Chapter 3
three weeks later...
Haley James stared out of the cab window, watching as the trees seemed to wisk right by. She'd missed Tree Hill since she'd been on tour. She finally had a whole month's break off tour, and was looking forward to seeing everyone again. Though she was dreading Nathan, since there annulment was finalized weeks ago.
She thanked the driver as he pulled up to the familiar house. Haley got her bags from the back and started walking up to the front porch. She sat the bags down, and rang the bell.
She gives Peyton a half smile when she answers the door. She immidiately embraces her.
" I am so sorry, sweetie. I should have been here." says Haley, softly.
Peyton hugs Haley tighter, almost not wanting to let go. Somehow Haley always seemed like the one person who was the most genuine when it came to there friendship.
" It's ok. I know you were on tour. It's cool. The funeral was really draining anyway and Nathan was there." says Peyton, releasing her from the hug.
Peyton moves aside, taking one of Haley's bags.
" Come on in. Mi casa es su casa." says Peyton.
" Thanks again for letting me stay until I have to go back next month." says Haley.
" Are you kidding? It's not a problem. Trust me, you're doing me a favor. I could use someone, you know?" says Peyton.
" Isn't your dad here?" says Haley.
" He left on Monday for around eight or nine weeks. Nova Scotia." says Peyton, as they head upstairs with the bags.
" Wow. That's a way off." says Haley.
Peyton swings open the door to the spare bedroom, throwing Haley's bags on the bed.
" Is this ok? I know it's not huge or anything.." says Peyton.
" No, it's fine. It's nice." says Haley.
Haley follows Peyton into her bedroom. Peyton sits down on the bed, moving all of her notebooks to the side.
" So, any updates on Jenny?" says Haley.
" Yeah, she's fine. She's living with Jake's parents. They moved to Charlotte to be near family. Too many memories I guess. It was the best thing for Jenny too I think. You know, she shouldn't have to grow up with everyone telling her how much they miss her dad and what great of a guy he was." says Peyton.
Haley leans back on a pillow, adjusting her top.
" Yeah. How's everyone else doing?" says Haley.
Peyton laughs, "Nothing ever changes here. You know that."
Haley makes a shape with her finger in the comforter, thinking about Nathan.
" You mean how's Nathan?" says Peyton.
" No.." says Haley, looking up at Peyton.
" He's holding on. Sort of sad. He's living with Dan again, god help him." says Peyton.
Haley gives her a surprised look, almost falling off the bed.
" What? Are you serious?" says Haley.
" As a heartattack. I know, I could believe it either. After all he went through to keep that apartment. But yeah, he's living in the 'mouth of hell' again." says Peyton.
Haley is deep in thought. There is a long pause until Peyton finally breaks the silence.
" You ok?" says Peyton.
" Yeah, yeah I'm fine. I just miss him, you know? I guess I thought that since we got the marriage annulled my feelings would go with it. But they haven't. I don't even know what I'm gonna say when I see him around." says Haley.
" Well, you don't have to go to school.. you're doing the home schooling thing so you won't really have to unless you want to." says Peyton.
" Yeah, I guess. I just want some time to breathe before I see him." says Haley.
" Well, no one knows you're here except for me and my dad, who I told you were coming. I'm not about to advertise if you just want to lay low for awhile." says Peyton.
" Thanks Peyton. That really means alot. I know I sound like the biggest baby talking like this.." says Haley.
" Hell no. Hales, it's gonna be wierd between you and Nathan. I get that. Just don't start lying to yourself about your feelings for him. He still really loves you." says Peyton.
Haley nods, putting her face in her hands.
" I know. I know. God, I.. Peyton I'm soconfused." says Haley, starting to cry a little.
" Hey, come here. It's gonna be ok. I promise." says Peyton, giving her a hug.
" Look at this. You're the one who's lost someone and I'm falling apart on you." says Haley.
" I'm still standing. If I could get through the past month, you can get through anything. Even losing Nathan. You're gonna pull through this, Hale." says Peyton.
