Hey! Thanks for the reviews. Keep em coming and I'll keep updating so often. Enjoy this one.
Chapter 7:
After Brooke left, Haley began thinking about the inevitable. And the inevitable was something she was completely unprepared for. So to speak, she was stuck between a rock and a hard place and neither choice seemed to be appealing. In prospect, it seemed so simple: Nathan or no Nathan, but in actuality, it was so much more complex. She could choose to never attain what seemed to come so easily to most such as happiness, love, and friendship or she could separate herself from everything good in this cold world and therefore protect her heart, already broken too may times by those things which are not tangible and cannot be seen, but which often deal the cruelest blows. The things that cannot be heard, but that sometimes prove to be more dangerous than those which can.
Anger, fear, hate, resentment, loneliness, broken promises, shattered dreams, dying hope, utter despair, and lastly emptiness. These had taken up residence in her heart as well as her soul and she was drained and tired. Mentally, physically, emotionally, she was exhausted. But she had a decision to make, the outcome of which could be of the utmost significance. Confused and torn, not sure how exactly she had come to be in this predicament, she didn't notice Mike's bulky shadow as he approached her. She didn't realize, much less acknowledge his presence until he placed his hands on her shoulders, standing behind her. Jumping slightly, she relaxed as she saw who it was, and, gathering her things, stood to face him.
Smiling, he asked, "Ready to take me home?"
She smiled back. "I guess."
"Good." His arm slid around her waist as he tucked his hand into her pocket.
Smirking, she led him to her car and, as he opened the door for her, kissed his cheek and slowly climbed into the driver's seat.
Smiling again, he jogged around the car and got in the other side. "So, how was your first day?" he asked casually, allowing his hand to trail lightly up and down her thigh.
"Pretty good, I guess. You guys aren't used to city girls around here, are you?" she questioned, glancing at him and flashing a sexy smile.
"Not ones like you," he responded.
"I hope that's a good thing," she retorted as his hand inched over her silky leg.
"A very good thing," he assured smoothly.
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Practice, both for the cheerleaders and basketball players, had ended 30 minutes before, but Peyton, Brooke, Lucas, and Jake still lingered in the gym as Peyton addressed Brooke, "So, why were you late to practice?"
Brooke stared down at the shiny gym floor and cleared her throat, "Well, you know, I kind of needed to... talk," she coughed, "... to Haley."
Peyton raised an eyebrow suspiciously, "About?"
"Oh, nothing important," Brooke waved her hand through the air, indicating the subject was dismissed.
But Peyton persisted. "Brooke, what were you talking to Haley about?"
Sighing, Brooke knew they wouldn't stop until she told them. "I was just trying to sort of... help Nathan out a little."
Luke groaned. "Babe, that wasn't exactly the best idea."
"Hey, I just wanted to give them a little shove toward each other," muttered Brooke defensively.
"Brooke," Jake began, "if they're gonna be together, we have to let them find their way."
"Can't I at least help them be friends again?" Brooke argued, indignance flashing in her eyes.
Glancing at each other, they weren't sure how to refute her comment. But they didn't have to. "Hey, what are you guys still doing here?" Nathan's voice seemed to echo through the gym.
"Nothing," said Luke. Peyton shrugged nonchalantly and Jake simply nodded his head in greeting. Brooke remained silent, apparently still angry.
Noticing this, Nathan asked Luke, "What did you do?"
"Nothing," he answered. Nathan turned to Peyton, who once again shrugged.
His gaze landed finally on Jake, who just shook his head, saying, "Don't look at me."
Shrugging, Nathan included the whole group in his invitation, asking, "You guys want to go meet Mike's new neighbor?"
In much the same fashion as before, Luke replied with one word, "Sure," Peyton shrugged, and Jake nodded.
Brooke stood still as a statue, finally sighing. "Why not?"
And so the group continued toward the parking lot and their cars, which would take them to Mike's house, blissfully unaware of what was to come.
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Meanwhile, Haley was pulling smoothly into her new house's driveway and parking the car. She cut the engine and they sat for a few moments in awkward silence until Mike said, "Well, thanks for the ride."
She looked over at him. He leaned over and quickly smashed his lips on hers, grabbing her hips and bringing her closer to him as his tongue demanded entry. As she allowed his hand to sneak up her shirt, she suddenly thought of Nathan and her eyes shot open. Pulling away slightly, she smiled and said, "How bout I come over a little later?"
