AFTER TWILIGHT
Chapter Two: Used
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Author's Notes Thanks for all the wonderful reviews:) I'd thank each of you individually, but unfortunately, I lack the energy to type right now. I will, perhaps, start next chapter.
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"Goodness, Brooke is such a bubble."
A low chuckle emerged from Lucas' throat as he turned his head to look at his best friend. He didn't quite agree with her statement, but it was nonetheless amusing to him. "How so?" he asked.
Haley shook her head, turning over to look at him. "Luke, do I really need to make a list out for you?" She paused. "Well, actually, she's really not that bad, but that—"
"Hey Lucas, hey Haley," Peyton greeted as she approached them uneasily. "Um, is it all right if I talk to you for a minute, Lucas?"
Lucas glanced over at Haley, who immediately nodded her head. She understood. "Go ahead, Luke. I'll see you later anyway." She began to walk off, waving to them. "Bye!"
"Bye," both of them said in unison. They waved back before turning to each other, discussing whatever it was that had Peyton so uncomfortable.
God, she thought, I am so tired...
Not exactly paying attention to where she was walking, Haley suddenly felt herself bump into someone. Quickly, without glancing at the person, she mumbled an apology and went off on her way again.
"Hey Haley! Wait!"
She stopped for a second, not even bothering to turn around. She didn't need to. She could recognize that voice from a mile away. Quietly, she waited for him to approach her. He was by her side within a few seconds.
"Hey, you busy later?"
She looked at him and held her hand above her eyes, covering it from the sun. "Um, I don't know. Why?"
He gave her a gentle smile. "I was just wondering after our tutor session tonight, if you would like to go and—"
"Hey! Nathan!"
Haley's face immediately fell.
Damn the timing. There was his friends again, always successful in ruining the moment. Nathan turned around at the beckoning call, and nodded his head at them in acknowledgement.
"Come on," one of them said. "Let's go."
Haley dropped her hand, bowing her head to the ground. She already knew Nathan's answer to them, so without another word, she walked off.
I'm such a goddamn fool.
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Haley stood outside of Nathan's door quietly as she rang the doorbell. She folded her arms over her chest, trying to warm herself up from the cold. Having nothing else to do while waiting, she looked around the place, unconsciously tapping her foot until Nathan answered the door.
"Hey," he said as he invited her in. "I'm glad you came."
Haley gave him a small smile as she stepped into his house. "Okay," she said. "What's on tonight's agenda?"
A sly grin touched his lips. "So that's up to me?" he joked, which immediately earned him a smack from his tutor. "I'm just kidding!" he chuckled, as he put both of his hands up in surrender.
"I know, but you still deserved it," she smiled. "Come on, Nathan. We have a lot to do tonight. The Civil War isn't going to be so easy to learn and explain."
"History stinks," Nathan complained as he lead her into the living room. "I really don't get why we need to learn it."
"Tell me something else I don't know for a change." She took a seat on the couch and bent over to grab the history book that lay on the table. "And you already said that. Remember what I told you?" When she caught him shaking his head, she explained, "So we're not doomed to repeat it again."
Nathan nodded his head slowly as if he finally remembered. "Oh, yeah. I remember now."
Haley opened the book and took in a deep breath before starting the tutoring session. "Okay, let's get going. We'll start with Fort Sumter."
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Haley slowly shut her locker as she turned around, ready to head off to her first class. But before she was able to get away, she was stopped short by Nathan, who was standing before her with a grin on his face. She gave him a confused look.
"...What?" she asked him suspiciously.
His grin only widened. "Nothing, just saying... hi."
Haley gave him another confused look before shaking her head. "Hi..." she said as she brushed past him in a hurry. Nathan took a step and stood in front of her once again. She looked up at him. "Okay... do you need or want anything, Nathan? Because I have to get to class. I'm going to be late."
He laughed at her as if she had said something funny. "You have five minutes. But okay, here, let me walk you to class."
For the third time so far, in less than five minutes, she gave him another bewildered look. But at the same time, she was strangely flattered. "Um... okay."
But once again, she was stopped short when a group of Nathan's friends approached them; or rather, him.
"Nathan, what are you doing?"
She eyed him, wondering what he would do. Nathan didn't seem to have an explanation, especially after what happened the other night. Deciding to save him some trouble, Haley just walked away, heading off to class, and made it into her seat just as the bell rang.
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She just couldn't seem to concentrate on her test. Behind her, two blonde girls sat, giggling and whispering annoyingly to each other as the others were testing.
How rude, she thought. No consideration whatsoever for the people who are testing.
She just wanted to stand up, turn around and tell them to shut up. Irritated, Haley looked back at them, glaring. The girls caught the hint and had shut up immediately.
For about a minute.
They resumed back to talking. This time, Haley was deeply interested in the conversation they were having—about her and Nathan.
"I heard that Nathan was only being nice to her because she's Lucas' best friend."
"What do you mean? If she's his best friend, then wouldn't Nath—"
"You don't get it. He's using her to get back at Lucas. That's why he's so nice to her; to lure her in."
"Oh, I get it now."
She seemed to block out everything else that was said after that. But, could that be true? Besides tutoring, was Nathan really using her to his advantage? To get back at Lucas? It did make sense, she supposed, but would he really do that to her?
Of course. Why else would he work so hard to get me as his tutor, when there are many others just as qualified? The thought seemed to bug her enormously. Perhaps... maybe they are right...
One of the girl's remarks snapped her out of her thoughts. "We'll see what happens though, won't we? I bet you it's going to end very soon."
So do I, Haley thought, so do I...
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