I know, I really suck for taking so long to get this update out. I'm sure no one care why so I'm not going to make excuses, just promise that I'll really try not to have such long periods between updates. I'm working on the next chapter to 'Sliding Doors' right now. i don't know if I'll finish tonight because I'm getting a headache, but as soon as I update my other two stories I'll write the next chapter for this. The next chapter is going to be the flash forward chapter. The last one, I think. I don't have anymore planned but I might change my mind later on.
Thanks for everyone who's read/reviewed/sent message. I appreciate your continued support of the story even though it's been months since I update. :)
Chapter Twenty-Four
December 20
"Don't walk away from me Nathan!"
He stopped with his foot on the first step leading up the stair and closed his eyes. Exhaling softly he turned and faced his irate mother. "What?" he snapped out.
Though she tried to stop it, Deb felt her face twist as she heard the way Nathan spoke to her. Ever since Nathan had had his little trouble with drugs she had made sure that she could be home, canceling all of her business appointments and hiring a manager for Karen's café. She did feel a little guilty about not keeping the commitment she made to Karen, but she knew that Karen would understand that her child should come first. Karen did have Lucas, after all. And she still went in for a couple of hours in the morning while Nathan was at school to make sure that everything was going the way it should, and that would have to be enough to satisfy Karen. Deb made a mental note to remember to get a hold of Karen and let her know what was going on. Maybe after Christmas… I don't want to ruin Lucas and Keith's trip to see her.
The only problem with her plan to be there for Nathan was that it wasn't g out the way she thought it would. Or specifically Nathan wasn't behaving the way she thought he should. Her sweet little boy had grown into an angry young man that she was unable to reach and she had no idea how to change that.
No matter what kind of approach she took Nathan rebuffed her attempts. Nothing seemed to sway him from the anger he had towards her. When he wasn't rejecting what she was offering to him, he was out to all hours of the night. Doing god knows what, with who she didn't know. It seemed like she didn't know anything about him. He was probably out partying his life away, just as his father had those few months of college when they had first got together.
Deb hid her darkening thoughts with a thoroughly composed face. God… is Nathan turning into Dan? This… whatever it is… it has to be Dan's influence. He's the only one who's been around for the last couple of months. It wasn't supposed to be like this… I wasn't going to be one of those moms. One that didn't understand her kids, one who is the outsider in her family. But… but it was so easy just go and forget everything here…. forget Dan… forget the problems we had. I had to go off and have an affair... affairs… At least Nathan has no idea about those. He would be even worse than he is now. Even though I don't know how it can get worse. He doesn't even care that I'm here, that I'm trying. When he is here he just mopes around the house thing about that girl. That Haley.
At first Deb had been happy that Nathan had gotten involved with Haley. She seemed like such a nice girl, a good influence on her son. But her opinion of Haley had changed drastically since the night he had collapsed. Nathan refused to discuss Haley with her so Deb assumed that Haley hadn't reacted well. She hadn't proved to be very loyal. Little brat…. playing games with my son.
Deb broke out of her reverie when two fingers snapped in her face. Looking up she saw her son's annoyed face. Clearing her throat and fighting to keep the emotion from clogging her throat Deb coolly told Nathan, "Your father is going to be late tonight so I thought we could go out to dinner."
"No."
With that Nathan turned to walk up the stairs.
"That wasn't a request Nathan."
Nathan rolled his eyes and kept walking, "I said no, I'm going to be busy."
Deb bit her tongue, arguing with Nathan even more wasn't going to do anything but cause him to act out against her even more.
Deb watched as Nathan climbed the stairs waiting until he had reached the head of the staircase before she whirled around and made her way to the den.
She needed a drink.
It was the only way she could forget that this was all her fault.
Breathing a sigh of relief that he managed to get away from his mother, Nathan rounded the corner at the head of the stairs. Nathan quickly made his way to his room and pulled out his phone.
After dialing he impatiently waited for his call to be answered.
"Hey it's me…. can I come over?"
"Sure."
"Great I'll be right there," Nathan grinned and quickly snatched up his keys and bounded down the stairs. In less than a minute from handing up the phone he was on his way.
