Disclaimer – As usual, I own nothing!
Chapter 7 – its Only Words
Nathan knocked on Brooke's door, checking his watch at the same time. Last night was surreal; he needed reassurance that him meeting Haley and making up with her really happened.
A groggy Brooke opened the door, hair dishelmed, appearance very un-Brooke-like and yawning. "What the hell do you want? It's 6:15"
"Good morning neighbor!" Nathan said, smiling.
Brooke looked at him suspiciously, "This doesn't have anything to do with the fact that Haley is currently sleeping in this apartment, now does it?"
Nathan smirked, leaning against the door, "So, it wasn't a dream."
Brooke smiled, happy to see her friend smile, "Yeah, it's pretty great, isn't it?"
"You know," Nathan began, thoughtfully, " I just wanted to thank you for having that talk about soul mates with me."
Brooke smiled, giving him a hug. Brooke and Nathan had a very odd relationship. When they first found out that they were living in New York together, they decided that they might as well attempt to form a friendship. They had a tentative one when living in Tree Hill; Brooke hated the way Nathan had treated Peyton and thought that he was a good for nothing jock,
"Your welcome, superstar. Do you want to come in for some coffee?" Brooke asked, opening the door wider.
"Nah, I have to go to practice. Traffic is already a bitch today. Can you…um just give this to Haley?" Nathan asked, handing Brooke an envelope.
Brooke giggled, "Ooh love letters already?" But then she saw the expression on Nathan's face and sighed, "Fine fine, I will give it to her."
"Good." Nathan grinned, "Oh, and don't even try to open it up with steam. I've sealed it tightly."
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Haley rolled over, only to hit the leg of the coffee table.
'Where am I?' she thought, looking around the lavish, but tastefully done living room.
"Good morning Tutor girl! Nice to see you alive! What do you want for breakfast?" Brooke chirped, bouncing into the room.
"Oh Brooke, please, don't be so cheerful this early in the morning. Put away your cheerleading face and get me some coffee." Haley moaned, struggling to sit up.
"Well, fine then." Brooke pouted, "By the way, Nathan left this for you." She tossed the letter into Haley's lap.
Haley picked up the envelope and turned it around. On the front was her name scribbled in typical Nathan fashion. It was odd because she knew that Nathan was definitely not a person to write down his feelings.
She slid her finger and tried to open it, but the flap was practically glued down. Haley grinned, knowing that Nathan had done this to prevent Brooke from reading it.
"Brooke!" Haley called into the kitchen, "Can you please get me a butter knife?"
"SURE!" Brooke complied, handing Haley the knife before bounding back into the kitchen.
Haley carefully slit the top part of the envelope open and pulled out the letter.
Haley,
I'm not good with words. You know that. Okay, this already sucks. Anyway, I just wanted to say that I'm glad we talked things through last night. You mean a lot to me, and no matter what, I owe you many things. I am the person today because of you, and I'm grateful for that. The reason I have friends and I am not alone like Dan is because of you. But I am also not naïve enough to know that our relationship is fixed. I know that we have a lot to talk about and a lot to deal with. But we can do that in the future. For now, I just want to be with you. I realized that I don't have your number or anything, so here is mine. Give me a call.
Love Always,
Nathan
Haley smiled and folded the letter back up. She couldn't believe how mature he had become. She realized that she loved him even more now than before. Because he was man enough to realize that everything wasn't hunky dory. But she was going to do everything to make sure that it would be. And maybe, if she received that second chance that most people do, she would jump to it.
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"So, did you forget about our date this morning?"
Haley turned around from fiddling with the volume control to look at Chris, "Excuse me?"
"Did you forget?" Chris asked again, sitting down next to Haley. "We were supposed to meet at Starbucks for breakfast and also so we could go over a schedule for recording?"
Haley turned pink, "Oops, yeah…I'm sorry Chris, I forgot that was today."
"Well, I was concerned, so I went to your apartment." Chris continued on, eager to see Haley's reaction. "And I was told that you didn't come home last night."
"Yeah, fine. You win. You knew that the entire gang was going to be at Tric didn't you?" Haley asked, trying to turn the tables.
Chris smirked, "I ain't telling. I'm assuming you spent the night at INathan's/I."
"No." Haley said hotly, "I spent the night at Brooke's, if that is any of your business."
"Chill Haley," Chris chuckled, "Relax. You needed to talk to Nathan. You knew that. I just present yet another opportunity for you. But just be careful." Chris got up, gave Haley one last look and walked out.
Haley sat, staring at her hands. She was still angry, especially with Chris now. He always assumed that he was there, giving her opportunities to fix her life. Sadly, it was true. But his words of 'Be Careful' really stumped her. 'Be Careful' of what?
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Haley impatiently tapped her fingers against the tabletop. She was waiting for Nathan to make an appearance. It had become a tradition for the two of them. For the past couple of months, every other Wednesday, they would meet at this little Greek restaurant. They had really good food and it was a chance for Haley and Nathan to catch up with each other's busy lives.
Haley was almost done with her record. She just had a few more songs to record. Nathan was hitting it big in basketball, some people coining him the 'Next Michael Jordan' and all of those other famous basketball players that Haley didn't know.
"I didn't know you liked Greek food."
Haley froze, forcing herself not to panic. She turned around and faced Chris. Ever since that conversation a few months ago, she had been plagued with what Chris meant. But she didn't want to ask him.
