AN: I'm back! And thank you all again for your lovely reviews:) As always, I'm not completely confident with this chapter, but I'm always so insecure with everything I write so I hope you all enjoy it.

C - Thank you so much! I'm so glad you liked the chapter and I hope you like this one, too!

noname - I'm pretty sure this is PrincessCupcake13's review but sent twice and the second time it went on anon? But thank you any way:)

Cuteyfruity - Yes, Henry was there:-D And they watched Doctor Who. I'm glad you liked that:) Thanks so much for reviewing!

I'd really appreciate it if you sent me a review after reading them because I love reading all of your thoughts on the story!

Chapter Twenty Five.

3 weeks later.

Her hand shot up, yet again, once the teacher asked the question.

''Yes, Haley?''

''Thirty two,''

The teacher smiled, kind of adoringly. ''That's correct, well done.''

Haley smiled at Nathan smugly, in that way she does like she constantly has to prove to him how smart she is with all her private school education. It was getting quite irritating, actually.

He rested his chin on the palm of his hand as he droned out the sound of the teacher's words. Nathan stared out of the window leading out to the front of the school. He watched the empty parking lot, it was a better sight than this classroom and the sight of the teacher that he's ninety nine percent sure hates him.

''Nathan,'' the teacher said pointedly a couple of minutes later, breaking into his thoughts. ''Do you know the answer?''

''No idea, sorry.''

''And why's that?''

He sighed loudly. Why was this teacher always on his case? It felt that way, any way. ''Because I wasn't listening.''

A few people chuckled in the room, while Haley gaped at him.

''Any more cheek from you, Mr. Scott. Then you're in detention.'' The teacher looked around the room, picking on another student to answer the question.

Nathan stayed silent, his jaw locked through the rest of the class and his whole body tense. He had been like this all day, yet had failed to tell anyone why as of yet. He hated even thinking about the events of this morning. It just made him so unbelievably angry.

When the bell rang, he shot up from his seat and walked out, being the first one out of the door.

Haley quickly caught up with him, her quick but careful footsteps hitting the floor lightly as she reached his side. ''What the hell was that about?'' she demanded. ''You could have gotten into trouble, Nathan.''

''Believe me; I got into a lot more trouble before you showed up.''

''Will you at least talk to me? Tell me what's wrong with you.''

He sighed, running a hand through his hair, stopping walking and stepping to the side of the hallway against a row of lockers so people could still move by. He lowered his voice, ''It's my dad. He's been hounding me about basketball. I'm pretty used to it, but then he started saying that I'd never be good as him or good enough and that he's going to start limiting my time with you and Luke, like he thinks he actually could. But it- I just got so angry, Haley.''

She bit her bottom lip nervously for a second before responding. ''You didn't... hit him, did you?''

''No, but I wanted to... so bad. He just thinks he's so much better than me- than everyone and I'm sick of it.'' He paused. ''And he said that this was my only shot at anything great, that I wasn't smart enough to get a job doing anything else.''

''You are smart.'' she stated. ''He's just trying to get to you, to make you insecure. And you are not allowed to be, okay? Because that's not who you are.'' Haley took his hands in hers, intertwining their fingers. ''And I'm sorry about the... smug looks. I've just- I've been struggling for weeks and I've been trying to catch up, and now I have. I thought you'd be happy, that's all.''

''I am happy for you.'' He laughed in disbelief. ''I guess I never thought I'd be jealous of the fact that you're smarter than me.''

Haley giggled, standing on her tip toes and bringing her face closer to his. ''Well, maybe you should get a tutor.''

''No way,''

''What if that tutor was...'' He could feel her breath against his lips. Damn, she was teasing him. ''Me?''

''That depends; do I get a kiss from this tutor if I agree?''

''Definitely.''

''Deal,'' Nathan grinned, leaning down so she didn't have to tip toe as much and pressing his lips to hers.

Ring. Ring.

A groan escaped from his lips as his eyes opened and he felt around the bed side table for his phone. Once he grabbed it, he squinted at the called ID before releasing another frustrated groan. It was his mom, again. He had visited her last week in her rehab centre and had told the staff to let her call him. He hadn't expected her to do so every single day.

