Chapter 16

Nathan had got home in a fairly pleasant mood, but the half-smile on his face fell as soon as he saw Dan.

'Hey son.' He said. 'Still hanging out with that blonde bastard you call a friend?'

'I call him a brother,' Nathan bit back. 'He's only a bastard because of you.'

'I know.' Dan sneered evilly, proud as if he made an accomplishment.

'You're sick, you know that?' Nathan asked disgusted.

'Your opinion does not matter to me at all son.' Dan began. 'You want to know what gets you far in this world Nathan? It's influence, you get that from power which you get from money. You'll only get that through me…so you better do as I say or I won't pay for your college tuition fee or basketball career because believe me son, that's the only thing you got going for you since your pathetic academic skills won't get you any scholarships.'

'Want to know one thing Dan? You may have a great influence but do you really think you get respect from people? People who think you only care about yourself and other people, like when you left Karen? It's those that work hard who get respect and not those with influence.'

Dan snorted and then laughed manically. 'You got a lot to learn kid, influence is what takes you to the top, respect leaves you at the bottom wiping dust.'

'Well I'd rather be wiping dust and getting respect than become anything like you.' Nathan remarked.

'If that's your decision than there's no place for you in my house.' Dan smirked; he would never let his son win an argument with him.

'Are you kicking me out?' Nathan blinked.

'All I'm saying is my house, my game, my rules.' Dan answered with a glint in his eye.

Nathan hid a smile, went up to his room locked the door and grabbed a medium sized suitcase, he stuffed all his essential belongings, including a toothbrush, hairbrush, clothes, hair gel, shampoo and shower gel, aftershave etc. and those items of sentimental value, like a photo of him and Lucas, him and the basketball team, him and the gang favourite basketball etc, he locked his suitcase with a combination lock and then walked back downstairs with the suitcase, he passed by a stunned Dan who hadn't even realised what was going on before Nathan threw his copy of the house and beach house keys at him. 'See you around town, because you sure as hell won't seem me in this house or the beach house. Goodbye.' He walked out finally letting out a smirk; the look on Dan's face was worth him being homeless. Even though he had no idea where he was going to stay, life seemed good.

The ride with Leon, Sarah and Soraya was definitely eventful. Firstly, the car did not start up and so they had to open up the hood of the car. The engine was running smoothly and the battery was charged. There were no leaks or anything else that seemed to be out of order.

'So what's wrong with the car?' Sarah was sitting on the backseat of the car; Leon and Soraya were the experts when it came to cars so there was no need for her to be out there with them.

'Nothing!' Leon exclaimed quite angrily, 'all the parts are ready to roll! I knew rentals were a bad idea!'

'Well,' Sarah began to defend herself. 'Dad wouldn't let us bring the car over, and we needed one…so I think it's a pretty good idea!'

Soraya joined in the conversation, 'You are such an idiot Leon!' Soraya blew out. 'You can't even tell what's wrong with the god damned car.'

'Do enlighten us then almighty one.' Leon sneered sarcastically.

'You haven't got any gas in there.' Soraya told him smartly.

Don't they top it up for you?' Sarah asked, at this both her brother and best friend looked at her as if she had grown an extra head. 'Or not. Don't gimme that look! I never claimed to be some car know it all!'

Soraya turned away from her and looked at her ex. 'Actually Sarah, your brother's not much of one either. I mean he couldn't even tell what was wrong with the car!'

'Don't start Soraya…god you're so…such a…if you really think that's the problem then go buy the god damned gas!' Leon huffed sulkily.

'You want me to carry that heavy thing from the gas station and back?' Soraya asked disbelievingly, what a jackass, she continued on grudgingly. 'Fine gimme the money.'

'Why should I?' Leon exclaimed, 'it's your stupid idea!'

'It's your silly rental!' Soraya fought back.

'Will you guys stop arguing about every little thing?' Sarah asked exhausted, 'you're killing my brain cells! We ain't swapped enough money yet, he'll pay you later.'

'Fine!' Soraya bit out grudgingly and left to walk up to the service station.

Leon stared after her as she walked further away; maybe he shouldn't have let her go get the gas. Not just because it was heavy but because it would be hard to carry it in her miniskirt and high heeled boots. He definitely didn't mind her choice of clothing though, he thought with a smirk.

'Leon?' He heard his sister call him out of his thoughts. Beside his dad, Sarah was the only other member of the family who shared his blood. He didn't really see eye to eye with his dad and so was extremely close and protective of her. 'Yeah sis, what's up?'

