Summary: Haley James and Nathan Scott have been best friends since they were in diapers, however they have both had more than 'just friends' feelings about each other for years. Everything was going great on their senior year until Nathan got a girlfriend; Peyton Sawyer. Major Naley/Minor Brucas.
Disclaimer: I own nothing except my brain.
Chapter 4- Night before the Game
The whole school was crazy with excitement since the first basketball game was Friday night.
"Tutor-girl!" Brooke shouted, "we have to get this right, the game is tomorrow night and you cant miss this turn or the whole routine is off."
"I know," Haley sighed pushing the hair out of her face, "I just forget what comes after that one eight count."
"Well, that's what practices are for," Brooke said. She was in full commander mode now that basketball season was back, Brooke Davis would not allow her squad to look bad in front of the student body.
"Five minute break!" Brooke announced.
Haley took a deep breath as she walked over and got her bottle of water. 'Why do we have to practice outside, in 98 degree weather?' Haley thought to herself, she was then interrupted by another person's voice; Peyton's.
"Ugh, this is brutal, is it like this everyday?" Peyton asked breathing heavily.
"Yup, this is Commander Brooke at her best," Haley said.
"Geez," Peyton said taking a long drink of her water.
"So you and Nathan have been friends since you were born?" Peyton asked.
"Yeah," Haley said, "Mrs. Scott had Nathan 4 hours before I was born, and ever since then we've always been friends."
Peyton nodded, "That's great to have a friendship that has lasted so long."
'If only it were more,' Haley thought. "Yeah, he's a great guy."
"That he is," Peyton said dreamily.
"OK, BACK TO PRACTICE!" Brooke yelled into her megaphone.
Peyton and Haley gave each other a look before walking slowly back to Brooke, it was going to be a long practice.
--
"I'm proud of you tutor-girl, you actually did the whole routine," Brooke said.
"Thanks, I think I finally got it, but now my body seems to hate me, I am so sore" Haley said laughing.
"So is mine," Peyton said.
"Aww," said Nathan, "is Haley hurting?"
"Yes, she is and Nathan is about to be if he doesn't shut it?" Haley said.
"And a little violent," Lucas added.
The group laughed as they walked into Karen's. They sat in their booth and waited for Karen to come around.
"Turn around," Nathan said.
"Why?" Haley asked.
"Just do it," Nathan said.
Haley glanced questioningly at him before turning around. She then felt Nathan's hands massage her shoulders, then down to her lower back.
"That feels so good," Haley said closing her eyes.
"Broody," Brooke glared at him.
"Ok," Lucas said sighing before giving Brooke a massage.
Karen showed up and gave an amused look at Nathan and Lucas before clearing her throat.
"The usual?" Karen asked with a smirk on her face.
"Yes, please," they all answered.
Karen laughed at the group before walking around the counter.
"Where did you learn to do that?" Haley asked.
"Trick from basketball camp, actually Peyton taught me it," Nathan stated smiling at Peyton.
"I remember," Peyton said smiling, "Coach Renfro had us doing sprints, and suicides." (A/N: The camp was co-ed lol, and Peyton and Nathan were on the same team)
"Oh," Haley said. The thought of another girl giving Nathan a massage was too much for Haley's heart.
Karen brought out the group's orders. "Luke, Nate, I might have to try out that massage one day," Karen said jokingly. (A/N: In my story, Karen is Lucas and Nathan's mom, I love Deb but the story is more fluid for me if she was their mom. Luke is older than Nathan and Haley by like a year, Dan most likely wont be in the story.)
Haley looked at her food not having much of an appetite after learning that Nathan and Peyton were pretty close a few years ago and now they seemed just as close. It felt like Haley didn't seem to fit in the picture anymore, and that hurt.
"Are you okay?" Nathan looked at her concerned, "you're just picking around at your food."
"I'm fine," Haley said, "I just think I'm worn out."
"Oh, do you want me to take you home?" Nathan asked.
"No, that's okay, you stay, I'll have my mom pick me up since my car's at home," Haley said. She just wanted to get out of there, she couldn't take Nathan and Peyton anymore.
Brooke nodded. "You better call me later, or I'm coming over," She said.
Haley nodded before walking out of Karen's, for once leaving her plate of food untouched.
Nathan watched his best friend walk out and couldn't help but be worried, this wasn't like Haley at all.