"Where have you been." Lucas asked as he watched his brother walk in the kitchen, tired as hell.

"Nowhere." He mumbled into the fridge as a smile appeared on Lucas face.

"Did you spend all night with a certain friend of mine?"

"She was drunk and depressed. Nothing happened." Nathan replied turning around to see the smirk on his brothers face.

"Yeah, I heard. How is she?"

"She'll be fine. I'm sure Brooke and Peyton are helping her move on as we speak." He said not mentioning the bruise. "What's this guy like anyway?"

"He's an egotistical jerk. I knew it wouldn't work out." Lucas said laughing, stopping when he say the glare on his brothers face. " Dude, sorry. What's your problem?"

"That asshole cheated on your friend and your making jokes! You should be doing something about it!" he yelled, slamming his fist on the counter causing Lucas to slightly jump.

" Chill out man. Brooke and Peyton are taking care of Haley and…"

"So we should be taking care of this guy!" He yelled back cutting Lucas off.

"Something did happen last night. Did you sleep with her?" Lucas asked staring intently at his brother.

"I already told you nothing happened." He gritted through his teeth as he walked out of the room.

"You don't even know Haley. So if nothing happened what's got you so worked up." Lucas asked following him into the living room.

"I'm allowed to feel for the girl." Nathan replied flopping down on the couch, turning on the TV.

"But you know something else. A drunken Haley said something. What?"

"Something happened that brought back bad memories. OK? Drop it!" Nathan replied turning the TV up louder.

"Like…" Lucas asked suddenly becoming scared for his friend. He knew some of the shit his brother went through and he didn't want the same for Haley.

"Drop it." He said not even bothering to look at Lucas.

"If there's something wrong with Haley, I need to know!" Lucas yelled turning off the TV before throwing the remote across the room.

"If you hadn't noticed already then you obviously don't care like you say." He replied staring up at his brother to find him glaring at him.

"A teenage girl, who was drunk by the way, tells you something and your suddenly so much better then me." Lucas yelled back still glaring down at Nathan.

"She didn't tell me. I found out on my own!" He yelled standing up so they were at eye level.

"Found out what!"

"That her boyfriend hits her. OK? You happy?" He said looking at Lucas' shocked face before exiting the room.

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DING DONG

Nathan heard as he walked to the door. Shock written across his face when he opened it.

"Wh-what are you doing here?"

"Lucas called. Asked if I could come over." I said smiling slightly up at him. I wonder if he feels as awkward as I do. I started for the stairs until I felt something grab my arm and pull me out of the house. "What are you doing?' I asked as he finally released his grip on my arm.

"I told Lucas." Nathan said taking a deep breath. Obviously waiting for my reaction.

"Why?' I said walking down the street, away from his house.

"He was asking what happened yesterday then we got in a fight and…"

"It was my story to tell. When and who I wanted!" I yelled turning around to glare at him.

"I know and I'm sorry but…"

"But nothing! You have no idea what its like. You had NO RIGHT to tell ANYONE!"

"I do know what it's like!" He yelled back as he started walking this time. I quickly ran up to him and grabbed his arm, forcing him to look at me. " My dad used to beat up on my mom. He messed with me a time or to as well when I was younger. He's gotten help and doesn't do it anymore, but I'll never forget. I'll never forgive him." He said bitterly looking everywhere but at me. I was about to say something when he started up again. "Your right though, it wasn't my story to tell. But don't you feel a little better having one person know. So much worse could happen if you don't tell anyone. You don't want him to get away with this, do you?"

"You don't know me." I whispered staring at my feet.

He lifted my chin to look at him and whispered back, "I'd like to."

"Well, your doing an excellent job!' I yelled slapping his hand away from me, before walking back towards their house.

"Haley!" I heard him call after me, but I just waved him off.

What do you do when the new kid knows your darkest secret?

Stay Away.