How does she do this to do me? He asked himself as he sat on the floor in the hospital hall looking through the window on the door of Peyton's room. Lucas could faintly see the outline of her body sitting up through the glass. Every word she says, every time she touches my hand…I go insane. How can one person have so much affect on me? He remembered a quote his English teacher had said when his class was reading The Scarlet Letter: "The one that gives you the most joy also gives you the most pain." He finally understood what it meant, the bittersweet feeling that is love. Lucas stared up at Peyton as she shook her head, apparently to something Brooke said. He had finally gotten the guts to let out all the emotions held in for so long and he hadn't gotten an answer. The fear doesn't matter anymore. I have to know…and I need to speak with Peyton alone. Lucas thought as a plan formed in his mind. Brooke had to be "distracted" for a little while. And Lucas knew just the man for the job.
Haley and Chris"Because-" Haley's face fell at the interruption…again.
"No, you're off key. This song needs to be sang on a lower tone." The producer said in a hasty manner before he looked down at his watch, the third time in the last 5 minutes. "You need to get this right. I'm running late as it is." The producer was in his late twenties with black hair down to his neck and a goatee. He was overdressed in fancy, superfluous clothes. He had designer shoes, and, in Haley's opinion, he seemed to be staring at Chris a little too much.
"Because everything-" Haley started up but his voice cut in again.
"Good, better…but with feeling. Sing like you mean it."
"Because everything feels empty when you're not around." Haley finally finished the line.
"There it is! Convincing." The producer said with a sharp smile. He had no idea how real those words really were to Haley. "Well, I was a little unsure at first but you were right Chris. She's good. You two are perfect together. You'll start recording tomorrow. And now, if you'll excuse me, I'm off." He swiftly headed out the door without looking back.
"Did you hear that? We're perfect together." Chris said with a grin.
"Yea, I heard. He must've been drunk." Haley remarked a little surprised that she had said it aloud. Well, there's a time for everything. Haley thought while Chris babbled on.
"…What? Aren't you happy?"
"The producer said sing with feeling…so I did." Haley responded.
"What's that got to do with anything?"
"Chris, I don't think you get it. I'm here to follow my dream, not to be with you."
"I understand that." Chris said looking Haley in the eye.
"No, you don't. You still have hopes. I can see it. But I need you to understand the truth." She said pulling away from his glance.
"Haley, you have to admit there is something between us." Chris said with his usual cockiness.
"We all want something new sometimes, but at the end of the day, no matter how hard I've fought it, there's only one person for me." She was being very clear with her words, making sure to get the message through. No more speaking in code or subtle hints, it was time to face the facts.
"Ok, ok…I'll back off. Don't worry about it. It's cool. We'll just be friends." Chris replied. Then the two headed outside for the long walk back to the car in the freezing cold. Sleet and snow brushed against her face as Haley struggled against reality and the weather. Nathan will want me to come home now but I can't go yet… She thought scanning her mind for a solution. I'll ask him to stay with me. She smiled at the thought. Yes, then it will all work out. She could have it all after all. …but will Nathan leave all he knows, his friends, his family to be with me? Her smile diminished as she stepped over the icy ground, her face aimed downwards. I'm being selfish… She thought as the wind carried her along but she didn't dare try to escape from the force pushing her forward.
LucasLucas wandered through the hallways on an odd Wednesday morning. Everything looked so different from when he had been there last. The building felt so empty without Peyton there. He glared from face to face until he noticed the one he was searching for.
"Felix! Buddy! How you doing this morning?" Lucas said with a fake smile glued all over him as he put his hand on his shoulder. Felix looked at Lucas as if he was a mad man. Then he backed away, obviously creeped out by the notion.
"Lucas, if you're on drugs, you should at least have the decency to share."
"Drugs? No drugs. I just wanted to say hello to a good friend of mine." Felix looked behind him. He turned his head side to side. He stared out into the crowds of students heading to class.
"Well, where are they?" Felix remarked, his suspicions growing.
"Look, Felix, I think we got off on the wrong foot. We should have a fresh start. I mean now that you're dating Brooke we should be friends."
