A/N: Hello everybody, I'm back with chapter number two. It's been a slow start for this story and I was a little worried at first when I saw the traffic for this story but then I checked my email and was blown away by all of the people who favourited and signed up for alerts. Thankyou guys so much! Knowing you guys are reading and enjoying the story makes my day and gives em a massive smile which is a little needed right now due to some family stuff, (My Dads not well and is in hospital) so getting your reviews and responses really helps me out. I'm trying to find as much time in my schedule as I can, so I can try and update this weekly or maybe even quicker depending on how things go, so please keep reading and letting me know what you think and what you want to see in the story. All your ideas and suggestions are welcome and I love reading them especially considering some of what has been said is so close to how I see the characters its scary. A huge thanks again to my beta/ sister/ sometimes chef/ cleaner it means heaps that you can find the time to help em out with this considering everything happening right now you're going through as well. So thanks once again, and if you're lucky I'll consider doing the dishes. Anyways thanks again and to everyone I hope you enjoy this chapter it's really only starting to set the story up so let me know what you think!
DISCLAIMER: if things aren't bad enough I have to admit to you and ultimately myself that I do not in anyway own anything to do with One Tree Hill, including it's characters, plots, stories or it's stars., however much I wish I did!
CHAPTER TWO
"Nathan are you going to help me?"
"I am helping"
"How?"
"I'm staying out of your way" he smiled sweetly at his girlfriend who was currently packing the last of his boxes for Duke.
"Babe, laying on your bed playing NBA Live is not staying out of my way, it's more like being lazy and chauvinistic" she put her hands on her hips
"?"
"You're being a boy" she huffed
"Hales I am a boy, and I find it slightly disturbing if not highly offensive that you have only just figured that out, although I think I am maybe more offended that you see me as only a boy. I mean I am six foot of pure muscle, sexual fantasy inducing man" he showed her his bicep.
"Yeah ok" Haley rolled her eyes before turning back to the box she was filling with his sweatshirts.
"Besides, you know if I pack then I'll be calling you tomorrow begging you to bring me clean socks because I forgot to pack them" he pointed out "And then you'll have to drive aaaaaaalllll the way to Durham because you know you'd be horrified at the thought of me walking around campus with no socks in my sneakers"
"No I'd just tell you to get off your lazy ass and go buy some more" she replied throwing his basketball at him
"Hi de Hi, Everyone say Hi to Luke!" Brooke chirped as she barged into Nathan's room armed with a large whiteboard and an array of measuring tapes.
"Brooke what are you doing? And Luke's not here" Nathan sat up agitated
"Duh he's in Chapel Hill" Brooke stuck her tongue out at her brother "He's on the phone" she added flicking her hair behind her ear to show the tiny embellished Bluetooth clipped to her ear.
"He's on the phone?" Nathan pointed at her
"Duh again" Brooke moved to the far wall and placed her stuff down "I know my brother is an idiot"
"Hey!" Nathan exclaimed
"Shutup Nathan! That was from Luke" she smiled sweetly before picking up the measuring tape and handing one end to Nathan "Be a doll and hold this for me?"
"Why?"
"Because I said so" she glared at him
"No!"
"Nathan; do as she says" Haley ordered not looking up from the box she was packing. Nathan reluctantly took the tape from Brooke and held it as she took a measurement from one end of the room to the other.
"Brooke what are you doing?" he asked
"Measuring my closet"
"WHAT?"
"We had a deal remember?"
"What deal?" he demanded
"At graduation you promised me your closet when you left for college" she reminded him continuing to take measurements and write them down on the whiteboard.
"The agreement was for use of my closet not my whole room!" he exploded
"Same difference" she dismissed
"BROOKE!" he yelled when she went back to measuring, writing the numbers on the whiteboard in which she had a mini diagram of the room
"Nathan this is my new closet it's not like you're gonna need it anymore, I'm gonna have a California closet with shelves over there and a two-tiered dress rack …over there and a belt rack and a dressing room …in this corner. I need to rethink the lighting and maybe add a mirror or two, and maybe a chair as well I was gonna have the chests here in the middle to give myself more space for dresses but I guess I could.."
