Disclaimer: I don't own anything. I just wish I did!
A/N: I owe you all a huge apology for taking so long to update and I unfortunately have no excuse. I was just pure laziness. So I'm sorry for my lack of effort. Luckily my sister/beta/helper has inspired me to get back to my story. She is rather enthused to destroy Rachel since she found out her TV crush has married her in real life. So anyway, hopefully you enjoy this chapter it follows on pretty much from where the last one left off. Thanks to everyone who reviewed it seems a drunken Nathan went over rather well, and you will be happy to know there is a bit more of that in this chapter. I love hearing your thoughts and ideas on where you want this story to head. So please read and review.
CHAPTER 14
Haley and Nathan were both sound asleep in the back of the SUV as Peyton pulled into the driveway of her house shutting off the headlights. She unbuckled her seatbelt and turned to look at the couple curled up together in the backseat, Nathan's arms wrapped protectively around Haley's petite form.
"Ok guys we're home" Peyton announced
"Sssh leave them, there so cute" Brooke giggled.
"I know but they'll kill us if we leave them out here all night" Peyton replied as she climbed from the drivers seat.
"You're no fun P Sawyer" Brooke grumbled as she too undid her seatbelt before leaning over and lightly shaking the sleeping pair.
"C'mon lovers, time for bed" Brooke unclipped Haley's seatbelt and pried Nathan's hands from around her so Haley could get out of the car.
"No! Mine" Nathan tightened his grip on Haley without opening his eyes.
"Yes she's yours Nate, I just need to borrow her for a second" Brooke giggled as she once again tried to remove his arms from Haley.
"Go away" Haley whined as she shrugged away from Brooke and snuggled further into Nathan. The two completely content in each others arms.
"Aww they're soo cute!" Brooke gushed
"No they're soo drunk" Peyton corrected
"Have a heart P Sawyer" Brooke spun around glaring defiantly at the blonde.
"I have a heart; it just isn't made of marshmallows like yours"
"At least it's not made of ice cold stone" Brooke retorted
"Better than having a heart that makes you want to hurl"
"Oh I'll make you hurl" Brooke grabbed at Peyton but was stilled by the loud blast of the horn.
"AAARGH!" both Brooke and Peyton screamed as they jumped back from one another covering their ears.
"Dude! What did you do that for? They were like 2 seconds away from chick on chick wrestling" Jake complained. Both girls turned to glare at Jake who was standing behind them.
"It was him" he said innocently pointing at Lucas who was half seated behind the steering wheel with his hands hovering above the horn.
"Nice one Broody" Brooke said with he hands on her hips
"And despite waking up half the neighbourhood" Peyton slapped Lucas up the backside the head. "It didn't wake up the natives" Peyton chastised, pointing to the backseat where Nathan and Haley were still sound asleep.
"Let's get them into the house" Lucas climbed out of the car and tried to wake Haley as Brooke tried to wake Nathan.
"But mom, I don't want to go to school today" Nathan whined.
"Mom! Oh I'll give you mom" Brooke slapped Nathan hard across the face.
"What the hell!" he exclaimed sitting up and grabbing his cheek.
"Morning Sunshine!" Brooke chirped.
"Go away Bookie" Nathan mumbled slumping back into the seat instantly realising he was alone in the car, as Jake had pulled Haley from the backseat when Nathan had moved. "Where's Hales" he panicked
"Calm down lover boy, Jake's got her he's helping her inside, come on let's get inside where it warm" Brooke grabbed his hands to help him out of the car
"Why's he helping her, I should be helping her I'm her boyfwend!" he said hurt. "I'm her boyfwend you know" Nathan nodded his head.
"Yeah, I know you're her boy-fwend and she's your girl-fwend" Brooke tried to stifle her smile
"Girl-fwend I like that, she's my girl-fwend" Nathan smiled "I really like my girl-fwend you know"
"I'm know you do" Brooke said looking up at her older brother who had a twinkle in his glassy blue eyes
"I don't tink you do, I really really like my girlfwend, more than you know" he said matter of factly before leaning his head down towards Brooke to look her square in the eye "But shh" he said putting his finger to her lips "It's a secwet!".