'Are you really going to just stand bye and let her bring that heavy load of gas? She almost pleaded.

'What do you want me to do?' He answered with a question of his own.

'Go after her and carry the gas like a gentleman of course! I know you're not together anymore but that doesn't mean you have to be rude to her.'

'Fine,' Leon relented. 'I'll go and be the perfect 'gentleman''

'Whatever Leon' Sarah rolled her eyes, 'you and I both know it deep down.'

'What are you trying to say Sarah?'

'What I'm trying to dear bro is that you know you were just jumping for an excuse to go after her.'

'I am not 'jumping' at the chance to go after Soraya…in her dreams!'

'Whatever,' Sarah blew out impatiently, 'just hurry up and go! She could be lying dead or raped or badly beaten up or-'

'Or probably cursing me and thinking of a million different ways to kill and torture me?'

'That too!' Sarah agreed happily, 'Now go shoo!' She made the motion with her hands.

'Alright,' Leon sighed dramatically, that seemed to be common with the Canadians. 'I know when I'm not wanted.' With that said, he walked off to have yet another encounter with his fiery ex-girlfriend. 'She was definitely something, a real handful but fun to get under her skin' he thought with another smirk, granted she was a bitch but she was a hot bitch, his bitch. 'No Leon! Don't go down there!' He thought to himself, she's not yours anymore, he kept telling himself that on the way to the gas station that.

Leon found her walking back half way between the gas station and the car, heaving with the heavy gas can that was going to bring the car rental to life. He hated to admit it, but what Soraya had said was true, the car didn't drive because of the shortage of gas. He wasn't going to tell Soraya that though, he wasn't going to give her the satisfaction of being right…until the car starts working at least…then he'd have no choice.

He could hear her muttering, 'stupid, arrogant, jackass, bastard and that cocky smirk,' whilst trying her hardest not to drop the gas can. Leon decided to go around and come up behind her. 'Can't stop thinking about me huh?' He murmured huskily in her ear and smirked when he noticed an involuntary shiver run through her.

'My God Leon!' Soraya sighed, annoyed. 'Don't do that! I could've dropped this thing.' She referred to the gas can in her arms, trying to balance it after jumping from Leon sneaking up behind her. She hated the fact that her body still responded to his and angrily gritted out. 'What do you want?'

Leon moved closer in to Soraya until he was directly right in front of her. 'I've. Come. For.' He breathed each word out slowly, his face moving closer to hers each time, 'the gas,' he pulled away from her with yet another smirk.

Soraya breathed a sigh of relief and handed over the gas can. Stretching her arms to get rid of any strains the muscles could have gained. The gas can had become too much for her to carry, but that wasn't her reason for being relieved. She knew that if Leon had made a move on her, she wouldn't have been able to resist no matter how hard she tried. Their 'talk' at lunch was enough proof.

Flashback

'Where the hell are you taking me?' Leon demanded. He wasn't exactly keen on the idea of a girl, specifically his outspoken ex-girlfriend taking advantage of him. He also didn't appreciate her threatening him; it wasn't his fault he didn't like to talk about relationship issues, especially in public and that damned minx knew it and used it against him. To show that he wasn't happy about this, he gripped her arm painfully tight once again.

Soraya inwardly winced when she felt Leon's death grip but she allowed a smirk to reach her face. His painful hold on her arm only meant that she had gotten the best of him and he knew it. Getting under Leon's skin was one thing but to get a reaction from him or him to realise this was a different thing entirely, an almost impossible feat…almost. She remembered the last time she had gotten a reaction from him….they had been rivals at that time and were having an argument over something and she had mentioned his mother…it had ended up with him pushing her on the floor and then punching the wall. Bringing the mother into the argument had been a bad idea.

'Why the fuck are you smirking for bitch?' Leon gritted out angrily, as they were walking to wherever Soraya was taking them to.

'You talk like that to Michael and Maria as well?' She asked her grin widening.

'Don't bring my family into this. You know my limit…don't push it.'

Soraya, thought back to the time she ended up on the floor again and grimaced. 'Then don't swear at me, I ain't your bitch who's gonna take your shit.'

'You talk to Mike and Marie with that mouth?' Leon used her line.

'Look, why don't we both just shut up until we have to talk and then we'll make it quick okay?'

'Fine by me.'

