AN: Hey everyone! So sorry for not updating here. I really appreciate the feedback. It makes me blush! Ah I am such a sap. O and to answer some questions, I don't hate Brooke. She reminds me of me, wierd huh? I'm going to make her much more unique. And you should also be warned. This chapter is strange! REALLY STRANGE! Thanks for the replies and please R & R!
Chapter 10: Skeletons In the Closet
Nathan's POV
My arm is draped over her shivering shoulders as we walked down the lane. The moon's light twinkled and the stars are shimmered. The gentle hush of the trees swishing and the leaves stirring were the only peaceful sounds of the dead night. I could even hear the soft murmur of the wind blowing. I looked down at her. Her auburn hair was sprawled along her arms and her breath-taking brown eyes looked at the captivating moon. Her skin glistened under the star's light. My mouth stood agape, just at her beauty.
Hell, I had just met her. Why was she so mesmerizing? Why was I so whipped? Why had this just happen? Was this fate?
Nahh...
As we continued to walk along, I felt almost happy and safe. Like the old days of spying were over and I was free from my father's cold grimy clutches.
"You're beautiful," I said. A small smile tugged at her lost face and her eyes streamed with happiness.
"And you're such a charmer," she replied.
"And I am taking that as a compliment," I commented with an air of mock arrogance.
The serenity of that moment was indescribable. The violence, the ruin, and the pain that had plagued me were slowly drifting out of my mind. I could only think about white clouds and blue skies. Only happiness lay ahead of me. The mellow tranquility made my eyes feel heavy, but not with exhaustion or depression. I almost forgot about my stupid mission. Almost. My eyes felt heavy from the quietness and the calmness, like it was a dream. In a sense it was a dream, because something had revived me back to the present world of espionage, revenge, and lies.
Tim was running down the boardwalk towards us. Haley lifted her head up and we shared a bewildered look. Tim's face looked bruised and his leg was limping. Fear drained into my body. What the hell happened to Tim? Sure, I don't usually show it, but the guy's like my long lost little brother.
Haley and I rushed towards him where he collapsed onto me. I dragged him over to the bench and he lay down.
"Gee man, thanks for the lift. You didn't have to go to all that trouble, I just had a splinter," he said while laying down and placing his hands behind his neck.
"O you bastard, you came running to us like it was D day," I replied. That a$$, he just played me.
"Well, you know me. Always the drama king. I was never one for subtle appearances," he continued.
"Don't you mean drama queen?" I asked him while wrapping my arms around Haley. She stood still, her foot tapping on the pavement while her face played a teasing smirk.
"O no you don't, Shaniqua. I know you aint tapping your foot at me girl!" I exclaimed with mockery. On a sad serious note, I have indeed been spending way too much time with Tim... as you can tell...
"Haha, hear that? That was the sound of a pity laugh. Get used to it lover boy," she said while tapping her foot.
"A pity laugh? I have A comedy. I take that offensive," I said while flaying my arms in the air.
"O please," she said while rolling her eyes.
"Tough crowd," Tim whispered and then added "I guess Nathan has forgotten his manners, I'm Tim and you are..."
"Haley. What a pleasure it is to be your acquaintance," she said while shaking his hand.
"O no madam, it is a pleasure for me and my fantasies," Tim said as he was about to kiss her hand, but I snatched it away.
"Enough of the ridicule," I said. Haley and Tim's faces cracked into smiles that grew wider and then burst out into laughter.
"O you should've seen your face, now I know what priceless is," Haley said.
"So Tim, what's your reason for interrupting the peace?" I asked him.
"Umm... how about you come over here and talk?" he asked me.
Uh oh. This could be something about the mission, it looked serious. Tim's face scrunched up and his eyes looked worried.
"Uhh... what's the big deal guys? You can talk right here and right now, that is unless you have something to hide?" Haley said with her eyebrows raised. Tim looked exasperatedly at me, but I just egged him on.
"Uhh... sure Tim, just tell me," I said while my palms started to sweat and my mouth dried. O God, Tim you better use your damn head to think us out of this one...
"Well... umm... Bob DeRange escaped and came to the party," Tim stuttered.
Bob DeRange! That guy is a maniac. I thought we locked him up at the UC's base (AN: Union of Crime).
"O who's that?" asked Haley with curious eyes.
"Uhh... my dog," Tim said.
"Your dog... why does your dog have a last name?" Haley asked. I almost saw a smirk flash by on her lips, but it was quickly replaced.
"See, my family has a tradition. We always give our pets full names. Bob's full name is Robert Fluffums DeRange. My fish's is Goldy Scalens Humberfloob. My cat's is Frisky Mats Chupchu. My frog's name is—" Tim ranted on nervously, but I cut him off.
