"I'm very insulted, you know."

Haley's head snapped in Allyson's direction as she swerved the car slightly.

Nearly spilling her coffee, Allyson quickly held her steaming latte in front of her before asking, "Whoa, okay, trying to go for some light humor here but I guess that's out of the question."

"What?" Haley asked, ignoring her more current statement, "What do you mean you're insulted?"

This wasn't good. She was getting too darn paranoid.

"I called yesterday, wanted to do some serious venting." Allyson paused, "Well, okay, complaining but still," she laughed at the guilty look on Haley's face, "Hun, I'm kidding. Chill."

"Right," Haley said quickly, "Of course."

"So, I got the busy signal. Who were you talking to?"

Thinking fast, Haley blurted out the first person that came to mind, "Lucas."

"Lucas?" Ally asked, slightly surprised.

Meanwhile, Haley was asking herself the same question. Lucas?! Where did that come from? "Umm," she coughed, "Yeah. I was umm, talking to him, about well, you know, stuff."

"You're getting uncomfortable," Ally stated bluntly.

"I-I'm not getting uncomfortable," Haley defended as she squirmed.

"You can't sit still and you're stuttering," Ally said with a triumphant smile, "Liar much?"

"Okay, okay," Haley said as she forced herself to calm down. She never could lie to Ally. Then again, who could lie to their best friend? "We were talking about.. you."

Well, that wasn't a complete lie in itself. She did talk to Lucas about Allyson before.. just not yesterday on the phone.

"Really? How did I get brought up?"

Haley shrugged and tried for nonchalance as she parked and got out of the car, "We were just talking about nothing really and then he umm, brought you up."

"Oh, good things spoken about me, hopefully."

"Of course," Haley said as she rushed to her locker. Stuffing her books into her bookbag, she turned around, grateful to see Lucas but before she could speak up, Ally was by her side, smiling as she spotted the blonde too.

"Hola friend," Ally greeted before turning to Lucas, "And other friend."

"You mean amigo?" Haley offered.

"I'm taking French, okay?" She grinned before cocking her head to side and looking at Lucas, "So, I heard you were talking about me to Haley yesterday."

Lucas' eyes widened before he gave Haley a sharp stare, "She told you?"

Haley bit her lip and shook her head, trying to signal Lucas of.. well, something, but he was too busy giving her a death glare to notice.

"Well, not in detail but the general idea," Ally said unaware of the tensions she was creating, "Nice to know I'm held in high regard. Well, hopefully that is," she said in a joking manner.

"Right, look, Ally, if you know then I think we should talk."

"Talk?" Allyson asked, her brow furrowed, "Umm, okay, what about?"

Lucas looked at her surprised, "I thought Haley told you," He turned to Haley, "She's a smart girl. She figured it out and told you." Seeing the look in Haley's eyes, realization immediately hit him, "Or maybe not," he whispered to himself.

"Yeah, okay, color me confused."

"Never mind," Lucas muttered as he shuffled away.

Allyson turned around and watched as he walked away, "That boy has some serious issues."

Trying to laugh it off, Haley grabbed Allyson's arm as they walked down the hallway, "Okay, I need to get to my first period class."

--

"I knew I should've volunteered to aide this period," Haley grumbled as she entered the empty tutoring center. "Could've gotten an extra credit and a basic free period but no, no, I just had to sign up for tutoring and get freaking Nathan Scott as a tutoree." She sighed heavily, "He's not worth all this trouble."

"Do you always make it a habit to talk to yourself?" Nathan asked as he walked into the center, his backpack slung over his shoulder.

"Do you always make it a habit to be a complete jerk?" She retorted.

"Meow. Point taken."

"Let's get started," she gestured at the table, "So, english. What's the assignment today?"

"She just assigned a supposed creative project."

"Do tell."

"We're supposed to analyze three popular songs from today. Write a paper for one, make a poster for another, and a sketch for another. Oral presentation over the whole thing."

"Geez," Haley said surprised, "And you're in standard?"

"Gee, thanks for the vote of confidence."

"I'm not saying it condescendingly, you know." Haley spoke in a more gentle tone before she got out a pen, "Are you always on the defensive?"

"Sorry," Nathan said genuinely, "Morning practice today. I didn't get enough sleep."

"Oh, well, I know you must be drained at this moment but you're gonna have to work with me. Maybe if we get this done I'll let you sleep for the rest of the period."

"Are you for real?"

