Summer just fast forwarded.. I'm so sorry, I haven't updated in a while.. Once again, this chapter goes out to my biggest fan: thibbs65! I hope this does contain some more drama for you guys!

Chapter 8: Reality Check

Haley stood in front of her floor length mirror, not sure if her outfit was appropriate for the occasion, or if she looked too easy. She couldn't hide that Taylor had been her inspiration when she had chosen which clothes to wear, after all; who was easier than Taylor?

Maybe dressing a little slutty wasn't the smartest thing to do, but Haley wanted to feel desired! She wanted a reaction out of Nathan, and proof that he found her attractive and got turned on by her. Was it so weird that she wanted her boyfriend to act a certain way?

"Are you done, yet?" Nathan's head popped into her room from their joined door. She turned around and bit her lip while she waited for his reaction. She could see his eyes moving all over her body, checking out every part of her. It was exciting, yet very nerve wrecking for her to experience.

"What do you think? Do I look like I'm going clubbing?" Haley asked insecure of herself. She had never really gone to an adult club before. The regular high school parties Lucy brought her to didn't count, this was the real deal.

"Ehm, yeah, but were you planning to wear clothes as well, or just skin?" Nathan frowned as he once more took in his girlfriend. She looked absolutely beautiful, stunning even, but he wasn't sure if he liked it. Haley's mini skirt was so mini that it hardly covered her ass. The halter neck top she was wearing had extremely low cleavage, and he could see that she wasn't wearing a bra under it.

"You don't like it.." Haley stated, understanding the disapproving look on Nathan's handsome face.

"No, it's not that I don't like it.. You look, great! I mean, you look really sexy and incredibly hot, but at the same time I don't think I'm the only guy who is gonna think that once we're inside the club. I don't want to spend my night scaring away little wannabes and competing for your attention, Hales.." Nathan explained, careful not to say anything that could be misunderstood and make Haley hurt or angry. That was the last intention he had, he only wanted her beautiful smile to shine as it usually did.

"You already have my full attention, Nate. And I don't think you're the one that needs to be worried! You don't exactly look like a homeless person yourself, you know!" Haley pointed out as the usual confident smirk spread across Nathan's features.

"You know I only have eyes for you" He winked at her as he walked closer and drew her body close to his, leaning down to leave a soft kiss on her lips.

"What are we gonna do about the others? You think we should tell them soon?" Haley asked him as they parted.

"Do you want to?" Nathan questioned her, fully aware that if they went public with their relationship; Taylor would throw a fit and probably ruin the night for all of them. Why she had to act like such a bitch all the time, Nathan didn't understand. They used to be great friends, but the version of Taylor Nathan used to be comfortable around was long gone. Where to, he didn't know, but he wish he could find it and bring the old Taylor back. She used to be so full of life and just fun to be around, sort of like Haley was. He could easily recognize different qualities in Haley he knew Taylor possessed somewhere deep inside her as well.

"Yeah, I think it's time they knew just how much you mean to me" Haley nodded confidently, showing Nathan just how serious she was with her eyes.

"Alright, but you know Taylor will probably do everything she can to ruin this right?"

"Taylor needs to get a life!" Haley snorted in pure irritation towards her sister's recent behavior. They used to be great friends and close sisters, but Taylor had changed. This version was rude, arrogant and jealous. Haley missed her sister, the real one.

"I guess you're right. You ready to go?" He asked her as she smiled and nodded her head in confirmation. Haley walked out of his arms to splash one last spray of perfume on her neck as well as picking up her purse. She slipped her little hand into his large one as their fingers intertwined before they walked out together, finally ready to show everyone just how serious they were about each other.

"Have you seen them! They're acting like a couple of horn dogs!" Taylor hissed out as she continued to follow Nathan and Haley closely with her eyes. They were tangled up in each other on the dance floor, grinning against each other as if there was no tomorrow. Nathan's hands were all over Haley's hips, pressing her body as close to his as possible. And the smile on Haley's face was enough to show Taylor just how much she was enjoying herself.

"Leave them alone, Taylor! Nathan likes Haley and Haley likes Nathan, there is nothing you can do about that!" Lucas snapped at her, feeling his patience running out in a rushed speed.

"So, they're really together? Like a couple?" Jake frowned as he also became entranced with the couple on the dance floor.

