AN: Thanks for the wonderful reviews to: naleyluv, mistydm, JPNeverlosetheButterflies, utterlylost1108, asharp4, MrsLucasScott, liz, DayDreamer323, Nathanlvr23, naley23lover101, nateandhales4ever, naleysocute23, and chelle2911. Just know that your reviews make me so happy, and I appreciate them immensely!

Note/Correction: And if you guys didn't know, as naleyluv pointed out to me, Elsewhere, the first song that Haley sang in OTH and that I made her sing in my last chapter, was originally sung by Sarah McLachlan. Sorry about that.

Chapter 4

Haley's POV

I sprinted into my calculus class fifteen minutes late, my hair disheveled and out of breath. Mrs. Brown, our teacher who was going on seventy, turned her head slowly towards me while the class sat in complete silence and looked up at the one girl they had never, ever seen be late to any class; me. I gave a nervous, apologetic smile and headed towards my seat in silence. But it was stupid of me to think that I could get away that easily.

"Ms. James, come see me after school today," She said cooly. Before I could say anything, Peyton spoke for me.

"Mrs. Brown, she can't! We have a game right after school." Now, cheerleading wasn't exactly my idea, but it's just something Peyton's mom used to do, so she wanted to join. And of course, not wanting to be alone with the "bleached blonde bimbos," as she put it, she forced me to join with her. But it actually wasn't too bad; I enjoyed the excitement of the games. Today particularly was our basketball team's championship. A pretty big deal.

"Ms. Sawyer, unless you would like to join your friend after school, I suggest you let me do my job. Ms. James, I will see you after school." She said firmly.

"Yes, Ma'am," I said sending an apologetic look towards Peyton, who just gave me an 'oh well' look.

When class was over, I walked out into the hall to find Peyton there waiting for me. Before I could start ranting about how sorry I was that I was going to be late for the game, she bombarded me with questions.

"Where were you during lunch? And why were you late? What happened? I was getting worried."

"Peyton, I'm so sorry. You are never going to guess what happened," I said as we walked down the hall to our next class.

"What?" She said impatiently.

"You know the guy I told you about this morning? The one I... kissed." I said blushing just thinking about it. I still could not believe that I did that. Peyton nodded, clearly getting excited about his news. "I saw him again at the River Court. We talked, he taught me how to shoot a basket..."

"Aw," Peyton swooned, "Please tell me you got his name."

I nodded, "Nathan Scott." I watched her expression go from overjoyed to just... shocked.

"Oh," Was her only response and she suddenly felt very distant, something was not right.

"What is it?"

"Nothing... it's just-" She thought about it for a second, "nothing... it's nothing."

"No, Peyton," I said grabbing her arm and stopping in the middle of the hallway right in front of our class, "Seriously, what is it? Do you know him or something?"

"No, not exactly..." She said lowering her voice. I was starting to get a little scared, what the hell was going on? "He kind of has a... reputation around Tree Hill. I know of him."

"Well, what have you heard? I mean, it can't be that bad; I met him, talked to him, I know he's not some... creep." I said trying desperately to convince myself that that was true.

"Look, I mean, we can't assume that all we hear is true. For all we know it could just be meaningless gossip. But... I mean, I have heard it from several people..." I could tell she was stalling, obviously scared that whatever she was going to say was going to effect me in some way... in a bad way.

"What? What have you heard? Just tell me, please." I insisted.

"It's this whole messed up story; he has this horrible dad that has another son, the same age, with another woman, who he completely ignores and won't acknowledge as his own son-"

"So what does that have to do with Nathan? So what if his dad's an ass?"

"I'm not done yet. Apparently basketball skills aren't the only thin Nathan inherited from his dad. Ever since Nathan and his half brother have been going to school together, Nathan has done everything to make him uncomfortable, I mean this boy has never done anything to him, but just because of their whole messed up family Nathan developed a hatred towards him-"

"No, no," I said, interrupting her, "This cannot be the same person. Nathan's sweet, he's gentle. He was so nice."

"Haley just listen to me. Nathan's attitude towards his half brother is not what he is most known for. For years he's been the most notorious lady's man in Tree Hill, just like his dad was when he was younger. He hooks up with everyone. All the girlfriends he's ever had, he's cheated on." Right then the bell rang, making my heart jump. "I'm so sorry, Haley. I wouldn't tell you this unless I was positive that I was protecting you." And with that she entered the class room.

