I was sitting at home watching Netflix when my phone buzzed. It was Haley inviting me to the River Court. It was strange since we didn't have a session planned. But I agreed anyway.
"Hi Brooke. I'm glad you came." She stuttered a bit although she was trying very hard to ignore that.
"Yeah. So what did you want to do?" I asked her sweetly. Haley was a really good girl. I was proud of Nathan for choosing her. To be honest, Nathan never treated any girl right except me and no matter how much I told him, it never mattered. But Haley had completely changed him. He was softer and more gentle and I could almost classify him as a human now.
"Actually, I just wanted to check in on you." She said while sitting on the bleachers and patting the spot besides her for me to sit on. "Nathan is so happy that you're back that he keeps talking about you. He pretty much won't shut up!"
"Oh Haley! I promise. There is nothing going on between me and Nate. He is like my older brother. Thats all!" I found the urge to protect myself.
"Oh no no! I know that. I'm really not accusing you of anything." She corrected my judgement. "It's just that he is so worried about you. He won't tell me what went wrong in the past, but it couldn't have been good. And he is afraid that the ties are so strong that it may cut you too deep if you tried to reach out. Brooke, I see you as a very different girl at school who dresses nice, mingles with everybody, enjoys the attention as you cheer. But your eyes tell a very different story. And I really want to be your friend. I know I'm your tutor, but I would really love to get to know you, hang out with you. Besides, you've known Nathan all your life. Maybe you could provide me with blackmail worthy details!"
I just chuckled as I thought about all the times Nathan goofed up which were too many to count.
"So friends?" She asked as her hand moved forward.
"Yes!" I smiled as I hugged her instead. I could hear her squeal at the sudden embrace, but I didn't have to look to see the faint smile curve her lips.
"Ooh! I know what we can do! Makeovers! They are sooo much fun! When I was in New York, on the days we begged to go out, my friend Rachel and I would go and get makeovers. It was so fun!"
"Huh!" Haley exhaled at the sudden excitement. "Umm... but I think I look fine."
"Tutor girl, you really are beautiful and yes Nathan loves you for who you are, but that poncho has to go!" I commented.
"I like it." She argued.
"Okay, lets do this. Tomorrow I take you shopping after school and then you decide. You can wear the new clothes if you want or simply stick to the wardrobe you currently have." I suggested simply.
"Fair enough. But I really don't have alot saved." She said shyly.
"Oh! No, you're not going to shell a penny. Consider it as a thank you payment for tutoring me so well and also a great start to what I hope is a beautiful friendship." I smiled.
To be very honest, I was a bit skeptical about this girl. I mean she is dating my Nate! I have to look out for him without him knowing that I still deeply care that much. But I was warming up to her now. She was really sweet and kind and funny.
"Hales, you really are a great girl. I'm glad Natey found you. He really struck gold." I complimented her.
I always wondered why people always kept the compliments restricted to their mind and spat out bitter words without thinking twice. It was ridiculous how you have ample time to think before letting good words out of your mouth, but in the heat of anger can be so shrewd. Although, I was still learning too. But hey, my thoughts were in the right direction. So, yay!
"Natey!" She said as her nose cringed. "You can call him that?"
"Oh yup. Only I can. Not even Luke is given that privilege." I answered.
"Wow! I need to speak to Mr. Natey and get that honour!" She cracked up after saying that.
"How did you two meet anyway?" I spoke between giggles.
"Oh, by the sandbox! Don't you know?" She smirked.
"Hey! How do you know about that!" I asked surprised.
"Oh please! I have heard that story countless times from both Nathan and Lucas. They really never shut up about the mysterious, beautiful girl who disappeared one day." She replied. After pausing for a few minutes she continued, "I actually met Nathan while tutoring him. Whitey wouldn't let him play until he got his grades up and Principal Turner suggested I try my luck with the jock who couldn't care less."
"Well, he cares now. A whole lot. You should be proud Haley. Its all because of you. You tamed the lion. You are a magic-maker. And you should feel proud about that. I used to hide behind the star boys too, but after I left, the only good thing that came out of it was that I realised that I could still live without them. That I too was strong and talented and could do my own thing, be my own person. So just trust me and let everybody be amazed by what you're good at. You don't need to make mistakes to learn it like I did."
I saw a tear roll down her cheek as she took in what I was saying.
"Okay. I'm going to show you something. And only Nathan knows about this! He tries to make me follow my dreams, but I'm too scared to actually lift my foot."
I saw a bit of confidence glint in her eyes. One good thing. Thats it. One good thing at a time, Brooke Davis. Just baby steps.