Chapter 2:
Haley woke up early the next morning after not getting a lot of sleep the night before. She quietly left the room so she wouldn't wake up Brooke and went downstairs to make coffee. She had been drinking coffee for years, a side effect of working in a cafe your whole life. It was a little before 8 so as she suspected no one was awake yet. One the coffee was ready she poured herself some and made her way out onto the porch. She sat down on one of the chairs just watching the lake. It was so calm this early. As she sipped her coffee she heard the sliding door open. She looked up to see Karen coming outside with a cup of coffee.
"I hope you don't mine I stole some coffee." Karen said with a smile as she took the seat next to Haley.
"I made it for everyone." Haley answered with a smile.
"Your up early." Karen commented as she sipped her coffee.
"I didn't sleep good last night so I finally decided to just get up." Haley answered as Karen nodded.
"I hear your going to Duke in the fall." Karen said glancing over at Haley.
"I'm not sure anymore." Haley answered.
"Oh your mom said you told her you made your decision." Karen said confused.
"I'm still trying to decide between there and Stanford." Haley answered avoiding eye contact.
"Is this about my son going there?" Karen asked. She was the first person to pick up on the fact that Nathan going there would effect her decision.
"No." Haley said a little to quickly. "He has nothing to do with what I decide. Plus it's a big campus."
"Okay." Karen said even though she still didn't believe her. "I remember when you two were practically inseparable in the summers. You guys used to have so much fun together, you all did." Karen said remebering as Haley stared out at the water. "I don't know what happened but I miss those days. It feels like now you two can't stand to be in the same room as each other. Most so you than Nate." Karen said watching Haley but Haley wouldn't look at her. "I'm not sure what my son did but I can tell he's sorry. He was miserable after you left last summer."Karen told her. Haley looked down biting her lip. Karen then stood up knowing Haley wasn't going to talk. "Work it out. I hate seeing both of you like this, your like a second daughter to me. I love you kiddo." Karen said kissing the top of Haley's head before turning to leave.
"I love you too Karen." Haley called after her. Haley was tired and frustrated. She knew Karen only meant well along with everyone else and she loved them for caring but she didn't want to talk about her and Nathan anymore.
Haley had been waiting for Brooke for almost a half an hour to go down to the beach.
"Brooke, how long does it take you to get ready for the beach." Haley called from her bed.
"It takes time to look good."Brooke said coming back into their room. She was wearing a hot pink and zebra print bikini.
"Cute bathing suite."Haley commented when she looked up from the book she ws reading.
"Thank you." Brooke said as she stared at her reflection in the mirror. She then glanced back at Haley through the mirror. "Oww I love yours!" Brooke said. Haley was wearing a hot pink bikini with black sequence in a few spots.
"Thanks." Haley said standing up and looking at her reflection in the mirror. Rachel had helped her pick out the bathing suite. She insisted it was perfect for her. "Lucas already went down to the beach."
"And Nathan?" Brooke asked looking at Haley.
"Yeah, him too." Haley said shrugging. Brooke sighed.
"Are you ever going to tell me what happened?" Brooke asked turning around to look at her.
"I can't." Haley said firmly. She felt bad telling Brooke because he was her brother and she felt bad telling Lucas because Nathan was his best friend. She knew Nathan hadn't so she wasn't going to either. "Okay ready to go tan?" Haley asked changing the subjected. "Let's go." Haley said leading the way out of their room all the way outside. Haley stopped at the back door to glance out it first. "That's wierd I don't see them." Haley said as she opened the back door stepping outside. Brooke followed right behind her. One the door was closed they started walking off the porch. Haley was about to go down the steps when she felt something hit her arm. She was suddenly covered with water, she could hear Brooke scream behind her.
"What the hell was that? Brooke exclaimed.
"Water balloons." Haley said looking at the balloon on the ground. "Lucas Eugene James!" Haley yelled only to get hit in the head with another water balloon.
"What did I say about using my middle name?" Lucas exclaimed coming out from where he was hiding followed by Nathan.
