The engine of his Mercedes Benz GL450 roared to life as the couple drove off from the Scott's Mansion. It was getting dark now, but the city was illuminated with street lights and neon signs from all angles. They rode in silence until they came to an abrupt stop at the red light in front of them. Nathan turned slightly to observe the girl in his car. She held her hands in her lap and was seriously focus on the road ahead of her. Her hair was held up in a pony tail with clips in her hair. Despite being obviously nervous, she was cute.
"Do you always like to climb trees?" he asked focusing back on the road. She turned to look out the window, hiding the blush that was outlining her cheek bones.
"I told you, I wanted to be alone," she explained. She focused her gaze on the skyline.
"But I assure you there are other places you can go to be alone," he said taking a quick glance at her.
"Well, there weren't any at the time."
He chuckled.
"My name's Nathan, by the way. Nathan Scott." She turned her head to meet his gaze.
"I'm Haley James," she answered. "Oh, you can stop here." She pointed to the sidewalk. Nathan ignored her and continued to drive. Haley furrowed her eyebrows at him.
"I don't think you'll be able to make it on your own, Haley," he said. "Tell me where I can park so I can take you home myself."
"I'm fine. I don't want be a bother," she insisted.
"You're not fine. You have a sprained ankle. Now tell me where I can park so I can take you home." Haley sat back angrily and crossed her arms.
"Turn right at the next traffic light and you'll see a parking lot to your left. You can park there," she muttered. Nathan grinned to himself.
Once he parked, he got out to help Haley. He placed his right arm around her shoulders while his left held her hand to steady her. Haley's heart nearly went into overdrive at the touch of him. He helped her up into the elevators, where she nearly tripped but thankfully, Nathan caught her. Her face was blazing red by the time they made it to her apartment. The door opened to reveal Peyton staring wide eyed at them.
"Haley? Haley, are you okay? What happened, where did you go?" she asked taking Haley from Nathan. Haley limped quickly to her side.
"She's alright. She just sprained her ankle," Nathan answered looking at Haley. Peyton's stare came back.
"You're--uh, Nathan, right?" Peyton asked bewildered.
Nathan nodded. "Yea."
Haley sighed in annoyance at Peyton's dumbstruck figure and nudged her in the ribs. Peyton closed her mouth and blushed slightly.
"Thanks, Nathan, I think I can take it from here," Haley told him. Nathan nodded.
"Alright. But If I were you, I'd hold off on the tree climbing thing, though," he said. Peyton scrunched her forehead in confusion.
"Long story," Haley gritted while trying to press a fake smile at Nathan. "Good night, Nathan."
"Good night, then," Nathan said and departed. Haley made a face behind his back and closed the door when his figure disappeared as the elevator doors closed.
"Oh, my god! Nathan Scott! I can't believe it!" Peyton squeal at Haley. Haley ignored her and limped into the couch. Peyton plowed down beside her and took her hand into hers.
"Tell me everything. How did you two meet? What was that about tree climbing? And are you two like seeing each other now?" She smiled widely and Haley.
"Whoa, slow down. No, we aren't seeing each other. It was just mere coincidence that I ran into him. If you don't mind I would rather not talk about it because, it's kind of embarrassing."
Peyton's happiness diminished quickly, but nodded her head. "Alright, then. You sure know how to ruin the fun though."
Brooke waited patiently for her brother at his apartment. He was not picking up his cell phone, which was odd, because he always has it with him. She was starting to get irritated. Her head whipped around at the sound of keys jingling and practically ran him over once he let himself in.
"Brooke! God, don't do that!" he yelled.
"Sorry! What took you so long? I've been waiting for a long time now. Where did you go?" she asked. Nathan set his keys by the nearby table stand.
"I had to take someone home," he answered and loosened his tie.
"Who?" she asked
"Someone you don't know," he replied and sat down on the couch.
