I was a bit disappointed when I didn't find any reviews for the last chapter but I'm still going to continue with this story. I'm currently on chapter twelve. I may finish this story in twenty chapters or so. The thing is, I've always wanted to publish at least one story of my own, so I'm gonna do just that no matter what. But as always I'd love to know what you guys think.

Chapter Three

Nathan Scott and Haley James had been the best of friends since their childhood. They met each other as six year olds while out in a children's park with their respective mothers. They had bumped into each other while running around the park filled with children. The conversation that followed after the bump was one of their most favorite memories.

"Are you blind or something?" A six year old Nathan barked at the girl whose facial expression turned from apologetic to that of anger as she took in his icy tone.

"I could ask you the same thing, you know" He listened as the tiny girl spoke back in the same tone.

"Whatever. Just... don't come near me or anything." He said backing away with disgust. The six year old girl furrowed her eyebrows in confusion.

"But why?" Haley asked stepping towards him, clearly enjoying his discomfort.

"Stop!" Nathan shouted but Haley continued stepping towards him. He added, "You have cooties and I don't want them." Haley stopped and suddenly burst out laughing.

"No silly. People just say that stuff. I don't have any cooties". She said while Nathan watched her curiously, trying to contemplate if she was lying.

"Really?" He asked.

"Really". Haley smiled as she stood before him. Her smile was contagious and Nathan soon found himself smiling back. She moved her right hand forward.

"So... Friends?" She asked with a big smile.

He looked at her hand for a long time and stated. "I've never been friends with a girl before... because I thought you all had cooties."

"It's okay but you now know that we don't". He smiled with a nod and shook her hand.

"Friends".

"My name is Haley by the way. Haley James."

"I'm Nathan Scott".

That was the first day of their friendship and it had simply blossomed from there. They continued meeting at the same park everyday and soon became the best of friends.

Nathan Scott was the lone child of Dan and Debra Scott. Haley James too, was the only daughter of Jimmy and Lydia James. Nathan and Haley's friendship had led to the development of yet another friendship. A friendship between their mothers - Debra Scott and Lydia James. Over time, the two women grew close and spent their time either chatting or gossipping while their young children played around. They would often joke that Nathan and Haley would get married someday.

Dan Scott was greatly surprised when his wife told him about his son's new friend. The fact that his son had developed a deep friendship with a girl had left him speechless. As long as Dan could remember, Nathan always found the opposie sex to be disgusting (with the exception of his mother). If someone asked him why he thought that way, he would reply straight away with his nose scrunched- "Girls are gross..They all have cooties!" and that statement would soon be followed by the laughter of the audience.

So, his parents were more than happy that their son had made his first ever girl-friend and immediately decided to transfer him to Tree Hill High, the school where Haley was a student. The kids were way beyond ecstatic when they both learnt of his parents' action.

Haley James was everybody's darling who had a natural aura that made everyone fond of her. She was a fun-loving girl and made friends very easily. She was the apple of her parents' eyes. Jimmy and Lydia James often thanked their lucky stars for being blessed with such a beautiful and amazing baby girl. They knew, without a doubt that their daughter would go on to become a wonderful, kind-hearted human being. Oh well, she already was one.

But they had never seen their daughter so happy with any of her other friends. Nathan Scott seemed to have replaced all of them. The two kids were inseparable. Jimmy and Lydia adored Nathan and considered him as their own son.

In the following eight years, Haley James had grown into a beautiful girl. Her childhood auburn hair had changed its color to golden blonde and ended right beneath her shoulder blades. She had one of the most gorgeous brown eyes that had every boy in Tree Hill High swooning and girls raging in jealousy. All the guys craved for her attention but she seemed unaware of their feelings.

Nathan Scott, on the other hand was every girl's dream. He was considered one of the most handsome guys around the school campus. He had dark raven hair with eyes resembling the color of a clear blue sky. His shoulders were broad and anyone could make out his well sculpted chest hidden beneath the tight fitting t-shirts that he wore . The girls at Tree hill High had nick-named him as 'Hot Shot" simply because of his hot and sexy body. He stood at 6'2 compared to Haley's 5'4.

The entire school knew of the unbreakable bond between the two best friends. Nathan was always surrounded by the popular girls but he never really paid attention to any of them. He would always spend his time with Haley who had also helped him improve his grades. Haley was a genius in Nathan's eyes. If it wasn't for his best friend, he would have never been able to pass any of the tests. He would thank her time and again but she'd shrug her shoulders and remind him stating ''that's what friends are for", "best friends" he'd correct as she would roll her eyes playfully in return. There had been times when they fought but they'd always make up. Their friendship never wavered. In fact, those fights brought them closer and made their friendship more strong.

Nathan had always been protective of Haley ( Haley preferred the word 'over-protective' ). He would never allow any guy near her. Haley loved that he cared for her but she was frustrated with his actions that would scare guys away from her. She often complained to Nathan regarding his behaviour but he would tell her that he was only looking out for her.

FLASHBACK

"Nathan...I know that you want to protect me from getting hurt and all that other bull shit, but I can look after myself. I'm a big girl now, if you haven't noticed it already." Haley explained in a frustrated tone when Nathan had scared the hundredth guy away from her.

"Hales, you are my best friend and I care for you. I just don't want some guy to hurt you or your feelings. I love you and I'd do anything to protect you." Nathan replied in a determined tone.

Haley smiled at his words. "I love you too buddy but I also love the fact that there are guys out there who know that I exist and find me attractive for some reason. I want to enjoy my school years and experience many other things like going on dates and other stuff. But none of the guys ask me out because they know the'll get their respective asses kicked by you."

"Hales, you are attractive and very beautiful. Every single person around here knows that except for you. I don't understand why you think so little of yourself." Haley just shrugged. Nathan shook his head. Thinking back to her earlier words he said with a smirk. "The other guys are right though. I'd surely kick each of their asses if I find them near you."

Haley slumped her shoulders in defeat. Why do I even try to make him understand?-she thought. Nathan sighed taking in Haley's sad face. "Alright, alright. I'll back off for now but I swear Hales, if any guys hurt you, I will hunt him down and kick his ass."

Haley's eyes lit up and she laughed at his comment. "You have my full permission buddy and just so you know, I can kick some ass too. Do you want a demo?"

Nathan backed away making an action of protecting his private parts, as Haley approached him, all set and ready to display her ass kicking move. "Woah... Slow down tiger! Keep your hands and legs and everything else to yourself." He laughed at her actions.

"Good to know that my best friend is fiesty." Nathan complimented with his sexy grin. Haley made an action of taking a bow as Nathan let out a laugh at her antics. He pulled her towards him and placed one of his arms around her shoulders as he led them towards their next class.

Please review. I just want to know whether the readers are enjoying this story, that's all... Have a good day everyone :)