Note: Sorry I took so long to update, I get lazy when I have to rewrite this fic lol. Hope you all like it! And thanks for all your comments!
Chapter 10
Haley and Nathan walk out of the court house. "Well that's over with." Haley said after it was silent for quite a while.
Nathan sighed, "Yeah, well that was the easy part."
"Telling your parents won't be so easy." Haley said.
"No kidding. That's the worst part of it."
"Well it will all work out in the end, I'm sure of it." Haley said as Nathan took her hand.
"Yeah I hope so." Nathan said with a small smile.
"Don't worry about it so much." Haley said as she stopped him.
"That's easy for you to say." Nathan said as he forced a smile.
Haley laughed, "Yeah well I guess it is." Haley looked down at her feet, "I asked my mom about, you know..." She looked up as she shrugged, "No idea whether you can stay or not."
Nathan sighed, "Okay, well I will find some place, don't worry."
"Now I shouldn't worry.." Haley asked as she arched her eyebrow.
Nathan smiled, "Yeah, I can always go find an apartment after the hearing."
"How would you pay for it?" Haley asked.
Nathan shrugged, "I don't know yet. Well we can talk about all of this later. Do you want to go grab some coffee before I take you home?"
Haley nodded, "Sure."
The two of them walked into Karen's Cafe, "Hey Haley and Nathan." Karen said with a smile as she saw them walk in.
"Hi Karen." Haley said as they walked up to the counter.
"Hey, can we have two cups of coffee?" Nathan asked.
"Of course," Karen said as she turned to get pour some coffee. "So what's going on? You two seem kind of quiet."
"Uh, we were at the court house earlier. I had to state my case to a judge."
"Your case for what?" Karen asked.
Nathan sighed, "I wanted to get emancipated from my parents."
"Oh wow, that's big. Where do you plan on staying?" Karen asked.
Nathan shrugged, "I was going to try to find an apartment somewhere."
"How do you think your parents will take it?" Karena sked.
"My dad will probably blow a fuse and my mom will most likely be really upset."
"Well that's Dan for you." Karen said as she put lids onto their cups.
"Exactly. That is part of why I want to get emancipated."
"Well I hope it works out for you." Karen said as she gave them their coffee.
"Thanks Karen," Nathan said.
"Thanks. See you tomorrow Karen." Haley said as she grabbed her cup.
"Okay," Karen said. "And good luck, Nathan."
"Thanks, I'll probably need it." Nathan said as they walked out.
Haley and Nathan walked around for a bit until Nathan drove Haley home.
Nathan walked up the front steps to his house. Here goes nothing, he thought to himself. Nathan opened the door and walked into the kitchen. Nathan was a bit surprised to find his mom home.
"Hi Nathan. Where have you been?" Deb asked.
"With Haley," he said quietly as he walked over to the counter.
"How's school been?" she asked.
"Fine." Nathan said as he looked down at the folder in his hands, "Where's dad?"
"He should be home any minute."
"Okay," Nathan said as he turned around to walk out of the room.
"Is something wrong?" Deb asked.
"No," he said quickly. "I'll be upstairs…" Nathan walked upstairs and laid down on his bed. About ten minutes later he heard his dad walk in downstairs. He grabbed the papers and walked downstairs. "Here goes…" he said to himself.
"Hey Nathan. Where were you this morning?" His father asked as he walked into the kitchen.
"At the courthouse," Nathan said.
"The courthouse? Why were you there?" Deb asked in confusion.
"For these," Nathan said as he tossed the papers onto the counter.
Dan picked them up, "What is this?"
"Emancipation papers," Nathan said confidently.
"What?" Deb asked as she looked over the papers. "Why would you want this Nathan?" Deb asked, the sadness apart in her voice.
"You should know why mom." Nathan said quickly.
"What on earth gave you that idea?" Dan asked angrily.
"What are you talking about, you two should know why I want this."
"Let me refrase that, who gave you the idea to do this?" Dan asked.
"What do you mean, this was my idea." Nathan said defensively.
"Haley gave you the idea, didn't she?" Dan asked angrily.
"Why does it matter?" Nathan asked.
"Nathan, why are you doing this?" Deb asked.
Dan turned to walk out, "Where are you going?" Nathan asked.
"I'm going to fix this." Dan said bitterly.
"How do you expect to do that?" Nathan asked in confusion.
"You'll see," Dan said as he went to get his keys.
"You aren't going to Haley's house, if that's what you're getting at." Nathan said.
"Why does it matter?" Dan asked.
"Because you aren't going to!" Nathan said angrily as he reached over and grabbed the keys before Dan could get them.
