You are the strength,
That keeps me walking.
You are the hope,
That keeps me trusting.
You are the light,
To my soul.
You are my purpose,
You're everything.
Nathan awoken with a groan, smiling when he realised he was on the couch. That meant Haley. He reached his arm out to wrap around her waist, surprised that he didn't do that automatically in his sleep. His eyes opened with a flash when he realised that no one was lay next to him. As he sat up the memories of last night appeared in his mind through his sore head.
''Shut the fuck up, man. You're sleeping down here, and that's that.''
''Nathan,'' Haley whispered against his neck. ''I'm tired,'' she yawned. ''Please don't argue, please. For me.''
He looked at her, and saw her eyes that were wide in excitement five minutes ago now closing. So he sighed, giving in. ''Fine,'' he turned to Brooke. ''You and Julian can stay in my room with Haley. Uh, Chase and Mia can stay in the spare room with Rachel, too. And Lucas and Peyton can stay in his room.''
The anger rose through him as he glared at Damien who was sleeping on the other couch peacefully. He stood up, grabbed a cushion, and then smacked the Oak Lake player on the back of the head with it, hard. ''Get up.'' he ordered, hitting him again. ''Rise and shine.''
Damien groaned, squinting his eyes at the light. ''Fuck off,'' he muttered.
Nathan hit him again. ''C'mon, we're going on a breakfast run.''
''Why us?''
''Because I said so,'' he stated, smacking him one last time.
''Quit it!'' Damien snapped, sitting up and rubbing his eyes tiredly. ''Fine, let me go and get changed.''
Nathan shook his head. ''Nope,'' he said, popping on the 'p'. ''I can't get changed, because it'll wake Hales. So you can't either.''
Damien stood up, glaring at the guy in front of him. ''Why don't you have any breakfast here?''
''We do,'' he shrugged. ''But Karen's Café is better, Haley loves it. Plus, there's not enough breakfast for ten people here. Peyton will eat most of it. Karen's is free, you can get as much as you want.''
''I hate you,'' Damien declared, walking out of the living room and towards the front door with a sigh.
''You too, West.'' he mocked, repeating Damien's words from the night before, following him out of the door with a laugh. ''Revenge really is sweet.'' Nathan mused, grinning teasingly. His anger was actually starting to fade quite quickly, as he felt the need to warm up to his girlfriend's best friend. Wow, he would have never have thought that he would be willingly trying to befriend Damien West.
Damien shot daggers to the boy now walking along side of him down the road. ''So I have to walk when I stink,'' he scrunched his face up in disgust. ''To a café to get breakfast for everyone after you woke me up early after a night of drinking, thanks.''
Nathan shrugged with a grin. ''You're welcome.'' he paused for a moment. ''I know you think that me and Haley are just fooling around, but we're not. I'm serious about this, the last thing I wanna do it hurt her.''
''I don't believe you,''
''You should.''
''And why's that?'' Damien questioned.
''Because I care about her more than you could possibly imagine.'' he said.
They then reached the pathway leading towards the river court. Nathan intended to walk right past it. But Damien had other ideas considering he turned down the pathway quickly, his eyes shining in delight at the basketball nets.
''I thought we were getting breakfast.'' Nathan stated, jogging after him.
Damien stood in the centre of the river court place. ''Man, I love this place.''
Nathan frowned in confusion. ''You've been here?''
He shrugged. ''Couple of times when I've been visiting Haley, I call it the river court. Awesome, right?''
''That's its name, you idiot.''
''Oh,'' his smile faded. ''You fancy a game, Scott? It's never too early for me to beat your ass.''
Nathan shook his head. After talking to Clay, he's not been here since. It sort of hit him how sudden everything could be, how fast he could be gone. He doesn't want to take that risk, even if it's just a simple game of one-on-one. So he said, ''No thanks.''
Damien's grin reappeared. ''Why? You scared I'm gonna beat you?'' he taunted.
''We don't have a ball.''
