Disclaimer. Aerosmith owns the song used in this chapter. I have no rights to it but was watching VH1 the other day and it came on and it just seemed to fit this story.
Chapter FifteenAfter her encounter in the library with Nathan, Haley was confused. She couldn't understand why he had seemed so upset when she had accused him of only wanting to be with her again so he could sleep with her and save his reputation. She had after all only been stating the truth. He didn't care about her and he had only taken an interest in her because of some stupid game. But as much as she tried to tell herself that this was the case she couldn't quite reconcile that behaviour with the Nathan that had taken care of her the other night when she had been so upset over Lucas. It was all just too bewildering. There were too many facets of Nathan's personality that didn't seem to fit together. He could be sweet and kind, arrogant and egotistical and more passionate than anyone else she'd ever know but which one was the real Nathan? Shaking her head she came out of her reverie she didn't want to spend the rest of her life trying to figure out how Nathan Scott's mind worked. Besides it doesn't matter she told herself because things are over with Nathan and me and that's how they're going to stay. The confidence she should have felt after such a strong statement though was nowhere to be found and instead she felt like she wanted to cry.
The rest of the day passed agonisingly slowly for Haley. She couldn't concentrate on any of her classes and she could feel dread mounting within her as the clock counted down the minutes to English class. To think that English was once one of her favourite subjects and now she looked forward to it the way one might anticipate a date with the executioner. Lucas sitting beside her in Chemistry had finally had enough.
"That's it Hales you have got to snap out of this," he hissed. "You're driving me insane. Every time I try to speak to you I find you staring off into space and looking as if you've just been told that the love of your life has only got an hour to live. What the fuck is wrong with you? Surely you cannot be this upset over what I told you about Nathan? You barely knew him."
Haley stared at Lucas as if seeing him for the first time. "What right have you got to tell me how I should be feeling?" she demanded
"I've listened to all this shit from you about Peyton and how your feelings are supposedly genuine and yet you were too ashamed of your relationship with her to tell even me, your best friend. What the fuck do you know about anything Luke? If things are so great with you and Peyton then why don't you just fuck off and be with her because I really don't care anymore." She finished in a harsh whisper and was surprised to discover that it was the truth.
She was sick of Lucas and all his shit and right now she didn't need it or him. He had supposedly told her about Nathan for her own benefit but she couldn't help but wonder if he would have been so keen to tell her about it if it had been some other guy she had been seeing and not his much despised half brother. Lucas glared at her in disbelief he couldn't believe that she was actually questioning his motives. It didn't matter that she was in fact right in her assumption. What had happened to the timid little bookworm that he had known for so long? Moving in her seat she raised her hand to signal Mr Diego's attention.
"Excuse me Sir I'm not feeling well can I please be excused."
Mr Diego looked up and seeing that it was Haley immediately signed the pass not considering for a moment that she may not be telling the truth. This was Haley James after all one of his best students. Haley gathered her books and turned to Lucas one last time before leaving the room.
"She's probably just using you for sex anyway." She told him maliciously and walked away without a backward glance.
Entering the bathroom she stared at herself in the mirror disbelief clouding her features. She couldn't believe that she had finally seen Lucas for what he was and although she knew she should be saddened about the inevitable end of their friendship she couldn't help but feel a certain degree of relief and freedom. She could finally stop questioning everything she did and worrying about how it would affect him. He obviously hadn't given much thought to the affect his actions would have on her so why should she constantly worry about him. Deep down she knew that she had had doubts about their friendship for some time but had always played them down and told herself that their friendship was something special. But after spending time with Nathan she knew that she could get by just fine without Lucas and she was a lot stronger than she had ever given herself credit for. Sure she didn't have Nathan anymore but he had shown her that there were plenty of other people who could bring joy to her life other than Lucas. Thinking about Nathan though had brought all her feelings of betrayal to the surface and she realised that she missed him more than she wanted to admit. Things can only get better she told herself as the bell went signalling the end of Chemistry. Hearing the sounds of students pouring out into the hall she left the bathroom heading to English wondering what else this day could possibly have in store for her.
Arriving at class before any of her peers she slid into a desk mentally steeling herself for another confrontation with Nathan. She wasn't sure what he would try this time but was determined to be prepared for it. As the rest of the class filed in she stared straight ahead planning to ignore any advances he made. But when he finally did enter the room he barely even glanced in her direction before heading to the back of the room to sit. Haley was shocked but tried to tell herself that she was glad that he seemed to have gotten the message that things were over between them.
It had taken all of Nathan's willpower not to stop in front of Haley's desk and beg her for another chance but after what had happened in the library he didn't think there would be much point. He had never been good at expressing himself in words and couldn't take the chance that he might make things worse. He had a plan and he could only pray that it would work. Unbeknownst to Haley though he sat watching her throughout the class hoping that her feelings for him were as strong as his feelings were for her. If they were there was still a chance that they could salvage things and he had to hold firm to that hope because without that he didn't have much left.
