A/N: Thanks to the people who reviewed my story. You guys are awesome! Alright, well this chapter introduces a certain dark-haired boy, briefly and is sort of important because it introduces more of the drama. Hope you guys like it! PLEASE review!

CHAPTER TWO:

The light gleamed through as Haley took a long stretch while yawning. She could hear the birds chirping, louder than usual causing her to take a glance out the window. Finally realizing that she had fallen asleep in the attic instead of her room, the young adult began to scramble. She could hear her alarm going off in her room as she ran down the stairs of the highest level of the house. She had a feeling it had been buzzing for several minutes. Groaning as she looked at the time, and realizing she was going to be late for school, she began to hustle. She threw her hair into a fast ponytail and changed into a new set of clothes, since she had slept in her previous set.

"Momm," she called out, as her feet moved in double time down the stairs and headed towards the kitchen. "Mom, I'm late..." Haley relaxed when she saw that her mother had already made a delicious breakfast for the family. Sighing a gasp of relief, she sat at the table for four and picked up the fork placed by her plate.

"Blueberry Pancakes," her mother gleamed, while sitting down. "Your favourite."

"Actually, they're John's favourite," Haley replied, while taking a bite, "but you won't hear any complaints coming from me." As she swallowed the food, she realized time still wasn't on her side, and began to eat her food faster.

"Speaking of..." Haley rolled her eyes, knowing what her Mom was going to say. Wanting to get herself out of the conversation, she ate faster at a quick pace. "Haley, you can't keep doing this. It's been months since he's joined this family. You have to accept him."

"Whatever," Haley brushed the topic off easily, before clearing her plate with one last chomp. "Oh! I meant to ask you; I was upstairs last night, and I noticed one Dad's boxes was missing. I think it's the baseball card one. Did you move it again?" It wasn't a horrible accusation; her mother always thought that the attic was just a mess of boxes and often moved some to more discreet locations in the house.

"They were sold a couple days ago," another voice added into the conversation, and Haley didn't even have to look up from her meal to know to whom it belonged to.

"What do you mean?" Haley squinted her eyes, not liking where this was going. "You didn't do what I think you did, did you?" Haley's mother was about to speak, but was stopped as the words formed in her mouth.

"Haley, we're short on money. Those cards were worth thousands! He had Mickey Mantle, Jackie Robinson and others that the sales clerk said would make this family much more wealthy. Some were even signed!"

"I know what's in that box, John." She picked up her plate, placing it in the sink to wash later on. She poured a bit of water on it first, so that the syrup wouldn't stick.

"We needed the money! This isn't just helping me, which I'm sure is what you're thinking," John spoke, as his voice began to rise to reach Haley's. Mrs. James sulked down in her chair, witnessing her two most loved ones fighting.

"How could you sell something that is so important to Dad? Baseball is his life; those cards mean everything and more to him." Haley turned to walk out of the room, frustrated with her step-dad.

"Was, Haley. Baseball was his life. And they meant everything to him. Past tense dear," Mrs James added in quietly, knowing that it was still a touchy subject to her daughter.

Haley spun around on her heels, to face her mother and replied a simple, "What?"

"It's been a year. It's time to move on," she spoke kindly, looking up to her new husband for support. He nodded and placed an arm around her shoulder. "He's dead, Haley. You have to face it."

This wasn't happening. Haley backed up, not realizing that the wall blocked her exit. Knowing she couldn't just turn around and run without having the last word Haley glared at them both and whispered a comment. "You know, it's funny you should say that mom. John said the same thing last night. You guys deserve each other." She didn't need to shout her words, or even follow with her usual temper-tantrum stomps out of the room. The hushed remark was enough to cause her mom to burst into tears, and to leave John not knowing what to do but comfort his wife.



"I'm surrounded by liars, everywhere I turn. I'm surrounded by impostors, everywhere I turn. I'm surrounded by identity crisis everywhere I turn. Am I the only one who noticed? How can I be the only one who's learned?"

