"So, what do you think?" Haley asked stepping out of the bathroom. Brooke and Peyton gasped.
"Tutor girl, you look bitchin!" Brooke cried.
"Yeah, I kind of do, don't I?" Haley laughed.
"All right! Let's get this show on the road." Peyton grabbed her car keys and the all raced down the stairs.
"This is crazy." Nathan said for the third time that night.
"What is?" Tim asked for the third time that night.
"That I'm nervous to go to a party! This definitely has never happened before." Nathan explained for the third time that night.
"You guys have had this conversation three times already! Can't you just relax and get in the car?" Jake complained. Nathan sighed and followed them.
The party was huge, just like it always was when Brooke threw it. There were people everywhere. Peyton, Brooke and Haley were watching some people trying to start a break dancing contest in the middle of the basement living room. Every once and a while, Haley would glance around in hope of seeing Nathan. Nothing.
"Where do you thing they could be?" Peyton asked.
"You took the words right out of my mouth." Haley replied. Brooke just laughed and pulled them to the front door.
"It's like she can sense when Lucas is with in ten feet." Peyton whispered to Haley. They laughed behind Brooke's back.
"Broody! I missed you." Brooke kissed Lucas.
"It's been like an hour, Brooke." Lucas joked.
"I know, and it's been too long." Brooke complained. Following Lucas was Jake and Tim. But, where was Nathan? Haley's heart dropped when she didn't see him behind Tim.
"He's coming," Lucas whispered in her ear as he hugged her.
"Thanks," Haley whispered back. She decided she needed a drink and went over to the makeshift bar in the kitchen.
"What can I get you?" The bartender asked.
"Um…how about a Cosmo." Haley said. Before she got her drink, an extremely hot guy sat down beside her and paid for her drink.
"Hey, I'm Tyler." The guy said.
"Haley," she answered.
"Haley, I like it." Tyler stated.
"I'm glad." Haley laughed. She looked around in search of Nathan, when she didn't see him, she decided he probably found another girl. Her heart did a little flip at the thought but she pushed it away when she felt Tyler's hand on hers.
"So, do you want to get out of here?" Tyler stood up, not letting go of her hand.
"Actually, I'm meeting someone soon." Haley refused. Tyler wasn't letting go of her hand.
"I don't see him anywhere," Tyler protested. Haley felt him wrap his arm around her wait and start to pull her over to the stairs. No, there was no way she was going to sleep with this guy on the night she was supposed to get together with Nathan.
"No, really. I'm already taken!" Haley cried.
"I know, and I'm taking you." Tyler was really starting to scare her.
"No! Let go of me!" Haley screamed trying to wrench her hand out of his grasp. He just gripped tighter.
"Don't make a scene, my love." Tyler whispered.
"Stop! Let go!" Haley screamed, "I'm not fucking single!"
"What he doesn't know won't hurt him."
"Unless he already knows." a voice said from behind them. Haley's heart skipped a beat.
"Nathan," Haley breathed. He shoved Tyler into the wall and landed a very strong punch into his jaw.
"You ever touch her again, I will tear you apart. And I mean that literally." Nathan yelled. Tyler pushed past him and stalked out of the house.
"I'll see you soon." He said to Haley before leaving.
"Damn it." Haley stomped her foot and made her way to the bathroom with Nathan following.
"You okay?" He asked once they were in the bathroom and they could hear each other over the music and people.
"Yeah, just a little shaken." Haley assured him. They sat silently next to each other for a while.
"Thanks for that out there." Haley broke the silence.
"Any time." Nathan smiled down at her. He couldn't stop marveling at how beautiful she was.
"Do you want to get out of here?" Haley asked. The look on Nathan's face made Haley feel the need to explain, "No, I mean like will you take me home?" Nathan relaxed.
"Yeah, sure." He took her hand and pulled her up with him.
They walked home in most silence until they got to Haley's door.
"Thanks again, for everything." Haley started.
"Don't mention it."
"Yeah," Haley looked up into his piercing blue eyes. He leaned down and kissed her lightly on the cheek.
"I'll see you later." Nathan said turning away.
"Nathan," Haley called after him, "Call me later,"
"Count on it." She stood there and watched him turn the corner before she went inside. All she wanted right now was some sleep. But she couldn't get the tingling in her cheek to stop.
