A/N: Hey everyone, I tried to get this up asap but I didn't want to compromise on how this story would play out. I got a bit stuck with writing this so I hope you like it
Enjoy!
"So, what have you been up to these past five years?" Nathan asked as he walked down the corridor.
The reunion had finished an hour ago, and Nathan and Haley had decided
Haley shrugged next to him "Not much really. I was in Chicago for college, so that was my main focus. I finished my degree a year early and did my masters for my teaching degree, and now I'm back here" she chuckled softly
"I guess I'm not really that interesting"
"You've always been interesting to me" Haley blushed at Nathan's statement.
"Well, how about you? You're the big, famous, NBA basketball star" Haley nudged his shoulder with her own "That's got to be interesting"
Nathan scratched the back of his neck subconsciously "Yeah, it's pretty cool I guess"
"I guess?" Haley raised an eyebrow "Wasn't this your dream Nathan Scott?"
Nathan smiled "Basketball was, is, still my dream. But it's a bit lonely at times"
"I would've thought all the booze and girls would keep you company" Haley smirked
"It gets kinda boring after a while. I don't know, guess I'd just prefer to have someone to come home to every night" Nathan blushed slightly as he saw Haley looking at him in surprise.
They were silent for a few moments as they continued to walk. Nathan looked up and laughed as he saw the door to the gymnasium, seeing Haley's wide eyes and shaking head, he grabbed her hand and dragged her through the door with him.
Haley smiled as Nathan ran ahead, grabbing a ball of the rack and taking a shot from the three-point line. Haley couldn't help but feel her cheeks heat up as Nathan's button-up untucked slightly from his jeans, flashing a glimpse of his toned chest and definitive 'v' line. She subconsciously licked her lips. Nathan had definitely gotten even more good-looking since they were eighteen, all that basketball training had done him extremely well.
"Is you shot still as bad as freshman year?" Nathan smirked as he looked at her once more. Haley glared at him as he threw the ball at her, biting her lip as she tried not to laugh at the memory of Nathan trying to teach her to shoot a basketball.
...
Nathan walked from his car as he watched Haley facing the basketball hoop on the Rivercourt. He had to hold in a laugh as Haley stuck her elbows out and threw the ball in the air, a 'jump' - if you could call it that - as she threw. Nathan watched as Haley dropped to the floor, hitting the floor with her palms in frustration as the ball came down before it was anywhere near the hoop.
"Was that your jump shot?" Haley shot up and looked at Nathan in surprise "Because if that was your jump shot, I don't think I can be friends with you anymore"
"What are you doing here?" Haley asked
"Lucas said you needed some help. Something about a PE grade"
"Yeah, you can't be here right now" Haley replied
"Why not?" Nathan frowned
Haley looked down at the ground "Because I look stupid" she mumbled
"You realise I've seen you in that crochet poncho thingy you wear, right?" Nathan chuckled
"Come on! This is embarrassing! I want you to think I'm...Not embarrassing"
Nathan laughed "Haley I've seen you fall off a bed while tying your hair up. Trust me, you don't embarrass me anymore"
"Oh yeah?" Haley scoffed, picking up the ball and turning around to take another shot, the ball falling not a metre in front of her feet
"Ok" Nathan nodded "That was a little embarrassing"
"I can't do this" Haley groaned
"Yes you can Hales, you just need to focus" Nathan said placing his hands on her hips.
Nathan moved one hand down to Haley legs and tapped her right knee, getting Haley to move her leg over "You've got to line your feet with your shoulders, hands making a 'W' on the ball" Nathan continued to explain and direct Haley's arms, legs, hips, until she was standing perfectly.
Nathan rested his hands on her hips again, and leaned in, his lips right up against her left ear "Now just breathe. And shoot"
Haley felt herself stiffen as she felt Nathan's hands on her hips, his breath against her ear. She snapped out of it, and quickly chucked the ball in the air. They both watched as the ball hit the rim, debating on which way to go over the edge. Both teens held their breath as they watched the ball slowly sink into the net.
"I did it?" Haley gasped, turning in Nathan's arms "I did it!"
Nathan wrapped his arms around her waist, picking her up and running around the court with Haley sitting on his shoulder as he cheered her. Haley's giggles subsided as Nathan put her down, her body sliding against his.
"I-" Haley stuttered "Thank you, Nathan"
Nathan swallowed the lump he felt in his throat, his eyes going between her mouth and her eyes, before breathlessly whispering "You're welcome"
...
