My Security

Chapter Sixteen

Love doesn't make the world go round. It makes the ride worthwhile.

Unknown

Nathan and Haley were asleep in the guest house when they were called for breakfast a few days later. Tree Hill High winter break festivities were on the menu. They were going on a class trip.

During breakfast, Mr. James handed each of the teens a nice sum of money, even though they both received a hefty allowance and still worked.

Haley sat there dumbfounded at his generosity unable to speak.

Nathan quickly protest for them both. "Thank you, Sir but we can't take your money." putting his and Haley's bills together and holding them out to the kindly father figure.

Jim pressed the money back at the boy. "If I can't share it with people I love what's the fun of making tons of money?"

Nathan watched Haley's expression. Her eyes were full of tears. He knew the money meant nothing to her, but saying Mr. James saying he loved her, even in a casual manner was priceless to his sensitive girlfriend. He had to admit, it felt good have a father like guardian again, although no one would ever replace his dad in his heart.

The twosome were upstairs gathering their things for the trip in a backpack when the door bell rang.

Skills was giving all Haley's and Nathan's pals a ride to the tour bus in his mom's passenger van, including a more polite and hyper Lucas. He offered to go the door to retrieve them. Mr. James answered the door, familiar with the young man.

"Lucas Sawyer! Happy holidays to you!" He shook the boys hand.

"Same to you, Sir. Is Haley ready?" He vexed, trying to peer around the larger gentleman and into the house.

"She and Nathan will be down in a second." He watched the boys face distort at the sound of Nathan's name.

"So they're back together?" He huffed, stomping in place.

"I guess that means you have a thing for Haley?" He fronted, stunned by his new revelation. Haley didn't seem to be slightest bit interest in Lucas as more than friends.

"Umm... No, Sir." He denied as Mr. James stepped aside for the hand holding couple that was approaching the exit. "I just thought she was smarter than that!" He growled with is jaw tight and fist clinched.

He didn't wait for them and marched back to the waiting vehicle.

Jimmy's eyes tailed the boy. He was going to have to keep an eye on that one! He mulled over in his mind.

Once they reached the school, everyone piled out of the large van. Lucas counted the people in line. It was the perfect amount. He would be paired with Haley in a seat He started chatting away to Skills, Mouth and their girlfriends Porsche and Mercedes Don't ask.. He didn't notice Tim slip in front of Kelly in line. He was pissed when they got to their seats and Nathan and Haley climbed in together, leaving him stuck sitting with a giant special needs student who enjoyed carving things in his skin with a pencil.

Envious beyond words, Luke refused to let lose and have a good time. Instead, he spent his time spying on the cute couple.

Haley leaned back in the cushioned bus seat, while Nathan rested her head in his lap. Her hand gently brushing along his hairline. They both fell asleep soon after the bus started.

Lucas didn't know how much more he could take of the cuddly duo. She really didn't love Nathan, she just thought she did. Nathan must be brainwashing her. He concluded.

When they reached the indoor winter carnival in Charlotte, both Nathan and Haley were well rested and psyched for some much need fun. Speeding through the doors, Haley's group raced to the Fraidy Cat. It went up 200 ft and came down in one huge loop and two corkscrew turns. Everyone was starting to get exciting as the line moved quickly. Haley was resting her head against her sweetie's chest with his arm around her waist. They were very content, leading Luke to try and destroy their happiness.

Falsely, he struck a conversation with his so-called rival remarking on the Cavalier/ Spurs game from the previous night. Then they got on the subject of roller coasters. "Dude, that's a long way up. Scared?" He goaded.

"That's the least of my fears." Nathan scoffed, kissing his pretty date on her silky head.

Haley beamed smile with pride. She knew it was an honest answer.

"Kind of reminds me of a plane ride." The Sawyer kid deliberately implied.

"Aren't you afraid of planes or is that Anna ...hmmmm one of Peyton's friends?"

Nathan hid the hurt in his eyes and the bile rising in his throat. Low blow, Lucas!

