I own nothing. Everything in this story belongs to the creator of One Tree Hill and the CW

Spring Break Junior Year cont.

Nathan laid in bed, he couldn't sleep. This wasn't the first sleepless night he'd had since his father died. Thoughts and memories kept running through his mind. He could also hear his mom in the kitchen. Knowing that sleep wouldn't come he got up deciding he should finally talk to her. He grabbed a pair of jeans and a hoodie. Tossing them on, he grabbed his phone, and keys and quickly went down stairs. Noticing the light on in the kitchen he looked in. Sitting at the Island was his mom, two empty wine bottles in front of her. Feeling the anger rise at the site of her drinking he turned quickly and quietly he exited the house.

Deb having been in the kitchen heard the door. Walking she looked out the window to see her son climbing into his car. She tried to make it outside but it was too late. Nathan had already taken off.

She went back into the house. Grabbing her phone she quickly called her son.

"Hello." Nathan answered on the first right

"What are you doing leaving the house in the middle of the night?" Deb questioned

"I'm sorry. I couldn't sleep I had to get out of there." Nathan stated

"I was in the kitchen you could've come and talked to me. I know your father wouldn't want you beating yourself up over his death." Deb said into the phone

Nathan gripped the phone hard in his hand, frustrated he blew up. "I was going to, but then I noticed you drinking and busy drowning your sorrows, two bottles in mom really? What you would your sponsor say?"

Deb sighed. "So I had a few glasses of wine. It hasn't been easy for me either Nathan which is why I think we should talk about it."

"I already told you I don't want to talk about it I just want to be left alone. Don't wait up." Nathan finished as he quickly shut his phone and threw it into the passenger seat. Hitting the highway he pushed his foot down on the gas. Flying down the high way, he felt free.

Deb looked at her phone. It was 10am and still he hadn't returned home. Picking up her phone she called Haley.

"Hello."

"Haley, its Deb. Have you heard from Nathan?" Deb asked feeling hopeful.

"No, why?" Haley asked

"He left here last night after he found me drinking, and I tried to talk to him about Dan." Deb sighed

"Well, I haven't." Haley said into the phone also irritated with Deb.

"Will you let me know when and if you do."

Haley sighed "Sure."

"Thank you Haley." Deb finished as they both hung up.

Haley put her phone down. Running her fingers through her hair she sighed frustrated. Picking her phone up she texted Nathan.

"Nate, had fun yesterday. Wanna do something?" Haley sent the text.

Of course he didn't answer. Getting up off her bed she quickly got dressed. She had made the decision to go look for him. Throwing on some clothes and grabbing her purse she quickly left.

She looked everywhere she could think of. The gym, river court, docks, beach and she still couldn't find him. The only other place she could think of was the beach house. Driving by she spotted his car. She parked her car and went to the door. She knocked and waited, after he didn't answer she knocked again trying the handle. Surprised when she found it unlocked she let herself in. She immediately went in search of him, it took her a while. Haley looked everywhere. Looking towards the sliding door she noticed it open. Walking towards it she heard a noise that sounding like crying.

She stopped in the door when she spotted Nathan he was on the back porch. He was sitting on the stairs with his head in his hands, and he was shaking because he was crying so hard, and the sounds he was making had her heart breaking. Not being able to stand it she quickly moved forward. Taking a seat beside him she put her hand on his shoulder. "Nathan. It's okay" She whispered her voice full of concern.

He jumped slightly in surprise, looking and seeing Haley with a concerned look he instantly felt embarrassed. "Hales, what are you doing here?" He asked as stood up and walked to the end of the porch with his back to her wiping at his eyes with the back of his hands in a fury.

Haley knew he was embarrassed but, he didn't need to be. Standing up she immediately walked up to him. With his back still to her she wrapped her arms around him from behind. "It's okay." Nathan tried to pull away again but she just held him tighter. She kept repeating her previous words. "It's okay Nathan. You have nothing to be embarrassed about." At that moment she felt him relax. She then pulled him over to the bench where they both sat down, never once taking her arms off of him, as he then buried his head in her shoulder.

Picking his head up, he looked at her. "I'm not okay." Nathan croaked. As he looked away from her.

"It's okay. Talk to me." Haley coaxed cautiously

Nathan looked at her, the concern on her face and the fact that she was holding him, had him finally wanting to talk. After a few minutes he spoke. "I was so disrespectful to him the last time I spoke with him. He was being honest and sincere and I just totally threw it in his face. Yes, he was a bad dad. He pushed me, and belittled me. But, I know deep down he only wanted me to be the best I could be. I just wish I could have told him I loved him…" Nathan trailed off as Haley let go of him.

