Chapter 12
Summary: Haley gets to be a cheerleader for the weekend.
Note: Thank you guys for all the great feedback, please keep them coming. Last chapter got more reviews than normal, which made me excited and I wanted to put this chapter out ASAP. It's probably the longest chapter yet but I think many of you will like the end, so please please review !!
--
Haley looked in the mirror. She still felt uncomfortable, feeling that the hem line was way too short. Oh God, what was she doing? She can hear the roar from the crowd and pretty soon all eyes were going to be on her. Oh no, she was nervous again, no terrified and absolutely petrified. What was she thinking agreeing to this? This was supposed to be a weekend get away not a display of public humiliation. Daym Brooke, why did she agree to fill in for Theresa? Haley James had no business being a cheerleader, let alone perform for a crowd.
She heard footsteps behind her and she looked up in the mirror and saw none other than Nathan Scott. "Could this get any worse?" She thought to herself. She wondered how she got herself in these types of situations.
--
48 hours ago
"Shoes, check… toothbrush, check .. outfit for the bus ride, check…" Brooke said as she went over her list of things to bring for the weekend.
Haley turned to Peyton and whispered. "Is she always like this?"
"Worse." Peyton responded and the two started laughing.
"What's so funny?" Brooke asked.
"Brooke.. are you sure you need all that stuff?" Haley asked.
"To put it simply .. yes."
"It's only a weekend." Peyton added.
"Yes, but a weekend filled with hot boys.. I need to look my best."
"Brooke, we're going to be wearing our uniform for most of the time."
"Yes, but not all the time."
Haley and Peyton both shook their heads as Brooke poured more things into her luggage.
--
"Save me!" Haley said entering Lucas' room and dropping on his bed.
"I thought you were helping Brooke pack?" Lucas asked, packing his own bag.
"Well I had to go out there before a fight breaks out."
"What?"
"Well once Brooke took out a third piece of luggage, Peyton and I tried to intervene and let's just say it got ugly."
Lucas laughed at himself, imagining the scene. "That Brooke." He said with a smile.
Haley laughed to herself. "Someone has a crush." She said teasingly.
"What're you talking about?"
"You.. Brooke .. it's pretty obvious."
"Whatever.. you're delusional."
"Uh hu.. so I guess Peyton is out of the picture."
"There might've been a moment with her but I dunno .. Peyton's a cool chick but, we're just better off as friends and besides with her history with Nathan .. I mean things are already weird as it is.. imagine me going to school dating my brother's ex girlfriend."
"Wait what?" Haley asked confused.
"I said, I think we're better off as friends."
"No, not that .. the part where you referred to Nathan as your brother."
"What, no I didn't."
"Yes you did.. seriously Lucas, what happened that night?"
"Nothing happened." Lucas said trying to play things off.
"Like how I'm also supposed to believe that there's nothing between you and Brooke .. spill it Scott."
"There's nothing to tell .. we fought, Whitey kicked us out .. we had to walk back to Tree Hill.. I think it's safe to say that for the moment we have nothing left to fight about .. which is good cuz we have to focus on the tournament this weekend, especially if we want to make it post season… I still can't believe this, me playing varsity with an actual chance to go to state."
Haley smiled. All his life, Lucas loved basketball but didn't have the opportunity to play in an organized league. "But anyways, I'm glad you're going." Lucas said trying to change topics.
"Yes, I am .. while you guys are out doing whatever it is your doing .. me and your mom are having a chick flick marathon in her hotel room."
"Gee, that sounds fun." Lucas said in a monotone voice.
"Don't hate." Haley retorted.
"I think you've been spending too much time with Skillz." Lucas said laughing as Haley threw a pillow at him. Haley was glad that things between her and Lucas was coming back to normal. He freaked when he saw the tattoo and she could've sworn she saw a vein popped. It was actually pretty upsetting for her, but she understood why he was mad. Either way, she was excited for the weekend, despite another Scott being there.
--
"What the hell is all this crap?" Whitey yelled at Brooke.
"Our stuff." Brooke responded back.
"Well get it out of here, there's no space in the bus for all that junk!"
"Told you that you packed too much." Peyton whispered in Brooke's ear. "You quiet." She turned to face Peyton and then back to Whitey.
"I hope you know that there are going to be 10 very pissed off cheerleaders if you don't bring that stuff aboard."
"Coach relax." Nathan chimed in. "I can drive and put all this crap in my trunk."
Whitey was about to say no, but saw the determined look of 10 very angry cheerleaders in front of him. "Fine!" He said throwing his hands up, "but I better see you in the rear view mirror at all times."
"Sure thing coach." Nathan was relieved. He wasn't in the mood to spend the next few hours crammed in that bus. He saw Haley next to Peyton with a duffle bag. "Was she going?" He thought to himself, "This weekend just got a whole lot more interesting."