"Yeah, so you get the point?" I asked Haley while gently rubbing her shoulders.
"Pets with full names... what a great idea. So he escaped, huh?" Haley continued.
"Yep, he escaped from my house and arrived at the party and caused a lot of trouble. He umm... attacked some people... then he escaped," Tim said slowly, making sure to formulate his words correctly.
"Your dog attacked people!?!" Haley asked with wide eyes.
"Uhh... yeah, and then he ran off. We can't find him anywhere," Tim said while looking directly at me.
O great, that psycho ran off and can't be found. Dad is going to freak.
"Does he have rabies?" asked Haley.
"Uhh... sure he does," Tim said.
"O my God! He must be in hell. Shouldn't he be put to sleep?" Haley asked.
"He will once he's caught," I said seriously looking at Tim.
"So you guys are going to take him to a vet?" Haley asked airily.
"Well that is where it all happens," Tim said annoyed.
"Or we may just send him to a far off asylum," I said thoughtfully. I sure as hell don't want Dad to find out. If we send him far away, then he'll never know. And I'm not one for killing... I mean, putting to sleep...
"An asylum for dogs? They have those?" Haley asked.
"O yeah... they have tons of them... they are all spread around the tri county district," Tim said with haste.
"Yeah, they put dogs with rabies there all the time. In fact, some pets are actually placed there to hide from crazy vets who have a fetish for putting animals to sleep," I continued the lie.
"O I've heard of those vets on the news," Haley said. For a split second, I almost saw an impish look in her eyes.
Hmm... I'm beginning to think that she maybe on to us. No, she couldn't have figured it out. Maybe she always asks a lot of questions. Maybe she's just an interrogatory girl... yep that's it.
"So, Tim go and put Bob in an asylum," I said. Tim nodded his head and ran off into the darkness.
"So... this whole walk wasn't a complete waste... after all, I did learn about those canine asylums," Haley said.
"So you're here walking with me only to learn about crazy rabid dogs?"
"Yep, but you weren't supposed to find out."
"C'mon you, there's something I want to show you."
I grabbed her hand and pulled her off the sidewalk. The gentle breeze blew by and whipped at her hair. Her skin looked glowing under the moonlight. Her brown eyes glimmered. She looked gorgeous.
I brought her over to the docks. It was my favorite place to be. The wind hummed softly while the bubbling white water ebbed at the docks and splashed around. At night, the moon grazed over the water's surface and shimmered. The moon's reflection glazed sweetly on the surface while small ripples journeyed along. The swirling water lapped at the dock while the gentle hum of the rolling water chanted into the air.
As she sat down, I slowly wrapped my jacket around her shivering body. Her brown eyes twinkled and I was once again held in utter amazement. We sat down together, our bodies leaning against each other's and mingling together with sheer bliss.
"Welcome to the docks," I stated as her eyes grew wide with what appeared to be amazement.
"So is this where you take all your victims before you brutally massacre their bodies and dump their carcasses into the water view to rot and fester in the deep mysterious abyss?" she asked casually.
I looked at her with wide eyes. Wow, she sure sucked the romance out of the moment. She looked at me and burst out laughing.
"I was joking, you know like haha joking. The kind where you laugh. O stop looking at me like I'm some deranged wolf," she laughed.
"Well, I was trying to be romantic and all, but you umm... kinda demonized the whole gesture," I said while blushing. Damn, why do I have to look like a blushing pansy now of all times in my life?
"I don't want you to try to be anything... I like you just the way you are," she said while placing a delicate finger on my nose. Again, I blushed. Why must I look so girly now? And since when have I ever cared how I look?
Wow, this girl is turning me into someone who actually cares.
She leaned closer into me, closer and closer. I saw her eyes get hazy not with lust, but with this new thing. This new thing that I can't quite figure out. Hmm... I wonder what it is. Hell, even my eyes are mimicking hers.
Could it be the drugs talking? Nope, didn't have any tonight. Could it be the cold air giving me a headache? Nope, I don't usually hallucinate when I have headaches. Could it be love? Hmm...
Her eyes stared deep into mine. I looked into hers. They were like deep pools of mud. Ok, maybe I should lay off the romantic stuff. I'm not so good with that stuff. I don't think I should tell her that her eyes look like mud. No, I don't think she'd appreciate the comment at all.
But the truth is they reminded me of nature. The deep brown was almost like the rich earth, not like chocolate. It was natural and not man made. So perfect and pure.
I reached my hand out and touched her cheek. Her eyes closed briefly as my hand slid down her silky skin. I leaned in closer, the space between us diminishing. The air between us heating up as our bodies grew closer. I gently placed my lips on top of hers and felt the bare innocence of the moment. Her hands slid down my neck and electrified my every nerve. She opened her mouth wider and I slid my tongue deeper. O wow.
