BAck with another chapter :) I'm trying to make them long for ya too...so hopefully I'm doing that as well :)
More updates later :) And feedback is always welcomed, it helps motivate ;)
Enjoy!
- Bethie
It was around 2 o'clock the next afternoon and Haley was seated at her desk. She had her reading glasses on and was looking over last years financial statement that had been sent up from accounting.
"Hey Haley..."
She looked up and saw Peyton walking in her office looking at a piece of paper. Writing something down on a notepad Haley answered, "What's up?"
"This report Chris gave me...it's on this girl...Mia." She handed the paper over to Haley.
Haley took a few seconds to look it over and mumbled to herself, "19...Queens...blah-blah-blah.." She looked up, "Sounds good so far."
Peyton put her hands on her hips and smiled, "Exactly."
Haley leaned back in her chair and laughed, "You want this one don't you?"
"That obvious?" Peyton joked.
Haley sat starring at Peyton and put her pen up to her mouth, "Let me talk to Chris and I'll get back to you."
Peyton smiled big, "Thank you, thank you, thank you." Peyton repeated as she walked backward out of Haley's office. "Oh! What time should I meet you tonight?"
"Oh ya..." Haley responded, "Ah-Well we could meet there about quarter till?"
"Sounds good, St. Mary's right?"
"Yup."
"All right I'll see you later."
"K.." Haley smiled and shook her head, looking back down at the documents in front of her.
--------------------------------
Haley stood infront of her walk in closet, hair wet and in a towel. She had her arms crossed and was lightly tapping her foot. She'd been standing there this way for roughly... 5 minutes. She couldn't decide what to wear. Did she go casual or classy? But did she want to go more dressy but not look like she was trying to hard, "Oh screw it..." she finally said.
30 minutes later she walked out into her kitchen fully dressed. She'd gone with a pair of blue jeans and a navy blue Yankee's T-shirt. She figured it was a high school basketball game...casual was the way to go. She put on her sneakers and pulled her curly hair back into a ponytail, grabbed her coat and purse and was out the door.
She arrived at St. Mary's a few minutes late because of Friday night traffic, but paid the driver and looked around Peyton. No sign of her. She looked down at her watch then back into the crowd of people making their way into the building.
"Haley?" A questioning voice asked.
Haley turned around to see the leggy blonde walking towards her, "Peyton" Haley sighed relieved, "I was about to get worried."
Peyton shrugged, "Traffic..." Peyton looked down at her new friend and was pleasently surprised with her appearance. She looked...normal. Peyton stated to herself.
Haley noticed Peyton's stare and immediately became self conscience, "What? Do you think I'm underdressed?"
Peyton laughed, "No, no. You look great."
Haley took a deep breath and nervously smiled. She looked at the building then back at Peyton and then back to the building once more.
Peyton shook her head and wrapped her arm around Haley's shoulder, "C'mon boss lady..."
The girls walked into the crowded gymnasium. They saw a few players on the court warming up. Both their eyes searched for Nathan's tall frame. Peyton had the advantage of being able to see over most of the heads but Haley was left standing on her tippy-toes. Peyton noticed him by a pair of benches on the other side of the gym. She poked Haley and pointed, "Over there."
Haley moved her eyes into the direction of Peyton's hand and finally saw him. Nathan was pacing the sidelines, watching his players at the foul line. He watched as one missed a free throw and he hung his head. He signaled for the young man to do two more.
Haley smiled, she couldn't help but notice how cute he was all serious. It didn't hurt that he also was wearing a white dress shirt and tie and a pair of black slacks. The boy definitely cleaned up quite well.
His head turned and he saw her in the door way. He immediately smiled and waved them over.
"I'm glad you guys made it." He said as the girls finally made it over there.
Haley bounced her shoulders, "I told you I would" she smiled.
"Hey little brother...enough chitchat..."
An unfamiliar voice called from the bleachers. Both girls looked up and saw a handsome blonde sitting with his arms rested on his knees and what...Haley could only describe as the "Scott Smirk."
Nathan rolled his eyes and the eldest brother made his way down to the small group. He reached out his hand to Haley, "Lucas...Nate's older...more mature brother.." He teased.
Nathan threw his head back, "Righhhht!"
There conversation was cut short when the Referee stepped foreword, "Coach Scott?"
Nathan nodded in understanding then turned back, "I'll see you after the game. You guys are right up there..." He pointed to the seats where Lucas had previously been. He smiled one last time before walking over to his players.
The girls followed Lucas up the bleachers and Haley sat between Lucas and Peyton. There was an awkward silence between the three, no one knowing quite what to say.
Haley began playing with her hands, "So...Nathan tells me you're a writer?"
Lucas looked down embarrassed, "Ya...at least I'm trying to be."
"That's awesome." Peyton chimed in.
Lucas leaned foreword so he could see her and smiled, "Thanks."
"Well I know someone at HarperCollins Publishing. I can give them a call for you...if you want."
Lucas quickly turned, his face looking like that of a child's at Christmas, "Are you serious!?"
Haley chuckled, "Yea it's not a problem. I'll call them first thing Monday morning."
Lucas grabbed her by the shoulders and pulled her into a hug, "If Nathan ever breaks up with you, I'm going to kill him."
Haley laughed, "That's nice, but we're just friends."
He pulled away from her and then he was the one to laugh, "Whatever you're telling yourself."
"See!" Peyton added.
Haley rolled her eyes and looked down to where Nathan was standing. At the same moment Nathan turned to look up at her and nodded.
Peyton reached over Haley and poked Lucas' leg, "Did you see that...he sooo gave her the nod."
Lucas just winked.
"Oh shut up! What are we in Jr. High..." she laughed.
Their attention was then turned to the game at the sound of the whistle.
