Authors: The Fab Two: AshleyMac and Alyson Teague.
Pairings: This chappie is Anna/Haley centric.
Disclaimers: Didn't own anything in the last chapter, don't own anything now.
Authors Notes: (Brittney Says:) I wrote this wearing Red aviators. Haha! (Ashley Says:) I'd like to think Yoda and the Jedi's for their help.
Anna's Journal
Cheer is oxygen.
Pompoms and Skirts are so cool.
Yes, I am Lying.
- Haiku #17, by Anna Stern
Tangent # 32:
The roof. Of course, it works in all the movies right? Escape to the roof when in doubt.
Finally, I'd managed to find a place in this hotel that wasn't over grown with whining cheerleaders and over protective up tight coaches. Not to mention the captains in this place. Those girls needs some serious chill time. I nice big latte and an Audrey Hepburn film would do them wonders.
Ladies and Gents my name is Anna Stern, and I am not your average cheerleader. More into comics, writing, and sailing than anything else, the prospect of jumping up and down in a short skirt while basketball players oogle my goodies isn't exactly paradise. Despite the fun it looks like, spelling out words with your arms just really isn't all it's cracked up to be.
Now you're probably asking yourself, "Dubya Tee Eff? Why is this girl a cheerleader?" To answer your question, I shall tell you a little story.
Once Upon A Time,
There was a girl named Anna. She had all the qualities of a normal, human, non-cheerleader. Than one day her new buddy Marissa made her become a cheerleader by threatening to show Seth Cohen Anna's pair of Hello Kitty underwear.
The End.
Stupid, I know. Kind of pointless when I think about it. But it's just for the summer and it definitely beats sitting around brooding about the fact that a certain Mr. Cohen couldn't make up his greedy little mind about who he liked more. Summer Roberts: Queen of all things Newport, most adorable girl in school with more money than God. Or Anna Stern, the girl with the retro clothes, crazy blonde hair, and love for comic books.
Seth Cohen, you are an idiot.
Any guy or girl with half a brain could see that when one gets a chance at Summer Roberts, one takes it.
Unless of course that person had ever spoken to Summer. A tad shallow, not all bright, and full of useless facts about how to discern faux from famous designer labels, she wasn't exactly the easiest person to carry on an intelligent conversation with.
Haley POV
Why oh why didn't I switch with Peyton? I thought to myself as I tried to find an escape from my psycho roommate. This is what I got for trying to torture Peyton by making her room with Rachel. See I can handle Rach, she maybe a little shady sometimes but she'd never try to corrupt me in the way that Nikki will. Well Nikki would never actually do anything to me. But God those innuendoes would make a sailor blush. Oh look the door to the roof. Seems like a good place to hide. Nikki probably won't make it out of the bar. So to the roof I go.
"Finally some peace," I said as I shut the roof door. "Aww but no stars," I noticed when I looked at the sky. I do realize that it's kinda crazy to talk out loud when no one is there to hear you but give me a break.
"No way you're gonna see stars in this city," came a voice from the ledge.
"Whoa.. you trying to kill me," I asked jumping involuntarily. After calming my heart I made my way over to the girl noticing that she had short blonde hair. She doesn't really seem like the cheerleader type. "I guess you're right...too many lights probably, huh?" I said when I was standing beside the girl.
"Yes it is one of my personal favorite past times; killing strangers on roof tops." She said as she grinned at me and put down her notebook. I assume it's some type of journal or sketch pad or something of the sort. The girl's eyes went to the sky. "I think the stars are to pure for everyone in LA. Like 'City Too Corrupt' or whatever."
I like this girl. She's funny. "I guess killing them on roof tops cuts down on witnesses," I said with a smile. Am I flirting with this girl? That can't be happening. I thought. I took a deep breath to calm myself. "Smells like rain. So the clouds could be part of not seeing the stars and not just the evil people."