''I know where it is,'' he rolled his eyes. ''I met a guy here with a big mouth, he told me that everyone hides it inside that-'' he pointed to the row of trees and plants. ''tree.''
''Whatever, I don't wanna play.''
Damien shrugged, for some reason deciding not to taunt him further. He walked over to the tree and stood on his tip toes, tapping the ball from its place between two of the branches until it fell from the tree and into his hands. He turned towards the river court again, dribbling the ball to the centre effortlessly.
Nathan took a seat on the bench, fighting the urge to grab the basketball from the Oak Lake player's hands.
Damien threw the ball through the net naturally with a swoosh.
''Nothing but net, huh?''
''You could say that,'' Damien grinned, rather smugly. ''This feels weird.''
''What? You mean us two actually spending time together without throwing our fists around, or the fact that you actually got the ball through the net?''
''Ha ha,'' he responded dryly. ''I mean all of it. Me, sleeping at your house. You, dating my best friend. Us, hanging out on the river court like friends.''
Nathan shrugged a shoulder nonchalantly. ''We could be, you know,'' he said. ''Just because we're supposed to be awful to each other, doesn't mean we have to be. I mean, we're going to be spending a lot of time together because of Haley, I don't intend on us two breaking up anytime soon.'' Never, actually. ''So we could at least try and get along.''
''How?'' he inquired.
''How about I not call you a dick and you not call me an asshole? C'mon, man, I'm trying here.''
''Fine,'' Damien gave in. ''But this doesn't mean I trust you.''
He nodded, pursing his lips in slight annoyance. ''Okay,''
''But I do know that you're not with her just to mess with me. I can see it. You smile at her like that guy with the Mohawk smiles at the blonde cheerleader on that show. I can see what you and Haley have is kinda... real.''
''It is,'' Nathan confirmed. ''I've never felt this way about anyone before.''
''Good.'' he bounced the ball again, looking down at it with a smile. ''You know, I could never imagine a day where basketball wasn't everything to you.'' he mused. ''Now you're smiling at Haley more than a ball, and you're turning down to play a game.''
Neither could I.
''Maybe they've killed each other,'' Julian suggested as the eight friends all stared at the empty living room by the doorway. They had woken up all at around the same time, after fighting over the bathroom for ten minutes they had arrived to the living room only to find messy duvets sprawled on the couches, no one was there.
Mia nodded, grinning. ''Maybe one of them has taken the other to the forest to bury them... alive.''
Chase nudged her lightly. ''Don't talk like that, you crazy girl.''
''I've seen it on TV. Bit by a spider, paralysed, everyone thought they were dead. The spider juice wore off, they opened their eyes, bam. They were being buried, too weak to scream for help.''
''Nathan's scared of spiders, that wouldn't work.'' Haley supplied, crossing her arms over her chest with a raised brow. She just wondered why the hell they weren't here, it wasn't like they would willingly go somewhere together, alone.
Rachel smiled. ''Damien is, too.''
Lucas jerked his thumb behind him. ''I'm gonna check if the shovel is still outside, you know, just in case.''
''Oh, shut up, Luke. Nothing bad has happened.''
He ignored his brother's girlfriend, and turned to the girl next to him. ''You wanna come, too?''
Peyton nodded with a shrug, fighting that damn smile again. ''Sure,''
The two then retreated, as the others continued to stare at the couches in wonder. Wondering where the two rivals who declared their hatred for each other the night before had disappeared to.
''I bet its all fine,'' Haley reasoned. ''C'mon, let's just have breakfast or something.''
''Uh, Hales. I'm meeting Julian's mom this afternoon, I have to go and get ready so we'll have to go.'' Brooke announced. ''I'll call you later or something.''
''Oh,'' she nodded. ''Okay, have a good time.''
Brooke rolled her eyes sarcastically, as if to say yeah, right. ''Is his mom nice?'' she questioned, despite the fact that her boyfriend was right next to her.
''Uh... meh.'' she shrugged. ''A little judgemental.''
