Behind The Scenes

Chapter 7

Thank you all for the kind words! I'm a little concerned with the drop of reviews each chapter, I hope I haven't loss any readers, but to my loyal readers, thank you for your reviews, they help to keep me writing. Now I was sort of at a cross roads last chapter with wanting to pick up the story or slow it down. Since you all are dying to know what's going on in the present, I decided to pick up the pace. Now, this chapter was inspired by "Hands Down" by Dashboard Confessional and the recent rain that has plagued my little area of the world. I really enjoyed writing this chapter and it's probably the fluffiest chapter to date. This chapter is also very important and helps sets the stage for what's next. Also, I just finished Winners and Losers, I started that Valentines Day 2008 and I am so glad to have finally finished that story. Check it out if you can, I kind of wrapped the story up and I don't see the need for a sequel.

So tomorrow is the season finale, which is sort of a series finale since Leyton won't be back :( .. I hope this chapter helps, lolz.

Enjoy and please review!!!

** Quick update: Since so many readers are confused with the time line of this chapter, I want to clarify that this is the past. If you notice the first few paragraphs below, they are taken directly from the last chapter, also the last scene of the "present" (also from last chapter) had Naley at a falling out with Haley driving off away from Nathan ***

. . . . .

"I'm going to kiss you now." Nathan said hoarsely. He'd never wanted to kiss anyone so badly in his life. The way she looked right now and her body pressed against his had his heart racing and his senses in overdrive. For some reason, he needed to know that she really wanted this. The last few times, he was sure of it but she always denied it. He didn't want her to have a single regret or else it would ruin the moment for him. He needed her to want this as much as he did.

Haley couldn't trust herself to speak as she continued to stare into his deep blue and perfect eyes. Without thinking, she nodded and said softly, "Okay."

Nathan slowly lowered his lips onto hers, wanting to savor the moment. He felt her kiss back and he leaned in further. It didn't take long for her mouth to open up and their tongues to clash. She wrapped her arms around his neck, bringing him even closer. The slow kiss quickly intensified that neither heard the sound of thunder in the distance, nor the feel of cold rain drops that started to descend on them.

They didn't know how long they stood out there, seconds, minutes, the concept of time seemed to cease but when they came to their senses, they were both drenched and the cold rain didn't detour the heat radiating off their bodies.

Nathan grabbed a hold of Haley and dragged her inside the house. Haley sat nervously on a stool by the kitchen counter. She watched as Nathan went down the hallway and returned with two towels. He handed one to her and she muttered a quick thank you. Suddenly, she was very nervous and very aware of the fact that she had just made out with Nathan Scott and liked it, more than that she loved it. It was an unsettling feeling, one that made her scared and also excited at the same time. It wasn't the first time Nathan elicited these feelings from her and she doubt it would be the last.

Nathan tried to keep his eyes away from her. She looked even hotter with her hair wet. Instead he focused on drying himself instead of gawking at Haley. He was sure both of them were thinking about what just transpired between them. He was still coming to grips with it himself but one thing was for sure, he wanted to do it again and he didn't want this night alone with Haley to end. He tried to stay in control because if he faltered then it would be all over.

He took off his soaking wife beater and Haley's eyes went wide with the site of his broad chest and rock hard abs glistening. Nathan saw her gawking and smirked to himself. He was glad that the ball was on his court. He took his time drying off, giving Haley every possible moment to savor the sight before her.

"Are you okay?" Nathan asked.

"Yeah.. just wet." Haley blushed, that was an understatement. Haley removed her jacket and the wet sweater beneath it. Nathan inwardly gasped as Haley's shirt lifted, giving him a nice view of her smooth stomach and his blood headed south when he saw her nipples poking through her t-shirt. He quickly glanced away and muttered something about being right back.

He ran up to his room and put on a dry shirt and grabbed his rain coat. He rummaged through his closet and found some old clothes of his for Haley to wear. He came back down and handed it to her. She gave a small smile when he handed it to her but he still stared at her.

