Thank you guys for all of the nice reviews. I'm so sorry if that last chapter made you all a bit sad.

Thanks Ashley for always being awesome.

Chapter 35

Compiling Mistake On Top Of Mistake

Haley and Peyton had arrived home about ten minutes ago. Immediately Haley told her she was going to unpack her overnight bag from the weekend they spent in Charlotte. Arriving back in Tree Hill early that Monday morning had given them the option of attending school for the day or not. Haley was fairly grateful considering she wanted to avoid everyone in her life for as long as she could. After Nathan had left her that morning and talking with Peyton for a while, she had got dressed in her temporary Ravens uniform adorned with a painted R on her left cheek symbolizing Ravens. She had managed to successfully avoid any contact with both Riley and Nathan as they played in the championship round of the tournament. She had caught both their eyes numerous times during the game as they ran up and down the court. One looked at her with deep regret and the other stared at her pleading for some type of reaction instead of this zombie like girl standing on the sidelines looking deeply saddened and in pain. Haley wasn't really interested in appeasing anyone in that moment so she continued on with her nonchalant attitude not offering a tiny smile of reassurance to either of them. It was not her job to make them feel better about the things that had transpired between them, so why were they expecting this from her was something she didn't want or care to know.

The Ravens had won the game as expected. After watching Brooke excitedly jump into a beaming Nathan's arms showering him with congratulatory kisses, Haley felt sick to her stomach and fled the gym. She proceeded to hide out for the rest of the day avoiding any celebrations and more importantly avoiding him. Nathan had become her wall of denial in the last couple of hours. She just couldn't face him right now, not without feeling extremely embarrassed or saddened. It was best if she kept her distance from him for a while.

"Knock, knock," Peyton said opening her door wide to come into her room. "You ready for school?"

"I'm not going," Haley mumbled.

"Aww come on Hales. You know how hyped everyone will be because of the tournament win. It will be the best day ever."

"Exactly why I don't want to go," Haley said. "I am not exactly in a cheerful celebratory mood. I just want to be left alone," she said continuing to unpack her bag.

"Haley, you have to go. Besides I'm sure Riley wouldn't mind cheering you up," she said nudging her sister in the side. Haley had not yet told any of her friends what had happened between Riley and Theresa while they were in Charlotte. She was pretty sure once she did Riley would be a dead man walking. Even though he had hurt her a little, it was not something that had some big impact on her that her friends needed to seek revenge for.

"Peyton! I am not going," she said loudly hoping she would finally take the hint and leave her be.

Peyton stood taken aback by her sister's obvious frustration, never recalling this type of behavior displayed by her. Now that she thought about it, Haley had seemed off center the last day in Charlotte, not seeming remotely close to the upbeat sister she knew and loved.

"Something going on with you?" Peyton cautiously asked. "Because you seem not like yourself sis. You know that you can talk to me about anything right."

"I'm fine and thanks," Haley said. "You know what…let's go," Haley said suddenly changing her mind about school. "This may be exactly what I need." Grabbing her purse Haley walked out of the room leaving a confused looking Peyton with more questions than answers. Yeah something was definitely going on with Haley she thought. She guessed it had to wait until later, because right now they were due at school.

-

The short drive to school was uneventful as words were not spoken between the sisters. When they arrived Haley mumbled a quick goodbye before entering the school to go to her locker where she was now standing. So far she hadn't seen anyone she wanted to avoid. As far as she was concerned the day was a having successful start. If she could mange this for the day everything would be fine, she hoped.

"Can I talk to you?" Spoke too soon she thought. Turning around she faced a nervous looking Riley.

"No offense Riley, but there really is nothing more to say. I won't be sending my friends after you. No need to worry, you're safe."

"I don't care about that Haley. I care about us," he said as Haley let out a disbelieving laugh. Was this guy serious?

"Oh so now you care about us. What about when your tongue was shoved down Theresa's throat?" she asked. "Did you care about us then?"

"It was a stupid ass mistake Haley. I don't want to be with Theresa. I want to be with you."

"Well my mistake was thinking you were a good guy. It's too bad that you want me, because you can't have me," she said sternly.

"Are you really going to write me off because of one stupid lapse in judgment on my part? Haley, I am 18 and I'm sure this will not be the first or last mistake I make. Can you really ask that of someone? All I want from you is another chance to prove to you that I care."

Haley looked into his eyes seeing the sincerity shining through. Was she being unfair in not giving him a second chance to redeem himself in her eyes? Everyone deserved another chance and she knew that better than anyone at this current moment.

"Please baby," Riley begged bringing his hand up to cup her cheek as Haley continued to stare. "Give us another chance."

"I...ok," she gave in. Riley immediately covered her lips with his own, he was ecstatic that she was willing to give him the opportunity to make it up to her. Haley slightly stumbled back a bit surprised by his enthusiasm before she gave in to the kiss fully. Unbeknownst to Haley a certain blue eyed boy had just entered the hall hand and hand with his girlfriend to see the reunion kiss in plain view with his own eyes.

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