Thank you to all the readers and reviewers!
Chapter 5: Operation Dim or Team Date?
"So, how'd it go last night?" Tim asked Nathan as they entered his house after playing basketball.
"It was alright." Nathan sighed. 'Take the bait you dick. Teach you to mess with my life.'
"Just alright?" Tim repeated questioningly.
'Like a moth to a flame.' "Yeah. Can I tell you something Tim?"
"Anything."
"I like Haley."
"Really?" Tim responded, playing dumb. "I honestly didn't know."
"I really like her. And I wanted to tell her last night. We had such a great time. We talked and laughed… it was great Tim! I was right about to tell her how I felt when she told me I was a great friend. Friend Tim! So I decided not to," Nathan explained sadly. 'Damn I'm good. I should be an actor.'
"Maybe you misunderstood! Maybe she thought that you only thought of her as a friend and she really likes you too! You should go to her!" Tim reasoned.
"There's more," Nathan informed gloomily. "She told me she has feelings for someone else."
"Huh?" Tim thought out loud. "She didn't tell me that she liked anyone. She actually never showed any interest in anyone."
"Exactly Tim. She never told you she liked anyone, and she never showed interest in anyone when you were around." 'I am the freaking master.'
Tim thought about Nathan's words for a minute. "Huh?"
"Oh for the love of - YOU TIM! She likes you!" Nathan screamed. 'My best friend ladies and gentlemen.'
"HUUH?" Tim screamed back confusedly. "No way man. Maybe you heard her wrong. Not possible. She's my best friend. She's like my little sister. Ewww dude. That's sick. Well, I mean, I did have a little crush on her before but that's neither here nor there."
"Whoa! Whoa! Whoa! You used to like her?" Nathan asked jealously.
"For like second. Not the point Nate. Maybe you heard her wrong. Maybe you heard Tim… but what she was really saying was Nathan."
"I'm not deaf Tim. I know what I heard. And she got this goofy look on her face when she told me. She also said that she was going to tell you because she was sick of hiding her feelings. She said that she can't stand being around you and not kissing you." 'Oh sick… maybe that was too far,' Nathan thought.
"She can't like me. That ruins everything!"
"Ruins what Tim?" 'Maybe if he confesses to being the scheming snake he is I'll stop.'
"Ruins our friendship."
'Fucking Tim.' "Well, she said that she just wanted to let you know how she felt and she was ok if you didn't like her back."
"Oh good, I'll just let her down gently then."
'Crap! Now what? Nathan thought. "But… um… she also said that she… she wanted to try and convince you to give her a chance if you said you didn't feel the same way. And that she was willing to do anything!" 'Ew ew ew.'
"What do I do Nate? You have to help me. Maybe she'll get over it. You cannot leave me alone with her ok?! OK?!" Tim demanded frantically.
"No can do. I leave in a couple of days for basketball camp." Nathan internally smiled. 'Teach you to meddle where you don't belong.'
"WHAT?!" Tim cried. "You can't leave me here with her! Between her liking me and my insatiable sexy nature, she won't be able to resist me!"
'Insatiable sexy nature?' Nathan glanced at Tim, who was deep in thought. 'Maybe he knows.'
"Sorry Tim. I can't back out of basketball camp. My dad would murder me if I tried."
"Shit. I can't just ignore her Nate! She's my best friend. And we're ballroom dancing again this year. That means that she's going to be my partner again, which is probably why she fell in love with me in the first place. Between my graceful yet sexy dance moves, ruggedly handsome good looks and charming personality she won't be able to keep her hands off of me."
Nathan glared at Tim. "Ok, what do you know Tim?"
"What? I don't know anything Nathan. You're crazy," Tim explained nervously, trying his best to avoid meetings Nathan's glaring eyes.
"Fine," Tim conceded. "She called me last night after your 'semi-sorta-kinda-but-not-really' date. She told me about your little 'Destroying Tim' plan. Nice Nate, real nice. So I convinced her to switch sides and come on team Date!"
"Team Date?"
"Destroy Nate."
Nathan nodded his head in understanding. "So, did she um, say anything? You know… about last night… or me?" He asked Tim coyly.
"Nothing interesting. You know, best first date, best first first date… stuff like that." Tim waved dismissively.
"Really?" Nathan blushed.
"God, you're such a pansy! Grow some balls man," Tim mocked.
"Please, this coming from the guy who religiously watches Dawson's Creek."
"Hey!" Tim cried in outrage. "Dawson's Creek was an awesome show. I'm still upset that they killed Jen."
