It was the day after the big victory party for the Neptunes. Haley, Brooke and Peyton were in Haleys room, trying to find an outfit for Haley to wear on her "date", as Brooke called it, with Nathan.

"How about a mini-skirt?" Brooke suggested.

"I don't think that a mini-skirt is appropiate on a carnival." Haley said.

"Why not?"

"Well, for one thing, kids are going to be there."

"So?"

"Haley's right." Peyton said. "It wouldn't be appropiate."

"Whatever. If don't want to look extra hot for your date with Nathan, that's your problem."

"It's not a date. I already told you, it's just two friends hanging out." Haley protested.

"Whatever you say."

"Look, Nathan is picking me up in 20 minutes and I want to be ready by then. I'm just gonna wear something simple."

"Like what?"

"Like jeans and a top."

"You're no fun." Brooke pouted.

Meanwhile, Nathan and Lucas were on their way to Haleys house. Lucas only came along so that he could see Brooke and Nathan of course went to pick up Haley. Nathan kept thinking about what he was going to say when they got there, which was funny because he never used to do that on his other dates. It always came natrual to him. Not that this was a date. 'At least not according to Haley.' he thought.

"Yo, Nate! Are you even listening to me?" Lucas asked.

"Not really, no."

"I asked if you were nervous about your date with Haley?"

"It's not a date."

"Then what is it?"

"Friends hanging out."

"Well, considering that one of those friends, that would be you, wants to have more than a friendship with the other friend, a.k.a Haley, I really doubt this is just friends hanging out."

"Believe what you want."

"Are you going to tell her how you feel?"

"I don't know. She has something to tell me too, so we'll see."

"Just don't wait too long."

"I know. You already told me."

"The question is, did you listen?"

"I guess we'll found out tonight."

When the two of them finally got to Haleys house, they parked the car and got out. Now, they were standing right outside Haleys door without doing much else besides just that. Standing.

"Aren't you gonna knock?" Lucas asked Nathan.

"I will."

"Sometime today or...?"

"I just need to figure out what to say."

"I have heard that hallo is a pretty popular choice."

"Thanks Smart ass. Did you figure that out all on you own?" Nathan answered sarchastically but finally knocked, though not very hard.

"Was that a secret knock or something?"

"Shut up."

"Look, it's gonna be fine. Just don't flirt with other girls, spill anyhing on her, pay if she lets you and simply tell her how you feel. The worst thing that can happen is that she laughs in your face."

"Thanks, that's really comforting."

"It was a joke."

"I'm not in a joking mood. I'm too nervous."

"Clearly."´

Next thing they knew, the door opend and Haley greeted them with one of her famous smiles that Nathan loved so much. When he saw her standing there he couldn't take his eyes off of her because he thought she looked so beautiful. He was also lost for words so it was a good thing that she and Lucas started talking.

"Hey, guys!" she said.

"Hi, Hales!" Lucas said and gave her a hug. "Where's Brooke and Peyton?"

"Right behind you, Broody!" Brooke said and basically jumped in his arms.

"So I take it you're happy to see me?" Lucas said and laughed.

"Of course I am. Aren't you happy to see me?"

"Thrilled." he said and gave her a kiss.

"Okay, before you start your make-out sessíon, let me and Nate at least get out of the house." Haley said and laughed at the two of them.

"Very funny." Brooke said.

"Okay, so we're gonna go. Are you sure you don't want to come with us?" Haley asked the others.

"No!" Nathan said instantly and Haley gave him a questioning look. "I mean, of course you guys can come if you want but didn't you say that you had plans or something?" he said, glaring at each of them.

"Actually..." Peyton began.

"Yep. Plans. Very, very important plans." Brooke said to stop Peyton from saying anything else.

"Like what?" Peyton asked confused. They didn't have plans, did they?

"Uhm...Homework? I mean, homewok. Yep, that's it." Brooke lied.

"Since when do you do homework?" Haley questioned.

"Since now."

"On a saturday?"

"Yep."

"Okay, you're saying yep way too much. Are you okay? You didn't hit your head again did you?"

"Yep. I mean no, I didn't hit my head and yes, I am fine."

"Okay...It's just that you're acting kind of weird, even for you."

"What's that supposed to mean?"

"Nothing Tigger. Uhm, Nathan and I are just going to go before it gets any weirder. Remember, no sex in the house."

"Wouldn't dream of it."

"Good. Have fun doing your...homework."

"Thanks, you too! And Haley?"

"Hmm?"

"Don't do anything I wouldn't do."

"That doesn't leave out much, does it?"

"Hey!"

"Kidding! Bye guys!"

"Bye!" the others said when Nathan and Haley walked out the door.

"So, are you ready to go?" Haley asked Nathan.

"Yep, you?"

"As long as you quit saying things like yep, we're good to go." Haley said and smiled and Nathan couldn't help but smile back.

It was the perfect day to go to the carnival. The sun was shining, kids were laughing and it's was just generally a vey nice day. But not everyone was enjoying it. Nathan seemed to be in his own little world so Haley decided to ask him about it.

"Are you okay?"

"Hmm? Yeah, I'm fine."

"It's just that you're kind of quiet. You're never quiet."

"I just have a lot on my mind."

"Wanna share?"

"Not really."

"Okay. How about I make you a deal? If you stop with your endless brooding then I am going to give you a day you will never forget."

"Promise?"

"Would I ever lie to you? On second thought, don't answer that."

"Fine, it's a deal."

"Great!"

"Did I tell you that you look good today?"

"I don't believe you did."

"Well, you do."

"Thank you." she said and looked into his eyes. The same eyes she could easily drown in if she let herself.

"So what do you wanna do first?

"Uhm...The carusell?"

"That's a little boring, don't ya think? How about the roller-coaster?"

"Uh uh." Haley said and shook her head.

"Why not?"

"It's just...It's so...high."

"You're scared of heights?"

"Yes. But so is my dad so don't blame it on me. It's genetic."

"Sure it is...Come on." Nathan said and took hold of Haleys hand and started walking.

"Where are we going?"

"To the roller-coaster."

"No! I already told you..."

"I know what you told me but I chose to ignore you."

"Real mature."

"I like to think so. Now, trust me, nothing's gonna happen."

"Trust you? You'll probably throw me out of the damn thing."

"I wouldn't do that to you." Haley gave him a doubful look. "Okay, maybe I would but not today. Don't worry, I'll protect you."

"Yeah, I fell much safer now..."

"Good. Let's go!"

"Fine but if you do anything I will punish you and it's not gonna be pretty."

"Promise?" he said with a smirk.

"Eww..." she said in disgust. "And by the way, after this, you're buying me ice-cream."

"Says who?"

"Me. Now, come on, Hot shot. We have a lot to do." Haley said and grabbed Nathans hand.

'God, how can you not love her?' Nathan thought and started walking towards the roller-coaster with Haley in hand. He had to admit, he could get used to this.

Okay...So I know that nothing big happend this chapter but at least there was a lot of Naley in it and that's always good. This was only the first part of their date and the rest will be in the next chapter, hopefully along with them telling each other their secret. I just couldn't fit it all in in this chapter, sorry! I will try to update on the weekend though. I also wanted to say thanks for all the wonderful reviews, they mean a lot to me so keep them coming! Anyway, that's all for me this time so I'll see you next time!

Micki