I own nothing and no one!!

Thanks for the reviews and comments, they are greatly appreciated.

Carolina's School of Excellence

Chapter Four

"Yeah Brooke I know it was stupid but I had to leave…"

"But Haley he was obviously saying it so he could get your number." I could tell she was disappointed in me.

"Yeah well what do you want me to say? What's done is done and the opportunity is over because I messed it up. So he's probably moved on to somebody else."

"I doubt he's moved on since last night, besides if he is that stupid we'll just have to make him see what he'd be missing out on." She's always so devious! "So what did Karen say about Friday?"

"Oh yeah that," I love making her squirm.

"Oh come on Hales you're always working! Why can't you just get out a little early?"

"Calm down Brooke, she gave me the night off."

"Yes! So you can go shopping with me after school on Friday and don't you dare say anything about your schedule it can wait for the weekend, you work harder than anybody I know and you're going with me and that's that!"

She's so serious about shopping I swear. "Ok Brooke just breathe I'll wait until the weekend to do my practicing and I'll just have to dance some extra to make up for the missed dance practice and besides we usually do sing so that can be my practice for the music. There it's all covered I'll go shopping, now I'm going to go I have to finish getting ready for school, so I'll see you in about an hour."

I'm not exactly sure why she always insists on calling me in the morning before school when we meet up as soon as we get there. But I guess it's become part of the morning ritual.

I walked into the school and noticed that someone had decorated somebody's locker near mine. That's sweet. I thought, wait that is my locker, what the crap? I walked up closer; I could feel my face heating up as people walked by looking at me. On the front were small purple and green hearts, which are two of my favorite colors. Then in the middle there was a single purple flower with a card that read…

A compliment is like a kiss through a veil.

-Victor Hugo

As I stood there re-reading the card, I was completely confused. Then I thought about how much Brooke knew about everything so I figured she'd know who it was from.

"What the hell is this?" I asked shoving the card in her face.

"I don't know what is it?"

"Read it Brooke, it was taped to my locker with little hearts and this purple flower." She read the card as I spoke. "Who is it from? Is this some sick joke?"

"I don't know who did it, but I'm sure it's not some joke." Brooke handed the card back to me, with a smile. "But we'll find out who it's from because it's really sweet."

"How are we going to find out? I have no idea who it could be, I don't really talk to anybody, other than you and Lucas and Nathan."

"Oh I'll bet its Nathan."

"Brooke I don't know him, and he doesn't know me. Why would he put something like this on my locker? We've barely had a conversation."

"I don't know he seems smitten with you."

"Err... I don't know. I have to get to class. I'll see you at lunch." This is making me mad, it's embarrassing. I have no idea who it is and I really hope they don't do it again. If they knew anything about me they would know that I don't like to be embarrassed publicly. The rest of the day was pretty normal by lunch everybody had forgotten about my secret admirer and moved onto someone else.

"Hey Haley how are you today?"

"I'm fine now."

"A little high on yourself, walking around telling people you're fine and stuff."

"Oh please Nathan I've been embarrassed enough for one day."

"What happened?" I could hear the concern in his voice.

"Oh you didn't hear. I apparently have a secret admirer that likes to embarrass me. Whoever he is he decorated my locker with hearts and a flower and this sweet but embarrassing note."

"Really, do you have any clue who it could be?" He asked me nonchalantly. I guess that rules him out.

"Nope I have no clue" I'm sure the frustration is evident in my voice and written all over my face.

"Well you obviously don't want to think about or talk about this anymore," why can't it be you. "I'll change the subject. Did you get to get off early on Friday?"

"Oh yeah I did. Karen gave me the night off."

"Really, Good, because I don't think I could sit there watching these to flirting all night." He gestured towards Lucas and Brooke making all kinds of google eyes at each other. We both just started laughing.

"So Nathan I have a question," I said.

"Go ahead," He replied with a grin.

"Um do you have a girlfriend?"

"Oh naw, I had one about a year ago but that didn't work out."

"Oh ok, now I don't feel bad about asking you this. Are you busy after school? I could really use some help at my apartment, with things I can't reach and you're tall so I was wondering if you'd want to come help me out."

"Sure I'll be there, where do you live?"

"Well how did you get here? To school?"

