Nathan and Haley were best friends. With Nathan being an only child and Haley being part of such a large family they meshed into a perfect friendship. Unfortunately one rainy night Nathan's parents suddenly got into a fatal car accident that would alter his life. Jimmy and Lydia James offer the now parentless Nathan Scott to live with them since they know he'll need the support now more than ever. But little did the James' know that this would change both their daughter and Nathan's life forever…
4 years old:
Due to being such close family friends the James' and Scott's celebrated the tots birthdays on the same day. Haley's birthday being on May 27 and Nathan's May 29 so they'd meet halfway and celebrate on the 28th which would often land on Memorial Day so they'd conveniently have no school that day.
Haley's mom, Lydia loved dressing her daughter up in frilly pink dresses, but Haley Bob on the otherhand did not enjoy it one bit.
"HALEY BOB JAMES COME INTO YOUR ROOM THIS INSTANT AND PUT THE DRESS ON BEFORE YOUR PARTY STARTS!" Lydia exclaimed at the top of her aging lung (she wasn't getting any younger). "NO. IT'S POOFY AND PINK AND SMELLS LIKE POOP!" Haley retorted. "young lady I swear if you don't get your little behind in this dress I'm canceling your and Nate's party!" "But mama, you can't do that or Nate will cry like a big baby." Her mom only smirked at the sassy little girl's comment. "Exactly. So put the dress on Hales." "Fine…" she said as she lifted her arms in the air and let her mother put the dress on her. "Now does it smell like poop still?" "No…" she said in defeat. "Now go check on your papa and see if he's ready love" "Alright!" The tiny blonde ran through the hallway into the bathroom with much swiftness. "DADDY, DADDY, DADDY. ARE YOU READY?!" Jimmy James came out with a wide toothy smile and fully dressed. "My baby girl looks almost as good as her old man." He said with a goofy laugh following. "Oh daddy… you really like my dress? You're not just saying that because mama picked it out, right?" "No of course not, you look like a princess Haley Bob." Then he kissed her on the forehead.
Just seconds later the doorbell rang. Haley excitedly ran to the door and reached for the knob as she stepped on her tippytoes. "NATEY!" She screamed as she hugged her best friend. "Hales, you look wonderful" Nathan's mom, Deb said. "Thanks auntie Deb" [since close family friends she refers to Deb and Dan as auntie and uncle]. As Haley let go of her death grip on Nathan she jumped into Dan's arms and welcomed the family. "Uncle Dan it's nice seeing you too!" she said with her missing teeth showing. Dan simply smiled and held the girl in his big arms. "Now Nathan, be nice and tell Haley how pretty she is today." Nathan started blushing at the thought of giving such a bold comment to his cute best friend. "H-H-Hales, y-you look c-cute in t-that dress…" he said with shame because he knew he stuttered when he was nervous.
Dan set the little girl down and hit Nathan over the head for sounding like such an idiot. Haley stood there in shock, but this wasn't the first time her Uncle Dan has done something like this to her precious Natey. Too scared to say anything Nathan just looked down at his shoes. Haley soon saw the shame in her best friends expression and decided to think quick on her feet. She cupped Nathan's face in her tiny little hands and kissed him. Dan and Deb were extremely amused at her brave actions and laughed in joy at the sight of the munchkins.
Still standing out on the porch Lydia and Jimmy came walking down the stairs and saw the same sight. Just as equally amused as the Scott's Jimmy took his camera out and snapped a shot as Lydia had her camcorder filming the whole thing. As Haley released Nathan's face you could see the shock in the boy's face. "Hales…" he said as he became as red as a tomato. "Thank you for complimenting me Natey" Haley said as she smiled at the now blushing Nathan.
The family walked into the house and chit-chatted as the youngins' played outside in the backyard.
"Hales y-you kissed me" the nervous Nathan said. "Yes, I did… do you have a problem with that Nathan Royal Scott?" she said with her arms crossed. "N-NO! it's just that… it was nice Hales." He continued to bounce the small basketball in his hands. Haley now found herself blushing and she couldn't hide it. "HALEY! NATHAN!" Little Lucas Roe exclaimed as he ran into the backyard. Although Nathan and Haley were best friends since they were born, Lucas was in on the friendship because he was on the little league baseball team with Nathan. "Hey Luke." Nathan said as he handed the ball to him. "Hi Luke!" Haley said as she stared at the blonde haired boy. Initially she didn't like Lucas because she was threatened by him, but she knew that Nathan was close to Lucas so she gave him a chance and grew fond of the squinty boy.
"You look so pretty in that dress Haley-Waley!" Lucas said to Haley. That was one thing Nathan hated about Lucas. He was so courageous. How could he say something so bold to Haley like that? It would take him years of practice before he could give Haley a compliment without stuttering. "Thanks Luke" she said with a wide smile.
After hours of playing, eating, and presents the four-year-old's wore themselves out and it was time to go home. But Nathan did not want to budge from his napping spot next to Haley on the couch. "Nate. Nateeeee?" Lydia shook the black haired cutie pie. Haley smiled when Nathan wouldn't wake. "Mama, can he stay over? It is our birthdays after all." She said in a quiet tone. Lydia looked at Deb and Dan. "If it's fine with you it's fine with us. It'd be nice to have a James-Scott night of bonding" Dan replied. "We'll just go back home to get some stuff for Nathan and ourselves" Deb answered. "Alrighty then, it's set!" Jimmy said with happiness. "YAY! Sleepover with Natey! We're gonna eat candy and watch movies and play all tons of fun games." The parents couldn't help but laugh at the little girls enthusiasm towards the sudden plans.
Nathan and Haley were lying in Haley's bed after their parents put them to sleep. And Haley could hear her own breathing. She's been up all day and felt only slight signs of fatigue. The occurrences of today made her happier than ever and the thoughts made her so extremely happy. "Natey, can I ask you something?" She asked as she turned to him in bed. "Sure." He said in a quiet tone. "Am I your best friend?" "Of course you are." He said without thought. "What about Luke?" "What about him?" he said in confusion. She smiled at his reply. "Promise me we'll always be best friends, promise alright?!" Haley said with slight fear in her tone of voice. "I promise Hales, we'll always be best friends" "Alright, good. Good night Natey, I had fun spending all day with you." "Same here Hales, same here." Then the two drifted to sleep.
It was just a mere 9 PM when the parents were sure that their little munchkins were fast asleep.
"Those two are inseparable!" Deb exclaimed as she took a sip of her wine. "It's adorable," Jimmy replied. "I wouldn't be surprised if those two got married some day." Dan said as Lydia was smiling to herself. "What's on your mind Lydia?" Deb asked her fond friend. "Nothing, it's just that. Those two remind me so much of you and Dan in grade school." Everyone was smiling now. "they do, don't they?" Dan said with a slight smirk to himself. "By tomorrow those two will be in high school and they might actually get together." Lydia added. "GOD HELP US when that day comes!" Jimmy exclaimed. Everyone was laughing at his comment and knew that it was partially true. "Let's hope their future's are bright." Deb said as she smiled at her husband and best friends. "Yes, let's hope!" and they all toasted to that.