Chapter 3
~~~~~~
It was 2 in the morning, but for some reason Haley could not get the sinking feeling out of her stomach that something bad was about to happen. Ever since her encounter with Dan at the diner, something was always bothering her. And then his dirty looks at dinner..she knew that he would never do anything to her. It's probably because I'm protective of Nathan and Dan treats him like crap, she thought to herself. She reached over the bed and began to dial his cell phone number: 525-544...she couldn't bring herself to press the last 4. She did not want to risk waking him. The shrill sound of her phone made her gasp and jump. She quickly picked it up.
"Hello?" She asked, almost afraid to hear who was on the other line.
"Hey, it's me. I couldn't sleep, and judging from how awake you sound, I'm guessing you couldn't either.
"Lucas, you scared the crap out me." Haley scolded. Lucas gave a raspy laugh. Haley immediatly froze, something was wrong with him.
"What is it?"
"Peyton kissed me." Haley laughed, silently yelling at herself for immediatly thinking the worse.
"And now you are even more confused than before." She said for him. She could almost picture him nodding on the other side of the line.
"Yeah, I like her so much, but Brooke..Sorry Halz, let's talk about you for once." He said apologetically.
"There's nothing to talk about." Haley said, but even as she said it, it came out unconvincing.
"What is it?" Lucas asked, repeating what she had asked earlier.
"Well, you have to promise not to tell anyone, especially Nathan." She said sternly.
"Please, please don't tell me you're pregnant." Lucas said, alarm evident in his voice.
"No! God, Luke, what do you think I am? Stupid?! I was at his house eating dinner when Dan came in. He was crazy, Luke, and he kept shooting me these dirty looks." She said.
"Halz, maybe he doesn't like you. Don't take it personally, that's just Dan Scott for you." He said bitterly. Haley fidgeted, tracing the pattern on her bed covers.
"That's not all. Dan came into the diner the other day. He basically ordered me to stay away from Nathan or else." She said quietly.
"He won't do anything. I wouldn't worry about it, it's just him being a jerk and trying to scare you away from Nathan. He realizes that you're probably the best thing to happen to the guy and he does not like that." Lucas said gently. Haley smiled softly.
"I'm the best thing for Nathan?"
"I never thought that these words would come out of my mouth, but I think you two are good for one another." Lucas said. Haley yawned, a smile still on her face.
"Thanks Lucas." She said.
"No probelm, I'm going to go though. Good night Halz, I love ya."
"Love ya too, big bro." She said softly, hanging up the phone. She snuggled into her pillow, a grin still on her face.
"We're good for one another." She said softly, before drifting to sleep.
~
Haley grinned as a pair of arms slid around her waist.
"Hey you." She said, leaning into him.
"Hey yourself." He said back. She tensed up and struggled to turn around. The next sight caused her to scream. The smiling face of Dan Scott was behind her, not Nathan.
"Let go of me." She yelled and managed to kick him in the groin. Once he was down, she began running down the hall. Why isn't anyone helping? She thought desperatly. She swung open a door and was immediatly tackled to the ground. Dan Scott was on top of her, a plastic bag in his hand.
"I told you to stay away from my boy." He yelled and put the bag over her head. The door opened and Nathan and Lucas were talking.
"So that game tonight so be good?" Nathan said, stealing a glance at Haley. She struggled more.
"Definatly." Lucas said.
Both looked at her and smiled.
"She's so pretty.." They said. Dan looked at them.
"Go play basketball." Obdiently, the boys ran off, leaving Haley to struggle as air started to get cut off.
"No!!!" She screamed and flew up in bed. She gasped and ran her hand through her hair, trying to get a grip. It was only a dream, only a dream. A strangled cry escaped her throat. She couldn't bring herself to cry, but all she could do was pull her knees up to her chest and watch the darkness around her.
~
Nathan watched as Lucas's car pulled up to school, he couldn't wait to see Haley. He had wanted to call her last night around 2, but figured she was sleeping. He watched Lucas get out and saw Haley and was immediatly worried. She had an over-sized sweatshirt with baggy pajama pants. Her hair was pulled back in a messy ponytail. But she still looked beautiful but Nathan couldn't help but be worried. When she came up to him, he was able to see the dark bags underneath her eyes.
"No sleep last night?" He asked, taking her hand. Haley nodded.
