It had been a week since the two started their part time job at Ben And Jerry's. Jill referred to it as her dream job. What more can one wish for than to be surrounded by ice cream all day long? Nathan just appreciated the extra time he got to spend with her. He didn't care what he was doing as long as Jill was there to keep him company, plus being around ice cream wasn't too bad of an idea as well. They had learned so much in a week and displayed knowledge for their job more than one could expect, which was why on their second day the manager had already given them their own set of keys. Right when they would start their shift the manager would leave for home. He trusted them enough to let them handle the store as well as lock up and handle the money.

All together there was a staff of eight. Nathan and Jill were the only afternoon workers while the rest were part of the morning shift, but the two were already widely known. Jill was known as the girl who talked too much which earned her the nickname 'mighty mouth'. Nathan was more quiet but all the senior ladies adored him, they practically went crazy every time they saw him. He earned the nickname 'sweet cheeks' because they loved to pinch them, plus whenever the staff would see him his mouth would be filled with ice cream. It was visible since his cheeks puffed out. Everyone wondered how he could have that much ice cream in his mouth without getting major brain freeze. It didn't take long for them to get comfy in their work environment.

This particular day was like any other. There was a steady pace in customers, not many but enough to make the day's quota. The two even managed to fit in their homework. The manager didn't mind it, just as long as they still payed attention to their job.

Jill was propped in front of the counter working on her Physics lab.

"Hey Nathan can I borrow your eraser?"

"Yeah it's in my bag at the back," he was busy picking at the ice cream. Jill got him hooked and now there was no stopping him.

"Okay cool, watch the place while I go get it?"

Nathan nodded continuing with his munching.

She got up from her seat and disappeared into the back. She and Nathan shared a locker. One because there wasn't enough for each employee and second those boxes were so big you could fit two people into them if you tried. Nathan and Jill attempted to with success on one of their many shifts. She grabbed his blue Tree Hill bag from the bottom and rested it on a desk. There were so many pockets and compartments she didn't know where to start.

She decided to call out to him for help.

"Nathan where do you keep your eraser?" She began looking through the bag.

He was busy helping a customer so she decided to keep searching. Finally she opened the biggest part of the bag and saw the eraser.

"Never mind I found it," she shook her head noticing how unorganized his bag was. 'Clean your bag Nathan' she said quietly. Digging into the bag to grab it she noticed his test paper for Biology. How could you miss it? It had the scarlet letter written all over it! A big fat 'F' on the top right of the paper stared back at Jill. Did Nathan not do his work? But he's so smart, how could he get an 'F'? She decided to search through the pile of papers finding even more 'F's. This was weird she thought. She knew Nathan was intelligent but it seemed like he wasn't putting it towards his school work. Come to think of it, she never saw him with homework nor textbooks for that matter.

Jill closed the bag and put it back in the locker. Still baffled she walked back on the floor where Nathan sat. The customer had already purchased their dessert and departed, leaving Jill and Nathan alone again.

"Umm Nathan?"

"Yeah."

"Can I ask you something?"

He nodded, "shoot."

"Are you having trouble in school?"

Nathan looked at her funny.

"What do you mean?"

"I saw your test papers."

"You were snooping through my stuff?" He was a bit upset.

"No. I just saw them when I went to grab your eraser."

He shrugged.

"It's just an 'F' no big deal."

"Nathan try five 'F's, there was more than one test paper."

"I'm not stupid Jill."

"No I know you're not, which is why I was shocked when I saw them. Nathan you're smart."

"No I'm not."

"Yes you are and I feel like your shunning yourself away from getting good grades."

"I don't know what you're talking about," he got up to refill the cones.

"Why don't you do your homework Nathan? I just noticed I never see you with textbooks or homework. What gives?"

"I'm not good at that stuff okay."

"That's a load of bull."

"It's true. I'm only good at basketball."

"No you're not."

"Yes it is! Everyone knows it. My dad, the teachers, and everyone. Why try to be something I'm not? Why put myself through that shit and not succeed where basketball I'm good at and I know will take me places."

"What if basketball falls through?"

"It won't."

The two were in a heated argument. Their voices even rose a little that went back to normal when customers came in but rose back up again when they left.

"What if Nathan? What if you don't succeed in basketball, what's your back up plan?"

Nathan paused.

"I don't have one."

"Why not?"

"Because. Because I don't want to think that far."

"But you have to."

"Well I don't want to."

Jill looked at Nathan, her voice went back to normal.

"Nathan what's this really about? I know you and you're as smart as heck. Yeah you don't apply it to your work I can see, but why?"

Nathan turned his back towards Jill.

"I don't know."

She walked up to him and put her hand on his shoulder.

"Please tell me."

He sighed as a silence broke out between the two.

"I'm scared," he lowered his head a little.

"Of what?"

"I don't know. I guess I'm afraid to fail."

"Umm sweetie you're already failing, remember your tests?"

"Not that failing. I'm afraid to apply myself. I know I'm going to fall short, I already am. I just don't get those things where as basketball I know. It's something I'm good at that I can be proud of."

"But you're worth so much more. If you just try to learn things I know you'll grow to understand it."

"I was doing better, when haley tutored me, but then she left and I went back to being myself."

"Why? you knew you could do it, why drop it?"

"I don't know Jill."

She put both her hands on Nathan's arms and turned him to face her.

"Yes you do. Is it because of Haley's leaving?"

He continued to look down.

"I know we're cool now, but when she left I just thought she did because I wasn't good enough. So I went back to the only thing I did best before her, which was and is basketball."

"Nathan she didn't leave you because you weren't good enough."

"I know but I can't help but think it sometimes. That's why I stopped trying. If she left me who'd take me on, who would believe in me the way she did? Everyone only cares how much baskets I shoot. After that they could care less. Luke cares but that's only cause he's my brother."

"I care Nathan. You're my friend and you mean a lot to me. I care that you're smart but you won't show it. I care that you feel you aren't good in anything other than basketball and I want to change that. I care that other people only see you as a ball player and I want to hurt them for making you think that way. Basically I care enough to not want you to feel that way."

"Why?"

"Because like I said you mean a lot to me. Nathan you're my friend and yes you can be such a guy at times, and act tough when you don't need to be but that's you and I wouldn't want it any other way. You help me whenever I need you."

"I do, do that don't I?" He finally let out a small smile.

Jill laughed and hit him, "good I see a smile, even though it was brought upon by your cocky self, it's a smile nonetheless and that's what matters. It's my turn to be there for you, let me help you."

"Help me with what?"

"With school, with your homework, realize your potential, everything."

"You'd do that for me?"

She nodded.

Nathan looked at Jill. She had such compassion. He knew she cared about him, and he liked that. Everyday he felt more and more comfortable telling her things, deep emotional rapture he hid from everyone else. He wished he could tell her he was falling for her, but he couldn't. Their friendship was reaching a high point and he didn't want to ruin it. Baby steps. He remembered Lucas' advice.

"Thanks," he smiled.

"Anytime," she hugged him then parted a bit, "but if you think I'm going to go easy on you, think again. I'm a very mean tutor."

"Will you whip me if I'm bad?" he smirked.

Jill scoffed and pinched him, "uggh! no more KINK for you mister."

Both laughed as they continued to embrace each other.