DISCLAIMER: I do not own One Tree Hill, or any of the characters, except the made up ones.
Why Do the Tears Come at Night?
Two Weeks Later
Tossing the last of her folded clothes inside the suitcase, she slowly zipped it up and tossed it next to the other two. A vacation is just what she needed. She just couldn't stay hidden in her penthouse for another two weeks. No. She was done being little Miss Sad Haley James. That girl was gone. She was now the new and improved happy Haley. So what if he was getting married to that red headed whore? It wasn't the end of the world. It was just a crush or so that's what she kept on telling herself. Just a crush, nothing more.
It really wasn't a big deal. So what if he asked Rachel to marry him. She was his girlfriend. She wasn't the girl that ran away every time the words I love you left his mouth. Rachel was the kind of girl that said it back. No wonder he wants to marry her. God, stop feeling sorry for yourself? He just tried to use you for sex. That's it. Everything he said was a lie. All men lie. All of them. It's a good thing that I didn't give him what he wanted. Good job Haley. Once again you're a complete idiot. Totally bought into his I love you crap. What were you thinking letting your guard down? He's just like the rest of them. No one will ever love you! God that stupid voice was still in her head after all these years. At least he was right about that.
"There you are," Brooke said bouncing in her room.
Great timing Tigger, Haley thought. She was and always will be the only positive thing in my life. I don't deserve this amazing girl as a bestfriend. Does she know that while million of little girls look up to me, I on the other hand look up to her? She's my hero in every sense of the word. She's the only constant thing in my life. No matter what happens at the end of the day I know that she'll be there. She's my family.
"So how are you doing?" Brooke asked. "I know it must hurt…what he did to you…"
"Brooke stop!" Not this again. How many times does she have to ask that? "Tigger I'm fine. Really, he doesn't mean anything to me. I don't know why I acted the way that I did. But I promise you that I'm fine. This is exactly what I wanted. They belong together. This is how it's meant to be." Keep telling yourself that Haley.
"But what about you?" Brooke knew it was a long shot but she needed to get through to Haley. Maybe, just maybe she would finally listen. "What about your heart?"
There it is again. Can't escape it no matter how much I try. "Its right where it's meant to be," now Haley had a huge grin on her face. "With you."
And the lies just keep coming Brooke thought. "As long as you're okay?"
"Never been better," Haley said smiling.
"So you ready?" Brooke questioned.
"I'm all packed," Haley said sitting at the edge of her bed.
"Did you pack that red dress with the little…"
"Tigger I got it," Haley said laughing. "Now tell me again why we are going on this trip?"
"Because you promised Jakey to take him anywhere he desired," Brooke said laughing.
"But why did he have to pick Las Vegas? I hate it there," Haley whined. Sure she needed a vacation but why did he have to pick Vegas? Of all the places in the world he picked there and he wanted to stay at the Hard Rock casino. People would be following her around. The media was just going to have a field day with this.
"It's his birthday tutor star," Brooke said laughing. "J and P should be here shortly. Make sure your butt is all packed. Hopefully everything goes smoothly."
"Dave just called and the jet is ready," Haley said standing up walking over to her dresser. "I'm sure it will, Tigger."
"Now all we need is the old married couple and we are on our way for a week of fun," Brooke squealed out. Haley loved Brooke's out look on things. She was so carefree and happy all the time. She always wished that she was like that.
"Yup, week of fun," Haley shouted sarcastically. "You can still invite Lucas if you want."
"No. I want to spend the week with you. I can see Lucas when we get back," Brooke said with a grin. Although she hadn't seen him too much in the last two weeks, they still talked on the phone. Lucas Scott was certainly a charmer but Brooke still didn't know if she could trust him just yet.
"You are a terrible liar Miss Davis," Haley said laughing. "But thank you."
"Yeah-yeah," Brooke said walking towards the door.
"Were are you going?" Haley questioned.
"Nowhere superstar," Brooke said before walking out of the room. Picking up the small box in the kitchen she made it to the elevator. Making her way down the elevator she finally reached the lobby and located the person she needed to see. If Haley wasn't going to do anything about this then as Haley's bestfriend Brooke felt like it was her duty.
"What can I do you for Miss Davis?" Bobby asked with a smile.
Handing him small brown box she finally spoke. "Make sure that this get's delivered today."
"You got it," Bobby said smiling. Brooke smiled back and turned just in time to see her other two best friends arrive.
Haley's driver had finally arrived with Jake and Peyton.
"Let's get this show on the road Brooke Penelope Davis," Jake shouted as he rolled down the window. "Get your ass in here, Vegas awaits!"