Flashback to December 6
Nathan shifted in the bed and sleepily moved his hand around trying to find Haley.
His movements stilled as he remembered the events of the previous day. Well he had to hand it to himself… he was one colossal fuckup.
Cracking open his eyes he peered through the thin slit that formed, trying to figure out where Haley ones. He needed to talk to her, god did he need to and want to; it felt like it had been weeks since their last conversation. Their last real conversation where he had not felt like he was holding back from her. Even before the drugs he hadn't told her that he didn't like that Jake was hanging around her. Damn… he was an idiot. Why hadn't he told her? Now… he wanted to tell her everything and just hope that she would listen. But even wanted to talk to her, he was nervous… nervous about whether she would listen. Last night he had been hurting and Haley wasn't the type of person to turn away someone because she was pissed at them. Today all bets were off and he wasn't ready to face her yet. If he didn't face her he still had hope, but if she rejected him than he had nothing left to hold onto. And it might be cowardly but he wasn't ready to give up hope yet.
Opening his eyes a little wider he saw that she was sitting on the lounge next to the window, and when shifted his gaze he saw that she was looking at the leaves blowing off the tree and into the wind.
Even thought he was starting to feel like a bigger moron, Nathan stayed quiet while he berated himself. He wasn't used to being nervous about talking to a girl. It wasn't something that happened to him often.
Grimacing, Nathan prepared himself before he slowly sat up, drawing Haley's attention to him. He took in her unsmiling face and felt his heart clench at the sight of her closed off face. Surely if she had forgiven him she would look happier to see him awake… right?
"Good morn-in-g," Nathan said, coughing at the broken way he was speaking.
"Morning," Haley quietly answered back.
Even though not even a minute passed it seemed like an eternity as they sat on opposite sides of the room.
Before Nathan could say anything, Haley asked him, "Are you feeling okay? Not too beat up from last night?"
Nathan took a quick survey of how he was feeling and answered, "Not too bad, a little weak and sore but that's it."
He watched as she closed her eyes briefly before opening them and sending him a relieved smile.
"Good," Haley said before her tone hardened and she continued, "We need to talk."
Flashback Over
"I'm sorry Brooke, I don't know where he is," Haley told her friend over the phone. Lucas had been missing since school had let out and Brooke was starting to worry, correction way past starting and on her way to being hysterical. This was the fifth call she had gotten in the last hour and she was mentally bashing her best friend. What was the matter with Lucas? He needed to tell Brooke the truth. Putting it off was driving Brooke insane.
Brooke sighed, her irritation coming over the phone lines clearly. "Come on Tutor Girl, you have to know where he is. He is your best friend."
Haley snorted, "What does that mean? That I'm his mother and he has to check in with me? I don't think so. Do you always know where your best friend is?"
"Actually…. P. Sawyer isn't answering her phone right now either. What is going on with our best friends Tutor Girl?" Brooke sighed heavily, if possible sounding even more pissed.
Yikes… calmer isn't always good. Brooke is going to tear off the head of whoever she sees first. Thank god that won't be me, Haley thought as she stirred in macaroni noodles for her dinner.
"Since you were useless in helping me find my Broody I'm going to go out and find him myself. Later!"
Before Haley could say a word, Brooke had hung up the phone and she was listening to the dial tone. Haley rolled her eyes as she set the phone on the counter next to the stove.
Thinking again Haley picked up the phone and quickly dialed, "Hey loser, what are you doing? You need to go see Brooke and tell her what is going on. I know you didn't want to do it this way, but just blurting it out will be better than making her wait. Trust me Luke… tell her."
Haley clicked the off button and set the phone down again, she really hoped that Lucas took her advice. Telling Brooke would be the easiest thing to do, and best for all parties involved.
Left alone with her thoughts Haley mind flashed to where it usually went to when she was undistracted.
Nathan
Flashback to December 6
Haley finished explaining to Nathan why she had been spending so much time with Jake. She had called him before Nathan woke up and cleared it with him. It was a big secret to tell so she wanted to at try and make sure it was alright with him. Thank god he hadn't minded because she would have told regardless of what he said. She knew it wasn't her place to tell but it had caused too many problems between the Nathan and her. Knowing that… she couldn't… wouldn't keep the secret from Nathan any longer.
