Disclaimer: I do not own One Tree Hill
Cause and Effect
Chapter Twenty-Five
Haley couldn't help but laugh at Nathan as he tried to shut his suitcase. Duke had gotten into the Final Four and the team was leaving early the next morning to travel to Atlanta, Georgia where last four games of March Madness where being played. The basketball team and cheerleader would arrive two days before the first game, and would stay until the last game the next day even if they didn't win. If they did win they would stay for two days after the last game for press conferences and interviews.
"Nathan just let me help," Haley said as she moved Nathan's hands away from the zipper of the suitcase.
The basketball star sighed as he stepped away from the suitcase. Haley instantly unzipped the partially close suitcase, and began pulling out his unfolded clothes. Mostly he had had basketball shirts and shorts, but he also had several dressed shirt and long khaki dress pants.
"Seriously, do you not know how to pack a suitcase?" The cheerleader asked as she began untangling shirts and shorts.
"I do, but not that well," Nathan admitted. He had never been great at packing, and often he ended up just throwing his clothes into his suitcase. Haley though didn't approve of his version of packing.
The honey blonde cheerleader just shook her head as she finished emptying the large blue suitcase. "Here, I'll teach you."
She then slowly took the basketball star through the steps of packing a suitcase so that all his clothes were neat and nice and he could actually zip it.
"Thanks," Nathan said as Haley zipped the suitcase without problem. He had defiantly over packed but he was nervous. Duke was going to the Final Four, and the team had more than just a championship on a line but an undefeated season on the line too. It would be a amazing way to end his college career and Nathan wanted more than anything to come home with a National Championship, bumper importantly he wanted Haley to come home with a diamond ring on her left hand.
He had decided to purpose while they were in Atlanta, so even if he didn't win the game the weekend would still the greatest moment of his life. Nathan was honestly nervous about proposing to Haley, their little disagreement two weeks ago hadn't helped any. It made him wonder if they were ready for such a big commitment, but he knew in his heart that they were. They were young, and had only dated ant seven months but to Nathan none of that matter. The only thing that matter to h was that he was in love with Haley James, and he was determined to marry her and spend the rest of his life with her.
"So do you have any idea what Brooke has been up to today?" Haley asked she pulled out her own suitcase to begin packing.
The raven hair man shrugged, "No, why?"
"She just seems like she's up to something, I was just wondering if Luke maybe told you anything," Haley replied.
"Nope," he lied. The truth was Nathan knew exactly what Brooke was up too, and so did Luke and everyone else. He just didn't need Haley to know that. He had decided to use one of Brooke's proposal ideas but he still need a little help as basketball was keeping him swamped. Brooke and the others were currently helping him working out a few kinks in the plan, and he was just hoping Haley wasn't going to figure anything out.
"Can we take a water break, Brooke?" Lucas asked as held his sides. He was completely covered in sweat, as he and Jake had played two back to back, one on one basketball games.
"The ring is still popping out!" Brooke exclaimed from the side of the court, not answering her boyfriend's question. She was trying to figure out a way for Nathan to either hide or wear the ring during the National Championship game. Her current plan was for him to wear the ring on a chain and tucked it into his jersey while he played. Lucas was currently testing the idea out and it wasn't working, as the chain would somehow pop out from underneath his shirt.
"Brooke we're running around what do expect?" Jake asked as he sat down on the bleachers next to Peyton. They were currently at the basketball court in the park, and had been there for what seemed like hours.
"Maybe Nate should just get someone to hold the ring," Luke suggested as he grabbed his water bottle of the metal bleachers.
"That's not going to work! If and when Duke wins, everyone is going to go crazy!" Brooke replied.
Peyton shook her head, "Why don't we just tape the chain down?"
"Knowing Nate's luck he wouldn't be able to get the tape off," Jake joked.
"He could just use band-aids, there easy to pull off," Luke said before gurgling more of his water down.
Brooke grinned, "That just might work, Broody. P. Sawyer do you have any band aids on you?"
"I think so," the curly blonde said as began rummaging through her purse, she then pulled out two princess themed band aids and hand them to the brunette cheer captain.
"Come here Lucas," she instructed.
"Brooke do I have to?" Lucas whined, not wanting to put on the girly band aids.
"Yes you do," Brooke said.
The blonde Scott brother stood and walked closer to his girlfriend. Brooke smiled as she placed band-aids over the chain to keep it in place.
"There," Brooke began, "Now you and Jake go play another round."
"Brooke," both boys whined.
"I said play!" Brooke yelled. She was determined for Haley's and Nathan's engagement to go off without a hitch.
