Hi, Everyone! Sorry it took me so long to post the next update... school has been super busy! I have gotten a few questions about Kayla and Jamie's ages... in this fic, Jamie is 6... This chapter should make it more clear, but Kayla is 16... she is a sophomore in high school. I hope you all enjoy it!
Slow Me Down Ch15
Setting: Brooke's House
*Brooke and Victoria are sitting on the steps of Brooke's house. *
Brooke: What's up, Mom?
Victoria: I… um… I have to tell you something, Brooke…. But, before I do I want you to know that it was in your best interest…
Brooke: Knowing your track record, I have a feeling I am not going to like this…
Victoria: It's about Julian's accident.
Brooke: Oh…
Victoria: The night of the accident, I was coming to see you. I was leaving for New York and I wanted to make sure everything was arranged for when I got there. I saw the lights out in the store and then I saw Julian. He looked really upset. I just figured he was upset about you… and… I hit him. I figured the best way to get him out of your way would be to get rid of him… I know I said that I was ok with it, but I… I just don't know if it is in your best interest… You have so much going for you right now, Brooke… I don't want anything to get in your way.
*Without saying a word, Brooke gets up off of the steps and enters the house – unable to look her mother in the eyes. *
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THE NEXT MORNING
* Haley and Kayla are walking into Tree Hill High, with Jamie following closely behind them. He stops every few seconds to give the Varsity Ravens high fives. *
Kayla: Man, that kid is going to be the most popular guy in high school before he is 13…
*They keep chatting as Sam approaches. *
Haley: Sam!
Sam: Hey, Haley…
Haley: Sam, this is my niece, Kayla… the one I told you about… she is starting here today…
Kayla: Hey…
Sam: Hales, Brooke said something about you going to the studio today… do you want me to show Kayla around so that you can get working?
Kayla: Oh! That sounds like a good plan to me!
Haley: Kay…
Kayla: No offence, Hales… I'd just prefer to avoid humiliation from being escorted to my first day of school by my aunt….
Sam: Don't sweat it, Kayla… Haley is pretty much the coolest teacher around.
Haley: Oh, whatever, you two… Have a good day, Kayla… call me if you need anything.
Jamie: Bye, Kayla.
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Setting: Clothes Over Bros.
*Jamie darts into the store and plops down on the couch. Haley continues to the back room of the store, where she finds Brooke sewing with Peyton sprawled across the couch. Against the back wall, Brooke has lined up several completed bridesmaid dresses and a wedding dress. *
Haley: Well, someone has been busy… *gesturing to the dresses *
Brooke: Yeah, well it's probably because of the arrival of a certain someone…
Peyton: I bet you can guess whom…
Haley: Please don't say Chris Keller.
Brooke: Negative. The mother from hell has arrived… again.
Haley: Oh, lord…"Witchtoria" is back?
Peyton: You've got it!
Haley: Brooke, what happened? I thought you guys fixed things?
Brooke: Yeah, well not anymore…
*Brooke changes the subject, not wanting to add to Haley's problems. *
Brooke: How are you doing, Hales?
Haley: Ok… I think… I'm taking one day at a time…
Peyton: Yeah, well… you will make it through… we're all going to help you…
Haley: Thanks, Peyton.
Brooke: Kayla seems like a really great kid…
Haley: Yeah, she is… she's been through a lot, though… I actually introduced her to Sam this morning… they seemed to hit it off… I think it would be good for both of them if they become friends…
Brooke: I know what you mean… Sam has seemed really lonely lately… She could use some new friends…
Haley: How has school been going for her?
Brooke: Ok… I think… But, what do I know… I used everything except actually working to get through high school.
Haley: Well, I would be happy to help her if you want…
Brooke: Thanks, Hales… Hey, Haley, would you mind doing me a favor?
Haley: Sure. What is it?
*Brooke gestures to the wedding dress. *
Brooke: Would you try this on? I just want to make a few adjustments. I'd ask Peyton to do it, but there's no way her boney ass would fit in it…
Haley: Heck yes!!
*************************************
Setting: The coach's office at Tree Hill High
*Jake is sitting at the desk, prepping material for his first class. *
Lucas: I could be wrong, but don't you have your own desk?
Jake: Yeah… it just seems weird to be sitting behind the desk in that classroom… I still feel like a student, you know?
Lucas: I felt the same way when I started… I still feel like this is Whitey's office…
Jake: Well, I have to get to my first class… wish me luck!
Lucas: You'll do great, Jake… just don't be too hard on them…
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Setting: Clothes Over Bros.
*Brooke and Haley are in the back room. Haley is wearing the wedding dress, while Brooke is making adjustments. *
Haley: It's so beautiful, Brooke…
Brooke: Thanks, TutorMaidofHonor.
Haley: Brooke, Are you serious?
Brooke: Of course I am… you do want to, right?