"Yeah, I'm sure it was, but back to the matter at hand. I can't believe that she would switch sides, the lying sneak."
"In her defense Nate I asked her to switch sides and she was very reluctant to do so."
"So, I'm her boyfriend. She's supposed to be on my side. What exactly was your plan anyways?" Nathan inquired.
"Oh, it was pure genius Nate! Haley was still supposed to pretend to be in love with me, but I was going to pretend that I was really in love with her and then she would realize that she was in love with me!"
"That's really-" Nathan paused to find the right words. "Intricate."
"I know! Haley personally loved the plan."
"I see what she's doing. If I admit to jealousy, that gives her the upper hand in the entire relationship. I read something like this in Cosmo."
"Dude, you read Cosmo?" Tim asked, perplexed.
"Don't get too excited, I found it in your room. Now, I have to counter her evilness so I get the upper hand."
"I'm going to pretend that I'm in love with her aren't I?" Tim inquired dejectedly.
"Yes! You see, she's going to be pretending to be in love with you and you're going to be pretending to be in love with her, but you're going to be pretending to really be in love with her. Got it?"
"Why can't I just pretend to be in love with her?"
"No Tim. You're going to be pretending to be in love with her in front of me, but you're also going to be pretending to be in love with her when you're alone!"
"Ok." Tim nodded his head, still a bit confused, but getting it for the most part.
"You cannot tell her I know what's she's doing or what we're doing alright?" Nathan scolded.
"Got it boss." Tim snickered.
"So, when's the next time you see her?"
"Not until tomorrow. She's with her parents today visiting her cousins in Charlotte. They won't be back until tomorrow."
"She never told me she was visiting her family today," Nathan uttered sadly.
"It was a last minute thing. She called me just before you got here, said she tried to get a hold of you, but your crazy mom said you weren't there."
"Tim," Nathan warned. "Don't start."
"I'm not starting anything, just making an observation."
"Whatever. Back to the plan. You can't come off too strong. Make it seem like you're noticing little things about her for the first time. Mention how soft her hair is and how pretty her eyes are."
'Nathan loves Haley. Nathan loves Haley,' Tim thought smiling.
"What the hell are you smiling at?"
"Nothing," Tim sang.
"You're an odd one Tim."
"Uh-huh. Anyways, don't you have to get packing for basketball camp? Aren't you leaving pretty soon?"
"Yeah, I still haven't started packing yet. I'll see you tomorrow."
Nathan left Tim's house thinking about his evil plans for Haley James. 'I may like you Hales,' Nathan thought. 'But now it's war.'
The next day Haley made her way to Tim's house, walking in the smoldering heat. By the time she reached Tim's she was glistening with sweat.
"It's hot out!" Haley huffed as she entered the Smith's cool, air-conditioned house and plopped down on the couch.
"Hey Hales, how was your trip?" Tim asked as he joined her on the couch.
"Great. I thought that my parents were odd, but I totally forgot about Uncle Bill and his crazier wife!" Haley exclaimed.
"Hales, your parents aren't crazy. They're… they're quirky!"
"To you. Anyways, what'd you do yesterday?"
"Not much. I hung out with Nate."
"Cool."
"You know Hales your hair is really beautiful. It's really smooth and silky," Tim stuttered.
"It's sweat."
Tim's face scrunched in disgust. "Yeah… but you wear it well."
'What are you up to Tim?' Haley thought. "Thanks… I think."
"And your eyes! I never noticed how beautiful they were." Tim began giving Haley what he dubbed his "sexy stare", which consisted of him squinting in her direction, subtly pouting his lips and slightly swaying his head.
'Ew. It's his sexy stare,' Haley thought. "Are you alright Tim?"
"I am… Now that you're here," Tim stated suggestively, putting his arm around the couch behind her.
'Those little snakes.' "You know I've been thinking a lot about you," Haley whispered seductively.
"You have?" Tim gulped.
"I have," Haley countered as she moved closer.
Haley inched her face closer to Tim's, her left brow raised almost challenging him to kiss her. Tim stayed frozen in his seat, not moving his body or his head. He kept his eyes staring widely at Haley's slightly parted lips.
When Haley's lips were centimeters away from his, Tim finally gave in. "Ok! Ok!"
"You jerk!" Haley accused as Tim conceded.
"Nathan found out about our plan and decided to plan his own thing. I was supposed to pretend to be really in love with you."
"Tim! How could you switch sides? This was your plan!"
"I know. But he wanted to get you back so bad and he already figured out our plan," Tim whined.
