"Nathan?" Haley asked interrupting his thoughts. Nathan snapped out of it and pulled his bag more onto his shoulder. "Are you okay? You seem out of it?" Haley asked. "You don't have to say yes, you know. You can say no. I don't mind."
Nathan licked his lips and opened his mouth, ready to give her his answer. "I'll go."
"What?" Haley asked making sure she heard right. Did he really just say what she thought he did? Was he really willing to go out with her? To be seen in public?
"I said, "I'll go with you, Haley." I'll go with you to the movies tonight." Nathan repeated more firmer to make sure she knew he was telling the truth. Haley stood there with her eyes wide and her mouth hanging open. She couldn't believe he just said yes. She wanted him to say yes but, she didn't actually think he would. She thought he was going to turn her down or be cruel. Like what her father had told her his side was. But, he wasn't and he didn't. And, she knew he meant it by the tone in his voice. He was up for anything. And that surprised her. Why was he up for it?
"Um…" She trailed off. She looked at him confused and then tilted her head, closing her eyes. She scratched her head thinking. Was he-
"Look," Nathan said interrupting her thoughts. "I'll see you tonight. Look for me." He said. She opened her eyes to his blue ones. Nathan gave her a small smile. She couldn't help but smile back. He was so polite than the other people she had spoken to. He was nothing like them. She wondered what his thoughts were?
"I'll see you." Nathan said slowly passing her. Haley nodded her head and watched him exit the classroom.
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Haley stepped outside the theater looking for Nathan once again. He was late. She hadn't seen him walk or drive by. And, they hadn't discuss what movie to watch so, she bought two tickets to Iron Man, hoping he would like it. Haley tapped the tickets against her hands again. Was he standing her up? Did he say yes just to be nice? Haley took a deep sigh, realizing that he wasn't going to show. He was standing her up. Haley pulled her cell phone out and started to search through her memory. She shook her head continuing to search through it. How could he be so rude? Why was he standing her up? 'Dad was right.' She thought. She was being polite. She didn't have to ask him and prove her point to the world that he was a nice guy and that his 'kind' should be treated equal. But, she chose to. She wanted it that way.
"Haley." Haley turned around and was greeted by those blue eyes. The blue eyes she hadn't been able to take her eyes off of since the day they first spoke to each other. "What are you doing out here?" He asked standing in the doorway. Haley stuffed her phone back in her pocket and looked at him. How did he get inside?
"Uh, looking for you." She said smiling. She felt stupid for thinking that he was like every other guy on the planet. She was assuming, which she shouldn't have done because she didn't know him. She scolded herself as she looked away from his eyes for a moment. She looked back with a guilty look on her face. She was trying to hide it but, she knew she was failing to.
"You thought I wasn't going to show." He said leaning against the door he was holding open for her. He crossed his arms over his chest.
"I thought you were standing me up." She said truthfully.
"That's funny. That's exactly what I thought you were doing." Haley rolled her eyes and smiled at him. Nathan waved his hand at her taking a step towards the inside. Haley looked around for a moment and then finally entered.
"Thank you." She said passing him. The door closed behind Nathan and she turned towards him. "Want to get something to eat?"
Nathan looked at the line. He didn't bring any money. He hadn't paid to get in and he didn't have money for food.
"Uh, not really but, if you do sure." Nathan lied. He was hungry but money was a big issue. It always had been for him. Especially growing up. And now, it was even harder. Haley smiled. Was he really going to buy her food just because she wanted some? Haley shook her thoughts away. Her head was just playing another game with her.
"Okay, then." Haley said happily. "If you insist." Nathan laughed and they stepped in the back of the line. Nathan shoved his hands into his jeans pockets, starting to panic about what he was going to do when they reached the counter. He wasn't going to have Haley pay. And he was just going to sneak into the movie with her. It was easy at the theater. He never got caught and if he did, he lied through his teeth or his boy got him out of the pickle. He was screwed.
