Thank you so much for all the reviews! They truly mean a lot! I hope you enjoy this chapter : ) - Katie

bChapter 14: Our Love is Like the Wind…b

It was the next day and Haley couldn't wait to thank Nathan. Of course, she was a little upset that he had to push Lucas to help her, but she loved his intentions. Love? No, Haley couldn't be thinking of love. Or could she? Okay, she liked his intentions. Yeah, definitely like not love. Right? God, Haley didn't know anymore.

She walked down the hallway searching for Nathan before first period, the whole time her mind was racing about her feelings for him. Could she been in love with him? No, she couldn't. They'd only been "together" for two weeks, but of course there was all of the flirting going on before then. But honestly, what does time have to do with anything, she thought to herself. I mean, if you feel the butterflies when your other half is around and when he's not you do when you think about him, which of course, is always… then what does how long you've been dating matter? Just as she spotted Nathan down the hallway Haley felt the butterflies that had already been fluttering in her stomach intensify. And it was in that moment that she knew this was full-fledged love. It was an over the hedge, out of the park, World Series kinda love, and there was nothing she could do to stop it. However there was one thing that kept nagging at her… she wasn't so sure if Nathan felt the same way. She couldn't be left to her thoughts anymore though because a very smiley Nathan flashed her his signature smirk and made his way over to her.

"Hey Hales," he said with a little more pep than normal.

"Hello Nathan," she said trying not to smile. She knew what he was trying to do. He was trying to get her to thank him for what he did for her and Lucas. Haley James however, had other plans. She didn't want to give him the benefit of being right just quite yet.

"So, is there anything you want to tell me? You know, anything," he said, his smirk still wide.

"Well if you're insinuating your quote-unquote helping of me and Lucas than you're out of luck because you just made it worse. We're still not friends! He got all made and told me I shouldn't have you fighting my battles for me."

"Wait? What? Bastard. But, he said he'd apologize and…"

"Oh, Nathan you're too easy, and apparently forgetful. Because honestly, if you didn't drive me to school, who do you think did?"

"Lucas."

"Bingo! I was just having a little fun with you. So anyway, I feel like I'm forgetting something…" she said jokingly.

"Hmm… maybe a thank you?" he said smirking.

"Ah, yes," she said bringing her body closer to his and stepping up on her tiptoes so their lips were but inches apart. "Thank you very much Mr. Scott." She continued giving him a tender kiss on the lips.

"So, I'm thinking you and Lucas should fight more often so I can reap the benefits of bringing you two back together," he joked.

"Nathan!" Haley squealed, smacking him in his six-pack.

"What? I'm just saying…" Nathan began.

"Haha, very funny Scott," Haley replied. "So anyway, tonight, want to come over? I have something I want to show you. It's a thank you present I guess."

"Of course," Nathan replied, "just give me a time."

"Seven," she stated. "And dress casual."

"Yes, ma'am," Nathan answered simultaneously with the bell for first period. "Walk you to class?"

"It would be your pleasure," Haley joked back as Nathan wrapped his arms around her shoulder. "Yep, this is definitely love," she stated under her breath.

"What was that?" Nathan said, thinking Haley said something to him.

"Uh," Haley said trying to think of something to say, "Nothing, I was just noting that this is definitely a new rug. See in front of those doors…"

"Uh, yeah. I really couldn't tell ya. You're weird sometimes ya know that? But that's what I lo… like about you." He said leaning down and kissing her forehead as the continued down the hallway. He couldn't help but notice the fact he couldn't make himself say love. He wanted to, but it was too soon for all that? Wasn't it…

That night Haley was up in her room getting ready for Nathan's arrival. She had changed into a pair of jeans and was wearing a light blue halter-top wanting to look nice, yet at the same time keep comfy. She was getting her purse together when she heard the doorbell ring causing her to grab her bag and run downstairs. As she opened the door Nathan was taken aback. Man is my girlfriend hot, he thought to himself as he tried to take his eyes off her. That attempt of course was unsuccessful. That is, until Haley cleared her throat.

"Oh uh… Haley you look really nice, but aren't you a little dressed up for hanging around the house?"

"Nathan my dear, did you really think we were going to sit around my house all night? If you did, then you were terribly mistaken. I told you I wanted to show you something. Now, let's hop to it! It's a surprise!"

"Whatever you say Hales… so where are we going?"

"Nathan, I know you need tutoring but do you honestly not know the meaning of surprise," Haley kidded.

"Ouch, Hales. Ouch," Nathan said, trying his best to keep a straight face. "I think I need medical attention for that burn you just gave me."

"Let me kiss your booboo," Haley joked giving him a peck on his lips. "But let's get going!" She exclaimed as she made her way down the path to the sidewalk. They continued walking until they approached Karen's Café.

"Karen's…" Nathan asked curiously.

"Looks can be deceiving my friend. Did Lucas ever take you to the roof when you guys were like, friends?"

"Nah, we mostly just played video games or basketball. Why are you like… planning on killing me up there or something?"

"Nope, follow me," Haley stated nonchalantly as they made their way past the front room and up the staircase that lead to the roof. She flipped a switch and then pulled the door open.

"Mini golf?"

"Yes! I figured since you helped me with Lucas, I'd give you a little shall we say… 'Laley' pizzazz. I mean, what better way to thank you then show you one of my favorite places. Which Lucas of course helped me make."

"This place is really cool Hales," Nathan replied.

