Chapter 37
Haley and Steph drove quietly for a while not saying anything until Steph broke the silence.
"Are you okay?" Steph asked
"Yeah.." Haley said quietly
"Whatever he said to you don't let it bother you Dan is an ass." Steph said gently
"Yeah.."
"What did he say?" Steph asked, she hadn't heard the conversation until the end.
"Nothing really just that I was a slut because he saw my tattoo and that I was standing in the way of him getting to know Nathan." Haley said quickly as she arrived at Steph's and they both got out of the car. Steph lead the way into her house. Haley was going to wait for her.
"But you told Nathan it was his decision-" Then something clicked "Wait! What tattoo and why does he care?" Steph said confused turning around and stopping before opening her front door.
"Oh..umm..I…oh forget it." Haley said giving up as she turned around and lifted up the back of her shirt. Steph gasped.
"Oh my god! You have his jersey number!" Steph squealed. "Did Nathan take you to get that?" Steph said shocked
"What? No!" Haley said shaking her head. "I went myself. He didn't find out to afterwards."
"Why?" Steph asked curiously
"Because I'm in love with him. I know we are young and it might not last but… I think in 20 years from now if I look back at it and remember how I'm feeling at this very moment I think I'll be okay with it...Is that stupid?" Haley asked nervously
"No it's cute..you love each other. I only wish I could find the love you guys have." Steph responded.
"You will someday." Haley assured her
After over an hour of driving Haley, Nathan, and Steph finally pulled into Haley's driveway.
"Your house is so cute!" Steph complimented, then her gaze fell on Haley's car that was parked in the driveway."I love that car! Who's is it?"
"Thanks, it's mine I got it for my birthday." Haley said as they all made their way out of the car.
"I'm home." Haley called walking into the house.
"Mom and Dad aren't home." Lucas said coming out of his room. "They are working."
"Okay! Oh Lucas this is Steph a new friend of mine and Nathan's best friend." Haley said gesturing toward Stephanie. "Steph this is my brother Lucas."
"Hi." Steph said as Lucas simply nodded before she pulled Haley away until they were out of earshot. "He's cute!" Stephanie whispered to Haley who just laughed.
"Down girl he has a girlfriend!" Haley said as Lucas' bedroom door opened again. "Speaking of…" Haley said pulling Stephanie back to the group. "Steph this is Peyton one of my best friends and Lucas' girlfriend. Peyton this is Steph Nathan's best friend."
"Hey!" Peyton said with a small wave. "So Nathan actually has friends, I was beginning to think he didn't with the amout of time he spends with us." Peyton joked nudging shoulders with Nathan.
"Ha! Ha! Sawyer your funny!" Nathan said sarcastically laughing.
"Oh we aren't really friends his parents pay me to stick around!" Steph joked sticking out her tongue at Nathan.
"Ouch!" Nathan said mocking hurt as he placed his hand over his heart "That hurts!"
"its okay baby, I still love you." Haley said kissing his cheek. "Are you guy's hungry?"
"YES! Let's go to mom's!" Lucas said as everyone nodded.
"My mom owns a café." Haley said filling Steph in. "Steph why don't you follow me and I'll show you where to put your things." Haley said leading Stephanie downstairs to the pull out couch. "You can stay down here the couch pulls out. It's pretty comfortable."
"Okay thanks. Everyone so far seems really nice." Steph commented "Are you and your brother close?"
"Yeah, we never used to be up until a couple years ago but now he's one of my best friends." Haley said laughing "You know I never really realized exactly how many best friends I have."
"A lot." Steph answered.
"I'm sure you will meet everyone later." Haley said
Haley, Nathan, Steph, Lucas, and Peyton were now heading into their mother's café.
"Hey mom!" Lucas said taking a seat in a booth
"Hey Luke!" Lydia said looking up. "Hales your home!" Her mother said hugging her.
"Hey mom."
"Nathan, thank you for taking her home and taking care of her." Lydia said
"Of course. How have you been?" Nathan asked
"Busy..since I've been out workers, Peyton was nice enough to help." Lydia said giving Peyton a smile
"I can help while I'm here even though I have no idea what I'm doing." Nathan said as Lydia laughed.
"Thank you but I think you have your hands full enough with Haley." Lydia joked
"Mom!" Haley yelled laughing a little too."Oh, by the way this is my new friend and Nathan's best friend Steph."
"Hey Steph! Nice to meet you." Lydia said sweetly.
"You too. I love this place it's so cute." Steph commented
"Thank you. Now can I get you kids anything to eat? Oh Hales, Lindsey is in the back maybe you can convince he to go on break and eat with you guys." Lydia said as she began taking their orders.
"I'll try." Haley responded. After a few minutes Haley excused herself and went into the kitchen to find Lindsey.
"Hey Hales." Lindsey said as she saw Haley walk through the door.