"Long night, have to get to class." She said, gave him a quick kiss and ran off. He turned and saw Lucas watching them. They exchanged a look and Lucas shrugged his shoulders. He didn't know what kept her up all night either.
~~
In English, Nathan knew for sure that something was wrong with her. Not even half-way through the class, her head slowly fell to the desk, she was asleep. The teacher banged a book and Haley jumped. Everyone but Nathan snickered.
"Miss James, I suggest if you want to sleep, then do it at home." She snapped. Haley mumbled an apology.
"Or do it with Nathan." Sandra, a snobby cheerleader mumbled to Brooke. Nathan turned around.
"How about you go sleep with another guy? Oh wait, you slept with everyone at this school." He snapped, suddenly feeling girlie for saying that. Sandra smiled coyly at him.
"That's right Nathan, everybody." She reached out and tugged his shirt. He pushed it away.
~
"So you going to tell me what's wrong?" Nathan asked softly to Haley as he came up to her locker. She gave him a half-smile.
"I just didn't get too much sleep last night. Had some nightmares." Hearing this, Nathan pulled her into a hug.
"What happened?"
"Oh well, there was this guy at school, I don't know who he was, he was older though and he started to kill me with a plastic bag. It just gave me the creeps." She said as cheerfully as possible. Nathan nodded, knowing there was something else.
"Well, I would never let anything happen to you."
"I know." She said smiling.
"So you going to the game tonight?" He asked. Haley froze, thinking about the dream.
"Oh yeah. I'll go."
~~
"Haley, you're freaking out about nothing." Lucas told her after she told him the truth about her dream. Haley shook her head.
"I know, Luke, but Dan just gives me the creeps."
"He does to everyone. I'll tell you what I think your dream means. It means that you don't like the influence that Dan has on Nathan, like how he obeyed him to leave when he was killing you. It also shows that your afraid of Dan ruining your relationship with Nathan. Honestly, Halz? Dan Scott wouldn't do anything to physically hurt anyone, he's just good with the insults." Lucas explained. Haley grinned and hugged him.
"Thanks Lucas. I think I'm going to go home, get some sleep, and be all ready for the game." She said, got up and left the table to find Nathan.
~
"Hey!" She said, smiling at Nathan. A surprised smile lit up his face.
"You seem better." He stated. Haley grinned.
"I'm still tired, but I'm going to go home and get some rest so I can be fresh later." She said cheerfully. Nathan pulled her into a big bear hug.
"Alright, I will see you later then." He mumbled into her hair. He then pulled her into an earth-shattering kiss. Haley pulled away and laughed in surprise.
"Bye." She said breathlessly and walked away, a bounce in her step.
"Let's Go!
Shoot that Ball in Hoop!
Swoosh! Swoosh!"
The cheerleaders waved their poms in the air and giggled. Haley rolled her eyes and shared a look with her cheerleader friend. Peyton came up the bleachers.
"Just between you and me. Your cheers suck." Haley joked. Peyton laughed.
"Hey, don't blame me, Brooke makes them up." They both glanced at Brooke, who was laughing with Sandra.
"I don't like her that much." Haley said.
"Who? Sandra? Yeah, no one does that much. She can be a bitch." Peyton stated. Haley laughed and tucked a piece of hair behind her ear.
"Can be? She was mean in English, but it doesn't matter." The time bell rang, signaling the start of the first quarter.
"I got to go. Catch you later." Peyton said and went back to her spot on the team. Haley would never admit it, but she liked having Peyton as a friend. Even though she had Lucas, she always want a girl friend who she would feel comfortable enough to talk to. Although her and Peyton weren't too close yet, she could feel that Peyton was going to be a good friend to her.
"Hey little missy. How's it going?" Dan Scott said as he sat down next to her. Haley froze, but kept her eyes on the game. Be proud of Nathan, watch Nathan, keep eyes on Nathan, she told herself. She watched her boyfriend make a basket and her heart soared when the look of pride came across her face.
"He's good, isn't he?" Dan said, watching Nathan.
"Yes, he is beyond good."
"No, he's not beyond it. He used to be before you came along and ruined everything."
"I didn't ruin anything. I'm helping him with his grades. That does not constitue as ruining him." Haley shot back. Silence stood between her and Nathan.
"You keep telling yourself that, but look at the truth. When was Nathan happier in general, now or then?" He said, and walked away. Haley turned back to Nathan, pondering the question.
