Party Part 2

Disclaimer: I do not own any of the characters. To bad for me.:-(

"What's going on here?"

Haley froze at the sound of the all too familiar voice of the person standing behind her. She just stared into Nathan's eyes afraid to meet the face belonging to the voice. Nathan held her gaze, not wanting to lose sight of her beautiful eyes. A flood of emotion passed through those chocolate brown eyes of hers. But the one that scared him the most was the look of shame she now had. Slowly Haley pulled her eyes away from Nathan and turned around.

"Lucas…I…It's…" Tears were stinging the corners of her eyes. Lucas knew his beast friend well and could see the feelings she now had for this man standing beside her. But he also knew she would hate herself if she hurt Jake. Don't get him wrong, if this guy was what Haley wanted then he would be happy for her. He just didn't want to see her do something she might regret.

"Hales…" He was about to offer her words of comfort. But before a single syllable passed his lips she took off. Not wanting to deal with what Lucas might have to say about the whole mess she seemed to have gotten herself into.

"HALEY." Nathan called after her. He started to follow her but Lucas put a hand on his chest halting him in his place.

"Let her go man. She needs to figure a few things out right now." Lucas said looking Nathan dead in the eye. "Trust me. She will come to you when she is ready." Nathan nodded his head in understanding. He took a step back. He would just have to give her the space she needed. After all he did not want to push her.

Haley ran to the ladies room with track of tears running down her cheeks. Her mind was spinning with thoughts of both Nathan and Jake. She tried to fight her ever growing feelings for Nathan but it seemed that when ever she was near him her whole body fell under some kind of spell. Once she was in the restroom, Haley locked the door and slid to the ground. She wrapped her arms around her knees and placed her forehead on her kneecaps. She let the tears fall freely now.

"Haley?" Her head shot up in surprise at the sound of another voice in the room with her. When she looked to see who it was she could feel her temper rise another notch. Could this night get any worse?

"Rachel…of all people I had to trap myself in a room with you." Haley rolled her eyes hardly believe the luck she was having.

"I guess God has a sense of humor." Rachel said as a smirk graced her face. But it soon fell when she saw Haley wasn't smiling. Her brow drew together in concern. "Are you ok?" She knelt down next to a very broken looking Haley. Haley looked up at her and shook her head before completely breaking down. "Hey. Haley it's ok. Tell me what's wrong."

"Everything. It's just so messed up right now. I don't know what to do. I'm falling for him. I can't be falling for him. I just can't."

"Is this about Nathan?"

"How did….how did you know?" Haley looked at Rachel like she had just sprouted two heads.

"Everyone knows. From the day you walked into the office it was clear Nathan was taken with you. He was hooked. I never stood a chance once you came into the picture." She let out a nervous laugh.

"I'm sorry Rachel."

"Don't be. What's done is done. Now tell me what happened from the beginning."

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Jake and Peyton sat on her couch laughing at silly stories from their past. The movie had long sense been over.

"Oh my God. You actually went out there in the mascot costume?"

"Yep." Jake said letting out a chuckle himself.

"And someone actually paid money for you?"

"200 buck to be exact."

"Wow. That's funny. Who was it? That bought you I mean."

"Haley. That's how we met." The room went silent. It was getting late and there was still no sign of Haley. "I think I should try and call her. I'm starting to worry about her."

"Yeah. That's probably a good idea." Peyton wanted to tell him where she was. But it wasn't her place and she couldn't bear to see the sadness on his face.

Jake got up and headed into Haley's room for some privacy. After about 4 rings he got her voice mail.

"You've reached Haley James. Congratulations. Leave a message." Beep.

Hey Hales. It's…its Jake. Look could you please give me a call? I'm starting to get a little worried. Just call me as soon as you get this. I love you." He hung up feeling a pain in the pit of his stomach. He let his head drop in misery. He knew thins weren't going so well between them. But he couldn't let her go. His heart all of the sudden felt heavy. He walked out of her room and saw Peyton dishing up a bowl of ice cream.

"Did you get a hold of her?" She asked hopeful.

"No. I got her voice mail. I think…I should go. I mean it's getting late and I have an early day tomorrow."

"Yeah ok. Um…hey thanks for keeping me company tonight. I had fun."

