Chapter 16
"Hales." Nathan knocked frantically on her bedroom door. "Haley, it's me open the door."
After Haley had fled from Lucas' Nathan decided to follow her home after giving her some alone time. He had never seen her so hurt than the moment when she saw the text message on his phone. He wanted to hurt whoever was responsible for putting that look on her face.
"Hales, please." He knocked on the door slowly now. "Let me in."
He stood back when the door to Haley's room swung open and a teary eyed blonde appeared in front of him. "Baby." Nathan shook his head taking two giant strides towards her, collecting her in his arms. He let out a relieved sigh when she didn't pull away and instead wrapped her arms tightly around his torso. "It's okay."
Haley shook her head weakly against Nathan's chest. "It's not okay, Nathan." She pulled away and walked further into her room immediately pacing around.
"Babe…" Nathan's voice came out faintly and helplessly.
"I have spent the last five years trying to get away from the hell that my life has become." Haley stopped pacing and turned to face her boyfriend.
"When Travis told me that we were moving to Tree Hill I was upset about leaving home but in a way I was glad too. Tree Hill was a fresh start. No one but Lucas knew about how hard it's been for me these past five years. But now?" Haley shook her head and shrugged dejectedly. "Nathan, now everyone knows...or at least they think they do…what's worse is that they are left to make their own assumptions of what those words mean."
"I'm going to find out who did this." Nathan gritted out.
"Nathan…"
"I'm serious Haley." Nathan shook his head and began to pace around the room.
"Nate."
He halted his movements at the sound of her voice. "Just be here with me?"
He looked at her longingly before moving towards her and collecting her in his arms. He swayed their bodies softly and placed a tender kiss on her forehead. "I'm sorry."
He felt her shrug and chuckle. "I can't wait to hear the rumors flying around about me tomorrow."
"Hey." He shook his head and placed his hand under her chin forcing her to look up at him. "If anyone says anything about you, they're gonna have to deal with me."
"I know you think you're strong, Scott but you really think you're going to be able to take on the whole student body?" She replied in a teasing tone. He knew she was trying to alleviate the previous tension.
"I'm sure as hell gonna try." He laughed. "I love you." He spoke softly after a few moments of silence.
He felt her smile on his chest. "Thank you for following me home."
"Come on." He tugged at her hand and pulled her towards her bed laying down next to her.
"I don't want to go to school tomorrow." She whispered.
"You'll be fine. You'll get through this with dignity and that sarcasm I love so much." He chuckled a bit and brought her in closer to him.
"Besides, I'll be there with you."
He felt her sigh softly into his chest and dig her head into the crook of his neck. "Good, because I don't think I can do this alone."
Lucas walked up slowly to his locker receiving many curious glances from his peers. He rolled his eyes before coming to a stop and turning the lock in front of him.
"Geez, it's like the Spanish inquisition in here." He turned at the sound of Rachel's voice and let out an amused chuckle.
"That doesn't even make any sense, Rach."
"Whatever." She flicked her hand dismissively. "You know what I mean."
"You never called me back yesterday." Lucas commented popping open the door to his locker.
"That's because there was nothing to tell." Rachel sighed. "No one's talking."
Lucas shook his head. "Who would be so cruel?"
Rachel stayed silent for a moment and Lucas looked at her expectedly. "What?"
"I don't wanna be intrusive but…"
"Those words weren't random Rach. Whoever wrote them knows things about Haley's past that she doesn't really want people to know."
Rachel sighed. "How did Hales take it?"
"Not too well." Lucas answered honestly. "Nate texted me and said that she had calmed down when he left her house last night."
"She's gonna need him." She shook her head and took a look around. "Teenagers are ruthless."
"She's gonna need all of us." Lucas commented.
"Hey." Lucas turned at the sound of Haley's voice and noticed the blonde with a hoodie over her head, looking down at the floor slightly.
He smiled at her and shook his head. "Hate to say it Hales but I think you're just drawing more attention to yourself."
She scoffed and looked up. "Is that even possible?" She brought her hand up to her head and pushed the hoodie off slightly trying to avoid the probing gazes of her peers around her.
"Hey Rach." She greeted.
"Hey girlie, how you holding up?"
Haley shrugged lazily. "I just really want to fast forward to the moment where people don't care about me."
Rachel gave her a sympathetic smile. "Hales, you can totally skip out on practice today. I completely understand."
