After hanging up with Lucas, Haley washed her face and answered the insistent knocking on her door. As she did so, she saw herself face-to-face with Chris once more.
"Rehearsal." Chris told her. He gave a sideways look at the cell clutched tightly in her hands and continued, "And cell phones and pagers have to be turned off or left behind."
Haley looked at her cell and sighed. If Nathan was going to call, he would've already, right? Besides, she'd be back in the hotel room in just a few hours. Nonetheless, it was with great reluctance and hesitation that Haley placed the cell onto the bedside table.
"Have you been crying?" Chris eyed her. Haley didn't answer as she left the room and started to stride towards the rehearsal area.
When Chris and Haley rehearsed 'When the Stars Go Blue' for the first time, Haley couldn't keep the shakiness from her voice. The second and third attempts didn't fare well either. Chris gave her a look and handed her a glass of water.
"Drink, breath, and stop crying!" He instructed her.
Michelle peered at her and questioned, "Are you sure you're up to this?"
Haley nodded quickly and gulped down some water. She gathered herself together and decided to pour out her hurt into the music.
It seemed to be a good method as Haley sang better at that moment than she had ever before. As she sang, silent tears crept down her face unceasingly but her voice wavered no more.
Later that night, when Haley opened for Michelle Branch for the first time, her voice didn't fail her. She outshone herself and got cheers from the packed crowd. Walking down from the stage, Haley's heart was lifted slightly. This was her dream come true… She appreciated it so much. She was sharing her music with the world and the world was embracing her. Why, then, did she still want to break down?
Before Haley could edge towards her hotel room, Chris popped up again.
"You were good tonight." He gave a half-smile.
"Chris, I appreciate all that you've done for me musically, I truly do. You've helped me so much. But please, don't ever talk to my husband again." Haley responded. "Contrary to your beliefs, I don't have any romantic feelings for you and Nathan and I have a relationship that isn't ending any time soon."
"Think whatever you'd like to think, James." Chris shrugged. "We're spending the next 12 weeks together so we'll find out either way."
Haley turned away and moved back to her hotel room. She checked her cell. No messages.
Why wouldn't Nathan talk to her? She had poured out her heart into that message on the answering machine and he didn't care. She had offered to come home; she had begged him to forgive her… Why wouldn't he call her back? Were they really through?
Haley decided to call him again. Once again, there was no answer. Haley sighed audibly and murmured, "Nathan…it's Haley again…Please, I'm begging you, call me back."
A half hour later, there was another knock on her door. It was Chris again.
"What do you want?" Haley snapped. She was feeling like crap and not in a patient mood.
"I just wanted to make sure you were okay," he answered.
"I'm fine." She told him coldly.
"Haley, listen, okay? You are an okay person and you've got some talent to you. Don't let Nathan bring you down. If he doesn't realize how lucky he is to have you, he's dumber than I thought." Chris said, somewhat begrudgingly.
"Thanks." Haley offered a small smile. "You really aren't as big of an ass as you make it out to be."
"What are you talking about?" Chris said, mocking defensiveness.
Haley's cell rang out interrupting the conversation. Haley took a breath before answering.
"Hello?"
"Hey. It's Nathan."
"Oh my god! I didn't think you'd ever call me back, I'm so sorry-" Haley gasped in a rush.
"Now that you're all rosy again, I'll see you in the morning. See ya James." Chris smiled and waved before exiting. Haley gave a smile back.
"Was that Chris?" Nathan asked.
"Um, yeah." Haley replied.
"Where are you?" Nathan asked, his voice sounding edgy.
"My hotel room…" she answered.
"What the hell was Chris doing in your hotel room!" Nathan exclaimed angrily, his voice rising.
"Nate, he just wanted to make sure I was okay! I was a wreck before and he was just being nice," Haley hastily explained.
"Oh, yeah, he goes into your room to comfort you." Nathan spat, "I won't interrupt your evening in."
"Nathan, it's not like that!" Haley groaned.
"I knew it was a bad idea to call," he muttered.
"For God's sake, Nate-" Haley exclaimed.
"Go hang out with your boy toy," Nathan snapped, hanging up.
Haley stared at her cell phone in frustration and threw it down on the bed. Why couldn't things just work themselves out?