Chapter 36:

After ending her phone call with Jake Haley made her way back to the party to find her friends. Once she entered the living room she found Shelly, Bevin, Mia, and Marcus all together and she made her way over to them.

"Hey." She said joining the group.

"Where have you been?" Shelly asked

"I went to call Jake." Haley answered "Don't be mad at him this was a really hard secret for him to keep. He asked if you could all keep what you found out a secret.." Haley stared they all looked up at her with a mixture of shock and somewhat anger she decided she should continue. "Just until Saturday when he comes with Jenny. He is ready to tell everyone, but he wants to be the one to do it."
"That's understandable." Marcus said

"I want to meet Jenny." Shelly whined

"You can." Marcus said as Shelly's eyes lit up "You can come stay at my house and meet her. Bevin you are more than welcome too as well…Mia if you want you can too." Marcus said not wanting to leave her out.

"Are you sure that's okay I don't even know him?" Mia asked, she wanted to come but she didn't want to intrude.

"It's fine our friend Brooke's parents are going away so she was having people over anyway." Marcus answered.

"Okay that sounds like fun." Mia answered

"I'm in too." Bevin said.

"Yay!" Shelly cheered.

"Wait! Haley please tell me you are going to warn Lindsey so she isn't bombarded." Bevin said hopefully, her and Lindsey had gotten close over the years and she felt bad.

"Yes I am telling her when I get back." Haley answered

"good."

"I am so excited to meet Jenny." Shelly said excitedly, she loved babies.

"I know I miss my godchild." Haley said whining slightly.

"Question..if you are the godmother who is the god father?" Marcus asked.

"It's Felix." Haley answered, as they all nodded. "Okay well I am gunna go find Nathan." Haley said walking away looking around.

"Haley!" Haley turned to see Steph making her way toward her with another girl Haley didn't know.

"Hey" Haley responded

"I've been looking for you. I saw what happened with you and Nikki."

"Yeah..i'm sorry about that." Haley said feeling bad about the scene made.

"Oh no! I hate that bitch!" Steph exclaimed, Haley just laughed she really did remind her of Brooke. "I'm glad you put her in her place." Steph said "Oh by the way this is my friend Abby..Abby this is Nate's girlfriend Haley."

"Hey it's nice to meet you." Haley said sweetly.

"Hi..How come this is the first time I've met you?" Abby asked

"Oh I live like an hour away. I know Nathan from the summer place we go to." Haley answered.

"Oh my god your that Haley!" Abby exclaimed

"What?" Haley asked confused

"I didn't realize you were her. Well you know Nate he's not always exactly open with his feelings but he mentioned you last year. I could tell then he was in love with you." Abby said vaguely, Steph then decided to step in.

"Well last year when Nathan came back he seemed depressed and no one could really figure out why he was never really open with his feelings. We ended up playing truth or dare and we got it out of him. He told us about your fight about Damien." Steph answered, Haley just nodded "No one could figure out why he was upset about a random fight, he was like insanely jealous. Then when he told us it became extremely obvious that he was in love with you even if he hadn't admitted it yet." Haley just blushed, remembering the right. She felt guilty knowing Nathan was upset even if they weren't together then.

"Anyways..Have you met Claire yet?" Steph asked

"Yeah, when she had her tongue down Nathan's throat." Haley muttered without thinking, as their eyes seemed to bulge out of their head.

"What?" Abby asked shocked

"Oh god! Just forget I said anything. I just came here one day and saw them kissing but it was her fault we worked things out." Haley rambled quickly not wanting to get into it. She and Nathan were over it and she forgave him.

"Nate didn't tell us any of this…"Steph said

"Yeah, he felt horrible which is why you can't mention it. Please!" Haley begged

"Okay but that's just because I like you..ALOT better than Claire!" Steph said

"Thanks!" Haley said with a smile "I like you guys too. Plus some good came out of it he told me he loved me."

"Aww so cute! Anyway we totally need to go shopping some time!" Steph exclaimed.

"Oh god not her shopping trips." Abby groaned, Haley just laughed.

"You know Steph you should meet my friend Brooke you guys would get along so well. You remind me of her." Haley said as Steph just smile.

"Where is Nathan anyway?' Haley asked finally.

"Outside playing ball with the guys." Steph answered

"I'm gunna go find him."

"We'll come." Abby said as the three girls made their way to the backyard.

