Chap 4

Haley sat in English class desperately scribbling notes as the teacher explained the next assignment. Haley never liked to feel that she was anything less than fully prepared in any aspect of her life and that went double when it came to her school work. She knew that most people at the school viewed her as being a goody goody and a bookworm and for the most part she convinced herself that she didn't care. As long as her friends knew the real her what did it matter what the rest of the school thought. But sometimes she wished she had the nerve to make her real self known to others and show them that she could be just as much fun as anyone. She just didn't feel the need to get wasted every weekend to prove it.

The teacher continued to ramble on as he had for the first 20 minutes of class and most of the students zoned out, all except Haley of course. After another five minutes though even Haley started to get bored. She stopped taking notes, certain that she understood the latest homework, and allowed her mind to wander as she looked out the window at the bright sunny sky. Thank goodness it was such a nice day with Lucas home sick she had had to walk to school instead of getting a ride with him, as she would normally do. It better stay nice for my walk home she thought to herself.

The sound of the classroom door banging open interrupted her from her thoughts. Her attention shifting to the door where Nathan Scott stood waiting till he had everyone's attention before he swaggered into the room. As he passed by her desk he paused momentarily locking eyes with her and smirking before pulling out a chair at the desk next to hers and sitting down. What on earth was that about Haley wondered I'd be surprised if Nathan even knows that I exist. Which suits me just fine since I'm one of the few girls in this school who has no inclination to be another notch on his bedpost. I don't know why I'm even wasting my time thinking about that arrogant asshole. With that Haley focused her attention back onto the teacher and put all thoughts of Nathan Scott out of her mind.

Unfortunately for Haley it was not going to be that easy to do as Nathan had managed to attract everyone's including Mr Andrews' attention to his rather tardy arrival to class.

"Mr Scott" thundered Mr Andrews "you do realise that this class started half an hour ago don't you?"

"Well of course Sir, you know they taught us to tell the time back in second grade" Nathan answered breezily his lack of interest in what the teacher was saying apparent to everyone in the room.

He turned to look at his classmates soaking in their admiration for the way he had handled the teacher.

"Well" the wind taken out of Mr Andrews' sails by Nathan's refusal to be intimidated by him "just make sure it doesn't happen again" he finished off rather lamely.

Nathan looked across at Haley expecting to see her looking at him with the same hero worship he was accustomed to from the rest of his peers, but instead she gave him a look of cold disinterest before turning away. Hmmm Nathan thought looks like it might take something more to impress this girl. It may be necessary to try a different method. He spent the rest of the class planning what he would do when he won because failure was not a possibility as far as Nathan was concerned. There was no way a shy little bookworm like Miss James was going to get the better of him.

The rest of the class passed without event for Haley and when the bell rang she hurried off to her locker to get her books for History. Rummaging through her locker she tried to find her textbook on the Second World War. "Damn it I know its in here somewhere" she sighed frustrated. Finally "Aha" she said triumphantly emerging with the book, she stepped back colliding with a warm hard body. Hot breath met her neck and she shivered involuntarily as a decidedly male voice sounded in her ear

"Hi Beautiful".

Whipping her head around her brown eyes collided with a pair of intensely blue ones.
"N….n….nathan" mentally she cursed herself for the nervous quaver in her voice as she saw him smirk at her obvious discomfort.

Sucking in a deep breath she said more forcefully "What do you want?"

She tried to ignore the tingles of awareness shooting through her body as he towered over her less than threee inches separating her body from his. Feeling at a disadvantage she turned her whole body to face him her hip brushing against his groin as she did so.

He smirked once more before bending down to speak directly into her ear "thought you might be able to do something for me" his gravely voice sending electricity sparking through her body.

He allowed his lips to graze against her ear before pulling back slightly to watch for her reaction. Haley inhaled sharply desperately trying to regain her composure, as she searched her mind for something, anything to think about other than the effect Nathan was having on her body. Wrenching her gaze away from him she saw Tim and Jake watching them from a few metres away. Tim was a jerk most of the time but from what Lucas had told her Jake was a pretty cool guy. Oh my God LUCAS she screamed inwardly how could I forget about him and everything this asshole has put him through recently.

Nathan stood watching the multitude of emotions playing across her face starting out with lust which was quickly replaced by panic, then confusion as she had looked around the mostly deserted hallway, and now looking at her he could see a definite coldness settling over her features. Remembering his earlier words she snapped "what makes you think I would do anything for you?"

Nathan was shocked at her sudden change in demeanour and was momentarily speechless. "Well" she said tapping her foot impatiently.

"I uh just wondered if I could get the homework assignment from you for English" he stammered.

"Look can we do this later I have to get to class" and with that she turned slamming her locker shut before pushing past him and hurrying down the hall.

Nathan just stared after her before becoming aware of Tim's laughter echoing in the empty corridor as he enjoyed one of Nathan's rare failures. Nate glared at him before turning on his heel and heading for his own class. As Haley rushed away she desperately fought the urge to turn and see if Nate was still watching her. What is wrong with me? Why would I let Nathan Scott of all people effect me like this? Damn teenage hormones! That must be what made me react that way to him. I'm sure of it. Any guy could have had that effect on me. Well not just any guy she quickly ammended to herself but it certainly wasn't just Nathan. Haley continued to use these arguments with herself all through history class and by the time the bell went had managed to convince herself that she was simply hormonal and it would pass. Nathan meanwhile was consumed with thoughts of his own. There was no way he was going to let someone like Haley James get the better of him. This was a challenge that he was determined to win.