CHAPTER 12
A/N; Hi sorry again, I know I keep taking ages to update, but hopefully this chapter is worth the wait…
'The night you came back, I slept with Peyton.'
Those words kept repeating in Haley's mind as she stood there motionless, her mouth open, unable to speak. The words were repeating over and over in her mind but they weren't making any sense. Was this some cruel joke? Was he talking about Peyton Sawyer? That was impossible because Peyton was her friend. Peyton had spent the whole summer comforting her and didn't Peyton love Jake?
"Haley, Haley, say something!" Haley blanched and took a step back as Nathan waved his hands in front of her blank eyes. They flickered to life again and Haley realised that only seconds had passed and Nathan was sill standing there looking at her with those puppy dog brown eyes.
"You. . . You slept with Peyton?" Haley stammered.
"It was a mistake. Jake had just left and we were both a mess so we just got wasted and one thing led to another. It was a mistake, Haley. I didn't mean for it to happen, it just did."
"Things don't just happen, Nathan. People make them happen!" Haley was shaking with the anger now, taking steps back until she bumped into the coffee table and stumbled backwards. Nathan's arms shot out and steadied her, saving her from what could have been a painful fall. His hands felt foreign against her skin, giving her goosebumps but not in the way they had five minutes ago. "Don't touch me." Haley clenched her jaw and looked up into Nathan's eyes and saw the tears that were now spilling.
"Haley, I'm so sorry. Please understand that it didn't mean anything. It was just two old friends comforting each other. Please understand." Nathan begged.
"I understand." Haley said calmly. "I understand that when things get tough for you, you go out and do what Nathan Scott always does. Get drunk and get laid!"
"I'm sorry, you have no idea how much. Please, I'll do anything to make this up to you. Please Haley, I'm so sorry."
That doesn't mean anything to me, Nathan! How could you do this? She's my friend! You and Peyton were over a long time ago, I'm sorry for actually believing you were over her!"
"I was, I mean I am. It's not like that, Hales, I swear. It was a one time thing and the next morning we both regretted it. We had a huge fight and agreed we'd never talk about it again. But I had to tell you, the guilt has been killing me." Nathan tried to reason.
"Oh well, if the guilt is killing you that makes it all ok. We can just forget about it because you feel bad enough. You've been hanging out with her all summer. . ." Haley scoured her memory for something Peyton may have said that would've given away their secret. "You and her have been close this summer - closer than you've ever been. I should've noticed, but I guess I just believed that you two were ancient history and never would have jumped into bed the second I was gone."
"We're just friends, Haley. I swear to God, nothing has happened since then and nothing ever will. I promise you, please believe me."
Haley stared blankly at him, her eyes void of any emotion at that moment. She picked up the bag she had thrown down when she came in and took a few steps toward the door before Nathan jumped in front of her, blocking her way.
"Where are you going? Can we please talk about this?" Nathan shouted desperately.
"I don't have anything left to say. I can't even breathe the same air as you right now."
"Haley, five minutes ago we were about to get back together. Can't we get past this?" Nathan looked surprised when she glared at him, her eyes cold and hard.
"Five minutes ago, I didn't know that you'd fucked my best friend." she replied bitterly, pushing him hard against the wall and walking out of the apartment.
Peyton sat comfortably on her queen sized bed, wedged between a mountain of pillows as she put the finishing touches to her latest drawing. It was a picture of Brooke and Lucas, expertly copied from one of the many photo's Brooke had kept from the last time they had dated. Of course it had the Peyton touch with couple floating down a river in a heart shaped boat. She would give it to Lucas when he got out of hospital as she knew that Lucas appreciated her drawings more than Brooke did.
At that moment, Brooke appeared in her doorway in her Winnie The Pooh pyjamas and a tub of Caramel Chew Chew Ice Cream in one hand and a Weird Science DVD in the other.
"I provide the ice cream and comedy, while I see you have the depressing music and angst-filled drawings covered. Feel like pulling an all-nighter, girlfriend?" Brooke grinned.
"We have school tomorrow, remember?" Peyton reminded her, rolling her eyes.
"Let's have a ditch day!" Brooke squealed as she jumped onto Peyton's bed, disturbing all the pillows and ignoring the pencils that were now cascading to the floor.
"On the second day of school? Nuh-uh. My dad's is pretty hellbent on his rules this year. No ditching, no dating, no drugs. . ." Peyton smiled as Brooke rolled her eyes and finished her sentence.
"No fun." Brooke thought for a moment. "Although it's cool that you could tell Larry everything that happened to you this year. When I was in California, my parents were surprised to find out that I was no longer dating Billy Holden anymore. I mean, for god's sakes, I haven't even seen Billy Holden since Junior High!" Brooke licked her spoon clean and offered the tub to Peyton. "Whatchya drawing?"
"It's for Lucas." Peyton said, showing the picture to Brooke who squealed in delight.
