Chapter Two

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Nathan padded down the court in his size fourteen black Air Jordans. He stopped, dribbled the ball between his legs, then shot, watching as the ball sailed through the air, landing in the net with a perfect swish. He pumped his arms in victory as he walked to the bench. Sports were a big part of Nathan's life, but by far, basketball was his favorite thing to do. Whenever he was on the court, whether it was in a school game or just a pick up game in the park, he felt untouchable and all of his problems just seemed to disappear. If it was up to Nathan, he would be playing basketball in college. He was the star of the high school basketball team, who were on their way to becoming state champions, and he was sure if he worked hard enough, he could be recruited. To bad his dad had other plans for him. Dan Scott had been planning his children's future since they were born and that consisted of an ivy league education, becoming a successful doctor, lawyer, or buisness man, and carrying on the family wealth.

"And that's game." Nathan howled as he wiped the sweat off his forehead with the end of his shirt. After looking down at the large sweat mark he immediately cringed. He hadn't had time to change after school, and now he had stained a perfectly good school shirt. His mom was going to kill him.

"Lucky shot." Chase challenged as he went to retrieve that ball that had rolled off the court.

Nathan sat down on the bench that was located on the side of the park and retrieved two blue Gatorades out of his bag, handing one over to Chase. The sat side by side on the rickety wooden bench, breathing heavily from their competitive game of basketball. Chase Adams had been one of Nathan's best friends since grade school. They both came from the most prominent families of Tree Hill and it was only natural for them to associate with each other. Right away they had bonded, both having similar soft spoken personalities. Chase had always been there for Nathan when he was having problems. Chase always felt kind of sorry for Nathan, because of all of the pressures from his father. Dan Scott was always pushing Nathan to be the best. Also, Nathan was always being compared to Lucas, and always came second best. Growing up, his accomplishments were pushed to the side, and he always felt a lack of love from his parents, especially from his father. It was no secret Lucas was the favorite.

"So how is bringing the grades up going?" Chase asked, taking a sip of his Gatorade. "I saw you you attempting to finish Mr.Warner's calculus homework this morning. Man, you really should do that shit at night."

Nathan shook his head at released a long frustrated sigh. He didn't need to be reminded of yet another thing he should have gotten done. "Well I would if someone would stop dragging me to lame ass parties every night."

"Dude, that party was all Chris. You can bitch to Keller about than one." Chase laughed, holding his hands up in defense. "But come on, I mean there were some pretty hot girls there last night. Did you see that group of girls from Pontiac? I'll tell you, that made my night."

At Tree Hill High, Nathan was notorious for getting any and every girl he wanted. It wasn't like he put forth much effort, girls just seemed to flock toward him. Though he never hooked up with the same girl more than a few times, he had to admit, he always seemed to find some perfectly willing girls at all of the parties. Through all of his four years of high school, Nathan had yet to have a serious relationship. It wasn't that he didn't want one, or was scared of commitment, he just never found a girl worthy of his time. That was another time that he could never measure up when compared to his brother. Lucas had been dating Peyton Sawyer since the beginning of ninth grade. Peyton was the envy of most girls in Tree Hill because of her perfect height, slender figure, and head full of golden blonde curls. Peyton and Lucas got along perfectly because they both loved music, literature, and art, and could relate in most aspects of life. Karen, their mom, had always loved Peyton, and she expected her and Lucas to get married and spend their life together. Karen was always bugging Nathan, telling him he needed to get involved with a good, steady girl.

"When are you gonna hook up with Rachel? She has been after you since like sophomore year." Chase looked toward Nathan who was mindlessly moving the ball in his hands. "She thinks she practically owns you already."

Nathan turned his head toward his friend and released the ball, watching as it bluntly landed in the gras with a thud. "I told you, Rachel and I are just friends. I am not interested. Besides, right now, the last thing I need to be focusing on is hooking up with girls."

"Yeah, I guess, but when has that ever stopped you?" Chase lightly nudged Nathan with his elbow. "Okay, enough of this emotional crap. We are starting to sound like Lucas. Let's play some ball." The boys got up, grabbed the ball and started to dribble around the court, trying to forget there current problems.

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Haley looked around at her surroundings as she walked aimlessly on the paved trail that encased the park. A group a preteen boys were playing football randomly chanting a few plays, over a bit father were a few toddlers playing on the jungle gym that she remember from her younger years. She loved this place. Not only was it located along the river, but it was were she spent most of her childhood, just hanging out with her brothers and sisters, and later, Brooke and Jake. A gust of wind surged through the park and blowing back Haley's long, wavy, blonde. Taking her phone out of her pocket, she looked at the time, 4:23. Haley looked around once more. Where was Brooke? Her friends were supposed to arrive at four o'clock, and they had yet to show up.

