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Chapter 20

"Where are we going, Hales?" Nathan asked.

We were walking aimlessly around the city. I didn't really have a destination in mind. I was just enjoying being around him. I shrugged. "I'm not walking anywhere in particular," I replied.

It was getting later. We had been out here all day, stopping every once in a while to sit and rest. The sun was starting to set. He tugged on my arm and I looked up at him. "Let's go find Peyton, okay? It's getting close to dinner time and she's probably looking for us. You have her cell number, right?"

I nodded. "Yeah, and if she's really worried she would have called me already," I said. I then got a thought and grinned, "I bet she's too busy with her new boytoy to be worried about us."

He laughed. "I bet you are very right, babe," he replied. We continued on our journey, but found no sign of Peyton. I was beginning to think that she might have left without us. "Hales, why don't you give her a call?"

I nodded and grabbed my phone out of my purse. I looked at the screen to see I had 6 missed calls. 3 from Peyton, 2 from Brooke, and 1 from an unknown number. I listened to the messages. Peyton sounded really worried as did Brooke. I got to the last message that was from the unknown number. Well, you couldn't really call it a message, they just hung up.

I quickly ended the call and dialed Peyton. She answered after one ring. "Thank god! Where have you guys been! I've been so worried about you!"

I laughed. "Oh, so worried that you didn't call my phone until 10 minutes ago? Nice try, goldilocks! You were too busy with Jake to even think about us!" I said and I could almost see her blushing.

"Why didn't you answer your phone in the first place?" she changed the subject.

"I didn't realize it was on silent, I'm sorry. Where are you guys?" I asked.

"We're headed towards my car. Meet me there?"

"Oh, is he coming with us, Peyton?" I teased.

"Just meet me there, Haley. Bye!" she said and hung up before I could say anything else.

I laughed. "She's heading to her car and we are to meet her there," I said and Nate smiled at me.

"Jake was with her?" he asked and I nodded. "I think he's just walking her to her car."

"Which is even more adorable! Aww, thats so cute!" I said with a squeal. We were both suprised by my actions. I shook my head. "I need to spend less time with Brooke. She's really rubbing off on me."

He nodded. "Yeah, its a little scary," he replied and I hit him.

Five minutes later we arrived at Peyton's car and Jake was still there with her. "Hey, Peyton. Jake."

She sighed. "Get in you two. Jake, I'll see you later," she said and gave him a hug. She turned to us and we quickly looked away. When she thought we weren't looking she kissed him.

We all got into the car and drove off with one last wave at Jake. When we were far enough away, I spoke. "Okay, tonight Nathan and your dad are hanging out because we are having a girls night! I want all the details about what happened!" I exclaimed.

"We can't, Haley. I've got to be at Tric tonight," she said.

"So, I'll go and help you out or something," I put in.

"Nathan, didn't you want to check out Tric tonight?" she asked, looking at him through the rearview mirror.

"I can still go and check it out. I'll leave you girls alone when you want to have your little chick talks," he replied.

I shook my head. "We will all go to the club, have a good time, and then come home and you WILL tell me everything then. Got it?"

She sighed. "Okay, Haley. We're going to leave around 8 so that gives us 3 hours to eat and get ready, okay?"

We pulled into her driveway and got out. "Yeah, thats perfect."

We walk inside and see Larry in the kitchen, slaving over the stove. "Hey, dad! What are you making?" Peyton walked over and kissed his cheek.

"I am making spaghetti. Now, you three go get washed up. It'll be ready in about 5 minutes," he replied.

We ate dinner quickly. Peyton and I wanted to get ready together. Looking through my things I realized I didn't bring anything to wear to a club. "Come on, Haley. I'll let you borrow an outfit," Peyton said and she led me to her room. "Now, for you I'm thinking a cute halter top and jeans. What do you think?"

I nodded. "Sounds good. What color though?"

She looked pensive for a moment. "How about this one?"

"Peyton, thats so cute!" I exclaimed.

She handed it to me. "Tonight, it's all yours. Wear these jeans," she said, handing them to me. She pushed me into the bathroom to change.

I came out and she was dressed in her own halter and jean skirt.

I smiled. "Lookin' good, goldilocks!" I said and she turned around.

"Smokin', Haleybub! Come on, lets put the finishing touches and get outta here!" she exclaimed and we made our way to the mirror to do hair and makeup.

My phone started playing 'Colorblind' by the counting crows meaning it was an unknown number. I looked at my phone and it was an area code from the area at school. It might be Brooke or Lucas. I picked it up. "Hello?"

"..."

I sighed. "Hello?"

"..."

"Listen, buddy, I hope you got your kicks cause I won't answer for you again. Don't call me-"

"Haley."

I gasped. This didn't go unnoticed by Peyton. "What do you want?" I spat out.

"Haley, please-"

"Don't call here EVER again, you got that!" I practically screamed into the phone and then threw it.

"Haley, are you okay?" Peyton rushed over to me.

I had sat down on the floor and started to rock myself as I cried. I heard the footsteps running up the stairs. She pulled me into her arms and rubbed my back. Nathan and Larry burst into the room. Nathan quickly took Peyton's spot. "Haley, baby are you okay?" he asked and I shook my head.

I started to mumble into his chest. "Don't let him hurt me again. Don't let him do this again."

He was quiet as he listened to my words. "Don't let who hurt you? Who hurt you, Haley?" he asked. I remained silent. He pulled back and framed my face with his hands. "Who hurt you, Haley?" he asked, this time softer.

I sniffled. "You know who hurt me, Nathan," I replied, barely whispering.

Anger shot to his eyes. "Keller called you? I'll kill him! What did he say to you, Hales?"

I just shook my head. "I didn't let him say anything," I said and then I looked over at Peyton and Larry who looked on with concern. I laughed bitterly. "Look at me! I'm pathetic!"

"Haley-"

"No, Nathan. I am! I am so messed up because of Chris!" I yelled. I then shook my head. "But I'll be damned if I let him keep doing this. He's not going to ruin my life anymore." I stood up and walked over to the mirror. I wiped the tears from my face. "We're going out tonight and we're going to have fun!" I said and smiled at them.

Peyton walked over and hugged me. "I was scared for a minute there, Haley," she whispered.

I hugged her tighter. "So was I."

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