Chapter 8

Haley woke up early the next day and got up to take a shower. She finished getting ready for school and her mom drove her to school as always. Haley went to her locker and got her books; just as she turned around she was face to face with Brooke Davis.

"What is your problem?" Brooke askedher coldly.

"What do you want Brooke?" Haley asked in slight annoyance.

Brooke glared over at her, "Why did you do that to Lucas?"

"If you're talking about what happened last night,I'm sorry to burst your bubble but he started the fight."

"He thought you were his best friend." Brooke said.

"Yeah well best friends actually care about their friends, which he obviously doesn't." Haley said bitterly.

"Well I guess you just weren't very important then." Brooke said as she crossed her arms over her chest.

"I guess not." Haley said with a shrug. "Its not like I care anyways." With that Haley turned to leave.

"Why, because you have Nathan?" Brooke said which made Haley stop dead in her tracks. Brooke laughed, "He doesn't love you and you know it."

"How do you know that?" Haley said as she spun around, "Why should I listen to you anyways?"

"Because I can make your life a living hell." Brooke said as she stepped closer to Haley.

"Like you haven't already." Haley said coldly.

"Oh I haven't even started," Brooke said as she stepped even closer to Haley. She was now only inches from her face, glaring at her once more.

"Well I guess I will just have to find out then." Haley said with a glare as she turned to walk off again.

"Or you could just back off and stop seeing Nathan. And not talk to Lucas either." Brooke said.

"You wish." Haley said as she finally turned to leave.

"Fine. If you want it that way then." Brooke said.

"Bring it on b-." Haley said aloud as she walked down the hall.

A glare formed on Brooke's face as she watched Haley walk off.

Haley walked through the door of the tutor center and leaned against the wall. An exasperated sigh escaped her lips.This is just great, she thought to herself.

Just then Nathan walked through the doorway, "What was that all about?"

Haley groaned, "Don't ask."

"Is everything okay?" Nathan asked in concern.

"Sure everything is just great, with Brooke threatening me and getting into fights with Lucas, life couldn't be better." Haley said sarcastically.

A confused look crossed Nathan's face, "Why is she threatening you?"

"Who knows!" Haley said as she threw her arms up.

Nathan sighed, "What are you going to do about Lucas?"

"Frankly, I have no idea. I was going to wait until things settle down a bit and then talk to him, but it might be too late already." Haley said sadly.

"I am sure if you mean that much to him he would listen and try and mend your friendship." Nathan said with a small smile as he leaned over her.

Haley sighed, "I guess you're right."

"I'm always right,"Nathan said jokingly.

Haley laughed before Nathan leaned in and kissed her lightly on the lips.

"You ready to go to class?" he asked after he pulled away.

"Yeah," Haley said with a small smile.

Nathantook Haley by the handas he walked her down the hall to her class.

Lucas stood over by his locker, staring over at Nathan and Haley.

"Hey Boyfriend," Brooke said as she walked up next to him and grabbed his hand.

"Hey Brooke." Lucas said with a small smile.

"What's wrong?" Brooke asked as her brow furrowed.

Lucas just looked back over at Nathan and Haley as they walked down the hall.

Brooke looked over to what he was looking at, "Oh. Its Nathan and Haley huh?"

"Yeah." Lucas said quietly as he continued towatch them walk down the hall hand in hand.

"I can fix that, don't worry." Brooke said as she watched them.

"What do you mean?" Lucas asked in confusion.

A smirk grew on Brooke's face, "Don't worry about it," she turned to him, her smirk fading, "Just trust me."

"Okay." Lucas said, still confused.

"Well let's go, we don't want to be late for class." Brooke said as she turned to walk the other way.

"Yeah," Lucas said quietly as he followed after her.

They walk off in the opposite direction holding hands as well.

Haley and Nathan walked into Tric after school to find Karen at the bar.

"Hey you two," she said with a smile as they approached the bar. "Are you ready for tonight Haley?"

"Um I guess. I'm still a little nervous." Haley said as she bit her lip.

"You will be great Haley!"

"Thanks, I still don't know how you talked me into this Nathan." Haley said as she turned to him.

"What can I say-" Nathan started to say.

"Nothing," Haley said with a smirk. Nathan laughed, "Well I better go get ready." Haley said.

"Okay," he said as he leaned down and kissed her. "See you tonight."

"Yeah," Haley said with a smile. She then walked away, over to the dressing room backstage.

"So…how are you doing Nathan?" Karen finally asked.

"Life could be better I guess," Nathan said with a shrug.

"I see…how are you and Haley doing." Karen asked in concern.

"Better now, I don't know how to thank you for talking to her about it. I know she didn't trust me but I really do love her."

"I am justglad Haley is finally happy. I was getting worried about her before you started dating her." Karen said with slight sadness in her voice.

"How come?" Nathan asked.

"Well Lucas was always too busy with basketball and Brooke, he never really paid attention to Haley. They used to be such good friends, they were like brother and sister. After he started playing basketball he just never talked to her and Haley just closed up. I tried talking to her, butshenever said much. She was always so sad, I have never seen a smile on her face since she started dating you."

A small smile grew on Nathan's face, "I didn't know about that. I never really knew Haley before though."

Karen nodded, "Yeah, I think that is what hurt her most that she never had anyone to talk to."

"I'm just glad I met her. She has changed my life so much. I just hope I won't lose her."

"I hope so too, I couldn't bare seeing her hurting so much again."

Nathan nodded slightly, "Well I better go I wanted toget her some flowers before she performs tonight."

"Okay, see you tonight Nathan." Karen said with a smile.

"Bye Karen."

