Chapter 15
Haley's eyes widened at the sudden appearance of Nathan behind her. His painful sneer made her heart break but she kept her ground as she felt Taylor stirring in her arms.
"I'm not having this conversation with you Nathan." She urged as she moved to enter the house. Nathan stepped side-ways, instantly blocking her way.
"Did I say this was negotiable?" he spat and Haley shook her head as she took a step back.
"You have no right to treat me like this, Nathan!" although her voice was soft there was enough emotion in it to surprise Nathan. Still he didn't back but both of them refused to say anything as they kept the shared gazes.
"Haley! Pete just called! Your video is going to be on now!" Channing yelled and Nathan and Haley both shook out of their silent gazes. Haley quickly side-stepped him and almost ran into the house. By the time she was in the television room everyone was there – except Nathan who followed behind her, causing all the old friends to gaze between the ex-lovers questioningly. Taylor was also awake and Channing took her quickly from Haley.
The channel was already on MTV as the couples sat and watched. Only Nathan stood in the shadows behind everyone else, his eyes not leaving Haley and Taylor. Pete was shouting at the fans with as much enthusiasm as he could and Haley smiled at her friend even though he couldn't see her.
"So…Haley couldn't be here to promote her greatest hit – I have to say that cause I helped her – but she sent me to do it for her. Haley enjoy your time off and when you get back we'll party!" Pete laughed and Haley shook her head.
"Okay guys! This is the world premier of Haley James' newest hit! Give me some lung!" he shouted and immediately the crowd roared. Haley smirked, unknowingly replicating Nathan's precise smirk, before she giggled softly.
(A/n: What's below the words is what happens onscreen when those words are sung. Throughout Haley is singing different parts…I'm not going to write that in! Credit to Vanessa Carlton who I stole this song from for this fic!)
The screen shows Haley standing in front of a pure white house – almost like Karen's. She's wearing black pants and a black top – her hair in loose curls around her face. She stares into the camera, a small smile over her face, before the music starts.
Crashed on the floor when I moved in
This little bungalow with some strange new friends
Haley, Milo Ventimiglia (as Nathan), Hayden Panettiere (as Peyton), Alexis Bledel (as Brooke) and Justin Hartley (as Lucas) all stand in front of each other – greeting each other. Milo and Haley stand close to each other, smiling huge at each other and obviously checking each other out.
Stay up too late, and I'm too thin
We promised each other it's till the end
The group are all on the beach – having their own small beach party. The sky is dark but they don't seem to worry as Alexis dances with Hayden and Justin. Milo and Haley are laughing at the three who are so obviously drunk.
Now we're spinning empty bottles
It's the five of us
With pretty eyed boys girls die to trust
I can't resist the day
No I can't resist the day
They play spin the bottle. Justin and Alexis kiss, then Alexis and Milo, Milo and Hayden, Hayden and Justin, Justin and Haley and finally it lands on Haley and Milo. Haley giggles as the camera zooms in on them as they lean forward. Their lips almost touch.
Jenny screams out and it's no pose
'Cause when she dances she goes and goes
Beer through the nose on an inside joke
And I'm so excited, I haven't spoken
Alexis puts up a little act for them as they laugh. She dances around the fire before she lets out one final yell of giddiness and falls flat on the sand. The other four laugh and Alexis joins in. Justin drinks another sip of beer as Alexis leans closer to him and whispers something in his ear – causing him to spit it out and to send all of them in another fit of giggles.
And she's so pretty, and she's so sure
Maybe I'm more clever than a girl like her
They are back in the house – Haley looks between Hayden and Alexis as they try on each other's dresses. There is a tight lipped smile on her face as she nods along to something they said.
Summer's all in bloom
Summer is ending soon
It's alright and it's nice not to be so alone
But I hold on to your secrets in white houses
Haley is in front of the white house again. She laughs sadly as she rakes her hand through her hair. Slowly she walks up to the white house' doors and opens them, entering slowly.
Maybe I'm a little bit over my head
I come undone at the things he said
Haley and Milo are inches away from each other as he places a strand of her hair behind his ear. He smiles at her before he leans forward and kisses her. Haley wraps her arms around his neck and he pulls her closer towards him.
