I hate myself! I hate myself! I hate myself! And I know you all are tired of excuses and by this point are just like, "Well, we hate you too!" But I really am sorry. You have no idea. I want to blame everything on the fact that teachers are being stupid with homework and me being incredibly busy (which is somewhat true). The truth is, I'm becoming a little less obsessed with One Tree Hill. I mean I've hated OTH since season four but Naley I've always loved so it's weird that I didn't want to like sit and write this chapter. I actually did sit to write this chapter many times… it's pretty long though. I mean it's one of the longest so far so I'm hoping that will somehow redeem me… :D haha. But I'm seriously sorry! And just because of that I'm going to dedicate this chapter to all you readers! Haha.

I hope you enjoy this chapter!!!


For All You're Worth

Chapter 50

He was falling. Nothing could save him. He heard her voice but it was distant. The farther he fell, the more indistinct her voice became. She was slipping away and there was nothing he could do about it; just fall further into the darkness.

Nathan woke up and shook his head. He felt as if he was in Alice in Wonderland except for the fact that he didn't land in any place that was great; just his life.

He didn't know whether it was a sign but he did feel like he was losing her and his life had indeed become darker since Aundrea decided to "grace" it with her presence.

He looked at the watch and got out of bed to start getting ready for school.


Haley started walking towards her group of friends when she noticed Jayme signaling her to come over. She looked over at her friends and held up her hand to signal she'd be over in around five minutes.

Zach looked at Nathan who was watching Haley approaching and then turned to look at Zach.

"Hey Jayme, what's up?" Haley asked, remaining standing.

"I was thinking about it-" she started.

"Another double-date?" Haley cut-in excitedly.

"Sure, but without these assholes."

Haley looked at Jayme confused but then a smile crept across her face, "Oh Jayme! Just the two of us?"

"Umm hmm," she grinned.

"Like a girls' night?"

"Yeah, sure."

Zach groaned, "Do you have to?"

"Yeah, haven't you heard? I'm ditching you for Haley."

Haley giggled.

"Anyway, it won't be this weekend since I have a competition and I'll be out of town. But the week after that?"

"Sounds good. And good luck on the competition. Is it for Gymnastics?"

"Nah, Field Hockey," she joked. "Of course Gymnastics!"

"Well tell me how you do," Haley said. "What will we do for our 'date' though?" she made sure to make air-quotes.

"No idea, we'll have to come up with that," she smiled.

"Okay, later because I need to go to my friends."

"Because we're not your friends," Jayme pouted crossing her arms across her chest.

"Jayme, you know she has better people to hang out with than you. Of course she'd stay here for me," Zach smirked.

"Yeah, I told Nathan that almost-kiss was hot," Haley giggled. "Right Nathan? Nathan?"

"Huh? Yeah, it was hot- I mean you said it was hot."

"What do you have to say about that Jayme? Nathan said it was hot."

"It was hot," Jayme smirked. "I suggest you break up with me just to kiss Haley. Actually, forget about it. Kiss her now while we're still together."

"Jayme-" Zach started.

"No excuses, straight on the mouth. Now," she commended.

"Jayme," Haley blushed.

"What? It was already negotiated that it was hot as hell."

"Nathan," Haley looked towards her boyfriend jokingly.

"Zach, don't you dare get your nasty anything close to Haley or you're dead. Does that make it easier for everyone now?"

"Wow," Zach said. "After something like that I have to kiss her. Haley, after next class I'm meeting you outside of yours for a make-out session. You two losers aren't invited," Zach said playfully to Nathan and Jayme.

"Don't even joke about it," Nathan looked at him coldly.

"Oh Nathan, you know he's only doing it for kicks," Haley giggled leaning towards him to give him a peck.

"Yeah Nathan," Zach looked him straight in the eye.

"Well I'm leaving, I have to go sit with my friends."

"Again with this. Your friends? What the hell are we?" Jayme pouted offended.

