The next few weeks at the studio were difficult for everyone. Although none of the other actors were unaware of anything between James and Joie, there was a difference in their chemistry when they were filming for their scenes. Even Hilarie and Sophia were not informed on the 'situation' but it was obvious that the night of the girls' sleepover, something had changed in James and Joie's relationship. Since the episodes that they were filming for were still in an early stage of the show, neither actor nor actress had much to worry about. What the two were concerned about was when they would start building up the romance between their character's lives in the show. That involved everything from scenes of the two showing affection to kissing. Joie dreaded the day that they would start shooting for the eighth episode—the first kiss and admittance of feelings between Haley James and Nathan Scott.

--

The girls of 'One Tree Hill' sat in a dimly lit studio eating their lunches from the buffet of catered sandwiches.

"So where is Mr. Hot Shot Murray taking you tonight?" Joie asked mischievously.

Sophia's dimples popped up displaying her glee in her friend's question.

"He said it's a surprise, so I wouldn't know now, would I?"

Hilarie rolled her eyes and commented, "In this town there are only so many things you can do, don't you think?"

Joie laughed at the observation, "True, very true!"

At that same moment actors Chad and James were heading in the direction of the ladies, indulging in their own light conversation.

"I'm trying to decide between taking her to that harbor-side restaurant or to catch that chick flick she's been ranting about at that nice theatre downtown."

James scoffed, replying, "Chick flick? Only if you can handle it, bro. Personally, I would much rather eat than do the chick movie."

Chad blushed at his friend's remark; taking note of what'd he do for Sophia.

"Hey man, I'll see how many chick flicks you'll avoid once you got that special someone. I can picture you right now, 'Yes, ma'am, I would love to see A Walk to Remember with you again.' Haha…"

"What were saying about A Walk to Remember?" Sophia had overheard Chad's words.

She grinned as he walked over to her and lightly gave her a peck on her forehead. Joie wrapped her fingers around her neck falsely choking herself, while Hilarie imitated vomiting by sticking her middle finger in her mouth. They were having a giggle fit and James couldn't help but to join in their laughter as he watched the antics of the two girls. Joie watched James laugh, the first in a while since she'd had the pleasure of seeing him happy. She missed him so much and the kindness that he had made available to her was not gone which she felt she had taken granted for. He still made her swoon when he did laugh genuinely and he still got to her, as much as she still denied it.

"Hilarious," Sophia sarcastically stated.

She stood up to throw her plate in the nearby trashcan and linking arms with her blonde haired boyfriend, the two sauntered away. Without turning around, Sophia waved off to her friends she left behind.

"I'm going to go to the bathroom and I have to prepare for the next scene with those two. I'll see you guys later," she faked enthusiasm and left as well.

Joie sat in her seat still eating the remainder of her lunch and James stood tautly, unsure of where to go.

"You can join me. I won't bite," she said coolly.

James sat down in response and turned in his seat to the buffet table behind him to grab a bag of potato chips. He watched her eating and saw small crumbs on the corner of her lips that he wanted to brush off for her, but he stopped himself. She was still adorable with her hair wild and free, casually dressed in jeans and a fitted cream colored cable-knit sweater. As always, her makeup was kept light for her character as Haley, but looking at her, Joie didn't even need it. Eventually, she took a napkin and wiped her mouth, herself, which internally disappointed James. He missed the flirtatious banter between the two of them and couldn't stand the newfound distance between them now.

As Joie finished the last bite of her sandwich she pointed out,

"The last time we ate together, I don't think that it was this intense," she attempted to smile at him.

He avoided her looking at his face and simply replied,

"Well, I think the difference with then and now is that the last time we ate together, I still had some sort of feelings for you,"

'Ouch,' Joie thought herself.

Even though her jaw dropped a little to his statement, she did not retaliate.

"I deserved that. And since you're letting me talk to you, I want to apologize. I'm sorry for how I reacted that day…"

"I don't need an apology." He coldly interrupted her.

