AN: Thanks for the reviews for last chapter. Most of you were pissed at Haley and I get it. Nathan's hurting too. This chapter is a turning point for Haley and I think you'll see her acting different now that Peyton's agreed to sign her to her label. Loz, you didn't have an account so I couldn't email you but I just wanted to say thanks and I agree. I hope you guys like this chapter. Please read and review.
Chapter Eight –All Different Kinds of Love
Haley couldn't help but notice how dark the clouds were. She was walking along the sidewalk towards Clothes over Bros to stop in and tell Brooke hi. Last night had been really fun and she wanted to make sure that she thanked Brooke for being so nice to her at Tric. She hadn't had that much fun in a long time. She smiled at the memory of last night.
She had woken up early this morning to tell Taylor bye. Her sister left Tree Hill and left her alone. Taylor did have a life to get back to. J.B. had been so depressed but her sister promised to keep in touch. Haley doubted that. But she did hope that Taylor would. Last night she had gotten to know J.B., Ty, and the rest of their friends. They weren't so bad. She had been having fun before Peyton and Brooke showed up. Ty was really funny and fun to talk to.
She couldn't help but smile when she remembered the good news that Peyton had told her last night. She, Haley James, was about to be signed to a label. And the best part, Chris Keller didn't have a thing to do with it. She couldn't help but feel happy. Things were lining up just right.
Her music career was about to take off. She had listened to her therapist and talked a little to Lucas last night. She even thought about seeing if he wanted to hang out sometime this week just the two of them. All she knew was that she was tired of feelings this way. She didn't want to look at Lucas and feel the weight of her heart pulling on her.
She noticed the building and smiled before walking in. Once she was inside she noticed that the place was empty. She glanced around at all the beautiful clothes before she stopped dead in her tracks. She held up her hands as the little boy ran right in front of her with a water gun in his hands. She could tell just by the look of him that he was Brooke's kid. He looked just like Julian.
She didn't want to get wet. It was bad enough that it was about to pour outside.
"Can I help you?"
"Uh," Haley laughed nervously. "You could not squirt me. I would really love it if you could put the water gun down. I'm looking for your Mom. Is…is she around." She glanced around nervously. Brooke was nowhere in sight. "Brooke." Still nothing.
He put the gun down. "She's in the back."
"Can I –"
"How many times do I have to tell you no running in the store? Now my new designs are wet and you've ruined a few shirts for sale," Brooke shouted as she pulled another kid from out back. Haley watched as Brooke dragged him by the arm until they were standing right in front of the other twin. She smiled. They were adorable. The other little boy noticed her and wiggled to get free of his mother's hold.
"Haley," Brooke smiled. "As you can see my hands are full with these animals."
"You're hot." The little boy grinned.
"Jordan," Brooke scolded before laughing. "I'm so sorry. I taught them better than this but…who am I kidding? You are hot." She sent a pointed look at Haley. Jordan chuckled before nodding. Haley couldn't help but blush.
The other little boy grimaced. "Mom."
"And this is my shy son, Brennan," Brooke laughed.
She held out her hand. "Nice to meet you, Brennan." The little boy shook her hand before hiding behind Brooke. She laughed. "And you, too, Jordan."
"Can she baby-sit us?" Jordan asked hopefully.
Haley laughed loudly as the little boy continued to grin at her.
"Doubtfully," Brooke muttered. "At the rate that you guys go through babysitters, you'll run her right out of town. Every teenage girl has blocked our number. They won't walk down our street anymore." She glared at him.
"But, we'll be good," Jordan promised.
Brooke rolled her eyes. "You promised to be good today when I brought you here and already your father is on his way to pick you animals up!"
"I told you not to tell her about the shirts," Brennan mumbled.
Jordan took off chasing him and Brennan ran as fast as he could away. Haley watched them go before she laughed softly. Brooke looked like she was about ready to pull her hair out. She shook her head before lifting the fallen shirts from the floor. She then placed them back where they belonged.
"They're so cute," Haley commented.
Brooke smiled. "Yeah, they look like their father. They're bad like him, too."
"I thought that got that from you," Julian stated as he waked up to them. He reached Brooke and kissed her on the lips. Then she had to look away. She felt like it was a private moment just between the two.
Haley hadn't even noticed him walking in until he said something. She watched as they kissed and hugged for a few minutes until Brooke pulled away and explained how bad the twins were being. All Haley understood was that they chased away two customers this morning and they wet a few girls just walking by the place. Brooke seemed pissed.
