HAPPY CHRISTMAS EVE ALL.I wasn't planning on updating to probably after Christmas, but at the request of my friend Carol you guys get an semi present in the form of a chapter,hehe.I hope everyone has a very Merry Christmas.

Chapter 36

Passionate Anger

Brooke bounced cheerfully down the hall in search of Nathan who she had agreed to meet before they joined everyone for lunch. Life was pretty much perfect for her at the moment as she felt on top of the world. She had the perfect friends, the perfect boyfriend and nothing could possibly spoil the joy flowing through her petite body.

"To bad everyone can't be as happy as that," Lucas harshly breathed walking in the direction of Brooke. She had not spoken directly to him since that night in his suite when she sent him away.

"Lucas!" she jumped holding her hand over her heart. "You scared me."

"Yeah, well you scare me too. Guess that's life," he said.

"Is it always going to be this way between us now?" she asked sensing his anger.

"I don't know Brooke. You tell me!" he said.

"You know Luke, you can be a real jerk sometimes," Brooke said losing her patience. "I think you may have been onto something when you suggested we shouldn't be friends anymore. This act of yours is getting real old."

"Whatever," he said. "And your act with my brother is getting old too. When will you see that it isn't working between you two? That your relationship is a safe convenience for the both of you!" he yelled only to be smacked hard across the face by Brooke. Both stunned by what had just taken place, Brooke covered her mouth in regret for doing such a thing. Luke held on to his cheek where Brooke had hit him staring at her with so much emotional baggage flowing off of him. They continued their staring contest because neither one of them wanted to be the first to speak. How this girl could stir so many emotions up in him had Luke going crazy, like he was now. One moment he wanted to physically shake some sense into her, and the next he just wanted to wrap himself up in her showering her with all of his love and affection.

"Luke..." Brooke squeaked out reaching her hand to his bruised face. His eyes closed drinking in every moment she touched him, knowing that it would possibly be the last. No one ever had this affect on him in his life and this girl was breaking down every well placed barrier he placed around himself. Luke grabbed her hand covering it with his own while stroking it soothingly letting her know it was ok. Honestly, he probably had deserved way more than a slap from her. She wasn't beating on him no worse then he had done to himself over the tremendous guilt he felt. What did it matter?

"I'll see you at lunch," he said dropping her hand. She watched as he turned leaving her to watch his lanky figure disappear own the halls. Brooke continued on to meet Nathan more confused and scared than she ever had been. Had Luke been right in telling her that her relationship with Nathan was safe? Was she holding onto something because she was afraid of letting go and facing the unknown.

-

Her morning had been an emotional drain. Between dealing with Peyton and then her reunion with Riley, Haley was tired and ready to flea the second half of the school day. She knew coming here today would not do her any good. Running a hand through her long blonde locks, Haley's body was suddenly pulled into an empty classroom by a mysterious hand.

"What the…Nathan. What are you doing?" she asked.

"What am I doing? What the hell are you doing?" he asked anger seething off of him in droves as he gripped her arm tightly.

"First off, let me go," she said yanking her arm from his death grip. "Second, what do you mean what am I doing?"

"Haley, stop giving me the fucking run around. I'm talking about Smith. What the fuck were you doing with him this morning after what he has done to you? Letting him kiss you like nothing has happened or did you forget, because I sure as hell didn't."

"It's none of your damn business," she defiantly said trying to go around him to exit the door. Nathan stood his ground not allowing her to leave as he dared her to try and push past him.

"The hell if it isn't. What's the matter with you? Huh? Do you have some weird twisted need for mistreatment that I have never noticed, or is Smith just that good?"

"Don't Nathan. It doesn't matter!" she screamed. "Please just leave me alone."

"How can you ask me that? How can you expect me to just sit back and let that asshole hurt you again?!" he yelled in her face.

"As opposed to you," she said, immediately regretting letting him in on that little fact.

Nathan looked hurt as he stared into her eyes. She had just admitted he had hurt her and he could tell by the look of disgust marring her features that she hadn't wanted him to know that.

"I never meant to hurt you," he said sincerely. "It was just a difficult position we put ourselves in and I didn't know how to handle it .You are the last person in the world that I would want to hurt Hales."

"Well that doesn't matter much now Nathan, it hurts all the same. I needed you that morning to tell me everything was going to be alright, but instead all I got was you walking out on me. You know, never in a million years would I had thought that things would be this way for us, that you would hurt me as bad as you did that day," she whispered trying to control her emotions. "If someone would have told me that Nathan Scott would break my heart ...I would have called them the biggest liar on the face of the earth. I mean there would be no way, right? Joke's on me though," she hunched. "I really wish that I could take back that night we had, just smack some sense into myself, ask what the hell I was thinking. You know hindsight. You shouldn't feel bad Nathan," she continued. "Like I told you that day, it was my fault. "

Haley was sure tears would have been steadily streaming down her face at the moment, but instead she stood strong letting her mouth relay partially what she was feeling to Nathan. He stood listening to her words unsure of what to say. He knew how she felt about him and it broke his heart to see her look so broken. How could he completely comfort her when he didn't know what was in his heart? Could he even give her hope when he wasn't sure himself.

"It was my fault," he blurted feeling sick to his stomach that she blamed herself. "I did this Haley. Do not blame yourself. I was the jackass who took advantage of you that night."

"Can you just let me be responsible for my part in this?!" she screamed.

"You can't even do that. I would at least think I have the right to earn some redemption for my sins, but no you want to take that from me as well!" she angrily screamed."I have nothing left to give you, you have it all!" she said the words meaning more then she actually realized. He really did have all of her.

"You know you really are a brat!" he yelled. "Fine, you want the blame. Take it, it's all yours. You can have it along with your precious Riley, see if I care!"

"Good! He is the best thing that has ever happened to me!" she yelled trying to further piss him off.

"Great!" he said. "I hope you two are very happy together."

"Tell Brooke hi for me," she threw back at his obvious sarcasm.

"Is that supposed to be some kind of joke?!" he asked.

"It can be whatever the hell you want it to be, moron!" she yelled."I HATE YOU!"

"I HATE YOU MORE!" he yelled back out of frustration.

"Great, that's just perfect. Now it makes it easier for you to stay the hell away from me!" she said going to leave.

"You know you…you," he stuttered pulling her body back towards him.

"I what?!" she screamed getting in his face wanting to get it all out in the open.

"You…Ugh," he said before grabbing her face roughly and crashing his lips onto hers in a passion filled kiss that neither wanted to end. Haley moaned appreciatively at the feeling of his tongue sensually massaging against hers as the kiss lit them both to the core. Air quickly becoming an issue for them due to the rough frantic nature of the kiss, Haley reluctantly pulled away only to see Nathan quickly exit the classroom once again leaving her alone. She couldn't take this constant confusion in her life any longer. Nathan couldn't keep sending her mixed signals about what he wanted. He told her that he loved Brooke, but when he kissed her like he did seconds ago she felt as if maybe he had some feelings for her. She didn't know, but she did know she couldn't take having Nathan walking out on her every time she turned around. Something had to give, and it had to be soon.

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