"MOM!" Nathan bellowed making Haley look up at him in surprise
"Nathan!" Brooke chastised "I'm on the phone here, you probably just deafened poor Luke, Honey are you there?" she asked worriedly touching her hand to her earpiece. "You're ok? Oh good I thought Nathan's rudeness might have given you a permanent ringing" she flashed a sneer in her brothers direction
"YOU OUT!" Nathan ordered pointing towards the door
"This is my closet" Brooke said defiantly
"No it's not!" he said grabbing her wrist and pushing her towards the door
"You did promise Nathan" Haley pointed out from her position on the floor
"You're on my side" he grunted
"She's MY best friend" Brooke challenged
"And she's MY girlfriend" Nathan retorted
"She's liked me LONGER" Brooke said smugly
"She likes me BETTER!"
"She liked me FIRST!"
"She'll like me LAST!"
"I like you both the same amount" Haley stepped between the siblings. Nathan and Brooke both stared at Haley incredously for a moment before returning their gaze to one another.
"She still likes me better" Nathan muttered indignant before Brooke leaned around Haley and slapped Nathan up the back of the head. Nathan stood shocked for a moment before he leant across and flicked her in the forehead. Brooke glared at him before kicking him in the shin. A moment later Brooke was shrieking as Nathan got her in a firm hold and began tying her to his computer chair with her measuring tape.
"What in god's name is going on in here?" Deb Scott asked as she entered Nathan's room.
"They're just figuring some stuff out" Haley replied from where she had returned to Nathan's boxes.
"Nathan Scott un-tie your sister right now!" Deb ordered Nathan who reluctantly let her go. Brooke straightened her self up and moved over to stand next to her mother. "Haley why are you packing for Nathan?"
"Because if we let him do it the only thing that will make it to Duke is his playstation" Haley answered as she taped up the last box.
"Good point" Deb agreed
"Hey, I did pack some things myself" Nathan pouted
"Your porn collection doesn't count" Brooke sniped
"Nathan!" Both Haley and Deb exclaimed
"I don't have porn!" he denied to his mother
"I don't have porn" he reiterated to his girlfriend
"Sure you don't" Brooke snickered
"Brooke"
"What we grew up together I know what you were doing in your bathroom"
"Brooke!" he glared
"Lucas said to remind you to keep your playgirls" Brooke cracked up
"They're at his house considering they're his" Nathan bit back
"Change of subject I think, Nathan why were you tying Brooke to your chair?" Deb tried to change the subject
"To stop her from turning my room into her closet" Nathan explained
"Nathan you told her she could" Deb pointed out
"No I didn't!" he exploded "I said she could use my closet not my whole room!"
"To be fair your room is the size of a closet" Brooke put her hand on her hip
"No it's not"
"A good size closet" Brooke soothed before cracking up in a fit of giggles. She stopped laughing when she noticed everyone staring at her "Sorry, Luke just said it's fitting; Nathan will leave for college by coming out of the closet, coming out of the…you're so funny Luke" she gushed into her earpiece.
"Brooke to be honest I don't like the thought of one of my rooms being turned into a closet. If Nathan said you can use his actual closet then you can use that but the rest of the room stays as is" Deb decided ignoring Brooke's last comment while Nathan's hands curled into fists by his side.
"But Mom" Brooke whined
"No, besides until you pay rent then I get the biggest closet in the house, okay issue number one sorted issue number two, it's getting late, what time are you heading off Nate?" Deb turned to face Nathan.
"As soon as Dad gets back I guess, I need to pack these last few boxes into the car and get my playstation and then we're good to go, as long as we're on the road in the next hour or so, then we should make it to Duke for my move-in time"
"Who's we? Are you girls going?" Deb asked inquiringly
"Um no, you and Dad are supposed to be taking him" Brooke pointed out
"You're fathers in a town planning meeting all morning and I have a ladies luncheon to attend, we can't make it sorry Nate" Deb shrugged
"But I need you guys, all my stuffs in the truck" Nathan pointed out shocked
"Drive the truck, it's your car" Deb replied a little confused
"Not anymore, Dad hasn't gotten around to taking the truck back to the dealership yet, and we were only using it to get my stuff up to Durham, I was planning on driving my mustang" Nathan threw his hands up.
