Not that many people reviewed, like I hoped. But I understand that a lot of people don't really do it that much. I know I suck at it myself! So I won't complain, just say thank you for reading, and hope you like the next chapter :)

October 28th

"What are you doing for Halloween, Hales?" Brooke asked as they sat in the car together. Even though Haley never hung out with them anymore, she still drove Brooke to school. Her favourite part of the day, without doubt.. Yeah, right.. Keeping the façade up was easy after so long. As far as Brooke knew, nothing was wrong between them.

It still amazed Haley how clueless and dumb it was possible to be..

After her first little disagreement with Lucas, Haley had stayed away from them. Brooke stood by her boyfriend, and Haley kept herself to Nathan. It worked fine for Haley. She didn't even feel the void in her life that Brooke used to occupy. Nathan had consumed her and completed any possible hole inside. He was the best friend she could have asked for, and the butterflies would never seem to go away.

Haley wasn't blind, she knew very well what was about to happen. She wasn't just making Nathan fall for her.. She was falling just as fast for him as well. It scared the crap out of her, but she was powerless to stop it. She didn't even know if she wanted to, the feeling was too good.

Falling for Nathan was NOT, repeating NOT, something Haley had estimated. It seemed so unreal at the time. Sure, he was good looking and all, definitely doable, but not love-material. Love didn't exist, remember?

Not any more.. Love definitely existed now, it was there. She could feel it creeping up behind her..It hurt to think that it would probably be crushed when New Years came around, but Haley was selfish. She couldn't let it go.. Nathan meant too much to her now. She was already in way over her head!

"Haley, are you even paying attention to me?" Brooke's annoyed voice brought her thoughts away from her Prince Charming, and back to the nightmare of a car ride she was experiencing at the moment.

"Of course I am, Brooke.. I just zoned out for a second" Haley flashed her pearly white teeth in the fakest smile she could manage.

"Okay" Brooke smiled back, still as clueless as ever. It made Haley want to roll her eyes in frustration.

"I wast asking you what you were doing for Halloween. You know Lucas is having his annual costume party at his mother's club down town. I was thinking we should wear matching costumes this year, like last year. Lucas is going to be Hugh Hefner, so we could be playboy bunnies?"

Haley felt disgusted. There was no way, repeating again NO FREAKIN WAY!, she was going to Lucas' stupid party dressed as Hugh Hefner's latest conquest. Or in this case, Lucas Scott's sex-toy. No thank you..

"I don't think I'm going, Brooke. But you have fun with that" Haley brushed off, wishing the current red light would just turn green already!

"What? You can't be serious? We always go together!" Brooke objected.

"I'm sorry, Brooke. I already have plans!"

"What could possible be more important than Lucas' Halloween party?" Just hearing the question once again made Haley want to gag. What was wrong with these people? Was getting drunk and having sex all the cared about?

Wait a minute, this was Haley only a month ago.. That thought was even more disgusting than the previous ones..

Haley used to be that girl, pre Nathan.. She was the slut who slept with anything on legs, drunk herself into a stupor each and every time she had the chance. Anything to block out the pain. Anything to feel nothing.

Pre Nathan..

Now, she felt everything. She felt wanted, desired, appreciated.. Nathan made her happy. He put a smile on her face. He consumed her thoughts most of the time. He supported her and comforted her. Most of all, he trusted her. He blocked out the pain. He made her feel.. everything!

"I have plans with Nathan" Haley mentioned, hoping Brooke would shut up and leave it alone.

"You're ditching me for that loser?" No such luck..

"You know why, Brooke. I need to change if I want a shot with him. He doesn't like girls like us, I need to be good for a while" Haley lied. It made her feel sick, because it was all a big fat lie. Haley had no need to party or have sex anymore. Just being in Nathan's arms satisfied all the needs she had. Her mind kept wondering back to their encounter in Nathan's bed last week. Cuddling was never Haley's thing, until now.. It felt so good, just laying there with him.

"Wow, you are mean.. You're pure evil.. I love it!" Brooke laughed as Haley parked the car in her usual spot.

"Yeah, I'm pure evil" Haley whispered to herself.. And I hate it

Haley spotted Nathan in their usual spot, and quickly walked towards him. He looked concentrated, completely buried in his chemistry book. Haley loved the look he had on his face when he was serious..

Just like she loved almost every look he had..

"Hey handsome" She smiled as she dropped down next to him, clearly surprising him with her presence.

"Hey.." He let out with an awkward voice before he got himself together and smiled. ".. beautiful"

Haley felt her cheeks getting redder by the moment. His response had definitely taken her by surprise. He had never called her that before, but it felt so good hearing those words come from him. Usually, Haley would hear guys saying; you're so hot, a great lay, you have a nice ass, your boobs are huge.. It felt good hearing something as simple as; you're beautiful.

"Hi" She chuckled, kissing his cheek in a quick motion. He smirked at her before he twisted his head back down in his book.

"So.." Haley started, getting his attention once more. "You want to do something fun for Halloween?"

