Hey guys! Thanks for being so patient with me! Here's another chapter for you all. I'm really glad that you all are enjoying this. I'm definitely enjoying writing Haley and Nathan a little out of character from their personalities on the show. I greatly appreciate the people that review this story because your words truly mean a lot to me! Read and enjoy!
Also on a side note I used a quote here from the book The Fault in Our Stars by John Green. That book is one of my absolute favorites and I couldn't resist using it because it fit in so well with the conversation.
Disclaimer: I do not own One Tree Hill
Chapter 7
"So what's the plan for this weekend?" Haley asked Lucas looking over to where he was seated across her at their usual lunch table on the quad.
"I don't know." Lucas shrugged. "I'm sure someone's having a party."
"Let's hang out tonight." Haley suggested. "I'm not really in the partying mood and we haven't really had a chance to talk much since I moved here."
"Okay." Lucas smiled. "That golf course my dad built us when we were little is still on the roof of my mom's café."
"Are you serious?" Haley squealed. "We had so much fun up there when we were kids!"
"So it's a date?"
"It's a date." Haley nodded with a smile.
"Hey." Rachel greeted walking up to the pair and taking a seat at the table.
"Where have you been?" Haley questioned. "I feel like I haven't seen you in forever."
"Cheer practice." Rachel whined. "I am seriously so close to bitching out Teresa it's not even funny."
"Why don't you just kick her off the team?" Lucas suggested.
"Because as much as I hate the bitch, she's good." Rachel explained with a sigh. "There's no one else in this school that could replace her."
"Haley used to cheerlead in California." Lucas commented offhandedly. "Ow!" He exclaimed. "Did you just kick me?" He questioned incredulously toward Haley.
"Haley!" Rachel cried out excitedly. "Why have you never mentioned this?"
"Mentioned what?" Nathan questioned walking in on the trio's conversation, taking a seat next to Lucas.
"That she was a cheerleader back in California."
"Interesting." Nathan smirked.
Lucas rolled his eyes. "At least try not to flirt in front of me."
Haley laughed and shook her head. "I wasn't even that good, I was only on it because my friend Brooke was the captain and made me join."
"So!" Rachel retorted. "You're experienced, that's all that matters!"
"I don't think so Rachel." She declined.
"Just think about it." Rachel pleaded.
"Okay." Haley relented after a few seconds. "But I'm not making any promises!"
She turned to Lucas sharply. "Just for that, you're getting your ass beat at mini-golf tonight."
"What?" Rachel questioned confused. "Mini-golf? I'm having a party tonight at my house."
"Me and Hales are gonna sit this one out." Lucas explained.
"I was hoping we could finish up that swim from the last party." Nathan spoke up.
"Dude." Lucas groaned. "What did I just say?"
Nathan chuckled and held up his hands defensively. "Sorry."
Haley laughed at their behavior. "Sorry, Nathan but I need some Lucas time."
Lucas sent Nathan a smirk and he rolled his eyes in return.
Haley felt her phone vibrate on the table and looked to see a text message from Clay.
I'm taking your brother out tonight. I'm planning on getting him drunk and laid so you're staying a Lucas' tonight.
She was sure at this point her face looked particularly unattractive because Nathan spoke up.
"Everything okay?"
"Yeah." She nodded. "Just Clay being Clay." She laughed. "Lucas can I crash at your place tonight?"
"Of course. How long is he in town for?" Lucas asked.
"Just for the weekend." She answered. "He has to head back to New York on Sunday."
"He's cool." Lucas nodded.
"Yeah." Haley smiled. "I've known him since I moved to California…he and Travis met on some random playground and clicked instantly...his parents weren't really around much so he hung out with us a lot."
"Who's Clay?" Rachel asked confused.
"My brother's best friend." Haley answered. "He's staying with us for the weekend."
"Is he hot?" Rachel asked with a smirk.
"Totally." Haley smiled.
"I thought he was like a brother." Nathan gritted out at her comment.
"He is." Haley laughed at his jealous demeanor. He'd never admit but Nathan Scott was jealous. "But I still have eyes."
"Oh, you should invite him and your brother to my party tonight!" Rachel exclaimed.
Haley laughed at her new friend's suggestion. She was used to years of Brooke chasing after Travis and Clay - this was nothing new. "Travis and Clay are 22, I don't think they want to hang around a bunch of high schoolers all night participating in illegal drinking. Besides, that's why Clay just texted me…he and Travis are going to a club tonight and I don't really want to be home incase they decide not to end the night alone hence why I need to stay with Lucas tonight."
"I got you covered." Lucas nodded.
"Nate you coming tonight?" Rachel questioned her friend.
"Yeah," Nathan shrugged. "I have nothing else better to do."