"And what do we have here" Brooke's head snapped up as the front yard was flooded with light
"Argh Close the blinds" Nathan groaned putting his hand up to shield his eyes.
"Daddy!" Peyton exclaimed from behind Brooke where she was locking the car. "What are you doing home I thought you were still at sea for another week?" Peyton rushed up throwing her arms around her father who was dressed in a plaid dressing gown with his hands thrust in the pockets.
"Apparently I came home right on time, what's this, a little slumber party while the Dad's away?" Larry asked
"Sleepwalking?" Brooke suggested.
"Nice try Brooke, grab some couch" Larry stepped aside holding the door open for the sheepish group to enter. They all filed into the downstairs living room which was lit by the glow from a low fire. Larry closed the door and followed the group in taking a seat in his recliner before crossing his hands in his lap and motioning for an explanation.
"It was late so I suggested everyone crash here instead of doing laps around town to drop everyone home, we have an early start so I thought it would save time Daddy" Peyton explained.
"You can cut the Daddy Pey, the only time you use the D word is when you want something expensive, you've done something wrong, or you've done something that's gonna be expensive" Larry replied. "And I'm going for option number two judging by the fumes coming from the two of them" Larry pointed to Nathan and Haley "Do you want to try again?"
"We went to an all ages party and dumb and dumber here got toasted, and we couldn't take them home in fear of the parental figures reactions" Peyton said honestly.
"Nice cover" Brooke said sarcastically
"You liked it? I thought it could use a little a colour" she retorted with sarcasm of her own.
"No it was just like a rainbow" Brooke replied
"If you're done girls, it's late and I've had a long day, and I think those two need somewhere to sleep" Larry stood up and pointed to Nathan and Haley who had curled up and gone to sleep together on the couch. "Separately" he warned.
"We got them Larry" Jake said leaning over to try and shake them awake.
"That goes for all of you, girls upstairs, the boys can fight over the couch and the den, Goodnight" Larry waved as he walked up the stairs everyone standing still until they heard his bedroom door close.
"Seriously every time he does that, I think it's the time your Dad is actually going to get mad at us" Brooke slumped into a chair.
"I know he totally freaks me out when he acts all parenty, he's probably upstairs laughing his ass off as we speak" Peyton shook her head.
"I hate to break up the party guys, but it's after 2am and we have to be at school in a few hours" Lucas interrupted.
"You're so sweet thinking of my beauty sleep Luke" Brooke gushed as she leaned up and kissed him
"Of course he is; he's the one who has to look at you" Peyton laughed as Brooke glared at her.
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The following day at school everyone had gathered at the quad for lunch Nathan wearing a baseball cap low over his eyes blocking the sunlight. Haley was hiding behind Nathan's shoulder trying her best to stay hidden from both the light and the constant jokes from her so-called friends.
"What's wrong Hales not in the mood for a cheer?" Peyton asked with a bright smile, garnering only a "humph" from Haley
"I missed the show last night" Tim complained
"I for one Wuvved it" Brooke fluttered her eyelashes
"C'mon guys leave her alone, she's not feeling well" Nathan defended
"Sorry man!" Lucas put his hands up in mock surrender. "I mean it man, please don't hurt me, I don't want to end up like that lamppost" the group all cracked up laughing.
"Get it all out" he motioned.
"Ok guys, I think that's enough" Haley said putting her head on her arms on the table
"Sorry Hales, it's just so good, I mean I don't think I've ever seen you that wasted, and well you and Nate together well it was comical to say the least" Lucas apologised his chuckle dying on his lips when he saw the look of death on Nathan's face. "But we've had our laugh and it was a good night, right Brooke" Lucas looked at her for rescue.
"Yes Broody, it was a great night, full of fun and frivolity, for Nathan and Haley anyway" she smiled getting a glare from both in return. "But I think we should
go a little more low-key tonight. What do you guys say, pizza and DVD?" she suggested.
"Not for me" Haley rested her head on her hands again, "I have an early night calling me and I have a ton of homework that I should have been doing last night, so you can count me out"
"Me too Brooke, I don't know how I'm gonna stay awake for Whitey this afternoon let alone for a movie" Nathan yawned.
"Losers! Everyone else is in right" Brooke looked around expectantly. A chorus of coughs went around the table as nobody seemed willing to make eye contact.