"Sure as soon as you go get our bags," Brooke said laughing as Jake's face dropped. "See I told you in high school that lifting weights would come in handy one day."
"I'll be back," Jake said kissing Peyton before getting out of the car. Thirty minutes later they were boarding a private jet.
"This week is going to be so much fun," Jake said smiling. "No work. Hell yes. Haley James I love you baby girl."
"I'm glad to see you already having fun and we still haven't left New York," Haley said laughing. That was Jake for you though. The boy loved to have fun. Haley never understood why he went to law school. Probably because every man in his family dating back to the last 75 years had all been lawyers. Still it was hard picturing him all serious. But he loved his job. That was the most important thing. Not to mention that he was amazing at it.
"Please you should have heard him on the way to your place," Peyton said laughing.
"He's like a dog with a bone," Brooke added.
Haley noticed the pout on his pretty little face. "You know we love you Jakey," Haley said blowing him a kiss. He wasn't like every other man. He would never hurt her. He was in fact that only guy she could count on. She knew that back when they were kids and now more than ever. In fact he was the only guy that she needed in her life.
"I know," Jake said smirking. "Bring on the Hard Rock casino!"
"Damn straight," Brooke said laughing. "Now just remember what we talked about. No talking about the red headed hag or he who shall not be named!" Peyton and Jake nodded their heads as Haley just looked out the window. This was going to be a long flight.
Nathan looked around the large conference room he was currently sitting in. All the board members at Scott Towers were currently in a meeting about starting production on the new Clothes over Bros clothing line. Looking across the room he noticed his mother showing a few designs that Brooke had given her. He couldn't wait for this thing to be over. Usually he was all about his work but not now. Not today. He wanted to be anywhere but here. With alcohol in his hands –anything to stop the pain in his heart.
Since the dinner two weeks ago he hadn't been to work. In fact he just started coming today. He had so much work to catch up on. He didn't know where to start. He noticed everyone stand up and started to leave the room. Doing the same he made his way to his office. Once inside he took a seat at his desk and laid his head down. When did his life become so difficult? Since his stupid brother hired America's Sweetheart Haley James, that's when he thought. Before her his life was so simple. Wake up in the morning go to work, and then come home to Rachel. He wasn't supposed to be thinking about Haley 24/7, certainly when she wouldn't even give him the time of day.
"Dude, where have you been?" Lucas said taking a seat in front of his brother's desk.
Nathan picked up his head long enough to see Lucas's huge ass smirk on his face.
"Brooke finally gave it up, huh?" Knowing his brother like he did he was surprised that Lucas had chased Brooke for as long as he did without her giving it up. Lucas definitely had to be seeing someone else on the side. There was just no way that Lucas wasn't having sex with anyone.
"I'm still working on it. She's certainly not like other girls but she hasn't killed me yet so," Lucas said laughing. "So what's been up with you? It's been what two weeks? Mom says that you haven't been answering her calls and well to be honest you haven't been answering mine. We're really worried about you."
"I'm fine," Nathan said turning his eyes to his computer screen.
"You don't look like it," Lucas said observing his brother. Nathan in fact looked like crap. His hair wasn't like it normally was. In fact Lucas only saw Nathan's hair this way when their father passed away all those years ago. Nathan usually always had his hair fixed. When they were younger he spent so much time getting his hair done just right. "So how's engaged life?"
"I wouldn't know," Nathan said sitting back in his chair and putting his hands over his head.
"But I thought you and Rachel…"
"I broke up with her," Nathan said softly.
"That's so great," Lucas started but noticed Nathan looking sad. "I mean what happened? I thought you two were getting married?" He was such an idiot.
Flashback
Nathan paced back and forth in their living room.
"Just calm down," Rachel said from the chair across the room.
"Calm down? You want me to calm down?" His pacing didn't stop it only quicken with his words.
"Yes! I want you to calm down. You're making me fucking nauseous," Rachel said putting her hand on her stomach.
"I'm sorry. Am I bothering you?" Nathan said sarcastically.
"What's the big damn deal? We're going to get married anyway. I just got tired of waiting for you to ask…"
"So you just go out and buy a ring and then announced it in front of my family before even telling me," Nathan shouted. He was so pissed right now. He couldn't believe that she had done that. Never in his life had he wanted to hurt someone as much as he did right now.
"This isn't about any of that and you know it," Rachel shouted standing up. "This is because she was there."
"What?" Nathan tried to play dumb. She didn't know about Haley and him, did she?
