Author's note: Yay, my first review on this story, thanks so much to CCScott23. I have been working on this story for a while now and already have more than ten chapters done. But the lack of reviews makes me wonder if it is worth continuing. This story is so important to me but I feel as though I am writing it for myself. I know that people are reading it and just not reviewing so come on guys, help change that. Let me know what you think. I promise twists and turns in this story like you wouldn't believe, please make me feel as though you want to read it.

Chapter 5- First Day

Haley, Peyton and Brooke met at Brooke's locker before heading to homeroom the morning of their first day of junior year. This had been the tradition since freshman year, as Brooke's locker was closest to all three of their separate homerooms. The girls were just chatting about who they had seen and who was wearing what then they first bell rang.

"Well here we go girls, another year awaits." Haley got ready to head off to homeroom, she hated to be late to class, especially on the first day.

"Yeah, we better get to it. I'll meet you guys outside at our usual table for lunch?" Brooke looked forward to lunch all day, she hated classes, they were all so boring.

"Sounds good, see you guys then." Haley walked towards her homeroom.

As she walked into the room she looked around for any familiar faces. She had always hated that they assigned homerooms by last name, none of Haley's friends last names started with J. She was always all alone. Thankfully homeroom would be busy today, the teacher would hand out all of their schedules and then they had to go through all the usual first day stuff.

Before she knew it the bell rang dismissing Haley to head to her first class. Haley had played the violin for years and she already knew that orchestra would be her first class of the day. She headed down the hall connecting the music wing to the rest of Tree Hill High. As she rounded the corner she heard a voice behind her, "Haley, wait up."

Haley turned around to see Nathan heading towards her. "Hey Nathan, what's up?"

"The usual, just heading down to gym, I have it first period this year. What about you?"

"Orchestra. I play the violin, I have since elementary school." As soon as Haley said it she wanted to take it back, she knew that Nathan would think it was stupid. Guys like him didn't care about stuff like that.

"That's cool, my older sister played the violin. She actually got a scholarship from it when she went away to school. So Haley, tell me, how is it that we have gone through the last two years both being in this school and our paths never crossed and now on the first day we run into each other right away?"

"I don't know, maybe we just never had classes near each other or anything. Anyways, I'm not that memorable, maybe our paths did cross but you just never noticed me." Haley hated to admit it, but it was the truth. Guys like Nathan didn't usually notice girls like her.

"I don't know Haley, I find that pretty hard to believe. You are definitely someone that makes me take notice." Nathan shot her a smile. "Well here we are, I'm off to gym. Hopefully our paths will cross again."

Haley looked after him, she was pretty sure that he had just flirted with her a little bit. She wasn't too sure about that though, guys like Nathan probably flirted with every girl, it didn't mean anything was special about her. Haley tried to brush it off and headed to orchestra.

ooooOoooo

After orchestra Haley headed towards the tutoring center. She had started tutoring freshman year. That was the first year she really stood out academically and one of her teachers advised her to give it a try. She instantly liked it and she was good at it. Helping someone master a math problem or write their first A paper was a high that Haley couldn't get enough of.

Knowing that she wouldn't have anyone to tutor this morning, since it was still pretty early, Haley pulled out her summer reading book. She figured she could take another quick glance through it before English next period.

Just as Haley started to get into her favorite chapter of the book she heard a familiar voice. "As I live and breathe, Haley James."

"Lucas, what are you doing here?" Lucas was Haley's closest guy friend. They had met freshman year when Haley dated Lucas' best friend. She actually broke up with him because she started to develop a crush on Lucas. Nothing ever came of it romantically, but an amazing friendship did develop between the two.

"I have a free period now. I don't have to take gym because of basketball. I had nothing to do today and I knew I could find you here so I figured I would stop in and see how things were going." Lucas knew that something was going on with Haley, she seemed a little out of it today.

"Ya know, I actually could use your advice. I have a guy question." One of Haley's favorite things about her friendship with Lucas was that he gave great advice when it came to understanding guys. Part of that was probably because Lucas was the classic guy. He was real big into sports, basketball especially. He was pretty attractive and pretty popular. Girls regularly threw themselves at him but Lucas was a great guy and never led them on or just hooked up with them.

"What's going on Haley?" It had been a little while since Haley had come to Lucas about anything like this.