As they got nearer to the place, Soraya was met with many greetings from fellow students.

'Hey Soraya,'

'What's happening?'

'Hi girlie!'

'Wanna make out?'

Leon looked at her sceptically, 'You work fast.' He referred to her popularity amongst the school.

'Not as fast as you.' She replied in a sickeningly sweet tone, although what she said had some truth in it. Girls had definitely taken a big interest on him. They all looked him up and down appreciatively and he had received many offers.

'Not my fault I'm good to look at!' He grinned, and finally released his arm.

Soraya rolled her eyes at this, of course wouldn't want to look like he's taken now, would he? She finally found the Quad where she had decided they were going to sort their awkwardness out…or tried to at least. She looked for her favourite spot there which happened to be next to a very old but large and stable oak tree. She stopped until she was standing a few inches in front of the tree before turning to face Leon who stood a bit away from her and began their overdue conversation.

'Alright look, this is the deal…we broke up because we're now in 2 different countries, and if they ask why say it's because it's not fair on either one of us, got that?'

Leon regarded her carefully, 'why are you doing this?'

Soraya's eyes glanced up at his before quickly looking away. She couldn't keep eye contact with him, especially after the girl's toilets incident. She still found his presence overwhelming, however she needed to make sure they both said the same thing when questions were asked. 'We need our stories to be the same, so that they won't get suspicious.'

Leon's gaze hardened. 'But why are you doing this…just tell them your side of it and well there you go, everyone will still love you, what have you got to be worried about?'

Soraya fumed, she was trying to do him a favour, not that she would ever admit it and here he was being an ass, a cocky, stubborn, ignorant little…ass. 'Not everything is about you, I do have pride and I'm not going to let you destroy that. I don't need to be stared at in the hallways. So don't think I'm doing this for you, although it does seem to have a lot of advantages for you as well huh?'

'Oh shut up, like I need your help, I can deal with it on my own as you pointed it out you're doing it for your own selfish reasons.'

'Well I wouldn't have had to do this, if it weren't for you in the first place.' Soraya's voice dangerously quivered and her voice had become extremely high pitched as if she was about to lose control of herself. 'I swear to God you better not even think of trying to pin that on me, or else you're a bigger jackass than I ever thought possible.'

'A bitch till the end Soraya? Is that what you're going for? Cause you've sure as hell got that down to an art.' Leon murmured in a low growl, stalking towards her as a predator would to its prey. 'You know I'm getting really sick and tired of your constant moaning and bitching, but I let it pass seeing as things are obviously going to be a bit dodgy between us. But I am fed up of it. I don't even have to take this shit anymore.'

Her eyes widened as he spoke, she had struck a nerve, that was easy to see and she was going to back down and let him cool down but that was until he made his last statement. She lost her rationality on letting things subside and could only see red, her voice now hysterical. 'Anymore? Anymore? What the fuck do you mean don't have to take this anymore? I never gave you shit when we were together so you can shut the fuck up right now about that. So what was our relationship to you huh? Just to get in my pants, was it?' Leon's eyes flashed warningly and he took another step closer, invading her personal space. Instinctively, she backed up. 'I bet that's right isn't it? You got what you wanted and then you couldn't care less right? Too much of a coward to stick around and be good huh? You're just a—'

Soraya didn't get to finish her sentence as her lips were roughly caught by Leon's. It wasn't friendly or innocent and it certainly wasn't romantic. Ity was hard and lustful. He snaked an arm behind her head and pushed it closer to his. He fervently sucked at her lower lip, nibbling it every now and then. Soraya didn't hesitate in responding and immediately brought her arms around his neck pulling him closer to her; she let out a gasp letting his tongue enter her mouth.

Leon pushed her forwards until her back met with the tree bark and he pressed his body into hers. Holding her in place by moving his hands to her hips, he slid his hands underneath her shirt as their tongues dueled it out. Soraya's hands wandered into his hair and she pulled it when she felt circles being drawn on her back.

Parting for air, Leon pulled away and kissed down her collarbone until he reached the place where the neck and shoulder met, he bit down making her groan and she arched her neck allowing him to continue his ministrations. Her hands wandered around on his covered torso, making him groan in appreciation and he thanked her by kissing her on the lips passionately once more. She sighed in content, happy to once again be in Leon's arms.

