Hi Everyone! Thank you SO much for your reviews! They really motivate me to keep going! I know the chapters are sort of short, but they should hopefully be getting longer as the story goes on! I hope you enjoy the next chapter! I know mysterious Nathan is confusing a lot of people, so hopefully you'll learn more about him in the chapter! Once again, please review!!! Enjoy.

~ Madison

Disclaimer: I do not own One Tree Hill.


Their limo pulled up outside of a hot bar just near the Staples arena. Taylor stepped out first, revealing her short black dress and leopard print heels and, in Haley's opinion, way too poufed hair, and reveled in all of the attention.

"Taylor! Taylor! Over here! Taylor!" All of the paparazzi screamed, and Haley had half a mind to just sit in the car all night and wait it out. Walking down the street was very different from making a public appearance. Yes, there had been a public appearance at the Lakers game, but the security there is so thick that Haley hardly noticed anything. That and no one knew Taylor James was attending the game until they actually saw her there in her seat. Here, however, it seemed to Haley that her sister's oddball personal assistant, Marjorie, had let it slip. Although she had yet to meet Marjorie, Taylor was always talking about what a bad assistant she was, yet she had to keep her otherwise she'd be deported. Something along those lines.

Taylor gracefully made her way to the door, and then turned to wait for Haley. Haley was only along for the ride to distract the other players from her and Nathan's "personal time" as far as she was concerned. She watched as Haley got out of the limo, and followed the bodyguard. Her little sister looked good. Instead of her normal J. Crew-like attire, Haley was dressed in black leggings underneath a black long sleeved shirt dress. She had on a pair of black 4" booties, and wore a few gold and silver chains loosely around her neck. Haley looked good, Taylor decided. Especially with the way her hair fell down her back in waves. She would definitely pass for at least 18.

They made their way into the bar, not even bothering to stop and give the bouncers a chance to ask the girls for their IDs, and were quickly escorted to the VIP section to find the guys. There were three of them- Nathan, Lucas, and another player, Skills. They had a half open booth and stood up as the girls approached.

Taylor took in Nathan and his stature, and noted how good he looked in his dark blue jeans, and his black button down shirt with a little bit of white underneath. Everything fit him so perfectly, he was like a God. Lucas and Skills were dressed similarly, with cream and red shirts instead of black, respectively.

"Girls, welcome! You look stunning as always Taylor," Skills smiled and gave her a hug, and then turned to Haley. "And you, you must be little sister Haley. You look very nice as well." Haley blushed.

"Thank you." She said kind of quietly, and proceeded to take a seat in between the two guys, and watched as Taylor sat a little too close to Nathan.

"So," Taylor started, "do you come here often Nathan?"

"Uhh, yeah I guess so. Usually after most home games anyway." Nathan looked slightly uncomfortable and Haley had to stifle her laugh. She thought Taylor was always a hit with the men, but apparently she never had to work for their attention before, because she might as well have sat on top of the poor guy and he still probably wouldn't really notice her.

"That's nice…." Taylor continued to bore him with talk of fashion and her job, and about how much fame she's gotten for her role on TV. Haley discussed her love for dance with Lucas and Skills, and as she casually looked over to see how her sister was doing, she locked eyes with Nathan. He held her gaze and tuned out what Taylor was saying about how the paparazzi follow her every move. Haley became unnerved and immediately turned back to the other guys and listened to them.

"Why don't you show us some of your moves on the dance floor?" They all turned to Nathan and Haley turned a maddening shade of red. Taylor tried to protest, saying how Haley is a shy dancer when it comes to new people, but Haley ignored her.

"Okay, I guess it wouldn't hurt." She got up and followed Nathan out to the dance floor.

"That's really strange." Lucas looks over to the dancing pair and then back to Skills.

"What do you mean?" Taylor questioned. She had felt annoyed with Nathan the entire evening. Getting a guy to like her had never been so hard, and she was beginning to lose hope. Maybe he was secretly gay or something?

'Who knows?' Taylor rolled her eyes to herself and turned to Lucas.