"Hey." Haley said
"Did you just get back?" Lindsey asked
"Yeah, I brought Nathan and his friend Steph with me you should meet her she's really nice."
"Yeah" Lindsey said then there was a silence. Haley was trying to figure out how to tell Lindsey about Jake but Lindsey figured she was thinking about Heidi. "She's doing better" Lindsey said as Haley looked up at her in confusion. "Heidi.. they are releasing her tomorrow." Haley just nodded as they both made their way back out into the café where everyone else was. Haley continued to talk quietly so the others wouldn't hear.
"I'm actually going to go see her later I just needed to talk to you first." Haley said as Lindsey looked at her confused.
"Why?" She asked
"There is something I need to tell you about Jake. I know I should have told you a long time ago but he told me not to we kept it a secret from everyone.." Haley rambled "I know it was wrong you're my cousin you deserved to know the truth.." Haley started
"You hooked up with him!" Lindsey yelled jumping to conclusions. Haley stood there at first in shock she didn't mean for it to sound like that. However Lindsey took Haley's silence as an answer. "You did didn't you.." Everyone's attention was now on them.
"Lindsey that's not what I meant it came out wrong!" Haley started again but was cut off.
"Really? Because it sounded like you were just about to tell me you've hooked up with him before!"
"Who did you hook up with?" Nathan said finally after listening to their conversation.
"No one!" Haley yelled "God can you people let me finish! I never hooked up with Jake!" Haley yelled getting frustrated this was turning into a mess. "What I was trying to say before you jumped to conclusions was that Jake has a kid!" Haley yelled without thinking about who was around. She heard Lucas, Peyton, and even her mother gasp in shock. Haley placed her hand on her forehead in frustration that she just yelled that and that this was turning into a mess. "Nathan I didn't hook up with anyone I was trying to explain about Jake which you already knew about but it came out wrong." Haley explained calmly as Nathan nodded.
"Sorry." He muttered.
"Wha-What?" Lindsey finally stuttered out.
"I wanted to give you a little heads up. He's planning on telling everyone Saturday but he said I could tell you first so you weren't bombarded and he knew I would want to tell you first but he still wants to talk to you. "Haley said as Lindsey looked beyond confused. "She's one. Felix and I were the only ones who knew. I should have told you but he didn't want anyone to know.."
"I'm sorry." Lindsey said "I should have jumped to conclusions and accused you."
"it's okay, I should have told you." Haley said. "And for the record he really likes you a lot. Don't let this change you guys your good together from what I've seen, you were happy. His daughter is amazing I mean after all she is my god daughter." Haley said laughing a little.
"Jake as a kid?" Lucas finally said stunned
"Jenny." Haley said nodding "He wanted to tell everyone himself Saturday so please keep it to yourselves."
"Who's the mother?" Peyton asked
"Nikki." Haley answered
"That girl always was a slut." Peyton said as she noticed Lydia standing there. "Sorry." Peyton muttered as Lydia just nodded still a little shocked she never imagined this.
"I hate the girl." Steph muttered
"You know her?" Lucas asked
"Yeah, she moved to our town a year ago." Nathan answered.
"Small world." Peyton muttered
"This is all too weird I'm your mother how did I not know you had a god child?" Lydia said finally
"I was asked to keep it a secret so I did." Haley said simply as she looked at Lindsey "Are you okay?"
"I don't know yet.." She answered
"Do you think you and Jake will be okay?" Haley asked
"I don't know I just need time to figure this out. I like Jake I do but I am only seventeen I'm not ready to be in a child's life like that, I am barely a senior." Lindsey said sitting down, this was going to take a lot of thinking about.
"You should really think about it. Jake cares about you.." Haley said leaving it at that. Everyone was quiet for the rest of the meal.
Haley and Steph were now back at Haley's house. Nathan and Lucas had gone to play ball at the Rivercourt and Peyton had plans with her father who was home for a visit. Haley and Steph were just hanging out watching a movie. When someone just burst through Haley's front door.
"Haley James!" Brooke yelled
"Brooke Davis!" Haley mocked laughing rolling her eyes to Steph who just laughed.
"Don't mock me you just disappeared I was worried!" Brooke said placing her hands on her hips.
"Sorry Brooke I just need time to clear my head, I was at Nathan's."
"I know." Brooke said finally plopping down on the couch. "But you still had me worried." Brooke said sternly
"I'm sorry, mom" Haley joked as Brooke nodded and laughed.
"Hey new girl what's your name?" Brooke said noticing Steph.
"Steph." Steph answered. "I assume your Brooke I've heard a lot about you."
"you have?"Brooke said curiously
"Yeah. By the way nice job punching Zack I wish I could have."
"Okay..how does new girl know about me?" Brooke asked Haley just laughed.