When the bell went ending the class and school for the day he once again walked past her without looking at her. She sat staring after him stunned feeling wounded that he seemed to have so quickly forgotten about her. She knew that she was being contradictory telling him to leave her alone and then feeling disappointment when he did but deep down she had held out some hope that he would fight for her. Maybe even tell her that he loved her but that now seemed to be just a fantasy. It seemed he didn't want anything from her beyond the physical. The emotional connection that she had felt between them was obviously all in her imagination. Sighing forlornly she picked up her books and headed to the tutoring centre to meet Susie.
Susie arrived moments after she did carrying a small transistor radio.
"I hope you don't mind" she told Haley "but I find it much easier to study with music playing."
"That's fine" Haley responded listlessly really not caring one way or the other.
Susie sat down watching the door apparently seeing someone she knew she sent them a conspiring grin and turned on the radio. The sound of Tree Hill High's radio station filled the room and Haley looked up in surprise as Mouth's voice came over the airwaves.
"Hey everybody we've got a special treat for you today. I've got Nathan Scott here with me and he has something he wants to say."
Sure enough Nathan's voice was the next sound Haley heard. "Haley I know you're listening and there's something you need to hear. I know I've screwed things up but I want you to know how I feel and I've never been good with words so hopefully this will help you understand how I feel about you."
Haley stared at the radio dumbfounded as the sounds of Aerosmith filled the room.
I could stay awake just to hear you breathingWatch you smile while you are sleeping
While you're far away and dreaming
I could spend my life in this sweet surrender
I could stay lost in this moment forever
Well, every moment spent with you
Is a moment I treasure
I don't wanna close my eyes
I don't wanna fall asleep
'Cause I'd miss you baby
And I don't wanna miss a thing
'Cause even when I dream of you
The sweetest dream would never do
I'd still miss you babyAnd I don't wanna miss a thing
Lying close to you
Feeling your heart beating
And I'm wondering what you're dreaming
Wondering if its me you're seeing
Then I kiss your eyes and thank God we're together
And I just wanna stay with you
In this moment forever, forever and ever
I don't wanna close my eyes
I don't wanna fall asleep
'Cause I'd miss you baby
And I don't wanna miss a thing
'Cause even when I dream of you
The sweetest dream would never do
I'd still miss you baby
And I don't wanna miss a thing
I don't wanna miss one smile
I don't wanna miss one kiss
Well, I just wanna be with you
Right here with you, just like this
I just wanna hold you close
Feel your heart so close to mine
And just stay here in this moment
For all the rest of time
Don't wanna close my eyes
Don't wanna fall asleep
'Cause I'd miss you, baby
And I don't wanna miss a thing
'Cause even when I dream of you
The sweetest dream would never do
'Cause I'd still miss you, baby
And I don't wanna miss a thing
I don't wanna close my eyes
I don't wanna fall asleep
'Cause I'd miss you, baby
And I don't wanna miss a thing
'Cause even when I dream of you
The sweetest dream would never do
I'd still miss you, baby
And I don't wanna miss a thing
Don't wanna close my eyes
Don't wanna fall asleep, yeah
and I don't wanna miss a thing
As the last strains of music faded away Haley sat paralysed in her chair. This has to be a dream. There is no way that this could be real. Great Haley you've slipped over the edge and gone into your own delusional fantasy world.
Susie's voice cut into her thoughts "Haley why are you just sitting there? Go find him."
Haley stared at her for a moment. It was real. Nathan had really been on the radio declaring his feelings for her. Haley jumped out of her chair a huge grin covering her face.
"Susie I've got to go. I'm really sorry about your math quiz but I can't stay."
"Haley for goodness sake there is no quiz. Just go." She urged practically pushing her out the door.
Haley didn't need to be told again and she ran from the room headed for the radio studio. Susie shook her head as she watched her leave then quickly grabbed her books. "Well I've done my part it must be time for me to collect my reward," she said to the empty room. "Yeah its time to get me some of that Tim Magic."
Haley flew down the hall nearly bowling over a janitor in her haste. As she rounded the corner she saw the door to the studio open and Nathan step out turning to look hopefully down the hall, his face breaking into a grin as he saw her barrelling towards him. Upon seeing him she increased her speed running full pelt into his open arms and knocking him to the ground in the process. She crashed down on top of him smiling madly.
"Did you mean it?" she asked him breathlessly "do you really feel that way about me?"
"Yes Haley I meant every word and as for how I feel about you" he took a deep breath and looked at her seriously "I love you". He told her amazed at how easily the words had come out of his mouth.
He had never imagined himself saying those words to anyone but he knew now that that was how he felt. He looked at her anxiously fearful of her reaction but was reassured by the elation he saw in her eyes.
"I think its time we went back to the beach house and I show you exactly how much I love you," she told him.
He couldn't help the smirk that came to his lips at her words "Are you saying what I think you're saying?" he asked.
She smiled at him mysteriously "Guess you'll have to find out when we get there." He tightened his hold on her body covering her lips with his own in a passionate kiss.
Mr Andrews who had been listening to the radio broadcast in his office stepped out from across the hall shaking his head at the sight of the pair sprawled on the ground totally lost in each other. "How The Mighty Have Fallen." He said to himself.
A.N Well everyone that's it. I hope you have all enjoyed it. I've had a blast writing it. I've got a few ideas for a new story so if you want to hear more from me let me know.