"Lucas!" A stormy Haley lunged for her friend, but Nathan calmly drew her back against him.

"It's cool, Hales. I'm not scared of this ride or some plane." He stared directly at Lucas, who latched on to Haley's hand and tugged her his way.

"That's good! Now Haley can ride with me. I'm scared to death."

Haley was about to oppose and curse Lucas out for being the epitome of asinine that he was, but her mate shook his head no. He knew exactly what the scrawny blond was up to, he had played that game before. Nathan let him partner on several rides with Haley.

Luke sneered proudly and assumed Haley was having a better time with him, since she was laughing and telling him how much fun she was having when they exited each ride. He had no idea she and Nathan he been text flirting the entire time.

The haunted tunnel was next, the riders sat extremely close during a dimly lit path in the coffin shaped carts. It was perfect place! Once he got Haley on the dark and scary ride, she would cower from the pop up monsters and scary sounds and give him a chance to hold her and kiss her. "Then she will see that I'm the one, not Nathan!" He fantasized getting aroused by the thought of touching her in any way.

Luke turned to remind everyone that Skills threw up on this ride last time, trying to keep ideas of his impending kiss with Haley out of his head. Facing front, he was crushed to find Haley and Nathan making out. They didn't even stop to move up in the line, Skills would nudge Haley in the back and she would guide Nathan up the row with her body pressing against his and his mouth connected to hers.

When they moved to the start of the half hour long line, Lucas let out a sigh of relief, ready to ride with Haley and get her away from Nathan and all that damn PDA. Things didn't work as planned. Haley took her honey's hand and lead him to their seat.

"Sorry, Lukie. I need my Snugglebunny for this ride." She teased Nathan giggling like an eight year old.

"Hales! I'm not soft and fluffy!" Her boyfriend pouted, but couldn't stay mad at her.

"But your so cute and cuddly." She beamed, nuzzling her nose against his strong neck causing Nathan Scott blush and chuckle.

L. Sawyer was not only queasy from the frisky antics of Nathan and Haley, but he was stuck with Honey Pott A strippers names she might have, but that's where the comparison ended. She was a heavily pimpled face softball player with a bowl cut and bicep bigger than his. She could easily pass for a guy, but practically molested him during the safety instructions.

To make matters worst they had to sit behind the lovey dovey couple. Nathan and Haley had already started kissing before they left the station and continue through the entire ride.

It went on like that for most of the day. They were completely into each other. They failed to notice Kelly's displeasure at seeing them kissing during lunch.

Some of the guys, who never gave Haley more than a second glance before enjoyed how the petite beauty worked her lips, wanting to be the next in line.

Girls envied her too. She had done what most of the females in the school, hell most of Tree Hill had wished for at one time or another. She got Nathan Scott to fall madly in love with her.

The friends decided to play games last, not wanting to lug any extra items around the housed park. Haley won a Bobcat's baseball cap at the ring toss as well as Peyton and Felix , who handed theirs off to Jake and Brooke. She handed hers to Lucas, She knew Nathan like the Celtics.

She really hoped her good friend would find someone special. Maybe then he would get along with Nathan. Unfortunately, he took the prize as a sign she cared for him more, giving him a prize before Nathan. Even Nate was a little disturbed by it, but refusing to let show his insecurity to Lucas. He would just feed off that.

Half the crew ran off to a water gun race game while all the boys bet on who would win. Lucas kept waving that stupid cap in Nathan's face, making a big deal about.

"Wow. I don't even think these are out yet in Tree Hill. Haley is so sweet……. Last time I won her a monkey."

"To remind her of someone?" Mr. Scott thought

It was as if Felix and Mouth read his mind, all three guys laughing out loud.

"They have been over there for while. I guess your going home empty handed Nathan.

"If I really wanted something I would win it myself." He said simply. "I don't need a woman to do that for me."

"Oh, but you need her to dry your eyes when your hiding under your desk." Lucas mumble unsuccessfully.