He walked over to her and casually asked, "So what do you say, Haley.. you want to ride in style." Haley was completely thrown off, that was the last thing she expected to hear from Nathan. But the way he stood there with that smirk on his face, a part of her wanted to say yes. "Umm.. no thanks." She said uncomfortably. Peyton saw Haley's discomfort and quickly stepped in and put her arm around Nathan, "I call shottie." She said leading him away. She turned to Haley and she could make out "You owe me," coming from her mouth.
--
"Would you stop?" Nathan asked annoyed. Peyton was changing the music again.
"I can't stand your crappy rap."
"Well I can't stand whatever the hell you're listening to." They bickered for a while until they reached a station which played classic hiphop and the two called a truce.
"So haven't seen you in a while… what's up?" Peyton asked trying to make conversation.
"You know the usual.. basketball .. Dan's an ass and basketball."
"What else is new?"
"Tell me about it."
"So .. how're things with your new BFF."
"Huh?"
"Your new BFF, Lucas."
Nathan nearly swerved. "What the hell are you talking about?"
"No black eyes from either of you .. no yelling at practice.. what's up with that?"
"Whatever Peyton, just drop it.. as much as I love to carry the team on my shoulders.. I can't do it all the time, I need players like him to step it up if we want to make post."
"Uh hu. And Haley?"
"What about her?"
"Please, I saw you giving her the Nathan Scott smirk, that girl has you so whipped."
"What're you talking about?" Nathan said, trying to fight the smile forming on his face at the mere sound of her name. God, he's such a girl, he told himself.
Peyton gave Nathan another of her "uh hu" looks and the two sat in awkward silence.
"I'm just wondering .. that tattoo Haley has.. is .. is it real?" He asked quietly.
"I don't know what you're talking about." Peyton said, trying to hide her smile. Nathan knew by her expression that she knew what was up. He couldn't help but smile. This weekend was definitely going to be much better than he thought.
--
"This sucks!" Nathan exclaimed. "I thought I was rooming with Tim."
"Sorry son, we're going in alphabetical order .. in case you forgot how to alphabetize, Tim's last name is Smith as in S-M .. you're Scott as in S-C .. and what do you know, we also have another Scott… deal with it or you both will be sleeping on the bus." Whitey said storming off.
Nathan closed the door behind them.
"Since you did drive, you can just sleep in your car." Lucas stated. Nathan glared at Lucas and the two boys lied in their bed. Lucas started reading a book and Nathan pulled out a Sports Illustrated magazine.
--
"So how was the ride?" Haley asked Peyton. They were waiting at the lobby while Brooke was checking them in.
"It was amazing, when we stopped at the rest stop, we so got it on in the backseat!"
"Oh." Haley's expression turned into a mixture of sadness, jealousy and anger.
"Relax, Haley.. I was just kidding hehe .. God .. you should've seen your face."
"Well how about my fist in your face?"
"Oh testy, I think someone was a little jealous."
"Was not."
"You really don't have a clue, do you?" Peyton said as she took off because Brooke was calling out for her.
Peyton ran over to Brooke. "What happened?"
"We have a problem." Brooke panicked.
Meanwhile, Haley was left thinking about what Peyton had just said when a familiar voice took her out of her thoughts. "Well well if it isn't Holly Johns." She turned around and couldn't believe who was in front her.
"It's Haley James, you idiot."
"Of course I knew that .. I'm just playing with you .. you're not going to give your old friend a hug."
"Uh.. we were never friends Damien and what the hell are you doing here?"
"For the tournament of course."
"And all this time I thought you moved far far away."
"Aww Haley, I know you missed me .. and look how you've grown up, I definitely missed you .. (licking his lips and Haley just gave him a dirty look) though I am going to be a little sad when my teams beats out my old hometown… I hear Eugene is on the team now.. you still hang around with that loser."
"It's Lucas, you moron, and in case you didn't know .. we're undefeated, so I wouldn't be celebrating just yet."
"Yeah, I hear that other loser of Scott is on the team too… Lucas never had anything on me and neither did Nathan."
"Damien!" Someone called out from a distance.
"Well, I have to go Haley.. I'll be seeing you .. in you dreams." He blew her a kiss as he walked away.
"Oh Haley, now I definitely know… dark haired basketball players are so you're type."
"Eww Brooke, I almost threw up my lunch, that was Damien West."
"Who?"
"That jerk who played basketball in junior high." Peyton chimed in.
"Oh yeah him.. eww.. anyways .." Brooke pulled out a measuring tape and started to measure Haley.
"Brooke.. what the hell are you doing?"
"You're right girls, she's a perfect fit." Brooke said to the rest of the cheerleaders.
"Fit for what?" Haley asked confused.
"See there was a slight problem .. Theresa's sick, she's in the bathroom now puking her guts out."
"I told her not to get that hotdog from that shady vendor at the rest stop." Bevin added.
"But you're just the right size to fit into Theresa's uniform."
"WHAT?! No Brooke." Haley looked at Peyton for support.
"Sorry, Haley.. I'm on Brooke on this one.. we're one girl down and let's face it .. you're it."
"The answer is no.. you guys I have two left feet."
"Well you didn't have two left feet that night we went out."
