AN: Thanks for everyone who reviewed and added our story! It means a lot to us. In our opinion, this is where the story really starts because the last chapter was basically a prologue. This chapter title is a song by Taylor Swift. If you don't know it check it out considering we spent about a half hour deciding on the title. Hope you enjoy it and please review!

Chapter 2 - Tell Me Why

Nathan was riding around town on his motorcycle not really heading in any direction in particular. By looking at the position of the sun in the sky, he could tell it was around 1:00 so he headed to the high school that he saw when he arrived in town the previous day. He parked his bike and hopped the fence and went to sit on the bleachers that overlooked the football field. He figured since school was in session he could just hang around here and no one would bother him until he had to pick up Haley, but he was wrong.

Just as he was about to light a cigarette a cheerleader walked over to him. "Hi! My name's Bevin, what's yours? I've never seen you in school before, and I would know because I'm head cheerleader and I know everyone, especially if they look like you. I mean have you looked in a mirror because you're totally hot."

"My name's Mark and no, I don't go to school so that's why you haven't seen me before. So what's there to do in this small town?" he asked in a bored tone.

"Well you could go bowling that's where anyone who's anyone hangs out. A few friends are going there tonight actually and I definitely want to see you again, so you should like totally go."

"Yeah, I'll think about it. So what do you know about Haley James?"

"Haley James? Isn't that the girl who's parents died last year? I don't really know much about her I mean we don't exactly have anything in common. She works in that stupid café all day while I'm busy training for my cheerleading competitions. Do you know how hard it is to look this good? Anyway, have you seeeeeen her? No wonder why she doesn't have a boyfriend. She dresses like my grandma."

"Alright, well, I'm gonna not be here anymore." He walked off the bleachers, hopped the fence and jumped on his bike. He put on his helmet and gave her a noncommittal wave as he sped away.

As he was driving down the road to pick up Haley he thought about his encounter with the perky cheerleader. Brenda? Barbie? Whatever her name was. In high school she would have been the girl he was with. Maybe not a girlfriend but definitely someone he hooked up with for a night. However, this time, and it wasn't because of the age difference, Nathan just didn't feel anything towards her. No lust. Nothing. Instead, when she spoke about Haley he felt angry. Almost like he had to protect her. She was such a nice person, taking him into her home. So what if she didn't dress like Barbie. Obviously Barbie was delusional because Haley was hot. He also liked that fact that she didn't have a boyfriend. But wait why did he like that? It's not like he was sticking around. He couldn't get involved in a town, let alone get attached to a girl. He couldn't allow Haley to become involved with him or she could get hurt in the end. Not because he was a badass, but because of his past that could come back to haunt him.

He arrived at the café at 6:00 and he watched Haley through the window for a few minutes before going in and leaning against the wall waiting for her to notice him. When she did, she smiled and said goodbye to Karen. "Ready to go?" he asked.

"Um…not if we're taking your motorcycle," Haley said in a know-it-all tone.

"What's wrong with my bike?"

"It's a death trap waiting to happen. Besides you only have one helmet and it's against the law to drive without a helmet."

Nathan rolled his eyes. "Fine we will walk."

"Where are we going?"

"It's a surprise." Nathan started walking but when he looked back Haley was still standing at the café so he went back and grabbed her hand. "C'mon."

They walked in silence for about five minutes when they arrived at the bowling alley. "This is where we're going?"

"Do you always ask so many questions?" They walked inside and Haley looked around as Nathan went to get them a lane. "Can I have a lane please?" he asked the girl behind the counter.

"Sure, that will be $10.00."

"What's a cute girl like you doing working here? Shouldn't you be out with friends?"

"Ugh, my stupid parents made me get the job. I hate it. I mean why can't they just give me money?"

"Yea I know how that is. What if I got someone to cover your shift for you and in return I don't have to pay for this."

"How are you going to get someone to do that?" she said in a bored voice.

"Watch and learn." Nathan noticed a group of boys who he suspected were the nerds of the school.

He walked over to one and said "You. You're working the register."

The boy looked Nathan up and down, deciding it was best not to argue with him and walked over to the counter. The girl looked at Nathan who winked at her and then led Haley to their lane.

As they were walking to the lane Bevin jumped in front of them. "Oh my god! Mark! You came!" she almost screamed.

Haley looked at Nathan puzzled, but then she realized. "Oh right, Mark so is this your new friend?"

"Yea, we met today at school." Nathan replied.

"But you don't go to school."

"I know that. I was just chillin' and then Barbie here walked over."

"It's Bevin." the cheerleader corrected.

"Right. Well thanks Bevin but me and Haley need to go now." He pulled Haley along again who kept looking back at Bevin.

"So this is what you do in your spare time? You pick up high school girls?"

"No! Barbie-"

"It's Bevin! Don't you even know her name?"

