Chapter 20

Secret No. 20: Never turn down a first date.

On Friday, Nathan and Haley were in her room working on their English project due Monday. Although, their idea of "working" really meant making out.

"Nathan, we really have to get started," Haley stated as he kissed her neck. She was sitting on his lap on the bed.

"We are," he mumbled.

"You know what I mean," she laughed as she began to pull away.

"Come on, Haley, we didn't see each other all day. Plus, we've already done most of it. We can finish the rest over the weekend," Nathan suggested as he quickly pulled her back to him. Why does he have to be so damn irresistible?

"Ok, but only 15 more minutes. Then we're getting to work," she said as she leaned in to kiss him again. Almost instantly Nathan's tongue ran over her bottom lip begging for entrance. As the kisses got more intense, Haley soon found herself laying back on the bed with Nathan on top of her. She felt a jolt of electricity run through her as Nathan kissed a particularly sensitive spot on her neck. Without realizing it, Haley let out a soft moan. This seemed to fuel Nathan even more. His hands then slid down to her stomach at the bottom of her shirt where he began to draw invisible circles on her abdomen. Haley felt like she was in a trance. She could never control the way she felt around Nathan. Everything about him was exciting and scary at the same time. Wanting his lips on hers again, Haley slid her hand under his chin and made him look up at her. As they kissed passionately, Haley soon felt Nathan beginning to unbutton her shirt. Instantly, she became tense and stopped kissing him back.

"Nathan," she said to get his attention. He must have thought that she was signaling that she liked it because he kept going. Now Haley was really starting to panic. It wasn't that she didn't like Nathan—or want him for that matter. Haley just wasn't ready for this. She didn't want things to get out of control.

"Nathan, stop," she said more forcefully and pushed him away from her. She then got up from under him and slid over to the other side of the bed to face him.

"Hales, what's the matter?" he asked confused.

"Look Nathan, I don't know what you're used to but I can't do this," Haley told him. Actually, I do know what he's used to. He was the bad boy of Tree Hill before I came along.

"Do what? Makeout?" he honestly didn't know what was wrong.

"Nathan, I'm not like other girls. I don't just put out. I know you're more experienced than me. I'm not that naïve. It's just, I'm not ready for that level yet," she explained.

After she said that, Nathan realized what she meant.

"You're talking about sex," he stated bluntly.

"Yeah. I'm sorry to spring this on you but things were getting so intense. And it's not that you don't tempt me, because believe me you do, it's just that I have morals and…"

"Haley," Nathan cut her off as he reached over to take her hands in his. "This isn't about sex with me. You're the first girl that I have ever deeply cared for. When you're ready, I'll be, too."

"Nathan, that's really sweet. But there's more," she stated timidly.

"What do you mean more?" he asked with a little sense of dread in his voice. He's gonna kill me. You know, it's not easy being the good girl. People seriously don't realize that enough.

"Please don't hate me. I, technically, don't want to have sex until I'm married." There, I said it. Am I seeing things or is he turning green?

"Oh," he replied.

"I'm sorry. I don't mean to be a tease and I just want to be honest with you. I love you and…" she trailed off as she realized what she just said. Oh. My. God. Did I just say the L-word? Yes, I did. And I meant it, too. What if he doesn't feel the same way?

I seriously need a hole or something to go bury myself in. Haley, you are so stupid!

"You know what, forget I said that. It just slipped out in the heat of the moment. I get really out of it when I'm hungry. In fact, why don't I go downstairs and make us something. How about mac and cheese? That's always good. Yeah, we'll have that and then…" Haley quickly rambled and was cut off by Nathan kissing her.

When he pulled away he had a sexy smirk on his face. "I guess it's a shame that you didn't really mean it," he stated. "Because I really love you, too."

"You do?" she squeaked out.

"Absolutely. And I can respect your decision. I mean, it might not always be easy. You know, with you being Foxy and all," he joked as Haley give him a playful smack on the arm. "But if it's what you want, I can deal with that. In fact, I admire you more for it. You're not like other girls. You're better. That's why I love you so much."

"You are so adorable," Haley beamed as she brought him in for a soft, yet sensual, kiss.

"And speaking of mac and cheese," he continued after they broke apart, "I'm starved."

"Good. Food of the gods coming right up," she laughed and led the way out of her room to the kitchen. For the first time in a long time, Haley felt as if everything was going to be ok.

"Are you kids ready to order?" asked the waitress. This is torture, thought Brooke. She was now on a triple date—and not a very fun one at that. It was her, Peyton, Jake, Skillz, Lucas, and Bevin. They had gone out to a fancy restaurant and were planning on seeing a movie afterward. It had taken all the charm Brooke had in her to get Lucas to agree to this outing. He had flipped when she told him the news.

