My Security
Being deeply loved by someone gives you strength, while loving someone deeply gives you courage. - Tao Tzu
Chapter 4
"Hales. I..."Eager to apologize, Lucas leaned over the table.
"Stop touching me!" was her outcry. Suddenly afraid of her trusted sidekick, she backed up, bumping into a something hard and firm.
"Haley. What's wrong?" Were Nathan's tender words. Rotating, she went straight into his arms as she eyed Lucas with anxiety.
Nathan was wary of Lucas intentions, but currently he needed to attend to something, no someone else.
Instantly, his focus went from the wheat haired boy across the table and back to Haley. He felt her shivering as her face dug into his chest and her arms crossed around his waist. Gently, he rubbed his large hands over her back and planted a few kisses on the top of her satiny head. Haley was the strong one in their pair, never to previously break down in his presence. Bending down to see her watery eyes, he wanted, no needed to protective her for a change.
"What is it, Hales?" He urged softly and raised up to view Lucas, whose similar blue eyes were confused and irritated. "Are you sick? Want me to take you home?"
"No! Please not there, Nathan." Only he could hear her pleaded while shaking her head emphatically.
The male was really starting to worry. He had never seen her like this. Although, he couldn't blame her for not wanting to go to that purgatory they called a residents.
Pulling back, they made eye contact. Her tortured image almost broke him as water trickled from her ducts and stained her rosy cheeks.
"Let me help, Hales." He urged, drawing her back into his larger frame.
With most of her body still firmly against his, she reluctantly exposed her left palm, bent at the joint.
"He touched my wrists. He was holding them so tight, Nathan." She breathed barley above a whisper.
Her horrid thoughts became his own.
He remembered coming home on more than one occasion to found her left in the dark and musky laundry room with her arms locked behind, her hands and the cement floor dripping with blood from the friction of the duct tape or rope rubbing her fragile skin. Not to be forgotten was the summer day, he held the bone and splint in place while she stabilized it.
Aunt Deb had detached her scaphoid. from the rest of her hand because mopped the kitchen floor to her satisfaction. At least that's what they called the wrist bone on WebMD.
After Nathan came home from a date last Saturday, Haley was no where to be found.
A couple of hours later, their warden went to bed. He frantically searched the entire house for Haley.
Eventually, he found her in the attic. She had been tied to an old dinning room chair and had honey poured all over her. She was covered in ants and completely exhausted from trying to scream through the duct tape on her mouth. Apparently, the act was punishment for leaving the top off the sugar bowl that morning.
Any of these factors and a boat load of others, could have triggered her current hysterical state.
"He didn't mean to hurt you, Haley. Luke's your friend." He comforted, positive that Peyton's twin would never her do his dear friend any harm.
Although, somewhat envious, he always suspected that when they were older, Haley and Luke would marry. Nathan saw him as a good guy, smart, loyal and totally in love with her. It's what she deserved.
"I was just trying to get her attention. I don't know what I did wrong." A sadden, vexed and remorseful Lucas explained.
"It's nothing you did." Nathan answered evasively. "I think Haley's just exhausted. She's always over extended herself. She hasn't been sleeping well."
"How would you know?" Her friend couldn't argue with his logic, but was still wary of the whole situation.
Nathan was still holding her so close and she was so relaxed and content to stay there when it should have been him consoling her!
"I'm not totally oblivious to the world around me. We do live together. I know Haley." He remarked genuinely and let his lip brush her forehead.
"What, like you know Mrs. Cannon, Beth Jurgenson's mom, or that tenth grader, Easy Eve Imersen that you got caught in the gym equipment shed last week?" The other boy dared. He hated Nathan Scott.
"How could degrade her like that? That is not what we're about." Looking at the clock, the first three minutes of this conversation had been enough for a lifetime.
If Haley wanted Lucas to really know what was going on, she would have told him herself.
"Hey! Hales. Spend the rest of lunch with me?" He requested. "I need to talk to you anyway."
Both he and Luke waiting anxiously for her reply. When she pulled away and nodded a yes, the reviews were mixed.
