this chapter has been reviewed, some correction has been made, I changed all the ''leaved'' for ''left'' and some other things.
The torments of life
Chapter 4
Haley huried herself out of the classroom. She had only spent an hour without Nathan and she already missed him. Haley had her mind on so many things that she didn't look where she was going. That meant she didn't see the curly blond girl, who was also wrapped in her own world, that was coming her way. They collided together.
''woah…''said the girl as she collide with Haley.
''Sorry, I wasn't looking where I was going,'' said Haley without realising the person with whom she was talking.''
''it's ok, I wasn't either… Haley,'' said Peyton after a pause to give a look to the girl she had collided with.
''After hearing her name,'' Haley realised it was Peyton.
''I didn't realise it was you.''
''I've seen that.''
''Where were you going?''
''I was just walking. You?''
''I was looking for Nathan.''
''Don't bother.''
''What does that mean?''
''Well, you see, he's in my English class which was our first period and someone ask him to the office.''
''Why?''
''No idea and Nathan didn't seem to have a clue, but, you know, it might be for basketball.''
''Maybe.''
''What do you say if we go sit and catch up a little?''
''I'm all for it.''
''The two girls started to walk alongside toward a little bench.''
''Tell me, what have you done this summer with Nathan?''
''Not much really. I had to find a job and so did Nathan so we could pay the rent and once in awhile Nathan went to visit his father.''
''How did he react when he learned about Dan.''
''He didn't know how to react to it at first. Then he practically came to think that his life would be better if Dan was dead, but it didn't last long, he really realise that it was his angrier talking and that no matter what happened in the past, his father is his father and he loves him.''
''Nathan really grew up since he's with you. If it had happen while he was with me he would have stuck to his first reaction.''
''Thanks…I guess.''
''It is a compliment. You change him, Haley, in a good way.''
''Thanks''
''What I'm gonna say is in no point link to this. It's about Lucas…do you have news from him?''
''Not from him directly, but since I'm working at the Café, Karen told me what he told her.''
''That would be…''
''I was getting there. Apparently, he's fine, He loves Charleston. He didn't say if he was missing tree hill or anything of that sort, but he probably does.''
''Thanks'', said Peyton, with a little deception in her voice.
''It wasn't what you were hoping for, huh?''
''No, not really. You know he told me he was leaving with a letter, I would have preferred if he had told me in person.''
''He probably thought you would try to change his mind and he knew you were the only person who could do such a thing.''
''The thing is I wouldn't have, but it would have given me a chance to tell him goodbye back. In this letter he also told me that he was sorry for screwing my friendship with Brooke, and that he would miss me, that he liked every moment we shared together and the way he wrote everything, it was like he was telling me he loved me.''
''But he does love you, Peyton.''
''Maybe, maybe not. You know he also wrote a letter to Brooke and I don't know what he wrote her. As far as we know, it could be the same things.''
''Don't think so.''
''How so?''
''Because his feelings for Brooke never been as strong as the one he had for you.''
''How can you be sure?''
''He told me so, not in so many words, but he did and the way his eyes were glowing each times he was talking about you, give it all.''
''I guess I'll never really hear it from him.''
''At that time Brooke came to them running.''
''Peyton, you've got to help me. It's a matter of life or death.''
''What is it this time, Brooke?'' Asked an exasperated Peyton.
''Kyle…''
''What about him?''
''He wants me to go at his place after class, so we can work on our project.''
''There's nothing bad about it.''
''It is bad, it is so bad, this is Kyle Ferguson we're talking about, if anyone knows I've been at his place, it's a social suicide. I just can't go.''
''No one has to know…''
''The thing is… he's already screaming everywhere that I'm his partner. What do you think he'll do if I only put a feet in his driveway? I just can't do it. You've got to help me, he'll probably come here soon. Just pretend that after class, I'm going at your place and you will help me in math.''
''Stop there Brooke, he was in my Math class last year. He knows I'm not that good in math, at least not enough to help you.''
''Doesn't matter Peyt, just improvise, please. I'll owe you.''
