Always and forever and in between

Chapter 9

Nathan, who had seen Peyton casually walk into the locker room that day, was dumbfounded. Once she entered, all the boys, in their towels, stopped and ogled, but she didn't give them a second glance, not even him or Lucas, instead she had made a beeline to Whitey's office, only throwing a quick "hi" his way.

For a while, Nathan had stood there in the locker room, waiting for some sort of explanation, even Lucas stalled a little more than usual. Eventually, she and Whitey, walked out of his office together, not looking at either boy.

"Close your mouth, boys, might get stuck that way" Whitey joked over his shoulder, as they left the locker room.

The rest of the day was hardly different, even after overcoming the original surprise, Nathan's mind was still buzzing. Until Haley had come knocking on the door, as soon as he answered, Nathan fell to the floor, cackling "What are you wearing?"

She rolled her eyes, "a poncho"

"What threw it up?"

"My mom made it" she deadpanned.

Nathan couldn't stifle his laughter however, "so you actually wore it voluntarily"

"Shut up and let's get started"

He continued laughing as he put the pot of tea over the stove; added honey, cinnamon and peppermint; just the way Haley likes it, and pushed over the cup to her, receiving a quick 'thank you'. He tried to remember what Peyton liked to drink, did she drink tea? No, it was coffee, no wait...

"Can I buy a vowel?"

"Huh?"

"I was asking what you thought about Demetrius"

"A douche, really" he answered naturally.

"Why would you think that?"

"I mean come on, Hales, he is trying to force Hermia into marrying him, like when Helena told him of their plans to run off and get married, dude should've taken it as a sign to take a hike, but he still tries to screw them over, and then he abandons Helena; the one who could actually like... What?" Nathan stopped as he noticed Haley staring at him in awe.

"You read the book!!"

"Cable was out" he responded.

Haley cleared her throat, obviously pleased with him "Why do you think Helena is allowing him to treat her that way?"

"Daddy issues?" he shrugged

"Nathan!"

"Maybe, she really loves him or maybe Shakespeare is just trying to screw me over"

"Yes and yes" she said and Nathan guffawed. Then, Haley slid him a practice exam "I think you are ready for this, and I will give you extra math homework next to your English one, just a heads up."

He spent around two hours answering questions about 'a midsummer night's dream' as Haley graded other's papers. After he was done, she started on his, as he thought about Peyton, everything about their situation was messed up, and at that point, he was sure, she truly didn't want him anymore. The question is...

"Still in denial?" asked Haley.

"About what?" he looked over at the petite brunette.

"Missing her" Nathan sighed as she continued: "it's okay that you do"

"What are you, my tutor or my shrink?"

"Whatever you need" she smiled, looking away

"I treated Peyton pretty bad, she had every right to walk away" He noticed Haley looking at him profoundly and he confessed "okay, yeah, it was my fault, I screwed up, I just wish, I had another chance"

Haley looked away with a sad smile. Her heart felt as though had been crushed with an icy grip and she hastily changed the subject "Nice work"

"That was the truth" Nathan huffed with irritation.

"No" she laughed "on your practice exam, 81"

"Oh" he looked at the paper with pride "you know, it's funny, I think we have actually talked more than Peyton and I ever did"

"Peyton and I" she said proudly, patting his arm "good job"

"Yeah you, too, hey, are you coming to the game?" he asked as she walked away.

Haley turned around "umm, that depends on how you do on your English exam, anything less than an 81, I am staying home and watching the office"

"Alright, Haley"

She stopped walking away again and turned to face him "Yeah?"

"I know this hasn't been easy for you, I just wanna say thanks"

Avoiding his gaze, she nodded "Good luck"

Peyton likes coffee... no, tea... wait, she never drank anything. Of course, she drinks something, dumbass. Nathan groaned loudly, as he stared at Haley's empty cup. He couldn't remember his girlfriend of two years favorite drink, but he nailed Haley's preference in two sessions. Perfect.

He needed to make things right with Peyton, she deserves that much.