"Can you excuse me?" Haley raised her eyebrows.

Nathan smiled, as he took a seat, "Oh you're excused," and continued to watch Haley.

"You're such a dork.. turn around!"

Nathan laughed but did as she wished.

"Okay, you can look now."

Nathan turned around and he smiled again. She was wearing one his old Ravens sweat shirts, one his mom accidentally shrunk in the wash. It was still a little big on her but she wasn't swimming in it. It was more of the fact that she was in his clothes that made her look even hotter.

"Here put this on." Nathan ordered as he handed her an old rain coat of his mother's.

She looked up at him confused. "What for?"

"We're going out."

"Out?" She looked at him bewildered.

"Yeah, it stopped raining and I don't feel like staying in." Nathan said casually.

She looked at him like he completely lost his mind.

"It's either that or we talk about the incredibly hot make out session we just had." Nathan smirked.

Damn him, she thought as she grabbed the jacket from him. She was by no means ready to discuss their previous actions and a part of her was curious as to where they were going.

She followed him out of his house and into his car, where the heavy rain had stopped but it was still misty outside.

"So where are we going?" She asked. "To that party Andrew is throwing?"

"Nah." He said as he pulled away and droved off. After a few minutes of driving, he still hadn't answered her and she didn't know where she was going. Lucas had already texted her and she lied and said she was just going to turn in for the night due to the weather.

"We're going here?!" She exclaimed as she saw the bright lights of the carnival. "Are you crazy?"

"Ashamed to be seen with me?"

"YES!!"

"I'm hurt Hales." He said mockingly.

"Seriously, Nathan, do you know how many people go to this thing?" The annual Tree Hill winter carnival opened last night and went through the weekend. She often came to these events when she was younger. The last thing she needed was to be seen here Nathan, lord only knows what'll happen if Brooke found out. She had been dodging her accusations left and right recently.

"Well judging by the crappy weather and the near empty parking lot, it's safe to say we're good." Nathan said as he parked the car. Nathan was on the same page, he wouldn't know what to tell people if they saw him with Haley, especially a certain brooding half brother of his. Haley got out and looked around and sure enough he was right. The heavy rains drove off most people and the weather called for better weather tomorrow night so most people will probably go here then.

"So why are here?" Haley asked as she walked alongside Nathan through the entrance.

"I figured we can avoid the long lines and check this thing out.. I've never really been to one of these things?"

"Are you serious?"

"My dad always found something better for me to do.. i e basketball… and when I got older, my friends thought they were too cool for this."

"Deprived child hood huh? I'll buy it .. for now."

"Well .. it was either this or we can go back to what we normally do?"

"And what would that be?"

"Argue then pull you in a dark corner and kiss you senseless again."

Haley immediately blushed at the thought.

"And I have the backseat of my car in case you want to ditch this place already?" Nathan wiggled his eyes.

Haley playfully smacked his arms as the two strolled inside.

. . . . .

"This is boring." Nathan complained. "No wonder I never came to these things, it's a waste of time.. what am I ten?"

"Well if you were here when you were little I'm sure you would've had more fun." Haley said as she finished her cotton candy. Nathan was right, there may have been a dozen or so other people there. There were more workers here than patrons and most of them were off, either talking on the phone or to each other. Luckily, none of these people Haley recognized.

"It's cold and all dreary and I'm surrounded by all these corny game booths." Nathan continued.

Haley laughed. Nathan thought that playing the games here would be a cinch, but he soon learned the hard way and lost on all the games he played. He even lost to Haley on that stupid race horse game where you squirt a water gun through a hole to move the horse.

"And are all the games some stupid thing where you toss a ball or a ring onto something?!"

"Says the basketball player."

"Well basketball is different.. that's a sport those other games.. well they're rip offs!"

Haley laughed, he sounded like her four year old nephew.

"Oh it's not that bad."

"Well bumper cars was nice." Nathan smirked.

"Of course you would think that... I especially liked how you cornered me and kept ramming into me." Haley said sarcastically.

"Say it again."

