My Security
To the world you may be one person,
but to one person you may be the world.- Bill Wilson
Chapter 5
Tuesday, November 22...
Haley and Nathan were prepared for mediocre grade from Ms. Canon on their chemistry project, despite the fact it was prize worthy. Fortunately, the ex-chemistry teacher had been replace when they entered the classroom that Tuesday morning
During a private tutoring session, Coco had been caught in awkward position/positions by Jason Calloway's mother. Mrs. Canon was stark naked in the pool house, instructing him in a lot more than the periodic tables. T
he new, middle-aged male teacher gave them an A . He praised both of them on their stellar work and they couldn't have been happier.
The cold temperatures weren't the only changes the onset of winter brought to our main characters. Their platonic relationship was blossoming. Since Haley's break down it wasn't uncommon to see Nathan have his lunch at her table at least once a week and vice versa.
Their friends made them feel welcome, well except Tim. Haley received too much attention from the crew for his liking. Her presence overshadowed him and he hated it.
Lucas chose a different approach to Nathan's increasing addition to his group. Already scared to distance Haley any further after her big freak out, he was polite and civil to Nathan. This had greatly lessened the tension between the pair. She and Lucas were back on track. However, that would soon changed when the Scott wards arrived to work at a little before 3 pm.
Entering the establishment, both were greeted by a surprised Karen.
"What are you two doing here?" She asked as she placed a hot plate of food in front of one of the customers.
The duo eyed each other.
"We work here, Ms. Karen." Nathan chuckled, assuming she was teasing them. Usually, she was fun and easy-going.
"Not on Tuesdays and Thursdays." She smiled back, letting her lips turn into a straight line when the teens sat there utterly confused.
"Lucas was suppose to tell you since I don't see you guys Thursday through Monday because I'm at the club." She sighed, that boy could be so self-centered sometimes!
"Well he didn't." Haley replied as Karen joined them at a booth in the corner.
"Haley, he told me about last week. Your episode at school because you were exhausted." She reaches over the table and pats the girls hand. "You could have told me you needed some time off. You put way to much pressure on yourself, Sweetheart."
"But..."
"No buts, I thinking cutting back on your hours is just the thing!" She interrupted."You finally get to go out and have some fun for a change Haley. Time flies by so quickly. Enjoy it while your young."
How was Haley to argue with this logic? Even though, she needed every penny she could earn.
"How come I get off too?" Nathan wondered aloud.
"Because I don't trust you here without Haley." She laughed, ruffling his hair.
Nathan nodded too after noticing Haley giggling too. The bubbly sounds coming from her throat were rare but infectious. He was thinking that the sound of her laughter may be his most favorite thing in the world.
Karen excused herself to take an order for table #7. T
The pair sat in silence. Neither was prepared to have this extra time on their hands since the beginning of Sophomore year. Deb Scott had always taken it upon herself to plan their free time.
"I could help you with your homework." Haley chimed in.
"We did both ours in tutoring, remember?" He reminded.
"Oh yea." She slumped down in chair trying to rack her brain on how to fill six hours. It had been silently agreed, they weren't going home.
"We could go over Felix and Anna's to play video games."
"Nah, you know Tim isn't going to give me a turn."
"I'll make him." Nathan smirk, tapping her on the nose with his finger.
"That's okay." She blushed and he sipped the drink one of their co-workers brought over. "Besides, Anna's girlfriend is always trying to hit on me."
The boy nearly choked.
Haley had to pat him on the back a few times.
He couldn't believe he jealous a someone else hitting on Haley, especially a girl. She was just his buddy, that's all!
"Nathan. You don't have to baby-sit me. I know you would rather be with Kelly. She was the excellent student with the half way decent reputation, he had been "dating" for the last week." She softly concluded, staring at her hands.
Maybe she could have moved on from thoughts of love with Nathan is she were allowed to date herself. However, Double standard Deb denies her the opportunity.
"There will be no dating boys, hanging out with boys, or talking to boys outside of school. If Nathan knocks somebody up, it's on them! I'm already stuck with you after your slut of mom died, I won't have you bringing anymore bastards into my home!" were her exact words.
Nate stood, tossing his bag over his shoulder. Until he reached his hand out for hers, Haley assumed he had taken her up proposal to go see his girlfriend.
"Tuesdays and Thursdays are now our on special time. That means an us thing. Alright, Hales?" He nodded earnestly as her eyes grew wide with surprise and emotion." Come on, I want to show you something, personal."
"We're good at having secrets." She intentionally flirted. She didn't even know she could purposely do that!
Slipping her fingers into the familiar palm, she nodded to the door. "Lead the way!"
The dark haired boy made the brown eyed girl wait outside Carolina Foods whilst he went into the grocer for what he deemed supplies. Apparently, they had been placed in his previously empty backpack before he left the store.
