Disclaimer: I do not own One Tree Hill or any of its characters.
A/N: Hey all. Here is the latest chapter. It's another pretty big one as I'm trying to condense the chapters in order to get to what you're all waiting for quicker. LOL. Like the last chapter and this one were actually supposed to be 4 chapters instead of 2…haha. So hopefully you enjoy the long ones. Love you all and as usual, thanks to all readers and huge thanks to all of you who leave a comment.
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Haley could hear the snickering behind her as she tried to concentrate on her paper. It was only the first class of the first day of the second semester, and already she wanted to crawl into a dark hole and hide. This wasn't like her. She'd always been stronger than this, never let other people's opinions of her affect her in any way. And most of all, she'd always loved school. But the incessant scorn she was getting from everywhere was already getting to her.
'I'm sure Nathan Scott would have to rape anyone,' she heard a voice behind her say. 'Especially a plain Jane like her. Seriously, who does she think she's fooling?'
She tried to ignore the offensive chatter but then another voice said. 'I know, right? In her dreams.'
She made a face and tucked some stray hairs behind her ears.
'My dreams too,' the first girl said.
And then a third voice. 'You guys, shut up. She can probably hear you.'
'So what? It's good for her to know that nobody's actually buying this.'
'Well, I think he probably did do it,' the third one spoke once more. 'He doesn't seem like the type to take no for an answer.'
'Like who's gonna say no to him?' the first asked.
'Not me,' the second girl replied.
'Me neither. He can rape me any day.'
The second girl giggled. 'It's not called rape if you're willing.'
'Well, someone might want to tell her that.'
Haley was never more relieved for that bell signaling the end of class. She hurriedly gathered her books and rushed out of the classroom, running straight into Drew Hendrix. Her books fell to the ground with a loud thud.
"Ah shit," Drew muttered. "Sorry about that, Haley," he told her as he bent to pick them up.
"It's ok," Haley said. "I'm the one who wasn't watching where I was going." She bent as well to help pick up the books.
Just her luck, a few guys from the basketball team walked by, shouting out warnings to Drew to be careful that she didn't accuse him next.
Haley stood up slowly, her cheeks burning, hating that this was to be her life from now on. But Drew continued with his task and even straightened the books out before handing them back to her.
"Don't worry about those jerks," he told her. "They're just a couple idiots who don't know any better than to worship their even bigger of a jerk leader."
Haley smiled gratefully. "Thanks," she said. "Unfortunately, their views probably represent ¾ of the student body."
He nodded in agreement. "Probably," he told her. "But then you have the other quarter who actually have minds of their own," he added before heading off to his next class.
"Hales?" Lucas came up, glancing unsurely at Drew's departing figure. "Who was that? He wasn't giving you a hard time, was he?"
"No," she replied. "His name's Drew. I tutored him last semester and he's a really nice guy," she added with a smile, thankful for that small gesture of support where she hadn't expected it.
Luke mistook the smile as a sign of interest and he didn't like it. He didn't like it one bit. "So what happened?" he asked. "I thought we agreed you'd wait in the classroom until I met you there."
"Yeah, sorry," she apologized. "I just had to get out of there."
Concern instantly overtook his jealousy. "Why? What happened?"
She shook her head. "Nothing really."
"Hales," he pushed, knowing better.
"There were just these girls," she began and then went on to reveal what had transpired in the classroom as well as the hallway afterwards.
He shook his head, already seething. "Ignorant bastards," he said through gritted teeth. "You shouldn't have to deal with that on top of everything else."
"Well, we knew it would happen," she said. "It's Nathan Scott, you know? This is why I dreaded coming to school."
"We should talk to Principal Turner about this," Luke advised. "This harassment shouldn't be tolerated."
"No, Luke," Haley objected quickly. "That'll just make it worse. I just have to learn to deal with it. I mean, if I can't even face a bunch of high school kids, how will I ever face a jury? I can do this. I can."
"I know you can do it, Hales," Luke pointed out. She was, after all, one of the strongest people he'd ever known. "But the point is you shouldn't have to."
"What can I do?" she asked. "The only way to stop all of this is to retract my statement. And then he gets away with it."
"Yeah, I'm not gonna let you do that," Luke stated firmly. "He is not going to win this time."