"How about a few shots?" Steph said raising her eyebrow at the bottle of vodka on the kitchen counter that they were passing.

"I'm thinking you are brilliant." Haley said laughing. After what was supposed to be a quick stop for a drink about a half hour later the girls finally made it to the backyard laughing hysterically as they came stumbling out.

"Oh god Steph what did you do to my girlfriend?" Nathan joked

"Pshhh nothing!" Steph giggled "By the way she's my favorite of all your girlfriends." Steph said making her way over to the other guys followed by Abby.

"Making friends?" Nathan asked

"Yeah Steph and Abby are great. Steph reminds me of-" Haley started but was cut off

"Brooke! I know!" Nathan laughed as Haley nodded.

"You know the first thing she asked me to do was go shopping." Haley said laughing.

"Those girls should go shopping together." Nathan said laughing.

"Haley!" Steph said coming up next to Haley hooking arms with her. "I say we go drink some more!" Steph said motioning for her to go follow her.

"I guess that's my cue to go." Haley laughed

"But I haven't spent any time with you…" Nathan whined. Haley just crashing her lips into his in a heated kiss.

"You can have me all to yourself later. And I promise I will make it worth your while." Haley said seductively before running to catch up with Steph.

"I'll remember that!" Nathan called behind her.

The party had started to clear out for the most part except for a few the guys Nathan was playing basketball with, and Steph.

"Okay now that everyone is gone it's time for girl talk. I want to get to know you." Steph said pulling Haley onto the couch.

"Okay..ask me anything." Haley said

"I don't know" Steph said laughing "Okay I don't want to cross a line here but what happened the other day that made Nathan all freaked and have to go see you?" Steph said hesitantly, the question had been bugging her since the other day but she didn't want to pressure Haley to tell her.

"I told him he didn't have to come…" Haley said softly

"Haley, he loves you of course he will come. I'm guessing it wasn't nothing….I saw how worried he was." Steph said. "I've never really seen him so concerned.."

"Yeah..How long have you known him?" Haley asked

"We've been best friends since we were kids." She answered, Haley just nodded. " He's like a brother to me. You know people think it's weird that a guy and a girl can be friends for so long without having any romantic connection."

"Yeah I do." Haley said laughing.

"You don't right?" Steph asked

"Not at all. One of my best friends is a guy, Jake. We have been close for years. He is like a brother to me too." Haley answered

"Jake as in father of Nikki's child Jake?"

"Yup that would be him, hence the fact that I am not her godmother." Haley laughed.

"That's really sweet." Steph said as Haley nodded. "So what happened the other day? You don't have to tell me if you don't want." Haley was unsure after all they had only just met but she liked Steph and Nathan trusted her. It would be nice to have an outside opinion.

"Sorry, you don't have to tell me." Steph said noticing the hesitation. Haley just looked up and smiled.

"Do you want the long version or the short?" Haley asked, Steph simply smiled.

"I have time."

"Okay so there is this girl named Heidi, I was best friends with her since I was eight years old. We did everything together. I practically lived at her house. Her family was a second family to me." Haley said smiling at the memory. "Then at 16 she got a really serious boyfriend named Zack. I thought he was really nice. I started dating his best friend, Damien. I soon found out Zack was cheating on Heidi and I of course told her. He convinced her otherwise and they stayed together. He started doing more and more shady things. I ended up breaking things off with Damien because he wasn't the guy I thought he was, he treated me horribly. She started having to lie to Zack when she hung out with me or he would get mad. She even had to lie when she hung out with her sister. She was always with him. She barely made time for me or anyone. Shortly after I heard Zack was cheating on Heidi again so once again I told her, after all she was my best friend. She told me I was a liar and I told her exactly what I thought of Zack. She even accused me of being jealous of them! Then after she told Zack I got in a huge fight with him. He decided to throw back at me that Damien had cheated on me their entire time we were together, which I didn't know and Heidi knew and hid it from me. After that Zack made Heidi chose before me or him. She chose him."

"What a bitch? How could she choose a guy over her best friend?" Steph said shocked

"My thoughts exactly. Anyway I stopped talking to her I didn't talk to her for months. I got my life back together by hanging out with the friends I have now. I was happy finally. Then she called apologizing saying they broke up and she wanted to be friends again. I told her it wasn't going to happen and it didn't."