All of a sudden Soraya's eyes flew open. What on earth was she doing? They weren't together anymore. For god's sakes they had just been arguing two seconds ago, so how did that lead to making out. She felt his hands fiddling with her bra and knew this had to stop. She roughly pushed him away and without giving him a second glance began straightening her top and looking anywhere and everywhere but at him. She began to feel her hair and try to fix any tangles that she may have got from the little make out session…if you could call it that.

Leon was also trying to fix his hair, whilst berating himself for kissing her. What was he thinking? It's not like they're dating now that he could just do that. But then again what normal guy in his position wouldn't have kissed her. For starters her tight red top definitely enhanced her breasts and showed her curves perfectly. Her short-short skirt definitely gave a good view of her legs and those boots just screamed attitude, which definitely turned him on. Not to mention she looked amazingly hot when she's mad like she was before and cornered into a tree, well that normal guy would have kissed her two although it was more than a kiss.

'Is my hair okay?' He asked. He wasn't going to stand for awkward silences, so he thought he may as well rile her up and get their conversation back to normal, well normal for them now.

Soraya was about to throw a not very nice comment, but then thought better of it, she can just ask him about hers. 'It's alright, your hair gets messed up easily anyway and you're guy so it's not that big a deal…but how's mine?'

Leon looked at her, so now she decides to be calm and civil? Great…just great for him. 'Errrm just a bit from the back' He was about to sort it out for her when he heard someone else, a guy, calling out Soraya's name.

Soraya turned around and replied. 'Hey Jason. What's up?'

'The sky' Jason joked. 'Not much just wanted to talk to you quickly.'

'Shoot' Soraya grinned with a smile.

'Well I know both of us don't really want to date' he began and took in Soraya's mussed appearance, 'and that it was just a one night stand between us but I thought that maybe we can still be friends rather than avoiding each other at all costs. After all, you're a great girl with a great sense of humour, not to mention we'll probably be seeing a lot of each other as we're both friends of Nathan and with Haley tutoring me, if that's okay with you?' Jason asked, hardly taking any breaths.

'Breathe Jase breathe.' Soraya laughed. 'Friends sounds like a great idea, I mean I'd love to hear more about your little brother Jack's temper tantrums!'

'Don't get me started on that.' Jason rolled his eyes. 'Anyways I gotta go work on a project with Tessa.'

'I'm sure,' Soraya remarked. 'The only project you two will be doing will probably include a bed.'

'Nah, I'm more of a couch guy as you already know.' Jason wiggled his eyebrows, making Soraya laugh.

'And here I thought you were just eager.'

'Yeah that too,' He scratched his head. 'Anyways I really should get going before Tessa complains about how the wind blew a strand of hair out of place.' Jason rolled his eyes.

'Hey, Tessa is genuinely nice to everyone, which is more than what I can say for some other people. She can just be—'

'Shallow?' Leon suggested, both Soraya and Jason slightly jumped slightly, they had both forgotten he was there.

Soraya recovered and frostily said, 'ditzy.'

Jason intervened before she could say anything else. 'Hi, I don't think we've met, I'm Jason.' he offered his hand.

Although Leon did not particularly want to be friendly, he didn't really have a reason to be rude so he answered with a pleasant attitude. 'I'm Leon,' he shook Jason's hand.

'Oh, you're him' Jason was taken aback and studied Leon, so this was Soraya's infamous ex. Leon looked at him questioningly and Jason said. 'Soraya's mentioned you.' This made the girl blush. 'Anyways I really gotta jet bye.' He said and jogged off.

'You talked about me to him?' Leon asked with a raised eyebrow at her blushing face. 'What's up with the red face?'

'None of your god damn business.' She answered defensively. 'Just remember, long distance and unfair for us both.' And she stormed off back to the others.

Leon stood there for a moment before realising he didn't know his way back. 'Oh crap' he muttered under his breath before calling out. 'Soraya! Wait up!' Before catching up with her. 'For someone who was having a go at me for not being serious in a relationship, you've sure healed fast to have a whole series of one night stands.'

'What you expect me to just sit around and mope over a prick like you all day?' She asked incredulously. 'Somehow, I don't think so!' A couple of moments later, Soraya added, 'Besides it's not like I was having any whilst we were going out now is it?'

The conversation ended there, both of them not ready to talk about their relationship anymore than they had done.

When they reached the others, they could hear Sarah animatedly talking about an incident that had occurred in Montreal. Both of them smiled at the memory and Soraya began to quote on what had been said that night.

End of Flashback

The two walked on in silence, whilst she had been pondering the events at lunch. The tension had become increasingly thick to the point where it could have been cut with a knife.

