Winners and Losers
Winners and Losers
Chapter 13
Words can not express how sorry I am for not updating sooner. I went on vacation for almost a week in the west coast and as soon as I got home, I moved to another apartment. Thank you all for your patience and for all your great reviews. Please keep them coming, things are slowing down slightly now, so hopefully I can update sooner rather than later.
This chapter will interchange between flashbacks and "present" time. Enjoy !
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Flashback
"I missed you…" Nathan muttered against Haley's lips.
"I missed you too." Haley replied back as their lips locked again. This past week, they both have been busy and haven't seen much of each other. It also didn't help that Lucas occupied much of Haley's free time, much to Nathan's annoyance. Haley was helping Lucas catch up with schoolwork after his own bout with chicken pox. At least for now, Nathan was able to let that go and just be with Haley. He was so thankful that his parents were gone and that they were the only ones in his house.
Their kisses intensified as they both realized just how much they truly missed each other. Out of pure instinct, Nathan laid Haley down on his bed and now he was on top of her. His hand roamed her side, while she tugged at the hem of his shirt.
"God Hales.." Nathan muttered as his excitement grew. He reached for his shirt and immediately took it off, much to Haley's pleasure as she roamed her hands through his back. His lips crashed back to hers and his hands eventually found their way to the buttons of Haley's blouse. One by one, he slowly unbuttoned them. Haley didn't want him to stop, but a voice in her head told her that this was wrong, that they should wait.
"Nathan.." She muttered, trying her best to gently push him off her. But he ignored her and only placed his tongue further down her throat. It was a move that almost left Haley reaching for her blouse and ripping it apart herself. But she managed to stay cool and tried again more forcefully. That still didn't stop Nathan, as he only kept going. When Nathan's hand reached under her shirt onto her bare skin, it scared her and thrilled her at the same time, but with this time, at least, the sensible Haley came through.
"Nathan!" She said more forcefully and literally pushed him off her.
"Jesus Hales!" Nathan exclaimed. "What was that for?" Haley could already hear the disappointment in his voice and Haley's own guilt started to build up.
Nathan sighed, seeing the look on Haley's face. "Look.. I'm sorry if I got carried away.."
"No.. I'm the one who's sorry.."
"Hales.."
"..it's just that.. I've never done.. done it before.." She said hesitantly.
"And?" Nathan smirked.
"And? .. Nathan.. God.. this is a big deal.." Haley said with an annoyance in her voice.
"Well.. of course it's a big deal.." Nathan smirked, his eyes glancing down at his crotch and Haley immediately rolled her eyes. Nathan laughed.
"What's so funny?" Haley demanded.
"This.. look Hales.. the truth is … I've never done it before either.." Nathan admitted.
"Really?"
"Yeah.. geez.. what's with the shocked look.. I mean we're only freshmen.." Nathan shrugged it off. ".. besides.. I know all this is new to you… it's new for me too.. and when you're ready.. I will be too." He said.
"Yeah.." She mumbled. She was relieved that he was being patient with her but at the same time, she had to wonder how long his patience would last. She wasn't quite yet ready to admit to him that she wasn't planning on having sex for a long time. Growing up, Haley didn't think of sex as sex but as an act of love and she certainly was determined to wait until marriage, at the very least to be with a guy that she loved. As much as she cared for Nathan and liked him, she wasn't quite sure if she was ready to take that next step so soon. In fact, she felt as if this whole thing with Nathan was going at light speed. It turned out though that Nathan was willing to always move things forward.
"Look Hales.. we don't have to do anything you're not ready for?"
"You sure?" She asked hesitantly.
"Yes.." He said with a chuckle. ". . . there is something though, I wanted to talk to you about.." Nathan said in a more serious but upbeat tone.
"Yeah?"
"I like you Haley.. I like you a lot .. and I .. I want to let the whole world know it.."
"Wh.. what're you talking about?" Haley asked, her voice shaky.
"I'm saying that we shouldn't be hiding around and sneaking around anymore.. I want everyone to know what a beautiful.. smart .. girlfriend I have.."
"Nathan… I .. I don't know.."
"Don't know?" He asked a little shocked. "Aren't you tired of sneaking around?"
