Chapter 9:

Everyone at the dining area was silenced by what Peyton had just said. Haley was coming down and he noticed the frozen Nathan and quiet family. She slowly walked towards the table, thinking in her head if this was real. She bowed down before the king and queen, and greeted them.

"Excuse me…I'm really sorry for breaking the silence but…Why is everyone silent anyway?" Haley asked as she was sitting down.

Snapping out of their present state, the queen tried to answer, but first, she called Nathan. "Nathan…Aren't you coming to the table?"

Nathan also snapped out of it and nodded. He greeted Peter and Daphne, then he sat down.

"Haley, I'm sorry. What was your question? Why were we silent?" Haley nodded so Daphne continued. "My husband here," then she looked at him who felt guilty. "I guess…He might have triggered something in Peyton that caused her to say…things."

"May I ask what it was about?" Haley carefully replied.

"I'm sorry my niece, but it's between Daphne, Nathan and I. Right Nathan?" Peter said as he looked at Nathan.

"Yes your majesty. Sorry Haley." Nathan replied to both Peter and Haley.

"Oh…Ok." Haley felt curious but she respected the fact that it was a secret. She just started eating and kept quiet.

Nathan started to eat as well, but after a few bites, he lost his appetite. He put his silverware down, saying, "I'm sorry. I'm not very hungry. Excuse me your majesty." Then he left the table and went to the cabin in the field, where Haley took him before.

Haley watched as Nathan left. She wanted to follow him, so she finished her food immediately, excused herself and left. She looked for Nathan, and once she found him, she sat down beside him. "You know…You're the only man I know who doesn't eat much in the morning…But then again, I'm guessing that you lost your appetite because of the incident I didn't get to know about."

Nathan didn't make eye contact, smile, laugh or even just change anything about his present state.

Haley noticed this, so she stopped talking…But then, she just felt the urge to speak. "You know if you tell me what happened, I might be able to help you…Peyton and I are really close…practically twin sisters…I can tell you what to do that would help both of you."

Nathan gave Haley a bad look. "You talk too much, you know that?"

Haley was a bit offended but it was true, so she just nodded her head and apologized. "I'm sorry."

Nathan saw the look on Haley's face and couldn't help but feel like a bad person. So, he hesitantly put his hand on Haley's shoulder and patted it about two times saying, "Don't be…You're just…trying to help…I'm just…in a pretty bad position right now."

Haley brushed off the feeling at once. What feeling? A leap in her heart when Nathan put his hand on her shoulder, and went on with the conversation. "I know…I wish I could help though."

"Haley…" Nathan said as he faced her. "If I tell you what's happening, will you promise to keep it a secret? And pretend that you know nothing?"

Haley was shocked in a happy way, but she didn't smile so that Nathan would feel that she is serious. "Absolutely."

Nathan told her everything that happened yesterday, that morning, and during breakfast.

The first thing Haley asked was, "Were you jealous?"

Again, Nathan found it hard to answer that question, so…he lied again. "No…Why should I be?"

"You're lying Nathan…And not to make you feel worse, but Peyton knows that you lied."

"Did Peyton tell you what happened?" Nathan was really worried now.

"No, but…Peyton…It's hard to read her, but she sees right through people. She's better at it than me. Heck, I can't even read her. Anyway, what I'm saying is that, if I can read you now, then she definitely read you earlier."

Nathan's shoulders just dropped and he had such a stressed look on his face. "That's why she just left. I mean…It's like she left her servant or guard."

"Tsk Tsk Tsk. If you don't become more honest, this Lucas guy might actually sweep her off her feet earlier than you." She joked.

Nathan reflected on it, and he asked Haley. "Honesty? You really think so?"

"Well…Not just honesty. I'm saying…You have to show her that you really care about her. Don't be afraid to be more open because Peyton's a really good person."

"She really is." Nathan said with a smile. It was like a reflex action.

Haley, on the other hand, was wrestling with the feeling that she wasn't doing the right thing. But typical selfless Haley didn't mind that feeling. However, she couldn't smile as big as she normally would. She even had this sadness in her eyes. "She's also really lucky to have someone like you, care so much about her."

After this conversation, Nathan could feel all the confidence in the world to give it another shot. He was so happy he hugged Haley as he said, "Thank you. Thank you so much Haley."

Haley was in shock, but she was also very giddy inside. Now, she could really smile big. The moment was so surreal for her that as they hugged tight, her eyes were closed. Of course, all perfect moments end. She noticed how she was reacting, and she thought to herself 'What are you doing Haley? Stop smiling.'. So she broke the hug and made up an excuse as she coughed. "Too tight Nathan. Can't breathe." She joked and they laughed so hard. Still, Haley felt mixed thankfulness and regret inside of her.

"Well…I better go. I have many things to do. Bye Haley." Nathan stood up and walked away. As he was walking, he turned around and gave Haley a goodbye wave and smile.

Haley waved and smiled back, feeling her heart melt a little inside of her. Once the coast was clear, she stood up and found her place in the field. She just lied down and hugged herself. She was reliving the hug, the hand on the shoulder, and every moment with Nathan.

Little did Haley nor Nathan know that Peyton was in her balcony. Everything starting from the hug up to now, Peyton saw. Too bad she can't hear anything…But she could read people well couldn't she?

AN: Thank you so much for the reviews! So good to read reviews. Joise, they're strangers…  And are you psychic? Haha. Cause this chapter was where Haley appeared again. Haha. Keep R&Ring…They extremely help! Hihi. I'll keep updating don't worry.