Of course, he didn't mind his mom calling him, not at all. But she was always sticking her nose into his life. Asking if Lucas was trying with their relationship as much as he was, why Rachel didn't have a boyfriend yet, why he wasn't Rachel's boyfriend, and when he was going to quit chasing after a girl that didn't want him.

Their conversation on the phone when he was in Charlottehad stuck in her head, about him liking Haley even though she seemed not to return his feelings. So when they talk, she liked to asked if they were together yet, and try to convince him to go after someone else because he wasn't getting any younger and he should be thinking about settling down because she's not getting any younger and she wants to live to meet her grandkids as the months drinking and taking prescription skills haven't done very good with her health.

But that was another problem. Deb kept swearing she was better, that she was ready to come home. But she wasn't, because the staff at the place she was had stated that she wasn't just yet. If she was to be released, then there was still a high chance that she would be drinking as soon as she got out.

''Hey mom,''

''Hey sweetie,'' Deb said, her voice high and strangely chirpy. ''I swear. I feel so much better today. I just want to go outside and go to that park that we used to go to when you were a little boy.''

''I'm in Tree Hill, mom.'' he reminded her.

''I know. I just wish I could be there, too. It's such a lovely day.''

Nathan sighed. He knew what she was doing. It wasn't going to work, no matter how much it hurt the both of them. ''When you get better, then we can go.''

''I told you, Nathan. I am better! I've not wanted to drink in weeks!''

''Mom, they tell me everything. I know you have. Just... I'll call you next time, okay?'' He didn't wait for a response, he just hung up the phone. A huge wave of guilt rushed over him. But he was so desperate for his mom to be better again, like she was when he was a kid. He wanted his mom back, so much. And that wasn't going to happen unless he was strict with her and not do what she wanted him to.

Ring. Ring.

He picked up his phone roughly, bring it to his ear after pressing the button. ''I said I'll call you next time. We need to stop doing this. You're not going to get better-''

''Nathan?'' a deep voice questioned in confusion.

Whoops. ''Um, hello?''

''It's David... Haley's sister, Quinn, her husband, from the wedding, do you remember?''

''Oh yeah, of course I remember!'' He paused awkwardly. ''Sorry, about that, I thought you were someone else...''

''No worries. I was just wondering if you meant what you said, about Quinn and I being able to stay in your place in Charlotte. I was thinking we could visit Tree Hill first then she could see Haley, then we could go to Charlotte. We're not going away 'til next year and we can't really afford anything else...''

''I meant it, definitely.'' He smiled. ''You'll have to stop off at Tree Hill any way to get the keys.'' His smile widened. ''Haley will be so happy to see you guys. She's missed you two, she told me.''

''Thank you, really.'' David said sincerely. ''But don't say anything to Haley, please. It can be a surprise, for both of them.''

''Peyton, calm down.'' Haley said, trying to keep her voice calm as her hysterical best friend panicked, sat on one of the chairs in the hall in the centre. Some of the kids were looking at her strangely, but the other workers distracted them from the ranting pregnant lady.

''How can I? When that stupid Chris Keller cancelled on me! I need an opening act, Haley!''

That was similar to how the conversation began when Peyton came storming into the children's centre, grabbed Haley by the arm and explained the situation, begging Haley to talk to Chris and getting him to change his mind. The dark blonde haired girl had called him, but he had explained that he got called for his own gig in a bar out of town, not just opening act like Peyton wanted him to be.

Plus, the fact that she was pregnant and hormonal really wasn't helping matters.

''He's just such a jerk! And I really wanted this night to be special, Haley!''

Haley hated seeing her best friend so hurt and upset, so she said the first thing that came to mind, ''I'll do it.''

(And she instantly regretted it).

But the huge smile that formed on Peyton's face, that kinda made it worth it already.

''So you'll come?'' She asked, her voice filled with hope as he fingers strummed against the counter of the café. It was her lunch break, so she was getting some supporters for Peyton's evening. Their friends didn't come to every night, because they held one or two a week which were similar and not a big deal, but this one was to Peyton, so Haley wanted everyone to be there. She had already invited Brooke (who she knew would invite Julian) and she had called Sara, too, who had instantly agreed.

''Of course I'll come,'' Lucas rolled his eyes teasingly.

''And you can invite Rachel, too.''

He frowned, feigning confusion. ''Why would I want to invite Rachel?''

Haley giggled as she teasingly said, ''Oh, no reason.''

