Chapter 33- Stolen Glances

Christmas and New Year's came and went, as did Nathan, and before Haley knew it she was alone once again. Haley had decided to make a New Year's resolution this year that she would actually stick to, she had resolved to enjoy the rest of her senior year despite the fact that Nathan wasn't there with her.

Peyton and Brooke had been overjoyed at this resolution. Brooke took it as a sign that the threesome should hit up all the best parties, and while Haley had been reluctant at first, it was just what they started to do.

Haley had to admit it, she was feeling better. Keeping busy and being social really helped keep her mind off of how much she missed Nathan. She even managed to get to a point where she wasn't always home when he called. Even though it upset Nathan when Haley forgot that he would be calling, he was glad that she was noticeably happier with things.

While Haley walked into school with Peyton and Brooke the first day back from Christmas Break, Haley realized she was really looking forward to this last half of senior year. Haley had bulked up on classes the past few years, and that had allowed her to have a really easy second semester. She had filled some spots in her schedule with electives, and other spots she had just left open, allowing herself to have a half day every other day.

After stopping at her locker, Haley headed towards her first class, performing arts. She was really excited about this class. She had heard that it was a lot of fun. There were three parts to the class; singing, acting and dancing. Haley obviously loved the dance part, but she had always had a little interest in the singing and acting parts as well, she just never had the chance to pursue it. She figured this was the perfect chance, seeing as how she would earn some school credit as well.

Haley walked into the room and looked around. There were very few familiar faces in the room. The theatre group never really was Haley's crowd. She made her way over to the circle of chairs in the center of the room and picked a seat that was empty on both sides.

The bell rang and Haley settled into her seat, a little relieved that no one had sat next to her. As the teacher started taking attendance, a tall, dark haired boy slipped into class and sat down right next to Haley. Haley looked him over for a second, she recognized him a little. She knew his name was Jesse, and that he was a bit of a class clown, but that was really all.

Jesse turned towards Haley, catching her looking at him, and he smiled and extended his hand to her, "Jesse Aiello."

Haley shook his hand, "Haley James."

"I know, I've seen you around. You're Nathan Scott's girlfriend right?"

"Yep, that's me." Haley blushed a little bit as she talked to Jesse and she was unsure as to why.

Haley kept glancing over towards Jesse throughout class, she wasn't sure why, but she was very curious about this boy.

When class was over Haley scooped up her books and started towards the door, at the last minute she turned towards Jesse, "It was nice to meet you Jesse Aiello."

"It was nice to meet you too Haley James."

Haley left the room and headed towards Brooke's locker, knowing that if Haley wanted to scoop on someone, Brooke was the best way to go.

"Hey Brooke." Haley called out as she walked up behind Brooke, who was checking her make up in the mirror in her locker.

"Tutorgirl, how's it going?"

"Fine, my first class was good, looks like I'll like it. I met this kid though, I was wondering if you knew anything about him."

"Who?"

"Jesse Aiello."

Brooke tapped her chin as she thought for a minute, then she started nodding, "Tall, skinny, dark hair?"

"Yep, that's him."

"Yeah, I know who he is. He's a junior, not one of the smartest kids to walk the halls of Tree Hill High. He's supposedly really funny, a real clown. I don't think his family has a lot of money, he lives over on the not so nice side of town, if you know what I mean." Brooke raised her eyebrow as she finished her last statement.

"Anything else?"

"Not really, I know that he's usually with these two guys, Eric and Steve, their both juniors too. Eric was quite the gossip last year. His scandalously older girlfriend had his baby. It was quite the story. Besides that, I don't really know anything else. Why so curious?"

"Oh, no reason, just wondering about him, he seemed nice is all." The bell rang in the background, "Well, I have to get to class. I'll see you at lunch. Bye Brooke."

"Yep, bye Haley."

Brooke watched as her friend walked away. Whether or not Haley wanted to admit it, something was going on, Brooke was sure of it.

ooooOoooo

A few weeks later Haley was standing at her locker trying to decide what books she needed to take home with her when she heard a familiar voice from behind her.

"Well, well, well, Miss James, we meet again."

Haley peered up from her locker and saw Jesse standing besides her. It was a week into the semester and Haley had been talking to Jesse regularly in class, but she never saw him outside of it.

"Hey Jesse, what brings you over this way?"

