Hey I'm so happy you guys like this story...thanks for the reviews...they really do mean a lot to me!

Now here is the next chapter...I don't think it's my best...but here it is anyways!!!

On Haley's drive home all she could think about was Damien. She tried to shake it, but the question 'why didn't he show last night?' kept popping up in her head. She didn't want to be the physco girlfriend who call their boyfriend every time something little goes wrong. However, this wasn't little. He didn't show up like he said and didn't even call to say why? After giving in she decided to call.

"Hello." he answered groggily

"Damien?"

"Yeah who is this?"

" Your girlfriend, Haley."

"Oh Hales, how you doin babe?"

"Fine. Where were you last night?"

"Last night, oh I'm sorry I didn't call, I was sick and fell asleep."

"Are you feeling better?" Haley asked convinced by his answer.

"Actually yeah. My mom gave me some medicine last night and I feel a lot better now."

"oh well there is this party tonight at Bevin's, do you want to go?"

"Sure, but I'll have to meet you there, I work till 10."

"Okay. I'll just go with Nathan, and I'll see you when you get there. Have fun at work."

" I'll try. Bye Hales."

"Bye."

After Haley hung up, she felt so relieved. It was good to hear that he was okay. She was so worried that something had happened, but now she knows he's alright and she gets to see him tonight. She was actually starting to look forward to tonight.

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Nathan was downstairs in the kitchen when he heard a loud thump upstairs, and since he was the only one there, he grabbed a bat that was by the back door and made his way upstairs. He heard another noise, this time he was able to tell that it was coming from his bedroom. He walked toward the cracked door, and raised the bat before pushing the door open.

"Aaaahhhhh." Haley screamed when she saw Nathan with a raised bat aiming at her.

"Hales you scared the shit out of me. What did you do? Climb through the window?" Nathan asked. His heart was still racing. He thought for sure he was going to kick someone's ass, but it was only Haley.

"yeah I haven't done it in awhile, so I gave it a try." Haley explained out of breath.

"Haley you haven't climbed through my window since we were 12. It is okay to use the front door yah know." Nathan laughed.

"Oh shut up batman. What were you going to do beat me with a bat." Haley laughed at the plastic baseball bat in Nathan's hand.

"Hey don't laugh, I was about to swing at your ass." Nathan laughed along with her dropping the bat.

"I'm sure you were tough guy. That would really scare a guy with a gun." Haley laughed even harder.

"Whatever." Nathan felt stupid now. "Why are you here anyways." Nathan said upset that she was making fun of him.

"wow rude, is that a way to talk to your best friend?" Haley said trying to hold in her laughter.

"well you were laughing at me." Nathan whined like a little boy. That was enough to do it for Haley, once again she was doubled over in laughter. She has never seen Nathan look so serious before, and not to mention whine, Nathan Scott does not whine.

"Stop Hales." Haley looked at his face and just couldn't bring herself to stop, it sounds wrong, but the hurt look he had on his face was priceless.

"fine then leave." Nathan said pointing to the door with a serious face.

"What? Nathan it was funny. I'm sorry." Haley said getting serious. She was starting to think that Nathan was really upset.

"You mean it." He said with a small smile, trying to hold in his own laughter.

"Of course, you're my best friend. I would never make fun of you, well I would, but you know its only a joke." Haley said sympathetically while pulling Nathan into a hug.

Nathan hugged her back instinctively. It felt so good to be wrapped up in her arms. He sometimes acted upset just so she would apologize and give him a hug. It made his day to have her in his arms. He would keep her there forever if he could. Sometimes it felt like the hug lingered to long, but he couldn't help it, he always got lost in the moment.

Haley stood there awkwardly. She didn't mind hugging Nathan, but it was times like these where it didn't seem right. The way Nathan held onto her, and didn't want to let her go. She almost felt like she didn't know her best friend anymore. Like maybe he was keeping something from her. She knew he was still going through some things with his fathers death, so she never had it in her to let go. She would stand there until he ended it.

Finally Nathan let go and looked down and smiled sweetly. It was times like these where he wanted to tell her everything, but he just couldn't. It would mess up everything.

"Nathan are you okay? You have been acting weird lately."

"yeah. Why would you say I'm acting weird."

"Well I don't know. I kind of feel like you're different around me. I don't really know why, but you just are." Haley tried to explain.

"Well what has changed?"

"Well for example when we hug, not that I mind, but you seem to out do it a little bit. It lingers a little longer then it should. So I was just thinking that maybe something is wrong, you know with the new step dad and brother. You can tell me about it if you want. You never use to keep stuff from me, but if you don't want to talk about it that's fine."

"Hales I'm fine really. Keith has been great, and Lucas and I are starting to get along. There's nothing wrong with me, unless its wrong to want to hug your best friend."