And he's so funny in his bright red shirt
We were all in love and we all got hurt
Milo and Haley are sitting on the beach, he has a bright red shirt on, as he tells her something and she laughs. He leans closer and kisses her passionately. Show quick piece of Justin kissing Alexis and later kissing Hayden.
I sneak into his car's cracked leather seat
The smell of gasoline in the summer heat
Boy, we're going way too fast
It's all too sweet to last
It's alright
And I put myself in his hands
But I hold on to your secrets in white houses
Love, or something ignites in my veins
And I pray it never fades in white houses
Haley and Milo are in his car as the kiss passionately. He tells her he loves her and she repeats she sentiments before their lips find each other again. Haley giggles as she pulls him closer and he laughs at her.
My first time, hard to explain
Rush of blood, oh, and a little bit of pain
On a cloudy day, it's more common than you think
He's my first mistake
Milo is kissing Haley's neck as she leans back and gives him better access. He kissed from her ear down her neck and back up again. Haley visibly shivers as she sits up and pulls Milo's shirt off. He smirks before he leans forward and kisses her again.
Instrumental
Haley walks through the white house as past scenes flash through. She stops at each one's bedroom as flashes of Alexis, Hayden, Milo, Justin and herself flash.
Maybe you were all faster than me
We gave each other up so easily
These silly little wounds will never mend
I feel so far from where I've been
Montage of small video bits. Justin is in a furious discussion with Alexis as Hayden walks in. Alexis slaps Justin through the face before running off, Hayden cries and runs out of the room. Alexis and Hayden both pack their bags. Haley and Milo are on the beach. He is shouting on her as she cries and shouts back – both of their hands waving madly as they try to get through to the other one. Haley stalks off and Milo falls onto his knees.
So I go, and I will not be back here again
I'm gone as the day is fading on white houses
Haley packs her bags hastily before she almost runs out of the house – camera scans past Alexis and Hayden's rooms to show them still packing their bags – unaware of Haley.
I lied, wrote my injuries all in the dust
Haley stands in the empty white house, her arms pulled tightly against her body. She stares at the pictures on the table (most are covered in dust). Slowly she wipes the dust away and stares down at them.
In my heart is the five of us
In white houses
An array of pictures taken of the five together is shown through her eyes. They all look happy; Milo has his arms around Haley and Justin has his arms slung over Hayden and Alexis' shoulders. The next pictures are of the girls, then the boys and then each couple.
And you, maybe you'll remember me
What I gave is yours to keep
Black and white shot of Milo and Haley kissing happily. It fades away to show a crying Haley as she walks out of the white house, carrying a photo of her and Milo smiling at each other.
In white houses
In white houses
In white houses
Haley, whose clothes have changed so that she is wearing white pants and a white top and her hair is tied back, slams the door closed and she stares into the camera before she sighs and drops the photo, stepping over it and walking away.
A silence enveloped the five friends as they all stared at the screen. Haley felt her heart falling into her shoes as her friends turned towards her with unreadable expressions. It was Brooke who spoke first.
"You got Alexis to play me? Oh my word Tutorgirl…she's like an angel compared to me!" the tension was lift as Brooke jumped up and hugged Haley.
"It was wonderful." She giggled into her ear and Haley smiled. Next up was Peyton who just hugged her and commented on the amazing video. Lucas laughed as he hugged her and kissed her cheek.
"I love you Hales, that was just pure brilliance." He muttered and she laughed before she quickly leaned forward.
"Do not hide amazing work because you are scared of what the others will think." She breathed Karen's words and Lucas pulled away confused.
Channing watched this and he shook his head as he stood up and gave Taylor to Haley.
"Wait wait…" he started and everyone turned to him "this really is you guys? You are the ones she based the video on?" he asked and Brooke laughed as she nodded furiously. Peyton smiled at Jake who gave her a knowing look (she had told him the whole story when they had married).
"But…then who did Milo play?" he asked dumbly and a silence fell over the room. (A/N: No offence to Channing…hehe)
"That would be me." Nathan spoke as he stepped forward and it was like a tornado had been unleashed in the group as Channing repeated the words.
"It was you…"