23Always&Forever23
Haley grazed his lips again, trying to get to him. She needed him more than he knew.
"I can't..."
"Why not?"
"Because I don't wanna have to wake up tomorrow morning and be reminded that you aren't with me...I mean Hales, you have a fiancé. You said yes to John, that has to mean something."
"Yes okay? I said yes to him, but only because..."
She cut herself off before giving away too much. Nathan looked back at her confused, waiting for her to say something.
"Because what?"
Nathan stared deep into her soul. They were, merely, 2 feet from each other and Nathan had that hopeful look on his face and she felt it then. She had to tell him, but could she bring herself to do it? Could she risk everything? His life? His safety? Could she live with herself knowing that she was the cause of his death? Because that what was heading for her if she told him.
Nathan saw her warring with herself. A worried look overtook his face and he was holding onto her shoulders within seconds. He dipped his head, trying to get her to look at him. He gave her a small shake then placed his hands on here cheeks, getting her to look at him.
"Haley, what is it? Tell me."
She took hold of his wrists and ran her hand along his arms.
"I wish I could…"
His grasp on her face only strengthened. She wasn't getting away with it that easily.
"No. Tell me, Haley. Did he hurt you? Did he threaten you? What? What did he do?"
How did he guess it?
Her hands still on his arms, she reached for his hands and pried them from her face. Her hand in his, she walked him over to his bed and sat him down.
"Nathan, I-"
She was cut off in mid-sentence. Her phone sounded. She whipped out her phone to see who was calling her. She looked at the name and froze, dead in her spot. John. Shit…
Nathan noticed the look on her face, terror. He became worried and watched as she answered the phone with a shaky voice.
"H-Hello?"
"Please tell me that you're somewhere in the land of no phones."
She relaxed.
"Hey Alessia."
"I swear Haley, I'm so close to killing him. He's asking where you are."
"And?"
"Relax. I covered for you, I said that you were caught at the café and that the phones were dead so he couldn't reach you there."
"Thanks so much."
"No problem. Just promise me to keep your phone off and get back here as soon as the storm passes."
"I will…and Ale?"
"Yeah?"
"Why are you using John's phone?"
"Because I dunno your cell number."
"Oh…"
"Yeah, And do you know what it took to get this from him? I swear, I almost severed my wrist."
"Thanks so much."
"I'll talk to you later. Be good. And if you have to, tell him."
Dial tone. Haley froze and then she snapped her phone shut. She looked at Nathan.
"Are you okay?"
She nodded and then sat down on the bed again. She kept hesitating and Nathan noticed it. He shifted his body, bringing his knee to rest on the bed, facing her. He then placed a gentle palm on Haley's cheek and brought his forehead to hers. The butterflies in his stomach began to fly and their wings flapped about violently. His heart beat twice as fast as it would have raced when he was around her, out of fear, worry and love for Haley.
"Haley. You can tell me. You can trust me. I've never given you reason not to. Please, tell me."
She looked at him.
"I can't…"
"Yes, you can. You're afraid. I can see that."
"I can't Nathan."
"Do you have to do this with me Haley? Leave me hanging. Is this situation similar to our past one when you decided to leave me after Dan threatened you?"
Her mouth dropped.
"How did you know about that?"
"Lucas told me."
"When?"
He shrugged.
"Few days ago. It slipped when Brooke was talking and he explained it and…why didn't you tell me? Never mind, I know why you never told me, but…we could have worked something out. I would have given anything for you and I still would…will. From the moment you just looked at me, I knew that I would be that person that you needed to be there for you. And I can now, but I can't do that if you don't tell me what's wrong. I can't do that if you don't tell me what's going on… Please."
She continued to look at him and sighed. His warm hand still rested on her cheek. Haley sighed.
232323
"Alright, so you'll be here a month from now for the ceremony? Perfect. I love you too, Mom. Okay, bye."
She turned around to come face-to-face with her youngest daughter who wore a look of fatigue in her eyes. Her auburn hair fell just past her shoulders and she looked like she was ready to beat the living daylights out of anyone who crossed her.
"You look like crap."
"Love you too, Mom."
"Have you spoken to Haley? You're brother's been looking for her."
"He knows where she is."
Alessia sat on the barstool that was placed at the island in the center of the kitchen, her head rested in her hand and her elbow rested on the tabletop. She yawned.