Haley was shocked, she wasn't expecting Nathan to open up. She was glad he did. "He knew, Nathan. You may have been at odds but he knew you loved him." Haley finished as she reached over and put her hand on his back in comfort.

Nathan sighed. "My mom's drinking again."

"What are you gonna do?" Haley questioned

Nathan shrugged. "She's an adult. It's her choice. I'm going to have to let her make her choices. Besides I'll worry more if she starts on pills again." Nathan finished as he looked at Haley. "Would you do me a favor?" Nathan questioned out of the blue.

"Anything." Haley promised as his blue eyes danced with concern

Nathan flushed again with embarrassment "Please, don't say anything abou…." Nathan was silenced as Haley's finger went over his lips. Haley then removed her finger as she leaned forward. She kissed his cheek. "I won't say anything. I promise." Haley finished as she pushed herself forward and kissed him once more on the cheek. As she pulled away she noticed a distant look in his eyes.

"What?" she questioned

Not wanting to drive her away with anymore darkness he quickly shook his head. "Nothing. Thank you." Nathan stated with a smile grabbing her hand and kissing it.

Haley noticed the smile was forced. She then took the time to really look at him. He had dark circles under his eyes, his hair was far from it's usually neat up kept style. She suddenly found herself crinkling her nose in disgust. "When's the last time you showered? Or eaten?" Haley questioned

Nathan found himself chuckling. "Yesterday, with you and your parents at the beach was the last time I ate, and I showered yesterday after I got home from the beach. Why?"

Haley crinkled her nose in mock disgust. "You kinda stink." As she pushed into his side playfully causing him to chuckle.

Nathan sighed. "Okay, well then I guess I better go shower."

Haley smiled. "Good, while you do that I will make you something to eat."

Nathan stood up stretching. "Okay. I'll be back." Nathan said as he stood up and started up the stairs

Haley stood up and started towards the kitchen. Opening the fridge she noticed only beer, water, milk and Gatorade. Opening the pantry she noticed a box of macaroni and cheese. Smiling giddily, she grabbed the box and started making the golden box of deliciousness.

As she started a pot of water to boil, she, decided she needed some music. She noticed a small boom box on the counter walking over to it she turned it on. Rap music started to blare through the small speaker, shaking her head she noticed it was a cd and switched it over to the radio. She found a station that was suitable. Faith Hill's This Kiss was playing, liking the tune she went to check the water as she started to sing. The water was hot but not yet boiling walking to a cupboard she opened it. Finding some salt she quickly added it to the water. After a few more minutes the water started to boil. She quickly added the macaroni, stirring it as she did so the pasta wouldn't stick.

The radio then started playing Sheryl Crow "All I wanna do" as the music started she swayed her hips to the music. She sang along with the song and continued to dance as she continued making the mac and cheese. Little did she know, Nathan had finished his shower and was standing in the door way to the kitchen watching her with a smile on his face. As she started to sing, she took his breath away. Reaching into his pocket he recorded her singing, after a minute and not wanting to get caught he quickly put his cell phone back into his pocket. Knocking on the side of the door frame he then made his presences known.

Haley jumped slightly turning holding a hand to her chest. Turning she looked to see Nathan with a true smile on his face, he had a pair of basketball shorts on, however had neglected to put a shirt on. He was back to his up kept self "You scared me." She stated matching his smile she reached over and shut the stereo off. "How long have you been standing there?"

Nathan chuckled. "Long enough." Nathan said as he walked forward and stood at the island. He found himself shaking his head. "Your voice is amazing!" he finished looking into her eyes. Haley looked away quickly as she felt herself blushing. "Thanks."

"You know Peyton is looking for people to perform during house of freaks. You should talk to her about it." Nathan suggested

Haley found herself quickly shaking her head. "No, absolutely not. I get really bad stage fright. Besides I only sing in the shower and car. Besides not all of us need the spot light like you." Haley stated pointing her finger at him.

Nathan gasped. "What? I don't enjoy it."

Haley crossed her arms over her chest while raising an eye brow. "Oh, really?"

Nathan shrugged in a challenging manner.

"Stolen school bus, Mr. 28 points, 11 assists per game, and let's not forget boy toy." Haley rattled off playfully.

Nathan laughed. "Okay, I borrowed a school bus, as for the stats I am impressed you know them, but I am still not leading scorer, would be had Whitey not given my spot to Lucas. As for boy toy it was for charity and you sound jealous that you didn't end the night with me." Nathan finished with a smirk.

