Chapter 7: A Tree Hill Raven always knows that "X" marks the spot.
Haley sat slumping down in her dinner chair as she tried to ignore the stares she was receiving as people passed her table. It just so happened, that when Nathan brought her into the dormitory to patch up the scrape and bruise on her head, the only band-aids left were in florescent colors of pink, yellow, and green. She'd made the mistake of letting Nathan pick the color, which was of course, the "most manly" of them all… green, as well as made the mistake of letting him apply the band-aids over her cut. Yes, that's right, band-aids. Haley sat in her chair, a huge lump on her head, with a giant florescent green X stuck above it.
"Holy shit Haley! What happened to you?" Brooke asked, walking over to join Nathan and Haley, the only two at the dining table so far.
"So much for subtlety," Peyton mumbled under her breath, taking a seat next to Brooke.
"Gee, nice to see you to Brooke!" Haley shouted sarcastically, waving her hand in the air.
"Oh, sorry. But seriously, what happened to your head?!"
"Him," Haley stated blandly shoving a finger in Nathan's direction.
"I see…" Brooke began skeptically. "Nate, I'd heard you liked it rough but-"
"Oh my god Brooke!" Haley shouted, cutting her off, as she gave Nathan a side-glance, watching his satisfied smirk coming across his face. "And you! Don't even think about thinking what I know you're thinking."
"And what is it that I shouldn't even think about thinking even though you know I'm thinking it?" Nathan said, challenging her, causing her to blush.
"You're unbelievable," Haley stated, crossing her arms, adding in a huff. "You cause my head injury and now you're mocking me," before turning towards the girls.
"But really Haley, what happened to you head?" Peyton asked, ignoring the fact it was painfully obvious Haley was trying not to look at Nathan.
"All I was did was sit on the swing and mind my own business. Then out of nowhere I notice I'm actually swinging-"
"Wait so you weren't even swinging?" Brooke interrupted.
"Will you let me finish? And no I wasn't swinging. I was just sitting," Haley said abruptly before continuing. "So out of nowhere I notice I'm actually swinging and turn around to see Nathan's face as he's pushing me. That's when I fell."
"I can see why you fell," Lucas joked, taking a seat with Jake next to his brother. "I'd fall to if I had to see his face unexpectedly."
"You only wish you had the good looks of the family," Nathan chided.
"Whatever man," Lucas said, brushing it off. "I'm guessing this is the reason for Haley's, uh…"
"X? Yes, thank Mr. Stealth over here. I swear this kid sneaks up everywhere," Haley said rolling her eyes.
"Mr. Stealth… sounds kinky," Brooke stated, causing the table to laugh.
"Oh get your mind out of the gutter!" Haley squealed.
"Mr. Stealth?" Nathan questioned. "If you're implying Haley that I sneak up on you places then you're most definitely wrong. I mean, who's to say that you don't just go places you know I'll be."
"That's absurd Nathan!"
"Is it?" He questioned, cocking an eyebrow at her.
"Of course! I'd smack you right now but the exertion would probably hurt this huge lump on my head… thanks for that by the way," Haley added sarcastically.
"I really am sorry about that Haley."
"Whatever."
"No really, I am."
"I know," she said, giving him a quick smile. "I just wanted to see you grovel."
"Oh you were played man," Jake mocked, immediately getting a look from Nathan.
"Well at least I've got something to play with…" Nathan insinuated to Jake, causing the table to laugh.
"Are you saying Haley playe-"
"Oh don't even say it Jake our you'll be groveling worse then Nathan… that is after I cut whatever balls you have off," Haley snapped, causing Jake to instantly retract whatever he was about to say.
"We've got a feisty one on our hands here," Lucas stated, giving a glance over at Haley.
"Oh I've known that since day one," Peyton chirped. "You should have seen her and Brooke on day one. This girl's got some sass."
"Interesting…" Lucas brooded before they noticed Dean Hargrove at the podium.
