CHRIS: Welcome back, folks. As always, I'm your host Chris Keller, and this season our Bachelor is former NBA player Nathan Scott. Last night, we met 12 of the ladies vying for Nathan's affection and many of you at home have already got your bets placed on who will be the last girl standing. A lot of you are team Jayana, Erica, April, Gloria, Monica, Erin, Phoebe, Lexie, Elise, Kylie or Kate; but one thing everyone seems to be in agreement on is that Nathan was definitely surprised by the appearance of Brooke Davis. Will she be the one to steal our bachelor's heart? Well, you know what they say; only time will tell …
Week One – Night Two
"Good evening ladies. Nathan." Chris Keller says, walking into the room and standing next to Nathan, "Welcome to your first Rose Ceremony."
As Chris explains how the ceremony will go, Nathan fixes the collar of his shirt; wishing he could rip the tie off his suit. He felt like he was suffocating. This was the moment he was dreading the most – it feels so heartless. So devoid of emotion. He already knows in his heart who he's not giving a rose to tonight, but it doesn't ease his guilt any – it's only been one night, but he doesn't want to hurt anyone's feelings.
"As you're aware, there are 12 of you here tonight. Nathan has just ten roses to give. That means two of you will be going home."
Nathan resisted the urge to roll his eyes. As if these ladies couldn't comprehend simple subtraction? He schooled his features, focusing on Chris as the host spoke to him.
"Good luck ladies. Nathan, when you're ready." Chris nodded at him before walking away.
Nathan waited until Chris was out of sight, stepping forward and politely smiling at the twelve women waiting before him. How was he supposed to start this? Would people think that whoever he chose to give a rose to first, was his favourite? God, he was overthinking this way too hard.
Taking a deep breath, Nathan picked up one rose from the silver dish on the podium beside him. He fiddled around with the stem, twirling the rose back and forth as he tried to calm himself. He knew his nerves weren't going anywhere, he just needed to stand up straight, take a breath and say a name.
"Monica." he blurted out before he could think too hard.
The other women smiled politely at her as Monica wiggled her way between them, moving towards Nathan. He held out the rose in his hand and repeated the line that the Director and Producer had made sure he knew by heart; "Monica, will you accept this rose?"
"I'd be delighted." She grinned brightly, taking the rose from him, and stepping forward to give him a quick hug.
He felt his anxiety begin to fade as Monica happily stood to the other side of the group, rose in hand. Nine more roses. He could do this.
Nathan picked up the next rose, looking back at the group as he said "Erica."
As the ceremony went on, he felt more comfortable. Slowly but surely, his nerves eased as he called each woman's name – Jayana, Gloria, Phoebe, Elise, Katie.
"Brooke." a smile graced Nathan's face as he said her name, and it only grew brighter when he saw the matching grin on hers, "Brooke, will you accept this rose?"
"Of course, thank you Nate." Brooke stepped forward and gave him a hug, subtly kissing his cheek as they embraced.
Nathan couldn't deny the giddiness he felt. Brooke was one of the few people in their social circle that called him 'Nate'. Hollywood didn't allow for many friends, or even nice people, but Brooke was genuinely a kind-hearted person.
Next was April, and then there were three. Nathan picked up the final rose and took another deep breath, that sinking feeling in the pit of his stomach had returned in full force. He looked to Kylie, Lexie, and Erin; waiting a beat before he spoke.
"Erin," He breathed out. Relief flooded the young woman's face and she stepped forward, "Erin, will you accept this rose?"
"I will. Thank you." She said softly, quickly hugging him and joining the other nine women.
Nathan looked at both Kylie and Lexie with a sad smile as Chris walked back into the room.
"Alexandra. Kylie. You didn't receive a rose tonight. Please take a moment to say goodbye."
Nathan sits on the lounge chairs outside in the garden later that night. Filming has finished for the night, the bachelorettes are driven the few minutes to their complex and Nathan is left surrounded by the crew cleaning up around him.
"Mr Scott, we're just about finished here. Did you need anything?" the bartender asks him.
