Thank you so much for the reviews. As far as Haley's fight is concerned, I didn't want her character to be portrayed as an angel, I just wanted her to be a normal reckless teenager who still hasn't warmed up to the idea of being a mother. Unfortunately, this chapter still does not have any good news to Naley but it does add to the impending drama. Be patient guys and have faith.

CHAPTER 16

He couldn't believe he was here. It was boring as hell and the guy sitting next to him reeked of pot. Nathan was currently in detention and he was bored out of his mind. All he did was call his coach 'Whitey' and the next thing he knew, the old man was blowing a fuse before he gave him detention. What was his problem? I've called him Whitey before and he never bothered much. There were currently two other people in the classroom – Mr. Stoner and another boy who goes by the name Marcus. This kid was new to school but he heard Brooke gushing over him because apparently he was very cute, and that's how Nathan knew about him.

Nathan was currently staring at his assignment, not really in the mood to do it but knowing that it is the only thing he could do in detention. He was brought out of his reverie by two girls giggling at the door. He looked up and was completely confused by the sight before him. Haley and Paige were standing at the door smiling at each other. Whitey gestured them to come in. They both entered and made their way towards their desks but not before Haley playfully shoved Paige to which she giggled again. What the hell just happened? Nathan was totally confused by their behaviour. Just a few hours ago, these two were fighting like there's no tomorrow and now they are giggling together? Even Whitey held an amused face while watching the bipolar interaction between the two girls.

Haley was a little surprised to see Nathan at detention but quickly recovered and took a seat next to him. Probably fought with someone on court she thought. "Hey, what are you doing here", she asked him.

"Called Whitey, Whitey", Nathan shrugged.

"And you ended up here? That seems a little harsh", smiled Haley, "I guess being old and senile could do that to some-".

"What the hell were you doing today Haley", Nathan whisper yelled at her. His voice was not loud but she could tell that he was upset. Nathan was upset with her and was not interested in small talk.

"What are you talking about?"

"I'm talking about that stunt you pulled at lunch today".

"You mean my fight with Paige", she asked.

"Yes", he said, "are you that desperate for attention"?

Haley was pissed when he said that. Nathan knew the stuff people were talking about her and yet somehow all this is her fault? "Attention?" her eyes were wide, "why would I want attention when I already have enough to make me upset every single day? For once I lash out and you're accusing me of seeking attention? You know what people are talking about me and I don't expect you to protect me from those bitches but the least you could do is not put all the blame on me". She scoffed and faced away from. She was suddenly wishing that she didn't sit next to him.

Nathan instantly felt guilty. "Look I'm sorry about that", he paused for a moment and when she turned to look at him he continued, "but you shouldn't let people get to you this way. That fight today looked dangerous and painful and it's not just about your safety anymore", he said. He indicated to her stomach to make his point clear.

Haley could feel guilt seeping through her. Now that there's no morning sickness, she literally felt invincible. She felt stupid and so irresponsible for putting her child's life in danger like that. Of course the child was not born yet and she didn't really get the whole motherly vibe yet but it was still her responsibility. "I'm sorry I... I was just so angry at everything that's going on", she ran a hand through her hair, "I didn't expect things to get so heated up".

"Well not everything is about you Haley there are other things to consider", Nathan bit out. That being said, he went back to staring at his pending assignment, suddenly getting all the motivation he needed to finish his work.

Haley just stared back at him, lost for words. He has been so hot and cold to her that all this pining after him was quite tiring. She started to wonder if life would have been better if she would have stayed on tour, but that thought was dismissed as soon as it entered her brain. She knew that was far from the truth.

"Hey Haley", a deep male voice called out.

Haley looked up to see Markus sitting a few seats ahead of her. "Markus!", Haley exclaimed. Markus is a guy Haley tutored. He was a pretty nice guy. He opened his mouth to respond but Whitey shushed him. He got up and took a spot in front of Haley and turned back so he could take a look at her. She had light cut on her lip and a light bruise on her cheek but she looked fine otherwise.