"Thanks." Rachel replied sarcastically.
"Well, I'm off." Lucas said standing up. "I have to get to class early and talk to Mr. Michaels about how I'm going to avoid failing Chem."
"Oh, I'm gonna go with you Luke, I have him fifth period and I am seriously tanking that class." Rachel responded moving to follow her friend.
"Good luck with that." Haley laughed.
"I'll pick you up at your house around 8 Hales."
"Sounds good." Haley smiled and watched the two of them leave before turning to her attention to Nathan. "And then there were two."
"So what's this about you skipping out on tonight?" Nathan questioned.
"I need my Lucas time." Haley defended.
"What if I need my Haley time?" He retorted boldly.
"You coming onto me Scott?" She teased.
"Absolutely." He smirked.
"We still have the whole weekend." She smiled.
"I'm holding you to that."
"How are things with your Dad?" She asked curiously.
Nathan was taken aback at the question she asked taking a turn from their usual flirty banter. "Um, shitty as always."
"I'm sorry." Haley replied sympathetically.
"Its just times like these I wish my mom was here you know? I just can't help but think that maybe if she was it wouldn't be so bad at home."
"You know if you ever need anything I'm here right?"
Nathan nodded with a smile. "Thanks."
"Well, have fun at the party tonight." Haley commented while getting up from her spot at the picnic table. Nathan followed suit and followed her inside the school.
"Thanks, have fun with the less attractive Scott." Haley shoved his shoulder good-naturedly at the dig on Lucas.
Nathan laughed and instantly pulled her with him inside of an empty classroom they had passed.
"What are you doing?" She questioned surprised.
"Kissing you." He whispered. Nathan smiled at her before leaning in and slowly moving his lips over hers. When they broke apart he smiled at the look on Haley's face.
Haley closed her eyes in content. She probably would never admit this out loud to him, but kissing Nathan made her heart race. She took a deep breath before opening her eyes. "What are we doing Nate?"
"You ask me that question a lot." He observed.
"It's because the more I'm with you the more this is beginning to feel like a real relationship."
"So." He shrugged.
"So, that's not what we agreed to."
"Listen, Hales." He sighed. "I think the more you question it the more you're gonna get freaked out."
"I am not freaked out." She replied adamantly.
"Yes you are." He laughed. "I am too if it helps."
Haley sighed and looked around the empty classroom. "I'm gonna head to class."
Nathan nodded. "Have fun with Luke tonight."
Haley laughed. "That almost sounded genuine."
Nathan smiled back and just like that the awkwardness from just a few moments ago had disappeared.
Haley moved towards the door before turning back to Nathan. "Do me a favor."
"Depends."
"Hook up with someone tonight."
Nathan laughed out loud and looked at Haley who had not even batted an eyelash. "You're serious?"
She nodded.
"Can't make any promises." He shrugged.
"Nathan."
"Okay, okay." He nodded. "If there aren't any girls there that don't make me want to hit my head against the wall repeatedly then I will."
"I'll see you around."
"Just drop it Clay." Travis sighed walking around his kitchen putting groceries away in their proper place.
"Travis, seriously? When was the last time you got laid?" Clay questioned stuffing his mouth with left over pizza from the night before.
"Wow, I definitely need you two to stop talking now." Haley rolled her eyes walking into the kitchen and taking a seat next to Clay on the barstool located by their island.
"Oh come on Hales please don't tell me you believe your brother is still a virgin." He laughed.
"Clay!" Haley exclaimed shooting a look to Travis who was chuckling.
"What?" He questioned innocently. "It's not like you're miss innocent either."
"Shut the fuck up Evans." Travis gritted out.
Haley sighed. "Why are you convincing my brother to be a man-whore Clay?"
"Because he doesn't want to go out tonight." He exclaimed. "Who are you and what have you done with my best friend." He shook his head mockingly and ducked when he saw Travis throwing a dishtowel at him.
"I just don't feel like going out." Travis shook his head. "Besides, I don't think Haley would appreciate it if I brought home some random girl, right Hales?"
"I'm staying a Luke's tonight, do whatever you want." Haley shrugged.
"See, your sister is on board!" Clay exclaimed with a smile.
"I am not on board." Haley retorted. "But I do think that you deserve a night out Travis." Haley smiled over at her brother. "You never know who you might meet, you haven't been with anyone since Alex."
Haley saw Travis slightly flinch at the name. She felt bad for bringing Travis' past up but it was the only way to convince him to let loose a little. "I'll be upstairs getting ready, if Luke comes over just send him to my room." With that Haley got up from her seat and made her way out of the kitchen.
