''I love you, I always have and I always will.'' Nathan said to himself, looking at himself through the mirror. ''Nah.'' he shook his head at how cliché that sounded. ''Hales, ever since we were eight years old-''

''Nate? What the hell are you doing?'' Lucas asked with an amused expression, leaning against the doorway. He has just been watching his brother talking to himself, practicing different confessions of love for five minutes. He wants to know what's up.

Nathan turned to his brother in shock. ''Oh, hey Luke.'' he said casually, scratching the back of his neck in frustration, something he often did.

''What was that?'' he asked, finally letting a laugh escape.

''I um- I was just practising for.. a play.'' he said lamely, knowing that his brother could see right through his lies, Lucas always does.

''No, you're not. Are you going to tell Haley that you love her?'' Lucas asked, with a huge smile. This was so great, Haley was finally going to be his SIL one day. His brother was finally going to stop being a chicken and tell Haley how he feels.

Nathan shook his head. ''I'm to scared.'' he admitted.

Or maybe not.

Lucas sighed. ''She probably feels the same, you know.''

''No she doesn't, don't be such a Pucas Lucas.''

''Ha ha.'' he said dryly. ''Seriously, Nate. This is ridiculous, just tell her already.''

''Shut up!'' Nathan snapped. ''You don't know what this is like, okay. You don't know how hard it is to see her everyday, and be so close knowing that we aren't being together, and we're just best friends. Luke, we've been best friends for ten years, if I tell her and she doesn't feel the same way, then that's it. Our friendship would be over, or exteremely awkward. Maybe, maybe if I think that she might love me back one day, then I will. I promise.''

''Good.'' Let's just hope she falls for him soon. Lucas thought. ''Hurry up, Nate. We have to get to school.''

''Do you guys wanna come over tonight? Jake cancelled again.'' Peyton asked as she picked at her lunch. They were all sat at their lunch table on Friday. Peyton was just so fed up with Jake never being around anymore, it was so irritating.

''I can't, I'm working at the cafe.'' Haley said.

''And I'm helping her out.'' Nathan said. ''One of the waitresses is sick.'' he added after getting confused looks from his friends, because Nathan never helps people out, especially not at the cafe.

''I'll come.'' Lucas said with a smile.

''Did anyone forget the fact that I'm going on a date tonight?'' Brooke asked in annoyance, she thought her friends would have payed more attention to her love life, especially because she's going on a date with Julian.

Peyton snorted. ''How could we forget, you tell us every hour. Oh my god, I'm going on a date with Julian!'' she mimicked, waving her hands around dramatically. Causing the rest of the table to laugh, even Brooke.

''What are you going to wear?'' Haley asked Brooke. She was so excited that there was going to be another couple, Peyton and Jake are pretty boring, and she's just broke up with Chris. So it would be nice to have a fun, exciting couple around for a change.

Brooke shrugged. ''I don't know.''

Lucas gasped. ''Brooke Davis not knowing what to wear!''

''Lucas, you're such an idiot.'' Nathan said.

''Yeah, that sounds like something I would say.'' Haley added with a giggle.

''Shut up.'' Lucas muttered, picking at his food in embarrassment.

''Julian's got a date tonight.'' Rachel said in a sing song voice at the lunch table. Mouth had invited her to sit with them, and she had agreed, of course. She didn't really know what to say to Skills, Junk and Fergie and this was the first thing that popped into her mind.

''Rach, I told you that I didn't want anyone to know.'' Julian moaned to his friend.

Rachel just shrugged innocently, and took another bite of her food.

''Woah, dude. Why didn't you tell us? I thought we were your homies.'' Skills said.

''I don't think anyone's had homies since 1989.'' Rachel quipped. She honestly didn't like Skills Taylor, she didn't really know why though. Maybe it was just because of his comment. He says that Julian is his friend, but Julian has never been invited out with them to the rivercourt. She knows this because when Mouth talks about hanging out with the guys, Julian isn't mentioned. Rachel just doesn't think it's fair that they expect Julian to tell them about his personal life, when they only talk to him at school.