"Wait, he wanted to get me back? I didn't even want to go along with your stupid plan!"
"Yeah, but then he started talking about this thing in Cosmo about getting the upper hand in relationships?" Tim stated questioningly.
"I read that one too! I gotta say Tim you do have a nice reading selection of magazines." Haley snickered.
"For the last time, I do not read Cosmo!" Tim squealed.
"So wait, he thought that I wanted the upper hand in the relationship so now he's trying to get the upper hand? Well, then, it's so on!"
"We're going to have to pretend we're in love aren't we?"
"Basically… yes." Haley nodded.
"I just don't get why we just all can't forfeit. I mean, if you both just stop then no one gets the upper hand in the relationship and you both could become, dare I say it, equal."
"Shut up Tim. This isn't about that for me. This is about teaching Nathan not to mess with me!" Haley exclaimed. "So, when's the next time you're going to see him?"
"He's coming by to hang out later today. He leaves tomorrow morning."
"He didn't ask me to hang out today," Haley whispered sadly.
"God, you two are exactly alike." Tim chuckled. "He knew you were going to be over here today so he figured you would be here when he got here."
"Oh." Haley perked up immediately when she realized that Nathan hadn't forgotten about her.
"Where are your parents and Em?" Haley asked.
"They took Em to the doctor for a check-up. Then they're taking her to the park for a bit so they should be home around 3ish."
"What time did Nathan say he was coming over?"
"He said around noon so he should be here soon."
Half an hour later Nathan made his way into the Smith house.
"You know, you really should lock your door. You never know when some psycho will come and murder you."
"Whatever Nate, this is Tree Hill. It's like the epitome of small town USA," Tim responded.
"You know, most murder cases have occurred in 'small town USA' areas," Haley stated.
Nathan and Tim stared oddly at Haley.
"What?" Haley shrugged. "It's true!"
"Anyways," Nathan said changing the subject. "What were you guys doing?"
"Nothing much, just hanging out," Tim replied coyly. "Hey Hales, I need some help upstairs."
Nathan sat down on the living room couch, picking up a magazine as the pair ascended up the stairs.
"You know Hales, I've been thinking a lot about us lately," Tim all but screamed hoping to catch the attention of Nathan.
"What about Tim?" Haley responded in the same manner.
Nathan smirked to himself as he nonchalantly flipped through the magazine. 'Amateurs,' he thought.
"I'm in love with you Haley," Tim continued.
"What are you doing Tim? Too fast! Too fast!" Haley whispered fiercely.
"I think you're mistaken Tim. You're not in love with me," Haley emphasized loudly.
"It just happened suddenly Haley," Tim covered. "Just knowing that you're with Nathan has now made me realize that I do love you."
"Oh Tim," Haley gushed dramatically.
'Let's see how far they'll go,' Nathan thought as he continued reading the magazine.
"Haley, I can't hold it in anymore. I want you."
"But I'm with Nathan," Haley responded dramatically.
"I don't care anymore, I have to have you!" Tim exclaimed.
Nathan heard the front door open and smirked evilly as Tim's parents and Emily walked in.
"Hi," Nathan whispered.
"Nathan," Greg whispered back. "Why are we whispering?"
"No reason," Nathan grinned. "Hey Em."
In true Emily fashion she smiled brightly at Nathan and greeted him with a hello.
"Where's Tim?" Nancy asked.
'I couldn't have planned this better myself!' Nathan thought triumphantly. "He's upstairs with Haley."
"Oh, well, we're just here to pick up Em's toys. Tell Tim we'll be back later," Nancy informed.
"Oh Tim, I want you too!" Haley exclaimed drawing Tim's parent's attention.
"What the hell is going on up there?" Greg asked in outrage.
"I honestly don't know," Nathan stated, shrugging his shoulders.
"Oh Haley!" Tim moaned loudly.
Greg, hearing enough, marches his way up the stairs towards Tim's room, Nathan following closely behind.
"Oh Tim!" Haley moaned back.
Haley sat on Tim's desk chair leafing through one of Tim's magazines while Tim sat with his back to the door, playing on his Playstation. Unbeknownst to them, Nathan and Tim's father were making their way up to the room.
"Oh- SHIT!" Haley swore as she saw Nathan and Tim's father standing in the open doorway. "Tim! Your dad!"
"Um, ok," Tim responded confused, never taking his eyes off of his game.
"Who's your daddy?" Tim shouted.
Haley hung her head and shut her eyes. "Crap," she whispered to herself, embarrassed.