"Do I look like I'm lying?"

"You know, you're not half bad, James."

Seeing the look in his eyes, Haley immediately looked down and coughed, "So, anyway, what songs are you choosing?"

Nathan's brow furrowed as he watched her movements. She was a mystery. "I'm not positive yet. It has to be school appropriate."

"Okay, so that rules out most of the hard metal and rap."

"Hey, I like rap."

"I'm not dissing anything," she said simply, "I'm just stating the facts. I don't think Ms. Altman is going to be very pleased with a bunch of swear words in the context. If I were you, I'd pick something that she would listen to. It'll get you on her good side and that gives you an advantage from the start."

"Are you teaching me how to cheat?"

"It's not cheating per say, it's just getting the upper hand."

Raising an eyebrow, Nathan nodded before asking, "So, what do 30 year old chicks listen to?"

"I'd guess sappy love songs."

"Fun."

Haley laughed before shaking her head, "Why don't you start out with some Sarah Mclachlan. Do you listen to anything else other then rap and r&b?"

"Some rock, none of that punk pop stuff."

"That's a contradiction in itself," Haley commented before shrugging, "Peyton's rubbing off on me."

"Didn't know you guys were close."

"We've talked a few times. She's intense."

"Right," Nathan said as he rolled his eyes, "A little overly dramatic if you ask me."

"I didn't," Haley said before she slid something across the table, "Here's a pass to get into the computer lab. It's mine but all it has is the ID on there so no one's gonna say anything about it. Why don't you go up there and check out stuff on the internet."

"Thanks," Nathan said as he grabbed his backpack off the floor. He had his hand on the door knob and his back turned to her when he asked, "Can I call you tonight?"

Feeling her throat go dry, Haley looked down and sighed. It was a responsibility now. Nathan was her pupil of sorts. She couldn't say no. "Yeah."

That was the only reason she was letting him call her. For tutoring help.

Really.

--

"Hola!" Ally greeted as she slid into the seat next to Haley.

The brunette raised an eyebrow before asking, "What's with the Spanish?"

"It's a weird thing I do now," Ally explained as she got out her books, "I'm greeting people in Spanish and saying goodbye in French. Getting to be a bit of a habit."

"You're weird."

"Gee, thanks. You're my best friend so what does that make you?"

Haley laughed and shrugged, "Even weirder?"

"Hey Haley?"

The smile faded off her voice as Haley realized who it was that was calling her. Oh dear god. How could he be so stupid? Okay, so she didn't specifically mention not to talk to her in front of Allyson.. ever but come on, he couldn't be that dense could he?

"Can I talk to you?"

Okay, so maybe he could. Haley got up uncomfortably before saying, "What is it, Nathan?"

"You sound mad."

Haley shot him an incredulous look before she cocked her head towards Allyson, "I wonder why."

"Oh," he said overdramatically before he shrugged, "I found some stuff for the project."

"Okay, that's great. Why don't we talk about it tomorrow," she said in a hushed voice.

"Why not now?" He asked, loudly.

Angered, Haley rolled her eyes and walked away before saying so the whole class could hear, "You're such a perverted ass, Nathan."

Ally sighed in disappointment as Haley returned, "Was he making vulgar comments to you again?"

"What else would he have to say to me?" Haley said as she tried her best to cover up the botch up Nathan had purposely caused. What was his deal anyhow? He wanted her to tutor him and it was obvious there was no way Allyson could know about it so why would he try to make it so obvious to Allyson? Things just didn't make any sense.

"At least he's talking to you," Allyson muttered quietly.

"Oh, Ally," Haley groaned, "You can't still-"

"Yeah, I do. I can't help it." She turned around quickly when the bell rang.

Haley took this chance to sneak a glance at Nathan who merely smirked back. She shot him an angry glare before paying her attentions to the lecture in class.

--

Haley stuffed her books into her bookbag as the end of the school day arrived. She was at her locker, putting her jacket on when she heard something slam right next to her. Jumping back, she saw the devious smile belonging to no other then Brooke Davis. Rolling her eyes, Haley said, "Hey, Brooke, something up?"

"Just haven't talked to my dear old friend in awhile."

Scoffing, Haley opened her locker which Brooke had slammed close only moments before, "Okay, what do you want?"

"What makes you think I want something?"

"Because you're using that sickening sugar sweet tone on me which you know doesn't work, Brooke-y," Haley mocked slightly, "So, what do you want?"