She didn't know where the two of them were going but wherever it was; they could at least be honest doing it. That's why she had insisted on telling Nathan about Jenny, even though he had claimed that he trusted her and didn't need her to tell him.
"So know do you understand why I was helping him? How could I not?"
"I understand Haley… and I'm sure that he really did need your help. That ex of his sounds like a real piece of work and yeah, he couldn't do it all on his own. But even though that is probably true, why does that mean he doesn't like you?" Nathan said stubbornly, unwilling to admit that he might have been wrong about his teammate.
Haley puffed out a frustrated breath, for peat's sake she wasn't some goddess. She was just normal girl… plain Haley James, Tutor Girl. Guys didn't chase after her, they never had. She would have noticed that. But why didn't Nathan get that? Jake wasn't planning something. She was smart, everyone knew that, and that is why Jake needed her. "He just doesn't, Nathan I think I would know. We're just friends, alright?"
Nathan still looked reluctant to agree but still said, "Alright, if you say so." Nathan coughed into his hand before looking up and sighing. "But this doesn't mean that you forgive me about the fight does it?"
Flashback Over
Brooke was pacing in her room so much that she was wearing down the carpet in front of her closet.
She couldn't help it though, for the last couple of weeks Lucas has been acting so distant and wouldn't tell her what was going on. The day after Nathan had collapsed she had found out that her parents had decided to leave her here over Christmas break. Something about it being too boring for her since it was just going to be a bunch of businessmen. Brooke was used to having her parent's abandon her so it wasn't that big of a deal, but she had barely managed to tell Lucas later that day before he rushed out, mumbling something about work.
Brooke couldn't help but wonder what she did to make him run out on her. She wasn't going to ask him to stay in Tree Hill and spend the holiday with her. She knew how much he missed his mom and she wouldn't take that away from him. He had to know that. So was she being too clingy? Was she boring him?
Oh my god….
Brooke rushed to her full length mirror and studied herself carefully. It did look like she had gained a couple pounds… too many Christmas cookies. Brooke looked over at the brightly decorated tin on her bedside table and scowled. Damn that Haley James and her… niceness. No more cookies Brooke resolved, sucking in her stomach a little and standing up straighter. Hopefully she wouldn't need them much longer, once she figured out why Lucas was avoiding her. Brooke had been gobbling those down ever since Lucas had started pulling down his disappearing act. That was a reaction, not a cause, Brooke reasoned.
It was weird… the way that he was avoiding her. During school everything was normal… like it had been when they first started dating but otherwise? Nada. And she was getting damn sick of it.
Who does he think he is? I'm Brooke Davis! I could have any guy I want. Probably have had every guy I've wanted, Brooke smirked at the thought. I'm going to find his ass and he's going to have to answer some questions.
Brooke scowled at her phone and pressed hard on the number 2. Bringing the phone up to her ear she listened to the phone ring before going straight to voicemail.
Brooke let out a short scream of frustration before she pressed hard on the number three.
And again, straight to voicemail.
What the fuck?
Where was Peyton? Even weirder than Lucas avoiding her was Peyton. Who had been acting distant for even longer than Lucas and Brooke was starting to think that Peyton was pissed at her.
What did I do?
Unable to figure it out, Brooke sat down in the middle of her room and burst into tears. She brought her knees up and rested her head on them. Brooke tried not to cry but couldn't stop. She also couldn't stem the burning question in her mind. Why everyone was leaving her?
Nathan arrived at the house and pulled into the driveway. He sat behind the wheel for a moment and tried to calm down. He didn't want to go in while he was so mad.
He hated these confrontations with his mother. He just wished she would leave again. Then he would only have to deal with Dan.
But that wasn't going to happen, ever since she had decided that he was important she had been up his ass trying to bond and he wasn't having it. No way was she going to be able to walk back into his life like she never left him with his father.
Left him… left them…. so she could go be with her lover. Or should he say lovers? Both fit.
