A/N: Thanks followers for your support/feedback! This story may be a little slow but I love a gradual build-up. :p Sorry!

I've been re-watching OTH from the very beginning for inspiration. Gahhh! S1 NH is to die for. Anyway, expect the next chapter up very soon! Thanks, RGLS

Chapter 3

Haley drove through her old neighborhood, waves of nostalgia hitting her as she passed her old school, her old home, and finally as she pulled into her childhood friend's street. She appeared to be the last one to arrive, since the driveway and front of the house was blocked by cars. She parked across the street. She grabbed the bouquet of fresh lilies from her passenger seat and a box of peanut brittle, she'd picked up at the farmer's market. It appeared that Karen had maintained the house in pristine condition and kept everything to its original quality. The only obvious addition was that of a playground set in the backyard that she could see from the driveway. She felt a mixture of nervous excitement bubbling in her stomach.

She knocked on the door, once, then twice, listening for footsteps. When she heard none, she balanced the box of treats on her hip and the bouquet in the same hand, as she tried to quickly readjust the top of her dress.

Suddenly, the front door swung open. Startled, Haley jumped back a little. She felt the box slipping from her side, right before the young man who'd answered the door, saved her from dropping her gifts and from toppling over.

"Are you okay?" The depth of his voice sent a delicious chill down her back.

"Uh, well, save for the embarrassment, I think I'll live," she laughed nervously. "I'm sorry, uh… this is Karen Roe… I mean, Karen Scott's house, correct?"

Nathan stared at this stranger in wonder. Why did she seem so familiar? He tried to absorb everything at once, the brightness of her eyes, the fullness of her lips, even the musical quality to her voice. He tried to remember.

She looked at him quizzically, breaking his train of thought. Oh God, he must look like a freak right now.

"Oh, sorry, yeah. This is Karen's house,"

"You made it!" Karen appeared from behind her nephew. "Nathan, this is our surprise guest. You remember Haley James, don't you?"

His breath caught in his throat, when the recognition hit him.

"Well, come on in. Oh, Haley, these are beautiful. You shouldn't have," Karen gushed at the gifts that Nathan was holding. "Nathan, could you please put those in the kitchen,"

Karen was quick to grab Haley's hand, escorting her to the back patio, where everyone was. Nathan followed the pair, but stopped a few feet away as he watched Haley being enveloped by hugs. He even watched somewhat enviously as his brother, held her longer than necessary and lifted her off her feet. She hadn't even taken a second glance at him though.

Nathan shook his right leg unconsciously as he stared out the car window. He felt like throwing up or passing out. Today was the day that his mom was taking him to meet Lucas Scott, his half-brother. His mom was friends… or at least was trying to be friendly with Lucas's mom, so they had jointly decided to let the boys meet. He looked over at his mom who seemed to be driving extra slow today.

"You feel okay, sweetie?"

"I guess," he answered non-committedly.

"Ms. Roe and I are going to have some coffee and talk. I know your father doesn't agree, but I think you should have to opportunity to get to know… her son. We don't have to be there long. If you get tired or if you start to feel uncomfortable, you just tell me, and we'll go home,"

He nodded.

It was early Sunday evening, when they drove up to a small, but cozy looking house. All the lights were lit on the inside and produced a warm and welcoming glow against the fading daylight.

A pretty woman that had the same color hair as him answered the door. She was really nice, but she seemed so different from his mom. She even told him to call her by her first name, Karen. He couldn't help but to think about his dad and imagine them together. Then, a teen boy entered the living room hesitantly, with his hands jammed in his back pockets. How could this boy be his brother? He had blonde hair and freckles. They looked nothing alike. But when the boy made eye contact with him, he saw his own blue eyes looking back at him.

"Uh, Hi Mrs. Scott,"

The boy shook his mom's hand politely and then turned to him.

"Hey… Nathan, right?"

Nathan stood still, a hair's width away from his mom. "Yeah. I'm Nathan."

The blonde boy seemed to relax a little before replying, "Well, I'm Lucas. It's nice to finally meet you,"

For some reason, Nathan could tell that he meant what he said.

