"Well, this is awkward." I said before biting my lip as Emma gave me a small smile. I swear we'd been just staring at each other and then various objects in the room for over an hour. Seriously people, just say, 'it's not working out,' let me get my things and be on my way. I started drumming my fingers on the table until I heard some one clearing their throat. Here we go.

"We've been waiting for you." I heard Emma whisper as she made her way to her husband. I watched them exchange a few words I couldn't hear before she looked back at me with a sigh. When they both made it back to the table and took their seats I sat up straight and got ready for the lecture I'd heard oh so many times.

"Before you say what you've obviously wanted to say since you learned about me." I said just as Mark opened his mouth to speak. "I'd like to say something. I didn't mean to disturb your 'perfect' world. I mean for the first time I actually was more focused on meeting and liking people then planning my escape. I think I was most at surprised by how comfortable this place made me…sort of." I said mumbling the last part looking over at Mark. "I don't plan on staying for long. I just need a place to crash until my sister can come get me. And I know you and I," I said pointing between me and Mark, just as he had last night, "Are never going to like each other. But if I stay out of your way I would like to stay here. Like I said, it won't be for long and you'll hardly know I'm here." I looked back and forth between the two of them then bit my lip again. "Alright. That's all I had to say."

"In just a short amount of time you've made quite the impression on my daughter. She's requested that you stay." I looked up in surprise. He still had a hard sober look on his face so I didn't know what that meant. Was he actually going to consider Kaitlyn's wishes or not? "I on the other hand," Guess not. "Think you are a selfish child who needs a serious attitude adjustment."

"Mark!" Emma yelled with a glare before sending an apologetic smile my way.

"No, it's cool. It's probably true. It's just kind of hard to have a positive outlook on life when you've been threw everything I have." I said matching his cold stare as Emma looked on helplessly.

"People have been threw much worse. You should be grateful for the things you do have and the opportunities you have been given."

"Ah yes. Orphaned, abused, and treated like shit by everyone. The only person in my life who actually gives a damn I'm always taken away from. Let's see what else," I said tapping my chin. I could feel the anger in me growing. "I've been starved, depraved of sleep, put to work lifting shit that weighed almost as much as me. I can't even list how many broken bones I've had. I've been called a hopeless case because I never stay in one place only because I'd rather get myself out of a situation then stay with assholes. But yes," I said glaring at him. God I hated this man. "There are people way worse off then me. There are children still being shuffled back and forth to those places where people only get them to do there own dirty work. There are kids living on the street. I know all this. I know no matter how bad it is for me, my sister will always be there to save me. So just call Marsha and let me go. I'll be fine. I don't need you." I crossed my arms across my chest and leaned back in my chair. I was taken aback when I finally looked over at Emma and saw tears in her eyes.

"I'm sorry." She said grapping a cloth napkin off the table and dabbed it under her eyes. "That's just so terrible." She started sniffling and I felt horrible. I don't know what surprised me more though, the fact I actually cared I upset her or the fact that Mark got up and walked over to his wife and wrapped her in a hug. So the guy does have a heart after all. Who knew?

"Why don't you go for a walk or something Haley? Nothing is going to be decided yet. Go clear your head and let us talk." I looked at the now sobbing Emma and then at Mark before nodding and getting up. "And try and be back before the sun goes down….please." I looked back at them and nodded again before heading towards the front door. When it closed behind me I finally let out a huge breath and shook my head. What the hell was this place doing to me? First I'm pissed and hating them, then I feel sorry for them? I put my head in my hands and had to suppress the urge to scream. I just want to go home. I want my sister. I want to feel some sort of normal….whatever that may be.

"Bad day?" My head shot up and I looked around and noticed Nathan standing on his porch staring at me. When I didn't respond he put down the basketball he was holding and started walking over towards me. Unconsciously my hand went to my hair and I tried to fix it a little. "You alright?" He asked stopping at the bottom of the stairs looking up at me.

"Fine I suppose. Just life, you know?" I walked down and stood in front of him. His height was a little intimidating. Surprised I didn't notice before.

"Hmm, life? It is a bummer." He said smiling as I laughed and slapped his arm before walking away. "Why do you always do that? Do you have a problem saying 'Hey Nate, let's go for a walk?'"