"My other friends. Better?" Haley giggled.

"Much," Jayme smiled as Haley left.

"Sorry," Nathan looked at the table. "I've got something on my mind."

"I know," Zach replied.

Nathan looked back at Zach.


Haley sat down across from Lucas and Peyton.

"So I see you're slowly ditching us," Mouth joked.

"Yeah, for who anyway? A bunch of-"

"Very awesome people," Haley smiled. "Don't say anything if you don't know anything about them."

"I was just gonna say, for a bunch of people, although they're only two, that don't have enough common sense to stay away from Nathan," Lucas smirked.

"It's something us three have in common," Haley rolled her eyes. "And I thought you were done hating on Nathan and all."

"Oh Hales, I'll never be done hating on Nathan," Lucas picked up his sandwich.

"That's very final," Haley took out her lunch.

"Just to remind you-" Lucas started.

"Don't say it," Peyton put her pen down to look at Lucas.

Haley looked up at the two, "Don't say what?"

"I was just gonna say that with Kyle-"

"She's right, don't say it," Haley said not allowing him to finish the sentence, although it seemed like he wasn't even going to. "There's no point to bring up that you 'warned' me about him or whatever. Since it's done, it didn't end that horribly, and Nathan's not Kyle. We'll leave it at that."

"I told you not to say it," Peyton told Lucas again as she went back to drawing.

"It's not like it's a big deal, just a waste of breath," Haley took a bite of her sandwich.

"Yep, now that you're over him," Mouth chuckled.

"I am," Haley laughed. "So are we going to do anything this weekend?"

Lucas smiled, "Little Miss Popular wants to hang out with us?"

"I'm so not!" Haley giggled. "And I so do."

Peyton and Mouth laughed.

"This is an honor Haley," Peyton mocked. "I mean when was the last time we hung out?"

"Yesterday at lunch," Haley stuck out her tongue.

"Outside of school."

"We talked on the phone two days ago."

"HUNG out!" Lucas repeated Peyton's words.

Haley thought to herself, "Fine, you got me. I'm a horrible horrible friend. So I'm inviting you guys to my house this Friday."

"Friday?" Peyton gasped. "Isn't that your sacred date night with Nathan?"

Haley rolled her eyes, "It's one night. It's not like it'll matter."

"Did you ask him?" Lucas questioned.

"No."

"Then how do you know it doesn't matter?" Lucas kinked his brow.

"Do you want me to go ask him now, dating police?"

"No, it's fine," Lucas laughed.

"No, I'll go now," Haley got up.

"Haley!" the three of them called.

Haley laughed as she sat down, "You guys make me laugh. It's not like I need permission from him. And if it's not okay with him I'll just change it to Saturday with you guys." She shrugged.

"You'd actually change the date to make it better suited for him?" Lucas questioned disbelievingly.

Haley nodded, "Why not? We're a couple. We negotiate."

"You've got to be kidding. Negotiating is not necessarily giving up what you want. Why can't he change whatever his plans are?"

"Lucas, relax," she giggled. "It won't be a problem."

"So moving on, what are we invited for Haley James?" Peyton asked.

"It's a surprise," she smirked.

"Since when do you plan surprises?" Mouth asked chuckling.

Haley shrugged knowing perfectly well it was from Jayme. She wasn't going to plan anything big but she didn't want to say 'Just hang out' because after Jayme's double-dates, that sounded lame.


Nathan remained sitting in his seat, at their lunch table, as Zach and Jayme already started for their class, even though Zach was in Nathan's French class.

He looked to where Aundrea was standing talking with Brooke. She glanced towards Nathan and smile.

Nathan sighed as he jogged to catch up with his friend, "Zach!"

Zach stopped and turned around.

"Look, I'm sorry I'm not telling you," they started walking towards their class. "But it will only overcomplicate things, believe me."

