Brooke, Peyton and Haley were at the mall, again, shopping for dresses for the Christmas party that night.
"I want something classy, but seductive at the same time. Do you know what I mean?" Brooke ordered the young girl behind the counter.
"Yes, I think I have just the thing." Maurine, the girl behind the counter turned and stalked off into the back of the store. Brooke turned and faced Haley and Peyton who were waiting with their arms crossed over their chests tapping their feet.
"This is the seventh store and we still haven't found anything." Peyton pointed out.
"Yeah, but we haven't gotten to the good stores yet. I'm just finishing up my bargain searching and then we get to the good stuff. You didn't really think I was going to buy something from one of these stores, did you?" Brooke rolled her eyes and turned around. Maurine came out with a bundle of hot pink fairy fabric. When she held it up, Brooke gasped.
"What? Isn't it gorgeous?" Maurine gaped.
"Are you kidding? It's disgusting! Who ever taught you the meaning of seductive must need help in so many ways. We're leaving," Brooke grabbed Haley and pulled her out of the store.
"Brooke, chill out! We aren't even to the good stores yet, okay? We'll find dresses, it's okay." Haley soothed her.
An hour later, they were in the Armani Collection store looking for a dress for Haley. Brooke had found a black halter dress that flowed all the way to her feet from Vera Wang, and Peyton had found a burgundy strapless that went a little longer then her knees from Marc Jacobs.
"Okay, what do you think of this one?" Haley stepped out in a gold, long flowing dress with tiny straps almost broke when she moved.
"Wow, that would be really pretty if you were a Barbie," Brooke commented. The French woman helping them glared at Brooke but sent Haley back into the dressing room.
"Next," was all Peyton said. This was at least the tenth dress Haley had tried on. Haley had liked most of them but Brooke wouldn't let her buy it until it was the perfect one.
"Okay, what about this one?" Haley asked again as she stepped out. This dress clung to her curves so perfectly it looked like it was made for her. The black silky fabric made her auburn hair look like it was highlighted from the sun and sent a glow all over her tan skin. The straps were small but didn't make tearing sounds when she walked. They were crossed in between her shoulder blades on her back.
"Haley, I don't know what to say!" Brooke breathed. Haley looked horrified.
"Damn, I thought this one looked kind of nice. But if you don't like it…" Haley trailed off glancing at her self in the mirror.
"No! That's just it! You look…I don't even think there's a word for it!" Peyton squealed and jumped up.
"Really? You like it?" Haley questioned.
"Like it? I'm like in love with it!" Peyton replied. Haley squealed and then Peyton squealed and then Brooke jumped up and squealed. The French woman helping them had to cover her ears and walk away to get away from all the happy squealing.
"Shit," Haley cursed under her breath. Brooke stopped in mid-squeal and stared at her.
"What? There's nothing wrong with it, Hales." Brooke re-assured her.
"No, it's not that it's just that I only have one pair of black shoes and they're flip flops from Target." Haley said sadly.
"Well, that's why we're at the mall!" Brooke said. They paid for the dress and then left. There were still things to buy and Christmas presents to shop for.
"Nate, is there something on your mind?" Lucas asked. They were in the school gym, since there was snow on the ground at the River Court, playing a game of one on one. Mouth, Jake and Tim were in the bleachers betting on who would win.
"No, why would you think that?" Nathan answered.
"No reason just you head doesn't seem in the game."
"There is one thing…" Nathan started. Lucas dropped the ball and they went over to the other guys.
"It's Haley." Nathan said simply.
"Oh, there's not way we're letting you break up with her. You guys are perfect together." Jake complained. Everyone else agreed.
"I know, I know. I'm not breaking up with her. It's just the opposite. I think I'm…" Nathan started to say before the doors bust open and Peyton, Haley and Brooke walked in.
"Hello boys, did we interrupt something?" Brooke asked even though she already knew she did. That never stopped her before.
"No, not at all." Tim lied badly.
"Fine! I can see when we're not wanted. Come on girls; let's go shop for lingerie for tonight. Oh wait, you won't be getting any will you?" Brooke played. Haley glanced over at Nathan who was looking at her the whole time. Their eyes locked for a moment and they both noticed the glow around each other when ever they were together. Nathan smiled at her before she left. Lucas was about to protest before Jake stopped him.
"You know you will anyway. Just let her think you think you won't."
"Right, sorry Nate. Keep going." Lucas urged.
"Anyway, I think I'm in love with her." Nathan said boldly. No one spoke for a while. They were all deep in thought except for Tim who couldn't think about anything other then girls.
"Well... what do you think?" It was Nathan who broke the silence.
"I think...you are to." Lucas said.
"Yeah, good for you, Nate." Jake agreed.
"When are going to tell her?" Mouth asked.
"I don't know. I was thinking tonight, at the party." Nathan said.
"Great, and I think I know just how you should do it. Sorry guys we have to go." Lucas stood up and dragged Nathan along after him. They had somewhere to be and things to get.
"So, Hales, what do you think?" Brooke was prancing around with her dress over her shirt and jeans trying to find perfect shoes.
"Mmhh." Haley didn't look away from the window.
"Hales, is there some realy hot guys out there that you're goggling at?" Brooke snapped her fingers infront of Haley's face before she got her full attention.
"I'm not goggling." Haley protested.
"Yeah, whatever, you're practially drooling." Brooke countered, "Now, really. What is it?" Peyton came over and sat down with them.
"It's nothing big, I don't even know if it's real and I don't know how he feels but..." Haley trailed off. How was she supposed to tell them? How was she supposed to tell her best friends that she was in love with him? There were two ways: one, she could just flat out say it and then see what they say. Or two, she could beat around the bush and practically make them beat it out of her. She preffered option 1.
"Come on girl, spit it out." Peyton cried.
"Okay, I think I'm in love with Nathan and before you say anything, I don't even know if he feels the same way so just please don't say anything to him, okay?" Haley said with one breath and her eyes shut.
"Come on, hand it over." Brooke said. Haley looked up to see Brooke holding her hand out and Peyton pocket searching for a ten and a five.
"What is this? You bet on me?" Haley was shocked. She wasn't mad, just shocked that they had figured it out before her and then didn't tell her.
"Yeah, sorry we didn't tell you. I just thought you would figure it out before Christmas and Peyton said you wouldn't at least until Valentine's Day." Brooke explained.
"God, how long have you known?" Haley asked.
"Wow, since like Thanksgiving." Peyton thought back.
"So do you think he loves me back?"
"Are you kidding? He's like on his knees begging for you to feel the same way for him!" Brooke screamed.
"So you think I should tell him?" Haley asked.
"No, I think you should wait until he says it and then tell him you feel the same way. But if he doesn't say anything until tonight, then I think you should tell him right before you're about to have wild monkey sex." Peyton advised.
"Oh, right." Haley nodded her head and smiled. The party was in five hours. God, how was she going to spend the next five hours with out seeing Nathan? Oh right, shopping and getting ready. That was Brooke for you, though.
So...what do you think? I don't know if I liked this chapter so just let me know the pros and cons. Thanks for all the reviews!
Luv ya!
Emily