Nathan was practically ecstatic. She was always nursing him in his time of need, he was going to prove to her that she could equally be assisted by him.
Lucas was livid. Not only had it looked to everyone around them like Lucas had done something to Haley, but Nathan Doesn't-Give-A-Damn-About-Nobody-Scott comes to her rescue and she is going to letting him be her hero.
"Haley! Tell me you're not dumb enough to go with him!" Luke yelled, touching her shoulder.
"No!" She shrugged his firm hand off and return to the serenity of Nathan's embrace.
Rocking her gently, he rolled his eyes at Lucas. Wasn't Luke smarter than this? No means no, you ass!
"She probably needs some fresh air. I'm going to get her out of the cafeteria. You can't fix this."
"Oh, but you can? The boy that can't even spell cafeteria." He harshly joked.
"We're not going to debate this. She's upset enough. ... Haley wants to go with me." Nathan informed him politely as he spelled cafeteria in his head c-a-f-e-t-e-r-i-a.
The attention from their peers, still hadn't left them as he stepped back, tossing her back pack over his shoulder along with his. Moving into the aisle, he outstretched his free left arm for her.
"Hales!" Lucas whine fell on deaf ears.
The young Scott watched his confidante's big brown orbs follow his limb's movements.
"Trust me." He soothed at a volume for her ears only.
"Haley! I'm your real friend!" Lucas raged before slamming back down in his chair and beating his fist against the table.
She took Nathan's hand and let him lead her away, lagging a few steps behind.
They continued pass the vacant table where he normally ate, and out the lunch room doors that lead to the atrium before all the stares and whispers subsided.
The light breeze, warm and sunny Fall day left this Seniors Only area beautiful with it's many plants and perfectly cut landscape.
In the atrium...
Haley had been trailing the faux raven feet painted along the concrete path they were walking , when she spotted his close knit group ahead. Letting go of their intertwined fingers, she made a complete stop. She couldn't let them see her like this. She couldn't really express herself with all eyes on them. The lunch room scene had been bad enough. They would wonder why she was all hugged with Nathan like one of his flavors of the week. What if she slips and they overheard Nathan and my secret?
Befuddled by her desertion, he continued a few more paces. Thinking about the situation, it wasn't hard to figure what had triggered a reaction in her this time.
The popular mob he called friends intimidated Haley. She was quiet, shy and presently in a serious emotional state, a far cry from the people with whom she was about to spend half her lunch period .
Turning back to find her, she was already on her way back to the cafeteria. With his much longer legs, he swooped in quickly. Wrapping one of his arms loosely around her from behind, his mouth met her ear.
"They're cool. They know, Haley." Mortified, she twisted around to faced him.
"We swore not to tell! You promised!" She scolded through gritted teeth, her mocha windows still shown fear and need. He had never seen her look so weak.
"I wouldn't break a vow to you, never! ... They figured it out on their own." He let both femurs encircle the petite girls frame."They won't betray us, Haley."
Skeptical, she didn't budge.
"We don't have that much time and you need to eat. You have to keep up your strength until we can get home tonight. Let's go." Nathan stood firm and strong for a change. Locking his hand in hers and letting her set the pace of their walk.
Laughter and chatter filled the air around the only other students gracing the atrium that afternoon.
Nathan was noticed as he entered the circle, but all eyes were locked on the girl who's head was hidden in his bicep. They had seen them together before on several occasion Their encounters were brief. Yet, this felt odd.
"Hi." Haley mumbled into the blue trim of his Carolina tee shirt, eliciting an unwanted squint from Tim that was shot down by the eye daggers sent back his way.
"Uh, Hi, Haley!" Peyton and Brooke said cheerful, giving Nathan a "you finally hooked up?" grin.
He returned a "Don't start!" glare as Jake, Anna, and Stacie nodded their acknowledgment of her. He took as seat on the two layered and over-sized blanket the crew was sharing, dropping both back packs to the plaid cloth.
Haley was still nervously standing. Her cute pink sandals had become her point of interest.