"Yeah, waiting for a friend." Haley just realized that the friend was Nathan, who didn't like Chris. Shit.
"Nice. Samantha had a craving for Greek." They both giggled, knowing that when Samantha wanted something, Chris would do everything in his power to give it to her.
An awkward silence fell between them. Haley was trying to figure out how to get Chris away from the vicinity of her table, before Nathan came.
Finally, Chris broke the silence. "Mind if I sit down?"
"Yes."
Both Chris and Haley turned around to the new voice. Nathan was standing as rigid as a board, glaring down at Chris. Chris smirked, but Haley could tell that he was slightly intimidated by Nathan.
"Well, I didn't know that this was your friend." Chris said, clearly enjoying the confrontation.
"Get the hell out of here, before I kick your ass. I almost did it once, I can do it again." Nathan threatened. Haley realized that she obviously missed out on something. She would have to ask later.
Suddenly, Samantha popped out from behind Nathan. "Chris! I told you to hurry up and get the food. I need to go back to studying." She then noticed Haley and Nathan. "Hi Haley…oh my god. Are you Nathan Scott?!"
Nathan transformed his scowling face to a smiling face. Haley giggled at the certain change and Chris was looking confused. "How do you know who that is?"
"Dear, you know those basketball games we watch?" Samantha spoke slowly, as if to a 3 year old. Chris nodded, while Haley and Nathan stifled laughter. "You know how I always root for number 23?" Chris nodded again, and this time, Haley snorted. "That is Nathan Scott." She turned back around and looked adoringly at Nathan.
"You are an amazing player, you are so graceful! Honestly, I only watch your basketball games." Samantha smiled, "Can I have your autograph?"
Nathan grinned. It pleased him to know that two girls that Chris thought he had truly liked him as well. "Off course, do you have a paper and pen?"
Samantha pulled out a pen and then started patting down her pockets, frantically looking for some paper. Haley shook her head, smiling. She reached into her bag and handed Samantha a piece of paper.
Samantha gleefully grinned while Chris looked very surly. Nathan signed his name with a great flourish and gave it to Samantha. Then he gave her a hug and smirked his 'sexy smirk'. This time, it was Chris who glared at Nathan. Haley shook her head, giggling at the major ego problems of the two men.
"Wow…" Samantha gasped, looking down at the paper. "Thank you so much! Bye Haley!" As Samantha pulled Chris away from the couple, they heard her say. "Why did you not tell me that Haley knew Nathan Scott?!"
Haley looked up at Nathan and they both burst out laughing.
"God, I think that is the first time Chris ever glared at me. Now he knows how I felt!" Nathan said, plopping down next to Haley.
Haley smiled. They had reached a different comfort level in their relationship. What Haley had done to Nathan was just a fact to him. He didn't hold a grudge or any type of bitterness. He just accepted it.
Haley was happy to know that their relationship was definitely improving. They talked every night on the hone, even if their busy lives didn't permit them to see each other. It was rather sad, because they lived in the same city, a few blocks apart.
"So you said that you almost beat Chris up. When did that happen?" Haley asked, curious.
"Oh, it was right after the formal. After you said that you wouldn't stop working with him. I went down to the studio and told him that he better not have been taking advantage of you. I pined him to the wall and told him to be careful about his hand. And then I said the best line ever." Nathan grinned, relishing that moment, "'Don't cry rockstar. It will ruin your makeup.'"
Haley burst out into laughter. "You so did not say that! Nathan!"
They talked as they ate their food. Their major plan was to go through the entire menu. So far, they had ordered about half of the plates. They figured that they would have to come to the restaurant 5 more times to order everything.
"So, I have a favor to ask of you." Nathan said, as they sat and ate some desert.
"What is it?" Haley asked suspiciously.
Nathan laughed, "Don't worry, it doesn't involve whipped cream and chains."
"Well, then, I guess I can do it." Haley smirked.
The pair of them laughed. It was getting easier to joke around about sexual innuendos too.
"No really, I have a banquet coming up and I need a date. Want to come?" Nathan asked, fiddling with his fork.
Haley giggled, "Is that you asking me out on a date?"
Nathan relaxed, "Yes. It means that you need to clean up yourself and look presentable."
"Do you mind if I make a dress out of whipped cream?" Haley smirked.
"If you don't mine giving everyone a show, go for it." Nathan said, imagining the scene.
"Stop it!" Haley shrieked, knowing exactly what was going through his hand. She reached over and smacked him upside the head.
Nathan grinned, "Sorry. But seriously, it's April 25. Make sure you have nothing going on that day."
"Nathan!" Haley yelped, "That is 6 months from now!"
"Well," Nathan said, "Write it down in your little planner book thing. You have to come."
"I will. Trust me." Haley promised.
As the two of them paid and walked down he streets laughing about random things, Haley realized that this is a stage in their relationship that they missed. From day one, Nathan and Haley had an attraction. But now, it was purely platonic. Okay, platonic, with sexual undertones. But it was better than nothing.
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A/N: First of all, Merry Christmas! Okay. This sucked. I'm sorry, but I needed a transition chapter. It was not going well at all! I'm still stuck in my writer's block.I have also started another story called 'Backfired' so if you have a chance, check it out please! Happy Holidays!
3Tina