CHAPTER 1

He was royalty in the school hierarchy system. Girls wanted him and boys envied him. Standing tall at 6 feet, 4 inches he strode across campus like he owned the place and some would say he did. The small town of Tree Hill was pretty obsessed about basketball and naturally the star player of Tree Hill High becomes a local celebrity. Nathan Scott was the son of Dan Scott and he had a legacy to carry on or more specifically accomplish what his father couldn't. He wasn't misfortunate in the looks department either. With the bluest eyes, raven black hair and a strong athletic built, he had any girl of THH on their knees for him.

It was just like any other school day at THH with students hurrying to their classes while catching up with their buddies, the popular kids huddled up in one corner, their centre of attention being the king himself, Mr. Nathan Scott. Nathan enjoyed the attention but sometimes he wonders why it is important to come and huddle around him when he's just getting his things from his locker for class.

He went along with it anyway knowing it is no trouble being surrounded by these hot girls, damn! Some of these girls have seriously developed (physical aspects of course) since the last time he saw them in junior year. His first morning of sophomore was going good until a certain blonde haired, blue eyed boy walked past him to his locker and automatically half the attention went to him. So Nathan's status was shared by his half-brother Lucas Scott, whom he completely despised.

Lucas Scott was the son that Dan had abandoned and though people felt sorry for him, Nathan was secretly jealous that he never had to deal with Dan. He also seemed to have a wonderful relationship with his mother, Karen, which was something Nathan craved to have with his mother.

His sore mood was completely forgotten when Rachel Gatina, the school slut, began flirting with him. This exchange didn't go unnoticed by Nathan's girlfriend Peyton. Nathan was aware of Peyton's eyes on them but he couldn't care less. She always stuck around no matter what he did.

Nathan was about to head into class when he noticed all the boys around him and in the hallway turned their heads to one direction. He didn't have to look to know who it was but that didn't stop him from looking. Walking down the hallway, towards her locker was Haley James, her long dark messed up yet incredibly sexy locks flowing down her back, helmet in one hand, backpack slung over one shoulder, wearing a tight white top which showed off her rack and tiny waistline with a pair of grey jeans that showed off the contours of her perfect butt and shapely legs. While walking away from them, her body language oozed confidence and indifference to the gazes fired her way.

Haley James was quite a mystery to Nathan Scott. She hardly ever spoke to anybody, pretty much keeps to herself, minds her own business but that doesn't stop her from gaining attention. The only person that she seems close to is Lucas, much to Nathan's annoyance. She seems to be friends with Brooke too but that's probably just coz of Lucas. Haley's father, Jimmy James was a big shot businessman who got convicted for murder 2 years ago. Now he has to serve 7 years in prison. Her Father's news is what brought the spotlight onto her. People talk about her and accuse her of having a shady character which was brought on by her history but she seemed unfazed by it. She rides to school on her ninja 300 bike which has earned her the image of a badass. Some even say that she's involved in drugs and whores around with college boys. Yet she keeps her grades up and also works at the tutoring centre. People who have been tutored by her have claimed that she is a nice person.

Nathan would never admit it to anyone but just like every other guy he was quite smitten by her. This secret attraction did not go unnoticed by Peyton. She thought that playing along to the fake atmosphere in high school would make her feel normal. How wrong she had been! She was more unsettled by the facade especially since she started playing the role of Nathan's girlfriend. She knew that Nathan cheated on her on a regular basis, it wasn't a secret, and it stopped bothering her because she held no real feelings for him either. But all this pretending was turning her nuts and she knew she had to end it. And fast!

Nathan was at practice with his team when whitey called him to the sidelines. "What's up coach", asked Nathan. "I'm switching yours and Lucas' positions", said whitey.

"What?", exclaimed Nathan "coach this is how I've always played. What changed?"

"Coz I know Lucas is a lot more efficient in your position", grumbled whitey. "From now on u will be playing small forward".

Nathan was shocked to say the least. He tried to say otherwise but coach wasn't having any of it. His father would be so disappointed in him. He couldn't let this happen to him. Ever since Lucas made it into the team last year, he has been slowly but surely taking away his life. He had to do something about it and fast.

He was walking towards the school parking lot drowned in his own thoughts when he bumped into someone. That someone happened to be Haley James. She looked up at him with her striking dark eyes and mumbled a coherent 'sorry' and walked towards her bike. Somehow the apology sounded more like a warning as he watched her walk away and that's when he got an idea to get back at Lucas and hopefully get him kicked out of the team. Haley James better watch out!