Chapter 2
Nathan's eyes started to flutter as the radio alarm clock sounded with a John Mayer song. Typical Haley.
He could feel Haley's soft hands unconsciously slide back and forth up his muscular bicep climbing over his bent elbow and down his side. Tiny fingers roamed his firm waist and strong thigh, lingering there.
On occasion, she had done this when they slept together.
Secretly, Nathan was aroused by it, her touch. His body was getting warm and goose bumps raced his skin from head to toe. He had always been attracted to Haley, never willing to admit just how much. Only the emotions he carried came close to his feeling for Haley.
He only trusted three people in the world. Haley was number one on that list. However, he wouldn't let his desire for her get in the way of their friendship. He couldn't risk screw up and loosing her. She was the only constant in his life.
He turned flat on her back and tried to scoot over away from Haley, but there wasn't much room between him and the edge of the bed. She was always hogging his side! He looked over to see her curious brown eyes penetrating his cautious blue ones. Her arm was still on his leg, making figure eights. Her pink tongue raced across her full mouth as if formed a smile. He sucked in her breathe before returning a wide grin of his own. Waking up like this, with her was the very best part of every day.
Haley's head were filled with thoughts of her own about her sleep partner. He sure was fine with his hair unruly and his white tee clinging perfectly to his well tuned upper body. Wake up time, showed him to be pleasant, funny and sweet. This was her Nathan, unguarded, sensitive, and wonderful.
Haley had completely forgiven him for the cruel things he had said the night before. She held baited breathe when he leaned up and raised his long arms to her hair, gently raking the silk strands. He loved doing that for some reason.
She closed her eyes and inhaled his scent, a refreshing surf odor.
He backed away slowly letting his finger tips brush the cinnamon tips for several seconds. Again she faced him, her eyes saying just how much she cares for him.
Nathan couldn't resist. He raised her palm to his full mouth and planted a kiss. The connection is emotional and romantic without hopes of leading to anything further.
She was unresponsive at first, unsure of how to react. Although, her heart feels as if is going to beat out of her chest. The craving she had for him for so long wanted to take over, but his rejection would wreck her. So, instead of the passionate kiss she was dying to share with him, she pressed her lips to forehead and left a chaste kiss.
Nathan's hands instinctively moved to her waist, holding her close. He enjoy the peaceful and happiness being around her gave him.
Suddenly, Haley freaked. She was terrified by the wants that stirred like a cauldron in her and stopped the interaction. She couldn't get this close to Nathan. He wasn't ready for the type of relationship she wanted and needed.
He dropped his head and scooted over, so their bodies were no longer touching.
She sensed he felt rejected and tickled him for a moment, playing it off.
"If we're late for breakfast, Ms. Scott will come down here."
Nathan just nodded in agreement and prepared to go to his room. Hoping to figure out a way for her not to see his noticeable morning wood. Off the top of his head, he sent Haley off to her dresser to locate some hair product he claimed he wanted to borrow. A soon as she turn away, he mad a mad dash to the bathroom.
As soon as he was gone, Hales left the gel on he dresser and retreated back to the bed. She sat against the headboard with her right hand cover part of her forehead and right eye. A childish grin was plastered on her face. She had crushes on a few boys before, but it was nothing compare to unwavering love for the dark haired teen singing terribly off key in the shower. She didn't care if their relationship always remained platonic. It was the best feeling in the world!
The day went on like any other. Nathan and Haley had breakfast with Whitey, who was also the chef. It was far, far too early to find Deb Scott lurking around. Thank God! They shared funny faces, and food while Whitey fished for information on how Haley got that cut on her lovely face or who beat the crap out of the boy. He begged the children to tell him if Ms. Scott was hurting them. They vehemently denied it. Afraid if the authorities found out the would be separated. In there mind, when it came down to it, they only had each other. Both avoided the caring seniors gaze and hurried through their meals.
They sat together on the school bus, talking to friends. Hales lied, saying she fell down stairs. Everyone bought it because of her clumsy nature. Nathan proudly boasting that someone's husband had kicked his ass. However, neither discussed what had transpired between them that morning.
At school, they went their separate ways. Each secretly glancing at the others as they parted ways.
Nathan was actually having a great day. He passed his trigonometry test He had worked hard for that 72. In 3rd period, he found out he was actually getting an A in the class. He hadn't gotten an A since he move in with his Aunt. Since his parents... He swept the memories from his head. He couldn't think of them right now. No. This was going to be a good day.
Strolling from the lunch line like he owned the school, Nathan plopped down at the "popular" table. His best friend Tim was wolfing down fries, while Brooke Davis picked at her salad. As usual, Jake's tongue was rammed down Peyton's throat and Felix was skimming a gentleman's magazine. Finally noticing his badgered face, Brooke dropped her fork.
