Nathan knew how nervous I was, I could tell he was trying to keep my mind off of the audition as we drove. "So where is a place you have always wanted to travel to?"
"Well as far as to visit it would be cool to go somewhere like Ireland, London, Italy, or France...you know Europe. I think it would be a nice culture shock. But I would love love love to go to Fiji it is so beautiful and the waters are crystal blue...it's so serene."
"That sounds so nice. I have always wanted to go someplace like that that's so different than here. Everywhere you look is blue and clean."
"It's actually funny, I was watching the Bachelorette finale and they went to Fiji. I fell in love it is absolutely beautiful. I would love to take Sophia and just disappear...although I would miss you"
"You better" He joked wrapping an arm around my waist and pulling me into him as we walked.
"So you would actually want to visit there?"
"Yeah, maybe for our honeymoon" He said with a smirk as I smiled up at him.
"Oh really?"
"Yeah"
"Well we will have to go back in a few years then so Sophia could enjoy it too."
"Whatever you want"
I smiled and looked forward, remembering back to Christmas.
I looked down admiring my Christmas present from Nathan. I had opened presents as a family with Brooke, Jake, Sophia, my parents, Vivian, and Ben. Then Nathan, Lucas, Peyton, Karen, Keith, Mr. Sawyer, Quinn, and Clay came over for a traditional Christmas dinner.
We just finished dessert as Nathan stole me and Sophia away from everyone; we headed up to my room for privacy. "Merry Christmas baby" he said kissing me.
"Merry Christmas" I said gently as he took Sophia from my hands telling her Merry Christmas. To see the interaction between them was priceless. I saw him go over to the dresser and open the drawer of his stuff, pulling out one small box with a bow on it, and then he went into my closet and pulled out two other boxes.
"These are for Sophia, I snuck them up here earlier today" Nathan said handing me the boxes as I set them down beside me. "And this is for you" He said handing me a smaller box.
I reached into my end table drawer and grabbed an envelope, "This is for you"
I opened the box and found a ring that matched the necklace he gave me, which I was wearing (more like I rarely took it off) "I love it, it is beautiful." I leaned in to kiss him gently.
"You deserve it" He said with a smile then he began to open the envelope, to reveal a ticket to a Charlotte Bobcat's basketball game.
"Brooke and Peyton gave them to Lucas and Jake, so the three of you can go together."
"This is amazing, amazing!" He said clearly thrilled, "I have always wanted to go to one."
"I'm glad you like it" I said as he pulled me close to him
"Like? You mean love right, I love it, I love you" He leaned in and kissed me gently.
Sophia walked over and sat on my lap. "Let's open these Soph." We pulled off the paper together to find a toy car that Sophia could sit in and had a handle attached that I could push. "Nate, this is awesome"
"You love to take walks with her so it seemed like it would be fun."
"Alright let's see what this is Sophia." I tore off the wrapping paper too find a paper framed. "Nate, what is this?"
"I know about the early admission thing Hales. I saw the papers. And I saw this...it's a beautiful paper that should go in Sophia's room so she can see it everyday."
"Nathan about Stanford."
"If you want to go, then go. I don't want to be the thing holding you back from going. You've worked for this your entire life and deserve to do what you want."
"I don't want to go to Stanford."
"What?"
"I want to go to Duke...with you."
"Hales, you wrote the essay, you applied...I don't want you to do this because of me."
"I applied months ago, before we were together. I wanted to get out of here...away from here, but I don't want that anymore. You changed my life, you made it so much better. And it is also what is best for me and Sophia. This is best. I am really excited about it. It is a great school for me and it's what I really want….and maybe what's best for Soph and I is being with you too."
"Are you really sure? I don't want you to rush into things."
"I love that you're so concerned Nate but this is what I want."
"We are going to be so happy there" He said smiling at me.
"Thank you for this though" I said holding up the frame.
"It's beautifully written and Sophia deserves to see it."
