"Hey will you grab me that?"

He eyed her unsure what she was referring to.

"Grab you what?"

"The cocoa powder Nathan what else?"

"Yeah I can see that but are you aware that there are more than six different brands of this stuff?"

"Hershey's, always get Hershey's."

She shook her head and laughed as she continued down the aisle. It was Sunday afternoon and the two found themselves at the local grocery store stocking up food for Jill's refridgerator to last the week. It was one of their many weekly rituals together. Nathan spent enough time at her house to earn him a few snacks if not all in her pantry. They practically liked the same things except for a few core items like powdered mini donuts for Jill's midnight cravings which Nathan hated, he thought they were gross. Whenever he came over she would literally eat it in front of him on purpose in hopes of seeing him gag, but no go, he had a tough stomach. Nathan on the other hand couldn't live without bear claws, he loved those things to pieces. Jill hated the gooeyness of them and how they were so gigantic, but nevertheless she would buy them to make him happy. Sometimes they would actually indulge in the other's snack for the heck of it. Jill didn't mind his bear claws that much, they were something you could eat once in a blue moon she thought and the powdered donuts to Nathan were pretty good for mini snack attacks in the middle of the night when the two would talk and eat in her bed.

It had been two days since the dreaded dinner from hell hosted by none other than the devil himself, Dan the man. Nathan hadn't gone over to Jill's in fear her parents would kick him out the minute he knocked on their door. This day was probably the first day they actually got to spend time with one another since then. The day before, Jill hung out with Peyton as they went on a quest for underground bands to play at Tric. After all the time she's lived in Tree Hill, Jill never stepped foot in the club. Probably because Peyton hadn't hosted an all ages night since the summer, which was the reason for their search, Peyton was thinking of holding another House of Freaks for Friday. Her and Jill were scoping new artists preferrably garage bands. They wanted a new sound, a new vibe, something different from the regular music scene they'd been experiencing.

With the girls having a day to themselves Nathan and Lucas decided to round up some of the River Court boys for a ball match. Their first game had been cancelled due to conflicts between the sports association but would be up as soon as November hit. Having a tiny hiatus the boys sort of got rusty on their game so they figured they needed to hit the court before they sucked permanently.

The only reason he and Jill were hanging out today was because her parents had to go back a day early for a conference. Not that her parents being around would've reaped havoc. It was just that after Friday night Nathan tried to hide away from them thinking they hated him.

"So about Friday night," he wanted so badly to know how much they despised him.

Jill went to grab a few bags of Tostitos.

"What about Friday night?"

"The whole Dan crap thing."

"Oh you mean him lying through his teeth like he knows us thing?"

Nathan smiled meekly.

"Yeah that. You're umm parents don't think it's?" He fiddled with his fingers.

"True?"

"Yeah."

Jill gave Nathan a weird look.

"By any chance are you trying to get out if my parents hate you or not?"

"Yeah pretty much."

She nodded her head.

"Yeah about that. Let's just say my parents don't ever want to see you at our house again," she looked at him with a serious face.

Nathan's heart dropped. What a low blow well more like a large blow to hit him. He wanted to make a good first impression on Jill's parents. He wanted them to know he was a good guy not some horny teenage boy out to get their daughter pregnant. That was shot to pieces thanks to Dan and Jill's confirmation.

His voice trembled a bit, kind of sad like.

"Oh okay."

"They hate your guts."

"Really?"

"Yeah. I tried telling them otherwise but they wouldn't take my word for it."

Nathan was speechless.

Jill looked at Nathan and noticed his saddened look. his whole body expression was reaking of it.

"Lighten up buddy, I'm just kidding," she smiled softly.

He let out a gasp of air.

"What?"

"I'm only joking, my parents don't hate you. For what? Because Dan said shit. Nathan my parents aren't gullible. They can smell crap before it's pitched."

"Really?"

"Yeah my mom adores you."

He smiled.

"You might want to watch out though she might try and kidnap you and bring you with her to Charlotte."

He laughed.

"As long as she doesn't hate me I'm fine with it."

"Oh sweetie you don't know my mother. You should be glad whenever she dislikes you, it's far better than her loving you off I'm sure."

"Note taken. What about your dad?"

"He thinks the same thing. I actually thought he would be the one to yell at me cause he's so good at it, but he didn't."

"That's a good thing right?"

"Yeah yeah no it's definitely a good thing. It's just I'm so used to him yelling at me for making mistakes, but it seems he's come to terms with the decisions I make. I guess he's finally realizing I'm not eight anymore."

"Wish I could say the same thing for my dad," he looked down.

"Your dad thinks your life is his. He just needs a huge reality check to remind him he should act like a father instead on an idiot."

"I like your choice of words, idiot. Nice!"

"Thank you thank you," she giggled," will you grab me that detergent?"

He nodded grabbing the two pound box of Cheer.

"I think I'll bring my clothes over to your place, you can wash them."

She rolled her eyes.

"You're funny buddy. You can, however bring your ratty clothes over and you can wash them yourself while I wash my own. How does that sound?"

Nathan laughed as he nodded his head.

"All right all right. It's a deal."

"You're lucky I'm not making you wash my clothes. I'm afraid I might catch you in them when I'm not looking," she giggled.

He laughed," Hey I don't swing that way."

"How do we know for sure?"

He couldn't help but laugh at her humor but in a tiny way he hoped it was her humor talking. He didn't want her to think he liked boys. She couldn't have. She knew he was straight, she just liked to tease him is all.

"Because a gay guy wouldn't do this," he went and slapped her ass.

Jill looked at him shocked as she laughed her head off.

"Actually a gay guy would," she giggled and ran down the aisle, "come on slowpoke to the cake aisle we go. Whoever said cake is only for birthdays and special ocassions was seriously deprived as a child,"

Nathan smirking ran after her. He was a little bit slow since he was rolling the cart, but he caught up. He was a little giddy that he slapped her ass. He was expecting to get slapped in the face but instead he got her giggle. The giggle was good, he liked it. It wasn't his fantasy dream from Friday night but it was a start.