Chapter 14
Nathan couldn't believe it. Haley was single again. It was now or never.
He stammered for a while, "I'm sorry, what happened?"
Truth be told, he wasn't sorry. He wanted Haley to himself and now he could finally have a shot at it.
"He broke up with me.", Haley said. The tears were dried up on her cheeks.
"I know this isn't probably the best time to say this Hales, but I love you. I want to be with you."
"Nathan..don't…" Haley said as she ran her hands through her hair.
Nathan held there this time and swooped in closer to her, so they were only inches apart.
"Haley, why not? Everybody deserves a second chance. Even us."
"Nathan, I just don't want to have to wake up one day and relive the horrible past of not being able to be with you…" She paused for a minute to gather her thoughts. "I guess what I'm trying to say is that I don't know how much more my heart can take."
"Haley, listen to me. It doesn't have to hurt anymore."
"Nate.", she said, this time more tenderly. "You know you're the guy of my dreams and you probably will always be. But dreams fade away when you wake up in the morning."
"We don't have to be just a dream anymore, Hales. We are not in high school anymore."
Haley felt her mind and her heart telling her to do two different things. Haley, walk away while you can…. No Haley, don't do that. He obviously loves you…and here he is, wanting you to love him back…… Don't risk it James, you're smarter than that.
Haley sighed as she tried to clear her thoughts.
"Nathan, can we just… start over and take things slow?"
"Whatever you want Haley", he said as his fingers caressed her chin. "Whatever you want."
He tucked her beautiful chestnut hair behind her ears so he could see her face, her beautiful angelic face.
Haley interrupted him by holding out her hand.
"Hi, I'm Haley James."
"Haley James, I'm Nathan Scott.", he replied as he shook her hand.
"Pleased to meet you Nathan Scott.", she said as a faint smile enveloped her face.
"Well, now that that's settled…", Haley said with a lighter more lively tone. ".. I need a favor from you, Nathan Scott."
"Name it Haley James. Name it.", he said, smiling relentlessly.
"You see, it's kinda late and it's a Friday night and I can't go back all the way to my dorm in Stanford, so..." she stopped for a while to try to read Nathan's reaction. "...I was wondering if you had an extra bed at your place."
"Hmm. I don't have an extra bed.", he said, raising his eyebrows. "But you can take mine. I'll sleep on the couch."
Haley smiled. He was always incredibly sweet.
"Thank you." Haley's eyes twinkled and the reflection of the moonlight on her eyes just made them look even more beautiful. Nathan looked at her once more, this time taking more time to absorb all that had happened.
"Shall we?", he asked, offering his hand to her.
Haley nodded. Her hand accepted his and they walked along the empty sidewalk, side by side amidst the dark but starry night.

Author's note: please read and respond you guys... there's drama to come!