"The girls can drive you" Deb suggested
"Not a problem!" Haley agreed instantly
"Not so fast H James one day Scott" Brooke held a finger a up "You are not driving Dumbass to college"
"Why not?" Nathan demanded
"If I didn't get to go with my boyfriend then neither do you, all's fair in love and best friends forevership" she explained
"Brooke" Haley turned to face Brooke
"Nope don't wanna hear it, I'm sorry Nathan but you'll just have to leave the mustang here, but don't fret I'll take good care of it I promise" she winked
"You won't go near my baby" Nathan warned
"Technically I am her best friend" Haley replied getting a glare from Nathan in return
"It won't get a scratch I'm student body president, I've got my own parking space" she reminded him smugly
"You will go near my car over my dead body" Nathan fumed
"Okay back away" Deb put a hand on each of her childrens shoulders. If Haley wants to go with Nathan, than that's fine; but Brooke you need to go too. I need a Scott in the car with her"
"She's not driving my mustang either" Nathan shook his head
"Ass!" Haley punched him on the shoulder
"Haley can drive the truck but Brooke needs to be in the car because she's not insured to drive our cars, and we have the maximum coverage for Brooke" Deb explained "It was necessary" she added as the other two guffawed
"Don't you laugh Lucas Roe!" Brooke threatened at her earpiece getting a weird look from Deb
"C'mon Brooke it'll be fun, you know you love a good road trip!" Haley pleaded
"Yeah Brooke I'll let you organise my closet and make my bed" Nathan offered
"Fine" she relented "But you owe me, and Nathan throw a couple of empty boxes in as well" she huffed as she turned to leave the room
"What for?" he asked
"If I'm gonna organise your closet I'm gonna need boxes for goodwill" she called over her shoulder. "I know he has no style" she chatted away to Lucas as she left.
xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
"I really don't see why I'm not allowed to drive your car" Haley sulked from the passenger seat of the mustang.
"Because this car is my baby and I'm the only one she trusts behind her wheel" Nathan answered
"it's a car Na-than" Haley replied exasperated
"A very special car. And the relationship between car and driver should not be underestimated"
"I knew giving you that word calendar was a bad idea" she grumbled
"I would think you would enjoy my new vocabulary"
"And I would think you would have known what a vocabulary was before I gave you the calendar" she sniped in return
"What's the matter Hales?"
"You're driving too fast"
"I'm doing the speed limit"
"No you're going faster"
"I'm doing the speed limit as per every road sign we've passed since we left Tree Hill"
"Then the speed limits are too high"
"Okay what's wrong?"
"Nothing. Would you please slow down" she demanded
"Why? Are you feeling sick Hales?"
"Of course I'm feeling sick!" she snapped
"Whoa! When did that come on?"
"I've been feeling sick all day not that you'd noticed" she grumbled
"You haven't said anything"
"I shouldn't have to say anything, as my boyfriend I would've thought that you could tell by now when I'm not feeling well but clearly you're too busy with your baby to notice!" she yelled
"Okay what is going on?" Nathan asked as he pulled the mustang to a stop by the side of the road. When they were stationary he turned to look at Haley who was staring out the passenger side window "Baby whats wrong?" Haley finally turned to look at Nathan as a single tear rolled down her cheek
"Just forget it Nathan you're going to be late" she wiped the tear away
"I don't care about that I care about you, now what's got you so upset?" he asked while Haley rolled her eyes
"Forget it"
"Baby"
"I thought this car was your baby" she spat
"It's my car-baby but you're my baby-baby" Nathan smirked while Haley glanced at him with disdain "Babe why are you upset?"
"The better question is why aren't you?" Haley accused
"Huh?"
"Today is the biggest day in our relationship EVER! And you're acting like it's just another away game or training camp. Actually I take that back you were more concerned about me when you left for training camp! You're going off to Duke and I'm staying here and nothings gonna be the same and I've had a rollercoaster doing the death spiral in my stomach all day long and you don't seem to CARE!" she finally screamed "But that's all okay because of course you don't care you're gonna have you're BABY WITH YOU!" she finished
"Okay dial back on the crazy because you're wrong Hales, this isn't easy for me at all, and I do care, more than you could ever know. The thought of leaving you is killing me but I have to leave the only thing that's stopped me from turning the car around and taking us back to Tree Hill is you being in the car with me right now. My stomach is in knots right now thinking of you going home without me tonight but I'm trying to block that out and just be with you in the moment and you acting all crazy is not helping, what would help is if you be the girl I fell in love with for the next few hours; and then once it's time to leave then you can be as crazy as you want, but for now stop being silly, stop being insecure, and stop thinking so damn much!"
