AN: Hey guys! Thanks so much for the reviews! THX to: Naley is L.O.V.E, jeyton4ever, OTHFAN23V, stars, Nathanlvr, and beachiegal. You guys are awesome, I really appreciate the super sweet reviews I've been getting!

Chapter 4

Haley had ran all the way home, since she had missed her bus, and once she got through that front door to her house she was out of breath. Why couldn't her parents get her a car? They sure had enough money! Well, they had bought her a car. When she was 13! But believe it or not, she wasn't allowed to drive it to school. Yeah, they thought it was too 'dangerous'!

She slammed the door and turned around just to see two dozen business men in their finest suits staring at her. Oh crap, she thought. He father was with the other men but he didn't say anything, he just motioned for her to go upstairs. Haley didn't say anything, she just walked up the two flights of stairs to get to her room.

As soon as she got inside, she changed into a long red skirt and a nice blouse. She took the hair elastic out of her hair and let her hair fall on her shoulders. Nathan had once told her that she should wear her hair down more often. It was ridiculous. She had always worn her hair up, ever since she could remember. Down, it was all messy and all over the place. It just wasn't her. But then again...

As Haley looked at her reflection in the mirror, it did not look too bad. She quickly shook her head and erased those thoughts from her head. She wasn't going to change one of her habits because of something some boy said. OK, so he wasn't just 'some boy'. But whatever... She quickly put her hair back up into a tight poneytail, brushed some blush on her cheeks and walked back down both flights of stairs.

xXxXxXx

When Nathan got home, he immediately went online to check his e-mail. It said that he did infact, have one new e-mail. He nervously opened it and began reading.

Dear Mr. Scott,

We are sorry to inform you that the credit card number you submited was not valid. You're purchase for two tickets to Green Day at the Tree Hill Arena has now been canceled.

What? thought Nathan. Since when did his credit card not work anymore? He had earned all that money from his job! And just like that, with one e-mail, his whole plan was dimolished.

Nathan walked out of his room and into the kitchen where he found his mom reading the news paper.

"Mom, do you have any idea why my credit card wouldn't come through?" Nathan asked, as he sad down at the kitchen table next to her.

"Oh, Nathan. I'm so sorry, hunny. But our landlord wanted the rent early this month and I haven't gotten my paycheck yet." Deb said, looking apologetic. Nathan sighed. This wasn't the first time that this had happened. Deb would use his money that he had earned to pay the rent, or the bills, or whatever else they needed. But lately this had been happening a lot more than usual.

"It's Okay, mom. Just tell be before, Okay?" Nathan said and Deb nodded. "And tell me the truth. Did you not get your paycheck yet, or did you lose your job?" Nathan said. He didn't want his own mother to be lying to him.

"Nathan, I swear. First thing tomorrow, I am going out to look for a new job." Deb said. Nathan sighed again and got up.

"Mom, do you remember why I had to get a job when I was fourteen? We said that we couldn't just live off of your money and we can't just liv off of mine! We said we were in this together remember?" Nathan loved his mother very much but this was just too much. They were already struggling when she had her job, but now, if they were going to live off of the minimum wage that Nathan was getting, it would never work. Nathan really felt the urge to break something, anything right now, just to get his anger out. But he calmed down before it got that far.

"I know, Nathan. I'm sorry. But we'll make it. I promise. This, all this: the struggling to pay bills and rent, and the having to take the bus everywhere and you having to work all the time and everyone treating us like some charity cases! I promise, it's all only temporary!" Deb said, tears forming in her eyes.

"Yeah, whatever." Nathan said as he walked out the door. He just needed to get some air and clear his head.

xXxXxXx

"Hi mother," Haley said as she ran into her mom in the kitchen. Of course, her mother couldn't be in the other room with the men. She had to be the perfect, housewife spending her life in the kitchen!

"Haley James, where have you been? I specificaly told you to be here at five-thirty. The party started at six and now it's six-ten." Lydia said looking at her watch. Haley sighed. Most mothers would say 'I've been worried sick' or 'why didn't you call?'. But now Lydia James. No, all she cared about was if Haley was there on time for the party.

"I know, mom, I'm sorry. I got caught up with tutoring. We kind of lost track of time," Haley said.

"Oh, well very well. Who are you tutoring, these days? Is it still that nice boy, Jared Gabriel? His father is actualy here for the party right now, why don't you say hi-"

"No, mother," Haley interupted, "It's Nathan Scott. That's who I'm tutoring." Lydia's smiled droped and she became very serious.

"Haley, I want you to be careful with that boy. I don't want you tutoring him. You know, I've heard things from the other mothers. That boy is a bad influence, Haley!" Lydia said. Haley was surprised, although she really should have seen that coming.

"You don't even know him!" Haley blurted out, before she could even think. What was she doing? She never yelled at anyone, let alone her mother! She didn't even throw tantrums when she was a little girl. What had gotten over her. Before her or her mother could say anything else, Haley exited the kitchen and walked out the front door. She didn't feel like arguing with her mother or making small talk with boring business men. She just needed some air and to relax.

xXxXxXx

AN: I hope you liked it! Please Review! Thx sooo much!

NEXT:

Naley meet while they're both 'getting some air'.