Haley tapped her hands against her tight blue jeans. She couldn't think of anything to say. There was nothing-the movie. Haley turned her head towards Nathan and then quickly looked to her side. Was she seeing right? Haley squinted her eyes. Her vision fixed itself and she knew the faces of the boys she saw. Justin, Tim, and their friends were all by the arcade. Haley sighed staring at them. The boys were looking at her, Tim staring intensively at her. Just what she needed. Trouble. And she knew they would cause it too because she was with Nathan. And, that was a big problem. Someone who wasn't her kind. Who lived on their side. Haley turned towards Nathan, grabbing his arm lightly.
"Hey, you want to get out of here?" Haley asked a bit worried he was going to decline.
"Why?" He looked at her confused. "I thought you wanted food. We didn't even decide which movie yet to-"
"Yeah but, that was then. This is now. I just want to get out here and get some real food. Not popcorn and sweets. Do you know anywhere we could go?" She asked hopefully, giving him a half smile. Nathan stared at her for a moment. Why did she want to leave so suddenly? He didn't mind since he had no money, but it was obvious that something was wrong with her. Or bothering her. Something set off her sudden urge to leave and get out.
Nathan licked his lips. "Yeah, I know a place." He finally said. Haley smiled wider. 'Thank God.' She thought.
"Good." Haley grabbed his hand and quickly turned around. She pushed her way through the line, dragging Nathan with her. They finally made it through the line. Haley looked back at Tim. He was staring at her with anger in his eyes. Haley quickly sprinted out the door, Nathan following behind her.
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"So, where are we going?" Haley asked looking down at her feet as she walked. They were now far from the theater and Tim hadn't followed her. She had been thankful that he hadn't. She didn't need it at the moment and she didn't want to cause Nathan any trouble.
"I know a diner." Nathan answered walking a bit ahead.
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A bell went off as Nathan opened the diner door for Haley. She smiled at him as she passed him and looked around the diner. The counter was blue and the booths were brown. It was medium sized and not many people were inside. The waitress was behind the counter wiping it down. Haley didn't pay any attention to her.
"Why here?" She asked curiously.
"Why not? You wanted food. Plus, it's free." Nathan whispered. Haley looked around the dinner again and slowly walked towards a booth, eyeing the customers as she did.
"How bout this one?" She asked stopping in front of a booth. No answer. Haley turned around and saw Nathan walking towards the counter. She watched as Nathan leaned over the counter and the waitresses face light up when she saw him. His did as well when their eyes met. Haley slowly sat down not removing her eyes from the two. They hugged and Haley's eyes widened as the girl put her hand on the back of his head and Nathan kissed her cheek. She looked small in his arms. As if she let everything go when he was holding her. Like she loved him. Haley quickly looked away, a thought popping into her head. Was she his girlfriend? Did he bring her here to eat while he hung with his girlfriend? Haley looked back at the two. They were both looking at Haley. Haley took it as her chance to look at the girl.
She was gorgeous. To die for actually. She was tan. Her skin had a glow to it. She had long jet black hair that was shinny from the diner lights. Her hair had long waves that made it look like every strand was perfectly in place. Her hair was tied into a low ponytail, a few strands hanging at the side. Even though her hair looked like that, it still looked great and she still looked beautiful. She had big dark brown eyes, black eyeliner lightly tracing the bottom. Her full lips were plain. They had nothing covering them to make them look good but, they were red as if she was wearing lipstick or lip-gloss.
Haley continued to think staring down at the table. She was actually starting to argue with herself in her head.
'He has a girlfriend? Why didn't he tell me?'
'Because this is the first time you two are hanging out and you just met him. He can't help it if you like him.'
'I do not like him! Shut up! You're playing games again. I don't care that he has a girlfriend. I don't even care that he didn't tell me. His life. I don't even know him. Oh my God, why am I freaking?'
Haley's thoughts were interrupted as she saw Nathan heading her way with the waitress following behind him. They weren't holding hands.
'I guess that's a good sign. It means he's free.'
'Unless he's being polite and not doing it in public.'
'Oh shut up, and oh my God again! What am I doing? I'm arguing with myself. I don't care if he has a girlfriend or what he's doing that concerns her. I have a fiancé. And I love him. And I'm going to marry him. So, there. Hah!'