"Where are the little monsters?"
"In my office, using my desk as a shield," Brooke pointed towards the back.
"What should their punishment be? Scrubbing the floors? Cleaning the bathrooms?"
Brooke laughed. "How about the whole house?"
"And the yard, too? That'll teach them," Julian added smugly.
Haley laughed at their banter before Julian went in the back. She had not pictured this to be the life of Brooke Davis, who had been the most feared girl in high school. Not only was Brooke happily married but she was a Mom, too. Well, she had been wrong. She had pictured Brooke as a Supermodel or even an actress, but not this.
Funny thing was this was Brooke. This was Brooke Davis in her element.
Julian stepped out from the back with both the twins in each an arm. The twins were giggling and Brooke kissed each of them bye before they eventually left, but not before Jordan told her that she was hot again. That had made her laugh. What, they were only six? He was certainly the youngest guy to ever make her blush. Julian had also made Brooke promise to not be long. The weather was supposed to get bad.
"Sorry," Brooke smiled once they were gone. "He has my…"
"Boldness," Haley finished for her.
"Exactly," Brooke nodded. "So what brings you here, Tutor girl?"
"I just wanted to tell you that I had fun last night," Haley mumbled nervously.
"Yeah, well we did, too."
"Yep," Haley nodded.
"Is there something else you wanted?"
"No, not really."
"How but I order us some lunch and we can…talk?"
"That would be nice," Haley smiled.
It didn't take long for the food to arrive and once it did Brooke brought her in the back, to her office. She had showed her around while they waited for the food and the place was nice. Brooke even bagged a few things that Haley liked. She insisted on not letting Haley pay for them even though she insisted.
They ate their sandwiches quietly and once they were done. Brooke sat at her desk smiling at Haley for a few minutes before relaxing herself.
"I still can't believe you're back," Brooke mumbled.
"Me either," Haley said truthfully. "I still wake up every morning and I can't believe that I'm actually here again. In this place." She shook her head before looking down.
"Can I ask you something?"
"Sure," Haley nodded. She didn't know why but she wanted to get along with Brooke. Maybe, she felt bad for judging her back in high school. She didn't know. All she knew was that Brooke Davis surprised her and she really wanted to get to know the woman before her.
"Why did you leave?"
Haley laughed nervously while sitting back in the chair that was across from the desk.
"You don't have to answer," Brooke commented.
"Brooke you know why I left," Haley mumbled looking up at her. "I spent my whole life here and I never fit in with anyone but Lucas. Then that changed when –"
"Our worlds collided?"
"Yeah," Haley nodded. "I just felt like I was drowning. I couldn't breathe here…I had to leave. I didn't have anything to stay for."
"Sounds like the same reason I left."
"I heard about that," Haley muttered. "I'm sorry…about what happened. That must have hurt to find out about them. I was hurt by the whole thing but I can't imagine how you've must of felt about it."
"I've never felt so betrayed in my life," Brooke whispered before looking away.
"I know the feeling," Haley nodded.
"When they told me, I just lost it. I was so pissed off. I mean, my bestfriend and my boyfriend were seeing each other behind my back. I knew I couldn't stay here. She kept trying to apologize and she promised that she didn't have to be with him. In fact, they had stopped talking, I guess. I knew it was hurting her…both of them. It didn't help matters that you left. It was all that harder for Lucas."
This only made her feel worse for leaving. "Sorry."
"I wasn't at the time," Brooke pointed out. "I loved that he was hurting. What, he broke my heart and he wasn't supposed to feel anything? I was glad that he was hurting…both of them. It just made me so angry. That's all I was, Haley, this angry bitter person. I didn't want to be that. My stuff was packed even before my father told me about being transferred."
"And now?"
She didn't understand how Brooke seemed ok with them now. How were they still best friends? How did they get over it? Brooke seemed happy around Lucas and Peyton and she didn't know why. She couldn't even look at Nathan and he didn't cheat on her. Well, not that she knew of. But it still hurt to be around him now.
"What changed?"
"I realized that Lucas and I were never meant to be," Brooke explained. "I knew that I couldn't hold onto all that anger and resentment because it would always hold me back. Yeah, I was still hurt but I forgave them and I forgot them. I moved on with my life and I hoped that they were happy together, but I didn't worry about it."
"But now…?"
"How are we friends now?" Brooke smiled.
Haley nodded. "Uh-huh."