~
"So, I saw you and my dad talking earlier, anything interesting?" Nathan asked as he played with Haley's fingers. Haley sighed and leaned against him, placing a kiss on his cheek. They were at his house after the game, watching "Pirates of the Carribean", although there was not too much watching on their part.
"Oh nothing really. Basketball. You. How good you are." She said casually, trying to avoid the topic.
"Yeah, I am good." Nathan said arrogantly, a cocky smile came across his face.
"You're good for a boy, but we all know I could kick your butt anytime, anywhere." She joked. Nathan laughed and pulled her hand.
"You wish." He said jokingly. Haley turned toward the movie.
"Check out that Orlando Bloom. Is he hot or what?" She joked. Nathan chuckled and pulled her towards him in a loving kiss. Haley loved his kisses, they had so much passion in them. After a few minutes of kisses, she pulled away and looked at him.
"I never thanked you for defending me earlier to Sandra." She said quietly. Nathan looked away.
"You're welcome, she's not too nice of a person." He said, avoiding eye contact with Haley, which she noticed right away.
"Nathan..did you..did you have a relationship with her?" She asked. He looked away.
"Not completely. I..got with her one night a few months ago." He said quickly. Why was he so upset? What would she care if it was a few mo..it hit her.
"You cheated on Peyton, didn't you?" She asked quietly, anger in her voice.
"I did. It was a mistake, but Haley, I would never do that to you." He pleaded. Haley stood up.
"And how many times did you use that line on Peyton?" She asked, Nathan pulled her back down.
"Never. Look, Haley, I thought I cared about Peyton, but I did not care about her even half as much as I care about you. I would never do anything to hurt you." He said. Haley smiled and kissed him.
"I'm sorry..I just..I wasn't expecting that. I got to go. Bye." She said. Nathan pulled her onto his lap for a longer kiss.
"Bye."
~
Preview for the next one:
Sandra: It's about time to play a little game of truth or dare
Peyton: Because we all know how well this game goes
~
Nathan: Look, I'm sorry, but things are different now.
Haley: Oh are they, Nathan? Or is that just what you want me to believe. I cannot believe I ever trusted someone like you.
*door slams*
*cuts to Haley driving*
*brakes screeching and a crash*
~~~~~~
It was 2 in the morning, but for some reason Haley could not get the sinking feeling out of her stomach that something bad was about to happen. Ever since her encounter with Dan at the diner, something was always bothering her. And then his dirty looks at dinner..she knew that he would never do anything to her. It's probably because I'm protective of Nathan and Dan treats him like crap, she thought to herself. She reached over the bed and began to dial his cell phone number: 525-544...she couldn't bring herself to press the last 4. She did not want to risk waking him. The shrill sound of her phone made her gasp and jump. She quickly picked it up.
"Hello?" She asked, almost afraid to hear who was on the other line.
"Hey, it's me. I couldn't sleep, and judging from how awake you sound, I'm guessing you couldn't either.
"Lucas, you scared the crap out me." Haley scolded. Lucas gave a raspy laugh. Haley immediatly froze, something was wrong with him.
"What is it?"
"Peyton kissed me." Haley laughed, silently yelling at herself for immediatly thinking the worse.
"And now you are even more confused than before." She said for him. She could almost picture him nodding on the other side of the line.
"Yeah, I like her so much, but Brooke..Sorry Halz, let's talk about you for once." He said apologetically.
"There's nothing to talk about." Haley said, but even as she said it, it came out unconvincing.
"What is it?" Lucas asked, repeating what she had asked earlier.
"Well, you have to promise not to tell anyone, especially Nathan." She said sternly.
"Please, please don't tell me you're pregnant." Lucas said, alarm evident in his voice.
"No! God, Luke, what do you think I am? Stupid?! I was at his house eating dinner when Dan came in. He was crazy, Luke, and he kept shooting me these dirty looks." She said.
"Halz, maybe he doesn't like you. Don't take it personally, that's just Dan Scott for you." He said bitterly. Haley fidgeted, tracing the pattern on her bed covers.
"That's not all. Dan came into the diner the other day. He basically ordered me to stay away from Nathan or else." She said quietly.
"He won't do anything. I wouldn't worry about it, it's just him being a jerk and trying to scare you away from Nathan. He realizes that you're probably the best thing to happen to the guy and he does not like that." Lucas said gently. Haley smiled softly.
"I'm the best thing for Nathan?"