Haley nods, glancing at the clock behind Peyton.
" Don't you have to go? It's almost nine." says Haley.
" Damn it. Yeah, you're right." says Peyton, quickly getting off of the bed and throwing on her leather jacket.
Peyton rumages through her purse, looking for her keys.
" The fridge is stocked, so just make yourself at home. I should be back by like 4. I've got cheerleading practice." says Peyton, with an eye roll.
" Ra, ra. Have fun." jokes Haley.
" Thanks. I'll see ya." says Peyton, leaving the room.
Haley lays back on Peyton's bed, staring at the ceiling. Facing Nathan was the last thing in the world that she wanted to do. She had a feeling that things were going to get alot worse than she ever imagined.
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" You look so great in that uniform.." laughs Brooke, standing on the sidelines of basketball practice with Lucas.
Peyton sat on the bottom bleacher with Bevin and Theresa, listening to them go on about there toe nails being in need of a pedicure. Once in a while she'd give them a small nod or laugh of recognition, while side glancing atLucas and Brooke on the other end of the court.
Suddenly, she catches Lucas looking at her from the corner of his eye as he was in an embrace with Brooke. There eyes lock for only a few seconds, until she looks away back to Bevin and Theresa.
A whistle blows as Whitey comes out of the locker room with some guy trailing behind him.
" Come on ladies, everyone on the court!" shouts Whitey, holding a chart.
Brooke kisses lightly, as he heads back to the team. She sits next to Peyton, almost glowing.
" You're glowing." says Bevin.
" That's what it does to you girls." says Brooke, happily.
" What?" says Theresa.
" Love. I am so crazy about him. He's great." says Brooke, not even caring that Peyton was a foot away.
Theresa laughs with Bevin, as they look at Peyton and then back to Brooke.
" Love? Are you serious? You?" says Bevin.
" Don't knock it 'till you've tried it, Bev. I am a changed woman." says Brooke.
Peyton stays silent, processing all of what Brooke was saying. She knew Lucas wasn't in love with her. He couldn't be. There was too much bad history between them. Brooke was always confusing sex with love. Peyton knew first hand that they were two completely different things.
" This is Seth Davenport. He's our newest addition to the team. He just transferred from.." says Whitey, looking to Seth.
" Rochester." says Seth.
" Right.. Rochester. Make him feel welcome. Or don't. Doesn't make any difference to me. Speech over. Suicides, now!" says Whitey, blowing the whistle again.
Seth makes a face, walking to the opposite side of the court.
" Jesus, he's uptight. I bet there's another whistle up his ass somewhere." scoffs Seth, stopping alongside the wall next to Lucas.
" Whitey's not all that bad. You just have to know him is all." says Lucas, extending his hand.
Seth ignores him at first, then realizes he's introducing himself.
" Oh, a greeting. Right.Still recovering from last night if you know what I mean. Seth." says Seth, shaking his hand.
Seth's eyes wander from Lucas to the girl sitting on the bleachers next to three other atypical high school, cheerleader bimbo's. He could tell the one on the end was different.
" So, catch me up. Who's the blonde?" says Seth, motioning to Peyton.
Lucas looked back, seeing that he was referring to Peyton. He caught himself checking her out for a moment, but stopped when Brooke waved at him. He smiles back, looking back to Seth.
" That's Peyton." says Lucas, simply.
" She dosen't seem like the cheery type. What's her story? Boyfriend.. single.. other team?" says Seth.
Lucas was really beggining to not like this guy already. He reminded him of Nathan only a year ago before he started dating Haley. He could already tell he was going to mean trouble.
" Single, very single." says Lucas.
" Fantastic. Something to look forward to." says Seth, with a smile.
Whitey blows the whistle again and the guys take off running.
" Ok, let's take it from the top. We've got a big game on Friday." says Brooke, standing up with her pom poms.
Peyton stands next to Brooke, glancing over at the court. Seth winks at her as he runs. Her expression doesn't change as she wonders who this new guy is.