Haley sighed for what seemed like the millionth time, she was in the middle of the most boring counseling session she had ever had. She had been usually happy lately, and everything seemed to be slowly falling into place. Sure she and Nathan had a disagreement not that long ago, but after that he had slowly started to listen to her. Haley just felt like she didn't need to go to counseling as much as she used. She was still going twice a week, but she felt like she could cut back on her sessions. The only thing that was bothering her was the fact that Brooke was up to something and no one seemed to know what she was doing.
"So you seem happy," Dr. Stacey noted.
"Of course I am," Haley began, "Duke is in the Final Four."
"I am guessing you're excited to cheer them on," Dr. Stacey said,
Haley nodded, "Of course I am."
"So nothing is bothering you? Everything is good between you and Nathan?"
"Well there is one thing bothering me."
"What is that?"
"Brooke is up to something," Haley answered. "Usually I wouldn't worry, but Brooke is somewhat a motor mouth and no one knows what she is up. So I am kind of worried about whatever she is planning to do."
"How do you know she is up to something?" Dr. Stacey asked.
"If you knew Brooke you would understand," the cheerleader replied simply. Brooke Davis wasn't that good at being sneaky, or at least around Haley. The brunette wasn't the best liar either. The past two afternoons Haley had wanted to hangout with the cheer captain, and Brooke had used the same 'I have to study' excuse.
Brooke never studied at the same time. Haley had heard stories from Peyton that Brooke only studied at odd hours of the night, or she didn't study at all. Then again, the brunette was determined to graduate early, so maybe she was study more than usual.
"Okay, what do you think she is up to?"
"I honestly have no clue, and Brooke usually tells me everything!" Haley exclaimed. "She even tells me some stuff I really don't want or need to know."
"I am sure it's nothing to worry about," Dr. Stacey said.
Haley nodded, "I know it's just weird that she wouldn't tell me."
"So I assume when you get back you'll start planning the move?"
"I guess, the draft isn't until June, so Nathan and I will finish the semester and then stay in Tree Hill until then," the cheerleader answered.
"Now you're planning on going to college still right?" Dr. Stacey questioned.
"Of course, I actually decided on a major."
"Really what are planning on majoring in?"
"I want to be high school guidance counselor," Haley admitted. "I have to get a degree in education and take some classes in group counseling, but it's something I really think I want to do. I want to help make sure teenagers don't lose their way in High school or make a mistake that affects the rest of their life like I did."
"Do you think you're eating disorder effects your day to day life still?"
"Yes," Haley began. "It's something that I have to live with every day of my life. It's something that I may struggle with some days, but most days it's like a bad memory. Then some days I feel guilty about what I've put my loved ones through and I pray that I never relapse again. But at the end of day, I am okay because I have Nathan."
"You've come a long way," Dr. Stacey commented.
"I know, and I hope that maybe I can stop someone from going down a self destructive like I did, or at least make a difference," Haley said.
"That's a lot of weight to put on your shoulders," the doctor stated.
"Yeah, but I can handle it. I have one of the best support systems in the whole entire world."
"Yes, but didn't you Nathan just have a fight a week or two ago?"
"We did. We're young and reckless; I know that he knows that. We're going to make a lot mistakes, but I know we can make it through anything."
Dr. Stacey sighed, "Have you ever thought about what may happen if you two ended up going your separate ways?"
"Not really," Haley paused for a second and thought about the question Dr. Stacey just asked. "I guess even if I and Nathan did end things for some reason, it would be because we both wanted to. At the same time tough, we would still be in each other lives, in some way, shape, or form."
"You really think that?"
"I do, I couldn't imagine not having him in my life. He's made a difference in my life, and no matter what he's always going to be the guy who carried me off the basketball court even though I told him I hated him. He's going to be the guy that loved me, how can't see anything everything changing that," Haley explained.
"You're about to give up a lot for him Haley, I just want you to be sure that you love him and you won't regret it down the road," Dr. Stacey said.
"I am not. I just want to live in the moment you know? And right now I know without doubt that I am hopelessly in love with Nathan Scott and I want to be with him," Haley smiled.
"Well, I hope you have a good time at the game then," Dr. Stacey said.
Haley looked at herself in the dressing room mirror. She, Brooke, and Peyton were currently doing some last second shopping before the trip down to Atlanta. They were currently in a cute dress store and upon entering the store; Brooke had thrown several dresses at Haley and shoved the honey blonde girl into a dressing room. The brunette for some odd reason was determined for Haley to buy a new dress for their trip, Haley hadn't really protested. She figured that there would be no harm in buying a new dress and one might come in handy if Duke won. She was sure that the team would end up being treated to a nice dinner win or lose and she would surely want to dress up.