"Please don't ask me to go trick or treating with you!" Nathan begged as Haley hit him, showing him her most offended expression.

"For you information, trick or treating is brilliant! But no.. That wasn't my suggestion"

"Then what is your suggestion?"

"Well, I got an invitation to Lucas' Halloween party.."

".. Forget it!" Nathan cut in with a stern voice, his eyes matching his expression.

"I know, that's what I thought. So instead, I was thinking maybe you could come over, and I could make some popcorn, and we could have a movie-thon.. maybe? If you want to?"

Haley had been on several dates before.. But she was never used to asking herself, although she wasn't even sure if Nathan would consider it a date. It was just a couple of movies and some popcorn after all..

"Are you asking me on a date, Haley James?" Nathan mocked her as he chuckled slowly.

"What if I am?"

"Then I'd definitely say yes" Nathan smiled, receiving an equal one from Haley.

"Besides, it's either suffering through a night of horror movies with you, or handing out candy to little kids with my Dad, while wearing the most ridiculous masks you can ever imagine! He forces me to wear one every year, it's humiliating.."

"I'd pay to see that!" Haley laughed.

"Too bad, you never will!"

"Well, I don't know about you, but I'm not the biggest fan of horror movies. So, please, nothing too scary! I'll leave the movies to you, but I trust you!" Haley pointed out with a serious expression, pointing her finger at him.

"I won't disappoint you! Scout's honour!" Nathan flashed his addicting smile just as the bell rung, signalizing that the nest period was about to start. The chemistry between them was so much more interesting than the one they learnt about in class, but Haley could wait to explore it further.

Nathan wouldn't disappoint her, it was probably the other way around..

October 31st

"You got the movies?"

"Yep, you got the popcorn?"

"Oh, darn, I haven't popped it yet!"

"Haley ! The popcorn was the only reason I came!"

"Hey!"

Nathan laughed as he followed her into the kitchen of her house. Haley's house was huge. It had security guards at the entrance-gate, that was enough to scare him off! He wondered how rich she really was..

The interior of her house didn't disappoint. Everything matched. Couches, wallpaper, carpets.. Everything was the same colour, or fabric or whatever. If Haley's mother had done this herself, it would have taken her years. Which probably meant that it had been done by professionals. They looked like they had money enough to hire people.

"Nice house" Nathan commented as he watched Haley press several buttons on the most confusing microwave he had ever seen. Of course, it matched the rest of the furniture in the kitchen.

"Ehh, it's all right" Haley shrugged.

"All right? It's a freaking mansion!" Haley looked up at his with sad eyes, and he could see the struggle she was fighting with herself. After a few seconds she finally opened her mouth to reply.

"The house is great, but it's not a home.. There is a big difference"

"Yeah, I guess you're right about that" Nathan agreed with her as the microwave signalized that it was finished. Haley retrieved a bowl and poured the popcorn into it.

"What do you want to drink?" Haley asked him as she walked over to a fridge that would put every other fridge featured on "Cribs" to shame.

"Wow.. What do you not have?" Nathan asked, earning a small chuckle from Haley.

"We have beer, smirnoff, cider, champagne.."

".. So it's safe to say you don't have regular coke than?" Nathan cut in. Haley met his eyes with an ashamed look, realizing that she had offered him alcohol. Nathan didn't drink, she knew that. How stupid was she, really?

"I think we might have some diet coke in here somewhere.. I'm really sorry, I should have bought something.. I know you don't drink.. Oh, God.." Haley cursed herself as Nathan wrapped his arms around her from behind.

"No, no, no.. It's Halloween, I might as well live on the dark side for a night!" Nathan spoke with his head against hers. He was so tall that he could easily balance his head on top of hers, but it felt better to lean it against hers.

"No, Nathan.. I don't want you to do that just because I'm stupid.."

".. You're not stupid!" Nathan objected. "I'll have a beer, how bad can it be?"

"All right, if you insist.." Haley sighed as she grabbed a beer for him and some cider for herself. Might as well keep it light, getting smashed in front of Nathan was definitely not an option!

"So, what movies did you bring?" Haley asked as they reached the movie-theatre.

"I'm confused why even made me bring DVDs when you clearly have them all!" Nathan commented as he took in the sight of the tall shelves, filled with more movies than the local rental store probably owned.

"Because I wanted you to pick something you liked, not something I like" Haley pointed out as she reached out for the choices he had selected.

"Urgh.. Orphan? Seriously, Nathan?" Haley sent him her most disapproving look as she went to put the DVD in the DVD-player.

"What? I had to pick something you'd definitely want to hide your face from.. Especially when I'm your pillow for the night!" Nathan smirked as Haley hit him with the pillow already laying on the couch. She picked up the remote and got comfortable beside Nathan on the couch. His hand was draped over her shoulders, offering the crook of his arm to her.

As the movie started, Haley found herself leaning closer and closer to his body, covering her face in his shirt whenever something gory or scary crossed the screen. Nathan's arm came down to wrap around her, bringing her closer to his body, and he could smell her intoxicating scent.

