We shall draw from the heart of suffering itself the means of inspiration and survival. Sir Winston Churchill
Chapter 1
One month later...
Haley paced back and forth behind the cafe counter. Her shift had ended and she needed to get home. For the eight time, she raised her head to check the time on the clock that sat over the door. It was 9:05 pm and Nathan was still in back. He had to be finished with those dishes by now! A moment ago, she had heard laughter and talking from his work station. Where the hell was he? Damn it! He always does this to me! She thought. The bus would be leaving at 9:20. Not to mention, if they weren't home by 10:00, Ms. Scott would be on the warpath when honestly, neither of kids needed a job.
Nathan had been left millions in trust and real estate holding by his parents. Haley's mom had been wise enough to have a large insurance policy on herself. her daughter could live quit comfortably for the rest of her life. If only Deb Scott shared this information with the naive juvenile instead letting them think she was their sole provider. She feed them (keep the social workers away), gave them a dungeon of a basement to live in, and a clothing stipend every six months, but that's where the buck stop.
To compensate for other necessities, Haley and Nathan began working at Karen's cafe soon after he arrived in Tree Hill. Since then, they've been employed by the sweet woman that had been Nathan's father's best friend since childhood. They begged to worked every day after school, leaving little time for studying and other things. For Haley, this wasn't a problem. She was a straight A student, who didn't need to study to stay far ahead of the curve. However, Nathan was different. He was bright, but lacked effort and self-esteem. He was frustrated easily and much too critical of his failures, so he pacified himself by sleeping with beautiful married women, drinking with boys, or the occasional one night stand with one of the easy girls at school.
Ten minutes later, Nathan came through the swinging kitchen doors with Mrs. Cocoa Cannon. She was his latest Teacher Toy and supposed "private" tutor. She had lasted two weeks, a new record. Barely twenty-five and a newlywed, she was their sexy chemistry teacher. All the guys at school worshiped her, include the male faculty members.
The tall, curvaceous blond looked around before drawing her student into the dimly lit booth in the corner of the restaurant. She didn't give the boy a chance to take a seat before pulling him into raunchy open-mouth kissed.
Haley couldn't believe what she was seeing. It was disgusting! She turned away from the couple, pretending to watch for the bus when the kissing got even hotter.
She was thankful the Cafe was empty when she strolled over to the pair. After lifting his shirt, Cocoa licked a trail down Nate's well defined chest. She squeezed his ass, but when his roommate saw her slip her hands into the waistband of his jeans, Haley had seen enough!
"Nathan, we have to go. The bus will be here in five minutes." She confirmed while check the time on the clock. Anything, was better than watching the two go at it.
"Now!" She stamped her foot, crossing her arms across her chest.
Nathan pulled away and looked at the short waitress. He smiled while the teacher looked her up and down with an insulting laugh before they continued with their little sexcapade. Haley was livid. Nathan could be such an ass! She hated when he acted that way. She knew it was only to fill a void. He was so empty inside, such a lost little boy. Why didn't he want people to see the real Nathan Scott, the one she loved?
He finally broke the kiss and tossed her his back pack.
"Go ahead. I'll catch up."
"No! You have to come with me. Please, Nathan." She begged, seeing he was truly considering it until their slut of a teacher whispered something his ear.
The charming teen left her grasp and approached Haley, tucking a few unruly strand of amber behind her ear lobe. His close proximity turned her cheeks crimson and she was lost in his cobalt blue eyes for a moment.
"I have to take care of something. Leave the kitchen door open for me?" his persuasive voice was deep and sexy.
" No. I'm tired of covering for you!" She snapped. Everything was always about him. She was sick of his selfishness!
"Sounds like somebody's jeeealouuus." Cocoa Cannon sing-songed immaturely, giving his little friend a competitive smirk.
"Now, Haley was pissed! She couldn't believe the audacity of this adulterating child molester. Haley had her as a science teach for the last two years and she wasn't qualified to teach a dog how to bark! She was an overrated, underachieving tramp!
"Shouldn't you be at home grading papers or actually reading the chapter you assigned? I would hate for you to have to give a quiz." Hales smarted to Nathan's surprise.
The teacher lunged at the girl while Nathan shook his head. He pulled his mistress into a hug so his much smaller buddy could come to no harm. He didn't get why Haley always got so bent out of shape every time he had a "session" with Mrs. Cannon. It was like she was jealous. Could she? He shook that though from his head. He didn't have that kind of luck. She was an amazing girl, definitely worth the right man's love. Haley deserved so much better than him.
Haley stormed out, thinking the man she was totally in love with was defending someone that didn't give a damn about him and would soon grown tired of her latest plaything. The bus sped past before she could make it to the stop. Shit! There wasn't another one scheduled for an hour. She took a deep breath and set out on foot. It would be faster than waiting on the next bus.
Thirty five minutes later, she slipped in the kitchen door. Slowly, she pushed it closed before Deb stalked in the room. She swayed a little and cracked her infamous strap against the tile.
"Late again? Haven't you learned by now?" She swaggered.
" Let me ex..."
