YOU OUTTA KNOW
The problem is not the problem. The problem is your attitude about the problem. Got that?
-Coach Brevin- The sisterhood of the travelling pants
(An. Hey mates, sorry 'bout the update, been busy. Hope you enjoy this chapter. It's not as focused on Dan as the previous chapters have been, because I thought some interaction with the other character would be good.) I want to give a huge thanks to everyone who has read this, I hope you have enjoyed it so far, and I hope you continue to.J)
Disclaimer. I don't own it, I don't profit from it except for pleasure, and I don't have any money so if you sue me, about all you'll get will be Buffy, Angel, Charmed , and Smallville DVD's. So don't bother, I can't afforded a lawyer.)
I sat on my couch thinking for at least an hour. Since Dan had left, I had been trying to figure out what to do. I knew beyond a shadow of a doubt that I had seen something in him, a spark of kindness. Yet, the thought of him being redeemed seemed… improbable. This was the man who had denied my best friend as his son for years. How could I attempt to save him, to shelter him, from himself?
Just then, there was a knock at my door. "Who is it?" I yelled a bit miffed at my chain of thought being disrupted. "It's me,'' I heard a muffled voice answer. I opened the door to see Peyton of all people standing there. "Come on in." I said. Peyton sat down on the couch. "Is this a bad time?" she asked, "Cause if it is, I can, you know, leave."
I looked at her and shook my head. "The past three weeks has been a bad time, don't worry about it." "Well, you know what the say," Peyton replied, "Misery loves company. So, here I am, being your company." I looked at her. "Peyton, what's wrong?"
"Brooke and I aren't speaking, and it's killing me, she's my best friend, and now, because of one stupid mistake, I don't have her any more." "What happened?" "I told her the truth about something, and it wasn't what she wanted to her." Peyton said shaking her head. "I shouldn't have even opened my mouth, but I thought she deserved to hear the truth."
"What did you tell her?" I asked my curiosity was now aroused. "I told her how I felt about Lucas." "And how is that?" I asked though I already knew the answer. "I love him." I looked at Peyton. "Well, I can see why Brooke would be upset about that, I mean considering you and Lucas's history…" My voice trailed off.
Peyton looked down at the floor. "She doesn't need to be worried; he loves her, not me." I looked at her. In a strange way, we were going through the same thing. Both of us were, had lost someone we loved. The only difference was Lucas was still among the living, Nathan was not. Two brothers who had left two girls heartbroken by their departure. One taken by another girl, the other by death.
I wondered in that moment which was crueler. To have the man you loved with another woman, flaunted in front of you, but unable to touch? Or, was it worse to be separated by death but at least know they loved you?
I decided on the later. "At least Lucas is alive." I said with perhaps a touch of bitterness. Peyton's head snapped up. "Oh God, Haley, I'm sorry, I didn't mean-" I cut her off. "If the only way I could see Nathan again was with another woman, I would do it in a heartbeat. As long as he was happy I wouldn't care." I felt tears gathering in my eyes. I love him that much. I looked at her pointedly. "Do you love Lucas that much?"
She looked at me and nodded. "As long as he is happy." she whispered. "I think he is." I said. "I hope so." she replied. "I really hope that he is." then she looked at me and smiled a sad smile. "And I hope that Nathan is happy to." I nodded as tears rolled down my face. "Me too."