Chapter 14: My Hero
Slowly the heaviness from my eyes drifted away. I saw a blurry light appear and pierce through the darkness. The light intensified and the darkness began to ebb away. Then a hazy fog came. The haze gradually disappeared. I felt my steamy tears mingle with my sweat. I was soaked. My clothes were clinging to me. After awhile, my eyesight became clearer and I began to take in my surroundings. I was in a room. There were basketball posters on the wall, clothes on the floor, and the window was slightly open. I heard muffled voices outside of the room.
"Yeah, bring him over, too," I heard a man murmur.
"You're sure she's okay?" I heard Peyton's voice.
"I don't know..."
"O God... did you save her before he... before he raped her?"
"Yeah... I never felt so scared, Peyton... I mean... I was just so lucky to have been there..."
"We should thank God that he didn't... that he didn't rape her... I'll go get Lucas and Brooke."
"Brooke?"
"Yeah, she's taken a liking to Haley... I should go get them. They're probably dead from worry. Bye."
"Bye Peyt."
I heard the door open. Then someone walked in and sighed deeply. He flicked on the lights. He walked over to the bed I was in. The sound of a chair scraping against the wooden floor made me come back to reality.
There sitting next to me, was Nathan. His face was clutched in his hands. I coughed slightly to get his attention. He tore away his hands from face, leaving a red mark.
"Haley..." was all that he could say before he looked at the floor.
"I can't remember... What happened?" I asked. The past day seemed like a blur to me.
"Um... this guy came up behind you and tried to... he tried to hurt you. I saw it and got you away from him..."
The room was filled with silence. I lay in the bed as the sudden flashbacks all came back. Someone grabbing me. Ice cold hands – hands that were touching me. The darkness swirling around me. My only hope was found in the blue eyes staring at me as I fainted.
"Nathan..."
"Yeah..."
"Thank you... you-you saved me..."
Again, the silence consumed us. Both of us were looking at the floor contemplating as to what we should say. I finally gathered enough courage to tell him the truth.
"Do you remember high school?" I whispered. He looked up at me. I saw a flash of guilt spread through his blue eyes.
"Yeah..."
The silence prevailed once again, as our high school memories dashed through our minds.
FLASHBACK Lucas and I were walking down the halls. We walked into the class and took a seat next to one another. Then, Nathan and his posse walked in. He looked at me, then turned away to talk to a cheerleader.
As the class proceeded, the teacher divided the class into groups of 4. I just so luckily ended up in being in Nathan and his bimbo's group. O joy!
Luckily, I also had Daryl in my group. He was a sweet, smart, and hot guy. He was president of our class and the captain of the lacrosse team. He was basically perfect. His family wasn't even part of the elite society, so I was urged by my parents to date him. I was told that he had a major thing for me, so I was glad that I wasn't alone.
The teacher had designed a project in which we had to interview one of our classmates. Then we had to make a movie with a character similar to each person in the group.
"So Haley, can I interview you?" asked a nervous Daryl.
"Well, sure –" I was interrupted by Nathan.
"Well I think that the whole group should be there at the interviews." I could tell that he was ready for another of his jealous rages.
"Well Nathan, you don't honestly want me and Daryl to be there when lil Miss I'm-blonde-and-a-bimbo interviews you, do you?" I asked him sarcastically.
Then that stupid bimbo started to whisper in his ear all sorts of nonsense. I looked away dismayed. Nathan looked at me with his eyes begging to consider out relationship again. I closed my eyes. We then continued with our project. END OF FLASHBACK
NEXT FLASHBACK I had gone to a party with Lucas. I was handed a cup of rum and coke. I gulped it down and started to talk to a bunch of random guys. I saw them checking me out, but I wasn't interested in them. The only guy who had caught my attention was talking to Peyton heatedly.
Then Brooke announced that there was going to be those fun games. I headed for the porch to escape, but Lucas grabbed my arm. Everyone sat around a big table. Someone handed me a cup of vodka.
Brooke: Ok, I'm gonna start. Hmm... let's see... how about Truth or Dare? I Never? Strip Poker? Jenga? Taboo? Wow, there are like sooo many... hmm... Ok, we're doing my fave, Truth or Dare!
The group groaned loudly. The only thing I wanted was to get away. But nooooooo, stupid Lucas has to hold me back. Asshole.
Brooke (In high school, she was like a nonstop chitchatting gossip queen): So, my turn... hmm... who shall be my next victim? I got it! Peyton...
Peyton: Dare
Brooke: I dare you to go up to a guy, who you have fantasized before, and fulfill your fantasy.
Peyton walked over to Jake, her hands shaking. She slowly leaned down and kissed him fervidly. It started to progress rather quickly. They stopped when someone yelled. I think Lucas said it, because he was really red-faced with anger. Although Peyton and Nathan were together, he seemed to busy looking at me to care.
Peyton: Wow... umm... okay... how about Nathan?
Nathan: Truth
Peyton: Out of the girls in this room, who have you slept with?
Nathan sat there quietly. I could tell there was an internal struggle going on. He looked at me, and then glanced away. I hoped, nay prayed, that he wouldn't tell them.