Mouth laughed at her comment, but the other guys ignored it.

''Yeah, bro. Why didn't you tell us?'' Fergie asked.

''Guys, if he doesn't want to tell us, he doesn't want to tell us. Just leave it.'' Junk said, after noticing the uncomfortable look on Julian's face.

''I guess I'm just scared,'' Julian admitted. ''what if it goes wrong? What if I mess up?''

''J, it's going to be fine.'' Mouth said.

''But what if it doesn't? I didn't want to say anything because I didn't want to make a big deal out of it.''

''Julian, she's crazy about you.'' Rachel said. ''I saw her at TRIC, she was really trying to get to know Chase and Mia, and she did that for you. She apologised for egging us, she invited us to a party. This time last year she never would have done that. She's changed, and that's thanks to you, she's changed for you. One bad date isn't going to mess that up, but it's not going to be bad, it's going to be awesome.''

''Nathan. Table five ordered a chicken sandwhich half an hour ago, where is it?'' Haley asked later on that night. Her and Nathan are at the cafe, Haley's doing her shift while Nathan's helping out like he said.

''Shit,'' he cursed. ''I forgot about it, sorry Hales.''

''It's okay,'' she smiled. ''I'll sort it.''

Haley was just thankful that he was here. Sometimes her friends would come and hang out with her while she was on her shift. But most of the time she got pretty lonely. It was nice that someone was keeping her company, especially Nathan.

''Hey Haley.'' Bert said, sitting on one of the stools at the counter. Bert was one of the regulars at the cafe, so he and Haley knew eachother. He would often talk to her when she wasn't busy, he was quite old, so he'd tell her stories from when he was her age.

''Hey Bert, the usual?'' she asked.

Bert nodded. ''Yes, please.''

Haley placed his order in at the kitchen, and served a few more customers while Nathan watched from the counter. His smile widening when ever she did. He just wanted to walk over there and kiss her senseless, but he couldn't do that, he probably would never be able to.

''You know, you should snap her up. A pretty lady like that wont stay single forever.'' Bert commented. He had been watching the teenage boy with a dreamy smile on his face for a couple of minutes, and decided to voice his opinion.

Nathan looked at him, he knew it was the truth. Haley is beautiful, she's going to find someone else in no time. And he's to scared to stop it. ''She doesn't see me that way.''

''Don't wait forever son. My wife died a couple of years back, she used to date my cousin before I could finally admit my feelings. I lost a year with her because I was scared, don't make the same mistake.'' Bert said.

Nathan nodded, not wanting those words to sink in, but they did. He didn't want to be practicing what he was going to say. He didn't want to imagine the scene in his mind. He didn't want to accept advice from strangers. But he was.

Which meant the rejection was going to hurt much, much more.

''So, how do I look?'' Brooke asked emerging from her bathroom. She had invited Peyton over to help her get ready, who had brought Lucas over, because he was supposed be hanging out with Peyton tonight.

''You look great, Brooke.'' Lucas complimented, with a big smile. He was so happy that his best friend has found someone to be with, Lucas is sure a sucker for a love story.

''Yeah, Julian wont know what hit him.'' Peyton said.

Brooke grinned. ''Thanks guys.''

''Anything for you, Brooke Davis.'' Peyton mocked, causing Lucas to burst into a fit of laughter. God, this girl always made him laugh.

Brooke's lower lip quivered, to try and show them that they were being mean, which they are.

''Wipe that pout of your face, B. You know we're teasing.'' Lucas said, standing up and pulling Brooke into a hug.

''Lucas, don't mess up my clothes.'' she exclaimed, pushing him away from her and smoothing down her top. (She's wearing the outfit that she wears on the season7 pictures. Silver and Black top, with black pants. Like I've said before, I'm not good at clothing descriptions.)

Ding Dong

And before Brooke knew it, Lucas and Peyton were out of the door, and running down the stairs.