Nathan smiled at her as he scooted into the booth. He gave her a quick rise of his eyebrows and then looked at the waitress. Haley slowly looked at the waitress and read her name tag. Valencia. Haley could smell her flowery perfume from where she was sitting.
"What can I get you two today?" She asked placing two menus in front of them. She had a light Spanish accent. Haley glanced over the menu.
"I'll have the usual." Nathan said handing it back.
"Okay, and you?" Haley looked at Valencia and then Nathan. She was holding them up and she could see it.
"I'll have the same." She said handing the menu to Valencia. She smiled at Nathan and he returned it, showing off his pearly whites.
"Okay, I'll be back with your food." Valencia left and Haley kept her gaze with Nathan as she did.
"So," Nathan started. "Why the sudden change of plans?" He asked curiously. Haley leaned back in the booth and shook her head. She wasn't going to tell him the real reason why she decided to leave. Haley looked into his blue eyes and he smirked at her. "It was Justin and them wasn't it?"
"No." Haley answered quickly. Nathan laughed and leaned back.
"Yeah, it was. You freaked when you saw them." Haley watched as Nathan laughed more and couldn't help but burst out laughing with him.
"Okay, fine. Yes, it was them." She admitted putting her hands on the table. Their laughter slowly died down and they were soon filled with awkward silence between them. Haley stared at his hands as she thought of something to say. They were nice hands. Big. His veins showed. She licked her lips and looked away from his hands. It was like hand porn. Haley closed her eyes trying to push the thoughts running through her mind, out. She scratched her head and finally thought of something to talk about.
"So, how'd you get in?"
Nathan looked at her confused. "What do you mean?"
"The movies. I didn't see you walk in through the entrance. So, how'd you get in?" A small smile crept over her face, seeing that she had asked the right question.
"Remove the smirk." He said pointing at her. Haley smiled and put her hands up in surrender. "I got hookups." He said scratching the back of his head.
"Oh yeah? That's the best you could come up with? What kind?"
"My boy, Fergie, works there." He said shrugging. Haley nodded her head slowly. He hadn't paid. He had just gotten his friend to let him in. Nice. She wasn't really surprised. She knew he didn't have the money but, she thought that he had at least, had some money since he agreed to buy her food. How was he paying for this meal? Haley opened her mouth to start another conversation when she noticed Valencia coming back with the food.
"Okay, cheeseburger and fries with shake." Valencia said as she placed the plates in front of them. She grabbed the two shakes and did the same. "If you need anything else, let me know."
"Thank you, Valencia." Nathan said looking down at the food.
"Anything for you, papi. Enjoy your food." Valencia left and Nathan watched as she did. He looked back at the food and rubbed his hands together. He was starving. He hadn't eaten any meal yet and wasn't planning too. Haley watched as Nathan placed his napkin on his leg, then grab the burger, and take a big bite. She was surprised as she watched him. He had more manners than she did. She always had to be reminded to put the napkin on her lap.
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They talked as they ate their food. She didn't want to admit it but, she was having a blast with him. He was continuously making her laugh and starting a conversation so they didn't eat in silence. He wasn't like anything she had been told that he was. He was the complete opposite. She was comfortable with him. She could be her. In her own skin. She didn't have trouble talking to him or saying stupid remarks in front of him. He was easy to talk to.
Haley laughed and slurped the last of her vanilla shake as she giggled.
"Admit it, you liked my retarded joke." Nathan laughed raising his eyebrows at her and pointing to her. Haley nodded her head and put her drink down.
"Yes, I did. It was…." She tried to find a word. "awesome." Haley and Nathan burst out laughing. "It was the best I could come up with."
"Nice. Really." Nathan nodded his head and Haley leaned over the table. She hit his arm and leaned back against the booth. Their laughter slowly died down and Haley's smile still covered her face. He was full of surprises. She looked at his plate. He left a few fries but nothing else. Her plate was empty. Nothing was on it. Only crumbs. She leaned over and grabbed the fries off of his plate.