"She's Nathan's best friend." Haley said as Brooke nodded. Haley then turned to Steph. "Don't mind her she has a thing with nicknames. She will probably keep calling you new girl until she has a new one."
"So you know hotshot?" Brooke questioned using another one of the nicknames she called Nathan.
"If you mean Nathan yeah since we were kids." Steph responded
"Cool…so Haley we NEED to go shopping …I need and outfit for Friday and Saturday for the parties at my house…new girl your invited too." Brooke said, Haley just rolled her eyes.
"Shopping?!" Steph said as Brooke raised her eye brow unsure of what she was going to say. "I LOVE shopping!" She then said excitedly, Brooke just squealed and jumped up pulling Steph with her.
"Yay! I like this girl already! Let's go! Come on Haley!" Brooke said but Haley didn't move.
"Do you guys mind if I skipped it, you guys can go.." Haley said
"You okay?" Steph asked
"Yeah, I think I'm gunna go talk to Heidi now.."
"Okay, if you need anything all me..new girl you still want to go?" Brooke asked
"If that's okay with you.." Steph said "Haley are you sure you don't want us to come?"
"Yeah you guys go I need to do this on my own." Haley said
"Okay, just call us!" Brooke said as she made her way to the door with Steph.
Haley then quickly got ready and made her way to the hospital. She saw Allyson first walking down the hall.
"Hales! Your back?!" Allyson said hugging her
"Yeah, I need to talk to Heidi is anyone with her."
"No I just left I am heading back to work." Allyson replied.
"Okay I am going to go talk to her."
"Good, I am glad. She needs you Haley.." Allyson said
"I know..I will see you at the café later." Haley said as they said goodbye and went separate ways.
Haley was now stopped in front of Heidi's hospital door. She was really nervous about this all of a sudden. She then took a deep breath and entered the room. Heidi didn't even look at her she just continued looking out the window.
"Ally I told you I would be find just go to work." Heidi said assuming Allyson was back.
"Hi.." Haley said quietly. Heidi instantly turned around shocked at Haley made her way over to the chair next to Heidi's bed.
"Haley?"Heidi said "You came back…" She said with disbelieve
"Yeah I'm sorry-" Haley started but was cut off
"No I'm sorry-" Heidi started but was stopped by Haley putting up her hand.
"No let me finish I should have been there for you even after everything but some things stopped me. What you did and what Zack did REALLY hurt me I could never understand why someone who called themselves my best friend could do what you did. Heidi I don't trust you and I know that must hurt you but you can't blame me. However we have both been through A LOT together over the years and lately and we need each other." With this Heidi gave her a small smile. "It will take a lot to earn my trust back but I think it can happen in time, just please give me that. I don't know if we will ever be the friends we once were but I am willing to try." Haley finished with a small smile.
"Really?" Heidi said starting to cry as Haley nodded giving her a hug. "I'm sorry" Heidi whispered
"Me too." Haley said
After Haley left the hospital she knew that she should probably call to check on Steph and Brooke but she wanted to make a few stops first on her way there. A few minutes later she pulled up to the River Court where the boys were playing basketball. Nathan, Lucas, Skills, Chase, and Owen were all playing while Mouth sat on the side lines. When Haley pulled up they all stopped playing to get water. Haley went straight over to Nathan.
"Hey-" He started but was cut off by her crashing her lips into his. It took him a second to respond and he wrapped his arms around her waist and pulled her closer.
"Get a room!" Chase yelled jokingly.
"Dude!" Lucas yelled sending him a warning glare. "Not cool." Lucas said as Haley and Nathan pulled apart.
"What was that for not that I don't like a hello like that?" Nathan asked
"I don't know. I just wanted to I guess. And I wanted to say thank you for being there for me through everything lately! Between Heidi, Felix, anything." Haley said
"You don't need to thank me." Nathan said
"I do. You have been amazing." Haley said with a smile.
"Well so have you I love you."
"I love you too." Haley said giving another kiss. "I went to see Heidi."
"How did it go?" Nathan asked
"I think we will be okay with time. I decided to fix things with everyone I am sick of the drama." Haley said. She didn't know what changed things but she was done fighting with her friends she couldn't handle it anymore.
"I will help you with whatever you want." Nathan said softly.
"Thanks."
"Uh Hales where is Steph?" Nathan asked
"Shopping with Brooke." Haley said laughing a little.
"I should have guessed." Nathan said rolling his eyes.
"Okay, I now that I saw you I need to go fix another problem." Haley said
"What's that?" Nathan asked
"Felix." Haley said softly. She meant what she said she was fixing this with the people important to her.
"Hales-" Nathan started
"Is that really a good idea?" Lucas asked interrupting
"You know Lucas eavesdropping is rude." Haley said glaring at him
"Sorry I just overheard and didn't think it was a good idea." Lucas said
"I agree." Nathan said.