"You guys are no fun" Brooke pouted
"Cheery, we all had a late one last night, it wouldn't hurt to have a quiet one to recharge so everyone is fresh and revitalised for formal this weekend" Lucas pointed out.
"You are so smart Broody" Brooke gushed. "Everyone to bed early tonight no one is to be out past nine o'clock, I won't have anyone looking tired and haggard in my formal pictures!" Brooke boomed making Haley jump.
"It's all about you Brooke" Nathan replied putting a comforting around Haley rubbing her arm.
"And don't you forget it" Brooke stood up and sauntered away from the table, Lucas shaking his head apologetically as he chased after her.
"Do you want to study together tonight? We didn't get to have our tutoring session the other night" Nathan asked Haley
"Sure, if I study alone I'll probably just go to sleep, plus I did say I would tutor you" Haley replied.
"That's right, you did" Nathan nodded.
"Peyton get your bony ass back in formation" Brooke ordered
"I can't move" Peyton whined throwing her self on the floor of the gym.
"Well cry me a river" Brooke said sarcastically.
"Brooke everyone's exhausted" Haley slumped to the floor next to Peyton.
"I don't see the boys complaining" Brooke crossed her arms
"That's because they can't speak right now" Peyton pointed across the court to where the guys were running suicides under Whitey's watchful gaze. Haley's eyes followed the direction Peyton was pointing and took in the sight of Nathan; sweat pouring from him as he touched the sideline. He seemed like he might fallover at any point, yet his feet were carrying him forward in what she could only imagine was step after agonising step.
"Time to toughen up ladies, first place trophies aren't given to losers" Brooke snarled.
"I'd be happy with a participation ribbon" Bevin grumbled
"At this rate you won't be getting one of those either" Brooke continued.
"I'll make you a trophy, please just let us rest" Peyton pleaded
"I don't need to rest" Brooke said defiantly
"Of course you don't, while we dance you stand and yell" Peyton griped
"Brooke, we are seriously dead on our feet, we're not going to get much more done today" Haley motioned to the group of girls slumped in a semi circle in front of Brooke. "And I really need to study. Can't we pick this up tomorrow?" Haley pleaded.
"Maybe you shouldn't have drunk your weight in vodka?" Rachel said cruelly coming to stand beside Brooke.
"If I wanted your opinion I would've asked for it" Brooke said sweetly to Rachel.
"It wasn't an opinion it's fact, although I wouldn't try it if I was you Brooke, drinking the weight of your ass wouldn't be safe" Rachel smirked.
"And if you keep talking, your face won't be safe." Brooke retorted.
"Just trying to help; and Haley if you're that exhausted you should head home to bed, I can look after Nate tonight" she winked.
"Keep dreaming Rach-ho, the only thing you'll be looking after is your black eye" Brooke turned her attention to the redhead, completely oblivious to the 8 girls who silently streamed from the gym as soon as her attention was averted.
"And who's gonna give it me, you?"
"Me and my fist"
"Unlikely, you'd have to put down your doughnut, and besides you'd have to get let off your leash first"
"Maybe I'll strangle you with it"
"Kinky, I didn't take you for the type Brooke"
"The world is full of surprises"
"Apparently" Rachel smirked and turned and started to walk away
"Where the hell do you think you're going?" Brooke yelled
"Practice is over" Rachel half spun around, and winked to the boys before pushing out of the gym.
"Dude, did Brooke just get ditched?" Jake nodded to the Brunette who stood alone on the other side of the gym with her mouth open.
""Look out for cyclone Brooke" Nathan shook his head. The guys were lined up on the far side of the court having a breather between sets of suicides.
"She must have been on fire, even Mouth ran" Jake chuckled
"Don't wanna be you tonight man" Skills patted Nathan on the back
"I'm staying the hell away from that, listening to Whitey bitch all afternoon is enough for me" Nathan shuddered.
"Dude Brooke's not that easy to escape" Jake pointed out looking over at Brooke who was slamming stuff around as she packed up.
"Lucky for me, I've a best friend who just happens to be her boyfriend" Nathan smirked.
"So you're gonna lock yourself in your room while I take the heat" Lucas groaned.