''Ok, ok.''
''Thanks Peyton'' said Brooke while hugging her friend.
Brooke let go of her friend and turned to look at Haley.
''So tutor girl…''
''Brooke, you know her name so use it'', interrupted Peyton.
''Whatever, I just thought that "tutor girl" sounded great, but if you rather me using Haley…''
''Yeah, I'll prefer it, like that''said Haley.
''So, before Peyton interrupted me, I was going to ask you where is Nathan?''
''You don't remember, Brooke? In English class, Nathan was asked to the office''said Peyton.
''No, I don't, but Kyle was boring me to tear, I was falling asleep. At least you had Nathan part of the class before being all alone.''
''You're working with Nathan? ''Asked Haley to Peyton.
''Yeah, the teacher made the team by alphabetical order, so Sawyer and Scott it's really close and all…''
''You doesn't have to justified yourself, it's ok…''
''Brooke your worst nightmare is coming our way…''
''Hide me, please.''
''We'll stick to the plan, would you?''
''Where is he? Is he close?''
Peyton didn't answer her, but welcomed Kyle: "Hi Kyle!"
''Hi Peyton. Huh…Brooke, could I talk to you?''
''go ahead…''
''Alone, please…''
''No, just do it here.''
''Huh ok, Do you think you could pass by my place tonight after school, so we can work on our Shakespeare project?''
''No, I can't.''
''But we have to do it, soon.''
Brooke was pleading her friend with her eyes, to do something, to help her out of this mess.
''Huh Kyle ?''
''What Peyton ?'' Asked Kyle, not leaving his eyes from Brooke.
''You see, these times, I feel really down, said Peyton trying to look down, like she wasn't feeling right, which in some way was true. You know, my boyfriend just dumped me and I need my friend, my best friend to be with me.''
''Oh, I understand, I'm sorry Peyton. I heard about Lucas, I'm so sorry. Then Brooke, you don't have to work on this project, I'll do it.''
At the mention of Lucas, the two friends looked at each other. A shadow came across their eyes. They remembered the whole story, the hurt that came from it, the crying and everything else. Brooke quickly recovered from it, and said to Kyle: "Thanks."
''No problem, Brooke. I'll leave''said Kyle a little deceived.
On that note, he left.
''Peyton, I didn't know you had it in you, said Haley. Ever think about being an actress?''
''Yeah, she's right. Where did that come from? I've known you for years and you've never been one to be good at lies'' add Brooke.
''don't know.''
At that moment, Mouth came to them.
''Hey girls!''
''Hey Mouth!'' Said the three at the same time.
''I've just seen Kyle, it seems somebody crushed his heart.''
''Hey, it's not my fault, he's just so… so not my type and it would have ruined my reputation…''
''No need to explain, Brooke. I just wanted to tease you, that's all.''
''I hate it, when you do it.''
Mouth just laughed.
''Just wanna ask you, does anybody have Math in the next period?'' asked Mouth.
''I do'' said Brooke.
''Great, that way I won't be alone.''
''And I won't either. I have to go to my locker, first. Can you come with me, Mouth?''
''What, afraid he's gonna attack you if you doesn't have a strong man with you?''
''Well, you know locker are real bad, they always attack poor girls like me when they think they're safe. So, you coming?''
''Yeah.''
''Bye Peyt, bye Haley''said Brooke already leaving for her locker.
''Bye ladies'' said Mouth when Brooke called for him.
Peyton and Haley just laughed at how those two were acting. It was clear for them that Mouth had feelings for Brooke. They couldn't tell if Brooke shared the same feelings, but they thought that if it wasn't there yet, it would come sooner or later and probably sooner than later.
Peyton was looking around, when something glowing on Haley's finger caught her eye.
''What's that Hale?''
''That? oh, huh, nothing !''
''Yeah I totally see it, a gold nothing, not in form of a ring that is not on your left hand, yeah totally. It's a beautiful nothing. Seriously, show me.''
Haley gave her hand to Peyton.
''Haley? That's…That's a wedding ring.''