The elder ignored her and scanned the room.
"Shut up! You're as dumb as your Momma! ...I warned you not to come home without Nathan!"
Across town...
Nathan and Mrs. Cannon were on her living room sofa making out like maniacs. Her hand was down his boxers and the other picked at his jean snap. He sucked on his bottom lip and she ran her fingers up and down his toned chest over his shirt. For some reason, Nathan was not into getting laid tonight. He had heard she wasn't very good anyway.
He kept getting distracted. He couldn't get the look on Haley's face out of his head. He had started to worry. Maybe is wasn't such a good idea, brushing her off. After all she always had his back and he didn't need to burn any bridges.
Nate barely realized Cocoa ended the kiss, getting up to get some beers. This was the perfect opportunity to go home just in case his housemate couldn't leave the door unlocked. It would take forever to find an open window (There were no window on their level...just a two cedar block sized grids in each bedroom.).
He sat up and reached for his Celtics jacket just as his teacher strolled downstairs in a barely there pink nightie and placed the mixed drinks on the coffee table.
"Where are you going? I'm not through with your lesson." She flirted, rubbing her naked calf across his lap. He tossed it off.
"I need to go home. It's late. I'm seventeen, remember? I still have a curfew."
She persistently pulled him to wards her, seductively leading her hand down his back and cupping his butt through his baggy jeans.
"But the fun has just begun. Take a sip." She whined and nodded toward the two glasses of rum and Coke.
He jerked away and headed for the front door when he heard it slam hard. His step froze as he turned to question Mrs. Cannon while listening heavy steps coming from the foyer grow louder and louder.
" I thought your husband wasn't suppose to be back from his convention until Saturday?"
"Guess again, Kid!" came the unfamiliar voice of a professional body builder husband as he watched his wife try to cover herself up. "Looks like my wife's been tutoring again!" He cracked his knuckles.
Nathan looked at his partner-in-crime, only to have her start to cry and beg forgiveness from the Hulk sized man. He tried to stay calm. He had been in the situation several times. He sized up the heftier man who towered over him. Nathan assessed himself. He was light and squirrelly. He could beat this guy to the front door.
Mr. Cannon dove for him. Nathan tried to slip underneath him. Unfortunately, he had miscalculated the man's speed. The ex college football player started throwing punching, all of them connecting to the teen's body.
Two hours later...
Nate paid the cab driver and peeled himself out of the back seat. He crept up to the servants entrance of the estate. He turned the knob on the kitchen door. Yes, Hales had left it open! He dragged himself inside, trying to be as quiet as he could. Letting out a sigh upon making it to the basement door, he crept down the stairs to his room.
Carefully, he started to disrobe on his way to the shower. He couldn't wait to feel the warm water on his battered frame. He was ready to remove his boxers after disregarding his jeans, but when he entered the bathroom it was already occupied.
He tiptoed back into his bleak habitat, peeking through the partially cracked door like he had done many times before. He watched her feminine silhouette through the fogged shower door. Her slender arms lathered her lengthy locks as she slipped directly under the shower head to rinse the conditioner from her hair. She was the most beautiful woman he knew and he knew plenty. Contrary to the others, she was gorgeous inside and out. Although, he would never admit it to her. Besides, she belonged with a kind, smart and respectable dude. No stupid ass orphans like himself. He rested his cheek against the door and continued to observe her, actually feeling a sense of peace for a change. Something about her ... no... everything about her gave him serenity.
When the water stopped he quietly closed the door and waited fifteen minutes before knocking and cracking it once again. Haley's face was down in the sink, rinsing her mouth after brushing her teeth.
"I just wanted you to know I was home. See, everything went off without a hitch." He chuckled uneasily holding both his palms out and up.
Haley raised her weary head, and he saw a large red gash on her cheek. It contained at least four stitches. She cut her angry brown eyes at his way.
Words left the boy. His mind and heart filled with rage and hatred for his bitch of an Aunt! Hitting him was one thing, but when she hurt Haley her prayed for her slow painful death!
"Speak for yourself! You're such a prick! ... That was the last time I cover for you, Nathan!" She yelled as her lip began to tremble. Yet, she refused to cry.
He pressed the door open, still standing in the shadows of his room.
"Haley, how is this my fault?!" He argued hurt by her anger and honesty.
Appalled, the girls jaw dropped. If she could have reached him she would've choked the life from him. He could be so cocky and hostile, always to the people that tried to help her the most. Jackass!
"Ms. Scott caught me. When she asked where you were, I said you were helping wax floors after closing at the cafe. She bought it."
"Good. I'm in the clear." He let out a held breathe.
The cinnamon haired youth opened the medicine cabinet in search of aspirin as they conversed. Dealing with Nathan Scott brought on migraines.
"Yeah. I was so convincing, she hit me across the face with that stupid strap for not waiting on you! The next time you want to get it on with one of those skanky hoes you call a date, keep me out of it!" She screamed, startling the ungrateful male with her rage.
She rarely got this mad at him.
Nathan's defenses went up.