"You hit me with a water balloon!" Haley yelled defending herself as they both laughed.
"And you got hit with another one for saying it." Lucas said laughing. Haley heard Nathan chuckled behind Lucas.
"Shut up Royal!" Haley shot back as Nathan laughed putting his hands up as if in surrender. Brooke and Haley both laughed.
"Not cool." Nathan said laughing as everyone else laughed.
"Lucas you got my hair wet." Brooke whined.
"I'm sorry baby." Lucas said giving her a kiss. Once he was distracted Haley grabbed a water balloon from their stash that she had seen and threw on at Lucas' head.
"That got me too!" Brooke exclaimed pulling away from Lucas to grab a balloon. Before they know it all four of them were in a water balloon war. Haley was throwing one at Brooke laughing as she felt one hit her back. She grabbed another and whipped around to see Nathan standing there grinning.
"Oh it's on now!" Haley said laughing as she threw one at him. She felt like this was the first time she had laughed since they got there. Little did they know Brooke and Lucas were now watching them shocked that they were getting along. Nathan ducked and ran to grab another as Haley threw one at him when he got closer. They both were laughing as Nathan took the balloon he had and popped it over her head. Her hair was soaked and in her face. Before Nathan could stop himself he pushed the hair behind her ears. Once Haley felt Nathan's finger tips graze her cheek she realized how close they were. She stopped laughing and froze for a minute as Nathan stared at her. She then took a large step backwards.
"Haley..." Nathan said softly, looking a mixture of looking hurt and sorry.
"No.." Haley said shaking her head continuing to back up. She could feel tears welling up in her eyes. "I need to go.." Haley said running back into the house. Brooke and Lucas both watch the scene unfold and Nathan slouch back into a chair after. They both felt bad but they didn't know what was going on at the same time.
Haley ran into the bathroom and shut the door securely behind her resting her back on the door. She took a few deep breaths trying to calm herself down. She should have never let him get that close again. She was mentally kicking herself when her thoughts were interrupted by a knock on the door.
"Nathan go away." Haley called through the door shakily as she wiped a few tears from her cheeks. She assumed he had gone after her.
"No honey, it's mom." Haley heard her mother say through the door. "Are you okay? I saw you run inside."
"Yeah." Haley called back trying not to let her voice shake.
"I'm making lunch. Come get some when your ready." Lydia called though the door.
"Okay mom." Haley called back. She walked over to the sink and splashed water on her face. She took a deep breath before walking out of the bathroom. She then walked into the kitchen to find her mom making sandwiches. "Where is everyone?" Haley asked.
"They are in the living room." Lydia answered as she put the last sandwich on a plate. "Haley, are you okay? I want the truth."
"Not really." Haley answered shrugging as she let out a nervous laugh.
"I can't help unless, I know what's going on.." Lydia said.
"I know mom." Haley answered.
"Your still not going to tell me?" Lydia asked. Haley just shook her head.
"Sorry." Haley said. "Do you want help bringing the sandwiches out?"
"Yes please." Lydia answered as they both grabbed the sandwiches.
After everyone was down with lunch there was a knock on the front door.
"Oh, I'll get that." Lydia said racing down the hall to the door.
"Who could that be?" Lucas asked. "Are you guys expecting anyone?" Lucas as Brooke and Nathan both shook their heads.
"Haley, I have a surprise for you." Lydia called as she made her way down the hall. Haley looked up to see her mother coming down the hall. As she came into full view she stepped aside revealing the person behind her. Haley shrieked and jumped up.
"Jake!" Haley screamed running over to him with a huge smile on her face. Jake just grinned at her opening his arms as she jumped into them. He lifted her off the ground and hugged her tightly.
"Hey baby girl."Jake said as he set her down on the floor. They hadn't seen each other in a couple months because he was away at collge.
"What are you doing here?" Haley asked happily as she pulled back.
"Your mom called me." Jake answered. "She figured I could cheer you up."
