A/N: Sorry that it took longer to update than I said, I had some trouble logging in. ANway, thank you so much to PrOzAc KiD, iftheyonlyknewthetruth, Nathanlvr, lilmonkeygirl31,Haley Youmans, and deli41321 for giving me reviews. I really appreciate the feedback!
Chapter 10 – Broken Choices
I pulled the box off of the top shelf in the closet and put it in my lap. Taking off the lid, I reached inside and grabbed the stack of pictures. I looked at the top one and smiled at how happy I looked in it. It was a little over a year ago and it was a picture of Brooke and I with mud smeared all over our clothes and faces, along with huge smiles…
"Tree Hill always looks so beautiful after it rains." I smile as Brooke links arms with me. Before I could respond I trip over my own foot and went flying to the muddy ground, taking Brooke with me. I landed face first, while Brooke landed on top of me. I stood up and spit out some mud, laughing.
"Oh my god, I am such a klutz, I cannot believe that I just fell like that." Brooke brushed off the tiny bit of dirt that was on her and looked at me.
"I know, and I cannot believe that you took me with you. Well…at least I had you to stop me from getting any mud on my beautiful outfit." Looking at my mud covered jeans, and feeling the dirt on my face, I decided that Brooke needed to get a little dirty herself.
I walked over to her and pulled her into the mud. She gasped and looked at her outfit in horror. "I cannot believe you Haley, I didn't want to get dirty."
"Last time I checked you didn't seem to have a problem getting dirty, Brooke, in fact your kinda known for it." She gasped and threw a clump of mud at me, before we both burst out laughing and collapsed into the mud. Grabbing her camera our of her purse Brooke pulled me close to her and snapped a picture, claiming it was 'so the perfect moment.'
I smiled as I put the picture down, I missed those days, now that I have screwed everything up I doubt that I will every have those carefree days with Brooke again. I messed up with everyone, but before I can try and get the Scott brothers to forgive me I need to get my best friend back. Of course since I hurt her the most, she is going to be the hardest to convince to forgive me.
So far I have been completely lame and have sat at home in my bed sulking. But now I have missed three days of school, and while I am light years ahead of most of the people in my grade I can't bring myself to miss another day.
It's 5am, and I have at least another hour before I even need to begin to think about getting ready for school. I just sit there and wait, and watch each minute tick by, wishing that I could turn the clock backwards and fix the mess that I made. I get dressed in jeans and a baggy sweatshirt and pull my hair up into a ponytail. I walk out the door into the sunlight, and want to turn around and run back inside, but I force myself to keep going. I need to deal with this now, or I never will.
"Haley, your finally back." I turn around to see Teresa smiling at me, this girl is just full of surprises. I raise my eyebrow questioningly at her; she had made it pretty clear that we weren't friends, so I don't really know why she is here now. "How are you holding up, after everything that happened?"
"I'm okay." She gives me a 'ya right' look.
"Look, Hales, I am the only one you have right now, and until you fix things with the other people, you are going to be stuck with me. So you might want to try and at least be honest with me. You are clearly not doing okay." She pulls me into a hug as the bell rings, and then walks off down the hallway, turning around to say one final word. "It will get better Haley, I promise."
I watch her walk off and a small wave of relief washes over me, at least I have one person that is on my side. I quickly grab my books out of my locker and head to class, I am already late. Unfortunately I have first period with Nathan today. When I walk into the room he looks at me with such hatred that I almost turn around and leave. But I force myself to sit in my seat and just stare at my books. This is going to be a long day.
Somehow I made it through the first half of the day, and now I have the biggest challenge of all…where to sit. Holding my tray of food I quickly scan the cafeteria, hoping to find an empty table. Spotting one I go and sit, realizing how lame I must look eating alone, and wishing that Teresa had this lunch. I eat quietly and can't help but notice that people are looking at me, and possibly talking about me. That is the worst part about living in a small town…everyone knows your business.
"Mind if I sit?" I look up and see Kelly. I am surprised that she wants to sit with me, I mean I have known her forever, and we have been in the same classes a bunch of times but we hardly ever talk and we certainly aren't friends. But still, I am grateful to have the company.
