A.N I just want to offer an apology to Clarkson04 for the way this chapter ends. I know you hate being left in suspense and this is probably my worst possible ending in your opinion. But you probably won't be the only one to hate me for it.

Giving In To Desires

Chapter Fifteen.

It was a really strange feeling for Nathan and Haley going to school the next morning. For the first time there was no one that they had to hide from and so they were able to drive to school together in Nathan's car and walk hand in hand across the parking lot. They got their fair share of strange looks from other students and even some of the teaching faculty who were used to seeing them with Brooke and Lucas respectively. But to be honest they were barely even aware of the curiosity that their joint arrival had aroused in the school population until that is, that it was brought inescapably to their attention by the arrival of Peyton and Theresa blocking their path and glaring at them scathingly.

"Do you two even care about anyone other than yourselves?" Peyton was the first to verbally confront them.

Nathan sighed dramatically at the sound of Peyton's theatrics "What do you mean Peyt?"

But it was Theresa's turn to offer her opinion on the situation and she was more interested in attacking Haley's role in the whole episode.

"You should be ashamed of yourself," she spat at her.

Haley too sighed before turning her full attention to Theresa "Why is that Theresa?"

"Of course" Peyton fired back "it would be too much to expect of you two to actually show some consideration for poor Brooke. How could you two do this to her?"

"And Lucas," Theresa added almost as an afterthought. It was clear the two of them were more concerned about Brooke than they were about Lucas.

"I can't believe you would dump Brooke to be with Haley. Poor Brooke has done nothing to deserve this sort of treatment." Peyton continued.

Nathan broke into her tirade before she could get any further into it. "Maybe you should ask Poor Brooke as you so eloquently describe her about the guy she slept with Saturday night before you start flinging accusations at me." He told them his eyes flashing angrily.

Peyton and Theresa looked at him flabbergasted as all the wind was removed from their sails. It wasn't so easy to lay the blame solely at Nathan's feet when confronted with the truth of the situation. Before they could gather their wits to mount another offensive Nathan took Haley by the hand and led her away from the two speechless girls.

"That was a great start to the day." Nathan told her with sarcasm.

"I would try to tell you that things can only get better," she told him "but I have a bad feeling that that was only the beginning and things are most likely going to get a hell of a lot worse."