"Don't act stupid. You know what the fuck I'm talking about," Rachel shouted back. "I see the way you look at her and last night you were slow dancing with her."
"This has nothing to do with her," Nathan shot back. "This is about us. You have no right to go around telling people we are engaged when I didn't ask you to get married Rachel."
"Please Nathan. You've been so fucking different since she started working for you, so don't say that this isn't about her," Rachel yelled.
She was right, he knew it.
"I can't do this anymore," Nathan said defeated.
"NO! Don't end us because of her. She doesn't care about you Nathan. Not like I do. I love you. We've been through so much together. Don't throw it away for someone that doesn't care," Rachel said standing right in front of him. As much as he wanted her to be wrong he knew that she was right. Haley didn't care about him. "She doesn't love you, I do. I love you, Nathan." With that she pushed her lips on his. He kissed her back for a second before pulling away.
"Rachel…"
"This is a mistake Nathan. We're meant to be together," Rachel pleaded.
"Rachel I never meant to hurt you," Nathan said softly. "But I just can't do this anymore. It's not fair to you."
"Fine throw us away for some whore," Rachel shouted picking up a picture frame of them and throwing it against the wall. "She'll never love you."
"Maybe you're right," Nathan said not moving. Suddenly he felt himself calming down. He wasn't angry anymore. He was just done. "I love you Rachel. I always will. You were my first love and we have been through so much together but I'm not in love with you. I'm so sorry. You deserve someone who is so much better than me. You really do. I want you to be happy Rachel. I want that for you but I can't be who you need me to be."
"I can't believe we're over," Rachel said sitting on the coffee table. He sat next to her and put his arm around her shoulder.
They sat in silence for a long time and Nathan knew that she was crying. He felt a few tears escape his eyes also. They had been together for so long. Suddenly all the warm memories that he had of them came flooding back. All the kisses they shared, all the laughs. Nathan felt his heart breaking as he watched their life together.
"I used to think that we would be together forever," Nathan said softly. "It's funny how things change, huh?" Before he met Haley, Rachel was it for him. But now he knew that they weren't meant to be.
"We haven't really been us lately," Rachel said resting her head on his shoulder. "You remember when we first got together?"
"How could I forget?" Nathan said laughing. "We were so happy back then."
"Those were the best days," Rachel said smiling as a few tears fell from her eyes.
"You're going to be okay," Nathan said looking down at her and smiling. "You can even stay here, I'll just move back in at my moms until I find another apartment."
"I can't stay here," Rachel said looking around. "Too many memories of us. I think I'll just go back to London. Stay with Bevin until I find a job. Maybe even try to put my degree to some use. I think I can find a good job there."
"You sure?" Nathan questioned. Since they had started dating Rachel's father had cut her off. He didn't want his daughter to ruin her life. But she didn't care; she loved Nathan and wanted to be with him. That's when he started taking care of her. She left her father's money for him and he wanted to give her the world. Now he wouldn't be the one taking care of her. It was time that she learned how to live on her own. She could do it, he knew she could.
"Yeah I really liked it there," Rachel said smiling.
"So that's why you were so pissed that we had to move back," Nathan said laughing.
"Yeah."
"Rachel I really am sorry for everything. I never meant…."
"I know," Rachel said kissing him softly on his cheek. "It's going to be so hard to let you go."
"I really do love you," Nathan said again. He couldn't have her leave thinking that he didn't care. He really did. She would always be apart of his past. She was his first love. The first girl he ever pictured himself marrying. The thought that she would think he didn't care all these years made his stomach turn. He needed to make sure that she knew the truth. Just because he wasn't in love with her anymore, didn't mean that he didn't once love her.
"I'm sorry that I ruined your family dinner," Rachel said closing her eyes.
"Buying a ring Rachel, what were you thinking?" Nathan asked chuckling.
"I saw you dancing with her and I just freaked out," Rachel said laughing with him. "I'm so sorry about that."
"I'm going to miss you," Nathan said kissing the top of her head.
"Same here," Rachel said picking her head up from his shoulder and hugging him. "Let yourself be happy Nathan. I really want that for you."
"I will," Nathan said smiling at her. She placed a soft goodbye kiss on his lips before standing up. "I'll be out of here by tomorrow."
End Flashback
"Wow," was all Lucas could say. "So what have you been doing the last two weeks?"
"Hanging around the apartment packing my things," Nathan said looking at his brother. Lucas finally really looked at Nathan and saw the dark circles around his eyes.
"Where are you going?"