Attach a small photograph of something important to you and explain its significance in 500 words.
This is my daughter. She is from my weakest point but made me who I am today and I have become strong for her. I would not be standing here today without her...
The essay started and attached to the side was the photo of Sophia and I had sent in with it.
I looked down at the ring on my right hand then I looked up at him. He was looking dead ahead concentrating on something, who knows what. I took in his face, wanted to engrave it into my mind forever. He was the most attractive, handsome man I have ever met. Then I guess he felt my gaze on him and he turned to look at me. "What's going on in that beautiful mind of yours?" He questioned with that smirk. God his smirk got to me so much, I would do almost anything he asked me to if he asked with that smirk.
"Nothing, nothing important," He squeezed my hand tighter as I rested my head on his shoulder.
"How did I get so lucky?" He questioned.
"It helps that you're hot" I said jokingly as he chuckled.
"Ha Ha" Nathan said dryly "You're so funny"
"Yep, just part of my charm!" I joked as he kissed the top of my head.
I started pacing around backstage "I'm next, oh God what are the lyrics? What is the song? What is my name?"
"Hey" Nathan said grabbing my shoulders." You are Haley freakin James one day Scott. You are singing Sparks Fly. The way you move is like a full on rainstorm, and I'm a house of cards. You are amazingly talented and you've got this. I love you...now go show America what you've got."
"I love you" I whispered leaning into him as he kissed my forehead.
"If you get nervous just act like its just you and me. Your practicing in your room, just you an me."
"You and me." I repeated taking a deep breath
"Always and Forever."
"Haley James" The announcer called.
"Go blow them away." Nathan quickly kissed me before ran on stage.
"Hi" I said walking out.
"Hey there" Kate Voegele said.
"What is your name?" Simon questioned
"I'm Haley James"
"And how old are you" Demi Lovato asked.
"Eighteen"
"Okay tell us a little about yourself" L.A. Reid asked.
"Well I'm a senior in high school, I've been singing for as long as I can remember and I'm a mother"
"Wow" Kate said nodding.
"Yeah, Sophia is just over one and…she's my everything."
"Are you with the father?" Simon asked.
"No…that relationship ended…he verbally and physically abused me."
"Wow, I am so sorry" Demi said.
"It's okay, I know that you were bullied, and I know how you feel because at my old school when they found out I was pregnant, everything changed...I just...I've faced it and over came it and moved past it."
"And what will you be singing today?" Kate asked.
"Sparks Fly, it's an original song."
"Are you sure about that?" LA asked.
"Absolutely"
"What is it about?"
"Love. It's about my current boyfriend. Nathan, is the second best thing to ever happen to me and we know we are going to be together forever"
"Well congratulations, I'm happy that you were able to do that." Kate said.
"Thank you"
"The stage is yours" Simon said.
I took a deep breath and started to sing.
"Wow...I'm blown away." Demi said when I finished. "That was beautiful...I literally wrote on my paper, touches your soul."
Kate wiped a tear "I don't know why I'm crying...that was phenomenal."
"Thank you" I said wiping my tears away.
"You have an amazing voice...I would love to hear what else you can do."
"You have the X factor."
"Thank you so much."
"Let's vote, I say yes." Kate smiled.
"Absolutely." LA said with a nod.
"A million times yes." Demi said.
"The easiest yes I've said all day." SImon said shaking his head.
"You just made it on the X Factor." Kate smiled.
"Oh my God" I said nearly doubling over, the next thing I knew Sophia was running across the stage. I quickly scooped her up and held her close to me. Nathan was walking behind her and wrapped his arms around me ." "Thank you" I whispered as he held me tight and kissed my forehead.
"I'm so proud of you. So proud!"
"Cmon Hales we have to celebrate"
"Brooke. It's only the first audition. I still need to get through bootcamp and all."
"But you easily will..."