He threw his arm over her shoulder as he'd done a hundred times before, and like it always did, her heart raced at the gesture. The only difference this time, since she'd already told him how she felt, was that she didn't have to hide it. Or should she still since she'd told him she wasn't ready for anything with him right now? She didn't know. Everything was such a mess, she wasn't sure what to think or feel. What she did know was that she sure was glad that Lucas was in her next class.
She had a feeling that Nathan was probably having a much easier time with all of this than she was. And why wouldn't he be? He was the guilty one and yet he had the majority support. Life really wasn't fair.
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Nathan plopped himself down at the desk Peyton had saved beside her. "This fucking sucks," he mumbled in a low enough tone not to gain any more attention.
"What's the matter?" Peyton asked, leaning over toward him, curious to know what had set him off when he'd been fine a few minutes ago. "And what took you so long?" she added, also curious about that since they'd only separated so she could go to the ladies' room. She'd expected him to beat her into class.
Frowning, Nathan answered. "First of all, I had to go the long way around cuz fucking Katie was standing right in the main hallway," he grumped. "And then some band geek tells me he hopes I get raped in prison."
Rachel, who sat directly in front of Peyton, turned in her seat with a cocked eyebrow. "Ballsy," she remarked. Most people were too afraid to speak up to Nathan.
"Not really," Nathan scoffed. "He hid behind his huge ass trumpet, or whatever the hell it was, and yelled it from across the hall."
"Uh oh," Peyton said, dread coming over her. "Tell me you didn't go after him," she said, a clear warning in her tone. Not that the guy didn't deserve Nathan's wrath for that statement, but he was already in enough trouble as it was.
"I didn't," he answered.
Relief washed over her until Nathan smirked and informed her that Tim and Tyler had.
"Nathan," she protested. "Don't make things worse for yourself."
"I'm not," he said. "I didn't do anything."
"No, you're getting the guys to do your dirty work."
"I didn't ask them to. They just did it."
Of course they did. And why wouldn't they? Those guys were fiercely loyal to their 'boy'. "What'd they do to him?" she asked, though she really didn't have to.
He shrugged his shoulders. "I didn't stick around to find out, but they were taking him outside. I think you can guess as well as I can what for."
She shook her head. "If they get you in any more hot water…"
He smiled and kissed her, cutting off whatever threat she'd been about to issue. "They won't," he assured her, already feeling better just by her very nearness. The adorable way she worried about him and her cute little threats helped too. He couldn't help but kiss her again.
"Ugh," Rachel said with a playful snort. "Glad I'm sitting in front of you two."
Nathan pulled away from Peyton to glance at Rachel in amusement. "Which means nothing if you're gonna be turned all the way around anyways."
"Well it beats anything I have to look at up there," Rachel sneered, gesturing to the students who sat ahead of her.
Nathan glanced over and agreed with her assessment.
Peyton shook her head, quite used to their superior notions. "Why anyone thinks you two are snobs, I have no idea," she said sarcastically.
Nathan grinned and Rachel threw her a look, both of them pointing out that those same people thought she was the biggest snob of them all.
"But I'm so not," she argued. "It's you guys giving me a bad name."
"Right," Rachel teased. "Has nothing to do with the permanent scowl you walk around with."
Peyton gasped in feigned offense and reached an arm over to slap Nathan.
"Hey, what did I do?" he asked.
Peyton smiled slyly. "You didn't disagree with Rachel."
"I was just about to," he claimed teasingly.
"Well, you were too slow," she teased back. "Nah, it's actually because I couldn't reach her."
"You could if you sat up," he returned, since she was now leaned back in her seat.
"Too much effort."
"Huh, this could be fun," Rachel piped up, a mischievous look on her face. "Peyton, your hair looks a complete mess this morning."
Peyton slapped Nathan again.
"Your makeup is horrible too," Rachel continued.
Another slap to Nathan.
"And seriously, were you still asleep when you got dressed?"
Peyton's hand reached out once more but this time Nathan caught her wrist. "Ok, enough," he said sternly, though he laughed.
"Ahh," Rachel whined. "Just when I was getting into it."
"Yeah, I'll bet," Nathan returned. "But I give Peyton enough reasons to hit me on my own. I don't need your help."
"Well, just consider it your past due for all the times she let you off easy instead of giving you the smack down you deserved," Rachel said with an insolent smile. "Like for sleeping with Haley for instance."
"Rach," Peyton warned.
"I'm just playing," the redhead replied. "He knows that. Don't ya, gorgeous?"
