HJS-NS-23- OMGOSH!! Your reviews were amazing!! That was the most reviews we have ever gotten for a chapter. After reading all of them we need to had to post this chapter even before we started the next one! The song that is used in this chapter is What Hurts the Most by Rascal Flatts. It's a great song and we defiantly recommend you listen to it. Also who loved Peyton's performance in last night's episode? I think that was one of my favourite parts! Don't forget to review and we hope you like this chapter.
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Haley had been in Vancouver for about 3 weeks and was working at her Uncles coffee shop called Joe's Java. She had to laugh at the name her aunt came up when she was alive for the coffee shop. She could tell how everyone missed her.
Haley was wiping down the counter while her cousin Kyle was taking orders when she glanced up her heart caught in her throat. Nathan she thought running to the door, but it wasn't Nathan who was watching her…it was just a random guy. Tears prickled at her eyes until they silently slid down her cheeks.
Kyle saw his cousin crying and walked up to her wrapping his arm around her shoulder.
"Are you okay?" He asked concerned.
"Yea I'm fine" Haley said wiping away her tears and touching her chest where her wedding band laid under her shirt. "I better get back to work," she added walking away. You need to let him go, Haley she told herself.
I thought working at Joe's Java would get my mind off Nathan but I guess not since everything reminds me of him, she thought sadly to herself.
The time seemed to fly by after that and the next thing Haley knew it was already 5.
"Hey Haley do you want to go out with me tonight? You look like you need some fun," Kyle told her walking up to the counter she was standing behind.
"Hmm well…I don't know" Haley said hesitantly biting her lip and contemplating the idea.
"It's my best friends 23rd birthday. Come on please" Kyle begged.
What's the worse that can happen? I have a little fun? Haley asked herself. Just as she was about to say yes Kyle interrupted her.
"Yeah you'll see my friend Nathan is so great!! He'll cheer you up for sure!!" Said Kyle with a bright smile
"Actually you know what I can't. I'm a little tired and I think I need a early night. Sorry," Haley said refusing to go.
"Come on Haley please" Kyle said trying to give her the puppy dog eyes.
"Stop it Kyle. Haley is staying with me tonight. We're going to have a girls night so just leave her alone," Kyle's sister Olivia, said joining the two.
Haley nodded enthusiastically just wanting to get out of going to the party with Kyle. Plus I haven't seen Olivia for about 2 years now. The last time I saw her was when she went to Europe to study European Law. Haley reminded herself. When she first got to Vancouver and saw Olivia she couldn't believe how much she changed. Here she was all grown up and a very successful lawyer for the biggest law firm in Canada.
"Hello stranger." Kyle said to his sister. "I haven't seen you in forever" he added sarcastically.
"Come on Kyle it's only been about what huh?! A Month? I'm sorry I've been busy" She replied in annoyance.
"Yeah sure like usual." Kyle said bitterly before walking away.
Olivia just shook her head at her younger brother before turning to Haley.
"Anyway Haley are you ready to go?!" She asked her.
"Yea…" Haley answered a little intimated by her cousin's social status. Do we still have anything in common? Haley asked herself following Olivia to her car.
I should try and make conversation, Haley thought. "Wow this is a nice car," Haley said breaking the silence. "Thank you Hales" Olivia said laughing. "You know we don't have to talk right now if you don't want to that's fine." Olivia added seeing Haley uncomfortable.
When they finally got to Olivia's apartment Haley couldnt believe how beautiful it was. "Wow Ollie your rich. I mean you have a really nice apartment here and one in Canada." Haley told her cousin.
"Well I like having a place to come home too when I'm here" Olivia responded.
"I can't believe everything you've done with your life" Haley said in amazement.
"Well I'm going to order some pizza. Sausage and pepperoni okay with you?" Olivia asked walking to grab the phone.
"Sounds great" Haley said sitting on the couch.
20 minutes the later the pizza came as Haley and Olivia were talking about Haley's college experience and Olivia's job. Olivia knew Haley was hiding something and decided to try and see if she could get her cousin to open up.
"So baby James…Are you sure there is nothing else new with you?" Olivia asked prying.
"I thought you would have dropped that nickname by now" Haley said embarrassed. "But no nothing's new with me" She added not looking at her cousin.