"I never thought that these words would come out of my mouth, but I think you two are good for one another." Lucas said. Haley yawned, a smile still on her face.
"Thanks Lucas." She said.
"No probelm, I'm going to go though. Good night Halz, I love ya."
"Love ya too, big bro." She said softly, hanging up the phone. She snuggled into her pillow, a grin still on her face.
"We're good for one another." She said softly, before drifting to sleep.
~
Haley grinned as a pair of arms slid around her waist.
"Hey you." She said, leaning into him.
"Hey yourself." He said back. She tensed up and struggled to turn around. The next sight caused her to scream. The smiling face of Dan Scott was behind her, not Nathan.
"Let go of me." She yelled and managed to kick him in the groin. Once he was down, she began running down the hall. Why isn't anyone helping? She thought desperatly. She swung open a door and was immediatly tackled to the ground. Dan Scott was on top of her, a plastic bag in his hand.
"I told you to stay away from my boy." He yelled and put the bag over her head. The door opened and Nathan and Lucas were talking.
"So that game tonight so be good?" Nathan said, stealing a glance at Haley. She struggled more.
"Definatly." Lucas said.
Both looked at her and smiled.
"She's so pretty.." They said. Dan looked at them.
"Go play basketball." Obdiently, the boys ran off, leaving Haley to struggle as air started to get cut off.
"No!!!" She screamed and flew up in bed. She gasped and ran her hand through her hair, trying to get a grip. It was only a dream, only a dream. A strangled cry escaped her throat. She couldn't bring herself to cry, but all she could do was pull her knees up to her chest and watch the darkness around her.
~
Nathan watched as Lucas's car pulled up to school, he couldn't wait to see Haley. He had wanted to call her last night around 2, but figured she was sleeping. He watched Lucas get out and saw Haley and was immediatly worried. She had an over-sized sweatshirt with baggy pajama pants. Her hair was pulled back in a messy ponytail. But she still looked beautiful but Nathan couldn't help but be worried. When she came up to him, he was able to see the dark bags underneath her eyes.
"No sleep last night?" He asked, taking her hand. Haley nodded.
"Long night, have to get to class." She said, gave him a quick kiss and ran off. He turned and saw Lucas watching them. They exchanged a look and Lucas shrugged his shoulders. He didn't know what kept her up all night either.
~~
In English, Nathan knew for sure that something was wrong with her. Not even half-way through the class, her head slowly fell to the desk, she was asleep. The teacher banged a book and Haley jumped. Everyone but Nathan snickered.
"Miss James, I suggest if you want to sleep, then do it at home." She snapped. Haley mumbled an apology.
"Or do it with Nathan." Sandra, a snobby cheerleader mumbled to Brooke. Nathan turned around.
"How about you go sleep with another guy? Oh wait, you slept with everyone at this school." He snapped, suddenly feeling girlie for saying that. Sandra smiled coyly at him.
"That's right Nathan, everybody." She reached out and tugged his shirt. He pushed it away.
~
"So you going to tell me what's wrong?" Nathan asked softly to Haley as he came up to her locker. She gave him a half-smile.
"I just didn't get too much sleep last night. Had some nightmares." Hearing this, Nathan pulled her into a hug.
"What happened?"
"Oh well, there was this guy at school, I don't know who he was, he was older though and he started to kill me with a plastic bag. It just gave me the creeps." She said as cheerfully as possible. Nathan nodded, knowing there was something else.
"Well, I would never let anything happen to you."
"I know." She said smiling.
"So you going to the game tonight?" He asked. Haley froze, thinking about the dream.
"Oh yeah. I'll go."
~~
"Haley, you're freaking out about nothing." Lucas told her after she told him the truth about her dream. Haley shook her head.
"I know, Luke, but Dan just gives me the creeps."
"He does to everyone. I'll tell you what I think your dream means. It means that you don't like the influence that Dan has on Nathan, like how he obeyed him to leave when he was killing you. It also shows that your afraid of Dan ruining your relationship with Nathan. Honestly, Halz? Dan Scott wouldn't do anything to physically hurt anyone, he's just good with the insults." Lucas explained. Haley grinned and hugged him.
"Thanks Lucas. I think I'm going to go home, get some sleep, and be all ready for the game." She said, got up and left the table to find Nathan.
~
"Hey!" She said, smiling at Nathan. A surprised smile lit up his face.