"Hello my little Ravens," he greeted, his Australian accent radiating the dining hall. "Tonight we will be resuming our etiquette lessons. I ask that you please clear our places and then carefully slide your table to the edge of the hall."
Once he finished speaking, the girls cleared the table as the guys pushed it towards the side. As soon as the all the tables had been pushed towards an edge of the room, a large ballroom floor was revealed.
"Look around my Ravens," Andy began. "Notice anything. Maybe a… dance floor?" An audible groan was let out by many of the students, Haley being one of them. Her load groan causing a confused glance from Nathan.
"Now, after doing some of our less exciting etiquette lessons like which forks to use, placing your napkin on your lap, etc. I've decided to give you something a little more fun to learn. Something fun that will also require your partners. So, at this moment I ask that you stand next to you partner," Dean Hargrove stated, waiting until everyone shuffled into their spots. Brooke next to Lucas, Peyton next to Jake, and finally, much to Haley's discomfort, she next to Nathan.
"Now, gentlemen. Take your lady's hand, and lead her to the dance floor."
As Nathan reached out for Haley's hand, she immediately pulled it back. "Sorry, reflexes," she stated shyly, before sliding her hand into his as he guided her onto the floor.
"Now, gentlemen, take your partner's hand and place it on your left shoulder." Nathan did so, just grazing his fingertips against her forearm and wrist before grabbing her hand and placing it lightly on his muscular shoulder; an electric jolt felt between both of them.
"Now ladies, take your other arm and place it just under his arm and onto the mid of his back," Dean Hargrove explained as Haley timidly took her arm and inched it toward his back. It was actually kind of funny how nervous she got in such a close and intimate proximity to Nathan. Because just mere seconds before, as she sat next to him at the table, Haley had not trouble spitting out witty remarks. Yet now, she didn't even have the nerve to touch him. After working up the courage, Haley gave Nathan a quick glance upward, immediately met by his eyes, and placed her hand on his back, the feeling of his well-toned muscles jumping at her fingers through his polo.
"Gentlemen, take your right hand and cup it around the elbow of your ladies right arm." Doing as he was told, Nathan brought his hand to Haley's elbow, feeling the slightly rigid skin as he never once looked up from her head. iDamn, she smells goodi, he thought to himself. "Now, take your left arm and place it on the small of your partner's back. Let me just note if I see it go any lower, you will get a detention."
Smirking to himself a bit, Nathan placed his hand on the small of Haley's back, not denying to himself the fact he had thought about accidentally having his hand slip. To accidentally have his fingers caress the curves he had been eyeing when no one was looking… or when people were.
"Alright, perfect!" Dean Hargrove exclaimed. "Stay exactly as you are as I turn the music on. As it begins to play, I'd like you to just move in slight circles. Slow, somewhat lofting in a circle. Now just hold on one moment."
"I have to warn you," Haley began, finally meeting Nathan's waiting eyes. "I have two left feet."
"Haley I'm sure you'll be fine."
"No, I'm a horrid dancer Nathan. I mean, sure I'll dance like a jerk in my room to like… Spice Girls, but not like this."
"You still listen to Spice Girls?" Nathan questioned.
"Um, so not the point!"
"Sorry…"
"But seriously, I can't I mean… I don't dance like this."
"Wait Haley…"
"What?" Haley said nervously.
"Are you trying to tell me you've never slow danced before?"
"What? No… of course I have."
"It's okay if you haven't."
"Nathan, I'm a junior in high school. I've slow danced before."
"That's all great, but it really is okay if you haven't. Besides, even if you're lying I'd be able to tell."
"You could?" Haley asked timidly.
"Oh yeah."
"Alright then fine. You've got me, I've never slow danced before!" Haley said embarrassed.
"And I never would have been able to tell!" Nathan said, laughing a bit.
"Nathan Scott!" Haley said lifting her arm to smack his stomach before placing it right back on his shoulder as instructed before.
