My first week at Duke University went by with no incidents or issues. The only issue I was currently experiencing was the issue where I was trying to figure out what to say to Haley to make her go out with me. A few days ago, I managed to get her to admit that if given the opportunity she would like to date someone again. Apparently, a few months ago she'd had a pretty bad breakup that she refused to ever speak about. Now I just had to make her want to date me. it was harder than it sounded because she seemed pretty determined to keep us in the just friends' slash tutor student column.
"A few of the guys texted me to see if you want to meet them for drinks. Apparently, you're not answering your messages." Clay said coming into my home office tossing his phone from hand to hand. The guy had absolutely no respect for electronic devices. He thinks that should be break it, I'll just buy him a new one because I need him to have a phone. The sad thing is that he's completely right about that.
"I can't. I have a quiz in organic chemistry tomorrow that I need to pass. Haley will murder me if I fail this test, especially since I blew off our tutoring session yesterday since the Blue Devils were making great progress in a drill I started with them. She told me that if I bomb this test it's entirely my fault and she won't take any blame for it at all. I want to prove to her that I care about the schooling, not just basketball." I told him.
"The guys will be disappointed. They think that this college thing is ruining your team dynamic." Clay told me.
"I know that's what they think. I'm putting my all into basketball, just because I don't party with them anymore doesn't mean that I'm not just as much a part of the team as I was before. I also have to put my all into school. I won't let one affect the other. I can do this, and it's working out for me so far. I haven't missed a practice and I haven't missed a class." I replied and Clay nodded. The nod showed me that he agreed with me and he was happy with the choices I'm making. Clay was one of the only people in the world who is fully behind me one hundred percent of the time so I liked it when I made him proud.
"I'll tell the guys. So how is your other quest going?" Clay asked with an infuriating smirk on his face.
"Horribly if you must ask. I can't find an opening in any of our conversations to ask her out. It sucks ass." I told him and Clay laughed.
"You've never had this problem before." Clay noted and I glowered at him.
"I'm aware of that. It's because every other girl actually wanted something beside good grades from me. There's also the thought that keeps plaguing me that maybe she just doesn't want to be with me." I told him and Clay shrugged.
"I couldn't tell you Nate. The only advice I can give you is just get it out there. Ask her out next chance you get, that way you know for sure." Clay advised.
"But then it'll make it awkward if she says no." I retorted.
"Not if you don't let it. Besides Haley is a professional, she won't let it affect your tutoring relationship. You'll be much happier if you get it out there." Clay told me and I knew now he was speaking as my friend, not as my agent.
"Alright I'll try. I've played basketball in front of thousands, I'll have no problem doing this." I told him confidently and Clay laughed.
"Good. But I'll leave you to it. Quinn was waiting for me at home with dinner." Clay told me before leaving me alone with my organic chem which was quickly becoming my least favourite class.
The next day after my quiz I walked onto the quad to have lunch with Haley and Brooke. They were the only other two in the group that had lunch at the same time. I was proud of my grade since my professor marked it when I handed it in. I had ended up with a 78% on it and that was a better grade than I ever got in high school chemistry. I was happy with it and I hoped that Haley would be too.
"Hey." Brooke greeted me when I sat down.
"Hi. Hey Hales." I greeted them and she smiled at me and put her phone down where she had been checking her messages.
"Hey. Sorry I didn't greet you when you sat down. My parents just left a series of embarrassing messages on my voicemail apologizing profusely for not being here for my birthday this year." She told me and I had to smile. My parents would never react like that if they skipped my birthday
"So check this out." I said handing her my test paper and I was thrilled to see her smile widen.
"That's incredible Nathan, I'm so proud of you." She said and I could scarcely remember a time I'd ever been so happy.
"Thanks Hales." I said.
"We should so celebrate this occasion." She declared and I finally found my opening.
"Yeah I was thinking the same thing." I told her and she beamed.
"I was thinking I'd give you the night off from tutoring and you could go hang out with your friends. I think it's a well-deserved break." She told me and that was the furthest thing I had in mind.
"I actually had a different idea in mind." I told her and she urged me to continue. "I was thinking that you should go out with me. I like you Hales, I have for a while now, perhaps since you came to my place that second time and basically told me that I had better be worth your time." I said to her. Her smile had morphed into an expression of shock on her beautiful face.
"You want to go on a date with me?" She asked and I nodded my head. "Why?"
"Because you're Haley James, you're the only person I know that could turn Nathan Scott, NBA player into a decent student. You've never stopped being patient with me even when I've tested your patience. There are so many reasons I want to take you out but that's just start. If you want them all, we're going to be here all day." I told her aware of Brooke sitting there with her mouth agape.
"Are you sure that's a good idea?" She asked me.
"I don't see why not." I told her trying to sound confident.
"Okay then. When do you want to go out?" She asked me.
"I have Blue Devils practice this afternoon and Bobcats practice right after. We can grab a late dinner around 8, unless that's too late." I suggested and she smiled.
"That's perfect. This is my address, you can pick me up if you want. Or I can meet you there." She said slipping a piece of paper over to me.
"I'll pick you up." I said.
"I'll see you then. I have to go, I have class in 20 minutes." She said standing up and gathering her bag before walking away.