Disclaimer - As usual, do not own anything, although I would love a Ravens jersey (with Nathan Scott in it please ;D)

Rating: - PG-13 for potty-mouth-iness (aka swearing)

Chapter 3

Nathan laughed. He couldn't help it. Haley watched him in confusion, and slight irritation, as he continued to sputter.

"I'm sorry!" Nathan said, "I thought you asked ime/I to be your boyfriend." He trailed off when he noticed Haley looking at him angrily.

"What is so funny about being my boyfriend?" Haley asked sadly, "Well, obviously something because Lucas didn't want to be mine."

Nathan felt like the lowest guy on the planet right then. Ouch, yeah, he wasn't good with this sensitivity thing, but he definitely had to watch where he spewed his mouth off, around a broken up girl at least.

"No way Haley! But…" Nathan faltered, trying to figure out how to say that he and Haley didn't like each other in Ithat/I way.

"I need Lucas to know that I'm not going to be all broken up over him. I want to show him that if he doesn't need me, I don't need him either. I want him to be jealous." Haley persuaded Nathan.

"But why me? Why not…Ben?" Nathan grappled for names, recalling one of Haley's friends.

"I highly doubt that president of the math club will cause Lucas to kneel over in jealousy. Plus, he will be uber jealous of you." Haley said, putting her hand on Nathan's arm. She hoped that he would agree very soon otherwise she would have to resort batting her eyelashes at him.

Nathan sighed. He was in a compromising position. On one hand, he knew that pretending to be Haley's boyfriend would kill Lucas. But, nothing good ever came out of situations like this. Nathan cherished his and Haley's relationship. He truly enjoyed spending time with her.

"Fine." Nathan agreed, "How hard is it going to be?"

Haley squealed, throwing her arms around Nathan.

Really, how hard was it going to be?

oooooooooo

After finishing their tutor session, Nathan suggested that they go out for ice cream. They went to this quaint shop called 'The Ice Cream Shoppe' (creative name, I know). It was usually quiet and a nice place to relax. The person to take their order was none other than Peyton.

"Welcome to the Ice Cream Shoppe, home of the best old-fashioned style … " Peyton started out in a bored tone but then noticed who she was serving. "Hey guys! What's up?"

"Nothing really, just got done reviewing, and Haley decided to treat me to ice cream!" Nathan smirked, looking at all the flavors.

"I did not!" Haley shrieked indignantly, "Mister here just is hungry, as usual."

Peyton laughed, happy to see her friends. It really did boring working here sometimes. But the pay was good, so that's all that counted. "Well, why don't you guys order, and just hang around for about 10 more minutes. I get off on break then."

Nathan and Haley agreed and ordered their ice cream. Nathan got a double banana split (Haley didn't even know those existed) and she just got an ice cream soda.

"Okay, now, we need some kind of organized plan. It can't look sloppy. It can't look fake." Nathan began, as he sat down. He had gotten into his basketball strategy mode, which surprised and amused Haley.

"Okay, let's see, how about just in school, you know, lovey dovey? But not overly, like just subtle PDA, holding hands and stuff like that." Haley suggested. She knew that they were playing with their reputations.

"Okay," Nathan agreed, "And every once in awhile, we can make an appearance to a party or something."

Haley frowned, "A party?" Nathan nodded, devouring his sundae. "Okay….I guess."

"Don't worry, I will be there to protect you." Nathan smirked, knowing exactly what was running through Haley's mind.

Haley stuck out her tongue at him and he chuckled, "How about I pick you up tomorrow morning? We can start our appearance as the star couple."

"Okay," Haley agreed, "And one more thing. Keep your PDA with other girls down low. You are supposed to be with me."

Nathan frowned, "You know I'm a one girl guy. I wouldn't think of cheating on anyone, even if I am just pretending to date them."

Haley felt slightly guilty. He knew the effects of cheating on someone, from his mom. He was doing a huge favor for her, risking his reputation as well.

"I'm sorry. I wasn't thinking when I said that." Haley apologized, feeling really badly.

Nathan nodded, "Can we tell anyone else about this Iliaison/I" He grinned.

Haley giggled, "Whooo big word! Um…Well, if we told too many people, then there is a bigger chance of the secret being spilled."

"Can we tell Peyt at least? We do need someone else on our side." Nathan said, finishing off his sundae.

"Yeah," Haley agreed, "We can tell Peyton because you are right, and plus she can also help us."

"Tell Peyton what?" Peyton asked, plopping down across from Haley and Nathan. She looked at them expectantly.

Nathan looked at Haley, "It was your idea…" he said in a sing songy voice.

Haley sighed, and in 5 minutes, summarized the entire plan. While listening Peyton alternated from holding in her laughter to amusement.

