Chapter 11

The everlasting changing and joyful game…

When I talked to Lucas, he didn't take the news of me tutoring Nathan so good. He wasn't at all excited or thrilled.

FLASHBACK

"Haley, you know how I feel about Nathan," Lucas told me as we talked Monday night.

"I know Lucas, you know I'm not too thrilled to be tutoring him in the first place," I replied as I dropped myself on Lucas' bed. "He needs my help and I can't turn someone down who needs my aid."

"Haley there are lots of other tutors, how come one of them couldn't help him?" he responded as he stood in front of me, his anger seizing down.

"I know," I admitted. "Trust me Lucas I told him that too," I voiced. "But you know me, I can't turn down someone that needs my help," I continued annoyed.

"Haley you are too nice," he persisted.

"I'm sorry that I don't sink down to his level," I said annoyed. "Lucas I'm not that type of person."

"I know that," he responded as he bent over and grabbed my hands, which caused me to look up and gaze at him.

I stared at my best friend, as if trying to explain telepathically that there wasn't any other choice.

"Just promise me that nothing is going to happen," he finally verbalized as he stared at me intently.

I glanced up at him, happy that he at last understood.

"Like I am wanting to have his tongue down my throat," I told him with a smile as I stood up. "I think I'll pass," I added as I gave Lucas a hug.

"Please no visual affect," he told me as he hugged me back.

"I'll save you the damage," I retorted. "I'll leave out all the images."

"So promise?" he asked me.

"Of course," I replied as I looked at him in wonderment, confused of Lucas' persistence.

Though the funny thing was that I sort of seemed disappointed of my pledge.

'But whatever,' I told myself.

"So nothing happened between you and Nathan Friday night?" he asked me.

"No Lucas, for the hundredth time," I answered.

"Okay then," he replied with a sleigh smile as if he was contemplating my response…

"Well glad to have you back," he told me as he hugged me again.

"Lucas I was never gone," I responded with a laugh. "But I guess it's good to be back," I added with a grin.

I gazed at my best friend, happy to have things back to normal, the way things used to be.

Me being best friends with Lucas and being oblivious to Nathan's presence. Without the drama of being friends with Nathan or being Steven's little twin sister.

I smiled knowing that everything was back to normal.

For now.

END OF FLASHBACK

"Haley" yelled Brooke interrupting my thoughts as she opened the locker room door. "Hurry up! We are on in ten minutes," she warned me before she closed the door.

All the practices since Monday afternoon has come down to this very day, this very night.

Suddenly, I started to feel uneasy. I began to get nervous, but at the same time I felt excited that tonight I was going to show Tree Hill, no only Tree Hill High that Haley James can be the one to live the life of Brooke Davis or Peyton Sawyer. For one night, I am not going to be tutor-girl Haley James, but peppy, energetic, cheerleader Haley James.

"Come on Haley," yelled Brooke again as she grabbed my arm. "Let's go," she commanded as she started to lead me out the door.

"Hold on Brooke I forgot my pom-poms," I told her as I loosened my grip from her.

"Fine go get them," she answered defeated. "But be out there soon because its only ten minutes before the game starts and it's time to show people that Haley James isn't so innocent as everyone makes her out to be," she told me with a smile. "Plus I'm the captain this year and its my last year to demonstrate to the public that Brooke Davis was one of the best that there was," she confessed. "So go and hurry up and meet me at the basketball courts," she added as she opened the door. "By the way, you look hot tonight," she added as she gave me a wink and left.

I smiled as I walked to where I was before Brooke dragged me away. I stood in front of the mirror, looking at my own reflection. I wore the Raven's cheerleading uniform. The blue skirt, black and white top, and the standard white Nike shoes. My hair was tied away in a ponytail with a Raven painted on my cheek. I had to admit that I did look good tonight.

I bent over, grabbed what I needed, and excited the room, knowing that Brooke was going to be on my ass if I didn't leave any time soon.