"Thanks Rach, but I'm gonna go." Haley nodded appreciatively. "It'll keep my mind off of all this." She rolled her eyes while gesturing around the school.
The three had settled into a semi-awkward silence before Haley spoke up again. "Hey, Rachel. I'm sorry I never said anything about-"
"Hales, don't." Rachel shook her head. "You don't need to explain. I'm here for you."
"Thanks." Haley smiled genuinely. "That means a lot."
"Where's Nathan?" Lucas questioned shutting his locker.
"We came together but Whitey saw him when we walked in and pulled him into his office."
Lucas nodded while cocking his head down the hall. "Well come on, I'll walk you to class."
Haley rolled her eyes. "I don't need a body guard, Luke."
"Well you're getting one anyway." Lucas retorted.
Haley chuckled slightly and turned to Rachel. "I'll see you at practice."
"What about lunch?" Rachel asked confused.
"Me and Nathan made a plan to eat lunch in the gym. Hide from prying eyes." Haley explained.
Rachel nodded. "I understand. Hang in there, Hales."
"Did you hear about Haley James?"
Haley looked up from her secluded spot in the back table of the library when she heard her name being spoken.
"Who hasn't heard about her?" The brunette scoffed.
Haley rolled her eyes. The girls looked to be freshmen. She had never spoken a word to these girls in her life yet they were talking like they knew her.
"I can't believe Nathan Scott is with her." The young blonde girl whispered over to her friend completely oblivious to Haley's presence.
"Well, he won't be for long." Her friend snickered. "Who'd want to be with someone who's gotten around that much?"
"I know right?" The other girl laughed. "I mean fucking some random 40 year old she met at a club? What a slut."
Haley had to control the tears that she felt welling up in her eyes. That sexual assault she was victim to was something hard for her to get past. She didn't want anyone to know about it but she had no idea what would be worse, people knowing the truth or spreading rumors like the ones she was hearing now.
"Well we should totally try to move in on Nathan at that party this weekend." One of the girls grinned. "He is so fine."
Haley scoffed and got up from her table hearing enough from the two girls. The day wasn't even halfway finished yet and she already felt like she was suffocating. She left the library despite the protests from her study hall monitor and let out a deep breath. Checking the clock she saw that she still had half an hour before lunch. Figuring there wouldn't be anyone in the gym she made her way there deciding to wait it out until Nathan came.
She pushed open the doors to the gym and for the first time in the day was met with a peaceful silence. She walked further into the gym reaching the wooden bleachers and dropping her bag to the floor. With a content sigh she straddled the bleacher closest to the floor and laid down closing her eyes in the process.
She popped up quickly when the sound of the locker room door swung open. She reddened slightly when she saw a smiling Whitey making her way towards her.
"Ms. James."
She nodded in acknowledgement while sitting up.
"I don't believe we've formally met. I'm Coach Durham."
"I know." Haley nodded softly. "Luke and Nate talk about you all the time." She nervously tucked a loose piece of hair behind her ear as he took the seat next to her on the bleachers.
He chuckled slightly. "All bad things I'm sure."
Haley shook her head waiting for the older man to scold her for not being in class.
"So you're the one I should be thanking for the change in Nathan."
"What?" Haley questioned confused.
"That boy." Whitey chuckled while shaking his head. "He's talented but he has an attitude problem…or at least he did before you came into his life. I've noticed a great deal of change in him Haley."
Haley blushed while shaking her head. "That's all Nathan."
Whitey shook his head and turned to glance at the young blonde. "You know, I feel like I've failed him. That I wasn't there enough and he felt the need to take drugs."
"Nathan really does love the game coach…it's just his Dad-"
"I know." Whitey nodded. "I've known Danny boy for quite some time, I just never thought he'd push own son to a breaking point."
"You know Nathan feels horrible about what happened…he feels like he's disappointed you."
"He has Haley." Whitey spoke honestly. "That's why I benched him for the next couple of games."
"He really does love it though, there's no doubt in my mind about that."
"I know." Whitey chuckled. "Basketball is in that boys blood. I just want to give him some time and maybe with that some perspective."
Haley nodded appreciative that Nathan had the older man in his life.
"I'm sorry, here I am blabbering my mouth off about your boyfriend when I should be giving you detention for skipping class."
Haley blushed and chuckled. "Busted."
"Mhmm." Whitey smiled. "What's going on Miss. James?"
"I just needed to get away from it all." Haley answered truthfully.
Whitey nodded in understanding. Tree Hill was a small town, he knew the scrutiny the young girl was under right now. "Well, my lips are sealed blondie."
