Chapter 3

--

Two weeks had gone by since Sawyer started school. Almost everyday Nathan had gone in with the attitude that he would ask her out on a date. Every time he would try to talk to her about it, it just didn't seem right. Other parent's would be around, or she would start talking about Sawyer and it didn't seem right to bring it up. "Sawyer is doing great with numbers," "Can we go out this weekend?" It didn't make sense. This had never been a problem for him in the past, asking people out. Back in high school he was a bit of a womanizer, which he wasn't proud to admit. He was the love them and leave it type. Even when he got together with Peyton, he treated her horribly throughout their relationship. He would cheat on her, and just be mean to her in general. He didn't respect her. When he found out she was pregnant, it started to change him. Not that he didn't care for her before, but this changed him. It made him want to be a better person. His father had not only gotten his mother pregnant right out of high school, he had gotten his high school girlfriend pregnant and left her high and dry. He knew his father had no involvement in the other child's life, and that his mother must have raised him all on her own. Nathan decided he was not going to be that kind of person anymore. He wanted to be better then that. Peyton had worried about telling Nathan she was pregnant, but he had taken it so well. Two months into the pregnancy, he asked Peyton to marry him. They got married a week later, which their parent's weren't thrilled about it, but for the babies sake, they went along with it. They were only married for just over six months before Peyton was taken from him. It devastated him and for a short amount of time, he went back to his old ways. He would hit on girls all the time, get drunk and party. The one thing he never did was go to bed with another girl. He just didn't feel right about it. For the past four year, he had no girlfriend, and had not slept with anyone. He knew it was time to move on, and the more he saw of Haley, he knew this was the perfect girl to spend his time with and get to know better, but he could not for the life of him ask her out.

This was the day he promised himself. He was the last one to pick up, which he had done on purpose. This way there was no parent's around and no one to witness what he was about to do. He was wrong. When he entered the room, he notice that there was another teacher in there. Deb, his mother and Sawyer's only grandmother had dropped her off.

"Hi! I am Miss Kelly, nice to meet you! I am filling in for Haley today she wasn't feeling well."

"Oh, okay! How was Sawyer today?"

She smiled, "She was a bit strange at first having another teacher, as were the other children at first, but I think we all had a good time today. They all seem to love Miss Haley, especially little Sawyer here, but I hope that they enjoyed themselves."

"I did." Sawyer smiled, grabbing her belongings.

Sawyer and Nathan got into the car. He placed her in her booster seat and strapped her seat belt in the backseat.

"Daddy...I missed Miss Haley!"

"I am sure you did honey, but I am sure she will be back when you go to school on Tuesday."

Nathan couldn't help but feel disappointed, it was as if today had been the day he was really ready to do it. Then the more he thought about it, the more crazy this all seemed. What was he supposed to do ask her right in front of Sawyer? That didn't seem right. Then he saw a paper that Sawyer had brought him with her. It was about parent teacher conference. They started after the first six weeks of school to make sure the child was adjusting well. That would be perfect. Haley and him would be all alone talking for at least five to ten minutes. Sawyer wouldn't be there, all the other children wouldn't be there, and no other parent's. It would be hard, but it was probably his only chance. He was ready for this.

--

Brooke looked at her hair in the mirror. She had a red shirt on and jeans and had straightened her hair and done her makeup. She was going out to eat with Nathan and Sawyer, like she always did on Friday night's. They usually just went out for pizza, or to Chucky cheese, or McDonalds. Something low key that Sawyer could have fun with and Nathan and her could spend sometime together. Then after that, she usually went out with her friend, sometimes enemie, Rachel. They were on again off again friends, but Brooke liked to go out on the weekends and left lose, and seeing as Nathan usually couldn't do that, Rachel was the only option.

--

Brooke walked into the restaurant. They had decided to go to Chucky Cheese. They ate their pizza, Sawyer talked about her day then went off the play where they could see her.

"So...did you talk to Miss Haley today?" Brooke asked, smiling.

