Chapter Ten: Finally Falling
Nathan watched in amusement as Haley ran around his apartment.
"This place is incredible," she said in awe.
"You're like a little kid in a candy store," he said.
"Well, who wouldn't be? Are you going to call Davis?" she asked.
"No. She'll figure it out. Are you going to call Chris?"
"I don't want him to figure it out. And shouldn't you guys be like… closer or something? You've been together for almost a year and half," she said reproachfully.
"Don't lecture me. Davis and I have clear boundaries on our relationship, and she understands them. This doesn't break any of them," he said simply.
"That's sick," said Haley in disgust.
"That's life, darling," he said. "And how is it any worse for throwing yourself at me to make him jealous? You shouldn't have to chase after him."
"And you shouldn't have to chase after me, but it doesn't mean you don't," said Haley knowingly.
"You don't have to be so high on yourself, little girl," he said.
"Tell me you see me as a little girl and I'll cut you some slack," she promised, moving close to him. He didn't reach for her, but he willed her to come closer when she brushed up against him to the point that their clothing was touching without their bodies making any contact.
"I…"
"I reduce you to a stuttering wreck," she said proudly. Suddenly he grasped her shoulders and shoved her against the wall behind them.
"Woman, has anyone ever scolded you in your entire life?" he demanded.
"Why, do I need discipline?" she asked alluringly.
"You sound just like her," said Nathan. Haley's slight smiled disappeared and she forcefully shoved him off of her.
"Well then I guess I really am your kind of girl," said Haley in disgust, disappearing into her room.
Nathan groaned in frustration as she slammed her door shut. He'd promised himself he'd be nice to her, but even being in the same room with her was getting so dangerous. She was such a child, he realized. When they were together she went out of her way to make herself older, but sometimes it made her seem younger still. Nathan wondered again if it made him anything like a pedophile, going after a girl so many years his junior. Quickly he shrugged off this disconcerting thought and headed out of the apartment.
"Luke?" he said into his cellphone, once he was out in the streets.
"Nathan? What the hell are you doing?" demanded his brother.
"I'm in LA, with Haley. We're both fine," said Nathan, aware that those nearest him could hear Lucas yell into the phone.
"She's just a kid Nate," said Lucas.
"Well then I guess it's a good thing I'm talking to you on the phone and not fucking her senseless. Calm down, I know. Have you seen Davis?" he asked.
"No. But she's definitely making herself seen," said Lucas cryptically before hanging up the phone.
Nathan's immediate reaction to this was to run upstairs and discuss it with Haley, before he remembered that Haley wasn't talking to him and had no intention of changing this fact. He sighed in frustration. Teenagers…
Haley scowled when Nathan pounded on her door again. Really, the guy just couldn't take a hint. She was sulking. She was being dramatic, and enjoying it. Actually, she was also trying to plan a way to get to the kitchen for food without breaking her sulk. It was quite the conundrum.
Her scowl deepened when the door fell inward to the room, and Nathan walked in holding a screwdriver.
"You took it off the hinges? My God, can't you take a hint?" she said angrily, standing up and preparing to stalk out of the room. He caught her arm before she could, and pulled her into him. She let out a cry of surprise.
"No. I have to go out. Movie premiere. We had a deal," he reminded her.
"I have nothing to wear," she said.
"Oh, well I bought you a dress when I was out. So I guess you can go," he said, walking out of the room.
Haley stalled for a second, trying to predict the next move. She knew he expected her to follow him, and she hated to follow his expectations, but she was curious. Her curiosity won.
Nathan was standing in his own bedroom. She admired it for a second: the bed was high, wide and luxurious, and a half open door led to an en-suite bathroom. She imagined sleeping on the bed. Sleeping with…
"Nathan, what are you going on about?" she asked, crossing her arms. He smiled and inclined his head toward the closet door. It was open, and a dress was hanging on it. An ivory, one shouldered, flowey dress that would reach her knees.
"Do you like?" he asked indulgently.
"No," she said reluctantly.
"Liar. Be materialistic. I'm sorry," he said.