''Gee, thanks.'' Julian grumbled, taking hold of Brooke's hand, he led them through the living room and towards the front door. ''See ya!''
''Bye!''
''Good luck, Brooke!'' Haley shouted to the closed door, laughing to herself.
Rachel rubbed her eyes tiredly. ''I need coffee, now.''
Haley grabbed her hand, leading her towards the kitchen while Chase and Mia sat down on the couch. Lucas and Peyton have been out there for quite a while... They sat down at the breakfast bar. Haley quickly made herself a hot chocolate and a cup of coffee for her best friend.
''So, how did you sleep?''
''Mia slept in the middle, and she wouldn't stop kicking me and Chase, that was annoying. But Chase seems to think it's sweet.'' Rachel grumbled.
''It is.'' she insisted. ''Are you just saying this because you want that, Rach?''
Rachel rolled her eyes. ''Hales, stop. I'm fine. I don't know what I was talking about... it was silly.''
''No it's not. You were right. God, if I wasn't with Nathan I think I would be completely lost. You need that, too. Someone you know, and trust, and already care for.'' she hinted clearly.
''And who's that?''
''I don't know,'' she lied with a shrug. ''You figure it out.''
I already have. Rachel thought, covering her sad expression with a fake smile as she sipped on her cup of coffee. Damien.
''What? So she just fell... in front of everybody?'' Nathan asked with a laugh, pushing the café door open as Damien followed behind.
''Yeah, she just tripped over her feet and fell flat on her face.'' Damien nodded, chuckling along with him. ''It didn't hurt her, she falls all the time. Chase just helped her up and she laughed, then acted like it didn't happen.''
''One time, we were just walking, and she fell over nothing. I caught her just before she smacked her head off the curb.'' he shook his head in amusement. ''Haley's such a klutz.''
The two reached the counter and sat down on the awaiting stools, waiting for a waitress for appear.
''You got that right, this one time-'' Damien was interrupted by another voice.
''Nathan, what are you doing here?''
Nathan span his chair around with a sigh, glaring at his father who was now stood in front of him. ''What do you want?''
''I believe I asked you a question.''
''Teacher's workshop. You got a letter about it, dad.''
''Oh. Well why aren't you training? You need to get in shape.'' he said strictly.
''I am in shape,'' Nathan informed him. ''We went on that run on Tuesday, remember?''
Dan muttered something incoherently under his breath. ''That was Tuesday, today is Friday.''
He rolled his eyes, desperately trying to change the conversation to something other than his fitness. He wasn't working out this working, no way, not until he gets his results. Then he has no clue what the hell he's gonna do. Nathan spotted the man stood behind his dad, he had dark hair with a smile on his face, he looked slightly familiar.
''Uh, sorry, man.'' Nathan muttered, looking at the man strangely. ''I wasn't looking where I was going.''
The man shook his head, muttering something incoherently under his breath, his smile not faltering; it even went a little wider. ''No worries,'' he said, that's when Nathan realised he had an Australian accent. ''Have a good day.''
''Uh, actually,'' Damien spoke up. ''Me and Nathan were planning on going on a run on the beach later.'' he lied.
Dan raised an eyebrow at him. ''Are you Damien West? Don't you play for Oak Lake?'' he questioned, feeling the annoyance over the fact that his son is now possibly buddies with The Ravens rival.
''Yes, sir,''
''And since when were you friends with him?'' Dan inquired, looking at his son sternly.
The man behind Dan looked at him with a glare. Who talks to their son like that?
''Since when have my friends had anything to do with you?'' Nathan questioned, his eyes widening in anger. Typical Dan Scott, needing to know everything involving everyone's lives, even though it has absolutely nothing to do with him.
''Mr. Scott, we're going to be late for your meeting.'' the Australian voice announced, glancing at the watch on his wrist.
Nathan sent him a thankful smile, making the man's own widen.
''This conversation isn't over,'' Dan declared, pointing his finger at his son warningly. Before following his assistant out of the café with a huff, slamming the café door behind him.
