Chapter 33a
Sitting on her bed, her legs curled up to her chin, Haley hugged her pillow tight to her chest, inhaling the still lingering scent of Nathan's cologne from the last time he'd been there. She stared at the wall in front of her lost in thought. Why would Peyton say such hurtful things? She never did anything wrong to her. Nothing that would cause the hostility she held towards Haley.
Her thoughts continued to drift in that direction until she was suddenly ripped out of them by the shuffling of feet outside her bedroom door. There were whisperes coming from the other side.
"You open it."
"No, you."
"You're the reason we're here blondie. Open the door."
"Fine," one of the voices huffed, knocking on the door before opening it when there was no answer. As soon as the door opened, the two figures were instantly met with a disheveled looking Haley. Her eyes darted back and forth between the two, unable to comprehend the situation: Brooke Davis and Peyton Sawyers standing in her doorway. She never thought she'd see the day.
After a much too long silence, Brooke finally decided to chime in. "Hi."
"Hi," Haley stated reluctantly, unsure of what was happening.
"I guess, you're uh, wondering why we're here. You know, based on that confused look on your face."
"You could say that. Can't say I pictured seeing either of you in my house ever."
"Can't say we figured we'd ever be here either," Peyton bit out instantly regretting it when Brooke cast her an evil look. "Sorry. Look. We're here because before I was a major bitch."
"Well, I'm not going to argue with that. But you really didn't have to follow me home. I'm a big girl," she says sarcastically, planting a fake smile across her face.
"I can see why Nathan likes you. You've got that sense of humor," Brooke points out smiling.
"Um, yeah. I guess. But seriously, I don't need your pity and I really wouldn't want to be the 'extra wheel' right now as Peyton so kindly pointed out before. You guys were fine before I came into your group so no need trying to salvage me. I'm fine."
"Peyton you said that?"
"Maybe," she said shyly, embarrassed by her actions. "Look Haley, what I said before was wrong of me. It's just. I'm not good with change. You can ask Brooke. I'm not the best at letting people in and, oh I don't know. It sounds childish but I used to have this major crush on Nathan. I haven't felt that way for a long time but I don't know it got to me that you could just walk right in and form a bond with him that I could never have. It's like you became his best friend and his girl friend and kind of stole him away from us."
"It's true Peyton. Me and Nathan have a connection that many people will never get the chance to have. But that's no reason to hate me for it. Sure we spend time together but I had no intention of taking him away from you. I admit we do spend a lot of time together, but I never meant to disrupt your friendship with him. I guess I didn't even think of it."
"Well, I have to admit. I did overreact a bit. It's just. I'm always alone and you meshed so well with everyone from our group and you just don't seem alone at all. I guess you were right what you said before. I am jealous. But not of you and Nathan, of what you have. To have friends and someone who loves you supporting you and never feel an ounce of being alone."
"Peyton you're not alone," Brooke snips in. "You have me. And Luke, and Nathan. And Haley?"
"With Nathan it's a two for one deal," Haley states, managing a giggle.
"I guess I should apologize. I've just been so PMS lately and I guess it's easier to take out all my anger at everything else going on in my life on the person I know least. Then it's a lot less to lose right?"
"Um, I guess. In a peculiar way I kind of understand what you mean," Haley stifles. "But just to let you know, my life isn't as perfect as you think. I may have friends and Nathan but my family is definitely on the outs. Sometimes I feel neglected by them, sometimes I don't care. But don't think I'm this 'always uppity everyone loves me psycho', Peyton. Because I'm not."
"I know Haley. I'm sorry I assumed so much about you."
"And about the parent thing… welcome to Tree Hill," Brooke giggled. "Lucas' parents are about the only ones who care! But listen, back to why me and Curly over here came over."
"Oh yeah. I know what I said before hurt and was extremely uncalled for. So, I wanted to make it up to you."
"That's very nice of you," Haley began. "But I'm not necessarily sure I trust you."
"Then trust me," Brooke said grinning. "I know you don't trust Peyton, but I've done nothing against you. So, in an effort to make Peyton feel less guilty," she continued, gaining a huff from Peyton, "and bring you and Nathan closer, I've put together the best date either of you will ever go on."
"You're that confident?" Haley said giving her a skeptical look.
"Oh yes. I'm a miracle worker. Ask Peyton!"
"I wouldn't underestimate the creative mind of Brooke Davis."
"So, Haley. You in?" Brooke questions, cocking an eyebrow.
