Thanks for all the reviews and comments, I really appreciate it. This was originally supposed to be the second half of chapter three, but I thought they both went better on their own.

Chapter Four

October 8, 2007

"…..and that's all you have to do. Does that make sense?" Haley asked Brent, the student she was currently tutoring.

Brent furrowed his brow, and read through the example Haley just did for him, "Yeah, yeah I think I get it now."

Haley grinned, "Great, just do one more problem and if you get it right then you can leave early like you requested."

"Okay," Brent bent over his paper and started the working on the last problem of his algebra homework. A couple minutes later his sat back, "There, done!"

Haley took the paper and quickly read through. She looked up with a pleased expression, "Perfect, good job today. Pretty soon you won't need me."

"James, I can only hope," Brent teased back as he got his stuff together. "Hey, thanks for letting me leave early today. I know that you usually don't make any exceptions, I just really need to see the doctor so I can get signed off for this Friday's game."

"No problem, what would Tree Hill High do without their star quarterback!" Haley gasped mockingly.

When they had first started Brent had been shocked to learn that Haley didn't understand the sport and the school obsession with it. While the football team wasn't as "prestigious" as the basketball team they still had a large following of fans. There was no doubt about it, the Tree Hill Ravens, both basketball and football, were of the highest caliber; Haley just didn't care that much about it. She enjoyed basketball games because she loved to support Lucas and to watch him play. She just didn't get the obsession most of her fellow students had of athletics and athletes. It might have something to do with the fact that she was athletically challenged, the only class she had never gotten a A in was PE. Luckily her honors classes made up the difference in points so her GPA hadn't been effected as much as it could have been.

Used to her teasing about sports in general, Brent just laughed at her joke and waved goodbye as he started out of the room.

When he got to the door he turned around, "Haley, why don't you try and come to this Friday's game. I mean without your help I probably wouldn't even be playing now. I know it'll be hard, but maybe you could suffer through a couple quarters for me?"

Haley cocked her head thinking, "Sure, I mean if Lucas doesn't have a basketball game, I'll try to make it."

"Cool. Later, James."

Haley reached down into her backpack for her own school books. She still had an hour in here before she had to go to the café for her shift and she figured she could use the time to start her own schoolwork.

Deep in her work, Haley barely noticed when 30 minutes later the door opened to the almost empty tutor center.

Glancing up she saw that Nathan Scott was standing in the doorway looking hesitant, "Hey."

Remembering what she overheard his father talking about at the game she asked in a cool tone, "Can I help you?"

Nathan flashed a sheepish grin, "I hope so, since you are my new tutor."

Haley felt her jaw drop and said sarcastically, "Right sure I am. Haha. No, I don't think so."

Nathan was confused, what had he done to piss her off since they met Friday? "Maybe you don't remember me, but we met on Friday."

"I remember. I'm sorry; I'll find you someone else." Haley walked to the table and she started putting her books in her bag.

Nathan ran a frustrated hand through his hair, "Look, there is nobody else. All right? I'd be fine with it if there was.

Haley rolled her eyes, "If there were."

Nathan gave her a charming smile, "See? You're helping me already."

Haley growled in frustration, "Look, I can't help you and on top of that, I won't help you. Okay? I have to go to work." Haley grabbed her backpack and stalked out of the room.

Nathan stared at the door in bewilderment. What the hell did I do to piss her off.

Haley was walking to the back of the Café when the phone rang, she set down the tray of dirty dishes and walked over to the phone to answer.

"Hello, Karen's Café. How may I help you?" Haley said cheerfully.

A deep voice replied, "Yes, is Haley available."

Confused Haley furrowed her brown and replied warily, "This is her."

She could hear a sigh of relief through the phone line, "Great! This is Nathan Scott, look Ha-"

"Sorry wrong number," Haley slammed the phone down and bit her lip, not noticing that Karen had heard the whole exchange from the kitchen.

"Miss, I'm ready to order," came from the front of the cafe.