The two boys span their stools back around so they were facing the kitchen way again, they both leaned their elbows against the counter with a sigh of relief.
''Wow, you're dads almost as worse than mine.''
''Mine's worse,'' Nathan objected.
''At least yours doesn't hit you,'' Damien grumbled, spotting a waitress at the corner of his eye. ''Hey waitress! Can we get served or what? This kid owns this place.''
Nathan's eyes widened. Damien get's hit by his dad because of basketball? He never imagined a father worse than his own. And he never would have thought a guy with an ego as big as Damien's would be able to go through all that without letting it affect their attitude. Sure, he's cocky. But he treats his best friends with respect. And Nathan can't help but respect Damien for that.
''Julian, I'm scared,'' Brooke whispered as they walked hand-in-hand towards the driveway. Sure, she's been here lots of times, but his mother's never been home, and this is the first time she's ever going to meet her boyfriend's mother. Karen never made the effort, but Sylvia clearly wants to.
What if she thinks she's not good enough? What if she demands that Julian stop dating her? What if she gets her heart broken, again?
''She's gonna love you,'' Julian assured her, bringing her hand up to his lips and kissing it softly. ''You're too amazing not to be liked, Brooke Davis.''
''You think so?''
''I know it. And if she doesn't then I don't care, it's not gonna change the way I feel about you.''
''Promise?'' she asked him tentatively, her voice quivering slightly in fear.
Julian chuckled, shaking his head in disbelief. ''I promise. Now let's go, you weirdo.''
Brooke giggled, despite her fear a moment ago. With Julian, he seemed to just take her cares away, as cheesy as it sounded, it was true. ''Mathlete now rhyming star? You're such a nerd.''
''I thought I was sexy?''
''Believe me, you are.''
The two just laughed at each other, before walking in the house, never once letting go of each other's hands.
Nathan opened the door of the beach house, carrying the big bag of food while Damien carried another. They had ordered almost the entire breakfast menu at Karen's Café, before waiting for half an hour for it all to be made, then hurrying back to the beach house before it got cold.
''Told you they didn't kill each other!'' Haley declared, smiling at them once they reached the kitchen.
''Wow, that's a lot of food.'' Rachel stated, eying the bag with a certain glint in her eye. ''Gimme.''
Damien handed his bag to her with a chuckle. ''Where is everyone?''
''Well, considering it's almost lunch, Mia and Chase went to her house because there wasn't enough food here after Peyton and Lucas ate it all. Brooke and Julian are at Julian's house meeting his mom, and Peyton and Lucas left after they ate, so it's just us.''
''Good,'' Nathan responded, placing the bag on the counter before leaning over to his girlfriend and kissing her sweetly. ''Good morning.''
Haley giggled, kissing him again. She had missed the feel of his lips pressed onto hers, it was so intoxicating not to be felt every day. ''I think you mean good afternoon. Where were you guys?''
He chuckled. ''Getting food. Lots and lots of food, apparently.''
Rachel pulled out smaller paper bags and boxes which were inside the big ones, reading out what was inside with each one she took. ''Bacon barm, pancakes, waffles, eggs... why did you get eggs?''
''We don't have any here, I thought I'd get some in case anyone wanted an omelette or something.''
Haley reached into the other bag and grinned at the first thing she reached. ''Sausage barm, yey!'' she looked at her boyfriend. ''You get me this?''
Nathan nodded. ''It's like your breakfast, right? We have hot chocolate, don't we?''
''Yep,'' she said, popping on the 'p'. ''I've already made some.''
''Rach, can you make me a drink while I go to the bathroom?'' Damien asked her, smiling sweetly.
''Sure,'' Rachel nodded, unable to say no after he sent her that grin that sent her weak at the knees.
Damien quickly hurried upstairs, not wanting to see the sight of his best friend and friend(?) kissing any longer. Plus, he really needed to pee. And he wanted to change out of yesterday's clothes before the breakfast got cold or before Rachel ate it all. She seemed to be eating more lately, she's stopped being so insecure about her weight. And that makes him happy, because a beautiful girl like her shouldn't feel that way.