She nodded a smile still on that beautiful face. "Smart girl. You know your murders." She said with a laugh and then was quiet for a few minutes. Silence. A comfortable silence. I haven't had one of these in a very long time. "I love the rain," she said breaking the silence. "Something about water just falling from the sky is poetic. God crying and whatnot." She said laughing. She had a cute laugh. Cute? Cute? Oh God what am I thinking?
I laughed with her. She has one of those laughs the kind that you can't help but laugh with. "God crying is kinda scary. I mean if things are so bad for him to cry...what's gonna happen to the rest of us? But I do love the rain. It's so cleansing."
"Never thought of it that way. Great, now I'm going to take rain as I sign of eternal damnation or Armageddon." She said giving me a wink as she stood up, knocking her notebook off the side of the building. "Damn it," she cursed as the notebook started to fall.
"Well just don't think of it as god crying," I said winking back at her, "think of it as him giving us all a shower. That important?" I asked as my own eyes went to the falling notebook.
"Oh you know, just my life. No big." She said still smiling.
"Well then if that's all it is," I smiled back at her. Then the rain started to fall. What a perfect moment. I tilted my head so the rain hit my face directly, drenching my entire body. "I guess this evil city needs to be washed," I said looking over at the now equally drenched girl who was now spinning in the rain like I hadn't done in ages.
She stopped spinning when I spoke and looked at me for a few moments. "I should. Um. Well, it's just. My journal. And it's being made of paper and whatnot. So I should..." She said pointing at the door.
"Go?" I giggled and finished for her. Yes I Haley James giggled. But that's not the only thing I did. I looked at her. Really looked at her. She really is gorgeous. And her body...my God that body. Her rain soaked clothes hung to her perfectly. Hales, keep your mouth closed. Drooling is not attractive. I kept telling myself silently as my eyes raked over the girl in front of me.
"Totally the word I was looking for," she nodded. " I knew you were a smart one." She said looking at me again. But I didn't mind at all. "Have fun getting cleansed." She called over her shoulder as she made her way to the door.
"Oh I will," I said as I watched her hips sway as she walked away. This girl...she's amazing. But there's only one problem: I don't know her name.
Anna's POV
I never believed in love at first sight.
I used to think, "Right like you can know how well you're going to get along with someone and love them just by one look, one word, maybe a short conversation on the rooftop of the Hilton Hotel. Definitely not in the rain." It was absurd.
I never believed in love at first sight...until I saw her.
Maybe it was the way her hair wasn't quite brown, but wasn't quite blonde. Or how she could find herself in the exact same bizarre place as me at the exact same bizarre time for the exact same mundane reason. Peace. Maybe just the way she spoke, how I could tell she sang in the shower, when no one could hear her and it was the most beautiful thing God would ever hear.
But I'm pretty sure it was her soul.
I know it sounds cheesy talking about love at first site, and souls and what not. But if you think that, you obviously haven't met this girl.
The moment it started to rain, and she didn't even hesitate, just tilted her head up and let it wash over her like an old blanket, I knew I was in love with her. I knew that I wanted her to be there with me overtime it rained, just so I could see her make that same smile.
She is the most beautiful thing...ever.
As I change out of my now soaked jeans, and into my green tie-dye cotton pajama bottoms, I think about the way the rain hit her skin. With everything else in this city it's like the rain washes away the sin. But there's not an ounce of sin in this girl, so it just made her glow. Glow like the angel I know she is.
Sitting on my bed, I'm thankful to whatever God is listening, that Marissa is passed out instead of awake to ask me where I've been and why I look like I just took a dip across the English channel. Why I'm friends with that girl, I will never know.
I can't help but smile again as I pull the now soggy notebook from my bedside table and flip to the last page. Funny how I had been so caught up in brooding over Seth Cohen not even one hour ago, and now it was like I had to struggle to remember what he even looks like. I close my eyes and all I can see is her.
The girl who stole my heart, and she doesn't even have a name.