"Who told you that? And what do you really want?"
"Ok," Lucas pulled off his pretend smirk. "I'll cut the crap. Brooke is in the hospital with Peyton. I need to speak with Peyton alone. If you understand what I'm getting at…I need someone to distract Brooke for a while." Felix smiled. He loved having the upper hand.
"What's in it for me?"
"Well…"
35 hours ago 11 am Wednesday morning
Haley and Chris
"Haley, you know I'm right. You'll never be able to work with him following you around." Chris said as they entered the lobby.
"I can't keep running, Chris." Haley said, soaked from head to toe. Chris had tried to cover her with his umbrella but she refused. The rain reminded her of Nathan and right now she was holding onto everything and anything she could.
"Fine. Whatever. I'm going to buy a hot dog. I'll be right back."
"Ok…I'm going to check out the gift shop." Haley said as Chris slipped away from her sight. But she walked past the store and headed to the front desk. On the way, she inspected every one that she passed but couldn't find the person she sought for. When she reached the front desk, she was surprised to find Chris there as well. From his expression, Chris was just as shocked as she was.
"Well, I guess we're here for the same reason." Chris said undaunted. "Remember when I paid you to keep our room number in confidence?" He said to the familiar looking hotel clerk.
"Yes, of course. One guy that asked looked so frustrated." The clerk remarked with a smirk.
"Well I need another favor. Can you tell me the room number of a Nathan Scott?"
"Sure, but it wouldn't be much use. He checked out just a few minutes ago." It took just these few words to break Haley's heart into pieces and the worst of it was: it was all her fault.
36 hours ago 10 am Wednesday morning
Nathan"Nathan let me go!" Haley yelled at him but he ran after her anyway. He slipped through the masses of people and nearly pushed over a man in a wheel chair who in turn yelled at Nathan, "You're never going to catch the girl this way." Nathan ignored the warnings and finally caught her just as Haley boarded the train. "This is just something I have to do," was the last thing Haley said to him before the train started up and floated away. He watched it disappear in disappointment and when it was gone all he could hear was loud distressing laughter. He shivered and awoke. He felt sweat on his forehead and remembered the twisted emotions from the dream. It had begun so happily but ended so horribly…but then again, maybe that wasn't the end at all. There are times in life where we find ourselves sinking in a lake of problems that seem too much to overcome. In situations like these, you either drown or learn to swim…
The dream made Nathan realize he was chasing after a dead end. He wasn't going to get Haley back like this and he didn't want to. The people that truly care about you don't let you go. He began throwing the few things he had brought to New York in his backpack. He rushed through the door, down to the lobby, and out of the illusion. One person alone cannot make a relationship work. It rained all around as he exited the hotel. Harder, faster, the drops intensified. He walked the sidewalks with the face of a free man and he had no idea why. It was such a sweet release.
34 hours and 52 minutes ago 11:08 am Wednesday morning
Haley and Chris
Chris slipped the clerk a ten-dollar bill. Then he smiled and turned to face Haley, but she was already gone. Through the hotel doors, down the steps, out into the rain, and head first into the crowds parading the New York City streets, Haley did what she couldn't do before. Sometimes finding the things you want isn't half as hard as getting yourself to admit you're searching for them. She stumbled along the streets. Raindrops tickled down on rooftops. Cars glided through the puddles in the streets. The sounds of the city were loud and she walked fast so that she wouldn't have to stop and think. So she wouldn't have to wonder what will happen if she didn't find him, if she didn't tell him everything…NOW. She rushed through the blank faces. She hurried along the sidewalk. She walked and walked and then she panicked. Her imagination took over: a mistake she couldn't take back, a car driving fast to Tree Hill, two broken hearts, and an empty feeling that wouldn't go away. The sidewalks came to a downward hill. She took careless, hasty steps. And then she slipped, and she fell. The drenched cement beneath her provided no friction. She slid down without control, without knowledge of the future. But finally the seemingly immeasurable falling came to an end. She pulled herself up and looked forth. And there he stood, a worried look on his face. They both came forward and met in the middle, without a word, arms around each other.
