Not much happens in this first chapter because I am kind of setting everything up, things will be better explained as the story goes on. This story is AU. It will involve many characters but is centered mainly around Nathan and Haley. Please read and review.

disclaimer- I do not own One Tree Hill.

Chapter One

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It was eight A.M. and Tree Hill High was buzzing as people split up into their various groups, waiting for the bell to ring. In Tree hill, North Carolina, they sun, which normally graced the sky was covered by dark clouds. It was early November, and the weather was starting to get cold. As a gust of wind flew by, Haley tightened her thin marron jacket and shivered.I knew it going to be cold today. She looked across the quad with envy at the popular seniors who were all laughing, probably at some clueless lower class men. They were all gorgeous; blessed with good looks. Dressed in the most stylish and expensive clothes, they also came from the richest, most elite families in town. Unlike the seniors, who she admired, Haley was just a freshmen, struggling to survive her first year of high school. She desperately wanted to become part of their society, but unfortunately for her, it didn't look like that was happening anytime soon.

It wasn't like she hadn't tried to get noticed by people like Rachael Gattina, and Peyton Sawyer, because she defiantly had. The occasion wave or friendly greeting in the hallway, hoping they would think her outfit was cute and stop and talk to her.

"Uh hello, Haley..." Brooke said waving her hand in front of her best friends face. She was trying to tell Haley about her shoe crisis she had this morning but her friends attention was elsewhere. She had the perfect outfit picked out, but five minutes before it was time to go, she realized she didn't have a singe pair of matching shoes. Which, in Brooke's world, is a serious problem.

Haley's head snapped when she heard her name being called. Could it be anymore obvious she wasn't paying attention? "Sorry. I guess I just zoned out for a minute." She continued looking on, absentmindedly playing with the frayed edges of her English notebook.

"I hate those bitches." Brooke said disgustingly, following Haley's line of vision. "Just look at them. Sipping their Starbucks. They think they are just the greatest things in the world." Brooke sneered. "Especially Rachael Gattina, she is the worst one."

"Um yeah I guess." Haley replied. After getting bored of daydreaming, Haley finally turned back toward Brooke. They had been best friends, along with Jake Jagelski, since second grade. Today, Haley and Brooke sat alone because Jake was out of school sick with a nasty cold caught from staying outside playing basketball in the freezing weather.

"So do you want to meet in the park this afternoon? Jake said he will try to make it if he is not puking his guts out." Brooke asked, laughing after repeating exactly what Jake had said over the phone. Occasionally after school, Haley, Jake, and Brooke would meet at the park by the River Walk. Haley and Brooke would watch as Jake shot baskets or dribbled around a soccer ball or sometimes they would all just lay in the grass looking up at the sky and talk.

"Yeah sure." Haley replied, starting to pack up her things. She wanted enough time to get to her locker before the bell so she wouldn't be late for class.

After saying goodbye, Haley and Brooke, grabbed their bags and went their separate ways. Unfortunately, Haley and Jake had lockers right next to each other, while Brooke's was located on the other side of the school.

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Nathan sat nervously trying to concentrate, tapping his pencil against the table, as he worked on his calculus homework. It was ten minutes until the bell and now he really regretted not doing this last night. Lucas, his brother, had come into his room at about eight o'clock telling him about some wild party. Of course living up to reputation, he left his homework unfinished, went to the party, and proceeded to have a great time. Big mistake. Nathan heard his friends start laughing at some poor little sophomore whose clothes didn't match. This was not really aiding his concentration. God when will they ever shut up.

It was senior year and it was time to buckle down. He had partied his way through high school, maintaining average grades to please the parents, but average was not going to get him in a great school. Dan Scott held high expectations for his boys Nathan and Lucas, and that meant getting into colleges like Duke, Harvard, Brown and Yale, were a must.

"Hey man, you need any help with that?" Lucas asked peering over his brother's shoulder at the blank paper. He had heard a long frustrated sigh come from Nathan. He knew the pressure was really starting to get to him. Maybe that party wasn't the best idea?

"No I'm fine." Truth was everything wasn't fine; he didn't understand any of this math. In his opinion letters and number don't belong together. Why did they even need calculus anyway?

He hadn't meant to snap at Lucas, but a jealous raged had kicked in. Lucas had his future set. He was the exact opposite of Nathan. While Nathan played sports, Lucas frequent ventured into the world of John Steinbeck and others reading any book he could get his hands on. Lucas was an straight-A student, involved in clubs, and was also decent at sports. Colleges were knocking on his door begging him to go there.

"You know what, I'll meet up with you guys later." Nathan said picking up his books and shoving them in his bag. He didn't think he was going to accomplish anything anyway. Oh well, what was one incomplete homework assignment going to harm? Try dozens of incomplete homework assignments.

"Are we still on for basketball in the park tonight," his friend Chase asked. "Or are you scared I'll whip you like last time." he added laughing. The boys were always competitive with each other. Playful banter was part of their daily routine.

"Ha, don't count on it." Nathan said. " I do believe I sent your sorry ass home crying last time."

"Yeah sure." Chase denied, laughing. "See you tonight."