"Well.. yeah I guess.."
"So.. let's stop hiding.."
"It's not that easy.."
"Why not?" Nathan asked a little annoyed.
"Because.." She muttered trying to find the words.
"Because what?!" Nathan grew heated. "Cuz of him.."
". . . ."
"I can't f believe this!" Nathan threw his hands up and got up from his bed.
"Nathan .. please.." Haley pleased.
"Please what?!"
"Nathan.. it's not that easy…"
"Really? It sounds pretty easy to me.. hi I'm Haley.. this is my boyfriend Nathan… what's so hard about that?!" Nathan mocked.
"I mean.. it's complicated.. Lucas is my best friend and he's your brother.."
"Don't! Don't call him that"!
Haley shook her head. "Look Nathan.. I just .. I just think that we're not ready yet.. I mean imagine what everyone will say?"
Nathan looked at her curiously now, shocked at her words.
"I mean.. I'm me.. and you're.. you.."
"What is that supposed to mean? .. you don't want people to know about us.. are you.. are you ashamed of me or something?!"
"No! It's not that.."
"Really.. cuz it sure doesn't sound like it.."
"Nathan.."
"I'm telling.. I'm telling everyone!" Nathan looked coldly at her.
"No!" Haley immediately rushed out.
Nathan shook his head, his worst fears realized. He looked at her for a moment longer before turning around and crossing his arms.
"Don't worry.. I won't tell anyone.. apparently there's nothing to tell." He said blankly.
"Nathan.." Haley said softly.
"You should go now." Nathan said, leaving no room for argument. Haley took a step forward, about to say something but decided against it. Nathan was too angry at the moment and so was she, at herself. The two stood there in silence, his back towards her, before Haley finally made her way out.
End Flashback
. . . .
"Well well .. if it isn't Lucas Scott.. the Ravens very own new hotshot." Brooke smirked as she leaned up against the locker adjacent to Lucas'.
"Hey Brooke.. you just got out of detention?" Lucas joked.
"Detention? Moi?" Brooke said innocently.
"Yeah.. there's no practice today.. I figured you would've left school a long time ago.."
"Well.. Broody.. for your information.."
"Broody?"
"Yes.. you're new name."
"Huh?"
"Broody.. cuz that's what you always do.. always brooding.. I don't think I've ever seen you smile."
"I smile.." He stated.
"Right.."
"So you didn't answer my question.." Lucas tried changing the topic back to her.
"Like I was saying.. I was actually here for the student council meeting.."
"Student Council?"
"Yeah.."
Lucas laughed. "I never knew you had such humor." Lucas smiled. "See.. I'm smiling."
"Yeah.." Brooke rolled her eyes. "You idiot.. I wasn't joking.. my homeroom rep Liz moved to a new town and I volunteered to take her spot.."
"You volunteer?"
".. or rather I was walking into homeroom late and my homeroom teacher thought it would be funny for me to take over Liz's place."
Lucas smirked. "Makes sense.."
"Anyways.. I came from the meeting.. it's actually kinda fun.. who knew the Student Council had such power.. I'm thinking of running for president next year."
"You? President?"
"Yeah.. why not.. I'll be cheerleading captain and class president.. move over Hilary." Brooke snapped her fingers.
Lucas laughed some more. "Well good luck with that one." Lucas joked.
"You laugh now.. but watch… anyways.. what're you doing here? Waiting for Holly?"
"Haley.." Lucas corrected.
"Same thing." Brooke shrugged.
"I was actually here to get some school work done .. I don't know where Haley is, probably at home or tutoring."
"Oh.."
"Why the interest in Haley?" Lucas questioned.
"Nothing.." Brooke said but something in her eyes made Lucas question that there was something more.
"Brooke.. tell me.. she's my best friend… if you know something .. please…" Lucas pleaded. He hated to admit it but ever since Haley started tutoring Nathan, their relationship has been a little strained. He knew it was his fault. He didn't like the fact that she was spending time with him and felt guilty that she was doing it for him.
"Like you said.. she's probably tutoring .." Brooke took a pause before continuing. ".. probably with Nathan.." She said the last part cautiously, seeing what reaction that would get out of Lucas. It wasn't a secret that the two didn't get along.