"Hmm interesting…cause you know I thought getting married and pregnant was a big deal," Olivia said nonchalantly smiling at the look of shock on Haley's face.
"I…how…who told?" Haley asked confused and nervous playing with the chain around her neck.
Seeing Haley's worried look Olivia decided she needed to reassure her that no one else knew her secret. "Don't worry your secrets safe with me. It was you mom who told me. Since my mom died she needed someone to talk to about everything. She needed someone to help deal with the pain and one night I called her about this guy who was acting like a jerk and we ended up talking about everything from my job to your wedding. She's worried about you baby James and she wanted me to look out for you," Olivia said soothingly.
I feel so bad my mom is worried about me and now she's talking to my cousin because she's so worried. I'm the worst daughter. Haley thought sadly as the tears started falling on her cheeks.
Olivia leaned over and started drying Haleys tears. "Don't worry baby James. I'll help you with whatever you need. Just tell me what really happened at Duke." Olivia said reaching and holding Haley's hand.
Haley looked at her with disbelief but she did need someone to talk to. She knew that keeping all this inside her wasn't good for the baby. Before she knew it everything was spilling from her lips. How she fell in love with Nathan, how they got married, how they kept it from everyone, how eventually everyone found out, what happened when she told Nathan she was pregnant, and even how she was going to annul her marriage. After she spilled everything she could see the sadness on Olivia's face.
"So you think I screwed up my life? Huh?" Haley asked sadly looking down and biting her bottom lip.
"No I don't Haley. I just feel so bad you had to suffer that much at your age." Olivia said in a motherly tone.
"Oh be honest Olivia. You have everything a person could dream of and I am knocked up at 19" Haley yelled exasperated. "You've got the right to think I messed up my life" Haley whispered her head held down in shame.
"Look around you Haley! What do you?" Olivia said waving her hand around the apartment.
"Well…I see a fantastic loft with some fancy and expensive furniture." Haley said looking around and frowning not understanding Olivia's point.
"Yea but I don't have anyone who cares about me. I live by myself. I always tried to be the perfect daughter, always helped my family, getting perfect grades that I forgot about love. I needed to play it safe and now I'm 26 and all alone! I'm begging my boss to work on weekends! You tried Haley! You loved!! I'm not disappointed in you. I'm proud of you." Olivia told the younger girl with tears forming in her eyes.
Haley quickly pulled Olivia into a hug. I am so glad she isn't judging me Haley thought.
"Are you really sure you want to annul your marriage? I mean do you really want to pretend it never happened. Forget everything that happened with Nathan?" Olivia asked calmly.
"I…I…"Haley just looked down not knowing what to say.
"Maybe it's over now Haley and I don't know because your mom told me how you guys really loved each other. But I think it's sad that you want to forget it ever happened. You guys had some great times together didn't you?" Olivia said offering her advice.
"I guess not…" Haley said pouting. "I just want it to over" She added sadly as a lonely tear coursed down her cheek again.
"Maybe you should think it over a bit more Haley." Olivia told her seriously.
"I've been thinking about it every minute of everyday since I left him." Haley finally admitted to Olivia and herself. "It's hard to force a smile everyday and pretend that I'm okay even if it's breaking my heart but I have to free him. He doesn't want a baby and he doesn't love me enough to accept everything like being a father and I can't live with someone who didn't really choose me, but who only settled for me because I was pregnant and he felt guilty. I know this is sad but I want this marriage over and I need your help" Haley said begging her cousin.
"I can't do much for you because I didn't study family law and I'm not a US lawyer but if you really want some advice there's someone I know who works in a law firm here and he could probably help. You can come with me to meet him tomorrow, we were suppose to have lunch, and have a little chat." Olivia told her.
"Thank you Ollie. It's what I want really," Haley said trying to convince herself this is actually what she wanted.
"You don't need to thank me baby James. I'll be there for you whatever you need. I maybe busy but family will always come first." She added with a sincere smile hoping she wasn't making a mistake by helping Haley get out of this.
----------------------------------Meanwhile in Durham-------------------------------------------
Jake was on the computer booking his plane ticket to Vancouver. He planned to join Haley in about 10 days to be there for her birthday.
19! Gosh my baby girl lived through a lot of thing this year. He thought bittersweet.