When Haley was done, Peyton burst out into laughter. Nathan joined in and Haley crossed her arms and sat petulantly.

"Lucas is going to DIE when he sees you with Nathan." Peyton said, pounding the table.

"So, you don't think it's a bad idea?" Haley asked, needing the reassurance.

"Naah, have fun with it! And trust me, take up on all the benefits." Peyton giggled, elbowing Nathan. Nathan just smirked and looked down at his watch.

"Okay, I gotta go, you girls have fun. Bye Peyton, Bye my darling Haley" Nathan said, swooping down to kiss her on the cheek, "I will pick you up tomorrow morning."

"Bye Nathan!" The two girls said laughing.

As soon as he left, Peyton swiveled back around to Haley.

"You do realize that this is a dangerous move? Nothing good ever came out from pretending to be in love. Sometimes the line gets blurry." Peyton said, concerned for both of her friends.

Haley crumpled up her napkin and then straightened it out. "Yeah Pey, I know that, but…I'm just tired of being the one that gets sympathy looks. For once, I want people to look at Lucas and be like 'Oh, what a fool. He let that one get away'. Just for once."

Peyton scooted over next to Haley and gave her a hug. "That is totally understandable. Lucas and Brooke did hurt you. But just be careful, because Nathan isn't as strong as he projects himself to be. And he cares about you. Just don't do anything that will hurt both of you. Like falling for him."

Haley sighed shakily, "I know, not that he would ever look at me in that way." Peyton opened her mouth but before she could say anything Haley asked her. "Tell me a little bit about when you dated Nathan, you know some tips?" She winked at Peyton, telling her that she was okay.

Peyton leaned back, "Well, regardless of all the drama that 'seemed' to surround us, we had a good relationship. It was the perfect first love relationship. He was good to me, he cared about me, despite what other people like to say."

Haley nodded, she had heard interesting things about Nathan and Peyton's relationship. Rumors of them cheating on each other, their relationship based on sex, the constant drama, the emotional abuse, etcetera.

"There were times when we would say things to each other that hurt but it was our defense mechanism. We were so similar it was scary. His mother barely in his life, my mother had left mine. My father was estranged, but loved him, his dad pressured him to no end. But it wasn't as if I received emotional abuse from him. He wouldn't ever do that. He wants to be the exact opposite of his father." Peyton said, looking very faraway.

Haley sat quietly and listened. It didn't sound like the Nathan that she knew. Granted, the only time they hung out was when she was tutoring him but he hid these emotions very well.

Peyton pulled herself into reality. "We were better suited as friends. He and I rely on each other for a lot of things. But I still want you to be careful. He has the ability to lash out and hurt people close to him. You guys are going to be hanging out more, and if he ever seems to close off, just back off. Try to be flippant."

Haley nodded, absorbing everything Peyton was saying. Sure she sat with these people at lunch and she and Peyton were good friends, but she never knew how close Nathan and Peyton were. It almost reminded her of Lucas and herself the pre-dating days.

"If he ever even tries to apologized, let him. It's hard enough for him." Peyton chuckled, "In our entire relationship, he has apologized to me properly I think twice. Even though he has been a jerk more than that!"

Haley giggled, she knew that Nathan was slightly arrogant, but it was his nature. She really appreciated everything that Peyton was telling her. Obviously, Nathan wasn't as much of a jerk as rumored if his ex-girlfriend could talk about him in that way.

"Well Peyt, thank you very very much for the advice, I have to run home now, study for tomorrows physics test." Haley said, packing up.

"Damn, that's right, we have that. Oh well, okay, I better get back. I forgot I was working!" Peyton giggled. She hugged Haley one more time and bounded off.

Haley sighed. As she walked to herself, she partially thought 'My big mouth'

oooooooooo

"Haley! You are going to be late!" Lydia yelled from the bottom of the stairs.

It was déjà vu at the James household again. But the only difference was that Haley was already up, dressed, showered, and currently staring at herself in the mirror. She needed to look perfect, because she knew that all eyes would be on her today. If people didn't know before, they would now know that Lucas and Haley were no longer together. Lucas was with Brooke, captain of the cheer leading squad and Haley was with Nathan, the captain of the basketball team and also the god of Tree Hill basketball.

Haley picked up her back and looked at herself in the mirror again. She was wearing a knee length jean skirt, a casual two-layered off-shoulder shirt and flip-flops. She had spent close to an hour on just curling her hair so that it looked perfect. And she was happy to know that it did look perfect. She needed to look perfect.

HONK

Nathan was here. The butterflies hit Haley's stomach full force, as she grabbed her backpack and descended down the stairs. She stopped in front of her door and took a deep breath. She opened the door and stood there in shock.

Nathan was leaning against his Escalade, glaring. At Lucas. Who was also standing by his truck looking very lost.