"Julian," Brooke answered with a smile. "When I met Julian it changed me. It really made me realize how little I felt for Lucas Scott. He was my first love but compared to the love I felt for Julian, well, it just didn't measure. Then I thought about how I had lost my best friend over something like that…over a boy. It hardly seemed fair. Then I thought about how much I loved Julian and how he was the one for me and then I realized that that's how they felt back then –that whole destiny soul mate crap. I knew that I could never give him up like Peyton was willing to give up Lucas for me –"
"She offered that?"
"Yeah, when I told her that I was leaving," Brooke nodded. "That killed her, Haley. And it only made it worse that I was so mean to her. I called her so many bad names and slapped her before I left. But a part of me never forgot how she was willing to sacrifice her love for me."
"I didn't know that," Haley whispered.
"Love is love," Brooke shrugged. "We feel all different kinds of love. Peyton knew me better than anyone, just like I knew her. She's my sister. Julian made me realize that…he probably doesn't even know it. Men." She laughed. "It's why I wanted to move back home. I didn't want to forget my love for Peyton and I was willing to really forgive both of them for all the hurt and pain. Do you know what happened to me when I saw them as a married couple for the first time?"
"What?"
"I was happy," Brooke laughed. "To see Peyton that happy and in love, I was so happy. I guess part of me was happy that it all hadn't been for nothing, you know, the pain. It was for something and for something beautiful at that. It was harder to forgive Lucas, I suppose. It was even weird at first. But eventually it just turned into a friendship that I've grown to love."
"I'm glad," Haley smiled. "You seem very happy, Brooke."
"I am," Brooke nodded. "You know all your pain wasn't for nothing, Haley."
She laughed. "It wasn't?"
"No," Brooke shook her head. "I'm sure you didn't know it but leaving them without you brought them two together. They became brothers –best friends –all because you left."
"I don't know about that," Haley whispered looking down at her hands. Surely, that wasn't the case. Her tutoring Nathan nearly killed her friendship with Lucas. There was no way that they became brothers because she left. There had to be some other reason.
Brooke snorted. "Well, I do."
"Brooke…"
"I get it," Brooke stated sympathetically. "I do. You're still hurting, I can see that. But you came back, Haley. You came back for a reason."
"Yeah, for Peyton's help."
"If that's your story," Brooke shrugged. "But I know what it's like to let the anger drive you. I know what it's like to let it take over and fuel you. It won't get you anywhere. Sometimes you just need a little help, like Julian helped me. You shouldn't have to go through this alone. I'm here if you need me."
"Brooke no offense but –"
"None taken," Brooke smiled. "But I do know you, Haley James. We might not have been friends in high school but I know what you're going through now and I want to help you, so stop being stubborn and give me that chance. I feel like we could be friends."
"Ok."
"Really?" Brooke asked surprised.
"I'm trying not to be stubborn here, Brooke. I can be quite realistic when I want to be."
"And I thought this was going to be hard," Brooke chuckled.
"Well, I did come back to make things right in my life," Haley muttered with a smile.
"With Nathan or with Lucas?"
"I don't know really," Haley shrugged. "Both I guess. The truth is I'm still hurting. I haven't thought about them in so long and now all that pain is coming back. Pain that I thought was long gone. I don't want to feel this way. I want to forgive them and I want to try and have some kind of relationship with Lucas."
"And Nathan?"
"Brooke," Haley said shakily. "I can't talk about this…him."
"Why? I want to help," Brooke said sincerely.
"Then drop it," Haley snapped before shaking her head. "Look, I'm sorry. I didn't mean that. You're right I could use a friend right now. We can talk about anything…just not about him ok?"
"This is hurting him, Haley," Brooke muttered. "You could at least hear him out. Last night was pretty hard for him. Taylor didn't have to tell him what she did. That was pretty mean."
"Taylor? What?" Haley asked shaking her head. "She didn't."
Brooke nodded. "She did. She didn't need to do that. Nathan's been beating himself up for years, he doesn't need your sister to make him feel worse."
Taylor! What had she done? She told her sister before they came back to leave Nathan and Lucas alone. When had she had the time to talk to Nathan last night? What had she said? What did she tell him? Her stomach turned upside down at the thought. What had she said?
"I'm so sorry. I didn't know," Haley whispered. "I told her to leave him alone."
"Yeah, well, she's just lucky that I wasn't around," Brooke muttered.
"What did she tell him?" Haley asked.
"Just tell me that you didn't come back just to hurt him?" Brooke questioned with a pleading look.
