Hey guys!!! sorry it took me sooo long to update!! well, im back!! hope you guys like my new chapters!! i havent updated in a wyl, so im gonna give you guys lotsa chapters!! hehehehe... hope you like them!!! please read and review!! tell me what you think!! thanks to all those who reviewed!! and to those who want me to email them the chapters, please teach me how.. hehehe.. bear wid me!! stay cool you guys!! luv yah!!

Chapter 5

Monday morning, the first day of another boring school week for most students. But it wasn't just any other ordinary school day for Haley. She knew when she stepped into the corridors of Tree Hill High today, her life would be changed forever.

Deep breaths, Haley. Hee-hee-huu… Hee-hee-huu… She closed her eyes and counted to ten; no, twenty, to settle her nerves.

Luke would be here any minute to pick Zach and her up. That leaves me about 5 minutes to get myself together, Haley thought.

"Ugh! Why did I have to get myself into this! This isn't going to work!" she said as she looked at herself in the mirror.

She was wearing the outfit Brooke chose for her at the sleep over. Just a few nights ago she was so confident about wearing the halter-top, but now she was having second thoughts. Maybe she just got caught up on Brooke's excitement and enthusiasm.

She looked at herself again and frowned. I'm doing this for Zach. I'm not gonna be the butt of Mark's jokes anymore just so he could hurt my brother. And I'm doing this for me! she thought with determination.

When she looked at the mirror once more she thought she saw a different girl. Smart, confident and beautiful – the most lethal combination, as Brooke would say.

She finally went down the stairs into the living room. Zach was already there when she came down and he glanced up to see his sister's new look.

"So, what do you think?" she said as she slowly turned around for Zach to see the whole effect.

"Woah, I didn't know Brooke had it in her. You look terrific sis." He said as he smiled proudly at her.

Just then Luke's car pulled up into their driveway. Haley suddenly felt nervous and she self-consciously tugged at a stray lock of hair.

Luke let himself in through the front door. Haley looked expectantly at him as he entered the living room. She didn't know why, but somehow, she wanted him to say that she looked great.

Luke looked up to see Haley smiling at him and he --- Frowned?

Yep, I'm pretty sure he frowned, Haley thought. Is there something wrong with what I'm wearing? Do I have dirt on my face?

"Zach, you're not gonna let your sister wear that to school are you? I mean, she could catch a cold or something." Luke said.

Now it was Haley's turn to frown.

"Well, when you put it that way, I guess it is pretty, um, revealing. Don't you think you should change Haley?" Zach said to her.

"I wasn't planning on wearing just this you know!" she said as she got her coat from the rack.

"Well then, that's settled! Let's go!" Zach said, obviously satisfied about Haley's coat solution.

"Yeah Luke, let's go!" Haley added as she went out the door leaving a frowning Lucas in the living room with Zach.

"I swear this is the longest ride to school, ever." Haley mumbled.

"Nervous?" Zach asked.

"No… Yes… I mean, not really… Oh, I don't know. Should I be nervous?" Haley looked expectantly at her brother.

"You wouldn't have to be nervous if you'd changed like I told you to." Lucas commented.

Haley rolled her eyes. "For the last time Luke, I don't have to change coz what I'm wearing is perfectly fine."

"What you're wearing leaves little to the imagination, Hales!" Luke said, exasperated.

"That's if you're imagining, Luke." She replied sarcastically.

That's the problem Hales, I am imagining! Lucas wanted to say, but he kept his thoughts to himself.

"Help me out here man." Luke looked helplessly at Zach for support.

"Frankly, I'd have to agree with my sister. She looks more than fine to me, she looks great." He said as he proudly smiled at his sister.

Haley smiled back and stuck her tongue out at Luke.

"You're even more protective than I am. Jeez man, your acting like her boyfriend or something." Zach said with a chuckle.

Luke blushed at Zach's mild teasing as Haley looked out the window. Zach didn't notice the silence his comment created.

What is wrong with me? Luke asked himself.

"We're here!" Zach said triumphantly as they reached school.

"Finally." Haley mumbled.

"Knock 'em dead sis!" Zach said with a wink as they got out of the car and started walking.

"Shut up Zach! You're making me more nervous than I already am!" Haley said, but she couldn't help but smile. "Well, wish me luck!"

"Strut your stuff Haley!" Zach said with a chuckle.

Haley punched him playfully, then she turned to Luke.

"Listen, about the outfit thing… I know you're just concerned about what people would think when they see me like this, but you don't have to worry. It's not like I'm gonna be parading in front of---"

"I know Hales, and I'm sorry. You look great, and I shouldn't have kept bugging you about changing and stuff. You're right. I'm just worried." Luke said with a smile as he ruffled her hair.

"Hey! You're messing up my hair Luke!" she said with a smile. "Thanks, you don't know how much you're approval means to me." she said half-seriously, but she realized she really did mean it.

Luke smiled back. "Go easy on them Hales." He said as she walked down the hallway to her first class.

"Kids. They grow up so fast." Zach said with a teary smile and a sniffle.

"Shut up man!" Luke said with a laugh and they both went the opposite side of the hallway, with one last glance at Haley.