She turned up Dashboard Confessional to the highest volume. Her sketchbook was at the foot of her bed, forgotten. She looked at the phone, as if anticipating something, but then threw it across the room. With a groan, she buried her face in her pillow and cursed herself for the way she had allowed him to infect her mind. She hadn't ever let a guy in like that before, and she hated herself for it. Boys didn't control her like they controlled other girls... or, at least, not till now.

It had only been twenty-four hours, he reasoned. He couldn't call her this quick, he'd risk looking desperate. Plus, Dan had been hard on him. "I let you use my beach house for your party, but you better be able to get in a full day of training today," he'd said as he woke him up before the sun was even out.

Dan had yelled that he wasn't focused. He couldn't even argue, because he wasn't. It had been a long time since something, or someone, rather, had occupied his mind more than basketball. He was strangely proud that he had something in his life to think about that his dad couldn't control. Maybe that was the reason he hadn't called yet.

He couldn't really kid himself, sure, his dad was part of the reason he hadn't called her yet, but he was also more scared than he could let on. He knew that guys like him weren't supposed to be a girl's puppy-dog, following her around the room. It was always supposed to be wham - bam - thank ya ma'am, but Nathan knew he could never be satisfied with just sex. He had to have it all. He reasoned that sex without passion wouldn't be nearly as much fun.

After taking a shower and watching his dad's car leave the house, Nathan finally relaxed on his bed, and picked up the phone. Then he laughed at himself. He hadn't even asked her number. Slowly he let out a sigh, kicking himself for being such a dumbass.

He looked over at the digital bedside clock. He had plenty of time.

She was mad; she was hurt. She turned on the shower as hot as it would go and her music as high as it would go and tried to forget about the stupid Scott boy. She knew that not calling the next day, especially just after a kiss, wasn't grounds for lynching, but she also knew that if he felt what she had felt, he would have called by now. Her reasons for staying away from guys like him were coming back to her. They could make you feel things that weren't real.

She'd used up all the hot water, perhaps for the whole neighborhood by the time she was finished. She wrapped herself in a comfy white towel, shook out her hair and smiled at herself in the mirror. Perhaps a night of music and drawing would do her good.

Those plans were shattered.

As she walked out the bathroom door, she saw Nathan Scott standing in the doorway.

She hadn't expected him to be so embarrassed.

"Wow, I mean, sorry, I didn't know... the music was just so loud."

She laughed, but then stopped herself, remembering that she was mad at him. He was so good at making her forget. "Well, perhaps if you had called before you came over."

He grinned, "I'm glad I didn't."

The grin won her over. "Sure, now you play the hornball. What happened to the stammering, stuttering, blushing, Nathan Scott? Huh?"

He walked towards her, "How about he just be our little secret? Huh?"

She smiled wryly, "Well, I suppose. I mean, what would the world be coming to if everybody knew that you weren't a total sleeze."

His eyes locked on hers, "Thanks... I think. That was a compliment, right?"

She smiled, "You're going to have to get used to this talking in circles thing."

She looked down at herself, realizing that she was still wearing a towel.

"Whoa, let me change." She said, heading towards her closet.

"Personally I like you in this," he said, looking her up and down.

"Oh, and there he is again, sleezeball Scott," she said as she walked towards the bathroom.

He was flipping through her music collection when she re-entered the room, decked out in a T-shirt and jeans, her hair still wet.

"Hmm, you look nice and all, but I still prefer the towel," he said, putting his arms around her waist, bringing her in for a kiss.

The kiss continued, turning more passionate and he moved them towards the bed. His arms moved towards her waist and he ran his hands on her bare skin, their lips never stopping. Finally they pulled apart and he rolled over, so they were both laying on the bed innocently.

She sighed, "Nathan, if you're just in this for sex..."

He cut her off, "Peyton," he said as he turned her face towards his with his hand, "I wasn't lying when I said that wasn't me. Sometimes I get a little caught up in the moment, but it's not about that, not with you."

After that night, they were together. It took no official question, they just were.