Okay Haley breathe. You can do this. Just pretend you are singing for Nathan only. Just like before. But with about a hundred more people…I can't do this. I have never performed in front of so many people! What am I doing! I can't do this!

"Hales?" Nathan said as he walked into the room.

"Nathan.." Haley said a bit embarrassed.

"What are you doing?" Nathan asked in amusement.

"Um, I don't know…" Haley said as she pushedsome hair behind her ear.

"You aren't nervous are you?" Nathan asked as he walked up to her.

"No..no I'm fine." Haley said, forcing a smile.

"No, you're not." Nathan said as he wrapped his arms around her waist.

"I can't do this Nate." Haley said quietly, the nervousness apparent in her voice.

"Yes you can Hales. I know you can." Nathan kissed her lightly on the forehead. "You will do great."He smiled as he pulled away and grabbed her the flowers he'd brought for her, "Here."

"Oh they are beautiful Nathan!" She leaned up and kissed him on the cheek. "Thanks," she said with a smile. Haley placed the flowers down on the table, she let out a sigh. "It was easy singing for just you," she finally said as she turned around, "but now there are at least a hundred more people…"

"Well just look for me then, don't think about anyone else being there." Nathan said reassuringly as he walked over to her.

"Okay." Haley said quietly as he kissed her on the forehead and held her close.Haley sighed, "I just hope I don't choke."

"You won't." Nathan said as he pulled away. "I should go, so I can find a good spot. You will be amazing up there." Nathan said with a smile before he leaned down and kissed her, more passionately than before.

A smile grew on Haley's face as he pulled away, "Wish me luck."

"Good luck, babe," he said as he walked out of the room.

"How is everyone tonight?" Karen asked as she stepped up on stage. The crowd cheered, "Well tonight is a very special night. Haley James is going to perform for the first time ever here at Tric!" Karen said with excitement in her voice. The crowd cheered even louder this time. "Now give it up for Haley James." Karen said as she clapped her hands and waited for Haley to walk onstage.Karen hugged her quickly before she stepped offstage.

"Hi, everyone. Um, this song's one I just wrote, its called Let Me Fall.

After Haley finished her song, the clubwas quiet at first, then the crowd started cheering. Haley smiled in relief before she took a bow and walked backstage.

Nathan walked in, "You did great Hales!"

"Thanks," she said with a smile as he came up and hugged her.

"I knew you could do it," he said quietly."Are you going to sing any of your other songs?"

"I don't know. It was pretty great up there, but..I don't know." Haley said a bit nervously.

"What do you mean, they loved you. I'm sure they would want to hear you again tonight."

"I guess I could. Is that alright with Karen?"

Karen walked into the room, "Of course it is, Haley."

"Oh, hi Karen." Haley said with a smile.

Karen walked up and hugged Haley, "You were amazing sweetheart. I had no idea. You should sing some more songs, I am sure they would love it."

"I guess I could."

"When would you like to go back on?" Karen asked.

"Um give me about fifteen minutes to get ready for my next one."

"Okay I will introduce you soon then." Karen said before she walked out.

"You will be amazing just like before." Nathan said after Karen walked out.

"Thanks Nathan," Haley said as she kissed him on the cheek.

"Want to go take a walk before you go up?" Nathan asked.

"Okay," Haley said as Nathan took her hand.

Haley took a deep breath as they walked outside into the cool air. She laid her head down on Nathan's shoulder as he held her close. "Haley, I've been thinking about what you said."

"About getting emancipated?" Haley asked.

"Yeah, I think I will."

"You don't seem so sure," Haley said in concern.

"It's my parents, it seems kind of weird to leave. But I know I'll be better off that way."

"Yeah," Haley said quietly. "Where would you stay?"

"I haven't thought about that yet."

"I am sure you could stay at my house, my parents probably wouldn't mind if you did.At least until you find a place to live." She looked up at Nathan, who looked a little glum."Just as long as you don't sneak into my room.

Nathan laughed, "Yeah I don't think your parents would like that.I guess if it was alright with them I would, at least until I find an apartment."

"Yeah," Haley said.

"You busy this weekend?" Nathan asked.

"Why?"

"Because I was going to go get the papers. Want to come with me?"

"Of course I will."

"Okay," Nathan said as he kissed her forehead. "We should probably head back now.It's almost time for you to go back and sing."

Haley sighed, "Yeah."

"Don't worry too much, okay? Like I said, you'll do great."

Haley nodded as they turned and walked back.

Karen walked back up onstage, "Did you all enjoy Haley's performance?" The crowd cheered, "Well Haley has decided to playsome more songs for us." The crowd cheered again, "Everyone, Haley James.." Karen said as she walked offstage.

The crowd cheered louder than before as Haley walked onstage. "Thank you everyone! This next song is called Crazy Girls.

As Haley finished her song the crowd cheered loudly once more. She smiled, "Thank you everyone. This last song is called Halo.

The crowd cheered louder than ever as she finished her final song. "Thanks again everyone!" Haley said before she walked off backstage.

Nathan walked into the dressing room, "You were amazing up there Hales," he said as he leaned down and gave her a kiss.

"Thanks Nate. Now I'm kind ofsad its over. Well, let me change real quick then we can go back out."

"Okay I'll wait here." Nathan said as Haley walked back into the dressing area.

She threw on some pants and a tank top. "That's better." She said as she walked back over to him. "Let's go."

Nathan wrapped his arm around her as they walked out. As they walked out, everyone came up and started telling Haley how much they liked her performance.

After a few minutes the two of them walked over to the bar. "I'll be right back," Nathan said. As he walked outside of the club he heard someone walk up behind him.

To be continued...