"Nah, I've got tutoring with Hales, I'll be across the street so try and keep Brooke under control tonight man".
"So that's what they're calling it these days?" Jake joked.
"Easy Jagielski, Scott's a lover and a fighter" Skills pointed out.
"What are you idiots on about?" Nathan asked.
"I'm just wondering who's tutoring who and what's on the lesson plan?" Jake asked.
"Haley does seem to be teaching you more than maths and english" Lucas agreed with a smirk.
"By the way, does Haley give group sessions?" Skills jibed getting a glare from Nathan in return.
"I think Nate's getting a little defensive" Tim pointed out
"He was going to beat up a lamppost in her defense" Lucas added
"Watch it" Nathan growled
"Watch what?" Tim joined in.
""How about you watch me put my foot up your ass if you don't start running" Whitey interrupted. "20 suicides. NOW!" Whitey hollered before blowing his whistle, the guys groaning in unison, before taking off in a sprint.
Xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
Haley sat at her desk trying to focus on the words on her computer screen. After reading the same line of her essay for the tenth time she sighed and picked up her textbook looking for another quote. She was startled from her concentration by a noise behind her.
"Nathan, what are you doing?" she stood up from her chair as Nathan was climbing through her bedroom window.
"We have tutoring" he said matter of factly dropping his backpack on the floor and removing his jacket.
"I mean coming through the window, I have a front door you know" she crossed her arms
"Yeah, but this is more romantic" he smirked as he climbed onto her bed and put his hands behind his head.
"Whatever, let's just get to work" Haley took a seat back at her desk. "I thought we could cover a bit of maths and some history since you have that test next week" Haley said pulling out her own maths book.
"Or maybe you can just text message me the answers"
"You're charming Nate" Haley smiled standing up "But not that charming" she smirked back dumping two heavy textbooks on him, the air whooshing from his lungs.
"Geez Hales, I do need to breathe and if you wanted to keep it quiet you just had to say so" he tried to sit up on her bed.
"Really, I didn't think you could keep your mouth closed long enough to be considered quiet".
"I wouldn't be so sure Hales, I'm more concerned with how loud you'll be screaming my name"
"Wha-at?" she stopped dead
"I've heard you cheer for me Hales, I'm pretty good on the court but I can imagine the decibels when I really give you something to cheer about". Haley flushed a deep shade of red and buried her head in the book she was holding.
"Then again, it might defeat the purpose of me climbing that tree to sneak in here; I would like to look your parents in the eye again, after all I don't want them to think you're dating some horny cat burglar". He threw the books down on the bed.
"Lucky for you then that we're not really dating, and they're not home" Haley tried to regain her composure.
"One, stop fighting it" he smirked, Haley burying her head in her book in response. "And 2 where are your folks?"
"Dad left a message on the machine he's catching up with some paperwork at the office, and Mom and is on nightshift at the hospital" she explained
"She's been doing night shift a lot lately" he looked at her straight on.
"You know my mom's work schedule?" Haley said dubiously looking up.
"Not her exact timetable, but you have mentioned it, I do listen when you talk Hales" he said matter of factly
"I didn't mean anything by it, It's just hard them not being around much, I thought the promotion meant she wouldn't be working so many frontline hours at the hospital, but I guess the chief of staff has to lead by example" she said a little hurt.
"you're preaching to the choir Hales, I have one parent who is more concerned with saving the world one bored housewife at a time, while the other is on a local government power trip, I guess we both lucked out on that front" he replied.
"No I think they're just so wrapped up in themselves they forget we need them too" she said
"Maybe"
"At least you have hot Uncle Cooper" Haley said wiggling her eyebrows.
"Whoa! Did the kitchen explode" Lucas stopped in his tracks as he opened the kitchen door.
'Don't mess with me right now Lucas" Brooke snarled. She was standing in the centre of the kitchen, tubs of ice-cream, blocks of chocolate, dairy whip, assorted sauces, and a large cake open on the counter.
"I think you forgot the sprinkles" he pointed to the large mixing bowl in the centre filled with the beginnings of a huge sundae.
"Great! I can't do anything right. Brooke Scott is just an airhead with pom poms!" she ranted almost ripping the cupboard door off the hinges, the sprinkles rolling across the floor stopping at Lucas's feet.
