Ok... so all you Naley fans... this is the beginning.
Chapter 11:
It was December already and Brooke was slowly getting into the Christmas feeling.
A flyer slid under the door as Brooke was grabbing a drink and humming a Christmas tune. She reached down and picked it up. It read:
What: You're invited to the Duke Annual Christmas Costume Party.
When: 7:30 till everyone leaves on Christmas Eve
Where: Punk'd and Tric'd Club right outside of campus
Who: Duke residents who aren't going home
Show ID to get in.
Brooke smiled and ran into Haley's room, where Haley was busy writing a paper.
"Yay!" Brooke said, hopping onto Haley's bed, "We're invited to a party on Christmas Eve!"
"Yay." Haley said with no emption, focusing on her paper.
"I don't know what to wear, or shall I say who I'm going to be," Brooke said unaware of Haley. "I wonder if Lucas is going. O. We could go as a couple!... Like Bonnie and Clyde or something."
"Brooke," Haley continued to say during Brooke's thought. Haley grabbed her computer and began to leave the room.
"Wait where are you going?" Brooke asked finally paying attention.
"Going to the library, I need to study and finish my Psychology paper."
"Sorry, salty tutor girl, I bet Peyton will be more excited to hear my plans."
"I bet she will," Haley said walking out.
Nathan sat in the library, rocking back and forth in his chair. He had a paper due for psychology but he couldn't seem to focus on it. All he could think about was the student in his class. He got up and headed out the door. Maybe a drink will help him focus. He pushed the door open, and walked right into Haley.
"Sorry." She said, looking into his eyes. Nathan didn't say a word, he just opened the door for her and moved out of the way. As she passed him, he got a whiff of her shampoo. She turned around after walking a couple of steps. "Thanks." She said and smiled at him. Nathan still didn't say a word, and left the library. As he stood at the vending machine and kicked it as hard as he could. He had a chance to make things right between them and make his heart stop hurting but he was too mesmerized by her beauty, the way strands of her hair, put up in a quick bun, fell softly on the side of her face, the way her glasses sat on top of her head and the way she still looked radiant, without any makeup. As his Gatorade fell out of the vending machine, Nathan decided, that he was going to take his chance today, no if ands or buts or speechless moments on his part.
When he returned to the library, he searched for her. She was sitting on a table alone. He grabbed his books and went to go and talk to her.
"Hey," He said approaching the table. She looked up and was shocked to see him standing there.
"What, no snide remarks?" She asked defensively. She looked down, that was completely rude she scolded herself.
"No, not anymore." He said a little sad, hurt that she still hates him.
"I'm sorry," She apologized, "It was a defensive remark and completely rude."
"I was wondering if you could help me with my psychology paper?"
"The one due tomorrow? Yeah sure. What do you need help with?" Nathan sat down, smiling inside.
"I just want to say that I am really sorry for what I said and did to you before." Nathan said taking out his papers from his book.
"Its okay. Its in the past." She said. She looked up, right into his eyes, staring back at her.
"Are you Nathan Scott?" A girl asked coming up behind him.
"Yeah," He said as she placed her books on the table.
"Are you going to the dance?"
"What dance?"
"Duke's annual Christmas Masquerade party?"
"I didn't even know there was a dance," Nathan said glancing at Haley.
"Oh, I'm sorry," the girl said covering her mouth with her hand, "Are you two a couple?" She asked pointing to him and Haley.
"No," Haley quickly answered. Nathan looked up at her. She was so quick to respond a negative answer. Maybe it was too late for there to be a chance between them.
"Oh, so are you going to go? Cause I was wondering if you wanted to go with me?' Nathan looked at Haley again. She avoided his gaze. Some part of her wanted him to say no. Some part of her wanted him to ask her, even though she was foolish enough putting him down. Some part of her wanted him, but it's too late she thought to herself. Nathan hesitated before answering.
"I guess," Nathan said softly, his voice full of regret. Haley clearly didn't want to go. Maybe it was time to move on.
"Ok. Thanks here's my number." The girl said oblivious to what was happening between Nathan and Haley, oblivious to what was being said inside and with their eyes as they were being oblivious to what their hearts were secretly wanting. She wrote down her number. "So see you on Christmas," The girl said. She laid a hand on Nathan's shoulder. He didn't feel her touch. He sat up straight and looked at Haley.
"You know what? I think I'm going to go." He said.
"You don't need help on your paper?"
"No, its ok, I think I got the concept." He said grabbing his books. As he was walking away, he turned back. "Thanks anyway, and I hope you have a good Christmas,"
"Have fun at the dance," Haley said softly, which Nathan didn't hear. She looked at the table. He forgot his pencil. As she opened her mouth to yell for him, she noticed a small engraving on it, the number 23. She looked at it and smiled. It was as blue as his eyes, she thought. And wondered if the number had anything thing to do with her mystery man, but the thought quickly passed though her mind as she passed it off for a coincidence.