"That's what they said. Apparently, they've been sneaking around for a week!" Rachel giggled, feeling the two margaritas she drank earlier flowing through her system. They had been in the club for over two hours, but Rachel wasn't having all that much fun. Thank God for alcohol!

Ever since Nathan and Haley came out of her room, holding hands and telling them that they were together, Taylor had been acting like an even bigger bitch than usual. The jealousy was radiating from her body, surrounding her like a green cloud. Rachel wasn't all that surprised herself, she already knew there was something between them, this was just confirmation for her. Jake was the only one who seemed surprised, along with Taylor of course, but she was more in denial. Lucas didn't seem one bit surprised, he apparently shared Rachel's suspicions and expected nothing less from them.

Nathan looked happy, and as his sister, Rachel found herself sharing his happiness. Nathan didn't do girlfriends. He wasn't a 'one woman kind of guy', and he never had been. It was hard for Rachel to keep up with his girlfriends, because when he first found one, they didn't last for more than a few weeks. She guessed he grew tired of them pretty fast, but she had a good feeling when it came to him and Haley. Haley wasn't Nathan's usual type. She was a lot younger than he normally went for, and Rachel always had a small suspicion towards him for going after older women. Haley was also a lot smarter and more down to earth than the girls Nathan had brought home earlier. She actually had a plan with her life, and when she was asked what she would do with her life, she didn't answer; don't know, or; Nathan is my life at the moment.

No, Haley was a woman of class. A girl with a back bone, prepared to take in challenges and facing the world on her own. She was independent and strong, and Rachel admired how mature she was for her 17 years. In many ways, Haley was much more like an adult than her sister was. She even seemed more responsible than Nathan himself sometimes. But the most important factor was that Haley made Nathan happy. She made him smile like there was no tomorrow, and that thrilled Rachel in a way she couldn't quite describe with words.

"I think I'm gonna be sick!" Taylor snorted as Nathan and Haley looked like they finally decided to retreat from the dance floor. Hand in hand, they walked towards their friends, their faces still glowing with joy.

"I think I'm gonna be sick!" Haley huffed as she fell down in the empty seat next to Lucas. Neither she nor Nathan understood why Jake suddenly started laughing, but they both decided not to bother.

"Can I get you anything to drink?" Haley's eyes met the waitress' as she took her in. If Nathan thought Haley was showing too much skin, this girl didn't have any limits. Her long, silky, blond hair hung professionally down beside her face and spread out over her shoulders. They uniform consisted of a little bikini top, matched with a pair of jeans shorts, showing of her impressive backside. Haley could see her eying Nathan, and it awoke insecurities within her.

"Well, hi there, sexy! We meet again" The blond smirked at him, winking her flirtatious eyes.

"Do I know you?" Nathan swallowed the big lump that formed in his throat. He knew her. He knew her very well, or at least parts of her.

Haley cringed as a sexy laugh escaped from the waitress. She could feel Nathan's tense body beside her, and if she looked to her right, she would see Taylor's amused eyes as well.

"I would hope so, if not, the back room will be available tonight as well! Come find me when you're ready!" She winked before walking away, not bothering to take their orders. As far as she was concerned, her job was done.

"What did she mean by that?" Haley quietly asked as Nathan's face turned away from hers.

"I don't know" He shrugged, trying to dismiss the encounter as pointless and unworthy of any further attention.

"Oh, come on, Nate! Even I remember her!" Taylor challenged him as Nathan's angry eyes flew towards her.

"Shut up, Taylor!" Lucas warned.

"Nate, who was that?" Haley tried again, not satisfied with his first answer. She could feel there was more too it than he would reveal. Nathan didn't answer, in stead he continued his eye lock with Taylor, showing her just how much trouble she would be in if she continued to play with Haley's feelings.

"Come on, Nate. Tell her how well you know each other!" Taylor encouraged him, ignoring the death glares he was sending her. Haley starred at him, but he refused to meet her eyes. She could tell by his ice cold attitude towards Taylor, and the way he had denied any knowledge to the blond, that he in fact knew her well. Maybe a little too well for Haley's liking.

"Excuse me, I need to use the bathroom" Haley whispered as she slipped away from the table and headed straight towards the ladies' room. Inside, she looked herself in the mirror and saw everything she had refused to see earlier. This wasn't her, it wasn't Haley.

