Disclaimer: I do not own OTH or any of it characters places or such. I am simply borrowing them
AN/ Here is the next chapter! Thanks for all the reviews on the last chapter. I appreciate the feedback on the Nathan and Haley conversation. Please don't forget to review for this chapter
As always suggestions are welcome!
When Brooke and Peyton reached the docks, they found Haley sitting alone at one of the table with her head bent and in her hands. As they got closer to her they noticed that her back was shaking, she was heavily crying.
"Haley…" Brooke said as she put her left hand on her back
Haley looked up at Brooke and then at Peyton who was standing on her right side. Tears streaming down her cheeks, she opened her mouth to speak, but nothing came out. Brooke pulled her into a hug and Peyton hugged them both. Both hoping they could bring some comfort to their friend.
Lucas and Jake reached the Scott's house and opened the back door
"Nate! Nate, are you here?" Lucas shouted through the house as he walked through the kitchen towards the living room.
"I'll go check the bedrooms," Jake said heading in that direction
Lucas pulled out his cell phone and dialed Nathan's number hoping to hear his phone ring in the house. Nathan's phone rang once and then went to voicemail. Lucas tried again; this time all he got was voicemail. Nathan had turned his phone off.
"He is not back there" Jake said joining Lucas in the living room, "Where else do you think he would go?"
"There has always been two places that made him feel safe, the river court and the tree house"
"Which should we try first?"
"I doubt he would go to the tree house, he would be looking at Haley's house from there"
"Let's try the river court first then," Jake said as they headed out the back door again
Haley moved slightly and Peyton and Brooke let loose their hug. Haley sat up and looked back and forth between them.
"This is where it all started," Haley said.
"What started?" Peyton asked as she and Brooke sat down on either side of Haley
"This is where I told Nathan that I loved him"
"Here?" Brooke asked
"Yea, at this table." Haley said tears still streaming down his face, "Nathan and I talked. Or actually I did most of the talking. I told him how I felt"
Peyton and Brooke were silent neither knowing what to say.
"I let it all out, all of my feelings. That I felt like a rebound and how our friendship has never been the same since that day here. He told me that the reason that he didn't tell me then was because he didn't want to get hurt. He didn't want me to suddenly realize in the middle of our relationship that I didn't want to be with him. He was looking out for himself. How could he not know that he was hurting me? He looked me in the eyes that day."
"Hales…" Peyton began as Haley looked at her. "Hales, he doesn't know what he has lost." Peyton said
"Peyton is right. Haley you are wonderful person. I wish that we had known about this back then, I would have knocked some sense into him in high school." Brooke added drawing a laugh from Haley
"I didn't want anyone to know. I don't want anyone to make fun of me for thinking that he could love me like that. He was the star basketball player and I was the tutor girl"
"Haley, we would never make fun of you over something like this." Peyton said
"We know now and we aren't making fun of you. But I see your point, we were all different people in high school, a lot less mature." Brooke said smiling
"You would have made fun of me, Brooke"
"Yea, I probably would have when you first told me, but once I saw how sincere you were about it. I would have felt bad and tried to help you."
"I know. I should have said something then, but I need your help now " Haley said
Lucas and Jake arrived at the river court to find it empty. There was no sign of Nathan anywhere. They walked towards the river and looked down towards the docks. They saw Brooke and Peyton talking with Haley and left them alone
"Where could he be?" Lucas asked as they walked back towards the court.
"Maybe he did go to the tree house" Jake answered
"Let's go check. Let's go be the cemetery too. He might be there," Lucas said as they started walking
Nathan had started the day hoping to end it happy with Haley. Instead he was sitting between his deceased wife and son staring at the sky wondering why life could be so difficult. The old saying was true, 'what decision you make today do effect you tomorrow'. Haley was right, he had been selfish. He was ignorant and only thought of number one back then. He should have taken a chance and now he might never get one.
Nathan heard Lucas and Jake before he saw them. He knew that they would see him, but didn't move from his spot. They had probably heard about what had happened and we looking for him anyway.
Lucas spotted Nathan first. He quickly grabbed Jake's right arm stopping him in mid stride and pointed. They both left the sidewalk and walked over to where Nathan was sitting, standing in front of him.
"I messed up. I screwed myself over this time" Nathan said before lowering his head from the sky to look at his brother and friend. "She is never going to talk to me again."
"She called Brooke upset," Lucas said sitting down to face his brother with his knees out in front of him. "What happened, Nate?"
"She told me how she felt. She told me that she was hurt. She said something about standing by all those years when I was with Bevin thinking that I could never love her like that. She said that she feels like a rebound. I told her that I didn't tell her the truth that day because I didn't want to ruin our friendship and she knew I was lying. She told me to tell her the truth, so I did"
"What is the truth?" Jake said sitting next to Lucas Indian style
Nathan looked at Jake, "That I didn't want to get hurt. I told her that I didn't want her to realize one day in the middle of our relationship that she didn't want to be with me and that is why I didn't tell her."
