Taboo
The spring quarter was pretty busy for the gang. Brooke decided to take all her electives that quarter to spend more time with and focus on Lucas. He had time to work on his second novel and had much more personal experience to write from. He was in and out of the hospital for check-ups, many times meeting Haley there during her appointments. Although Haley could've taken the quarter off she decided to take a couple of classes. She hated doing nothing.
Nathan's career was going great. Haley protested against giving up once he found out about her condition. She told him that she would never be able to forgive him, and more importantly, he would never be able to forgive himself for passing such an opportunity. According to Haley, she would be just fine, and not starting for the Knicks would be detrimental to his long-term career. He agreed but not without heavy hesitation.
Everything fell together nicely. He explained the situation to his coach. After the spiel about responsibility and not receiving special treatment, the Coach Steamer closed his office door and hinted that if he played and practiced hard he would still be able to start and go home when he was needed. The catch was that he wouldn't be able to start at all the games.
Bevin, Skills, and Mouth would drive up occasionally to watch Nathan and join the rest of the gang at the game. Nathan was doing pretty well, Lucas' heart was holding out for a donor, and Haley's treatment was going as planned. Luckily the season ended in August so Nathan would at least be there for Haley sometime during the first month of the baby's arrival.
The seasons changed quickly and the friends found themselves in the heat of summer. Usually soon-to-be seniors would be thankful for the summer; it signaled more free time and the last enjoyment of non-study filled days. This summer was less welcomed than the ones before; it meant that both Lucas' and Haley's days of good health were drawing closer to an end. This summer preceded a fall that two of their friends may not witness.
It was now July. Everyone had been in town for a month and practically threw a bar-b-que every weekend. This particular week was at Rachel's house. The boys were winding down from a game of basketball and made their way inside the house.
"I know you are not putting your sweaty bodies on my couch."
The boys looked at Rachel mid-air and got back up as they looked at each other. They began to act as if they were going to sit on the floor and ran straight to Rachel, engulfing her in a massive sweaty group hug. The rest of the group laughed.
Rachel screamed. "Get off me! That's so gross! That's just…" Rachel stammered. "That is so not right." She huffed and made her way upstairs. "You better be glad I live here and can shower. Otherwise you'd all be exhibiting a lot more estrogen than testosterone."
Once the boys cooled down and Rachel showered they all decided to play a game.
"Truth or Dare!" Brooke squeeled.
"No!" everyone said in unison. Brooke towered down.
"Okay, it was just a suggestion."
Lucas chuckled and pulled Brooke close. "You know how that game tends to end. We should steer away from that one, especially with 'older' adults in the room." He raised his eyebrows and looked at Keith.
"Hey!" Keith retorted. "I'm not old, simply mature."
Bevin had gone to the guest room and brought back a game. "How about Taboo?"
"Sounds good," rumbled across the room.
"Yea! It's my favorite!"
Nathan kissed her cheek, "Babe, every game is your favorite."
An hour later they were still in the game. They divided the teams into boys versus girls. It was 3-4 with the girls in the lead. It was currently the boys turn. The girls had the last turn. If the boys tied it on their turn, the girls could still win if they got their last question.
Jake had thirty seconds left to make the men guess the word he held in his hands. Peyton was standing close next to him, making sure he didn't use any of the words he wasn't supposed to as she looked over his shoulder.
"It's something you use…when you study…"
"Energy shots!" Lucas yelled.
Jake continued, signaling that that wasn't the answer. "It's very bright, when you read you use it…"
"A lamp!" Nathan shouted.
The girls laughed as Jake shook his head and continued. Ten seconds left.
"It comes in lots of colors but most people prefer…"
"A highlighter!" Skills interrupted.
"Yes!" Jake beamed as he dropped the card and hi-fived Skills. "With three seconds left!"
"It's tied!" Skills joined in. You guys are not gonna get the next word."
"Whose next?" Keith inquired.
"Me!" Nathan helped Haley off the couch and into the front of the coffee table.
"You sure you don't need a chair?" Nathan asked.
"Here," Jake offered the seat he just took, "Sit here."
Haley smiled warmly at both men. "I'm okay, thank you. I'm eight months pregnant and can still stand. I'd rather keep doing that while I can."