"One of my buddies Eric just got his locker moved over here, some kid in a wheelchair needed his. I guess it was closer to his classes or whatever."

"Oh." Haley nodded as she pretended to be searching for something in her locker.

"So Haley James, what class do you have now?"

"Actually, I have lunch and then I'm done for the day, I worked it out so I have some afternoons off."

"Isn't this a coincidence? I have lunch now too. Care to join me? I was going to run out and grab something."

Haley thought for a minute. Jesse was just a new friend right? Someone she had just met and wanted to get to know better. There wasn't any problem in that. Nathan would understand, after all, it was only lunch.

"Sure, sounds good." Haley said as she slammed her locker shut. "I'll drive."

"Good idea, seeing as how I don't have a car or a driver's license."

"But I thought you said you were going to run out and grab some lunch?"

"I meant literally run and get something, at the pizza place down the street."

"Oh." Haley laughed in spite of herself.

The two headed out towards the parking lot and Haley wove her way through the sea of cars until she spotted her own. With her school schedule this semester she had finally been able to convince her parents that she needed a car. When she had half days, Brooke couldn't drive her home. Haley's parents were the kind of parents who wouldn't just buy any car, it had to be economical and safe, and so they had finally agreed on a slightly used Honda civic.

Haley pressed a button on her key ring, unlocking the doors.

"Nice ride." Jesse said as he lowered himself into the seat.

"Thanks, my parents just got it for me."

"That was nice of them. My parents couldn't afford to buy me a car."

So Brooke had been right, Haley thought. His family didn't have a lot of money. Not that Haley really cared that much, it wasn't like her family had a lot of money. Her family was comfortable enough, after all, it hadn't really seemed like that much of a big deal to them that they were dropping thousands on a car for Haley.

"I had to beg and beg for this one. Finally they caved. I can be very charming when I want to."

Haley raised her eyebrow suggestively at Jesse as she said it. She had to stop herself for a second. What was she doing? She was obviously flirting with this boy. Nathan, remember Nathan, she said to herself over and over in her head.

They headed towards town to grab some lunch, finally settling on one of the many café's on Main Street. As they ate they talked lightly, learning the basics about one another. Haley felt strangely at ease, she wasn't usually with someone she didn't know very well. It was odd though, she felt really comfortable with Jesse.

After eating, Haley drove back towards the school to drop Jesse off. They had just been riding in silence, listening to a CD Haley had mentioned to Jesse before, when he broke the silence.

"So, Nathan Scott's girlfriend huh?"

"Yep, for over a year now."

"What's that like?"

Haley wasn't sure what he meant. People would ask what Nathan was like, or if they were happy, but no one ever asked her what it was like actually dating him.

"What do you mean?"

"Well isn't he up in New York for school?"

Once again, the Tree Hill rumor mill at work. Everyone knew everything all the time.

"Yeah he is."

"And what's that like, being so far away from him?"

"It's okay I guess. It was really hard at first, but I'm adjusting. Saying good bye is the hardest part, but once he's gone I just settle back into things."

"Are you ever lonely?"

Haley was surprised, he was the first person to ask her that question, but it really seemed as though it was obvious.

"Sometimes, yeah. My two best friends are great though, always trying to keep me busy."

"It's not the same though is it? It's not the same kind of closeness that you and him have."

Haley looked thoughtful for a minute. How was it that this kid was so in her head, how did he know what she was feeling when she didn't even realize she was feeling it?

"No, it's not the same. It's good though, I'm fine. I handle it just fine."

Haley hoped he would take that as the cue that she wasn't comfortable talking about this anymore. Thankfully, she pulled up in front of the school.

"Well Haley, I had a good time. Thanks for the company."

"I had a good time too. I'm glad we did this."

Jesse turned to face her, "We'll have to do it again soon." Jesse squinted and moved a little closer to Haley, "It looks like you have some crumbs on right here."

With that Jesse reached out and brushed the crumbs away. Haley flinched and backed away when she felt his touch, as though he had hurt her or something. He looked at her oddly but then got out of the car and headed towards the school.

Haley just sat there, a little embarrassed. Jesse probably thought he had hurt her or something, when in fact it had been nothing of the sort. In fact, when Jesse touched her, the last thing she felt was pain, she couldn't believe it, but it was as though she had felt a spark. It was as though there had been electricity between them, and that feeling, well it was definitely not pain, and it was definitely not expected.