After a few moments had passed Clay looked up at his friend. "Haley's right Travis, you haven't been with anyone since Alex, she's moved on…she's married now…maybe it's time to face that it just wasn't meant to be."
Travis closed his eyes and nodded. "What time are we leaving?"
"Hey Hales." Lucas greeted walking into her bedroom.
Haley turned away from her closet and towards him. "Hey, Luke. I'm just finishing up packing my bag and then we can go."
"Yeah, take your time." He waved off taking a seat on her bed and leaning back into the pillows. "Looks like Travis and Clay are having a good time downstairs." He chuckled.
"Are you fucking kidding me? I've been trying to drown out their frat boy screams for the past half hour, they're going to be wasted pre-gaming before they even get to the club."
Lucas chuckled. "So you and Nathan."
"There is no me and Nathan." Haley replied.
"Right."
"We're friends." Haley insisted.
"Bullshit." He shot back.
Haley rolled her eyes. "Okay, so we're having a tough time with the whole "friends" thing."
"I've tried not to notice." Lucas joked.
"I told him to hook up with someone at the party tonight." She admitted.
Lucas laughed loudly. "This is rich."
"What?" She questioned.
"Just your whole situation with Nathan, you're making it a lot harder than it has to be Hales."
"You guys talking about skinny dipping boy?" Travis questioned walking into Haley's room, Clay trailing behind him.
"You're drunk." Haley commented.
"Please baby sis, it takes a lot more than a few shots of vodka to get me drunk. Now what were you saying about skinny dipping boy." He sighed walking over to her bed taking a seat next to Lucas.
"Lord, help me." Haley mumbled to herself before turning to her brother. "His name is Nathan, stop being such a dick."
"Yeah, Trav stop being such a dick to Haley's boyfriend." Clay laughed from his spot in the doorway.
"When are you leaving to go back to New York?" Haley questioned.
"Nathan's a good guy Travis." Lucas defended. "He's my cousin."
"Lucas, as far as I'm concerned any guy going after my baby sister is not a good guy."
"Yeah, you ever hear what Travis did to Haley's first boyfriend, Chris?" Clay questioned. "The poor twelve year old didn't even know what was coming to him."
"I'm right here." Haley waved. "Shouldn't you two be heading out?"
"Nice change of subject baby James." Clay laughed.
"You're not really staying with skinny dipping boy tonight and just saying you're staying with Lucas, right?" Travis questioned accusingly.
"Oh my god." Haley groaned zipping up the overnight bag that she had packed. "Yes, I am really staying with Lucas." Haley walked towards the door Lucas trailing behind her. "Don't catch any STD's!"
"What's up?" Jake questioned walking up to Nathan who was uncharacteristically standing by himself on Rachel's back deck.
"Hey," Nathan nodded toward his friend. "Just needed a break."
Jake scoffed. "You needed a break."
"Yeah." Nathan defended. "It's way too crowded in there."
"Where's Luke?" Jake questioned taking a swig out of his beer bottle.
"Hanging out with Hales tonight."
"Ohh." Jake nodded with a smile.
"What." Nathan rolled his eyes.
"That's why you're out here." Jake laughed. "Because Haley's not here."
"Whatever Jagielski."
"Why don't you just man up?" Jake questioned.
"Why don't you?" Nathan replied defensively. "You've been crushing on Peyton since the third grade."
"It's different." Jake shook his head.
"No, it's not." Nathan scoffed. "Because Peyton actually likes you back, Haley's not into me like that."
"You're delusional."
"No, that would be you my friend." Nathan sighed. "The truth is I like Haley a lot, she's the first girl I've ever felt this way about but Haley has made it pretty clear she doesn't want us to be like that."
Jake took another sip of his beer. "I'm sorry Nathan."
"It is what it is." He shrugged.
A few moments passed between the two before Jake spoke up. "Did you mean what you said before about Peyton?"
"That she's into you?"
"Yeah." Jake nodded.
Nathan laughed at his friend. "Yes, now why don't you take your own advice and man up Jagielski."
Jake chuckled at Nathan's mocking tone. "I'll see you inside."
"Well, well, I beat you again." Haley laughed as Lucas groaned.
"You're a cheater." He mumbled.
"No, I'm good while you best friend just plain suck at this game." She laughed loudly when Lucas shoved her with his shoulder.
"How are you liking Tree Hill?" He asked taking a seat on the picnic table set off to the side on top of the roof.
"I love it here Luke." Haley smiled taking a seat next to him. "You're a really big part of that."
Lucas smiled at his best friend. "You don't miss California at all?"
"I miss Brooke." Haley admitted. "But Tree Hill is good for me."
Lucas nodded. "You kind of lost yourself for a little."