Looking between the two, their smiling faces willing her to say yes, she finally caves. Her shoulders slouch and she mutters under her breath, unsure if she would regret was she was about to do, an almost inaudible, "Yes."
"Perfect!" Brooke squeals, giving Peyton a high five. "There's so much to do. P. Sawyer get my bag from the hallway there is so much work to do!"
"Work to do?" Haley questions scared.
"But of course Tutor Girl. We're not going to let you go out looking like that are we?"
"Uh, yes?"
"Hell no! We're going to make McDreamy's mouth water!"
"McDreamy?"
"When Brooke gets excited, nicknames fly out of her mouth like there's no tomorrow. Just nod you head and act like you understand," Peyton points out, handing Brooke the bag.
"Oh god. What have I gotten myself into," Haley sighed as she was being pulled over towards her vanity. One thing was for certain, Nathan was going to drop dead when he sees this transformation.
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After sending Lucas on his way, Nathan went into his room to get ready. Once he raided his closet finding something appropriate to wear, he went into his top drawer to get a pair of socks, but came out with a letter. He'd read two since his previous one, both making his heartache and melt at the same time. Haley just did that to him. She twisted his heart in the weirdest of ways. Granted the heartache was his own fault, but the melting, that was all Haley's doings.
Opening up the envelope, Nathan was met by the smell of raspberries. It seemed Haley wanted to leave a piece of her with each letter, spritzing it with her signature sent. Unfolding the letter in his hands, he slowly began to read, eager to learn the deep thoughts of her heart.
Dear Nathan,
Today is the day of your court appearance. And I want to go, but I don't know if I can. So, here I am, sitting up at 3 in the morning debating on taking a train back down to Tree Hill. Part of me wants to go, most of me actually, maybe even all of me. But at the same time I don't. I don't want to have the chance of running in with Taylor, but most of all I don't want to go because I know for sure I'll see you.
Nathan's just dropped. Literally dropped. She didn't want to come home? She hadn't want to come because of him? Regret, sadness and shock were etched across his face. He'd caused her to hate him so much she couldn't even look at him. That fact alone made him disgusted with himself. Unable to think about it anymore, he continued on.
Now, don't get all frantic Nathan. It's not what you think. I don't want to see you because I know if I do I'll regret everything I've done in the past few days. I'll regret leaving Tree Hill to clear my head, because honestly, my head hasn't been clear. All it's been doing is thinking of you. Thinking of how much I miss you. And I'm scared. I'm scared that if I see you I won't be able to come back here. Because I know that in my heart I'll want to stay back in Tree Hill. Just want to run into your arms and tell you how much I need, how much I want you, and how much I trust you.
The emotions that had just recently been running across Nathan's face were now drained, being replaced by a smile. An honest smile, and, is that… a blush? Haley James had managed to make Nathan Scott blush and she wasn't even there to see it. Rereading what she had just wrote, Nathan couldn't help but feel warm. She didn't want to come back because she loved him. She didn't hate him. She never had. She always loved him and never stopped. Looking back down at the letter, Nathan read on.
… and how much I trust you. Sometimes even more that I trust myself. And that scares me. Because at this point, I don't know if you have that kind of trust in me. That kind of trust in us.
Nathan sat there staring at the last few lines. To think that she doubted his trust in him sickened him. His stomach flopped. He trusted her; trusted her more than he's ever trusted anyone in his life. She'd cracked the shell of Nathan Scott and to have her unsure of his belief in her made his heart hurt. He knew now that she knows of his great trust in her, his reliance on her, and his love in her. But it still hurts to realize someone once doubted it all. Especially when it's not because of herself, but because of his actions. His actions caused her to doubt him and that made hi heart ache. Wanting to dissolve this feeling of guilt and sadness, Nathan continued.
So, that is why I'm writing this letter to you. Because if I don't make it today, or if you don't see me, I want to know how proud of you I am. You're one of the strongest people I know Nathan. You have been through so much, and yet you're so young, and still at the same time you take care of me and my burdens. No matter what the judge says, know that I'm here for you. I can protect you just as much as you protect me... always and forever, remember? Not that you need much protection Nathan, you're stronger than you think.
If I don't come today, I'm sorry. Just know that I spent my whole day worrying about it. Night too even, I mean, that's the reason I'm up right now. But if I do come, I hope I get to hear the judge declare you emancipated, and I hope to see you smile that beautiful smile of yours. Because then I can smile, knowing you're happy and finally free.