Lucas seriously considered the idea of not going to school that day. After the events of the day before he really was not in the mood to sit in classes and see Nathan and Haley together as they would most likely be by now. Plus he knew that most of the school had probably gotten hold of the story and he truly was not emotionally ready to be the subject of all the gossip and innuendo that would no doubt be parried in his direction. Added to which he was sure that Brooke would be hanging around and he really did not want to have to deal with her on top of everything else. He couldn't shake the uneasy feeling that he kept getting in her presence lately but thus far had been unable to put his finger on any plausible reason for it. Dragging himself out of bed he threw on some clothes and grabbed his books heading for the door. He knew that there was no point hiding out in his room for the day he was best to get out there and confront what the day had in store for him.
Brooke surprisingly had woken up in a reasonably good mood. Although thinking about her plans for that day was definitely enough to brighten her spirits no matter how dark her mood may otherwise have been. She dressed carefully wanting to make sure that she looked perfect for the day she had in store. Lucas was finally going to be hers and then Haley would finally realise how wrong she had been to mess with Brooke Davis. Smiling to herself she walked out to her car anxious for once to get to school and get the day started.
Apart from Peyton and Theresa's outburst the morning had been fairly average for each member of the group. It was only when lunchtime came around that the divide in them became more apparent. Peyton, Theresa, Jake, Tim and Brooke sat together at the regular table. Despite Tim's protests to the contrary it was obvious that Nathan and Haley weren't welcome so they found another table to sit at. They weren't really that bothered by having only each other for company anyway. Much to Brooke's disappointment Lucas was nowhere to be seen and in fact had not been seen by any of the group at all that day. But even though they did not see him he saw them. He saw Nathan and Haley sitting together looking truly happy to be spending their time in each other's company. He saw Brooke sitting with Peyton and Theresa who seemed to be making a huge effort to involve Brooke in their conversation but even from where he stood Lucas could see she was obviously preoccupied with other thoughts. He watched as she once again scanned the interior of the cafeteria a frown of consternation marring her normally attractive features, as she once again was unsuccessful in locating the object of her thoughts. From his vantage point he was able to unbeknownst to her see her as she looked around once again. He saw the glare of pure hatred that she wore when her gaze settled on Nathan and Haley and to be perfectly honest was a little surprised by it. Brooke herself had made it perfectly clear to him that she was not overly bothered by her break up with Nathan and she hadn't really cared enough about him to now seem to feel such obvious hatred. It would seem her hatred was directed solely at Haley, he tried to piece together this new information with what he already knew and all of a sudden the answer was blatantly obvious. Could Brooke be behind everything that has happened? She had been trying to split Haley and him up recently and obviously would know exactly what textbook he was currently using and what page they were up to in class. On their own, those facts would have seemed coincidental at best but now coupled with her hostility directed towards Haley he couldn't help but wonder. Deciding not to act until he had time to properly weigh this information he walked away leaving the group split into its individual factions. He had a lot of thinking to do.
Fifth and sixth period passed slowly for most people including the gang. The last two periods of the day were always the worst as the time always seemed to drag before the final bell would sound to signal their freedom from another day of tedious academia. Nathan was completely preoccupied as he sat in Calculus for the last class of the day. Tim sat beside him totally lost in his own daydreams. Nathan could feel someone watching him and turned to find Brooke staring at him smiling as if in anticipation of some wondrous event. He felt slightly uncomfortable and visibly squirmed under her gaze. At his movement she seemed to become aware that he had noticed her staring and she turned her attention back to her favourite subject. Sitting behind Lucas she avidly watched his every move waiting in vain hope that he might turn to acknowledge her presence but he remained facing the front of the room and seemed almost oblivious to her presence in his class. She decided it was time to force the issue slightly and quickly scribbled a note on a piece of scrap paper, waiting until the teachers attention was focused in another direction before leaning forward and tapping him on the shoulder. Lucas turned to look at her his face expressionless as he waited to see why she had wanted his attention. Smiling innocently she passed him the folded square of paper hoping he would not refuse it. He took it reading it surreptitiously.

I need to talk to you. Lets see if we can get out of here a bit early.

Turning back towards her he nodded slightly in agreement and immediately raised his hand.

"Excuse me Mr Johnson, I'm feeling really ill. Can I please be excused?"

Mr Johnson looked in the direction of Lucas and immediately granted his permission. The boy had looked pale and drawn all lesson and he saw no reason to doubt the legitimacy of his request.

"Alright Scott, off you go."

Brooke allowed ten minutes to pass before she too raised her hand.

"Mr Johnson I need to be excused."

"Not likely Miss Davis."

"Please Sir" she used the one excuse guaranteed to work on all male teachers. "I need to go to the bathroom to attend to a female problem.

The middle-aged man visibly blanched at her words and hesitated only a moment longer.

"Very well Miss Davis, you're excused."

Brooke gleefully left the room excited to finally have a chance to be alone with Lucas and hopefully succeed in the last part of her plan to make Lucas hers.


Lucas waited for Brooke wondering what was the best way to go about confirming the suspicions that had been steadily growing stronger all afternoon. Watching her saunter towards him she looked to be so sure of herself. Sure that she would get what she wanted from him but she was clueless that Lucas had plans to get what he needed from her too and what he needed more than anything was information.

"Lucas I'm so glad that we're finally getting a chance to talk," she smiled at him flirtatiously leaning against the wall so that her short skirt rode even higher up her thigh.

Suddenly it was very clear to Lucas exactly what he needed to do. He smiled in her direction almost shyly.

"I'm happy to be talking to you too Brooke. I was so worried after the way I treated you yesterday that you might never want to speak to me again."

Her hand came up to stroke his arm reassuringly and her eyes practically glowed in anticipation of her triumph.

"You're so wonderful Brooke to forgive me like this."

"Of course I forgive you Lucas. I…" but whatever else she had planned to say was cut off by Lucas' lips covering hers in a passion filled kiss.