Nathan's hands tightened on the steering wheel, she didn't know that he knew about her affairs but he wasn't stupid. He knew why Dan got harder on him the first time Deb had taken off for a whole summer. When she came back he had been happy, but then she left again. Left when things go too tough for her to deal with.
That was when he stopped caring. He wasn't going to spend his time trying to please someone who didn't care about him. And Deb proved that she didn't.
Dan might be the biggest asshole on the planet and there were times that Nathan could swear that he hated his father…. But at the same time Dan had never left him. That alone made him better than Deb.
And ever since Nathan had gotten home the day after he collapsed Dan had been… nicer, for lack of a better word… he hadn't pushed him or tried to get him to get Lucas off the team. He had actually been encouraging.
He could be setting himself up for failure, but if he was going to put his trust into one of his parents it was going to be the one that stayed.
Nathan sighed and tilted his head back to lie on the headrest.
Flashback to December 6
"You're wrong… I do forgive you," Haley corrected him.
Nathan felt the hope rise within him and waited for her to continue.
Haley shook her head saying, "But Nathan you can't go around hitting people every time they piss you off."
"I know I overreacted and I'm sorry… but I can't promise you that I'm never going to hit a guy because of you again."
"Nathan I-"
Nathan stood up and stared down at her, "Please, before you say anything let me get this out okay?" Haley nodded and Nathan continued, "I wish I could say that and mean it, but that's not who I am. I react… sometimes not in the right way. I… it's…. look Hales I could tell you that I'm not going to and mean it but I don't think I could keep the promise…. I don't want to lie to you again. Okay? I just want us to be honest with each other."
"And I appreciate the honestly Nathan, I really… really do. You don't know how much it means to me that you are doing that. But Nathan look at what happened with Jake, you guys fought for no reason and if you had just showed a little restraint then it never would have happened. Everything would have been okay!" Haley voice rose as she continued talking. "Do you know what could have happened? You guys could have gotten caught by a teacher or something. Jake is trying to get custody of his daughter and we could have screwed that up for him. We could have cost his little girl the only parent that cares about her! Or let's just forget about them for a second what about you? What if you guys were caught and got kicked off the basketball team! Did you think about that?"
What Haley said about Jenny only have one parent care about her struck a nerve in him and he felt sick at the thought. He really could have taken her only parent away from her, could have taken her away from Jake. However he feels about Jake, he never meant for something like that to happen. But if he was honest with himself, he could admit that even though he felt like shit over what had happened… what he instigated with Jake… he couldn't say that if the situation had been exactly the same that he wouldn't do the same damn thing.
Nathan kept silent and watched as Haley visibly tried to calm herself down. Even though she had forgiven him it obviously still bothered her that he started the fight with Jake. He just didn't know what to say to make it better.
When Haley was able to speak in an even tone she continued talking, staring at Nathan determined face. "Just show a little restraint okay? Please Nathan." She said the last tiredly and Nathan felt another rush of remorse go through him. He had put her through so much and he was lucky that she was still willing to see him much less try to work things out with him.
Nathan walked over to where she was sitting down. Kneeling in front of her he took her hand, "you don't see what I see Haley." She tried to interrupt him, but he tightened his hold on her hand stilling her comments. "You don't, so you don't see why guys would be interested in you. Trust me they are, and why wouldn't they be? Seriously Haley you're… the best."
Nathan grabbed her other hand and brought them both to his lips, "Look Hales, I can't promise I won't ever be physical with someone who is threatening what is important to me. I won't promise that. But I do promise to try, okay? I promise to try and think things through or talk to you before I do something that we both might regret."
Haley smiled a little and leaned down so her head was resting against Nathan's over their enclosed hands.
"What is happening to us?"
Nathan just shook his head and edged closer to her, "Something wonderful."
End Flashback
Lucas reached over and pressed the doorbell and rolled onto the heels of his feet while he waited for the door to be answered.
He hadn't been sure that he would be able to make it over tonight so he hadn't called earlier to make sure that she was home.
He had changed his mind when he had gotten Haley's message. He hadn't been around much the last couple of weeks, but she had sounded adamant that he needed to tell Brooke and he was going to trust his best friend on this.