"Whatever man. You don't have to tell me a thing. As a matter of fact I should've never asked you about it. You don't owe me anything."

"I do, look, it's just-" he couldn't even explain it to him.

Zach stopped to look at Nathan, "You don't even owe me an explanation, so it's fine." With this he entered the class.

"UGH!" Nathan punched the wall. He felt a sharp pain in his knuckle region and looked down at his red hand.

He shook it off and walked into class.

His life was way too messed up.


"Haley!"

Haley turned around and smiled when she saw Jayme jogging towards her.

"Hey," Haley smiled.

"So girly girl, I was thinking of our 'date'. What if we go to the mall?"

Haley cringed her nose, "Who are we? Aundrea and Brooke?"

"Who?" Jayme giggled. "Jones and Davis?"

"Yep, them."

"Ew, the whores. No."

Haley laughed, "Brooke's not too bad. Aundrea definitely is."

"Yeah, well you're right. So mall is officially crossed off the list."

"What else is on the list?"

"Well," Jayme looked at the palm of her hand as if it was a list, "ask Haley."

"I'll try and think of something," Haley giggled. "But now I need to get to class."

"Yeah have fun in…?"

"Calculus," Haley smiled.

"Damn smart person! You scare me."

Haley laughed.


"Your clothes don't match," Aundrea noted looking up for exactly one second.

Haley rolled her eyes, "You're pathetic."

"They don't."

"Everything matches jeans."

"Yeah, well you look horrible."

Haley sat down in her seat, which was conveniently far away from Aundrea. "You need to get better digs."

"Oh I have plenty of digs, do you want to hear some of them?" Aundrea smirked.

"No," Haley turned around to face the front of the classroom.

"Because I have some interesting things," Aundrea smiled when she saw Nathan passing their class. He froze the second he heard her.

"Haley," Nathan walked into the class quickly. "I-umm- you want a ride after school today?"

Haley giggled at his sudden appearance, "No, it's fine. I mean I don't mind taking the bus."

"Okay, just making sure. If you want me to drive you then just say the word."

Haley nodded, smiling.

Nathan started walking away but glanced towards Aundrea for a second. Her eyes caught his and she smirked.

Only then did Miss Ferrell entered the classroom.


Nathan picked up the phone. He had just eaten dinner. Throughout the entire meal he was thinking about Aundrea telling Haley. That incident in their calculus class was too close. But then again, there was rarely a time that he didn't think about it nowadays.

"Hello?"

"You are so pathetic it's not even funny."

His heart skipped a beat as his grip around the phone tightened.

"You thought I was going to tell her, didn't you?"

"Well why the hell else would I have barged into your classroom like that?!"

"Who knows," Aundrea lay in her bed comfortably. "But if I'd tell her it wouldn't be in a second, you know."

"What do you mean?"

"I mean that it wouldn't be like 'Haley, Nathan's a basterd… here's what he's done…' And of course it wouldn't be half-way across a room."

"So how? There's no way in hell she'll talk to you outside of class."

"Chemistry," Aundrea replied simply.

"What about chemistry?"

"I sit next to her," Aundrea smirked. "It only takes one class period. Just lean over, or pass a note."

Nathan furiously remained silent. "You're lying."

"Ask her," she said.

Nathan closed his eyes feeling a headache coming.

"What do you have to say now, Nathan Scott? The girl can be in control too."

"I never said she can't."

"Think again."

"Read their body movements Nate," Aundrea pointed to the screen. "He's totally in control."

"Isn't the guy always in control?"

Aundrea raised her eyebrow. "Oh really?"

Why did he have to be a stupid idiot?! She was using all these things he had said throughout their relationship against him.

"I'm in control and it's killing you. Not that I'm going to tell her, but that there's nothing you can do to stop it."

"You don't know that," Nathan whispered weakly.

"Huh?"

"Nevermind."

"Oh Nathan, I've never heard you this powerless. It doesn't suit you."