Grinning in understanding, he was quick to respond, "Sure." Realizing it was almost 5:00 anyway, he said, "5:30 ok?"
Nodding, she gave him a quick kiss before she hopped out of the car, waving before disappearing up the walk and through the front door. Sighing, she rushed into her house to begin getting ready, knowing one mistake, one wrong turn tonight and her entire New York experience could be erased. And that was the exact opposite of what she wanted. Or was it? At this point, she didn't know. And she was beyond caring.
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One thing he never understood about girls was the anxiety and/or excitement they experienced before meeting another of the same gender. He could understand why this would happen to them when meeting guys, but you didn't ever see guys nervous about meeting another guy. Unless of course they were gay.
Brooke was pacing Mike's living room, firing random questions such as, "What hair products does she use?" and "What kind of makeup does she wear?"
Peyton was sitting on the couch muttering some incoherent string of words that sounded like, "Is she a bitch? She'd better not be a bitch. Or a prep. They're too annoying. She doesn't wear a lot of pink, does she? I hate pink. It's so... pink."
Jake sat next to her, completely relaxed while Mike was reclining in a huge, leather chair. Nathan sat leisurely on the love seat, sprawled over it. Luke was in the kitchen, searching for something to eat. And Tim was once again left to sit on the floor, not daring enough to take Luke's spot on the arm chair by the couch.
They sat in silence, each engrossed in their own thoughts about this mysterious new girl, only Mike knowing what to expect.
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At 5:25, Haley lounged comfortably on her bed, knowing the time had come for her to decide. Nathan or no Nathan. This was the climax of her story of lies, deceit, betrayal, broken hearts, and change. This would ultimately decided the rest of her life. Happiness or loneliness? Love or sorrow? Friendship or nothing? The answers to these questions all seemed so obvious, but there were far too many obstacles to complicate them. And so, she decided, her climax would have to wait. Her future would not be decided today. Today, she would enjoy her freedom because tomorrow, it might be gone. Today, she wouldn't think of the many life altering decisions she was being asked to make because they would always be waiting for her. Always. Just as the sun always rises and the Earth is always moving. They would forever be a part of her. Whether resolved or unresolved, they would plague her until the day she died. So, just for today, she would escape it all. And Mike would conveniently be there to help her.
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At Mike's house, the group was beginning to get restless. Glancing at his watch, Nathan noticed it was 5:46. "Man, where is she?"
"I don't know. She said 5:30," Mike responded.
"Maybe she's not coming," Brooke suggested gently, settling onto Luke's lap as he returned form the kitchen to his seat.
"Relax, she'll show," he retorted, looking slightly nervous himself. The doorbell sounded loudly and Mike, looking relieved, went to answer it.
He pushed the door open to reveal Haley with a blank expression set on her features. "H-," he started, but was cut off by her lips as she leapt at him, knocking him over. She kicked the door shut as he turned them over.
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In the living room, Nathan was becoming extremely impatient. The others were annoyed with his presence and, as he asked yet again, "What could be taking him so long," the group told him to go check.
Sighing, he stood and exited the living room, trudging to the foyer, the sight in front of him stopping him in his tracks. Mike on top of his Haley. His formerly sweet and innocent Haley. It was a horrifying image, one which broke his heart. Why wouldn't she let him in? He couldn't even extract a simple hug from her, yet here she was, making out with an almost stranger. He was beginning to understand the meaning behind Haley's words: "That's not who I am anymore." For this was not the Haley who had left Tree Hill three years ago. This was a completely different person, with not even a faint hint of the amazing qualities she used to possess.
He cleared his throat angrily. Haley's head jerked up as her gaze landed on him. Quickly, she jumped off of Mike and just looked at Nathan. 'God, how could I be so stupid?' She had already screwed her relationship with Nathan up. Now, she feared she had destroyed it, pounded it into oblivion. But wasn't that her goal in the first place? To ruin their friendship, advertently, or inadvertently, so that he would never feel the pain she had known? He had always done his best to protect her. And now, it was finally her turn. No matter what the cost, she vowed to do what she could to keep him from harm. But, as she was learning, this was not an easy task. It seemed no matter what she did, she hurt him. It was all she knew how to do anymore. And, as long as she was around him, it was all she would do.