This had not occurred to Haley. The possibility of Lucas showing up to pick Haley up. She had figured after their conversation yesterday that he didn't want a repeat, but neither did Haley.

Nathan was the first to notice her. He smiled widely, as Haley walked down the path toward his car. As soon as she got close enough, he looped his arm around her waist and then gave her a soft kiss on her cheek. Then, he faced Lucas again, smirking.

"Lucas…" Haley said, her voice hoarse. She cleared her throat, "What are you doing here?"

"Well…I came to pick you up. Like I have been ever since we started high school." Lucas said, in a confused voice. He was desperately trying not to assume what seemed to be the obvious.

"You mean back when you weren't a lying bastard." Nathan smirked, clearly aware of the implications of his comment.

Lucas paled slightly and Haley elbowed Nathan. Seeing him confused and hurt was hurting her. 'STOP IT HALEY' she mentally told herself. 'You are the one that has been hurt.'

"Well Lucas," Haley started out, not sure where she was going with this, "Nathan is going to be giving me rides to school from now on." She gave him a smile as Nathan pushed her towards the passenger side. After he helped her get in, he turned around and smirked at Lucas.

"See you later loser."

oooooooooo

"You enjoyed that a bit too much."

"Yeah, I did."

"I honestly hadn't thought of that scenario. Thought of everything else but that!" Haley vented, blowing a piece of hair out of her face. Nathan laughed and just took her hand. Haley looked at him oddly but didn't comment.

"Listen. That is the first of many sneak attacks. The main thing is just to pretend. Keep up all the pretenses at all times." Nathan said, expertly maneuvering through the student parking lot.

As he pulled into a parking spot, the butterflies returned full force. Well, not it was like butterflies and flying squirrels. Nathan looked over to see a nauseated looking Haley.

"Hales? Haley c'mon!" Nathan said, trying to reassure her. "Think of it as a big senior prank. After all, the school's gossip mill needs to be shaken up!"

Haley nodded, although she still didn't look convinced. Nathan got out of the car and helped her out. As soon as her feet touched the ground, Nathan swooped her back in a big hug, causing her to squeal.

"Ready to go?" Nathan asked, giving her his confident smirk.

"Ready as ever!"

The instant they walked into the school building, this gradual hush fell, as people noticed them holding hands. Nathan just rolled his eyes and scowled at everyone.

They had barely taken two steps when they heard a loud voice squeal, "NATE-MEISTER!"

"Nate-meister?" Haley mouthed, smirking.

Nathan rolled his eyes and focused his attention from the voice up ahead. Tim was grinning until he noticed Haley and Nathan's fingers intertwined. "Dude…"

Nathan rolled his eyes again, already fed up with everyone. Haley was too busy avoiding Brooke's stare, as she passed Brooke and Peyton. Peyton was giving her an encouraging smile.

It seemed like an hour before everyone started talking again in the halls (in reality it was 1.6 seconds). Nathan and Haley stopped in front of her locker as Haley hit her head against it. Nathan grabbed her before she could hit it again and pulled her into another hug. Haley was starting to enjoy these hugs.

"Now that wasn't so bad!" Nathan laughed, seeing Haley give him an evil look.

Just then, Peyton and Jake sauntered up to their lockers. Jake and Nathan did a little macho handshake thing as Haley and Peyton rolled their eyes. Jake and Peyton were at the pre-dating stage. She was trying to get him to at least ask her out.

"How is the pseudo-couple going?" Peyton winked, "Oh, I hope you don't mind, I let Jake in on the secret. No one else."

Haley gave a half smile, "No, that's okay." She trusted Jake. "I didn't realize how much Tree Hill enjoyed to gossip. That's all."

"Don't worry about it, Tree Hill has never seen that Hershey commercial, you know, 'Change is Good'?" Jake commented.

Nathan stared at him blankly. Haley gave him a quirky eyebrow look. Peyton just patted him on the shoulder. "Sorry hon. Nice try."

Nathan and Haley quickly nodded their heads as Peyton turned her attention back onto them. "Dude, the second you guys stepped in, it was like as if Princess Di and Charles stepped into THS!"

Haley grinned, imagining herself as Princess Diana. Meanwhile Nathan scowled at the allusion of being compared to Charles.

"Peyt, at least pick a couple who looks good." Nathan said, hugging Haley closer.

Peyton rolled her eyes (a habit she was picking up from Nathan very quickly), "Fine then. Why don't you think of a better couple, Nathan"

Nathan thought for a few seconds.

"How about Dave Navarro and Carmen Electra?"

Authors Note– First of all, Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays! I hope everyone is doing well. Thank you so much for the wonderful replies. I'm glad to see people enjoying the story. This is longer than I anticipated. I wanted to add another scene but that ended up being cut. Hope you guys enjoyed it too!

3, Tina