Good luck today Nathan. Not that you need it anyway. If the judge knows you deserve this as much as I do, then you'll get the emancipation.
I love you,
Hales
Of all the emotions that spread across Nathan's face during the letter, this one was his favorite. He sat there looking down at the last couple paragraphs, a 1000 watt smile spread across his face, and even more, tears in his eyes. No one had ever said something so thoughtful, and so encouraging in his life. His mom was never there, his dad seemed to only know how to badger and belittle, and the only other compliments he heard were superficial ones like "Good job Nate." Or "nice shot!" This however, came from the heart. And not just any old heart, the heart of Haley James. The girl he loved and the girl who was about to get showered with kisses as soon she came into his site. Right now, at this very second there was nothing more he wanted to do than just hold her and kiss her like he's never kissed her before. And that, is exactly what he was going to do.
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"Come on Haley! Get out of the bathroom," Brooke cried.
"No!"
"Why not! I'm sure you look hot!"
"Brooke, this outfit you have for me, it's a bit… I don't know. Showy. Too much skin that I'm used to showing off."
"Well that's the thing Haley James. You got killer skin and a pretty nice bod. Why not show it off. Nathan will be drooling."
"Nathan already drools over me," Haley giggles from the other side of the door. "I just don't want all these old 40-year-olds looking at my who-ha's!"
"40-year-old men? Who-ha's? Where the hell do you think I'm sending you? A strip club!"
"You never know…"
"She's not sending you to a strip club," Peyton remarks, trying to coax her out of the door. "Far from it actually."
"Well then where am I going?"
"That kind of takes the surprise away," she reminds her. "Don't you want this to be a suprise?"
"And I guarantee you Tutor Girl. This will surprise you."
"Ugh, fine. But let me tell you, as soon as I open this door. I might just go to my closet and find something different to change into."
"Fine," Brooke retorts before muttering under her breath. "Peyton, block the closet. She's not changing into anything."
Within seconds the lock to the bathroom clicks open and Haley is in the doorway, the bathroom light gracing her figure as she walks into her bedroom.
"You look smokin'!" Brooke squeals.
"Ohmigod, Haley. You need to wear this," Peyton says admiringly. "It looks fantastic."
"You think so?"
"Um, have you looked in the mirror? Hell yes!" Brooke cooed.
"Seriously, throw away your inhibitions for tonight and just rock out in this dress. It's perfect for you. It may be out of your comfort zone but maybe that's the point. Take a few risks."
"Maybe you're right…" Haley stated admiring herself in the mirror. Her hair was let down in lose curls and she had to admit, the dress was beautiful. It was a burgundy color with a halter-top cut to just below her bust. Her boobs weren't popping out, but there was definitely a bit of cleavage showing. The bottom fell to just below her knees, gracefully hovering around them.
"Of course we're right," they say in unison, smirks plastered across their faces.
"Fine. I'll wear it."
"Great! Besides, you wouldn't have had time to change anyway. I believe it's time for you to get going!" Brooke stated excitedly. "Now, in your car you'll find an envelope on the passenger seat. Go pick up Nathan, then have him open it up."
"Brooke, this seems a bit… oh I don't know… sketchy!"
"Trust me Haley. The mystery is part of the fun! Don't worry. You won't regret this date. I promise."
"I'm going to keep you to that," Haley groaned, walking down the steps to leave out the front door.
"Bye, bye my little vixen!" Brooke cooed.
"Have fun!" Peyton added.
"Alright, I will! And you two, exit the way you entered. I don't care if it was through my front door or teleportation but I don't want you snooping through my stuff!" Haley giggled.
"We actually came by time travel," Peyton noted jokingly. "But we're right behind you don't worry!"
And with that, Haley made her way out the front door, to her car, and onto Nathan's apartment. When she got there, Nathan was waiting on the front steps in Dockers, a button down shirt, a tie, and a curiously large smirk on his face. She wanted to melt just upon seeing him, but she figured she'd save that for later. Knowing Brooke, this night was definitely going to be an interesting one…
So
what did you think? I know, I know. You're begging for the date now
right? Haha. Don't worry it's coming and it will be suprising,
romantic, and undoubtedly corny. Because Naley is just a corny kind
of couple, haha! So, I hope this chapter was worth the wait and I'm
sorry for splitting it up for those of you who wanted everything
together. I jsut felt bad about making you guys wait so long so I
figured, what the hey, let's just split it. I hope you like this
chapter (even though it had no Naley but is leading up to major
Naley) and leave reviews so I know what you think:)