"Sure," Nathan replied flatly, indicating he wasn't the least bit amused by the comment. Probably because it rang too true for him and he didn't like to have it rubbed in his face.
The teacher came in before any of them could comment further. He clapped his hands and introduced himself for those who didn't know him. And then, to everyone's dismay, he proceeded to change the seating arrangements, stating his dislike for students chatting with their friends during his lectures. Nathan groaned in complaint when he was taken from beside Peyton to the front row.
Peyton could only laugh when Nathan turned around and his facial expression depicted exactly what he thought about this situation. Her poor baby, she thought to herself. Sitting up front where he'd actually have to work.
Really, that should be the least of his worries.
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Lunchtime rolled around and Nathan and Peyton, along with several of their friends, took it out to the parking lot. It wasn't what they'd planned, but since Haley was in the cafeteria and Katie was in the quad, Nathan didn't have any choice. The others just followed.
However, it wasn't long before Katie too was out in the parking lot.
Nathan rolled his eyes in annoyance. "I guess I'm outta here," he said in aggravation, irritated that he had to be the one to leave. She wasn't near them but she was still in the same area and he wasn't going to take any chances.
The others, in full support, followed him to the bleachers in the gym, where they settled instead.
Once they'd eaten, the guys got a friendly game going while the girls simultaneously cheered them on and talked girl stuff.
It was the fastest hour of the entire day.
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"Hey Jake-y," Brooke said in surprise when she saw him in class. "Didn't know you were taking drama too."
Jake shrugged. "Yep, yeah," he said. "I thought I'd grace all you ladies with my musical talents. I'm surprised to see you in here though," he told Peyton.
"Oh, so I'm not one of the ladies you intended to grace," she teased. Then she pointed at Brooke. "She made me join. Practically begged."
"Lies," Brooke replied haughtily. "Brooke Davis does not beg." Upon Peyton's quirked eyebrow, she giggled. "Ok, I do, but that was good, wasn't it? I am so winning that bet."
They filled Jake in on the wager between Brooke and Nathan and he chuckled in amusement. "I'm sure you'll rank highest in the class, Brooke," he stated confidently.
"Well, I don't know about that," Brooke said snarkily as her gaze fell upon Haley. "Looks like I have some pretty stiff competition from someone much more familiar with the whole bluffing thing," she said, plenty loud enough for Haley to hear.
"Yeah, I'll say," Peyton agreed, as loudly as Brooke had spoken. "Somebody's got a sure 'A' in their pocket."
"No doubt," Brooke returned. "She's had a lot of practice."
"Uh huh, not really fair to put us amateurs in the same class as someone who's already performed publicly."
"Who you calling an amateur?" Brooke scoffed. "I could totally fake a rape too if I was that much of a nasty, conniving snake."
"Hey, leave her alone," Junk, who'd taken the class with Haley, said defensively. It was the first word he'd ever spoken to either Peyton or Brooke, and he wouldn't have even said that if they weren't so obviously trying to antagonize her.
Peyton chuckled bitterly. "Always someone to the rescue," she taunted. "If not Lucas, then his mom or her sister or…" she gave Junk a once over. "You. What's the matter, Haley? Can't take the heat? Does that make it harder to keep all the lies straight in your head?"
That's when Haley looked right at her. "No matter how badly you want to believe I'm the liar, I think a part of you knows I'm not," she said, her voice cracking just a bit.
Brooke clapped her hands in fake admiration. "Oh bravo on another Grammy winning performance…"
"Academy winning," Peyton corrected. "Grammys are for music."
"Hmm," Brooke returned with a careless shrug. "Yeah, nice going with the quivering chin bit," she continued with Haley. "If I didn't know any better, I might almost believe you."
"That's how she gets to people," Peyton said scornfully. "Because some don't know better. They can't see through the whole innocent act."
"Alright girls, come on. Just let her be."
Both Peyton and Brooke, and even Haley, turned to the speaker in astonishment.
"Jake," Brooke gasped. "You seriously did not just say that."
"I did," Jake countered firmly. "It's enough already."
Peyton stood with her mouth agape, stunned into silence. Not that she would expect Jake to participate in their verbal attack – he was too nice – but, considering what Haley had done, she wouldn't expect him to put a stop to it either.
Brooke, who still had control of her vocal chords, wasted no time reminding him of where he should stand. "You do realize she's trying to persecute one of our friends, right? Like majorly persecute?"