They caught a bus that took them to their destination on the frosty winter day. Haley stood dumbfounded as the sounds of the transit authority vehicle faded in the background when he lead her down a deserted boardwalk.
"The beach! Nathan it's like thirty degrees and we're going to beach! I can take a practical joke like the next girl, but this sooo far away from being "Punk'd" it's not funny!"
Drowning out her rambling, he tied the ear flap tassels of her juvenile looking Power Puff Girls beanie as the wind swirled around them, making a whistling sound. The hat was red, green and blue, with Blossom, Buttercup, and Bubbles printed all over the place. It was the most hideous thing Nathan had ever seen, but he loved it on Haley.
Haley had been complaining so much, she didn't realize it was fifteen minutes later, and they were standing on the porch of an enchanting little bungalow.
"Wow! This looks likes something from one of the celebrity fairytale getaways they are always showing on E." Haley awed at her magical surroundings. She skipped to the window, peaking in to see the modest antique furnishing and warm earth tones that covered the wall.
"I wished we lived in a place like this. This is a happy place, Nathan." She pondered remotely, trying to make out the pictures on the wall or the time on the clock through the slightly tinted glass.
Watching her rush from pane to pane for a better view with delight in the bitter cold and Nathan knew she already loved this place as much as he did.
Her attention turned him, realizing he hadn't responded to a her since they had arrived.
He opened his wallet and slid two of his long fingers in the area where men hide their emergency credit card or a number from a woman they are having an affair with, or that "I finally got lucky" condom. Instead, Nathan pulled out a key and waved it at his partner.
"Why shouldn't we be happy for a little while?" folding his wallet and putting it back in his pocket as he stepped up to front door.
He opened the entry way and went inside going directly to turn up the Thermostat.
Haley still stood outside, afraid if once she walked through that door the cottage would disappear. This had to be a dream.
Twisting as a harsh breezed danced around the room, he looked back at her.
"Don't be scared, Hales. We're safe here."
That was all the reassurance she needed. She joined him. Taking a seat on the huge suede sofa while he started a fire in the gas fireplace.
"Want some cocoa?" He inquired, unzipping his bag.." I've got marshmallows." He grinned, showing off the sweet treats.
She squealed stealing the bag away. He chased her into the adjoining kitchen, pinning her against the stove and tickling her until she surrendered the fluffy white object of her desire.
"Save some for the cocoa, you pig!" The male teased.
The room temperature was becoming comfortable, so both parties shed their outer wears and hung them on the hooks by the back door, right outside the kitchen.
Haley desperately wanted to know the story on how Nathan knew about this place and who gave him a key. But with his history, the could soon be locked up for trespassing on breaking and entering. This was one times she wanted to enjoy something while it lasted. Forget being logical! This little cabana was special and the fact that Nathan wanted to share it with her made it all the more perfect.
Two hours passed and they ended the last hand of Uno. Haley neatly place the items back into their can and put the game away in the hall closet where Nathan had shown her. She examined the pictures that filled the hall and much of the mantle in the living room. The were all of a young couple. They were gorgeous, happy, and totally in love. The man looked familiar, but she just couldn't place him. She gentle stroked a picture of man holding up a very large swordfish and smiling like... like Nathan.
"That's my granddad, Royal." He said gruffly. "They married the summer after sophomore year of high school. It's wasn't a big deal then. Can you believe that after all these years, they are still really in love?"
"You've know about this house the whole time? You had a key?" The girl felt slightly betrayed. Yet, she still joined the boy in the oversized recliner, resting her soft brown mane on his shoulder.
"I wouldn't have kept this from you, Haley." He felt her rigid body relax. "I found out about it yesterday. For some reason my grandparent's lawyer sent the key and the papers on the house to that new post office box we got a the post office last month."
"I guess granddad got my latest letter and realized Aunt Deb retrieves our mail and she's never going to let them out of that nursing home." He told Haley absently, as his thumb swept up and down her small arm.
She placed a loving kiss on the bare column of his throat, to comfort him.
"My great grandfather gave them this little spot for a wedding gift. It was their own little getaway. That's why you only see pictures of them here " He gaffed, fighting off tears. She snuggled closer to him, making crazy eights over his shirt. "He wants me to have it with only one request."
"You are so lucky to have them, Nathan. As soon we get a chance to get away overnight, we're going to visit them in Charlotte."
He raised his sexy frame up on his elbow, looking down at her glowing tiger eyes with amazement.
"You would do that for me? Go with me?"
"Of course, I would Nathan. You loved them, so I do too." She explained simply.
The boy moved in closer and Haley froze. Was he going to kiss her? Did he know how fast he made her heart beat when she felt his sweet breath on her cheek?
"Wanna know what Grandpa Royals request was?" He spoke barely above a whisper, drinking in her features with his cobalt blue orbs.