"Not at all, I would love the company." She smiles and sits across from me. "Not to be rude of anything, but why exactly do you want to sit with me, I am not really anyone's favorite person right now." Laughing a little she flashes me a big smile and explains.
"That is why I am sitting with you, because there is nothing worse than sitting alone. Trust me I know." Thinking about it I remember that last year Kelly had a big blowout with her best friend Molly and ended up losing all of her friends in the process. She has some new friends now, but it is comforting to know that she can understand way I am going through.
"Oh, yeah, I remember hearing about that last year. So did you and Molly ever make-up?" She shakes her head and I see sadness pass through her eyes.
"No, we said some pretty harsh things, and hurt each other pretty bad. We just couldn't go back to being friends after that. Actually I think that the biggest mistake that we made was that we waiting too long to apologize. The longer you wait to fix it, the worse it gets." I nod my head and look at her sympathetically.
"I am really sorry Kelly." She waves me off with her hand and smiles brightly.
"Don't worry about it. I have new friends now, and that is all in the past anyway. Actually I am worried about you. I noticed that you haven't been in school for three days. Although it was nice not to have you head blocking the board in math." I laugh with her and it feels good. I have been so solemn lately and it feels nice to just have a normal, happy conversation.
"Yeah, I wasn't really ready to come to school yet, but I finally sucked it up and came today, and let me tell you it has been great. Brooke and Nathan shoot daggers at me whenever they see me, and Lucas just looks so hurt. He never was the type to get mad. But trust me, it is so much worse to know that I hurt him." She gives me a sympathetic smile, but then changes it to a bright smile instead.
"Haley, I am so sorry that your life sucks right now. But you know what will make you feel better?" I shake my head. "A party. Nothing is better for pain than boys, music, dancing and alcohol."
"Actually, it was alcohol that go me into this whole mess in the first place, so I am going to have to pass." She shakes her head and I know that she is going to drag me to this party no matter what I say.
"Okay, so no alcohol. Trust me though, if you come to this party with me I will make you forget all of the drama of your life, at least for the night."
"Fine. I'll go." A few seconds later the bell rang and Kelly and I walked off to class, and it felt great to not have to walk alone.
I checked my outfit in the mirror one more time and then went downstairs to wait for Kelly to pick me up. I wore a light pink tank top with low rise jeans, and I curled my hair and wore it down.
Kelly had been great to have with me at school over the last few days. She always had a way of making me smile, and I am so excited for her to give me a night of fun that will help me forget how much my life sucks right now.
I hear her car pull up so I run out the door and get in. She smiles at me and drives us to the party. Walking up the driveway I already hear the music blaring and see some staggering teens. I really hope that I don't see Brooke or the Scott's tonight, even though they will most likely be here.
"Come on Hales." Kelly grabs my arm and pulls me through the house and into a bedroom. There are about five other people in there already and I recognize them as her friends. She closes the door and I look at her waiting for an explanation.
I don't have to wait long because one of her friends hands her a joint, which she holds out to me. I look at it but make no move to grab it. I part of me wants to, but the sensible part is saying that it is a horrible idea. Ten eyes are on me as I try and make a decision. Kelly sees me struggling.
"It's okay Hales. It is worth it, trust me. You will forget all of your problems." I hear my mom's voice telling me to jus say no, and remember all of those health classes where the teacher lectured on drugs killing your brain, and the stupid choices you can make under the influence. Looking me in the eyes, Kelly says, "Trust me Haley, you will like it. I am your friend, I wouldn't lie to you." She called me her friend and right now she is the only friend I have so I can't lose her too. I reach out and grab it from her hand.
Here goes nothing. As I bring it to my lips I am nervous, but I just keep thinking over and over again, 'you will forget all of your problems'. Right now is the only thing that matters, I need to forget, and if this is the way to do it, then I will. As I take my first hit I know that I will never be the same. Today is the first day of the new Haley.
A/N: I know that it was kinda short, I promise that the next one will be longer. Please review and tell me what you thought...thanks so much! I will update as soon as I can!