"I can't stay there. To many memories of us," Nathan said softly picking up the picture frame of Rachel sitting on his desk. "I'm looking for a new place."
"I'm so sorry man," Lucas said sympathetically.
"No you're not," Nathan said firmly. "You've hated her since I started dating her."
"Nathan, I'm sorry," Lucas said softly. "I wanted to like her. I really did."
"Don't sweat it man," Nathans said smiling. "I just. I didn't think it would be this hard."
"You'll get through it."
"It just hurts," Nathan said collecting his thoughts. "How is she?"
He had been thinking about her constantly since he had watched Rachel take off on her plane to London. Every time he thought about calling her or going to see her Rachel's words went off in his head. She'll never love you.
"I really don't know man," Lucas said letting out a little frustrated sigh. "I tried asking Brooke but she totally snapped. She basically told me to mind my own fucking business."
"Harsh much?" Nathan asked finally laughing.
"I know right? After that I was just too afraid to ask. Haley's the most important thing in her life," Lucas said shrugging his shoulders. "I just didn't want to upset her."
"I keep on picturing her face once Rachel made that stupid announcement," Nathan said shaking his head. "I even see it in my sleep. She looked so hurt. I don't think she'll ever forgive me."
"Nathan don't be silly," Lucas laughed out.
"Lucas this is serious. I'm in love with her and I don't know how to make this shit go away," Nathan mumbled frustrated.
"Did you tell her who you feel?" Lucas asked.
"Twice and she totally freaked out," Nathan said putting his head back and closing his eyes. "I don't know how to make her love me."
"Then maybe you should just let it go," Lucas said as Nathan's eyes shot open.
"I've tried. I really have. But won't go away, I can't stop loving her. No matter how hard I try it won't…"
"Then go tell her that," Lucas added.
"She hates me." She had told him that so many times before.
Lucas felt his cell phone vibrate. "I'm sorry I gotta go."
"It's cool," Nathan said watching his brother leave his office. Maggie walked in seconds later holding a small package.
"This just came for you," Maggie said handing it to him.
"Get rid of this for me will ya," Nathan said handing her the picture of Rachel. He waited for her to close his office door before finally opening the package. There was a letter with a CD. Pulling the CD out, he placed it down on his desk before opening the letter.
Nathan,
I know that I probably shouldn't be writing you this but I feel like I have too. I can't let you marry Rachel without knowing something about Haley. I know you care about her. But here's the thing. Haley's had such a hard life. She's been through so many things that I can't begin to explain because it's not my place. She doesn't let people in and she really doesn't trust people. It's not her fault, like I said she's had a hard life. When we were younger Haley always had this way about her. She had this light in her eyes. But as time went on it went away. I'm only saying this because I've finally seen that light again. But it's only when she talks about you. I know it's probably too late but I just thought you should know. Sometimes people play hard to get because they need to know that the other person's feeling are real. I think that your feelings are real Nathan. Now all you have to do is make Haley believe that.
The CD is just a little insight into Haley. The record company cut it from her latest album because they didn't want people to think she wasn't happy. I hope it helps you see the real her. There is more to Haley James than meets the eye.
Brooke
Folding the letter back up, he tossed it on his desk. Placing the CD inside his computer he hit the play button. Her voice filled his office.
Early morning, she wakes up She's so lucky, she's a star Lost in an image, in a dream
Knock, knock, knock on the door
It's time for makeup, perfect smile
It's you they're all waiting for
They go…
"Isn't she lovely, this Hollywood girl?"
And they say…
But she cry, cry, cries in her lonely heart, thinking
If there's nothing missing in my life
Then why do these tears come at night
But there's no one there to wake her up
And the world is spinning, and she keeps on winning
But tell me what happens when it stops?
They go…
"Isn't she lovely, this Hollywood girl?"
And they say…
She's so lucky, she's a star
But she cry, cry, cries in her lonely heart, thinking
If there's nothing missing in my life
Then why do these tears come at night
Hitting the stop button he picked up his phone and dialed her number. He waited for her to pick up but all he got was her voicemail. He couldn't just leave a message. He needed to see her. He needed to tell her exactly how he felt. Rachel and him were over and it was time for Haley to know. She needed to know that he wasn't going to stop until she realized that she loved him. He Nathan Scott was going to make America's Sweetheart Haley James love him if it was the last thing that he did.
AN: So the song is "Lucky" by Britney Spears before all the baby mama drama. You guys know the one –before the shaved head and crazy break downs. Back then it was Justin and Britney not Britney and K-Fed. My-my how her life has turned out…lol!