"You're the best." Haley said hugging him again. As they hugged Nathan sat back and watched. Brooke turned to her brother.
"Last year that would have been you. When you guys got along." Brooke whispered as Nathan rolled his eyes at her.
"Shut up Brooke." Nathan hissed.
"I don't know what you did big brother but you screwed up." Brooke whispered back. Nathan just ignored her last comment. He was deep in thought thinking about how Haley and him used to be last summer and before that.
Flashback.
This year before at this time Haley and Nathan were still really good friends. One morning in particular Nathan had convinced Haley to go with him for a run. They had just ran over a mile and Haley was dead. She flopped down on the beach trying to breathe.
"Remind me again why I agreed to come?" Haley asked playfully staring up at Nathan.
"To see me without a shirt on." Nathan answered smirking.
"You wish." Haley said scoffing. Haley then sat up. "My feet are killing me." Haley whined pulling her shoes off.
"Let's walk in the water." Nathan suggested as he slipped his shoes off. He then reached his hand down to help Haley up. Haley took it without a second though. He pulled her up a little to hard and the next thing they knew they were chest to chest. nathan rached up and tucked a piece of falled hair behind her ear. Their eyes locked instantly. They both stood there unsure of what to do next. Nathan then bent down and lifted her up throwing her over his shoulder as she laughed uncontrollably.
"Nathan! What are you doing?" Haley shrieked through her laughter as Nathan ran into the water. He laughed as he flipped her over his shoulder into the water. Haley came up laughing hysterically.
"You are so going to pay for that!" Haley yelled as Nathan laughed attempting to get away from her even if he didn't really want to. Haley jumped on his back attempting to dunk him under the water but he was too strong for her.
"Your too strong." Haley whined still clinging to his neck as she wrapped her legs around her waist.
"Your just weak." Nathan said holding onto her legs as he flopped into the water sending Haley under again.
"So unfair." Haley said as she emerged from the water. Nathan laughed as Haley splashed him. Haley then swam closer and she was finally able to dunk him under the water. Nathan came up laughing. "Ha ha." Haley said sticking her tongue out at him.
"Very funny." Nathan said tickling her. Haley laughed.
"S-s-stop! Y-y-you know I h-h-hate being t-tickled!" Haley yelled while still giggling. Nathan stopped and just stared at her. That's when Haley realized how close they were again. Before Haley could do anything Nathan leaned in quickly and kissed her. When Haley pulled back she looked shocked.
"You shouldn't have done that Nathan." Haley whispered.
"I wanted too." Nathan declared. Haley studied his face knowing he was telling the truth.
"Yeah.." Haley said trailing off as she flung her arms around his neck and crashed her lips into his. Nathan immediately responded to the kiss as he pulled her closer. This was the best kiss both of them had ever experienced in their lives. They both pulled away breathing heavily.
"I've wated to do that for so long." Nathan admitted staring into Haley's eyes as he brushed another stray hair back out of her face.
"So have I." Haley admitted. Nathan leaned in and kissed her again. They had decided to keep what was happening between them until they figured out what they were. Them being a couple was new to them.
End of flashback.
Nathan watched as Haley finally pulled back from Jake still smiling. This was the happiest he'd seen her the entire trip.
"I still can't believe your here!" Haley said happily. Nathan rolled his eyes as he took a sip of his soda. "Where's my baby?" Haley asked as Jake laughed.
"Behind me." Jake said stepping aside. Haley gasped.
"Hi baby."Haley said leaning over to pick up the small baby. Nathan spit his soda everywhere and started coughing uncontrollably.
"Gross!"Brooke said as her and Lucas wiped themselves off from the spray. "You okay?"Brooke finally asked patting his back as she gave him a funny look. Haley and Jake just glanced over at him confused.
"You have a baby?" Nathan said through his coughs.