"Good! She doesn't deserve another chance!" Steph said

"Yeah, that was until this summer. " Haley said looking down trying to hold back tears. " I had just started going out with Nathan actually. I got a phone call and it was her, everyone told me to ignore it but something inside told me not to so I answered. Her brother had died of a terminal disease. " Haley heard Steph gasp. Haley hated talking about Matt's death it brought all the memories rushing back, so she took a deep breath before continuing. "I knew it would happen eventually I knew since I was eleven but it hit me really hard I considered him as a brother. I knew right then and there I needed to be there for Heidi. She had apologized again saying how wrong she was and everything. I decided life was too short and forgave her. "

"I am really sorry about her brother." Steph said softly.

"Thanks." Haley said

"Is that why you were upset?" Steph asked thinking she was done.

"No…I mean I was but that's not why." Haley said taking a deep breath before starting again. "We were good again I had forgiven her completely even though I told myself not to. On my birthday we went to my friend Brooke's beach house with all of my close friends. I asked her to come and she did along with her sister, Allyson, who I'm also friends with. We all work together actually. At my birthday she got a call from Zack and got back together with him. Allyson and I weren't happy about it and to make it worse she was leaving my birthday and she was having Zack pick her up. She came outside to try to talk to us and Zack showed up. Zack and I started yelling at each other so my cousin went to get Nathan and my brother. Zack ended up shoving me to the ground and Nathan and Lucas hit him a few times. I told Heidi I never wanted to see her again and they left."

"He shoved you?!?! What a bastard!" Steph exclaimed

"Yup I tried to stay clear of Heidi and I did until work. We work together, our mom's own the café together. She kept trying to talk to me and got in a fight which my mother broke up then Zack showed up and we got into it. He twisted my wrist pretty hard." Haley said showing her bandaged wrist.

"That's from him?" Steph said as Haley nodded.

"My mom and Heidi's mom had to break it up. I yelled at Heidi then my cousin yelled at Heidi and Zack. I have never heard her yell like that." Haley said shaking her head. "Later that night when I was out with my friend Brooke and her boyfriend Chase and I got a phone call from my mom. Heidi was in a coma in the hospital." Steph gasped again. "Zack beat the shit out of her and left her."

"Oh my god! What did you do?" Steph exclaimed

"At first I couldn't bring myself to go to the hospital after our fight. I went to Chase and Brooke to hang out with some of his friends. Turns out he knew Zack through people and they were friends."

"NO WAY!" Steph exclaimed.

"Oh yeah, he didn't really piece it together who Zack was though. Anyway Brooke stopped me from getting out of the car and she punched Zack."

"I like this Brooke girl first her love for shopping now this." Steph said

"Yeah then I got out and hit him. He wasn't happy he slapped me." Haley said pointing to her cheek as Steph gasped again. "Then tried to strangle me." Haley said laughing nervously pointing to the bruises left on her neck."

"Oh my god! That is horrible no wonder why Nathan was so freaked. I'm sorry."

"Please..it's not your fault." Haley said

"So how is Heidi?" Steph asked.

"She woke up and tried to apologize. But I told her I needed to time to think..hence why I am here?" Haley said laughing nervously.

"Aw Haley.."

"You know when she was unconscious all I wanted was for her to wake up." Haley said putting her head in her hands. "But now I just don't know if I can forgive her."

"I know but that's completely up to do. Do what feels right." Steph said rubbing her back.

"That's what everyone keeps telling me. I just..I know how to be best friends with her and I know how to hate her but I don't know how to do anything in between and I don't think I can best friends again. I have best friends that would never do that to me…"

"Yeah, well maybe it's time to figure out the in between?" Steph suggested.

"I think your right. Thank you for listening." Haley said with a small smile.

"Anytime. Thanks for trusting me. I never expected the story to be so …INTENSE but hey what are friends for." Steph said with a smile bumping her softly.

"Friends." Haley agreed, as Nathan came walking up.

"How are things?" He asked curiously as he saw Haley looking a little depressed before he walked over.

"It's a start of a beautiful friendship." Steph said as everyone else laughed.

"Okay..I'm glad..Well I think I am going to head to bed soon. Steph you can sleep in my mom and dad's room." Nathan said

"Thanks Nate." Steph said "Haley how long are you staying?"

"Just until tomorrow. Nate are you coming?" Haley asked

"Uh yeah I have to take you home? Remember."