Well, of course she has one, I just don't happen to know it. I'm sure it's beautiful though. Classic and delicate. Not too long with too many complicated letters, but just long enough to convey her beauty. Something modest, like I'm sure she is, but when said in the right context can be edgy and rugged like I know she so desperately wants to be.
I've got to find her tomorrow, I decide as I switch off the light and crawl between the sheets of the queen sized bed. I can't go another night not knowing her name. Before I can fall asleep, I jolt up and pull out my spare notebook, scribbling down another haiku.
Anna's Journal: Haiku #18:
Oh so picturesque.
I'll write you in my screenplay.
Scene One: let's make love.
NEXT DAY
Haley POV
Here I am, hiding from Nikki again. Not that I mind. It's beautiful out today. And I love to people watch. So that's what I'm doing. Sitting here on a bench in a park with my trust water in hand, watching total strangers going about their business. In some places I guess this could be considered stalking. Ok maybe not. Who knows though.
People are fun to watch. That couple just to the left with their child is just the picture of perfection. I was enjoying watching the young family when out of nowhere a pair of hands covered my eyes causing my world to go black and my body to involuntarily jump. I place my hands on top of the ones that are covering my eyes. They are soft and small. They most definitely belong to a girl.
Then the mystery person laughed and the mystery was instantly gone. I would recognize that laugh anywhere. "Guess who?" It was my nameless blonde beauty who could turn my darkness into light. I know it sounds cheesy but I think I might be falling for her.
I can't stop myself from grinning as I respond. "Hmm...could it be a crazy blonde girl who likes to kill strangers on roof tops?"
"They call me Anna for short." She said. I could tell she wore a smirk. I could tell by the tone of her voice. Oh how I adore her voice. I couldn't help but smile. But when am I not smiling when this girl, Anna, is around.
"Well Anna for short are you going to uncover my eyes sometime today?" I asked with a laugh. Truth be told I didn't mind at all that her hands were still on my eyes.
She laughed at my question. "Maybe. Maybe not. What'll you give me?" She really is something else. I shook my head. I love this banter.
"So I have to bribe you to remove your hands? Let me think," I drew out putting my finger on my chin. "I'll tell you my name."
She instantly removed her hands from my eyes. I actually kinda missed the contact. But I'll live. "That sounds like a fair deal to me. I mean, since you know mine and all." I tilted my head up so I could see her and she smiled down at me. She has the most beautiful smile. Her touch and her smile were quickly becoming my drug. More addicting than caffeine could ever dream of being.
I smiled as she walked around to stand in front of me. "I thought that would work. My name is Haley by the way." I introduced myself reaching out my hand to shake hers. I don't normally shake hands. But I needed to shake hers. "Nice to meet you, Anna."
She grinned at me, again, I don't think I could ever grow tired of that. "I knew it would be beautiful." She stated like it was the most beautiful name she had ever heard. "Pleasure to make your acquaintance," she said smiling as she took my hand to shake it.
We stood there 'shaking' hands and staring at each other for the longest time. But you know me and my big mouth couldn't just let it be. I had to say something. "Interesting meeting up like this again, don't ya think?"
"Must be fate. Big city like this, and we both end up in the same park. Definitely some Uber-mojo going on there." She replied in only a way that she could, giving me a playful wink.
"Uber-mojo, huh?" I said winking back at her.
"Either that or dumb luck. Which ever way you look at it." She said letting go of my hand. Again I felt a pang of sadness at the sudden loss of her hand on mine. "So...first the roof, now the park. Looks like a certain Haley is avoiding someone?" How can she read me like that? Ok so maybe it wasn't rocket science but give me a break.
"I like the sound of uber-mojo better," I said with a short laugh. "But since you've been at all the same places, I'd say that a certain Anna is avoiding someone too."
"Or looking for someone," she said biting her lip and blushing in the most adorable way possible. I can't stop grinning but I think it just got 100 times bigger at the cuteness that is Anna. If I didn't know better I would say that the someone was me. If only that were the case. "So who are you avoiding?" She asked looking right at me.
