Chapter 10: Warnings and Well-Wishers
Haven't really had scenes with these guys before so enjoy the Paley and Pathan (or is it Neyton? I really have no idea).
For the rest of the week, Haley avoided Lucas. At lunch, she ate in the tutor center, and she would immediately leave after practice so he wouldn't be able to corner her into talking to him. She knew he wanted to apologize but she just wasn't in the mood to hear it. She kept to herself barely talking to any of her friends. Her routine was just to get up walk to school, even though Lucas showed up dutifully at her door everyday. She'd go to class, eat lunch alone, and after school she'd either have cheerleading or tutoring. Then she would walk home.
On Friday afternoon after school, Haley just lost it. She started to cry and knew she had to talk to someone. Normally she'd go to Lucas but he was the cause of the problems, or Brooke, but she was too busy getting busy with Nathan. Haley sighed; she needed someone to talk to. She sat there for a while staring into space before getting up and walking down the stairs and out onto the street.
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Peyton sat in her room sketching. She was just hanging out at her house until Jake was able to come over. Suddenly she heard footsteps below.
"Are you busy now?" a shaky voice asked.
Peyton looked toward her doorway and saw a red-eyed Haley standing there looking completely dejected. Peyton had known that Haley was upset and avoiding her friends, but she just thought Haley needed sometime to cool off. She hadn't realized how much Haley was really hurting. Although they weren't particularly close, Peyton knew that Haley really had no one else to talk to.
"Sure come in," Peyton said trying to sound soothing.
Haley sighed and sat down on the bed, not really sure how to begin. "Lucas" she began but started to tear up again. Peyton patted her back to reassure her and motion for her to go on.
"Well he left Nathan somewhere, and I went to get up. And Lucas thought i was betraying him. And then I didn't want to have sex with him, and I don't know anymore. I thought he was my best friend but he keeps doing these really stupid things, and I just want the guy I've known for 16 years to come back." Haley was now fully crying and couldn't be consoled.
"Shh" Peyton said, "It'll be ok."
Haley shook her head her honey blonde locks flying wildly around her face. "It can't be. He was so hurt and now I can't even trust him."
"Look Haley, you've known Luke your whole life. You know he wouldn't intentionally hurt you. He's just under a lot of pressure from everyone about basketball. Nathan probably feels like a threat. He wants to apologize to you and I can see that you're also sorry. Work it out." As much as Peyton didn't like Lucas, she knew that he and Haley had been friends for a long time. They really couldn't let a stupid argument get between them.
"You're right." Haley said sounding brighter. "I feel better now, thanks."
Haley stood up to go but turned before she left the room. "I don't know if I told you but I'm really happy for you and Jake. You both deserve to be happy."
Peyton smiled. "Thanks Haley. That means a lot."
Haley gave a little nod and smile and waved her goodbye. She knew Peyton was right, but the nagging feeling she felt wouldn't go away. She had heard so many times about the pressure put on Lucas about basketball and frankly she was getting sick of it. It wasn't such a good excuse anymore.
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Brooke was leaning on top of Nathan kissing him like there was no tomorrow, but Nathan wasn't really into it.
"Brooke stop."
"Why what's wrong?" she asked concerned. Guys didn't really ever stop her from making out with them before.
"I'm just not feeling it today. I'm worried about other things."
"Fine." Brooke said rolling over clearly hurt.
"Look I'm sorry it's just that some friends of mine are going through some things." He said this as a clue to Brooke because he really wanted to talk about Haley. He noticed she wasn't very happy lately, but he didn't want to bring her up and have Brooke go completely jealous.
"Yeah I know what you mean. Haley's been miserable these last few days."
"Really?" Nathan asked trying not to sound too interested.
" Yeah. I have no idea what it could be about. She left like out of the blue on the first game of the season. A cheerleading captain would never do that. And then she's completely blown all of us off."
"Maybe she's mad at someone," Nathan suggested.
"Oh my God! You're so right Natey," she said leaning over to give him a kiss, "She's probably pissed at Lucas. No wonder she won't sit with us at lunch."
"Any idea why she might be mad at him?"
"Oh who knows? It's Lucas and Haley. They've known each other too long. They probably got on each others nerves."
Nathan saw that this was all he was going to get out of Brooke and leaned down to kiss her to make her feel better about earlier. Brooke purred her smile visible. "Now that's what I'm talking about," she said before leaning in to kiss him some more.