"No not at all. I just wanted to make sure you were okay."

"I'm fine Hales. Its just that I feel like I don't thank you enough. You have done so much for me, and I'm just grateful to have you."

"I feel the same way Nathan. I don't know what I would do without you. Your like a brother to me."

Those words hurt Nathan more than Haley would ever know, but he put on the fake smile he is so use to, and simply nodded.

"Okay enough of this mushy stuff. How about the party, you're going right?" Haley asked trying to change the subject. When they were hugging earlier she felt this jolt of electricity go through her. It was something she has never experienced with Nathan before. It was weird, and she didn't want to think about it.

"Yep, I'll be there. Oh and what time are you going?"

"Well what time are we leaving?" Haley asked with a hopeful smile.

"We? I thought you were going with Damien."

"I was, but he has to work until 10. So he is just going to meet me there. I was hoping I could go with you."

"Of course."

"Good I brought my stuff with me, so I could just change here. Also I was hoping I could sleepover again. It suppose to storm tonight, and I don't like storms. Plus no one is home. So can I please stay here with you?"

"Sure. Where are the James's now?"

"I think they were going to visit Matt in California. Then after that they were heading to Iowa to visit Quinn." Haley said sadly. Nathan was pretty much Haley's family. About two years ago her parents bought a R.V. and have been traveling around the country. They didn't really come to Tree Hill much because they had a lot of trust in Haley, but Haley missed her parents and there limited visits really bothered her. Nathan tried not to bring it up because he hated it when Haley was hurt, but this time it just slipped. He calls them every once and awhile, trying to persuade them to come home. Sometimes they do, but most of the time they don't.

"Well your welcome to stay here anytime you like." Nathan offered.

"Thanks Nate, and I know you said yes to tonight so you cant take it back, but if you let me do it all the time, you might never get rid of me." Haley laughed, and Nathan only shook is head laughing along with her.

"oh boy, I should have never said anything." Nathan joked.

"Shut up." Haley playfully hit his arm, causing Nathan to laugh more.

"So we have awhile until the party. What would you like to do with all of our time Miss. James?" Nathan asked after his laughter died down.

"How bout a game of one on one."

"You're on.

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"Okay I'm finally ready." Haley exclaimed walking out of Nathan's bathroom.

"its about time. I think the party is over already." Nathan teased turning off the video game he was playing and turned his attention to Haley.

"Shut up. The party just started, and who are you looking all hot for?"

Nathan saw Haley's mouth moving, but didn't her any words. He was spaced out on her, she looked beautiful. She was wearing a mini skirt, and tank top, both were very plan and simple. However, when Haley was around Nathan usually she was in some basketball shorts and a shirt, and no make up. Sure Nathan has seen her dressed up before, but now that he had all these feelings building up he was becoming more and more attracted to her everyday. He couldn't believe he never noticed how beautiful she was until a month ago.

"Nathan!" Haley shouted.

Huh…What?"

"you were spacing out on me. What are you thinking about some hot sexy girl you'll be seeing at the party tonight."

"Actually yes, but she's not hot Hales, she is beautiful." Nathan said dreamily.

"Good for you Nathan. I'm glad you finally got your eye on someone. Who is she?"

"I haven't really asked her out yet, so I don't want to say her name and jinx it, but I'll tell you one thing, she takes my breath away every time I see her. When I'm around her I can't breath, but when I'm not around her I want to be. I think she is going to be the one someday."

"Aww Nathan that is so sweet. You better get a hold of this girl. She's really got you head over heals."

"Yeah I would, but its complicated."

"Well sometimes you gotta fight for what you want. So if you want my advice, fight like hell for her."

"I think I will." Nathan smiled. He found it funny sometimes that Haley was so oblivious it was her. "You ready to go?"

"Yep." Haley looked in the mirror once more. "wait, maybe I should put my hair in a pony tail." Haley started walking toward the bathroom

"No don't." Nathan said grabbing a hold of Haley's wrist. "You look good with it down." Nathan said after Haley gave him a confused look.

"Alright, lets go then."

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When Haley and Nathan arrived at Bevin's, the party was already in full swing. They walked in together hand in hand like they always did, and it didn't even phase them. People always looked at them like they were to blind people in love, but little did they know only one was blind, and the other was very well aware. Their other friends didn't even ask questions anymore because it was useless. They always got the same answer 'we are only best friends.'

"Hey I see Brooke and Peyton come on." Haley tighten her grip on Nathan's hand and dragged him in the direction of their friends. Nathan noticed Jake and Lucas standing there as well, so he didn't make any objection.

"Tutorgirl, Hotshot! What took you two so long?" Brooke questioned her friends.

"Nathan"

"Haley" they both said at the same time. Causing them both to turn and look at each other.

"Hales don't even say it was me you were in the bathroom for and hour."