"My roommate, Nikki. You?" I asked really curious about who this angel was avoiding.
She grinned and shrugged. "No one in particular. It's just a great day for taking pictures," she said holding up a camera that I hadn't noticed she was holding. She's into photography. This girl is perfect.
I nodded and smiled. "Well now I feel bad for avoiding Nikki," I said with a playful pout. "It is pretty out, huh?" I asked looking around. Smooth Haley. Real smooth. I berated myself. I can be so annoyingly unsmooth sometimes.
She just smiled and nodded and then spoke softly. "Certain things seem to be brightening the scenery, definitely." Then she finally sat down beside me. I had been looking forward to that since the hand shake. Gosh how pathetic am I? I smiled and looked at her then took a drink and looked at her again. I'm really no good at hiding nervousness. We sat in a comfortable silence for a few minutes.
"Cheerleading. Why do I do it?" She said breaking the silence. I couldn't believe my ears. This perfect girl is a cheerleader. My eyes followed her gaze to see that she was looking at some cheerleaders over by the swings.
"My thoughts exactly," I said kinda nodding my head for no good reason.
She pulled her knees up to her chest and rested her chin on them. Adorable. Ok so I guess I'm running close to the limit on how many times a person can call another person adorable. But my God there is no better word to describe the girl sitting beside me. "So you are a cheerleader. And you seemed so normal." She said laughing.
"Oh snap. I told on myself didn't I?" I said with a shrug.
"You are sooo busted," she said poking me. That simple touch sent chills down my spine. What is this girl doing to me? I could feel myself blushing. I looked down at the ground in hopes that she wouldn't notice.
"Well you did seem pretty normal yourself," I said poking her back.
She looked at me and grinned. "Anna and normal do not fit in the same sentence." She was right. She wasn't normal. She was way too perfect to ever be called normal.
"Ok fine then I'll rephrase that. You didn't seem cheerleader like. That better?" I said sticking my tongue out at her.
Anna POV
Haley.
It's so...so...so just as perfect as I thought it would be. I love the way it feels in my mouth. I can't help but smile as I say it, my tongue just barely tapping the roof of my mouth before my lips come back together. Who knew saying a name could be so incredibly erotic?
I can feel myself grinning and know I must look like Jack Nicholson from that one Batman movie. I still can't get over how incredibly gorgeous she is, and even more so in the sunlight. The way her hair shines and her eyes have that child like wonder sparkling in them is so incredible. I think I could stare at her all day. Images of rain soaked Haley keep popping into my head, making my already ridiculous smile grow even wider.
"Normal and Anna do not fit in the same sentence." My mouth says, and I'm surprised my brain can send any message that isn't 'I love you' through my body. That's probably not the best thing to say on a second meeting, so thank you Anna's brain. I owe you one.
Her grin is adorable, they way her mouth quarks up at the corners giving her that 'I have a secret,' look that could turn on a blind nun. She shakes her head lightly, the movement mixing with the breeze, making her hair whip onto her face. I fight back the urge to reach up and brush her hair from her beautiful face. Too soon! I keep chanting in my head. My own little mantra to get my hormones in check.
"Okay then," She says and I smile at her. "I'll rephrase that to 'You didn't seem cheerleader-like.' Better?" Her tongue stuck out between her teeth playfully, and I could almost hear myself gulp. God I wish I had the motor skills enough to take a picture right now. But all I can seem to think is...
That Tongue. My Mouth. Right Now.
"Uh...uh..." To distract myself from looking like a complete moron, I glance down at my watch, noticing it's 3:10 and I am wicked late for practice. Late during Nationals? I'll be lucky to be sent home alive. "Damn it, Brooke's going to kill me for being late for practice."
"Brooke?" She asks. There's a look on her face that says if we were in a comic book she'd have a little lightbulb floating above her head. "Where did you say you were from again?"