"Yeah, well get me drunk, that might be the only way I'll agree to this .. in fact no.. even if I was that drunk I wouldn't agree to do this."
"Brooke's right Haley, we seen you move and granted you're not a professional but you're not bad either." Peyton said.
"And besides you have the James genes in you." Brooke added.
"What does that mean?"
"Taylor was captain when we joined as freshmen and that girl could work it."
"Believe me, my sister can do more than just work it .. and believe me when I tell you that me and my sister are nothing alike.. there's no way."
"Don't worry about it Haley." Bevin said putting her arms around Haley and walking with her. "I wasn't the best dancer either but I had some good help .. he's actually our little secret."
"He?"
They walked into an empty meeting room, where Mouth was waiting for them.
"Haley James, I'm here to whip you into shape." Mouth stated. Brooke jumped for joy.
"Haley, you just saved us, thank you so much." She said giving Haley a hug.
--
They spent the rest of the afternoon and most of the night rehearsing and bringing Haley up to speed. They had to re work the routine a little bit and switch places so that Haley wouldn't have to do any of the stunts. Haley called Karen and explained the situation to her and was sorry that she had to bail for movie night. The girls were in the backstage getting ready to go on, making sure their make up and hair were perfect. The squad started to make their way out, but Haley stayed behind.
"Don't quit on me now." Brooke said.
"I just need a minute.. you go on ahead." Haley stated as she looked in the mirror.
She still felt uncomfortable, feeling that the hem line was way too short. Oh God, what was she doing? She can hear the roar from the crowd and pretty soon all eyes were going to be on her. Oh no, she was nervous again, no terrified and absolutely petrified. What was she thinking agreeing to this? This was supposed to be a weekend get away not a display of public humiliation. Daym Brooke, why did she agree to fill in for Theresa? Haley James had no business being a cheerleader, let alone perform for a crowd.
She heard footsteps behind her and she looked up in the mirror and saw none other than Nathan Scott. "Could this get any worse?" She thought to herself. She wondered how she got herself in these types of situations. It was already hard enough to deal with this routine, but now Nathan and then there was Damien, who she ran into again. When he saw her in the cheerleading outfit, he made a couple of insulting remarks and she felt like going up to him and hitting him in the groin. "God why do I always get the jocks.. especially the cute ones?" Haley asked herself.
"Nervous?" Nathan asked from the doorway.
"More like petrified… what're you doing here?"
"I had to see for myself, Haley James, cheerleader."
"Haha, funny.. I'm filling in for Theresa .. daym Brooke."
"You'll be fine."
"Easy for you to say .. you always play for a crowd.. I on the other hand, am not built for these kind of things… look Nathan I don't have time for this, I need to go find the nearest exit." She said walking past him. He grabbed her arm and immediately she felt sparks racing through her body.
"You're going to be fine." He stated, now looking deeply in her eyes. She looked up and couldn't turn away from his intense gaze.
"How do you know?" She asked softly.
He let go of her arm. "You know, everyone assumes I'm just your dumb jock who just barely passes and coasts through life and after a while I started to believe it too.. that I couldn't be anymore than that.. that is until I met you.. you believed in me, that I could do better in school and I did.. I surprised my teachers and even myself .. I guess I just needed someone to not to put me down like my dad ..to have someone encourage me .. to believes in me .. so I'm here to tell you Miss Haley James, that I believe in you… you can do this." He said with a genuine smile.
She couldn't help but smile back and hoped to God she wasn't blushing. "Thanks" she muttered and she nodded her head and turned to walk out that was until Nathan smacked her on the ass.
She turned around in this belief.
Nathan lifted his hands and smirked, "Just a little pre-game ritual the guys do for luck .. you know just in case."
"Yeah, I bet." She smirked back. Haley made her way outside and onto the stage.
"Tutorgirl, there you are." Brooke said relieved. "We were getting worried. Are you okay?"
"Don't worry Brooke." She looked off in the distance and saw Nathan take a seat with the rest of the team. "I'm more than oaky.. we're going to do good.. I believe it… now let's do this."
The girls took their spots and then the music started. In a matter of minutes, the performance was over and they were flawless. During the whole time, Nathan couldn't help but stare at Haley, especially with the cheerleading outfit she had on, he knew he was going to need a cold shower later.
After they were done, the crowd erupted in applause and the girls hugged and congratulated each other. They were making their way off stage where the guys for the team were waiting for them. She saw Lucas and immediately, he scooped her up and gave her a big congratulatory hug.
"You did great out there Hales."
"Thanks Luke." A couple of feet in front of her, she saw Nathan. He looked at her and smiled. She smiled back and then he turned and walked away. She didn't want him to walk away. She hugged Lucas a little tighter, imagining for a moment that he was Nathan.
To Be Continued . . .
If I have some grammar mistakes, I apologize, I really wanted to post this in honor of one tree hill night, hehe. Though tonight was not as exciting as last week, I still enjoyed it, especially my Naley, so if I get a couple of good responses, I might be motivated to write the next chapter sooner. So please review !!