"I told you that Mrs. Canon was going to get you beat up! Gawd, she's a slut!" She laughed. "You need to stop banging those old chicks."
"Jealous?" Nathan smirked and Tim elbowed him. Brooke gave him the finger and a dirty look.
Felix cell rang and he headed the atrium.
"I bet she was sooo worth it. Huh, Dude? She was good right?" Tim begged eagerly with a mouth full of fries.
"She was alright." Nathan shrugged, never daring to admit to his friends he never got around to actually having sex with her.
Instead, a figure etched in his brain came down the aisle catching his eye. Subconsciously, he licked his lips as Haley past, flashing him a bright smile and a quick hand wave as her russet strands bounced behind her. He gave a wink and continued to watch her until she stopped at her regular spot, four tables down.
"Tell me you did not give your nerdy sister the nod! Ewww!" Brooke smacked him in the back of the head, bring him out of his reverie.
"She is sooo not my sister." Nathan let slip before he could take it back.
Brooke frowned enviously at the girl that had both guys attention. She snatched Peyton for Jake's embrace and stormed off.
Tim too hopped up and down in his seat, shoving at his best friend.
"So are you hitting that, playa? I knew you were into her." He urged as his eyes scanned Haley when she bent over the table to exchange sandwiches with her friend Mouth.
Jake sighed and walked off. Tim could be such an ass sometimes!
"No ... and it's not like that." He insisted.
"So she's like family? ...Cause I never looked at my sister like that, but my step mom's hot!" A confused Tim probed.
"No!"
"You're sleeping with her! Duuuuddde! Don't hold out on me!" Tim shook an annoyed Nathan trying to get him to crack.
They were so into the conversation, the didn't see Haley come up.
"Haley is not my family. We're not together! She isn't anything to me! She's nothing!" Nathan ranted and stood.
Twisting to leave he found a ghost faced Haley standing there with a chocolate iced cupcake in the palm of her hand. After a drawn out pause, she inhaled slowly and spoke.
"Whitey put an extra cupcake for you in my lunch."
Silence surrounded them again.
"Take it!" She forced in a shaky tone, shoving the desert his way.
"That's o'kay. You eat it!" Gently, he pushed back trying to make eye contact.
Alas, she looked everywhere but at him.
"I don't want it, Nathan! I don't want anything from you! ... Ever!" She cried and pressed the sweet cake into his clean gray shirt before marching out of the cafeteria. Nathan lowered his eyes and kicked the table.
"Whoa! She's a bitch! But, I lik'em feisty!" Tim started making "grrrr!" noises beside him. Before Nate knew he had jacked his buddy up by his shirt collar and pinned him down on the table.
"Shut up, Tim!"
"But she's nothing to you, remember? ... Hate to share?" He mumbled the last part, but Nate heard him.
"She isn't like that! Stay the hell away from Haley!" He warned in a deadly rasp that almost made Tim wet himself. Bringing his friend off the Formica. He slammed him back down before letting go and stalking through the crowd that had formed.
By the time sixth period rolled around, Nathan was dreading his hour and half tutoring block with Mrs. Cannon. Now that her husband knew about the affair it was no longer exciting. Besides, he had grown bored of casual relationships. Maybe Haley was right. He deserved more. Speaking of Haley, he was sure she hated him. The look on her face when she overheard his conversation with Tim said it all. Maybe it was for the best. He convinced himself. She shouldn't be dealing with a jerk like himself anyway.
He finally reached his destination on C hall.
Out of nowhere, he felt a jolt and was pushed into the tutor center. He turned around to see his "teacher" locking the door, dimming the lights and unbuttoning her blouse.
"Uh...Cocoa ... I mmmean Mmmrrssss. Ccccannon." He stuttered as she continued to strip, tossing her long blond hair over her left shoulder. She was extremely fine! He was loosing control of the situation. Fast!
"Did my husband hurt you?" She flirted dressed only in her matching black bra and thong. The naughty faculty member sashayed over to Nathan. "Ms. Cannon will make it all better."
Pushing Nate against one of the tables, she forced a kiss on the surprisingly bothered teen.
He shoved her off and took a few steps to the side.
"Look! I just came to tell you we can't do this anymore! I really not into that broken rib thing and I want to keep vision in eye." Pointing to how it was slightly shut and partially decorated with colorful bruised.
"Is da wittle boy scward of the big ol mean man?" She baby talked, running a finger down Nathan's dirty shirt.