"Newport," I sigh, rolling my eyes. "Lucky me."
She giggles and I never want her to stop. It's the most musical sound I've ever heard. Death Cab has nothing on Haley's laugh. She should charge for letting unworthy people such as myself even listen to it. "This Brooke, is it Brooke Davis?"
I eye her curiously. How the hell did she know that? "Are you stalking me?" I ask playfully, knowing I'd have to pay a girl as gorgeous as this to stalk me. I can't help but grin again as her face breaks into an angelic smile. If there were a pair of wings hidden under her corduroy jacket it wouldn't surprise me.
"Maybe in your dreams." She smiles. She must be stalking me, because she definitely made an appearance in my dream last night, though it was anything but innocent. "If Brooke really freaks out, just tell her you were with Tutor Girl."
Click. Goes my brain. I jump to my feet, instantly regretting having put more space between myself and her. The air is colder when she isn't next to me. I know that for the rest of my like I'll feel empty if she's not around. She has to be in my life.
"Oh my God!" I say like a valley girl, and mentally kick myself. "You're Tutor Girl Haley? Brooke did not shut up about you her first couple of months here! She was failing so bad in math, and kept whining about 'Needing her Tutor Girl.'"
I can definitely see what Brooke meant by that. It's like there's this magnetic force around Haley. I can't help but be drawn to her. I doubt anyone could. She laughs, a real deep from the bottom of her belly laugh, and I go weak in the knees, sitting down next to her again.
"That's Brooke for you." She nods, her eyes sparkling in the afternoon sun. We sit in silence for a few moments, lost in eachothers eyes. Looking into her eyes I can see her soul, that beautiful, pure, soul that drew me to her in the first place. She wears her heart on her sleeve, and I know that in my heart I'll do anything I can to have her.
"What time did you say it was?" She asks, her eyebrows drawing together delicately across her forehead. Before I can move she reaches over and picks up my wrist, looking at my watch for her self. Her hand is warm against my forearm, and we both just kind of stare at the contact, before she blushes and lets go.
"It's 3:30." I state dumbly, trying to keep the shit eating grin off my face. "Brooke's so going to kill me."
She smiles back at me, and I can tell she's grateful for breaking the tension. "You and me both. Rachel is going to have my head." I instantly want to smack whoever Rachel is. Anyone threatening the freaking love of my life is going to...whoa. Getting a little ahead of myself.
"Well, then, let's get you back." I say standing up, and spontaneously holding my hand out to her. Silently I'm praying that she doesn't think I'm disgusting for wanting to hold her hand. "Can't have a headless Haley now can we?"
The butterflies that seem to have nested in the pit of my stomach do their happy dance as she happily reaches out and entwines her fingers with mine. It's like I'm a puzzle that didn't know it's center piece was missing. Can a total stranger complete me?
I lose to my grin again, knowing I've got Harley Quinn and The Joker beat out for Doofiest Smile of the year. We start walking, our feet falling perfectly in sync with eachother, glancing at eachother and smiling.
"So if you're from Tree Hill, that must mean you're Rachel is Rachel Gattina, eh?" I say, remembering the days before Brooke, when our captain was of the red haired and bitchy variety. Things were always interesting to say the least when Rach had been around. She always kept up on our toes.
"The one and only." She nods, biting her lip happily and looking at me. It's all I can do to focus on walking as my legs turn into Jell-O. "You know her?"
"That I do." I explain, trying to not stare at her and avoid running into objects and people. "She used to be our captain, then she just kinda bailed half way through sophomore year and moved." I shrug, her hand and mine rising together and her fingers bumping into the bars skin of my leg. I shiver involuntarily. Note to self: Wear. Shorts. For. The. Rest. Of. My. Life. I remember I'm mid story, and continue to explain. "But then of course Brooke stepped in. So it was like crazy Rachel never left."
"They are a lot alike aren't they?" She asks with a light laugh. My thin shred of sanity is the only thing keeping me from pinning her against the wall and capturing the tinkling sound with my lips.