''You need some help with those?'' Nathan asked, leaning against the doorway of the kitchen. He had just simply been staring at Haley as she washed the dishes, her hair was now in a messy bun at the top of her head, and she was still wearing her simple t-shirt and jeans. And she still looks as gorgeous as always.

Haley turned around and smiled, she had been lost in her thoughts of the raven haired boy. She had been thinking about nice it was that he helped her out, even though Lucas does half of the time, but when Nathan did, it litterally touched her heart. She's also been starting to notice more things about him, how strong he is, like when he was carrying those plates. Or how sweet he was the sweet old Mrs. Jenkins, who couldn't see the menu properly because she left her glasses at home. And when she got a big order, he covered the other table she was supposed to be serving.

She could finally admit it, she had a crush on him. But she couldn't help but think that it was going to turn into more, it was already stronger than last time, but what if it got stronger? What if it turned into more? What would she do then?

''Yeah, thanks.''

Nathan walked towards her and took one of the plates out of the sink and started cleaning it. After two minutes it started to get boring, and then he noticed how many bubbles were just innocently floating around the sink, so he picked up a handful.

''Hey Hales?''

''Yeah?'' the second she turned around, a handful of bubbles splattered onto her face.

Haley quickly wiped them from her face and grinned, she put her hand in the sink and picked up a bigger handful. ''You're so dead.'' she pulled on the bottom of her shirt and put her hand under it, wiping all of the bubbles onto his muscular chest.

Nathan chuckled, grabbing the bowl -which luckily had no more dirty dishes in- and tipping it over her head. Completely soaking her from head to toe with dirty dish water.

Haley didn't get him back, she just stared at him. She stared into big sparkling blue eyes, that were staring at her back. She just stared at him, with all those feelings swirling around her body. Attraction. Fear. Curiousity. And something else... something that made her heart race.

Nathan cupped her cheek with his hand, he didn't know what had gotten into him. But he suddenly feels confident, like he can step up, and stop being a chicken. Like maybe, just maybe she could feel the same way about him.

So he guided his face towards hers, and kissed her.

Nathan was shocked, completely shocked by what he's currently doing. Kissing Haley, something he thought would never happen, never happen in a million years. He never thought that he would be able to kiss her. He never thought he would have the courage to do so.

And he never thought she would be kissing him back.

''So Julian, I here you're taking Brooke on a date tonight.'' Lucas said, with his arms crossed over his chest. Peyton stood next to him, doing the same. Even though they are both excited for the Brulian date tonight, it didn't mean they weren't going to be protective over Brooke.

Julian nodded. ''Yes.'' he said, fighting the urge not to say sir at the end, because Lucas was sounding like an over-protective father right now.

''And where are you taking her?'' Peyton asked.

''Um, dinner.'' he said uncomfortably.

''Well, have her back by ten.'' Lucas demanded.

Peyton had to laugh at that one, sure she was being protective, but he went overboard, like he always did. Julian laughed slightly too at what Lucas just said, he was definitely over protective.

''Guys, leave him alone.'' a raspier voice said, walking down the stairs.

They all turned to look at Brooke, and Julian's breath caught in his throat at the sight of her. She looked absolutely stunning, her dark hair was shinier than usual, in waves travelling down her shoulders. He just couldn't tear his eyes away from her.

''Brooke, you look...'' Julian trailed off, unable to form words good enough to describe how great she looks right now. Not that she doesn't always, just tonight well, she just looks terrific.

''Amazing?'' she filled in cheekily.

''Gorgeous?'' Lucas suggested.

''Beautiful?'' Peyton asked.

Julian grinned. ''Yeah.'' he breathed. He actually couldn't believe how lucky he was in this very moment. He remembers being really bitter when he moved to Tree Hill, but ever since he saw Brooke in the math room, she just completely turned that around. This is why he's so nervous, he can't imagine her not being here, he can't lose her. He's so crazy about her, he wouldn't know what to do if she wasn't around anymore.

''You ready to go?'' she asked after grabbing her purse.