"I'm sure you're getting a kick out of it."

"Probably. But I'm sure I'll get a much bigger kick out of Haley's reaction," Aundrea giggled. "Au revoir! a demain!" she hung up.

Nathan stared at the phone and slid slowly down the wall. Chemistry… she was going to tell her during their fifth period class.


"Spa!" Haley said excitedly when she got to Jayme the morning after.

"Huh?"

"For our date, we can go to a spa and get massages and facials and everything cool!" she smiled.

"Sounds awesome-"

"Good, so we have a plan."

"Hales, I think you should know something."

"And what would that be?"

"I'm kind of on the broke side," she giggled.

"Oh," Haley said disappointed.

"She really is too," Zach chuckled.

"Yeah, and I don't know if I'd want to pay two hundred dollars for like two hours."

"Yeah, you're right. Bad idea."

Jayme laughed, "Ice-skating?"

Haley thought about it for a second. "Too many little kids," she recalled from her date with Kyle a long time ago.

"I'm sure we'll think of something though. We have like a week and a half-ish."

Haley nodded, "Where's Nathan?"

"He always comes late," Zach informed her. "He'll be here sometime in the next few minutes though."

"Okay, tell him I say 'hi' and that I love him."

"And all the other cheesiness," Zach said.

"Shut up, it's cute," Jayme smacked Zach.

Haley giggled, "I'll talk to you guys later." God, she loved them.


"He said it was fine, Peyton," Haley whispered back to Peyton when she was done copying from the board.

"When did you ask him, maybe he changed his mind," she joked. "And I'm copying from you later; I'm not in the mood to copy from the board."

"He didn't and sure," she answered. "And I asked him yesterday before our Government class."

"What the hell is he doing in an AP class?"

"Peyton, seriously, you've asked me that one million times. He's just good at it because he likes it."

Peyton rolled her eyes, "Not good enough of an excuse."

"I let him copy from me," Haley joked. "That better?"

"I knew it! I knew something like that was going on," Peyton mocked.

"Shut up," Haley smiled.


"Nathan?" Haley said surprised when she exited her chemistry class and saw him waiting for her.

"Is this bad that I'm here?" he asked hoping to hear from the tone of her voice whether Aundrea told her or not.

"No," she laughed. "I just don't get why you are."

"'Cause I was just thinking that since we have our next class together we can just walk together."

Nathan saw Aundrea, who had just exited the class, passing through them, "Nice one, Nate."

Haley looked after Aundrea confused but then turned back to Nathan, "Yeah, sure."

Nathan nodded as they started walking towards their AP Government class.


The following days Nathan was promptly standing outside Haley's chemistry class and to his relief, she had continued to smile at him and just talk about what had just happened in the class. It was as if nothing was wrong. She couldn't even tell he was in another world.

"… and Mr. Evans was saying how we should all take the AP Chemistry course for next year," Haley giggled and then looked up at Nathan. "Are you even listening to me, Nathan?"

"Huh? Yeah… yep… yes. AP Chemistry… next year… you should take it."

"I should?" Haley looked at Nathan confused. "He didn't say that. Well actually he did a while back but-"

"Wait, sorry, I thought that's what you said he said."

"He said the class should take it," Haley clarified. "So you're not listening to me!" she accused.

"I am. I'm just… I think you should take it," he said finally defeated. There was no way of getting out of this.

"Why AP Chemistry and not AP Bio?" Haley raised a brow.

Nathan shrugged, "Because regular Biology is boring and AP is probably worse."

"Regular Biology wasn't boring," Haley giggled.

Nathan nodded, "Take whatever."

"We still have some time before we decide so it doesn't matter now," Haley smiled.

Nathan looked ahead. He was safe for the day, since Aundrea hadn't told her during their Chemistry. But who was to say that Aundrea wouldn't pull Haley aside if they were released early from class or somehow get a note to her?

