Mouth had remembered his friendship with Haley when they were younger. He knew how she behaved when she was upset. She liked to be alone. Figuring she did just spend six years by herself he thought nothing had changed with her methods. But somehow, he just couldn't leave the James household. He would look out the kitchen window every so often to check on Haley. Every time he peaked at her, she seemed in the same thoughtful state, just her body position had changed. He remained like a supportive and silent column for her as he sat peacefully at the table for twenty minutes. Finally when he felt she would be ready, he poked his head out of the sliding doors. Haley looked over her shoulder and curled her lip up to the side just a tad. Mouth accepted this as an invitation and stepped outside and shut the door behind him. He mentally debated on the best position to talk to Haley about this from. He quickly sat across from her. he felt a face to face encounter would be the best.
"Um, Haley?" He started.
"Don't apologize" She broke with a raspy voice as she avoided his gaze. A moment of silenced hovered before she turned to his eyes. He could see the years of pain and guilt still embedded within them. Now they seemed enlarged and glassy from her emotions. "I'm the person to blame that turned Luke into that shell of a person. I never would of thought he would go back on his mistakes. But clearly he has forgotten the drama that followed the one night stand with Nikki…" She bit her top lip and shook her head. "I'm so sorry Mouth for all that I have done. Peyton told me that things were different here but I would have never figured the one constant thing would be…destroyed."
Mouth nodded, taking in a lot of information in strides. "Welcome home Haley. We missed you. I know I did. I'm sorry you had to go through that."
Haley closed her eyes and destroyed the tears that lingered. "Thank you." She softly said in a small whisper.
"So Peyton?" Mouth asked with the unfinished sentence.
Haley nodded. She debated on the story to tell but settled for the truth. She figured it would be for the best and possible avoid the messes of the past. "After Jenny died two years ago, we met up while in New York. I was just singing at this club for some tuition money and she was still trying to find her away after it all. Fate I guess. We found each other when we both needed it the most. Her more than me. We kind of helped each other out for a while. We stayed in touch after she went back home. She was the person that helped me get back here. Home." Haley finished as the last word crawled on her lips.
Mouth knew the whole story wasn't going to be taken well from the others. Peyton hiding such important details as the whereabouts of a beloved and lost friend. As much as Haley had left things in a chaotic state, all her friends she left behind still cared about her. No matter how many unanswered questions and hostile emotions were stored in their hearts. "I'm glad someone was able to show you the way home."
Mouth offered her a smile. "Me too." She smiled back. "Thank you for opening the door." She gratefully smiled with dewy eyes.
"It has always been your home Haley. I'm just glad I was able to be here with open arms."
"Thank you." Haley said as she jumped into his embraced. "Thank you." She whispered again softly.
Mouth knew in his mind that he needed to be there for Haley. Luke, Nate and Brooke wouldn't probably be as forgiving as he was being. They had let their emotions simmer for six years. He feared for her. he didn't know what the future would hold for his old friend. Hopefully she would come out without a broken heart or spirit.
