++7

Recap:

Lucas returned to the game, a little calmer, but his mind still drifted to that damn jacket. The last ten minutes went by in a blur. Ravens win again. The crowd cheered and the Ravens retreated to their locker room; Nathan and Lucas both to shower and get ready for their so called 'dates.' Peyton went into the girl's locker room to change into her normal clothing.

Haley hung around on the bleachers in the now empty gym waiting for Nathan.

Part 7b

Nathan had changed into a long sleeve olive green shirt, with blue writing. He pulled his baggy denim jeans on over his plaid boxers. He slipped on his shoes and laced them up. He was feeling pretty good today. He had the car, and gorgeous Haley out there waiting for *him*.

He put some gel into his hands and used it to make his hair spike. He ran a comb through and closed the locker door. Nathan headed out of the locker room to find Haley. He almost walked passed the gym doors towards the front of the school, but he looked inside and saw Haley walking along the bleachers.

Nathan opened the door and went inside. "Hale James," he said, getting her attention.

"Nathan Scott." Haley got down from the bleachers, grabbed his jacket and started walking towards him. He met her halfway. "So what is on the agenda for tonight?"

"It's a surprise," Nathan said grinning.

"I'm afraid."

Nathan looked at her. "What? Don't you trust me?"

Haley looked at him. "Ok, I'm even more afraid now. Anything you have to add 'Don't you trust me?' to can't be good."

He just shook his head. "You think too much Haley."

Haley sighed. "Lead the way."

"You might as well put the jacket on," he told her. "Where I'm taking you is gonna be cold."

"Going to be," she corrected him. "Have I taught you nothing?" she teased.

"I'm so sorry," he apologized, with a hint of sarcasm. He led the way out of the gym and to his car. He opened the car door for Haley.

"Thank you," Haley smiled, and climbed in.

Nathan went around the car and got in. He put the key in and started the car. "My mom was floored when I told her I got a 98% on my test," he stated proudly.

Haley laughed. "I bet. I saw your file.and all your previous grades."

"Ok, ok. You're going to have to close your eyes," Nathan told her.

She looked at him. "Now? We haven't even left yet?"

"Yes now," he answered her. "It doesn't take long to get there."

Haley sighed. "Oh alright." She closed her eyes as she was asked to do.

"Not a big fan of surprises huh?" Nathan commented, putting the car into drive and pulling out of the parking space.

Haley just made a noise, which Nathan took as a no. "Are we almost there?"

"You don't find this fun at all?"

"I hate not knowing," Haley told him. "I just always have to know. Come on. If someone says hey guess what, we're going somewhere but I can't tell you where, you don't really want to know?"

Nathan thought about that. "True. Kind of like the whole, whatever you do don't push the red button. If you can't push it why is it there?"

Haley started laughing. "You're too funny."

Nathan looked at Haley and smiled. "Ok we're here." Haley felt around for the door handle. "I'll get it," he announced getting out of the car. He opened her door and took her hand. "Careful," Nathan said, guiding her to the ground. Still holding her hand, he led her towards the dock.

Nathan was taking Haley to the dock. The very same dock they were at the first day his tutoring started. The very same day he gave her that charm bracelet, which he saw she still wore.

"Ok, open em."

Haley opened her eyes. Her breath caught in her throat. It was breathtaking and beautiful.

'Did Nathan really do all this?' she asked herself.

She recognized it to be the dock. But Nathan put a lot of work into this. The table was gated off. One the table and around the railing were candles. Haley touched the table. There was white glitter and all around the dock and the table was different colored rose petals; red, white, pink, peach, yellow. On the table in a bowl was carmel popcorn with a little blue and white stripped bag laying on top.

'Cracker jacks,' she realized. Haley smiled.

"Well, what do you think?"

Haley still didn't say anything. She was taking in the scene; the moon high above reflecting on the water, the candles light flickering across his face. In that moment, she was sure she was seeing him in yet a different light. Pardon the pun.

'Who would have thought Nathan Scott could be romantic.'

"You don't like it?"

"No, no," Haley said. "It's beautiful."

Nathan felt a little strange he wasn't like this. He used to be this way, in the beginning with Peyton. But as the relationship died, so did that side of him. "I just figured, we could be out here and talk. Away from everything and everyone and just really get to know one another."

"Why do you want to get to know me? I'm just your tutor," Haley pointed out.

Nathan moved closer to her, looking down at her. "You intrigue me Haley. When I'm with you, I'm nothing but me. I'm not the start basketball player, or any thing else. Just Nathan Scott," he explained to her. "And I think I'm starting to like you Haley James; as more than just my tutor."

Nathan leaned down, just barely touching her lips to let her pull away. When she didn't, he brought his lips to hers and kissed her softly.

END PART 7b

What happens now?? What about Lucas.? What do you think???