"So we said tomorrow, right?"

No answer.

"Nathan?" He wasn't even looking at her. "Nathan?" she repeated.

"Hmm?" Nathan finally said.

"Tomorrow at your house, right?" She decided not to comment about the fact that he didn't respond the first two times.

"Yeah," he replied plainly.

"Let's hope I don't accidentally stay until three AM again," she laughed.

"Umm hmm," he nodded.

She looked at him confused. His responses and the way he was acting were different. Something was up. Something he wasn't telling her.


Nathan had offered to drive Jayme, Zach and Haley to their houses. He initially asked them to come over to his house, but each, for their own reason, declined. Jayme had to get her schoolwork done before she would take off to her gymnastics competition; Zach because his parents needed him home for an unknown reason; and Haley because she wanted to get some stuff done before her friends showed up in the evening.

Nathan started the engine.

"How about the movies?" Haley offered.

Jayme laughed, "So you don't mind that I don't shut up throughout the entire movie?"

"Ugh, that is actually pretty annoying. Scratch that."

"A club?" Jayme proposed.

"Not if I have something to say about it," Zach cut-in before Haley could speak. "I don't want no random guy grinding against you while I'm sitting innocently at home worrying how many different guys have touched you."

Jayme and Haley giggled.

"Crossed out yet again," Haley said frustrated.

"I thought this would be easy to choose," Jayme huffed.

"How about we just hang out at my house or yours?"

"You're kidding. You must be. Haley! That's too simple, we can't just hang out at my place since it won't be as fun as doing something that you don't necessarily do every single weekend. Hell, I'm at my house every single day."

"No kidding," Haley rolled her eyes laughing.

"Why can't you guys go bowling or something?" Zach offered looking at Nathan who was, again, being increasingly silent.

"Because bowling with just two girls won't be fun. And besides, how are we going to talk that way?"

"I can come and it'd be two girls and a guy," Zach smirked. "Screw the talking."

Jayme smacked his shoulder. "This is so just going to be a girls' thing."

"How about Nathan, I'm sure he has an idea of some sort," Zach turned to Nathan.

"Hmm? Idea? Yeah… a movie," Nathan nodded.

"Did you just miss out on the entire conversation, airhead?" Jayme laughed. "We just settled that a movie was a bad idea."

"Oh… right… I forgot," Nathan shook it off as he stopped the car. "Jayme, we're at your house."

"Like I couldn't figure that out by myself," she mocked. "Love you all mucho, Haley- we'll talk."

She got out of the car after thanking Nathan and everyone wishing her luck on her competition.

"So who are you dropping off first?" Zach questioned.

"You… no?" Nathan didn't move his gaze from the road.

Zach nodded. He knew it was because he didn't want to be alone with him. Zach was the only one who knew something clearly had happened that Nathan wasn't telling him. The only one that was genuinely concerned in such a way that only a best friend could be.

"So what are you two doing tonight?" Haley questioned.

"Whatever is the reason my parents want me home now is probably what we'll do tonight."

"Nothing," Nathan replied after Zach.

"Very interesting," Haley smiled leaning back in her seat.


"Guys, stop it!" Haley couldn't help but laugh.

"I can never ever be your girlfriend Lucas Scott!" Lucas imitated Haley when they were little kids. "Promise me! Lucas, promise me!"

"Oh Haley, you did not say that," Peyton giggled.

"Lucas promised! That's really childish and retarded too," Haley complained.

"Well, with Lucas it is always safe to make a commitment like that. You never know when he'll jump on ya," Mouth joked.

"And you're talking from personal experience, Mouth?" Peyton raised a brow.

"Ew gross," Lucas threw a pillow at her.

They had started watching a movie but none were really concentrating so they just stopped it mid-way, went up to Haley's room and just talked.

"What's that stack of index cards next to your bed Haley?" Mouth questioned.