"No, I can handle making myself a drink if needed; thank you though, Marvin. And please, call me Nathan." Nathan says.
Nathan sits, drink in hand enjoying the peace and quiet. It feels like he hasn't had a moment to himself since he started this whole thing. The silence in his head is welcome, his thoughts have finally settled, and he can just sit and relax for a moment. The guilt hasn't faded; he can't stop thinking about the look on Lexie's face. Kylie was pissed and honestly, he wasn't regretting that decision very much – all she did in the entire time they spoke during the night was talk about herself, and the Rainstorm body spray commercial they did together. Kylie looked like she had swallowed something bitter, in complete shock that she – a model – would not be NBA player Nathan Scott's first choice. It was beyond frustrating.
But Lexie had been a great woman. She was polite, kind, respectful, a great conversationalist and Nathan admired that she was an ambitious businesswoman. She seemed okay at the end of the ceremony, and if Nathan knew her better, he could say more definitively that she had an understanding smile on her face.
"Mr Scott?" He looks up to see the Program Director standing before him, "Is everything okay?"
"Yeah. Sure." Nathan forces a smile.
The Director gives him a sympathetic look, "Mind if I sit for a second? I've been on my feet all day."
Nathan shakes his head, motioning to the spot next to him. The Director smiles thankfully and sits across from him, pulling the headset off and setting it down between them.
"Does it ever get easier?" Nathan suddenly asks.
"Dating?"
"No," Nathan laughs "This whole … process. The Rose Ceremony just seems so cruel."
"Isn't it more cruel to string twelve woman along for weeks on end, only to leave all but one hanging at the finale show?"
Nathan sighs "I guess, it's just- just so cold and unfeeling to do it this way too. I don't know, I feel like I'm hurting all these people by being honest."
The Director smiles "You feel guilty."
"Yeah."
"That's because you're a good man, Mr. Scott. Look, I've been doing this show for a few years now and the one thing I can assure you is that a Rose Ceremony may feel like you're being a dick by picking and choosing women this way but it's better in the long run. These ladies understood what they signed up for, and you seem like the kind of man who will do his best not to lead someone on for their own selfish gain."
"I hope so." Nathan says softly.
"We're going to do everything we can to help make this experience as authentic as possible for you. I got into this business because I believe in it; I've seen many contestant find love on this show, true and genuine love. It doesn't always work out after the cameras stop rolling but, they don't walk away from the show with nothing. There's hope there, a chance for lifelong love. And I promise we're going to do everything we can to help you get that chance."
"I appreciate that."
"Anytime, Mr Scott. I'll leave you be now, but if you have any questions or concerns, please just let me or my Producer Julian know. You would've met him when you filmed your interviews, he's also the first camera."
"Oh, yeah; he's a cool guy. I'll keep that in mind. And please, call me Nathan." He says as the Director stands and starts to walk off, calling out before she can get too far "Sorry, uh, I didn't catch your name?"
"My name?"
"Yeah. I've heard people call you Jay but, well-" Nathan trailed off.
The Director laughs "J, like the initial. It's a bit of a boys' club around here, surprisingly enough; some of the crew gave me the name when I first started working on the show. I was an intern then, so I couldn't really kick up a fuss about it and then … it just kind of stuck."
"Oh, So?" Nathan looks confused.
"It's James. Haley James." She smiles, "One of the other crew members' names at the time was also James, so I got saddled with J. But you can just call me Haley."
"Ah, makes sense." Nathan smiles, walking towards her and holding out his hand "Well, Haley James; thank you for the conversation, and your help."
Taking his outstretched hand in hers as she says, "Anytime, Mr Scott. Uh, Nathan. Sorry." Haley tries to fight the blush making its way up her chest and to her cheeks as she stumbles through her words.
Nathan smirks at her flustered appearance, "Don't worry about it. I'll see you tomorrow Haley." He says before turning to head back into the mansion.
Week One – Day Four
"Hi Nathan," Chris smiled as he met Nathan on the Basketball courts.
"Hey Chris, how are you?" Nathan asks, shaking the other man's hand.
