Chapter 6: Hinted Affection

It was starting to rain pretty hard when the guys' practice ended. Nathan actually planned to stop by a local pizza place before going to his place. Because of the rain though, Nathan and Haley decided to go straight to the house instead. Luckily, Dan Scott was not around.

When they arrived at the Scott residence, Nathan realized that he does not have a single umbrella in his car. He grins sheepishly at her. "Care to go under my jacket?" asked Nathan as he holds up the jacket he has been wearing before and after basketball practice.

Haley looks at him with a bit of hesitation, "Doesn't that smell bad by now?"

Nathan just laughs, "Here's a bit of FYI for you Ms. James, I took a shower before meeting up with you today!"

Haley laughs, jokingly pointing a finger at Nathan, "Well Mr. Scott, I guess I'm just 'gonna have to trust you this time!"

Nathan gives her a quick nod and before Haley could say anything, Nathan rushes out of the car (getting himself pretty wet in the process) and opens the passenger door for Haley. As she stepped out, Nathan holds up his jacket to cover both of them, just like he said he would. The two ran like crazy kids to the front door, laughing loudly as their feet created loud splashes of water on the ground.

"Damn, it's pouring pretty hard out here!" remarked Nathan as he ran from the car to the front door with Haley.

Through the loud splashes of water, Haley replied, "Yep, it sure is!"

As they reach the front door, Nathan handed the jacket to Haley all of a sudden, "Hang on to this." With that, he steps out of the jacket's cover and gets himself pretty wet again as he opened his house's front door. Soon as he was able to unlock the door, he holds it open and motions over to Haley, "After you..." Haley just smiles and gladly walks in. Once they were inside, Haley looks at Nathan and sees just how drenched he is in his clothes. "Nate, you might get sick if you don't change or something."

Nathan just looks at his drenched self from the mirror in the hallway and grins, "Yeah, I think you're right. Just let me go dry-up and I'll be back."

Haley nods, "Sure. Hey, why don't I go make us something to eat while you're fixing yourself up?"

Nathan smiles, "Yeah, that sounds good. I 'wanna see if you're really the one whipping up those pancakes at Karen's Café."

Haley just chuckles at him, "Well, let me see if I can whip up something better than pancakes in here. You might if I play around in your kitchen?"

Nathan shakes his head, "Nope, not at all. Do whatever you 'wanna do in there. I'm just not sure if my mom's already done the groceries though."

Haley just nods, "Alright, I'll just go see what I can make then." With this, she turns around and heads to the Scott's kitchen. Nathan was about to go straight upstairs, but something inside him told him not to head up just yet. Instead, he found himself looking after Haley as he remained standing by the stairway. The moment she disappeared from his view, Nathan just lets out a dreamy sigh and smilingly heads upstairs.

Haley could hear the water running upstairs from the kitchen. Feeling more comfortable in the Scott kitchen with each moment, she begins to dance around the kitchen floor as she goes through the kitchen cabinets. Apparently, Debbie has really not done the groceries yet. She went through one empty cabinet after another. Just as when she was about to give up and call for pizza, she finds a box of instant muffins and some peanut butter. She smiles with satisfaction, "Perfect!"

Having just placed the batter into the oven, Haley sits patiently by the oven. Suddenly, the kitchen door opens and Nathan's mother emerges with a handful of groceries. Haley immediately rushes to give Debbie hand, "Oh hi Mrs. Scott! Here, let me get those for you."

Debbie and Haley have never met before but Debbie sure knows who the girl with brown hair and bright eyes is. Nathan apparently has been talking a little too much about his tutor to his mom. "Oh, you must be Haley. Nathan has told me so much about you," she finally said when she was able to take a good look at the nice girl helping her bring the groceries inside the house.

Haley just smiles warmly at her, "Yep, that's me. Nathan's just getting washed up. He was soaking wet when we got here."

Debbie just smiles as she notices something in the oven, "Oh, were you baking before I got here? I guess I must not have left anything for Nathan to eat this morning."

Haley just nods, "Actually, we were supposed to get pizza or something but then, I found this box of muffin mix. I hope you don't mind."

Debbie just gives the girl a warm smile, "No, not at all. In fact, you did me a favor too. I'm pretty hungry myself."

Haley just laughs, "Well in that case, there's some really good muffins and hot chocolate for you coming up!"

Debbie and Haley chatted the time away while waiting for the muffins to get done. After some time, the muffins were ready and Haley has just taken them out of the oven when suddenly, Nathan appears into the kitchen, "Hmm....something sure smells good around here."

Haley just smiles at him upon hearing the compliment, "Thanks Nate!"

Nathan suddenly realizes his mom was already back," Hey mom, where have you been?"

"Well Nate, I just stepped out for awhile to do some groceries. Sorry I forgot to leave some cooked food before I left. Luckily, Haley here knows how to bake," Debbie replied as she gives Haley a warm smile.

"Oh, it's nothing Mrs. Scott. Besides, I like to bake," Haley replied as she placed one muffin on each place for the three of them.

"Oh please Haley, call me Debbie. Nathan has told me so much about you, I've always felt that I know you already," remarked Debbie as she gratefully took a muffin and cup of hot chocolate from Haley.

Nathan felt himself turning red at his mom's reply. "Did I really talk about her that much," he wondered as he watched Haley pour hot chocolate on two more mugs. "Here, let me help," offered Nathan as he rushes over to Haley's side and takes the steaming mugs of hot chocolate from her and puts it on the table.