Ok, so you might be wondering, what on earth are these two hormonally challenged idiotic teenagers doing right out in public? Isn't that unclean and nasty? I mean, who wants to see people make out? Who likes PDA? Who? I, for one, dislike it when I see people do it. I mean, it's like they woke up one day and decided "hey, I want to have a little public presentation of how I like to have hot wild steamy sex!" Plus, it makes the town look bad. What mentally stabilized person would want to live in a town with teenagers presenting themselves in an obscene manner? Usually not me.
But Haley and I are an exception. With us, it's different. Different how? I have no clue. Like I said before, the whole hazy eye thing is still freaking me out. I don't know what's going on. But the point is that we are much more worthy of PDA than random people having make out sessions. Much more. Thus, I have reasoned with myself that it's ok to make out in public. She is worth it. Really worth it.
So here I am making out with Haley. O wow. Those are the only two relatively close to coherent syllables I can actually manage to say. O wow.
Suddenly, we both heard a loud cackling man walk by in a trench coat. Man, he looks shady. I possessively wrap my arm around Haley, who doesn't seem unfazed by this drooling maniac. Hmm... he looks familiar. He looks big. He looks familiar and big. Do I know this guy?
I look closer, but I can't see his face. His trench coat is covering it up and he looks like he's from the KKK. I think he's on ecstasy. That stuff will kill you. I heard it can make little holes in your brain. But back to the delusional man...
He keeps walking closer to us and that kind of makes me uneasy. I mean, I do know all the defense stuff, but my Kung Fu Master always told me to avoid a conflict.
Should I fight and look really good in front of Haley or do the responsible thing? Hmm... will I choose stupidity or wisdom? Hmm... What's right or what's wrong? Hmm...
Before I can make up my mind, the crazy man is in front of us and opening his trench coat. For a second, I almost thought of kicking him in the balls and running away. But a male should never do that to another male. That's what my Kung Fu Master told me. It would be an absolute heinous crime for a male to kick another male's balls. So I contained myself.
As he opened his coat, I looked in with my eyes half closed. See, I was expecting either a big sh!t load of rifles shooting lead up my ass or him being butt naked. But, boy was I completely blown away. Instead, he had office supplies lining the pockets. There were floppy disks, CDs, pens, highlighters, etc all lining up his pockets.
He then lowered his head, but I still couldn't see his face. Then he started to whisper.
"Shhh... (he looked around to his left and right and then back to us) I have just got a whole new stock in. Would you like to buy?" he ranted.
"Buy what?" Haley asked without an air of any concern.
"Well ma'am, these office supplies are a fresh stock and many people are yearning for new pens fully loaded with a whole ink supply. I'm sure you will find this as a great bargain and take this opportunity."
"Where exactly did you get this stuff from?" I asked.
"Who's asking? Ay, you a cop?" he asked me with suspicious eyes.
"Listen you stupid hunchback, all I'm asking is where you got this stuff," I said roughly.
"Don't say a word, but this is (he once again looked around to his left and right and then back to us) shady business. I stole these supplies from my school. I just need to sell them to get a ticket out of this dump."
"You stole office supplies from your school?" Haley asked incredulously.
"I'm desperate, see this guy is chasing me."
"What's your name?" I asked him.
"Bob."
"You got a last name?" I asked.
"Bob DeRange."
Ahhh... this kid is such a dumba$$. He shouldn't be telling people his name. Especially, when so many people want you dead. He's on everyone's list of people to die. But hey, on the bright side, I caught him. Now, to have some fun in tormenting him.
"Well my name is Scott, Nathan Scott," I said enunciating each syllable in my name.
His eyes grew wide with terror. Everyone knew about me. Not to sound so cocky, but I am a great person. I saw his skin start beading with sweat and pale with fright. Haley looked at me strangely, but looked at the man named Bob. She was filled with absolute disgust. Who steals office supplies from your own school and then try to sell them on the streets as a bootlegger? What a dishonest thing to do.
"And my name is Bond, James Bond," Haley said while laughing at her own joke.
Bob's eyes just grew wider as his hoody fell off his big head, revealing his grotesque face. Man, he is some ugly kid.
"Dude, cover up," I said while pulling his hoody back up, hiding his face from sight.
"You shouldn't blind people like that. Your face is uhh... amusing, but I don't want to vomit right now," Haley said in a rush. I looked at her amazed. She must be really pissed off at this guy to call him ugly in so many different ways.
"So sorry, so very sorry," he whispered with fear.
"O and by the way, my name is James, Haley James," she said.
