"So, I met the new girl. The one from next door. She's hot don't you think?" Nathan Scott said looking over at his brother before doing a lay up with their drive way basketball hoop.
"She looked mighty fine from where I was." The blonde haired boy said sitting on the steps as he watched Nathan dunk another ball.
"This is coming from the 'perfect boyfriend.' I'm shocked Lucas." Nathan said laughing using air quotes as Lucas glared in response.
"Her words not mine, little brother. Don't be jealous." He laughed out as Nathan shook his head and chuckled.
"I'll try. Anyway, we all know she's not the perfect girlfriend." He replied looking over his brother's head as a brunette came out of the house. "I mean all you have is Brooke. Far from perfect." He added laughing, just barely dodging the water bottle that was thrown at his head.
"Shut up! But anyways, Ass, Broody…the reason I'm here." Brooke said smiling sweetly over her shoulder at Nathan then at back her boyfriend. "I'm going next door to meet the new girl. You wanna come."
"Nathan's already met her. He's in love with her." Lucas teased as the water bottle found its way back to the pair.
"All I said was she was hot. And I think she has a sexy attitude. No one said anything about love. I've never been in love and I don't plan on it anytime soon."
"Liar. You know you're in love with me Natey." Brooke said walking over to him, hugging him.
"Great. You get the new girl and my girl." Lucas said sighing as Nathan smirked and nodded.
"As much as I love Hot Shot here, I love you a million times more baby." Brooke said walking back over to him, leaning down to kiss him which earned a 'gross' from Nathan.
"Ahem" All three heads turned and looked at the two girls standing in the driveway.
"Kate, hi." Brooke said flashing her dimpled smile towards the younger girl.
"I hope were not interrupting anything." Kaitlyn said as I smiled towards the two I'd never met then looked over at Nathan who smirked at me. "This is Haley. I thought you guys should meet since your all the same age and your gonna be in the same grade. Haley, that's Brooke, Lucas and Nathan." She rambled on before smiling sweetly over at Nathan. Am I missing something?
"Your right bro. She's pretty hot." The blonde, Lucas, said as Nathan glared at him and the girl slapped him in the back of the head.
"It's alright. Your not too shabby yourself," I said laughing as he turned his attention back towards me. Kaitlyn's smile turned into a frown as she kicked my foot and then looked down at her hands. Ok! What am I missing here?!?!
"You'll have to excuse my brother. He's got mental issues. He's slow at times." Nathan said as I laughed and the two just glared at each other.
"I think they both have issues." The girl, Brooke, said shaking my hand. "After a while you just get used to them." She added as I chuckled and nodded my head and looked back at Kaitlyn who was still finding her hand very interesting. OK, confused party of one.
"Brookes captain of the cheerleading squad and Lucas and Nathan are co- captains of the Ravens basketball team. They are the best players we have." Kaitlyn piped in and smiled at Nathan again.
"Impressive." I said smiling down at her as Nathan walked over and fluffed her hair. She pretended to be annoyed but the look in her eyes said otherwise. Oh boy! No way...
"We were gonna head to the Café and get some lunch. You should join us, Haley. Give us a chance to see if we like you or not. Nathan said smiling at me as Kaitlyn's face fell once again. Damn men.
"Well, we all know Nathan likes you, but I'd like to get to know you." Brooke said as Lucas tossed her her keys. "It'll be fun."
"Kaitlyn and I were actually bonding. I can only go if she can come too. Otherwise…rain check?" Kaitlyn sent me a small smile while Brooke laughed.
"Of course she can come. We all love Kate." She said patting Kaitlyn's head and pushed Nathan ahead saying girls would ride with her and the guys would ride together. I watched as the guys pulled out from the street then followed Brooke towards her car but was stopped halfway when Kaitlyn stepped in front of me.
"You didn't have to do that."
"A thank you would be fine. Hell, I'd settle for a thanks bud." I said, playfully punching her shoulder before stepping to the side. I bowed my head and sighed when she stepped in my way again.
"Why'd you invite me?"
"When did you start crushing on Nathan? When were you going to clue me in on it?"
"I don't have to tell you anything about my life. You're not my friend or my sister no matter what my parents do. My life is my life so but out." She snapped out glaring. Ok so either I can rub off on people in short amount of time or this girl is more like me then I thought.
This time I stopped her by grabbing her arm.
"I'd like to be your friend."
"Well, I'd like you to be my sister." She whispered causing me to drop my hand and let go of her arm. I've never heard that one before. "That was cool, you being nice to me and all. I like you and I want you to stay around awhile even if my dad doesn't and…" I cut her off by hugging her. I've never willingly down that either.
"I'd like that too." I said leaning down so we were eye level. A part of me believed that. A part of me just ached for Taylor. What was I gonna do now?
We heard a car honk so I stood up straight and looked over at Brooke.
"I'll keep my hand off Nathan. At least for a while." I said as she rolled her eyes and laughed. "I can't say he'll do the same." I laughed out as we reached the car. "Regretting what you said yet?" I whispered in her ear as I opened the door for her.
"Oh yeah."
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I laid in bed that night and stared at the ceiling. Fun. Not only did I have Kaitlyn's voice in my head, I had her dads. We all know who has more power. And we all know which I use first, my mouth or my head.
And truth be told I still don't know if I want him to send me back. Nathan and Lucas are great and Brooke and I already have plans this weekend with her friend. Paige or Penny, something with a P. I rolled on my side and stared at the balcony doors. Now I'm going crazy. I keep thinking I'm hearing things. God, next I'm going to be seeing dead people.
"Get a grip Haley. It's just the wind and a new house. Ok a really big tree" I added as something hit the door loudly. Just think of something else. Rainbows and bunnies in a big grassy field… getting chased then eaten by the big giant trees that bang on orphans windows. Ok that's not helping. I closed my eyes and tried to imagine what Taylor was doing. I kinda hoped she'd come get me soon. But then I think of what Kaitlyn said and…God! Day 2 and my heads spinning, again! I planned on coming and hating everyone, like always, then causing havoc, like always. Then I'd get sent home to Taylor, yes you guessed it…like always. Now…now I don't know what to do. I heard the tap again and looked over at the clock on my nightstand. 1:35 shone big and red. The noise got louder and closer together causing me to groan and get up. Bruce I could really use you now. You helped that Haley so you should come help me now.
I opened one of the two doors leading outside and shivered in the night's cold air. I looked down at my tank top and boxers and sighed. Duh.
"Haley!" I heard a loud whisper say as I walked further out in the cold. Bruce! Help!
I wrapped my arms around myself as my breath caught in my throat.
"Nathan?"