Haley laughed softly. "Thanks Coach."
"I'll get going along. If you see Nathan tell him just because he's benched doesn't mean he can skip practice."
Haley laughed. "Will do."
"And Miss. James?"
"Yeah?"
"It'll get better."
Haley smiled at the older man's genuine words before nodding. "I hope so."
"Luke!" Nathan called out while jogging up to his cousin.
"What's up, Nate?" Lucas greeted walking towards the center of the gym. He and Nathan were early for practice but he wanted to get out there and shot around before Whitey undoubtedly killed them with suicides.
"Have you talked to Hales?"
"No." Lucas shook his head. "And to be honest after the stuff I've heard today I'm not quite sure I want to."
"What do you mean?" Nathan questioned confused.
"Dude, people in here are fucking cruel. I threatened to punch Mike Thompson in the face if I ever heard Haley's name out of his mouth again. I'm dreading facing Hales if she's heard half the stuff I have."
Nathan shook his head. "Yeah, we had lunch together and she seemed really down. She wouldn't tell me anything she heard though."
"I don't know man." Lucas sighed. "I just really wanna find the asshole that did this to her."
"You and me both." Nathan looked towards the other side of the gym where Haley was practicing with the other cheerleaders. He knew she was putting on a fake smile for everyone and he hated that she had to go through this. He hated that someone would use her past against her like this.
"Whitey's still not letting you practice?" Lucas questioned gesturing to Nathan's lack of athletic wear.
Nathan shook his head. "No basketball for the next two games."
"I'm sorry man."
"It's okay. I deserve it." Nathan shrugged. "Doesn't stop the old man from making sit on the bench during practice though."
Lucas laughed slightly. "Look man, I know we haven't talked about what happened."
Nathan shook his head. "It's okay man. Thanks for helping me out with your parents though."
Lucas sat down with Nathan, Karen and Keith and explained the situation with Dan, as a result Nathan was staying with them for the time being, something that Nathan was sure his Uncle Keith was taking a lot of flack for.
"It's no problem man. You're practically my brother."
"Boys!" Whitey's voice boomed throughout the gym. "Huddle up."
"Better go get that bench warm." Nathan joked.
"You'll get back to it before you know it." Lucas encouraged.
"Reece, you need to wear spanks during the games we're not sluts!"
Haley chuckled slightly as she heard Rachel go in on a fellow cheerleader about her tendency to go commando under her uniform. She turned when she felt a bump into her hip and nodded at Peyton who was next to her.
"Glad to see you smiling girlie, how are you?"
Haley laughed slightly. "Honestly?"
Peyton nodded. "Yeah."
"I'm horrible."
"Hales…"
"Everyone thinks I'm this raging whore with a drug problem and no family." She laughed unamused. "And to top it off there's basically a bounty out for Nathan among the female population at this school because they think he's too good for me."
Peyton wordlessly swung both her arms over Haley and sighed. "I'm sorry ."
Haley shrugged. "It's okay."
"No, it's not. I know what it's like to lose a parent and I'd hate to have these idiots making assumptions about my Mom or my life."
Haley looked at Peyton thoughtfully. "Peyton, I had no idea about your Mom."
"It's not something I like to talk about." Peyton shrugged.
"Trust me, I know the feeling." Haley chuckled.
"What are you doing here?"
The two blondes turned at the sound of Rachel's disgusted voice and Haley had to groan when she saw Teresa smirking at the red head. For the most part Haley had been able to avoid the snarky brunette for the day knowing that she'd be getting a kick out of Haley's current situation.
"What I'm not welcome at practice?" Teresa questioned menacingly.
Haley turned to Peyton slowly. "This can't be good."
"When that girl is involved it never is." Peyton agreed.
"Uh, are you delusional? I kicked you off the team." Rachel commented with an eye roll.
"Oh, well I thought I'd claim the spot that shouldn't have been taken away from me in the first place."
Haley looked at the brunette in dread.
"What are you talking about!?" Rachel questioned frustrated.
"Don't you require mandatory drug tests?" Teresa questioned with a cocked brow. "Are you sure Hales is clean?"
Haley heart constricted at her words. It was Teresa. She didn't know how she found out about her past and she didn't know why she felt the need to humiliate her in his way but it was Teresa. She was sure of it.
"Get out." Rachel gritted looking over at Haley concerned.