That was the last straw. Nathan stepped up to Lucas with chest heaving and his fist bawled tightly.

"I think it's about time we get some things straight!"

Meanwhile……

Haley's had to compete against Kelly and Tim because she kept winning and everyone else dropped out, waiting for her to loose. One last game and she would have a poster of Michael Jordan that Nathan didn't already have.

The games started and Haley took an early lead. However, she was distracted by familiar raised voice nearby. Tim won and squealed as he received a fluffy pink bear.

Brooke tried to touch it and he slapped her hand.

"I finally have one to go with the purple one, don't you dare touch it!"

Back at the bench…….

Skills and Mouth stood by the Scott boy's side while he explain some things to their best friend.

"Look. I know you don't like me……… It's too bad, because we both care a lot about Haley."

"Sure you do! Until you bang her and dump her ass!" Luke barked coldly and crassly.

Nathan summoned all his will power not to kick this guys ass. He knew Hales would be upset with him if he did. "Use your words, Sweetheart." She was always say. Damn, sometimes having a "good girl" as a girlfriend sucked!

"Think what you like. I'm glad that Haley has you as a friend. You're smart and good to her even if you left me for dead. She believes in giving people second, third, even fifth chances………. If you want Haley, I say go for it." He challenged with his prize winning smirk.

"What? I...I...I don't need your permission!" Luke stammer lost by Nathan's offer.

"I'm just letting you know, I'm not bothered by a little, very little competition, not when it comes to her. If she chooses to make you more than a friend, I won't stand in the way. I care that much about Haley's happiness." Nathan divulged candidly.

His enemy squinted and sighed heavily in disbelief before Nathan got nose-to-nose with him. His voice was stern and his bubbling blue eyes demanding. They didn't see or hear the others walking up.

"But as of now, I'm with her and I don't plan on it changing." Nate notified his competitor.

"Wait until we leave for Princeton." He needle, knowing it was a sore subject for the boy.

Nate didn't flinch.

"Don't say I didn't warn you. Hales is my girl, don't forget it." He stated evenly and turned on his heels to find her right behind him.

"Wait until next fall." He jabbed.

"Whatever, jack off!" Nathan insulted with unsettling thoughts, he blew off. He had been keep Haley's college plans tucked away and she was good not to remind him.

The blond couldn't wait for her to scold this jerk for threatening him, but instead she moped with pouting lips, hugging his neck.

"I wanted to win you that Jordan poster, Nathan!" She whined." Tim won. I'm such a looser!"

He threw back his head and laughed. "It's o'kay, Babe."

He pressed his mouth to her temple before letting go and walking over to Porsche and Mercedes at a neighboring bench. Holding out his hand, they groaned in unison before giving up the item they had fell in love with.

"I got this when You, Brooke, Peyton, Anna and every girl on the planet took that bathroom break." The completely infatuated teen returned to his lady love with a giant frog. It was snuggly and cute, about half of Haley's size. "I thought my girlfriend would like it."

The thrilled miss look back at her sweetheart after holding the gift. His tantalizing smile gave her butterflies. Gawd, she loved him!

"He sooo adorable, Nate! Thank you, thank you, thank you!" She gave him a tooth grin and he sucked in his breath. Making her happy gave him such a rush.

"Soooo... I'm you're girlfriend again?" She played coyly, twirling the buttons on his shirt.

He handed the plush animal to Felix and scooped Haley up, wrapping his arms around her cinched waist and nibbling on her ear.

"Was there ever a doubt?" His eyes locked on his giggling face as he devoured her mouth. The kiss hypnotized the bubbly girl.

After they stopped, she and the rest of the female members started gush over her prize or begging their dates for one, Nate took a seat beside Jake, Mouth and Skills with a stupid grin on his face and so much love in his heart.

Lucas stormed away, headed for the bus, talking to himself." Maybe I can't stop those two from being together right now, but it won't be long."

Pamela