"Habit I guess. And why should I ask when it's obvious you're just gonna follow me." I said looking at him. When all he did was shake his head and mumble something to himself I laughed. "Hey Nate," I said stopping in front of him. This obviously wasn't the smartest move, since he wasn't paying attention and walked right into me. Making us both fall to the ground. "You have got to stop doing that." I rubbed my elbow then looked up and finally noticed how close we were.

"I'm really sorry. But you really shouldn't just stop like that." He said looking down at me. Either he didn't care he was lying on top of me out in the open where anyone could see, or he just hadn't really noticed.

"I was about to ask you to go for a walk with me. And instead you go and fall on me."

"You don't just stop in front of someone without any warning Hales. Or this," He said looking around then back down at me.

We both just stayed there staring at each other and I could feel the weight of him on top of me. I inhaled a little when he seemed to move closer to me. What was I doing? I don't know this guy. He could be a murderer for all I know. Of course he's not, Haley but that's not the point. Sure I had kissed random guys before put that was for a purpose. That was to get me in trouble. What was the purpose of this? Oh shut up, shut up, shut up.

His head lowered a little more and my eyes instinctively closed. I can't do this, can I?

"You're welcome by the way." I blurted out. I opened my eyes and saw him do the same. He blinked a few times and then stared at me confused. "It seems like I broke your fall." I said as he raised an eyebrow then started looking around. When he cursed under his breath and jumped up I knew the situation was finally coming back to him. Oh, you stupid girl.

"I'm so sorry. I didn't realize I was hurting you. Are you hurt? You are!" He grabbed my arm which had a scrape on it and let out a string of curses. "I wasn't thinking."

"You were. Just with the wrong head." I said with a laugh. I stopped abruptly when he looked at me un-amused.

"You're bleeding. You should have said something." He grabbed my other arm and started pulling me back to the house.

"Stop. Nathan. Seriously, you need to stop!" I said yanking my arm free. "I'm fine. It doesn't even hurt." When he opened his mouth to argue I quickly continued. "There's a lot going on with Emma and Mark and me anyways. I'm supposed to stay away for a while."

"You just got here. You aren't leaving already are you?" When I just shrugged he mocked me before grabbing my arm again and dragged me towards his house. When we were finally inside I stood in the doorway and looked around. For living in a small town these people were loaded. I picked up a picture frame and noticed Nathan and Lucas and then a brunette woman and man. I think it was safe to say Nathan looked like his dad. The woman, his mom, was really pretty as well.

"That's pretty old." I heard Nathan say. I turned to him and blushed. I hadn't even noticed he'd left. He grabbed my hand again and took me to the bathroom near the front door and opened the first aid kit he was caring.

"Do you actually know what you're doing?"

"I guess we'll find out, won't we?" He said with a smirk. I bit the inside of my cheek when he put alcohol on the cut first then started looking for a bandage.

"You're family looks nice." When he just stared at me I blushed. God what is with this boy? I don't blush. "I just mean you're all good looking people is all. Happy looking too."

"Looks can be deceiving." I just nodded and thanked him when he said he was done. I looked around and stopped on him as he worked on putting everything back in its proper place.

"So…thanks? When all he did is nod I sighed. Awkward. "Alright, I guess it's safe to go back now." I went to the door only to be stopped by Nathan's hand on mine. Oh my. Snap out of it Haley, you hardly know this guy.

"You wanna hang out sometime?"

"Every time I'm with you I get hurt." I said lifting my elbow with a smile.

"I promise I won't even touch you." He lifted his hands in the air in as I smiled and lifted one shoulder.

"I uh, have to see how things go. I make one hell of a first impression and it didn't fly to well with Mark."

"What did you do?" He asked with a huge smile as I shook my head.

"Just last night. And me in general. He's using any excuse to get rid of me. But maybe one day if you're in California you can look me up?"

"Sure." He opened the door and led me to the front door and grabbed my hand again stopping me before I stepped outside. "I hope he lets you stay. I think we'd could…I think...well, you know? I think we'd get along real well. You seem chill." He said shrugging one shoulder as I held back a smile.

"Me too." I stood up on my toes and kissed his cheek before walking out.

Oh Tree Hill. What have you done to me? I don't like boys. I don't make plans. I don't…

"HALEY!" Kaitlyn came rushing at me then hugged me tight. I stood there with my arms at my side not quite sure what to do.

"Hey, Kate. Nice to see you too." I said patting her head as she pulled back and beamed up and me. She grabbed my hands and started jumping up and down as I stood there and looked at her. What an odd child.

"Guess what, guess what, guess what! YOU'RE STAYING!"