A/N: Thank you so much for all your support and reviews. You guys really motivate and inspire me to write. This chapter is continuation from Chapter Three.
Enjoy =]
Hot Shot Meet Tutor Girl.
Despite Haley wondering if things would be awkward, their conversation just seemed to flow. They'd ended up walking along the docks. Nathan spoke with such a confidence it was obvious he was a well liked, popular guy – by the way he'd tried to charm Haley, probably the ladies as well. She had to admit he was charming her a little too. He gave her this new found confidence, he was someone new that didn't know her and she liked that. It was unlikely they would see each other again, she could tell that she wasn't Nathan's usual type and she wouldn't pretend to be either, but for now it was just nice to enjoy the company.
"Tutor girl?" he questioned with a mouth full of ice cream making Haley giggle slightly.
"Yeah, I work – used to work as a tutor when I attended Tree Hill High." She explained "Brooke called me it whenever she saw me with Lucas, my best friend, I guess as a way to tease. Even though we're friends now it just kinda stuck. I swear when I get married or have kids or something she'll change it to tutor wife or mom or something like that"
Nathan laughed as he watched her ungracefully pop a spoonful of her ice cream in her mouth. He wouldn't normally laugh with a girl but Haley James had character and he felt he could relax a little around her. Still, it wasn't going to stop him working his charm, even if he would have to work that little bit harder.
"Lucas? Should I be Jealous?" he smirked at her
"What? Ew. NO! He's like a brother to me, to replace the other siblings I never really wanted." She protested. "Anyway Hot Shot, I'm sure that nick name refers to the many women you've scored not just points" she replied grinning at him cockily. By his reaction, she could tell she was most likely right. Although expected she couldn't help but be slightly disappointed, it was unrealistic to think a guy this intelligent and good looking wouldn't have women throwing themselves at him.
"Well, you think you've got me all figured out don't you James?" For the first time he'd felt slightly ashamed of his reputation.
"We'll see" she laughed slightly turning her attention out onto the water.
"Okay, Not that I'm complaining but why was ice cream a good idea?" Nathan enquired.
He was sure intrigued by this girl. She hadn't made any moves towards him, or unsubtly requested an invite back to his. This was the normal drill in Nathan's Scott's 'love life'; he didn't really have to go out on a limb and charm or even offer half the time. Those he would go on to date would usually end up being short lived relationships with high maintenance who were self-obsessed. It's not that he didn't want something more, it was just better than trusting someone and getting hurt. It was better than being alone.
"It's summer" she simply stated taking another spoonful from her tub. Even Haley had to admit it wasn't the warmest of nights. But it was a nice atmosphere out and seemed to accompany the walk along the docks well.
"But it's not exactly the hottest of nights..."
"Maybe it's my plan to get you cold so I can warm you up" Both her and Nathan turned to look at each other. Haley looked at him seriously for a second before bursting out laughing. "Jeez, I paid for it. Quit your complaining!" she joked slapping him slightly on the arm before putting another spoonful in her mouth with a childish grin.
"Because you refused to let me pay!" he objected quietly as he put both his and Haley's tubs in the bin. They stood and looked at each other for a moment. Nathan was sure she was going to kiss him.
Haley cocked her head to one side and looked at him. "Come on you goof" she gestured with her head. Nathan was surprised, women had become like a routine to him, he thought he could read them like a book. But she was different; she kept him on his toes. For the first time he wanted to really know her. She smiled and took his hand. Nathan didn't know what it was but the feel of her soft hand in his made him smile inside. Haley James certainly did intrigue him.
Walking all night deep in conversation had been something Haley was familiar with, it was something her and Lucas would find themselves doing if either one of them had a problem that needed to be sorted or just needed to talk or maybe even just be in each other's company. However since Brooke, not that she begrudged him his relationship in the slightest, those activities had become nonexistent. Sometimes she longed for the days they would go and steel all the unwanted crap from lost property or have water balloon fights on the roof of the cafe she worked at (that was consequently owned by Lucas' mother), but the last 6 hours seemed to changed that entirely. She felt she had something to look forward to and that maybe growing up wasn't such a bad thing after all.
Although it hadn't gone unnoticed by both of them that they'd continued to hold hands the rest of the night, neither of them mentioned it either. Nathan wasn't the hand holding type. It wasn't like girls hadn't held his hand before but he would usually try and shrug it off or make up an excuse to why it wasn't a good idea. When there were comfortable silences between himself and the blond-haired beauty, he tried to reason with himself that he didn't want to make her feel bad or that it was all part of his disguise to complement his lie.
The truth was though, he had been more truthful with her than he had ever been with anyone and the only thing he had lied about was his age. He would convey the persona of an 'arrogant jock' because it was easy, he wouldn't have to face emotions or complicated friendships or relationships. Even if it was just for one night, he didn't want to be that person, not just for her but maybe for himself.
"Nathan?" by the tone of her voice he assumed this wasn't the first time she had said his name.
"Sorry?" he shook himself out of his own thoughts and gave her a half-hearted smile
"Penny for your thoughts?" she asked, the look she gave him sent shivers down his spine. Her genuine interest amazed him and all he could do was smile at her
"I don't think they would be worth that much..." he chuckled looking down at the pavement before looking back into her chocolate pools. "Anyway, it's your turn. You question, I'll answer"
Haley found his blue eyes intense, he was gorgeous, it was obvious to every girl that had passed them that evening. What Haley had noticed the most however is that Nathan didn't seem to notice them, he kept his eyes on her at all times. She thought she had his number, maybe she was wrong. Or maybe it was part of the Nathan Scott charm or maybe he was being friendly. She didn't know anymore but what she did know – she hadn't had this much fun in a while.