"You're not. Being sorry involves being human. But thanks for the dress," she said, bringing cool lips to lightly peck his cheek.
"You're welcome. Be ready to go at eight. There's a person coming at six to help with your makeup. Remember to stick to the story," he instructed.
"Fine. Will I be in magazines?" she asked.
"Yes. Many," said Nathan.
"Is that all?" she asked.
"One more thing."
Haley gasped as Nathan grabbed her hand and pulled her into him again. For one wild moment she expected him to kiss her but instead his lips slid further, down her neck. He sucked there for a few moments before releasing her, never touching her lips.
"That's going to leave a mark," she said, touching it lightly with her fingertips.
"That's the whole point. Want it to look realistic. Don't let the cosmetic person cover it up," said Nathan, walking out of the room.
"Pig," said Haley resentfully to herself.
Haley was waiting for Nathan in her white dress, her hair and face done up like they never had been before. She felt beautiful and completely unlike her natural self.
"Hey," said Nathan, coming to join her in the hall. She didn't turn around, and stood completely still. "You still mad at me?"
"You could at least have the courtesy to make out with me," she said resentfully, still facing away from him.
"I thought you didn't want that," taunted Nathan.
"I don't. But the whole branding thing is kind of creepy," she protested.
"I think it's kind of sexy," said Nathan. He came up behind her and placed his hands on her shoulders. He frowned when she still refused to look at him.
"You're a creep," said Haley.
"Fine some new insults, baby," said Nathan, lightly kissing her neck. He smirked when she broken away and glared at him over his shoulder. She was playing right into her hands, and she knew it, yet she was powerless to stop it.
They sailed past the reporters posted outside the apartment and climbed into opposite sides, sticking firmly apart from one another.
"Don't look so squeamish. I told you I'd help you out and I will," said Haley.
"Thanks," he grunted.
"Don't mumble. It's not attractive," she said, primly crossing her legs.
"Thanks," he said, clearly and distinctly.
Haley blinked a dozen times as soon as they stepped out of the limo. Quickly she found her hand intertwined with Nathan's. When he saw her quake in fear he reassuringly squeezed it, and suddenly she felt brave. She smiled up at him, in a shot that would be copied across the nation by the next morning.
The evening was filled with stills that everyone would see the next morning. Shots that Lucas and Brooke would see in bed together, that Jake would pore over to distract himself from his misery. They didn't know. They didn't know, would never truly know, how much impact they had over their world.
By the end of the evening, Haley had the act down. She could smile for the cameras, pose with Nathan as though she was in love with them, answer questions leaving out just enough detail to leave them intrigued. Though Nathan had danced the same dance for years with Davis, Haley fit into the equation as though she'd been born into it.
Nevertheless, she breathed a sigh of relief the moment they stepped back into the limo.
"I feel like I've been on stage," she said.
"You have been. And you played your part perfectly," he said.
"Thanks. Will I look like a whore tomorrow?" she asked nervously.
"Not remotely. I'll look like a bit of a bastard, but you'll be none worse off, unless your boy is angry," said Nathan.
"Please, the whole point is to get him angry," said Haley. His eyes widened when she slurred her words slightly. Was Haley drunk?
"Why?"
"He's never around anymore. He promised everything would get better and then he gave me the stupid ring and everything got worse. Bastard," she said resentfully.
"Why do you stay with him?" asked Nathan, hoping she was drunk, or tired enough to answer.
"I love him," she said, as if stating the obvious. "And we've kind of just gotten into the routine."
The alcohol truly began to affect Haley as they neared the apartment. He ran over to her side of the car to help her out and she fell against him, laughing miserably. After five minutes they'd managed to move five paces. Out of frustration he took her into his arms and carried her up the elevator and into her bedroom.
Haley smiled up at him when he laid her down on the bed and gently removed her shoes.
"You're such a nice guy sometimes. Like Jake," she said.
"You like Jake?"
"He's Peyton's. Don't worry, he's not the one that I'm falling for," said Haley. Her eyelids fluttered.
"Who is, Hales?" he asked. Her eyelids closed firmly. He sighed and backed out of the room.