"You've got a killer arm," Lucas complimented him, as he heaved the football in Nathan's direction.

He flushed a little, considering that someone five years older than him thought his arm was strong.

"I don't really play football. Sometimes, I do with my friends in recess, but my dad only lets me play basketball at home,"

Nathan caught the change in expression in Lucas's eyes at the mention of his dad. He forgot that his dad… their dad was a sore subject and immediately felt stupid.

"Pucas!"

The two boys turned to see a girl running in their direction strapped with a messenger bag and a big book in her hands. Nathan tried not to laugh at the nick name. She came to a halt when she saw the younger boy.

"You… must… be… Nathan… Scott!" she exclaimed, panting heavily.

He took a step back, surprised that she knew his name.

"Hales, you're scaring him," Lucas said sarcastically.

She waved Lucas off, bending over to catch her breath. When she composed herself, she stood up and smiled brightly at Nathan.

"I've heard you found out you're related to this weirdo, I am truly sorry," she joked, before clapping a hand over Nathan's shoulder.

He laughed a little, chancing a look at his brother, who actually looked amused. She pulled her hand away from his shoulder, but it left a tingling sensation there almost like he was still feeling her hand.

"In all seriousness, it's really nice to meet you, Nathan,"

She reached out to shake his hand, just like he was an adult or something. It made him feel cool, but he was really eager to just feel her hand again. Yep, now his right hand was tingling too.

"Nathan, this, unfortunately, is my best friend, Haley,"

"Ms. James, if ya nasty!" she exclaimed.

"Okay, seriously, how much sugar have you had today?" Lucas asked.

She gasped dramatically, before slapping a textbook to her friend's chest.

"I came all the way here to lend you my lit book, and you dare insult me," she narrowed her eyes at him.

"You're like in hyper drive, that's all I'm saying,"

"Well, as soon as I got home from the café, I hauled my butt over here, so if my adrenaline is intimidating you, you can seriously suck it, Luke,"

"Okay, okay, I'm sorry,"

She made a face indicating that she was clearly not convinced.

He sighed, dropping down on one knee and plead, "Forgive me?"

Nathan laughed at their antics, drawing Haley's attention. She quirked an eyebrow and said, "You think we should leave him here like this?"

Nathan nodded quickly, still laughing.

"I like you! Come on, you like ice cream? I know where Lucas hides the good stuff,"

He followed her, before hesitantly looking at his brother. Lucas got up, dusting off his knee and gestured for Nathan to go inside.

"Don't fall for her magic," Lucas stage whispered, following his younger brother.

But Nathan felt like he already had.

Everyone sat around the patio, enjoying the refreshing evening air and watching Keith play with Lily. Haley was not surprised to find out that Keith and Karen had married only a few years after she had moved from Tree Hill. Lily had been born a year after that, and was now seven years old. She was brown haired and brown eyed like her mother, but freckled like her older half-brother. Haley wasn't sure, but she also thought Lily had an uncannily similar smirk to her father's.

"It's getting a little chilly. I'm going to head inside," Karen said, while grabbing some of the emptied glasses.

"Here, Karen, let me help you,"

Deb got up as well, smiling at the three young adults as she scurried inside.

Nathan reclined back against one of the wicker chairs, watching Haley from the corner of his eye, as she looked wistfully at his Uncle and daughter play.

Lucas and Haley sat together on the wrought iron love seat. They wouldn't move more than a few feet from each other the whole night, it seemed.

"So, you're back… for good?" Lucas asked, polishing off the rest of his beer.

"For now," she said quietly.

"Are your parents going to stay in Arizona, or… did they plan on moving here too?"

"Nope, just me. You know just as well as I do that the James clan was always meant to roam."

She turned to Nathan, including him in the conversation.

"When I was growing up, we were never a full household. At least two of the kids were already out on their own. And even if one came back, another one was already out the door," she then added, turning back to Lucas, "I told you, Vivian and her family are in South Africa and Taylor is doing God knows what in Eastern Europe. And for some reason, I got pulled here,"

"Shit, well, I'm glad you did," Lucas admitted freely. He got up slowly, stretching out his arms. "I'm gonna get another beer, you want one, Nate? Haley?"