Peyton: C'mon Nate, tell us... We won't bite. (She was so buzzed, that she forgot that he was her guy.)
Nathan: Ummm... well there's Peyton, Brooke, Kelly, and...
Brooke: And???
Nathan: and... no one else.
I sat there, my head spinning. Did Nathan Scott just pass up an opportunity to embarrass me? Why? He always loves ruining my life. This would be the easiest way to shit all over my world. Why didn't he do it? What's stopping him? These questions just swirled in my mind as I drank the night away. END OF FLASHBACK
NEXT FLASHBACK I was walking to my locker when someone tapped me on the shoulder. I looked around and found Daryl. I smiled at him exposing my pearly white teeth. His face cracked into an abashed smile.
"Can I walk you to your class?" he coyly asks.
"Well, I'm going to the library. You can come if you want," I say looking aimlessly around.
"Sure," he replies with a giddy smile.
When we arrived at the library, I set down my books and told Daryl that I have to find a book. I go around to the nonfiction section and hear a girl giggle. I stopped in my tracks and unintentionally listened to their conversation.
"Stop, Nathan... We're going to be caught," I heard Peyton giggle out. She truly disgusted me back in high school.
"No one will know... but we could go to my car," I heard Nathan add suggestively.
"No... my car," Peyton giggles and they both exit the library and head towards the parking lot.
I was burning with jealousy. He always had to make me feel like this. Depressed, lonely, basically like shit. I walked away, forgetting about the book. I sat down at my table.
"Haley, are you okay? You look really pale," said Daryl.
"I'm fine," I affirmed while plastering a fake smile.
"Well, I was wondering... If you wanted to... No pressure or anything... If you wanted to got out this Friday? I mean, you don't have to. If you don't want to, I'll accept it-"
"Yes," I said. I had to get my mind off Nathan and Daryl was a way.
After that, Daryl and I had gone out for the entire senior year. We broke up when had to go to Stanford. We promised though to keep our friendship intact. END OF FLASHBACK
I broke the silence when I realized that he wasn't going to.
"Nathan... I-I miss you," was all I could gasp out.
"Haley, me too. Just... let's not do this right now... I don't want you to start this whole thing, because-just because I saved you. I want it to be real."
"Nathan-"
Ding-dong-ding-dong
Just then the doorbell rang. He looked deeply into my eyes, and then tore away. He sighed again and slowly got up. Emotionlessly, he walked out of the room to answer the door. I was left alone in the dark room... alone with my panic. Panic that he may not want me anymore.
Slowly the heaviness from my eyes drifted away. I saw a blurry light appear and pierce through the darkness. The light intensified and the darkness began to ebb away. Then a hazy fog came. The haze gradually disappeared. I felt my steamy tears mingle with my sweat. I was soaked. My clothes were clinging to me. After awhile, my eyesight became clearer and I began to take in my surroundings. I was in a room. There were basketball posters on the wall, clothes on the floor, and the window was slightly open. I heard muffled voices outside of the room.
"Yeah, bring him over, too," I heard a man murmur.
"You're sure she's okay?" I heard Peyton's voice.
"I don't know..."
"O God... did you save her before he... before he raped her?"
"Yeah... I never felt so scared, Peyton... I mean... I was just so lucky to have been there..."
"We should thank God that he didn't... that he didn't rape her... I'll go get Lucas and Brooke."
"Brooke?"
"Yeah, she's taken a liking to Haley... I should go get them. They're probably dead from worry. Bye."
"Bye Peyt."
I heard the door open. Then someone walked in and sighed deeply. He flicked on the lights. He walked over to the bed I was in. The sound of a chair scraping against the wooden floor made me come back to reality.
There sitting next to me, was Nathan. His face was clutched in his hands. I coughed slightly to get his attention. He tore away his hands from face, leaving a red mark.
"Haley..." was all that he could say before he looked at the floor.
"I can't remember... What happened?" I asked. The past day seemed like a blur to me.
"Um... this guy came up behind you and tried to... he tried to hurt you. I saw it and got you away from him..."
The room was filled with silence. I lay in the bed as the sudden flashbacks all came back. Someone grabbing me. Ice cold hands – hands that were touching me. The darkness swirling around me. My only hope was found in the blue eyes staring at me as I fainted.
"Nathan..."
"Yeah..."
"Thank you... you-you saved me..."
Again, the silence consumed us. Both of us were looking at the floor contemplating as to what we should say. I finally gathered enough courage to tell him the truth.
"Do you remember high school?" I whispered. He looked up at me. I saw a flash of guilt spread through his blue eyes.
"Yeah..."
The silence prevailed once again, as our high school memories dashed through our minds.
FLASHBACK Lucas and I were walking down the halls. We walked into the class and took a seat next to one another. Then, Nathan and his posse walked in. He looked at me, then turned away to talk to a cheerleader.
As the class proceeded, the teacher divided the class into groups of 4. I just so luckily ended up in being in Nathan and his bimbo's group. O joy!