"Hey! Heads up!" A warning voice called. Haley turned to her right to see a basketball hurling toward her. Just in time, she put her hands up, blocking her face, and the ball got knocked to the ground. Luckily, Haley had saved herself from total embarrassment; usually she was a klutz. Everyday she ended up bumping her head, falling, knocking things over, or running into something, at least once.

Picking the ball up off the ground, she lifted her head and locked eyes with the most gorgeous boy she had ever seen. He was dressed in dark, crisp jeans, a navy Abercrombie and Fitch polo that showcased his muscles perfectly, and a black, backwards hat with the Duke emblem, covering his buzzed head. Immediately she recognized him to be Nathan Scott, the popular senior who she had seen many times at school. Of course she had never talked to him, but she had admired from afar.

"Sorry about that, my friend doesn't exactly have the best shot." Nathan joked, nodding his head toward Chase. He gave Haley a big smile. He recognized this girl, but he couldn't remember where she was from. Surely he would have remembered those big brown eyes and gorgeous smile.

"Oh, that's okay. No harm done." Haley returned the smile nervously. She was surprised because instead of the smirk she had seen so many times, Nathan had a real, genuine smile. Looking at Nathan again, and taking in how perfect he was, she self consciously looked down at her own attire and inwardly cringed. She was wearing plain faded jeans, and a long sleeve, black v-kneck sweater. At that time she felt like the definition of Plain Jane.

"I'm Nathan." Nathan interrupted Haley's thoughts, sticking out his hand.

"Oh...Hi, I'm Haley." She stuttered, putting her hand in his. At the moment their hands touched, Haley felt a bolt of electricity surge though her and immediately pulled her hand back and dropped it to her side. Nathan couldn't belive how small and soft her hand felt in his. He was also surprised because usually any girl he met would be shamelessly flirting with him by now. Haley was completely friendly and genuine and things with her felt natural. She wasn't that bad on the eyes either, actually, she was pretty cute.

"So, are you here alone?" Nathan asked.

"Yeah. My friends were supposed to meet me here, but I really have no idea where they are." Haley stated. She was intimidated by Nathan because she knew where he came from. His family was wealthy, and of course she knew Mayor Dan Scott. Her family was just average. With seven kids, it took a lot to make ends meet, so Haley had to do without a lot of things she wanted.

"Well if you want, you can come hang out with us." Nathan told her. He had no idea where that had come from. But it was getting dark, and she actually seemed pretty cool.

"Yeah sure." Haley couldn't believe she was hanging out with the most popular senior in school. Barely a month ago, she had turned fifteen, she new for a fact Nathan was eighteen, because she remembered fliers for his birthday posted all over school. But it wasn't just that he was popular, even though more than anything Haley wanted to be part of their world, she really wanted to hang out with Nathan.

Haley and Nathan started walking across the grassy field back over to the basketball court where Chase was casually bouncing the ball. Chase took a look at the two and smiled. It was just like Nathan to pick up every girl he saw.

"Hey. What's up? I'm Chase." He said, giving her a quick wave.

Before Haley could speak, Nathan interrupted her. "Chase, this is Haley. She was here alone, and since you almost took her head off with the ball, I invited her to hang out with us."

Chase stopped bouncing the ball and looked at Haley and Nathan. "Okay, first of all, that was totally Nathan's fault. Since the dude is like six foot four, I had to hurl the ball through the air just to get it over his damn head."

Haley looked between Nathan and Chase and laughed, they seemed like great friends, and the playfulness reminded her of her own friendships.

"So Haley, do you go to Tree Hill High?

"Yeah actually...

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About fourty-five minutes later, Haley, Nathan, and Chase were all lying in the grass looking up at the sky. They had talked about everything from school, to the latest social events coming up, even basketball. Haley was having the time of her life. They had even invited her eat lunch with them tomorrow. Chase seemed like a great guy, and he was absolutely hilarious, but mostly she was thrilled to be in Nathan's company. He wasn't at all what she expected. She had heard rumors, but right now they all seemed impossible.

Nathan turned his head and looked over at Haley. He had really enjoyed spending the last hour with her. Listening to her stories about her crazy family, and even her friends Jake and Brooke. Who knew a ninth grader would be so cool? Around her, he didn't have to be anyone else and felt completely natural just being himself.

"Listen, I really enjoyed spending time with you Haley, and whooping your ass in basketball Nate, but I've got to head home." Chase said standing up."Remember Haley, lunch tomorrow. Don't be a stranger."

"Alright we will see you tomorrow." Nathan said as he and Haley both stood up. The three exchanged goodbyes, until Nathan and Haley were left by themselves.

"So I'll see you tomorrow? Nathan asked hopefully.

"Yeah definitely." Haley replied smiling. She couldn't wait until tomorrow.