Chapter 10: I wanted to make it go away…
It has been two days since Nathan and Haley started going out, and neither of them had a care in the world. Actually, they did, but it was unspoken of. Haley had yet to tell Lucas about them. Nathan didn't really care, because at least he was finally with Haley, but he just wished he could go public about it. Haley was ihis girlfriend/i and he wanted everyone to know. He wasn't fazed by the standards of his peers anymore; he could honestly care less. Haley was the same way for the most part, except she did care about one person in particular. Yep, you guessed it… Lucas. It's not that she didn't want to tell him, because she wanted to go public about her relationship just as much as Nathan, she just was afraid of how he was going to react. I mean, yes him and Nathan no longer hate each other, but is he really past all of that?
When Haley got home from school that day she decided it was time to finally tell Lucas. Nathan was supposed to take her on their first official date that night, so she wanted Lucas to know before that happened. After placing her backpack on the kitchen table, she ran upstairs to her room and shut the door behind her. Haley climbed onto her bed, leaned her back against the headboard while placing her pillow on her lap and took a deep breath in. Then, she dialed the familiar numbers of her best friend, Lucas Scott. After three rings he answered.
"Hello?"
"Lucas!" Haley chirped into the phone.
"Who is this?" he replied jokingly.
"Now, please don't tell me you could forget your bestest friend in the whole wide world?"
"Oh, you mean the best friend who has been avoiding me for the past two or three days," Lucas stated, half jokingly, half serious. Haley couldn't really tell which.
"Luke, that was a little uncalled for! I've been busy with stuff at the tutoring center ("also known as Nathan Scott" she thought to herself), but that's why I'm calling you," Haley stated looking at her watch. It was 4:30, Nathan was coming at 7:00, she still had time for Lucas to come over. "You wouldn't want to come over and spend some quality time with little old me would ya?"
"I don't know. I might have to check my little black book. I've got a pretty busy schedule. You know, I'm Lucas Scott basketball player and apparently a 'reunited part of Scoe' as Tim called it. I'm pretty much a Tree Hill celebrity, but I guess I can make some room in my schedule for little miss Haley James."
"Oh Lucas, your too kind. Be here in five okay?"
"I'll have my chauffeur drive me over."
"Keep dreamin' buddy. See you soon," Haley said giggling as she hung up the phone. She had forgotten how much fun she and Lucas used to have back when it was just she and him against the world. Then Nathan and his crew came into the picture, and they all turned into Lucas' crew, and then Haley was just his tag along best friend. She didn't care though; Lucas always put her before the guys. Then the summer happened, until the latter half, that was a mess, and now… well now Lucas and Nathan are kind of friends, and Haley is Nathan's girlfriend. Who woulda thought? Haley had a pretty big suspicion Lucas wouldn't, but the cat's going to be out of the bag in a few minutes anyway so she supposed she'd find out then.
After roaming around her house taking deep breathes in through her nose and out through her mouth like they showed her during yoga in gym class, Lucas finally arrived and Haley answered the door… still nervous. "Damn yoga breathing," she thought to herself, "so much for having my nerves calm!"
"Hey," he said with his little broody smile as he entered her living room.
"What Lucas? No chauffeur?" Haley joked.
"Alright so maybe I was just being cocky before."
"Just a smidge but I'll forgive you. I'm just happy to finally be spending some quality time with you buddy. I've been lacking on my daily dosage of Lucas."
"Me too, Hales. Me too," Lucas replied honestly. He was not liking their distancing lately and he hoped it would end shortly and they could go back to normal. He didn't even know why they'd been on such weird terms lately anyway.
"So…." Haley said awkwardly. "Any chance you want some ice cream?"
"How could I resist!" Lucas replied, leading the way to the kitchen. They made sundaes and just chatted about random stuff like Haley claiming to be attacked by a flock of pigeons and Lucas being hit on by none other than Brooke Davis.
"Brooke Davis! Are you serious?" Haley replied a bit shocked.
"The one and only. Apparently she wants my bod," Lucas said laughing. He was a humble kid, and didn't really understand why the girls flocked to him. "It wouldn't work out anyway. I'm too broody, she's to cheery, and I've got my eye on a certain someone."
"Someone like say, Peyton?" Haley stated cautiously. They had never really talked about what happened between the two; all she knew was that they didn't really have a chance.
"Possibly," Lucas stated. "But I'm going to have to try real hard to win her back. She's a stubborn one, and not exactly the most understanding even after you wait with her in a hospital last all night."
"So I'm guessing your problems with her date back to the infamous night last summer?"
"Right. See, there's a reason they call you tutor girl," Lucas kidded.
"Speaking of…" Haley said. "You obviously I know I tutor Nathan, and we talk sometimes so I was wondering… are you guys friends or like, what?"
"I wouldn't say friends. We're not enemies, but it's not like we're how we used to be. Nathan apologized yeah, but it's just weird. I can't just go back to being friends after months of silence and hate. But he's growing on me. We haven't really talked since he apologized to me."
"Oh," Haley said. She'd hoped him and Nathan would have been on better terms by now so it wasn't as awkward for what she was about to do. "Look Lucas, I have a confession."
"Spill Hales. You know you can tell me anything."
"Alright. You're probably not going to like this. Actually, I know you're not going to like this considering the situation, and your stubbornness, and the obvious wounds that have still yet to heal and…"
"Hales your babbling."
"Right. Sorry. Anyway, me and Nathan, our relationship isn't just me being his tutor."
"What, you like friends with the guy?"
"Well, not exactly. More like, uh. Girlfriend." Haley watched the shock swarm over Lucas' face. Never in a million years would he have thought his sweet, innocent, little Haley would be dating Nathan Scott, well-known jerk and known for his err, how do you say… lack of innocence if you catch my drift.