As the movie reached the end, Haley sat frozen against his body. Her face was, once again, covered by his shirt, and she refused to look up.

"Hales, you're scared of the credits as well?" Nathan laughed as she hit playfully his chest.

"No" She mumbled against his body, sending vibrations through him.

"It's over, I promise.. It wasn't that scary, was it?"

Haley slowly lifted her head from his chest, sending him the angriest look she could master without smiling at the same time.

"I am never.. ever.. adopting!"

"Hales, it's just a movie" Nathan said as he brought his other hand up to caress her cheek, nibbling teasingly at her pouting lips with his finger.

"That's easy for you to say! You're so brave and strong, I'm weak and frightened!"

"I happen to like that you feel that way.. It's for my benefit" Nathan mumbled. He didn't understand where this sudden confidence came from, but it felt good. He liked being self-secure around girls, especially fantastic, gorgeous and marvellous girls like Haley James.

"I'm glad I can be an amusement to you, even when I feel like peeing my pants!"

"You're always an amusement to me, Hales" Nathan snickered, earning another playful punch from Haley.

There was something about the look in his eyes that suddenly had Haley's head move closer to his. He looked so handsome in that moment, she couldn't help it. Ever since she first started getting to know Nathan, she had wondered what it would be like to kiss him.

Her head continued to move closer, as did his. He wanted the same things she wanted, that much she was certain of. But she was still nervous. Nathan didn't have any experience with girls, she didn't even know if he ever kissed another girl. But even if he was nervous, it didn't show. He looked determined, like there was nothing else he wanted to do.

Suddenly, they had gotten so close that Haley could feel his breath on her skin. She took one last look into his eyes before she closed her own and prepared herself for what was to come. Their noses were touching, only one more small movement kept them apart. Haley hesitated, the nerves taking over her system. What in the world was he doing to her? She was never this insecure around guys?

Almost there, almost his lips against hers. Almost..

.. No .. just like in the movies..

Nathan jumped as Haley's phone went off. Her eyes quickly opened to find him looking everywhere but at her, embarrassment evident on his features. She cursed her phone and the person calling her about five hundred times before picking it up in an irritated movement.

"What?"

"Haley?"

Of course it had to be her.. Brooke was not only stupid, she had the worst timing on the planet..

"Brooke?"

"Yezzz, who else would it be, dummy?" Brooke's voice was clearly affected by the consumption she had of alcohol. Great..

She was this close to finally sharing her first kiss with Nathan, and a drunk Brooke interrupts..

Freaking fantastic!

"What do you want, Brooke?" Haley bit out, sounding just as angry as she was.

"Chill out.. who killed your Mum?" Brooke mumbled..

"Can you please get to the point of this conversation, Brooke? I don't have all night?"

"All right.. I need you to come a get me!" Broke slurred out.

"What? Why?"

"Because I can't find Lucas anywhere! And I'm drunk.. And someone spilled beer all over my home made playboy bunny outfit!" Haley rolled her eyes, if she had ever been annoyed with Brooke before; nothing could compare to what she was feeling right now..

"I'm busy, Brooke!" Haley argued, getting Nathan's attention.

"Pleeeease, Hales.. I need you!" Brooke pouted, and Nathan could see Haley struggle with her answer.

"It's okay, we're pretty much done here anyway" He assured her with a small smile as he picked up their dirty dishes and started carrying them towards Haley's kitchen. Haley sat stunned behind in the couch and watched his retracting figure. He was truly amazing..

"All right, I'll be there in 10 minutes. Meet me outside, I'm not about to go inside looking for you!" Haley bitched as she hung up the phone and ran after Nathan. She found him by her front door, putting his sneakers back on.

"I'm so sorry, Nathan.. This did not go as planned at all.."

".. I told you, I don't mind. I had a great night with you, Hales!" Nathan reassured her.

"But .. Arrrgh.. She just had to ruin it!"

"Hales.. You being a good friend doesn't ruin anything. If anything, it makes me like you even better" He smirked as he traced his finger down her cheek.

"You like me?" Haley smiled.

"Of course I do, what's not to like?" Nathan shrugged. "You're the most wonderful person I've ever met, Haley James."

"You definitely have those charm-Scott-genes in order!" Haley laughed as Nathan brought her in for a hug. She breathed in his scent for the last time that night, dreaming of how good he would feel when she finally got to kiss him. And it would be soon, she could feel it..

"I'll see you soon, good night" Nathan said as he bent down and kissed her cheek before he turned and walked out her front door. Haley stood in the door, watching him walk away. She couldn't wipe the smile of her face, it had been glued on.

"Hey Nathan!" Haley called out to him, making him turn around in anticipation for what was to come.

"I'm crazy about you, too"

And she was.. crazy.. absolutely crazy about Nathan Scott..

What do you think? Just saying, the Orphan freaked me out too. Messed up movie, that's for sure.. And I usually don't get scared at all.. Please leave a review :)