"Say what?" She asked.

"How I kept ramming into you." He smirked.

"You're such an ass!" She slapped his arm again and he just laughed. "Is that all you think about!?"

"Yes." He said truthfully. "I wouldn't mind teaching tutor girl a thing or two."

"Pig." Haley rolled her eyes.

"Aww .. don't give me that.. don't tell me you don't think about it?"

"Think about what?"

"Sex."

"Well.. yeah I've thought about it."

"With me."

Haley nearly choked on herself. "You know Nathan, there's more to girls than just getting laid."

"Really, care to enlighten me."

"It's about being with somebody else.. finding companionship, someone to talk to about your day or if you're having problems.. someone who will be there for you no matter what .. and sex is just .."

"Just what?"

"Extra. " She said carefully and then paused for second, "and these are concepts you fail to understand which is why you're still an ass and why I would never consider sleeping with you."

"Because you think I'm just out for sex."

"Well aren't you?"

"What if I'm not?"

"I'd say you're avoiding the question because you know I'm right. Either way, I'm not buying it.. you might've been able to ruffle me up by laying your lips on mine.. but I'm onto you Scott and there's no way I will ever sleep with you.. no less kiss you again." She said resolutely. It was time she found her voice and put Nathan in his place. There would be no point in trying to deny that they kissed or that she had kissed him back. She got caught up, that was all. A girl was able to do that and have it not mean anything. This was all part of Haley's new and improved growing up plan.

"Well first of all you're wrong, just because it walks on two legs and has a nice rack doesn't mean I want to fuck every girl I see."

"Must you be so crude."

"Must you be so prude." Nathan countered. "Oh that rhymes!" Nathan teased, knowing full well of Haley's knack of inexplicitly busting out in rhyme.

"Ass!" She glared at him.

"Secondly.. after what you just said, I don't want to kiss you!"

"Really?" She laughed.

"Okay, correction, I won't kiss you.. if you want these badboys," Nathan motioned to his lips, "then you just have to get them yourself." Nathan huffed. Ha, how does she like that now!! How dare she said those things, Nathan Scott was more than that, at least that's what he hoped for and he knew she enjoyed their little sporadic make out sessions just as much as he did so if she wanted to deny herself the pleasure then so be it. Although he'll be left out too, at least she can blame herself.

"Third!" He spoke up.

"Oh this should be good." Haley crossed her arms.

"Third," He repeated. "I think I finally found a game to play." He smirked as he saw the basketball hoop. "Come on," He grabbed her arm and they walked quickly to the stand. Nathan laid down a stack of singles and started to shoot.

After a few minutes, Haley started to yawn as Nathan made yet another shot in.

"Damn, son.. you're pretty good." The elderly worker said.

"Thanks." Nathan replied.

"I think you just won all the stuffed animals I have here." The old man scratched his head.

"No, it's okay.. I don't want it."

"You sure?"

"Yeah.. keep 'em I just wanted to shoot around."

"Well how about one for that pretty date of yours?"

"Oh we're not on a .." Haley tried to correct him but Nathan cut in.

"She'd love one." Nathan smiled as the elderly man brought out a huge stuffed bear.

"This is Jack the bear." The old man said.

"Here Hales, this is for you." Nathan tried to hand it to her.

Haley laughed. "No.. you want it.. you keep it ."

"What .. I can't give my date a prize."

"We're not on a date." Haley tried to correct him.

"It's just us two tonight, hanging out, playing games and eating cotton candy, not to mention me checking out your ass .. this is sooo a date."

Haley gasped in shock.

"Haha, relax Hales, a date is different from a person you're actually dating.. so come on take the bear." Nathan wined.

"Nope.. I don't want Jack.. no pun intended."

"Fine." Nathan said as he put the bear back down on the counter. He wasn't going to lug around the big bear either, but he did notice a multi colored plastic bracelet on the bear's wrist. "Sorry man, she doesn't want it .. but can I take this?" Nathan grabbed the bracelet.