"Whatever her name is came up to me and I asked what there was to do around here. Besides anyone who's anyone is going to be here tonight Haley. God," he said with a dramatic sigh causing Haley to laugh.

"Well when you put it that way Mark. Just to let you know there were two sports where I was not a total klutz at and they were mini golf and bowling. You're going down."

"Bring it on."

A few days had passed and Nathan and Haley had gotten into a routine. Haley would wake and make breakfast but today her alarm had not gone off. She hear cursing in the kitchen and went to see what was going on. There was Nathan, standing next to the toaster cursing because he had burnt the toast. Haley watched him amused for the next few minutes before making her presence known.

"Well you're definitely no Emeril."

"Haley! Hi, I thought since you didn't wake up and I'm leaving tomorrow I'd make you breakfast."

"What do you mean you're leaving?"

"Well you didn't think I was going to stay here forever did you?"

"Well no but I didn't think you'd be leaving this soon."

"Look I appreciate everything you've done and your not that bad to hang out with but I can't stay here Haley."

"Why not?"

"Because I don't stay in any place longer than a week."

"Why?"

"Don't you ever stop asking questions?"

"No. Now tell me why."

"Damn it Haley I can't tell you!"

"You know I just remembered, Karen called. I have to go" Haley said almost running towards the door.

"I thought you didn't have to work today?"

"Um…something suddenly came up" Haley replied, not looking at him as she ran out the door and into her car.

"Damn it!" Nathan yelled as he watched her go through the window.

Haley didn't really have to go to work, but she just couldn't stay in the same room as Nathan. He infuriated her so much! She let him stay in her home for the past week not asking any questions so she thought he owed her an explanation. She pulled up in front of the café hoping Karen would still be there. She really needed her second mother right now. Haley walked in and saw Karen wiping down some of the tables before the café opened for the day.

"Haley? What are you doing here? You don't have work today."

"Yeah, I know, I just needed some time away from Nathan."

"Oh, you mean that boyfriend of yours that has been driving you crazy?"

"He's not my boyfriend. Anyway he told me he was leaving tomorrow and I asked him why and he just blew up in my face! I can't believe him. He just waltzes into my life unannounced and decided to leave without even bothering to tell me! How could he do that?!"

"Are you sure he's not your boyfriend because you're acting like a girl whose boyfriend is about to leave her. He's just a guy that you let stay in your house, Haley. He has no attachment to you whatsoever."

"Then why does it hurt so much that he's leaving?"

"Because you like him."

"Well, of course I like him… I wouldn't let someone I hate stay in my house."

"You know what I mean Haley. You like him like him."

"Well, whatever that doesn't matter because he's leaving tomorrow and I'm never going to see him again."

"Well what's keeping you here? Why can't you go with him?"

"That's crazy! I have to stay here! I have my house and the café. I can't just leave my life behind and go off with some stranger!"

"You have to decide what you want and if its worth the risk. Sometimes in life you just have to let your heart make the choices not your brain."

"Yea…well I'll see you tomorrow Karen. Or not. But most likely I'll be here bright and early tomorrow morning."

"Goodbye Haley," Karen said as she walked over to the girl who became something of a daughter to her and hugged her as though it was going to be the last time she saw her.

It was starting to get dark out when Haley arrived back at the house. After Karen's she had a few errands to run. As she got to the front door she noticed all the lights were off and she started to get nervous. She entered the house and walked around, turning all the lights on, expecting to find Nathan on the couch watching TV, but he wasn't there.

"Nathan?! Nathan?!" Haley screamed his name several times but she got no answer. Just as she was about to leave and look for him Nathan opened the door and glared at her.

"Where have you been?!" They both yelled at the same time to each other.

"I've been looking for you all day Haley. First I go to Karen's because she is like your only friend and then she tells me you left already. So I spend the whole day searching for you afraid you were like suicidal or something."

"Well how do you think I felt when I walk in and see all the lights off. I thought you had left! I know we're not together and you don't owe me anything but we're friends right?"

"No."

"What do you mean 'no'?"

"I mean no. For the millionth time Haley I can't let you get involved."

"Yea well for someone who's not my friend you spent the better half of the day searching for me!"

"Yea because I was the last person seen with you. I thought 'well if Haley killed herself or if something happened I'd be blamed' and I can't let that happen."

"That's bull and you know it. You were worried about me just like I was worried about you."

"No I wasn't."

"Then why would you go look for me and yell at me when you walked in the door?"

"Fine! I was worried about you but don't go thinking this means anything. Don't start analyzing everything I do and turning into some caring action. I'm still leaving tomorrow and you're not going to stop me."

"You know what, Nathan, do whatever you want! I'm going to bed! Go ahead and leave now if you want I don't care anymore!" Haley yelled as she ran upstairs and left Nathan standing in the living room as he heard the door slam.