And now, by popular demand... THE NALEY DATE! P.S. You guys are awesome reviewers. I love ya all!
Chapter
19
Nathan and Haley stole glances at each other all day. He'd walk her to her classes and smile at her before he left her at the door. However, neither of them got close enough to steal a kiss, for they wanted that to be special. For tonight… their first official date. Haley was thankful they had the next day off for teacher conferences when the final bell rang because she knew she no longer had to worry about homework or tutoring, but what she should wear on her date tonight. Nathan refused to tell her what they were doing, just that she should dress nice.
As soon as Haley got home she rummage through her closet for something to wear. Everything felt either too casual or too formal, however she finally ended up settling on a simple black dress. It had spaghetti straps and a flowing skirt to just below the knee. She tied her hair up in a tamed bun and clipped her stray bangs back. After the addition of a pair of earrings, some other accessories and some lip gloss Haley was finally ready. Too bad it was two hours too early.
"Damn. Why do I have to be such an early bird? It's only five," Haley said to herself after looking at the clock. "I've got to find something to do to pass the time." She racked her brain trying to find something to do and finally a perfect idea popped into her brain, Nathan's journal. What a perfect way to get her even more excited for her date. As she looked over his entries again, she stumbled across something she hadn't seen before. In between some of the extra pages at the back of the journal were some lyrics, written almost so that they could not be read… or found, but she could make out what it said:
"Didn't I, didn't I, didn't I see you cryin'?
Oh, didn't I, didn't I, didn't I see you cryin'?
Feelin all alone without a friend I know you felt like dyin',
Oh, didn't I, didn't I, didn't I see you cryin'?
I want you to want me.
I need you to need me.
I'd love you to love me."
She placed her hand over her now open mouth as she read over the lyrics another time; her eyes glazing over a bit. He had known the whole time. After just reading her journal, he had fallen. This whole time she'd called to him for help, he wasn't doing it out of obligation, but because he wanted too. He wanted her… needed her… loved her? She would soon find out. What she did know however was that deep down all this time she'd felt the same way. She was just scared. Haley was soon torn from her thoughts however when she heard the doorbell ring.
"Little sis you going to get that? Nathan's been ringing for ten minutes!" Taylor yelled as she opened Haley's door. "Whoah. Where you going hot mamma?"
"On a date Tay with Nathan."
"Nice choice," Taylor said raising an eyebrow.
"Yes for me. Not for you. Stick to the older men and away from mine."
"Geez, a girl makes a mistake once and now it's held over her head for the rest of her life."
"Taylor your mistake wasn't an 'oops I put a red sock in with the whites and now everything is pink,' your's was big. You can't expect me to just forget it."
"You're right Haley. I'm just-" Taylor began as she was interrupted by the doorbell.
"-selfish? Guilty and want a clear conscience?" Haley continued for her. "Well too bad it's not your decision to make. I'll forgive on my own time but will never forget. Now if you'll excuse me I have a date to go on with my boyfriend."
Taylor watched Haley as she descended the stairs and opened the door to greet Nathan, then glanced over at Haley's bed noticing a journal sitting on top of it. Curiosity got the best of her as Haley walked out the door with Nathan.
"Hi," she replied simply, closing the door behind her.
"Wow," he said looking behind her and then back at himself in khaki shorts and a blue collared shirt. "I feel so underdressed."
"I just thought-" Haley began, an embarrassed blush crossing over her face.
"No, no Hales. Don't apologize. You look beautiful, and that doesn't even cut it. I'm just going to look like a homeless guy standing next to you, that's all. Good thing we're not really going anywhere people can see us."
"Embarrassed to be seen with me?"
"Never. You'll just have to wait and see," he said winking and pulling her towards his car. They drove for about five minutes when they finally reached their destination.
"Tree Hill High School?" Haley inquired giving Nathan a confused look.
"Just wait and see. Come on," he said grabbing her hand and leading her into the school. After walking through a few hallways and making a few turns Nathan led her into the library.
"What the-?" Haley began until she saw one of the tables. It had a red cloth thrown over it with a single white rose laying across the center, an unlit candle laying on either side of it. "Nathan this is beautiful… but why?"
"This is where it all started."
"What started?"
"You. This was the table I found your journal which caused my world to do a total 180 turn. In a good way of course!"
"Oh Nathan," Haley said rubbing her hand on his back and then giving him. "Thank you."
"Anything for you," he said leading her to the table where they sat down.
"Nathan, this is wonderful and all, but what are we going to do about food?" She questioned, her stomach growling causing both her and Nathan to giggle.
"Have no fear Hales. I've got that taken care of," he stated and just as quickly a familiar face appeared holding two trays.