"Nathan, give me my car keys." Dan said, anger rising in his voice.
Nathan gripped onto them tighter, "NO!" He yelled.
"Damn it Nathan, give me the keys!" Dan yelled angrily.
"Leave her out of this." Nathan said.
"It's her own fault for putting these thoughts into your head, now give me the damn keys!" Dan yelled.
"No! Go to hell!" Nathan yelled angrily.
Dan grabbed another pair of keys and turned to walk out the door.
Nathan ran over and punched Dan as hard as he could, trying to stop him. He then ran to his car and sped off down the street.
Dan collected himself once more before he did the same.
Nathan drove as fast as he could to Haley's house. He finally drove up to her house and ran up the front steps.
Nathan started banging on the door in a panic, "HALEY!"
Haley opened the door a moment later, "Nathan? What are you…?"
Nathan walked inside quicklky, "Close the door, Hales."
Haley did as he said before turning to him in confusion, "What's going on?"
"I told my parents and my dad is really mad about it." He sighed, "He realized you thought of the idea so he's probably on his way over here."
"What?" Haley asked in astonishment, she scoffed, "Well that's just great."
"Tell me about it. I got over here as fast as I could."
"What did he think he was going to do anyways?" Haley asked.
Nathan shrugged, "Who knows. I don't want to find out either."
Haley and Nathan turned to the window as they heard a car screeching to a halt outside.
"Please tell me that's not him." Haley said as froze.
Nathan walked over to the window, "Sorry, it is."
Halye sighed, "Well what do we do now?"
Nathan shrugged, "I don't know. Let's just hope he won't cause too much of a scene."
"I hope so." Haley said quietly.
All of a sudden, Dan began banging on the door. "Open the door Nathan!"
Haley looked at Nathan in a panic, "Um what do you propose we do?"
"Unless you want to open that door, I'd say don't do anything."
"Trust me I don't want to. What if he won't leave?" Haley asked as she looked out the window as well.
"Guess we'll have to wait and see won't we." Nathan said.
Haley's parents walk into the living room. "What's with all the ruckus?" Haley's mom asked.
"That'd be my dad." Nathan said.
"Why is he here?" Haley's dad asked.
Haley looked down at her feet, "Um that's partly my fault."
"I decided to get emancipated from my parents after Haley mentioned it. So now my dad is ticked off about it." Nathan explained.
"What did he think he was going to do, threaten Haley?" her mom asked.
Nathan shrugged, "I have no idea. I don't think he is planning on leaving any time soon though."
"Well we can't ignore it." Haley said as she looked to Nathan.
"Don't look at me, I don't know what to do." Nathan said.
"I'll just talk to him…" Haley's dad said finally.
"You know he won't go down without a fight." Nathan said.
"Yeah, but I am sure he doesn't want this all over the papers either." Haley's dad said. Nathan nodded in agreement.
Haley's dad went and opened the door, "Can I help you, Mr. Scott?"
"I want to talk to your daughter." Dan said.
"Did she do something wrong?" Haley's dad asked.
"Yeah, she is putting ridiculous thoughts into my son's head." Dan said with anger in his voice. "He just asked to be emancipated earlier today."
"Is there any reason why he would want to do that?" Jimmy asked.
"Of course not. You need to talk to your daughter and tell her to stay away from my son."
"I can't force her to stay away from Nathan."
"You sure as hell can, I am going to ask the same of Nathan."
"Why would you want to forbid them from seeing each other? If anything, they've made things better for one another." Jimmy said.
"I highly doubt that, he isn't going to see her anymore, and that's that." Dan said angrily.
"Well I'm sorry, but that isn't going to happen. Now I would like it if you would leave."
"I am not leaving until Nathan comes out." Dan said.
Nathan opened the door and walked out after a minute, "Dad, just leave the James' alone."
"I don't mean any harm to them I just want to talk to Haley about this." Dan said.
"That's too bad. You aren't going to." Nathan said.
"Come on Nathan, we're leaving now. And you aren't going to see Haley anymore."
"No, you can't make me do that." Nathan said angrily.
"I can and I will. Now let's go." Dan said, his voice rising.
"No!" Nathan said defiantly.
"Nathan! I am your father and you are going to do as I say whether you like it or not." Dan said angrily.
Nathan shook his head, "No. You know, do you ever stop to think about why I want to be emanciapted? Just look at how you're acting right now, you're telling me that isn't reason enough?"
Dan started to get frustrated, "That's not going to hapen, now let's go."
"We will just have to wait and see what the judge says then won't we?" Nathan said.
Jimmy sighed, "I advise that you leave now Mr. Scott. I am sure you don't want to cause a scene and see it all over the papers."
