Author's Note: I hope people are still enjoying this story, there haven't been that many reviews. This is my longest update so far. A lot of things happen in this chapter. I hope you enjoy.

Disclaimer: I still don't own any of these wonderful OTH characters.

Chapter 7

Haley was just getting home from the café when her phone rang. Looking at the caller ID she smiled and answered, "Hey Mil, how are you?"

"OMG Haley, you are never going to believe what happened tonight!"

"Um, Julian finally asked you out."

"YES!" Milled exclaimed. "Wait, how did you know? Did Julian call you?"

Haley chuckled, "No Mil, I've been at work all night. I haven't talked to Julian in a few days."

"Then how did you know? And wait, did you say finally?"

Smiling, Haley said, "Yes Millie, I said finally. I'm pretty sure Julian's had a crush on you for quite a while."

"And you didn't tell me?"

"I only ever had a hunch, never anything for sure. I'd gotten to the point that I thought maybe I was imagining things. So, what did you say?"

"After the initial shock wore off, I said yes."

"Oh Millie, I'm so excited for you."

"Thanks Hales. I can't believe I had no idea. I just thought it was because so often it's just the two of us hanging out since you moved. It's definitely been different."

"I miss you guys so much. But if my moving finally encouraged Julian, then something good has come out of it. So, when's the big date?"

"Tomorrow night. We're going to dinner and a movie."

"Of course you are. I'd expect nothing less of Julian," Haley said, thinking of Julian's dreams of becoming a filmmaker. "I can't wait to hear all about it."

"Enough about me. How's work going?"

"Good. Tonight was my first solo shift. I was nervous, but it went well."

"And how's Nathan?" Millie teased.

"Millie…" Haley whined.

"Come on Hales. This is me. You can tell me anything. Who am I going to tell?"

"Um, Julian!"

"Nope. If he knows anything about blue-eyes Nathan, that's all you."

"Promise? You know how he gets."

"Promise. Besides, what could he do all the way out here? Now spill."

"There's not much to tell. But he stopped in while I was working tonight. I thought he was there to see Lucas, or that Lucas had sent him to check up on me, but nope. He's back on wanting me to get to know him."

"Oh? And how'd that go?"

"I tried to tell him, again, that it wasn't a good idea."

"Haley Bob!" Millie scolded.

"I know, I know. But then he got me to admit that my resistance is because of Brooke. Then I told him about our history."

"Impressive. I was sure you'd keep that information secret a bit longer."

"He thinks I should try again to talk to Brooke."

"I know it's an awkward situation, but I think he's right."

"I told him I'd think about it."

"That's good Hales. Especially since it will make life easier when the two of you start dating."

"Yeah right. I think you're dreaming."

"Haley, that boy has his eyes on you, take my word for it. I may be clueless when it comes to my own love life, but why else would he be pushing this friendship thing? Anyone else would have given up by now."

"If you say so," Haley mumbled, silently wondering if her friend was right. "Hey Mil, I'm exhausted and ready for bed."

"Alright girly. Sweet blue-eyed dreams."

"Oh hush. Call me Sunday to tell me all about your date."

"You bet I will."

A few days later, Nathan was walking home with Lucas after a one-on-one at the Rivercourt. He'd been debating whether he should discuss Haley with his brother or not, but decided to throw caution to the wind, "Hey Luke?"

Lucas eyed Nathan, hearing the nervousness in his voice. He also couldn't help but wonder if he might finally get a clue into what was going on with his brother, although he was pretty sure he had a good idea, "Yeah? What's up?"

"So, how are things going with Haley at the cafe?"

Lucas grinned, "She's doing great. She had her first solo shift the other night."

"Oh, stop grinning. I'm just wondering if you think she's anything like the girl Brooke described when school started."

Lucas shook his head, "No, I don't see that girl at all. She's so down to earth."

"Has Brooke said anything more to you about Haley?"

"We talked about it a little bit on our date the other night. She wasn't happy that I was spending time with Haley. Why are you asking little brother?"

"I stopped by the cafe the other night and Haley eventually admitted that her reluctance to become friends is because of Brooke."

"That doesn't surprise me," Lucas said with a frown. "Brooke seemed bitter about how things have been the last few times she visited. Though, I'm not sure it's completely warranted."

Nathan couldn't help but think of the story Haley told him and smile, "Because she was being a little too 'Brooke' for Haley?"