The clothes she wore, her large amount of make up, it wasn't her. Haley didn't look a bit like the person her reflection was showing. Before she knew it, tears started falling from her eyes. Who was that girl? Nathan's personal satisfaction for when she wouldn't supply him with sexual services herself? There was no question in Haley's mind; Nathan had done more than just talk with that woman. And he looked like he felt guilty when Haley asked him about her, so that must have meant that he did more than just kiss her. Haley's head was spinning, she needed to get out of there.

Walking out the door, Haley headed straight for the exit without looking in the direction of her friends. She walked with determined steps as her hands frequently wiped her teary eyes to prevent the tears from spreading further.

"Haley!" Nathan's voice called out to her as he came running behind her. He caught up to her after repeating her name several more times. "Would you slow down for a second?"

"Who is she, Nathan! Your personal whore?" Haley screamed in anger as she felt all kinds of feelings surface inside of her.

"What are you talking about? I don't know her!" Nathan denied once more.

"Oh really? You've never seen her before? Is that what you're saying?" Haley challenged him.

"I have seen her before, but I don't know her!" He repeated.

"Alright, how far did you go with her?" The question seemed to shock Nathan, he stood completely still, almost afraid to move a muscle. Haley studied his shocked face and could see that he was searching for the right words.

"Haley.." He stammered.

"Did you have sex with her?" Haley's teary eyes begged him to tell her the truth, begged him that is wasn't true.

"Yes" The low whisper leaked with shame and regret, but Haley didn't care. More tears pressed from the inside as she felt a sudden urge to slap him.

"When?" She demanded to know.

"Our first night here"

"So, basically, the same day we started flirting and you held my hand on the plane and flashed your stupid smirk at me, and right after you left me that note where you told me to call you if I needed you.. Wow, I feel so special right now!" Haley babbled as she started walking away from him again.

"Haley! Please! We hadn't even started back then! I mean, yeah, sure, we flirted a little, but nothing serious had happened between us! You even said you didn't know me! Was I supposed to look after your feelings as well?" Nathan felt angry himself, Haley was overreacting! Sure, she had a right to be upset at him for not telling her about his pointless fuck with the waitress, but what good would that have done? She would have been shocked and hurt either way!

"No! You were supposed to keep it in your pants and NOT act like a horny high school boy! You couldn't even last one night here without screwing some whore, Nate! How am I supposed to trust you?"

"So what you're saying is that you want to judge me based on mistakes I've made before we became friends? That's really mature, Haley!" He snorted at her, irritated that she refused to see his side.

"At least I'm allowed to be! I'm 17, remember? I'm a kid! I'm the little girl that just tagged along and forced you to go hiking in the mountains and swim with dolphins in stead of screwing more of your worthless playboy bunnies!.."

".. Would you stop it!" He tried to cut in.

"Forget it, Nathan! Clearly, you don't really see things the same way I do! Girls are nothing more than toys to you, and you really played me! So, congratulations!"

"Haley!"

"Leave me alone and don't follow me!" Haley warned as she walked away from him with furious steps, her high heels clicking loudly against the sidewalk. Nathan stood shocked back, hoping his actions hadn't just ruined one of the best things that had ever happened to him.

So, I'm at a loss of words. I feel empty. I had a huge fight with Nathan because I found out that he screwed this whore of a waitress the first night they were out. I don't know if I have a right to be angry or not, but I think I told him he played me because girls were toys to him. I regret saying it, but he's not even home yet so I can't really take it back either! It's nearly 3 am, and he's no where in sight. I can't say I'm not worried about him.

Good night, Hales

"Here is the amount we decided on, nice job by the way!" She smirked as she placed the twenty Euro bill in her hand.

"Not that I didn't enjoy making some extra cash, but why did you need me to do that?" The blond asked her.

"Oh, I just needed the poor girl to realize what a playboy he is. I don't think she'll be stupid enough to take him back now that she knows he lied to her!" She reasoned.

"Why are you doing this?"

"Nathan is mine, my sister will not ruin that for me!" Taylor replied in her coldest voice before walking away from the clueless waitress. Step one in her plan was completed, but Taylor still had many more cards to play before the game was over. Haley didn't stand a chance..

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