Lucas fidgeted restlessly, he hadn't planned on telling her tonight but now that he decided to he didn't want to put it off any longer.
Lucas felt bad for the past couple of weeks, he had planned on telling Brooke earlier but things hadn't worked as he planned. He knew that Brooke had been suspicious but he hadn't wanted to bring it up so he left it in her hands. It was actually a surprise that Brooke lasted this long.
She wasn't known for her patience. Lucas smirked at his thought. That was an understatement if there ever was one.
The door opened suddenly and he was face to face with Brooke's tear stained face.
Lucas saw how swollen her eyes were and winced.
This was his fault. He had done this. He hadn't meant to, but it didn't change the fact that it did. The guilt over the pain he caused her coursed through his body and he opened his mouth to say something. He didn't know what. Probably some lame platitude. He had a gift with words, but he had a feeling it wouldn't work this time.
Brooke face crumpled when she saw who was at her door and she threw herself into his arms.
Lucas closed his eyes and leaned down, wrapping his arms solidly around her, doing his best to comfort her.
Haley carefully scooped a piece of noodle into her spoon and lifted it to her mouth so she could taste it.
Just like she suspected… too much mac and not enough cheese. Nathan liked a lot of cheese.
Crossing to the island work table she started grating more cheese, wanting it to get dinner finished before Nathan arrived.
Flashback to December 6
Nathan stood up and pulled her with him, "I'm still a little tired, let's go back to bed."
Haley allowed him to pull her up and waited until they were on the before she reminded him. "We still have one more thing to talk about."
Nathan grimaced, "me passing out last night?"
"Yeah and maybe what caused you to pass out? I really want to understand why you thought it would be a good idea to take drugs."
Nathan looked down at their joined hands for a moment before he looked up and told her, "Look it's not that I wanted to take the drugs. I didn't, and I swear that I never have before. It was only going to be a onetime thing. I just needed a boost, an edge to show my dad what I could do. He was really pushing me Hales."
In her two sides warred. One that understood why Nathan felt he needed to prove to his father that he could be as good, if not better than expected of him. The other side just really wanted to smack Nathan and tell him what an idiot he was for taking that chance. In the end, understanding won.
"Hey… Nathan I get it okay? I really do. Just please don't do them again. You're lucky you just passed out. Someone worse could have happened. Yo-you could have di-e-ed." Haley's voice broke on the last word and tears fill her eyes, tears that she had been holding back since the day before when she had first seen him collapse on the court.
"Oh no… no hey Hales. I'm okay… and this is a promise I can make okay? I'll never take anything again."
Haley nodded and covered her face with her hands, unable to stem the worry that had been filling her since the night before.
Nathan reached over and pulled her into his lap. They sat together for a while before he heard her mumble out, "You didn't need the pills anyways, you're better than your father could ever hope to be."
Nathan smiled slightly and shook his head, it was a nice sentiment but it wasn't like she had ever seen Dan play.
End Flashback
Haley finished grating the cheese but before she could take it to the pan she felt two arms wrap around her waist.
Loving the familiar feel she leaned back and settled into his arms.
Nathan burying his head into her neck before breathed in her fresh scent.
Haley shivered slightly at the contact, "So what happened Nathan? I thought you were going to stay home tonight? Wrap all those Christmas presents."
Nathan heaved a heavy breath before pulling away and going to sit on the stood at the island. He hated it when reality intruded on his moments with Haley.
"My mom was bugging me again. Wanting to hang out," Nathan snorted at the thought.
Haley looked at him with sympathy, she knew how he felt about his mother and even though she thought everyone deserved a second chance she wouldn't be advocating one with Deb to Nathan. Not after she abandoned him "I'm sorry baby… is there anything you can do?"
"Nothing, it seems like she is going to be around for awhile. Between her and Dan I don't know whether I'm coming or going." Nathan played with the spoon that was stuck in some chocolate mixture Haley had on the counter. "I just need a break."
Haley pressed her lips together and stayed silent as she dumped the cheese into the pan on the stove and stirred it.
