Author's Note: I am so very sorry for the delay in yet another update. I struggled with how I wanted a few things to play out. I hope you haven't lost interest.
Disclaimer: I still don't own any of these wonderful OTH characters.
Chapter 11
Nathan sat quietly at the lunch table, dreading the arrival of his brother and friends. He'd been dodging them all morning, not wanting to tell them that Friday night was off. He still couldn't believe Haley hadn't said yes. He wasn't sure how, or even if they could, continue to be friends after this. Right now, just thinking about her just hurt too much. He was startled from his thoughts by Brooke.
"Way to go Boy Toy."
Great, he thought, Haley told her. "Hey Brooke," he grumbled.
Sitting, she asked, "Why so glum?"
"I take it you talked to Haley?"
"Yeah, she called me last night."
"Great," Nathan groaned, thumping his head down on the table.
"What's up with him?" Lucas asked as he sat, followed by Peyton and Jake.
Brooke shrugged, "For someone who has a date with 'the girl of his dreams' on Friday night, he sure is grumpy."
Nathan's head shot up, "Wait! What did you just say?!"
Brooke rolled her eyes at the others before turning back to Nathan, "Um, that you have a date with Haley on Friday night."
Nathan grasped Brooke's shoulders, "What EXACTLY did Haley say to you last night?"
"What is WITH you?"
"Please Brooke, just tell me what she said."
"She was all giddy and said you finally asked her out. Then asked for help picking out the perfect outfit."
Nathan sighed and slumped his shoulders as he sat back down, "Glad I haven't cancelled my dinner order."
"Cancel?!" Lucas questioned.
"Well yeah, Haley never said yes to the date. She just got quiet. When I got her attention back she acted like she had no idea what was going on. It was kinda awkward, so I left."
Brooke groaned, "You two are impossible." She then started searching the quad for Haley. Spotting her cousin sitting with the River Court boys she said, "I'll be right back."
Storming over to the table, she grabbed Haley's arm before saying, "Hi boys. I need to talk to Haley for a moment," and pulled Haley up and away from the table.
"What the hell Brooke?" Haley exclaimed, yanking her arm from Brooke's surprisingly strong grasp.
Brooke crossed her arms, "I was just talking to Nathan."
The color drained from Haley's face, "Oh god Brooke. He's going to cancel, isn't he? He got so quiet and left, he probably realized…"
"Yes, he's ready to cancel."
Haley covered her face with her hands and, trying not to cry, asked, "Why is this happening?"
Brooke pulled her hands away, "Nothing has happened yet. Just go over there and talk to Nathan. You're the only one who can fix this."
"I'm not going to guilt him into keeping this date."
"Take a deep breath. I need to ask you a VERY important question. Last night, when Nathan asked you out, what did you say?"
Haley looked at Brooke quizzically, "Huh?"
"Did you actually say yes?"
Haley's eyes grew to the size of saucers and her hand flew up to cover her mouth as she gasped. Quickly she spun, looking for Nathan. She caught his eye and sheepishly smiled at him.
"Go on," Brooke shoved her, "go make this right."
Haley ran over to Nathan, "Oh Nathan, I am SO sorry. Please don't cancel Friday night. Ask me again," she pleaded.
Nathan took a deep breath, "Haley James, will you go out, on a REAL date, with me this Friday night?"
"Yes! 100 times yes!" Haley exclaimed, flinging herself at him and planting a kiss right on his lips. Startled by her actions, she backed away, blushing, "See you at the café tonight."
Shocked, Nathan could only nod.
Haley tried to ignore the catcalls and whistling as she proudly walked back to her lunch.
The guys quieted as she sat back down.
"So, Haley," Mouth started, "anything you want to tell us?"
Smirking, she said, "I have no idea what you're talking about."
Skills scoffed, "Baby girl, give it up. Half the school just saw you plant a big one on Nathan Scott."
Haley grinned, "Nathan finally asked me out on a real date last night."
"Wow, if I'd known that's all it takes to get a kiss from Haley James…"
"Sorry Junk," Skills said, clasping his shoulder, "I think you also have to be named Nathan Scott."
"Anyway…" Haley continued, "I kinda forgot to say yes in my excitement. Nathan thought that meant no. So I was apologizing and officially saying yes."
"When's the big night?" Fergie inquired.
"Friday night."
Haley's kiss still on his mind, Nathan decided to detour to the Rivercourt before heading to the cafe.
"What's up lover boy?" Skills teased as Nathan approached the court.
Nathan chuckled, "Hey guys."
"I can't believe you've been holding out on us man," Mouth stated.
"Especially me," Lucas said feigning hurt, "brothers are supposed to tell each other everything."
"Right, like you tell me everything about you and Brooke," Nathan rolled his eyes, "don't worry, I don't want to know. But I haven't been holding anything back."
"Um, kissing one Haley James…"
"I haven't been kissing Haley."
"Haley seemed to think differently at lunch."
"That had never happened before."
"Give him a break guys," Jake said, coming to Nathan's defense, "if you'd seen his face after, her kissing him was definitely new."
"Okay, okay," Skills said. Then he shifted gears, "Now Nathan, we have all come to love Haley. You better treat her well. If not, you'll have ALL of us to answer to."
Nathan smiled nervously as he stared at his friends, all staring back with their arms crossed, "Don't worry. I have no intention of hurting her."
"See that it stays that way," Mouth smiled.
"Whatever you lunatics. I think I'll just head over to the café now.
Haley stared at the empty café and hoped that someone would come in soon. Turning to refill her soda, she was happy to hear the bell on the door jingle. Glancing over her shoulder she smiled as she saw Nathan walk through the door.
"I'm so glad you're here," Haley said as Nathan sat down at the counter. "Soda?"
"Sure," he smirked, "Just how happy are you to see me?"
"Extremely. I was so bored. A girl can only do so much cleaning."
Nathan squinted at her, "So, I'm just cheap entertainment to you?"
"What?! No, it's not like that."
Nathan chuckled, "I know Hales. I'm just giving you a hard time," he paused, "Though, I was kinda hoping you were glad to see me because you wanted to kiss me again."
Haley could feel her face turning red, "Nathan…"
"It's okay Hales, I know I'm pretty irresistible."
"Yeah, but that ego."
Nathan laughed again, "You have to know that you caused quite a stir at lunch."
Haley's face flushed even more, "Trust me, I know. Brooke wouldn't stop mentioning it."
"So any chance I could get a replay?"
"Nope," Haley smiled, "one and done."
"Aw, come on. The guys seem to think we've been doing that for a while."
Haley put her hands on her hips, "Did you set them straight?"
Nathan nodded, "I did. Though I'm not sure they believed me."
"Well, that's their problem," she shrugged, "So I've already finished my homework. What do you have?"
"I finished it at home."
"Seriously?" Haley eyed him.
It was Nathan's turn to shrug, "What can I say, I understand things better now."
"So you're all mine?"
"All yours."
"Sweet. I need help with some stuff I can't reach in the store room."
Shaking his head, Nathan said, "Show me the way."
A while later, Haley locked the door to the cafe and turned to Nathan, "Thank you for your help tonight," and brushed a light kiss on his cheek.
Nathan smiled, "Always happy to help a pretty lady."
Haley linked her arm with his as they began walking, "Now I believe you owe me some ice cream."
Author's Note: Again, sorry for the delay and thanks for coming back for the update. As always, please leave reviews!