Sorry sorry- I know it's been a long time coming and all my reviews will probably say something like "FRICKIN FINALLY." But here it is, chapter 5- enjoy.

Chapter 5

I glance at Haley James across the cafeteria, she's sat at the table in the far corner with some guy wearing glasses and the crazy looking girl she was stood in the lunch line with. I don't know why I started talking to her. I'm not usually like that I swear.

I'm quite shy when it comes down to it. But for some reason I just felt the need to talk to her- to make her notice me. Isn't that dumb? She clearly thinks I'm mentally unbalanced and for some reason it bothers me. Maybe it's because she's somehow managed to earn my respect almost immediately…and y'know…when someone one has your respect you kinda want them to like you to. Or just respect you back. Anything.

She looks up suddenly and our eyes connect. And she gives me this smile. And it isn't one of those uncertain smiles, or a smile that says "you're kind of a maniac". It's a smile like an "I understand" smile. It is gentle and shy and in that moment everything else disappears. It's just the 2 of us. Weird huh? Like I said I'm not attracted to her or anything….but maybe I've just earned a little of her respect or something.

The moment comes to an abrupt halt when Brooke saunters into the cafeteria, flings her arms around my neck and gives me a loud kiss on the cheek. Haley rolls her eyes and turns away. I try and turn my attention to Brooke.

"Hi Boyfriend!" she grins stealing a chip from my plate.

I give her a half hearted smile and kiss her quickly on the lips. I'm not really in the mood for flirting today. She doesn't let my unenthusiastic mood get her down, in fact she probably doesn't even notice, she just turns around and starts chattering on to Theresa about plans for the weekend.

A lot of our friends find it odd that we date. People outside of our social circle don't think it's weird. They just take it for granted that head cheerleader and star of the basketball team go out I guess. Like some twisted law of nature or something.

Brooke is the complete opposite of me. She is the epitome of extrovert, I am quiet and fairly introverted. She loves parties, getting drunk, and before me- hooking up with as many guys as possible- and me? Yea, not so much. Brooke is like the ultimate good time girl and I am the kind of guy who doesn't mind sitting at home on a Friday night and reading a book.

Brooke isn't some kind of bimbo or anything. She's smart, she gets good grades- but she sees reading as something saved for school hours- it isn't regarded as a pleasurable activity in her eyes. I think that's maybe why I find myself questioning our relationship. I often wonder how this is going to work out when our views of life and our interests outside of school are so different.

Of course Brooke would argue "live for the moment"- who cares if it doesn't work out- lets just have fun now! But I'm starting to realise more and more, that I'm looking for someone who I can see some kind of future with….I don't know if that sounds stupid or whatever…

2 classes and one basketball practise later and I'm driving home….It's raining pretty hard and I can see a figure in the distance. It's Haley James. Of course it is- fate…it's a funny little thing isn't it?

I pull up beside the curb and wind down the window.

"Hey Haley James," she turns to face me. God, the hat she's wearing is even uglier than her scarf. It's some sort of green, crocheted monstrosity. And it's not done a very good job of sheltering her from the rain, "need a ride?"

She looks like she's about to refuse for a moment but just as she opens her mouth, the grumble of thunder sounds and she looks at the sky and sighs.
"Sure, why not."

I watch her out of the corner of my eye while I drive. She gathers all of her wet hair over one shoulder and twists it round, trying to wring some of the water out of it. Then she sweeps it back into a messy bun. She doesn't even flip down the mirror to do it she just gathers it up and secures it with a hair tie. This is a new concept to me…all the girls I know would never do their hair without a mirror. She catches my glance.

"What?" she asks with a grin

"Oh just…" I'm about to tell her about how the girls I know don't do that, but I suddenly don't feel like it. It seems that it would ruin the moment, "nothing."