"Man, I am not sure what to say" Jake said
"Just say that I am a jerk. Tell me the truth that I have lost any chance of ever being more than friends with her. If we even are still friends"
"Nathan I am going to be honest with you because you are my brother. " Lucas said before sighing, "I don't know if she is ever going to want to be near you. We have known Haley our entire lives, she can very forgiving, but I am not sure if she can forgive and forget this time"
"Why did I lie to her? Why didn't I let myself take a chance? I thought I was protecting our friendship, but I ended up destroying it instead," Nathan said looking up towards the afternoon sky
"We are going to help you, but you need to do something first. You need to figure out what you want. Do you want to be in a relationship with Nathan, do you want to be friends with him or do you want to just forget everything?" Brooke said
"Nathan and I have been friends our entire lives. I am not sure that I can just walk away from our friendship like that. Then again, I am not sure I want to be around him"
"Haley, you don't have to decide anything now. I got an idea, why don't you, Brooke and I go to my house and have a girl's day and night? We can have pizza, do our nails and our hair and gossip about things going on in our lives just like we did when we were in high school."
"Peyton, what about work?"
"I took the rest of the week off. I had vacation time and figured it was well worth it to use it now when my best friends are home. I might have to go in for a little while tomorrow afternoon, but that is it. So, what do you say?"
"I am in" Brooke said with a smile
"I could really use a girl's night. Count me in" Haley said also smiling
"Great, now I just have to figure out what I am going to do with Jake" Peyton said making Brooke and Haley laugh
"Let's get this girl's day going. We start by getting out of here," Brooke said
"Okay, where to first?" Peyton asked as the three stood and started walking.
"The café" Brooke said as Haley looked at her, "We were there when you called. I know Karen is worried."
"Okay, I think Meredith should be out of school by now what do you say that we let her hang out with us for a little while?" Haley said
"Yea, she deserves a girl's day too" Brooke said as the three headed towards the café
"I honestly don't know what to tell you, Nathan" Jake said, "My advice is to let her decide whether she wants to talk to you. When she is ready, she will find you"
"I guess you are right. I just feel so guilty. I hurt her then and I hurt her again today."
"Some things are just lessons learned, little brother" Lucas said
"Yea, I guess. I could use a drink"
"Yea, I think we all could. Why don't we go down to Tric? Grab a beer, play some pool and forget our problems for a while" Jake said
"Sounds like a plan" Lucas said standing as Nathan and Jake followed suit.
"We had better stop and see your mom first. She is probably worried," Jake said as the three wound their way through the cemetery to the street sidewalk.
"We were at the café when Haley called." Lucas said answering Nathan's question before he could ask it. Nathan just nodded.
The bell above the café door rang, as Meredith entered followed by Abbey and her mother.
"Mommy" Meredith shouted as she ran to Karen who was standing at a table by the door.
"Hey you" Karen said sitting down the refill for her customer down and then picking up her daughter. "Did you have a good day?"
"Yea, it was great. I got to show and tell about Nathan and Lucas and Brooke and Haley"
"You did? I bet that was fun." Karen sat down Meredith and then turned towards Abbey's mom, "Thanks for bringing her by here, Meg. I really appreciate it"
"Karen, you know it is not a problem. It gave the girls more time to talk."
"Abbey ate lunch with us today too, mommy" Meredith added
"Abbey, did you have a nice time with Meredith's brothers?"
"Yea, I like them. And Haley, she is very nice and she is a teacher like Ms. Cruz"
"She has been talking about this Haley since I picked them up." Meg said
"I bet she has. Haley is really good with kids. Nathan, Lucas and her have known each other since they were in diapers. She is more like my daughter than anything else. As a matter of fact, here she comes" Karen said as she spotted Brooke, Peyton and Haley walking towards the café.
A moment later they were walking through the door.
"Haley" Meredith said as she ran to Haley
"Hey Missy" Haley said as she hugged the young girl, "Hey Abbey"
"Hi Haley" Abbey said with a wide smile
"Abbey, this is Peyton. She is another one of my brother's friends. She does art" Meredith said standing next to her friend, "Peyton, this is Abbey. My bestest friend"
"Nice to meet you, Abbey"
"Meg, this is Haley, Peyton and Brooke. My adopted daughters." Karen said laughing at the questioning look on Meg's face, "Remind me to explain it to you one day"
"Nice to meet you all. I am Abbey's mom, Meg"
"It is nice to meet you, Meg" Brooke said while other two smiled
"Abbey, are you ready to go? I need to get home and start dinner"
"Bye Meredith. Bye Ms. Karen" Abbey said as she waved
"Bye Abbey. Thanks again Meg."
"Do you need me to bring her here tomorrow?"
"Yea, if you don't mind"
"I don't mind at all. We will just turn it into a routine." Meg said smiling
"Thank you. See you tomorrow'
"Bye Meredith" Meg said opening the café door.
