A/N: Sorry for not updating in a while! I have so much homework! Oh well. Thank you SO much for all the great reviews I've been getting. They really mean a lot to me and getting them make my day! Anyway, on with the story…
They lay on Nathan's bed, exhausted from playing NBA Live thirteen times, teaching Haley how to play basketball, eating pizza and basically fooling around having fun. After a few minutes of peaceful silence Haley whispered,
"What are we going to do Nathan?" She hated to ruin the ignorant bliss they were currently in, but she couldn't forget about the world outside either.
Confused, Nathan replied,
"What do you mean?"
"Nathan, you know I love you with all my heart but we come from two different worlds. There is no way in this world that the people outside are going to accept our relationship. And besides what about your relationship with Lucas? The both of you hate each other and I couldn't live with the fact that the two people I love the most can't get along. Besides he'll hate me for betraying him. I wouldn't blame you for just wanting to go back to your friends and forgetting I ever existed – I mean it's not like they're going to support this relationship either!" Not being able to take any more Haley broke into a fit of sobs, crying into Nathan shirt as he soothed her.
Gently stroking her auburn hair, he spoke soft words of reassurance into her ear.
"Hey, don't cry. You know I love you and no matter what else happens I'll be there for you. I'd never leave you. Why should we care what everyone else says, we both know the truth and that's all we'll ever need." Nathan hesitated before speaking again,
"…And if it means that much to you, I'll make an effort to be nicer to Lucas, who knows maybe we can be friends."
"Oh yeah! Then you can be the best of friends and finally behave like brothers and everything will be perfect!" Haley chirped, jumping up, her mood turning instantaneously from heartbroken to outright bubbly.
"Easy matchmaker!" Nathan said, with a genuine smile spreading across his handsome features, relieved that he had managed to wash away her fears.
"So I guess that means I'll see you at the game tomorrow?" Nathan asked.
"You bet you will!" Haley answered.
She had contemplated not telling him for a while and after letting the idea sink in, she decided against it. So here she was outside Lucas' house in the pouring rain with her hand raised to the door about to knock when she felt the sudden urge to crawl into Nathan's bed again and be safe in his arms where nothing could hurt her. But just as she was turning around, Lucas opened the door.
"I thought I heard something! What are you doing out here in the freezing cold? It's pouring outside!" Luke asked as Haley stepped into his room, kicking off her shoes. She looked around his room, letting silence envelope the room as the two collected their thoughts. Finally, not being able to bear the silence any longer Haley whispered,
"I love him." Lucas stared at her for a few seconds in utter shock. He knew exactly who she was speaking about; he could read the guilt in her eyes as they shone with tears. As he fought back his own guilt about not coming clean about the Brooke fiasco, he spun her around as she turned to leave.
"What?" Lucas spat out, his eyes so intense, Haley swore she saw flames light up in them. She had never seen him so livid in his entire life. Her heart was beating faster and faster and she just wanted to get out of there."
"Lucas, please, just try to understand where I'm coming from-. Haley was cut off by a hard slap on the face as she pleaded with him. Utter shock radiated through her body. Her small body trembled as she understood what had happened. Lucas, her best friend, has slapped her across the face. She couldn't believe it!
"Yes Lucas! Yes, I am in love with your brother and no matter what you say, nothing is going to change that fact. I don't know what has overcome you the last few days and I don't want to know. I came here afraid of how you'd react, but I always knew you'd be there for me. Now, I'm not so sure I want you here for me. Stay away from Nathan and me!" Lucas took a step forward trying to explain his actions.
"STAY AWAY FROM ME!" Haley screamed at him, tears of pain, frustration and loss coursing down her clear complexion. She ran out of the house she had called home for so many years and to the only place she could think of – Nathan.
"Haley! What happened? Your lip's swollen! Are you okay? Well of course you aren't look at you! I'm going to kill whoever did this to you! -. He was cut off by the feeling of Haley's small arms wrapping tightly around his waist as she cried into his shirt for the second time that day.
"Just hold me Nathan." She whispered barely audibly. "Just hold me." And so he did. He held her there in his arms, out his basketball court. When she had fallen asleep, he carried her up to his room and watched her sleep.
Haley looked out of the window as Nathan drove the two to school. She had explained Lucas' reaction to him and although Nathan would have gladly 'punched Lucas' face in' as he put it, Haley refused to let herself be the cause of their feud. So here they sat in comfortable silence listening to the radio playing softly in the background. Having parked the car, Nathan turned to face Haley and spoke softly,
"I'm here for you Hales. Always and forever. No regrets. OK?" Haley smiled,
"Yeah." She whispered almost inaudibly. And so the two walked hand in hand into Tree Hill High, their hearts fighting to keep the blood pumping to their brains.
A/N: How will everyone react? Well, you'll have to review to find out. Reviews Updates.