She had tried on what seemed like hundreds of dresses, a few she liked and few she didn't but none seemed to pass the Brooke Davis test. Haley though hoped the one she was currently wearing would. It was a white strapless dress that hugged her body nicely giving her the illusion of an hourglass figure. Its sweet heart neckline was trimmed in black and so was the waist band that was right beneath Haley's bust. The dress made Haley feel good, and more confidant. She loved how the white seems to compliment her tan skin, and it accentuated all the right areas. If this dress didn't pass the Brooke test, Haley didn't know what dress would.
The only thing she didn't like about the dress it reminded her of a dress that Vivian wore at her engagement party. As good as she looked in the dress all Haley the only place she could think of wearing it to was something that involved a wedding, or her wedding. She knew it was crazy to think of weddings and marriage, it she honestly couldn't help it. Haley literally didn't know why, but lately her left ring finger felt bare. She felt ready to take the next step. The honey blonde girl wasn't about to tell Nathan that, he was about to join the NBA and the stress of planning a wedding was probably something he didn't want to deal with.
"Haley, are you dress yet?" A very demanding Brooke Davis asked from the other side of the curtain.
"Yes," Haley replied as she pulled back the curtain.
Brooke grinned when she saw Haley in the dress. It was the perfect dress for her to wear if Nathan had to use his back up proposal. Of course Haley didn't know that Brooke had insisted her on buying a dress because Nathan was going to propose. For once in the brunette's life she was actually pulling off the whole sneaky thin'. Haley didn't have a clue on what was going on and Brooke couldn't be happier. She was taking great pride in helping Nathan with the finishing touches.
The brunette was also happy that Nathan had decided against winging the proposal and instead had decided on using one of her ideas. Of course, he chose to propose to Haley after he won the National Championship, but that was only if Duke won. Brooke had been put in charge of the backup plan which was a simple nice dinner proposal.
The cheer captain wasn't happy about Nathan choice of a backup plan, but she was hoping that he wouldn't have to use. She was almost sure he wouldn't had Duke was undefeated, but at the end of the day it was still up in the air on who would the coveted National title. Duke was playing against UCLA, which had the most national titles in collegiate men's basketball. It would be a tough game, and Brooke along with the rest of the Duke's fans was already praying that Duke would win.
"Haley that dress is perfect," Peyton said as Haley stepped out of the dressing room.
"It is," Brooke replied.
The petite cheerleader grinned. "You think it's not too short?"
"It's perfect," Peyton declared for the second time.
"Yeah, Nathan isn't going to know what hit him," Brooke smirked.
Haley blushed a little as Nathan's name was mentioned. "So should I wear this the first night in Atlanta?"
"No!" Brooke and Peyton exclaimed at the same time.
"Okay," Haley muttered. " When should I wear it then?"
"Um," Brooke began, "Defiantly wear it after the championship game."
"Or if we lose the first game," Peyton said.
The cheer captain nodded, "The dress will defiantly be the perfect pick me for Nathan if we lose."
"Brooke we're not going to lose," Haley replied.
"We might if you wear that dress before the game," Brooke smirked. "Nathan won't be able to get the image of you in that dress out of his head."
"Okay Brooke you're being a little over dramatic," Haley said.
"No she's Haley, you look stunning in that dress," Peyton stated.
Haley nodded hesitantly, "You don't think it's too bridal do you?"
Brooke bit her lip. Part of the reason she had picked out the dress was because of its white color. It wasn't by any means a wedding dress, but it was a dress that Brooke could see Haley getting propose to in.
"No, why do you say that?" Peyton asked covering hers and Brooke's tracks.
"That white makes you look so tan," Brooke added.
"I guess, it just reminds of my sister's engagement party dress," Haley stated.
Peyton shrugged, "Just get it Haley, you look great in it."
"Okay, now Brooke what dress are you getting?" Haley asked.
"Haley, Haley, when are you going to learn?" Peyton joked.
"I have already had the perfect dress for the celebratory dinner since before Duke got into playoffs," Brooke said. It was the truth, the cheer captain had bought a dress for this weekend during Christmas.
The honey blonde girl just laughed. "Well then. I just get change, get this dress, and the we go to the next store."
"Well hurry up, we still have to find you the perfect shoes!" Brooke exclaimed as Haley returned to her dressing room.
"I can't believe my baby brother is about to go play in the Final Four," Lucas said. He and Nate were currently playing their favorite video game, NBA Live, in their apartment living room.
