Chapter 9

As the week wore on Haley pretty much kept to herself. She would think up excuses to get out of going to the dinning hall with the rest of the gang- she had to go to the library, meet someone from class, practice the routine more, work out, she wasn't hungry or she didn't feel good. Brooke and Peyton were worried about her but she said she was fine that she wasn't mad at them. The truth was that she wanted someone to love her the way Luke love Brooke or even though they had yet to say the words Jake loved Peyton. She wanted someone to cuddle with, someone to make her feel wanted and needed. Right now being with her friends that had that and the one she wanted it with was killing her inside. She made the toughest decision she's ever had to make.

The game was starting in 20 min and Haley knew that doin this now might effect both of their performances but she didn't have a choice, it was now or never.

"Nate we need to talk." Hales said trying to hold back the tears.

"Hales what's wrong" he asked, concern evident in his voice.

"We can't hang out anymore." she said, the pain apparent in her quivering voice. She turned to walk away but he grabbed her wrist, at this point they had gathered an audience of other bball players and cheerleaders - the people in the stands weren't paying attention to the court yet.

"Hales what the hell are you talking about!"Nathan said in a raised voice

She looked like a deer caught in headlights, " Nathan I can't be around you, I just can't you make me happy and miserable at the same time and I can't take it anymore. I thought I could handle just being your friend - cuz that's better than nothing right? I mean its more than I've ever had in the past but I just can't I'm not that st strong. I ca..."

She was cut off by Nathan's lips crashing onto hers. "I'm so sorry Hales, I didn't think you felt the same way. God I can't believe I made you feel like shit. I promise I'll make it up to you."

Then they realized that both teams were cheering for them and they had gathered quite the little crowd, but the moment was ruined when the coach cussed Nathan out and told him to get his ass warmed up.

"Good luck Nate, go kick some Duke ass, I'll cheer for ya" Haley said winking before she turned around to go back to the squad. She thought of a better idea and immediately turned around and crashed her lips onto Nate's one more time. When she pulled away she said, " That was for good luck" and with that they were forced to separate.

Nate played the best game of his life and Haley cheered like she'd never cheered before. The Tarheels squashed the Blue Devils with a score of 123 to 33.

Men's Locker Room

"You and Hales huh?" Luke asked is brother

"Ya, ya go ahead say it."

"Say what? I have no idea what you are talking about lil brother"

"I told you so. And ya know what you did. You told me that she wanted more and I didn't believe you. God I can't believe I almost lost her because I was to chicken to just tell her how I really felt."

"Dude, Luke and I both told you things that we shouldn't have to try and convince you and you still didn't listen."

Jake and Luke felt the need to rag on Nate just a little before they told him how really happy that he and Hales were finally together.

Women's locker room