"Were just talking to Grandma?"
Mrs. Averna nodded.
"About what?"
"The wedding."
"… The wedding…"
"Yes, your brother and Haley's date is set exactly one month today."
Alessia looked a mixture of scared, lost and confused. She looked around her, thinking that she was the subject of a joke and that she was waiting for the punch line.
"Are you serious?"
"Yes."
Her mother poured steaming coffee into a mug and handed it to her. Alessia took it, thankfully, and downed it in a single gulp, only to feel the effects of the steam afterwards. The burn beats having liquor down my throat and becoming a raging alcoholic.
"So…ahh!"
Alessia stuck out her tongue and felt her it burning. She coughed.
"A month?"
"Yup. August 9."
"Greaaaaat."
Alessia left the kitchen and headed back up the stairs to her room. She plopped herself down on her bed and lay an arm across her yes, shielding the blinding daylight beaming through her window. One month.
At that moment, there was a noise coming from outside her window. She jumped slightly and ran towards her window, hopping off of her bed. Alessia pulled up the blinds and was startled and a little bit relieved when she saw Haley begging for her to open the window. How the hell did she get up here? Nevertheless, Alessia opened her window and removed her screen.
Haley climbed in through the window and then she looked below. Alessia followed Haley's gaze and noticed Nathan standing, hands in his pockets looking up through the window as if he knew he wouldn't be caught. His smile was full and he saw nothing, but Haley. She looked back at him, a longing in her eyes, wanting so much to go back down to him.
Alessia looked between the two, noticing that they looked at each other as if she weren't standing even there. Alessia caught a glimpse of what words were forming silently on Nathan's lips. I love you. Alessia turned to Haley and noticed the blush come to her cheeks and a full, real smile spread across her face. She looked down at him, that look of longing returning to her face. I love you too.
Nathan blew a kiss to Haley and then ran away, before he could get caught. Haley turned Alessia.
"Thank you so much!"
Haley hugged Alessia and Alessia looked at Haley in confusion.
"Okay, before you open that pretty little mouth of yours, you better tell me what the hell was that, that I just witnessed."
Haley played the mindless one.
"I dunno what you mean."
"The whole Romeo and Juliet balcony moment I just witnessed. And, quite frankly, I think I just threw up in my mouth… The least you can do is level with me. And tell me why you decided to climb into my window…"
Haley stood there in silence, but she couldn't help keep a small smile from forming.
"I came through your window because I can't walk through the front door without confrontation, I can't get through my window and plus, Nathan was with me."
Alessia put her window back to normal by placing the screen back over the opening and closing it, allowing little to no sunshine through the blinds. Alessia then retreated back to her unmade bed and Haley fell beside her.
There was silence for a good 3 minutes, and then Alessia could no longer take it.
"So, are you gonna tell me what's up?"
Haley sighed.
"Yeah, I just dunno where to begin."
Haley and Alessia lay on their backs on Alessia's bed, both staring at the glow-in-the-dark stars that were on her ceiling.
I
can't imagine all the people that you know
And the places that
you go
When the lights are turned down low
And I don't
understand all the things you've seen
But I'm slipping in between
You and your big dreams
It's always you
In my big dreams
Flashback
"From the moment you just looked at me, I knew that I would be that person that you needed to be there for you. And I can now, but I can't do that if you don't tell me what's wrong. I can't do that if you don't tell me what's going on… Please."
Haley looked at Nathan and sighed. How can I not tell him when he says things like that? Haley dropped her head, but Nathan caught it and forced her to look at him. He grabbed her hand in his and encouraged her.
"I have to marry him Nathan."
"You don't have to do anything that you don't want to do."
"No, Nathan, I have to marry him. If I don't, he'll…"
Nathan's look of love quickly changed to one of worry. He shifted in his spot.
"What? He'll what?"
Haley touched Nathan's face with her free hand, love and worry reflective in her eyes.
"He said he'd kill you… And I can't have that Nathan, I'd rather you hate me and know that you're alive and well than to have you taken away from me forever."
Nathan was silent. Haley continued.
"John is a very jealous guy, Nathan. He'll do whatever it takes to make sure that no one touches what he claims to be his. I couldn't tell you before-"
"So why now then?"
She sighed.