"Well, Nathan hates to dance. I mean really hates it. We had a dance-off at a charity event a couple months ago, and he actually faked sick to get out of it. So I'm a little confused as to why he's out there dancing with your sister." Lucas laughed nervously and sensing Taylor's obvious agitation, started talking to Skills about their upcoming game tomorrow night.


Meanwhile, Nathan and Haley swayed to the music, it was some fast hip-hop song, and Haley felt herself relaxing more and more after each second.

"You know, you're actually really good. I'm a horrible dancer." Nathan chuckled in her ear and Haley felt tingles go through her ear and down her back.

"Why thanks, I mean it's what I like to do for fun, so you know, I should be good!" Haley laughed and then abruptly stopped after realizing how flirtatious that had sounded.

Nathan pulled her a little bit closer and then turned her around so she was facing him. Haley had hardly heard the man say two full sentences, yet after being alone with him for all of two minutes he was laughing and talking freely with her. She had never felt so relaxed, and she knew it wasn't solely because she loved to dance. Ever since she was a little girl her mother had insisted that she learn how to dance, and that had been Haley's "sport" for all her life. Her family always said that if she ever decided to do something more "fun" with her life, she should be a backup dancer. Haley had laughed at that.

"So how long are you here in LA for?" Nathan asked as the song changed and it slowed down a little bit.

"Um, I'm here until January 7th."

"Well that's two full weeks! What are you going to do to bide your time?" Haley was impressed by his enthusiasm and inquisitive personality. Why wasn't he like this around her sister, whom he was supposed to like?

"Well mostly just hang out I guess. Taylor and I will probably do a lot of shopping knowing her, and I get to go to a few premieres and clubs and parties and things, and then New Years of course- my favorite day of the year!" She gushed, and when she looked up she noticed that Nathan was staring at her intently.

"What?" She questioned when he still said nothing.

"Oh, sorry I just zoned out I guess. You have really pretty eyes, you know that?" Nathan smiled at her and twirled her around.

Once back in his arms, she thanked him and turned a bright shade of pink, and reveled in the comfortable silence that lingered between them. Nathan racked his brain for something more to say, something else he could ask her so he could just hear her voice again. He had remained quiet for most of the night, trying to silently wrap his head around the not so innocent thoughts he was having towards this girl so much younger than he. He was a 23 year old man, living on his own, providing for himself, yet he had found himself insanely attracted to this 17 year old girl, who depended on her family for almost everything, and still had so much to learn about life. However, he knew that he had to figure out why he was so astounded by this girl.

"Are you and Taylor close?" He inquired and watched the way her brow furrowed and she looked over his shoulder into nothingness.

"Kind of," she sighed, "We were closer when she lived at home and during her first few months out here. But, Hollywood changed her. I mean, I guess it changes everyone a little bit, you know?" Haley looked up into his eyes and watched as he nodded his head the tiniest bit, and leaned in.

'Oh no, what is he doing?! Is he going to kiss me? He can't do that! Taylor is probably watching! He's so handsome though… no. Haley, stop it! Stop it!'

Luckily for Haley, the music stopped and the DJ started talking. Nathan turned to her cheek instead, and pressed his soft lips to it lightly, and for a fleeting moment, Haley felt warm sparks flow through her cheek into the rest of her body. She felt something slide into her left hand, and when she looked up he was gone. Haley looked down into her hand, and saw a cocktail napkin folded three times. Quickly moving off the dance floor, but still away from her table, she unfolded the napkin.

Haley, Meet me outside in the back hall exit in 10 minutes. I need to see you. – Nathan

'What the hell?'

Haley stared aimlessly into the sea of dancing bodies, and tried to come with logical reasons as to why Nathan would need to see her, alone. Deciding that he probably doesn't want to ask how he should ask Taylor out, considering he asked HER to dance, not Taylor, Haley made an executive decision to go out there and see what he wanted. She motioned to Taylor that she had to go to the bathroom, and held up five fingers letting her know she should be back in around five minutes.

She weaved her way through the mass of people, and walked through the back hall to the exit. Nathan was already standing there, with his cell phone held close to his ear. Upon seeing her, he promptly closed it and held it up to show her he hadn't been talking to anyone.

