Chapter Five: Glance Back
Haley took a shaky breath as she and Peyton entered Brooke's house. Besides the fact that her bustier was somewhat constricting, she was nervous. She usually was.
Nathan and Davis were immediately locatable. They were in the middle of the room, surrounded by everyone who "mattered" in Tree Hill. Peyton took Haley's hand and dragged her over toward them.
The two were instantly swallowed up by the crowd. Brooke was already slightly drunk, with an affectionate arm around Davis. Nathan smirked when he saw Haley and slung his own arm around her shoulders.
"Hey," he said to hear, speaking loudly over the noise of the party.
"Do you remember my name?" she asked.
"I'm not as bad as you think," he said, smirking.
"Fine, then prove me wrong," Haley said. He took his arm from her shoulders and took her hand, and began to lead her toward the dance floor.
While Brooke distracted Davis, Peyton watched in undisguised interest while they began to dance. A fast song came on and Haley began to move rhythmically to the music, inches away from Nathan. Close enough to feel the heat of his body, far enough to not touch. Haley recognized his attraction to her, and flaunted it. For the first time in her life, she was playing someone. It felt good.
Peyton knew what was happening, and it scared her. She was scared that Haley was killing herself inside, that within weeks or even days, there wouldn't be any true Haley left, only the demons inside of her that were dying to get out. Peyton looked uneasily around the room until her eyes settled on Chris, sitting in the corner with a few other guys, smoking and laughing his laugh. He didn't love her, Peyton realized. She wondered if he ever had.
"You look cheery," observed Jake, coming up behind her. She jumped slightly when he comfortingly placed his hand on her elbow.
"Look at that. She's crying out for his attention. She shouldn't have to," said Peyton miserably.
"Either they'll break up or he'll open his eyes. Either way it'll work out," said Jake.
"Or she'll just continue to deal with him treating her like he's better than her, like they've been doing for years. How can she be so blind?" she wondered.
"She grew up in a family of eight. How would you feel, if you'd been overlooked your entire life and then suddenly some guy finally liked you better than your best friends?" asked Jake.
"That was five years ago," said Peyton.
"Give it time. In the meantime, I'm taking you home. Come on," he said, his hand slipping down from her elbow to take her hand. She let him take it. She didn't react. He was Just Jake.
But to him, she couldn't be farther from being Just Peyton.
Nathan knowingly followed Haley into an empty bedroom. He was a bit disappointed. He had already been looking forward to exploring his opportunities, making a conquest. She was just too easy.
Haley casually walked to the window while he closed and locked the door behind them. He watched her for a moment, admiring her form, before walking up to her and placing a hand on her shoulder. She shivered slightly and moved away.
"Oh, you thought that we were actually going to make out?" asked Haley.
"Not make out, no," said Nathan. He smirked again.
"Funny," said Haley. Nathan paled visibly when he realized that he, the notorious player, had been played.
"Trying to get your boyfriend jealous?" asked Nathan.
"Just trying to blow off steam," said Haley lightly.
"You know, you're not as innocent as I thought," he said.
"No one is that innocent," laughed Haley.
"You had me fooled."
"And I'm proud of that. We've been here a while now. I think enough suspicion's been aroused, we can go now," said Haley. She had only taken three steps before he was right behind her. She gasped in surprise as he grabbed her wrist and turned her around.
Nathan grabbed her shoulder and threw her down onto the bed underneath him. She trembled in fear mingled with hate and desire.
"Get off of me," she said.
"Suddenly it's not a game, is it?" he said.
"You're a pig," Haley said.
"Stop wiggling. I'm not going to hurt you. It takes the fun out of it. I'm just letting you now that you're not going to play me. No one does," he said. In an instant he was off her again.
Haley scowled and straightened her bustier as he walked toward the door.
"But that doesn't mean we can't play," he said, smiling at her as he left. He ducked just in time: the only object within Haley's reach was an alarm clock. It would do.
XxxxxxX (The Next Day)
Brooke frowned as she wandered back to the deck of the Country club pool and saw Davis reclined on a chair.
"You know, you're going to get lines," stated Brooke. Davis pulled her headphones out of her ears and looked down to where her iPod was balanced on her flat, tanned stomach. She rolled her eyes and placed it on the chair beside her.
"What's up?" she asked.
"What are you doing here?" demanded Brooke.
"You're the one who invited me," said Davis, sitting up and adjusting the insufficient fabric of her bikini to better cover her breasts.
"I've been inviting you every year since I was eleven. How's this one any different?" asked Brooke.
"Because this year I decided to come," she said, rolling her eyes.
"Is your life in LA so secretly pathetic that you have to come to small town North Carolina to party?" demanded Brooke.
"Wow, being overshadowed really drives you crazy," said Davis, laughing.
"Shut up. You are in no way hotter than me. What are you doing here? Getting our blessing on Nathan?"
"Nathan and I are never going to get married. We're not really ever going to be monogamists. It's time the world realizes. What's up with your friend Haley, by the way?" asked Davis brightly.
"Oh, the one your boyfriend has the hots for? She's my best friend, but she's harmless. Virginal and loyal to her perfect boyfriend," said Brooke bitterly.
"Jealous," accused Davis.
"Not really. He's an ass. I just have to meddle before they get engaged," said Brooke.
"I'm always up for meddling," said Davis. Brooke smirked and looked sideways. It was a good thing, perhaps, that Davis Ryan was too cold to realize the power of attraction.