"Hey, I wasn't done with those." Nathan laughed. Haley shrugged and stuffed two fries into her mouth.
"Your loss. You took to long to eat them." Haley stuffed the last fries in her mouth and pointed to his drink.
"Help yourself." He said leaning back.
"You sure? Because if you want it, it's cool. I don't need a drink."
"Positive." Nathan passed her his drink and then scratched his head. Haley slurped his shake nodding her head to a beat in her head. She glanced at Nathan. He was watching her. She smiled and winked at him. Nathan smiled and Haley quickly looked away. She stared out the window, trying not to pay any attention to him. Nathan looked back at the counter, erasing his smile. He gave Valencia a nod and she nodded her head. He looked back at Haley and laughed as he saw her lick the straw. "Good, huh?"
"Hell yes." She answered laughing. "What time is it?"
Nathan shrugged. "I don't know. Late?" Haley opened her mouth to say obviously, when Valencia showed up next to her. Haley's smile faded. She looked at Nathan, refusing to pay attention to Valencia.
"You two have a nice night. It's on the house." Haley's eyes widened. She looked at Nathan and his was wide as well. The same thought from before popped into her head. They were dating, that's why she's not having him paid. Haley shook the thought away. 'She probably wants him to spend only his money on her. Bitch.' Haley thought.
"What? No, Valencia. I'll pay."
"Don't worry bout it, Chico. Just promise me that you'll take her home." Valencia nodded towards Haley. Haley chuckled. Was she trying to get on her good side? 'You're freaking again.' She told herself.
"Valencia, I'll pay. You have-"
"Buenos modales, Nathan. It's on me."
"I'll pay you back and I have manners." Valencia gave Haley a smile.
"You're not paying and I know you don't have any money." Valencia whispered to him. Nathan rubbed his eyes starting to get frustrated. This was not the conversation to be having in front of someone he just met. "Listen," Valencia leaned down to him. "Don't worry about it, Papi. It's okay."
"It's not because-"
Valencia covered his lips with her hand. Haley watched back and forth as they continued. 'She should remove her hand.' Haley thought. "Nathan," Valencia covered his cheeks with her tan hands and she looked firmly into his eyes. 'And she should definitely remove those!' Haley thought moving in her seat, her eyes wide. Who did this girl think she was? "It is fine. They got a soft spot for me so I won't have to pay. It is okay." She gave his chin a little pinch and then rubbed his shoulder. "It's fine. Enjoy your night." She said looking at Haley.
"You too." Valencia turned on her heel and walked back towards the counter. Nathan looked at Haley and then back at Valencia. He made a troubled face and then got up and followed Valencia.
"Thanks, I'll just follow you." Haley whispered to herself. She slowly stood up and watched Nathan. He was talking to Valencia. Haley sighed deeply. She was starting to dislike Valencia. She was obviously bothering Nathan and she was ruining her night. She was having fun with Nathan but, Valencia just ruined it. And she kept touching him like they were a couple. 'They probably are. Thank god I have Lucas.' She thought, not caring about who Valencia was. 'Bitch', Haley thought. Haley walked towards the entrance and waited for Nathan.
"You better." Valencia said keeping her hands on the nape of his neck. Valencia stood on her tiptoes and kissed Nathan on the forehead.
"I will." Nathan removed her hands and kissed her on the cheek. "Thanks for the food." He said before turning towards Haley. "Sorry." Nathan apologized. She didn't reassure him that it was okay, because to her it wasn't. he should've walked out with her. Date or not. Haley let him pass and he opened the door for her. Haley looked over her shoulder and gave Valencia a dirty look. She walked out of the diner and didn't say thank you this time. Nathan let the door close and they both stopped when Haley's phone started to ring.
