Chapter 7

Afterwards, Nathan and Haley had driven down to the beach. Neither of them were aware of the fact that Lucas had followed them and was watching as they walked hand in hand along the shore.

How could I have not seen this before? I should have noticed. But Haley of all people should know what kind of a guy he is. I wonder how they started dating, I hope he wasn't playing a joke on her I couldn't stand to see Haley get her feelings hurt. I am going to have to say something to her about this. -Lucas

"I'm really sorry for thinking you said those things." Haley said quietly as she looked down at the ground.

"Haley its okay. I told you it didn't matter last time which was about the millionth time." Nathan said with a laugh.

A giggle escaped Haley's lips, "I know, I'm sorry I just feel really bad about it."

"Don't be. It was just a misunderstanding and everything is fine now, right?" Haley gave him a small smile as she nodded in agreement. Nathan stopped walking for a moment and turned so he was facing Haley now, "Just promise me we won't let anything like that get between us. Especially anything that anyone else says about us."

"Okay," Haley said as Nathan wrapped his arms around her, holding her close.

"Good," Nathan said as he leaned in and kissed her lightly on the lips.

"I really do love you Hales," Nathan whispered as he pulled away.

"What's wrong?" Haley asked when she saw the look on his face.

"I've just never said that to a girl before." Nathan said with a small smile.

Haley bit her lip, "Well I haven't either." A grin grew on Nathan's face, "To a guy I mean..." Haley said quickly when she realized it.

"So how about we go and get something to eat?" Nathan asked after a while.

"Mac Donald's sounds good." Haley said as a smirk grew on her lips.

Nathan: laughed, "I meant something better than that."

Haley giggled, "I know, but I couldn't help it, so where would we eat then?"

Nathan just shrugged, "I don't really care. Whatever you want, I asked you for a reason you know."

"Well I don't really care either," Haley said with a laugh.

Nathan let out an exasperated sigh, "You're such a big help you know that?"

Haley laughed again, "Fine," she finally said after rolling her eyes, "What if we go to Karen's?"

"Sounds good to me."

"Okay then, let's go." Haley turned around and walked backwards as she walked in front of Nathan, "I bet I could beat you to the car." Haley said with a smirk as she quickly turned and ran.

Nathan ran up behind her, trying to catch up with her. As he came up behind her he wrapped his arms around her waist and picked her up. Haley let out a shriek as he swung her around, before the two of them toppled over onto the ground. Haley let out a giggle as she rolled over and leaned against Nathan. He brushed away some of her from her face before she leaned down and kissed him. The two of them lay there for a few minutes, neither of them wanting to pull away just yet. Haley finally pulled away, "As much as I'd love to just stay like this, I think we should go. I don't know about you but I'm starving." She said with a smile.

"Okay, fine. I'll get up." He said before he stood up, holding his hand out for her. As they walked back over to the car, he wrapped his arm around her, holding her close.

As the two walked in, hand in hand, a smile grew on Karen's face, "Well well, if it isn't Miss Haley James and Nathan Scott!"

Haley giggled. "Um, hi Mrs. Roe," Nathan said quietly as they reached the counter.

"Please Nathan, call me Karen."

"Okay-" Nathan said as they sat down with Haley at a table.

"What can I get you two?" Karen asked as she pulled out her notepad.

"Um, I don't know." Haley said quietly as she thought about it.

"As if you don't know already." Nathan said with a smirk. "Let me guess, macaroni and cheese?"

Haley giggled, "I think you know me too well already." She said with a smirk.

"Is that a good or bad thing?" Nathan said playfully.

"Hey!" Haley said as she hit him in the arm.

Nathan laughed as Karen took their orders.

The two of them walked over to Nathan's car, hand in hand once again. "I should probably head home. I have some homework to do. Do you mind dropping me off?" Haley said.

"Yeah sure, I should probably do the same." Nathan said as he unlocked his car. He pulled the door open for Haley before she got in.

Nathan pulled up to the curb in front of Haley's house. "See you tomorrow?" he asked.

"Of course," Haley said with smile.

"Okay. Bye Hales."

"Bye." She leaned in and gave him a kiss goodbye.

Nathan watched her as she walked up to her front door before he drove off.

After Nathan drove off, Lucaswalked over to Haley's house, knocking on the door as he made it to the front door.

Haley came to the door moments later, "Lucas? What are you doing here?"

"What I can't see you anymore?" Lucas asked.

Haley shook her head, "Oh no. Sorry. What's up?"