Nathan narrowed his eyes wondering who this guy was and how he knew his girl. Okay she might not be his girl right now but it still felt wrong that this guy was looking at Haley like that when Nathan was sitting right there.

"I heard what happened today", shout whispered Markus, disappointment and concern seen in his eyes, "you are better than this Haley all those people are losers".

"The loser is right here", retorted Paige who up until now was reading a book. Markus was going to say something more when Paige beat him to it. "And I already told Haley that I was sorry", Paige smiled slightly. Markus smiled back, satisfied by her actions.

Haley gave a small smile to Paige and turned to Markus. "I'm alright Markus", she assured him, "what are you doing in detention anyway?". Markus was going to respond but paused when he heard Whitey get up from his chair. Markus thought the old coach was going to yell at him but Whitey just walked out of class.

"I was late for chemistry class", Markus shrugged, "Like really late, I almost missed half of it", he said, not whispering anymore.

"Wait a second" Haley pointed accusingly at him "was chemistry your first class in the morning?" Haley enquired accusingly.

Markus looked sheepish. "Well... yeah... sort of..." he trailed off trying to look anywhere but at her.

"Markus" she exclaimed "you should have told me that. I wouldn't have extended our tutoring session". Markus had a test tomorrow and Haley couldn't finish his portions in the morning session so she extended their tutoring period. Haley had a free first hour and Markus told her the even his first hour is free. Obviously he had lied and now she was feeling guilty.

"Haley it's no big deal okay. Besides I'd rather listen o you than Mr. Reynolds" said Markus referring to their chemistry teacher.

Nathan was listening to the whole conversation and couldn't help but feel his blood boiling. Who the hell was his guy? And why is he looking at her like that? Why is he missing classes just to be with her? And why is he flirting with her right in front of me? All these thoughts ran through his head but he kept quite. And then Markus did something that made Nathan want to strangle Markus right there.

Markus pulled out a little container of saltines and placed it on Haley's writing pad. "Here", he said "my mom told that these things help with morning sickness".

"Oh thank you" Haley was so pleased with this action, "but I don't seem to get very sick these days. I guess its passing". Haley was slightly elated by this. Not many people were nice to her, including people who were her friends. Markus was relatively a stranger but he was so nice to her and passed no judgements on her.

Nathan was totally stunned at this point. Not only was this Markus kid being all lovey-dovey to Haley but he was bringing her saltines. Saltines! And why did Haley look so happy to see him? And how does he know about the pregnancy? Maybe she'll run off with him too Nathan thought. He knew his thoughts were pathetic but he couldn't help it. He felt guilty as hell! He was supposed to bring saltines to Haley not this guy. Haley is carrying his child. Nathan was fighting the urge to strangle Markus. Thankfully, Markus turned around and started playing a game on his phone. Nathan was feeling suffocated at this point and wanted the hour to end as soon as possible.

...(((=)))...

Nathan and Peyton were walking out of economics class together. Some people would say it was odd that they were just friends after all that history but Nathan found it completely normal to be friends with her. These days he felt like she was his only true friend what with Lucas and Brooke hating him for being too hard on Haley. Thinking of Haley made him think about the last time he spoke to her that was four days ago, after detention.

Flashback

Nathan walked out of the confines of the detention room as soon as the hour was up. He couldn't take being in the same room as Markus for another second.

"Nathan" Haley called out. She wanted to talk to him about the next appointment but he had practically stormed out of class.

He heard her but didn't slow down his pace. She had to jog a little to catch up with him. When she was beside him she couldn't help but notice how tense his body is.

"Nathan" she spoke softly "are you okay?"

"Yup" he snapped and kept on waking. He didn't even look at her.

She could see that he was upset about something but didn't know what that was about. "Nathan" she tried again and grabbed his arm.

Haley touching him was all it took for him to finally explode. "What Haley? What do you want now?" he all but yelled at her.