"Actually...no. I didn't. She wasn't there, it was another teacher, she was sick."

"Aw...you seemed so ready!"

"I know. I was...but then I was thinking. Next month is parent teacher night...I thought maybe that might be the time. We will be alone...and I just..."

"Yeah, that does sound like a good idea."

They finished eating, and Sawyer played for a while. Brooke gave both of them a hug good bye, then left to go out to Tric, one of her favorite clubs.

"You look extra hot tonight," Rachel told Brooke. Brooke grinned.

"I think it's the red shirt. I read in Cosmo tonight makes guys more likely to hit on you."

"I think I read that too, and I think they only suggested it if you were introverted, which you are so not." Rachel pointed out.

"Oh well."

--

"Haley...can I get you anything?" Lucas asked. Haley had stayed home sick. She had a bad cold.

"No. I think I am just going to go upstairs and try to sleep. If you want to go out...you should. You being here really won't make me feel any better," She smiled. She knew Lucas enjoyed going out on Friday nights, and she didn't want to spoil his fun.

"Alright...I'll go out, but only if you're sure. I could stay in and we could watch a movie..."

Haley shook her head, "I would just fall asleep."

"Alright...I guess I'll see you tomorrow morning."

"Okay! Have fun! Be safe." Haley called out.

--

"Wow...I have all ready gotten two drinks paid for," Brooke smiled.

"I guess I should wear red next week, and look like a slut." Rachel said, a little bit jealous that NO one had bought her a drink yet.

"HEY!" Brooke said to her.

"I have to go the bathroom." Rachel said. Brooke sat alone for a few minutes. A few minutes turned into ten.

Brooke finished her drink and headed over to the bathroom. Rachel were no where to be seen. Brooke then saw her dancing all over some guy. Brooke sighed, only half an hour into the night and she was all ready without her friend. Brooke sat down at the bar. Another guy bought her a drink, but Brooke had no interest in him. Three drinks in one hour was not a good thing, she pushed the drink away and started to drink some water instead. Just then, this beautiful guy came an sat next to her.

"I would offer to buy you a drink, but it seems you have a full one in front of you." He said to the beautiful brunette.

"Oh...thank you. How about I buy you one?"

"You sure? Most girls don't offer that."

"I am not most girls," Brooke winked.

She was beautiful and seemed to have a great personality.

"I'll just a bear, bud."

"Sure thing sexy," She smiled, her beautiful smile.

"I'm Lucas. You can call me sexy though, I don't mind. I can call you pretty girl, unless you have a name,"

"Brooke, but pretty girl is fine," She smiled.

They sat and drank together, and started talking.

"I design cloths. I am used to spend a lot of time in New York, but I opened a smaller store here, so now I spend most of my time here. I live alone, in my own house. I have a sucky friend named Rachel who I came here with, she is all ready with some other guy by now. My best friend died four years ago in child birth, I am really good friends with her husband. They had a child together. She is beautiful and looks just like her, so I spend a lot of time with them. Now. On to you! Give me the basics."

"What is your company called? I used to spend a lot of time in New York as well. I went to college there, and my editor is there. I have written two books, I teach at a college, English classes. I have been best friends with the same girl since I was about seven. I guess that's it really,"

"Cloz over Broz."

"My ex used to wear Cloz over Broz, she loved your stuff."

She smiled, "Glad to hear she had good taste. Best friends with the same girl for that long...anything going on with you two?"

"Oh god. Never. It is not one of those kinds of situations, we are seriously just friends, she is like a sister to me."

"Well, I am glad to hear it." Brooke smiled. "Where are you from?"

"South Carolina."

"Why Tree Hill?"

"Just felt like a change. My mother used to live here years ago."

"I guess I am done with the 21 questions for tonight. It's getting late...would you like to come over for a night cap?" Brooke asked.

Lucas nodded, "Sounds good to me."

--

A/N: Not much happened. I will be working on the next chapter which will again, focus on Brooke and Lucas. I really want to create a decent buildup between Nathan and Haley, so it will take sometime, but it will be worth it.