"Well, after you escaped, mom went berserk. She really wanted you to meet the Anderson's daughter. You know how she is. She's set on marrying you off so that the company can have more ties overseas. But the Anderson's daughter was very pretty. I think you'll like her," Brooke said accompanying his brother on the couch.
"I don't think I'm interested in dating at the moment," Nathan said sighing.
"Come on, you losing interest in girls? Are cats flying outside?" Brooke teased playfully punching his arm.
"Brooke, I think the expression is 'when pigs fly' not cats," Nathan said chuckling.
"Whatever. Anyway, I need a favor," Brooke said fluttering her eyes in his direction.
"I knew you had an ulterior motive," he accused and sat back.
"Well, I need you to talk to mom. She's being stubborn. She won't let me work for the company. I need a job you know. I can't always be dependent upon dad and mom."
Nathan looked at her.
"Come on, Nate. They'll listen to you. You're like the golden child. Whatever you do, they praise. Whatever I do, they scold," she said looking down at the fabric of the couch.
"Brooke, you know that's not true. Mom and dad loves you," Nathan assured her.
"Sure. But not the same way they love you, though," she whispered. Nathan pulled her in for a hug.
"I'll talk to mom and dad for you," he told her. She lifted her head excitedly.
"Really? You'll do that?"
Nathan nodded. "And they love will say yes because they love you, not because I said so."
"Sure, when uh…what was it, pigs? …When pigs fly," she retorted
Nathan rolled his eyes but stopped when he heard his cell phone ring. He held his hand to tell Brooke to hang on as he reach with his other hand into his pocket and pulled out his phone.
"Hello?" he answered.
"Mr. Scott, it's me, Laurie. Sorry to call you so late," the voice said.
"No, it's fine," Nathan replied.
"Well, I just wanted to call you and tell you that I've contacted Natalie. She's willing to meet with you tomorrow at five at Luis's."
Nathan nodded. "Thanks, Laurie."
"No problem. See you in two months."
"Enjoy your vacation." Nathan hung up and flipped his cell phone closed.
"Laurie?" Brooke asked.
Nathan nodded.
"She's on vacation? Who's going to take her place in the meantime?" Brooke asked.
Nathan shrugged. "I haven't found anybody yet. But I should do just fine."
Brooke laughed. "Are you kidding? Do you know how much work Laurie goes through everyday? Good luck."
"What's wrong?" Haley asked hopping past Peyton lying on the couch.
"I can't get a hold of Jake," she told her. Her left arm laid on her face, covering her eyes. "I haven't seen him in like two days." Haley looked away, ignoring the guilt that was clawing into her chest.
"Oh, well, maybe he's just been busy," Haley said biting her lip.
"Busy doing what?" Peyton sat up looking at Haley with her hands in her lap. "Hales, I don't know if…I'm…He's been acting strange lately." Haley turned to her friend.
"What do you mean by strange? He seems normal to me," she told her.
"I don't know. It seems as if he's lost interest in me or something," Peyton said looking down at her hands.
"Peyton, I…I saw…- Haley sighed -I can see what you guys have and I think you should talk to him and not torture yourself like this," Haley said. Peyton took a deep breath and let out a smile.
"You're right. But first I have to get a hold of him." Haley smiled.
"In the meantime, I have to get over to the bank," Haley said and gathered her purse.
"You sure you can get there on your own?" Peyton asked worried.
"I'll be fine. You just focus on trying to find Jake," Haley instructed and left. Peyton grinned softly at Haley as she left. Haley has always tried to be strong person, but sometimes even being strong makes you weak. Peyton didn't bother to ask her if she was sending money to her foster mom, because she knew what the answer was. Every month, Haley would send money to her foster mom, though Peyton never told her she knew about it. Haley had had a bad childhood and didn't like to talk about it, so Peyton didn't want to open any unhealed wounds. What she didn't get was, knowing Haley had a bad childhood, why was Haley sending money to her foster mom?