"So why Tree Hill? I mean it's hardly party central"
"My parents moved here 2 years ago. You may have heard of Dan Scott Motors." He had wondered if she would catch on he was from money, for some strange reason he couldn't spot the nagging feeling that maybe this was all too good to be true.
"Argh!" she groaned "I'm guessing that's your dad" Nathan nodded "You're right – he is an ass"
Nathan couldn't help but laugh at her which caused Haley to laugh with him. "God I love her laugh" he thought. This shocked and scared Nathan at the same time. He'd never thought this about a girl before, especially not in such a short space of time. But the fact that he made her laugh only added to the smile that crept on his face. Fortunately Haley interrupted his thoughts again and the fear subsided as she spoke.
"Yeah my Dad went in there when it first opened. He works for the power company; well I don't think my dad's impressions did justice to the looks Dan actually gave him. It's safe to say – our car isn't from 'Dan Scott Motors'" Haley rolled her eyes
"Yeah, well he shouldn't be so smug. My Mom comes from money. Three guesses who paid for the start up costs of the business when he first set it up back home." He didn't know why he said that, and in reality he should have been worried she might have spread this new found information, but he already felt he could trust Haley. Dan swore them to secrecy – claiming it would ruin the businesses reputation, though really it was more his reputation than anything.
"Where's home?" she enquired
"Charlotte. Not far from here. My parents became pregnant with me pretty young, they were both only 17. They both decided to drop out of college and get married. My Dad had to quit basketball and I can see he still begrudges my mom and me for that now-a-days. The truth is he could have still played if he wanted to. My Grandfather, his dad, used to ride him so hard. I think he took the easy way out and finds a way to blame anyone but himself."
Haley squeezed his hand lightly and a concerned smiled. "That must have been tough on you. It's like he blames you for his mistakes."
Nathan slightly smiled at how well she understood. He intertwined his finger with hers. He didn't know why, it just seemed more intimate, made them closer somehow. "Yeah, anyway... He set up his showroom with a loan from my mom's parents at 18 a little after I was born. Lucky for him it took off, he was able to pay my grandparents back and make it on his own in the business world. I could tell my mom's been unhappy for years. I guess when I left of college they decided to move for a fresh start. My father hoped they could get back on track to the way that they used to be, but anyone can see that's never going to happen." Nathan took a deep breath. "So the truth is I came here for my mom. I'm all she really has left and as much as I hate being around my Dad, I care for her more." Nathan looked down at the pavement; he'd never been so honest before, mostly because no one cared to listen. In a way he felt embarrassment and relief all at the same time. They stayed in comfortable silence for several minutes.
Haley stopped and Nathan looked up. "Yeah, this is my house. Um, we're staying here while we renovate the mansion" This statement caused Nathan to roll his eyes but laugh anyway. It was then he realised this was the end of his time with the girl next to him. It left with a longing feeling he didn't quite understand.
"Already?" he questioned, unsuccessfully hiding the disappointment in his voice.
Haley chuckled slightly and looked at her watch. "Nathan, it's 4.30 in the morning..." She turned to face him "And I'm kinda thinking I should get in before my parents wake up."
"Your parents?" he questioned, more as a way to keep her with him a moment longer.
In hindsight she knew she should have panicked, but it was as if another lie rolled off her tongue. "Unfortunately cafe wages don't help pay for the rent on a luxury one bed apartment." She joked – in fact this was only a white lie and very true. "Plus, when you're the only one out of five still living at home, your parents are grateful for the rent money, even if it is at the broke daughter discount rate."
Nathan chuckled. "Maybe you should try and pursue the singing career then." Haley shook her head in disbelief.
"Do you have a comeback for everything?" she questioned.
Nathan grinned "Mostly, yeah" he replied in his usual cocky manner causing Haley to sigh loudly. She instinctively closed the gap between them.
"Thank you for an amazing evening... and morning I guess" As much as she didn't want it to end, it needed to. They both led separate lives, more so than either of them knew. As right as the last 6 hours had felt, it was just something both of them silently knew had to happen. "Goodbye Nathan" Haley smiled at him and kissed him on the cheek.
As he watched her turn away, he was left feeling empty as her hand slipped out of his. He knew he should say something to stop her, but he let his head over-rule his heart. They had only just met but he was feeling things he had never felt before. He felt vulnerable most of all and he didn't want to feel like that.
Haley stopped in her tracks and turned round to find him still standing there. She felt she had to say it before it was too late. "I think you're really amazing to do that for your mom."
The sincerity in her voice filled him with a delicious warm feeling. Without thinking he stepped forward and kissed her on instinct. Placing his hand on her cheeks he pulled her into a brief soft kiss before pulling back. He wondered for a moment if he'd done the right thing.
"You shouldn't have done that Nathan" she said cautiously
"I wanted too" he replied, nerves taking over his voice. Being nervous was never an emotion he would let show, but there was nothing he could do to disguise it this time.
She looked deep into his eyes for a second to study his intentions, she knew she shouldn't continue but she couldn't help it. "Yeah..." she mumbled before swinging her arms around his neck and pulling him in for an earth shattering kiss.
It was then he knew. He wasn't ready to let go of Haley James just yet.
End Flashback.
"Miss James, could you stay behind please" Nathan asked in a tone as calm as possible looking up from his desk.
A/N. I know this probably wasn't all you expected from their date. But I wanted this information in place so the storyline will run smoothly in the later chapters. Now this is out the way, Nathan and Haley will be a lot more comfortable with each other in their flashbacks and this will make writing the scenes a lot easier. I'm half way writing Chapter 5 so that should be up by the end of the week.
Thanks =]