"I don't need this crap now! I didn't ask for your help! Maybe if you weren't so uptight, you might get laid! Have you even kissed a guy? Ever?!" As he stepped into the light, he blasted her with his harsh and disrespectful words.
She slammed the cabinet, ready to set him straight when she saw his bloodied nose, fat lip and the huge bruise forming around his ribs. It pained her to find his left eye was partially blackened. She immediately reached for his chiseled chin and gauged a closer look, her voice soft and loving. He winced and lower his eyes from her penetrating gaze.
"Oh, Nathan. Not another fight?"
He walked passed her and took a clean towel from the linen closet.
"Mrs. Cannon's husband came home early. He need a punching bag when he found out what his wife was teaching me. I was kind of forced into taking the position." He tried to state casually, but it was obvious he was embarrassed.
"I bet you are really enjoying this!" He snorted, examining her reflection in the mirror.
She shook her head and ran her fingers through her freshly dried tresses. She didn't understand why he couldn't see he was worth so much more than the whores he was always spend time with, taking shit from and loving.
"Actually, I'm not! Don't you get beat up enough here? Why degrade yourself by sleeping with someone's wife? You're better than that! Damn it, Nathan! You acting like.."
He strolled over to her ashamed, his amour back up.
"What?! A dog?! A player?! Well, it's better than being a bore like you! I have a life! Can you say the same?!"
Haley threw up her hands and walked out.
"I'm sooo sick of this ... of you! If you don't care about yourself why should I? You're pathetic, Nathan!"
He slammed the door behind her and stomped to the shower, removing his underwear.
Once the water started, so did the tears. He couldn't let anyone see him cry. It was a sign of weakness. So he let them fall during his nightly shower. If they could only alleviate a lot more of the agony that filled the tortured child.
Nathan knew he was screw up. There was no denying it. Daily, he was becoming more daring and bold in his actions. It was like he was on a suicide mission, but he just couldn't change. To Nathan, Hell was better than living like this.
Hours later, Nathan tossed and turned beneath the blankets in his room. The fired had gone out and he awoke to darkness. It was the same nightmare he had every night.
Flash! The smell of smoke and the dampness of rain falling down on him in a mangled mess of metal and bucket seats. ... Flash! His father's body protectively shield his mothers lithe build. He can hear her coughing! ... Flash! He's crying and screaming at his parents. His heart is so heavy. He pulls and tugs at his father's limp body, trying to free his mother. He knows his dad is dead. ... Flash! He is cuddling closely to his mother, gently rubbing her face and begging her not to leave him as continues to cough up blood and squeezed his hand. ...Flash! He is distracted by sirens in the distance, turning to wards the sounds. His mom's hand releases his and looks in horror at her beautiful face. The life is gone. ... Flash! There's total darkness. Nathan is afraid. Nathan's alone.
Unfortunately, his dream had been a reality. The youngster sub-conscious didn't know how to handle the horrors of watching the parents you loved with all your being die. So his mind sabotaged his sleep with reminders of his devastating lost.
He shot from the squeaky cot and scurried across his room. Practically running through the bath he made it to Haley's room.
Haley's space was a total contrast of his. Her cinder block walls were painted a calm green and the floor was carpeted thanks to some help from the Ms. Scott's houseman, Whitey. She even had a queen sized bed, a dressers and a desk, one of her proudest accomplishments as Nathan remembered.
She had forced him into going with her to a yard sale last year to purchased the items. Whitey brought them home for her in his old pick up truck. He was disgruntle as the pair moved each item from the front door down to her bed chamber. After all, sweet old Whitey wasn't a young man and didn't need to be toting such heavy things.
Finding only a closet full of clothes and that rickety cot, she had offered to buy the boy something for his room. He adamantly refused saying it was the last place he wanted to feel comfortable. It would just make it easier to feel at home and her Aunt Deb's place was nowhere to feel comfortable.
He walked around her room. There was a fire was still going strong in the small fireplace. It gave off a scent of dried apples and nuts. Haley was facing away from his room and didn't move underneath her warm bedding. Nathan sighed and dropped his head. She had never been this angry with him.
Usually, she would opened his eyes as soon as he cracked the door. She would wave him over and let him get into bed with her.
Stepping around to the other side of the bed, he watched the fire light cast shadows on her naturally pretty face. Tears stained her cheeks. Why had he opened his big mouth and said all mean things before? He didn't mean any of it. She had to know that by now. It was just his way. Now it was too late, she would probably never speak to him again.
He skulked back to his cold abode and fell back on the dinky bunk where he slept. Well, tried to rest. A minute later, he heard the door to bath squeak and tiny footsteps. Then, there was silence. He knew she was there. Finally, she spoke.
"I'm not mad anymore. You can come to bed, Nathan."
He bounced out of bed like a happy toddler and ran to her, clutching her hand.
She lead him back to her room and threw back the covers. She got in, bringing him with her. She lay on her back so he could rest his tired head on her chest. It was his preferred position. Both their right arms rested across her middle with locked fingers. Her faced nuzzled in the raven nest atop his head. Her eye lids were so heavy and Nathan was already snoring lightly. They were safe for the night...
Pamela