Chapter Nine "In Terrorem"

'As A Warning'

Haley stood in the center of the quad staring intently at the table a hundred feet away; the 'popular' table. Her morning promise to Nathan was reverberating in her ears. Did she seriously think she could just walk up to Jake and Lucas and make piece.

This was insane, too much time had passed; she had felt too much pain. She took a deep breath then shakily began walking. She had made a promise and she needed to be the bigger person.

She approached the shockingly quiet table slowly, her presence made known by Brooke's low snarl. Haley always knew she resembled a dog. The group of ten or fifteen turned and stared at her, any conversation that there had been now fully stopped.

"Can we help you little girl?" The red-head near Haley's right snapped. Haley immediately recognized her as Rachel, Nathan had warned Haley about her. If memory served he had described her as a snake of some sort, possibly a viper.

Haley returned in the same tone, "Actually I just wanted to talk to Jake and Lucas." She added as an afterthought, "Alone." The boys gave her questioning looks but surprisingly got up.

The three walked silently to a secluded corner, all eyes on them. After all it wasn't everyday that social royalty made time for social outcast.

"What's up?" Jake asked good-naturedly. The look on Haley's face told him she was about to do something she really didn't want to do.

"Well, um, I don't know if you know or not but Nathan and I are kind of dating and I figured since we're going to be seeing a lot more of each other we should, um…"

"Make peace?" Lucas finished, scoffing. "Nathan's idea no doubt. Listen Haley, there's a reason we don't talk anymore. No reason to start now."

Haley's face fell instantaneously. She knew they had a lot of bad history but she was hoping they would accept her peace offering. After all she had done nothing wrong.

"Hey man, cut it out." Jake protested; he kind of liked the idea of getting back on track with Haley. He turned to her, smiling warmly, "I don't know about making peace but I could use my old best friend back." He offered.

She looked unsure, "Well… Only if you give me a really good apology and or explanation." She grinned, obviously teasing.

"How about just a night of catching up?" He compromised. This seemed really right.

Lucas shook his head in disbelief, "Are you kidding Jake? There's no way you guys can be friends again."

"Why not Lucas? I'm not good enough for you guys. You know what, screw you." Her face turned gradually redder as her rant became louder, "I did nothing except be your friend and you ditched me for a bunch of sluts the first chance you got. You're nothing to me, you hear me? NOTHING!" She finished, turning on her heel and stalking away.

Jake shook his head at Lucas before making his way after her. It took two years but he finally realized who his real friend had been all along.

Lucas made his way back to the lunch table, but stopped in his tracks at the sight of a very pissed Nathan standing in front of him; blocking his way. "What the fuck is your problem? Haley comes to you willing to put the past behind you guys and you turn her away and act superior? You're a fucking asshole; all that shit you said before about still caring about her is a fucking lie. Stay away from her and if you don't I'll kick your ass."

A crowd was now forming around the two and Lucas knew they expected a fight, but he didn't have it in him. He felt a tiny hand wrap around his bicep and gently tug him away. He turned and saw the owner of the hand was Peyton.

"Come on Luke, that's enough. You messed up enough today." She quietly told him and he followed her out of the circle and away from the quad.

"So where to Ms. Sawyer?" He teased, trying to take his mind off of everything.

"My house. I think we've both had enough of school for a day."

Jake found Haley in the tutoring center, furiously grading papers. He chuckled slightly remembering the first time she had signed up for tutoring freshman year.

FLASHBACK

"Excuse me, is this the tutoring center?" A very timid fourteen year old Haley asked the elderly woman sitting at a desk in a spacious room.

She had brought Jake along for moral support, but all Jake could get out of the experience was a good laugh. Especially considering Haley had spent a solid fifteen minutes breathing heavily infront of the sign that read "Tutoring Center" before finally entering.

"That is what the sign said isn't it?" The lady replied, not even looking up from her papers, "Do you need tutoring, it is only the second day of school."

"Actually I was interested in signing up for tutoring. I know I'm only a freshman but I've been labeled gifted and talented and I have a 4.0 GPA. I'm confident I can succeed in this endeavor." She said in her most businesslike tone.

Jake laughed at her fancy vocabulary, receiving a swift kick in the leg. It was going to be a long day.

END FLASHBACK

"So a certain brunette I know promised me friendship and then ran off, now what should I think?" He said, taking the seat next to her.

She looked up, "Not now Jake. I'm upset and frustrated and, ugh, god I could kill him. Like literally rip his head off, cut out his heart, disembowel him, kill him."

"Okay, note to self, keep Haley away from Lucas and sharp objects." He joked, "So how about a lighter topic such as, Nathan?"

"What about him? I mean Nathan, he's, perfect." Haley sighed dreamily. Jake was positive she was quickly falling.

"Nathan, perfect? I've never heard anyone with an IQ over fifty describe Nathan Scott as that." His face grew serious, "Just be careful okay?"

"Yes dad. Trust me, I've been warned multiple times. What about you Mr. Cheater? I mean Brooke Davis, come on Jake." She chided, she still held a little animosity towards him because he had cheated on Peyton.

"I know, I know. It's just, with Brooke I feel free, like I can do anything, be anything. I really care about her Hales."

"Then tell her."

"It isn't that simple."

"Yes it is, you're just scared."

He shook his head, "Maybe I am, but I just don't want to hurt her."

"Then don't."

Nathan crept up slowly behind Haley at her locker, wrapping his arms around her waist and kisses her neck softly. "Hows my little peacemaker?" He whispered in her ear in a light playful tone.

She giggled, leaning back against him and shutting her locker, "Little peacemaker? Nice nickname, who knew Nathan Scott was a softy on the inside." She teased.

"You did." He spun her around kissing her full on the lips, pushing the stray strands of hair out of her face. She was beautiful to him.

She smiled, pulling away her eyes still closed. "So captains practice today or can you come over?"

"I canceled it so for today I'm all yours." He smirked, leaning back in for a kiss, but she put her hand up.

"Oh lucky me, Nathan Scott all to myself, so scandalous. What girl wouldn't want to be in my shoes?" She joked, leaning up and kissing him as a finish to her statement.

"Hey this is very rare, so enjoy it. I don't just cancel practice for anyone."

"No, of course you don't."

They kissed again before Nathan slipped his hand in hers and took her backpack, "Your chariot awaits m'lady."

"Then let's go."

They walked down the hall, ignoring the whispers and stares. By second period everyone knew they were a couple, but actually seeing them together was a whole nother experience. It wasn't everyday that you saw Nathan Scott with someone who had been previously nameless.

The parking lot was chaotic as always, very few students actually attempting to leave. Despite the cool weather, most were lounging on the hoods of their cars, mostly mercedes, bmw, beemers, jaguars, the usual; talking to their friends. Except for the select few who had average cars, only the rich popular kids drove to school. Haley saw Jake at his dads painfully old BMW and waved, laughing as he attempted to keep the BMW hood ornament from falling off.

He returned the wave, winking at the hand holding. Haley laughed and Nathan rolled his eyes. She felt really good for the first time in a long time, a boyfriend she really cared about and her best friend back. Things were starting to look up.

Sorry that it's so short, however I just need to get back in the swing of things. I haven't updated in so long and I've grown unfamiliar with the voice I use for this story. I hope despite it's shortness, you guys enjoyed considering this is my most read story. Please comment, give constructive criticsm, ideas, whatever you want. Thanks in advance! Jessica.