Hey everyone, thanks so much for the reviews. I'm glad that you're already starting to get into the story. These beginning chapters are a little short but I promise they'll get longer as the story goes on. But please keep reviewing since I love your comments. Also, I just have to say that the season finale last night was absolutely amazing! I thought that it was so well done. I'm not usually a crier but I was totally balling my eyes out by the end. Anyway, just wanted to mention that since I loved it so much. Now on to chapter 2...
Chapter 2
"Wow," Haley commented. Lucas had just finished telling her everything that had happened in Whitey's office. Of all the things she had expected to hear from him, that wasn't one of them.
"I know," Lucas replied with his head in his hands.
"What's the matter?" Haley asked putting a comforting hand on his shoulder. "I thought you'd be happy about this." Since Nathan was captain, he had complete control over the other guys. But now that Lucas was captain too, it gave him an extra edge over the rest of the team.
"It's gonna get worse," Lucas sighed. "You should have seen Nathan's face." Haley didn't particularly like Nathan. It wasn't just because he treated Lucas horribly. The guy was just an all around jerk. He was cocky, ignorant, and selfish. It especially pained Haley to see a good guy like Luke get tormented for something their "father" had started years ago.
"Lucas, if anyone can handle this, it's you. Don't let Dan or Nathan intimidate you. Because the truth is it's you who's got them running scared," she explained. Lucas then lifted his head out of his hands and gave Haley a small smile. Thank God he's smiling. Crisis averted for now.
"Thanks, Haley," Lucas replied as he gave her hand a friendly squeeze.
"Oh my God!" a voice exclaimed from behind the two friends causing them to jump. "Just the hottie I wanted to see."
"Hi, Brooke," Lucas greeted with a smile once the shock wore off. Haley had to hold back a laugh. It was so obvious that he had a thing for Brooke. He automatically got a dopey look on his face whenever she was around. The same could be said for the pretty brunette, too.
"Tutor Girl," Brooke said using her nickname for Haley. At first, Brooke and Haley didn't really get along. Brooke was the most popular and attractive girl in school while Haley was your average goody two shoes/tutor—hence the nickname. The only reason they even talked to each other in the beginning was because of Lucas. He had started hanging with more people from the "in" crowd since he joined the basketball team. Haley just felt like she was along for the ride. But on the bright side, she and Brooke had eventually become really good friends.
"Tigger," Haley replied using a nickname of her own.
"Is it true that you're the new captain of the basketball team?" Brooke asked getting right to the point.
"Actually, it's co-captain. But yeah," Lucas confirmed. "How did you find out?"
"Oh, it's all over school," Brooke answered. Haley shot a glance at Lucas and saw that he was now banging his head lightly on the table. Not good.
"Uh, Brooke," Haley said shaking her head and giving her a look not to mention it further.
"What?" Brooke asked confused.
"Lucas is still trying to take it all in. It's kind of a sore subject right now," Haley finished in a whisper to her.
"Oh," Brooke replied finally catching on. "So, um, what are you guys doing for the summer?"
"Camp," Haley replied—thankful that Brooke had changed the subject.
"Really?" Brooke exclaimed surprised. "What a coincidence. Peyton and I are going to camp this summer, too." Peyton Sawyer was Brooke's best friend. She also would hang out with Lucas and Haley from time to time.
"Which one?" Lucas asked now perking up. And guys say we have mood swings. One minute he's depressed and banging his head on the table and the next he's all twitterpaited over a girl. Men!
"I can't remember. Peyton made the arrangements. I'll have to ask her later."
"Well, I hope it's the same one. It would definitely make the summer more interesting," Lucas stated coyly.
"Oh, how so?" Brooke questioned leaning closer to him from across the table. Oh my God, are they flirting? Gross! I can't watch this. My eyes!
"You know what, guys, I have to head to the tutoring center and turn in my keys. I'll catch you later," Haley stated. She then quickly gathered her things and made her way across the quad.
Nathan was sitting with his friends at their usual table outside. Everyone was laughing and joking around about the summer and next year. To a Tree Hill High student, the last day of school was like Christmas. Nathan, however, was no where near feeling relieved. Once school ended at 2:20 that day, he would no longer be the captain of the basketball team. He'd be a co-captain. Everything he had worked for had been taken away from him—and right before his senior year. I can't wait till Dad hears about this, Nathan thought sarcastically. He's going to go ballistic.
