Chapter Eleven: Aftershock

The Classic tournament in Charlotte was one thing, a world completely detached from the natural one, but everything was bound to change back in Tree Hill, where old rules applied. Where cheerleaders didn't date tutors, where no name reporters didn't fall in love with the best player on the basketball team.

But sometimes, even in Tree Hill these things are inevitable and cannot be stopped.

For a few hours, even those who knew the truth of Lucas and Haley's breakup could easily pretend that it never happened. They all knew that such a breakup would rock the school to its core, change everything. They weren't just being dramatic. For better or worse, this was the cold, hard truth.

Haley got a ride to school with Lucas like she'd been doing every year for as long as she could drive. Before their licenses, there had been carpooling. They'd always come together. It was a fact of life.

"I can't believe I used to think we were going to get married," said Haley, as the two walked through the halls.

"There was a time that the thought of finding another girl was terrifying, so I know what you mean," he joked.

"Yeah, finding girls is definitely your problem," teased Haley. Since they were no longer a couple, the harsher issues of their previous relationship were less hard to take.

"Hey, I have English, what about you?" he asked, distracted by the class as they approached it.

"Trig. I'll see you at lunch, okay?" asked Haley. Lucas nodded. For the briefest instant he moved toward her, as if to kiss her in the infinitely practiced motion, but he held himself back just in time.

Haley shrieked as a hand came out of a classroom door on her way to trig and pulled her into an abandoned classroom.

She smiled as Nathan's hand slipped around her waist and he pulled her into him. Haley pressed up against him, closing the short distance between them as she threw her head back and Nathan leaned down to place an electric kiss on her lips.

All thoughts of Lucas, or of the Classic tournament or of anything that had ever hurt her in her entire life slid out of her head as Nathan Lee kissed her like it was the only thing in the world that mattered to him. All thoughts that she was his best friend's hated sister, that she was completely wrong for him were denied as Nathan felt the beautiful girl he'd lusted after began to really fall for him.

"I have to go," moaned Haley eventually, as Nathan's kisses began to slide down her neck.

"No, you don't," he said.

"Okay, I don't," she agreed, squeezing her eyes shut. "But I do."

"Fine. We'll do this later," he said.

"I look forward to it," she said coyly. She sauntered out of the room. Secretly, she was terrified. Haley stopped outside the classroom as the bell rang and leaned against the wall. She knew what was coming. She wasn't an idiot. And it was nothing she'd never done before, but the thought of doing it with someone other than Lucas was decidedly odd.

XxxxxxX

Lucas spent his entire English class daydreaming, and was the first out of class when the ball rang.

He ran down the hall, hoping to reach Brooke's locker before the halls completely filled with the other students.

"Hey," she said, seeing him arrive at a run out of the corner of her eye.

"Hey Brooke," he said. He smiled.

"What's up?" she asked, her manner suddenly cold.

"I was wondering if you wanted to come to my house after school?" he suggested. Brooke calmly placed her history textbook on the shelf in her locker.

"I'm not that kind of girl, Lucas," she said stiffly.

"What do you mean?" he asked.

"I mean I'm not going to start off a relationship like that, going to your house for booty calls. In fact, my relationships are never going to consist of that. So why not quit while we're ahead?" she asked. Secretly, as much as Brooke's feelings were growing for Lucas, she knew she couldn't truly commit to a guy who kissed her an hour after he broke up with his girlfriend of so many years.

"Brooke…" said Lucas in amazement. Brooke began to flounce off, but gasped when his hand shot and firmly caught her forearm. She melted under his kiss as his lips sought hers.

She watched in amazement as he walked off without another word.

XxxxxxX

Haley reluctantly met her promise and had Nathan over to her house after school that day. They spent a great deal of time talking-comparing favourite bands, movies, their opinions on everything. It was a perfect first date.

Until night began to fall.

They started off innocently, kissing gently and lovingly on the sofa. Haley's heart quickened as Nathan took her hand and led her to her bed, and their kisses deepened as he climbed on top of her.

Nathan didn't sense her uneasiness as he began to unbutton her shirt with practice in his fingers. Haley began to say his name with refusal that he mistook for desire.

Haley pressed her hands against his shoulders, trying to force him off, but he was too much for her. In desperation she wrenched her mouth from his and concentrated all her force on getting him off of her.

"What?" asked Nathan, as he sat up.

"Come on! We haven't even gone on a date yet!" raged Haley.

"Sorry, I didn't know that you…"

"God, what did you think I was doing, playing hard to get?" she demanded.

"No, of course not. Haley, you're not… are you?" he asked.

"No! I've only ever been with Lucas, you tard," she said.

"Oh."

"Unlike you. I'm sure there are lots of girls who can't wait to jump some tutor that nobody knows from a hole in the ground," said Haley angrily.

"Where's this coming from?" he asked in annoyance, standing tall over her.

"From you!" she burst out. Angrily he strode to the door and let himself out as Haley fell back onto her bed and marveled at the mess she'd made out of her life.