Jake sighed, not really wanting to get into it with them, yet, still not quite convinced of Nathan's complete innocence. He wished he was as sure as their other friends seemed to be. He hated to think his friend was capable of what he was accused of. But the truth of the matter was, he just didn't know. He'd been thinking about it a lot, but the more he did, the more he recalled how all-consuming Nathan's hatred for Lucas was. It seemed he would do anything to get a rise out of his half brother.
He glanced over at Haley, who was eyeing him curiously. Her pain seemed so genuine. It almost radiated from her very pores. Could anyone really fake that kind of anguish? That level of vulnerability behind the strong mask she tried to portray?
He shook his head, cursing his line of thought. Nathan was his friend. He should be backing him up. But something in Haley's mannerism told him that she hadn't made any of this up. And if he was right, then Nathan deserved whatever punishment he had coming to him.
He sighed deeply. God, he hoped he was wrong. "Just leave her alone," he repeated before a blank expression took over his features, effectively closing himself off to any further debate.
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The next few days were difficult for everyone concerned with the rape issue. Nathan and his friends had had to find a new place to spend their lunch hour since Katie turned up in the gym with a few of her girlfriends. It seemed to Nathan that no matter where he turned, she was there, and by Wednesday, it was really getting to him. All of his friends could see how much of a toll it was taking on him. This was no longer just an inconvenience.
Peyton was worried for more reasons than one. Although the threat of prison loomed over him since the rape accusation had been brought forth, here at school Nathan had always known where he stood. Everyone knew who Nathan Scott was. People either loved him or hated him. Most feared him and many respected him. It had always been that way and Peyton knew he was comfortable with that.
But now, though few had nerve to say anything to his face, several looked at him as though he were some kind of monster. Of course, for many more he was still king, but she knew the looks bothered him more than he let on. Being hated for being an arrogant jackass was nothing compared to being hated for being a rapist.
She knew the feeling. She was used to being seen as a bitch and she was actually fine with that. Now, though several people approached her, offering praise for sticking by her guy through this tough time, a few others had blatantly dissed her for dating a guy she knew had sexually assaulted other girls. This whole thing was getting way out of hand. She wasn't sure how much more she could take, let alone Nathan.
He always appeared strong on the surface, but she knew better. He was barely holding it together. Because of this, she and Brooke had decided against telling him about the altercation with Jake in drama class, knowing he wouldn't handle that too well.
It was that Wednesday at the beginning of lunch hour that really tested Nathan's patience.
He and Peyton were kissing by his locker when some guy came out with the taunting remark. "Better not say no. He might rape you too."
Nathan snapped instantly. Releasing Peyton, he grabbed the guy by the shirt front and slammed him hard against the lockers. The guy grunted in pain but Nathan barely noticed. And even if he had noticed, it wouldn't be enough. In a blind rage, he raised his fist, ready to pound the guy to the ground, but Peyton grabbed hold of his arm and tried to hold him back.
"Nathan, don't," she pleaded. All week the police and authorities had been lurking around doing follow-up interviews with anyone they deemed relevant, and the last thing Nathan needed was another assault charge on him. "He's not worth it," she attempted to reason.
He didn't seem to hear her so she got in between the two boys, glad when that made him lower his hand. "You're just gonna make things worse," she tried again. "You'll go to jail for sure and then we'll never be able to get married. Don't do that to us over some pathetic nobody who obviously has no life of his own."
That seemed to reach him and he grudgingly released the guy, but not before another slam to the locker.
The boy didn't move so Peyton sneered at him contemptuously. "You have a death wish?" she asked snidely. "Go before he changes his mind."
"You think I'm afraid of him?" the guy asked boldly. "As far as I'm concerned, anyone who can rape a girl, by drug especially, is nothing but a low life coward."
Peyton cocked an eyebrow at him but he wasn't finished.
"I heard that's why his mom attempted suicide. She found out she raised a slime ball and couldn't take it."
She felt Nathan tense and she let his arm go. "On second thought, it might be totally worth it," she said snidely. To bring his mother up in this? That was pushing it way too far. "Go for it," she told Nathan, stepping aside.
"No you don't," Brooke, who seemed to appear out of nowhere, said. She pulled both Nathan and Peyton away. "You were right the first time P. He isn't worth it. Trust me, he has enough problems as it is. And I don't mean Nathan."
