Chapter six

Tell Me When it Changed

Haley

Wow, I am in shock. Serious shock, but I'm trying to hide it. Why am I in shock? Well, that's pretty simple. Nathan Scott apologised. More specifically, he apologised to me

So I smiled at him. I don't know why, it's not like I want to encourage whatever sick game he's playing here, but the truth is, I was actually happy that he'd done what I asked him to. I know, I'm such a freak, like I want Nathan to do what I say.

He's looking at me expectantly, like he wants me to say something.

"Thanks, I mean… apology accepted," I stupidly mumble. He nods with a satisfied smirk.

"So…" he starts, but then seems to falter like he hasn't actually thought about what he was going to say.

"Yeah?" I say, a little too quickly in my opinion.

"Uh, you going to the game this Friday?"

I look at him like he's mentally unstable. I mean, yeah, I hate basketball and all but…

"Well, my boyfriend does play for the team". Nathan looks taken aback, but he hides it quick.

"Yeah, I know but I just thought that… Well, it's no secret you hate the game Hales"

"My name's Haley," I say automatically. Damn, why did I do that? Just when we were actually getting along as well. This requires some quick thinking. "But it's the first game, and I'm going to support the team."

"Even me?" Nathan smirks. I bite back on a smile and nod.

"Even you."


I wait for Lucas round the back of the gym. Tonight, to avoid a repeat of the Nathan-Busting-In-On-A-Make-Out-Session thing, we're going to my house, and then to Karen's for dinner. Of course, being that it s no longer the first day of school, I now have a mountain of homework to do, so unfortunately I suspect there will be no make-out sessions today.

"Hey," Lucas greets, wrapping his arms around me from behind and kissing my temple.

"You ready to go?" I ask, trying to ignore the wolf whistles and cat calls coming from Luke's immature team mates, who are exiting the building behind him. Surprisingly, I find that Nathan isn't one of them. Instead he's staring at me with those piercing blue eyes void of any expression. It kind of gives me the shivers.

"Jerks," I find myself saying softly, though I'm not really sure who I'm talking about. Lucas laughs and speaks into my hair, making my scalp tingle in a nice way.

"So, need any more breaks tonight?"

It takes me a while to realise what he's saying but when he does I smile awkwardly.

"I don't know Luke, I've got like a mountain of homework…"

Luke looks slightly peeved, but he smiles anyway and pulls away from me. I follow him to his Jeep and climb in. Neither of us says a word the whole way home.


After an excruciating afternoon of homework and stilted conversation, me and Luke sit in Karen's, still being awkward with each other.

"Um, what are you getting?" I ask, trying to add a little, ooh I don't know, conversation to the silence.

"Chicken," he replies simply. I sigh and close my menu quickly. Peyton heads over with a waitress' apron on.

"Pey?" I ask surprised. "I thought this was supposed to just be a summer job."

"Yeah well, I got pretty dependant on the wages, who knew?"

I laugh at her uncomfortably. Peyton is a pretty small spender, so to hear that she needs money is kind of awkward. She straightens up.

"So, what can I get for you lovebirds?" she asks. I look up at Luke who still has his trademark brooding expression.

"I'll have a tuna salad," I say with a huge smile, trying to add enough cheerfulness for both of us as Lucas sure as hell isn't helping out.

"Chicken burger," Luke deadpans. Peyton gives me a look that says what's up with him? I reply with a look that says don't ask.

Peyton rushes off with our order and I look at Lucas.

"What's wrong?" I ask suddenly. I hate confrontation but anything has got to beat this surely.

"Noth…" Lucas starts, but I cut him off.

"Don't you dare say nothing. You've been funny with me ever since I told you I had loads of homework."

"Yeah, well you've been funny with me since…" Lucas's face drops and he seems to be physically stopping himself from saying whatever he was going to say.

"Since when?" I ask slowly, showing Luke I mean business. It's not very often that I lose it with Luke, but when I do…

"Look, just forget I said anything okay? It's not important."

"Since when Luke?"

"I said forget it!"

I sit staring at Luke, anger welling up in the pit of my stomach. His fists are clenched and his eyes are glazed over with annoyance. I feel like screaming, like throwing the slat shaker at him, like throwing my chair over and storming out of the restaurant. I feel like actually throttling the jerk. But I don't. I don't because I am Haley James, and Haley James doesn't cause scenes.

AN: Well, I know it wasn't very long but I haven't updated in a while and I wanted to get this out there. Next Chapter Nate and the boys get involved… dun dun DUNNNNNNNNN! Lol. Please review, I know I don't deserve it for taking so long to update but please :insert puppy dog eyes here:

Alix xx