Sorry it took so long.. I had it ready a few days ago but it wouldn't let me upload it!

Thanks to GoBrOOKeUrSelF23, 101naley101, scott23naley, TutorGurl, naleylub, and OTHFAN23V for reviewing!

Soon enough I was back in school. I was waiting outside the classroom for Brooke. I already checked inside and didn't see her there. Soon I saw the cheerful girl coming right towards me. "Oh my gosh, do I have sooo much to tell you! Oh, and you have stuff to tell me, too, I bet!"

I smiled. "Really? Well, go ahead and tell me!"

She shook her head. "Let's go and sit first and then we'll spill our stories! Don't think that I'm gonna forget about you, because I won't!"

I nodded and started walking inside. She grabbed a hold of my arm and looped it with hers. I tensed at first but then relaxed. What is with all the physical contact with everyone? Can't a person just walk around without holding hands or looping arms?

We reached our seats and she looked like she was going to burst. "Okay, Brooke. Tell me every-"

"Okay, so I went into the Rec Center, bummed out because I was alone. I sat down on a couch and contemplated what I was gonna do next. I thought about going home and doing my nails or getting a magazine or whatever, when all of a sudden this gorgeous, and when I say gorgeous I mean GORGEOUS, guy comes over to me and starts talking to me. I was trying to act all nonchalant about it, I mean you don't want the guy to think you're desperate you know? Anyways, to make a long story short, I have a date this friday!"

I smiled. "Good for you, Brooke! Now, about this guy-"

"No, no, no. My time is up. It's your turn. How did it go with Nathan? Did you have fun? Did he kiss you? Did he get your number?"

"Slow down Brooke! It went well. Yes, I had fun. He kissed me on the cheek and no, he didn't get my number," I replied, answering each of her questions.

"So, if he asked, would you go out with him again?"

I sighed. "I honestly don't know, Brooke. I haven't really done the whole 'relationship' thing. I guess I'm just... I guess nervous would be the word."

"Why are you nervous?" she asked, seemingly concerned.

"Well, I don't know what he expects of me! I mean, I normally keep to myself. I haven't had a boyfriend in a long, LONG time and the last time I did, it turned out bad. Now, I can say the same thing about having a best friend, but I really trust you completely for some reason. I just don't know what I would do in a relationship anymore, you know? I mean, what if I don't meet his expectations as a girlfriend? I really like him as a friend and if it didn't work out I would be upset that I couldn't be friends with him anymore, you know?"

"Did you say I was your best friend?" she smirked. I nodded. "Good. I consider you my best friend, too, tutor girl. And don't worry about the whole relationship thing right now. I mean, you'll talk about what you want to happen with him. I don't think he'll be the type to force you into anything you don't want to happen, Haley. You just have to trust him."

That's just the thing. I don't know how to trust. "You're right, Brooke. Thanks."

She side hugged me and said, "That's what I'm here for! Now, let's pay attention so I don't flunk out!" I laughed and then nodded.

Later That Night

"Brooke, we need to stop fooling around and find the ice cream!" I said as we were walking through the grocery store.

"What? You've never lived until you mess around in the grocery store. Moving things into the wrong spot, changing some labels, riding around in the carts, it's F-U-N, FUN!" She giggled and I swatted at her.

"Stop, Brooke! You're gonna get us into trouble!"

"Oh, what a party pooper! Fine, fine. Let's just get the ice cream, chips, and soda and go!"

I smirked. "Thank you. I knew you'd see it my way!"

"That's only because I wanna go watch the Notebook as soon as possible. Now lets split up. I'll get the ice cream and you get the soda and then we'll meet up in the chip isle, okay?" I nodded and we went our seperate ways.

I didn't know what type of soda she would want, so I chose my two favorites, dr. pepper and root beer, hoping she liked one of them. "Having a party or something, James?"

I turned around quickly, startled by the voice. "Not really. Just hanging out with Brooke. What are you doing here, Nathan?"

"What, a guy can't buy groceries? I gotta eat, too, you know," he joked and I smiled. "See, there you go. You look more beautiful when you smile, Hales." I started to blush. "And when you blush... that's just sexy as hell."

I slapped his arm lightly. "Shut up. I don't get compliments too often and you probably say that to all your 'girls'."

He looked around. "What 'girls'? The only girl I'm semi-seeing is you," he replied and then he got close enough so he could whisper in my ear. "I don't tell girls they're beautiful unless I truely mean it and so far I've only told that to one girl." He pulled back and smiled at me. "I'll see you around, Haley."

He started to walk off before I called him back. "Wait!" he turned around and looked at me. "Um, could I, uh..." I looked through my purse for a pen. It took me a minute, but I found it and walked over to him. "Let me see your hand." He stuck out his hand with a smirk on his face. I wanted to wipe it off with my fist, but didn't voice those feelings. "Here's my number. Call me sometime so we can, uh, study." Wow, Haley. Way to sound like an idiot! He's not gonna call you now.

"Oh, I might call you, but it probably won't be to study," he winked and I blushed again. He laughed and said, "You know, I kinda like that you aren't used to compliments. You're really cute when you blush." He leaned over and kissed my cheek. "Bye, Hales."

"Bye, Nathan," I replied. He walked away and as soon as he was out of sight my hand flew up to my cheek. I sighed. Maybe I could give him a chance. Would you risk that, Haley? Don't you remember what happened the last time you got close to someone? Don't risk hurting him or yourself. It's not worth all the pain!

I sighed. Maybe I was right. I don't want anything to happen to him because I'm bad luck. I don't think I could ever forgive myself. I found myself wondering to the chip isle where I found a not so happy Brooke. "Where have you been? Does it really take that long to find soda?" She looked at my hands and then back up at me, "Where's the soda?"

I looked down and saw just my purse. I sighed and said, "I'll be right back." I went 3 isles over, got the soda and headed back to Brooke. We picked out 2 bags of chips and headed to the registers.

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