Hey, guys. Just wanted to say sorry that there's not been a lot of NH interaction in the last few chapters. There's not a lot in this one, either. I just need to set everything up before the drama starts. This chapter starts after the 'date.' How did it go? I give some clues. Hee. Enjoy, and please, please review.
Nathan sat on a picnic table outside the high school, listening to the basketball team discuss strategy for Saturday's game. He put his hand over his eyes, blocking the sun to get a better view of the parking lot.
"Who are you looking, for, bro?" Tim asked him, cocking an eyebrow at his friend's strange antics.
"Just someone." Nathan said slowly, not wanting to delve any deeper into his personal life.
That just wasn't something he could discuss with Tim. Or anyone, for that matter. Certainly not Peyton, who had been buddying up to him a lot lately. Honestly, it was way too awkward. He didn't want Haley to think that there was something going on there when there wasn't.
Finally, he thought as an aqua VW Bug pulled haphazardly into a parking space. He watched as Brooke climbed out first, her eyes gloomy. Nathan knew that something had happened between Brooke and Lucas, something bad and having to do with Chris, for that was what a short redhead had mentioned to her girl friend by his locker that morning. The passenger door opened, and his wife stepped out. Her blonde hair shone in the sunlight, the breeze ruffling her loose curls. She then pulled the brown messenger bag she was toting off the seat, and linked her arm through Brooke's, pulling her in the direction of the gym. Nathan caught her eye, and she smiled a small smile, as though nervous that the last night never happened. He grinned at her, and she returned it, relieved. Tim slapped Nathan's arm, his face bearing a smirk of its own.
"So that's who you were looking for."
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Haley let herself into the apartment, happy to enjoy her calm afternoon. She was ready for a day of relaxation, free of drama and husbands and struggles and fighting. She sighed to herself, enjoying the quiet. A quiet whimper came from the closed bedroom door. Haley glanced at the knob: no scrunchies. She figured it was safe to go inside.
"Brooke?" The petite girl entered the room to see her roomate sitting at the vanity, staring at an old, ripped picture. Haley came up behind her, silently sitting on the bed. The brunette was gazing at what seemed to be the sliver of a photograph. Haley looked closer to see that it was a picture of Brooke herself. Lying on the table were two other ripped pictures, one each of Peyton and Lucas. Brooke slowly laid them next to each other, connecting them like puzzle pieces.
"Haley," she spoke quietly, "Can I ask you something?" Haley tried to hide her stunned face.
"Yeah, of course." Brooke climbed onto the bed, facing Haley as she tucked her leg underneath her. She fiddled with the string on her sweater for a long while before speaking.
"Why is it that people like Peyton, and… and Nathan, who have lost everything, are still open to love, when I, who've lost nothing… am not?" Haley cocked her head.
"I get what you mean about Peyton… I mean, her mom and all… but Nathan? What has he lost?" Brooke gazed at her friend sadly.
"He lost you, babe." She shrugged. "At least for a little while."