As I walked down the hallway, I glanced up and saw that the team was barely exciting their locker room to do some warm ups. Players wearing blue and white passed by me simultaneously as I noticed that they glanced up at me and smiled.

"Damn Haley," voiced someone who approached me.

I turned around and spotted Tim checking me out.

"You look really hot in that cheerleading uniform," he added as he continued to grin.

"What did you say about my sister?" asked Steven as he all of a sudden appeared by my side.

"Ahha…" Tim staggered. "That she looked superior tonight?" he said, not wanting to piss off Steven.

"Come on Tim, I think that me and you need to have a talk," he told him as he dragged him away from me.

Tim being the dumbass that he was, decided to glance back a few times, earning him a couple of pushes from Steven.

"Wow Haley," Lucas replied as he stood in front of me.

"So what do you think?" I asked him as I turned 360 degrees.

"You look fine," voiced one of the basketball players that were passing by.

Lucas and I laughed at the player's abrupt comment.

"You look good," he commented. "Well I have to get going because if I don't, then coach is going to kill me at practice on Monday," he added before he left.

I watched Lucas' retreating figure and smiled. I persisted to watch the entire team join the crowd in the gym, that was everyone except for one individual; Their star player.

"Wow look at Miss Haley James," commented a tone who stood behind me, a voice that I have been hearing much too frequently lately.

I smirked as I slowly turned around and came face to face with Nathan Scott.

"You like what you see?" I asked him as I locked eyes with him.

"Oh definitely," he answered as his eyes roamed around my body.

I suddenly began to feel uncomfortable, but shrugged it off because I was going to act different tonight.

'Mind as well play the part and have fun,' I told myself.

"Well I had to keep my part of the bargain," I replied as I turned around and approached him.

"Yup, I won fair and square," he added.

I dropped one of my pom-poms onto the floor.

"Opps…" I verbalized as I bent over slowly and picked it up.

I knew that without looking that Nathan was gazing at me from behind. A smile crept on my face.

"You fell for that?" I asked him as I began to laugh hysterically. "You really are something Nathan…"

"What the hell are you talking about?" he asked confused.

"I'll just leave you to contemplate it," I said as I started to leave. "Oh and Nathan," I began as I leaned closer to him, having only millimeters apart from him. "Make sure to play one of best game today," I told him as I ran a finger across his chest.

I abruptly began to feel a shock, but like I did everything else, I shrugged it off.

Being Nathan Scott, he at first began to feel nervousness of my closeness, but quickly regained himself and quickly stood with confidence and his trademark smirk.

"You know, I got some good game moves on and off the court," he added with a wink. "Am I going to get a prize if I play a good game?" he asked me as his eyes started to roam around my body again.

"Why don't you wait and see?" I replied wanting to roll my eyes, but held it off as I rapidly turned around and left Nathan's pensive figure behind.

'Oh what a fun night it's going to be,' I told myself as a grin initiated to show on my face. 'Tree Hill won't know what hit them,' I added as I opened the gym doors and looked at the crazed crowd.

"Tonight it's going to be different," I voiced as I approached Peyton, Brooke, and the rest of the cheerleading crown as I heard the loud crowd cheer for the upcoming game. Though, I knew that they were also cheering for me.

Part II

"Go Tree Hill Ravens! Go! Go! GO!" we all cheered and clapped as half- time was starting to approach.

Switch.

"Another three pointer from the Ravens," declared the announcer.

The basketball team was playing one of the best games in the season. They were leading the game with over 25 points and counting. Lucas was doing a grand job blocking the opponent team mates as where Tim and the rest of the lineup. Steven and Nathan were something else though. They were dominating the court with their skills and partnership. They blocked balls and scored one after the other after the other. However, Nathan in general was different story. He was dominating the game with spectacular and impressive passes, blocks, and was the principal scorer of the Raven's tonight. Like everyone was saying, Nathan was playing one of the best games in his history. He was definitely leading the Raven's to victory tonight.

