Here is a new story. I hope you guys enjoy this one as well. Just a couple things you should know: Dan/Deb are Nathan's parents. Lucas is Keith and Karen's son. Keith and Dan are brothers making Nathan and Lucas cousins not brothers. I think that's all-everything else is explained throughout the story. Happy reading!

Dan Scott and Jimmy James met during their freshman year at UCLA. They met during a business class and instantly became friends. They both shared a dream of starting their own companies. They partnered up and decided to start a business together. A business which proved to be extremely successful. Their business expanded globally resulting in a multi-million dollar profit. During their sophomore year at UCLA, they both married their girlfriends, Deb and Lydia. Once graduation was over, the two couples settled in Dan's hometown of Tree Hill, North Carolina. They agreed on that destination because they felt it was a perfect place to raise a family. Dan and Deb were the first to get pregnant. In 1986, they had their first and only child-a son, Nathan. Jimmy and Lydia were quick to follow. About a year after Nathan was born, they had their first and only child-a daughter, Haley James. Throughout the years, both Nathan and Haley showed an interest in the company in the future. The four adults were thrilled with this, because they all agreed they wanted to keep the company within the family and within the family only. Once the company is released, Nathan and Haley will each own a portion of the company-fifty/fifty. There were some other provisions to ownership as well. For one thing, they both had to be at least twenty-three years of age before it was handed to them. The second was that they both had to obtain their business degrees. They could study and earn degrees in other areas of study as well, but a business degree was a must. They both quickly agreed to the terms, because they understood how important this company meant to both of their families. It was also important to the two of them.

The one comman concern their parents shared was the relationship between their son and daughter. Nathan and Haley had the type of relationship where they didn't hate each other but didn't like each other. They simply tolerated each other. Nathan was more extroverted. In high school, he was king of the school. He was captian of the basketball team and had all the guys wanting to be like him and all the girls wanting to be with him. He liked to party and go out with his friends. He was also notoriously known for being a manwhore in the lack of a better word. He slept with any and all willing girls. His behavior still remains the same now. Haley was more introverted. In high school, she wasn't exactly popular. She was not unpopular or anything, she was just more quiet and shy. She was extremely intelligent and tutored other students in her spare time. She was valedictorian of her graduating class. Even now in college, she would be graduating Magna Cum Lada once her final semester was complete at Stanford Universary. She has also always vowed to save herself until she was married. Her virginity was a big deal to her, and she wanted her first time to be meaningful and special. Their personalities simply didn't parallel one another. Their parents worried their relationship would affect the company in the future. Once both their children were away at college, they came together to discuss how to keep that from happening. After many ideas, Dan came up with one they all quickly agreed to and were happy with. In fact, it has been a dream of both Deb's and Lydia's since Haley was born. The couples made their provisions and cemented them into their wills. They agreed to disclose the new terms on Nathan's twenty-fifth birthday.


"Welcome home, Miss James." The driver greeted Haley at the airport.

"It's good to be home, Danny!" Haley exclaimed pulling the middle-aged man into a hug.

"Please, Miss James, you know how much I hate it when you call me that." He complained.

"Really? Well, you seem to have forgotten that I hate to be called Miss James." She retorted jokingly.

"Well, I do work for you." He stated.

"First of all, you work for my parents. And second of all, you know you're more than just an employee-you're family. I know we haven't seen one another since Christmas, but I think we can skip the formalities. It's Haley, Daniel." She said with a smile.

"It's wonderful having you home, Haley." He said hugging the petite girl. "So, how was your flight?" He asked as the two got situated in the car and began the journey home.

That was the thing with the Scott's and the James'. Part of their success was due to their hospitality. They were two of the wealthiest families in the world, yet they never forgot their roots. They treated their employees of both their company and in their homes with courtesy. The families were well-known for their politeness and generosity. And they were well-respected for it.


"Haley James, my beautiful baby girl!" Lydia exclaimed embracing her daughter in a tight hug. "Oh, I'm so excited you're home." She continued.

"Me, too, mom. Where's dad?" Haley asked once out of her mother's embrace.

"He and Dan had a budget meeting. You know-the usual." Lydia answered as Haley nodded her head in understanding. "So, what's on the agenda today? How about we go grab some lunch at Karen's and then do some shopping." Lydia suggested.

"I love you, mom, but I'm kind of tired. I think I'm going to go take a nap." Haley stated.

"Okay, fair enough. Oh, my baby's home!" Lydia exclaimed once again as she led Haley to her old bedroom. Once alone, Haley looked around. "It's good to be home." She stated smiling as she sat down on her bed.

A few hours later, Haley awoke and headed down the stairs. She heard laughter coming from the family room and headed that direction. She went in and saw her mom and Deb sitting on the couch conversing. "Haley!" Lydia exclaimed.

"Haley, it's so wonderful to see you. You are even more beautiful than before. We're all happy you're home." Deb said pulling her into a hug.

"Me, too. So, how's everything going around here?" Haley asked as Deb made her way back over to the couch. "Can't complain too much. But enough about us, come sit down and tell us all about Stanford." Deb answered.

"Oh, it was so..."

"What's up, Praley?" Nathan interrupted walking into the room.

"Nice to see you, too, Nathan. And stop calling me that." She warned.

"Why? It defines everything about you." He said smugly.

"You're a jerk. Mom, I'm going to go take a shower. Deb, it was wonderful seeing you again. I'll see you guys later." She said turning to leave the room. She glared at Nathan before disappearing out of sight.

"Nathan, can't you at least try to be civil with Haley? She just got home, and you're already starting in on her." Deb said.

"It's just some harmless fun." He retorted innocently.