Lucas shrugged his shoulders, "I just came to talk to you about something."

"Okay, what is it?" Haley asked.

"I just, I wanted to know what was up with you and Nathan. I saw you kissing at the River Court earlier."

"Nathan and I are seeing each other." Haley said quietly.

"Since when?" Lucas questioned.

"For a while now." Haley admitted.

"Why'd you agree to that?" Lucas asked.

Haley just shrugged, "I don't know."

"I just don't want to see you get hurt, Hales." Lucas said.

"Why would you think I would?"

"Well, it's Nathan…I mean you know what kind of guy he is."

"Yeah, I do. He's the one person who's actually been there for me lately. And-" Haley bit her lip, "And he loves me."

"He loves you?" Lucas said in disbelief.

"Yeah he does." Haley said as she crossed her arms over her chest.

"Haley you can't be in love with him.." Lucas said.

"Why not? Who gave you the right to tell me who I can and can not date anyway?" Haley questioned.

"Do you honestly think he loves you do you?"

Haley nodded, "Yes I do. What is that supposed to mean anyway?"

Lucas shook his head, "Nothing, I just think it's odd that he just suddenly starting dating you. Are you sure it isn't a joke?"

"Maybe it was odd at first, but he loves me. And he said he wouldn't do anything to hurt me."

"How do you know that's true?"

"I just do. I trust him." Haley said sternly.

Lucas looked at her in disbelief, "You don't know if he really does. You don't know if this is just part of the joke either."

Haley glared up at him, "Why don't you ask your- of a girlfriend. She would know better."

"Brooke? What are you talking about?" Lucas asked.

"It was all her idea! And she has tried to get us broken up for a while now too."

"Well I have to say I have to agree with her, he can't love you. He doesn't love you Hales."

"Don't you at least want me to be happy?" Haley shook her head as the anger built up inside of her, "I can't believe you want me to break up with him just because you don't like him!"

"Haley he's obviously lying to you." Lucas said sternly.

"No he isn't! He loves me and I know it...I love him too."

"How can you love him, Hales? You know what kind of a guy he is, he isn't the guy you think he is." Lucas said angrily.

"I know what kind of a guy he is, Lucas. He has been there for me more than you have lately. Why don't you just go back to forgetting I even existed like before..?" Haley said angrily.

"I never thought that Haley."

"Well you never talk to me at all. You don't give a crap about me and I know it!" Haley said bitterly.

"What do you mean? Of course I care about you, Hales."

"Then why don't you show it?" Haley said with sadness in her voice.

"Haley-"

Haley shook her head, "Just go Lucas."

"Haley don't do this."

"I said go!" Haley said angrily. She slammed the door as tears began streaming down her face.

Haley lay down on her bed as tears streamed down her face. She tried calming herself down, but it was no use. Haley grabbed her phone and called Nathan.

"Hey Hales. I just left. Do you miss me that much already?" Nathan said jokingly when he answered.

Haley sniffled, "Nathan-"

"What's wrong Hales?" Nathan asked in concern.

"Lucas, came after you left. I don't know what came over him, but we started fighting. It was about us."

"Haley.." Nathan sighed. "I figured that would happen sooner or later, I don't know what else to say besides to not worry about it. Some people may not like it, but all that matters is how we feel about it, right? We don't need anyone's approval. When I told you I loved you earlier Hales, I meant that, and that should be all that really matters. The fact that we know that we love each other."

Haley sniffled again as she wiped her eyes, "Yeah," she said quietly.

"I know it'll be hard, but just try to stay away from him for awhile. Maybe you two can work things out later on." Nathan said hopefully.

"Yeah, I hope so," Haley said as her voice quivered. "Thanks," she said quietly as a smile spread across her lips.

"Anytime, Hales."

Haley sighed, "I guess I'll just see you tomorrow."

"Yeah," Nathan said. "If you need to talk about anything else, just call me."

"Okay, thank you."

"I'll talk to you later, babe."

"Nathan-" Haley said quietly.

"Yeah?" Nathan asked.

"I love you." She said, her smile widening as she said it.

"I love you too, bye Hales." Nathan said.

"Bye." Haley said before she hung up the phone. She took a deep breath as she tried to calm herself down.

I can't believe this is all happening. As if almost losing Nathan wasn't enough, now Lucas and I are fighting. Part of me wishes things could go back to normal, yet part of me knows I love Nathan. If things were normal, we wouldn't be together right now. I really wish things could be easier...Haley thought to herself.