Unable to verbalize, she smiled her answer and brushed a few wisps of his dark locks from his forehead.
"He said share it only with the one person in the world that you truly have to have to survive." Then he laid back in his previous position and continued stroking her arm. "You're that for me, Haley."
The peacefulness of the moment lulled them both into a nice long nap for the first time in years.
Next day...
Haley was having lunch with Nathan's crew. She entered the cafeteria with the girls, as they all gushed over the new guy in Economics. Haley went to take her normal seat beside a waiting Nathan, when she noticed Lucas sitting across from her, talking to his sister.
"Uh. Hi, Lukie." She smiled.
"Whassup, Hales. I thought I would hang out with my little sis for a change." He winked as Peyton broke free of his headlock and smacked him on the back of the head.
"I'm two minutes older, you dork!" She pouted, leaning back on to Jake's chest and resting her feet in Lucas's lap.
She was on to her brother. He were there to see Haley. Well, if she was going to be tortured by his phony presence, she was going to milk it for all it's worth.
"Who are you taking to the Holiday Ball, Tim?" Brooke interrupting the small conversations going on around the table.
She was secretly crushed out on Lucas and hoping asking her to the event that was held the Friday they got out for winter break was the real reason for his unusual bonding session with her best friend.
"If you wanted an invite, all you had to do was asked." Tim sleazed, looking down her low-cut blouse.
She pushed him away.
"Hardly, I was just trying to figure out which girl from that that creepy special needs class where they aren't allowed scissor or glue, she was. It could only be someone that medicated to tell you yes." She countered to an uproar of chuckles.
"Well, I'm going with Peyton." Jake proudly admitting before giving his girl a sweet peck on the lips.
"D'uh" Everyone surmised.
"What about you, Haley?" Felix slipped in offhandedly, hoping to give Nathan an opening. But the boy glared at him, white as a sheet.
Felix was amused, The Great Nathan Scott was terrified of pretty little Haley.
Before, Haley or Nathan had a chance to respond, Lucas spoke.
"I really want to you to be my date, Haley."
"Uh, wow. Go with you, Luke?" Bewildered and flattered, she stuttered.
Nathan picked at his fries. He couldn't be jealous. Lucas was the right man for Haley. Yeah, Haley! Shut up! He wasn't jealous!
In frustration, Brooke dropped her beautiful head to the table. She hated that all the men she deemed perfect for herself wanted Haley. It's a good thing she adored the other brunette or there would be hell to pay. She felt Felix's palm rub her back and turned to him.
" I guess you're stuck with me, Princess." He said coolly.
"Like anyone else would go with you." She rolled her eyes and rested her head against his shoulder, both a lot happier about their pretend arrangement
"So. Is that a yes?" A confident Lucas smirked at Nathan.
"I can't Luke." An ashamed Haley confirmed to the now confused crowd. "Ms. Scott doesn't allow me to date."
Lucas was broken hearted while Nathan felt like doing somersaults down the aisle. He had forgotten all about that rule! He could kiss his Aunt! Not really, but he for once he agreed with that bitch!"
"That sucks, Haley." Anna consoled.
"Maybe she'll make an exception for Lucas?" Tim even chimed in. Hell, anything to get those two losers away from him! He had a reputation to uphold!
Nathan saw the cunning smile on his friends mug. He was really starting loathe him.
"No. She doesn't make exceptions." The small girl stated quietly to everyone's dismay. "It's alright I'm use to it. But, I want to see pictures when we all get back from break!" She demanded a little too cheerfully to the low-spirited group.
"Or you could go with me, Hales. I, I mean ... she let's us go places together. It wouldn't have to be a date or anything. You could do what you want when you got there. Even, even be with Lucas. If, if that's what you want." Nathan suggested in a very cute ramble that had all his female friends gushing.
All eyes were on the stunned little darling, who has just live a fantasy. Nathan asked her to a dance? This had to be a dream or a miracle.
"Is that cool?" Nathan shook her, bringing her back to the bitterness of the real world.
"You're so sweet to ask, but what about Kelly?"
"I didn't ask her ... never planned on it."
"Nathan, she's your girlfriend." The sullen lass fought back tears of regret. After years of pain and despair, she shouldn't have gotten her hopes up. "You have to take her."
"She'll get over it." He shrugged, taking her hand in his. "I want to go with you, Haley." He assured and she gave him an illuminating smile as a yes to his proposal. "Besides, if I go with you, I'm free for all the ladies."
"Cocky much?" She gave him a playful shove in the chest.
Immodest when it came to PDA with Haley, Nathan caught her hands and brought her into a big hug. Finally, letting go, Haley faced Lucas.
"I guess you get the first dance." She giggled gleefully.
He just stalked away. He was not going to be second best. Especially behind, Nathan Scott.
Pamela