"Yeah. She's my girlfriend and I adore her, but once her mind is set on something it takes some effort to change it. I suggested she talk to Haley, but she didn't seem to like that idea."

"I suggested the same thing to Haley. She said she's tried reaching out, but Brooke has ignored her."

"Tell me little brother, why are you so interested in this?"

Nathan shrugged, avoiding his brother's stare.

Lucas stopped and put out his hand to stop Nathan, "Nate, do you like Haley?"

"And if I do?"

"I think it's great. Haley's different from your usual choices."

"Yeah, she is," he said smiling, "So, how do we fix Haley and Brooke?"

Lucas chuckled, "Slow down. Let's give it a few weeks and see what happens."

Haley was walking to the café for her shift and couldn't help but wonder if Nathan might stop in again tonight. She knew the odds were in favor of seeing him tonight - she'd had four solo shifts, and he'd stopped in every time - but she didn't want to get her hopes up. She almost hated to admit how much she enjoyed his company.

Entering the café she smiled when she was greeted by her boss, "Haley! How was school today?"

"It was good. I think I'm finally finding my rhythm."

"I'm so glad to hear that. Your mom has been so worried."

"Oh trust me, I know. Maybe YOU can convince her that I'm fine. She sure doesn't seem to believe me."

"She says all you do is go to school and work. That you never do anything with friends."

"Oh good grief," Haley said, rolling her eyes and shaking her head.

Karen hugged the young girl, "She's just worried that she made a mistake uprooting you and moving here."

"Tell her that I hang with them at school, but all of my friends spend their nights playing basketball at the Rivercourt - not exactly my scene."

Karen arched an eyebrow, "Oh? Lucas has been pretty tight lipped when I ask about you. Why wouldn't he mention that you're hanging out at school?"

Haley sighed heavily, "Because we don't. I hang out with Mouth, Skills, Junk and Fergie."

Karen tilted her head and eyed Haley, "But not Lucas? Hmmm...is he giving you trouble? Do I need to talk to my son about this?"

Shaking her head, Haley said, "No, Lucas has been great. It's just…"

"Brooke."

Confused, Haley replied, "Yeah, how did you know?"

"I didn't. She's here," Karen nodded to the counter.

Haley groaned as Karen walked up to greet her cousin. "Hey sweetie. Luke's not working tonight."

Brooke smiled at her boyfriend's mother, "I know. Actually, I'm here to see Haley."

Haley, who'd been making her way to the kitchen stopped dead in her tracks and turned, "Me?"

"Yeah, could we talk?"

Karen patted Haley's shoulder, "Take as long as you need. Your mom will understand if I'm late for dinner."

"Thanks," Haley mumbled as she followed Brooke over to the sofa where she sat, waiting.

"Hay Hay," Brooke said tentatively, not sure if she still had the right to use the name she'd given her cousin years ago.

Haley couldn't help but give a little smile and respond, "Hey Brookie Monster."

'Okay,' Brooke thought, 'this might not be so bad.'

"Hay Hay," she started again, "I'm sorry for ignoring all of your attempts to talk before school started."

Haley could barely believe her ears, "Really?"

"Yeah, I've had a little birdie helping me see the light and the error of my ways."

Haley smiled again, "Intriguing, tell me more."

"Oh Hay, I let my mom get into my head, and I regret that. Looking back, she's jealous that your mom got out of Tree Hill while she's stuck here. Things are so awful at home. My parents barely acknowledge my existence anymore. So when we came out I let her bitterness spread because I was jealous too - of your close family. I need my popularity. I need to be noticed."

"Oh Brooke," Haley said, hugging her tightly. "I wish I'd known how bad things were at home."

"Then when we found out you were moving here, I was scared. Everyone always likes you. I was afraid people would like you better and forget about me."

Haley's heart was breaking. "I don't know what to say. But please know, I will never intentionally hurt you. I just want my Brookie Monster back. Can we leave all of this behind us and move forward?"

Wiping away tears, Brooke nodded, "I'd really like that. But first, I need to be honest about something else."

Haley grimaced, "I'm not going to like this, am I?"

Shaking her head, Brooke said, "No, probably not. I said some not very nice things about you to my friends and kinda suggested they steer clear of you. I didn't want them especially to like you more than me."

"Was Lucas one of them?"

Brooke nodded, "And Nathan, Peyton and Jake. Are you still willing to forgive me?"

Haley just sighed, "Yes Brooke, I want that more than anything. But while we're being honest, you should know that I don't think Lucas listened to your warning."