"I had this wall surrounding me, Nathan. You would know, I've been nothing, but horrible to you. But you broke it down. It was unfair to you. You deserve to know everything."
End Flashback
And
you tell me
That it's over
Wake up lying in a patch of
four-leaf clover
And you're restless
And I'm naked
You've
got to get out
You can't stand to see me shaking
No, could you
let me go
I didn't think so
"You told him?"
"Yeah…he was so understanding. I don't even deserve him."
Alessia turned her head towards Haley and Haley only continued to stare at the ceiling.
"Sure you do."
She shook her head.
"No, I don't. Not after what I did to him."
"You did what any sane person would do. Acted out of fear. When someone threatened you, you stayed quiet. How many people would have gone and told someone? Seriously, what you did, it's beyond sanity. You told two people and one of those two just happened to be the subject of the argument. You're telling me that if it were anyone else, they would have told someone right away? Gimme a break. I'm a prime example. I still haven't told my parents about what really happened that day when I got my scar. You should be proud of yourself Haley…"
Haley remained silent.
"So, what happened next?"
And
you don't want to be here in the future
So you say
The
present's just a pleasant
Interruption to the past
And you
don't want to look much closer
'Cause you're afraid to find out
all this hope
You had sent into the sky by now had... crashed
And
it did because of me
Flashback
"I deserve to know huh? How come I didn't deserve to know about what my father said to you?"
"That was different."
"How? I told you that I would have done anything for you. I would have given up everything for you."
"That was the problem! You shouldn't have to sacrifice anything for me. I can't do that to you! You mean too much to me to have to watch you do things that you shouldn't have to."
"You said I shouldn't have to sacrifice anything? Then why are you sacrificing your happiness?"
She became frustrated.
"I don't need this."
She stood and began to head to his door.
"HALEY!" She turned and looked at him..."Do you love me?"
"It doesn't matter what I want Nathan."
"Hales, it's not right that you can't be in love because you're afraid of making a mistake. You shouldn't have to be content in a story that always stays the same and have to dream of a life that you want...This life that you want, you've told me that you want it and it's standing right in front of you. All you have to do is say that you want it, and you'll get it."
And
then you bring me home
Afraid to find out that you're alone,
no
And I'm sleeping in your living room
But we don't have much
room
To live
Nathan stood in front of his bed, staring at Haley's back. Her hand was still on the doorknob. He waited for her to make a move and she did. She let go of the doorknob and let her hand fall to her side. She stood still and could hear herself breathing heavily. She couldn't move.
Nathan took a deep breath and walked to her. He stood a centimeter behind her and reached out to touch her, his hand trembling as he reached for her. His shaking hand fell onto her shoulder. Haley shivered under his cool touch as his thumb lightly grazed her neck. She closed her eyes and breathed deeply. Nathan ran his hand down her shoulder and closed the small distance between them. His hand fell upon hers and he laced their fingers together and placed his lips near her ear.
"All you have to do is say that you want it, and it's yours. And you don't have to worry about me. You don't have to be afraid of me like you are of him. And you can't decide what's right for me. Where you are is the right place for me."
She turned her head slightly. He was so close to her face. She swallowed the lump in her throat, and she was certain that he heard her. Her breathing increased and she turned around to face him. His hand left hers and he brought both of his hands to her face cupping it. She grabbed a hold of his wrists and forced her mouth onto his. This time, he didn't pull away.
Her arms wrapped around his neck and she moaned softly into his mouth. He brought his arms to encompass her waist and lifted her up. She wrapped her legs around his waist and the two stumbled backwards and fell onto his bed. Haley straddled Nathan and began to tug at his shirt. His lips left hers for a millisecond to pull off his shirt and then they were back in their rightful place. Her lips began to trail down his neck. He huffed.
"I love you Haley."
She stopped and looked at him, the thunder and rain beating outside the window and their hair still damp. Haley smiled and kissed his lips softly.
"Oh God, I love you too," said Haley her lips grazing his.
It was after that, that things began to unfold. Clothes were being discarded and the kissed shared were becoming more and more needed.
"Hold on!"
End Flashback
"What?"
"I didn't want all of the details. Who do I look like? Brooke?"