"Yeah sorry, I mean are you gunna stay until my cousins wedding?" Haley asked "Then until Sunday so you can meet Jenny Saturday?" Haley said making a pouty face.

"You know I can't say no to that face!" Nathan said jokingly as Haley smiled proudly. "Yes, I will stay!" Nathan said finally.

"Good I think Brooke's having a party Saturday not sure.." Haley said.

"You guys are leaving already.." Steph whined. Haley then got an idea.

"You know..I know we just met and all but do you want to come? I'm gunna have work so you can hang out with Nate. You can meet some of my friends I'm sure you guys will get along…Plus you never see Nathan" Haley said with a smile.

"Really? Yeah sure that would be fun! Are you sure you don't mind?" Steph asked shocked by Haley's generosity. They had only just met and she was going through so much but she was willing to let her tag along for..days.

"Not at all! I think it would be fun like you said it's the start of a beautiful friendship."

"Okay thank you! I would love too. I think I am gunna head to bed I'll see you guys in the morning." Steph said waving making her way into the room since everyone else had already gone to bed.

"That was really nice of you." Nathan said wrapping his arms around her.

"What can I say I like your friends." Haley shrugged with a smile.

"I like yours too." Nathan agreed. "Now about that promise you made me earlier." Nathan said smiling evilly as Haley giggled wiggling out of his grasp.

"I don't know what you are talking about?" Haley said backing up still giggling making her way to Nathan's room.

"I think you do." Nathan said getting closer as Haley laughed sprinting into his room as Nathan caught her shutting his bedroom door. Their laughter was heard throughout the house. They stayed in his room the rest of the night.

The next morning Haley woke up before Nathan. She could hear voices coming from the living room. She slowly detangled herself from Nathan and put her clothes on before making her way into the living room. Once in the living room she saw Marcus and Shelly cleaning.

"Hey. What's up?" Haley said as she entered

"Hey. Good you're awake now I can go wake up Nathan!" Shelly said getting ready to go down the hall to his room.

"Wait why?" Haley asked

"I need him to help me clean before my parents get home." Shelly answered

"No. Don't. I will help you clean, let him sleep." Haley said

"Um, okay." Shelly answered as they all went back to cleaning.

"I'll help too." Steph said coming into the room.

"Thanks." Shelly answered going back to cleaning.

"Shelly guess what?" Haley said

"what?" Shelly asked confused

"Steph's coming back to my house with us." Haley answered

"Really? This is going to be so much fun!" Shelly said excited about it again. She loved Hanging out in Tree Hill almost better than her own town.

"I'm excited." Steph added.

They had just about finished cleaning when Karen and Keith came through the front door. They first saw Haley.

"Haley! You're here!" Karen said going to hug her. "How is Heidi? How are things with you two?" Karen asked, she must have heard what happened. As Haley pulled back she gave Karen a sad smile.

"She's ok, she woke up but I'm just not so sure if I'm ready for us to be okay." Haley said softly.

"Well I am sure you will make the right decision." Karen said giving her hand a tight squeeze before giving Steph a hug.

"Steph. I haven't seen you around for a while? We missed you! How are you?" Karen asked

"I've been good. I missed you too! Actually Haley was nice enough to invite me back to her house with them." Steph answered

"That's very nice of you." Karen said with a smile.

"It will be fun." Haley answered with a smile.

"Are you kids still going to your cousins wedding?" Keith asked finally speaking.

"Yeah, oh that reminds me. Steph, Nathan and I have to go to my cousins wedding Friday night. I talked to Brooke this morning and she said you can hang out at her house with a bunch of people. Don't worry Shelly and Bevin will be there too..oh and Marcus…So you will know people." Haley said

"Okay." Steph answered.

"Don't worry Steph we are going to have so much fun!" Shelly answered excitedly. Steph just nodded and smile she was happy they were including her.

"Where is my favorite niece?" Keith finally asked.

"Still sleeping." Marcus said laughing.

"I assume my son is too." Keith said

"Nope not anymore." A voice said from the hallway as Nathan made his way into the living room. Relieved to see it was clean from last night since his parents were home. He then made his way over to Haley and gave her a quick peck on the lips.

"Morning." She said with a smile.

"Did you kids behave last night?" Karen asked

"Oh course mom we always do" Shelly answering with a smile.

"I'll bet." Her mother said sounding unconvinced. "Come on Keith let's go make lunch."

"Why did you guys wake me to help?" Nathan asked once his parents were out of earshot.