"It was my cover." He laughed semi loudly, and watched the sides of her mouth twitch before she too laughed.

"Oh, right I see. So…" Haley drifted off as she watched him walk out the door to the outside.

'Am I supposed to follow him…? Where is he going?' Haley stood there kind of perplexed, and then snapped up when he opened the door again.

"Aren't you coming?" He questioned. And with a nod of her head, she followed him outside with little hesitation.

The air was smooth and warm with little to no breeze coming through the trees in the small patch of grass behind the club. Nathan turned to his right and sat on the bench resting against the brick wall. Haley followed suit. She didn't know whether or not she should sit close to him, or far from him, so she opted for in between.

"So…it's a nice night outside, don't you think?" Nathan looked up to the stars and then back down to Haley's face. She looked totally, utterly, and completely confused.

"Wait, what? Nathan, what are we doing why did you bring me outside?" Haley stood up.

"You're supposed to be talking to Taylor, dancing with Taylor, and inviting Taylor outside. Not me, Taylor, you know, my sister? Can't you tell she likes you? She's been going goo-goo over you all freakin day! That's all I hear about! 'Nathan is so hot, Nathan is so dreamy. I can't wait 'till Nathan and I are dating. Nathan and I will look so good in pictures and out in public.' Gahhh!" Haley let out a yell as she blew out her breath. Nathan watched her pace for a minute, and then he too stood up and walked in front of her. She looked at him quizzically, and watched as he rubbed his hand over his face as if frustrated, and then sighed.

"Can't you tell that I DON'T like her?" Nathan blew out with such a force that Haley unconsciously took a step backwards.

"You-you don't?" She stammered and tried to figure out what was going on here.

"No, how could you think that I like her? Before the basketball game earlier, I saw you looking at me. And god, the way you looked at me. You weren't judging me, or trying to get a piece of me. You weren't like the other girls. Taylor looks at me like I'm a piece of meat that she's going to eat, or a play toy. But you, Haley, you looked at me as if I was a real person, and you studied my face and genuinely seemed to want to know what I was thinking. And then after the game, Taylor was so annoying. And I know you thought so too. You had this look on your face that said you were totally embarrassed for her. Haley, your sister is used to guys just fawning over her. She's never had to work to get a guy's attention. But my eyes were on you the whole time. You're just mesmerizing. There's just something about you that draws me in." Nathan paused and swallowed. By now, he had taken steps towards Haley, so that she was almost up against the wall of the club. She was breathing heavily, waiting for what he had to say next.

Nathan cleared his throat and began again, softer, huskier this time.

"And then tonight, when I saw you walk into the bar, I just, I just lost it. Your sister was going on and on and on about stupid meaningless stuff, and trying so hard. But you, you were just enjoying yourself and talking about what you love to do in life and how happy dancing makes you. And I honestly don't remember one word Taylor said. It was all you. All I can remember is you and your face. And I hate dancing, but after hearing you talk about how dancing made you feel so alive, I just, god I don't even know it just came out before I could stop it. And now here we are."

"….Here we are…" Haley breathed out. Her mind was moving a mile a minute. Not only did Nathan not like Taylor, but he liked HER! Haley! She had no idea what to do, or what to think of this. All she could think about was how his face kept creeping closer and closer, and how cold the brick wall behind her felt. She felt a warm waft of air on her sides as Nathan's hands hit the brick, trapping her against the wall.

Nathan leaned in further, and just as Haley felt his warm breath hit her face, she froze.

"No!" Haley jumped up and pushed him away.

"You can't do this! Taylor is my sister! My flesh and blood! Regardless of how well we get along, or how much you don't like her, she's still my sister. And that means something to me! I can't betray her like this! I just, I just can't…" Haley sighed and sat down on the bench again and looked to see Nathan's hurt expression.

He moves to sit next to her, and takes her reluctant hand in his and just stares out into the night sky.

"Wha-what are you doing? I said no, Nathan! This can't happen!" Haley quickly stands up and before Nathan can even open his mouth, she's gone back inside.