I
had these dreams, in them I learned to play guitar
Maybe cross the
country
Become a rock star
And there was hope in me
That I
could take you there
But damn it you're so young
But I don't
think I care
And if I hurt you then I'm sorry
Please don't
think that this was easy
Haley let out a small chuckle when she saw the look of disgust on Alessia's face.
"A simple we had sex would do."
"Well, we didn't."
"You didn't?"
Haley shook her head.
"It was headed in that direction, but we stopped."
"What happened?"
"Well, there was so much that we still had to discuss, that it just didn't seem like the right moment. I mean, our hands were tied to the worst possible scenario two lovers could be subject to. It hit both of us that I still had to marry John otherwise…well, you know."
Alessia nodded.
Flashback
Nathan and Haley fell asleep in each other's arms. Nathan was in his boxers and Haley in her t-shirt. The rain continued to pour outside and both didn't want it to stop. This was the first good night's rest that either had experienced in a while.
Nathan was enjoying the feel of Haley in his arms. He slept with a smile on his face that no one could erase. He knew it now. She wanted him and no one else. His grip on her tightened a bit and he felt her cuddle closer to him. His smile widened and her scent reached his nose, tempting.
Haley had her arms draped across Nathan's abdomen and heat radiated off of their bodies. Haley had a smile on her face. Then something made it fall. John. What was she going to do? She knew she had to marry him to keep Nathan safe. She couldn't stand to let Nathan die because of her selfish needs. She shook her head of the thought. It'll work out.
End Flashback
And
then you bring me home
'Cause we both know what it's like to be
alone, no
And I'm dreaming in your living room
But we don't
have much room
To live
"Did you tell him about still marrying John?"
"No."
"Haley-"
"I know! It was stupid not to."
"I'll say…"
Haley sighed.
"Okay Haley, my turn for news."
She looked at Alessia, waiting in confusion.
"News?"
"Yeah… It seems that John, has set a date for the wedding already."
Haley shot upwards into a sitting position.
"What?"
Alessia sat up slowly and looked at Haley.
"You two are set to wed on August 9th. My mother was telling my grandmother this morning."
"That's too fast."
Alessia shrugged. Then at that moment, her door opened to reveal John. He walked into the room and went straight to Haley, kissing her lips.
"We're set for the wedding. One month today."
Alessia rolled her eyes and Haley was nearly in tears. This cannot end well.
23Always&Forever23
One Month Later
Haley continued to see Nathan as often as she could. Normally, she would be swamped with wedding details and she felt that John kept an annoyingly close watch on her. Alessia still tried to get Haley to speak with Nathan about the wedding, she did eventually and he understood, although he was disappointed. Alessia tried to convince Haley to break off the engagement, even though that all they knew it to be impossible. It was the evening before the wedding and Haley sat at the table with John to her right, speaking with his best man.
Earlier that day, Haley had gone to speak with Nathan about the wedding. He knew that it was inevitable that Haley would go through with it. However, there was always that small ray of hope that he held onto.
And
Konstantine is walking down the stairs
Doesn't she look
good
Standing in her underwear?
And I was thinking, what I was
thinking
But we've been drinking
And it doesn't get me anywhere
Flashback
Nathan sat in the center of the River Court, twirling a basketball on his finger, waiting for Haley. The wedding was tomorrow and he knew that Haley was going to go through with it, but he hoped that she was coming to tell him that she wasn't. To tell him that she was going to leave John and stay with him. They would run away and elope and he would keep her safe from everything. Yeah, right. Keep wishing. A throat clearing brought Nathan out of his thoughts. He stopped twirling the ball and turned to see Haley. He put the ball down and stood, wiping the dirt off his rear. She stood there and took a deep breath.
Haley walked, cautiously, towards Nathan and when she reached him, he took her in his arms and cradled her while her head rested on his chest. He kissed her forehead.
"I hate that you're getting married tomorrow."
"I don't want to."
"Then why are you? Haley-"
"Nathan, please don't. We've gone over this. I can't allow you to put yourself in danger for me, no matter how unhappy I am."
"What if I need you?"
"I'll always need you too. I have to go through with this Nathan. John will kill you, maybe both of us if I don't."
Nathan nodded.
"Maybe you should go through with it. I couldn't live knowing that you were dead either."