"Lucas stopping being such a girl, you gave me the same sob story freshmen year," Nathan stated as he angrily punched the buttons of his Xbox game controller.
"I don't sound like a girl," Lucas replied.
"Yes, you do."
"No, I don't."
"You-" Nathan stopped in mid sentence as he gasped. "What the heck Luke? You just beat me?" The basketball star couldn't believe that his brother had just beaten them in a video game that he usually dominated in. He angrily threw his remote onto the other couch, why his brother calmly placed his down on the coffee table.
The older Scott boy just smirked. "That's what you get for going on and on about Haley earlier." During the beginning of the game, Nathan had kept talking about how he was so nervous to propose to Haley.
"Whatever, I can't help it that I am just a little nervous," Nathan shoot back. "I got to win a game, then propose to my girlfriend. What if she says no Luke in front of everyone?"
"Dude, Haley is not going to say no," Lucas replied.
"How do you know?" Nathan asked.
"She's just not Nate," Lucas said. "She's going to say yes, and then for the next couple of months Brooke is going to drive you and Haley crazy over wedding plans. Then at the wedding Haley well say 'I do' and you two will live happily ever after."
Nathan sighed, "I wished it was that easy, but it isn't. Everything about me and Haley's relationship has been hard work since the beginning. Knowing my luck, something's going to happen and everything is going to fall apart."
"Nathan, nothing is going to happen. You and Haley deserve this," Lucas stated. "You deserve this."
"Thanks for getting all sappy on me Lucas," the raven hair brother smirked.
"So, do you want your wedding gift now or later?" Lucas asked.
Nathan laughed, "You already have me and Haley a wedding gift? Dude, Brooke is rubbing off on you."
"Well, it's not finished but I do have the rough draft typed up," Lucas said.
"What?" Nathan questioned his eyes widening. "What do you mean rough draft?"
"Just a second, I'll show you," Luke replied as got up from his spot on the couch and walked into his room. Several moments later the writer emerged with a thick stack of papers held together by metal binder clip.
"Here," Lucas handed the stack of papers to his brother and he sat back down.
Nathan hesitantly took the papers in his hands. His eyes skimmed the first page which simply read 'Cause and Effect by Lucas Scott'.
"I don't get it," Nathan stated.
"It's basically yours and Haley's story, but with a few different twists. I got the idea of writing it during Thanksgiving and it kind of took of from there. I hope you don't mind," Lucas explained.
Nathan shook his head, "No I don't mind at all."
"Well are you at least going to read it?" Lucas asked.
"You didn't write some sappy author's note like you did in your first book did you?" Nathan question as he flipped to the next page which was the dedication page.
"Just shut up and read why I watch some good old basketball," Lucas said as he turned the TV on to ESPN.
Nathan sighed as he eyes focused onto the page in front him and he began reading.
Dedication
To my brother Nathan, and to the girl he loves more than life itself, Haley, this is for you two. I hope and wish you all the best in life.
Chapter One
He was a player, both on and off the field. His dad had out a football in his hand before he could walk, and he had been a ladies' man since the moment he was born with his charming good lucks. In high school he was king of the world, and could get any girl he wanted or get anything he wanted. He was the quarterback, the star player of the South Carolina state champions, and nothing changed in college. He started for Clemson as freshmen and managed to lead his team to a National championships in his sophomore year. The only reason he stuck around for his junior year was because his dad. His father had always been over bearing, and had always side-line coached him as a kid. Nothing had changed in college, and a twenty years old he still couldn't say no to his father.
"Scott! Tell your greasy little freshmen football players to stay away from my squad!" A very agitated cheer captain yelled at him as he waltz their the gym. He and the rest of the team was ended to the weight room. It was the first week of school and the coach was just making them do weights as their first game wasn't until the next week.
"That sounds like a personal problem," Scott smirked at the cheer captain. She was the one girl on the campus that he could actually somewhat stand and that was only because she happened to be his twin. The past year his playboy ways had come to a slow halt because he just couldn't stand half the girls he was around.
"Okay, big brother," she began with a smirk of her own. "Tell your greasy little freshmen football players to keep their distance from my squad of I'll call daddy and tell him you need a little visit." She knew exactly what to say to get him to do what she wanted, she always had ever since they were little. Penny knew the last thing he wanted was for her to call their father and talk him into visiting.
"Fine," he mumbled as he turned his attention to the football players that were whistling at several girls as they stood next to their stunting partners. Most of the girls were steadying with their backs to football players not doing anything, but one we brave enough to ignore the jocks rude whistles and continued practicing her death dying skills.
