What if?
Series of one shots of what could have happened if slight events had changed during Naleys relationship.
I don't own anything of or related to One Tree Hill.
1x07 Life in a Glass House
What if Brooke hadn't found the box Haley prepared for Nathan and hadn't interrupted Nathan and Haley's conversation at the party?
She was looking around the house. Remembering the last time she was at Nathan's beach house with Lucas for celebrating the team's victory.
She didn't even know who she was looking for. Lucas maybe. But she was sure he would be distracted by some cheerleaders who already starred at him in the hallways. He was becoming popular, while she was still the same bookworm she was a week ago.
Or maybe she searched for Nathan. She didn't want to admit it to herself, but for a second she thought he would invite her to the party. Now she knew why he didn't. She didn't belong here.
As if on cue he called her name and she couldn't help but shiver. In the last sessions of tutoring she felt like they really connected and that he opened up to her. She felt like they finally were becoming friends and even if there would be nothing more than friendship on his side and so there would be no chance for them being together she had fallen for him.
She had even admitted to Lucas that she liked him, which was the biggest and hardest thing she ever opened up about him regarding boys. Never had she had a crush like this.
„Haley?", he interrupted her thoughts and she noticed how her cheeks were getting warm, feeling embarrassed that she had thought about him a second ago. Actually thoughts of Nathan were getting quite frequent. She was sure she blushed furiously now.
„Hey, uhm… I'm not crushing, I promise! Your mom just wanted some cakes."
He looked confused „Cakes?"
„Yeah. It's a long story. She invited me to stay and I sort of had a brain freeze and said "sure", she rambled. „and—it's probably really weird, I'm actually gonna leave". She just wanted the floor to open up. Great one Haley! „I'm glad you came!" Her heart beat just a little faster. „Really?"
„Yeah. I mean, I'd even study right now. Be a hell lot more fun than this suckfest."
She chuckled. „Sorry, I'm out of duty."
„Well, then let me get you a drink."
„Okay.", she smiled. Maybe staying was not that bad after all.
„What would you like?", he asked once they reached the bar and she shrugged her shoulders.
„A beer would be fine."
He raised an eyebrow but nodded, ordering two beers.
She handed her her drink and held up his cup. „Cheers."
She smiled and clinked her cup against his.
„You wanna step outside?"
She nodded and he moved his arm around her side, guiding her out of the beach house to the dock, where they shared another conversation not so long ago.
„So, we're here again.", she chuckled and put her cup on the rail, scooted herself up so she could sit on the wooden rail, and took the cup that was almost empty in her hand again.
You might want to slow down with the drink Hales, she scolded herself.
Nathan scooted closer to her, facing her and almost brushing her legs that were hanging in the air.
She grew nervous again, but at the same time she wanted him to be closer.
„Tell me a secret, Haley James.", he whispered, throwing his plastic cup away and placing both of his hands on the rail next to her, almost touching her hips and she breathed in deeply and took a sip of her drink.
„What kind of secret?", she asked unsure.
„Anything. I just want to know more about you."
„I am nothing special, really." She looked at the ground for a moment but felt his cool hand come up to her chin, lifting her face so she could meet his eyes.
„I don't believe that for second."
„It's the truth…"
He took a hold of her face, caressing her cheek lightly and noticed her shivering. He thought for a moment to stop but he couldn't. She was beautiful. He had never called a girl beautiful.
„It's not! You are helping me out with studying even though I'm the biggest screw up, even if I am an ass 99% of the time. You are smart and you are the most generous person I know. And your beautiful. So don't even say you aren't special Haley."
She looked at him with a blank expression. No boy had ever talked to her like that. No boy had made her feel that way. She blushed and on instinct moved her hand to cover his that was still on her cheek, wanting him to know that the words he just said had meant a lot to her.
„Thank you."
He nodded but didn't move his hand from her face. Neither did she remove hers from his.
They looked at each other for a moment in silence.
„Tell me a secret.", she whispered and he chuckled.
He thought for a moment, then he spoke.
„I am starting to like you Haley."
She felt like she was in heaven. Had he just told her he liked her? Nathan Scott liked Haley James?
She starred at him, not certain if he had just made a joke. But he didn't move an inch and waited for her to say something, moving his hand lightly, causing her hand to move lightly with his.
„I told Lucas that I liked you this morning.", she blurted out.
He smiled and took her other cheek, grinning widely. She removed her hand from his and placed it now on his shoulder. Unsure of what to do next.
Would he kiss her? Would she be good? Oh god, she would be miserable! He was experienced and -
before she could even finish her thoughts his lips claimed hers and she swore her heart stopped beating for a second. Slowly she moved her lips with his, holding tightly onto his shirt now.
They parted shortly after and Nathan fiddled with a strand of Haley's hair.
„I am glad you came.", he whispered and she smiled, moving her hand to his shoulder, doing circles. „So am I."
And with that she kissed him, feeling truly wanted for the first time and feeling more happy than she could remember. This was definitely one of her best moments so far.
Nathan Scott liked her!
In one moment her world changed completely. And it would never be the same.