Haley shrugged, "Nothing, just something I was toying around with."

"For school?"

Haley shook her head. "For tonight."

Peyton bounced up from the bed and grabbed them.

"Peyton!" Haley tried getting up to take the cards from Peyton but Lucas was faster than her and held her back.

"Superlatives?" Peyton giggled.

"I was bored," Haley defended herself. She smacked Lucas and sat down next to him.

"Okay, okay, who is the friendliest?"

"Mouth," Lucas said practically immediately.

"I vote Mouth too," Peyton held up the card.

Mouth laughed.

"Yeah, me too," Haley smiled.

Peyton threw the index card towards Mouth, "Congrats buddy."

"Most talented," Peyton read.

"You," Haley called out.

"Agreed," Lucas and Mouth said in unison.

"No, not me," Peyton looked at the card.

"Yes, you," Haley smiled. "Stop being modest."

"I'm not being modest," Peyton argued.

"Just keep the card and let's move on," Lucas suggested.

"Best dressed."

"Who the hell are these made for? If I would have to guess I seriously wouldn't choose our group of friends."

"I just copied them down from last year's yearbook!" Haley laughed. "I didn't even think about it."

"Haley," Peyton handed Haley the index card but she didn't take it.

"Why me?"

"Because of the whole actually caring how you look at school," Peyton clarified.

Mouth pretended to look around as if hearing something, "What was that noise?"

"Haley's high heels, of course!" Lucas replied enthusiastically.

"Guys!" Haley said in embarrassment.

"Where is she anyway?" Mouth questioned again.

"She's in the bathroom fixing her make-up," Peyton replied.

"Stop! That's so not true," she blushed.

"Have you seen what she was wearing today?" Peyton gasped.

"You mean that mini-skirt?"

"She looked so rad! It's so fetch," Peyton overexaggerated.

"I don't own a mini-skirt!" Haley argued. "Seriously stop," Haley grabbed the card, "now that I took it you guys can shut up."

"Oh my God Haley, you're such a drama queen."

"You can stop talking like that Peyton," Haley waved at her card. "You got me to take the stinkin' card."

Peyton laughed, "Most athletic."

"Lucas," the three said in unison as Lucas got the index card.

"That was easy," Mouth chuckled.

"Yeah, and we did it without going overboard with embarrassing him."

"How the hell do you embarrass someone for being athletic?" Lucas laughed.

"How do you find a way to poke fun at someone for being best dressed, even though I'm not?" Haley raised a brow. "You found a way anyway."

"Bestest friends," Peyton read. "Like this isn't an obvious one."

"Lucas and Haley," Mouth said.

"The two who have been together practically every single day of their lives," Peyton smiled.

Haley looked at Lucas and smiled. He could laugh at her all he wanted but she knew he loved her like she was his little sister.

---

"Lucas and I used to do this thing when we were younger," Haley started. "That trust exercise where you fall backwards and let the other person catch you." Haley giggled at the memory.

Lucas smiled, "We used to do it all the time too."

"Do it now," Peyton exclaimed.

Haley laughed, "I don't think so."

"Come on! Why not?" Mouth replied enthusiastically.

"Because I'm heavier now than I used to be," Haley complained.

"No duh. What were you? Seven?" Peyton mocked.

Haley shook her head, "I don't want to."

"Come on Hales, I won't let you fall," he promised.

She looked at him for a moment, "Fine! Just know that I actually trust you with my life so you better not let me fall."

Lucas chuckled as the two best friends got up, Haley standing in-front of Lucas with her back turned to him.

She spread her arms out and closed her eyes. Then, she let herself fall backwards. She didn't have to worry about whether he'd catch her because she knew he would be there. He always was.


"I didn't wake you up, did I?"

"Like you care," Nathan rolled his eyes lying in bed. "I wasn't asleep."

"Poor little Nathan," Aundrea mocked.

"Do you not have anything to do on a Friday night that you call me up?"