"Bye Ms. Meg. Mommy, I am thirsty"
"Okay. Go have a seat at the end of the counter and I will get you something to drink. Do you have any homework?"
"Nope"
"Okay, I will get your coloring books too" Karen said as the little girl ran off. Karen looked back at the three women in front of her and her expression changed from a smile to worry"
"I am okay, Karen" Haley said before Karen even asked
"I am guessing that you two talked and that it didn't go so well"
"Yea"
"I am not going to push the issue. You let me know if you need to talk"
"I will. I promise"
"So, what are you three up too?" Karen asked as she walked towards the back of the counter to get her daughter's drink
"We are actually going to have a girl's day and night," Brooke said
"Well that sounds fun. I remember when you used to have them all the time"
"Yea, We were wondering if you wanted us to take Meredith until you can get home" Peyton said
"Are you sure?" Karen asked looking at Haley
"Yea, it gives her something to do." Haley answered
"Okay. I should be home about 8 or so," Karen said
"Meredith, do you want to come hang out with us?" Brooke asked the little girl
"Really?"
"Yea, really."
"Yea, Yea"
"Okay. Let's go then," Brooke said as the little girl hopped off the stool.
"Bye Mommy!" Meredith said
"Bye sweetheart"
"Call me when you get home and I will bring her by" Peyton said as the girls walked towards the door
Haley looked back to wave at Karen as she opened the door. When she turned around she found herself looking into Nathan's deep blue eyes. Nathan was staring back her. Neither one of them could speak. Meredith spotted her brothers and ran into Nathan's arms taking his attention from Haley and breaking the awkward moment between the two.
"Hey You" Nathan said kissing his sister's cheek, "Where are you off too?"
"I am going with Peyton, Brooke and Haley"
"Oh, you are" Lucas said coming up behind his brother
"Yep"
"Jake, can I talk to you for a minute?" Peyton asked figuring she should say something about girl's night before he got home that evening.
"Yea, sure."
Jake and Peyton walked a few feet from the group and stood facing each other.
"Is she okay?" Jake asked
"Not really. We found her crying at the docks. I am not sure what was said between those two, but I don't think it was good."
"Now what Nathan has told us, I don't think it was either"
"With everything that has gone on today, we decided to have a girl's night at our house. I just wanted to warn you."
"That is cool. We are going to head over to Tric for some drinks. I was going to call Skills and Mouth too. You might want to give Theresa a call"
"Okay, I will do that. Are you going to come home tonight?"
"I don't think so. Nathan is really beating himself up over all of this. I feel kind of bad for him"
"I feel bad for Haley. She got the wrong end of this deal," Peyton said
"Yea, that is the way that it seems. Thanks for letting me know about tonight."
Peyton smiled, "Yea, well I figure I would be nice enough to warn you"
Jake laughed, "Thanks babe" and then he leaned in to kiss her
"Peyt, you ready?" Brooke said interpreting their kiss
"Yea, let's go" Peyton said turning back to her friends. "Bye guys"
Brooke, Peyton, Haley and Meredith disappeared around the corner as the guys entered the café.
"Hey mom" Nathan said sitting on the same stool he had occupied earlier. Lucas sat down beside him as Jake went to the corner to use his cell phone
"Hey Nate"
"So, I guess you figured out that it didn't go so well"
"Yea"
"You were right. I don' t know if she is ever going to talk to me again"
"Give it time, Nate. She is really hurt," Karen said looking at her youngest son. "So, what are you guys up to?"
"We are going to go hang out at Tric." Lucas answered
"Well, be careful. Make sure one of you doesn't drink."
"Don't worry mom. Jake is calling Mouth. He can be the DD" Lucas said
Karen just laughed. Mouth didn't drink, had never touched a drop of alcohol a day in his life. He was always the designated driver when they guys went out. He didn't seem to mind though. He had always said that he had more fun being the only one usually pretty sober.
"They will meet us there in 10" Jake said walking over
"Cool, let's go. Bye mom" Nathan said standing
"Bye. Luke, watch out for him"
"Don't worry. I will. Don't be surprised tomorrow when you find all of us sprawled out in the living room," Lucas said smiling
"It surprised me the first time you guys did it. It doesn't anymore." Karen said returning his smile, "Go have fun"
"Okay. Love you mom"
"Love you too"
Karen watched the three leave the café and head in the direction of Tric. She knew that Nathan was mad at himself and hurting. This was one of the many times that she wished Keith was there. Keith would know exactly what to say to Nathan. He had been in Nathan's shoes all of those years ago. Karen knew that his brother and friends would be there for him though. She knew that Haley was in good hands with the others, but she knew that Haley was not going to forgive and forget easily. As a matter of fact, she may never forgive Nathan. Karen just hoped that they could work it out and at least keep their friendship. They had been friends to long to throw it away. Some things are worth holding on too. She knew that, which is why she had trusted Keith again all those years ago. She hoped that Haley and Nathan would realize that too. Some things are worth the hurt and the pain.