"It's great, he'll love it - but could you maybe make my hair look a little cuter? And my cheeks look a little chubby. . ." Brooke frowned and sucked in her cheeks. "Do I have fat cheeks?" Brooke whined.
Peyton laughed at her friend. "Are you talking about the one's on your face? Cause they aren't the one's that are fat. . ."
Brooke swatted Peyton's arm and pulled a pillow from under her butt and whacked her with it. Peyton quickly held up her hands in surrender, before pulling out her own pillow and a full on battle ensued.
Both girls jumped when a sudden pounding on the front door downstairs became louder than their laughter. They looked at each other, confused, obviously not expecting anybody at that time of night, especially since Larry was out of town. They both crept down the stairs and Brooke sneaked a peek in the peep-hole and turned around and smiled. "It's just Tutor Girl."
Brooke opened the door wide and greeted their friend with her warmest smile. "Hello Tutor Girl! Isn't it past your bedtime? Ooh, we have ice cream - we should have a slumber party. . ." Brooke's happy chatter was cut off by the look on Haley's face. Her eyes were bloodshot, obviously from crying, and they were filled with rage. Brooke took a step back as Haley entered, her gaze completely focussed on Peyton.
"Haley. . . Are. . . Are you ok?" Peyton stammered, her voice cautious.
Standing just inside the parlour, Haley fought to control her emotions. "I came here so that you could tell me it isn't true."
Peyton's eyes dropped to the floor guiltily as Brooke looked on, completely confused. "Haley. . . I . . ." Peyton looked up quickly but bowed her head again when she found that she couldn't say anything that was going to make this scene any easier.
"Ok, can someone fill me in here? What's going on?" Brooke looked to each of her friends and threw up her hands when she got no reply. "Please?"
Haley stepped further into the house, finally finding her courage. "Why don't you tell her Peyton? Tell her how you had sex with my husband, how you couldn't keep your hands off him. This is becoming a pattern with you isn't it? You, betraying your friends and screwing their boyfriends." Haley shouted, her eyes boring into Peyton. Silent tears streamed down Peyton's face, still unable to raise her eyes to look at Haley. Brooke stared at her, her mouth open.
"Is that true?" Brooke gasped when Peyton nodded yes.
"It was a mistake. . ." Peyton managed to choke. "I'm sorry." she raised her head and looked at Haley full of regret and sorrow.
Haley could've broken down in that moment when she saw the regret in her friends eyes, but she refused to let Peyton walk away from this so easily. "How could you? You're one of my best friends. I trusted you to take care of him, never in a million years did I think that you would do this to me." Haley was crying now, the hurt and anger flowing. "I don't get it, this whole summer, you've been missing and pining for Jake. You were heartbroken and I listened to you, I was there for you. When you couldn't get up for 2 days, I dragged you out. My god, Peyton, when the annulment was finalised, you were the first person I called!"
"Please listen to me, Haley. I'm so sorry, please believe me. We never meant for it to happen and I wish it hadn't. I really really wish it hadn't happened." Peyton pleaded.
Brooke took a few steps back, not quite sure how much of this she wanted to hear. It was all a bit too familiar and she also didn't want to have to pick a side between her two best friends. "Ok, let's all calm down here and take a time out." she suggested. "We've all done some pretty stupid things this year. Peyton, you seem to be in the lead, but Haley, you haven't been a saint. After all, you did leave Nathan."
"You're taking Peyton's side on this? I can't believe you, after everything she did to you! God, she obviously can't help herself - if you're last name is Scott, her legs are wide open! I wonder if Dan and Keith got their turn!" Haley yelled, not caring that Peyton's expression had now turned from guilt to complete rage.
Brooke tried to jump in. "That's a little harsh -"
"How dare you!" Peyton yelled back. "You're not fooling us with your purity, Haley. You left your husband and let him believe you were leaving him for another guy. You had no idea what you left behind and you didn't care!"
Brooke intercepted the two, before fists started flying. "I'm not taking sides, Haley. But FYI, Peyton and Lucas didn't sleep together, ok? Anyway, that's totally not the point here. Yes, what Peyton did was completely unacceptable." Brooke turned to glare at Peyton as she said this before turning back to Haley. "But technically, you and Nathan weren't married anymore and the relationship was over. So technically, it wasn't cheating." Brooke tried to reason, but she could tell she was just digging herself into a deeper hole.
Haley's whole body seemed to visibly shrink. "In my heart I was still married to him, Brooke. I loved him and he loved me. I can't just accept that it was ok for him to sleep with my friend because I signed a piece of paper."
"No one is asking you to accept it, because it's not ok." Brooke looked to Peyton, who was leaning against the stair rail for support. She shrugged, her energy drained.
"You and Nathan belong together, Haley. If I could take back what I did, I would in a heartbeat. I hope you and Nate can work it out, but I know that's it between us. Please don't stay mad at Nathan - that night completely devastated him." Peyton walked tentatively up the stairs, her tears now subsiding. "I'm truly sorry, Haley." she said before disappearing back into her room, leaving Brooke and Haley alone in the hallway.
