"Hey",the familiar looking pizza guy said.
"Hi", Haley frowned, wondering where she had seen this guy before.
"We met earlier today. You know, at lunch", the guy said, answering her unspoken question.
Oh, yeah, Haley thought, he was one of the seniors sitting at Nathan Jerk Scott's table. Her cheeks flushed in embarrasement when she recalled that moment.
"I'm sorry about earlier. I was going to say something but you left so fast, I didn't have time to open my mouth", the guy said, smiling.
"It's okay. It's not your fault", Haley looked at her feet.
"I'm Damien West, by the way", the guy said, giving her another smile.
Haley, for the first time noticed his undeniable good looks. He had really green eyes and brown hair that fell across his forehead perfectly.
"Haley James".
"So, Haley James, I was just wondering if um...well, would you like to maybe do something tommorow night", Damien said, staring at the floor, like he was suddenly shy.
"Like a date?", Haley asked, slightly taken aback.
"Well, um, yeah".
Haley was unsure how to answer. Sure, she was mad at Nathan but if she was honest with herself, he was the only one she wanted. She was about to tell Damien that she was sorry but she wasn't interested when she heard a voice behind Damien say "Haley?".
Damien turned around, allowing Haley to look at the person that stood behind her. Sure enough it was Nathan standing at the bottom of the porch steps, a basketball at his feet. He was wearing tan cargo shorts and a blue sweatshirt.To complete the picture, he was carrying a bouquet of flowers.
Nathan ran up the porch steps and stood next to Damien.
"What's up, man?", Damien said to Nathan.
Nathan was about to say something rude when Haley interrupted.
"So, Damien, about tomorrow night, pick me up at eight?".
Damien blinked, as if shocked. Then he grinned and said "sure, see you then" He was about to leave, then he turned back toward her and said "whoops, nearly forgot your pizza".
"Thanks", she said, taking the pizza box he handed her. "How much do I owe you?".
"This one's on me." And with that, Damien winked and left.
Through out this whole time, Nathan was listening to the conversation that was going on between Haley and Damien with a confused look. It was a good thing that Damien left because when Damien had winked at Haley, Nathan looked like he was about to bludgeon him. After Damien had left, he turned toward Haley and asked "so, you're going out with him?".
"Yes", she said stiffly. Nathan winced
Haley turned and made her way to her front door.
"Haley, wait, just hear me out", Nathan said, putting his hand on her shoulder.
She turned around and said "ok" coldly.
"Look, I'm sorry. I know I was a jerk. I didn't mean to hurt you. I got you flowers to make up for what I did", he said, gesturing pathetically at the flowers in his arms.
"You think a bunch of stupid flowers are going to make me forgive you?", she said, softly, not looking at the flowers.
"Well, yeah. Don't you remember these flowers?", he brought up the flowers so she would look at them.
Haley stared at the little purple flowers and remembered.
Flashback
"Oh my God, Nathan! Look!", Haley pointed at the flower in the ground."Last flower we're going to see before winter. It's so pretty".
Nathan groaned. It wasn't unusual for a seven year old boy to have no interests in flowers.
Haley ignored him and picked up the beautiful purple flower.
"Haley! Let's go before it starts to rain", Nathan said, looking up at the gloomy sky.
The two of them held hands and ran home, trying to avoid getting wet in the rain. Luck was on their side for it only started pouring when they were in the safety and comfort of Haley's house.
"Oh no! The flower fell", Haley said, holding up a green stalk.
Nathan put his arm around her as she looked at the stalk sadly.
The next day.
"Nathan! Where are you?", Haley shouted.
She was in the woods, heading for their tree. Nathan had told her to meet her there which suprised her for they always went there together.
When she reached their tree, she gasped in shock. At the bottom of the tree, someone had placed there a dozen little purple flowers.
She stared for a moment before slowly walking over to the tree and picking it up. She noticed a note buried in between the flowers. The note read in childish handwriting To Bugs...With love, Naty.
Just then, Nathan walked out from behind the tree where he was hiding from here.
He came up behind her and said softly "do you like it?".
"Like it? I love it! Thanks so much Naty", she said, throwing her arms around him.
"Just don't say I never gave you anything".
End of Flashback
Haley looked at the flowers in his arms.
"Haley, I'm sorry okay? I promise that I will never hurt you again", he said. "Here, take it, I bought it for you", he shoved the flowers gently into her free arm while her other arm held the pizza box.
Nathan grinned and his cockiness irritated her, reminding her of what happened only a few hours ago.
"Nathan, you can't just buy me stuff and expect it to go away!", she said, angrily.
He blinked. Before he could say anything, she turned and ran inside her house and slammed the door shut.
He stared at her front door. He could have kicked himself. He hated himself for what he had done earlier. He didn't even know why he did it, maybe he was scared of being vulnerable with her again. The last time she left, a part of him left too. He wasn't prepared to feel that way again.
The front door opened. He looked at it hopefully. Her head stuck out. Then she threw the flowers at him and slammed the door.