Ring. Ring.
Haley picked up her phone from the counter and glanced at the caller ID, causing her eyes to widen. ''It's Principal Turner. I gave him my number and he said he'd call me when he knew what was happened. Oh my God.''
''Answer it!'' Nathan said quickly. ''C'mon, it's probably good news.''
''Hello? Hey, Principal Turner,'' she looked at the two people around her and jumped off the stool before hurrying out of the room, wanting some privacy just in case the news turned out to be bad and she ended up crying in front of them.
Nathan reached into the bag, trying to keep his mind off the news that was being revealed in the next room and grabbed the bacon barm, his usual breakfast. He took a bite as he sat down, realising how hungry he was. Then he took another, until half of it was already eaten.
Rachel smiled at him. ''Thanks for calling us yesterday, and for taking care of her, it means a lot.''
Nathan shrugged nonchalantly. ''Well,'' he said, his mouth still full of food. ''That's what you do for the people you love.'' he took a sip of his hot chocolate, clearly not realising the words that had just came out of his mouth.
Love? she thought. Nathan loves Haley! Rachel squealed inwardly, deciding not to call him on it when Damien walked back in and took a seat next to her at the breakfast bar.
''What's up with you?'' Damien asked with a frown.
''Nothing,'' she lied with a shrug. ''Your face scared me, that's all.''
''Thanks,'' he grumbled sarcastically, taking some food out of the bag and setting it on a plate before wolfing it down hungrily.
Nathan kept glancing at the door, looking to see if Haley had reappeared. He was honestly terrified of what Principal Turner was going to say. It was either going to break her completely, or fix everything. He even kept his fingers crossed under the counter, waiting for her to walk back through the door.
A couple of seconds later, Haley walked slowly into the room, clutching her phone tightly in her hand. Her expression was neutral, not giving away any hints to what the head of the school may have said during their phone call.
He stood up instantly, walking over to her and taking her hand in his. ''What did he say?''
Suddenly, her face broke out into a huge grin. ''I'm back in school on Monday!'' she exclaimed excitedly.
Nathan held her up into his arms, spinning her around giddily in the kitchen. Haley wrapped her legs and arms around him, holding him tight as they both laughed happily. It was a true cheesy moment, but they didn't care, they were that happy.
''Thank you,'' she whispered, her face burying further into the crook of his neck.
He placed her down on the ground, but he didn't let go of her waist. He stared at her intently, ''What for?''
She started to play with the bottom of his t-shirt absentmindedly, avoiding his gaze. ''I couldn't have done this without you.''
''You wouldn't be in this situation in the first place if it wasn't for me.'' he reminded her, his eyes looking down shamefully. He couldn't help but be mad at himself, Brooke had told him about what was going on, but then he found out about the HCM and it had slipped his mind. Haley could have been thrown out of school for good, because of lies. Because of him.
''Don't say that,'' she said softly, putting his face in her hands so he was looking directly at her. ''This isn't your fault, this is their fault.''
''What's going to happen to them?'' he asked, not being able to help the way the last word spat out in anger.
''Two weeks suspension, starting from Monday.'' Haley said, seeing his face fall, she shook her head. ''It's better than nothing.''
His jaw locked, making the next words he said come out in a bark. ''They made you cry. They vandalised your locker. They spread lies about you. And they get two weeks, two fucking weeks.''
''It's better than nothing.'' she repeated. ''And it's not going to go on my record.''
Nathan sighed, running his free hand through his hair. ''It's not good enough, they need to pay.''
''And they will,'' Rachel spoke up from the breakfast bar, her and Damien didn't say anything earlier to give the couple some space. ''Brooke Davis doesn't seem like the type of person not to give revenge.''
''I don't wanna cause any trouble,'' Haley objected weakly.
''Like they caused you?''