"And I love you both for worrying but this is something I have to do…I hurt him and before this he was a good friend" Haley said
"He hurt you too." Nathan stated
"I know that but he's my friend." Haley said as a car pulled up.
"Well it looks like he just saved you a trip to his house." Chase said from next to them. Just then Felix stepped out of the car.
"Hey guys." Felix said making his way over to them
"What the hell are you doing here?" Lucas asked rudely.
"I need to talk to Haley for a minute." Felix said
"Why to insult her some more?" Lucas shot back as Felix looked down.
"Luke, it's fine." Haley said making her way over to him but was stopped by Nathan grabbing her arm. "Nate, please. I will tell you if I need anything." Haley said giving him a quick peck. "Ok you want to talk let's go." Haley said leading the way down to the water. She really did want to talk to him but she was still mad. Once they got down to the water out of earshot of everyone else they both stood there awkwardly quiet until Haley had enough.
"Okay you wanted to talk so talk.." Haley demanded crossing her arms over her chest.
"I'm sorry.."
"Is that all you can manage to say to me Felix! After all the hurtful things you said to me all you can manage is I'm sorry." Haley spat back angrily.
"I was wrong and I was jealous. I should have never said those things to you none of them are true. I was just angry. You are not a slut. And as one of my best friend I should respect your decisions and let you be happy. I don't want to not have you in my life Haley we have come too far as friends. I am soo sooo sorry. Can you ever forgive me?" Felix said, Haley could tell he was telling the truth.
"You mister are on probation!" Haley said with a small smile as Felix rushed over to her picking her up spinning her around causing her to squeal. "I'm sorry too." She whispered as she then looked over to see two very angry faced of her boyfriend and her brother. "Okay put me down before you are killed."
"Thank you." Felix said simply
"Oh don't thank me yet. Now you have to go apologize to Nathan and probably Lucas too." Haley said as Felix groans.
"Okay okay I will." Felix said as she pushed him toward the boys.
"Hey guy I wanted to apologize. Nathan I'm sorry about everything I said about you, I was jealous. You are what makes Haley happy so I will lay off." Felix said as Nathan nodded. "And Luke I am sorry for letting you down and hurting your sister." It was now Lucas' turn to nod "Okay, I have to go see you guys Saturday..Jake invited me."
"Okay bye." Haley said as Felix made his way to the car. Haley then turned to Nathan with a huge smile.
"I don't like this." Nathan said simply as he walked away going back to play ball.
"He's right Hales. He still has feelings for you it's so obvious." Lucas said following Nathan. Haley then made her way to her car.
Haley was now pulling up to her mother's café where she was meeting Brooke and Steph.
"Hey guys." Haley said taking seat in the both.
"Hey." They both said
"Did you have fun today?" Haley asked
"Yes! New girl is so much better to shop with than you." Haley and Steph both laughed.
"Thanks Brooke." Haley said rolling her eyes.
"You okay tutorgirl?" Brooke asked
"Yeah, I'm fine." Haley said just as Rachel and Anna walked in.
"Hey girls." Rachel said coming over to them.
"Come sit with us." Brooke said motioning them over.
"Oh guys this is Steph, Nathan's best friend. Steph these are my friends Rachel and Anna." Haley introduced as they all said hi. "Steph had the benefit of going shopping with Brooke today."
"Oh god she didn't. I am so sorry." Rachel said as she laughed
"I had fun. I am probably just as bad as her." Steph said as they all laughed.
"Is that possible?" Anna joked, as they all continued talking
Haley however sat there quietly as they continued talking just playing with her drink.
"Uh Hales I need to go to the bathroom do you think you could come with me?" Anna asked after noticing Haley's mind obviously being somewhere else. Haley then quietly got up and followed Anna to the bathroom.
"Are you okay? You seem out of it?" Anna said softly once they were in the bathroom.
"Yeah, I'm okay." Haley said rather unconvincingly.
"Come on Haley I know you better than that." Anna said softly.
"I think Nathan and Lucas are mad at me." Haley said quietly.
"Why would you think that?"
"Felix came to see me today to apologize and I forgave him. He even apologized to them. But after he left they both said they didn't like it then just walked away." Haley said starting to cry.
"Aw Hales." Anna said giving her a hug.
"God, I'm such a baby." Haley said pulling away wiping her eyes. "It's just Nathan means so much to me I don't want him to be mad at me for this."
"I know, just talk to him when you get home. He's probably only worried. He has reason to be." Anna tried to reason. "Or maybe he's a little jealous and thinks he has competition." Anna said causing Haley to laugh.
"No! He doesn't! He knows he's the only one for me..right?" Haley said suddenly unsure, Anna just shrugged looking at her. "I have to talk to him."
Author's note: Sorry it took so long to get this update out ive been kind of stuck but i have more to come dont worry. Please tell me what you think!