Haley shook her head. "Of course not. I...I don't want to hurt him, Brooke. I had no idea..."
"Then why are you ignoring him?"
"I don't know," Haley muttered shyly. "I don't mean it...it's just when he's around my walls come up and I can't help but protect myself. I'm not doing it to hurt him...can we please talk about something else?" She could feel her heart pounding in her chest. She didn't like the idea of Nathan hurting. She didn't want that. Even after everything, she never wanted to cause him pain. But she also couldn't help but protect herself around him now. She couldn't afford to leave her guard down this time. She might not survive it if she did.
Brooke held up her hands and nodded. "So, besides the 'I want to be a famous rock star', why did you come back?"
"Honestly," Haley laughed. "Three months ago I was supposed to get married and –"
"Did you say married?!" Brooke shouted surprised. The shock was written all over her face. And she held a hand over her heart as Haley nodded. It only made her more intrigued and the girl placed her elbows on her desk before looking intently at Haley.
"Yep, I was getting married. His name was Chris and I loved him…at least, I thought I did. He's really into music and he made me want a career in music. He helped me fall in love with music and I guess I thought that I fell in love with him, too. It was just nice that he saw something in me. He believed in me…or so I thought." She rolled her eyes before looking away.
"What happened?"
"I just…the day of the wedding, I was freaking out. I couldn't get the nerves to leave my body. They were there and it felt like I was drowning again. And I was so nervous and so scared. I was afraid and I couldn't breathe and then I started thinking about Lucas and how he should have been there."
"Oh."
"And then I thought about you and Peyton," Haley shrugged. And him, she thought.
"Me?" Brooke smiled. "Really?"
"Uh, my roommate from college –"
"Bonnie," Brooke filled in with a smirk. She had been paying attention last night.
She laughed. "Yeah, Bonnie bought me some…clothes from your store for the night of the wedding…" her face turned a little pink and she looked away when Brooke smirked.
"The girl has class," Brooke smiled proudly.
"And I just thought of you and Tree Hill," Haley finished.
"So what happened with…Chris?" Brooke asked intrigued.
"I wanted to run…I had every intention of doing just that. I felt like the room was closing in on me and I just had to get out of there, you know. But before I could, my brother came to give me the note that Chris left. I guess we were more alike than I thought," Haley laughed nervously.
"He did not?"
"Well, he did," Haley replied looking away. "And now I'm here, lost, confused, and more alone than ever." Her eyes stayed glued to the wall looking at the pictures that Brooke had up. All of them were of her family. The twins were present in most of them and a teenage girl was in a lot also. Julian and Brooke's wedding picture was at the center and they looked completely happy.
It was while she was looking at that picture, when she felt two arms wrap around her and hugged her tight. Brooke was comforting her and she quickly hugged the girl back. It felt nice. Talking to Brooke Davis-Baker was easier than she thought it would be. She even enjoyed it. Something about it felt right.
It felt like Brooke's hug meant she wasn't alone.
"It sounds to me like this Chris character did you a favor," Brooke stated when she finally let go of Haley. She stayed kneeling in front of the chair and Haley looked down at her smiling. Her brows knit together.
"Enlighten me?"
"You wouldn't be here if he didn't," Brooke pointed out. "And I think you're exactly where you're meant to be."
She felt her heart start to pound in her chest again. The next thing she knew her hands were shaking. Do what you've always done. Follow your heart. Brad's words swirled in her head for some reason. She went to shake her head but Brooke smiled and stood up. A roll of thunder hit and both the girls jumped before laughing.
"I guess the weather is getting worse."
"I know," Haley muttered standing up. "I have to get to Peyton's office soon."
"So, I'll talk to you later," Brooke smiled before hugging her again. "It was really good talking to you, Tutor girl." It wasn't some fake hug that you give someone you feel sorry for. It was a real hug. One that comforted Haley a lot.
"I'll baby-sit those boys for you, if you'll like," Haley suggested.
"Oh, Haley," Brooke laughed before placing her hand on the girls back. "I like you way too much to let that happen."
"They can't be that bad," Haley mumbled looking at her.
Brooke just laughed. "Seriously, no. They'll eat you alive without second thought."
"They're cute little six year olds, Brooke. How bad can they be?" Haley asked.
"Bad like you wouldn't believe," Brooke answered. "It would be just wrong of me to unleash them upon you. You'd be running out of town if that happened and I don't want my new friend to leave. I'll keep the monsters under lock down until you've maintained a permanent residence in our home town."
