A/N: Thank you all for the awesome reviews – keep 'em coming!

3. Hidden Desires and Broken Hearts

"Tutor girl!" A loud screeching voice shot piercingly behind Haley as she walked to her locker.

"What do you want Brooke?" Haley said stonily as she turned to face her tormentor.

"Just wanted to stop by and give you this." Plastering a fake, dimpled smile on her face, Brooke handed over a small envelope with Haley's name on it. "I found it at Nathan's a couple of days ago when you were canoodling on the beach, whatever you have going there, make sure it stops." Still unsure what the letter in her hand contained, Haley replied,

"Or what?"

"You'll have me to answer to. I don't know who you think you are coming here and trying to win Nathan over but you sure won't get him. He made his choice to be popular, to be Mr. Hotshot Basketball Player and to be without you and your best friend. Just because your 'Luke' couldn't live up to such a reputation doesn't mean you have to bring his 'brother' down with him." Brooke spat out with venom dripping from her lips. Hurt and angry, Haley retaliated,

"Have you ever thought that he didn't make those choices and that you and your posse forced him into living a life he didn't want? Have you thought about why he hurts Lucas? Have you ever thought about whether or not he truly loves playing basketball?" Haley's eyes were screaming with desperation for Brooke to think about someone, anything other than herself for once in her life but her efforts were futile as Brooke was too blind to notice Nathan's façade. Instead, Brooke flicked back her hair, raised a perfectly shaped eyebrow and shot Haley a glare, airily walking off to her next class. What neither of them noticed was that both Scott brothers had heard the conversation.

As she walked down the empty corridor, Brooke felt a hand pull her into a nearby classroom.

"Is that really what you think of me?" Lucas' green eyes were stinging with tears of pain and it broke Brooke's heart to think that she was the cause. They had been secretly meeting for the better part of this month and she had seen him in a whole different light. Every time she saw him, her heart pumped faster and her eyes twinkled with pure joy. Brooke was falling for him – and fast. She couldn't help it. Everywhere she went she'd want to know what he was doing, where was or if he was thinking of her.

Which he was. Ever since Lucas had got to know the real Brooke Davis, he had fallen head over heels in love with her. He loved the way her eyes sparkled when she saw him, or the way she would arch her eyebrows mischievously at him as she searched her brain for dares she could tease him with and most of all he loved her golden heart. He just wished she would quit being afraid and show the world how wonderful she really was. But now, he didn't know what to make of her. He needed space. And so before she could say anything he spoke,

"Maybe we should just cool off for a while." And with that, Lucas picked up his book bag and left, leaving a heart broken Brooke huddled in a heap crying out her sorrows.

Meanwhile, Haley sat at the docks fiddling with the envelope. Curiosity finally taking over, she ripped open the letter. Inside she found three numbers, 8, 3 and 1.

8 – Eight letters. 3 – Three words. 1 – One meaning. Haley stared out at the water and muttered,

"You choose this moment to be cryptic?"

"Well I could ask you the same thing about skipping school." Nathan said coming up from behind her and sitting directly across from her – just like he had done the day of their first tutoring session.

"Nathan, what does this mean?" Haley said, waving the letter in front of him exasperatedly.

"You weren't meant to see that. At least not now."

"Yeah, well the tin of worms is open now isn't it?"

"Can of worms." Nathan muttered under his breath.

"I heard that – since when did you start correcting me?" Nathan laughed at her comment.

"Seriously though, what did you mean in the letter?" Haley said keeping track of the subject.

"Come with me." Nathan took her hand in his and led her to the beach.

"When I look at you, my heart beats faster, your voice is like an angel singing, your chocolate brown eyes make me stutter and your soul is so pure, it makes me believe again. If it weren't for you I would wake up every day and wish I was someone else.

Because of you I believe in myself, because of you I believe that one day my family may not seem so twisted to me, because of you I know I am capable of loving. 8 letters, I L-O-V-E Y-O-U. Three words, I love you, one meaning – you're the one for me and I will wait for you all of eternity if I have to."

Haley was speechless. Seeing this reaction Nathan began to babble,

"I know it seems like we're moving too fast, but if you just give us chance maybe it work-

She silenced him with a passionate kiss, full of desire. Their tongues fought with each other as silent tears of joy ran down Haley's face.

"I love you too Nathan." She said quietly.