Chapter Fifteen

Nathan took in a deep breath, opening his eyes as he woke up from a restless sleep. His body still hurt and his throat was dry and his eyes were itching. He knew Haley was awake as well- he could sense the eyes on his back that signaled she was awake.

She was also dragging her fingers over his ribs.

"Hey," She whispered.

Nathan swallowed, shuffling around to lay on his back as he looked at her. He didn't say anything, not trusting his voice at the moment and Haley gave him a small smile.

"Feeling better?" She continued to whisper.

Her eyes raked over his dishelved appearance as Nathan just shrugged in reply. Haley frowned a little as her eyes went to look out the window. The rain was still pouring down- so hard it could be heard through the roof and Nathan let his eyes close again.

He was wearing a pair of sweatpants Haley had found for him since his clothes were soaking wet (but were now in the dryer) and a black t-shirt that was pulled across his chest that used to belong to Lucas.

"Are you going to tell me what's wrong?" Haley questioned, getting more comfortable and flipping onto her stomach.

Nathan watched as she pulled her arms up and under the feather pillow, relaxing against the plushy material. He sighed and looked up at the ceiling fan which was spinning in slow circles.

"You don't have to," Haley assured, "I didn't tell you what was wrong this morning."

Nathan shrugged again, rubbing a hand over his face before he turned to Haley. Haley smiled softly at him again, wondering if he wanted to ignore what happened a couple hours ago or if he wanted to talk about it. She glanced away for a couple seconds, smiling a little more at the way her blue comforter made his skin tanner than usual.

"Just know that you can talk to me," Haley encouraged, looking back up at Nathan to see his eyes darting over her appearance.

Nathan sighed softly before closing his eyes, "I don't... I don't even-"

Nathan shook his head before closing his mouth. His thoughts were cloudy and he didn't really want to go into detail at the moment. Haley frowned at him as he closed his eyes; she placed her hand on top of his that rested on his stomach. Nathan swallowed, the emptiness was still there but it didn't feel so bad right now.

Haley moved his fingers apart to fit hers in between and Nathan looked at their linked hands. He licked his lips before biting them and glanced at Haley who gave him a sad smile. Nathan let out a breath and looked away.

"It's everything," Nathan shook his head and whispered. He could feel Haley watching him and he continued, "It's me. It's Luke, it's my too-sweet aunt and my I've-been-there uncle. It's school and..." He sighed and shook his head again before looking at Haley, "And it's you."

Haley was the only one who could break down his wall and he had mixed emotions about it. It was tough to let someone in, to trust someone in the way that Nathan trusted Haley but he was trying. Haley knew he was trying and that was all that mattered to Nathan.

"I kissed you," Haley informed, "I kissed you and it was impulsive and... I don't even know. I'm not saying that it was a terrible thing because it definitely wasn't- I mean, you know how to kiss."

Nathan smirked the tiniest bit as he continued to watch the ranting girl beside him. Haley realized what she said and she sighed, closing her eyes.

"And I totally just boosted your ego right there and bruised mine," Haley opened her eyes and smiled in embarassement.

"It's fine," Nathan mumbled, looking at their linked hands.

Haley sighed again and bit her lip nervously, "Nathan, I'm sorry if I caught you off guard- I didn't mean to. I blurred the lines of our friendship and-"

Nathan looked at Haley and licked his lips. His eyes glanced over her lips before landing on her eyes. She gave him a small hardly there smile and sucked in a small breath as Nathan placed his lips on hers.

It was quick- before it could start as something more than just a kiss, Nathan pulled away and got back into his previous spot.

Haley raised a questioning eyebrow and then bit her lip, trying to hide the smile that was breaking through. Nathan glanced over at her and smirked at her face before looking at their still linked fingers.

"You don't have to apologize," Nathan mumbled so low Haley could hardly hear him. He turned on his side and used his other hand to bring her closer, making sure to not let go of her fingers. He sighed into her hair, "We never really had straight lines."

...

"You know," Haley started as she and Luke watched a random movie on TV. She looked over at him as he shoved a mouthful of popcorn into his mouth. Haley smirked, "I think you might be taking things... a little further than you should with Nathan."

Luke furrowed his eyebrows and swallowed the popcorn, "What?"

Haley shrugged and shook her head, "I mean... you're my best friend so I'm on your side, but I think he's more messed up than you think he is. He doesn't need anymore drama in his life. I think he just needs a friend."

"Where are you getting this?" Luke narrowed his eyes, "Are you talking to Nathan?"

"Don't be mad," Haley stated after a beat of silence.

"At what?" Lucas put the bowl down on the floor and turned towards her, "Haley?"

"I've been tutoring him," Haley hesitantly responded, "He came to me and he was so desperate and I felt really bad for him so I agreed. And I'm sorry I didn't tell you but-"

"You've been tutoring him behind my back?"

Haley gave him a defeated look at the betrayal in his voice, "I'm sorry Luke, but he really needed it; he was failing English."

"He didn't need a tutor," Luke rolled his eyes, "He was trying to get back at me."

"For what?" Haley shook her head, "Nathan needed help, he still does but I'm not talking about school right now. Luke, he needs his friend- he needs you."

"Like he needed to get Brooke high?" Luke rolled his eyes again.

"I know you're pissed about that," Haley shook her head, "But he's sorry and you should give him a chance to explain himself. He's changed since I've met him the first time and I hope you see that."

"It's Nathan, Haley," Luke shook his head and narrowed his eyes, "He cares about himself and only him- he hasn't changed, just made you think he did."

"Just give him a break," Haley tried again, "Go home and talk to him."

"Why should I, Haley?" Luke stood up, betrayal in his eyes, "He lied to me and he's probably lying to you and you're falling for it! He's a bad guy, Haley! I told you that before!"

"He's not bad, Luke," Haley rolled her eyes, "He's just misunderstood. Now if you take the time to actually try with him-"

"Haley, I thought you said you were on my side!" Luke raised his voice slightly.

"I am Luke," Haley stood up, "But you're being way over dramatic and I just think you should talk to your cousin- he really needs you!"

Luke shook his head, "I have to go. I'll talk to you later."

"Lucas, wait-" Luke shook his head again and turned to leave her bedroom.

Haley sighed and bit her lips. She put her hands on her hips and hung her head. That was not the way she wanted things to go. She knew that Luke had drawn a line between himself and Nathan- and she was well aware that Luke banished her to Nathan's side.

It was Nathan and Haley against Luke.

...

when you feel you're alone

cut off from this cruel world

your instincts tell you to run.

when life leaves us blind

love keeps us kind.