"Come on James" Nathan smiled "I won't even guard you"
"How chivalrous" Haley deadpanned. She walked to the three-point line, taking a deep breath as she lined up her feet with her shoulders, feeling the heat rush to her cheeks as she felt her dress ride up her thighs.
She took a deep breath and brought the ball below her knees, watching Nathan's slightly confused look, and did a granny shot. She smiled proudly as the ball went into the room, 'nothing but net' she thought cockily.
"A granny shot?" Nathan raised an eyebrow
"Hey, a shot's a shot" Haley shrugged.
Nathan chuckled. He'd missed this girl so much, he's not sure how he managed five years without her.
"I hate to break this up, but it's getting late. I should probably head back to my hotel" Haley smiled sadly
"How are you getting there?"
"I was just going to walk" Haley said
"At 9:30 at night?" Nathan exclaimed
"It's Tree Hill" Haley chuckled "I doubt much can happen to me in a thirty minute walk Nathan"
Nathan shook his head vehemently "No way, I'm dropping you"
"Nathan, that's really not necessary" Haley rebutted
"It's fine. Besides, I'm staying in a hotel anyways and they're all in the same area" Nathan said nonchalantly.
Haley could see he wasn't going to let it go. She sighed and smiled "Thank you"
"Let's go" Nathan said taking her hand in his and leading her out to the car. Haley smiled giddily at the feel of Nathan's hand in hers.
"Nathan, my hotel is just one block over, you can go to your hotel I'll be fine" Haley said as they got out of the car.
"I'm going this way anyways, and like I'd let you walk to your hotel alone" Nathan responded.
They walked side by side, the cool Tree Hill breeze the only sound around them.
"Tell me a secret" Nathan said softly as they walked
"That's an odd question" Haley chuckled
"Come on, we've been best friends since we were twelve years old. I want to know what you've kept from all these year Haley James"
Haley was quiet for a few moments, her bottom lip coming to rest between her teeth again. Nathan noted it as a nervous habit since they were teens.
"I had a crush on you" She whispered "And not like a little girl kind of one, like full-on head over heels, infatuation, kind of crush"
"Really?" Nathan was shocked "How long?"
"Honestly, I don't think it's gone yet" Haley chuckled
Nathan's heart felt like it was bursting in his chest. She liked him, she had liked him since they were teens.
"I liked you too" Nathan smiled
Haley chuckled awkwardly "You don't need to tell me that to protect my feelings Nathan, I'm a big girl"
"I'm not lying Haley"
Haley eyed him suspiciously "How come you never said anything then?"
Nathan shrugged "You were just so..."
"Dorky? Awkward? plain?" Haley offered
"Perfect" He whispered "You were so smart, and beautiful, and kind. I didn't think I deserved you"
"Nathan" Haley frowned "You really don't give yourself enough credit. You're an amazing man"
Nathan smiled at her. Haley stopped on the street a few minutes later.
"This is me" she said pointing to the entrance of the Hotel Riverside
Nathan chuckled "You have to be kidding me"
Haley frowned at Nathan's reaction "I'm staying here too"
Haley chuckled along with him.
"What floor are you?" Haley asked as they walked to the elevators.
"uhhh, penthouse" he said shyly
"Fancy" Haley smiled.
"My agent, Clay, demanded it" Nathan chuckled, pushing the penthouse level as Haley clicked floor 18 "He reckons if I have the salary of an NBA star, I should live like one"
"It's not the worst thing" Haley pointed out as Nathan nodded his head.
They reached the eighteenth floor and Haley turned to look at Nathan
"Well, I guess I'll see you around?" Haley asked
"Definitely" Nathan smiled. Nathan leaned in and paused as he looked at haley's lips, her closed eyes. He shifted his head and kissed her cheek softly
Haley felt slightly confused. Maybe this wasn't what he wanted?
"Goodnight Haley" Nathan said as he held his arm against the door, preventing it from closing.
"Goodnight Nathan" Haley mumbled as she walked out of the elevator.
Nathan groaned as he leaned his head back on the wall, thinking to himself;
'I should've kissed her'
A/N: So, hopefully you don't hate me for that ending? I'm trying to do a bit of a slow build with this, especially given that Nathan is still in L.A.
Next chapter will be Haley's job interview at Tree Hill High, and a little Friends Reunion.
As always, please review!
- Maddie :)