TOXIC

Chapter 7

The Breakdown

12:02 pm......

Before she even opened her eyes, Haley knew only two things. One was that she was still, unfortunately in a basement at her place of employment, cold, hungry, and very badly in need of a restroom.

The second of which slightly more alarming, was that she was laying, or rather cuddling next to Nathan Scott. And the real shocker–she was' t completely disgusted by this knowledge. In fact if she were to be honest with herself, she was actually quite enjoying it..

The side of his body was pressed against hers, her head on top of his shoulder. Haley could feel the hardness of his muscles under his shirt, the warmth of his body, bouncing off of him and onto her. His even breaths lulling her back to sleep.

Wearily she flicked her eyes up to look at him, careful of her movements, so as not wake him. His eyes fluttered, his chest expanded from breathing, he still looked so handsome.

Haley quickly scolded herself. He is not good looking, he is not a good person, he is an evil, evil rich boy, with too much time on his hands. He'll only use you Haley, he'll never be who you want him to be. He'll only hurt you.

With that mantra repeating itself in her head, she tried to slip from his embrace.

"Morning," she heard him whisper, from behind her.

Haley stalled, and turned back around, unsure of how to act. He seemed decent for now, but who knew when he'd snap again.

"Afternoon actually," she replied, showing him her watch, as she sat back down facing opposite him.

Nathan ran a hand over his face and eyes, in an effort to wake him self up. Then paused before speaking, "About last night....," he began, his eyes anywhere but on her. He fidgeted with the rug in front of him.

"Yeah," she asked, watching him.

"About that....um can we just let it all go for now?"

Let what go, Haley wanted ask, and then remembered the words that had passed between them only hours before. She was supposed to be angry and put off by him, like always. And yet, seeing him like this, his hair slightly ruffled, his eyes still heavy from sleep, he looked so different, so shy. It made it hard not to be mad at him, damn it.

"What, like start off on a slate," was what she asked.

"Kind of.... I guess," he yawned., tilting his head down.

"You know that's not completely possible for us right? There's way too much history."

Nathan pulled the rug off of him, and flipped it over to his side. "Well just pretend, for the next however many hours, that you're not stuck down here by force, and don't completely hate my guts with a burning passion. That might make it easer," he boasted.

Haley caught his eyes this time, "I don't hate you Nathan."

"Really," he asked, with a grin.

"Yeah," she answered honestly, "I just don't like you very much."

Nathan smiled at her teasing, clutching a hand to his chest to cover his heart, "Ouch James, that hurts."

"Oh right, because, Nathan Scott is a paragon of sensitivity," she commented dryly.

"I'm just stating the obvious. You hated me. I knew it, even if Lucas hadn't told me. I could of been more likable, but I wasn't."

"Is that supposed to be an apology," Haley questioned.

"If you want it to be one, then it is."

Haley sighed, figuring that was probably the best answer she was going to get from him anytime soon.

 "If you're willing to let go about last night , then I guess I'm willing too," she answered, hesitantly.

Nathan's smile sparkled, "Well I can work with that."

A/N: As always thank you all for the great feedback. I really love it. You guys rawk!!!