"Nathan Sc.." she was broken off by Nathan slamming his mouth down on hers. He leaned across and kissed her hungrily Haley gripping at his biceps and his neck to get as close as possible "God I love you" she breathed out as Nathan started kissing a hot trail down her neck. She grabbed his chin and jerked his face back to hers as Nathan leaned over and unbuckled her seatbelt and in an instantaneous movement had pulled Haley over to straddle his lap. They continued to devour each other for a few moments before the sound of rapping on the drivers window forced them to pull back, Haley hitting the back of her head on the windscreen as they jumped apart.
"If you're gonna get it on next to a public highway than I suggest you pull the car a little further from the road" Brooke snickered
Xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
Nathan, Haley and Brooke had finally made it to Duke and had found Nathan's dorm. They had taken a look around and then headed back to the cars to get the first load. Brooke flittered about trying to decide which box she would be willing to carry upstairs. Irritated Nathan grabbed a few boxes for himself and Haley and made his way back up to the room. He had put in a request to dorm with Tony one of his team-mates for the year but he hadn't arrived yet, so Nathan wanted to get as much organised before he turned up. When they made it back upstairs Nathan helped Haley sort the boxes into areas, bed, desk, closet. Despite basically moving to Durham Nathan hadn't brought that much stuff with him. As he'd explained to Haley, "The more crap I bring the more crap I have to take home". Haley got straight to work making Nathan's bed while he set up his TV and playstation.
"Um babe, don't you think there's some stuff a little more important you could unpack first?" Haley asked when she realised what he was doing
"Haley this is going to be my only solace while I'm here" he defended
"Stupid word calendar" she muttered to herself going back to making the bed. A few minutes later Haley was finished and had realised that Brooke hadn't joined them upstairs yet.
"Where's Brooke?" she asked
"Probably caught sight of her reflection" Nathan answered still playing with the cables to his TV.
"That's not nice" she chastised; turning to the door when she heard Brooke's voice.
"This way boys!"
"Huh?" Nathan and Haley looked at each other
"You boys are so sweet, you totally saved me" she was gushing as she entered followed by two guys carrying more of Nathan's boxes
"Where do you want this Brooke?" The first guy asked oblivious to the two occupants of the room
"Right there is fine" she answered "Thank you so much I don't know how I would have managed if you hadn't come along" she fluttered her eyelashes.
"Anytime" the second guy smiled
"Well thanks again boys" Brooke flashed her dimples
"No problem, I guess we'll see you around campus" the first guy said as he nudged his friend from the room
"Oh I'm sure" Brooke winked at Haley who laughed at Brooke's antics while Nathan stared at them both in shock. "See you round!" Brooke called as she shut the door behind them "I'm so good" she cheered
"Brooke what the hell was that?" Nathan asked
"That was the movers" Brooke winked at Haley again
"Brooke you can't do that!"
"Oh live a little grandpa!" Brooke rolled her eyes as she pushed past him and opened the first of the boxes in front of the closet.
"You can't flirt with guys! College guys at that!" Nathan spluttered
"So?" both girls stared at him
"College guys are not like the guys you usually date" he pointed out. Haley and Brooke looked at each other before breaking into a fit of hysterics "What is so damn funny!"
"You" Brooke managed to gasp out.
"Brooke you don't know what you're playing with" Nathan challenged
"Nathan, you do realise that I'm already dating a college guy right?" Brooke questioned "And so is Haley" she pointed over her shoulder
"WHAT!" Nathan yelled as both girls broke down into loud laughter again.
"Relax dumbass, I'm talking about you and Luke, although naturally not in that order" Brooke patted him on the shoulder before starting to organise some stuff in the closet.
"I think my heart just stopped" Nathan muttered sitting down on the bed
"Don't listen to her baby, she's just teasing" Haley soothed taking a seat next to him.
"I think Brooke should leave" he mumbled
"If I go I'm taking Haley with me!" she sing-songed from the closet.
"Over my dead body!" Nathan growled wrapping his arms around Haley
"It can be arranged, what's your preferred method?" Brooke asked sweetly
"Okay that's enough the both of you" Haley interjected "Nathan please go and get the last of your stuff so we can finish unpacking and you still need to take your paperwork down to the residential officer downstairs" she reminded him
"But Hales" he whined
"Nathan" Haley put her hands on her hips
"Fine" he relented picking up the required paperwork and his car-keys "I'll be back just make sure that she doesn't try and throw away any of my clothes" he leaned down and planted a soft kiss on Haley's lips before turning and heading out the door.