''Good, because I have no idea what you're talking about.''

A small laugh escaped her lips again as she pecked him on the cheek. ''I have to get back, I'll see you later.''

She walked out of the café, stopping when she saw Clay crossing the road and heading for the building. She contemplated whether or not to invite him, because she desperately wanted them to remain friends, because in their relationship it sometimes seemed like they were friends more than a couple. But she isn't quite sure that he wants the same thing, he hasn't wanted to every other time she's tried to talk to him.

But she hurt him, she understands that. And she wants to make it right, she needs to.

''Clay,'' she said softly, causing him to look at her in surprise. ''Hi.''

''Oh, hey.''

''I was just wondering if you wanted to come to TRIC tonight, we're all gonna be there, I think. I thought we could hang out, as friends.'' She bit her bottom lip nervously. ''If you're not busy or anything, of course.''

Clay stayed silent, clearly debating with himself whether or not to go. He put on a smile, but she knew it was fake. She's known him for six years, she can obviously tell what he's feeling. ''Sure, um, I was planning to go any way.''

''That's great, I'll see you there?''

''I'll see you there,'' he confirmed sheepishly with a nod as he began to walk back towards the café.

''Clay.'' she called.

He looked back expectantly.

''I'm glad that you're going to be there. I do really want us to be friends, I've missed you.''

''I've missed you too, Hales.'' Clay said, nodding his head before walking through the café doors.

She grinned to herself, feeling a happy warmth feeling spread over her. She really has missed him, so much. Those feelings that she had for him years ago had left even before they broke up, but that doesn't mean that she doesn't love him. Because she really does, and she can't stand not having him in her life. They would be so much better as friends, she knew it.

As she walked back towards the centre, her mind travelled to Nathan, like it always seemed to these days. He had been a little off these past few weeks. He was distancing himself from her, just a little, gradually as time went on. She wasn't sure why, but it was scaring her. It seemed like he didn't want to pressure her or anything, maybe he thought he was annoying her by being around because she hasn't said anything about wanting to be with him.

But she wants to. But now, he doesn't seem to want to be with her. And everything is getting so complicated and they're not even spoken about it yet. Because she's scared in case she says she wants him, and he says that he doesn't feel that way. She's scared in case he actually does still want her, because everything will be new and different from how it was with Clay and she's not a fan of change. And nothing seemed to be very simple any more.

Haley stopped suddenly when she got closer to the centre, spotting Nathan's SUV on the ride of the road. Once she got even closer, she realised he was inside, typing away on his phone. She knocked on the window, giggling when she saw that he had jumped in surprise. When he rolled down the window, she leaned down so they could see each other. ''Um, hi?''

''Hey,'' he laughed, placing a hand to his heart to calm his racing heart beat. She had really scared him there. He had been in his own little world before she knocked on the window.

''What are you doing here?''

''I was heading to see you, actually. But I just got a text from one of my old friends in L.A., so I parked on the side of the road to reply.'' he explained, quite sheepishly.

Her heart rate sped up slightly. ''Why were you heading to see me?''

''I wanted to make sure you were going to TRIC tonight,''

''I was going to ask you the same thing,'' she laughed.

Nathan smiled widely, making her heart flutter. Damn, she cursed inwardly. ''Good, because I have a surprise for you.''

Her cheeks started to go red as she thought as to what it might be. ''Really?''

''Yeah, you'll get it tonight, at TRIC.'' His phone buzzed. He picked it up and his face fell. ''Crap, I forgot I was supposed to meet Lucas.''

''Okay,'' she nodded, fighting away the sad feeling that she felt by what he said. ''I'll see you later, then?''

''I'll see you later then,'' he confirmed with a nod, sending her another one of his sheepish smiles before driving away.

And suddenly, tonight didn't seem like such a bad idea any more.

Nathan leaned his back against the building of TRIC, fiddling with the little purple flowers that he had in his hands, tied together with a small, white ribbon. He was waiting for Quinn and David to meet him at TRIC so that they could surprise Haley, but they were running a little late because some traffic near Wilmington.

He hated being alone more than usual now, it left him alone with his thoughts that he was finding even more difficult to control than usual. He had realised after meeting Henry that he had been living in denial for weeks, not truly coming to terms that his dad was gone forever. After that, he was just angry. Angry at everything.