Luckily, I also had Daryl in my group. He was a sweet, smart, and hot guy. He was president of our class and the captain of the lacrosse team. He was basically perfect. His family wasn't even part of the elite society, so I was urged by my parents to date him. I was told that he had a major thing for me, so I was glad that I wasn't alone.
The teacher had designed a project in which we had to interview one of our classmates. Then we had to make a movie with a character similar to each person in the group.
"So Haley, can I interview you?" asked a nervous Daryl.
"Well, sure –" I was interrupted by Nathan.
"Well I think that the whole group should be there at the interviews." I could tell that he was ready for another of his jealous rages.
"Well Nathan, you don't honestly want me and Daryl to be there when lil Miss I'm-blonde-and-a-bimbo interviews you, do you?" I asked him sarcastically.
Then that stupid bimbo started to whisper in his ear all sorts of nonsense. I looked away dismayed. Nathan looked at me with his eyes begging to consider out relationship again. I closed my eyes. We then continued with our project. END OF FLASHBACK
NEXT FLASHBACK I had gone to a party with Lucas. I was handed a cup of rum and coke. I gulped it down and started to talk to a bunch of random guys. I saw them checking me out, but I wasn't interested in them. The only guy who had caught my attention was talking to Peyton heatedly.
Then Brooke announced that there was going to be those fun games. I headed for the porch to escape, but Lucas grabbed my arm. Everyone sat around a big table. Someone handed me a cup of vodka.
Brooke: Ok, I'm gonna start. Hmm... let's see... how about Truth or Dare? I Never? Strip Poker? Jenga? Taboo? Wow, there are like sooo many... hmm... Ok, we're doing my fave, Truth or Dare!
The group groaned loudly. The only thing I wanted was to get away. But nooooooo, stupid Lucas has to hold me back. Asshole.
Brooke (In high school, she was like a nonstop chitchatting gossip queen): So, my turn... hmm... who shall be my next victim? I got it! Peyton...
Peyton: Dare
Brooke: I dare you to go up to a guy, who you have fantasized before, and fulfill your fantasy.
Peyton walked over to Jake, her hands shaking. She slowly leaned down and kissed him fervidly. It started to progress rather quickly. They stopped when someone yelled. I think Lucas said it, because he was really red-faced with anger. Although Peyton and Nathan were together, he seemed to busy looking at me to care.
Peyton: Wow... umm... okay... how about Nathan?
Nathan: Truth
Peyton: Out of the girls in this room, who have you slept with?
Nathan sat there quietly. I could tell there was an internal struggle going on. He looked at me, and then glanced away. I hoped, nay prayed, that he wouldn't tell them.
Peyton: C'mon Nate, tell us... We won't bite. (She was so buzzed, that she forgot that he was her guy.)
Nathan: Ummm... well there's Peyton, Brooke, Kelly, and...
Brooke: And???
Nathan: and... no one else.
I sat there, my head spinning. Did Nathan Scott just pass up an opportunity to embarrass me? Why? He always loves ruining my life. This would be the easiest way to shit all over my world. Why didn't he do it? What's stopping him? These questions just swirled in my mind as I drank the night away. END OF FLASHBACK
NEXT FLASHBACK I was walking to my locker when someone tapped me on the shoulder. I looked around and found Daryl. I smiled at him exposing my pearly white teeth. His face cracked into an abashed smile.
"Can I walk you to your class?" he coyly asks.
"Well, I'm going to the library. You can come if you want," I say looking aimlessly around.
"Sure," he replies with a giddy smile.
When we arrived at the library, I set down my books and told Daryl that I have to find a book. I go around to the nonfiction section and hear a girl giggle. I stopped in my tracks and unintentionally listened to their conversation.
"Stop, Nathan... We're going to be caught," I heard Peyton giggle out. She truly disgusted me back in high school.
"No one will know... but we could go to my car," I heard Nathan add suggestively.
"No... my car," Peyton giggles and they both exit the library and head towards the parking lot.
I was burning with jealousy. He always had to make me feel like this. Depressed, lonely, basically like shit. I walked away, forgetting about the book. I sat down at my table.
"Haley, are you okay? You look really pale," said Daryl.
"I'm fine," I affirmed while plastering a fake smile.
"Well, I was wondering... If you wanted to... No pressure or anything... If you wanted to got out this Friday? I mean, you don't have to. If you don't want to, I'll accept it-"
"Yes," I said. I had to get my mind off Nathan and Daryl was a way.
After that, Daryl and I had gone out for the entire senior year. We broke up when had to go to Stanford. We promised though to keep our friendship intact. END OF FLASHBACK
I broke the silence when I realized that he wasn't going to.
"Nathan... I-I miss you," was all I could gasp out.
"Haley, me too. Just... let's not do this right now... I don't want you to start this whole thing, because-just because I saved you. I want it to be real."
"Nathan-"
Ding-dong-ding-dong
Just then the doorbell rang. He looked deeply into my eyes, and then tore away. He sighed again and slowly got up. Emotionlessly, he walked out of the room to answer the door. I was left alone in the dark room... alone with my panic. Panic that he may not want me anymore.