Nathan's radio blared to the tune of 'I don't wanna be' by Gavin Degraw, with Nathan occasionally singing along. After the band had performed for the teens at Karen's Café, Nathan had quickly bought the CD and had become a huge fan ever since. He continued humming the chorus, as he drove to school in the car his Dad had generously given to him. Of course, it had been a bribe, but it was a good set of wheels, and he took it never the less. Their divorce hadn't become much better over the months although some understandments were made. Nathan was no longer a rope being tugged back and forth from one parent to another. He made his decision to move out, and had been happy with it. Of course, money had been a major issue, but both parents pitched it, understanding he had to do this to grow.

Looking outside to see where he was, and focusing on the road, Nathan began to listen to the birds instead of the full-volume song. He turned it all the way down, enjoying the sound of the flying creatures chirping. He wasn't quite sure which type of bird it was; maybe he'd ask Haley.

He continued to look out the driver seat window, as he came to a halt at the red light. For such an early time of day, a lot of things and people were up and about. There was a little boy, much like a younger him, hiking to school with his backpack hanging off his right shoulder. A blind man walking confidently with his dog leading the way. A squirrel chomping on its acorn. Haley walking fast, with tears streaming down her cheeks. Twin toddlers tugging at their pregnant mother's hands to cross the street.

Wait a sec. Haley, crying?

"Beeeeeeeeep" Nathan jumped up, noticing that the light in front of him had turned to the shade of green, and the cranky morning drivers behind him were honking. He pressed on the gas, probably going faster than her should have and crossed the intersection.

As he looked back, he realized that his eyes weren't playing tricks on him. Haley was walking to school, now wiping her tears from her eyes. Feeling his heart cringe for her, he pulled over to the side of the road. He was now several blocks away from Haley, which was ideal. Haley would be able to gain some composure before he'd offer a ride. She never really was one to allow someone to see her cry, which was most likely why she had saved her tear-shed for her lonely walk to school.

"Nathan?" Haley's voice called out, as she made one final sniffle. She managed to get all the crying she wanted to get out before she had reached his familiar set of wheels.

"Hey, babe." He grinned as he leaned over, unlocking the passenger door. "Want a ride?" Haley smiled graciously, before opening to door to allow herself to hop in. Nathan knew she had been crying. It was obvious from the red stains down her cheeks, but he hadn't immediately asked what was wrong, or what had brought upon her sadness. She was glad of that.

"Thanks," she said as she leaned on the window, facing away from Nathan. "For the ride, Of course."

Nathan looked at her from the corner of his eyes, and took his right hand off the wheel, leaning over to give her a comforting nudge/rub on shoulder. She smiled in return, and turned the volume back up to the Gavin Degraw CD that Nathan had been listening to previously.

"I heard you coming almost a mile away," she grinned, before sticking out her tongue to reassure him that she was fine. "You really got to work on that voice of yours." He laughed and turned his attention back to the road.

She could see the worry in Nathan's eyes, and although she was grateful he wasn't prying her for answers, like Lucas would have, it bothered her more knowing he had the words on the tip of his tongue. "Ahh this is my favourite song!" She giggled slightly as she began singing the lyrics to the tenth song on the disc.

Nathan gave a sly smirk, loving the tone of her voice as she sung. You never would have guessed that she was just crying moments before, by the exact pitch and melodic notes that she vocalized. She actually looked good, although occasionally she would look into the driver's mirror to make sure it wasn't too obvious she had been crying. She was natural, and he loved that about her. Peyton was gorgeous, and he could give Brooke that title as well, but to him Haley was beautiful. Beautiful, in his dictionary was much higher on the list than gorgeous. Gorgeous simply refers to ones beauty, but beautiful describes everything about said person and is therefore a much more intense word.

To be completely honest with himself, he had never gotten over Haley. She was so caring towards him, and believed him no matter what he said or did and no matter how many times he screwed up. It was true love, or at least what he had thought.

"Nate." A voice pulled him out of his thoughts, as he began to recognize the area around him. He was at school. "We're here," Haley informed him, making sure he still was in this Galaxy. "You alright?"

Nathan turned the keys, and took one final glance at Haley. He couldn't be mad at her, whether she had broken his heart or not. "Yea, I'm great. Let's head to class."

The two walked together to their first class, which they coincidentally both had, talking about the History test that would be awaiting them that period. Life seemed back to normal. But life can always be deceiving.