''Why did I have to get in that car, Luke?'' Nathan slurred, his fist slamming against the counter top. ''If we would have just... gone for a walk or t- took a different route, then maybe he would still be here. Maybe we could have made up and had a father-son relationship. It's all my fault!'' His eyes got watery as he yelled, anger burning in his veins as he stood in his brother's kitchen, a bottle of whiskey in between them at two o clock in the morning.

Haley emerged into the room, her feet padding softly against the tiled flooring. She wrapped her dressing gown around her body, her eyes sleepy. ''Nathan, no it's not.''

''You don't know that,'' His voice got louder, anger clear in his tone.

''Yes I do,'' she said calmly, walking closer to him. ''I told you, none of this is your fault, okay?''

''Nate, even if... it didn't happen, then that doesn't mean anything would have change between the two of you.''

Nathan glared at his brother. ''But you don't know that!''

''I don't. But it's pretty unlikely that it would have. You said you guys were fighting when you crashed. He wasn't looking where he was going. It wasn't your fault.''

He blinked back frustrated tears, the alcohol in his system making him dizzy. ''Why is this happening to me? I shouldn't even be feeling like this!''

Haley took his hand gently. ''Come on, you need to get some sleep. You can sleep in my room, I'll stay on the couch.''

He silently followed her upstairs, not objecting as his whole body felt exhausted, the huge heap of emotions taking the energy from him. As soon as he lay down, his eyes closed and his body shut down, sleep overcoming him.

And when he woke up in the morning, Haley was downstairs, fast asleep on the couch, curled up into a ball.

Nathan grabbed a piece of paper, rubbing his sore head, scribbling a quick note.

thank you x

Now he's not sure, exactly, what he's supposed to feel any more. His anger had subsided, as he had slowly realised that the fault was on the guy who was driving the car that his theirs that night. Nothing could change what happened, Nathan just had to learn to accept it instead of thinking about "what if"'s all the time.

''Nathan,'' a voice said, grabbing his attention.

He looked to see Quinn and David walking towards him, their hands in each others.

''Hey guys,'' He gave Haley's sister a quick hug and shook her husbands hand before saying, ''It starts in twenty minutes, she's probably already in her dressing room.''

''She has a dressing room?'' Quinn echoed in surprised as they followed him into the club.

''It's more like a tiny room with a couch and a mirror, but yeah. She's only opening the show, she's not the main act so she doesn't have the bigger one.''

The club was quite noisy once they walked inside. People were surrounding the bar and the front of the stage so they could get a good view for when it began, while others were sat at tables and having conversations before the band began. The room was light, but the lights would dim when Haley came out and the live music began.

''This place is cool,'' David commented.

''My aunt Karen owns it,'' Nathan told him. ''And Peyton,'' He looked at Quinn. ''You've met her, right?'' He remembered in the dream that the two of them met at Lydia's funeral, at least he hoped that the same had happened in real life so he wouldn't be wrong. ''She's the manager.''

He spotted Sara at the bar, twirling her straw in her drink. She looked in disgust as a guy attempted to hit on her, but didn't leave despite her rejection. She seemed to be getting increasingly uncomfortable by the second.

''Uh, you guys should go on without me. I gotta help someone out,'' he said quickly, passing the flowers to Quinn. ''Give these to Haley for me, please. It's just through that door,'' He pointed through the backstage door. ''No one like guards it or anything, so you can just walk straight through.''

The two nodded before heading in the direction that he had pointed.

Nathan turned towards the bar, reaching his blonde friend in a matter of seconds. He glared at the man who was still trying to hit on her. ''She's not interested.''

''She can speak for herself,'' the man objected, his voice coming out in a slur.

''I am speaking for myself, and I've been telling you that I'm not interested.'' Sara said, her eyes wide in annoyance.

''Now leave, before I make you.''

The man took a step back as Nathan sent him a warning look, before he walked away timidly.

Sara smiled in relief. ''Thanks, Nathan.''

''You're welcome,'' He nodded over to the bartender, ordering his drink. He looked back at his friend, ''You okay?''

''Yeah,''

''Excuse me, Nathan Scott?'' A woman, about his age, approached him at the bar, leaning against it by his side. She had dark, almost black hair, and bright blue eyes that stood out above everything. A female version of him, almost, considering the smirk.

