Chapter 7: That forever was…
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It was the next morning, and Nathan was sitting in his car, thinking about what Haley had said. If he really wanted to be in a relationship with her, he had to straighten things out with Lucas, and apologize to Mouth. However, the only thing holding him back was the fact that no one was going to accept or expect this. Nathan was the "it" boy, and it was a known fact that he and Lucas had had a falling out. I mean, they hadn't talked in months… ever since that night. And Mouth. Let's just say Nathan didn't really associate with that crew. But Haley. Haley was different. Sure she wasn't one of those blonde bimbos his following seemed to hang around with, but that's what he liked about her. She wasn't shallow, she had a personality, she could make him laugh, and she just brightened his day. Besides, in his eyes, Haley was beautiful, but in a natural way, not like those barbie-like people. "I have to do this," Nathan said to himself. "It's not going to be easy, but it's my only way to be with Haley."
So with that thought in mind, Nathan got out of his car and walked across the quad in search of Lucas. It took him a little while, because Lucas wasn't exactly the sort to be the center of attention. I mean yea, he was popular and didn't go unnoticed, but he was more of a quiet guy, keeping to himself. That's why the ladies liked him so much, he was the smooth and silent type. Eventually, Nathan found Lucas sitting at a table with Haley reading a book while she blabbed away. "Typical Haley," Nathan thought as he giggled to himself. "And typical Lucas. That kid could never go anywhere without a book."
As he approached the table Haley looked up, giving Nathan a satisfied smirk, and muttered something to Lucas about meeting someone in the tutoring center, leaving him at the table alone… but not for long. He heard the dragging of shoes and tried to remember what the familiar noise was. Looking up to found Nathan standing there, "Oh yea," Lucas thought, "Nathan had that annoying habit of dragging his feet whenever he wore his Tims', which was well, always."
"Uh, hi Luke," Nathan stated to the very shocked looking Lucas.
"Uhm, I gotta go." Lucas said grabbing his backpack.
"Lucas wait," Nathan replied, causing Lucas to turn as he felt the urgency in his voice.
"Why should I Nate? It's not like we're friends."
"Because Luke," Nathan began, "I need to talk to you. Maybe we're not friends now, but we were five months ago. And that's what I need to talk to you about."
"Sorry Nathan, but you can save it. I don't associate myself with people who stoop as low as you did."
"No, Luke, that's what I'm trying to tell you," Nathan said. "I didn't do it. I know you think I did but here me out. Give me five ok?"
"Fine, but thanks to this nifty cell phone I have, I'm timing you… starting now," Lucas said as he sat back down at the table with Nathan.
"Look, I know you think that at that party last summer I was trying to get with Peyton, but I wasn't man. I was actually trying to help you."
"Wow Nate. Thanks," Lucas said sarcastically.
"Let me finish. I was trying to build you up to her, saying you were a good guy and stuff but she seemed kinda tweeked at you. Like whenever I said your name she changed the subject, it was then that I realized she didn't look right so I walked her to a back bedroom and when I went to check if her head was hot, she kissed me. I tried pushing back, but it wasn't working. That's when Mouth walked in," Nathan said with a sigh. "I didn't intentionally kiss Peyton, it just happened."
"Nathan, I was willing to forgive you for kissing Peyton. I mean I saw you that night, you were plastered. What I can't forgive you for… what ruined our friendship… is that fact that you friggin' drugged the girl," Lucas said, getting agitated.
"That was my next point. I didn't do that. I know all the evidence looks like I did, but I swear man, I'm not that bad. I didn't even know Peyton was drugged until yesterday when Haley told me."
"Wait, you talked to Haley about this?" Lucas questioned agitatedly.
"Uh yeah. It kind of came up," Nathan said, trying to think of an excuse.
"Why, that has nothing to do with tutoring," Lucas stated.
"Well, uh. Oh uh, yeah. She was going to stop tutoring me and when I asked why she said because of you and then she told me about what you had informed her of and that's when I realized I had to talk to you. We were best friends man, I mean aside from Haley. Then one night you up and leave me and never turn back. I mean, I was so drunk and I never meant to kiss Peyton, I was trying to help, but that kind of totally backfired in my face."
"Oh," Lucas stated, feeling kind of guilty for not letting Nathan explain himself. "Well, if what you saying is true… then who drugged Peyton?"
"I'm not really sure, but I have a feeling it's the runt of our pack. You know that little pest who never goes away, always seems to be stirring up trouble," Nathan stated, his voice becoming more annoyed as he thoughts trailed off to what Tim had caused for his relationship with Haley.
"Tim?" Lucas inquired.
"The one and only," Nathan stated. "That night he pulled a baggy out of his pocket with these little pills in them and told me I could use them to put in girls' drinks, but I told him to put it away because I'm not that desperate or raunchy. He however… let's just say to has no limits."
"Bastard," Lucas muttered. "Look Nathan. I, uh. I'm not trying to get mushy or anything, but I'm sorry. I should have let you explain yourself. I was just frustrated."
"It's alright man. So, uh, Luke, we cool?" Nathan questioned.
"Yeah, we're cool. Just uh, don't expect us to be best friends all of a sudden. It's not like I can suddenly forget the fact we haven't spoken in five months, which is my fault, or that fact you kissed Peyton, which is your fault."
"I get it. Thanks man," Nathan replied, happy to be back on Lucas' good side, or at least his neutral side. "Whatever happened with you and her anyway?"
"That's a long story I don't feel like explaining. Maybe another time," Lucas stated. "But uh. There was one minor detail you left out."
"What's that?" Nathan asked.
"You beat up Mouth, dude. I know he's not our crowd but, that's pretty low."
"Oh yeah. That's my next priority. I'm not exactly proud of that," Nathan replied.
"Cool, he's a good kid. I talk to him every now and again when I'm down at the river court by myself. But uh, quick question. Why the sudden redemption list?" Lucas asked, unaware of why Nathan decided now to straighten out the repercussion of last summer.
"Well, uh. Haley." Nathan stated uneasily.
"Haley? Like, Haley James," Lucas said, sensing something fishy at the uneasiness of Nathan's voice.
"Uh, yeah. She said she would only continue tutoring me if I 'appeased the gods' by setting things right with you and Mouth."
"You sure this is because of tutoring?" Lucas asked. Sure he and Nathan hadn't spoken since the summer, but it was no secret that Nathan hated schoolwork and the fact that he had to be tutored.
"Yeah man. This is Haley we're talking about. I mean, I guess we're kind of friends, but nothing more. She's not really my type," Nathan replied, somewhat wincing at his last words. "Why do I always feel the need to defend my relationship with Haley is strictly tutoring," he thought to himself.
"Whatever you say man," Lucas stated, still sure there was something more. Something he would get to the bottom of.
"Alright, I'm off to find Mouth. Peace man. And wow I said all that in five minutes?"
"I stopped the clock at 3 minutes and 23 seconds. I figured I'd let you state your case in peace. You know me, I'm not that cold hearted."
"Thanks Luke," Nathan said as he walked toward the school. He couldn't help but notice the questioning glares people were sending him trying to figure out if the two friends had mended fences. He knew they were dying to figure out what just happened, was there a possible "Scoe" reunion (Scott and Roe combined)? He could really care less about them right now though. Nathan was on a mission, and no ones' glares or stares were going to stop him. His next stop was the A/V room, because he had a tip off from a "little birdy" with the most beautiful brown eyes he had ever seen, that Mouth was into the tech stuff, so off he was to apologize in order to 'appease the gods' as Haley says. "Who cares about appeasing the gods," Nathan thought to himself, "I just want to appease Haley."
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