"No, Tim, your dad," Haley emphasized.
"What Haley?" Tim questioned as he turned around. "I already said who's your - DAD?!"
"TIMOTHY GREGORY SMITH WHAT THE HELL IS GOING ON UP HERE?" Greg scolded.
Haley and Tim looked like they wanted the floor to just swallow them whole and Nathan was soaking it all up. He was standing behind Greg trying his hardest not to burst out in laughter.
"It's…uh… it's actually a really funny story dad," Tim explained.
"I don't think this is a very funny situation Tim," Greg seethed. "Do you think this is funny Nathan?"
Before Greg turned to address Nathan, he immediately sobered up and shook his head in mock disappointment while mouthing 'no'.
"I'm waiting Tim!"
"Well, you see… it all started with this stupid thing… and then it got too difficult… I mean, I couldn't explain it if I tried… and then Haley was in love with me… and then I was in love with her, but really in love with her… and then Haley was really in love with me… and there were teams," Tim muttered. "This was all just one big misunderstanding Dad."
"You know what never mind. Haley, Nathan, I think it's time you two went home. Tim here just offered to clean this whole house today."
"But Dad-"
"No buts Tim. You two," Greg pointed to Nathan and Haley. "Scram. Don't be surprised if I call your parents Haley. And Nathan I'm not sure how, but I know you were involved in this."
"See you tomorrow Tim. He can still come to the airport right?" Nathan asked.
"Of course Nathan. We'll see you tomorrow."
"You must think you're hilarious," Haley shot at Nathan as they exited the Smith house.
"I'm no comedian, but I do have my moments." Nathan smirked.
"It's not funny Nathan!" Haley cried. "You don't know how embarrassing that was, having his dad walk hear us pretending to be doing… things."
"Hey, don't blame me you brought that on yourself." Nathan laughed.
"What? You started it! Tim told me all about your little plan."
"I only did it because you were on Tim's side!"
"Oh yeah. But still…You couldn't have warned us that his dad was there?!"
"That, I had no control over," Nathan pointed out. "It was just good timing."
Haley glared at him.
"I mean bad timing," Nathan corrected.
"So, are you excited for basketball camp?"
"I used to love getting away from Tree Hill for the summer, but now it's something I'm not looking forward to," Nathan revealed.
"Hey, it's going to be great! You're going to be playing basketball all summer and I'm going to be here, waiting." Haley smiled.
"Yeah… I guess. I mean, it's only a couple of months right?"
"Right. You're not going to… you know…"
"What?"
"Well, you're not going to… um… there's not going to be anyone there that… um… you know because there's no one here that I would," Haley explained.
"Oh God, NO!" Nathan visibly shuddered at the notion. "God Hales… now you put an image in my head. NO! There will be no one."
Haley smiled at his answer. She didn't mean to sound like a jealous girlfriend, but he was going to be so far away and they'd only just started to date. She was curious about the disgusted tone in his voice, but shrugged it off.
"So, I'll see you tomorrow?" Nathan asked as they reached Haley's house.
"Definitely, I'll be with Tim."
"Ah yes, your lover," Nathan teased.
"Shut up!" Haley blushed as she smacked Nathan's arm.
"I should get going. I still haven't packed."
"Nathan!" Haley scolded. "You're leaving tomorrow morning!"
"I know," Nathan whispered.
"Need some help?" Haley asked.
"I would love some," Nathan began. "But I don't think that would be a good idea. My parents are home."
"Ok. Well you should get going then."
Nathan leaned in to kiss her. He tilted his head slightly to his left, as Haley tiled her head slightly to her right. Their noses collided and the pair laughed nervously, embarrassed. Nathan swept Haley's hair behind her ears, leaned in a second time and kissed her successfully.
"I'll call you later," Nathan promised.
Haley nodded and smiled.
The morning of Nathan's departure quickly arrived. Tim and his father made their way to Haley's house at six in the morning.
"So Tim, can I trust you and Haley to keep your hands off each other?" Greg mocked.
"Ha ha Dad. Why can't you be like a normal parent and punish me? Do you have to find it funny?"
"Well, it is funny. And I did punish you remember? Nice job, by the way on the cleaning. Your mom was impressed."
"I know. Mom wouldn't stop thanking me."
"Good morning," Haley greeted as she entered the Smith car.
"Hales, you're in a good mood." Tim was curious about the sudden change in her behavior, considering the night before she was sad that Nathan was leaving.
"Well I figure, he's going and there's nothing I can do about. And moping isn't going to help so I'm trying to look at the positives! He's going to basketball camp. He loves basketball."
