"I still cannot believe you let Tutor girl stay in your house unsupervised", Brooke said for the millionth time.
It was the end of a week long trip of road games for both the Hawks and Bobcats and finally the two brothers had met in the middle somewhere outside of Houston. Brooke, Luke and Nate were catching a late night meal at the only restaurant open, which happened to be the local Denny's.
"What am I supposed to do, Brooke? I couldn't just leave her. She had nowhere to go."
"I understand that but still. You can't go around saving the world, kiddo."
Nathan rolled his eyes. "Well, this is temporary, just until we can figure something out. Besides, it's not like she's some stranger from off the street. I've known this girl practically my whole life. In fact, we've all known her or while you're so busy being the Belle of Atlanta and spending my brother's money, did you forget where you came from, Brooke?"
"Fine", Brooke sniffed. "No need to get all pissy on me, Nate. I'm warning you because I care and because I want to help. If you want to take it the wrong way and get your shitty little attitude..."
"Alright, you two", Lucas warned. "Quit it. Brooke, babe, I see your point and where you're trying to come from but it's okay. Haley and I were pretty tight growing up. She was my best friend. I know you're just trying to look out for Nate but Haley is okay. If you could trust anybody in the world and if any one person really needed help, then she would be the one. She's gone through a lot since her folks split up. Hell, I wish there was something I could do for her. Still it's not our business. This is between Haley and Nathan."
"I don't see what the big deal is", Nathan spoke up. "I mean, come on. I know what I'm doing so leave me alone. Man, somebody had to do something to help her. Luke, tell me if you still lived in Tree Hill that you wouldn't have helped her out. There's no way you can say that to me because there's no way you would have turned your back on her. Haley is a sweet girl and she's kind of had it rough since high school. She deserves a chance."
"Dude, I totally agree with you but in Brooke's defense, that's not what she was trying to say." Lucas offered on his wife's behalf. "All we're saying is be careful. You know I'm all about helping people out who deserve it and especially Haley but watch your back. That's always, Nathan. You are still vulnerable from Peyton and..."
Nathan had heard enough. Sighing before he lost his temper completely, he stood up and walked away from the table.
It had been a rough and unbelievable 96 hours for Haley. She had almost been raped by her mother's slimy, no good boyfriend and fled to the home of Nathan Scott of all people. From there he had been so giving and helpful, calling the police and offering to protect her by letting her stay at his home while he was on the road. It was even more amazing how quickly and deeply she had learned to trust and depend on him. He had been her rock, her virtual lifeline through everything but there was still the gnawing fear that she would wear out her welcome. She had no money or food or anything that she could call her own. The police were planning to deliver her clothes from her old home and until then she was stuck in Nathan's oversized sweats and tees. He had gone through great lengths to make sure she would be comfortable, stocking the house with groceries and even leaving a small wad of cash. But there was no reason to leave, as the house was wonderful. It was plenty spacious and of course decorated with Nathan's unique and keen sense of style. It was stocked with a full bar, three movie sized television sets, and a digital satellite so there was always something to do. But the house also bore memories of Peyton. Her pictures and remnants of various presents and cards left over the years. But what struck Haley the most a white silk shawl. She had recognized it immediately as the one Peyton had worn at Senior prom. She had looked so beautiful that night in a long, white sleeveless designer gown. Peyton and Nathan had been the perfect couple and the elected King and Queen of the gala, leaving Haley to admire from afar in the little lavender dress that had been purchased from a sale rack at the local mall. That shawl, that pretty white shawl. Haley picked it up relishing its feel between her fingers. Draping it across her, she admired it in the full length mirror.
"What the hell are you doing?"
"Nathan!" Haley gasped, startled at the interruption and the fact that he was home.
"That's Peyton's. Where did you get it?"
"I...I'm sorry. I was just looking through the house and I saw it. I remembered it because she wore it with her dress that night at prom. It's so pretty I just wanted to see what it would look like on. I didn't mean anything by it."
He nodded but was still unnerved at the very thought of Haley, or anyone for that matter, rifling through Peyton's things.
"Well, I'd appreciate if you didn't mess around with her stuff."
"Okay", she replied meekly as they walked back out to the main area. "I'm sorry."
"It's no biggie. So, um, what did you do while I was gone? Did you press charges?"
"Yeah", she breathed. "That was pretty hard. Mama is very angry with me about the whole thing. They're holding Ricky and we have a court date in a couple of weeks."
"I'm sorry your mom is being like that, Hales. It's not right and it's not your fault. You did the right thing."
"I hope so. Uh, the cops are brining my clothes and stuff here tomorrow, if that's okay. I'm trying to get in contact with my cousin, Becky, so I can stay with her and be out of your hair."
"That's cool", he smiled. "No rush. I'll try to go with you to court and everything."
"You don't have to but thanks."
"Were you bored while I was gone?"
"A little", she grinned, "but I won't complain. This house is amazing and the cable is out of this world. I swear I watched enough TV to fry my brain for the next ten years. I had a good time though. You have some neat channels. I watch a lot of History, and Geographic and Travel stuff. It's so cool. I was bundled up on the sofa watching those programs seeing so many new things. It sounds silly but I felt like I was traveling too. I guess in my head I was. Experiencing new things and places."
Nathan smiled taken aback at her pure child like spirit. She was so fresh and so smart. It was a shame she had never had the chance to leave Tree Hill and explore the world.
"Sounds nice. It's cool that you got to see all those things on television but how would you like to experience it in real life?"
"What do you mean?"
"I have an away game at the end of the week in Orlando against the Magic. Have you ever been to Florida? Disney World?"
"No, I..."
"Well I hope the cops hurry up and get your stuff over here because you've got some packing to do", Nathan winked.