Chapter 3
It had been a month since Nathan and Haley had broken up. Nathan still tried from time to time to talk to Haley, but she would always brush him off. Haley had tried to move on, concentrating on school and cheerleading. Recently, she had met a really sweet guy named Ryan. At first Haley was hesitant about getting involved with a new guy so soon after Nathan, but she had a good feeling about Ryan, so she decided to go for it. Brooke was currently straightening Haley's hair while she did her make-up.
"Ya nervous TG?" Brooke asked
Haley smiled, "A little, but he's really nice. I think he might just be the guy to help me get over Nathan."
Brooke smiled, "Well don't worry, I changed the time our "sibling bonding" so Nathan wouldn't know you were going on a date until after you've already left,"
"Thank you Brooke. You just made this evening a LOT less stressful," Haley said with relief
"Hey, anything for my Tutorgirl," Brooke said, "Alright, your hair is done and your make-up looks great, so go get changed and get your guy,"
Haley jumped up and clapped excitedly, "I have a good feeling about this!"
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Half and hour later, there was a soft knock at the front door of the girls' apartment. Peyton walked over and opened the door.
"Hi," she smiled, "You must be Ryan. I'm Peyton,"
The guy on the other side returned the smile and shook her hand, "It's nice to meet you Peyton,"
"Let me just go get Haley, come on in!" Peyton said happily
"Thanks a lot," Ryan replied
"Hales! Ryan's here!" Peyton called into her room
"Coming!" Haley entered from her room, "Hi Ryan,"
"Wow, Haley, you look amazing," Ryan said, "These are for you,"
Haley took the bouquet of flowers from his hands, "Yellow Roses! These are my favorite, thank you. Peyt, will you put these in water for me?"
"Sure Hales," Peyton said taking the flowers, "Now Ryan..."
Haley cut her off, "That's our cue to leave,"
Ryan laughed, "Don't worry, I'll have her home at a reasonable hour,"
Peyton nodded solemnly, trying not to smile, "That's all I ask,"
Haley rolled her eyes playfully, "Ready to go?"
Ryan held out his arm, "Your chariot awaits, mi'lady,"
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About ten minutes later, Ryan pulled up outside an amusement park, complete with go-carts and mini-golf.
"Um, Ryan?" Haley said looking around, "I hate to burst your bubble, because this looks like it would be a lot of fun, but this place is closed."
Ryan chuckled, "It is ... To everyone else but us,"
Haley's mouth hung open, "Are you serious?"
Ryan smiled, "Yup. But before we get to do anything, there is a picnic basket full of macaroni and cheese back there."
Haley turned toward him in shock, "This is like all my childhood dreams coming true at once,"
Ryan laughed, "Well, let's get going then,"
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Back at the girls' apartment, Nathan was a force to be reckoned with.
"SHE'S WHAT?" He yelled
"Haley is out on a date right now with Ryan Kennedy," Brooke said confidently
Nathan sat down in shock, "Why?"
"Well, you were an ass and he was really sweet," Brooke said bluntly, "She needs some fun in her life. You really did a number on her Nate. He might be just the thing to put her heart back together again,"
"She's mine Brooke, not his. She'll always be mine," Nathan said quietly
"She's not yours anymore Nathan!" Brooke yelled frustrated, "You cheated on her and before that you treated her like dirt! She hasn't been yours in awhile,"
Nathan put his head in his hands.
Brooke sighed and put her arm around his shoulders, "I'm sorry it came out like that Nate, but you can't keep holding onto her. You screwed her over and you have to accept that you probably won't be the same again."
"I can't," Nathan replied, "I love her,"
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Hours later, Haley floated into the apartment on a high from her date. Brooke and Nathan looked up from their movie.
"You look happy, Hales. Good date?" Brooke asked
"Best.Date.EVER." Haley sighed happily
"What did he do?" Brooke asked curious
Haley started counting off on her fingers, "First, he got me my favorite flowers. Second, he was a complete gentleman. Opened doors for me, offered me his jacket when it got cold, all that jazz. Third, we ate MACARONI AND CHEESE. And last, but most certainly not least, he rented out an amusement park, just for the two of us. It was all kinds of perfect."
"Holy Crap!" Brooke said, "Can I go out with him?"
"Not a chance," Haley said "We're going out again next weekend. I have to go do something to wipe this smile off my face, my cheeks are starting to hurt. Enjoy your movie,"
Brooke giggled at Haley's actions, "That's the happiest I've seen her in a really long time,"
"Yeah," Nathan said sadly, "Let's watch the rest of the movie,"
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After the movie ended, Brooke went to Haley's room to hear more about this fabulous date that she went on. When she opened, the door she found Haley crying on her bed.
"Hales," Brooke said concerned, "Are you okay? Did Ryan do something to you?"
Haley shook her head, "No, he was perfect."
"Then what's wrong?" Brooke asked confused
"He's not Nathan," Haley said through her tears
Brooke pulled Haley into a hug. Nathan and Haley were miserable without each other. Originally, Brooke thought that they should be apart after what Nathan did. Now, she was doubting her thoughts. Maybe Nathan and Haley needed each other. Maybe their love was so strong, it could last through anything. If that was the case, Brooke was going to bring them back together if it was the last thing she did.