"I am just trying to figure out this guy. He isn't someone that I ever expected to have feelings for but I do and I don't really know if he has feelings for me. It is so confusing."

"Well, does he act happy when he first sees you? Does has ask questions and try to get to know you?" Lucas thought it was cute, seeing Haley so insecure about whoever this guy was.

"Yeah, he always seems happy when he sees me. And we talk a lot, pretty much every chance we get. He always asks questions about me, what I like to do and all that. But I don't know, he hasn't made a move and I am kind of surprised. I thought that my signals were pretty clear." Haley didn't know what else to do besides drop hints that she wanted to do something with Nathan outside of work. "We haven't spent any time together, just the two of us. There are always other people around so we don't get to talk about anything all that personal."

"Well then, it sounds like the best thing you can do is get this guy alone and see what happens. Maybe he just doesn't want to make a move with other people around."

"I'll have to try that. Thanks Lucas." Haley started to gather up her stuff, she wanted to run to the bathroom before the bell rang. "I'm going to take off, thanks for stopping and and for the advice. I'll see you later." Haley headed towards the door.

"Wait, Haley, who is this guy?" Lucas called after her.

"That isn't important. Thanks again Lucas."

ooooOoooo

Haley was at her locker before last period. None of her teachers had assigned homework so she was putting all her stuff in her locker so she could head home right after last period. She had to work right after school and her parents were working so she had to walk home and then to work, she didn't want to have to walk all the way back to her locker.

"Wow, aren't I a lucky guy, twice in one day." Nathan appeared at Haley's side. "Want to hear the craziest thing?"

"Sure."

"My locker is right around that corner." Nathan pointed to the corner right down the hall from Haley's locker. "It looks like we will be seeing a lot of each other this year."

"It does look that way. So, do you have to work tonight?" Haley hoped she would see him later.

"Yeah, not until 6:15, thankfully I only have to work for three hours. That is one good thing about school, shorter shifts. What about you, do you have to work?"

"Yeah, I at three, until six. I have to walk home too. Then all the way to work. I really hope that I make it there on time." Haley hoped he would get her hint.

"Yeah, I told them I couldn't get there until three thirty on school days, I don't want to be too rushed. Listen though, if you don't think you will make it I could give you a ride, if you want."

"Sure, that would be great." Haley was so excited, it worked. He picked up on it.

"Okay, why don't you meet me in the parking lot after this class. I drive a blue blazer, it is in the senior lot."

"Sounds great, I'll see you then, thanks Nathan." Haley shut her locker and started to walk away, thinking to herself, what the heck does a blazer look like?

ooooOoooo

Haley wandered aimlessly through the parking lot, she wasn't too sure what a blazer was so she was just hoping to see Nathan. Finally she spotted him walking her way. "Good, you found it. Ready to go?"

Haley looked at the car he was walking towards, it was a blue SUV. Now she knew what a blazer was. "Yeah, definitely. If you have somewhere to go you can just drop me at home and then I can walk to work."

"It's okay, I don't have anything to do. I can wait and drive you to work, I wouldn't want you to be late." Nathan unlocked Haley's door and then walked around to his own. He hopped in and headed towards the exit.

When they arrived at Haley's she had Nathan wait in the car while she ran inside to change. She didn't know if her sisters were home and she didn't want to have to introduce him. Her sisters could be a little crazy and Haley didn't want Nathan to think it ran in the family.

Not wanting to make him wait Haley changed quickly and ran back outside. "Thanks for waiting," she said as she got into his car.

"No problem." Nathan threw his car into reverse and then headed towards the store. They just chatted about their teachers and stuff on the way.

When the pulled up to the front of the store Haley started to pull the door handle, "Haley wait."

"What's up?"

"Do you want to do something sometime? With me? Outside of work? Just the two of us?" Nathan was shocked at himself, he knew he sounded like he couldn't even form a sentence.

"Sure, that sounds good. I would like that." Haley pulled a piece of paper out of her purse and scribbled her phone number on it, she handed it to Nathan. "Here, just give me a call and we can work it out."

"Sounds good, I will call you tonight when I get home from work, is 9:30 okay?"

"It is great, I'll talk to you then. And thanks for the ride." Haley opened her door and hopped out. She walked through the doors of Food Lion with a huge smile on her face, she was pretty sure that smile was there to stay.