"I'm gonna miss that" Haley smiled while Brooke made puking sounds behind her
"I'm not. You two are seriously gross I thought you got enough by the side of the road"
"It wasn't what it looked like" Haley blushed scarlet
"It looked like you were giving my brother a private lap-dance, just be glad it was me who found you and not the county sheriff"
"Shutup!" Haley hissed hiding her face behind her hands
"H James embarrassed!" Brooke sang as she hung some shirts
"It's private!" Haley defended
"I still say you guys should just do it already"
"Brooke"
"What you love him, he loves you, and you both love me"
"What's that got to do with anything"
"I live with him, so for my sake you need to get that boy out of the bathroom, if you catch my drift"
"Brooke!"
"Please, this is way more uncomfortable for me, trust me. There is some things that are on a need to know basis and when it comes to my brothers sex life or whichever base he's running now and what he does in the bathroom all day long; I really really DO NOT need to know!" Brooke shuddered
"It's complicated trust me" Haley mumbled trying to hide her flushing face
"Well un-complicate things I mean it's just sex and you've already fulfilled your condition for doing the deed, you're madly truly, deeply, sickengly in love" Brooke pointed out
"I know" Haley mumbled
"Well then sex him up and get it over with!"
"Um Hi!" a voice cut in from behind. Brooke spun around to face the stranger while Haley cringed into her hands.
"Um Hi, this is a private conversation, and this is a private dorm room" Brooke accused the stranger
"Yeah but this is my dorm room"
"No it's not!" Brooke denied
"Isn't it?" he asked looking at the sheet of paper in his hands
"No, so you should probably run along to your room" Brooke pointed out the door
"But um the sign on the door and my assignment matches" he held up the piece of paper in his hand
"Do I look like I care?" Brooke asked
"No, um you look really pretty but no, I don't think you look like you care" he replied uneasily
"You think I'm pretty?" Brooke smiled
"Yes, I mean Yes, um Definitely" he finished when he noticed Haley behind Brooke nodding her head vigorously
"You're so sweet! What's your name?" Brooke pulled him down to sit on the bed beside her
""Um Jack, I mean John, no Jack" he stuttered
"Which is it Jack or John?" Brooke asked curiously
"It's Jack, Jack Daniels"
"Jack Daniels?" both girls repeated
'Yeah" he looked down embarrassed
"That is so COOL!" Brooke enthused
"It is?" his head shot up
"Hell yeah, you're named after the trashy rock band drink of choice, Dude you are gonna get so much ass they'll put a picture of you on the bottle!" Brooke cheered
"I am?"
"Did I hear the magic words?" Another guy stepped into the room staring at the occupants "I guess I did because I just died and went to heaven. Hi Clay Evans" he held his hand out for Haley who reluctantly held her own out. She was taken off guard though when instead of shaking it he lifted it to his lips and kissed the back of her hand. "You are perfection"
"And you are dead if you don't get your hands off my girlfriend!" Nathan seethed from the doorway
"Hi Baby" Haley jumped away from Clay
"Hi man, you must be perfections boyfriend" he held his hand out for Nathan who continued to death stare the tall blonde guy. "Okay no handshake then, so anyway I'm Clay Evans and I'll be the third floor cruise director" he announced
"The what?" Brooke asked
"Cruise Director for Cruising, you know for chicks, never mind it's an expression" he explained to Brooke who clearly still didn't know what he was talking about. "But enough about me, what about you?" he sat down next to Brooke
"Hands off!" Nathan ordered
"I thought the blonde goddess was your woman" Clay pointed to Haley
"She is" Nathan growled
"Then that makes you my dark princess?" Clay winked at Brooke who giggled at his antics
"Back off Asshole!"
"Nathan!" Haley put her hands on Nathan's chest in an effort to calm him down
"Haley please step back so I can pummel this idiot"
"Hey, that's a little judgemental don't you think, I mean you only just met me so it's a little early to be commenting on my IQ" Clay continued
"Fine, then I'm gonna pummel this genius" Nathan reiterated
"Nathan, calm down" Haley ordered before turning to Clay "Please ignore him he has the tendency to be a little overprotective" she explained
"Noted" Clay nodded
"Anyway, I'm Haley, this knucklehead is my boyfriend Nathan, and that's his sister Brooke" she introduced
"It's a pleasure to meet you, and I'm very glad to say that I am so excited to have such good looking neighbours right across the hall from me"
"You live across the hall?" Brooke asked
"Why yes I do, and feel free to drop by for sugar anytime you need" he winked at her.