Haley nodded, looking at her boy best friend with wide eyes. ''We're not going to do anything. We're going to leave them alone. I don't wanna anymore trouble, because if we mess with them then they're only gonna mess back. I don't wanna get suspended again, I can't go through this again.''
''You won't,'' Nathan promised.
''Good, that's why you're not going to do anything to them.''
She skipped over to the breakfast bar and sat down, she ate her breakfast with a smile as Nathan sat back down and the four of the talked about anything that popped into their minds. Damien and Rachel told them about what was going on in Oak Lake, even though Nathan didn't understand a lot of the people they were talking about, he managed to recognise some of the names that were mentioned. Haley told them about her dance class, and about how she's had to stop letting new people join because she can't handle how many attend now, Nathan has to help her control them most of the time.
''You have a little sister?'' Damien asked with a raised eyebrow. He didn't expect a father as horrible as Dan Scott to have children other than Lucas and Nathan. Considering how controlling Dan is to his sons, the Oak Lake player actually feels relieved for the girl, because she wouldn't have to deal with pressure about basketball.
Just as he was about to speak, Haley beat him to it.
''Her name's Lily, she's the cutest little girl you'll ever meet.''
Ring. Ring.
Nathan glared at his phone before answering it once seeing the name flash on the screen. ''Dad, what do you want? . . . What do you mean, you forgot that you were supposed to pick her up? Some parent you are. . . What time? Okay, bye.'' he snapped his phone shut before slamming it back down on the counter angrily. ''Looks like you'll be meeting her pretty soon.''
''What's the matter?'' Haley asked him, her eyes widening in concern.
''Dan forgot that he was supposed to pick Lily up from school this afternoon. They were on a field trip so they're finishing earlier- in half an hour, actually. He asked me if I could go and pick her up.'' he buried his face in his hands, sighing in frustration.
Haley placed a comforting hand on his arm. ''What's wrong with that? You adore Lily.''
''I know, I do. He just forgets about her, all of the time. This is like... the fifteenth time he's done this. He lets her down constantly, and she's used to it. She shouldn't have to be, he should care about her.''
''She's got you,'' she said softly. ''You take care of her.''
''But he should too,''
''Well, she could come here.'' Rachel spoke up. ''We could all go and play on the beach. I mean, I brought my bikini when I found out we were staying at the beach house. It could be fun.''
''Yeah,'' Damien agreed with a nod, smiling at the thought of seeing her in a bikini. Quit it man, she's your best friend. He thought to himself sternly. Your really beautiful best friend, but that's not the point.
''And Hales, I brought you a bikini, too. So you can't use the excuse that you don't have one.'' Rachel said lightly. ''C'mon, look how sunny it is today, for once.'' she pointed out the window to prove her point.
Haley rolled her eyes with a sigh. She didn't want to show her scar, the thought of it made an uneasy feeling appear in her stomach. She didn't want Nathan to see it, again. In her opinion, it was her worst feature, she doesn't like people seeing it. Despite how quiet this part of the beach is. ''I don't know, it's not up to me.'' she said lamely.
Nathan actually smiled. ''Sure,''
''Do I have time to have a quick shower so I can come with you to pick Lily up?'' Haley asked him, already preparing to hurry to the bathroom. She knew Rachel would have packed twice as much clothes, just so she could give her some fashion advice, so Haley knew that she didn't have to go home to change. Her mom's at work, and Haley's already called her so Lydia knows she's safe.
''Yeah, hurry though. I need to shower, too.''
She quickly kissed his cheek then hurried out of the room and up the stairs.
''Good, you stink, man.'' Damien said. But this time it was different, because he had a teasing smile on his face when he insulted his best friend's boyfriend.
Maybe they were becoming friends after all.
Lily stood in the playground, clutching onto her school bag tightly, looking at the gates to see if anyone had arrived to pick her up. Daddy let her down again, not that it was surprising even though this time he promised to pick her up. He hardly ever picks her up from school, but this time she thought it could be different. She was wrong.