"You what?" he yelled as Brooke explained to him about the date. "Brooke, how could you do that without even asking me?"

"I'm sorry. She was going to quit the squad and she was the first person who befriended me here. Besides, after the crap you pulled last Saturday, you owe me one," she countered.

"Are you blackmailing me?" he asked shocked. "Brooke, I can't do this. I'm not interested in her anyways."

"Look, I have a plan," she reassured him. "Although Bevin has a thing for you, she's also been checking out Skillz a lot lately. I think she really likes him but just doesn't realize it yet. Plus, I've seen Skillz scoping her out a few times."

"So what does that have to do with the date?"

"We're going to go on a double date. Once she realizes the two of you have nothing in common, she'll start to fall for Skillz even more."

"I don't know, Brooke. This seems kind of risky," said Lucas skeptically.

"Lucas, please do this for me," she begged and started to make sad face. She knew no one could refuse her puppy dog eyes. After a minute of silence Lucas finally made up his mind.

"Fine. I'll do it," he relented. "But if I do, you have to do something for me."

"Like what?" she inquired.

"You'll go out with me another time. Just the two of us," he proposed.

"Sure, I can do that."

"I mean on an actual date," he further clarified.

"Oh," Brooke stated. She still technically had a boyfriend. And she was a firm believer in a no cheating policy. But since Felix hadn't really called her or been acting like such a good boyfriend, she figured he had it coming. That, and she really did want to spend more alone time with Lucas. "I'll do it," she accepted. "But not until Bevin moves on. Deal?"

"Deal," promised Lucas with a huge smile on his face.

Brooke was now regretting her decision as she thought back on her and Lucas's plan. After tons of relentless begging, Brooke had also convinced Peyton and Jake to come along. She desperately needed moral support. They were her buffer couple.

"So Lucas," Bevin began. "You look really hott tonight."

"Uh, thanks," he replied uncomfortably. "All you ladies look great, too." However, he was staring at Brooke as he made this comment. Another awkward silence descended upon the table.

"So, Lucas, I understand that Bevin has got you reading some new material," Peyton stated. "What was it again?" she asked with a mischievous smile.

"Harry Potter," he answered with a bland tone. He then glared back at Peyton.

"How did you like it?" Brooke prodded. She knew that Bevin thought that Harry Potter was a great American classic. That's right—American. If they disagreed about this, than that would be one wedge between them.

"Not really my thing. All those elves, giants, and warts. It was really lame," stated Lucas.

"It's not lame," Bevin defended. "Those books are really cool. And they don't have warts. The school is called Hogwarts."

"Yeah, Dogg," stated Skillz. "I've read those books. They're weird but they are good. I like Fred and George. Those guys are just too funny."

"Hey, they're my favorites, too," joined in Bevin smiling. Oh, are those sparks I see flying? Seriously, just call me Cupid. For the next 15 minutes (after everyone ordered), all Skillz and Bevin talked about was witches, wizards, and He-Who-Shall-Not-Be-Named.

"Have you seen the movies?" Bevin asked Skillz.

"Only the first one," he replied. "That was good."

"Maybe you can come over my house some time and see the rest," Bevin flirted.

"I'm assuming this is a good sign," Lucas whispered to Brooke.

"Oh yeah. Definitely," she responded. I am a damn genius. Who needs to be book smart when you're already Brooke smart? Over the next half hour, the six teenagers ate their meals and discussed other things. It seemed like Bevin and Lucas had different opinions on almost everything. To Brooke's satisfaction, Bevin had moved in closer to Skillz for the remainder of the meal. When they were all finished and left the restaurant, Bevin pulled Lucas aside from the others. They talked for a few minutes and then came back. The next thing they all knew, Bevin and Skillz had mumbled something about skipping out on the movie. They then took off by themselves.

"What was that?" Jake asked Lucas.

"Oh, Bevin just wanted to let me down gently. Apparently, we're too different. That and she couldn't be with a guy who disrespected a classic literatuer like Harry Potter," he finished laughing. The rest of them soon joined in on the hysterics. Mission accomplished, thought a satisfied Brooke.

"She is something else," Peyton commented. "But, um, we're going to take off. Jenny won't get to sleep without me reading her a bedtime story."

"Alright, see you at home Mama Peyton," Brooke called as they left.

"Well, it looks like it's just you and me, Cheery."

"Oh my God. Broody, is that a smile?" Brooke teased. The whole night Lucas had looked somewhat bored and depressed. It was nice to see him coming out of his shell, once again.

"What can I say? You did promise me a date," he replied.

"Ok. But on one condition, we take things slow. I want to get to know you Lucas," she explained. "And I can't say that I've completely forgotten about that comment you made about my dad to Haley."