"No dumbass."Haley said rolling her eyes at his stupidity. She then saw Karen and Keith staring at her too. "Karen, Keith this is my best friend Jake and my god daughter Jenny." Haley said sending Nathan a glare. "Jake this is Karen and Keith." Haley introduced as Jake shook their hands.
"Nice to meet you." Jake said politely. Haley hugged her parents quickly as he talked to Karen and Keith.
"Thanks mom." Haley whispered.
"I know your going though a hard time, I wanted to help." Lydia whispered back. After that the parents quietly excused themselves.
"Brooke, you remember Jake."Haley said as Brooke stood up and gave him a quick hug.
"Hi." Brooke said.
"It's good to see you Brooke." Jake said returning the hug.
"Brooke, this is Jenny." Haley said playing with the baby in her arms. Jenny was only 6 months old. "You never got to meet her." Haley said as Lucas and Jake said hi to each other. Jake was friends with both Haley and Lucas, he was closer with Haley though. Jake then turned to Nathan who was sitting there not talking.
"You must be Nathan."Jake said courtly not bothering to shake his hand.
"Yeah.." Nathan said confused. Then at that moment he knew Haley had told hi,. Haley noticed the tension and need to do something.
"So Brooke do you want to hold Jenny?" Haley asked.
"Yeah." Brooke said excitedly. She took the baby and wen to sit next to Lucas. Haley looked over to see Jake still looking at Nathan. She knew Jake wouldn't be friendly with Nathan but she didn't want them to get into a fight.
"Jake." Haley said getting his attention. She slowly shook her head telling him to stop. "I'm really glad your here." Haley said wrapping her arms around his waist to hug him again.
"Me too." Jake said kissing the top of her head. Jake then went over to kneel in front of Jenny.
"Do you want something to drink?" Haley asked.
"Yeah, water please." Jake answered as he played with his daughter.
"Okay, be right back." Haley said making her way into the kitchen to get Jake a drink. As she filled his glass with water she heard someone come into the kitchen behind her.
"I take it you told Jake." A voice said from behind her.
"God! What is it like your thing to sneak up behind me?" Haley said rolling her eyes as she turned around.
"I didn't mean too." Nathan answered. "Jake knows right?"
"He knows everything." Haley answered. "He's one of my best friends."
"When did you tell him?" Nathan asked not knowing what else to say.
"The day I left." Haley answered. Nathan just nodded.
"Are we ever going to talk about it?" Nathan asked her.
"What part of I hate you last night did you not get?" Haley snapped. "I have nothing to say to you. And as far as I'm concerned you have nothing to say to me either." Haley said giving him a pointed look.
"I'm sorry." Nathan said.
"You've said that before. It doesn't change anything." Haley said grabbing the water getting ready to walk out of the room.
"Wait!" Nathan said stopping her.
"What now?" Haley said stopping but not turning around.
"Why didn't you ever tell Lucas or Brooke?" Nathan asked. Haley turned her head to look at him.
"If Lucas knew he would have killed you." Haley answered before walking out of the room.
Haley, Lucas, Nathan, Brooke, Jake, and Jenny all spent the day on the lake. They took the boat out for a cruise. Brooke had convinced them all to go to party at one of the other cabins on the lake. Lydia willingly volunteered to watch Jenny for the night. They had been at the party for about an hour. Lucas, Jake, and Nathan had gone to talk to some of Lucas and Nathan's friends. Haley and Brooke were talking to their friend Bevin. They had met her a couple years ago. The girls were now in the kitchen getting a drink.
"Have you decided on a college yet?" Haley asked.
"I think I'm going to go to UNC." Bevin told them. "What about you guys?"
"Duke." Brooke said happily.
"Probably Duke." Haley answered. As much as she didn't want to go to the same school as Nathan she couldn't revolve her decision around him.
"You guys are going to the same school!" Bevin said grinning. "That's awesome. I wish one of my friends were going to UNC."
"I'm sure you'll meet people." Brooke said as Bevin passed her a drink.
"Where are your parents this weekend?" Haley asked. She knew they couldn't be there since Bevin was having a party.