"Brooke let's just get this done okay. We were in the gym trying to work on a new routine as the guys had basketball practice at the other end of the court.
"Brooke what if you and Peyton each do a toe touch and then I do my front handspring round off back handspring back tuck."
"Are you sure tutor girl I mean last time you hurt yourself?"
"I want to try it; I will get Whitey to let me get the guys to get out the mats so if I do fall I will not hurt myself again. The old man lets me get away with murder" I joked.
I walked over to him "Coach Durham, can I borrow Jake, Lucas, and Nathan for a minute to get some of the cheerleading mats out so I can practice something?"
"Sure honey" he said to me then yelled "James, Scott, Scott, help this little lady please" I smirked, wrapped around my finger.
"What is it Hales?" Jake questioned running over
"Can you get out he mats for me so I can try out my front handspring round off back handspring back tuck?"
"Are you sure Hales?" he started as I cut him off
"Last time I didn't have the mats, Jake, I will be fine, I will not break by arm again."
"You're not afraid?"
"Yeah but I'm not going to let fear run my life. At some point you have to let fear stop deciding your actions I can't let fear dictate my life if I did I would sit in my room all day" Jake nodded understanding and went to get the mats. When they got back they laid them out for me then stood and watched.
I cleared my mind forgetting anyone was there, then I yelled "Music" as the music started I did the dance along with Brooke and Peyton then as it got close Brooke counted "Five six seven eight" I then ran and jumped into a front handspring.
I landed perfectly after my back tuck. "Yes! I did it!" I squealed as Jake walked with a huge grin, and with his arms open I jumped into them.
"That was awesome!" Brooke squealed.
"I knew you could do it" Lucas said.
"Good job Hales" Nathan said with a smile.
"Alright Boys stop being so girly and get back to practice." Whitey yelled then said more calmly "And Miss James…that was very nice" I smiled. I knew he had a soft spot for me.
I was putting my cheerleading bag by the door getting ready for practice when Quinn walked in. "Hi Haley, you excited for the game?" Since we talked she was being cautious around me and giving me space.
"Yeah, I am."
"Good"
Just as I sat down to tie my shoes there was a knock at the door "Come in" I called out. "Hey baby what are you doing here?" I asked as Nathan walked in.
"What I can't come and visit? You hiding something...or someone, in here that you don't want me to see?" He said with a smirk.
"No it's just I would have expected you to be stuck with your dad as he hounded you about tomorrow's game."
"He was, but I grabbed Jake's warm up bag at practice this morning instead of mine."
"Oh, okay, you guys really need to put your names on them" I said stepping back so he could walk in. "You can go ahead up to his room, if he isn't up their check Brooke's...knock first" I said shaking my head.
"What did you walk in on?"
"Just making out...but still I don't want to see that" He chuckled and headed up the stairs.
"So how important is this game tomorrow night?" Quinn asked.
"Really big, if we win this then we have a spot in qualifiers for the championship." I said as I laced up my shoes.
"Wow that is big, I'm sure you guys will do just fine though, your still undefeated right?"
"Yeah" I smiled up at her.
"Look who's awake" Nathan said walking down the stairs with his bag and Sophie on his hip
"Hi baby girl" I said kissing her cheek as she walked over to me "She took a really long nap today"
"I don't know how long she actually napped though, she was up their giggling and cooing when I walked by"
"Oh, well at least she was resting"
"Yeah" He said taking my hand and helping me up. As I turned to grab a hair tie he lightly tugged on my arm "Hey"
"What?"
He wrapped his arms around my waist "You never gave me a proper hello"
I smiled and leaned up to him. "Hi" I whispered kissing him. "How was that?"
"Better" He joked and sat down. Sophia brought him over a toy and he held it for her "I have a few minutes if you want me to take you"
"That sounds great."
I walked onto the court with Nathan and saw some players in green uniforms who looked familiar heading into the guest locker room. "Hey who are they?"