"You, Haley James and Nathan. Nathan… Scott?"
"Uh huh." Lucas couldn't help but start to smirk at this insanity. She had to be joking, Haley and Nathan Scott? He couldn't help but laugh.
"Lucas stop laughing, I'm being serious."
"Haley please tell me I'm on Punk'd or something. See I told you I was a celebrity! Where are the cameras? Where's Ashton?"
"Lucas stop it. I mean it. I know Nathan and I are not exactly the most conventional couple but we are. You're not on Punk'd, it's not April Fool's, and I'm not joking. I'm dating Nathan… have been for two whole days."
"Wait. Your serious?"
"Duh, that's what I've been trying to tell you if you would stop laughing and listen."
"Geez Hales. Never thought I'd see the day where you dated Nathan Scott. I didn't even think you'd befriend the guy. I mean, I used to hang with him, but it's not like he's the nicest guy in the world."
"For you information Lucas, he's not half as bad as everyone makes him out to be. Sure he has ass-y tendencies, but he's changed. Since I've been tutoring him we've gotten to know each other better. I understand him, and he claims to want to be a better person."
"That's sweet Hales, really sweet," Lucas said sarcastically, unable to understand how he should assess his current situation. Nathan and Haley are going out. They've being going out for two days…. Wait a second.
"Hold on. You said before you've been going out for two days. Which means you've been keeping this from me, because I've seen you and Nathan in school, we have classes together and you didn't even glance at one another. Were you hiding from me?"
"Well, uh, yeah," Haley said as she saw the hurt grow in Lucas' eyes. "I didn't know how you'd react. I mean, you and Nathan aren't exactly buddy-buddy. You used to be, but not anymore; and up until last week you hated him."
"Hales…" Lucas began to say, beginning to get mad. "I don't know what hurts more: you hiding this from me, or you not trusting me to be happy for you. Well, congratulations, I'm happy for you. Go have fun with freakin' Nathan because I obviously won't support you."
"Lucas…" Haley started, but was cut off by Lucas.
"Save it. I guess I know what's been making us become a little distanced lately. I just thought we were closer. Like you could tell me anything. I guess I was wrong," Lucas stated as he strode to the front door opening it and running down her front path. He couldn't help but bump shoulders with someone. He didn't have to look up he knew who it was.
"Lucas!" Haley yelled as she finally reached the door, but was startled with what she was greeted with. Standing before her was Nathan Scott in his khaki shorts and black collard shirt with a bouquet of purple flowers in his hand. Haley couldn't help but sigh. Not only did he look amazing, but he had also brought her flowers. This was definitely a side of Nathan she had never seen before, but she liked it. She continued to stare at him, completely forgetting about the angered Lucas. He however was not looking at her; he was looking at the blonde boy walking down the street in a huff. He finally turned toward Haley, looking her in the eyes stating, "I'm guessing you talk to him."
"Yes. Can't say he took it well. He's not so much mad at me and you, rather than just me for not telling him sooner. But hey, he'll get over it. I'll talk to him when things cool down. You look nice by the way." Haley said, realizing she wasn't even ready. She'd gotten so caught up with Lucas she didn't realize it was already 6:00. She was still in her school clothes, which consisted of black comfy pants and a Tree Hill High Raven's Basketball shirt, compliments of Lucas, with her hair up in a messy bun. She hadn't even managed to take her lucky pencil out from her tresses. "I however, don't look so nice."
"You're right you don't look nice," Nathan said, seeing the shock register to Haley's face.
"Uh, thanks Nathan," she replied sarcastically.
"You don't look nice, because you look gorgeous. Better than nice." Haley couldn't help but blush at his words.
"Nathan… how can you say that? I'm wearing what could be easily mistaken as someone's gym clothes."
"I don't care Haley. You could be dressed in rags or baggy overalls and I still wouldn't. You're beautiful in whatever."
"Thank you Nathan, but I should really change, you look so nice, I don't want to look trashy. And P.S. I have a pair of overalls and they rock!"
Nathan laughed and put a hand on her shoulder, sending chills down Haley's spine. "Look Haley, you don't have to change, but if you'd feel more comfortable in a different outfit then go change, and take you time. I'll be waiting."
"Good, cause I would have changed either way. Besides, I'll only be like five. Promise!"
"Take however long you want, but can I make a suggestion?"
"Sure Nate."
"Keep the basketball shirt on. It's kind of sexy seeing your wear Ravens clothing. Let's me show off that your imy Haley/i."
"Anything for you," she giggled. Several minutes later she reappeared wearing jeans and a blue cotton jacket with her THHS Raven's shirt underneath the bottom.
"Looking good James," Nathan stated as she descended the stairs. "By the way, these are for you," he added, handing her the bouquet. Haley smiled and quickly put them in a vase.
"You ready?" Nathan questioned.
"Yes!" Haley chirped, "Where are we going?"
"It's a surprise," Nathan said grabbing her hand and pulling her out the door to the car. Haley was not going to believe what he had in store for her. He couldn't help but feel a little bit guilty though as they entered his car, Lucas had looked pretty mad before and he hadn't even asked what was wrong. He wouldn't let that ruin this night though. He wanted to show Haley he cared, how he was changing, and how Haley helped him do that. Lucas could wait. They were about to have their first date and nothing was going to come in their way… or so he hoped.
I hope you enjoyed this chapter! Next chapter will be their first date and Nathan does something really special. Expect some drama at the tail end of next chapter though to setup a few upcoming chapters. Hint: Tim's back in action! Anyway, as always… Leave the good, the bad, the happy, and the sad! Your reviews are greatly appreciated.
