Chapter 7

Haley crossed her arms over her chest as she walked up the stairs to her and Chris' apartment. It had been Rachel that had told her it was time to go back to him – that Chris would start to worry and that it would be hard to explain to him everything that had happened. So with a heavy heart she walked the final steps and inserted the key into the door as the morning's happenings' replayed in her mind.

"I didn't have an abortion like I told you…I had a miscarriage…" her voice was small as she uttered the truth to him – the man she loved in this world and the next. For a few seconds it didn't seem to register in his mind what she had said as he stared at her quizzically. But in a flash Haley knew it had finally registered as his eyes grew wide and his mouth sunk in surprise. Haley couldn't tell what he was feeling and she immediately regretted telling him.

"You…miscarriage… what?" he stuttered and Haley sighed – tears forming in her hazel brown eyes. Looking down, unable to look him in the eyes, she wished that she was back with her husband in bed. Or with Brooke and Peyton shopping. Or playing mini-golf on the café rooftop with Lucas. She just wanted to be anywhere but there at that moment.

Nathan saw this – her regret and pain – and immediately knew she was telling the truth. His hate for her immediately departed into the air. But in it's place a huge sadness and regret filled his heart. Sadness because he would have had a baby… regret because of the way he had treated Haley…when all she needed was a shoulder to cry on. His shoulder to be exact. He had let the girl his love marry another man – no wait a boy – because he was to stubborn to forgive her. Without another word Nathan stood up from the chair and left the room. Haley burst into tears as she heard the front door slam closed.

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Nathan stared hard at the river that passed the rivercourt as his emotions jumped around the place. When he had left Rachel's house he had not known how to handle it. All he knew was that he had to get out of there. Hours later he found himself in the only place where he knew his mind could walk freely. The path of dried tears stained his cheeks and Nathan's heart had sunk. He still loved Haley…that he had known even before the news…but hearing that she had pushed him away because she didn't want him to help her… well Nathan didn't know how to react.

In his heart he knew why she had done it. He knew she wouldn't want the sympathy…and the weird thing was he didn't hate her because she lied to him. He loved her even more because she had tried so hard to protect her heart. If that even made sense.

"Haley! What are you doing?" Nathan laughed as Haley stood in the middle of the rivercourt – dancing to the music in her head. She laughed, throwing her hands over her head and swaying to the beat. Nathan smirked – watching his girlfriend making a complete fool of herself and loving every minute of it. She glanced over her shoulder and crooked her finger towards him. He laughed, shaking his head, but Haley didn't take no for an answer as she made her way over to him – pulling him towards the middle.

"Hales…there's no music…" he laughed and Haley leaned in closer to him.

"That's the point silly." Her giggles seemed to lift his heart and he smiled at her.

"I'm not going to dance if there is no music…"

"Just dance with me… follow me." She instructed as she placed his hands on her waist. Almost immediately Nathan pulled her flush against his body and Haley giggled.

"Like this?" he asked huskily and Haley leaned forward, kissing him as she started moving her body.

"Just like that…"

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The Monday started way too soon for Haley's liking but she found herself reluctantly going to school – Chris' arms around her. She hated the feel of his arms around her but there was nothing she could do. If she rejected him it would only cause questions to start coming to mind. She didn't let him kiss her on the mouth but she tried her best to be as loving as she could. A way inside school he walked away from her and even as soon as he was gone Tim moved in next to her. She smiled at her gay best friend as they walked further.

Brooke sat in the same corner Haley had seen her the first time. She looked exactly the same as last time. Goth and broody.

"Me? Broody? Tutorgirl you have got to be kidding me!"

She could almost hear Brooke's words in her mind and she smiled at the memory of her over cheerful friend.

Peyton was practicing with the cheerleaders a way further – her cheerful smile planted stuck to her face.

"I'm a cheerleader because my mom was one…not because I'm so hyper cheery like Brookie here…"

Peyton's words too were in her mind. She grimaced as she watched Peyton waving at her. Haley waved back. But who she was really was waving at was the old Peyton.

Lucas sat at one of the stone seats – deeply reading one or another of his latest books.

"I could never officially give away my best friend…"

Yet there they were…not even talking. Not even friends. Enemies. Oh God how she hated seeing Lucas and not being able to hug him and say she missed her buddy. Haley made sure to walk away quickly from him.

Tim left her to go jogging after some cute guys. Haley walked a short way around one of the school buildings and to her locker. Opening it up – a small cracker bracelet fell out. She picked it up and saw the note attached to it.

Don't say I never gave you anything…