Most of the children were still here because their parents were talking to other parents, like they usually did. Gaby had already left, her nanny had picked her up as soon as the bus arrived back from the field trip from the aquarium. The other girls were running around with their friends while Lily stood all alone, hoping someone would appear to take her home.
A girl from the year above came walking over with some of her friends. Lily spotted them and shut her eyes, please don't say anything.
''Aww,'' one of the girls said. ''Is your family not showing up? Maybe they've left you because you're so slow.''
''Yeah, they probably won't show up.'' another one of them said. ''No one likes dumb people. My mom said so.''
Gaby wasn't here, Gaby couldn't use her Brooke Davis style feistiness to defend her, Gaby couldn't save her.
When Lily opened her eyes, she was greeted by the face of her brother, crouched in front of her as he looked at her in worry. Apparently, the girls had run away once they saw Nathan appear, with his girlfriend by his side.
''Why are your eyes shut? Are you playing hide and seek?'' Nathan questioned in amusement.
Lily shook her head. ''Where's Daddy?'' she asked quietly, not her usual bubbly self. She doesn't understand many things in class, so people call her the slow girl. And it hurts, because what if they're right? What if her family leave her because she's so stupid?
''He couldn't make it, Lil. Sorry.''
Haley glanced at the girls who had hurried away once spotting her and Nathan walk through the school gates. They were now stood in a huddle, pointing and laughing at Lily. Nathan may not have understood bullying in preschool, but Haley did. She knew what it was like, even if the kids were only six or seven, maybe eight. She was picked on for being short, and now for some reason Lily was being picked on, too.
She ran her hand through her curly, slightly damp hair. ''Sorry we're late, sweetie.'' she apologised, kneeling down in front of the little girl like her boyfriend was. ''But how would you like to spend the day on the beach? I have some friends in town, they're really nice. We can spend the whole day at the beach house, what do you say?''
''That sounds fun,'' Lily admitted, smiling slightly. ''Why were you late?''
''We were getting ready, sorry, Natey just sang in the shower for too long.''
Lily giggled, despite herself. ''Natey can't sing, you're better than him, Haley.''
Nathan picked Lily up into his arms, balancing her on his hip. She was incredibly light for a six year old, and easy to carry around. ''Hey, cheeky. I'm the world's best singer.''
''Worst singer, you mean.'' Haley corrected teasingly, effectively making Lily laugh.
Nathan mock-gasped. ''I'll be saying I told you so when I win American Idol.'' he declared. He didn't know why Lily looked so sad, he guessed that it was because Dan wasn't here. Nathan just wanted to cheer her up and make her feel better, he hoped she wouldn't carry on feeling sad. Because when she is, he is too.
Haley followed them out of the gate, not before glancing at the giggling girls one last time, knowing she would have to do something to sort this.
AN: Aw, poor Lily. What do you think about Nathan and Damien's possible friendship? And how about Rachel and Damien, any thoughts? The next chapter will be their day on the beach, with quite a bit of Lily, too, because I know you guys love her. SONG: EVERYTHING by LIFEHOUSE.
lily - Haley has a lot of best friends, so when something happens to her, they're going to be involved somehow. And yes, they do have their own storylines, I just don't feature them much because it's Nathan and Haley's story. Thanks for reviewing:)
mazzy - Haha, not a big Carrie and Alex fan then, huh? Damien's a sweetie, I love writing his and Haley's friendship, they're more like siblings and he's the protective older brother. I'm really glad you're loving the Naley and Brulian, they're my favourite pairings. Thanks for your review!
lizettegulle - Hey, I know you have an account, but I was proof reading this when I got your review, so I didn't see the point in sending a preview when you were going to read it soon anyway. Thank you so much for your review. I'm really glad you're enjoyig this story.
Check out my oneshot, Uncontollabe Bodily Responses... you know, if you want. It's Naley, and inspired by Dan&Blair from GG (aren't they awesome? I totally ranted about it on my profile) And please review, you'll get a preview in return... x