''Huh, yeah.''
''When did that happen?''
''A little before Lucas left.''
''Wow! I just can't believe it! So now, I understand why you had to find a job, you're now living with Nathan and you're sharing the rent. I should have realised sooner. I can't believe you two are married!''
''huh yeah, it's pretty strange.''
''Wow, I should congratulate you. So, congratulations! ''Said Peyton, giving a hug to her friend.
''Thanks.''
The bell rang.
''I guess, it's time to go to the next class.''
''guess so. Where are you going?''
''Art class, answered Peyton. You?''
''I've got music.''
''Ok, bye''said Peyton as she leaved.
''Bye.''
Haley was walking towards her music class. As she walked, she started to see a familiar face, it was Nathan. She ran towards him.
''Nathan?''
''Haley, I was looking for you.''
''Where were you?''
''That's the reason I wanted to talk to you. Don't look for me for the rest of the day.''
''Why?''
''I won't be here?''
''And again, Why?''
''Because, Haley, my mother needs me. My dad…''
Nathan didn't need to end his sentence, (not that he could, he just wanted to break down here in the arms of his lovely wife. He didn't care if the other students saw him) Haley had realised what he meant, Dan was dead.
''Oh my god, Nathan, I'm so sorry'' said Haley, hugging her husband.
''Haley, you should go to your class. I just wanted to tell you, I wouldn't be there, so you wouldn't worry.''
''No, I'm not going. I'll stay with you.''
Nathan pulled away from the comforting arms of his wife.
''Haley, go in class, you'll be no use. You know, it's gonna be boring, we have a lot of stuff to do and you need to go in class. After school, go home, I'm gonna be there for dinner.''
''You need support, I'm gonna be your support.''
''I appreciate it, Haley, I really do, but do me this favour: Go to class.''
''Nathan…''
''Please Haley…you're gonna be late, so go.''
''I don't care if I'm late, all that matters is you.''
''Haley, just do it.''
She was going to object again, but when she saw his look, he was prying her to stay here, she decided to go his way and do what he asked.
''Ok.''
''Thanks Haley, said Nathan as he kissed her, I love you.''
''Love you too.''
Nathan left Haley to go join his mother.
Haley couldn't understand why Nathan didn't want her to be with him during this though moment of his life.
Lucas and Keith were already on the road, after they had packed their luggage. It was really awkward for them to get back to Tree Hill.
Keith didn't know how it would go, he didn't know if he could face Karen after everything that had happened, her saying no to his proposal, him sleeping with Deb (Karen didn't know about the latter but he was sure it was only a matter of time), he also didn't know if he could face the wife of his brother. Everything was so mess up!
On Lucas side, it was the same thing. He didn't know if he could face Peyton and Brooke ever again. Part of him was thrilled about going back to Tree Hill, he would see his mother again, Haley his best friend, his brother and …Peyton even if he didn't know how it would go. As much as Lucas was thrilled to get back home, he didn't like the reason why he was going back there, it wasn't because he misses Tree Hill, but because Dan was dead. The death of Dan…his father, was the most confusing thing he ever had to face. He still didn't know how to react to it, part of him was sad about it because he never had the chance to actually know him. Another part of him was angry for the same reason.
The ride was pretty quiet until Keith saw a billboard saying: "Welcome to One Tree Hill !"
''Home, sweet home!''
Lucas turned his head towards his uncle and just looked at him.
''Where to, first?''
''The Café, mom must be there.''
Seeing Keith fearful look, Lucas added: "but I would understand if you don't want to go. Just drop me there."
''No, it's ok, I have to face it someday and it's not like your mother and I are enemies.''
''No…but it's awkward between you two.''
''It's fine, Lucas. Your mom will be surprise to see you.''
''I think, she's kinda expecting it, but she'll still be surprise.''
Keith stopped the car in front of the coffee shop. Memories of him and Karen came to his mind, but he pushed them away.
''We're here! Are you sure you wanna come in, you can still …''
''I said it was fine, Lucas.''
''Ok then.''
They both open their car door and stepped out.