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Haley sat in her bedroom trying to work up the nerve to call Lucas. She kept getting to the seventh digit but stopped herself from hitting send. Ugh she thought, I'll never be able to do this. She leaned down into her pillow hoping for sleep. Just then the doorbell rang. Great, Haley thought. Now I have to get up. She yawned and climbed down the stairs slowly grumbling, "I'm coming, I'm coming" the whole way down. She opened the door and revealed a sheepish looking Lucas carrying a dozen roses. Haley's mouth fell open, amazed at what she was seeing.
"Hales, I know I freaked out and said things I shouldn't have. And I know you have no reason to forgive me, but I was hoping you'd give me another chance." He handed over the flowers to a gaping Haley. She stared at them not quite believing she was able to keep them in her hand.
"I'm sorry too, Lucas. I shouldn't have said all those things. I know the whole Nathan being back in town thing must be bothering you.
Lucas nodded. "Forget about it Hales. I forgive you."
Haley began to cry and Lucas quickly enveloped her in a hug. "It's ok" he murmured, "I love you and I'll be better to you. I promise." Haley continued to cry into his shirt, but she managed to use her voice and whispered, "Thanks I love you too." But Haley wasn't sure if it was the right kind.
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Brooke knocked on Haley's door the next day feeling bad that she hadn't been there when her best friend was obviously hurting. It was just that Nathan was so cute and so much fun to hang out and hook up with. Brooke sighed just thinking about them together. She quickly came back to the present as Haley opened the door looking happier than she had for the past few days.
"Oh Hey Brooke, it's good to see you."
Brooke quickly wrapped her into a hug. "Haley, are you okay? I know I haven't been there for you this week and I feel totally bad about that, but I promise you that I'm here now and whenever you need me." Brooke fizzled off as she saw Haley laughing.
"I'm fine Brooke, but thanks."
Brooke looked on confused but just accepted what Haley said. "So what are we doing today best friend?"
"Well I was going to hang out with Lucas. You should join us. Just like old times. Just don't mention your boyfriend," Haley warned.
Brooke pouted for a second but then quickly agreed. "Like old times, sounds great."
Haley smiled and dragged Brooke into the house.
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Nathan was shooting hoops at the River Court when he saw a black mustang pull up. Out came a gorgeous pair of legs belonging to Peyton Sawyer. What could she want with me, Nathan thought.
"Hey. Nathan right?"
Nathan just nodded, a little in awe of the girl before him. Everyone knew Peyton as this totally independent girl who didn't care about other people's opinions, and who moved in her own circles.
"I just wanted to warn you. Lucas can do some messed up shit to you if he wants. And if you want to be the opposite of him, which isn't an asshole, then get Haley to stop interfering for you, because guaranteed he'll mess with you and her. And you also better not hurt Brooke. Lucas is way overprotective of his turf."
"I don't want to hurt Haley. Or Brooke," he said as an afterthought.
If Peyton noticed, she didn't say anything about. She just nodded. "Good, then just stay away from him for awhile. Play on the team but don't do anything to steal his spotlight."
"Thanks Peyton."
Peyton nodded as if to say don't mention it and drove off. Nathan went back to his baskets.
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On Sunday, Nathan remembered that Haley worked her shift at the café. Peyton had told him to get her to stop interfering for him with Lucas, but that didn't mean she couldn't tutor him or that he couldn't hang out with her. He walked outside and headed for the café. He found a seat and waited for Haley.
Haley smiled when she saw him. "What can I get you?"
He smiled back at her, "How about your break. I want to talk."
"I think I have some break time due she said as she slid into the seat opposite him.
"So I know we're not really friends or whatever, but I was just wondering how you were doing. You seemed really upset last week."
"Yeah I know. I got into a fight with Lucas. But we worked it out, and now everything's fine."
Nathan's heart sunk a little when he heard that but he tried to ignore the feeling. "Oh well that's good then."
"Yeah so how's everything with Brooke?"
"Oh yeah it's going good. She's a great girl."
"Yeah she really is," Haley said. It was her turn now for experiencing the heart sinking.
"Well I just wanted to check on you. I'm glad you're ok.
"Well thanks Nate. But I better head back," she said motioning to work.
"Yeah well see you." Nathan turned to leave as he heard a voice carrying through the café. "Who says we're not friends?"
Nathan smiled in the direction of the voice but more for himself.