Brooke eyed Haley cautiously before speaking. "Are you ok?" Haley nodded slightly. "So is that it? Are you and Peyton finished?"
"What do you mean?" Haley croaked, her tears disappearing but her voice shattered.
"Is the friendship over?" Brooke asked bluntly.
"Well I don't see how it can be repaired. I can't forgive what she's done." Haley sat down on the bottom step of the staircase and Brooke joined her.
"Why not?"
"Are you seriously asking me why I can't forgive her? She slept with my husband. . ." Haley's voice faltered once again and she stared quizzically at the brunette beside her.
"She took Lucas from me and I forgave her." Brooke's bluntness was jarring to Haley, even though she should be used to her straight talking pal by now.
"That was completely different, Brooke. You and Lucas weren't married and they apparently never had sex."
"And I also hadn't left Lucas to pursue my music career."
"That's harsh, Brooke. You know, in the beginning, everyone was excited about my music and encouraged me to do whatever I could to make it. I spent 17 years putting everyone else before myself but the second I do one thing for myself I get attacked." Haley argued bitterly.
"Haley, I respect you for going out there and getting what you wanted, but in doing so seriously hurt someone we cared about. You really don't know how Nathan reacted when you left. He wasn't a mess, he was a disaster and it was Lucas who had to keep saving him. He was out of control so is it any wonder that he turned to the one person who was going through exactly what he was going through?" Brooke paused and reached for Haley's hand. "Hales, Nathan and Peyton have an extremely tumultuous past. Wow, Lucas's vocabulary is really starting to worm it's way into my brain." Brooke laughed but saw that Haley wasn't amused. "When things got crappy in their life - usually stuff with their parents - they used sex as an escape."
"This isn't making me feel any better, Brooke. Are you trying to say that every time Nathan's life sucks he's gonna screw Peyton and everything will be ok again?"
"Not my point. You and Jake were the best things to ever happen to Peyton and Nathan. I didn't know what happened between them until just tonight, but I do know Peyton and I know she would never have done this if she wasn't completely out of her head crazy heartbroken."
"How did you do it, Brooke? How did you forgive Lucas and Peyton?"
"Haley, believe me it was the hardest thing I've ever had to do. But I didn't want to be that girl. The one who's breaks down and cries every time I saw them talking to each other, the one who lets all the anger and hurt turn her into a bitter hag. But the main reason I got over it was because I missed them. It hurt not to call Peyton at the end of the day to gossip about school and boys. It took me longer to forgive Lucas and in some ways I still haven't got over that betrayal. But I won't let that whole drama stop me from being happy now. And I am. Happy that is."
"I wish it were that easy for me." Haley replied.
"Didn't you hear me when I said it was the hardest thing I ever had to do? I forgave them, Haley, but I won't ever forget. I'm not saying that everyday is just peaches - sometimes I see them together just talking and laughing and worry a little. Peyton has so much in common with Lucas than I do and that can make me a little insecure."
"How do you deal with that?" Haley asked
"I just have to trust them. I trust that I'm important to Peyton and she could never ever betray me again and I trust that Lucas loves me and only me. He spent an entire summer pining for me so I think that proves it." Brooke smiled slightly and squeezed Haley's hand.
"He does love you." Haley agreed.
"And Nathan loves you. He may be a complete idiot most of the time but don't ever doubt how much you mean to him." Haley nodded and stood, her knees creaking.
"I wish I was as strong as you Brooke."
"Just think about it, Hales. They're jerks for what they did, but the last thing either of them wanted was to hurt you. The rest is up to you now. Can you completely eliminate them from your life?"
Haley walked toward the front door and slowly opened it. She turned one last time and stared up the stairs where Peyton had disappeared to. She looked back at Brooke. "I don't want Lucas to know about this. I don't this whole screwed up situation to affect him and Nathan."
Brooke nodded in agreement and the girls said their goodbyes. She trudged back up the stairs and re-entered Peyton's room with less enthusiasm than before. Peyton sat in the centre of her bed, her knees drawn up to her chest and her face buried in them. She looked up when Brooke came in, and saw the anger and disappointment in her best friend's eyes.
"Please don't say it." Peyton pleaded. "I know what a bitch I am."
"You pretty much took the words right out of my mouth." Brooke shrugged and sat on the bed, putting her arms around the blonde.
"I called Nathan to tell him that Haley came over. He said he had to tell her and he's right. I hated lying to her all this time. What's wrong with me, Brooke? Why do I do this?" Peyton hugged her knees tighter and cried harder. "I have to get out of here. Out of Tree Hill."
Brooke looked up startled. "What? Go where?"
Peyton stared aimlessly in front of her until her eyes focussed on the picture of Jake and Jenny beside her computer. She turned to face Brooke, a smile now forming. "I'm leaving tomorrow. I'm going to find Jake and be with him and Jenny."