Finally she turned around. "Do you remember when I told you that I got emancipated because my parents were never around and it was easier?"
Nathan caught on quickly, "Yeah, but my parents are still around. It's a different situation than yours."
Haley nodded, "That's true, but there are certain situations that allow for a minor to get 'divorced' from his parents. I'm sure with all the stuff that your parents pull that they've done something that qualifies you for emancipation."
Nathan felt the hope fluttering in his chest. He could be free… away from his parents. Nathan looked up and smiled at her, "you think?"
"Wouldn't hurt to check," Haley snorted when Nathan stood up. "Easy tiger, it can wait until after we eat. I need some of my Mac and Cheese."
Nathan rolled his eyes, but still smiled when he mumbled, "Food of five year olds."
"Hey!" Haley flicked a half-cooked noodle at Nathan, and smirked when it landed on his clean white shirt. "Oops?"
Nathan looked down and back up before smiling at her, "Yeah…oops."
Before she knew it she had a glob of brownie mix hitting her cheek. "Nathan Royal Scott!"
"Hey you started it," Nathan laughed as he moved around the island, trying to avoid the oncoming Haley.
Haley nodded thoughtfully, still following him. "You're right I did…. now I'm going to finish it!"
Haley lunged for a bowl on the counter, and quickly moved to an offense position as Nathan tried to defend himself.
Ten minutes later Haley had the refrigerator door open and was using it to shield her from Nathan, who was hiding behind the island.
"Nathan? Truce okay?"
"I don't believe you, where's your flag of surrender?" Nathan laughed.
"I don't have a white flag babe and even if I did I'm not surrendering. I'm calling this a draw, and think about it I have more ammunition then you do."
Nathan grimaced into the empty bowl on resting next to him. "Yeah sure fine."
Slowly Nathan stood up and peeked over the counter. He saw Haley head pop out from behind the door.
Both carefully moved closer to the midpoint between them.
They were a mess.
Nathan saw the chocolate streaking through her hair and smirked.
Even with the truce he had to be the winner.
Distracted by his handiwork he didn't notice Haley bringing up a hand and smearing a pink substance all over his head.
Nathan blinked, "Nice… thanks Hales."
Haley smirked and raised her crossed fingers. "Ask Lucas… I always win."
Before Nathan could retaliate against her they heard a male voice coming from the door calling out, "What the hell happened in here?
Disclaimer: I own nothing; not OTH or its characters.
RedRoom323: I hate it when they fight too… I don't think I write it very well, which is another reason why this chapter took so long. I'm glad you enjoyed the chapter even though the NH was minimal. Thanks for taking time to read and review :)
NaleyIsLove23: Sorry for the long wait. And thanks for the complement! I always thought that Jake and Haley would be great friends. They are both really nice people. Flash-forward is next chapter and should be up soon! Thanks for taking time to read and review :)
xxktnxx: Yeah Nathan was an ass, but I thought it fit with the way he reacted on the actual show. Even thought situation is different. Thanks for taking time to read and review :)
Drama4zashley-Naley: I can tell you that Nathan won't be fighting with Jake anymore. He still suspects that Jake likes Haley but he isn't going to risk pissing her off by flying off the handle again. Thanks for taking time to read and review :) And sorry about the long wait.
luvnaley23: I'm so glad you enjoyed the Laley conversation. It's my favorite friendship on the show. I love jealous Nathan too… lol but I don't want to overdo it so it isn't going to be a big thing anymore… or at least for a good long while. Thanks for taking time to read and review :)
nickcheer: I'm so sorry for the long wait. But Thanks for taking time to read and review :)
: Thanks for taking time to read and review and I'm sorry about the long wait for a update.
Naley19: Thanks! Sorry about the long wait for an update but Thanks for taking time to read and review :)
Jess2303: Thanks Jess! Sorry about the long wait for an update. Thanks for reading and reviewing. :)
Marta: Thanks for taking time to read and review :)
LuvNaley: Thanks for taking time to read and review :)
othgirl346: Thanks for reading and reviewing! Sorry about the long wait for an update. And I'd loved to tell you who Lucas picks but it's a big part of the story and I don't want to ruin it.