Hey guys, thank you for the wonderful reviews. I love reading them so please keep them coming. I just want to let you Naley fans know that Nathan is coming very soon. So just hang in there. Anyway, here's chapter 7. Enjoy!
Chapter 7
Secret No. 7: No matter what anyone else says, it really is the thought that counts.
Within the next few days, there was a lot of tension in the house. After the funeral, the James women only had two days to pack all their things and leave. Olivia had been "kind" enough to hold off the movers until they left that Saturday evening.
"I don't want any of your crap left over in my house," she had bitched. It had taken every bone in Peyton's body not to jump over the coffee table and strangle her.
"And I expect you to give me your house keys before you leave."
So, needless to say, between all the packing and Brooke giving the silent treatment to everyone, it had been the perfect ending to the week from Hell. And now, here they were—minutes away from leaving everything they had known and loved behind. Just then, someone lightly shook Peyton out of her thoughts. It was Jake.
"Hey," he greeted. "Are you ok?"
"Honestly, I don't know," she answered. "I all seems so surreal. Like a nightmare actually."
"I just want to say again, I'm so sorry, Peyton. I wouldn't live here if I had somewhere else to go but…"
"Don't worry about
it," she interrupted. As if controlled by
some imaginary force, Peyton closed the distance between them and
gave Jake a hug. To her surprise, he hugged her back. Damn
his arms are strong. And is that Old Spice I smell? They had
gotten close lately. After the awkward dinner the other night, they
somehow managed to exchange their cell numbers. He had called
everyday to check up on her. They talked for hours (while Peyton
packed) about the things they liked or disliked—which mostly
concerned art and music. Jake even came over a few times to help
them with all of their heavy things.
He was soon joined by Lucas and
Keith.
"I'm gonna miss you, James. Keep in touch, Ok?"
"I will," Peyton promised. "See ya."
Haley stood in the living room of her house for the last time. She loved that room. It pained her to see how empty and bare it was with out all their family pictures everywhere. She made sure to swipe the one where she was sitting on her father's lap at the piano. It was her fifth Christmas and her dad had said it was time for his Haley Bop to learn the classic carols. Just thinking of that moment now brought tears to her eyes. Everything was so different. Usually, at times like these, Haley would play her music. It was always an outlet for the emotions she kept bottled up. But for some reason, she just couldn't bring herself to play the guitar her dad had gotten her for her birthday.
"Hey you," Brooke said as she came up behind her.
"Oh, so you're talking to me now?" Haley stated dryly.
"I'm sorry. You know how dramatic I can get when something big happens."
"Yeah, well at least the rest of us were able to suck it up and deal with it like mature adults."
"I guess I deserved that. I really am sorry Haley. I know we have no choice. I just didn't want to accept it, you know?"
"I know Brooke. Thanks," Haley whispered a minute later. "Tree Hill really isn't that bad you know. I really liked it when Lucas showed me around."
"That town better look out, because it's about to be Brooke-a-fied!"
"God help them then," Haley laughed.
"Girls, lets go!" Lydia called from outside.
"Come on, Tutor Girl," Brooke said as she gently pulled her out of the house. Once everything was packed, the James women took one last look at the house they had all known and loved. As if sensing they were having a moment, Olivia chose that time to interrupt.
"Enough with the sentimental crap," she said. "Keys please."
"You don't deserve this place," Lydia stated as she handed her the keys. "Just like you didn't deserve my husband."
"I think you mean my husband," she spat out.
Right then, Haley's cool demeanor had snapped. She is not going to pull this bull before we leave.
"Hey Olivia, enjoy the house," Haley called in a sickeningly sweet voice. "Did you know Peyton was conceived on the kitchen table. Brooke was in the master bathtub. And as for me, well, lucky number three was on the couch in the living room. I just know you're gonna love it. It's so spacious and comfy." Haley didn't know if all the those things she said were true, but she figured they did the trick when she saw the huge scowl overtake Olivia's face. When she turned around, she could see Lucas, Peyton, and Brooke smirking.
"All in a day's work," she stated proudly as she walked past them and got into the backseat of Peyton's car.
"I love her," Brooke laughed to Peyton. It was finally time to leave. Lydia was in her car with Karen, Keith was driving the U-haul, and Lucas was in Karen's car. The James sisters were the last in line in Peyton's car. As they pulled away Brooke said, "Peyton, go slow. I've got to see this."
"See what?" Haley asked.
"You'll see,"
Peyton and Brooke chimed together. And then Haley noticed it.
Olivia was using her house key to unlock the front door but it wasn't
opening. She tried again but it still wouldn't work.