"Sure thing.. you kids have a good night." The elderly man took the bear and walked away.

"Here." He grabbed Haley's wrist and placed the bracelet around it. "Don't say I never gave you anything?" He smiled genuinely and Haley couldn't help but blush.

"And by the way," He whispered into her ear. "This is a date."

"Is not."

"Is too."

"Is not."

"Is too." He kept countering back like a little kid and both of them started to laugh.

"Oh the Ferris Wheel!" Haley clapped her hands excitedly and he smiled at how happy she looked but at the sight of the big wheel.

"Let's go see something else." Nathan said quickly.

"What? Why.. my legs are tired and I could sit down."

"Then let's sit on the bench."

"What? No, what's wrong with the Ferris Wheel?"

"Nothing.. it's just that it's been raining, who knows how safe that thing is?"

"Oh I get it.. you're scared." Haley teased.

"I'm not!" Nathan didn't even sound convincing.

Haley busted out laughing. "The big bad Nathan Scott.. afraid of the little old Ferris Wheel."

"I'm not scared."

"Then why won't you get on." She countered and Nathan struggled with the words.

"I .. I just don't like the height… look at that thing.. it's massive!"

Haley laughed harder, she couldn't help but find him so cute and adorable right now, the boy looked absolutely frightened at the prospect of going up the damn thing.

"Is that anyway to treat you're date?" She mocked. She still felt like Nathan was full of crap but if he wanted to stick with this whole date facade, then she knew how to play along as well.

"So we're on a date now?" He raised his eyebrow.

"I don't know.. a date would go on the Ferris Wheel with me." She countered.

"Fine.." Nathan grumbled as he paid the attendant and the two got in. He was so nervous that he didn't notice Haley whisper something to the attendant.

As the wheel turned, Nathan felt like he was going to hurl and he gripped the hand bar tighter. Haley found it amusing seeing him so scared. She actually thought the whole thing was cute.

"Would you relax?"

"I am relaxed." Nathan said nervously and he damn near jumped out of his seat when the wheel stopped when they were at their highest.

"Oh God! See I told you.. this thing is broke and now we're going to die up here!!" Nathan said panicked and Haley laughed. To make matters worse, the clouds opened up again and very light rain started to fall

"Relax, Nathan, I told the attendant to stop it when we got here."

"Why would you do that?! Just get us back down." Nathan closed his eyes and gripped the bar tightly. He felt her hand on his and he started to relax, he turned to her and open his eyes and saw her big brown eyes looking at him.

"Just relax." She squeezed his hand. "You'll see it's not that bad."

Nathan took a deep breath and leaned back. He let go of the hand bar but kept his hand firmly on Haley's. The space inside wasn't that big and they were arm to arm with each other.

"See..." Haley said as she rested her head against Nathan's shoulders and she could already feel him relax more.

"So I never pegged Nathan Scott to be scared of heights.. now I know your dark little secret." She teased.

"Well how about you? I'm sure you got some skeletons in your closet."

"In second grade, I stole candy from a store."

"Please.. who hasn't .. tell me something real.. something no one knows."

"I hate studying."

"What? But you're a tutor.. you're like the smartest one in our class." Nathan was confused.

"Well, it's not so much I hate it as more of the fact that I just don't feel like doing it twenty four seven… I mean I love my classes, I love to learn and I enjoy tutoring but at the same time I just want to kick back sometime and enjoy life you know.. but responsible Haley James takes over and I have to remind myself not to falter because there's no way my parents could afford to send me to college, especially my dream school."

"That's like me with Basketball.. no school would take me without that.." He said softly. Haley was about to say something else but Nathan didn't want to talk about his problems, he wanted to know more about her. "What's your dream school?

"Stanford."f

"Sounds expensive." Nathan nodded his head.

"Yep.. which is why I need to ace my classes and hopefully get a scholarship."f

"Don't worry so much James, you'll do fine.. just remember to take a break every once and a while .. like tonight for instance.. a night to just kick back and relax.. with me of course."

Haley laughed. "Of course."