"Home for work." Bevin answered.
"Do they ever notice you have parties?" Brooke asked.
"Not once." Bevin said grinning. Bevin then handed Haley her drink. "I'm glad your here this year Haley."
"Yeah.." Haley said sipping her drink. "I definitely missed you two."
"You seem a little out of it..especially when you first got here." Bevin commented. "Is everything okay?"
"Yeah." Haley answered.
"I don't think you've been here since right before you left last summer. You ran out of here so fast I couldn't even catch you." Bevin commented. Haley's eyes bulged out. "All I know is you ran out and then a couple minutes later Nathan went stumbling after you. I'm pretty sure he fell down my entire flight of stairs." Bevin said chuckling. Brooke glanced at Haley.
"Uh yeah.." Haley said looking down. "I'm going to go find Jake. I'll find you guys later." Haley said getting up and leaving.
"We'll come." Bevin said standing up as Brooke did the same. They were walking around looking for the boys. Not seeing them they stopped.
"There's so many people here." Haley commented looking through the people.
"I don't see Luke anywhere." Brooke said. Suddenly Haley felt someone flick the back of her head. She turned around quickly to see Carrie standing there.
"That's for ruining things last summer." Carrie said walking past her. Haley took her drink and threw it at her.
"That's for flicking me in the back of the head." Haley said as Brooke and Bevin gasped. Just then Lucas, Jake, and Nathan came into view seeing everything.
"You bitch." Carrie said slapping Haley in the face. Haley's jaw dropped. "Who the hell do you think you are?"
"I think you need to take a step back from my friend." Brooke said stepping up.
"It's okay Brooke." Haley said pushing her over a little bit. Haley then wound up and slapped her. "Stay the hell away from me." Haley said before walking away. Jake went after her immediately.
"What the hell just happened?" Lucas asked as she walked away.
"Carrie just came over and flicked her in the back of the head saying something ruining things for her last summer. Then Haley threw her drink at her and you saw the rest." Brooke explained. Nathan just sighed and walked away. Bevin had also walked away at some point.
"I want to know what happened last summer." Lucas said firmly. "Someone needs to start talking."
"Bevin mentioned something earlier about Haley leaving upset last year. Then Nathan running..well stumbling after her." Brooke told him.
"They need to start talking soon." Lucas said sighing as he placed his arm around Brooke.
Meanwhile Jake had caught up to Haley before they got to the door.
"Haley!" Jake said grabbing her arm to stop her.
"What?" Haley asked turning around to face him.
"What was that about?" Jake asked.
"I don't like her." Haley answered.
"Haley, you've never been in a fight in your life." Jake said watching her carefully. She could tell her was concerned.
"That was her." Haley said.
"I should have guessed." Jake said finally realizing what the fight with about. "Are you okay?"
"I guess." Haley answered. "I'm just going to go outside and get some fresh air."
"Want me to come?" Jake asked.
"No, I'll be okay." Haley said shaking her head.
"Find me after?" Jake asked.
"Promise." Haley answered before walking away.
Haley took her drink and slowly made her way through the crowds of people. She couldn't seem to find Jake or Lucas anywhere. She turned around and froze at the scene in front of her. Nathan was standing there was Carrie flirting shamelessly with him running her hands down his chest. Nathan rolled his eyes and grabbed her hands taking them off of him. At the very moment he looked up and saw Haley standing there. Haley's jaw dropped. Haley could feel like tears coming to her eyes. Nathan let go of Carrie as he finished pushing her away and tried to take a step closer to Haley but Haley took off. She ran out of the house before he could catch her. When she got outside all the memories came flashing back to her.
Flashback.
Last summer after Nathan and Haley had been secretly dating for a month. They went with Brooke and Lucas to a party at Bevin's. Brooke and Lucas decided to leave early to spend some time together. Haley had gone to the bathroom and then went searching for Nathan. She spent about 15 minutes looking for him. He was extremely drunk the last time she saw him. She didn't know how he managed to disappear.