When Peyton gazed at her curiously, Brooke giggled. "Come on P. Sawyer," she said, pointing at the guy still standing at the locker. "Just look how small his feet are and tell me the poor guy doesn't have it bad enough."
Peyton erupted in laughter, as did Brooke, but neither guy responded with humor. One's face burned with humiliation at having had his manhood verbally attacked, while Nathan's features remained stone cold.
Brooke pushed Nathan and Peyton along the hallway, knowing Nathan could lose it again at any moment. "You two go find a corner to make out in," she ordered sternly, counting on Peyton to calm Nathan down.
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Mouth was sitting behind the half-wall in the study room, sullenly eating a sandwich when Nathan and Peyton came in. From his position he could see them clearly but they didn't notice him. He saw Nathan slam his fist into a desk a few times while Peyton stood by silently, letting him vent.
"You got that out of your system now?" Peyton asked Nathan when he stopped. She didn't seem angry or upset – well, she did, but not at Nathan. It seemed more like she understood.
She did, but still she had to try to calm him before lunch time was over. Otherwise, the next person to make a comment was going to pay dearly, not only for his own comment, but for everyone else's as well. And Nathan would suffer the consequences of that. For that reason, she had to allow him to get it out now. It wouldn't do him any good to hold it inside.
When he finally seemed calm enough, she went to him and wrapped her arms around his torso, hugging him tightly. "I hate that you have to go through this," she said earnestly.
He hugged her back and let out a frustrated sigh. "I just wish it would be over," he said. "I didn't think people were actually gonna buy this crap, but they are, Peyt. They think I did it."
"Not everyone," she assured him. "Come here," she spoke softly, taking his hand and leading him to the chairs in front of one big table. "Come sit with me."
He let her lead him but sighed in defeat. "It's just like you said, Peyton. Why would anyone believe me over her? She doesn't even like me so why would she sleep with me?"
"Hey, I only said half of that, and only to get you to take this thing seriously. A lot of people believe you, ok? And for those who don't, who cares? Let them think what they want. It doesn't matter."
"If these people don't even believe me, how is a jury gonna believe me?"
"The jury's not a bunch of high school kids who make one-sided decisions based on half truths. They're going to hear the whole story from both sides."
He nodded, seeming to relax a little with that, but he didn't speak.
"Why don't you stay here?" Peyton suggested. "While I go grab us some lunch. What are you in the mood for?"
"Nothing," he replied. "I'm not hungry."
"You have to eat. I'll grab you a sandwich or something, ok?"
"Why are you so good to me?"
"You know the answer to that."
"Yeah," he acknowledged. "But can you say it anyway?"
She flashed him a tender smile. "Because I love you," she said, placing a soft kiss on his lips.
He pulled her closer and deepened the kiss.
They remained as such for several seconds while Mouth remained quiet. It was only when he noticed Nathan's hand start creeping up Peyton's shirt that he figured he'd better make his presence known.
He stood up and cleared his throat, giving the couple time to disengage themselves before he approached them.
Peyton felt her cheeks burn over getting so carried away in the moment in study hall where anyone could have walked in at any moment. "I'm gonna go get that food," she mumbled before making her exit.
The two guys looked at each other awkwardly for a while before Nathan broke the silence with a casual greeting.
"Hey," Mouth returned.
"I didn't know anyone else was in here," Nathan said.
"Yeah, obviously," Mouth replied. Clearly he and Peyton hadn't been aware of another presence.
"So why are you?" Nathan asked.
"Just having lunch."
"By yourself? Where's your friends?"
"Not speaking to me, actually."
Nathan only nodded in acknowledgement, but didn't ask why.
"So how are your classes going?" Mouth surprised Nathan by asking.
"Fine, I guess. We're only three days in though. Kinda early to be failing anything."
"So, not needing a tutor at this point?"
"Not yet."
"If you stay on top of it, you shouldn't need one at all. As I've said before, you're a lot smarter than you give yourself credit for."
"Alright, why are you being nice to me?" Nathan asked. "Haven't you heard what happened at your party?"
"Of course. Who hasn't?"
"Well then, shouldn't you be like, trying to attack me or something?"
"I don't know. Should I be?"
"If you're thinking about it, you should know I'm about two seconds away from completely losing it."
"Did you rape her?"
"You're asking me?" Nathan asked dully. "Don't you already assume I did?"
"I think I can answer that by telling you why Luke and them are mad at me. Because I stuck up for you."