"Bad day babe?" Lucas picked up the sprinkles.
"Bad day! Why would you think that? It was just like any other day in the life of Brooke Scott. I have the best formal in the history of Tree Hill to organise, a redheaded whore trying to make my life a living hell, and an ungrateful cheer squad who think its fine to ditch cheer practice and their captain! And did I mention my so-called best friends who orchestrated the disappearing act and now are ignoring my calls! You would think they would have the decency to at least call and apologise, but nooooooo, they have much more important things to do, like stick their tongues down their boyfriend's throats!" she ranted.
"I don't doubt that's Peyton's plan for the afternoon, but Haley and Nate are studying"
"Oh please they're so in love with each other it's sickening" Brooke took a huge mouthful of cake.
"Maybe so, but they don 't know that" Lucas opened the packet and poured sprinkles into the bowl.
"You gave me sprinkles" she stopped and smiled at him.
"I was kind of hoping your afternoon plan was similar to Peyton's" he smiled.
"So then you carry the 1" Haley explained the formula.
"Seriously that's it" Nathan looked surprised.
"It's not so hard when you break it down, why don't you try a few problems and we'll see how you go" Haley put the lid back on her pen.
"You really did a number on Brooke" Nathan said as he tried to solve the first question.
"I feel bad, but if I had to do that routine one more time I think I might've hurled"
"She looked like she might have actually blown a fuse in the gym" Nathan chuckled
"I'll make it up to her tomorrow, right now I need to get some work done"
"I can't believe she hasn't been calling every 2 minutes"
"She probably has"
"Not since I got here"
"I unplugged the phone"
"Risky" Nathan started to laugh
"Risky was switching my cell off as well"
"Nice move James, although you know she'll eventually storm over here"
Haley's head snapped up from the passage of text she'd been highlighting and her eyes darted between her book and the door before she rushed to her feet and raced out to the hallway and down the stairs.
"Where'd you go" Nathan asked when she'd returned and flopped back down on the bed beside him.
"Locked the door" she quipped as she picked up her textbook.
"Seems I underestimated you Haley James"
"Most people do" she smiled back at him
"Don't worry people underestimate me all the time"
"I don't know how, you've made an art of telling people how great you are, but let's see shall we?" Haley pulled the notebook out of his hands and began checking his answers.
"4 out of 5, good work" Haley said approvingly.
"You're a pretty good teacher Hales"
"I do what I can" she said embarrassed.
"If the teachers made it this easy, I might actually have a chance of getting into college on my grades rather than my good looks and jump-shot" Nathan joked.
"Don't put yourself down like that Nate" Haley chastised.
"It's not like everyone doesn't know I'm not the smartest guy in school".
"It's not like you're the dumbest" she pointed out.
"No Tim has that title wrapped up tight" he joked
"I'm serious; you're not the dumb jock you make out"
"I have no interest in making out with a jock" he shuddered "but you on the other hand" he leant over and grabbed Haley and pulled her onto his lap.
"Always the charmer"
"As a boyfriend I aim to please"
"Lucky for me, you only have a few days left in the role"
"That hurts Hales, I thought you were enjoying my company" he fake pouted
"You're not as vile as you make out" she shrugged
"There you go talking about making out with me again, as I said just say the word and my lips are all yours"
"Down boy" Haley giggled
"Easier said than done" he wiggled his eyebrows "you have that affect on me Hales"
"I'm sure you say that to all the girls" Haley said taking a sudden interest in the pattern of her comforter.
"Nah, only to my girlfriend" he said seriously
"Makes sense, considering you've never had one"
"Until now" Nathan looked her in the eye. Haley stared back mesmerised by the smouldering shade of dark blue that had taken over his eyes.
"Marc Anthony" she blurted out.
"Who?" Nathan looked hurt
"Marc Anthony" she repeated
"Um Hales, my name's Na-than"
"No" she shook her head
"I think I know my own name"
"No, I mean History"
"You've lost me" Nathan looked perplexed
Haley pulled herself from Nathan's lap and picked up a disc from her desk. "This is how you're going to pass your history test on Marc Anthony and Cleopatra". She smiled, Nathan groaned in response.