Chapter 16: Brave New World

Haley sat on the floor of the apartment that her and Nathan had, surrounded by various wedding magazines, Pinterest printouts and spreadsheets. She wanted to get as much planning done as she could now so that when school started in August, she wouldn't be so stressed. Haley was never one to manage stress well, and she liked to get things done early. She had already picked the venue, this beautiful park with a pond in the background. It would be the perfect backdrop for a fall afternoon. She had picked it with Nathan, who had been reluctant to go but was just as excited as she was when they put the deposit down. Luckily, Deb and Lydia were helping the young couple, which was something Nathan and Haley were very grateful for. School expenses along with the apartment rent, was more than enough for them to handle. Add a wedding to the mix and they were drowning.

"I like this one." She whipped around to see Nathan standing there leaning against the doorframe, looking down at a sheet of paper by his feet.

"Nathan, you scared me." She laughed, looking over at him smiling. "What is it that you like?"

"This theme right here. All these girls are wearing this brown dresses and some are in orange and it looks good, it's an odd combination but it looks pretty sweet."

"Are you saying you like that as the theme?" She didn't want to get her hopes up since Nathan hadn't been too ecstatic in the whole wedding planning department like she had hoped. She figured it was because he's a guy but she tried to not let it get to her too much.

"Yeah Hales, I think it would compliment you well. Not that you need it, you're already beautiful but it's perfect for fall."

"Who are you and what have you done with my fiancée?" She got up, walking over to Nathan, and grabbing his cheeks kissing him softly on the lips.

"I'm sorry I haven't been as involved lately. I am excited to marry you Hales. You're going to look so beautiful walking down the aisle and I can't wait to legally make you my wife and a Scott. Maybe you'll give the Scott name a better reputation."

"I love you. I needed to hear that." She kissed him again. As their lips met his tongue begged for entry and she let him in. It was slow and passionate, and they both came out for air staring at each other with a goofy grin.

"I've been meaning to talk to you about something Hales, I haven't told anyone about it yet."

"Sure, is everything okay babe?" Haley looked at Nathan concerned and he smiled, giving her that look silently telling her that she didn't need to worry. He took her hand and they walked over to their couch, making sure not to step on any of the various papers strewn about all over the floor. It was like playing a game of lava all over again.

"I've been thinking and I don't know if the NBA is what I want to do forever. I mean, I love basketball and I love the game but I feel like it may get old after a while. So, I was thinking I should have some sort of backup so that I don't end up like my father and I ran into someone named Clay and he's actually a freshmen at Duke too. When we were talking he told me he was going to major in business, and eventually wanted to be a sports agent. I think I want to major in business, and still play the game I love."

"Nathan, that's awesome. I think that is something you would really enjoy. And if you ever feel you want to walk away the game, then follow your dreams. I'll have your back 100%." Haley squeezed Nathan's hand and gave him an eskimo kiss, as they moved their noses against each other.

"How do you do it Hales, stay so positive? How are you so sure that you want to be a social worker? I'm over here struggling with basketball, which has been my dream for so long, and you're so confident. I admire that about you Hales. You're so confident, determined and strong."

"Oh Nathan, I'm not always positive. I just try and look at things from a optimistic perspective but it's not always easy. I know I want to be a social worker because I know I'm suppose to help people in this world and make a difference in someone's life."

"You already made a difference in mine Hales." Haley smiled at him and nuzzled her head into his neck. This is where she felt safe. This was home.

- Friends First then Love -

Brooke couldn't stop pacing. Lucas was on his way over to talk to her about something important and she had 700 different scenarios playing through her head. She couldn't tell if it was bad or good since Lucas didn't spend much time talking to her lately. He was off in his own world, always showing no emotions and speaking in such a bored voice. This wasn't the Lucas she fell in love with, she just didn't know what was happening. She had heard rumors, but she didn't want to believe them.

She pretty much had a heart attack when he finally showed at her doorstep. He looked horrible. He was pale, and his eyes had bags under them. He looked like he was there physically but not mentally. She had never seen him like this before.

