Hey guys! This is a short chapter, but I promise it will get better and longer just hang in there with me. I have tons of ideas, and I've already started writing other stories. I would like to write and post more of this story first however. So please review and enjoy!

Chapter 3

"I'm coming, I'm coming! jeesh" Nathan yelled slowly dragging himself out of bed as there was a loud banging at his door. He began to trudge toward the door when it swung open. He looked up and rolled his eyes.

"Why in the world did you wake me up when you have your own key?" He asked, rubbing the sleep from his eyes and yawning as he walked into his kitchen.

"It's 11 o'clock Nate, trust me, it was time for you to get up. Plus I have some news." Lucas replied smirking, walking into the tiny apartment and shutting the door behind him. "Plus you're usually up at this time anyways, what happened? Did you show a girl the time of her life last night?" He chuckled loudly as Nathan rolled his eyes in response. Both men knowing that that was most definitely not Nathan's style. No, he was more of the hopeless romantic type. Meets a nice girl, goes out on two dates, and the next thing you know he's planning their wedding and future in his head. Unfortunately for Nathan, those girls never seem to be the one, leaving him almost always heartbroken.

"Ha Ha." Nathan deadpanned. "Sorry to burst your little fantasy bubble there Luke, but no, I just couldn't sleep, I seem to have a lot of things on my mind." Actually, more like one thing, or a who for that matter. Ms. Haley James had begun to occupy every cell in his brain, and it was driving him insane. She'd even starting invading his dreams, making it almost impossible to sleep.

"So what's the plan for today?" He asked.

"Actually, I hired a new employee last night after you left. A new singer to be exact." Luke smirked as Nathan began to make his coffee. He decided to be discreet about his new performer, letting her surprise Nate when she showed up for work later. "I would really appreciate it if you could show her around tonight, you know, make her feel like she's part of the family now?"

"Yea, sure. What time?

"Five?"

"Alright, i'll be there."

"Perfect" He slyly smiled. "Alright well I'm off. I shall see you this afternoon." He was halfway out the door when the deep, throaty, sleep-filled voice that belonged to his best friend stopped him. "Wait, Luke. What is her name?"

Lucas turned to him and stared for a moment before saying "You'll know her when you see her." Then with the tip of his hat and a small wink, he was gone.

Huh...weird, Nathan thought.

"You quit Dan's Club? But why?" Haley and Peyton were currently having lunch at a small restaurant in the middle of the afternoon, which NEVER happened. Thanks to Dan's absurd working hours, they never had time to do things like this.

"I just...felt like it was time to move on. Change things around, do you understand?" Peyton smiled slightly and paused before speaking. "You weren't comfortable there were you?" She asked hesitantly.

Haley looked up with a shocked expression. "How did you-"

"Oh please darling, it wasn't that hard to figure out. You always looked like you might cry up there. Why did you never talk to me about it?"

Haley sighed "I'm sorry Peyton. I just didn't want you to think bad of Dan. I know how close you two are."

"Nonsense. He might take care of me, and take me out once and awhile, but he does not own me. I am my own person, and I will always stand by my best friend. Which is you, Haley James." Haley looked at her and smiled. "Thank you for understanding Peyt." Peyton smirked. "Now, tell me about this man that you met the other day that has got your mind in a cloudy haze." She giggled.

Haley just rolled her eyes and laughed, "It's nothing. He's just a man I met the other day at the Comic Club. He's actually the bartender at the new Club I'll be performing at." She said smiling. Nathan Scott had consumed every one of her thoughts for the past few days. She was ecstatic about starting at Karen's Cafe later that night, half because she already had a good feeling about the place and thought she would feel extremely comfortable there, and the other half being because of a certain tall dark and handsome bartender. "The look in your eyes certainly says that it's more than nothing." Peyton said, raising one of her eyebrows.

"I guess only time will tell."

Nathan was currently getting the cafe ready for the busy night ahead when he heard the bell over the door jingle, signaling that someone had walked inside. "I'm sorry," Nathan said without looking up from the glass he was drying, "we're not open for another hour."

"Oh I know," said the sweet angelic voice "I'm the new performer".

He knew that voice. He'd been obsessed with the angel who was the occupier of that voice. His eyes went wide with shock and he turned around quickly, his mouth agape. "Hi Mr. Scott, it is pleasant to have of your acquaintance again." She said smiling.

My goodness he looks handsome she thought. Haley was brought out of her thoughts when she heard a loud crash. She looked up at him and saw him scurry to the ground to pick up the glass he had dropped.

Why hadn't Lucas told him? Well would it have made a difference? Would he had been cool and calm instead of shocked and dropping and breaking glasses? Probably not. She stood there in front of him, looking like a goddess, and he knew, that even if Luke had told him about Ms. James being their new performer, he would still be acting like a complete fool.

"Would you like some help?" Her voice called out to him, breaking his thoughts.

"N-No Thank, No Thank You Ms. James." He stammered out. He was such a fool. He couldn't even complete such an easy answer with her clouding his mind. God, her perfume was addicting. He couldn't think straight. How in the world was he supposed to just show her around the club without making a complete idiot out of himself?

"I shall just… go find Antwon, are pianist. He will be showing you around this evening." And with that, he sauntered off, shaking his head at how ridiculous he sounded stuttering.

Haley watched him and sighed. She was really hoping he might show her around, but obviously not. He's a bartender. He must have many more important things to do to get ready for the evening instead of to show her around. It doesn't even seem he's very interested in me she thought.

"Hi. Ms. James?"

"Oh hello." "I'm Antwon, the pianist. Shall I show you around?"

"Yes sir, I'd be delighted." She took his hand as he began to lead her away from the main dining area.

"Oh! And before I forget, I wrote this song today. I was wondering if maybe I could open with it tonight? I have the sheet music all right here and ready to go." She said, pulling some papers out of a folder that was kept between her arms.

"Of coarse! Us folk over here are extremely fast learners. We'll get started on it right after our little tour."

"Thank you, I appreciate it."

"No problem sugar. Now if you don't mind me asking, what is the title?"

Haley gave him a wide beautiful smile and spoke the next two words with such confidence, you may think it would change a person's life.

"Karen's Café."

Hey guys! Sorry it took so long! I know it's short, but I PROMISE the next chapter will be extremely long. Please review and give me feedback! Thanks :) -Lex