She picked her card and felt a quick dull pain in her back. "Okay, maybe I will take that chair." She laughed as Jake, Nathan, Lucas, and Skills rushed her and sat her down in the chair as if she were a porcelain doll.
"You sure you're okay Tutor Mom?" Brooke asked from her seat. "I can go for you."
Haley chuckled. "Oh no, we need to win this one."
Brooke faked hurt, "What's that supposed to mean?"
Peyton answered, "What she means is that she really wants to be the one to stick it to the guys when we beat them ferociously and without mercy."
Everyone looked at her amused. "Okay, maybe a bit graphic, but I'm an animated type of woman."
Karen smiled at the scene before her and noticed Haley amused but restless. "Okay kids, let's beat the boys."
"Dream on dear," Keith sweetly smiled.
"Okay!" Haley said excitedly. "Skills, ready?"
Skills took the timer in his hands and scanned the forbidden words. "Yes Tutor Moms."
"Okay, it's…okay…the classic…"
"Cheer competition!" yelled Bevin.
"Yes, Theresa got the chicken pox…"
"Sick cheerleader?" Brooke asked in confusion. The boys chuckled while the girls grew competitively frustrated, focused on winning.
Haley unconsciously rubbed her head. The headache that accompanied her every morning was getting slightly bolder.
"No, no…she was sick so I had to step in…"
"Cover for her?" Karen asked.
Haley shook her head and continued. Twenty seconds left.
"It's a single word…not a substitute, but a…"
"Replacement!" Peyton yelled. "A replacement!"
Haley screamed and clapped her hands. "Yes! You got it!"
The boys were moping as the girls continued to celebrate. Still in her chair, Haley observed as Bevin, Brooke, Peyton, Rachel, and Karen cheered and slowly made their way to her.
Haley got up when she was hit with another pain, this one sharper and more disabling. "Ow!"
Skills shot up as Haley swayed and eased her back into the chair. Brooke was the first woman to reach her and wiped the hair out of Haley's face. Nathan and Lucas were there as fast as their feet would take them.
"Are you okay babe?" Nathan kneeled down in front of her and held her now clammy hands.
She replied weakly, "Yeah. No. I don't think so." She was in a good amount of pain. She learned to rate them as the months progressed. This one was pretty bad. She couldn't even lift her head up.
I'd give this one about a 7.
She didn't like when people fussed over her. When she would get frustrated Haley thought about what it was like for them. They felt helpless. She closed her eyes and willed her dizziness to dissipate.
"Here, drink this." Rachel handed her some water while Peyton dug in her purse and handed Lucas her pills.
Tyler woke up from his nap and made his way into the family room. He didn't like everyone being over when he couldn't be involved. He trudged to where everyone was gathered and was about to make Haley move so he could sit on her lap when she didn't look too good, even to a three-year old. Instead, Tyler tugged on Lucas' shirt.
"Is Hawey okay?"
Lucas picked him up while he watched Haley. "She's just a little tired. How bout some ice cream?"
Tyler lit up and wiggled out of Lucas' arms and straight to the kitchen. Lucas kissed Haley on the forehead. She didn't look up.
"Get some rest Hales." She nodded and he gently squeezed her shoulder and made his way to the kitchen.
"Come on babe, we should go home." Nathan helped Haley to her feet.
With all the strength she could muster she looked at her friends. "Sorry guys. I'll see you later."
They all told her not to apologize and that they would see her later.
Two minutes into the car ride Nathan spoke. "Honey, how bad is it this time?"
He didn't get a response. She was knocked out.
Nathan sadly smiled. The pills usually made her go to sleep pretty quickly and deeply. She would wake up in a couple of hours and would feel like nothing happened. He hated seeing her tired so much, but if it took her away from the pain, he could deal with it. The pain was slowly getting worse and the pills were losing their effectiveness. He took the precious moments like they had earlier in the day when she could be herself without a tumor; even if only for a few hours.
Ell6ange: Thanks hun!
Naley: Thanks! That's what every writer likes to hear.
Courtneylovejason: I'm glad you're enjoying it! From the looks of your penname, ur a GH fan too!
Josefine: I hope she doesn't die either! ;)
Daymiracle: Yup, you caught it! He would hurt if he lost another, but he can't live without her.
Krizue: Hopefully Nate gets a little happiness…at least his career is going well!