Julian nodded and took her hand. ''Bye Lucas, bye Peyton.''

''Bye guys.'' Brooke said, as they headed out of the door.

''Remember, bring her home by ten!'' Lucas called, watching with a smile as Julian opened the car door -which his dad had finally sent him last week- and helped Brooke inside.

''So, where are we going?'' Brooke asked after a couple of minutes in the car. She was so excited for tonight, she hadn't even been able to sleep last night. She had even marked it on her calender, it was a special day after all, it was a day for them and for no one else to get in the way.

''Um, about that...'' he trailed of nervously, he didn't want to tell her, he didn't want her to cancel on him, not now.

''What's up? Why do you look so scared?''

Julian parked his car on the side on the road. ''Here we are.''

''Joey's Pizzaria?'' she asked once she saw the sign, there were other shops and restaraunts on the same road so she didn't know which place it was. ''Oh, I love it here.''

''You do?'' he asked, looking at her in surprise. ''Do you think it's okay?''

Brooke nodded and giggled. ''Yes, of course. Why?''

''I was just nervous, ever since my parents divorce, my mom hasn't had much money, and I don't have a job. My dad sends money over, but it's not much. I really wanted to take you some place fancy, but this was all I could afford.''

''Julian, I'm just thrilled we're actually on the date. I don't care where it is, and as cliché as it sounds, as long as I'm with you I don't care where we go.'' she said softly, cupping his cheek with her hand.

''Thanks Brooke,'' he whispered. ''you always know how to make me feel better.''

Brooke smiled, showing her dimples. ''Anytime.''

''Let's go, I don't want us to lose our table.''

They walked inside, and went to the platform where you tell the man on your name. There was a chubby bald man at the other side, smiling brightly.

''Aaah, Brooke. Nice to see you again.''

''Joe, you too.'' Brooke said politely.

''Another date, Brooke?'' Joe said teasingly. He has seen Brooke Davis here numbers of times with a different guy, he's never seen he return again with one, except Lucas and Nathan, but that's when she's here with her friends.

Julian tensed, another date?

''Um, yeah.'' Brooke said awkwardly. Joe is so not getting a tip, ever again!

''Well, let's take you to your table.'' he said.

They followed the bald man. Julian didn't say anything, he didn't want to be another typical date, he wanted it to be special for her. He didn't want to take her to a place where she's been a number of times before.

Julian doesn't know it, but it is special.

Just because it's him on that date with her, and that's all that matters.

Haley broke away breathlessly, right now she was so confused. She had just kissed Nathan, well Nathan had just kissed her. But she kissed back! That crossed the line, the frienship line. Kissing always complicates things, but falling for your best friend would complicate things to. But she can't let Nathan know that now, can she?

She brought her shaking hands to her lips, and touched them softly, as if checking that his lips had really just touched hers. ''What was that, Nathan?''

''I-uh, um. I just- it just...'' he trailed off. What the hell was he supposed to say? I thought you loved me too, by the way I've loved you since I was eight, so I kissed you. Nope.

''I have to go.'' she said urgently, heading out of the kitchen.

''Hales!'' he called, but the door of the cafe had already closed. ''Shit.'' he muttered, and tried to control his heart that was beating fast than it ever had before.

Brooke and Julian had been given a table near the window, at the corner, so they had a little privacy too. They had just given their orders for drinks and what they would like to eat. Which was two cokes and a large cheese pizza to share.

''Julian, when was the last time you spoke to your Dad?'' Brooke asked him softly, placing her hand over his. She had been wanting to know this for a while, she wanted to know if his Dad even tried to talk to Julian. She wanted to know how it made him feel, did it hurt him like it hurt her when her Dad doesn't talk to her for weeks. If it did, she wanted to be the one he confided in. For once in her life, she wanted to help someone, who wasn't one of her best friends. And it scared her, but it also facinated her at the same time.

''Um, I called him last week asking him to send my car to Tree Hill.'' he said.

The waiter then brought their drinks over, after saying the typical 'enjoy your drinks', the waiter left.