''Yes?''

She fiddled with a napkin in her hand, appearing nervous. ''I'm a huge fan; can I have your autograph?''

Even though it was hard for him to believe, this was his first female fan in Tree Hill. In L.A. a lot of girls loved basketball. It was pretty cool that there actually some women in Tree Hill that loved the game. ''Sure,''

She took a seat next to him at the bar, smiling as he scribbled on the napkin. ''I saw some of your games at Duke too, you were really great.''

Clay plopped down on the seat next to the blonde, muttering, ''Oh look, he's got another one.''

Sara looked at the man next to her in surprise, glancing back at Nathan before looking at the handsome stranger next to her. ''It's not like that, trust me.''

Haley muttered the words of Les Miserable under her breath as she sat against the wall, occasionally taking deep breaths to try and steady her nerves. She was snapped out of her concentration by a knock on the door in her ''dressing room''. She took another steadying breath as she opened the door, a squeal leaving her lips once she saw who was at the other side.

''Quinnie!'' she exclaimed in excitement, pulling her into a tight hug. Pulling back when she felt like she was squishing something. ''Oh, you got me flowers? Thank you!''

''Actually, these are from Nathan.''

''Oh,'' She fought back a beaming smile. ''Where is he?''

''He said he had to help someone out with something,'' David shrugged.

And then it clicked. ''Wait, how did you get those off Nathan?''

''He arranged for us to come here. We're visiting tonight, then we're spending a couple of nights in Charlotte for a little honeymoon, he's letting us stay at his place. He offered on the day of the wedding when you were with Quinn getting ready,'' he explained.

She couldn't believe it. He really liked her that much? Enough to offer his home to people who are almost complete strangers to him. And if David was correct and he offered when she was getting ready at the wedding, then that means that he had only just met him at the time. He really was such a great person, and he's already doing such great things for her family. It made her stomach do excited flips.

He really likes me, doesn't he? she realised. And she already knew that she really liked him too.

So why was she waiting around for so long to make a move?

The crowd cheered loudly once she stopped singing. An excited blush spread on her cheeks as she bowed slightly before taking the microphone from the stand. ''That was for Peyton Sawyer, who throws these amazing nights for all of us. She truly is amazing. I love you, Sawyer.''

She smiled again to the audience before walking backstage, taking a deep breath as the main act took her place on the stage. Singing was truly her greatest passion, she loved it so much. All of her troubles and problems just seemed to melt away when she was singing one of her favourite songs. Everything usually just felt okay for a while.

Once she had stopped her shaking hands, she stepped out into the club from the backstage door.

Her friends were all sat around a table, chatting animatedly. Even Clay was there, saying something to Jake which caused him to laugh. Haley frowned, wondering where Nathan was. Her eyes scanned across the room until she spotted him at the bar, chatting to some girl.

She couldn't control the jealous feeling in her stomach when she saw him, but what could she do? He wasn't hers.

Haley caught Nathan's eye as he looked over and sent her a proud smile before returning to his conversation.

Her stomach dropped. It wasn't supposed to hurt that much.

''Grease is good and everything. But it just doesn't compare to Grease 2. You really should give it a shot, I mean, everything is just amazing and Michelle Pfeiffer's acting is truly magical...'' Haley droned out Julian's words as she took another sip of wine, glancing over to the spot at the bar where Nathan was still sat, chatting to that girl, like he had been for the past hour.

Julian looked in the direction she was staring at. He smiled, ''You don't have to worry, you know. If she was hitting on him, they wouldn't still be here.'' he laughed, stopping once he caught sight of her glare. ''Okay, sorry. But you should just talk to him.''

''Is he... is he mad at me?'' Her voice came out accusingly, slightly slurred.

His eyes widened in alarm. ''No, he didn't say anything to me.''

''So he could be, right?''

''No, no, he's not.'' he said hurriedly. ''Haley, maybe you need to slow down on the wine.''

''I'm fine!''

''You're really not,''

She glared at him again as she stood up. ''I'm going to talk to him.''

Julian grabbed her arm lightly. ''You're drunk; maybe that's not such a good idea.''

''You just said I should,'' She frowned, giggling with a snort. The effects of her four glasses of wine going straight to her head, making her head spin. She shouldn't have stood up so fast... Haley shook her head, though that didn't really help. She began to head through the crowds of people and towards the bar, tapping him on the shoulder.