Haley scoffed. "You wish." Haley stated as she felt herself turning red. She turned as she quickly removed the macaroni from the burner and dumped it into a colander to drain the water. Once completed she added the macaroni back to the pot, and added the cheese with a little bit of milk.

She then grabbed two bowls out of a cupboard. She filled Nathan's to the top and herself settled for a scoop. She then placed the bowl in front of Nathan.

Nathan looked down at the bowl. "Mac and cheese, really?" Nathan questioned with a chuckle.

Haley gasped as she handed Nathan a fork. "What mac and cheese is food of the gods, and my favorite."

Nathan found himself laughing again. "Maybe, if the gods were five year olds. You're just lucky I am hungry." Nathan said as he took a bite.

"Whatever." Haley said as she took a bite of her own.

They settled into comfortable conversation. They had both finished eating. Nathan stood up and was cleaning everything up. Haley watched as Nathan moved around the kitchen. She was shocked he seemed comfortable in a kitchen. She watched as he finished. Walking over to a cabinet he opened it and grabbed two brownies. He then handed one to Haley.

"Hales, thanks for the mac and cheese. It was really good." Nathan said as he opened his own brownie and took a small bite.

"You're welcome." Haley said as she did the same.

After a few moments she noticed a smirk on Nathan's face. "what?" She asked with a raised eye brow.

"We should make sure you have that free throw down. I have a basketball hoop in the driveway." Nathan said pointing over his shoulder.

Haley felt herself smiling. "Okay, let's do it." She said as she and Nathan stood up. Both of them headed towards the driveway.

Nathan hit the button for the garage on the way out. Once outside he quickly grabbed a ball. Walking into the drive way he handed the ball to Haley. "Show me what you got Hales."

Haley positioned herself and let the ball fly. Without fail the ball sailed through the air and into the hoop. Haley threw her hands up in victory and quickly turned pulling Nathan into a hug. "Oh my god, I did it!"

"Good job, Hales. I'm proud of you." Nathan stated as he returned the hug.

Haley felt a shiver run down her spine, as she pulled out of the hug and looked at Nathan. He had a genuine smile on his face. His cobalt blue eyes shining bright had her feeling weak at the knees. She felt herself being pulled towards him, the fact that he was shirtless wasn't helping matters. She pulled her bottom lip between her teeth.

Nathan watched a million emotions play across her face. He watched as she pulled her lip between her teeth. At that moment he lost it. He leaned in and captured her lips in a kiss. He started off gentle, and was shocked that after a moment she had started to kiss back. At that point it picked up momentum. He felt himself moan as she pushed herself more into him. She tilted her head and opened her mouth over his, she then went for it and pushed her tongue into his mouth. Nathan's moan at the contact fueled her more. They both started to battle for dominance. As the broke the kiss both in need of air both looked at each other in complete shock.

"Wow." Was all Haley could say.

Nathan still not trusting his voice just nodded. "What does this mean?" Haley asked.

Nathan shrugged. "I don't know."

"Were you playing with me?" Haley asked

Nathan shook his head. "No."

"Then what was that?" Haley questioned again.

Nathan sighed. "Look Hales, I've always found you attractive. But, you're best friends with Lucas and he is my brother. And I've been afraid to make a move. But I've also been going through a lot lately. You're the only one who hasn't treated me different. And now that we have spent time together I don't know. I guess I just really like you."

Haley stood there shocked. She couldn't believe all of that had just come out of his mouth. She'd be lying if she said she didn't like him too. But, it just couldn't happen. At the thought of Lucas she panicked. "I've got to go." Haley said as she quickly started into the beach house.

Nathan quickly followed. "Hales, you kissed back. We should talk about this, please don't go. It could work."

Haley quickly grabbed her purse as she thought of it all she could picture was Nathan and Lucas throwing punches again shaking her head she answered. "I can't I just got to go." Haley said as she started towards the door. She stopped as she felt Nathan's hand on her shoulder. "Please don't go." Nathan pled.

"I'm sorry." Was all Haley said as she dropped her shoulder, as Nathan hand fell off of it she quickly left.

Nathan sat there shocked. "What the hell just happen?"

AN: Here is chapter 2. Sorry for the wait. I work the loss prevention side of retail so the Holiday's were hectic for me. The time i was not working I spent with family, which is what the holiday is all about. I apologize for not publishing sooner. I apologize in advance for any mistakes and grammar errors. For those reading The Wind That Blew Me Home. That is going on hiatus until further notice. I am just so stuck with that one i am currently unsure of what to do with it.

This story is going to start flopping between past and present. I am still working towards character pairings. I've had a few requests i am considering.

Anyways enjoy.