"Yeah." Haley whispered she stared at the brick wall in front of her before turning to Lucas. "Can you keep a secret?"
He nodded silently.
"I think I'm still a little lost." She admitted softly.
Lucas wrapped an arm around her at her words and pulled her close to his chest. "You'll find your way back buddy."
"Can I ask you something?"
"Yeah." Haley nodded her head still resting on Lucas' shoulder.
"What's got you so scared Hales?"
Haley sighed thinking about an honest answer. "Everything…I don't know if I can do this without my parents, Lucas. And Travis, he's given up everything he's ever dreamed of to take care of me. I'm scared he's going to resent me for that one day."
"Travis loves you, he would never resent you." Lucas shook his head. "And you're a strong girl Haley James, one of the strongest I know. You're parents would be proud of you…you made a change in your life, the drugs were an escape right?"
Haley nodded ashamed. Only a handful of people had known what her life was like in California. "Well then maybe you need to find another escape." Lucas suggested. "A healthy one."
Haley smiled at Lucas. "You wanna go see how Rachel's party is going?"
"Why you afraid I'm gonna make a come back?" Lucas joked.
"No I'm just tired of beating your ass at mini golf." She laughed.
"Right," Lucas rolled his eyes. "Well let's go, the land of drunken teenagers awaits."
"Hales!" Peyton called out from her spot in the kitchen.
Haley smiled when she saw her friend waving her over. "Luke they're over there."
The two made their way to their friends but Haley couldn't help but notice that Nathan was nowhere in sight. Maybe he was taking her advice and hooking up with someone else. Haley hated herself for the disappointment and jealousy she felt at that realization.
"Hey guys." Lucas greeted his friends.
"I thought you guys were bailing tonight." Jake questioned an arm around Peyton shoulders. Haley smiled at the sight shooting a look to Peyton who only grinned in response.
"I got tired to kicking Lucas' ass." Haley joked.
"Whatever." Lucas scoffed.
"Yo Luke, you need to play wingman for me." Skills begged.
"Nope." Lucas shook his head defiantly.
"Come on man."
"Not happening Skills." Lucas refused. "I always get stuck with some bimbo who can't hold a conversation for more than five minutes."
"Lucas-"
"No." Lucas laughed at his friends attempts and walked away from the group Skills trailing behind him.
"Hales," Peyton spoke up. "You might want to check out the back patio."
"Why everyone's in here?"
"Trust me." Peyton smiled.
Haley gave her a look before moving towards the back. "Have fun lovebirds." She smiled before making her way out of the kitchen completely.
"Funny." Jake commented.
"What's that?" Peyton smiled turning to face him.
"I was just about to say the same thing to her."
Peyton laughed before taking his hands in hers. "Why don't we go take her advice?"
Haley confusedly made her way out of Rachel's back patio. When she saw nothing of interest she was about to turn back to go inside chalking up Peyton's suggestion as a way to get her to leave so she and Jake could have some alone time. She was just about to turn around when a figure caught her attention. She smiled before slowly making her way over to him.
"Hey." She greeted softly taking a seat on top of the table that Nathan was currently perched upon.
"Hey." He greeted surprised. "What are you doing here?"
"Me and Luke got bored." She shrugged. She reached over taking the beer bottle out of his hand and took a swig out of it.
"I'm glad you're here." He admitted.
"Me too." She smiled softly.
"I really like you Haley."
She nodded. "I like you too Nathan but-"
"But what?" He questioned. "Why do you have to make it more difficult than that?"
"Because it is!" She sighed exasperatedly. "I'm difficult, Nathan. I'm not easy to figure out and I come with baggage, things that you don't know about. It's just me and I can't be someone different for you. I can't be the girl who just pretends like everything is okay all the time."
"That's what I like about you." He explained. "You're so busy being you that you have no idea how amazing you are. You're the only girl that ever called me out on my bullshit and cared about me beyond being a star basketball player. You care that my dad is a shitty father and you care that I miss my mom."
Haley shook her head. "We're only gonna hurt each other."
Nathan sighed before taking her hand in his and gently rubbing his thumb over her knuckles. "Maybe we will. You don't get to choose if you get hurt in this world Haley but you do have some say in who hurts you. With you, I'd be happy with my choice."
Haley looked at him before realizing this his face was slowly moving towards hers. "Nathan." She whispered.
"I'm about to kiss you." Nathan answered simply. "Is that okay?"
"I told you to hook up with someone else tonight." She smiled.
"And I told you that I would if I found someone that didn't make me want to bang my head repeatedly against a wall, it's not my fault that you're that girl." He smirked.
She chuckled softly before leaning in and closing the gap between them. They were a far cry from a normal relationship but in that moment being there with Nathan felt right.