Chapter 9

Summary: The gang goes to a party.

Note: Thanks to everyone who has reviewed, it really does make a difference. Thanks for the support in my other stories as well. I hope to update soon.

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"Spill." Peyton said sitting down next to Nathan.

"What're you talking about?" Nathan asked, taking another sip of his beer.

"Don't give me that crap, I know you well enough to know when something is wrong."

"And how do you know something is wrong."

"Let's see… you guys just won a game tonight and we're all out here celebrating and you are moping around in the back."

"I'm not moping."

"Yes you are."

There was silence between them as Nathan took another sip.

"You really did like her." She commented.

"What?"

"Haley.. you really did like her."

"You don't know what you're talking about."

"Nate, please this is me.. I want to help you out."

"Well, there's nothing you can do."

"Have you tried talking to her?"

"Before and after she bit my head off."

"Give her sometime, she'll come around."

"Enough time has passed, she hates me .. and I don't blame her."

"I wish you would've acted this way when we were still together.. who knew you could be so sweet."

"Sweet? You call this sweet."

"I'd like to think we're friends despite all the crap that happened between us.. I do care for you and I already see how good Haley is for you .. it just sucks that you have to be a screw up but you can't mope around like this forever."

"What can I do? I already did everything."

"Please, this is the first time someone actually rejected you.. welcome to back to us mere mortal … you Nathan Scott have to be more creative."

"Well, it doesn't matter.. she's always with Lucas anyways… and lord knows I'm his biggest fan."

"Well, if that's the case then she should be here."

"Haley's coming here?"

"He's meeting Brooke here, lord knows it'll be a matter of time before those two eventually get together but I think she's coming too."

--

Haley and Lucas walked inside the party together. This wasn't her scene and she felt a little uneasy.

"Haley! Lucas!" Brooke called out. "I'm glad you guys can make it, especially you Lucas Scott." She winked at him. "Now come on, let's go get some drinks."

Haley scanned the room and saw Nathan in the back walking in. His eyes automatically locked onto hers. She wondered how his gaze could be so intense. Brooke handed her a cup and she welcomed the distraction. She turned away from him and continued to talk back to Brooke and Lucas. She took a sip of her cup, it was beer and it tasted nasty, but she drank it anyway.

Eventually Peyton joined up with them and the four of them talked and drank. As time went on, Peyton and Haley knew that Brooke and Lucas wanted to be alone so they stepped aside. Peyton and Haley continued to talk and drink. The beer didn't taste as nasty as before and she was getting a slight buzz. The feeling wasn't that bad and she made sure to pace herself and not end up being sloppy for the rest of the night. From the corner of her eyes though she noticed Nathan through out the party, who never really stopped looking at her. He roamed through the party, casually talking to groups of people, most of them from the team.

Eventually, Peyton's friend Jake and his friend Matt came up to talk to them. They somehow ended up on the dance floor and Haley was dancing with Matt. He seemed nice enough although she can definitely smell the alcohol from him. Haley wasn't usually the one to drink and dance at parties but the night wasn't as bad as she thought it would be and she was actually having a little fun. Peyton wouldn't admit it but Haley knew that she liked Jake. She decided to dance more with Matt to give them their privacy. Things went well for a song or two but the music started to get more sultry and Matt became more daring and drunk.

"Way to go Peyton." Nathan muttered to himself when he noticed Jake and Matt talking to her and Haley. He continued to eye them while he chatted with his teammates. Eventually he saw them dancing and Nathan grew angry and heated inside. He watched as he put her hands on Haley, his Haley. She looked like she was enjoying it and it made his heart sank.

Nathan didn't want to see this anymore. He went to the back to refill his drink. Filling his cup, he heard someone call his name.

"Nathan!" Bevin shouted, "join us, we're playing 'I never'"

Nathan immediately spotted Lucas on the other side of the room with Brooke.

"My turn." Lucas stated "I never …. went for tutoring just so I can sleep with the tutor." The room immiately turned quiet and all eyes were on Nathan. He looked at Lucas and quickly finished his drink before putting it down on the counter and left.

"Lucas, what was that?" Brooke asked surprised.

"Nothing, let's keep playing."

Nathan went back to the party and saw that Haley was still dancing with Matt. Eventually though, he saw the discomfort in her face and he was being more and more physical with her. Eventually, he couldn't take it any longer and went over to them.

"Mind if I cut in?" Nathan asked, pulling Haley away from Matt.

Haley was surprised to see it was Nathan but Matt was becoming annoying and she reluctantly went with him.

"What the hell man?" Matt declared. "In case you didn't notice, we were dancing."

"Yeah.. and now you're not."

"Listen you cockblock." Matt walked up to Nathan.

"You have something to say?" Nathan looked at him with a hard look. Matt might've bene drunk but he was not stupid. He knew Nathan and knew that Nathan would probably kick his ass if he continued to pursue this.

"Whatever.. I'm out of here." Matt walked away and headed towards a group of girls.

Haley looked up at Nathan and she was once again lost in his eyes. She was happy that he had gotten rid of Matt. Nathan looked at Haley. She was so beautiful, he wanted to kiss her right there and then, but then from the corner of his eye he saw Lucas heading towards them.

"What the hell is this?" Lucas said as he came up to them. "I thought I told you to leave Haley alone!"

This time, even more people gathered around them. "Whatever, I was just leaving." The two brothers gave each other cold looks before Nathan took off.

"Are you okay?" Lucas asked Haley. "What did that jerk want?"

"What? Some guy was dancing with me, Nathan scared him off.. it's okay Luke.. umm.. I'm going to get some air.. I'll be back."

--

Haley stepped outside and wondered what was wrong with her. When Nathan came up to her, she was actually really happy to see him. She almost forgot how badly he hurt her. Stupid beer, she thought. She welcomed the cool air as it her face. Turning around, she noticed she wasn't alone.

"Oh hey… thanks for back there.. but you didn't have to do that.." The words stung. Of course she didn't need him. She didn't need anything from him.

"Oh.. sorry.. I just thought.. you know what forget it.. I'm sorry.. sorry for everything." Nathan stated and he walked away. She saw the pain and hurt in his eyes and it messed with her head. Feelings that she longed buried and thought were gone were now rising to the surface. She stood there and crossed her arms, unsure of everything now.

--

Nathan decided to leave, he had enough for one night. He got out the front door and started walking towards his car. He heard footsteps behind him and turned around and saw Lucas.

"What the hell was that back there?" Lucas asked.

"Whatever man, I'm out of here." Nathan was growing angry. Lucas had every right to be mad at him but not now. He didn't do anything wrong.

"I told you to stay away from her."

"I was just trying to help her."

"She doesn't need your help.. in fact, she doesn't need anything from you."

Nathan clenched his fists. "You're right.. she doesn't.. so you win okay.. she hates me .. are you happy? Is that what you want to hear .. she hates me and I don't blame her." He turned around and started walking towards his car. Lucas stood there as he watched Nathan pull out.

The party started to die out shortly afterwards and Lucas took Brooke and Haley home. Brooke had passed out in the front seat but Lucas looked at Haley through the rearview mirrored. She was looking out the window and he never seen her so sad. He started to wonder if she really did like Nathan.

To Be Continued . . .

Note: Not what I had originally but I sort of dug myself in a corner and had writer's block. I hope you enjoyed, please review !!