They stayed there in comfortable silence, up in the air over looking the bright lights of the carnival. Nathan eventually removed his arm from Haley's hand and wrapped it around her shoulder to give them more space. He was relieved when Haley didn't pull away and continued to lean in against him with her head still resting against his shoulder. Eventually the operator turned the gears back on and they got out and landed back on solid ground.

"Glad to be back on the Earth?" She teased as they walked.

"In the full spirit of disclosure, I have a secret I have to confess." Nathan spoke up.

"What is it? Scared of the Merry Go Around?" She teased.

"I'm not scared of heights." Nathan whispered into her ear.

"WHAT?!" She pulled back and he started laughing.

"I went bungee jumping last spring.. of course I'm not scared of heights." He laughed and Haley repeatedly whacked his arm.

"Damn, Hales.. I'm just glad I don't bruise easily."

"You're such an ass!" She tried to hit him but he took off running. She chased after him and he made sure to slow down enough so she could catch up to him. She was going to hit him again but he wrapped his arms around her and got her in a bear hug.

"Let me go!" She tried to struggle but it was no use, he wasn't releasing his grip and being so close to him, she didn't even want him to. She looked up at him and saw his blue eyes staring down at her. He leaned down and rested his forehead against hers. She relaxed in his arms and she anxiously anticipated his lips on hers. He wanted to kiss her so badly but he remembered what he said, he wasn't going to.

"Ready to go?" He asked as he released her. She nodded, trying to get her senses back in order. He grabbed her hand and led them back to his car and it wasn't lost to both of them that Haley didn't pull her hand away from his.

They got in the car and Nathan started the engine and soft music from the radio started to play. Haley glanced over the clock on the dashboard and didn't realize how late it was. She looked out the window and twirled her hair in her fingers in an attempt to calm her nerves. Something had changed tonight, even when Nathan got her mad she still enjoyed it and she even enjoyed their banter. In fact, this was the most fun she had in a while. They arrived at Haley's house from the rear entrance because she forgot her keys but she there was a hidden spare for the back entrance. Nathan debated with himself whether to walk with her to the gate or stay in the car.

She made his choice for her as she said a quick goodbye and got out of the car. One more second with him and she didn't know if she could control herself. He stayed in his car and looked on while she walked quickly to the gate. He saw her struggling with it and he got out of the car to see what was going on.

"What's wrong?" He asked.

"The gate is locked and the spare keys are underneath that plant." Haley pointed to the flower pot across the gate. The gate wasn't that high and without a second thought, Nathan started to climb over it. He easily made it over and grabbed the spare keys. He unlocked the gate and handed the keys to Haley.

"Thanks." She mumbled as she went up the stairs and nervously tried to unlock the door. She was sure Nathan left but her hands were shaky and the keys fell to the ground. She was surprised to see his hands bend down and grab it.

"Need help?" He said softly as he reached around her and put the key in the key hole. She stood firm on her spot, both of them facing each other. They looked at each other, a mixture of emotions running through both of their faces. Looking into his eyes, she knew it was a loosing battle. Her hands wrapped around his waist and she looked up at him. She raised her toes to get closer to him and he tilted his head down to meet her. Their lips were a few inches apart but Nathan dared not make a move. Finally letting go over her fears, she lifted herself even higher, her lips crashing onto his. That was all Nathan needed, as he opened his mouth up for her, with one hand wrapping around her waist, the other resting against the door in an attempt to steady both of them as they hungrily devoured each other. And the rain continued and poured harder, washing away everything around them.

Hands down this is the best day I can ever remember,

I'll always remember the sound of the stereo,

the dim of the soft lights,

the scent of your hair that you twirled in your fingers

and the time on the clock when we realized it's so late

this moment we share together

and the streets were wet

and the gate was locked so I jumped it,

and I let you in.

And you stood at your door with your hands on my waist

and you kissed me like you meant it.

And I knew that you meant it,

that you meant it,

that you meant it,

and I knew,

that you meant it,

that you meant it

To Be Continued . . . .

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