She responded instantly threading her fingers through his hair and pressing her body against his. But suddenly without warning he broke away and pushed himself back from her.

"Brooke I'm sorry I can't. What about Haley?"

"Haley?" she asked incredulously.

"You and Haley broke up."

"I know but I'm still hoping we might get back together. I still love her."

Brooke's upper lip curled back in a sneer.

"But she cheated on you."

"I know that's what people have been saying but I don't think its true. Haley would never do that. She's too kind hearted and sincere."

Brooke could feel her rage boiling up inside of her but was doing her best not to let it show. She turned to Lucas once more.

"But what about the photo?"

"What photo?" he asked with feigned innocence.

He had been listening to the rumour mill all day and although there were some pretty wild stories going around about the reason for their break-up so far there had been no mention of the photographic evidence. He'd even heard someone claim that they had seen Haley sneak into the locker room early one morning and not leave until just before Nathan but personally he didn't believe that particular story. What possible reason would Haley have to be sneaking into the locker room?

Brooke looked at him in disbelief her anger clouding her judgement and therefore making it impossible for her to think before she spoke.

"The photo in your textbook." She grated.

In that moment Lucas knew he had her. He pressed on before she could think about what she had said and get herself back under control.

"How do you know about the photo Brooke?" he asked mildly trying not to show too much interest.

A shadow passed across Brooke's eyes as she realised what she had said and she madly tried to rack her brain for a plausible reason for her to know about the presence of the photo. She could feel her self-control beginning to crumble under Lucas' unwavering gaze. But she could think of nothing to tell him that would sound believable.

"It was you wasn't it?" he questioned her quietly.

"You're the one who planted that photo."

"What the Fuck is wrong with you Brooke?"

Hearing Lucas speak to her like that was the last straw and what little control she had on her emotions snapped. A glint came into her eyes and she smiled manically.

"Haley's been a naughty, naughty girl and now she's going to be punished." She said in a singsong voice.

Lucas felt a shudder course through his body as he saw the hatred burning deep within Brooke's eyes as she said Haley's name and in that moment he knew there was something desperately wrong with her.

Brooke started laughing then as if someone had told her an outrageously funny joke but no one had spoken except perhaps in her head. She walked towards Lucas and leaned up to plant a soft kiss on the corner of his mouth.

"Don't worry Lucas I'm going to take care of everything so that we can finally be together."

She turned then and ran up the hall. Lucas tried to call after her but she ran on as if he hadn't spoken and Lucas felt his stomach drop as he contemplated what she could possibly have meant by that last statement. He stood there motionless overcome with dread as the bell sounded and students began pouring out of classes all around him. I have to find Haley. No matter what had happened between them the last couple of days he could not bear to see her get hurt. He had to protect her.


Haley and Nathan stood at her locker talking as she packed up her books readying herself to leave for the day. Nathan already had his rucksack slung over one shoulder and was simply waiting for her to be ready so they could leave. Finally she had everything she needed and she slammed the door shut before heading down the hall towards the exit, Nathan's arm resting casually around her shoulders. They walked out into the brilliant sunshine and headed towards Nathan's car.

"Nathan Scott get your ass over here now." Whitey's voice thundered across the yard.

Nathan turned to smile at Haley ruefully "here take the keys and wait in the car. Hopefully I won't be long." He gave her a quick kiss on the tip of her nose and brazenly squeezed her ass before loping off towards Whitey. Haley couldn't help but smile to herself at his actions. She was lost in thought as she wandered in the direction of the car park.

"Haley look out" Lucas' voice called to her as she turned to see him running in her direction.

She glanced around her puzzled to see what Lucas was yelling about and that's when she saw the blue car hurtling towards her. She froze, she knew she should run but at that moment she was incapable of the simplest movement. She could hear Lucas' footsteps bearing down on her as the car continued in her direction. The next sound anyone heard was the sickening thud of metal connecting with flesh and Nathan bellowing her name across the car park as a body lay lifeless on the ground.

"HALEY".


A.N I'm guessing you all hate me now. Hope you enjoyed the story.