A/N: Hey I'm back! Sorry it's taken so long I've been really busy with school and I just found out I have a wisdom tooth infection so I've got to have surgery to get my wisdom teeth removed which means it could be a while until I update again! I'll try and get as many chapters out as I can before i have my surgery.

Enjoy!

2. The Eighteen Year Friendship

*March 21st, 2010*

"Hales" Jake said as Haley snapped back to look at Jake and his friend, and her eyes almost bugged out of her head.
"Well well, Haley James" the man said. Haley's smile widened even further as she wrapped her arms around the young man.

"Oh my god, Lucas!" Haley squealed as the man picked her up and spun her around "What are you doing here?" she asked as he set her down
"I go to Duke, I can't believe I didn't tell you in my last letter. I didn't even think about it, I figured you'd be going to Stanford?" Lucas replied
"Well, Stanford would've been amazing, but I couldn't afford it. Duke was my second choice and I was lucky enough to get a scholarship, I couldn't exactly turn down that opportunity" she smiled
"I'm sorry Hales" Lucas said
Haley scoffed and waved her hands "It's fine Luke, honestly. I'm happy here and it's only been a day, plus I've got Jake, and now you!" She smiled brightly.

Jake coughed loudly, breaking the two apart from their moment. Haley blushed slightly as Lucas chuckled
"So, how exactly do you know Eugene over here?" Jake asked raising an eyebrow
Lucas groaned at the mention of his middle/nick name "My mother is a terrible woman for naming me that" he said
Haley laughed as she turned to look at Jake "remember I told you that I used to live in Tree Hill before I moved to Carolina?" she started as Jake nodded "Well, for the eight years that I grew up there, Lucas and I were best friends. Our parents went to Tree Hill High together and so naturally we grew up together and became best friends. And we've stayed friends for eighteen years" she explained.

"We've kept in touch for the past ten years, but now we're at the same school we can properly get to know each other again" Lucas smiled as he hugged her once more "I've missed you James" he said
"You too. Eugene" She giggled as he let go of her, a scowl evident on his face causing Haley and Jake to laugh even louder
"So where's Nathan?" Jake asked

"Wait a second" Haley interjected before Lucas could answer "Nathan Scott? As in your half brother?" she asked
Lucas smiled "Yeah Hales. Nathan, my brother" he chuckled at Haley's shocked expression
"Last you told me you two hated each other" she exclaimed in confusion
"Nah, we're all good now. He's become one of my best friends Hales. And he's around here somewhere Jake, He and Rachel broke up last week so I think he's off drinking it up somewhere" Haley scanned the room, tuning out the last part of their conversation as she took in the party.

Jake chuckled as he shook his head "Well, I can't say I'm completely upset over their breakup, I hated that fake haired bitch" he said as he felt a hand on his should
"Well, tell us how you really feel Jagielski" the raven haired boy chuckled as he wrapped his arm around the Jake's shoulder
"Shit" jake muttered "sorry dude, I -" he was interrupted before he could finish
"Dude, relax! you're right, she was a fake, and I don't just mean her hair. I'm so glad to be done with her" He exclaimed as he took a large sip of his beer.

His smile brightened as he looked at Haley, looking her up and down taking in her appearance. He took a step forward and extended his hand, breaking Haley away from her people-watching.
"I don't believe we've met" He said as Haley took his hand, trying to keep the blush from creeping up her cheeks as he looked at her. She couldn't help but look at him in return. He had raven black hair, piercing blue eyes, dazzling smile. He was slightly taller than Jake and Lucas, and he had a muscular build that made his shirt stretch ever so slightly. Haley swallowed hard as she looked into his eyes, as Lucas spoke
"This is my best friend from when we were little, Haley James" Lucas said as Haley let go of his hand "Hales, this is my brother, Nathan"

Haley's eyes widened as she looked between Nathan and Lucas "This is Nathan?" she said as she looked back at Lucas
"You're his brother" she stated as she looked at Nathan, who chuckled at her expression "I know, it's hard to believe we're related when you look at how good looking I am compared to this lump" he chuckled shoving Lucas' shoulder jokingly.
"You were right Lucas" Haley smiled as she looked at Nathan "He is pretty full of himself" she said as she crossed her arms over her body.
Lucas looked at her slightly confused "When did I say that?"
"In one of your letters. Although, I believe your exact words were 'The guys a dick, Hales. An absolute Jerk and he's so full of himself. He thinks he's a god or something, I can't believe we're related'" she finished her recollection

"Well, we've gotten to know each other over the past ten years since I've seen you Hales" Lucas said standing next to Jake
"So now he's only just full of himself" she smiled sarcastically

Lucas and Jake burst out laughing as Nathan's smile faltered slightly. No woman had ever challenged him, even in the slightest. And if he was being honest, he liked that Haley James was. Nathan chuckled as he looked down at Haley
"You're a feisty little thing aren't you" he smirked as he looked her up and down again, humming in appreciation
"Hey" she snapped her fingers when his eyes lingered on her chest "My eyes are up here"s he said signalling to her face
Nathan chuckled as he looked her in the eyes, and gave her a heart-stopping smile "Sorry, but you're beautiful" he said, catching her off guard
"You can't blame me for staring"

Haley finally let the blush creep up her cheeks as she bit her lip. Jake and Lucas looked at each other, a knowing look on their faces.
This just got a lot more interesting.

A/N: OK, so I wrote this really quickly in between exams so I hope it was okay. I'm desperately trying to write another chapter. Hopefully I'll have one up by Wednesday or Friday as those are the days I don't have exams. There will still be a bit of the party next chapter, then Haley's roommates will be turning up! as usual PLEASE LEAVE A REVIEW and FAVOURITE and let me know what you think, and if there's anything you'd like to see happen for our favourite couple.

- Maddie :)