AN: Hey guys, sorry for not updating sooner! I'm on the winter break now though, so I will probably update a little more frequently (let's hope)! Thank you so much for the wonderful/fantastic/amazing reviews to: LaffertyLover, mistydm, Sam2007, asharp4, Ravenhottie23, mary-023, MrsLucasScott, OTH.daddy'sgurl.06, DayDreamer23, a, Nathanlvr23, Mary Kate113, JPNeverlosetheButterflies, and NateandHales.

Chapter 6

Present Day, Haley's POV

I can still hear exactly the way he sounded when he uttered those words, "do you want to go for a walk?" The most completely mundane, unexciting words he could have said, yet for some reason this marked one of the most memorable evenings of my life. In fact that entire day, May 1st, held a most precious space in my heart and mind. Not a day has passed in the six months that it has been since then, that I have not thought about May 1st. The very same thoughts that sped through my mind that entire day, still occupied my brain today, six whole months later. Nathan. Nathan Scott. It has been six months since that day... And six months since I have last seen him.

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May 1st

I didn't even have to ask Nathan to explain himself to me, he just dived right in. We walked from Tree Hill High to the River Court, and as soon as we had been out of hear-shot from the crowd at the school, he dove into what I was soon to learn was a quite difficult subject for him to dive into. But the thought that he would open up to me like that, when he had only known me a number of hours, made my insides go crazy. Was it possible to feel this way about someone I barely knew?

He told me about his life growing up with his horrible father. About his constant bickering and practical joking with Lucas, his half brother. And he told be about the day, about a year ago, when he finally realized that there was no point in doing what he was doing. The day that he realized he was turning into his father, and that was the last thing he wanted.

"What made you realize all this?" I asked. He thought about it for a few seconds, and I was surprised that it seemed like he had never really given this any thought. Like one second he was a jerk, and the next he had completely humbled himself, without even thinking about it. Then he answered me.

"Brooke." Great, I thought. A girl. Another girl. The feelings of elation, and delight suddenly turned into feelings of jealousy, that I tried desperately to control. If he saw that I was jealous, he would think I was some crazy-crushed little girl. I was not about to let that happen.

"Who's Brooke?" I asked, pretending not to care.

And to my relief he answered, "Lucas' girlfriend. See, she and I kind of ran with the same crowd. She's captain of the cheerleading team, and is a friend of mine. So when she started going out with Lucas, at first I was furious. But over time, as I watched them fell deeply in love, she made me realized that he was a great guy, and I was the complete $$.

"Of course," he continued with a sigh, "then I was still too insecure to do anything about it, so instead of being a better man and apologizing, I became and even bigger jerk." I was experiencing all kinds of emotions. On one side, I could not believe that the sweet guy standing right next to me could be this inconsiderate. But on the other side, I realized how much strength, and courage it must take to admit something like that. "Anyways, being Brooke's boyfriend made Lucas more and more popular. Soon he joined the basketball team and then the guys started liking him, and before I knew it I was alone. I mean, I had never been alone before. Ever. So that's when it hit me. And that's when I changed."

"Wow," I said, not knowing what else I could say.

"Is that all you have to say?" He said half-joking. I sighed; I really had no idea what to say. I know I should have said something sympathetic and perfect like, That's amazingly brave of you. It must have taken so much strength. So basically... you're perfect. Which were pretty much the thoughts that were going through my mind. But, me being me, I didn't say anything like that. Mostly because I was busy hating myself for completely telling him off just minutes ago.

"I just... I feel like an idiot," I said.

"Don't-"

"No seriously," I interrupted, not wanting him to cut me any slack. I felt horrible. And I was going to keep feeling horrible until I apologized properly. "I'm so so sorry. I had no right to just judge you like that. And I just..." I didn't quite know what to say without sounding like a love-struck teenager... which I guess wasn't that bad considering that's exactly what I was. "I hope that we're still cool and that you still want to get to know me better... because I would really like to get to know you better." I said nervously, wondering what his reaction would be.

He then gave me the most adorable smirk I had ever seen, "I would love that." And something in his voice and the look of sincerity in his eyes told me he actually meant it. OK, so he wants to get to know me. He may even like me... but what now? This completely amazing moment was now followed by a slightly awkward silence. I felt like nothing I would say would measure up to those four incredible words he just said to me. We reached the River Court and sat down on a bench still in silence, and stared out at the river. It was so beautiful at night, so calm and peaceful. It almost turned that awkward silence into a completely comfortable one, as we both got lost in the scenery and the gorgeous atmosphere.

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Nathan's POV

"Hey," I said wanting to break this ongoing silence between us, and coming up with a spur of the moment idea. "I have a proposal for you," getting excited at my idea.

"Wow Scott, you sure move fast, but I don't think I'm ready for marriage," She joked. Which really wasn't that funny, but on the other hand it was pretty adorable, and helped to break the ice a little.

"Haha," I said sarcastically, "Do you want to hear it or not?"

"I'm listening."

"I'm having a victory party at my beach house tonight. You should stop by." I said, trying my hardest to not sound too eager about this. But I couldn't help it. She thought about this idea for a moment.

"OK," She said after a little while, "but can I bring a friend?"

"Of course," I said, not exactly wild at the idea that she would be busy hanging with her friend tonight, and not me. But what was I supposed to say? No, I want you all to myself! I mean, that was borderline creepy. I happened to glance at my watch just then to realize that the guys were probably already at my beach house, waiting for me. "Hey, so I should probably get going. But I'll see you later, right?"

"OK." She answered, and I jotted down the address for her, and while I was at it I sneaked in my phone number too... you know, just in case she needed directions of something...

"See you then." I said, not really wanting to leave. This was the part where it got awkward again. Do I kiss her? Hug her? Just walk away?

"See you," She said sweetly, but I could see her getting a little uncomfortable as well. Well, at least I wasn't the only one. Haley James. Probably the first girl to ever get me nervous. I realized that just standing there longer was just going to make the situation worse, so I quickly just leaned down and decided to settle for a simple kiss on the cheek.

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Present Day

"I don't understand," Lucas said to me, " if you have her number, why don't you just call her?"

"No, you don't get it," I tried to explain, "We made a pact. We have an agreement. If I violate that, what does that say about me?"

"I'm sure she'll understand. In fact, I bet she's just as desperate to see you as you are to see her."

"I don't know that. God, I'm so stupid, I never should have agreed to this." I said, saying the words that both Lucas and I were far too familiar with. We were at the River Court, having our brother-bonding. But recently I had just bothered him with all my talk about Haley. For the entire day of May 1st she had occupied my mind. And for the last six months since then, that fact hadn't changed. "Anyways," I said wanting to change the subject so I didn't seem like such a pathetic loser, "How are things with Brooke?"

Right as the words left my mouth, I realized that that was a mistake. Every time the subject of Brooke would come up, Lucas would first get the goofiest grin on his face, then proceed to talk forever about her and how in love they were.

"She did the most adorable thing this morning..." I then blocked out all the rest he said, probably like what he did every time I bring up Haley. It's always the same... the only difference was he was in love and happy, whereas I was simply in love.

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AN: OK guys, I'm sorry if right now it's a little confusing, I promise things will clear up, just be patient. Thanks so much guys for reading, and please please please reply! I love hearing what you think!