He decided to go to the Rivercourt trying to set his mind of off things or better Haley James and basketball was just the way to do it as much as he hated his father's manipulative crap. It's not like he didn't love basketball. He did love it. It was the only thing he was actually good at. The only thing that made Dan Scott proud was basketball. But it was never just a game to his dad. It was so much more it was his life. Nathan never understood that nor did he want too. He's settled. He is at a place now that he's accepted everything that had happened with his mom ,his dad and why he had to move here. He's settled.
Nathan paused and thought of the brown eyed girl then he realized that every time he thought of her he felt guilt. Guilt for who he was and for what he'd done in the past. She would never fall for him. She was sweet, soft, kind and fierce as there was always suspicion in her brown eyes, eyes that seemed to look through him, seeing every flaw and only she would embrace all of him.
And yet something amazing happened right then. He remembered it in her. He saw it in her tender smile. She would believe in him. She would be there for him. Anyway, right then he promised to never hurt her. He couldn't deny what she made him feel, how her sweet face made him smile, how her touch made him feel the warmth of a gently flaming fire. He needed her.
Nathan suddenly heard a familiar voice in the distance he tried to hear what they were saying and he walked to the two figures. As he got closer he could see that it was Haley she seemed to be angry. He immediately tensed up. Especially seeing her lying on a bench with Damian on top of her.
"Damian, please don't! Get off me!" Haley was pleading with him frantically.
"Come on baby you know you want me" he said as he continued to rummage his hands all over her body. He began to unbutton her shirt and leave kisses all over her chest.
"Stop it" She yelled loudly trying to kick him off her but he was too big.
Nathan snapped and ran over there Nathan took all of his weight and punched him in the face knocking him down again. Haley ran away from Damian as Nathan was soon on top of him punching Damian in the face. It took all of his strength not beat him to death. He was lying there moaning in pain. Nathan got up and turned around to see Haley on the ground buttoning her shirt. He ran to her to make sure she was ok.
"Haley you alright" he gently rubbed her back as she was sobbing. She looked defeated.
"Yeah I think so but my knee really hurts" Her voice cracked as she let a few tears slip, quickly wiping away.
Nathan's heart broke seeing her eyes so differently now, so empty. Light gone.
"Come on let's get you home" He picked her up under her legs and put her arm around his neck. He gently put her in the car and quickly got to the drivers side. He grabbed her hand right away and started their way home. He never let her hand go once and couldn't help but stop and look at her. He was better now to know he took care of the one who tried to hurt her and that she was next to him and nothing would happen to her.
"Hey hales, I don't really know where I'm going"
"Yeah uhmm..Me neither" she smiled under her tears at how he had called her just now.
"Well where do you live" He looked at her seeing how she was still shaking and the tears never really dried.
"I don't want to go home can you bring me to Lucas" she asked him looking plead fully in his eyes her breath heavy.
"Okay."
"No wait you can't he's with Peyton tonight they hardly see each other anymore and I don't want to ruin their night"
"Well what do you want to do? "
"Can I stay with you tonight?" Looking up at him she expected to surrender to the awkward silence that would come now but it never showed. His eyes popped at her suggestion. Was she kidding? This was the best thing ever. Still in shock, he tried to focus on what she was saying.
"Please Nathan" She held on to his hand now with both of her tiny hands.
"Okay sure yeah"
"Thank you Nathan"
He smirked "No problem" he smiled at the way she was holding his hand she was holding it really tight.
"So is he your boyfriend I'm sorry you don't have to say?" He immediately regretted what he'd asked her.
She sighed "No he's just Damian as always"
They pulled into the parking lot of his house.
"I think I can try to walk now"
"I know but let me help you please?"
"Alright"
He slowly got her out of the car, holding her under her legs and brings her up to his room. He opens the door and sits her on his bed. He goes to get some ice for her knee he comes back and sits on his bed and helps her with her knee. She winces in pain a few times then looks at him places both of her hands on his face and gives him a gentle kiss on his lips.
"Thank you" he said with a confused expression.
"No problem"
He smiled down at her he knew that she needed to be alone he really wanted to stay with her but it wasn't his place to be that close with her.
"I'll be downstairs if you need anything " He stood up and made a move to step away, but she held on tightly to his hand.
"Please stay here – with me" He locked eyes with her for a brief second before nodding.
She slowly pulled him on his bed against her as she snuggled against his chest. Nathan blinked a few times to make sure he wasn't dreaming. He could barely comprehend what had just happened. Three hours ago he had all sorts of fantasies about this girl. And now she was here in his bed.
He kissed her forehead and brushed the hair off of her tear-stained face. She felt calm now in his arms but she couldn't fight the feeling she had. He felt her shake slightly he looked down at her slightly in shock, she was crying again. He knew the only thing he could do was soothe her. He gently caressed her face letting his fingers dry her tears. She took his hand and placed his arm around her. "Hold me don't let go" she whispered. "I promise Haley" He held her tightly his arms surrounding her small frame as she cried harder. So hard she could barely breath. She tried to focus on him, but something was happening. The last thing she remembered was him calling her name from far away as sleep swept over her. "Night, Hales." he whispered then watched her sleep until he felt his eyes get heavier.
Nathan knew there was something more to this. It wasn't Damian. He remembered the look in her eyes at school it wasn't the same. Nathan didn't know why but he would be there for her. All he knew was. She was hurt.
