudden wave of nerves flooded her entire body and she ran to the teacher's lounge bathroom afraid she was going to spill her breakfast.

Haley James was probably the most nervous person ever. She could barely keep anything down when she was nervous; especially for fear that it might come up. This had happened on many first days of school, but she had hoped that she'd get over it now that she had her own classroom. She straightened her clothes and looked at herself in the small mirror. She looked, and felt, like crap. Deciding that she'd better make herself a little more presentable, she dug through her purse for some mascara, and then applied it. She then applied some blush so she no longer looked flushed. Satisfied, she left the bathroom and attempted to head back to her classroom. Before she could do so, her eyes landed on Nathan Scott.

"Fancy meeting you here" I said with a smile.

"Well hello there Miss James" he replied.

I laughed hearing my title "Hi Nathan" I said.

"Here it's Coach Scott" he said with a smirk.

"Oh right, forgive me!" I said in mock horror.

"You look good Hales" he said in a genuine voice.

"Seriously, 'cause I just threw up" I say with sarcasm.

"Are you okay?" he said sounding concerned.

"Yeah, it's just nerves." I said taking a bottle of water out of the fridge.

"Whatever you say, Miss James. Take it easy today okay? If you need anything, you know where Whitey's office is." Nathan said before walking out the door.

"You mean your office, Coach Scott?" I replied with a smile.

"Yeah" he said with a genuinely happy smile.

I could get used to seeing that smile forever. Stop it Haley, he's engaged said the Angel on my shoulder.

At that, I headed to my classroom.

Later in the day

Peyton, Sawyer, Brooke, and Mackenzie were all at the park when they got a surprise visit from Haley.

"Hi Tutorgirl, how was your first day as Teachergirl?" Brooke said cheerfully.

I couldn't help but laugh at her silliness "It was alright Brooke, aside from feeling sick all day."

"Was it nerves?" Peyton joined in

"Yeah I think so. That or maybe a 24 hour bug." I said as I watched my nieces play together.

"I have a doctor's appointment tomorrow afternoon, you could join me if you'd like?" Brooke said sincerely, her green eyes sparkling. She was absolutely glowing, pregnancy suited her.

"If I'm not feeling better, I'll join you" I said with a smile.

"You'd better; you've got to keep those horny teenagers in line!" Brooke said with a wink

"Wow, if it isn't the pot calling the kettle black!" Peyton said in-between laughs

"Oh shut up, I wasn't that bad" Brooke retorted

"I don't think either of you can talk, so let's end it there" I said butting in while receiving glares from my best friends.

"Did you see my brother-in-law today?" Peyton said to change the subject.

"I did, he seemed really excited to be taking over for Whitey" I said thinking back to our earlier interaction.

"It seems so unreal that you guys are teaching back where we went to school!" Brooke said laughing.

"It's also unreal that you're both pregnant! What is it, like a couple weeks apart?" I said curiously.

"Yeah something like that, but it's not our fault that we're apparently extremely fertile" Peyton said putting a hand over her small belly.

"Geeze, I think I'm drowning in all these hormones. I'll catch you guys later" I said with a smile as I made my way back to my car.

The Next Day

I decided to call Brooke to let her know that I wanted to go to the doctor with her. I spent my night running back and forth between my bedroom and the bathroom. This was one nasty flu so eventually I fell asleep on my bathroom floor. The cool tile, however, seemed to sooth my warm temperature.

"Hey, Brooke, it's me. I spent the night getting sick so I think I'll go to the doctor with you if you don't mind."

"Sure Haley, how about I pick you up at the school when it lets out and then we'll go get your car after the appointment?"

"That sounds great. I'll see you later!" I said as I ended the call, and running to the bathroom again.

I took a cool shower, hoping that it might make me feel better. Then, I went to my kitchen and decided that a heavy breakfast was out of the question. I grabbed a box of saltine crackers out of my cabinet and a bottle of sprite out of my fridge. I snacked on the crackers and took a couple swigs of the fizzy liquid and it made me feel slightly better. Whoever had given me this bug was sure a pain in my neck right now.