"So Nathan, I heard you and Lucas will be sharing the team next year," another jock named Adam busted him up. He played for the football team. "That must suck."
"Yeah, what are the scouts going to say?" Ted voiced his opinion.
"They're not going to care," Nathan replied. "I'm still the best player. Besides, it's not like the team will do what he says anyway. They're loyal to me." Nathan had practiced and played with those guys for three years. There was no way in hell that they would go against him and start following some newbie.
"Not if Whitey has anything to say about it," his other teammate Dustin threw in.
"Yeah, well I don't give a shit what Whitey says," Nathan retorted angrily. "It's still my team." All everyone had been talking about that day was Whitey's decision. It was really starting to get on Nathan's nerves. Don't they have anything better to do than gossip?
"I was just saying," Dustin replied holding his hands up in surrender. By this time, Nathan had had enough. He just wanted to get away from everyone. Taking a deep breath, he managed to somewhat calm himself down.
"I'll see you guys later," Nathan stated getting up. He then entered the school and walked down the empty corridor. He didn't know where to go. Most of the classrooms were occupied, the gym and locker room were always filled, and the bathroom was out of the question—only the nerds ran in there when they couldn't take the pressure. That's when Nathan looked farther down the hall to his left.
"The tutoring center," he mumbled. I could go there. It's not like anyone actually uses that place anyways. Lifting his backpack higher on his shoulder, Nathan began to walk the rest of the way down the hall. When he got to the room, it was empty. Perfect. He didn't want any distractions. The news of his "co-captainship" had already traveled fast. It wouldn't be long before his father found out. The important thing was to get to him first so that he could spin it in a way his father wouldn't get as pissed about. Nathan walked over to one of the tables and took a seat with his back towards the door.
He then placed his head in his hands and tried to come up with some type of explanation. However, nothing he came up with seemed to be right. It was official. No matter what way he put it, his dad would still flip out. Damn it, I'm so screwed.
"Hey, Haley!" someone called down the hall. Haley turned around and saw Peyton walking towards her.
"Hey, Peyton. What's up?" Haley greeted.
"Nothing much. I was just wondering if you've seen Brooke anywhere."
"She was outside on the quad flirting with Lucas a few minutes ago," Haley said. "She probably still is."
"Again?" Peyton laughed. "They've been dancing around each other all week."
"Well, I guess it's safe to say that it won't be long before those two crazy kids get together," Haley stated.
"I'm predicting that Brooke will have him in the janitor's closet by the end of the day."
"You're probably right. But as long as I don't have to see it, then it's all good."
"Yeah," Peyton laughed. "So, where are you headed to?"
"The tutoring center. I have to drop off my keys."
"Oh, well, I don't want you to be late. I'll leave you to it then." As Peyton started to walk away, a thought popped into Haley's mind.
"Hey, Peyton, is it true that you and Brooke are going to camp this summer?" she asked. Peyton stopped walking and turned around to face Haley.
"Yeah. We're going to some place called Camp Aldrich. Why?"
"Well, that's a funny coincidence. Lucas and I happen to be going to the same camp," Haley revealed with a smile.
"No way!" Peyton exclaimed. "That's awesome. It's nice to know that I'll have some other people besides Brooke there with me. She's not exactly the outdoor type."
"Neither am I," Haley stated. "But my parents are making me go." At least there will be a few people I know with me this summer. If she was forced to go no matter what, she might as well try to be optimistic about it.
"Yeah, it was my dad's idea, too. He'll be on his dredging boat all summer working overtime. He didn't want me alone in the house all by myself for three months. And when Brooke found out that I was leaving, she begged her parents to let her come with me."
"Well, I'm glad you guys will be there with us."
"Me, too," Peyton agreed. Haley then looked at her watch and realized that if she didn't get to the tutoring center now, then she'd be late for her next class.
"I gotta go, Peyton, but I'll talk to you later," Haley said.
"No problem. I'll see you soon, anyway," the curly blonde replied. By the time Haley did make it to the tutoring center, lunch was almost over. Checking her watch once again, Haley noticed she only had five minutes left before she had to go to her next class. She quickly opened the door and walked in. She was just about to leave the key and get out when she saw that someone was already in the room.
Is he one of the new tutors for next year?
"Can I help you?" Haley questioned in a tentative voice. What happened next completely took her by surprise. When the guy finally did turn around, Haley found herself staring into the intense blues eyes of none other than Nathan Scott. Did I miss something?