"Excuse me." Haley said not looking into Nathan's eyes. She was mad at him. He had left her. But, it wasn't like it was a date or anything. He still should've forgotten the other girl. And she knew if she looked in his eyes, she wouldn't be angry anymore. Haley read the caller I.D. "Hey, Dad." She said answering her phone. "I'll be home soon. I'm just hanging out." Haley looked at Nathan. He quickly looked down at the floor and shuffled his feet. Haley stared at him as her father continued to talk. "I'm out with…." She couldn't tell her father that she was with Nathan. He would flip. She had to think fast. Nathan looked at Haley. Was she really going to tell her father she was out with him? Someone who lives on the complete opposite side of town. Someone he would kill if he knew she was out with him.
Haley stared into Nathan's eyes. "I'm out with a friend, dad." She finally answered. Nathan looked down at the ground again and a small smile crept over his face. Haley smiled and chuckled at his reaction. He slowly looked back at her, the smile still on his face. "I'll be home soon, dad. Promise." Haley looked away from Nathan. "Yeah, okay. I love you too. Bye." She hung up her phone and turned back towards Nathan. "Where to next?" She asked happy with a smile.
"I guess home because your dad wants you back." Nathan shrugged.
"You don't have to walk me if you don't want to. And, you sure as hell don't have to walk me because that girl said to. Believe me, you have manners."
"Thanks." Nathan smiled slowly looking into her brown eyes. "And, just to let you know, I was going to walk you home whether she said it or not." Nathan whispered leaning towards her. Haley slowly nodded her head. She believed him.
"I believe you. So-"
"Come on." Nathan said grabbing her hand.
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"So.. Who was that girl?" Haley asked looking down at her feet as they continued to walk down the dark street, side by side. She was curious. And she didn't think she was being rude by asking. Just trying to get to know him better. Nathan looked at her.
"The girl from the diner?" He motioned behind them.
"Mmhm." She nodded her head.
"She's just a friend." He looked down at the ground.
"Really because it looked to me like you two were more than friends?"
"Just friends. I take care of her daughter sometimes." Haley looked at him.
"That's really sweet." She said low and truthfully. Nathan looked at her. He heard her perfectly clear. They stared at each other for a moment, just looking into each others eyes. They didn't dare look away from the others eyes. Neither of them wanted to be the first. The blues and browns. Nathan didn't notice how long they were looking at each other. And, he didn't care. Her eyes were one of the things he liked about her. The way she looked at him. The way she looked past everything. He even liked her many kinds of smiles. He had noticed while she was eating and speaking to him the different kinds. The way her lips curved and her cheeks filled when she did. He wanted to take it all in because, he knew this would be the only time they hang out. He knew she wouldn't ask him again.
Haley noticed how long they had been staring at each other and looked away. A smile, bigger than others, crossed her face. Nathan smiled seeing hers and was about to mention it when she quickly turned around.
"What?" He asked curious.
"You hear that?" Haley asked looking behind them.
"No, what was it?"
Haley shook her head. "Never mind." She turned back around and they continued walking. Haley heard a rustle through the grass again. She looked over her shoulder. Nothing. "Nathan, are you sure you know where you're going?"
"Haley, yes I know where I'm going. It's just the back roads." He reassured her. He stuck out his hand for her to take. She looked down at his hand and then his eyes. She didn't know if she should take it or not. Could she trust him? He slightly nodded his head. She had nothing to be afraid of. Haley sighed and looked behind her again. She took his hand. It was soft. It overlapped hers. He rubbed her hand with his thumb, trying to tell her it was okay. They started walking again.
"Are you sure because-" A twig snapped and Haley grabbed Nathan's arm quickly.
"Okay, okay." Nathan slowly wrapped his arm around her, still holding her other hand. "Calm down. It was just a twig." Haley grabbed onto his shirt still looking over her shoulder. "Shh."
"I hate these roads. They scare the shit-" Glass broke near by and Haley let out a yelp, grabbing Nathan and closing her eyes tight. Nathan quickly looked around to see if someone was throwing bottles at them. No one. He looked down at Haley.
"It's okay." He whispered. Her chest started to slow down. She slowly opened her eyes. She grabbed tighter onto his shirt and he pulled her closer to him.
"I want to go home." She said firmly.
"That's where we're going. Nothing's going to happen, okay? I won't let anything happen to you." Haley looked into his piercing blue eyes. They sparkled at night. She stared at them for a moment. She could tell he was telling the truth by the look in his eyes. Haley slowly nodded her head.