"That's funny. I should be thanking you."

"Hey it was a blast. No worries."

"Yeah. So. Thanks." He said looking into her eyes. He never noticed how beautiful they are. For some reason he found himself walking closer to her. When he was only inches away from her he bent down and pressed his lips to hers. At first it was soft and slow. But it heated up fast. But Jake soon realized what he was doing and pulled away. "Oh God Peyton I'm so sorry. I have to go." Jake put his coat on and headed for the door. Before he walked through it he stopped. "I'm sorry." He couldn't even look at her. Peyton put her fingers to her lips. The kiss felt unlike any she ever had. She found herself wanting more.

Lucas and Brooke sat silently at their table. Both lost in their own thoughts. Lucas looked over at her and saw that she wasn't having a good time. He was worried about Haley, but he couldn't let it get in the way or making sure Brooke had a good time. He felt lucky to have such a gorgeous girl there with him. He leaned over and grabbed her hand.

"Have I told you how beautiful you look tonight?" He said smiling one of his cutest smiles.

"Maybe. I can't remember." She teased let a smile of her own grace her lips.

"Well then…Pretty Girl, would you care to dance?"

"It's about time you asked. Come on Broody let's go." She grabbed his hand and pulled him to the dance floor. He wrapped his arms tightly around her waist. She put her hands around his neck. The started to sway to the music. Their eyes never leaving each others.

"You are something else Brooke Davis."

"I know. I wouldn't have it any other way." She smiled at him.

"Neither would I. I like you Brooke. You have this fire in you that I can't seem to get enough of. I can't stop thinking about you." He was looking so deep into her eyes that she swore he was looking into her soul. "You have a heart of gold Brooke Davis."

"Lucas…" There were no words to describe what it was she was feeling in that moment. He was too good to be true.

"My question to you is this. Would it be ok if I kissed you?"

"Yes." Was all she could say. It came out as no more then a whisper. Lucas put his hand to her face and gently caressed her cheek. He gazed adoringly into her eyes before pressing his lips to hers. The kiss made her head spin and weak in the knees. Nothing ever felt so right to her. She was falling in love for the first time. The kiss ended and Brooke looked as if she was about to cry.

"Hey…what's wrong Pretty Girl?"

"I like you Lucas. So much. It scares me."

"Trust me Brooke. This is nothing to be scared of. I'm not going to hurt you." A tear ran down her face but he was quick to wipe it away. "It's ok."

"I trust you Luke." He smiled down at her. "Now kiss me again before I change my mind."

"Anything for you Miss Davis." Their lips met again. But this time it last much longer.

In the restroom, Haley had just finished telling Rachel her story of everything that's happened sense she arrived. To her surprise Rachel was really easy to talk to.

Ok, so, listen to me Haley. You love Jake. He's great. But he's not Nathan. From what I have seen, and from what you have told me. Nathan is your soul mate. You belong together."

"But I'm with Jake. I don't want to hurt him."

"I get it. I do. But you have to ask yourself. What is the bigger risk?" Rachel gets up to leave but stops at the door. "Just think about what I said." She smiles and walks out.

Haley takes a deep breath and walks over to the mirror. She stares at her reflection for a minute before fixing her make up. When she was satisfied with the way she looked she set off to find Nathan. It didn't take long seeing as he was waiting for her at the door.

"Hey." He said as both hands went in his pockets.

"Hey." She said smiling shyly. "Nathan I'm sorry. I know this isn't fair to you. I want you to know I really like you. I do. I just don't know what to do about it."

"I know. But we belong together Hales. I know it. Someday so will you." He took her hand and brought it to his lips placing a light kiss on the back before walking away.

Haley couldn't help the smile that spread across her face. There was no longer any doubt in her mind. She was in love. She went home feeling like she was on cloud nine. But the feeling soon ended when she walked in to see the look her friend was giving her.

"Where have you been Haley?" She said folding her arms across her chest.

"Peyton I told you I had that party to go to tonight."

"Yeah. That's a pretty shitty thing to do considering your boyfriend was here all night waiting for you because he was sure you had plans for his birthday I might add." At those words the color drained from Haley's face. She completely forgot it was his birthday. Without hesitation she grabbed her keys.

"I've gotta go ." Was all she said before disappearing through the door.