"Easy" Nathan warned again
"Don't worry, we'll discuss it further when he leaves" Clay whispered to Brooke
"Sorry to disappoint you, but we're not your neighbours" Brooke informed him pointing between Haley and herself
"You're not?" Clay asked
"No" Brooke shook her head "He is" she chuckled as she pointed a manicured nail to Nathan who smirked
"Oh shit!" Clay muttered "Well it was nice to meet you all"
"Don't be a stranger" Brooke called as Clay stood up to leave
"Ignore them" Haley interjected
"I'm trying to" Jack mumbled
"Who are you?" Nathan asked noticing the other boy for the first time.
"I'm Jack" he half waved
"Jack Daniels" Brooke linked her arm through his
"Your name is Jack Daniels?" both Nathan and Clay asked at the same time.
"Dude that's awesome!" Clay exclaimed
"Yes" Jack replied sheepishly
"I mean seriously that is like awesome" Clay continued
"So why are you in my room?" Nathan asked ignoring the high fives that Clay was bestowing on the lad.
"We were jus trying to figure that out. My paperwork says this is my room but your sister said this was yours so I'm gonna go see the residential person so I'm sorry"
"Yeah, must be some mix-up I'm rooming with my friend Tony, he's not here yet" Nathan replied
"My room mates name is Tony too" Clay piped up.
"Great!" Nathan replied sarcastically
"Your room-mates here?" Brooke asked
"Not yet, but the package I received in the mail had the details of my roommate on it, he's some kind of athlete here on scholarship, Tony War or something?"
"Tony Battle?" Haley questioned with a raised eyebrow
Two hours later Nathan was walking Haley to the car, she and Brooke needed to make a start back for Tree Hill and to say that Nathan wasn't in a good mood was an understatement.
"Baby it's gonna be fine" Haley soothed squeezing his fingers with hers as they walked
"How could they stuff something like this up Haley, how hard is it to fulfil a simple room request!" he fumed
"You heard what the residential advisor said, there are new rules about athletes rooming together"
"Who is this Dean Buttkiss anyway" he seethed
"Rimkus, and she's only making a few changes she thinks will benefit the university as a whole" Haley reasoned
"Whose side are you on?" Nathan accused
"I'm on yours, but there's no point getting worked up over it they're not changing room assignments, besides your roommate seems nice enough"
"Haley I have to spend the year living with a guy named after the liquor that makes me go crazy"
"So?"
"He's gonna make me go crazy!"
"It's a bit late for that" she muttered
"Haley!"
"Nathan, everything's okay, and if things are awkward you still have Tony across the hall"
"Yeah living with Casanova himself" Nathan muttered
"Clay's not that bad"
"You come to that conclusion while he was hitting on you?" Nathan asked sarcastically
"Clay is harmless, please be nice and try to get along, for me" Haley pleaded when they reached the car.
"I will, but only for you" he finally relented leaning down to rest his forehead on hers "What am I gonna do with out you every day" he asked closing his eyes
"Study" Haley grinned
"Not likely" he deadpanned
"Well technically that's why you're here Nathan" she pointed out
"No technically I'm here to kick ass on the basketball court"
"You still need to study"
"Yeah listen to tutor girl dumbass!" Brooke called from the driver's seat of the SUV
"Brooke do you mind?" Nathan asked agitated
"Yes as a matter of fact I do, I've got a hot Skype date with a hottie Tarheel and I'm not gonna miss it! Time's a wastin! C'mon Hales move your cute ass! "
"I'll be there in a minute"
"No she won't" Nathan denied wrapping his arms around Haley's small frame
"C'mon Hales, get the face sucking over with and let's hit the road!"
"Brooke two minutes okay?" Nathan pleaded
"NOOOOOO can do! Sorry champ!" Brooke hooted
"I'm gonna miss you" Nathan tried to block his sisters hollering out
"I'm gonna miss you" Haley replied nuzzling closer
"I'm gonna miss you more"
"No you won't" she denied before their lips met in a lingering kiss.
"I love you Haley" Nathan said when they finally broke apart
"I love you too" she replied
"Call me when you get home?"
"Yep" she nodded as tears began to fall down her cheeks
"Don't cry baby" he wiped away her tears
"I'm sorry, can't you come back with me, we could tell Duke you've got some strange disease or your grandparents died in a freak cart wheeling accident" she cried
"Cart-wheeling?"