After an hour, I felt better and was completely ready for another day at school. I decided on a pair of black pants, heels, and a white blouse. At 26 I was starting to get used to wearing dress clothes all the time, which made me have more confidence when I stood in front of my classroom of high school students. Taking a minute to look in my full-length mirror, I decided that all I needed was a make-up and I was done. I paid extra attention in putting concealer under my eyes because it looked as though I had a long night. Well, ok, I looked more like ass if I'm being honest.

Giving up hope that I could make myself look halfway decent, I grabbed my school bag, purse, and keys and was out the door. I drove all the way to Tree Hill High School thinking about my doctor's appointment later and it gave me goose bumps. I really hate going to the doctor, but who doesn't?

The day went by slower than slow. Even though I was gradually feeling better, I ate only a small amount for lunch, afraid that I may get sick at school and that was the last thing I needed to happen. Sure enough, as the last bell rang and I walked out to the parking lot, Brooke was waiting for me.

"Come on TutorGirl, being back here gives me the chills!" Brooke says urging me to get in the car quickly.

"Oh Brooke, but you were barely here when we were in high school" I said sarcastically.

"So I liked to play hooky a lot, sue me!" she laughs as she pulls out of the parking lot and heads into the direction of the doctor's office.

"How's my little niece or nephew doing in there?" I say looking in the mirror and fixing my makeup.

"Oh you know, I'm only about 8 weeks along so we're taking it one day at a time." She says while she rests a hand on her tiny baby bump.

"That's great Brooke. I can't believe you and Peyton actually conceived your babies a week apart. That is so crazy!" I say with excitement.

"I know, that definitely only happens once in a blue moon" she replies as we pull into the parking lot.

Brooke and I head into the office and are put into a room almost immediately. I let Brooke be examined first because, well, she's pregnant. The doctor tells Brooke that the baby is growing at the right pace and everything looks wonderful. Brooke, of course, is thrilled and calls Julian immediately to tell him the news, leaving me alone with the doctor.

"I'm just going to draw some blood so we can run some tests, okay Haley?" the doctor says as she sets up her needle and prepares to draw my blood. After she is finished, she informs me that they'll call me in a couple days to let me know what's going on with me.

"Thank you Doctor Lambert." I say before leaving the room.

"Please, call me Kate. Have a great day Haley" the older woman smiles sincerely at me before turning down the hallway.

Brooke and I head back to the school so I can pick up my car. We both go our separate ways to endure the rest of our evenings; me alone, and her with her family.

A couple days passed before I heard from the doctor. Unfortunately I wasn't home at the time when she called and saw the voicemail light flashing on my answering machine as I walked in the door. I had been grocery shopping because I hadn't in a couple weeks and was running out of practically everything I needed. While putting the groceries away, I pressed the button so that I could hear the voicemails.

First Unheard Message: "Hey Hales, it's your sister Quinn…you know, Quinn Marie James?" she pauses to laugh "Let's do lunch soon ok Miss Teacher? Love you sis" Click

Next Unheard Message: "Haley-bob, it's your mother. I was thinking about having the whole family together this weekend for a barbeque. Call me later. I love you dear." Click

Next Unheard Message: "Hi, Haley. This is Doctor Lambert, uh Kate. I was hoping I wouldn't have to leave this on your voicemail, but oh well. We got the results of your blood test and I'd really like you to come to the office as soon as possible to discuss the results. Please don't be alarmed, it's nothing too serious. It's just that I feel like this is something we should discuss in person rather than on voicemail. Anyway, please call to schedule a follow up appointment" Click

My heart sunk at her words. I suddenly felt as though I had been told I was dying. I'm only 26, what could be happening to me? I'm young, relatively healthy, I workout, eat right….I finish packing away the groceries and decide to take a bubble bath to take my mind off of things. Before I do so, I decide to call the doctor's office and make an appointment for the morning that way I wouldn't spend the rest of the day worrying. It would be Friday anyway, I'm sure the students would care less if I wasn't there, especially when I had serious issues as of right now.

After stepping out of the tub, I put on some pajamas and curled up in bed and cried myself to sleep.

A/N: Well, tell me your thoughts! I know it took awhile for this update; I'll try not to let it happen again! Thanks to those of you who reviewed.

NEXT CHAPTER:

Haley's doctor's appointment!