Nathan shook his head 'no' and Haley did the same. And then it was just the two of them watching Keith and Lily.

"You've been exceptionally quiet, tonight," Haley said to Nathan.

He glanced at her briefly, afraid to make eye contact. But he slouched in his chair, feigning indifference.

"I'm just tired. I drove in earlier today, so…" he shrugged.

"Oh, I get it. You're too cool for us old folks, huh?" She felt dumb for saying it, but it was obvious how bored he must be, having dinner with family on a Friday night.

"Nah, it's cool. Most of my friends are still in school, anyway, since it's not a holiday weekend. And it was worth it to see Lucas almost cry over seeing you,"

"Hey, we're BFFs fo' life. He can cry if he wants. It's cool," she defended jokingly.

Nathan laughed at that, his voice slightly echoing into the night air. Haley shivered.

"Are you cold?" He asked.

Without waiting for an answer, he slid off his Duke sweater. Haley turned away when she saw his t-shirt ride up, exposing part of his stomach, right where the top of his jeans met his pelvic bone.

"Here." He handed it to her.

She hesitated only briefly, enthralled by his lingering musk on the hoodie, before she slipped right into it.

"You look like you're 12 in my hoodie," he commented with a laugh.

"Figures. I think I could live in here."

He chuckled, "Don't worry, it's cute,"

She blushed, thankful that it had significantly darkened outside.

"Speaking of… I can't believe how many years it's been. I think the last time I saw you… you were only 10. Now that – that was cute,"

"Hey, I like to think that I'm still pretty cute," he responded challengingly with a smirk.

"Haley, is Nate smothering you with his ego?" Lucas popped his head out the glass door.

"Hey, hey, I'm just stating the facts," Nathan replied smoothly.

Haley admired the two brothers arguing back and forth. Their relationship was so effortless now.

"Don't fall for his magic, Hales," Lucas warned.

Haley caught eyes with his younger brother for a moment.

"I'm serious. He's a womanizer, from what I hear," Lucas added teasingly.

Nathan tried his best not to react to his brother's joke. He usually didn't take those kinds of comments personally, but it bothered him for Haley to think of him that way.

"Hell, if I was a star player for the Blue Devils and as good looking as Nathan, I'd be a womanizer too!" She claimed, giving Nathan a private wink.

He gave her a small smile but on the inside, he carried a feeling that was big and luminous.

The dinner came to a close shortly after that.

"So tomorrow, then?" Haley said, confirming her one-on-one plans with Lucas, as she stood in the foyer.

Keith suddenly appeared in the hall. "Luke, your sister is asking for you. She wants another bedtime story,"

Lucas smiled sweetly at the mention of his sister. "I'll be right there," he said. "Here, let me walk you to your car," he said to Haley.

"Please, Lucas, I think I'll survive the 30 foot walk," she teased.

She said her farewells and walked down the sidewalk towards her car.

"Haley!"

Just as she reached her car, she turned to see Nathan walking towards her with something in his hands.

"Hey,"

"Um, Karen wanted you to take some of the leftovers home. She said there's dessert in there, too,"

Nathan handed her a brown paper gift bag, still warm with food.

"Oh, wow… thanks! So, you headed back tomorrow?"

He brought his hand to the back of his neck as he spoke, "Uh, I'm actually heading out on Sunday morning. You know, to spend some time with my mom,"

The gesture made him seem younger and it reminded her of the Nathan she used to know, albeit briefly.

"That's sweet. So, I guess, we won't be seeing you until Thanksgiving then. Although, I might have to join Luke on a one of those trips to see your games. I remember how talented you were,"

The compliment was unexpected. "Yeah, that would be cool. I can always get free tickets so…"

"So… yeah. Until we meet again," she said, saluting him.

He saluted her back with a smile.

"It was really good to see you again," he responded.

They stood there for a long second before she briefly squeezed him on his shoulder. He should've let her just leave after that; he had meant to, but instead he bent forward to embrace her gently. It warmed him to the bone. He waited for her to get in the car and pull away, all the while noticing that she had taken his hoodie with her.