Nathan took a deep breath before he too trudged back inside to the VIP area and to his friends.

Upon arriving back at his table, he noticed that the girls were no where to be seen.

Haley was gone. Damn.

Taylor was gone. Thank god.

Luckily, however, Lucas and Skills were still around, still drinking, and still having a good time.

"Damn boy that must have been one long phone call!" Skills sarcastically smiled.

"Yeah dude, what the hell did you do to Haley? She came back in here and made up some kind of stomach ache or something and made Taylor leave." Lucas went along with his friend and held Nathan in a questioning stare.

"Dude, I don't know. I was on the phone." Nathan had to be careful. He could not let his friends figure out that he liked Haley. She was after all only 17 years old. 'Was that even legal?' he pondered.

"Yeah sure. Dude, you stared at Haley the entire evening. What the hell's going on? You into her or something?" Skills laughed.

'Great.' Nathan thought. They were so onto him.

"What! Are you kidding me man? She's like a kid!"

"Well, WE know that… but it doesn't look like you're totally convinced."

'I'm not.'

"Whatever. She's hot; I'll give her that…" 'And beautiful, and smart, and funny, and sophisticated, and unique, and adorable, and amazing'... "But that's as far as it goes." He sat there a minute and continued to drink his beer; hopefully they got the picture and would then stop talking about her.

"Well good. Because after you both left all Taylor could talk about was how much she liked you and wanted you. And I'll be honest, she's smokin', but you're not really into her, obviously, so you gotta be careful with your obvious staring contest with her baby sister Haley. You were practically undressing her with your eyes." Lucas warned Nathan in a friendly manner, showing him that he could care less which girl Nathan was into, just that they were sisters so he needed to watch his step.

Nathan decided he had two options. The first was that he could confide in his brother and his best friend and tell them what was going on, or he could play dumb and change the subject. Speak now or forever hold your peace. If he did decide to tell Lucas and Skills, he had to be careful what he said. Maybe he could sort of talk to them about the Taylor/Haley situation, but not totally bust out the "I like Haley and want her". Yeah, that could work.

"So then how do I get rid of Taylor? She's so fucking annoying I wanted to literally put a muzzle on her when she was talking to me." He sat there and watched as his friends started laughing at him hysterically.

"Dude I knew he'd hate her!" Skills whooped and hollered and had to hold his side to keep from coughing from laughing so hard. Meanwhile Lucas had inherently choked on his beer and spit some of it out and then joined Skills in laughing.

"Nathan she's like a 50-year old cougar who thinks she's still got it. I mean, she's hot and all, but that girl has been with more men in the past six months than I've changed my underwear. This is a lot by the way. Not saying I'm like, unclean. I'm definitely clean."

"Lucas shut up. We get the idea dude calm down." Skills snickered and then turned back to Nathan who was looking into his beer as if something interesting was going on in there.

"So…there are three things I know Nathan. The first is that you don't like Taylor. The second is that you like Haley, and the third is that I need another drink."

"Wow, Skills, that was…very…helpful?" Nathan laughed.

"Yeah, I'm heading out" Lucas stood up from the couch and left a few bills on the table.

"Hey wait! Could I …you know…have Haley's number maybe? Wait, do you even have it?" Nathan stumbled unattractively over his words.

"Yes, I have it," Lucas chuckled, and then took his phone out and started typing it into Nathan's cell.

"She gave it to me because I told her I would let her know about some Lakers charity events and stuff like that happening in the next couple weeks. Here you go," he handed it back to him, "use, and don't abuse my boy. See you tomorrow. Later Skills." Lucas waved and laughed as Skills gave a half, disinterested wave back. He was very much into the attention a random girl was giving him at the moment.

"Hey Skills, I think I'm heading out too. I'll…yeah I'll see you later. Okay bye." He watched the girl practically lay down on top of his friend, and turned and left ASAP. That was not a sight he really wanted to see at the moment. Oh Skills.


There it is! Chapter 3! I think a lot happens in this chapter, so I hope you all enjoyed it! Please Review! Thanks!!

~Madison