"Lucas?" Brooke asked, breaking the awkward silence that was apparent between them. She gestured for him to come inside, which he did, not saying a single word. He sat down at the couch and looked at her, his eyes begging for her to say something. "Lucas, are you okay?" He shook his head no. "Can you talk to me Broody?"

"There's something I gotta talk to you about Brooke."

"You didn't cheat on me did you?" Brooke was always the one to jump to conclusions, no matter what the situation was.

"No pretty girl, I would never."

"Then can you please tell me what's going on before I have this baby very prematurely?" Brooke was known for exaggerating situations but she hated this beating around the bush that they were doing.

"I got into some bad things, I lost myself. I started taking drugs just to get rid of the stress and pressure that I was feeling. I felt depressed and the drugs made me feel so free but I realize that I was only acting stupid. I was scared because of the incident on the court and finding out you were pregnant. I was mad because I have to dedicate my life to writing, which I love, but I love the game too. So I took the pills to escape. But I realized it was wrong, and that I was turning into Dan. Keith would be ashamed of me. So, I'm going to a detoxing program for a couple weeks to help my body with the withdrawal. I'll be back in time for the gender reveal and hopefully prove to you that I am still that guy you fell in love with and I am sorry to have hurt you Brooke Davis. I'm not proud of that man that I was becoming." Lucas looked at the ground, ashamed. He couldn't believe he had hit such a low point and that he was acting so carelessly. He just wanted to escape and not feel the pain, anger, and sadness he had felt for too long. Brooke didn't say anything but hugged Lucas for a moment, showing him that she was there.

"Good because you were being an ass and drugs are not okay Broody. I miss that man I fell in love with and I'm going to help you okay? When you get home we will find you some help so that you won't feel so depressed anymore. Just promise me this, that you'll stop pushing me away and just let me in, let me help."

"I promise."

- Friends First then Love -

Haley was cleaning the house while Nathan was out shooting down at the river court. They had only been in this house for less than a week but Haley was on a cleaning spree. The people who had lived here previously, most likely college kids as well, did not keep the place very well maintained. Nathan told Haley she didn't have to put as much heart and soul into it since they were only renting it but Haley felt the compulsive need to do so.

She was in the middle of mopping the floor when her phone started ringing. "Shoot." She muttered as she slowly made her way across the entire wet kitchen floor to get to her phone. "Hello?"

"Hey Hales, it's me." The familiar voice echoed through the phone

"Hey, what's up? I didn't think I would ever hear from you again after my last words to you." Lucas was obviously calling Haley for a reason.

"Yeah, I'm calling to tell you that you're right and I am going to get help. I am going to this detox program for a couple weeks and then I'll be back in time for the gender reveal."

"I'm proud of you Luke for getting help. This just means things will go up from here."

"I sure hope so Hales. I was being stupid. I can't believe I let myself hit that point. I, I hurt a lot of people and I need to apologize to people and make myself better. If Keith were alive, he would be so ashamed of me. I miss him Hales."

"I know you do Luke, but just remember that he is here with you, always watching over you." Haley gave Lucas a hug as they sat in silence. She missed her best friend like this, when he was just himself. He had gotten into some shady shit, but she was proud of him for realizing he had messed up and making the effort to be clean again.

"What if Brooke never forgives me?"

"She will Luke, in time. She loves you, more than anything in this world."

"Thanks Hales, you always know how to make me feel better." Lucas smirked, as he playfully jabbed Haley in the shoulder. She smiled back.

"That's what best friends are for. I will always be your best friend Luke, no matter what happens or how idiotic you may be acting."

- Friends First then Love –

Dan Scott continued to pace as Felix watched anticipating what was to come. Dan had been pacing for quite a while now, contemplating the different scenarios and plans in his head, trying to decide which plan to execute next. Getting Chris out of the picture was the first step, and that had been easier than he expected. He now needed to somehow get back into Haley's head and get Nathan to realize that Haley was nothing but trouble.

"Felix. Didn't Chris have some sort of history with Haley?" Dan stopped in his tracks, looking at Felix who was spread out on the couch eating popcorn and watching some show on TV that had captured his full attention.