"I went out to a club with Brooke and now she went home to get stuff for a sleepover," Aundrea explained. "So I decided that instead of being bored I'll just bother you some."

"Thanks for having me in mind," Nathan mocked.

"Sure thing," Aundrea smiled. "So tell me how your date with Haley went."

"Why should I?"

"Getting all defensive there, I see," she giggled. "Maybe if I'll hear how cute you two are I'll consider dropping this whole thing."

"We didn't go on a date," Nathan said although he knew she was lying.

Aundrea gasped, "What did you do to her Nathan Scott?"

"I didn't do anything."

"Oh come on, give me something juicy so I could go and blab about it to Lucas."

"What do you mean?"

"How do you think Lucas found out about you two dating?"

Nathan remained silent. "Why do you have to stick your nose where it doesn't belong, Aundrea?" he said angrily. "Do you know what that resulted in?"

"Haley losing her pathetic friends for a few days," Aundrea said knowingly.

"She doesn't deserve that, Aundrea. Not any of it."

"Said the guy who broke her heart, got her to lose her friends and verbally-abused her," Aundrea replied calmly.

Nathan fell silent once more.

"No matter how you play it, Nathan, no one caused her more pain than you did. You can lie to yourself about it but you know it's true. When you look into her eyes and see how much she loves you, all you feel is guilt. You're the one to blame for the tears she cried endlessly."

"Stop it," he couldn't hear it. He knew it was somewhat true but he couldn't hear her taunting him like this.

"Poor Nathan finally getting a conscience?" she mocked.

"I got a conscience before I stopped hanging out with you guys." Selfish idiots.

"Well that was too late anyway," Aundrea said.

"You know Aundrea, you're the devil."

"Good thing black and red suit me well," Aundrea smirked. "Brooke's at the door. I suggest you don't act so weird at school because Haley is sensing something." She hung up.

He never wanted to pick up the phone but he always hoped it would be someone else. And most of the times it was, though Aundrea's calls started to become very frequent.

He had just noticed that the only person he was completely sincere with in his conversations was Aundrea. It was messed up. He hated her guts and yet she was the only one he could talk to without shutting out something.

He then realized what he had to do.

He dialed and waited for the person on the other line to respond.

"What are you fucking nuts?!" Zach called from the other line. "You do realize it's two AM."

Nathan looked at his watch, "No."

"Well whatever, I wasn't sleeping but my parents do tend to kill me when they're trying to sleep. What's up?"

"I need to talk to you."

Zach fell silent.

"Zach?"

"I'll be right over, okay?"

"Yeah, sure."

Zach hung up.

Nathan looked at the phone. He started to do that a lot.

He got up and walked to the refrigerator.

When he opened it he only stared at it.

He closed it realizing he wasn't hungry. He then started to pace across his living room and then around his apartment.

Aundrea is going to tell Haley… Aundrea, well you know she's a bitch, and she wants to tell Haley… my ex-girlfriend is a fucking hoe and she messes everything up, including my life… Aundrea is the demon who loves to torture people. And when I say torture I mean taking her whip and hurting everyone pretty badly…Haley's going to find out about what had happened… there are many evil people in this world and Haley just happened to get involved with a group of fucking idiots. Sadly, I was one of them.

Nathan heard a knock and walked over to the door.

"Hey man," Zach said when Nathan opened it.

Nathan let him in and they walked to the couches.

"You want a beer?" Nathan asked while rattling his foot up and down.

"No, I'm fine," he replied. "You feel like talking?"

Nathan sighed heavily as he leaned backwards. After about half a minute he looked at Zach.

"Haley's going to find out about everything," he finally said.

"What do you mean everything?"

"About Kyle going out with her, that her heartbreak was planned, that three other people knew what had happened every step of the way of her hell of a relationship; that I was responsible for it all. Everything."

"Why are you going to tell her?"

"I'm not."