"Nathan its okay that you take longer then most guys." Haley joked.

"You are going to get it." Nathan said with a mischievous grin, that Haley recognized and started running.

"Yeah you better run." Nathan yelled running after her. "We'll be back." he yelled over his shoulder to his friends.

"We will never understand them." Peyton said aloud while the rest of them only nodded.

Nathan has been looking throughout the whole house and could not find Haley anywhere. 'man she is hiding good.' He looked up the stairs. He knew the upstairs was off limits, but proceeded up there anyway thinking Haley might have went up there. He heard noise coming from the last bedroom door. Getting a satisfied smirk because he had found her, Nathan walked to the door and pushed it open. Once he looked inside he noticed two figure on the bed having sex, and neither of them was Haley. On the other hand, Haley's boyfriend Damien happened to be one of them.

"Get the fuck out!" Damien shouted and turned to see a very pissed off Nathan. "Nathan hey. Its not what it looks like."

"really, because to me it looks like your having sex with someone who is not your girlfriend."

"Okay maybe it does look that way, but it was a mistake." Damien said getting out of the bed and sliding on his boxers.

"A mistake, don't lie Damien this has been going on for a month now." Rachel, the girl on the bed said.

"Shut the fuck up Rachel." Damien said clearly pissed. "She's lying Nate."

"You're a fucking bastard. I'm telling Haley." Nathan turned to walk out the door, but thought of something else. He walked over to Damien and punched him square in the face, causing Damien to fall to the ground. "That you asshole is for hurting Haley." Then Nathan turned to walk out.

"you know maybe I'll tell her your secret too." Damien shouted. Nathan turned and looked at him.

"What the hell are you talking about?"

"I see you popping pills at practice. I don't think Haley would really appreciate her best friend doing drugs." Damien smirked.

"They're not drugs."

"Then what are they Nate? Tell me I would love to know. I think Haley would too."

"Its none of your fucking business, and you won't tell Haley anything."

"Then neither will you."

"You are a fucking bastard. Get up now!" Nathan demanded. Damien got up off the floor and walked up to Nate.

"It sucks doesn't it. You have to lie to your precious Haley, but wait you were already doing that." Damien said with a sly smile.

Nathan couldn't take it anymore, he backed Damien up to a wall, and punched continuously in the face. He was letting out all of his anger, he could tell Damien was starting to become out of it, but he couldn't stop. Suddenly Rachel came up and pulled Nathan off Damien.

"What are you trying to do, kill him." Rachel screamed. Nathan didn't even hear her, he kept his gaze and concentration on Damien, who was still smiling. Nathan turned to walk and walked out of the room.

"you don't tell and I don't tell." Nathan heard Damien shout before he was out of the room.

Nathan had to leave this party. Well first he had to find Haley, he couldn't risk her walking into that room. Before he did anything, he walked into the bathroom to cool down. He splashed some water in his face and looked up at his reflection, he was ashamed at what he saw. He had been lying to his best friend, and it killed him. He finally got it in his head that he was only lying to help her, but after Damien's words, he realized what he was doing was wrong. He should just tell her, but he couldn't he was in too deep now. Not even thinking about it Nathan punched the wall with all the force he had, attempting to relieve the anger he was feeling. The anger he had because of the lie he was living. He looked down at his hand and saw the blood streaming from his knuckles, but he felt no pain. He would have to tell Haley the truth about himself and her boyfriend. After a few minutes Nathan left the bathroom and continued his search for Haley.

"There you are." Haley heard from behind her. She whipped around and saw her best friend.

"Nathan where have you been." Haley said, but noticed the sad look in his eyes. She then let her gaze fall to his hand and saw the blood. Nathan immediately put his hand into his pocket.

"Nathan what happen?"

"I don't want to talk about it here, but I think I'm just going to go. You can stay if you want."

"No I'll go with you." they said their goodbyes and walked out of the party.

"Nathan you need to tell me what happened." Haley said once they were in his car.

"it's nothing okay." Nathan snapped. Haley just nodded. "Haley I'm sorry I didn't mean to snap at you. I'm just not ready to talk about it."

"Okay." Haley said. That was the last thing that was said. The rest of the car ride was silent.

Once they arrived at Nathan's house they both got into their pajama's and got into bed, neither saying a word. Nathan turned off the lights and faced the opposite direction of Haley, both had their backs to each other. Nathan finally having the courage, turned around.

"Haley I have to tell you something." Haley turned in the bed and came to face to face with Nathan.

"Nathan you can tell me anything."

" Promise you won't get mad."

"I promise." Haley looked deep into his eyes and notice some tears were building up. "Nathan what is it. You're scaring me, just tell me."

"Hales." Nathan got out through his tears. "I……."

I know you probably hate me for leaving you hanging like that...sorry..

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