The sound of the buzzer sounded, signifying half-time.

"It's show time," acknowledged Brooke as she surprising appeared by my side.

I gave her a questioning look, but then waved it off.

"Sure…" I replied slowly.

I dropped my pom-poms and was dragged onto the basketball court after the team had departed to the locker room.

Or so I thought…

As I walked onto the court and got ready in position, I rapidly started to get nervous. Butterflies in my stomach and panic began to fill my eyes.

'I am about to cheer in front of the entire town,' I told myself. 'Oh my God! OMG! OMG!' I repeated as an uneasy smile appeared on my face while my anxiety grew.

"I can't do it," I announced as I let terror overcome me and initiated to retrace my steps.

"Haley!" yelled Peyton.

"What are you doing?" asked Brooke as she gazed at me intently.

"I'm sorry…I can't do this," I repeated as I continued to walk.

"Haley!" shouted Brooke. "Haley!" she bellowed again as her voice seemed closer.

Within moments Brooke and Peyton were at my side.

"What?" I asked irritated.

"Haley why the hell are you leaving?" persisted Brooke.

"I can't do this," I responded. "I thought that I could, but I can't," I added as I resumed walking.

"Sure," Brooke began. "Leave, throw away all the hours of practice. Keep on walking," she continued as she stood while she crossed her arms. "Show everyone that you are a coward."

I stopped, turned around, and faced her; amazed at what she just said.

"Did you just call me a coward?" I replied, shocked.

"You heard me," she retorted. "Keep on walking. Show Tree Hill that you are a coward, show them that you are afraid."

"Brooke I'm not like you," I snapped as I stared at her. "I don't have the same confidence and charisma as you or Peyton. Give me a math problem or an English question, hell I can do that, but to go in front of a crowd of people, the entire town to be exact, and perform that I can't do," I confessed.

"Do you always want to be unknown Haley?" Brooke asked me. "Do you always want to be known as Steven James little sister or younger twin sister or whatever," she began to lead off.

"Brooke you were doing real good in the beginning," interrupted Peyton.

I laughed.

"Well you know what I mean," Brooke cracked. "Don't you want to make a name for yourself?"

"Yeah, but not at the expense of my humiliation," I shot back.

"Well then go out there and show all of them that you could do it. Prove to them that the Haley James that no one has ever seen before. Tonight your not straight A, honor student Haley James," Brooke said her voice softening.

"Just go out there and do what you did during practice," Peyton added as she put her arm on my shoulders and lead me back to the court. "Minus the whole Ricky Martin 'shake your bom bom' moves."

I abruptly laughed at Peyton's comment.

"You know you liked it," I replied with a slight smile.

"I bet the basketball team liked it," Peyton corrected. "But truth of the matter, Haley you did the routine great and flawless during practice so we know that you can do it," she reassured me.

"Yeah," agreed Brooke as she also put her arm around me. "Besides don't you want to show up Nathan? He seems to have voiced that you're not going to go through with tonight."

"Really?" I asked surprised. "Now I definitely have to prove him wrong," I told them with newfound confidence.

"That's the sarcastic, but lovable Haley James we adore," Brooke replied.

"Thanks, I really feel the love," I responded as I got back into position.

My nervousness had begun to subside and pristine confidence has overcome me. Brooke nodded her head, signifying the commence of the music and the cheer routine. The words and tunes of some upbeat song filled the gym as all the of the cheerleaders moved. Within five minutes, we finished our custom. The crowd erupted in applause and hollers. We were a hit. We delivered our routine with ease and exuberance that only we had.

"Woo Hoo! Go Haley!" yelled Lucas, Steven, and the rest of the guys cheered as they suddenly materialized.

I rapidly began to blush at the team's surprising appearance and attention they gave me.

