Part 20

"That was horrible. God, was yours like that?" Haley asked through tears after replaying the day in her mind.

"Yea it was pretty much the same. But you did good Haley. You said what had to be said and now he can't hurt anyone else. He gonna get what he deserves." Holly assured. The two were sitting on the floor leaning against her bed.

"Ugh, I just feel like crap. I felt like I was getting better and then I had to relive it all in front of a bunch of strangers, you know?" Haley sniffled.

"I know sweetie. You are getting better, and it gets even better than that. It just takes time and -"

"Does it really get better? Cause right now I'm seriously doubting that. I just I don't get how you're so happy and can be around strangers and guys without freaking out. The other night Nathan and I were making out and during the whole thing I had to keep going over that he wasn't Billy and he wasn't going to hurt me and then it just got to a point and I bailed."

"Haley we're different…"

"Yea, in less time than this you were able to do whatever with any guy you wanted and I can't even kiss my own husband!" Haley wailed, breaking down in sobs all over again.

"Alright Haley. Listen to me, you really think it's possible for me to be honestly happy and care free after a month of being raped?"

"Well you are." Haley answered, the sobs having subsided.

"Let me ask you this. Would you want to be happy, even if it was temporary and not 100 real."

"What are you talking about?" Haley asked warily.

"Just answer the question."

"Well. Yea." Haley paused in deep thought. "I'd give anything to be happy again."

"Alright, come with me." Holly sighed, standing up and offering her hand to Haley.

"What? Where are we going?" Haley asked, confusion replacing her anger and sadness as she wiped away her tears.

"To my backyard."

"Okay…why are we here?" Haley asked once they stepped out onto Holly's back porch.

"Just sit down." Holly laughed as she bent down and removed a brick from the side of her house.

"You have a removable brick? Lucas and I hide stuff in the café's wall, I didn't know it was so common." Haley commented.

"I think it's just us." Holly giggled before uncurling her hand for Haley to see. "This is what got me through it, what still gets me through it."

"Is…is that weed?" Haley asked wide eyed.

"Yea. You said yourself you didn't get how I was happy and confident, this is how." Holly explained, removing a joint that was mixed in with the loose buds.

"Holly…"

"Now do you want to be happy?"

"Well yea…"

"And do you want to be able to have fun? Have fun with Nathan without thinking and having Billy invade your mind?"

"God, yes."

"Well this will get you there." Holly shrugged. "I mean I hated suffering because some asshole chose me to get his jollies. It wasn't my fault so why should I have to suffer? During the high, I don't suffer. I get to be happy again."

"It really helps?" Haley asked, the thought of happiness enticing her.

"Works for me." Holly told her softly as she lit the end of the joint before inhaling and offering it to Haley.

A/N: Ok first. Cliffhanger...dun dun dunnnn. Second. What ever I chose for Haley, whether she chooses to use the marijuana or not I just want to say that while I don't really encourage the use of weed, I don't have anything against it. I myself have used it. I'm not a chronic or addicted to it, but I have had the experience of a high. I also am trying to keep this story as realistic as possible and I personally know about drug enticement. Many people turn to drugs and/or alcohol to deal with what's happening in their lives. Our Tree Hiller's are no exception to that.
That being said I don't want you readers to hate Holly for introducing Haley to the stuff. Their both impressionable and looking for something to dull the ache. (Like Nathan when Haley was on tour, and his use of alcohol.)

Anyhow, I just thought I had to write some sort of explaination, warning, whatever that was.

Thank you all SO much for your awesome replies! I really hope that the introduction of marijuana doens't defer any of you from reading this.

Much Love

-Debbie