"Got it!" He said out loud.
"What? "Said Peyton walking in the living room. She was spending all her time in the flat. They didn't really move in together just yet but it was like she was living there already though. It just wasn't official yet.
"I've got my ticket." Said Jake with a small smile. He stood up and gently brushed her lips with his. "I'm going to miss you Angel." He said in a whisper.
Peyton kissed him with passion. "Gosh! I already miss you and Jenny and you're not even gone yet!" she said with her voice broken with emotion.
"We are only going to be gone for 2 weeks but I'll call you everyday." He said gently drying her tears.
"Where are you going anyway?" Asked Peyton curiously.
Jake sighed and looked deep into Peyton's eyes.
"I know you're going to see Haley." Said Peyton smiling. "And I'm totally cool with that I mean…Nate really messed up and I would be upset if you didn't stand beside your friend but…" Peyton cleared her throat. "Where is she?" She asked nicely.
"I…I can't tell you that and I don't want to lie to you either." Said Jake sadly." I promised to keep it a secret and I will…even from you," he added uncomfortably
"I understand and don't worry I'll go back to Tree Hill while you're away." Said Peyton sincerely looking into his eyes. She rubbed his cheek." I love you Jake."
"I love you too Peyton." He said bending down to take her lips but a knocked at the door interrupted him.
When Jake opened the door his jaw just dropped. Nathan was standing in front of the door but it wasn't the Nathan Scott he knew. He was just a pale imitation of his old self.
Nathan seemed to have not shaved for at least 2 weeks, he was also thinner and the dark circles under his eyes showed that he didn't get that much sleep.
We're lucky the season's over. Thought Jake who actually felt sadder for Nathan every day.
"Come in" Said Jake nicely. He made one silly mistake! She has to forgive him. Thought Jake somehow now upset with Haley.
Nathan gave Jake a sad smile. "I'm sorry to bother you man." He said with a sad voice looking at Jake and Peyton.
"Don't worry about it," Said Jake friendly patting his shoulder.
"I know that you know where to contact Haley but I won't ask you to tell me where she is." Said Nathan sadly.
Jake nodded. Poor Nathan. He thought. I want to tell him where she is but I could loose Haley forever if I do.
"I'm just going to ask you something. Can you give her that for me?" Said Nathan almost begging while handing a letter to Jake.
Jake took the letter without a word.
"I know you hate me but please Jake…I'm begging you." Said Nathan with tears in his eyes. "I just can't breath anymore. I wake up every morning in this empty apartment and it's like I'm dying a bit more every day without Haley by my side. She's my life Jake and I swear that if I could just have another chance I would never let her go ever again."
"I don't hate you Nate." Said Jake sincerely squeezing Nathan's' hand. I was just mad but... everybody can make mistakes. Added Jake trying to smile. "Of course I'll give her the letter" said Jake sadly. "I really feel for you Nathan I really do. I can see that you truly love her." Added Jake sincerely.
"Thanks and when you talk to Haley tell her happy birthday...I hope this year can bring her everything she needs..."Nathan said sadly before turning around and leaving. He needed to be alone.
When things were wrong in his life he always cut everybody out and crawled back into his shell until he met Haley.
But she's not here anymore. Thought Nathan sadly sitting on his sofa.
The flat was pitch dark; he didn't even bother to turn on the lights. He took the remote from the coffee table and turned the cd player on. He listen to THE song...the song he kept listening too since Haley had left him.
I can take the rain on the roof of this empty house
That don't bother me
I can take a few tears now and then and just let them out
I'm not afraid to cry every once in a while
Even though going on with you gone still upsets me
There are days every now and again I pretend I'm ok
But that's not what gets me
Nathan laid on the sofa while tears started to fall down his cheeks. "Come back to me." He said in a whiper.
What hurts the most
Was being so close
And having so much to say
And watching you walk away
And never knowing
What could have been
And not seeing that loving you
Is what I was tryin' to do
It's hard to deal with the pain of losing you everywhere I go
But I'm doin' It
It's hard to force that smile when I see our old friends and I'm alone
Still Harder
Getting up, getting dressed, livin' with this regret
But I know if I could do it over
I would trade give away all the words that I saved in my heart
That I left unspoken