"Good job Haley!" they continued to yell.

Brooke and Peyton swiftly appeared at my side as each of them pulled up one of my arms and the crowd erupted in a louder roar. My smile grew wide, excited that I have accomplished something I never thought I would ever do. If you would of asked me last year that I would be a cheerleader, even if it was just for one night, I would of thought you were crazy. However, now I seemed psyched that Tree Hill saw a diverse side of me; one of self-assurance and glam. For one night, tonight, I was having the opportunity to live the life of some of the inner-circle in Tree Hill High. I was happy that the entire school, including the basketball players were their to witness my new attitude and damn did it feel good, even if it was for one night.

Unexpectedly, my eyes began to wonder, looking for the individual who caused me to at like I did tonight. The single person who brought a bet and I fulfilled it. The figure that has already given me a glance into the life of popularity. Soon my eyes darted to the individual who stood different then all the other guys. He stood with such confidence and poise that anyone would know that it was Nathan Scott. His hands were settled at his hips as an unexpected smiled appeared. I gazed at him examining for the first time that he was truly and actually smiling. Not one that he plastered on his face when he was with his friends, but a true and genuine grin that rarely appeared on his features. Soon enough, a new beam emerged on my face, one that hasn't been seen in a long time. One that my family or friends hardly see, a smile of appreciation, thankfulness, and joy. It had been a long time since I've ever been truly and honestly happy.

'This moment is perfect,' I told myself as my smile grew even wider.

I have accomplished something I have feared and now I felt proud. My fear of being known and recognized has subsided and now I am smiling with such happiness and ecstasy. And to think that it is because of Nathan Scott. The person I loath, dislike, and don't get along with.

'Or do I?' I asked myself with astonishment.

I glance back up and see Nathan gazing at me intently and abruptly he smiled as he knew my thoughts.

"Your welcome," he mouthed as he smirked once more before he turned around and joined the huddle of players getting ready for the second half of the game.

"Come on," Brooke intermitted as she began to drag me off the court.

"Do you honestly hate him?" asked a voice inside of me.

I persisted to be speechless, not knowing the answer to a question for the first time.

AN: hey whats up u guys! Well the long awaited chapter has arrived, or the first part anyway...LOL, yuppers there is still another part left. I told u guys that the chapter wuz going to be hella lengthy and i am going to stick to my word! But anyways... this part of the chapter showed all the friendships with the groups...

lysser8312- Glad that u like my other story and trust me, i agree...Nathan should do half of the bet, so expect that in the next part of this chapter!
NaLeY-LoVeR-23- Glad that this is an interesting and good story. Thanks for the props...lol, hope u liked this part of the chapter.
OTHLover04- U hate me cuz i have a good story? LOL...thanks, i think.
volleygrl710- Hope u liked this update!
Sara- Ur mad cuz at Peyton? on she did mess up a little bit, but hey they r still friends and Peyton definitely made up for it in this chapter!
Bluuj- Thanks for the wishes on me having a good time in Cancun. And BTW, i did! LOL...all those hot guys were great! LOL... ha ha ha, i killed u...interesting...LOL, sorry for the wait but i hope it wuz worth it!
crazymaria- Yeah u'll find out both Haley and Nathan's comments of the party in the next part of the chapter!
LockerRoomBandit17- Glad that u have at least one dear drinking friend! LOL...but i hoped u liked the chapter!

Spoilers:

At the party...
-Inside Haley's head a little more...
-Payback...
-Oh so more sexual tension...

Well u guys, i hope u liked this part of the chapter and i will have the next part up when i have time...maybe it'll be up next week. Sorry for the delay!

So plz review and include the parts u liked! Always my favorites to read!

With much love,
Sleepneeded

BTW, u guys i updated The Spanish Experience and The Eye of the Beholder: A Nathan Story. I also have up a little 1/1 Naley story called Goodbye. Plz go check those out also! THANKS!