"Sorry Haley. I just waned to coax the truth out of you."
"Well there you have it. Little Haley James has no idea what she's doing yet again."
"Haley I wasn't trying to get it out of you so I could make fun of you."
"Oh you weren't were you?" Haley said skeptically.
"No, I wasn't," he stated sincerely. "I actually think its kind of cute."
"Oh god," Haley said rolling her eyes.
"Oh come on. I don't know Haley James. There's something about you that's just… I don't know cute. Maybe it's your naïve nature or your lack of experience. But whatever it is, I think it's cute." As soon as he finished this sentence the music began to start, signaling all the couples around them to start dancing. Their feet however, remained in place.
"Cute?" Haley said, now kind of angry. "Cute? Cute is not what a seventeen year old girl is aiming for! Cute is like the girl who still plays with her My Little Ponies and wears her hair in pigtails. That's cute. Me? I'm not cute. And I'm not naïve!"
"Haley I didn't mean it like…"
"You listen Nathan Scott, and you listen good. I don't need your little, whatever this is: sympathy, curiosity, or pity for the inexperienced new girl. In fact, I don't even need you to be my partner right now. I'm out," she huffed, walking off the dance floor, out of the dining hall and into the night. Nathan gave a quick glance toward Dean Hargrove who had kept his eye on the little altercation, and then made his way out the door. That was not before he saw the dean mouth "detention tomorrow" to him before reaching the door.
As he looked around the darkness he saw a small figure in the distance heading towards some of the dormitories. He ran to catch up, but she was walking to fast. As soon as she reached the dorms and kept going, Nathan knew where her destination was… the basketball court. Wanting to beat her there, Nathan sprinted around the other side of the building and found himself standing alone in the middle of the basketball court. After about a minute, he saw a figure slowly walking towards him, mumbling under their breath.
"Haley James… we meet again," Nathan stated, causing her to stop right in her tracks, slowing lifting her face to see his.
"How did you-"
"I'm an athlete and you're predictable," Nathan giggled.
"Thanks," Haley said walking towards him, sarcasm noticeable in her voice.
"But not in a bad way of course," Nathan added.
"Whatever, can you just leave me alone please?" Haley asked, making her way to the middle of the court and sitting Indian style before laying back, keeping her legs crossed on the ground.
"No, I can't actually," Nathan replied, taking a seat across from her. Staring down at her figure lying back on the pavement. After several minutes of silence, Nathan spoke again. "Will you just talk to me Haley? Please."
"There's nothing to talk about," Haley stated solemnly.
"How about that little outburst?"
"What about it?"
"Well, I guess. Why did it happen?" He questioned.
"I just got fed up."
"Fed up with what?" Nathan asked, intently watching her petite figure.
"You," Haley whispered, though still audible to Nathan.
"Me?"
"Yes Nathan. You."
"Well, what the hell did I do?" He asked, utterly confused.
"You're playing these head games with me."
"I don't know what you're talking about Haley," he scoffed.
"Oh come on Nathan. Showing up randomly, having our little one-on-one chats like we are right now. I mean, what is this?"
"Well, I guess I never really thought about it."
"Me either."
"Well then why are you getting so aggravated?"
"Because Nathan. I just am okay?"
"I think you know what it is. You're just not telling me."
"Maybe."
"Oh just tell me Haley!"
"You're really going to make me say it?" Haley said, instantly jumping back up to her Indian style position.
"If I knew what you were thinking then I wouldn't," Nathan retorted.
"Fine, I'll tell you. You called me cute Nathan… cute."
"Since when is cute bad?"
"Since when is cute bad? Nathan! Cute is what you say to people you pity. Cute is what you say to people who aren't beautiful but aren't quite ugly. Cute is… it's just not what I want to be."
"Have you gone crazy?" He questioned, cocking an eyebrow at her.
"No I have not. It's just… teenage girls don't want to be cute they want to be… I don't know seductive, hot, or even beautiful. Not cute. They don't want to be known for their inexperience and especially not for being naïve."
