Chapter Three
Chapter Three
Haley's POV
The next two weeks had flown by. Haley grew closer to Brooke, Lucas, Peyton and Jake. Her and Nathan had their tutoring sessions every day after lunch and his grades where improving and he was no longer in jeopardy of losing his spot on the team. They now spent just as much time talking and joking around as they did studying. The one person Haley had not gotten closer to was Rachel. She continued to make catty comments to Haley every chance she got.
Nathan and Haley were currently hanging out in the tutoring center studying for a big test he had next period in History. They had just finished up reviewing when the bell rang signalling the end of class.
"Okay. You know this. You'll do great. I know you will. Good luck." Haley said after they had gathered up their stuff and were out in the hall.
"Thanks Hales. I couldn't do this without you."
"Any time."
"So have you talked to Brooke lately? She wants to all go out after the game on Friday instead of going to the usual party."
"Yeah. I heard. I don't know though. I may just rent some movies and stay home and relax."
"Aw. Come on Hales, you have to go. It'll be fun."
"Well I'll tell you what. You get an 85 on this test and I'll go. Anything less and I'm watching the Notebook."
"Deal." By that time they had gotten to Haley's next class where they parted ways and he continued on to his class to take the test.
Friday night finally came around and of course the Ravens won the game. Haley was leaning against the wall outside of the locker rooms waiting for Brooke and Peyton when Nathan came out of the locker room.
"Hey Hales. Why haven't you changed out of your uniform yet?"
"Well I wasn't sure what my plans were for the night yet," she replied casually.
"Well I guess you better go get changed then. I got a 92," he told her proudly pulling the test out of his bag to show her.
"Nathan, that's so good. Congratulations," she squealed, jumping into his arms to give him a big hug.
"Thanks Hales. I couldn't have done it without you," he told her, returning the hug,
They stayed like that for several minutes before they realized what they were doing. They both turned their heads to look at each other and without thinking about what he was doing Nathan leaned in and grazed his lips lightly against hers. They then pulled back and just stared into each others eyes for a second.
The moment was interrupted when they heard footsteps heading towards them from the guys locker room. They both quickly jumped apart.
"Okay, well I better go track down Brooke and Peyton to go get ready," Haley said quickly and rushed towards the girl's locker room. Once out of Nathan's sight she leaned against the wall and took a deep breath not knowing that on the other side of the wall Nathan was doing the same thing.
"Hey girlies. What are we doing tonight?" Haley said walking up behind Peyton and Brooke, trying to sound casual and hoping that there didn't notice how flustered she was.
"It's a surprise," Brooke said without turning around. When she did she noticed just how flustered Haley looked. "Hales, what's the matter?"
"Nothing, why would something be the matter?" Haley said too quickly. Brooke also noticed that she was fidgeting with the stuff in her locker and wouldn't look at her.
Brooke took a quick look around and realized that all of the other girls had already left the locker room. "Haley, come on. It's just us. What did Nathan say? I take it he got over 85 as you're going out with us."
"Yeah. He actually got 92," Haley said proudly.
"That's good. So what's the matter then?" Peyton put in for the first time.
Haley took a quick look around just to make sure that no one else was in the room. "Okay. Well Nathan showed me what he got on the test and I was so happy for him I just jumped up and gave him a hug without thinking," Haley paused.
"Okay, that's not a big deal. What's the problem?" Brooke asked, trying to remain patient.
"Okay. Well after I gave him the hug we just kind of stood there for a minute hugging each other. Then we both kind of realized what was happening and just stared at each other. Then the next thing I know Nathan's kissing me," Haley said quickly, starting to babble. She knew she had to slow down but she couldn't help it. When she got upset she babbled. She still hadn't made eye contact with the girls.
When she heard the two girls squeal she finally looked up just in time to see them jumping at her to hug her.
"What was it like?"
"What happened next?"
"No seriously. Was it good?"
"Good question."
Both of the girls were talking so fast and over each other that Haley couldn't make out what was being said and who was saying what.
"Guys. Calm down. Take a breath," Haley said trying to get them to stop talking.
"Okay. But first answer us. What happened next and was it good?" Brooke finally asked.
"Well it was just a light little kiss, and then we just stared at each other for a minute, then we heard some one coming so we jumped apart and I said I had to find you guys and took off."
"This is so awesome. You too will be so cute together," Brooke said, clapping excitedly.
"Okay, slow down Brooke. We're not going to get together. We're not a couple. He's dating Rachel, remember? Your friend."
"Please. We just put up with her because he's dating her. She thinks she's better than everyone. He hasn't even been paying any attention to her since you started here. I know it, she knows it, hell, the whole school knows it," Brooke said, not letting Haley's logic put a damper on her plans.
"He's still dating her. And I don't cheat nor will I help someone cheat. So nothing will happen."
"But you do like him, right?" Brooke asked quietly.
"That doesn't matter. Now let's get ready. I thought you had big plans for tonight."
That's all Brooke needed to hear. She was going to make it her mission to get Nathan and Haley together.
10 minutes later the girls came out of the locker room to see the guys and Rachel waiting for them. Brooke was in the lead and she was wearing a pair of dark blue, skinny jeans, a dark purple babydoll halter top and a pair of black suede heeled boots over her jeans. Peyton was behind her and she was wearing a pair of jeans, a leopard print tank top, her black converse shoes and her leather jacket. Haley was last and it was obvious that she was wearing Brooke's clothes and the Brooke had picked them out as she seemed very uncomfortable in them. She was wearing a short dark blue denim skirt which she kept yanking down to try to make longer, a sapphire blue silk camisole and a pair of black heeled boots.
"Hey girls, you all look great," Lucas said as soon as he saw them, going up to Brooke to give her a kiss. Jake followed his lead and went to give Peyton a kiss.
"Finally! What took you guys so long? Can we go now?" Rachel said impatiently.
"Yeah. Come on guys. Lucas, just follow Peyton," Brooke said, leading everyone out.
Haley went to follow Brooke, risking a brief glance at Nathan. She found herself looking directly into his eyes. She quickly looked away, not recognizing the look in his eyes and not sure what it meant or what he was thinking.
5 minutes later Peyton pulled up in front of Tric. The three girls got out and waited for the guys and Rachel , who wouldn't leave Nathan to go with the girls.
As soon as Lucas pulled up they headed into the club. The girls went to find a table while the guys went to get drinks.
"So Brooke, what's the big surprise? We always come here," Haley asked her.
"Oh, you'll see," Brooke told her with a little smirk.
They had been sitting around talking and laughing when Lucas' mom Karen got up on stage to make an announcement.
"Okay everyone. Tonight we're trying something new at the special request of someone special. Instead of hiring entertainment, I'm going to let you guys entertain each other with Karaoke. First off we have Haley James."
"What? Broke, what did you do?" Haley asked her, shocked.
"You better get up there Tutor Girl. Everyone's waiting for you," Brooke said, smacking Haley on the ass as she got up to go on stage. Haley turned around to glare at her.
'At least I can sing. I wonder what song she picked,' Haley thought as she grabbed the mic and made her way on stage.
When she saw the first few words she let out a groan and shot Brook another glare.