Haley walked over to the customer and took his order, gave it to Karen and started collecting salt and pepper shakers so she could start refilling them so they would be ready to use the next day. Once the order was up she went back to serve their last customer, "Here you go, sir. Enjoy your meal." It was late at night and the café was almost empty, just about ready to close. Karen and Haley were alone in the cafe with their last customer.

Haley walked back to the counter and continued to refill the shakers.

A few minutes later, Karen peaked from the back and saw Haley working steadily, looking troubled.

"You okay Haley?"

Haley looked up at the sound of Karen's voice, "Sure."

Karen sat down next to Haley, "I heard what happened with your phone call, you don't usually lie to people. You know you can tell me what's up."

Haley decided to keep the names to herself but tell Karen the situation, she would like another opinion. "Well, this guy wants me to tutor him, but he's kind of a bad guy so I said 'No'."

"Do you know him?"

Haley hesitated; she couldn't tell Karen about the Dan thing. She also couldn't mention the Lucas part, because then Karen would know who she was talking about. "Not really, I just know of him." And that was the truth, she didn't know him. She didn't really want to know him either, not after everything that she has heard.

"Is he dangerous?"

"No," Haley took in Karen's expression. "What? You've got that look."

"What look?"

Haley rolled her eyes at Karen's attempt to play dumb."The look my mom always got when she wanted to tell me what she thought."

Karen quirked a smile and told her, "Well, Haley, I think you have pretty good instincts so I'm not trying to tell you what to do, but just to play devil's advocate, if this boy came for tutoring, maybe he's trying to change.

Haley let out a deep sigh as Karen continued. "There might be something there worth saving." Karen got up and walked back into the back room.

Maybe there is something worth saving, and if nothing else she would be able to get to know him. That could only benefit Lucas and her plan to keep an eye on Nathan. The more she thought about it the more she thought that this would be the perfect. She would have the opportunity to see what Nathan was going to do, and make sure that he didn't do anything to Lucas.

Haley smiled, pleased with her decision. Now, I just have to find Nathan and tell him that I will be tutoring him after all.

Haley took a deep breath and knocked on the door to Nathan Scott's house. House, hell, more like a freaking mansion. This is one family that doesn't mind showing their wealth. After she waited for a couple minute and there was still no answer she turned to leave. As she walked down the front walkway she heard noises coming from the side of the house.

Turning the corner Haley saw a shirtless Nathan going up for a layup. Oh my god, look at those arms. As enthralled as she was with those spectacular arms Haley let her gave travel to the well defined pectoral muscles that were currently bare for her. Haley stopped moving her gaze once she got to the six pack he was sporting, there was a thin trail of hair leading down into his basketball shorts. It's like a goody trail, you just follow to get to the good stuff.

Of course, with Haley being a virgin she didn't have any firsthand knowledge of the "good stuff", but she had heard enough of the talks that her sisters have had to know that it was very likely that Nathan had spectacular good stuff. According to Taylor, girls only went back to the same guy if it would guarantee them a orgasm. At the time Haley had been grossed out with all that Taylor was revealing to her, after all she had only been thirteen, but now it made sense to her when she thought of all the girls that were chasing after Nathan. There must have been a reason that Peyton stayed with him for so long, I highly doubt it was his sparkling personality. Haley knew her thoughts towards Nathan's were uncharacteristically unkind, but everything she knew about him told her that he didn't deserve anything more from her. She regretted ever telling Lucas to give him a chance, he probably been better off if he still thought Nathan was out to get him. At least he would have been prepared for whatever Nathan could poss-

"Ahem."

Haley had been so lost in her thoughts that she hadn't noticed that all noise from the court had stopped, and when she raised her gaze she met Nathan's. Hell, damn the randomness of my thoughts, he caught me ogling him. Man, now he was giving her his trademark smirk, which wasn't unusual. The only problem was that she didn't find it as annoying as she usually did; right now it made him look even hotter.

Then he opened his mouth.

