Disclaimer: Unfortunately, I do not own Nathan, or any other thing associated with One Tree Hill. I only own the story idea.

CHAPTER 6 – Off to a Great Start

"So where do you guys want to go to college again?"

"Duke." Nathan replied uninterested. These girls had been asking them pointless questions for the last 20 minutes to avoid the dull conversation. What food do you like? What's your favorite color? Nathan would be thrilled when he finally got to go home and see Haley again. God I'm already sprung.

"So we were thinking that possibly we could hang out again this week. You know hang out at the beach or head out to one of the parties. Or even…"

"Actually Rachel, I think Nathan and I were planning on…." Lucas suddenly cut himself off when he caught sight of Haley and Brooke walking into the restaurant with two fake tanned surfer wannabes. What the hell are they doing? He immediately noticed how Brooke had casually thrown her arm around Jake.

Nathan was mindlessly listening to Lucas' blabbering when he finally looked up to see why Lucas had stopped talking. His eyes quickly opened up when he saw Haley with a spiky haired freak. This must be a joke, Nathan thought as his blood started boiling.

Haley and Brooke tried not to smirk as they saw the boy's reactions to their entrance. Payback's a bitch, Brooke smiled to herself.

"What are you guys doing here?" Peyton stuffed out, giving both girls disapproving looks and breaking the awkward staring contest.

"Oh, we were just down at the beach getting surfing lessons and decided to get a bite to eat with our two new friends." Brooke said with a confident smile, addressing the table. "Guys, these are Chris and Jake. They work at the Surf Shop down by the beach." After pleasantries were exchanged, Brooke exclaimed, "actually, do you mind if we join you guys for lunch?"

"I think you'd be better off eating by your…."

"Sure, come sit down," Nathan quickly said, cutting Rachel off. He wanted to keep an eye on this stupid Chris guy staring down Haley's shirt.

After everyone was settled and orders were taken, the large group began discussing everyone's interests.

"I'm actually a kick-ass musician and I write my own lyrics, I also…" Chris arrogantly stated. Just about everyone was zoning off to his incessant self-praise.

Wow, I really picked a keeper, Haley sarcastically thought as she twirled her wavy hair around her fingertip.

Could this joker be anymore conceited? Nathan wondered to himself, trying to gauge Haley's interest in the guy.

After about twenty-five more minutes of Chris talking about himself, and ten more minutes of tense conversation, the group was gathering up their things.

"So, how would you like to get together sometime? Possibly just me and you?" Jake asked, directing his soft, brown eyes at Brooke.

"I would love to!" Brooke smiled. Jake wasn't exactly Lucas, but he was so adorable and sweet and definitely worth the chance. Besides, Lucas had already blown his opportunity.

"So Haley, I was thinking…" Chris' attempt at smooth talk definitely wasn't up to par.

"Umm Chris, sorry but I'm not really looking for a relationship right now." Haley stated.

"Well that's okay, but I'm always down for some fun."

"I think it would just be best if I talked to you when I was ready."

"Sure no problem. Try not to keep the Chris waiting too long."

"I'll try my best," Haley finished with a tight smile, inwardly rolling her eyes.

"Are you guys looking to hang out again soon?" Peyton hopefully asked.

"I think it would be best if we were all just friends" Lucas spoke on behalf of him and Nathan. "We really aren't sure how long we are going to be in town," Lucas lied.

"That's fine. Just call us if you ever want to hang out." Peyton said.

"Call me if you're ever lonely during the night." Rachel seductively whispered in Nathan's ear as she pressed her body up against him, making sure to get Haley's attention.

"Bye boys," both girls purred as they walked out.

To say things were tense when everyone arrived back the house would be an understatement. Brooke and Haley had gotten back and decided to hit up the local outlet mall for some shopping therapy, while Nathan and Lucas went to the park down the street. Nathan began shooting hoops, and Lucas started re-reading his favorite Steinbeck novel.

"You know Tutorgirl, I just don't understand what Lucas sees in Peyton. I mean sure she's hot and all, but Lucas seemed like the kind of guy who was more into real relationships over easy hook-ups. I thought he was the first guy that was actually different, a person who I could talk to about serious stuff." Brooke spilled.

"Brooke, you're a great person. If Lucas is too stupid to realize that, it's his loss. And didn't that Jake guy ask you out anyway? He seems really cool." Haley responded.

"Yeah he does. I'm pretty excited for our upcoming date now. But back to you and Nathan. What's up with you guys?"

"I really don't know Tigger. I mean he seems like kind of a player. Girls like Rachel are probably his everyday types. I honestly don't know why I thought I stood a chance. I'm just plain-old Haley James."

"First of all, Nathan is crazy if he doesn't fall hopelessly in love with you. Secondly, your way too hot for him not to notice you. And as for the plain part, you have got to be the weirdest, most-random person I know."