I had already been late for my last class, and that was definitely not like me. I decided that I needed to attend this class, so I followed Peyton into the room. But it was completely useless; I spent the whole class period thinking over what Peyton had just revealed to me.

He was supposed to be my dream guy... I was such a different person around him; I was fun, flirty, but I was myself at the same time. It never occurred to me that he could be playing a part... that he could turn out to be the total opposite of what I thought him to be.

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Nathan's POV

The last three periods of the day went by way too slowly. I had spent the majority of that time just thinking about my run-in with Haley at the River Court, and cursing myself for not asking for her number. I couldn't even run over to St Catherine's after school to try and catch her before she left because I had a game later. That's when I remember. The championship. The championship varsity basketball game was tonight. And it was against St Catherine's.

Every ounce in my body seemed to perk up at the idea of seeing Haley again tonight at the game. But then again, if for any reason she happened to be at the game, it would be to watch her boyfriend play... and that thought just did not sit right with me. There was something about this girl... it just all seemed too good to be true.

Then I remembered that at the River Court today, how Haley didn't seem to have any experience or interest in basketball. Figuring that she probably wouldn't be there, I decided to try and concentrate on something different. At least for the next few hours. This was the biggest game of the year, and it had to be the only thing on my mind for me to do my best.

I walked into the men's locker room where all the Ravens were getting ready for the big game. They all bumped fists with me, or high-fived me, or patted me on the back. As captain of the team, there was an enormous amount of pressure on this game for us to win. But of course, growing up with my dad got me used to having pressure put on me. I just don't let it get to me anymore, just like I don't let my dad get to me anymore.

Whitey came into the locker room a few minutes before the game was starting. All the guys were dressed and not saying very much. They were either too nervous for the game to say anything, or in my case, too deep in thought to talk.

"Now boys, I know there's a lot of pressure on you all tonight to win this game. But you just have to forget all that, leave that behind when you walk out onto that court. I want everyone one hundred percent focused out there. You make me proud." He said and and then left. I always liked Whitey; he always said what was on his mind, not some lame pep-talk to make us all 'feel better.' Whenever he had a speech to make, he made it short, clear, and to the point. And I was thankful for that, I only wished I could say that about everyone in my life.

"Alright," I said getting the attention of all my team-mates, "bring it in guys." They all gathered around me in a huddle. "Ravens on there. One, two, three." All our voices joined to yell our team's name in unison. Music to my ears.

An adrenalin rush running through me, I followed our team and ran out last onto the court, the crowd and our cheerleaders cheering us on. This was what I loved. I loved running out of that locker room to find all my friends, all my classmates united to watch this team win the championship. I used to be so wrapped up in myself, my ego was too huge to even realize the true beauty of this; to realized how much I loved this sport and this team. Maybe that's why I felt so close to Haley even though I had barely met her: because I had shared with her what was really the only love in my life, basketball. I skimmed the bleachers on the St Catherine's side for any site of her, but as I had figured, she wasn't there.

I went up to the center of the court to shake hands with the other team captain and picked heads for the coin toss. Right as the coin was tossed and the whole room was in complete silence in anticipation for the start of the game, the sound of the front door opening and closing was heard and made a loud echoing. I looked up and I swear, I almost stopped breathing. It was Haley. And not only was it Haley, but it was Haley in a cheerleader's outfit. And I thought the uniform was hot...

Our eyes locked for a few seconds as a smile crept upon my lips. But no such smile appeared on her face, instead she looked at me confusedly, or maybe... regretfully? She broke eye contact first and headed over to her fellow cheerleaders, and I was forced to look away when the referee announced that the coin was heads and the ball was ours. And I had to suddenly put all my focus and concentration on playing the game... with is a thing quite hard to accomplish when the girl perhaps of your dreams is standing right across the gym cheering on the opposite team.

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AN: I hope you don't hate me! But, I mean, there needed to be some sort of conflict, but don't worry, there is definitely some more good Naley to come! Also, for anyone who is a Jeyton fan, I have a story: Simply Because, that is up here, so if anyone's interested, please check it out!

Please leave a review, I love hearing what you guys think! Thanks!