"Stay out of this! This is between my son and I." Dan said angrily.
"Leave Mr. James alone." Nathan said.
"We're going to talk about this when you get home." Dan said as he turned to walk away.
"I can't wait," Nathan said under his breath.
Jimmy sighed once more, "Wow, now I see why you."
"That isn't the worst." Nathan said as he frowned.
"Come on Nathan why don't you join us for dinner. The last thing we need is for you to go back there right now."
"Thanks Mr. James." Nathan said as he followed Jimmy inside.
Haley walked over to Nathan, a worried look spread across her face, "What happened?"
Nathan shrugged, "He is really upset still, but he left."
"What are you going to do when you have to go back?" Haley asked in worry.
Nathan wrapped an arm around her waist, pulling her clsose to him. "Don't worry about it okay. Like you said everything will turn out okay."
Haley nodded, "Okay."
"Well that was way too much excitement for my taste," Lydia said, breaking the silence. "Dinner will be ready soon." she said as she turned to leave.
"Okay thanks Mrs. James." Nathan called after her.
(A week later.)
"That's all you brought?" Haley asked.
"I don't have that much stuff Haley." Nathan said as he set another one of his bags down on the floor. "Unlike you," he said as he pulled Haley over to him.
"Hey…" Haley said as she slapped him playfully on the arm. "Well I was thinking you would have more. What are you going to do about furniture, I mean you don't even have a bed?" Haley said.
"I will figure it out, a few days on the floor won't bother me."
"Okay." Haley said quietly.
Nathan smiled down at her, "Don't worry so much." He said as he kissed her forehead.
"You know I won't." Haley said with a small smile. "Well I have to go now. I'm supposed to be working at the café."
"Okay, I'll see you later." Nathan said.
"Okay," Haley said as she leaned up and gave him a kiss. "See you tonight."
"Bye," Nathan said as she walked out.
Nathan started unpacking his things from the boxes he brought. Thoughts of the trial from the other day still fresh in his mind. He started to think of how nervous he was if the judge wouldn't allow him to be emancipated.
"Is it true Mr. Scott that you have mistreated your son before?" the judge asked.
"Mistreated? I would do nothing of the sort. I love my son." Dan said.
"Well from what I have read you have a terrible temper."
"I get upset sometimes, but I can assure you I wouldn't ever think of hurting my son."
"Mr. and Mrs. Scott do you have any idea why your son wants to be emancipated?" the judge asked.
"I can't see why, we treat him well and make sure we are the best parents we can be." Deb finally said.
"I don't see why he would want to. I have treated him very well and this is the thanks I get?" Dan said.
"You're joking right?" Nathan said.
"Is what they're saying true Nathan?" the judge asked him.
"No, my mom isn't even at home half the time. And my dad doesn't treat me well at all." Nathan said.
"Well that's enough for today. Court is adjourned for today. Whether or not you will be emancipated will be announced tomorrow, Nathan." the judge said before he stood up.
Nathan still couldn't believe his parents had lied to the judge about their actions. They knew they weren't great parents. He wouldn't be able to go back with his parents again, he hated being at home.
Nathan thought about the next day when they announced whether or not he would be emancipated.
"Based on what was said yesterday the jury has decided that Nathan Scott should be granted emancipation from his parents." The judge stated.
Nathan looked over at his parents, his mother crying and his father shocked. Then he looked at Haley and smiled. She smiles back at him.
The two of them walked out of the court together afterwards.
"I told you it would all turn out okay." Haley said.
"So is that your way of telling me, I told you so?" Nathan asked with a smirk.
Haley giggled, "Maybe, still I'm so happy for you."
"You know, I found an apartment this morning." Nathan said.
"That's great," Haley said excitedly.
"I'm planning on moving in a day or two." Nathan said.
Nathan couldn't believe now he was emancipated and living in an apartment on his own. He didn't think it was going to work at all. But now he was glad he was finally free.
Nathan finished unpacking all of his belongings when there was a knock at his door.
Nathan opened the door, "Haley? I thought I was picking you up...?" Nathan said in confusion.
"You were, but my parents were leaving so they just dropped me off." Haley said as she walked inside. "I see you got most of your stuff unpacked."
"Yeah, still got to get furniture though." Nathan said.
"You have time," Haley said as she walked over to him. "Are you ready to go?"
"Yeah let's go." Nathan said.
Nathan and Haley walked out of the beach house away from all the commotion and walked down to the shore. They walked hand in hand down the shore line as a soft breeze blew and the cool water washed up on the beach.