"Your girlfriend wanted you to sleep." Shelly said pointing to Haley. "I'm going to go shower."

"I'm going back to bed." Marcus said following after her.

"Thank you." Nathan said giving Haley another peck.

"I figured you were tired after last night." Haley whispered with a giggle.

"Okay, ew." Steph said shaking her head laughing.

"I think I'm going to go take a shower too." Nathan said finally.

"Could one of you give me a ride home, I came here with Abby. I need to go get my stuff so I can come with you guys." Steph asked.

"Nate, if you let me drive your car I can do it while you shower?" Haley offered

"I guess, but be careful with it!" Nathan said.

"Okay lets go." Haley said jumping up as they both made their way to the car. Haley and Steph both got to the car when Haley realized something. "Oh shot-"

"Forgetting something?" Nathan said from the doorway dangling the keys.

"Maybe.." Haley answered smiling cheekily.

"oh crap I'll be right back I need my cell phone." Steph said running back inside as Nathan walked closer to Haley.

"You know in order for a car to start you need the keys.." Nathan joking walking closer to her.

"Real funny!" Haley said snatching the keys from him.

"Hey! Is that any way to thank me for bringing you the keys?" Nathan asked as Haley nodded before laughing.

"Actually I have a better way." Haley said seductively grabbing his neck crashing their lips together. Nathan wrapped his arms around her waist bringing her as close as possible. He ran his tongue along her bottom lip begging for entrance which Haley immediately granted, as his tongue slide in her mouth she moaned softly before breaking the kiss.

"We will finish this later." Nathan said backing away from her with a huge smile. "I'm going to go check on her. I'll see you when you get back." Nathan said turning to walk into the house but stopped first. "I love you!" He said making Haley's heart flutter.

"I love you too!" She called back. She couldn't stop smiling, everyday she fell more and more in love with him. She then turned to open the door. She then opened the back door leaning over the seat to reach for her purse that she had left in the car.

"Nice tramp stamp." A voice said from behind her. She turned to find a dark haired man walking close to her.

"Excuse me?" She said shocked

"You heard me. Nice tramp stamp. Nathan's jersey number real classy... who knew my son was into sluts." The man said coldly.

"What are you-" Haley then stopped in her tracked, realization hitting her. "Dan."

"Oh so you've heard of me. Good. Now let's get to business I want you to stay away from my son. I think he needs to get to know me and your standing in the way."

"I don't know what your talking about. This is Nathan's decision not mine." Haley answered.

"I think-" Dan started but was cut off.

"Dan! I think you need to take a few steps back from Haley and get off my property." A voice boomed from in behind Dan. Haley peered around to see Keith.

"I was just getting to know my sons little slut." Dan said coldly.

"And I told you to leave." Keith said as Steph came into the door and froze.

"Nathan." She called softly, she knew about Dan. She knew Nathan would want to know what was going on.

"He's my son Keith I deserve to know him you can't stop me." Dan said

"No but I can!" A voice came from behind Steph as Nathan stepped out. "First you need to back the hell away from my GIRLFRIEND! And second listen to my FATHER and get off of my property." Nathan said walking over to Haley and wrapping an arm around her waist.

"I'm your father. Soon you will have to realize that. But for now I will leave." Dan said walking away.

"Are you okay?" Nathan asked immediately turning to Haley. "What did he say to you?"

"Nothing." Haley said softly.

"Hales. Tell me. Please." Nathan said almost begging turning Haley's face to look at him.

"It was really nothing." Haley said but saw the look on Nathan's face and continued. "He saw my tattoo." She whispered "He called me a slut and told me to stay away from you I was standing in your way of getting to know him."

"That's not true. Don't listen to him you told me it was my decision. " Nathan said wrapping his arms around her. "And you are not a slut don't ever think that!" Nathan said in a whisper so no one else would hear.

"Thanks." Haley said feeling a little better. "I love you."

"I love you too." Nathan said giving her a peck on the lips.

"Haley are you okay?" Keith asked from where he was standing.

"Yes, thank you for your help." Haley said. "Steph are you ready to go?"

"Yeah." Steph said making her way towards the car patting Nathan on the shoulder on the way by. "You okay?"

"Yeah, as long as Haley is. Keep an eye on her, will you?" Nathan said quietly so she wouldn't hear.

"You bet. I'll see you soon." Steph said making her way to the car.