"Oh I road with Lucas."

"I could just wait for you and you could ride over with me in my car."

"Sure, where would you like me to meet you?"

"Um you remember where you bumped into me yesterday?" He nodded in response. "How about there after your practice?"

"Alright I'll see you at 4:00." It was now time for the afternoon classes to start and I couldn't wait to get them over with. I already knew I wouldn't be able to concentrate; I kept looking at everybody as if they were my secret admirer. This day just needs to end already. Luckily for me it did seem to pass rather quickly. I sat in the auditorium at the piano playing just to get the extra practice, while I waited for Nathan.

"Hey Haley, I'm ready when you are." Nathan spoke as he walked up to me.

"Ok I'm ready. I just thought it would be more productive if I practiced while I waited." I grabbed my things from the edge of the stage and headed toward the door. "So I was thinking in payment for you helping me I could make you dinner."

"Sure. I usually eat with Lucas and his mom. But I'll call and let him know that I won't be there." He told me. We walked to my car. The ride was pretty quiet, but once we reached my apartment the silence ended.

"Wow Haley this place is really nice. I don't know how you stay here alone. I don't know many females that are that brave."

"Thanks and like I said before I do get scared but what can I do? I don't really have anybody to stay with so this is my only other option. Enough about me what about you? What are your parents like?" His body stiffened and immediately I regretted asking the question. "You don't have to answer that."

"No it's ok. My mom was a great lady, when she wasn't high and my dad is a horrible man."

"Wow I'm sorry to hear that. This may come out wrong but what do you mean your mom WAS a great lady?"

"She was a great lady. She was a loving mother, but she died about three years ago. She had breast cancer she went through chemo and radiation, we thought she beat it but then she went into remission and it was too late to do treatment." He paused, "I was mad for a long time until I realized that it was the only way she'd get away from my father, he's not a good person. He's in prison for the rest of his life for embezzlement, laundering, and attempted murder."

"Wow, so who do you live with?"

"I live with Lucas and his mom. And that was a hard thing at first," he looked at me and I guess he saw the confusion in my face. "We kind of hated each other until about two and a half years ago. I had nowhere to go, they were trying to send me to my grandparents, but I didn't want to go there. Then they were going to put me in foster care, I was fifteen and I just didn't know what to do. Then one day I was out shooting hoops when Lucas came up to me and told me that even though we didn't like each other, he didn't think it was fair the way life was and that he wanted me to come stay with him. At least that way I was around people I knew and with people that would be there for me."

"It sounds like Lucas is very important in your life."

"He really is. He saved me and was there for me when nobody else was and I am eternally grateful for that." He gave me a grin that made my heart melt. "So what is it that you needed my help with?"

"Oh right. There are some light bulbs that need to be changed and I can't even reach them while standing in a chair." I don't know why but as soon as I looked in his eyes I became extremely nervous.

"Just point the way." It took about a half hour but all the light bulbs that needed to be changed were and I was now cooking dinner. I thought I'd make chicken alfredo with steamed broccoli and bread sticks. I told Nathan he could watch TV while I made dinner but he insisted on keeping me company. I have to admit I appreciate it. It can be really lonely in the constant silence of this apartment.

"So I saw that all the rooms were decorated, except your music room, why is that? Wouldn't it be more inspirational if it were decorated?"

"Yeah it would but I want to do a mural on the wall but I can't draw for the life of me so I haven't done anything yet."

"What kind of mural?"

"I don't know. Probably something that shows the essence of love and passion."

"Oh," I could tell that answer was good enough for him. "Well know you have to get lonely here all by yourself, so how'd you like to make the most of me being here and let's watch a movie or something."

"Ok, but I have to warn you most of my movies are chick flicks."

"I figured as much. Do you have anything that a guy could also enjoy?"

"I don't really know what a guy would enjoy. I've never been with one that wasn't at least ten years older than me."

"Well I like violence and suspense."

"Oh I know! We can watch Bourne." I told him excitedly. "I love this trilogy."

"Sweet, I like Bourne." I sat everything up. We ate then set ourselves up on the couch and watched the movie; just the two of us. It was strangely comfortable. After the movie I drove Nathan home. It was a perfect night; I just wish it didn't have to end. Now I go back to the apartment alone.