She was a frail, little thing, but unbelievably beautiful, and as she was tossed up in the air Scott couldn't help but be taken back by how brave she looked, why he was scared to death that she would fall and hurt herself. He was a little taken back, he had seen cheerleaders get thrown in the air hundreds of times, he and even seen his own sister get stunted before and didn't even blink an eye. He was worried about this girl, who he didn't know at all, and for the first time in a long time Scott Ryans was surprised by a girl.
"Girl you look so fine, you and me should so hook up," a tall and well but football player said to the girl as her partner set her down on the ground. She opened her mouth to speak as Scott walked up.
"Sam, leave the cheerleader alone and get to work. Let's time I checked you only bench half what your suppose to be," Scott stated as he and the cheerleader locked eyes. "That goes for all of you," the quarterback added. The five freshmen football players had been harassing the cheerleader for the past few minutes instantly scattered to the weight rooms.
"Sorry about that," Scott said as the cheerleader hesitantly stepped forward to him. The immediate attraction was obvious between to the two, but to Scott he felt something he had never felt before. He couldn't explain it, but he felt like as if he had protect her from something, from someone. He felt genuine sorry that she had to put up for the sorry, jerks that he called teammates and he hoped they would never bother her again.
She shook her head, her high dark blonde ponytail swaying as she did so. "Don't apologize it's not your fault their total jerks."
"Well if they bother you again let me know," He replied. "I am Scott Ryans, by that way," he lamely added.
"Bobbi Hayes," the cheerleader began, "I think I can handle a few football players though."
He smirked, "Well then I'll see you around then, Bobbi." he then slowly walked away from the girl that he felt something for the second he saw her. He didn't know why but there was just something about the girl that he couldn't help but be transfixed by. He also knew it wouldn't be the last time he saw Bobbi Hayes, it was only the first.
"Wow," Nathan gasped as he finished the first couple of pages. "You made me a football player name Scott?" He joked.
"I said I put a few twists in it," Lucas began, "Do you like it?"
"I really do Luke. It's great, and it's one hell of a wedding gift," Nathan answered.
The blonde brother smirked, "Well you're just going to have to wait to read the rest after you propose." He then grabbed the papers away from his brother and stood up from the couch to put the rough draft of his next book back into his room.
"Hey Luke," Nathan began as brother stopped in his tracks. "It doesn't end like me and Haley does it? Scott loses her."
Lucas nodded, "I wrote the ending first. When I began writing, Haley had pretty much gone off the deep end. I tried to rewrite it just doesn't work, I am sorry."
"Its fine, besides me and Haley are going to get are fairytale ending right?" Nathan asked.
"Yeah, and now thanks to you I am probably going to sped up on my own marriage ideas," Luke said as he retreated into his room.
"Hey, let's get through one Scott wedding first!" Nathan exclaimed.
"Do you have everything?" Haley asked for the hundredth time as Nathan closed the trunk of his SUV. It was the next morning and they finished loading his trunk with their luggage that they were taking with them to Atlanta.
"Yes, Hales," Nathan replied.
"Are you sure? You got practice clothes, socks, shoes, ties, toothpaste, a razor, because last trip you forgot a razor and you refused to use a hotel one and your face was all stubbly," Haley rambled.
"I got everything," Nathan said. "You packed my suitcase remember?"
The cheerleader sighed, "But every trip we manage to leave something."
"No we don't," Nathan stated.
"Yes we do, and you know it," Haley said as she climbed into the car. They were driving his SUV to the airport instead of taking the team bus, it was easier and they didn't have to worry about leaving there stuff somewhere else.
"Why are you so worried that I am forgetting something?" Nathan asked as he sat down in the driver seat and closed his door.
"I am just nervous, for you. This is the biggest game of your life, and your acting pretty calm," Haley answered.
Nathan shrugged as he cranked he car. He wasn't worried about the game, the only thing he was worried about was proposing to Haley. "Hales, I am nervous trust me, but I know I haven't forgotten anything."
"You're sure, because Lucas said he wasn't going to fly out until tomorrow, and he want be able to bring you something you forgot," Haley stated. Lucas, Peyton, Jake, and Jenny were flying down tomorrow morning and arriving just in time for the first game of the Final Four. The actual championship game wouldn't be played until Sunday night, and Duke would only play in it if they won their first game of the weekend and their last official playoff game.
"Haley, just relax this is going to be one of the best weekends of our lives," Nathan replied as he pulled out of the driveway. He hoped the next time he pulled in to the driveway that Haley would finally have a ring on her left ring finger.
Author's Note: Thanks for reading