"Then…" Zach looked at Nathan confused. "Did anyone find out? How?"

Nathan shook his head, "Aundrea."

Zach's eyes widened, "She's gonna tell her?"

"That's what she says."

"When has she talked to you about talking to Haley?"

"A few days before our double date," Nathan said uncomfortably.

"Only then? Come on Nate, so she mentioned it once and-"

"She's been bothering me about it since then," he cut-in.

"Bothered you about it?" he looked at Nathan confused, "Nathan, please don't tell me that she…"

Nathan nodded, "That she's been talking to me, and threatening to tell her."

There was a moment of silence as Zach just looked at his friend.

"She's going to stop though," Zach said in desperation, "right?" Nathan remained silent. "Why the hell would she tell her?!" he raised his voice angrily.

"Because she's a bitch. Because she doesn't give a damn who gets hurt, since when she wants to get someone she won't stop till they're completely crushed."

"Has she done this before?"

Nathan shook her head, "Haley's the first." He felt like tearing up. Haley. His Haley, was the victim once again. Aundrea had said that she didn't want Haley friendless… what changed? Why was she persistent with having her unhappy?

They were silent once again.

"Do you mind if I crash here?" Zach asked.

Nathan shook his head, "No, I don't mind."

"She'll leave you alone, Nate," Zach said. "You'll see that Aundrea won't tell her."

Nathan nodded, knowing perfectly well that she won't leave him alone and that she would tell Haley.


"Nathan," Haley said for the fourth time.

She was over at his house for a few hours already. They didn't do anything special; they didn't even have a proper conversation. They ate a light dinner together and watched some TV.

Nathan was pretty out of it though. She noticed too.

"Huh?" he finally turned towards her.

"You've been in the clouds lately, haven't you?" she giggled.

"Yeah, I guess. It's 'cause Zach stayed over and we didn't really sleep well," he lied. They didn't even talk through the night or anything.

Haley looked at him, "What's wrong?"

"Nothing," he replied. "I told you."

"Okay," she nodded. "So… does it have to do with school?"

"What has to do with school?"

"The reason you're… well, not yourself."

"Hales, I told-"

"Fine," Haley got up from the couch. "Is it basketball related?"

"No, I said that nothing's wrong and I'm just a little tired from Zach-"

"Okay, okay, I get it." She looked at him and then stuck out her tongue. She rolled her eyes.

"What are you…?" Nathan asked confused.

"Hmm?" she started dancing in a very Broadway-musical way while laughing.

"Haley?"

She stopped and shrugged. "You really are out of it. I'm trying to entertain you," she laughed.

"Oh," Nathan said looking away.

"Well, I'm hoping it's only a temporary thing of your 'sleepover with Zach'," she made air-quotes.

"It is," Nathan assured her.

"Umm hmm," she nodded.

"Haley just… what are you doing?" he asked surprised when she took off her top. Was she seriously going to…? "Are we… are you…?"

Haley giggled at his confusion, "Nah."

After quickly scanning her fit figure he looked back at her eyes, "So what… why…?"

"Just because I want to wait, doesn't mean that we can't make-out while I'm topless," she smirked, her hand going up towards the back of her bra.

He felt a sting in his heart at her words. He knew that line too well.

"Or not," she giggled nervously. "I think this is as far as I'll go tonight. Are you still out of it, Nathan?"

He shook his head as she smiled and made her way to sit on top of him for a searing kiss.

None of it was planned. She wasn't even planning to stand in-front of him with her bra and jeans alone. She just wanted him to respond to her, to talk to her. She didn't like the way he was silent.

Nathan deepened the kiss and he realized that even when he was with her Aundrea's toll started to take an effect. But not when she kissed him. When she kissed him she had this incredible power over him. She was able to get him out of this hell of a life and into an untouched world where it was only the two of them. A place where Aundrea could not reach them.


A/N: I hope you liked it!