He looked at her, his face lighting up. ''Hey, Haley!'' His voice came out in a cheer, he appeared to be just as drunk as she was. ''You were amazing,'' He looked at the girl sat next to him. ''Wasn't she amazing?''

If he thought she was so great, then why didn't he... ''Why haven't you spoken to me all night?''

Nathan frowned at her sudden angry tone. ''Uh, I was talking to... Annie. She went to Duke, too, a year below mine. We were... what's that word? Reminiscing!''

''So you're not mad at me?'' she question slowly, her voice slurring.

He laughed. ''No, why would you think that?''

''Oh... okay,'' He just isn't interested any more, her mind declared, and suddenly her heart agreed as a sudden pain formed in her chest. She turned away, finding it difficult to walk in a straight line as she stumbled out of the club, the cold air biting her skin once she reached outside.

Why was she such an idiot? She's known of her feelings for weeks and didn't say a word. She should know by now that if you want something, you have to fight for it instead of waiting around for it to just come to you. She didn't, and now he's gone. She should have known, considering he's been distancing himself from her for weeks and he got away from her as fast as he could this afternoon.

''Haley, what are you doing?'' Nathan asked, following her out. ''What's the matter with you?''

''It doesn't matter,''

''Of course it matters! Why are you acting weird?''

''You said you liked me, okay?'' she exclaimed. ''You said at Quinn's wedding that you liked me. You said you would wait for me and now you're...''

''I'm what? Having a conversation?'' He fired back.

Haley blinked, stopping in surprise. ''But you-''

''I was talking to someone from college. What? Because I'm waiting around for you that means I can't talk to any girls you don't know. Is that how it works?''

The truth is, he was tired. He was tired of waiting. He knew it had only been over a month, but considering that he didn't have much longer 'til he had to return to the NBA, he wanted as much time with her as possible. It's not that he liked Annie, the girl he was talking to earlier, it was just nice talking to someone who wanted him for a change. Maybe that made him a little mean, but it felt nice having a little attention from someone who actually seemed to like him in that way.

''You're still waiting around for me?''

''Yeah, but I get it. It's not like that between us,''

Her heart leapt, her mind becoming clearer. ''What made you think that?''

He frowned. ''You didn't say anything...'' He shook his head. ''What are you saying?''

She took a small, careful step towards his, a sudden confidence running through her. ''I'm saying that I thought that you had given up on me... and us.''

''And where did you get that idea from?''

''You've been acting weird for weeks,''

His heart rate began to speed up. What was saying say? She wasn't- no, of course she wasn't... was she? ''I didn't want to add any pressure or anything. I didn't want to bother you.''

''You don't bother me,'' she said softly. ''What's bothered me is that fact that you haven't been around as much as you used to be. I missed you.''

''I missed you, too. You have no idea.'' he paused. ''Wait, why were you so bothered that I was talking to a girl? Were you... jealous?'' Nathan smirked as a blush rose to her cheeks. ''I'm kidding!'' She stayed silent, looking down on the floor. ''Wait...''

''Shut up,'' she muttered.

He smiled widely. ''You were?''

''A little...''

''But why?''

Haley looked up at him, sighing loudly in mock annoyance. ''Haven't you figured that one out yet?''

''You mean-'' He was silenced by her nod, causing his breath to get caught in the back of his throat. ''Really?'' She nodded silently again, causing his smile to widen and his heart to race. Really, was this it? ''We could be completely wrong for each other, you know.'' He slowly placed his hand on his cheek, the pad of his thumb rubbing her skin softly.

''I know,'' she whispered.

''And we might not work,''

''I know,''

''And-''

''I know,'' she interrupted with a giggle, her breath shaky as nerves set in her stomach by how close they were. But it wasn't bad nerves, it was excited nerves. She was ready for this, she really was. She had wanted this for so long, but hadn't realised it until this very moment.

Nathan brought his face closer to hers slowly and cautiously, as if he was expecting her to change her mind.

But she wasn't. She wanted this, more than anything. She wanted him.

She wants him.

Haley grabbed the collar of his jacket, pulling his close to her and crashing her lips onto his.

(And now she has him).

(But the thing is: she's always had him, right from the start).