"So much that they're either twins, or dating." When I think about it I realize she's right. Brooke and Rachel are like the evil twins...because neither of them is innocent. They're both stubborn, gorgeous, witty, and ultimately going to get whatever they want.
We round the corner to the hotel, and I wonder if I should let go of her hand. Is she worried about the other girls seeing her like this with me? I mean, it's not like Haley even likes girls? And if she did, why on earth would she like me?
She comes to a stop in the middle of the lobby, and shows no sign of discomfort at being seen with me.
"I would hate to see them in the same room together." She smiles. I stare at her for a second before nodding in agreement. Oh yeah, we were talking about Brooke and Rachel. I put another second of thought into those two.
"That would either be really hot, or really gory." I shrug. "So, I've gotta go this way." I point down the hall toward the work out room, and want to beat myself over the head with a brick. WHO THE HELL CARES ABOUT CHEERLEADING WHEN I'M HOLDING HANDS WITH HALEY? Not me! That's for sure! Stupid brain!
"And I have to go that way." She points the other direction toward the tennis courts. Looks like the Tree Hill gang will be working out in the sunshine today. Note to self: Ditch practice early to go watch Haley be sweaty and sexy.
Then again when is she not sexy?
"So then I guess I'll see you around?" I must look like one of those little kids who begs and begs their Mom for candy in the grocery store. Please let me see you again, Haley. I might have to delve into emo culture and listen to Dashboard Confessional while crying if you don't. She grins back at me. The beautiful, perfect Haley grin that makes me forget who I am.
"You know it."
I nod, and know that the time has come. Gently I pull my hand from hers, trying to keep the disappointment off my face as she turns and walks away, giving me a little wave. "Awesome." I say, sounding like some horny eighth grade boy.
I watch her walk away, marveling in the way she can be so incredibly sexy and yet have this air of innocence both at the same time. Maybe that's her super power. being everything anyone could ever ask for and more. One thing is for sure, Haley puts my dream girl to shame. I can't just let her go.
"Haley! Wait!" I call after her like an idiot, jogging up to her side. She turns to me, that smile still on her face, making it light up like a Christmas candle. God. She is gorgeous. Realizing I don't have any reason to have called after her, I quickly scramble for any excuse.
"Miss me already?" She jokes. 'Yes,' I reply silently.
"Oh of course." There's more joke in my voice then I meant there to be. Realizing I've got the death grip on my digital camera, I grin and hold it up, stepping closer to her. I can smell her perfume and I fight to not melt into her. Is there anything about this girl that isn't perfect?
"Smile."
She grins into the camera, and I feel myself do the same as I take a self portrait of the two of us. Note to self: When done developing this film, die happy.
"Awesome." I say again. What is with me and my limited vocabulary today? I sound like Ryan all monosyllabic and cave many. Ugh, I hate that kid. I look at Haley again, seeing amusement written all over her face, and realize I'm still late for practice.
"SHIT!" I yelp. There's that Ryan thing again. I take off, running away from her, and wondering how it's possible when the only thing I could ever want is to stay by her side. "Bye Haley, see you on our next date." I call out, feeling like an idiot for throwing out the word date.
Way to scare her off.
'God.' I think, stopping just outside the work room, gasping for breath. 'I love her.'
Haley POV
We sat there talking for what seems like hours. I'm really not sure how long because it's all kinda a blur now. Anna, well she has this effect on me. Time seems to stand still and speed up all at the same time. I was sticking my tongue out like a two year old and the next thing I know we're back in the hotel lobby and she's letting go of my hand. At that moment I decided that I never want to let go of her hand again. Every time I let go of her it feels like a void is being opened up inside of me. I turned to go my own way when I heard her calling after me.
"Miss me already?" I asked. I already missed her like crazy. Can you say clingy? She pulled out her camera and snapped a picture of us and then ran off to her practice. I can't wait until I get to see her again.