"And did I hear you ragging on Reece about being a slut?" Teresa laughed. "You talking to the wrong cheerleader Gatina. I hear James has been whoring it out since she was fifteen by going to random frat parties. I just can't believe her parents didn't keep an eye on her…I wonder what they think of her now."
Haley felt the tears involuntarily reach her eyes and Peyton's hand quickly made its way to her shoulder. "Hales."
"I can't do this right now." Haley shook her head while moving quickly from her spot and running towards the gym doors. She faintly heard her name being called out but she ignored it, the need to get out of the school suffocating her.
The tears blur her vision but she makes it to Nathan's SUV and leans against the passenger side door, resting her head against the window. She doesn't know how long her sobbing smothers her until she feels a pair of strong arms around her.
"Baby." Nathan whispers into her hair. "Shhh." He attempts to calm her down moving their bodies side to side. "I'm here, it's okay."
"It's too much Nathan." Haley sobbed. "I can't do this. I can't be here."
"Hales." Nathan pulled her away from him slightly and lifted her chin up so that she was looking at him. "What did Teresa say to you?"
"It doesn't matter." She shook her head calming down slightly.
"Yes, it does." Nathan insisted incredulously. "Tell me what she said Haley."
"Can you just take me home?" She questioned moving away from him slightly.
"Hales…"
"Nate, please. Just take me home."
He looked at her for a moment before nodding and opening the passenger side door. "Come on."
"I don't know man." Travis laughed. "Lindsey's been talking about this job opportunity in London." He held his cell phone up to his ear with his shoulder and continued to tinker on the car in front of him.
"That's awesome man." Clay complimented. "Is she going for it?"
"I don't know." Travis responded. "I think she's scared about what's gonna happen to us if she goes."
"So go with her." Clay suggested.
"Yeah, let me just drag Haley across the Atlantic Ocean away from her friends for her senior year of high school." Travis rolled his eyes.
"Forgot about that little detail." Clay chuckled.
"I guess we'll just see where it goes." Travis commented. He looked up when he heard someone step into the garage and was instantly met with the sight of Nathan putting his backpack down by the entrance. "Look man, I'll call you back later."
"It's all good, I gotta go wine and dine Derek Jeter."
"I hate you." Travis laughed.
"Later, man. Tell Hales I say hi." Clay chuckled.
"Later." Travis closed his phone and nodded at Nathan. "Wanna help me with this car? The transmission is shot."
"Sure." Nathan walked over to the car and leaned down to take a look at the damage.
"Just grab a wrench and help me get these bolts off." Travis commented gesturing to the tools behind him.
"So what's up? I never asked, how did that talk with Keith and Karen go?"
"Good." Nathan nodded. "I'm staying with them for now. And thanks for giving me more hours man…I don't really know how this whole emancipation thing is going to go but you're really helping me out."
"It's okay." Travis waved off. He wasn't too fond of Nathan in the beginning but after seeing the raven-haired boy with his sister a few times he knew he could trust him. "Just know, that if you do end up getting emancipated Haley's never going over to your place."
Nathan laughed. "Noted."
"Speaking of." Travis cleared his throat. "Do you know what's going on with Hales? When I came home from work last night she just seemed…I don't know…out of it. You guys left for school this morning before I had a chance to ask her about it."
Nathan took in a deep breath; he had assumed that Haley hadn't filled her brother in on her situation. Nathan liked Travis and the older James was just starting to warm up to him but Nathan didn't know if it was his place to tell Travis.
"There's just some stuff going on at school." Nathan replied vaguely.
"Anything I should know about?" Travis questioned.
"I don't really know if it's my place man."
"Nathan, if something is wrong with Haley I need to know." Travis looked up from the car and looked at the younger boy. "Seriously."
"Travis, I'm in a really awkward position here." Nathan replied helplessly.
"Look, there are things about Haley that you don't know. I just don't want her to get to a point that I've feel like she's moved past."
"Haley's told me about everything that's happened in LA." Nathan responded softly.
"Everything?" Travis questioned surprised.
Nathan nodded silently. "Look, I know how much you care about Haley. I get it. But I care about her too…" He hesitated before speaking again. "I love her and I'm going to make sure that she's okay. So until she decides to tell you about what's going on just know that she's not alone right now."
Travis chuckled and shook his head. "You love her?"
"I do." Nathan nodded.
Travis silently worked under the hood of the car before turning and grabbing a break belt off of the workbench. "Come on Scott, this transmission is a hopeless case. I'll teach you how to install this belt."