His eyes grew even wider. Ok, I'm just a little confused, but whatever makes this guy scared is ok by me.
"So Bob, since you need a way out of this dumpy town, I'll just call up my friend Tim Smith to take you outta here," I said while pulling out my cell phone.
After about a minute, Tim pulled up in a black car and pulled Bob inside. I pat the guy on the back friendly and smiled at him. He was scared out of his fcuking mind. Poor bastard.
Once he left, the peace returned. Haley and I sat on the bench. Her head rested neatly on my arm and my head leaned on top of hers.
"I saw that guy in school today. He looked like a serial rapist... So did you notice that guy's name is the same name as Tim's dog?" she asked me.
"O yeahhh, Tim always names his dogs after people. Must be a coincidence," I said while lying my ass off.
"Must be," she breathed.
I slowly got lost in my own thoughts, thoughts about her. Her hair intoxicated me with its sweet scent. Her skin felt so smooth against mine. Her body fit snuggly next to mine and lay gently. With each breathing motion, her chest would go up and down so smoothly. She was so soft, so delicate. I didn't want to let her go. I didn't want to break her. The calm silence was broken by the music of her voice. Ok, I'm a total sap...
"Let's play a game," she said softly.
"What game do you want to play?" I asked her.
"Well, how about Truth or Dare?"
"Nahhh... those always end up nasty."
"How about... I Never?"
"Ugh it's like everyone in Tree Hill only plays that game."
"Let's be foreign then and play Skeletons?"
"What?"
"Skeletons."
"Haven't heard of it before."
"Well, it's simple. Just tell me a secret."
"A secret?"
"Yes, a secret."
"Ok, doesn't sound too hard."
"Alright, you go first."
"Me?"
"No, the invisible man humping that tree. Yes, you."
"Alright. Well, I... I have a fear, that uhh... nobody knows about."
"Yeah, go on..."
"I'm scared of hamsters."
"Are you serious?"
"Yeah, dead serious."
"You mean you're scared of little furry balls?"
"Well from where I stand, they aren't just little furry balls. They can jump and attack you with those sharp teeth. They are also freakishly tiny. They are just like mini cats."
"And let me guess, you are scared of cats?"
"Well not so much as hamsters."
"What about gerbils?"
"Gerbils, hamsters, same difference."
"Ok scardey cat and I mean that literally, it's my turn. Ummm... O when I was like six, I used to eat slugs."
"Ehh... so you like things slimy huh?" I smirked at her.
"Shut up perv."
"Ok I used to steal my neighbor's pet fish and give them to Tim. I would always dare him to eat the dead fish and then he'd get diarrhea."
"That's not a secret."
"Yeah it is, only me and Tim know about it."
"I mean a real secret."
"Ok, fine. Guys always lie about how often they have sex."
"You do that?"
"Every guy does it. It's like a rule. You always multiply the original number of times by three. Thus, it looks like you have had three times more sex."
"I've heard of that before. Ok, my secret is... I have never had a real boyfriend before."
"Never?"
"Never. I just haven't gone steady or whatever yet. I mean, I'm not a virgin, definitely not a virgin," she said with wide eyes.
"What bout Lucas?"
"Jealous are we?"
"No, just curious."
"We're just good friends, nothing to it. Sure, there is this undeniable sexually hardcore tension, but I'm really just trying to ignore it," she said with a smile. I looked at her bewildered and scared for a second, then her face gave it away. She started laughing on and on.
"You are such a sucker," she squealed.
"Don't kid around with stuff like that."
"Okie dokie, now you're turn. How about I ask you a question?"
"That's not fair."
"Well, you're telling me about kid stories, I want juicy secrets."
"Trust me, I like juiciness too."
"Shut up perv."
"Make me."
"O I will..."
She stood up from the bench and leaned against me. I literally shut up in an instant. I was only concentrating on breathing. Her body leaned in harder. Wow. She breathed on my neck. Wow. I felt her hand inch its way up my leg. Wow. Little droplets of water dripped down on us from the sky. Rain drizzled down, but I sat there still.
"Where are you really from?" she breathed in my ear.
"Huh?" I questioned, my eyes were too busy with her body.
"Where are you really from? I know you aren't from the Caribbean."
BOOM. Just then a big rumble of thunder grumbled throughout the place and quaked us from our spot. Startled, we both shook. Then she leaned her head on my shoulder as she whispered in a low husky voice.
"It's ok, you don't have to answer. We all have our secrets."
Then she kissed me lightly and smiled. Her hair whipped across her glowing face. Slowly, she walked away into the darkness of the night. I stood there, rain pouring down and thunder rumbling, completely confused.
What had she meant?