"'Sup guys? Hales is going to each lunch with us today." Nathan said as if it were the norm.
" 'bout time Nathan brought you around." Felix teased as Nathan reached for her finger tips, pulling at them until she joined their picnic.
Chemistry lab...
Meanwhile, Mouth, Skillz and Lucas spied the activity from a window in the chemistry lab.
Soon after Haley left with Nathan, Lucas went straight to the lab to inform his buddies of how Nathan had practically stolen Haley from him.
"Can you believe she ditched me for those illiterate losers?" Luke sounded off.
"Your sister hangs out with him." Mouth defended.
"That's how I know how stupid they are." The blond confided.
They ignored him, ready to return to their work.
Lucas pushed them back to the window.
"Look! He's being all nice to her! Like he gives a shit."
"Maybe he does, Man. They do live together." Skillz shrugged.
"We're her friends, not him!" A pacing, irrational Luke continue.
"Maybe she was upset about something at home. It's not like we could help with that. We're not even allowed inside. ...and sometimes they give each other these looks, like they have a secret." Mouth deduced.
"Please, there's nothing between them but air and disinterest." The blue eyed boy argued.
"But, Ms. Scott is a evil. Remember last year when on the way to school, Candace Barnes threw up all over Haley's sweater? The driver took her back home so she could get a change of clothes. She went inside for a few seconds, and came back with the same outfit. She made some lame excuse about not wanting to make everyone else wait, but you could tell she was lying. " Skillz added. "Everybody was picking on her. Nathan came from the back to get her, threatening to kick ass if they didn't stop. It was cold as hell, but he guarded her while she took off that nasty sweater and put on the fleece pullover he was wearing . He was only left with a white tee shirt."
"Yea. That was pretty cool." Mouth agreed, recalling all the times he saw fade bruises on Haley's arms or a superficial cut on her pretty face. But, she had insisted is was her clumsiness. That was hard to argue because she did have to left feet. However, the more and more he and Skillz noticed Nathan too entered the hallowed halls of Tree Hill High battered and broken gave way to other reasoning. They just couldn't prove it.
"He does one nice thing and he's your new best friend." Luke snarled dramatically." This has to be joke. Do you see them? They're all cuddled up like their dating! I bet he brainwashed her or something."
"If you think he's so dumb, how could he do that?" Skillz debated.
"Maybe their in love, Lucas. You know how she always staring at him." They hated when Lucas got like this. It was time him got a reality check.
"Don't you ever say that! Haley's mine!" Lucas shoved the smaller boy, knocking him into the table.
"What the hell is your problem, Man! Haley can date whomever she wants. How many times do we have to tell you? She's not your property. She's our friend!" Intervening, Skillz stood between them.
"But you know we belong together." Lucas insisted with a crazed look in his eye.
"Yea. Maybe something will go down with you two in the future. If you stop acting like a creepy stalker around her!" Both his buddies threw their hands up in mock defeat.
"Oh, it's going to happen. She going to marry me some day. You'll see." Lucas gloated as he stared out at the platonic pair with envy.
In the atrium...
Nathan took out their lunches while everyone accept Haley and he discussed their most embarrassing moments. All the while they were sizing up the couple. Their interest were piqued by each passing moment.
It was apparent that Haley was either sick or upset. She didn't speak, only smiling politely when necessary. Her eyes were red rim and her head was firmly attached to nathans defined upper arm.
Out the corner of his eye, Nathan kept a steady watch over the diminutive beauty. "What the hell?" was the group consensus. Nathan never invited and girl/woman he was wanting to, dating, or banging to ever have lunch with them. If they invited themselves, he would either rudely send them away or go off with them for a quick make out session. He knew he was being used, so he played their game and treated them like clients. Typically, He took his out his lunch and spread it out. But wait! He did the same thing to Haley's.
"Eat your lunch, Haley." He affirmed in an almost fatherly tone and nudge her gently to garner her attention.
A caring smile, not smirk formed on his lips as he handed her half of her sandwich. He made sure she started eating before reaching for one of his own. Nathan Scott, perfect gentleman. They didn't see that one coming!"