"Mouth!" Haley said excitedly.
"No no Madame," Mouth began in a French accent, "My name is Pierre and I will be your server for the evening. Here is your appetizer enjoy!"
Haley watched his retreating figure and then began to laugh. "Oh Mouth. How'd you pull that one off?"
"I have my ways. And I talked to GiGi who just so happens to be the chef for the evening," he said winking at her as they both ate their salads.
"Leave it to GiGi to put herself into this so she can spy on me," Haley said giggling. "But really Nathan… thank you for all of this."
"Your welcome Hales. I'd do anything for you. You know that right?"
"Yes, I do," she said thinking about the lyrics she'd found earlier. "Always and forever remember?"
"Always and forever. That's why I have a favor to ask of you. I tried to tell you the other day in the library but my thoughts we interrupted," he said causing both of them to blush. "I got the emancipation papers signed. My hearing is tomorrow."
"Oh Nathan that's great! You got your mom to sign it?"
"Actually the opposite. Dan did."
"Yep. You see… my mom she's… she's not coming back. She couldn't handle my dad anymore so she traveled with work and found another man. She's never coming back. I had to use Lucas to get my dad to sign the papers," he stated solemnly.
"Oh Nathan. I'm so sorry," she said looking him in the eyes and grabbing hold of his hands across the table. "Is there anything I can do?"
"You already have. You're my girlfriend and that's all I need. But will you come to my hearing tomorrow?"
"Of course! I wouldn't miss it for the world!"
"Good. Now enough of this Debby Downer crap, we have a nice evening to plan and my messed up family will not ruin it!" Nathan exclaimed, and just like that Mouth appeared yet again with their entrees.
"Madame, messier. Your entrees are now served. Enjoy the escargot!" He exclaimed before leaving.
"Escargot? What is GiGi thinking!" Haley exclaimed, too grossed out to open up her silver tray cover.
"Oh Hales, don't be such a scaredy cat! Just open up the tray you might be pleasantly surprised."
"Fine," Haley stated as they both opened their trays together.
"This isn't escargot… this is MAC AND CHEESE!" She said excitedly.
"But of course! Did you really think I'd have them make escargot? I mean, gag me with a spoon right now!"
Haley laughed as she watched Nathan talk across the table. Boy was he handsome. And it just seemed that everything he did for her was well… perfect. "Nathan how did you know to have her make macaroni and cheese?"
"You said one time during a tutoring session that all you needed in the world to make you happy was a box of macaroni and cheese. I know I sound like a sap, but I just wanted to make this night perfect for you. I want to see you happy. Therefore, macaroni and cheese it is!"
"Aww Nathan. You are such a sap, but good thing for you I have a soft spot for saps."
"Well I'm glad because then I'd pretty much look like some stalker doofus right about now," he said laughing as she joined in with him. He just continued to watch her, admiring her beautiful eyes and smile. After some more chitchatting and when they finally finished eating, Nathan got up pulled out Haley's chair and began walking her out of the library and through the school to his car. However when he looked over at her he saw a disappointed look on her face.
"What's the matter Hales?"
"What? Oh nothing," she said laughing to herself.
"No really. Tell me."
"Okay fine. I'm going to sound like a sissy and a fatty but… what about desert? I mean, it's like the most important part of the meal! I need me my sugar," she said laughing at herself.
Nathan looked down at her, a smirk plastered across his face. "Haley James ye of little faith. You really think I would take you on a date without desert? I mean, I've seen you eat before, 95 of which is a sugary product."
"Thanks Nathan. Way to make a girl feel good about herself."
"Hales you know what I mean. Besides I find your sweet tooth cute. But don't worry you'll get your sugar coma. We're just going somewhere else for that."
As they got in the car and began driving Haley turned to Nathan and began to speak. "How'd you pull this all off? You know, the school. GiGi and Mouth."
"Well, GiGi just nods her head when I talk to her so it was easy to get her to say yes and pull Mouth along, and let's just say teenage girls aren't the only ones fond of my good looks. Bessie the librarian has a soft spot for me so it was easy to sweet talk her into letting me use the place."
"Damn. I even have to fight seventy year old woman off of you too?"
"What can I say? Everyone wants my bod," he said jokingly, a smirk forming across his face. "But you don't have to worry. You're the only one who gets to have it."
Haley blushed at his words and then noticed where they have just pulled in front of. "Lafferty Pizza? Nathan I'm stuff from before. Besides, it's closed already. Which of course seems odd considered it's only 9:30."
"I know they're closed. They closed for me," he said walking past her and opening the door to the pizza place.