"The team we are playing tomorrow night, they wanted to get in a workout before the game and wanted to get to know our gym or something. Whitey said they could have an hour on it while we started working out outside. I don't know who they are though."
Then I saw him walk into the gym "I can't be here" I whispered, Nathan quickly grabbed my hand as Damien laid his eyes on me.
"Don't run away from this Hales, then he wins. Show him how happy you are, how you don't need him."
"Alright" I mumbled tightening my grip on Sophia, and Nathan's hand.
"Let's do something tonight." Brooke said as we all walked out of the gym later that night.
"I don't really feel like it." I said.
"C'mon, it's Friday night, we're young, we're fine, let's do some damage."
"Tric?" Peyton questioned.
"Hales I hate to ruin your night" Peyton said walking over. "But I just saw Damien."
"Of course, he already ruined my weekend, why wouldn't he come?"
"Let's just go okay?" Brooke said.
"No" I said as they all stopped and looked at me. "Let's do some damage."
I quickly made my way to the DJ and convinced him to let me take the stage. All of my friends stood at the front of the club and I saw Damien making his way to be in front of the stage.
According to you
I'm stupid,
I'm useless,
I can't do anything right.
I started singing as the track played behind me.
According to you
I'm difficult,
hard to please,
forever changing my mind.
I'm a mess in a dress,
can't show up on time,
even if it would save my life.
According to you. According to you.
But according to him
I'm beautiful,
incredible,
he can't get me out of his head.
According to him
I'm funny,
irresistible,
everything he ever wanted.
Everything is opposite,
I don't feel like stopping it,
so baby tell me what I got to lose.
He's into me for everything I'm not,
according to you.
I made my way off the stage to stand in front of Damien. Facing my fears head on. I stood in front of him making my point clear that I was singing about him.
According to you
I'm boring,
I'm moody,
you can't take me any place.
According to you
I suck at telling jokes cause I always give it away.
I'm the girl with the worst attention span;
you're the boy who puts up with that.
According to you. According to you.
But according to him
I'm beautiful,
incredible,
he can't get me out of his head.
I pointed over to Nathan making Damien look before making my way over to Nathan and singing in front of him.
According to him
I'm funny,
irresistible,
everything he ever wanted.
Everything is opposite,
I don't feel like stopping it,
so baby tell me what I got to lose.
He's into me for everything I'm not,
according to you.
I kissed Nathan on the cheek before making my way on the stage.
I need to feel appreciated,
like I'm not hated. oh- no-.
Why can't you see me through his eyes?
It's too bad you're making me decide.
According to me
you're stupid,
you're useless,
you can't do anything right.
But according to him
I'm beautiful,
incredible,
he can't get me out of his head.
According to him
I'm funny,
irresistible,
everything he ever wanted.
Everything is opposite,
I don't feel like stopping it,
baby tell me what I got to lose.
He's into me for everything I'm not,
According to you.
According to you.
According to you
I'm stupid,
I'm useless,
I can't do anything right.
I placed the mic in the stand once more before leaving the club.
"I'm proud of you Hales, you faced him head on and were amazing." Nathan said following me into my room.
"Could you...could you stay with me tonight Nathan." I said slowly. He picked up on my fears and moved to be in front of me.
"Hey what's wrong?"
Tears rolled down my face as I whispered. "I'm scared. I was scared singing tonight, and I'm scared to walk into that gym tomorrow night. It hurts to look at him and I just..."
"Hey look at me." Nathan said lifting my chin with his finger. "You are going to be just fine, he has no power over you anymore. You have become a stronger person because of him. Haley, I am never going to let anything happen to you again. I love you so much and I love the person you are okay." I nodded slowly. "Now c'mere" He pulled me in for a tight hug before we laid down on my bed. He held me close to him and comforted me as I cried. I was completely open with Nathan. And he allowed me to be. I could be myself around him, and I would love him forever because of that.