Chris chuckles "Aren't I supposed to be the one asking you that? First group date and all."
Nathan smiles "I'm good. A little nervous, mostly excited."
"Well, the ladies should be arriving soon. Tell me, anyone catching your eye so far?"
"It's only been four days; I haven't really gotten to know anyone well enough."
"Well, except for Brooke Davis." Chris smirks.
"Uh, yeah, but even then Brooke and I don't really know each other on a personal level and at the end of the day that's a big part of what I'm looking for – someone who's willing to be open and honest, vulnerable with me."
"Well, there's still ten lovely young ladies and nine full weeks of quality time to get to know each and every one of them. You're too much of a catch to walk away from this show alone, I can guarantee that."
Nathan chuckles awkwardly, still not comfortable with compliments even after the years he's spent in the limelight "Thanks, man."
A crew member calls 'cut!' and the two men relax, Chris walking off and yelling for someone to retouch his makeup. Haley and Julian approach Nathan as he stands in front of the hoop on one end of the basketball court while the crew sets up their equipment for the next shot.
"Alright, so the bachelorettes will be here in about five minutes." Julian explains "You'll stand on that mark over there, they'll be on the side of the court while you explain what'll happen on the group date and then Chris will explain what's after."
Nathan nods, bouncing the brand-new basketball against the concrete before taking a shot. The ball swoops in without touching the net and Nathan smiles proudly.
"Still got it." Haley grins, Julian nodding in agreement.
"I've played for so long, I don't think I could forget if I tried." Nathan says, taking another shot.
He bounces the ball to Julian who takes a shot, the ball bouncing against the rim a few times before eventually sinking in "phew, that would've been embarrassing."
Nathan laughs, collecting the ball and bouncing it to Haley. She barely manages to catch it, fumbling it between her hands as she shakes her head adamantly.
"Oh no, I don't play." Haley says, clumsily throwing the ball at Julian.
Julian snicker "You mean can't."
"Shut up, Jules." She grumbles, lightly shoving him.
Nathan looks between the two of them intrigued, "Um, am I missing something?"
"Oh, just J's-"
"It's a story for another time," Haley cuts Julian off "The van's pulling up now Nathan, we should get you set up."
Nathan eyes Haley curiously as she walks towards her crew, sharing a look with Julian who simply shakes his head "I'll tell you later. Trust me, you got to see it to believe it."
The honk of the van distracts him, and Nathan refocuses on the bachelorettes exiting the vehicle in their gym gear all blissfully unaware of what they're about to be put through. Chris emerges from his setup on the grass under a shade, to avoid the 'damage of the sun' on his 'precious silky skin' and stands beside Nathan on their mark.
"You ready?" Chris asks.
Nathan takes a deep breath, watching the women approaching him. He spies Haley and Julian in the background, slipping their headphones on and getting ready to start filming. Haley's eyes meet his and she gives him a thumbs-up, as if she can sense how nervous he is.
"Yeah. Let's do this."
A/N: Hey all, sorry about the long wait.
I fell really sick just after my birthday a couple weeks ago, and I'm still recovering. I was finally feeling well enough to sit and edit this – I know it's a bit shorter than my normal chapters. I really wanted to include the group date in this too but there's a really cute Naley scene I had planned and I wanted to do it justice, but looking at my computer screen is still a struggle with these headaches that I'm getting so I decided it was best to cut this chapter here and do the group date in a big chapter 4 instead :)
And now we've finally seen Haley James! Congratulations to the few of you that guessed correctly! I wanted her 'reveal' to be at the end of the chapter, but it just didn't work with what I had planned, and it wasn't really this massive secret or anything so I didn't feel the need to have it be a cliff-hanger type of thing. And I know how antsy some of you were getting that there wasn't any Haley content – well, surprise! You've actually gotten her in every chapter in some capacity, you just didn't know who it was her at the time hehe
Now that you know what Haley's capacity in this story is, we're going to move through the next ten weeks a little bit more swiftly. I have this story planned out to be around 25 chapters, so things will start to pick up soon.
Please leave a review and let me know your thoughts! Until next time …