"Nathan, go tell my daughter that we're all going out to dinner tonight." Lydia ordered laughing.

"Sure thing, Mrs. J." He said walking away.

Nathan made it into Haley's bedroom and noticed her missing. He heard her bathroom shower running and decided to lie down and wait. A few minutes passed before the shower turned off. He sat up on the bed just as the door opened. Haley walked out in just a towel. "What do you want, Nathan?" She asked annoyed at seeing his presense.

"I thought we could have a quicky before dinner." He stated. She scoffed and rolled her eyes. "Get out, Nathan." She ordered.

"Sure thing, Praley. Be ready by seven." He said going to stand in front of her and leaning down. "By the way, you look amazing all wet. Welcome home." He whispered in her ear before kissing her on the forehead and leaving the bedroom.

"Jackass." Haley muttered once he was gone.


"Where's my cousin? I thought the two of you were attached at the hip." Nathan commented. Nathan's cousin, Lucas, is the same age as Haley. Lucas and Haley have been best friends for as long as Nathan could remember. They have similar personalities and share the same interest. Most people in high school thought the two were dating. Even Nathan often wondered if they were. They were inseperable. They even decided to attend Stanford together.

"He should be home tomorrow night. He's bringing his girlfriend with him." Haley answered.

"Girlfriend, huh. Damn, I didn't know you were into threesomes." He commented.

"God, you're such a pig. And for the last time, there's nothing going on between me and Lucas. I know it's hard for you to grasp the concept of being just friends, but it is possible." She said exasperated.

"Oh, I understand being just friends with a girl-just as long as there's a little action on the side. Speaking of, when do we become friends?" He smirked at her.

"Sick." She scoffed before quickening her pace. He couldn't help but chuckle. He loved getting her all riled up. It was all innocent. They've known each other literally their whole lives. He can't lie-Haley is an extremely gorgeous woman. Hell, he even thought she was probably the most gorgeous woman he had ever seen, but there was no attraction between the two of them on either side. They were much too different to feel that spark.


Haley, Lucas, and Brooke were enjoying a night out at Tric. Lucas and Brooke arrived early that morning. The two rested during the day and agreed to meet Haley later on in the evening. There was a new band performing that they all wanted to hear. "Well, well...if it isn't my cousin sitting alongside his two girlfriends." A voice sounded interrupting their conversation. Haley rolled her eyes at the sound of his voice. "Nate, hey man, it's so good to see you." Lucas greeted standing up to give his cousin a quick hug.

"It's good seeing you, too, man." Nathan greeted.

"Hey, there's someone I would like you to meet." Lucas said turning back to the table. "Nate, this is my girlfriend, Brooke Davis. Brooke, this is my cousin, Nathan Scott." He introduced. Nathan extended his hand to her. "It's nice meeting you, Brooke." He greeted.

"Nathan Scott-I've heard all about you." She said shaking his hand.

"Really? Let me assure you, everything's all true." He smirked taking a seat next to Haley. "Hey, Praley." He greeted.

"Hey, manwhore." She retorted. "So, Nathan, what brings you here tonight? Couldn't find a bleach-blonde bimbo to spend the evening with." She continued.

"Actually, I was hoping it could just be you and me tonight, baby. What do you say?" He asked running his fingers down her arm seductively.

"Get your nasty, disease-infected fingers off of me." She warned while squeezing his fingers in her hand making him pull them back quickly. "Damn it, Praley. That hurt." He whined.

"Don't touch me, then." She warned.

"Okay, what's the deal with 'Praley'?" Brooke asked.

"It's just a little nickname I created which describes Haley perfectly. It's the combination of prude and Haley." He answered cocking a smile over to Haley as he, Lucas, and Brooke all laughed. "See, Praley, it's funny." He commented.

"Yeah, it's hilarious." Haley deadpanned.

"So, how did you two meet?" Nathan asked Lucas and Brooke changing the subject.

"Actually, through Haley. Brooke attended the Universary of San Fransisco. She worked at a bar downtown. Haley sang there every other weekend and..." Lucas began.

"You sang at a bar." Nathan said in disbelief.

"Is that so hard to believe?" Haley asked.

"Umm, yeah." He answered.

"Anyway, she begged me to come one night. She was singing, and she also said there was a girl who was apparently perfect for me. So, I went and met Brooke. And two years later, here we are." Lucas finished.

"Wow, I'm happy for you. What is it that you do, Brooke?" Nathan asked.

"I design clothes. I'm trying to start my own clothing line, and Haley has been gracious enough to help me out the passed couple of years." Brooke answered.

"Aww, how sweet." Nathan said sarcastically.

"Yeah. You see, unlike you, I like to help others." Haley retorted as Nathan rolled his eyes.

"So, Haley was telling me about your familie's company. Do you two really get ownership?" Brooke asked.

"Yup." Haley answered.

"How is that going to work exactly? Are you each going to handle specific parts of it or what?" Brooke asked interested.

"No, we're going to split ownership fifty/fifty. We'll both own a portion, but we'll make the decisions together." Haley answered.

"You two-together?" Brooke asked skeptically.

"Hey, it will work out fine. If there's one thing we agree on, it's the company. We'll make it work." Nathan spoke up with an encouraging smile which Haley reciprocated. Brooke cocked an eyebrow as she watched the exchange. "Interesting." She mumbled.

"It doesn't really matter anyway. We don't take ownership until our parents decide to step down or pass away. I don't really see either of those things happening anytime soon, so we don't have to think too much about it right now." He continued.

Okay, there you go. I hope you like it so far. Let me know what you guys think. Hopefully, I'll have another chapter up soon. Until then!