"I know! So here is a ball and club, let me just go get mine. Feel free to start," Haley said as she stifled a giggle. Nathan hit his ball down the first hole and missed getting a hole-in-one. As he continued trying to get the ball into this complicated hole Haley bypassed where the extra clubs were and grabbed one of the milk balloons she had Lucas help her set up. She wasn't sure how Nathan would react, but what the heck— it was all in good fun. She used her instincts and chucked the milk balloon as hard as she could in Nathan's direction.

"What the hell?" Nathan exclaimed as he felt warm liquid stretch across his right shoulder. He looked down to see a white liquid spread at his feet. "Is that… is that milk?"

"Yep," he heard a giggling Haley say. He looked around trying to find her and there she was in a corner laughing her head off. As he watched her he became aware of two things. One, there were numerous balloons strewn throughout the golf course. And two, she definitely had not brought him up here to play golf.

"Two can play that game" he said mischievously as he made his way to the nearest balloon. He threw a balloon across the course at Haley who dodged it and watched the milk splatter on the wall behind her.

"Oh no. This means war Scott!" She cried as she picked up a balloon and flung it in his direction. They continued throwing balloons back and forth getting soaked by the milk from the occasional hit. Nathan was actually pretty amazed at how accurate Haley was in her throws, but this was nothing new. She never ceased to amaze him. After a long bombardment, they both called a truce, trying their best to conceal the final balloon they each had in their hand.

"Truce Haley. Truce," Nathan cried as he picked up a flag from the hole next to him and waved it.

"Okay. Truce for me too," Haley said deviously, her fingers crossed behind her back. They both eased their way towards each other when they were about five feet apart Haley took her last balloon and chucked it at his chest and ran.

"Haley!" Nathan screamed as the balloon saturated his shirt. In retaliation he threw the balloon at Haley watching it splatter in her hair and then ran after her. He was just inching his hands around her waste when he slipped in a puddle of milk, falling to the ground and pulling her down with him; Nathan couldn't help but not the perfect way Haley's body fell into his, as if they were two pieces of a puzzle.

There Haley was laying on top of him, the wind knocked out of her just staring into his eyes. She couldn't help but not the intense feeling she was getting in her stomach. It was like a swarm of butterflies trying to break free. This was definitely love. She continued to just stare down at Nathan as he looked up at her, until he broke the silence.

"Seems like gravity has a way with us," he joked. "We always end up falling into each others arms… literally."

ibFLASHBACK/b

"So this is a date?"

"Yes Dim. This is a date. I'm on a date with Haley, my girlfriend, and if you so much as say a word that is negative about her, then I'll beat your scrawny ass."

"Whatever man," Tim replied, obviously feeling threatened, as he shoved the box of food into Nathan as he approached, then turned to leave the room. "By the way, nice set up. Didn't know you were such a pansy."

"I swear Tim, if I didn't have food in my hands," Nathan yelled to a retreating Tim, then turned to Haley who was on her feet. He was about to walk over and put the food on the table but was stopped when he saw a smiling Haley run over to him and tackle him, sending him to the ground with Haley landing on top of him and causing the food to fly out of the box everywhere. Haley saw Nathan's instincts telling him to try and clean up the fallen food as his hands began to reach out, but instead of letting them finish their task Haley grabbed them, intertwining their fingers, and then placed their hands over his head. She sat up a little bit from her straddling position over Nathan and looked deep into his eyes. She could see the shock and passion forming within him.

As Nathan gazed at her, he couldn't help but be turned on by Haley's "take charge" attitude. The only time he had seen her like this was when she was really passionate about something, which was of course when she was tutoring, but he could see that she obviously had the same attitude toward love. Love? This couldn't be love. They'd only just began dating… or could it be… love.

Either way Nathan was snapped out of his thoughts as Haley leaned down and gave his lips the most innocent of kisses.

bEND FLASHBACK/b/i

Haley just continued to stare down at him, trying to control her thoughts and feelings. They hadn't been dating a while. She didn't want to scare him away, but it could also bring him closer. Haley didn't know what to do.

Nathan stared up at her. She still hadn't spoken and she seemed to be thinking intently about something. Was she trying to remember what he was insinuating to? Because if that's the case, how could she have forgotten. He felt so much passion, so much… love, in that kiss. Maybe he would just give her a jumpstart.

"Remember, our first da-" he began as a very awkward Haley cut him off.

"Iloveyou," she said quickly as if the words were strung together together as one; her eyes full of lust, passion, hope, and care. Yet at the same time he couldn't help but notice the hint of sorrow and confusion pass through her chocolate eyes.

"What?" he said, making sure he heard her clearly.

"I love you," she said as she abruptly got up from him and began walking towards the door. Nathan watched her walk away with an awestruck look on his face. She… loves… me? He questioned himself. No, she can't. She can't love me because… Nathan stopped his thinking and got up. He needed to talk to Haley; to see what she was feeling.

Meanwhile Haley was making her way down the stairs to the café. It was about ten and Karen had already closed shop so no one was in there. She walked to the back counter and slid down to the floor, a single tear running down her cheek. How could I have been so stupid, she thought to herself as she grabbed her knees and curled in to a ball.

"He obviously doesn't love me. I knew it was too soon…" she said under her breath just as a confused Nathan entered the room.

a/n: Hope you enjoyed the chapter! I know it's a tid bit of a cliffhanger, but that's okay! I'm actually writing the next chapter as we speak cause I have some free time. I'm not really one to do this, but if I get a lot of reviews for this chapter really quickly then I promise to update really soon. Possibly even tonight. I figure the reviews will give me motivation to relieve you from this little "I love you" cliffhanger.

Again, leave the reviews I love receiving them! They're motivational! As always, leave the good, the bad, the happy, the sad.