Chapter 7

"What is this place?" Haley shouted over the loud music.

"It's the club my mom co-owns with Karen," he answered. Nathan knew all his friends were going to Tric tonight. But he was hoping to run into one particular person.

"Nathan, over here," he heard Lucas call a couple feet away. Nathan put his hand on the small of Haley's back and led her over to the table. All the guys and Anna were sitting down having drinks.

"Haven't seen you in a while, Dogg," Skills commented. "It's nice to see you're still alive."

"That's why I'm here," he answered. He then noticed Haley standing awkwardly next to him. Nathan decided to introduce her to everyone so she'd feel included.

"Uh, guys, you know Haley. Haley, these are my friends: Skills, Fergie, Mouth, and Anna. And you already know Lucas."

"It's nice to finally meet you all. I've heard so much about you," she said.

"That's funny, we haven't heard anything about you," Anna said with sarcastic smile.

"Wow, I'm impressed. I've never met anyone who could go from friendly to catty in five seconds...oh sweetie, do you need a Midol? I know those mood swings can be a killer," Haley quipped back with her most innocent smile. All the guys laughed. Nathan, in particular, was impressed. That's my girl. Wait...what? Where are these things coming from?

"So Haley, do you like Travis?" Lucas asked her—referring to the group that was playing.

"They're pretty good," she said. "But I'm more into Sheryl Crow."

"Really? I never would have pegged you as that."

"Well, not many people know my music preference. Brooke keeps trying to make me listen to Fergie from the Black Eyed Peas. But I tend to like more mellow music."

"I can picture her doing that," he replied.

"How are you at dancing?" Mouth asked.

"Since I'm a cheerleader I'd say I'm pretty good," she laughed. Anna rolled her eyes in disgust.

"You care to join me? These other girls won't give me the time of day."

"Oh, that's not right. You're so cute. I'll dance with you—if it's ok with you," she said to Nathan.

"Go ahead, dancing isn't my thing." He nodded for her to go.

"Come on, Lips," Haley proclaimed.

"It's Mouth," he corrected her.

"I know," she teased as she pulled him by the shirt to the dance floor. Everyone at the table once again laughed at Haley's antics.

"I have to say, she's pretty cool," Fergie admitted. Nathan felt a smile form on his face as he watched Haley dance with his friend. As he watched her move to the beat, he couldn't help but think she looked hott. Ok, she's attractive. I admit it.

"Oh please," Anna whined. "I need a drink." She then got up and left the table.

"Peyton's here, you know?" Lucas informed him. To his surprise, Nathan had kind of forgotten about her. He knew there was another reason for coming there tonight, it just got pushed to the back of his mind.

"Oh," Nathan responded with a shrug. He had to play it like he was over her.

"Look, I have to tell you something about her. She's here wi…" Lucas trailed off as Haley and Mouth returned to the table.

"Wow, he's good. And you get extra points for watching your hands," Haley praised him. "You'll never believe what some guys try to do."

"Hey, I'm a total gentleman," Mouth beamed. "Wait, what do they do?"

"Oh, one time I was wearing this mini skirt and some guy tried to slide his hand…"

"I can't hear this," Nathan cut in. Why does that bother me in the first place? It's not like she's my actual girlfriend. Well, I guess I'm just such a good guy that don't want anything bad to happen to her.

"Sorry," Haley apologized. "Long story short, I punched the guy in the face and broke his nose."

"No way," Lucas and the rest of the guys laughed out loud.

"I'm serious. My hand was killing me for the next two days, though. I give you guys credit when you get in fights. It really hurts."

"That's awesome," Mouth said. "But now I'm a little scared." Haley laughed in response as she fanned herself.

"You want a drink?" Nathan offered. "You're probably hot from all that dancing."

"That'd be great. Thanks," she answered. Nathan then got up from his seat and walked over to the crowded bar. As he got closer to the counter, he ended up bumping into someone. That someone turned out to be none other than Peyton Sawyer.

"Peyton," he stated surprised.

"Nathan, I haven't seen you around here lately," she said.

"I've been busy," Nathan answered.

"Here's your drink, baby," a random dark-haired guy came up to Peyton.

"Nathan, this is Jake. He's a musician," she explained with a smug look on her face. Nathan felt like he'd been sucker punched in the stomach. So that's what Lucas was trying to tell me.

"It's nice to meet you," Jake responded as he offered his hand. Nathan stared at it unsure. He ended up shaking it just to be polite. Jake then turned back to the bar to get his drink.

"I didn't expect you to fall in love," Nathan commented.

"I didn't expect you to fall into Abercrombie and Fitch," she countered.

When Jake came back, he and Peyton started flirting. Nathan didn't know what to do. He felt even more uncomfortable. Then the next thing he knew, Haley was directly in front of him. She pulled his head down to her and kissed him on the lips. Instinctively, one hand went into her hair while the other grabbed her by the waist and pulled her closer. Her arms looped around his neck as she stood on her tip toes. As they kissed, Nathan felt a jolt run through his body. That was something he never experienced with Peyton before. He even felt himself getting lost in it. It wasn't until Haley pulled away that the trance he was in was broken. She gave him one more quick peck on the lips before turning around to face Peyton.

"Oh hey, Peyton. I didn't see you there," she smiled.

"Get a room," she retorted annoyed as she grabbed Jake and dragged him away.

Haley couldn't help but feel a sense of satisfaction. She saw the way Peyton was trying to mess with Nathan. She figured that two could play that game. What she didn't expect was the goose bumps she got while kissing Nathan. The boy certainly knew what he was doing in that department. At one point, she almost forgot that Peyton was there.

"Brilliant," Nathan complimented her. To her surprise, they were still holding on to each other. She couldn't say that she didn't like it. She could feel Nathan's defined muscles under his shirt. In fact, she was getting the feeling that she almost belonged there in his strong arms.

"We make a good team," Haley replied. She still felt all the electricity between her and Nathan. This can't happen, she thought as she gently backed up out of his arms.

"So how about that drink," she reminded him. He looked a little disappointed at first but it quickly disappeared.

The rest of the night, the two kept a small distance between one another. The car ride home was silent, as well. When Nathan walked her to the door, the awkwardness and tension was still there.

"Well, thanks for tonight. You're friends are great," Haley said.

"That they are," Nathan replied. Haley gave him a small smile before saying goodnight.

"Haley," he stated. The next thing she knew, he was leaning in towards her. Automatically, her eyes shut. She was expecting him to kiss her on the lips but shivered when she felt his lips on her forehead. "Thank you for that whole thing with Peyton."

"You're welcome," she replied. She then entered her house and shut the door. When she heard him leave, she let her back bang against the door. I think I'm falling for Nathan. What am I going to do?