Haley shortly follows him with two more muffins.

"Haley, these are really good muffins!" remarked her mom after taking a small bite of the scrumptious muffin on her plate.

Haley just smiles at her as she takes a sip of her hot chocolate, "Thank you, there's easy to make really."

"Well, easy to make or not, my mom's right Hales. This is really good," said Nathan as he devours the muffin on his plate and gets up to get one more.

"What did you put in them?" asked Debbie as she continued to eat.

In between muffin bites, Haley answers Debbie's question, "Oh just the muffin mix, peanut butter and bacon bits."

Debbie looks at her impressively, "Wow, you really know how to make your own recipe."

Haley just laughs, "I just learned a lot from Karen when I'm in her café." Suddenly realizing who she's talking to, she adds," Oh my God, I'm so sorry....I didn't mean to mention her name!"

Debbie just gives her a reassuring smile as she puts a hand on Haley's arm, "That's okay Haley, no damage done."

Nathan just keeps on munching muffin after muffin. Finally, he manages to say something after finishing his third piece, "Hey Hales, you should really come here often. These muffins are great!"

Haley just laughs at him, "Thanks Nate, just tell me when and I'll be happy to whip you guys up another batch!"

Debbie smiles at the sight of his son and Haley, "You know, you two really look good together. Are you finally dating?" Debbie asks casually, expecting that her son and Haley were already on the road to becoming a couple.

Haley just looks stunned, "Oh no, Nathan and I are not seeing each other. I just teach him calculus."

Debbie turns to look at a startled Nathan while trying to send a message to his mom with his blue eyes. Finally, she realizes what he's son is trying to tell her, "Oh I'm sorry, I hope you still come over from time to time though. You're fun to have around."

Haley just smiles at her warmly, "No problem, I'd love to make these muffins for you again!"

After a delightful snack, Haley and Nathan head upstairs to Nathan's room while Debbie did the dishes in the kitchen. In the room, Nathan and Haley did some serious calculus work.

Haley carefully went through Nathan graded exam, trying to determine how he got his mistakes. Nevertheless, she was happy to know that her efforts earned him a B.

Meanwhile, Nathan was solving other problems Haley asked him to. Suddenly, Nathan looks up at her," Uh, Hales?"

Haley turns to him, smiling, "What?"

Nathan just looks at her quite nervously, "Umm, nothing...never mind." He quickly looks back down on his work, but soon finds himself looking at her.

Once Haley felt confident that Nathan knew calculus pretty well, she decided it was time to leave. After all, she had promised Karen that she'd work in the café tonight. "Hales, let me take you there," offered Nathan as he followed her downstairs.

"Nah, I'm okay Nate. Besides, it's not raining anymore. I can walk, I'll be fine," smiled Haley before she put her hand on the door knob.

Debbie suddenly appeared into the living room, "Oh Haley, you're going already? I was hoping you would stay with us for dinner. It's the least I can do for the muffins."

Haley smiled at her gratefully, "Oh Debbie, you don't really have to do that. Besides, I have to get going since I'm working tonight."

Debbie nods understandingly, "Alright, but please let Nathan give you a ride at least. It's much safer than walking at night."

Haley just sighs, "Oh okay, I guess I'll take Nate's offer tonight."

Nathan just turned to her mom and smiled before he grabbed the keys and opened the front door, "Later mom!"

During the ride, the two remained in comfortable silence (at least for Haley). Haley looked like she was about to break into a grin, but stopped herself, as she looked out from her side of the car. "Always this feeling...," she thought," always this feeling whenever I'm with Nathan." Secretly, she tried to get a glimpse of him from the passenger seat.

Meanwhile, Nathan sat straight up, looking so tensed behind the wheel. Ever since they got in his Escalade, all he ever wanted was to sneak a glance at her. Actually, he really just wants to stare at her all night. Finally, he gets up the nerve to glance her way, "Hey Hales, thanks so much for everything you've done for me and my mom today. We both owe you one."

Haley just smiles at him, "No prob, Nate. Thanks for having me too, you have a great home."

Nathan just lets out a laugh while keeping his eyes on the road, "You have no idea what you're talking about. When my dad's around, our house becomes a war zone!"

Haley lets out a laugh, "Are you serious? Is your dad really that bad?"

Nathan nods, "Yep, look at how he treats Lucas."

With this, Haley couldn't help but agree with Nathan, "Yeah, he never bothered to care to see how he is."

"You got that right. Hey, are you sure there's nothing I can do for you tonight to return the favor?" asked Nathan with hopeful eyes. He was really hoping Haley could suggest something so he can stay with her a bit longer.

"Umm... none that I can think of. I'm just working in Karen's café tonight anyway," answered Haley casually.

"Well, maybe I could help you with your work. You know, do café stuff," Nathan suggested while praying that she'll finally give in.

"Mr. Nathan Scott, are you aware that this means you'll have to wear an apron for the rest of the evening? A rose-printed apron, I might add?" asked Haley jokingly.

"Whatever I have to do, I'm all yours tonight Hales," replied Nathan quickly before Haley could change her mind. "In fact..."he thought, "I want to be yours forever."

Haley smiled, "You don't really have to do this Nate, what about your mom? Isn't she waiting for you for dinner?"

Nathan completely forgot about that, but he knows his mom would be happy for him when she learns why he's coming home pretty late tonight. "Don't worry, she won't mind. I'll give her a call once we've already parked," Nathan just answered casually.