"Hell, yeah I am! Besides, I think it's best if I start dating girls my own age." He slide to the right, resting against the wooden desk.
"I knew you were a scare little punk!" Ms. Cannon scolded as she move back in front of him. This time she placed her stiletto heeled right foot on the desktop, giving him an ample view of her goods. "You teased me for two weeks and think you're getting off without pleasing me? Think again, Mr. Scott!"
"I said I don't want you! Back off!" The youngster demanded with folded arms and a bothersome stance.
This only made the tutor more irate. She leaned over the minor, pressing her chest flush with his and cupping him through his jeans.
"You better start wanting. I own you!"
"Really! How so?" Nathan rolled his eyes, hardly impressed by the teachers attempt to sway him.
"You're already falling two classes?" She blew in his ear, before nibbling on the lobe. " If you don't pass Chemistry, you won't graduate."
Stunned, the delinquent stood up straight causing the despicable mentor to fall flat on her ass.
"You wouldn't do that! Please Ms. Cannon!" He panicked. There's no way he could survive another year in his aunt's house, especially with Haley away at college! He would die.
She got on her feet, placing her hands on her hips.
"Show me how grateful you can be?" She drawled seductively.
He didn't move.
"Show me just how much you've learned, Mr. Scott." The twisted woman invited. " Oh, well. I guess you want a big fat F, Nathan!"
Chills ran down his spine as he rushed to pull off his shirt and unbutton his jeans when suddenly a door slammed. A shadowy figure approached from the supply closet.
"I think you might want to see this before you rape Nathan, Ms. Cannon." Haley waved a video tape ever so sweetly.
"You're little girlfriend is starting to bug me!" She sang.
"Then I'm about to become a serious pest." Haley saddled up to the statuesque blond. "Want to know why I'm here?
"Confess your love to Nathan? Awwww, how sweet."
"Please! He can't even handle you!" She insulted, tossing Nate a hateful glare.
"Haley. Why are..." Nathan questioned.
"Put on your damn clothes and don't talk to me!" She coldly barked, sitting beside him on the desk and handing him his shirt. He quickly obeyed.
"You going to let this goody-two shoes cause you to fail, Mr. Scott?" The desperate teacher asked.
The boy went to speak but was cut off by his protective room mate.
"You're not going to fail him." She assured.
Purposely, she rested her hand on his tight bicep to agitate Nate's abuser. Without her knowledge, he smiled down at her infuriating the other woman even more.
"That's something we agree upon since he still belongs to me. Right, Nathan?"
He didn't know what to be more afraid of ; not graduating and being left alone in the hell otherwise know as the Scott Estate or Haley's wrath when he got to Hell. He could tell she was still mad about what happened at lunch. He doubted watching and hearing him go at with Ms. Cannon helped his case.
"Since your a couple now. Why don't we let the whole school know your dating." Haley informed.
She waved the video tape walking to the school newsroom. Nathan looked at Ms. Cannon before hurrying behind the girl. The teacher grabbed her clothes.
"What are you doing, Haley?" Nate vexed.
"Actually, I was putting away some tool in the supply closet because my tutee had to cancel. By the time I finished, you two were out there going at it!"
"Oh." He blushed and turned away ashamed. Rambling to cover his discomfort with the situation.
"What's with the tape?"
"Karen brought it to me this morning. She wanted me to talk to you about it, so she wouldn't have to fire you.."
Nathan was extremely curious now.
Cocoa entered the A/V place just in time to see Haley stop the footage from rewinding and about to press START.
"The video surveillance at the cafe filmed you guys make out all over the place!"
"But since you're dating why not show it on the end of day news announcements?"
Ms. Canon lurched for the VCR, pulling out the damaging evidence. She and Nathan fought each other for the item while Haley watched.
"I'll give each of you a copy of you want. Karen has several." She giggled.
They stopped and stared at her.
"Fine! What do you want?" The dense teacher surrendered.
"Give Nathan the grade he deserves in your class and stay away from him. No phone calls, text messages or e-mails. ... Don't make send this to the school board and the local news. I'm not as sweet as I look." The innocent miss threatened in a sugary tone.
"Go to hell ... both of you!" Mrs. Cannon hissed and left half dressed.
"Thanks, Haley."
"That's not even the real tape. It's in my book bag. Besides, thank Karen."
"But you didn't have to defend me. Haley. What you heard at lunch. That was ... What I meant to say..."
"Forget it, Nathan. It's done and you can't take it back!" She went back into the tutoring center and grabbed her things before heading to the door.
"Whaa ... What do you want from me, Hales?" She heard Nathan wonder aloud.
"You don't have it to give." She stated sadly, looking back before stepping into the empty hall...
Pamela