Mike lay on the floor, looking back and forth between Haley and Nathan. He didn't understand what was happening. Haley looked so regretful and ashamed. He could see the tears welling in her eyes. And Nathan. He had never seen Nathan like this before. He had never seen anyone like this before. He looked almost... dead. He was breathing, his heart was beating, physically, he was alive. But his eyes. Mike had always thought that the Great Nathan Scott could take anything. But now, he realized just how misconstrued this was. No one was invincible. 'We all have our breaking points,' he thought. And, unless he was mistaken, Nathan had just reached his.
Haley closed her eyes and swallowed, opening them when she felt something brush her arm. It was Nathan, heading for the door. Afraid should she try to speak, her voice would fail her, she reached out for his arm, but it was already beyond her grasp.
He yanked the door open and stormed out. She knew she had broken him. Now, she had to try and fix it. Praying he hadn't left yet, she ran out the door and down the drive. Looking around wildly, she saw him, already halfway up the road. "Nathan, wait!" she shouted, taking off after him. But he didn't stop. "Nathan!" she screamed. He kept walking. "I'm sorry!" He stopped. She quickly caught up to him.
They stood in silence for several minutes. Finally, he asked, "For what?" When she looked at him blankly, he continued. "What are you sorry for?"
She sighed, trying to decide what she should say. Sensing this, he said, "Just tell me the truth."
""The truth is overrated," she took a stab at humor. He didn't laugh.
"Just tell me," he muttered, closing his eyes.
"Everything. I'm sorry for everything, ok? I'm sorry for changing, I'm sorry for breaking my promise, I'm sorry for complicating your life. I'm sorry for so many things, I've lost count. But mostly, I'm sorry for hurting you. Because that was the last thing I wanted to do."
"Then why'd you do it? Why'd you close yourself off from me? Why won't you let me help you?"
"I don't know!" she screamed, frustrated. "I don't know how I got here. A few years ago, I was happy. I believed in happiness and friendship and love. I was happy being friends with you and Lucas. I was happy being a good person. I was happy with my life. And now, now, I'm here. And I'm not sure I know where here is. I'm not even sure I want to know.""
Nathan looked at the confused girl standing in front of him and his heart went out to her. Instead of a tough bitch who didn't take anyone's s hit, he saw a weak and vulnerable girl who needed saving. She needed someone to show her that she was wrong. That all of her views and theories on life weren't true and that everything she had once believed in was. That happiness, friendship, and love did exist. Sometimes, it was the only thing that mattered. "Haley," he whispered. She just blinked at him.
Then, the rain began to fall. It poured down in sheets, drenching Nathan and Haley, but neither seemed to notice as they just stared at each other. "Haley," he repeated.
"Yeah?" she whispered.
"Haley. It's who you are," he stated. "It's who you'll always be. That will never change. Even when you hide behind your money and your rich girl from New York facade, you'll still be Haley. Even when you act like a different person, you won't be. Because people like you don't just disappear. They just get lost sometimes."
She shook her head, "No, you're wrong."
He studied her and could see she was cracking. "I think I'm right. You're just too scared to admit it."
She shook her head harder. "You can't be."
"But I am," he countered firmly as she looked down and away from him. "Haley, look at me," he commanded softly. Slowly, she lifted her gaze from the ground to his eyes. When he knew he had her attention, he continued,"I won't give up on you. I know that's what you expect me to do, maybe you've even convinced yourself that's what you want me to do, but it's not gonna happen. I won't just throw away everything we used to have. Everything we could have again. I used to need you. Now, even if you won't admit it, you need me too. And I'll do whatever it takes to get you back. Because without you, nothing makes sense."
She could feel the tears stinging her eyes. What was she supposed to do? Was he right? Was everything she believed in a lie? Did she really need him? Was it worth everything she was risking? It was so confusing and she didn't know how she would ever sort it out. So she just looked at him, trying to convey her emotions without words.
Sometimes, the prospect of returning to the old Haley seemed well worth the risk, but she knew that should her heart be broken one more time, she wouldn't be able to mend it. No one would. So, was it truly worth everything she was giving up?
Nathan held out his arms to her, wanting to give her some amount of solace, no matter how small. But she remained rooted to her spot on the pavement, refusing to give in. When he didn't let his arms fall, she thought of how tired she was of her life. Of the unhappiness, the loneliness which consumed her more and more with each passing day. And she fell. She fell into his arms, not knowing what it meant, but not caring either. She sobbed uncontrollably into his shoulder, her tears mixing with the rain. And for the first time in three years, she didn't feel so alone.