Suddenly,
she let out a high-pitched scream and began kicking and pounding on
the door. It got so bad that Jake had to restrain her before she
hurt herself. All three girls busted out in hysterical laughter.
Since the windows were
down, Olivia could hear them and began to run towards the car.
Peyton sped up while Brooke and Haley waved sweetly while shouting,
"See ya later, Olive!" And much to their satisfaction, "Olive"
let out another blood-boiling scream.
"That was awesome you guys," Haley said once she finally stopped laughing. They were now getting onto the highway. "When did you do it?"
"We called the locksmith yesterday," Peyton informed her.
"That should keep the skank occupied for a few hours," Brooke laughed.
"Did Mom know?" Haley asked.
"Yeah, she was the one who accidentallyleft the phone book on the kitchen table open to the page where we could find the company's number," Brooke explained.
"Brilliant," Haley complimented.
"We know," beamed Peyton.
For the next two hours. The girls were quiet in the car. Each one lost in her own thoughts about Tree Hill. Just then, Brooke's cell phone went off. Haley just rolled her eyes. Leave it to Brooke to still be the most sought after girl even though she's moving away. Sure, Haley was a little popular at St. Regent's. But that was only because Peyton and Brooke were her sisters. For the most part, she kept to herself. She had a few friends that she was close to but no one compared to Lucas. She was actually looking forward to starting over. The only thing she would really miss in Charleston was their home. Forget about that, Haley. It's in the past now. There's no going back.
Despite all the things that they were leaving behind, there was one thing that always remained within Haley. Guilt. Everyday she was haunted by the fact that she wasn't there when her father died. She still smiled and tried to joke around, but nothing could ever fill the emptiness she felt inside. Everything she did was always strained. She couldn't even play her music. It'll come back eventually, she assured herself. It just has to.
Meanwhile, Brooke was busy texting Felix.
I'M GOING 2 MISS U, he had written.
WHAT ABOUT CLAIRE?
WE'RE DONE. I WANT U.
It figures that something like this would happen just when she was leaving. But nevertheless, Brooke let out a satisfied squeal.
"What the hell is wrong with you?" Peyton asked annoyed. "You scared the crap out of me. You're lucky I didn't swerve off the road."
"Sorry," said Brooke with a permanent smile planted on her face.
WHAT DOES THAT MEAN? She wanted Felix to come right out and say it.
WILL U B MY GF? I DON'T CARE ABOUT THE DISTANCE.
Brooke had to think about what she was going to say next. She didn't want him to think that she was desperate.
OK. I'D LIKE THAT.
It was official. Brooke was now Felix's girlfriend. She only wished that she could be there to see Claire's face when she heard the news. Maybe my leaving won't be so bad, after all. It'll give him some time to miss me. I can't wait for the steamy reunion! Haley's cell phone then rang.
"Hey, Luke. What's up?" she answered. "Ok, thanks," she hung up.
"What's going on?" Peyton questioned.
"He said to tell you guys that we're almost there. Just another 10 minutes."
"Good because my ass is numb," commented Brooke.
"Please, I've had to pee for the last hour and a half," Haley retorted.
"Shut up you two. Don't complain until you've been sitting ramrod straight for the last two hours while driving," Peyton interjected. "Can you say 'back spasm'?"
"Too bad Jake isn't here. Then he could rub it out for you," Brooke teased. She loved busting up her sister. She was too serious all the time. The goofiest she'd ever seen her was when she talking to or hanging around with Jake. She deserves it, thought Brooke.
"You don't know what you're talking about," Peyton countered.
"I think Tigger has a point. You looked pretty smitten with Jake before we left. And I saw you checking out his butt when he was putting our stuff in the truck," Haley mentioned while Peyton was sending her death glares in the rearview mirror. "You've got it bad, girl."
"Oh look, we're here!" Peyton shouted with fake enthusiasm as they passed the sign that said, 'Welcome to Tree Hill. Home of the mighty Ravens.'
"To be continued P.
James," Brooke said letting her off the hook. I'll just have
to beat it out of her later. Another two minutes
passed until they had finally pulled into a quaint suburban
neighborhood.
They saw the U-haul and other two cars stop in front
of house number 212.
"Is that it?" Brooke asked.
"It's kind of nice," Peyton commented. It didn't look as historic or big as their other house—but it was pretty nonetheless. Brooke had to admit that she had expected something far worse. The house had two floors. The vinyl siding on the outside was a dark, creamy white. The front lawn contained all beautiful flowers and bushes that outlined a narrow brick walkway up to the house itself. But what Brooke liked most was the large front porch. It's actually kind of cute—in a 'Leave It to Beaver' kind of way. I think we're gonna like it here.