"Don't make fun of me?" she huffed
"I'm not I'm just picturing Grandpa Royal trying to do a cartwheel"
"Shutup!" he smacked him in the chest
"I'm gonna miss you smacking me" Nathan said seriously
"I'm gonna miss wanting to smack you" Haley hiccupped
"Trust me Baby, you're still gonna want to smack me"
"Why do you have to be so damn romantic" Haley cried again
"CAN. WE. GET. THIS. SHOW. ON. THE. ROAD. ALREADY.?" Brooke yelled punctuating every word
"FINE I'M COMING" Haley yelled
"THAT'S WHAT SHE SAID!" Brooke yelled back
"BROOKE!" both Nathan and Haley yelled at the same
"Yeesh fine" Brooke sat back in her seat.
"I gotta go" Haley said
"I know" Nathan replied not moving. They leaned their heads together again before kissing passionately once more. Haley broke away suddenly and ran to the car climbing in next to Brooke who put the car in reverse and pulled out of the parking lot before Haley could make a run for it.
Nathan stood watching the black SUV fade from view before he finally turned around and made his way back to his new home for the next 9 months. Sighing he ran a hand through his hair as he made his way up the stairs past the other kids moving their stuff, chatting excitedly to their new roommates. When he reached his door he took a deep breath and stepped inside. Despite Brooke and Haley's help earlier, the room still looked like a bomb had hit it. He thought of leaving the rest for tomorrow as his bed was made, his clothes unpacked and his playstation set up, but then quickly decided the sooner he had set up the sooner he could pack to go home. Making his way over to the desk he picked up the closest box from the floor and set to work putting away it's contents.
"Yo Big Time!" a voice boomed through the open doorway
"Tony Battle" Nathan turned around with a grin and man-hugged his friend
"So what's with me being separated from my boy?" Tony asked
"You met your roommate?"
"I think that creature ate my room mate"
"Yeah he's a little full on"
"A little? That fool is like the energiser bunny, only better dressed" Tony chuckled
"And with better hair" Clay added as he entered the room. "I'm telling you we're gonna have the best year of our lives, you two have seen nothing yet, stick with me and we'll be the kings of campus before you know it" he cheered wrapping an arm around both guys shoulders
"Right" Nathan and Tony agreed sarcastically at the same time before agilely stepping away.
"Hey dude, have you met Nathan's roommate Jim Beam?" Clay pointed over to Jack who was busy making his bed
"Jack Daniels" Jack corrected
"Oh right my bad, still the coolest name I've ever heard in my whole 18 years of existence, and it's gonna get you some serious action at the party tonight"
"I'm not really up for a party" Jack tried to step away from Clay
"Dude what are you talking about, you've got to strike while the iron is hot my friend, the first day of college sets up the next four years of your life" Clay counselled
"It does?" the rest asked
"Of course it does! College is a four year education, teaching life lessons that you will call on to your old age. And those lessons begin tonight at the welcome to freshman fresh meat party"
"I don't think so but thanks"
"Dude, you so have to come, think about it, college co-eds, who love to drink Jack Daniels, which by definition means they love to drink you!" Clay cheered
"That doesn't make sense" Jack replied confused
"It doesn't have to make sense, tonight is the first night of the rest of your life you will have pretty young things hanging off your every word, every girl is gonna want to drink you and every frat is gonna want to pledge you, although your pledging with me I'm a legacy, Dad's condition for me being at Duke, not important until rush but that's beside the point. Tonight it's you, me and the two newest stars of the Duke Basketball team by our sides" he pointed to Tony and Nathan who both narrowed their eyes when Clay glanced at them "I Googled you" he explained
"Whatever, I'm not going to any parties tonight" Nathan crossed his arms, "I've got a lot of unpacking to do, and we've got an early workout in the morning"
"Yeah what he said" Tony agreed
"But this is your college experience!" Clay argued
"No my college experience is playing well, studying hard, and keeping my scholarship so my mama don't kick my ass" Tony argued
"So I've got a scholarship to keep too, but that won't keep me from enjoying the age old traditions that this fine institution was founded upon"
"Let me guess you're here on Legacy scholarship" Nathan said sarcastically
"Swim team" Clay corrected
"You're a swimmer?" Jack asked
"Yes I am"
"I thought they didn't want athletes rooming together, that's what that snotty nosed little jerk said earlier" Nathan said annoyed
"I think they meant more along the lines of team-mates, the university want us to branch out and meet new people, broaden our horizons speaking of, the party" Clay tried again
"No!" Nathan and Tony replied emphatically
"One little party isn't gonna kill you, and classes haven't started yet"
"They're not gonna start for you at all if you don't zip it" Nathan snapped at Clay
"You look like a swimmer" Tony commented "Where are you from"
"Florida"
"Is that why you started swimming?" Jack asked
"Nah, I got hooked by false advertising, side note, breaststroke; really not what it sounds like"
"Good to know" Jack nodded.