"James, I miss you,"

She didn't try smiling this time. Instead she attempted to hold back a few tears. She did miss him. They connected well and even if they couldn't be romantically involved with one another, she wanted more than anything to be friends with him again.

Her explanation made James look piercingly into her own sad brown eyes.

"Don't say shit like that to me anymore." His voice was hard and distant.

As soon as he saw the misery in his face, he turned away immediately.

'Don't break down! Don't break down! She can't say things like that anymore, knowing how much you like her! It's like a game to her or something… I can't believe I'm the one making her feel this way… look at her eyes…"

Inside, James fought with himself, wanting to forgive her.

As harsh as his words were, Joie remained calm, preventing him from discouraging her.

"Please, can't we talk this out? I miss talking with you. And despite what happened, I want to stay friends with you." She pleaded willingly.

His eyes softened at her determination.

"I want to be friends with you too. I want to be more than friends and you know that."

"Well, let's just start over as friends again. I think we need that more than anything. I'm not asking you to forgive me, but let's just start new."

"I don't know if…"

She stuck her hand out and cut him off,

"My name's Bethany Lenz, but everyone calls me Joie."

After staring at her hand for a few seconds, James smiled weakly and returned her handshake.

"James."

She saw the intensity in his expression lighten up and decided that she would make it up to him.

"I'll tell you what, James—you agree to hang out with me tonight and we'll do whatever you want to do. I'll go to an arcade with you, even though I'll probably just watch, or I'll… I don't even know just you pick. Tonight is your night and Mr. Lafferty, Joie Lenz is all your's!"

His eyes widened at her last remark, "Um, okay…" he muttered.

"Sorry…" she apologized quickly realizing her mistaken choice of words.

"I don't think it's such a good idea…" James began uncertainly.

"You're free to bail whenever," Joie added reassuringly.

He smiled unsure of himself but excited at the same time. Even if Joie wouldn't like him the way that he liked her, he would rather be her friend than be her nothing.

"Deal," he said.

"Great! Then… wait, what time is it right now?"

She searched her pocket for her cell phone and saw that it was 1:51pm.

James remained quiet as he watched her planning to herself.

"You don't have anything schedule for tonight, do you?" she asked.

"No,"

"Cool. Then is 6 o'clock okay for you?"

"Yeah, it's fine."

"Nice! Then I'll be at your apartment at six, meaning that you have a good four hours to figure out what you want to do!" she exclaimed.

She was excited for this chance to make amends with James. But for some reason, she couldn't help but hide the guilt of wishing it were a date, not just 'hanging out'.

James was eager to have a fun time with Joie. Despite the jackass that he'd been to her for the past several weeks, he couldn't believe that she would still want to be friends with him. He had felt so remorseful at their fight because things had changed between them and regretfully, Joie had been right. He noticed how hard it was to work with her in scenes when they're not even intimate yet. It had run through his mind that in a couple more weeks, they'd be shooting the first of many 'Naley' scenes, as the crew called it. Focusing on his inner thoughts, he was surprised by Joie's hand waving in front of his face.

"Hello, you there?"

"Sorry. So, see you at six?"

"Yep, see you at six!"

As she got up to leave, she almost skipped her way out of the studio before realizing,

'Joie, you're just going to hang out with the guy! Take a chill pill!'

--

Having his own car available to him, James drove home, faster than he had ever driven home before. He was anticipating a great night with Joie and needed time to think back at his place, about what they should do. When he went inside, he checked the clock, an obsessive habit that he'd picked up since Joie had scheduled 6 o'clock for him. He had about an hour and a half to prepare when suddenly, he caught the Xbox in his peripheral vision.

'Hmm… do I have time for one game?'

He stared longingly at it and then thought,

'You're retarded, get in the damn shower!'

Chuckling at himself, he pulled off his hooded sweatshirt along with his wife-beater. As he walked past his laundry room, he tossed both in without looking and continued towards the bathroom.