"Thanks Brookie, but that's not exactly what I meant when I said plain."

"Haley, you're an amazing person. Don't let yourself think otherwise. Our real problem is slutty girls like Peyton and Rachel that try to steal our men. We aren't the problem."

"Your right Brooke. Now enough talking, let's go spend some of your dad's money."

"What the hell was Haley thinking?" Nathan angrily spitted out as he shot the basketball. "I mean that guy didn't even pay attention to her the whole lunch, all he did was talk about himself. Musicians are so overrated anyway."

"Chill dude. It's not like Haley was all into him anyway. Back to my thing with Brooke. Do you think she really liked that Jake guy?"

"I don't know. He seemed cool."

"Nathan! Did you really think so?"

"I'm kidding. She's definitely into you more bro. Besides you have that whole smart thing working for you."

"I don't know, sometimes I feel like I'm too nerdy for Brooke. She seems a lot more outgoing than me."

"She is. Don't chicks like that whole "opposite's attract" thing anyway?"

"Ugh, so much for a stress-free summer."

"Luke, you're a control freak. Stressing is what you do best."

But everyone was back home now, and things were looking like the way they were before. Just a little bit longer and things were going to start to get ugly.

"Hey Haley, can I talk to you for a second?" Nathan politely asked, pulling Haley away from the living room.

"Sure," she replied, trying so desperately to pretend like she wasn't that interested. It was so hard though when the boy was looking as good as he did.

"Look, this might be kind of weird but I really don't think you and Chris would be a good match."

"What?" Haley exclaimed, completely flabbergasted.

"I mean he seemed totally selfish and didn't even care what you had to say."

"What gives you the right to interfere in my love life?"

"I mean we're friends and I'm just trying to look out for you."

"How is this any of your business?"

"You know what, fine. Go out with that musical loser and see if I care."

"You obviously don't."

"What's that supposed to mean?"

"It means if you were so concerned with my love life, you would have realized that I liked you, not that pompous ass."

"Wait, what?"

Oops!! I really didn't mean to say that out loud, Haley thought.

"Never mind, just forget it." Haley quickly said, starting to head for the stairs.

"No, Hales wait." Nathan called, grabbing her elbow with his strong arms.

"Look, I'm sorry I was a jerk back there. I guess I got a little jealous seeing you with that other guy, that other guy that I wanted to be me."

"What?" Haley said softly, looking up into his eyes.

"You're totally different than any other girl I have liked before, any girl that I have met before, and I want to try things out with us. I've barely know you for a week and I'm already getting jealous over you having lunch with another guy." Nathan embarrassedly shrugged.

"Really? Do you think things between us would work?"

"I don't know Haley. I can't see into the future, but I do know that I like you a lot and really want to see where we can take this."

"I agree!! I like you a lot too Nathan," Haley excitedly exclaimed, then suddenly blushing at her enthusiasm. "I mean you're totally gorgeous and I was jealous too when I saw you with Rachel and I thought that you liked her and when you were going out with her…"

Haley was cut off when Nathan effortlessly grabbed her chin and pulled her into a searing kiss. His lips were soft and sensitive, gently brushing against hers until Haley got with the program and willingly returned his advances.

Haley pulled away breathless, looking up into Nathan's gorgeous eyes, now a darker shade of blue. "You're an amazing kisser." Haley gushed, still trying to regain her composure.

"Not so bad yourself," Nathan smirked, leaning down for another kiss. This is summer is off to a great start.

Lucas saw Brooke sitting out back by the pool and decided he should talk to her and see how she was feeling. Crap I'm so nervous, Lucas thought.

"Hey Brooke." Lucas called as he settled into the pool chair next to her.

"Oh, hey Lucas." Brooke replied, seemingly uninterested.

Lucas wanted to quickly get to the point. "Well look, I just wanted to let you know how I was feeling because I didn't want you to think I didn't care about you." Lucas started.

"What are you trying to say?"

"I know that going out with Peyton earlier may have made you a bit jealous…"

"You think I'm jealous of you?"

"No, I didn't mean it like that," Lucas tried to recover.

"It sure sounded that way," Brooke angrily huffed.

"You didn't let me finish."

"And I shouldn't have to. You know what, I could really care less about what you and that skank do. Besides, I have a date with Jake tomorrow, so I really don't have time for this." Brooke confidently said as she got up from her chair and pranced up to her room.

Well that didn't work out the way I had planned, Lucas thought.

This summer is off to a great start.

A/N: I know, I know!! What the hell took me so long? It's been over two years since I've updated!! I honestly can's answer that question, but I can say that I have newfound passion for the story and plan to be updating more regularly. Sorry for any grammatical errors, I really wanted to post this chapter tonight. As always, your reviews have been so great and they really helped me write this chapter. Feel free to send me nasty notes if I don't continue updating…jk .

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