Soraya finally gained enough courage to break it, for she knew that Leon never would. He really wasn't a confrontational guy. 'Leon?' She asked wearily, praying that he wouldn't avoid this as well.

He didn't say anything at first, not knowing what to do but finally settled with an 'hmm?'

Soraya, not happy with response began. 'Is it so much of a bother to even form up a real word like yes or yeah?'

Leon sighed; there were times when you simply let things go. This was certainly one of them and you just did not argue when Soraya was in this kind of mood. 'What going on Ray? (AN: Ray can be pronounced Rye as in Ryder or Ray as in the Sun's rays but i prefer Rye...which will explain the next paragraph.)

Soraya looked up sharply, taken aback, almost forgetting to breathe in surprise. 'Ray' was a term that Leon had only used when they were together, he hadn't let anyone else used it either. He had once said that it sounded sweet and gentle but the term was always hidden in words such as rice or ride. Apparent that reminded him of her because she can be really rude and bitchy on the outside because she kept her guard up but was like 'Ray' sweet and gentle when people really got to know her.

She pulled herself together before he could catch her off-guard and said. 'About what happened at lunch?'

Leon cut her off and his eyes darkened as he asked 'what happened at lunch?' He shifted the weight of the gas can.

Soraya was slightly put off with the attitude but tried again anyway; she had to know what it meant. 'Between us, when we had our 'talk'' She stared into his eyes for an honest answer.

Leon knew what she was talking about and inwardly sighed. Did they really have to talk about this? 'I don't know, you tell me.'

Soraya wasn't going to put up with anymore of his vague responses and bit out as hatefully as she could. 'Nothing, nothing at all. Just wanted to make that clear.'

Leon now thought that Soraya was just trying to mess with his head for some god-only-knows-what reason and sneered back just as harshly, 'I'm glad you weren't getting any stupid ideas in your head.'

Soraya's face remained calm and collected on the outside, but was spinning with emotion inside. So it really didn't mean anything to him, she thought. Not that it mattered after all it wasn't like they were going to declare their love and have a happily ever after…that only happened in the movies. 'It's Soraya to you.' She referred to the nickname.

'Well Soraya' Leon emphasised her name. 'Walk fast because my sister's waiting.'

'Asshole' she bit out.

'Bitch' he retorted.

'Bastard'

'Cow'

'Prick'

'Dumbass'

'Jackass'

'Whore'

Soraya shook her head in disbelief. 'You're the man-whore! What was the longest time you could keep it in for 8 hours?'

Leon smirked at this; sometimes she just made herself a very easy target. He leant into her and whispered in her ear. 'I don't seem to remember you complaining.'

Soraya's face reddened and she even opened and closed her mouth a few times before making a 'humph' sound and stormed ahead to Sarah. This left Leon without any distractions, so he hurried his pace until he too reached the car.

'Finally' Sarah exclaimed. 'I can't wait till I see the bed!'

'What do you want with a bed?' Leon asked suspiciously, turning into over-protective brother mode.

'To sleep Leon' Soraya answered before Sarah could. She hated the fact that Leon always tried to control Sarah's life. 'It's what you do to regain your energy. Why do you have such a one track mind for?'

'This is gonna be a loooooooong drive' Sarah though to herself. Funny how Soraya had thought the exact same thing, when she had driven in a car with Nathan and Haley on her first day in Tree Hill.

AN: Finally I finished it! I know this update is way past overdue and I have been trying ever so hard to finish this in time for Christmas and I did! WOOHOO! I just couldn't post it up until Boxing Day... because my crazy granny is making us stay at her place because she thinks me nad my mum are incapable of staying at our house without a man in the house. How rude! Anyways please review and so sorry for the very late update.

Personal replies will be done through the new system has set up but if you don't have a username leave your email add and I'll email one to you. I have really got to give a shout-out to Johnny again because he reminded me to update so many times. Not to mention he wished me a happy 16th so thank you so much for that.

Things to note: Althought my focus is Naley, Soraya and Leon are going to be my other main couple that I will focus on. Their relationship is too much fun to mess around with and you'll see why. Naley is still on my radar so don't worry. I've also been working on re-editin my earlier chapters because they are so...flat and I've decided to make ch 15 1st half part of ch 14 and the concluding half of 15 will be all of 15. So that'll also be changed around in a few days. So keep reviewing and look out for the changes.