Hey everyone. Thanks a lot for the reviews, they really made my day. Sorry for the insanely long wait though, my summer break is on, and I went on a trip to Bangkok. Then when I came back, I had to get down to SAT studying. So sorry again, I'll try and make sure it doesn't take longer to update the next time.
Chapter 2... Where We Started
"So, how have you been coping?" The lady asked Nathan, pen gripped firmly between her index finger and thumb. He stared outside the window, and suddenly, a million thoughts came back to his mind. It had been a whole year. Each day, another wave of hurt and desperation. He wanted to be with Haley, but he couldn't. He couldn't ever be with her. The feeling made him want to kill himself, maybe then they could be together again. But Haley wouldn't have wanted that for him. She'd have wanted him to be happy, and to live a full, happy life. Even if it meant, living without her.
And then, four months ago, one night at Tric, he'd finally found a solution. A vent, another one who felt this way.
Brooke had been sitting on the other side of the bar, alone, even if surrounded by tens of others. She seemed to stand out even in the loudest crowd, even if she was the quietest of them all. She looked depressed, and was idly twirling the cherries in her apple martini. She then stopped, looked around the bar, and then began playing with her napkin, tearing it to pieces. Nathan had been looking at her for a while now; he'd noticed she'd turned down every guy that'd come upto her.
"No thanks," she'd always said, her raspy voice making it sound like no apology.
She knew what it was like. He could talk to her, he could… be with her. Suddenly, a wave of guilt washed over him. The thought of being with someone other than Haley… it was like cheating. No, he could never do that.
"Nathan?" The lady asked, a look of concern highlighting her features. "You haven't said anything, what are you thinking about?"
Nathan continued to stare outside, and sighed. "How I got where I am."
…
"Where are we going, you guys?" Bevin asked, in a mixed tone of impatience and excitement.
Half way through the journey, Peyton had taken over the wheel, telling Bevin, 'it's gotta be a surprise'. Now it was almost two hours later, and they were within a few miles distance of their destination. Rachel patted Bevin on the back and reassured her, "You'll love it, Bev. We all did, the first time we came here. We have some good memories from her, and some well… saucy ones." She winked at Mouth, and he just laughed nostalgically.
Bevin moaned in impatience again, and then muttered, "The suspense is killing me." A few minutes passed in silence, with Bevin's over-the-top joyousness filling the air of the car. And then, they were finally there.
Peyton smiled as they reached their destination, and exclaimed, "Duh duh duh the dunnnn, welcome, Bevin, to Honeygrove, Texas."
At first, Bevin looked completely psyched. Then, a second later, she looked confused and questioned, "Wait… where?"
Everyone laughed, and then Peyton explained. "We came her last to last year, to rescue Mouth from prison. After he was dumped by Madame Rachel, of course. But our car stopped in the middle, and we had to take Chris's help to get here. It was completely awesome. And now, we're here again to paint the town red!"
Bevin laughed at the bittersweet memories of a time she didn't know, and decided she wouldn't let the past mess up her special weekend. It was time to have some serious fun. They all drove a little into town and parked outside 'Honeygrove Holiday Inn', the only decent enough hotel in town. The weather was slightly humid, and a warm loo flew through the air when they stepped outside. Grabbing the luggage, they walked inside the reception, thankfully air-conditioned.
The man at the reception, a 30-something with sharp features welcomed them with his 1000 watt smile.
"Welcome ladies, how can I help you?" He asked, politely.
Mouth coughed, and the man corrected himself quickly.
"And gent," he added, smiling again, nodding to Mouth. His smile was oddly unnerving, Mouth felt.
"We have reservations for two rooms, under Sawyer and Mirskey," Peyton replied. The man checked his small 14-inch computer, while everyone looked around the hotel. Even if it was air conditioned, it looked rather empty. But since so was the town, no one was shocked. There were only two other people in the lobby, an old man and a younger woman, sipping coffee and chatting quietly, sitting on one of the lobby's sofas.
"Ah, here we are." He reached into the back and pulled out two keys. "Miss Sawyer in room 12/23, and Miss Mirskey in room number 12/21." He handed Peyton the keys, and beamed. "Have a pleasant stay."
Just as they were about to leave, Bevin perked up and asked, "Wait, our room's aren't together?" She looked saddened at the prospect. She'd imagined them opening the connecting doors at night and chatting like old times. Like a sleepover in a suite, it'd be perfect.
The man looked apologetic, and replied, "I'm sorry ma'am. There seems to be a reserved room in the middle of 12/21 and 12/23. If you want, I could give you rooms somewhere else, a different floor, perhaps?"
Bevin was about to ask him to do so, when Rachel cut in, "No, no, that's perfectly alright."
"But Rach-" Bevin started, when Rachel cut her off.
She caught Bevin's arm gently and whispered, "Come on, it'll be alright. This dude freaks me out way too much anyway. No one should smile so much. We'll manage." She then turned to face him and said clearly, "No problem. It'll do. Thanks."
The man smiled, yet again, and they all walked towards the elevators.
"You sure you're alright Bevin?" Mouth asked, making sure she was happy. It was her birthday tomorrow after all.
"Yeah, I guess," Bevin said. She then smiled at everyone, not letting a minor setback dampen her spirits.
…
Brooke was sitting alone in the balcony of her house. She watched the sun turn from yellow to orange, the cars below pass each other in a myriad of colour and noise, and sighed. She was about to reach for her phone to call him up, when suddenly, a voice interrupted her action.
"How could you do this to me?!"
Brooke shot up and turned around. But to face no one. She could swear it was Haley's voice she'd just heard. But she couldn't be sure.
Sure? Of course it wasn't her.
Haley was dead.
She slowly took a deep breath, took a 360 to look around her surrounding, and picked up her phone. She stared at Nathan's number, biting her lip.
…
"Nathan, our session's almost over. You haven't said much. Are you thinking about her?"
He was. He was thinking about Brooke.
He remembered that night again, in blurry, dream-like flashes. He had walked up to her, and she had smiled. A sad, lonely smile. They had talked for a while, really talked. He had sipped his beer, she had sipped her gin. They'd walked together back to his place, where they both stood outside the door.
"It was good to talk, after such a long time," she'd said, hugging him.
"Yeah," was all he said, hugging her tightly.
He didn't want to let go. He did though, and they both gazed at each other. And before he knew it, he was kissing her. It felt like peace, to touch her lips, to feel the heat of her body, so close to his. It almost hurt, kissing Brooke that time, but she kissed back, holding him close. The hurt drowned into the sadness and love they both had to give, and disappeared into each other.
"Nathan, time's up," the lady said, standing up and opening the door. "I hope we talk more the next time."
He was slowly shaken from his daydream sequence, and walked outside in a zombie-like fashion, telling her he would talk more the next time, for sure.
…
He stepped into the hotel, licking his lips. He ran his hand through his slightly long hair, which felt somewhat unfamiliar, yet still familiar. He walked towards the reception desk, and said quite plainly,"Banks." The man smiled, checking his computer.
They were so close, he could feel them.
"Ah, Mr.Banks, room number 12/22." He reached into the back and handed Mr. Banks a key. "Have a pleasant stay," he added.
The man took the key, and walked towards the elevators. He stepped inside one, and as it ascended, a wicked grin drew up his face.
I want to taste you, love. And I will. Soon.
Sorry if it was slow. It'll get better soon, promise. Please review. Thanks for reading.