Haley looked around the pizza place until she noticed a similar red cloth laying on the floor between several tables, another white rose laying in the center. "Nathan what is this-" but then she remembered what happened at this spot. Back when Mouth first moved here, she'd come to the pizza place to meet him and ended up slipping and inevitably falling into the arms of Nathan Scott.
"I see you remember now."
"How could I forget? That was beyond embarrassing."
"But it worked out for the best. It was the first time I got to hold you in my arms. And even though I barely knew anything about you at the time, something in that moment just felt right. You in my arms."
"Nathan…"
"I'm serious. But anyway, just sit down while I got get something," he stated going to the back and appearing again with a white paper bag which looked extremely familiar. "Here open it up."
She took the bag in her hands and opened it up, letting the scent flow to her nostrils. "MUFFINS!"
"Yep, that's right."
"These are my favorite! How did ya know?"
"You told me about them that one time when the uh, birds attacked you, and then I brought them for you that night. You know, after you found out about Harley."
"Oh yeah, I remember."
"But that's not why I bought them."
"Oh mister. Then why did you?"
"Because it was in that morning when I went and picked up the muffins and coffee for you that I realized I wanted to be with you. I had been wrestling with it in my head for a while but after that night and just holding you in my arms I knew that you were the girl for me Haley James."
"Nathan, you don't have to say that."
"But it's true," he said breaking off a piece of muffin and feeding it to her. They continued to stare into each other's eyes and eat the muffins together until Haley broke their romantic silence.
"You know Nathan. This date has been wonderful. But all this has got me thinking. Since you like, remember every little detail about me I'm going to have to act like extra cute around you if I'm going to be embedded in your head for the rest of eternity."
"Eh, who says I'll remember ya that long?" He said jokingly.
"Nathan!" Haley said smacking his arm.
"Kidding! How could I forget a girl like you?"
"Right answer," she said smiling and then she got an idea. "Dance with me?"
"But there's no music Hales."
"I can take care of that," she said pulling both of them to their feet and then taking her iPod out of her purse. She put on ear bud in her ear, and the other in his. She wrapped her arms around his neck as he placed his hands on her waist. Nathan started swaying, expecting a slow song to come on but was surprised when he heard what song was ringing through his ears.
I want you to want me.
I need you to need me.
I'd love you to love me.
I'm beggin' you to beg me.
"Uh Hales, I love this song but… isn't it a bit fast for this moment?"
"I don't think so. I think this song is perfect for us," she stated continuing to slow dance with him and remembering what she had found before in his journal.
I want you to want me.
I need you to need me.
I'd love you to love me.
I'll shine up the old brown shoes, put on a brand new shirt.
I'll get home early from work if you say that you love me.
Didn't I, didn't I, didn't I see you cryin'?
Oh, didn't I, didn't I, didn't I see you cryin'?
Feelin all alone without a friend I know you felt like dyin',
Oh, didn't I, didn't I, didn't I see you cryin'?
I want you to want me.
I need you to need me.
I'd love you to love me.
I'm beggin' you to beg me.
I'll shine up the old brown shoes, put on a brand-new shirt.
I'll get home early from work if you say that you love me.
After some thinking and remembering Nathan realized why she picked this song. "My journal," he whispered into her ears.
She took her head off of his chest and looked up into his eyes and giving him a nod. "I just found it today."
"I was wondering if you'd ever found that. Because I figured if you did we would have gotten together much sooner."
Didn't I, didn't I, didn't I see you cryin'?
Oh, didn't I, didn't I, didn't I see you cryin'?
Feelin' all alone without a friend, you know you feel like dyin'.
Oh, didn't I, didn't I, didn't I see you cryin'?
Feelin' all alone without a friend, you know you feel like dyin'.
Oh, didn't I, didn't I, didn't I see you cryin'?
"Don't get me wrong Nathan, but I'm glad I found it now. Before things could have been rushed, but we took our own time. And you know what they say, the best things are always worth the wait," Haley stated looking into his eyes.
He looked down at her small face and smiled to himself. Joy overflowing his body that this girl he was holding tight in his arms was his. He couldn't take it any longer. He brought his head down and captured her lips into a mind-blowing kiss.
I want you to want me.
I need you to need me.
I'd love you to love me.
I'm beggin' you to beg me.
I want you to want me.
I want you to want me.
I want you to want me.
I want you to want me.
Their kiss continued as the song rang through their ears, until they stopped when the song too came to a close.
"Wow," Haley stated touching her lips.
"You could say that again," Nathan replied.
"Wow."
Nathan rolled his eyes at the cuteness of his girlfriend and the before he knew it the words rolled right off his tongue, "I love you."
I know, I know I'm evil ending it like that. Sorry! Hope you enjoyed the chapter and let me know what ya think!