''Doesn't that bother you? That you two don't talk much?''

Julian shook his head. ''It used to, but I'm okay with it just being me and my mom. Whenever he was around, they would fight all the time, so it was better when he wasn't. Sure, I'd wish that he would call some more, or come and visit. But ever since I was twelve, I knew that I shouldn't count on my Dad for anything. I'm okay though, I've got my mom, I've got friends, and now I've got you.'' he said, squeezing her hand.

Brooke smiled, and her heart rate sped up. ''You know that you can always talk to me, about anything. I'm here for you.''

''I'm here for you too. I know you're Mom's a bitch, but you've got me and mine, right?''

Brooke could tell that Julian's Mom means everything to him, so she didn't want to mention that his Mom as just as much as a bitch as hers is. So she just kept the smile on her face. ''Right.''

''Hey,'' he muttered, walking into her bedroom. He knew that she never locked her door, except from when she was going to bed. Even if she did, he knew where the spare key was. He would have climbed through her bedroom window if he had too. Nothing was going to stop him from talking to her, he needed to sort this out. Or else he wouldn't be able to sleep at all tonight.

She sat up from her bed and the something returned in her stomach. ''Hi,'' she whispered back.

''Haley, we have to talk about this.'' he said. Nathan knew what he had to say, so she wouldn't freak out and end their friendship. If he couldn't get her yet, then he would carry on sticking with friendship. That didn't mean he didn't notice that she was just as into the kiss as he was, that didn't mean he wasn't going to stop showing her how good they are together, great they are together.

''I'm sorry for rushing out of there.''

''It's okay... it didn't mean anything, right?'' he said, even though it pained him to say it.

As painful as those words were for her to hear, she nodded anyway. ''You're right.''

''We can't let it change anything, you're still my best friend Hales, you always will be.''

''You too. Listen, I'm not feeling well. I really need to sleep, I'll call you tomorrow, 'kay?'' she said, praying that her voice wouldn't break, or her the tears welling up in her eyes wouldn't be noticed.

Nathan nodded, and kissed her forehead. '''Night Hales.'' he said softly. Silently begging that she would just let him stay here with her, kiss her again. But she probably never would, and he had to learn to accept that.

''Good right, Nate.''

Once her bedroom door closed, she lay back down on the bed, finally letting one of the tears fall. She realised that she didn't want them to be just best friends, deep down she's never wanted that. Even when she was with Chris, even when she didn't allow herself to have feelings for him. Because she had finally realised what that something was.

Love.

''I had a good time tonight.'' Brooke said honestly, Julian had just dropped her off and offered to walk her to her door, true date style.

Julian chuckled. ''Even though we spent most of the night complaining about our parents?''

Brooke nodded. ''Of course.''

''I had a great time too.''

''Good night, Julian.'' she said softly. Tonight was definitely going on the one of the best nights of my life list that she had in her mind. She had finally had a date with the guy of her dreams, she didn't want it to end. But like Peyton says every song has an ending, but is that any reason not to enjoy the music? she hopes that he'll take her out again, so she can be enjoying this music for as long as she likes.

''Good night, Brooke Davis.'' he said, kissing her on the cheek, like a gentleman and walking from the porch and into his car.

Brooke grinned and opened the door, her smile widening at the sight of Lucas and Peyton asleep on the couch, cuddled up next to eachother. The movie Brothers still playing on the television screen. Brooke grabbed a blanket and placed it on top of them.

She took a step back and looked at them, they looked so cute together.

Why hadn't she noticed this before?

AN: I hope you liked it. I suck at writing first dates, so I didn't really know what to put. I know this chapter was very Naley too, but I wanted to take a BIG step with them. And for this Naley kissing is BIG.

Oh, and just to clear things up. I know people want more Leyton, and there will be. They'll come later on in the story, so bare with me and it will happen. I don't want all the couples to be together at the same time, but it will happen. I promise.

Thanks for all your reviews/favorites/alerts.

Please review:-).