The St. Mary Warriors won 56-48. Haley didn't know much about basketball but Lucas helped clue her in when she had a question. All in all, it was a fun time. The crowd was clearing out as the three of them stood by the locker room entrance.
A few moments later that doors opened and Lucas began patting them on the back telling them "Good game." Nathan was the last to exit, "Hey Nate man...good game." The brothers clapped hands and pulled each other into a "man hug."
"Thanks Luke."
They then turned their attention to the girls who were standing off to the side. Nathan smiled as usual when he saw Haley, "So do you guys have to take off? Or can you go get a drink?"
Haley and Peyton looked at each other both shrugging their shoulders, "Umm..ya sure."
They all decided on a small bar a few blocks down. It was busy...but wasn't the classiest of places. It was crowded and impossible to find a seat, so they made there way to the back where the pool tables and small dance floor were.
"All right...I guess I'll brave the bar.." Lucas stated, "What's your pleasure?" He asked looking at the girls.
"Vodka on the rocks!" Peyton shouted over the music.
Lucas looked at her surprised then smiled, "You don't mess around do you?" Causing Peyton to laugh.
"And you?" He asked turning to Haley.
"Do you think they have wine?"
Lucas looked around and chuckled, "I don't think so..."
"Ah- Just a beer then."
"Me too." Nathan added.
Lucas nodded and began walking away.
"I'll go with you..." Peyton added, "You'll have your hands full."
Lucas smiled, "Ok."
They walked off leaving Nathan and Haley alone. They took a moment and looked at each other before smiling nervously and looking away. Haley tapped her fingers to the music, on the wall behind her before turning back to Nathan, "You did great tonight!" She shouted.
"Thanks" He returned in the same loud voice.
Then silence once more.
Nathan looked around the bar then back down at Haley, "I'm glad you came!"
"Me too!"
Just then Bob Sieger's "Old Time of Rock and Roll" began to play.
"Oh!" Haley squealed, "I love this song!" Her foot immediately started tapping causing Nathan to laugh. He liked her like this...laid back. And it didn't help that she was a Yankee's fan either he joked to himself.
"Do you want to dance?" She questioned.
"What?" He yelled pointing to his ear, "I can't hear you"
Her voice rose over the music, "I said, Do you want to dance!?"
Nathan vigorously shook his head, "Nonono...I'm a HORRIBLE dancer."
"Oh come on you can't be that bad!"
"Oh yes he is!" Lucas added with Peyton not far behind holding their drinks.
"Thanks man" Nathan playfully rolled his eyes.
"C'mon Haley...lets show these losers how its done." Peyton grabbed Haley's hand and they headed to the small dancing area. Leaving the boys to just smile and watch.
Lucas took a swig from his beer and leaned into his brother, "You were right..."
"What!?" Nathan shouted not being able to hear him.
"You were right! She's great!"
Nathan smiled, "I know!"
A few hours later the place had significantly cleared out and the four of them sat at the bar...a little more than tipsy.
Peyton unsteadily stood from her seat, "No!..you lick the salt, bite the lime...THEN take the shot..."
"Well, I don't care I want to bite the lime, THEN lick the salt!" Haley argued.
"Ok, Ok..." Nathan added passing out the shot glasses, "On the count of 3...1-2...3!" They all downed the tan liquid and cringed.
"All right guys..." the bartender came over, "I've gotta close."
Haley leaned over the bar and stuck out her index finger, "1 more..."
The bartender shook his head, "Nope. Sorry...no drinks after 2:30.."
Haley continued her slurred speech, "I didn't hear "last call"" she turned to her friends, "Did you hear last call, I didn't hear last call."
Nathan also, very drunk stood and grabbed her waist, "C'mon Hales..."
Haley wrapped her arms around his neck, "You called me Hales..."
Nathan laughed, "That I did."
She began tapping his face with her fingers, "Jake used to call me Hales." Then she hiccuped.
The mention of "Jake" made Peyton's ears perk up. She was standing behind the couple leaning against Lucas...as Lucas was leaning on her. Peyton parted with Lucas leaving him to sing "New York, New York" by himself.
"Di-Did you just say...um Jake" she stumbled over her words.
Haley saw Peyton and smiled, "Peyton!"
Peyton pulled Nathan's arm off of Haley and replaced it with her own, leaving Nathan to join in singing the chorus with his brother.
"Did you just mention your mystery man Jake Jag-" Peyton stopped. She was unable to pronounce his name at the moment, "Juicy? Jagoosy.."
Haley stammered, "Its Ja-Jagielski!"
"Right. So who is he? You're mystery lover" Peyton chuckled.
Haley shook her head, "Nope. No mystery...fiance..."
"Excuse me?"
Haley drunkenly padded Peyton's cheek, "Oh don't worry, he's not anymore..he" and before Haley could finish she tripped and fell to the ground. Peyton tried to catch her, but in her equally drunken state she was unable to. Both girls began to laugh uncontrollably.
"Are...are you Ok!?" Peyton managed to get out.
Haley could barely breath, let alone answer her through her laughing fit. All she could do was mouth "Owe."
"I want to be apart of it! New York! New York!" The brothers sang arms around each others shoulders as they walked up to the scene in front of them.
Haley was still laying on the floor laughing and Peyton was grabbing her hand trying to help her up. But Peyton lost her balance and fell to the ground as well.
Through her now even harder laughs, Peyton mumbled, "Owe...my...ass..."
This made Haley loose it even more. The two girls just laid on the sidewalk laughing.
Two strong arms suddenly came underneath Haley's arms and pulled her up. The same with Peyton.
Nathan looked concerned but still smiling through his drunkenness, "Are you ok?"
Haley smiled big, "Perfect." Here eyes soon after closed as she passed out into Nathan's arms.