Brooke glared at Haley, "Is he hitting on you? Ooooh, I'll kill him."

"God no. But he and Nathan invited me to the Rivercourt the first night we worked together, just as friends," she added quickly, "I tried to avoid becoming friends, but he's a great guy - kinda like the brother I've always wanted."

"Okay, good. He is a great guy. Now, speaking of brothers," Brooke said slyly, "what about the other Scott boy?"

"Nathan?" Haley asked confused.

"Um, yeah, that boy wants you."

"Oh don't be silly," Haley blushed.

"I've seen the way he steals glances at you during lunch. Did he ignore my 'advice' too?"

Haley couldn't help but grin, "Maybe. He's been in every night I've worked."

"Yep, he's got it bad," Brooke said, hopping up from the sofa. "Well, I don't want to spoil anything so I'll leave before he gets here."

"You don't have to go."

"I have a date with Lucas anyway."

"Will you come to the house for dinner soon? Quinn is coming up next weekend."

"I'd love that."

"Okay, I'll talk to mom and text you with the details."

"I love you Hay Hay."

"I love you too Brookie."

Haley watched Brooke leave and then walked back over to a smiling Karen, "Yeah, yeah, I know. But you'll see her first. You might as well tell mom about that too."

"Are you sure Haley? You and Brooke reconciling is huge."

"Yes, you can tell her. Hopefully it will help you in convincing her I'm fine."

"Well then, I'm off," Karen said, grabbing her purse, "Have a good night."

"Thanks Karen, I will."

It was about an hour before closing and Haley was beginning to think Nathan wasn't coming in tonight. She hated that she found herself disappointed, but his absence and the slow evening was giving her WAY too much time to think. Two people had now told her that they thought Nathan was interested in her. Yet, she'd figured out the type of girl he was into, and she did not fall in the blonde, or sluty, categories. There was NO way he was interested in her.

Just then, as if he'd materialized from her thoughts, Nathan strolled through the door. Flashing a smile at her he said, "Hi Haley," and she felt her insecurities fade. She had to remind herself to stay cool.

"Hey Nathan. You're in here kind of late. No date tonight?" God. Why had she said that?!

Nathan sat at the counter, pondering how to respond. Was she fishing, or did Haley believe the rumors that he was out with a different girl every weekend? "Not until later," he shrugged.

"Oh," Haley said, trying not to sound too disappointed. Changing the subject she said, "You'll never guess who was in here earlier."

Nathan thought momentarily before responding, "Umm, Principal Turner, telling you that in the short time you've been here you've become the top requested tutor - everyone wants to be tutored by the amazing Haley James."

"Are people really saying that?" Haley asked.

Nathan shrugged, "I have no idea. You told me to guess, so I did. So who was in here? I don't have a better guess than that."

"Oh yeah, right," Haley chuckled, "It was Brooke."

"As in THE Brooke Davis?"

"Yep. We talked and agreed to put the past in the past and move forward."

"Haley, that's great! We should go get ice cream or something to celebrate after your shift."

Haley cocked her head, "Um, what about your date?"

"Yeah, about that…" Nathan trailed off.

"Nathan Scott," Haley said sternly, "I am not going to let you stand some poor girl up for the likes of me."

"Actually," he started.

"I am NOT going on the date with you. No way, uh uh, that's just weird."

Nathan reached across the counter and placed his hands on her shoulders, "Haley, would you let me speak?"

"Sorry," she said sheepishly.

"Actually, the reason I came in so late is that I was hoping I could convince YOU to be my date tonight."

"WHAT?!" Haley screeched. "I can't go on a date dressed like this!"

"What's wrong with how you're dressed?"

"These are NOT date clothes. You have to give a girl notice. And before you say anything, an hour is NOT sufficient notice."

"For the record, I think you look cute in your 'NOT date clothes.' And I didn't ask sooner because I knew that if by some chance you actually said yes, you'd come up with a million excuses to cancel. I wasn't taking that chance. Now, can we go get ice cream after your shift?"

"Under one condition," Haley said.

Nathan raised an eyebrow, "Which is?"

"It's not a date. Just two friends celebrating."

"Fine, I can agree to that. But one question. If I were to ask you out properly on a real date, would you say yes?"

"I guess you'll just have to ask and find out."

Author's Note: I hope you enjoyed this update! Please leave a review to let me know what you thought!