"I can't cook."

"Okay, what does that have to do with me?"

"You can."

Haley raised an eyebrow, "Get to the point, Brooke."

"Lucas's birthday is coming up."

"I'm not cooking you and Luke some kinky fantasy dinner."

"Can dinner be kinky?" Brooke pondered as they walked down the hallway together.

"Gutter much?"

"You're the one who brought it up," she defended before shrugging, "That's not the point. I need some cooking tips, advice, okay, just help in general. I wanna plan a little dinner get together for Lucas's birthday."

"Are you guys going out?" Haley asked in curiosity. They couldn't be, could they? If they were, then.. well, it would make things a heck of a lot more interesting.

"No," Brooke pouted, "That'll change soon though."

Haley bit her lip, not knowing what to do. She wasn't exactly best friends with Brooke but they were on good terms. And, she knew who Lucas liked, and it wasn't Brooke. Poor girl, she was going to get hurt. Haley laughed lightly, she never thought she'd be feeling pity for Brooke Davis of all people.

"What's so funny?"

"Nothing," Haley said with a small smile, "So, is this a dinner for two?"

"No, that'll be too big of a jump for him apparently. I think he'd be more comfortable with a group thing."

"Whoever thought you'd actually care about making a guy comfortable?"

Brooke slapped Haley lightly on the arm, "I could be very insulted, you know."

"You know I don't mean it."

"Yeah, so you think you'd be up for it?"

"A dinner for a small group, maybe, you, me, Lucas, Peyton, Nathan, and Ally?"

"Lucas, Peyton, and Nathan?" Haley asked uncertainly, "That a good combo?"

"Lucas and Nathan are cool now, I think. Nathan and Peyton will just have to handle their issues with each other elsewhere."

"You'd think for a couple already broken up, they wouldn't be this," Haley paused, searching for the right word.

"Tense around each other?"

"There you go."

"I think it's cuz they both need release."

"Huh?" Haley asked as she turned to Brooke questioningly.

"They're both so wound up, they need to get laid."

Haley coughed harshly before shaking her head, "Your mind is in the gutter."

"Where else would it be?" Brooke said with an evil smile. She gave Haley a quick hug before running to the gym, "I'm gonna be late for practice. Talk to you later."

"Bye," Haley said as she waved goodbye.

--

"I think I might want to dye my hair red."

"What?" Haley asked as her head snapped up.

"Well, that got your attention," Ally said as she smiled, "I've been rambling on for the past five minutes and I highly doubt you've heard a word of it."

"Rambling? Oh, I'm sorry, I'm just a little out of it today."

"A little, more like a lot." Ally said as she leaned against Haley's headboard. She fluffed up the pillow beside her before turning towards her best friend, "I think I know why."

Haley's eyes widened, "You do."

"Yeah," Ally said with grin, "And I think it's of the good."

"What?"

"You like someone."

"What?" Haley asked, outraged, "I do not."

"You're such a liar."

Haley bit her lip and swallowed the lump in her lip, "Look, Ally, it's not what you-"

"It's kinda cute actually."

"Cute?" Haley repeated, "That's not exactly a word I'd use to describe him. Or me. Or what we have. I don't even know what the heck we have. How did you find out about this? Who told you?" She demanded.

"Wow, aggressive much? Chill out. It wasn't that hard to figure out. I mean, you guys talk a lot and when we're alone, you always bring him up."

Wait. What? She never brought Nathan up before. Her brow furrowed, Haley asked, "Umm, Ally, who is it that you think I like anyway?"

Ally looked at her as if it was the most obvious thing in the world, "Lucas of course."

"What?" Haley said in complete shock, "Lucas?!"

"Well, yeah," Ally said with a smile, "Who else would I be talking about?" She continued on as Haley's mouth dropped open, "I mean, it does make a lot of sense and it would explain the whole him acting weird thing this morning. It explains a lot actually. I think you guys make a good couple. He's a sweetheart and hey, you can get info on Nathan for me too."

"Look, Ally, it's not what you-"

"Oh, I get it. It's a big secret. Don't worry, it's not like I'm gonna tell anybody."

"But, you don't-"

"Don't worry, Haley. Your secret is safe with me," Ally hopped off the bed and ran out the door before looking back, "I'm gonna go mooch off some of your food. I'll be back. You want anything?"

"No," Haley moaned before dropping herself onto the bed.

This was bad.