"Oh my gosh," Nathan stated, an epiphany over coming him. "Rachel."
"What?"
"This is about Rachel. You're intimidated."
"I am not intimidated by that hussy. Besides in order to be intimidated she has to be going after something I want," Haley said, her eyes challenging him.
"I see…" Nathan stated.
"Aw, is Nathan feeling dejected? So sorry. But seriously, it's not about Rachel. Even if she was going after something I wanted… which she most definitely is not," Haley added nervously. "It's not about that. It's about me and not fitting in. It's about always being that innocent girl who's only a bridesmaid and never a bride. It's about-"
"I think I get it."
"Do you Nathan? Do you? Are you the quiet naïve girl? Are you the one who everyone knows Rachel is bitching after? Are you that pitiful little cute girl. No. You're the jock who everyone likes. You're the big man on campus. You wouldn't understand. You just… you can't. We're different. So whatever game this is your playing with me. I'm done. I'm just done," Haley stated softly as she began to get up.
"Haley wait," Nathan stated, getting up and placing his hand on either of her shoulders. "I'm not playing games with you. I don't know what this little ring-around thing we're doing is… but it's not a game. At least not to me."
"Well it is to me. People like you don't show interest in 'cute' girls like me. Go for Rachel. She's more your type and is definitely waiting for our beck and call."
"Please don't act like you know me Haley."
"But I do Nathan. I do."
"No, you know the stereotype of me," he said, a bit annoyed.
"Well, I've got the gist of it all from playing these mind games. Speaking of which my head freaking hurts right now," she said, bringing a hand up to coddle her forehead.
"I'm not playing mind games with you Haley. Just have a little faith in me."
"I'm sorry Nathan, I can't do this," Haley stated, turning herself away from Nathan's grasp, beginning to walk. However, she did not go far as Nathan reached his hand out to grasp her arm, pulling her towards him.
"I'm not doing this out of pity and I'm not doing this to play games with you. I'm doing this because there's something about you I'm drawn to. It's as easy as that."
"Easy enough for you Nathan. Not for me. I've got to go," Haley said trying to get away from his arms that were placed firmly on her arm and shoulder.
"Wait, before you go I have to tell you something."
"Hurry up. My head hurts, I want to lay down!" Haley groaned.
"X marks the spot Haley James," Nathan stated calmly before leaning his head down to place a tender kiss on her florescent green bandaged head. His lips remained there for only a few seconds, but with just enough time for him to feel a chill crawl up her spine, goose bumps forming on the bare arm he had one of his hands on. As soon as he felt the kiss end, Haley looked up at him with her chocolate brown eyes. A state of shock etched across her face.
"Wh-why did you do that?"
"Because I wanted to," Nathan said, his eyes searching hers for answers.
"You shouldn't have done that."
"Why not? I wanted to."
"You can't just do that. You can't just go from some meaningless moments we've shared to kissing me. I mean, we're most defiantly not in a relationship and we're not even friends. I just… I've got to go. I'm sorry Nathan," Haley chocked out, waving her hands at him before walking off.
"Haley wait!" He called after her.
"Goodbye Nathan," she replied softly before turning the corner towards her dormitory.
"You mean a lot more to me than you think," Nathan whispered inaudibly into the darkness, watching her figure disappear into the night as he continued to stand in the middle of basketball court. "You mean a lot to me Haley James."
I know, I know. You probably hate me at this moment. I could have chosen Naley right now, or no Naley yet. I went with the second choice. Sorry guys! But don't lose hope. I've got some tricks up my sleeve that will help Nathan win Haley over. I'm not going to leave your hanging! But I mean, what fun is them being together already! Although, I must say if I were reading this I'd be like "get me some Naley right now!" haha. Anyway, let me know whatt ya think! Like it, love it, hate it, ehhh, don't know? Anything! Just leave replies! Thanks!