Lucas looked at blankly. "Well.. he's one of the dumb asses here that need her help." He said defensively while slamming his locker a little too hard.
"Sore topic huh?" Brooke smirked.
"Gee.. what gave it away.." Lucas said sarcastically.
"Aww Lucas.." Brooke gave him a sympathetic smile and gently grazed her hand against his arm. "It must suck.. your best friend dating your arch nemesis of a half brother.."
"She's just his tutor!" Lucas stated, taking a step back away from Brooke. "Ever since she started tutoring him, people have started vicious lies that they're going out or something.. well I can tell you that nothing is going on."
"Really?" Brooke said a little surprised.
"Yes.. really.."
"I don't know Luke.. the way they look at each other when they don't think anyone is watching.."
"What're you talking about?"
"I'm just speculating .. I mean like you said it can be all nothing.. she is his tutor after all.. tutorgirl and Nathan were bound to strike a friendship."
"No.. what're you talking about .. the way they look at each other.."
"I'm just saying.. I caught a couple of stolen glances between the two of them.. like the game you guys had with the Bears recently.."
Lucas clenched his jaw. "Like I said.. she's just tutoring him…" He picked up his bag and started to walk away.
Flashback
Haley sighed to herself. It had been almost two very long weeks with out Nathan and she missed him terribly. She tried talking to him a week ago but he avoided her. She knew he was doing it on purpose too, not like she didn't expect it. Their last conversation didn't go too well. She nearly lost her virginity to him, but was relieved that Nathan didn't push the topic. In fact, she was actually touched by the gesture. She heard from older girls like her sisters about the one thing guys had on their mind. But then he also wanted them to come out about their relationship, to stop hiding it. But of course Haley, hesitated, mostly because of Lucas. The last time they actually saw each other didn't help either. The other day, Damien West was once again bugging her by the courtyard outside. She saw the look of hurt and jealousy in Nathan's face when he passed by her table. If only he stayed a minute longer to see her storm off, away from Damien.
Now she saw her opportunity and was glad Nathan was alone. She quickly raced over to him and dragged him into a nearby empty classroom.
"What the hell?" Nathan asked annoyed.
"Nathan.. please can we talk.."
"The last time I checked.. there's nothing to talk about.."
"Nathan.. wait .. please.."
"Wait? For what.. so I can see you with your new boyfriend Damien …"
"Look.. you of all people should know that there's nothing going on with me and Damien."
Nathan ignored the comment. There were one too many times he caught Damien bragging and one of the things he talked about was how he was going to make Haley James fall in love with him. He tried his best to hide his jealousy and anger.
"Or maybe it's with your old boyfriend.. Pucas.."
Haley sighed. "It's Lucas.. and he's my friend.."
"Yeah .. well if he's your friend.. then I sure as hell mean shit cuz you put him and the rest of the world in front of me.. you know what forget it .." Nathan threw his hands up in frustration.
"Nathan.. please don't go."
"Are you finally going to tell him about us?"
" .. . ." Haley tried to search for the words but none came out.
"I guess there really is nothing to tell." Nathan said coldly and left.
End Flashback
To Be Continued . . . .
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Again I am so sorry for the lack of updates in all my stories. This summer is busier than I thought it would be. With everything going on, it makes it hard for me to concentrate to actually get a chapter in. I don't want to do a half ass job and upload it, but I've been mulling over this chapter for a few days now, having the scenes drawn up in my head and this chapter was actually supposed to be a lot longer, but I didn't get a chance to compelete it. I was going to wait but after a lot of my own personal favorites Naley stories here of was updated today, I felt obliged to finally update a story of mine.
This chapter just really gave insight to Nathan and Haley's relationship in the past, sets it up as to why no one knows about their relationship and all the backstory I only hinted at before in earlier chapters.
Like I said, thank you for all the reviews and support. I'm sorry again for making you guys wait. Believe me, I'd rather much be writing than working, but writing (unfortunately) doesn't pay the bills. Again, hope ypu enjoyed, the next chapter should be up fairly quickly since I have it already in my head. Please review !!