Chapter 13

Haley quietly sat in her room reading a book. It was a while after her last call to Nathan...exactly how long she wasn't sure. She had finally stopped counting the days. She was so into the book that she didn't even hear the doorbell ring or the shouting outside the door.

"Haley I'm pregnant!" Brooke yelled outside and smirked as the door opened seconds later.

"What!" Haley asked surprised and Brooke smiled, walked in and sat on the chair facing her.

"Hey friend! I knew that would get your attention!" Brooke said cheerfully and Haley shook her head as she closed the door behind her.

"Some people would see that as being cruel." Haley said as she sat down but it was clear that it had fallen on deaf ears.

"How much do you love me?" Brooke asked with a grin and Haley sighed.

"Depends on what you want this time." Haley said automatically.

"No, no...I got you a date!" Brooke said and Haley tensed. She did not want to hear that.

"Brooke you know I can't..." Haley started but was interrupted by Brooke who lifted her hand to silence her.

"This is different. It's not a date date...it's more of a favour. Come on Hales...he's a really good guy and it took a lot of persuading to get him to accept. Please Haley...you need to get out of this place and this is the best way! Please say yes!" Brooke begged and Haley couldn't help but smile in spite of her insecurities. Brooke definitely had a way to persuade people. She felt bad for the guy...he probably had high expectations for this date...poor guy. She sighed.

"Okay Brooke...but this won't happen again." Haley said and Brooke jumped up and hugged her.

"Oh this is great! You won't regret it Haley!" Brooke yelled as she made her way out of the apartment.

"I'm already starting to regret it..." she said shaking her head in disbelief. What had she gotten herself into?

oOoOoOoOoOoOo

Days later Haley was busy talking to Lucas on the phone when the doorbell rang. She decided not to hang up on Lucas and she placed the phone in the crook of her neck and kept talking as she opened the door and found a package for her in front of it. She gave quick glances to both sides of the hall but saw no-one. She quickly picked up the bow and carried it inside, closing the door behind her.

"That's weird." Haley said as she took the card off the box.

"What's weird Hales?" Lucas asked confused.

"I just found a package outside my door." Haley explained.

"Well...don't keep us both in suspense Hales!" Lucas joked and Haley chuckled at his impatience.

"To Haley. You'll be needing this for our date tonight...can't wait. Your mystery date." Haley read the card and put it down.

"Ahh...the mystery date!" Lucas chimed.

"No luck of getting it out of Brooke?" Haley asked hopefully.

"Nope...she refuses to tell me." Lucas said calmly with a mischievous smile and Haley sighed.

"Well, here goes nothing." she murmured and opened the box. She gasped as she saw what was inside.

"What? What is it?" Lucas asked curiously.

"It's...a dress." Haley finally got out as she studied the dress.

"Wait...all this hype for a dress?" Lucas asked and Haley laughed.

"Ha ha. Listen Luke I'll talk to you later okay?" Haley asked.

"Now she's choosing the dress over her best friend...I will never understand!" Lucas said and both burst out laughing.

"Talk to you tomorrow Lucas." Haley said through her laughter.

"Bye Hales...love ya." Lucas replied.

"Love ya to! Bye!" she said and hung up, staring at the dress in her hands.

oOoOoOoOoOoOoOo

Hours later she stood in front of the mirror staring at the woman in the reflection. Her make-up made her face lighten up – yet there was so little on her. Her hair hanged wavily on her shoulders and she wore the most beautiful dress anyone had ever seen. Haley touched the satin of the dress and kept looking at it in the mirror. It was a red satin dress that had straps around the neck. The dress alone was common but on Haley it looked absolutely gorgeous.

Suddenly the doorbell rang and Haley made her way to the front door where Brooke stood waiting impatiently.

"Tutorgirl...you look..." she started but as she gave her another glance she was speechless.

"That bad?" Haley asked uncertainly and stole another glance at the dress. Brooke shook her head.

"No...that amazing." she said simply and a blush crept up Haley's cheeks.

"If Lucas was here he'd tell me I can't go out like this." Haley said as she thought about her best friend's reaction.

"No," Brooke once again disagreed with her, "he would leave me for you."

Haley blushed again. That was saying a lot coming from Brooke...she would never say that unless you looked perfect.

"So your date is downstairs waiting for you in the limo..." Brooke started but was interrupted by Haley.

"A limo?" she asked in amazement.

"Yes my dear friend...did you really think I would not let you drive in style with a dress like that?" Brooke chuckled and Haley smiled.

Haley and Brooke quickly gave each other a hug before Haley walked out of the house and Brooke entered. While Haley was walking away she heard Brooke speaking and she stopped and turned around.

"You know Hales...he wouldn't see this as cheating...you going out on this date."

"I know." Haley said softly and Brooke quickly took a photo with her phone. Haley gave her a total look of confusion.

"For Lucas." Brooke explained and Haley smiled as she left. Brooke smiled as she typed a message on her phone and sent it.

oOoOoOoOoOoOoOo

Nathan sighed as he stared at the drink in front of him. Suddenly he heard his phone go off and he checked it and found a message from Brooke.

First there was a photo of a breath-taking Haley.

'Nate. She just left. The dress you picked out looks amazing. Brooke.'

Nathan smirked as he quickly saved the picture as his phone's wallpaper.

oOoOoOoOoOoOoOo

Haley carefully made her way down the stairs and saw the black limo stretched out in front of her. She opened the door and as she looked at her date her breath caught in her throat and she felt butterflies.

"You...you're my mystery date?" she asked in disbelief and her date smirked as he stepped out of the car and Haley could see him better. Haley stared at him, unable to believe her own eyes.