"Yeah, why?" Felix didn't even turn to acknowledge that Dan had spoken. Dan hated that about Felix. When he spoke to someone, he expected them to acknowledge him. He was, Dan Scott after all.

"Can you tell me more about that Felix or are all your brain cells dead from all that pot you smoked in high school?"

"Shut up. I remember high school just fine. I just graduated not too long ago, give me some credit."

"Then please enlighten me about Chris and Haley Felix. This is essential in helping me decide which one of my plans I would like to execute first." Dan took the remote, shutting off the TV. Now he was able to have Felix's undivided attention which would help him ensure if Felix was lying to him or not.

"They had a thing for a while. They would sneak around though, something about making Nathan jealous. But at the same time, being too embarrassed to be seen publicly as a couple. They would make out all the time. I heard a rumor they had sex in the bathroom but I don't know if that's true."

"That's it? Got anything dirtier?"

"Nah that's it. Haley was too infatuated with Nathan. Everyone knew it except for Nathan. Chris was too in love with Haley to not go along with her jealousy act."

"Does Nathan know about Chris?"

"Man, I don't know. Does it look like I talk to Haley regularly?"

"You are useless Felix, you know that?" Dan was frustrated. This wasn't going to make Nathan mad or open his eyes to Haley's wickedness. He needed something, bigger.

"Was there any other guy Haley messed around with that you know of?" Dan was desperate for some new type of information to tell Nathan. Haley had to have some sort of dirty secret that really wasn't a secret.

"Lucas."

"What do you mean Lucas?"

"Haley and Lucas, they messed around a little. I saw it. I don't think anyone knows."

"What did you see Felix?" Dan was excited. This was the type of dirt that he needed to pull up on Haley.

"Yeah, they were at the café; it was closed. They were running around playing some stupid game and dancing to music. It looked like fun. Anyways, he picked Haley up and placed her on the counter and they were joking and laughing and then Lucas kissed her. They started making out intensely; I have a picture somewhere. I was saving it to blackmail them. Haley pulled away first, and her face was wicked red. I'm not sure what happened after that because I ran away thinking she had seen me."

Dan started hysterically laughing. This was too pathetic and too funny. There was no way that anyone knew about that besides Haley and Lucas. His plan would work out perfectly then if Felix had pictures that weren't blurry and could be deciphered. Dan would make a copy bring it to Haley and blackmail her, making her think that he wouldn't tell Nathan. Then he would go to Nathan and show him the same picture. It was probably childish, but Dan didn't care. He needed something to begin a wedge between the two lovebirds and then get them to break apart. Then Nathan could execute all of his anger into the game and then get back into being the best. He didn't want to have to kill Haley, but killing people was something Dan Scott was good at.

"This is pure gold. Let me see the pictures." Felix obeyed, showing Dan the picture. He laughed. The picture was perfect and clear. He went into the options and sent the picture to his email so that he could make some copies. Haley James was going down, she just didn't know it yet.

- Friends First then Love -

Haley arrived home to see Nathan on the couch reading. She loved when she caught him in the act. Nathan didn't read much, but when he did he dived right into the story that he was reading. He always seemed so mesmerized by the words on the page, almost as if he was placing himself within the story, living the characters lives out through their eyes. It was just another reason why Haley had fallen in love with Nathan. She too had a true passion for reading. On stressful days she would just lay in bed and crack open a good book and allow herself to get lost for a couple of hours. It made her feel renewed and relaxed, like she could conquer anything that came her way.

"Hey there handsome, what are you reading?" Haley smiled, as she placed her purse down and headed over to the couch, plopping right down next to Nathan. She put her arm on the back of the couch, playing with the back of Nathan's neck. He loved when she did that.

"Hey baby." He kissed her, closing the book and looking at her with a smile. He always managed to get lost in her eyes, even though he stared into them every day. "Brave New World. This is probably the fourth time that I've read it. There's just something about the story that gets me. God, I sound like such a loser. Who even reads anymore?"

"Hey! I read all the time! Are you calling your fiancée a loser?" She teased looking at him playfully.

"Yes, but you're my loser." He smiled as he softly pressed his lips against hers, still feeling that spark that had connected him to her in the first place and made him fall in love.