"Are you done looking? I can turn around for you if you want to check out the rear," Following his words with actions he turned around and Haley saw that Nathan's back was hard with muscles, and shorts that didn't do justice to that butt. Slightly damp they clung to curve of his ass, but didn't reveal enough.

Haley's mouth suddenly felt dry, then remember his words she forced herself to speak coldly, "No thanks, I came to talk to you?"

Noticing her flushed cheeks, Nathan once again smirked at her, "Don't be embarrassed, you know I'm hot."

Haley felt all the attraction had felt for him minute ago dissipate. Sure he was still hot, but looks can't get a guy everywhere; personality mattered more. That and integrity were two things that Nathan was lacking. Stupid, stupid Haley. How could you let yourself forget what Nathan was doing to Lucas? So what if he's hot, lots of guys are hot. Not all of them are jackasses like Nathan Scott, either. Cripes Haley sometimes yo…….

Nathan watched Haley with interest; her face was showing a range of emotions; from irritation to affection, to annoyance, to anger, and to lust? Maybe winning this bet won't be too hard after all.

"So, as fun as it is to admire my body," Nathan winked at her, "I can't but wonder if you are here to tell me you changed your mind about the whole tutoring thing?"

Broken out of her reverie Haley replied slowly, "I was but now that I'm here I have to say that I'm rethinking that decis-"

Nathan dropped his cocky act and told her sincerely, "Before you say anything, let me just say that I really do need the help. I'll do anything I can to work with your schedule."

Haley searched his face and apparently didn't find any fault with what she found because she nodded her head, "Okay Nathan, but this is going to be by my rules. You understand?"

"Great, sure, fine," Nathan said relieved that she had changed her mind.

"Great," Haley echoed, then suddenly stiffening said seriously, "Promise me that you aren't going to hurt Lucas."

Slightly insulted, Nathan opened his mouth to blast her. Then he thought about his grades and that stupid bet he made with Mike and settled for, " I promise Haley, this has nothing to do with Lucas and I wont hurt him."

Not sure whether she should believe him Haley nodded, "Okay so we have to set up our fir-"

"I have a condition of my own," Nathan broke in." I don't want anyone to know I'm being tutored."

Haley was confused to why he wanted this, but it wasn't much to ask so replied with, "Okay, I won't tell anyone. Anyone other than Lucas, I don't hide anything from him and I don't feel right starting now, especially hiding something involving his brother. If you are worried that he is going to tell other people, don't be. Luke isn't like that, if I ask him not to say anything then he won't."

Instead of blowing up at her like she expected Nathan surprised her by agreeing, "Okay, but just Lucas."

"Just Lucas," Haley confirmed.

"So when is my first session?" Nathan asked; eager to get this whole thing started.

Haley thought about it for a second, "Okay, I have free time tomorrow morning. So, um, meet me tomorrow, 7am at the Market Street dock."

"7am!" Nathan was already getting up at 4 to get in some conditioning with Dan. His dad was going to kill him for leaving early, "The docks? Why don't we use the tutor center?"

"You're the one that wants to keep this a secret," Haley pointed out, "The tutor center isn't exactly inconspicuous."

"Oh, yeah, I guess you are right."

"Yes I am, so the docks. Take it or leave it.

Nathan didn't even have to think about it, "I'm in."

Haley nodded, turned around and started to walk away quickly. She got to the end of the driveway when Nathan's voice stopped her.

"Haley? I know you don't exactly trust me. I don't know why you don't, and I don't know why you changed your mind about tutoring me. I just want to tell you thank you. I won't you down." Nathan genuinely told her.

"I really hope you don't, because my instincts are screaming that you are full of shit and I should stay away from you. Don't make me regret this Nathan."

"You won't. You never know, this might even be the start of a beautiful friendship." Nathan teased her. He had heard that line on some movie and thought it would add a nice touch.

"Yeah, you never know," Haley said doubtfully before she turned and started walking down the sidewalk.

Nathan went inside of his house smiling, extremely pleased on how the day ended up.

Only Naley this chapter, but next chapter other characters return to the storyline.

Disclaimer: I own nothing; not OTH or its characters.