"I trust you." She said grabbing his hand. Nathan wanted to smile but knew it was the wrong time to. Instead, he nodded his head. Haley looked over her shoulder one last time and they continued to walk.
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They walked under a streetlight and Nathan took a glance at the street name. He looked down at Haley. Her eyes were slowly closing. He could easily see how tired she was. If she had been Brooke or Peyton he would've picked her up so she didn't have to walk anymore. Or let her crash with him. But, she wasn't. She was someone he was meeting for the first time. Hanging out for the first time. Someone he was getting to know. Haley slowly rested her head on Nathan. He looked down at her and gently rubbed her arm. She didn't wake. They passed three more blocks, Nathan checking the street name to all of them. He reached the end of a block and read the sign. Nathan stopped and shook Haley gently.
"Haley," He whispered gently. "This is my stop." Haley rubbed her head against him and slowly opened her eyes. She pulled her black corset top up and slowly looked around. All of it looked familiar. She looked up into his blue eyes still tired. He looked tired but wide awake at the same time. Nathan smiled down at her. "How was resting your eyes?"
"Good." Haley answered yawning. She stretched and Nathan did the same. Haley yawned again and started to walk. She looked to her side and noticed that Nathan wasn't walking with her anymore. She turned around and looked at him confused. "Why aren't you coming?"
"Because this is how far I go, Hales." Nathan said slowly putting his hands in his jeans.
"Why?" She walked back towards him and he met her halfway.
"Because I don't want to die." He saw the look on her face and took a deep breath. "You have your side and I have mine. If I go into yours, I'm going to get jumped by more than one. And they're not going to stop beating on me. They are just going to concentrate on that I was on their side making it look bad and that I was with you." He explained. She continued to stare at him. Nathan took a step towards her and took his hands out of his pockets. "Look Haley, its not the same on my side. And I'm sorry but, this is how far as I go."
"I understand." Haley said truthfully. As much as she wanted him to walk her home and not to believe that what he was saying wasn't true but, she knew deep down inside that it was. Every word he said was true. They would kill him if he crossed onto her part of town. Even if he came close to her house, they would. "It's okay, Nathan. Thank you for walking me home."
"Well, halfway home." He smiled at her and Haley laughed. They turned their separate ways, both thinking about the other. Haley stopped and looked back at him.
"Nathan!" Nathan stopped and looked at Haley. He turned towards her and walked back towards her. He raised his eyebrows at her as he reached her. "Um, at school, what job was it that you got fired from?" Haley asked curiously. "If you don't want to tell me you don't have to."
"Um, no. It's uh, fine." He took another step towards her looking around. Haley could easily tell that he didn't want to talk about it. And when she mentioned it, his face fell. After seeing the look on his face and hearing his voice, she didn't want to know anymore.
Nathan licked his lips and took a deep breath. "Uh, I worked at the school as a janitor." He said embarrassed, staring down at the concrete. They were silent. Haley stared at him and Nathan stared down at the ground. She didn't know what to say. She couldn't think of anything to say. She knew though that she had to say something to make him feel better. And 'that's cool' wasn't it.
"Uh, what are you doing tomorrow?" She asked changing the subject and breaking the silence between the two of them. Nathan looked up at her and shrugged.
"I don't know. Probably going to church."
"You go, really? What time?" Haley asked excited.
Nathan nodded his head. "Nine o'clock."
"Darn. I go to the one o'clock mass." Haley smiled at him.
"Like to sleep in, huh?"
"Yeah, but, maybe I'll get up early tomorrow and see how the nine o'clock mass is."
Nathan smiled. "Yeah, maybe." He said lowly. They smiled at each other for a moment. "Well uh, I better get going. It's getting late." Nathan said slowly backing up.
"Yeah, me too." Haley said doing the same. "Maybe I'll see you tomorrow."
"Yeah, maybe." With that, they both turned and went their separate ways. Haley smiled contemplating about the night she had spent with the boy from the wrong side.