"Why?" Nathan asked in bewilderment.
"Because you and I are friends. Or at least I thought we were."
"But haven't you been friends with Haley way longer?"
"More like we hang around the same group," Mouth replied. "But yeah, honestly, I've always had a lot of respect for her and I find it hard to believe she'd make up something like this. Doesn't seem like anything she'd ever do."
Nathan only nodded in response. What else could he do? He'd already figured Mouth would take Haley's side anyway. His own dad didn't even believe him so why should Mouth?
"But then," Mouth continued. "I'm not really buying the idea that you raped her either." He thought of the condom left in the trash to be easily found by police. He thought of how Haley had ogled Nathan a few times. She really didn't 'not like him' as he'd heard Nathan tell Peyton. He recalled having to convince Nathan to even go to his party since Luke would be there. And then he considered all the times he'd hung out with him over the past few months, all the tutoring sessions, all the parties. Sure Nathan had hooked up with several girls at these parties, but not once had there been any question about the girls' willingness to participate. Which lead him to his final thoughts of Katie Sanders. That girl was always all over Nathan but, all of a sudden she was a second victim? And an eye-witness? That was just laughable as far as Mouth was concerned. There were just too many things that didn't add up in his eyes. He'd seen Nathan in action and the only complaint he'd heard from any girl was how quickly he discarded them when he was done with them. He remembered Katie herself, absolutely fuming when he'd shaken her off at his party.
"I didn't," Nathan replied.
"And there's where I'm stuck," Mouth said, sounding disheartened more than anything. "I know you can't both be telling it straight. I wish one of you would just fess up because whichever one of you is lying needs some serious help. But since neither of you seems inclined to do that, I guess I'll just be the loner nerd who was once lucky enough to hang out with both circles."
"Listen, Mouth…"
"Ok," Peyton said, bursting in with a cafeteria tray. "I got you a ham & swiss, and me a chicken ceasar. I figured we could share."
As she set the tray down and they fiddled with their food, Mouth made a quiet exit, leaving the couple alone.
Nathan smiled gratefully at his girlfriend. She always took care of him, whether he deserved it or not. She was, by far, the best part of his life, his reason to smile, and he wasn't ever going to let her go again.
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"I'm thinking of a sex addiction defense," Mr. Kowalski said as Nathan and Dan sat across him in his office.
"Sex addiction?" Dan scoffed. "That's ridiculous."
"No, hear me out," the lawyer said. "Believe it or not, it does exist and from interviews we've been conducting this week, I think I can pull this off. Your son shows a lot of the signs…"
"Forget it," Nathan cut him off with disgust. "What the hell kind of defense is that?"
"One I can probably win easier than a 'not guilty' plea," he returned reasonably.
"This is stupid," Nathan grumbled. "I didn't do anything wrong and I'm not a fucking sex addict. Whose side are you on?"
"Yours," the lawyer replied. "So remember that before you start cussing me out."
"Don't say such retarded things and I won't. I like sex as much as any normal person," Nathan argued. "It doesn't make me an addict."
"I'm not saying you are," Mr. Kowalski countered. "I'm just laying out your options."
"He'd have to plead guilty to the rape," Dan guessed.
"Yes, but…"
"No way," Nathan rebuffed. "I didn't do it."
"I'm trying to keep you out of prison here. If we argue addiction, you'd likely be sent to some form of rehabilitation centre. Isn't that better than jail?"
"But he'd have a criminal record?" Dan inquired.
"Yes, but…"
"Then forget it," Dan said to that. "A criminal record ruins any chance he has for a basketball career."
"There are always possibilities for record expungement. He's a minor; we could request his record be sealed."
"But that's not guaranteed."
"Nothing's guaranteed. Rape is a serious offense. The crown could request he be tried as an adult."
"We'll take our chances in court," Dan said straight-faced.
"I wouldn't advise that," the lawyer said. "If you don't want to take the addiction route, then I highly recommend that you at least consider a plea bargain. If I can talk the D.A. down…"
"No," Dan said firmly.
"I don't think you understand the severity of the situation here," Mr. Kowalski said. "Going to trial won't be a walk in the park. We're talking two victims here, one of them also an eye-witness to the other."
"So what does that mean?" Nathan wanted to know, his voice shaky with panic. "That we can't win?"