End Flashback
My
Konstantine came walking down the stairs
And all that I could
do
Was touch her long blonde hair
And I've been thinking
It
hurts me thinking
That these nights when we were drinking
No
they never got us anywhere, no
She couldn't shake the feeling of guilt from her body. Suddenly, everything seemed to be closing in on her. She felt like she couldn't breathe. She needed air. Haley went to get up, but a hand stopped her. John had stopped her.
"Where are you going?"
Haley pointed to the window.
"Outside. I just need some air."
He nodded and she left, heading to the darkness.
23Always&Forever23
She breathed in the crispy summer air that North Carolina brought. She heard the door open behind her and looked to see who it was. She smiled when she saw Haley walking towards her with a worried look on her face. Haley stood adjacent to Alessia and noticed the look on her face. Haley spoke.
"Hey you. Are you okay?"
"Yeah... Just…thinking."
"About?"
"Tomorrow. I can't help, but think...I dunno."
"What? Something gonna go bad?"
"Possibly...I mean, I don't want it to, but it's a definite possibilty right?"
"Yeah...but that's with anything."
"I guess you're right. Haha...I guess there's a reason they made you valedictorian in your senior year huh?"
Haley playfully slapped Alessia's arm at her joke.
"I'm kidding."
Haley laughed and nodded. Alessia looked at Haley.
This
is because I can spell confusion with a K
And I can like it
It's
to dying in another's arms
And why I had to try it
It's to
Jimmy Eat World
And those nights in my car
When the first star
you see
May not be a star
I'm not your star
Isn't that what
you said?
What you thought this song meant
"In case you're wondering Haley...he's distraught."
"Who?"
"You know who. It's been what? A year and a half since you two broke up? And he's still in love with you? My God...what the hell are you doing? Shit if I were you...I would've dumped John's ass LOOOONG time ago."
"I told you that I have to do this. You know why…"
"I know…but wouldn't you be happier being with the man you love? You know that he'd fight John…"
"I can't do it…I can't have him fight."
"Why not?"
Haley stayed silent.
"You're scared! That's why you can't do it. Nathan represents everything you want, everything you need and you're scared. Haley…I may have never been in love, but I've witnessed it and I can tell when someone is in love. I look at you and you're in love, but it's not with John and you know this. Why won't you let Nathan fight? There are many who can tell me about first love and love itself…and you're one of them. But I know that when you tell me about it, you'll be thinking of Nathan, not John. You get this look on your face when you think of Nathan. Like he's the only one you see. And the only one who can make your heart beat faster and slower at the same time. And I see that same look whenever you look at Nathan. You told me a month ago that if you could, you'd spend forever with Nathan. Why not do it? John has everything to lose-"
"And so do I! Nathan is everything to me. If I don't marry your brother tomorrow, Nathan is as good as dead and I'm as good as…"
"… Dead?"
"Pretty much. How can I live with myself knowing that I was the reason that Nathan was dead?"
Alessia sighed.
"I guess, then, we wait for tomorrow?"
"Yeah…we wait. For tomorrow."
And
if this is what it takes
Just to lie with my mistakes
And live
with what I did to you
All the hell I put you through
I always
catch the clock it's 11:11
And now you want to talk
It's not
hard to dream
You'll always be my Konstantine
My Konstantine
23Always&Forever23
Haley stood in front of a mirror in the room that she stayed in while at the Averna's. Alessia knocked on Haley's door, clad in an elegant pair of black pants and a beautiful aqua coloured top. The bridal party was kept to the maid of honour and best man. Brooke stood with Haley as Alessia entered the room.
"It's time to get to the church Haley…"
She nodded and Brooke gave Haley her bouquet. John had stayed with his best man the previous night.
Alessia walked down the stairs and Kelly caught her eye. It had been a while since the two sisters had a conversation. Ever since the night that Kelly found out the truth about John's character, it had been difficult to speak to Kelly. She and John were always close and to find out that he was the reason as to why Alessia almost lost an eye all those years ago. There was a look of uneasiness in Kelly's face, almost as if she disapproved of the events that would occur this day. She can't do this…
They'll
never hurt you like I do
No
They'll never hurt you like I
do
No, No, No, No, No, No, No, No, No
232323
They finally arrived at the church. Brooke felt the need to use the bathroom, merely a few minutes before the ceremony. Of course, it seemed odd to Haley seeing as how Brooke had went, literally, a minute before they left the house. Haley stood in a room at the back of the church, waiting for the ceremony to begin. The door lurched and Haley's head spun to see who was in the doorway.