"Hey Bev." Haley said coming up next to Bevin.
"Hey Hales. Having fun?" Bevin asked.
"Yeah." Haley answered with smile. "Have you seen Nathan?"
"Oh yeah, I think he went up stairs not too long ago." Bevin answered.
"Okay, thanks." Haley said leaving to make her way up the stairs. Haley made her way upstairs and still couldn't find him. She starting checking the bedrooms thinking that maybe he went to lay down. She got to Bevin's spare bedroom and opened the door. She gapsed at the sight before her. Nathan was lying in bed with his shirt off and Carrie on top of him naked. "Oh my god!" Haley breathed out. She could feel the tears welling up in her eyes.
"Haley.." Nathan mumbled as he squinted trying to see if it was her. He was clearly extrememly drunk.
"What the hell?" Haley yelled.
"Haley." Nathan said trying to sit up but Carrie wasn't moving. Haley took off and sprinted down the stairs. Nathan got Carrie off of him as fast as he could and grabbed his shirt and went to run after her. He was so drunk he fell down the stair but he didn't care he needed to find her. He finally got outside and she was running down the beach. "Haley!" Nathan yelled running to catch up with her. He finally got close enough to grab her arm in order to stop her. Haley turned around with tears running down her cheeks.
"Don't fucking touch me!" Haley yelled angrily ripping her arm away from him. Nathan had never heard her this angry.
"I swear it wasn't what it looked like." Nathan tried to explain.
"I don't want to hear your bullshit! I never want to talk to you again!" Haley screamed.
"You need to let me explain." Nathan pleaded.
"Go fuck yourself Nathan or finish Carrie for that matter because we are OVER! I don't ever want to talk to you again. As far as I'm concerned I don't even know you." Haley spat out as she sobbed. "The person I know would never do this to me. How could you do this to me?" Haley whispered the last part as she sobbed as she turned to leave.
"Haley." Nathan said grabbing her arm again. Haley swung around full force and slapped him in the face as hard as possible.
"Fuck you!" Haley yelled running away as Nathan grabbed his cheek.
End of Flashback.
"Haley." Nathan said breaking Haley from her thoughts.
"Go away." Haley said refusing to turn around and look at him.
"That back there wasn't anything. I was trying to get her away from me." Nathan told her as he walked around so he was in front of her. He then noticed her eyes were red and watery.
"Whatever." Haley said wiping her face.
"Haley I-" Nathan started to say but Lucas, Jake, and Brooke walked out. They were obviously trying to find them.
"What the hell did you do now?" Jake said coming up next to Haley.
"Just stay out of it." Nathan yelled. "I'm talking to Haley."
"Not anymore." Jake said stepping in front of her.
"What's going on?" Lucas asked stepping up.
"Nathan and I just have something we need to resolve." Jake said not taking his eyes off Nathan.
"I'm telling you it has nothing to do with you." Nathan snapped.
"Enough! I don't know what's going on but I don't want another fight tonight."Brooke said tryng to stop it. "Everyone just needs to calm down."
"Haley, can we just talk?" Nathan asked.
"No." Haley answered.
"Haven't you done enough?" Jake asked.
"You don't know what your talking about. Stay out of it." Nathan said. At that moment Jake punch Nathan in the face. He had been waiting to do it for a while.
"Oh my god!" Brooke said gasping. Nathan then punched him back. Lucas was about to step between them but Haley did first. Jake was about to hit Nathan again when Haley stepped in front of Nathan.
"Stop!" Haley yelled. "I know your trying to protect me but I don't want this either." Haley said as more tears came. Jake still hadn't taken his eyes off of Nathan. "Jake, please." Haley cried. Jake finally looked at her. "Come on." Haley said taking his hand and pulling him back to the house.
"You need to start talking." Lucas said firmly to Nathan.
"Not not Luke." Nathan said walking away.
"Nathan!" Brooke yelled trying to stop him.
"I said not now Brooke." Nathan said without stopping.