"You seem better." He stated. Haley grinned.
"I'm still tired, but I'm going to go home and get some rest so I can be fresh later." She said cheerfully. Nathan pulled her into a big bear hug.
"Alright, I will see you later then." He mumbled into her hair. He then pulled her into an earth-shattering kiss. Haley pulled away and laughed in surprise.
"Bye." She said breathlessly and walked away, a bounce in her step.
"Let's Go!
Shoot that Ball in Hoop!
Swoosh! Swoosh!"
The cheerleaders waved their poms in the air and giggled. Haley rolled her eyes and shared a look with her cheerleader friend. Peyton came up the bleachers.
"Just between you and me. Your cheers suck." Haley joked. Peyton laughed.
"Hey, don't blame me, Brooke makes them up." They both glanced at Brooke, who was laughing with Sandra.
"I don't like her that much." Haley said.
"Who? Sandra? Yeah, no one does that much. She can be a bitch." Peyton stated. Haley laughed and tucked a piece of hair behind her ear.
"Can be? She was mean in English, but it doesn't matter." The time bell rang, signaling the start of the first quarter.
"I got to go. Catch you later." Peyton said and went back to her spot on the team. Haley would never admit it, but she liked having Peyton as a friend. Even though she had Lucas, she always want a girl friend who she would feel comfortable enough to talk to. Although her and Peyton weren't too close yet, she could feel that Peyton was going to be a good friend to her.
"Hey little missy. How's it going?" Dan Scott said as he sat down next to her. Haley froze, but kept her eyes on the game. Be proud of Nathan, watch Nathan, keep eyes on Nathan, she told herself. She watched her boyfriend make a basket and her heart soared when the look of pride came across her face.
"He's good, isn't he?" Dan said, watching Nathan.
"Yes, he is beyond good."
"No, he's not beyond it. He used to be before you came along and ruined everything."
"I didn't ruin anything. I'm helping him with his grades. That does not constitue as ruining him." Haley shot back. Silence stood between her and Nathan.
"You keep telling yourself that, but look at the truth. When was Nathan happier in general, now or then?" He said, and walked away. Haley turned back to Nathan, pondering the question.
~
"So, I saw you and my dad talking earlier, anything interesting?" Nathan asked as he played with Haley's fingers. Haley sighed and leaned against him, placing a kiss on his cheek. They were at his house after the game, watching "Pirates of the Carribean", although there was not too much watching on their part.
"Oh nothing really. Basketball. You. How good you are." She said casually, trying to avoid the topic.
"Yeah, I am good." Nathan said arrogantly, a cocky smile came across his face.
"You're good for a boy, but we all know I could kick your butt anytime, anywhere." She joked. Nathan laughed and pulled her hand.
"You wish." He said jokingly. Haley turned toward the movie.
"Check out that Orlando Bloom. Is he hot or what?" She joked. Nathan chuckled and pulled her towards him in a loving kiss. Haley loved his kisses, they had so much passion in them. After a few minutes of kisses, she pulled away and looked at him.
"I never thanked you for defending me earlier to Sandra." She said quietly. Nathan looked away.
"You're welcome, she's not too nice of a person." He said, avoiding eye contact with Haley, which she noticed right away.
"Nathan..did you..did you have a relationship with her?" She asked. He looked away.
"Not completely. I..got with her one night a few months ago." He said quickly. Why was he so upset? What would she care if it was a few mo..it hit her.
"You cheated on Peyton, didn't you?" She asked quietly, anger in her voice.
"I did. It was a mistake, but Haley, I would never do that to you." He pleaded. Haley stood up.
"And how many times did you use that line on Peyton?" She asked, Nathan pulled her back down.
"Never. Look, Haley, I thought I cared about Peyton, but I did not care about her even half as much as I care about you. I would never do anything to hurt you." He said. Haley smiled and kissed him.
"I'm sorry..I just..I wasn't expecting that. I got to go. Bye." She said. Nathan pulled her onto his lap for a longer kiss.
"Bye."
~
Preview for the next one:
Sandra: It's about time to play a little game of truth or dare
Peyton: Because we all know how well this game goes
~
Nathan: Look, I'm sorry, but things are different now.
Haley: Oh are they, Nathan? Or is that just what you want me to believe. I cannot believe I ever trusted someone like you.
*door slams*
*cuts to Haley driving*
*brakes screeching and a crash*