Complicated (Chapter ten)

Haley walked out of her apartment building and smiled when she saw Nathan leaning against his car waiting for her. "Well, it's about time," he said as she came over to him. He leaned in and kissed her and opened the passenger door open for her.

"Such a gentlemen," she teased as she got in and put her seatbelt on. He got in and started the car.

"So, are you excited?" he asked. Haley shrugged.

"What's there to be excited about? It's a banquet," she replied.

"It's an athletic banquet and your boyfriend is winning an award," Nathan reminded her.

"Well, I'm proud of you," she said, leaning over and kissing him on the cheek. He smiled at her.

/I love her so much, it's scaring me. I never thought I'd feel this way again after she left for Canada in high school. Or, at least I never thought it'd be with her. I want to spend all my time with her. I don't even really want to go to this banquet tonight. The only reason I am going is because I get to see Haley dressed up and then, and I'm being extremely hopeful here, not dressed up./

"Are you excited?" Haley asked. He smirked.

"Not really," he replied. Haley's brow furrowed.

"Why?" she asked.

"I hate being in the spotlight," he admitted. Haley burst out laughing. "It's not funny, Hales." Haley almost choked but caught her breath.

"I'm sorry, but that's one of the most ridiculous things I've ever heard," she said. He looked at her in confusion. Then, she started to point out how he was an all-state champion for four years in a row in high school, as well as the star player and captain in his senior year. Then, he moved on to claim the all-state champion title in the college league. Then, he went pro. "I'm sorry, but if you really hated being in the spotlight, choosing to be a professional basketball player was not the smartest way of avoiding it." He shrugged.

"Well, get ready because you're about to be in the spotlight too," he said. Haley rolled her eyes as she reminded him that she already was.

"I'm a singer, Nathan. I'm used to large crowds and I'm the daughter of Jimmy and Lydia James," she pointed out. He laughed.

"I guess that's true," he said, pulling into a parking lot and turning off the engine.

"Thank you," Nathan said as he walked off the stage with the trophy in his hand and sat down next to Haley at their table. She kissed him lightly on the lips, but it was enough to get a few whistles out of the audience.

"So when do you want to leave?" she asked. Her tone was more than suggestive and Nathan smiled.

"Just a few more minutes ought to be enough," he replied, chuckling. Just then, some woman came up behind them and tapped Haley on the shoulder.

"I'm sorry. Haley James?" the woman asked. Haley and Nathan both looked at her. This woman had long, chocolate brown hair, pale skin and dark blue eyes.

"Yes?" Haley asked carefully. The woman reached out her hand.

"Hi. You don't know me, but my name is Michelle Caine," she said. Haley stiffened at the familiarity of the name.

"It's nice to meet you," she said cautiously. When she didn't go away, Haley looked at Nathan. He shrugged. "Is there something you wanted to tell me?"

"Yes, actually," Michelle said, nodding. They looked at her expectantly. "I'm your mother." Then, Michelle turned and walked away.

/So here I am sitting with my boyfriend of three and a half months, perfectly minding my own business when some woman rudely taps me on the shoulder and introduces herself, shoving her hand in my face. As if I wasn't pissed enough. THEN, she intrudes even more and just blurts out that she's my birth mother and then walks away! I don't know why I'm so shocked, though. But as a child, when I did picture meeting my actual parents, which was not that often by the way, I imagined it going somewhat differently. Like I imagined it being me that walked away, proving to them that I didn't need them in my life. What kind of person just announces something like that and then leaves? She just ruined this night for me. It was supposed to be a nigh for me and Nathan, maybe even turn into a morning. Just my luck. Whenever I'm happy, something always manages to come along and screw things up. I don't need this Michelle person in my life right now. I need Nathan. No one else. Least of all her./