Haley: I would love to! I just… I thought you would have wanted Sam to do it…
Brooke: I know Sam is my family now… It's just that I was your maid of honor and I'd love if you would be mine…
Haley: Brooke, you don't even have to ask me twice. My answer is yes… I'd love to.
*Brooke pulls Haley into her arms and wraps her into a tight squeeze. The two of them are giggling when they hear a sharp cry come from the front of the store. *
Haley: Jamie!
*The two of them sprint to the front of the store to find Jamie curled up in a ball on the couch. *
Haley: Brooke, get my purse.
*Haley picks up Jamie and cradles him in her arms, as Brooke hastily runs to the back room and returns with Haley's bag. *
Haley: Shh…. Buddy…. It's ok….
*Haley rummages through her bag and pulls out several different medicines. After locating the correct medicine, she measures out the right amount and helps him swallow it. Within minutes, Jamie relaxes in her arms. *
Haley: There you go, baby…
*Jamie's eyes flutter open as he notices what his mom is wearing. *
Jamie: You look pretty, Mama.
Haley: Thanks, Buddy.
Jamie: Mom…
Haley: Yeah, Jimmy-Jam…
Jamie: When will it get better? When will I stop hurting?
Haley: I wish I could answer that for you, buddy… But, I don't want to lie to you… I don't know… I just don't know…
*Haley picks him up and heads up to the roof, signaling to Brooke and Peyton to wait in the store. *
Jamie: Where are we going?
Haley: I have something to show you.
**************************************
Setting: Boy's locker room.
*Everyone on the team is changed into their uniforms. Instead of socializing and goofing off, they are on the benches studying. *
Lucas: What's this? I don't think I've ever actually seen any of you pick up a book.
Player 1: It's the new English teacher, Coach….
Player 2: I've never had this much homework in my life!
*Jake enters the locker room. *
Lucas: You mean this new English teacher? *gesturing to Jake*
Player 1: He has us reading Les Mis!
Lucas: What did you do to my players? Les Mis?
Jake: I got some tips from Haley…
Lucas: Well, I am going to be having a little chat with her…
***********************************************
Setting: The roof of Clothes over Bros.
*Jamie is sitting on the picnic table while Haley removes the brick from the wall and retrieves the little box that was hiding behind it. She places the brick back in the wall and joins Jamie on the picnic table. *
Haley: You feeling a little better, buddy?
Jamie: Yeah… what's that?
Haley: This is a little tradition that Uncle and Lucas and I started when we were little.
Jamie: What did you do?
Haley: Well, every year before school started, we would write down what we predicted would happen or what we wished for…
Jamie: That's so cool!
Haley: Yeah, It kind of is! And… I was thinking… maybe if you write down your wish it will come true…
Jamie: Like, I could wish to feel better?
Haley: Something like that… we'll see… I'll even write one for you too.
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Setting: Nathan and Haley's house
*Haley walks past Kayla's room with a laundry basket resting on her hip. She stops in the doorway when she hears Kayla singing. Not noticing her aunt in the doorway, she continues singing to herself. When Kayla is finished, Haley makes her presence known.*
Haley: Wow…
Kayla: *embarrassed* oh, um…
Haley: No, Kayla, don't be embarrassed… that was really, really good!
Kayla: I used to sing with mom a lot… She used to sing that song to me after I had a bad day when I was little…
Haley: Yeah… she sang the same one to me… How was your first day?
Kayla: Good… It's just weird… starting a new school, I mean… Sam's cool, though…
Haley: I'm glad you guys get along… Sam's a great kid…
Kayla: She said something about joining the cheer squad…
Haley: Really? Sam?
Kayla: Yeah… she said Brooke wanted her to do it or something…
Haley: Well, do you want to do it with her?
Kayla: Actually, I was thinking about trying out for the school play…
Haley: You should!
Kayla: Would you help me?
Haley: Of course!
*Haley hears the front door open, signaling Nathan's entrance*
Nathan: Haley James?
Haley: I'm coming! Kayla, I should go say hi to Nathan… Maybe I can get to bed a decent time to night…
Kayla: Yeah… 'cause you and Nathan are really going to "sleep" tonight…
Haley: Hey! Watch it, Missy.
*Haley continues down the hall to meet Nathan with the laundry basket still balanced on her hip. When she reaches Nathan, he takes the basket and puts it on the ground. Then, he pulls her in for a kiss. *
Haley: I missed you…
Nathan: I missed you too… How's the boy?
Haley: Not so good… he had more problems today…
Nathan: I wish it could all just get better for him…
Haley: I know, baby, I know…
Nathan: C'mon… let's go to bed…
*Nathan kisses her and starts to lead her upstairs. *
Haley: Hey, Nate?
Nathan: Yeah…
Haley: I love you, you know that?
Nathan: I know… I love you too, Hales…. I love you so much…
Haley: Everything is going to be ok, right?
Nathan: It will, I promise…