"Oh, we can win," the lawyer replied. "But it's not a sure thing. I'd say it's about a 50-50 chance. Are you comfortable with those odds? Because I'm not. If you're convicted of rape, you'll be spending a lot of years in a state prison. And your past assault charge will come into play during sentencing too. They can't use it against you during this trial but if you're found guilty, the judge will consider it when deciding your sentence. You could end up doing the max. But if we plead you out on a lesser charge, the penalty will be much lower…"
"But he'd have to plead guilty to that charge," Dan said.
"Yes."
"Forget it," Dan repeated unyieldingly. "Like I said, we'll take our chances in court."
Nathan glanced at his dad, more scared than ever. Until he took in his cool, confident demeanor and he relaxed a little. He didn't know why his father seemed so self-assured, but whatever the reason, it quelled his fears a bit.
Mr. Kowalski accepted Dan's words, having at least laid all the cards on the table. "Very well," he said. "Then we go to trial." He turned to Nathan. "Here's what I need you to do before our next appointment; come up with a list of people, at least three, that we can use as character witnesses. Make sure they'd be willing to stand up in court and speak on your behalf."
"That's easy," Nathan said confidently, thinking any one of his friends would gladly do that for him. "I can give you a couple dozen names right now."
"I'm not talking about your buddies at school, unless they've got a squeaky clean record, stay out of trouble, and are doing well academically. They don't have to be excelling but we want people the jury's going to see as honorable and respectable. Ideal would be teachers, coaches, parents. Not your own parents," he clarified.
Much less confident now, Nathan replied dully. "I don't really do so good with adults."
"They don't all have to be adults. A mix is good. Just think about it and see what you come up with."
Nathan nodded but he left that office with a feeling of dread falling over him. Besides his circle of friends – because let's face it, none of them were squeaky clean – who would stand up in court and speak up for him? And as far as he knew, the only adults who liked him were the basketball fans, and that was more for his ability on the court than himself as a person. He was screwed.
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"Can we eat in your car today?" Nathan requested of Peyton the next day at lunch. "Just you and me?"
"Not up for a crowd?" she asked him.
He shrugged. "Not really. Plus I miss you."
She nodded, knowing what he meant. They saw each other all day at school but they were never alone. There was never any privacy. "Me too."
He smiled and grabbed her hand, but Peyton insisted he go ahead while she, again, went and grabbed them some food.
He agreed, gave her a quick kiss and they parted ways.
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Walking down the corridor with Chase, Brooke noticed the exchange between Nathan and Peyton, and wondered aloud what they were doing.
"You know, Brooke," Chase began. "You know I think it's great how you're always looking out for your friends."
She turned to look at him. "I know it, boyfriend," she said flirtily. "If I remember correctly, you said it was one of my best qualities," she bragged smugly.
"It is," he returned. "But I was just wondering…"
But something else caught her eye at that moment and she cut him off to remark on it. "Unbelievable," she gasped. "Did you just see that?"
"What?"
"That Katie chick just up and followed Nathan outside."
"Oh. No, I didn't notice," he answered. "But anyway…"
"I knew it couldn't be just a coincidence that she always appears everywhere Nathan is."
"Yeah, Brooke…"
"And then he's the one who has to keep walking away. How fair is that?"
"Brooke, I'm trying to say something here. I'm wondering when…"
He was cut off again when Rachel came upon them. "Did you see that too?" the redhead asked Brooke, clearly having observed the same thing the brunette had.
"Yeah, she's totally doing it on purpose."
"Come on," Rachel said, pulling Brooke along with her. "Let's go let this bitch know we're on to her. I think I owe Nathan that after ragging on him so much."
Chase watched the girls disappear out the exit. "When it's going to be my turn," he finally finished, though Brooke wasn't around to hear it.
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A/N: Ok guys, hope you enjoyed it. I have a question to ask you all. This case, as confirmed in this chapter, is going to trial. The trial is to begin on chapter 87, so just one more chapter after this one before it starts. Anyway, I've been going back and forth on whether or not I should write the entire trial, partial trial or just gloss over it. I can't make up my mind as there are good points to all ways, so I'm appealing to you guys to tell me if you'd want to read the trial or not. I put up a poll on my profile so that you can vote for what you want. Of course, you're not obligated to vote, but I would really appreciate it a lot. That way I don't include it when nobody wants to read it or vice versa, not include it if people do. Anyway, whatever the majority of you want is what I'll do. Thanks so much.