Haley could immediately feel tears stinging that back of her eyes but she kept them at bay. "I just wanted to talk to you about the next appointment" she kept looking at the floor, not able to meet his angry eyes.

"Why? Is Markus too busy to come with you?" he snapped. Haley's head shot up in confusion.

"What are you talking about?"

"You know exactly what I'm talking Haley" he yelled at her. "Markus seemed to be interested in your pregnancy more than me so why don't you take him to the appointment" he bit out with sarcasm.

"Nathan it's not like that" she was trying her best not to panic at the moment. Nathan getting jealous again is not going to help her win him back. It's only going to push him away further.

"Whatever Haley I'm really not interested in what you say anymore" with that being said he just stormed off. He didn't stay long enough to see the tears streaming down her cheeks.

End of flashback

That day, he knew that he was a complete ass to her. He realised it as soon as he came down from his rage. He just felt so insecure when Markus started caring for her so much that he took it all out on her. The next day he tried apologising to her at school but she never came. He tried the next three days to apologise to her but she was doing a great job in avoiding him.

"Nathan. Nathan!" Peyton called him, "you seemed out of it. Where's your head at?" she smiled.

Nathan was snapped out of his thoughts and looked at Peyton. "Huh? Oh yeah sorry. A lot going on in my mind these days" he tried to smile but instead looked more troubled. "So how are you taking the news of Ellie? I'm sorry about that", he shifted the focus from himself to Peyton. Peyton's birth mom just revealed that she has cancer and Peyton was taking it really hard on herself.

"Well it's not like I haven't dealt with all this before", she tried to smile it off.

Nathan knew in that instant that Peyton was referring to the death of her mother, Anna. Peyton has been through a lot in her life than anyone else deserved. She was practically indicating that she was used to dying mothers. That's not something you get used to. "Peyton", he said in a soothing voice and stopped walking to face her, "you know I'll always be there for you, Brooke too. I know I've always treated you like crap and I really am sorry for that". Nathan knew that this conversation was long overdue and he wanted her to know that he always cared about her, "I just... want you to know that whatever happens, you still have people around who can help you through all this. You don't have to face it alone Peyton".

Peyton had no idea what changed in that moment but she could feel herself losing all her senses. She had been trying to keep herself together all this time but Nathan's words snapped all her resolve. All the loneliness she had been feeling these past few days caught up with her and before she could control her actions, Peyton launched herself at Nathan and pulled him into a kiss.

Nathan was stunned out of his mind to say the least. One minute he was consoling her and the next minute she grabbed his shirt and was kissing him. It took him all of two seconds to react to her kiss. He grabbed her shoulder and slowly pulled her away from him. He didn't know what came over Peyton but he knew this isn't something he wanted. Trying to deal with his trust issues with Haley was enough drama as it is he didn't need to add Peyton into that mix. He looked at her face to gauge her reaction. She looked just as shocked as him. "What are you doing?" he barely said above a whisper.

"Nathan I don't know what happened... I..." she felt so guilty at the moment. She might be pissed at Haley right now but she would never want to betray her like that, "I don't know what came over me". Tears started rolling down Peyton's face as she tried to walk away front him but he held her in place.

"Hey... hey...", he waited till she looked at him, "it's okay, it's okay" he soothed her. "I get that this is a hard time for you and we tend to make mistake like this".

"I don't know what came over me", tears were still streaming down her face as she spoke, "I would never do something like that to you and Haley and now-"

"Peyton its okay, I know you didn't mean it. Just relax okay", his words seemed to do the trick as she finally relaxed. "Let's just get to class" he smiled at her "and we can forget that this ever happened".

And they did forget about that kiss almost instantly but what they didn't notice is another pair of eyes that witnessed the whole scene. The kiss might not have meant anything to the parties involved but their little spy was not going to forget this incident easily.

And that's it for this chapter. Let me know what you think, I wanted a little bit more tension between our lovely couple before they get back together. Oh and spoiler alert- Next chapter will contain the school shooting.