"So Nate" Clay turned his attention away from Jack "Where are you from, and does Brooke still live there?"
"Brooke is of no concern to you, and it's Nathan"
"I'm just making polite conversation"
"Big Time's North Carolina born and bred" Tony flopped down on Nathan's bed
"So Brooke's local?" Clay asked making himself comfortable in Nathan computer chair
"Brooke is far away from here and she has a boyfriend" Nathan growled
"Dude I think that's illegal" Clay quipped
"He's from Tree Hill, and forgive the Brooke thing, he's always been a tad protective" Tony explained
"The blonde goddess said something about that" Clay mused
"The blonde goddess has a name, it's Haley" Nathan snarled
"Haley, beautiful name for a beautiful girl" Clay smiled
"And now you can forget her name" Nathan balled up his fist
"Relax big time he's not gonna go after your girl or your sister, he's cool" Tony tried to calm Nathan who continued to death-glare the blonde "Speaking of Brooke, how's your boy doing, he at school yet?" Tony asked Nathan
"Yeah he left for Chapel Hill a few days ago" Nathan answered unpacking books from a box and placing them on the shelf above the desk. Smiling when he realised that Haley had packed him four different dictionarys and two thesauruses.
"Who are we talking about?" Clay asked
"Brooke's boyfriend" Nathan replied curtly
"He's a freshman at UNC this year, basketball scholarship" Tony explained
"And he'll kick your ass for thinking about making a move on my sister" Nathan growled
"Duly noted" Clay nodded
"Good" Nathan let out the breath he'd been holding, before a smile graced his features as he placed a photo frame holding a picture of him and Haley together on the desk.
Xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
As they turned into their street Haley sighed and ran her hand through her long hair. She'd left it long during the summer because Nathan had told her how sexy she looked. She had been planning on cutting it before school went back but she kind of liked the summerishness of the colour and style. She looked over at Brooke who was concentrating on driving into the Scott driveway in the large SUV and parking in front of the large garage. The ride back from Duke had been strange. Haley had cried for the first fifteen minutes straight before Brooke had cheered her up with road trip games, they'd spent the rest of the ride singing and dancing along to the radio but now they were home the absence of two special boys was screaming.
"We're back" Brooke said softly turning the car off.
"Yeah" Haley replied not undoing her seatbelt
"So I guess it's just you and me now" Brooke said not looking at Haley.
"Just you and me" Haley agreed looking at Brooke when she felt the brunettes fingers wrap around her own.
"We're gonna be okay right?"
"Yeah we are" Haley assured her squeezing back.
"Now that's settled I'm gonna go call Lucas" Brooke dived out of the car
"I'm gonna go call Nate" Haley agreed jumping from her side of the car and racing across the street to her own house. Once inside Haley bolted up the stairs into her room throwing her bag on the bed and picking up the handset from the bedside table she hit the speed dial and on the second ring Nathan picked up.
"Hey baby, you get home alright?"
"I love you"
"I love you too"
"No I really really really love you"
"Me too babe" Nathan replied chuckling
"This is sad, we've been apart for an hour and a half and I'm already missing you like crazy" Haley moaned
"Well add crazy neighbour to that and you've got how I'm feeling right now" Nathan moaned in reply
"Give him a chance Nate" Haley encouraged as she flopped down on her bed
"I will for you. Maybe" he mumbled
"Just try baby"
"Okay" he agreed "Hales?
"Yeah?" she replied as she made herself comfortable against the pillows
"What are you wearing?"
"Nathan!"
"What?"
"I'm wearing exactly what I was wearing when I was with you"
"Damn"
""
"Haley are you there?" Nathan asked when he didn't get a response. Haley's attention had shifted to a small box under her pillow. She pulled the little navy box out and held it in her hand. Tucking the phone between her ear and shoulder she mumbled a yeah and opened the box.