"I can't say I blame you. I was jerk. But I agree with you. We should start slow. So how about we forget the movie and go for a walk on the docks?" he proposed.

"Sounds good to me." For the next hour, Brooke and Lucas walked around by the water and talked about their lives. Lucas really opened up to Brooke. He told her about basketball, Dan (a.k.a. his asshole father), and his plans for college next year.

"I think UNC is a good choice," Brooke commented. "I can totally see you playing ball there."

"Thanks. I can't wait," he said. "What about you? What are your plans for the future?"

"I don't know. I really try to avoid thinking about it."

"Well, there has to be something you're interested in."

"Ok, there is. But if I tell you, you have to promise not to tell anyone," Brooke stated.

"I promise."

"I was thinking about going into fashion design," Brooke revealed.

"I could totally see you doing that. Have you come up with any designs already?"

"Yeah, I have. I made a few dresses, too. I just don't know where I would start. Tree Hill really isn't fashion central," she reasoned.

"No, it isn't," Lucas agreed. "But I'm sure you'll figure it out. You are one of the most resourceful girls I know."

"Thanks, Lucas. That means a lot," Brooke stated as she looked up into his eyes.

"You're welcome," he replied. The next thing she knew, Lucas had leaned in and started kissing her. What happened to taking it slow? At first, Brooke was hesitant to kiss back. She didn't want to get in too over her head. She had been doing that a lot lately. But as Lucas's lips gently caressed hers, Brooke just couldn't help herself. Screw it. It's been long enough. Wanting more, she wrapped her hands around his neck and pulled him even closer. She then started to match his kisses with more heated ones of her own. Brooke couldn't get enough of him. She loved how Lucas opened up to her. He treated her like a person and not some piece of meat like the other guys did. As the kiss quickly turned into a mini make out session, Brooke's cell phone went of.

"Damn it," Brooke swore as she looked at her phone. "It's Felix."

"Your boyfriend," Lucas stated sadly. "Look, Brooke, maybe we shouldn't…"

"Don't worry. I'm ending this once and for all," Brooke said. She then flipped open her phone and began to talk to Felix.

"Hey, Baby," Felix greeted on the other end.

"Long time no call," Brooke answered back.

"I'm sorry. You know how busy it gets with basketball and parties."

"Parties huh? How come you never took me to any of these parties?" she asked annoyed. "I'm supposed to be your girlfriend, Felix? Would it have killed you to make an effort?"

"I'm sorry. I've got a lot going on right now. With the Classic coming up, I've been under a lot of pressure. You don't know what it's like. And frankly, I could use some support from my girlfriend," he countered.

"Yeah, well I could have used some support from my boyfriend. Every time I try to talk to you about my problems, you always turn the conversation back to yourself. Not to mention, I heard how you hitting on Haley," she shot back. At this, Lucas's head snapped. He didn't look too happy about that little piece of information.

"That's a lie. I was just being friendly. I can't help it if your baby of a sister took it the wrong way."

"You know what, Felix, you are so full of crap. We're done. No one messes with my family and I sure as hell won't put up with a scum bag like you."

"Whatever, you're loss. I can have any chick I want. And I have," he rubbed in.

"I'd tell you to go f--- yourself, but then again, you've already done that. Bye, asshole," she finished and then hung up as her eyes began to water.

"Are you ok?" Lucas asked as he came next to her. Brooke had almost forgotten that he was there.

"I am now," she said as she brought him in for a soft kiss. "I can't believe I actually liked that jerk."

"Temporary insanity?" Lucas teasingly suggested.

"I guess," Brooke laughed as Lucas wiped away her tears.

"Look Brooke, I don't want to rush you into something that you're not ready for. The truth is I care about you. I want you to be my girlfriend officially. But if it's time you need, I'll wait. I know what I said at Nathan's party was way out of line. I knew your father and I respected him. I shouldn't have used him as a way to get back at Haley. I was wrong. I never meant to hurt any of you," he informed her.

"I know that. It just hit home for me. But thank you for apologizing a hundred times, anyway," Brooke responded giving him a small smile.

"You're welcome," Lucas replied as he stroked her hair. "It's getting late. I should probably take you home."

"Lucas, wait," Brooke said putting a hand on his arm to keep him there. She looked directly into his eyes. "About what you said before, I don't more need time. I want to be with you, too." To her satisfaction, a huge smile formed on his face. Without another word, Brooke pulled him in for an earth shattering kiss. After another minute or so, the two broke apart and walked to his truck. When they arrived at her house. Lucas got out and walked Brooke to the door. No words were spoken. Neither one wanted to ruin the perfect night they had just experienced. Instead, they shared a final kiss under the stars. Later that night, as Brooke layed in bed. She couldn't wipe the dopey smile off of her face. It was in that moment that she knew with all her heart that she had made the right decision.