At the airport, Nathan patiently awaited the arrival of his friend and girlfriend. His father was currently drilling him about "not being a screw-up" and "not embarrassing him in front of the basketball instructors". His mother was off at the airport bar, anxiously awaiting its opening.
"Are you even listening to me?" Dan Scott asked angrily.
"Yes dad," Nathan replied. "I believe you were right in the middle of your 'Coach Wright is a friend of mine and I don't want you embarrassing me' speech. I've been going to this camp for two years now dad. I have your speeches planted in my brain."
"Don't get smart with me Nathan. It's a privilege to be going to these goddamn camps. You might pick up a few pointers in basketball and how a boy of your stature should act."
"What's that supposed to mean?" Nathan snapped.
"It means, son, that you should start thinking about who you spend your time with. That Smith boy is a train wreck waiting to happen and that tutor friend of yours," Dan explained venomously. "School's out Nathan, you don't need her anymore."
"She's my girlfriend dad. And Tim's my best friend," Nathan defended.
"She's the daughter of… I don't even know who the hell her goddamn father is! And Tim's family is the constant topic of discussion at the country club. Greg Smith was a respected member of society until he married that… kindergarten teacher," Dan declared in disgust.
"Haley's family owns a restaurant and they're great people. And Nancy Smith is a great person! She's a wonderful mother and a great teacher."
"You listen here and you listen good. You need to constantly represent this family. You have responsibilities and those include surrounding yourself with members of our community."
"And who would you have me hang out with dad?"
"That Gattina girl. Her father's my golfing buddy, and she's in your class. She hangs out with the right crowd," Dan informed.
"Thanks, but no thanks. I don't need to take people skills from you," Nathan emphasized.
"Where the hell do you get off?" Before Dan could finish his tirade, Haley, Tim, and Greg made their way towards them.
Dan put on his Mayor act and greeted them with a bright smile.
"Mayor Scott," Greg greeted.
"Greg." Dan smiled as they shook hands. "How's Nancy?"
"She's good," Greg replied. "Where's Deb?"
"Oh, she's in the bathroom. Poor thing's been sick all night, but she couldn't let Nathan leave without being here," Dan lied with ease. He'd been doing it for years, and he perfected the craft of the cover-up. "Well, I have to get going Nathan, mayor duties and all, so I'll see you when you get back. Have a safe trip son. And have fun at the camp! Remember what I told you. I'll go find your mother, but I don't know if I'll find her before you leave."
"It's alright dad. Just tell mom I said goodbye." Dan gave Nathan a hug and then waved goodbye to everyone.
"Well, I'm going to go to the gift shop." Greg left, wanting to give the kids time alone.
"So Nate, you excited?" Tim asked.
"No," Nathan muttered.
"Well, that's my cue," Tim said as he went the way his father did.
"So," Haley said.
"Yeah." Nathan sighed.
"I'm going to miss you," Haley whispered.
"I could accidentally miss my plane."
"No, you can't."
"I should get going. I still have to go through the metal detectors and find my gate," Nathan informed gloomily.
Greg and Tim made their way back to the duo. Greg gave Nathan a hug. "Have a good time. And have fun."
"See you in two months Nate," Tim said as he gave Nathan a hug. "We'll give you some privacy.
Haley kissed Nathan goodbye. "Call me."
"I will," he promised. Nathan made his way to the line for the metal detectors. Haley, Greg and Tim watched from a distance.
"What if he finds someone there? What if there's someone there that knows about basketball and is gorgeous and everything he's been looking for?" Haley voiced worriedly.
"There's not going to be anyone Haley," Tim assured her.
"How can you be so sure? We've only been dating for two days Tim!"
"It's an all boys camp Hales. If he finds someone there that knocks him off his feet, you never stood a chance." Tim laughed.
"Oh," Haley breathed in relief.
"NATHAN!" A female voice called from behind the line.
Haley and Tim watched in shock as Rachel Gattina made her way to Nathan's side. They moved closer to try and hear the conversation, but could barely hear with all the noise around. They did, however, hear her say she was going to be helping out at the camp.
It was Nathan's turn to go through the metal detector. He turned to Haley and mouthed 'I'll miss you'. Rachel turned back to Haley and Tim and gave them a triumphant smirk.
"I don't hate people Tim," Haley stated. "But I hate her."
The next chapters about a quarter done and includes drunken serenading, exchanging of ILY's and parental issues... but not Nathan's. Read and reply thanks!