Anna started to tell a story.
An eight year old Felix's mother was in the middle of a civic's club meeting. They were making plans for their annual carnival when she asked Felix to go get her the biggest pad he could find. He returned with a box Always. When his mom ask what he was doing. He explained that the box read "Maxi Pad". All the ladies had a big laugh about, but Felix didn't get it until 5th grade sex education.
Everybody was cracking up, accept Felix.
Haley was a lot more relaxed, picking up a Ziploc bag to retrieve another snack that caught Brooke's eyes.
"Ooooo, baby carrots! You're my new bestest friend!" She squealed, lunging for Haley.
"Don't hit me! Please don't hit me anymore!" The emotionally shocked girl screamed and scurried over to Nathan, trembling with fear as she climbed into his lap.
Her reaction shook the entire circle. Never had most of them ever felt such despair for another person. It was scary and sorrowful, yet enlightening.
"She's not Aunt Deb. It's Brooke……. Look! It's only Brooke, Haley." Nathan rocked her, giving her words of comfort.
Cautiously, she turned to her audience, finding he was telling the truth. It was Brooke and she wasn't trying to hurt her.
"I'm sorry, Brooke." She sincerely apologized through her tears. "I'm not having a very good day." A humiliated Haley drew her knees in and rested her head on them before letting the sobs go.
"Damn, Haley's psycho!" An amused Tim spit out. "I see why you don't bring her crazy..."
"Shut up, Tim!" Was the unified yell of his friends.
Felix and Stacie's hands slapped the back of his head, the first thing they had ever agree upon. Everyone laid into him about his immature and insensitive behavior.
In the midst of their reprimand of Tim, Haley had bolted.
Nathan was frantically scanning the perimeter of the grassy area when the bell rang. She was nowhere in sight.
"I'm soo kicking your ass later!" Nathan promised Tim with an icy frown as he view his long time pal with disdain. "and you better hope she's alright when I find her!"
Gathering his things he tore off down the walkway.
Entering the tutoring center, Nathan found Haley sitting at one of the tables. Per usual for this period, the room was void of any other students or teachers. She looked normal, like she wasn't a complete mess less than ten minutes ago. Her shiny mane had been brushed. He lovely face had been washed and her clothing had been neatly adjusted. Lost by her current mode, he joined her at the work area.
"Nathan, not now." She ruled staunchly. "I have a student coming."
"That would be me! That's why I came to your table at lunch." He smirked enthusiastically and started combing through his bag. If she need to pretend every thing was fine to make through the day, then they would do that. She could break down when they got home and he would still be there.
Her eyes targeted him with disbelief.
"Check the list." Nathan ascertained with his newfound confidence shining wanting her approval gave him that.. The often poor student displayed a new black folder. "I wanted to talk to you about our chemistry project."
That got her attention.
She gasped and smacked her forehead with her palm.
"Oh, Okay. Listen. I completely let it slip my mind. We have to work on it all weekend, but I won't let you fail. I promise." She harped.
At last, they made eye contact.
"It's done, Haley." He supposed apprehensively, setting it in her reach. "When we first got this you were loaded down with essays and questionnaires for your college application, along with your homework, the cafe, and taking care of me when ... well, you know.
Prudently, she took assignment and started skimming the pages with awe. It was thorough, concise, and well thought-out.
"Wow, you did all this?" She smiled. "This is really brilliant, Nathan."
"Thanks." He blushed bashfully at her praise." I asked Mouth and Skillz for a suggestion on what to do and to test the lab, but I did the rest all by myself." He grinned proudly.
"I can't believe they kept it from me!" She exclaimed lightheartedly.
"Don't be mad, I made them promise." He uncovered. "All you have to do is the oral presentation and help me do the actual lab in front of Ms. Canon. You know I'm not allowed in Chemistry lab without supervision."
"You should stop blowing up stuff!" She teased before leaning over and locking her arms around his neck for a big hug. Complacently, he held her for several minutes. "Thank you, Nathan. ...for everything."
Pamela