"Nathan."
He just stood there, frozen in his spot. Then he came back to reality and closed the door behind him, locking it.
"What are you doing here?"
"You look beautiful…"
Haley blushed.
"What are you doing here?"
Nathan crossed the room to Haley. He grabbed her face and placed a kiss on her lips. It was passionate and full of love. Haley returned the kiss, wanting and needing him almost as much. Nathan pulled away…
"Come away with me. Let's just leave now."
"He'll find us Nathan."
"Haley, I know my timing has never been great Hales. I mean, I tell I'm in lve with you when you aren't available and I come to your wedding to stop you, minutes before you have to walk down the aisle. But come away with me. We can go anywhere and do anything you want. If it comes to John hunting me down, then let him. I'll be there for you and I'm here for you no matter what."
"If only it were that simple, Nathan."
"We can make it that simple…please, Haley."
There was a knock at the door.
"Haley? It's time…"
Brooke spoke through the wooden barrier. Nathan looked at Haley and held her hand.
"I can't go on knowing that I couldn't stop this."
This
is to a girl who got into my head
With all the pretty things she
did
Hey, You know, you keep me up in bed
This is to a girl who
got into my head
With all these fucked up things I did
Hey
maybe baby, you could keep me up in bed
My Konstantine
"I can't let you do this Nathan. I won't let myself… I want you to be safe and by us leaving right now, what kind of life would that give us? We'd always be running. Constantly in fear of him finding us."
"At least we'd be together. I'd rather that than you living in a place where you wouldn't be happy."
"Haley?"
The knocking continued. They both looked at the door. Nathan turned back to Haley and kissed her hand.
"Go on. I'll figure something out."
Haley kissed him one, last time and the headed for the door. She opened it and Brooke grabbed her hand and gave her a sympathetic smile, knowing that she knew that Haley didn't want to go through with this.
Nathan watched after them as they left. I have to stop this…
23Always&Forever23
Haley watched as Brooke walked down the aisle to the Alter and greeted by Matt, John's best man. She took a deep breath and began to walk down the aisle. She passed many of her relatives, but her mind was focused on the five that stood in the back row, one of which she never expected to stay behind. The five that remained on her mind: Alessia, Kelly, Amy, Katie and Nathan. When she arrived at the Alter, her father gave her hand to John who wore a smug grin on his face, as if he were getting what he wanted.
Spin
around me like a dream
We played out on this movie screen
And I
said,
Did you know I miss you
Did you know I miss you
Did
you know I miss you
Did you know I miss you
Did you know I miss
you
Did you know I miss you
Did you know I miss you
I
miss you
The two of them stood at the Alter and they held each other's hand. The priest did his welcoming to everyone.
Nathan stood in the back pew, becoming nervous and could barely hear what the priest was saying. All he wanted to do was stop this, all of it and put everything where it belonged. He was squirmy and couldn't take it.
Alessia took deep breaths, casually looking over to Nathan and noticed how difficult he found it to restrain himself from running to Haley and stopping all of this. She wished she could do something, but what?
Kelly couldn't stop glaring at her brother. He wasn't the character people would adore if this, her life, were a novel. I have to stop this. She waited… She was waiting for the opportune moment.
Katie glanced at her brother and noticed his expression… Jealousy, anger, love, want, need all inside of him and it was building up pressure within him. She sighed in defeat for him, knowing that it was too late.
Amy looked at the rest of the people beside her and shook her head. She can't be marrying him…
And
then you bring me home
And we'll go to sleep but this time not
alone, no, no,
And then you'll kiss me in your living room, oh
I
know you miss me in your living room
Cause these nights I think
maybe that I miss you in my living room
We don't have much room
I
said, "does anybody need that room?
Because we all need a
little more room
To live"
"Dearly beloved, we are gathered here today to join Jonathan and Haley in holy matrimony-"
… My Konstantine
"I object…"
23Always&Forever23
A/N: HATE to leave you hanging like that :P PLEASE REVIEW and lemme know who you think objected at the end there…I'm curious to know. REVIEW!! Thanks to ALL of you! You kick ass! PLEASE REVIEW!
P.S Song used: Konstantine – Something Corporate