"Brooke, you know I'm –"
"Not staying," Brooke finished. "I got it. Get your butt out of here before P. Sawyer thinks you're standing her up."
"Fine, I'm going," Haley laughed as she started for the door. "It was good talking to you, Brooke."
"Well, duh," Brooke teased. "Seriously, though, call if you need anything. Hurry and get home before the storm gets worse."
"You do the same," Haley smiled before waving goodbye.
~***~
"You're kidding me, right?"
"Nope."
"What can I say?" Nathan chuckled.
"You've never felt jealous before," Lucas shook his head as he continued to pound the hammer into the wood.
"I don't think so," Nathan answered while holding the piece of wood still in his hands. They were trying to board up the windows quickly. The storm was supposed to be a bad one.
Lucas chuckled. "I can't believe that, little brother."
"What, I'm serious," Nathan muttered. "I hated it. I just wanted to rip his head off and kick it back to his house. Did you see the way that he was touching her?"
"They were just dancing," Lucas pointed out.
He glowered. "Did it have to be so close?"
"I see what this is about," Lucas chuckled. "It's because you can't dance, isn't it?"
"That has nothing to do with this," Nathan stated while glaring at him. His brother was right. He couldn't dance to save his life. He just wasn't good at it. He never had been.
"Sure it doesn't," Lucas teased. He then changed the subject and Nathan was so very grateful for that. He didn't want to think about her dancing with that idiot any longer. It would only piss him off more. "I hope Peyton isn't much longer. It's supposed to start raining again soon." It was barely drizzling now.
"Where is she?"
"Studio."
"Why is she working today of all days?"
"I think Haley is going over to sign some paperwork," Lucas answered as he lifted another board in his hands.
"They're really doing it, huh?"
"Yup," Lucas nodded. "Peyton's excited about it."
"Good," Nathan smiled. "That's good."
"I suppose," Lucas shrugged. "Just means that she's still leaving. I'm not going to lie. I don't want that. I know I can't tell her that but I just wanted someone to know. You're the only one that knows what it feels like to lose her. I don't want to go through that again."
"Me either," Nathan muttered. To sum it up, it had been the worse time of his life. Lucas called it the dark days, the ones that followed Haley leaving Tree Hill and them. It was hard for both of them. Nathan couldn't even bring himself to attend school or basketball. It was Lucas that dragged him to school and made him attend basketball practice. As much as he wanted to give up on everything, his brother wouldn't let him.
"I guess we should be grateful that we have this time now," Lucas continued. "Give us a chance to make things right this time."
"I guess," Nathan nodded.
"Unless…never mind," Lucas muttered laughing.
"What?" Nathan asked quickly.
"It's nothing. Probably wouldn't even work," Lucas shrugged before going back to hammering in the rest of the nails. "It's just that Brooke's got this idea…"
The plan that Peyton was talking about, he quickly remembered. "What kind of idea?"
"Brooke kind of heard that we need a few new teachers over at the high school. You know how much Haley can't resist helping people. She's got a thing for lost causes. Look at your sorry ass." He glanced at his brother and smirked.
Nathan nodded. "True."
"Haley can't turn away from helping people. It's just in her. No matter how much she thinks she's changed or not, I know her. She'll take the job…maybe that'll make her stay," Lucas mumbled with a slight smile. He knew Haley James better than she knew herself.
"You're banking on a classroom full of stupid teenagers?"
"Sure," Lucas nodded.
"We're screwed," Nathan muttered shaking his head.
Lucas shrugged. "I'm also hoping that you can convince her to stay."
"Me?" Nathan asked confused. He did not like the idea that Lucas was putting all of this on him. Didn't he know how much she hated him? Lucas knew that. Why would he put all of his faith into something that wouldn't work? He knew it wouldn't work.
"Look I don't know much, but I know this and that's that you love her," Lucas answered with a smile.
Nathan shook his head. "I can't do it."
"Yes, you can," Lucas said strongly. "You can do this. Just tell her the truth. Let her know everything. We both know that you didn't use her and it sucks that she thinks that but you need to make her realize that she's got it all wrong. It's just one huge mistake."
"She won't believe me," Nathan pointed out.
"Make her."
Easy for you to say, he thought. He didn't want to think about her leaving any longer.
"I should probably go and help Julian out," Nathan said as they finished up. He wiped his hands over the raincoat he wore before looking up at his brother. Lucas was drinking a cup of water. It was minutes later when Lucas glanced at him again.