They were silent for a while unitl Haley spoke, "This is nice…"
Nathan nodded, "Yeah." He stopped walking, causing Haley to almost lose her balance, "I have something to tell you…"
"What is it?" she asked, looking worried for a second.
Nathan shook his head, a grin on his face, "Don't worry it's nothing bad."
Haley relaxed a bit, "Okay."
"Well over the last week I went to the recording studio that's in town and I pulled a few strings and they are going to let you have a recording session next week for a demo cd."
Haley stared at him in surprise, "Are you serious?"
Nathan nodded, his smile widening, "Yeah, I showed them the songs you played and they loved it."
"You did all of that for me?" Haley asked.
"Of course, anything for you Hales."
Haley smiled up at him, "Thanks." She said before she stood on her toes to press her lips to his.
(Back at the beach house)
Peyton walked out to the porch to find Brooke there, "What are you up to B. Davis?"
Brooke shrugged as she continued to stare off into the distance. "Nothing, just thinking." She finally turned around to look at Peyton, leaning back against the railing.
"Thinking about what?" Peyton asked as she moved to stand beside her.
"I don't know Lucas has been kind of distant lately. After he and Haley made up from that fight."
"You don't think he is mad at you for threatening her and all do you?" Peyton asked.
"I'm not sure. But I don't like it." Brooke grimaced.
"But Luke loves you, why would he hold it against you? You were only doing it for him." Peyton reassured her.
Brooke shrugged again before taking a sip from her drink, "Beats me but I want to fix it."
"Well good luck with that. I'm going to get another drink want one?" Peyton asked.
"No, it's fine." Brooke said, already lost in thought again.
"Okay see you later," Peyton said before walking back inside.
"'Kay," Brooke called after her.
Brooke turned around, she looked down to where she saw Nathan and Haley a few minutes ago. She glared as she stared down at them.
"I think I'm going to stay on the board walk for a while." Haley said as she and Nathan were walking back.
"Are you sure?" Nathan asked.
Haley nodded, "Yeah. Relax nothing is going to happen okay?" She said with a smile.
A frown tugged at the corner of his lips, "Okay. I'll wait for you inside."
Haley nodded again, "Okay." She gave him a quick kiss before they parted different ways.
Wow, my own CD! I should be so excited, but it's kind of weird. I want to become a singer, and this is my chance. Gosh I can't believe Nathan actually did all of that for me, Haley thought to herself.
Haley leaned against the railing staring into the water as the thoughts raced through her head.
I can't believe my life has changed completely. I mean I'm dating Nathan Scott, who ever say that coming? And Luke is actually talking to me again, after a fight? I'm finally going to be able to pursue my dream of being a singer too. Life couldn't be any better.
Just then her thoughts were interrupted by someone's foot steps coming toward her on the boardwalk. She looked up to find Brooke Davis walking towards her. Haley rolled her eyes. "What do you want Brooke?"
Brooke crossed her arms over her chest as she stopped in front of Haley. "Well let's see my boyfriend isn't paying any attention to me. Gee wonder how that happened?"
Haley frowned, "Look, if this is about Luke spending more time with me, I'm just as surprised as you are. I didn't mean for it to be that way."
Brooke nodded slightly, "Yeah, I'm supposed to believe that. I haven't done anything to you and you take my boyfriend me."
Haley scoffed, "Haven't done anything to me?! You tried wrecking my relationship with Nathan and not to mention paying Marcus to do whatever he wanted to me!"
"Who said I did that?" Brooke said, trying to sound innocent.
"Come on Brooke, I know you did." Haley glared at her.
"Fine so I did. Maybe I just don't like you." Brooke narrowed her eyes at Haley.
Haley rolled her eyes, "Like that isn't obvious."
"I want you to stay away from Lucas…" Brooke said angrily.
"What? No way." Haley said with just as much bitterness in her voice.
"He is my boyfriend and I can say who he can and can't talk to." Brooke said through gritted teeth.
"Maybe it's not my fault maybe it's you…" Haley said coldly.
"You little…" Brooke said angrily before she slapped Haley across the face.
Haley stepped back in shock before she pushed Brooke.
Brooke pushed her back.
Haley stumbles backwards and trips on some rope that is piled up at the end of the dock. She screams as she falls a dozen feet into the water. She swims up to the surface as best she can taking in a lot of water in the process. She breaks the surface and starts choking as she swallows some of the water. She starts to panic as she feels something pulling her back down. As she is pulled back under she sees that her pant leg is stuck on something that is floating back to the bottom. She struggles to pull her pants free, but fails. She tries to swim back up but can't find enough strength to pull herself up. She begins to panic as she is loosing air to breathe. She looks up seeing the blurry vision of the dock above her and soon everything goes black.