"You coming back? We'll ride out the storm here," Lucas smiled. "The kids will love it."
"Nah," Nathan muttered. "I think I'll go just go home."
"You sure?" Lucas asked. "I don't want you to be alone."
"Thanks, Luke," Nathan smiled before walking towards his truck. "But I think I can handle it. I'm big boy!"
"You're such a dick," Lucas muttered.
Nathan chuckled. "If I get really bored, I'll use one of those seven numbers I got last night!"
"Seven? That's it?" Lucas laughed.
"I had an off night," Nathan shrugged. "Don't worry about me. I'm pretty happy right about now. I'll see you tomorrow. Tell the kids I said bye." He waved before jumping into his truck and driving off before Lucas could convince him to stay.
~***~
When she reached Peyton's office at Tric, it was raining harder and she was wet, which didn't help her mood. Talking with Brooke had been…interesting. At least, she made a new friend. She really enjoyed Brooke's company. She could easily see them becoming really good friends. She couldn't wait to get home and call Taylor. Her sister had no right to tell Nathan anything for her. She didn't want that. She was glad that Brooke told her. She really liked Brooke.
The bubbly brunette thought she knew her and Haley really didn't want to argue. Brooke was the closest thing she had to a friend at the moment since Taylor left this morning. She didn't want to be alone.
She found Peyton sitting at her desk going through some paper work. Peyton smiled when she noticed her.
"I was wondering when you were going to show up," Peyton smiled as she stood up.
"I was talking with Brooke," Haley shrugged.
"Enough said," Peyton laughed.
"Where do I sign?"
Peyton laughed before placing all of the paper work in front of her. Then she went on to tell her everything that they were going to get accomplished and how big she thought she could be. It was a while later when everything was finally on paper. The contract was signed and the deal was made. She had a contract. She couldn't believe it.
"So when do we start?" Haley asked eagerly.
"Next week," Peyton replied while getting her things ready. "Look, Haley, this might take a while, so I don't want you to think that this will be over in a week."
"I know."
"It could take months," Peyton added.
She nodded. "Yeah, I know. I'm willing to do all the work. I want this, Peyton."
"I'm happy you said that," Peyton smiled. "Might I suggest something?"
"Sure," Haley nodded. "Whatever you want me to do, you're the boss."
"You should find a job here…in Tree Hill. Just because this is going to take so long and I have a family to think about I just can't be here all the time," Peyton mumbled.
"I know that," Haley nodded. "Whenever we have time. I just don't know where I'll find work here." The café maybe?
Peyton smiled. "Actually, I was thinking that maybe you could help out at the high school. They're running low on their teaching staff and Lucas mentioned a spot open in the English department if you're interested. It doesn't have to be permanent of course. Just something to hold you down while you're here. It's up to you." Peyton said nonchalantly.
"Yeah, sure," Haley muttered. "I'll think about it."
"Good," Peyton smiled. "Do you need a ride home?"
Haley stood up. "I was just going to walk actually."
"Have you been outside? It's raining hard," Peyton pointed out.
She shrugged. "I'm sure it'll pass."
"Not likely," Peyton reached for her hand and pulled her along. "There's this huge storm coming this way. It'll be hitting us in a few hours. Don't you watch the news? Everyone's ordered to stay in…I think it's like Marshall Law or something. It's been all over the news today."
"Oh."
"You can come home with us."
"No, I'm good. I have supplies at home. I'll be fine but I'll take that ride," Haley smiled as the made their way out of the office. They both ran in the rain towards Peyton's car. Haley jumped into the old Mercury Comet before slamming the door shut. They drove in silence listening to music with both girls singing along quietly.
"You're sure that you'll be ok?" Peyton asked again. "The weather is just supposed to get worse. You can stay with us, Haley. It's no big deal."
"I'm not afraid of the weather," Haley laughed softly. "But thank you. I actually really like the rain."
Peyton nodded as she continued to drive. It wasn't long before they finally made it to her house. She told Peyton goodbye and that she would see her soon. She couldn't wait to start recording as soon as possible. It was when she turned to open the door that she saw him. Even with the rain hitting the window hard, she could still see him. He was sitting on her front steps in the rain. Her heart dropped and she wanted to run. But where could she go? She was stuck. Her hands were shaking as she opened the door. The rain was pouring hard once she stepped outside. She wasn't afraid of the weather. It was the man on her steps that terrified everything in her. This storm was nothing compared to the one that was raging inside of her. What was he doing here?