Thanks for all the reviews and for everyone who took time to read.

Sorry it took me so long to update; my kid has been sick and he needed all of mommy's attention.

Chapter Eleven

October 24, 2007

"Oh she did not!" Brooke laughed.

Haley bent her head and blushed slightly, as the rest of the group laughed.

It was the third day that their newfound group had eaten lunch together, and sure, there were some awkward moments but for the most part most of them had enjoyed getting to know each other. Who would have thought that Haley's usual lunch group of Lucas and the Rivercourt boys would expand to include Brooke, Peyton, Nathan, Jake, and Tim?

"It really wasn't my fault," Haley said feebly. "I wouldn't have fallen into the pool if someone hadn't left their bag right next to it!"

Haley turned to mock glare at Lucas, and he slung an arm over her shoulders. "That's why you watch where you walk Hales! I really don't know how you missed it, you being so close to the ground and all."

"So what? I'm just a little short!" Haley pouted.

With most of the group laughing at that, Haley turned to Lucas, "This is your fault! What is this? Pick on Haley day? You started it, so why don't I finish it by telling everyone my buddy's middle name?"

Haley smirked and turned to her group, barely opening her mouth when a hand crashed down on it.

Lucas chuckled nervously, "No need Haley, the bestest, loveliest friend ever."

She raised an eyebrow as Brooke leaned forward, "Oh Tutor Girl, you have to tell me!"

Haley opened her mouth again, then closed it with a sigh at Luke's pleading look, "You promise you'll stop telling stories?"

Skillz grinned, "Come on dawg, Haley has been holding that over your head forever. Just let her tell us."

Lucas nodded, ignoring Skillz, and grinned, "I knew I could count on you."

Haley smiled sweetly, "for now at least."

Brooke pouted and nudged Peyton, "P. Sawyer, talk Tutor Girl into it!"

Peyton rolled her eyes and grabbed her stuff, "I don't care."

The group watched as she walked away, unsurprised by her behavior. Peyton had been in a bad mood since the party Saturday. Which was understandable when you thought about how she had gotten drugged by some pervert.

Tim whispered, "Someone has major PMS."

Haley rolled her eyes and Brooke said, "Shut up Dim."

Brooke stood up and told them, "I'm going to go check on Peyton, I'll be right back."

Lucas watched as Brooke walked away and when he faced the table again he saw Haley smirking at him. Blushing lightly at having been caught he blurted out, "So where's Jake? This is the second time this week he has been to school late."

Nathan shrugged, "I don't know man, he has some secret life. Or some hold over coach because there is no other reason why Whitey lets him skip practice so much."

Tim nodded, "Yeah, he's been doing it all year. The first couple times Whitey gave him hell but after that he hasn't said anything."

Lucas squinted, "Really? I didn't know it has been going on that long."

Concerned Haley said, "I hope he's okay and he knows that we are here for him if he needs it."

Glancing up Haley caught Nathan staring at her, and she looked down blushing slightly. After Nathan had spent the night Saturday they had hung out all of Sunday watching TV and doing homework. Monday they had a tutoring session at her house and last night they had watched TV. It was weird that they were hanging out so much, but she was really enjoying his company. He was so much more than he showed most people.

Seeing Haley blushed, Nathan smirked lightly; she was the only girl he knew that blushed over a stare and a smile. He was sure that some other girls still did but he usually avoided those types of females since they represented strings and commitments and he had always wanted to avoid that. But… it was different with Haley.

Obliviously to the undercurrents between his best friend and brother Lucas nodded, "I'm sure he does know Hales."

"I don't know," Haley said catching her bottom lip between her teeth.

Nathan frowned when he saw how concerned Haley was over Jake. She had way too many guy friends, looking around the table he noticed the Rivercourt guys saying goodbye and he frowned some more. Way to many guy friends, Nathan thought, conveniently forgetting that he himself was one of those friends.

"Haley, toni-," Nathan was interrupted when a breathless Jake ran up to the table and sat down next to Haley. Nathan grinded his teeth, suddenly annoyed.

Haley looked at Jake and took the circles under his eyes and the sallow pallor of his face and stood up, "Jake can I talk to you for a minute?"

Jake nodded and walked over to the side with Haley. Haley put her hand on his arm and softly told him, "I know that something is going on with you and that we've only been friends for a couple of weeks, but I just wanted you to know that if you need anything I'm here." Gesturing to the table she continued, "I'm pretty sure we're all here for you, even if you just need to talk."

Jake hesitated, but shook his head, "I appreciate the thought Hales, but there's nothing you can do for me now."

Haley slowly nodded, "If you're sure, but it's an open ended offer. Kay?"

Jake smiled slightly, "Kay, thanks Hales" He leaned forward and hugged her lightly.

Sitting at the table Nathan was watching and frowned when he saw them hug. He knew it Jake had to be going after Haley, and she was too innocent to realize it. Looking at Luke he saw that his brother was staring at Brooke dragging Peyton back to the table. Great. More fun with Peyton. Shaking his head, Nathan realized that he was going to have to watch out for Haley with Jake. She couldn't know what she was getting herself into and it was his duty as her friend to help her out, especially since Lucas was too distracted. Pleased with his plan of action he stood up and called to Haley, "Hey Haley, can I talk to you for a minute?"

Haley glanced over at him and smiled, "Sure? What's up?"

Nathan narrowed he's eyes at the rest of the table slightly and said, "Not here. Let's go someplace else and talk."

Haley nodded, realizing that Nathan must want to talk about tutoring and since Lucas and she were the only ones who knew about it he wanted to go someplace private to talk about it.

Nathan smirked at Jake, 1 for Scott and 0 for Jagielski, now I just have to think of something to tell Haley. Hell, I'll just make up some tutoring question. Jake eyed Nathan warily, it was never good when Nathan got that look in his eye.

Haley had finished gathering up her stuff and smiled at Nathan, "Ready to go?"

Nathan nodded and followed Haley throwing one last smirk at Jake.

The group at the table watched the two of them walk away, all think different things.

Lucas leaned forward and squinted at the two; Nathan seems into her. Why didn't I notice this? Too wrapped up in my own stuff. Damn it, he better not hurt her.

Tim was popping a grape in his mouth; Nathan must be trying to win the bet. Too bad, Tutor Girl is pretty cool.

Brooke was twirling a lock of hair around her finger; I wonder how tutor girl would look with blond hair.

Jake scratched his head; Haley is turning out to be a pretty cool friend. Maybe I should tell her about Jenny; it's getting harder keeping it all to myself.

Peyton glared at Nathan; he has to be playing her. Damn it Peyton, get your act together and just tell her what's going on.

Peyton got up to follow Nathan and Haley when she noticed Lucas glance at her, she smiled faintly and opened her mouth to speak, closing it abruptly when she noticed Brooke put her hand on his arm and whisper something in his ear. Lucas laughed and nodded and pulled a book out of his bag and handed it to her.

Brooke took the book and gave Lucas a wink, whispering something else that caused him to laugh some more. Peyton was lost; she had felt lost since last week when she ruined things between her and Lucas. But what else could she do? She didn't want a relationship and Brooke really liked him.

Sighing she mumbled something about going to the bathroom before class and walked away. Once Peyton made it around the corner she walked to the parking lot and left school. Forget it; I'm not dealing with it today.

"Hey Ma! I'm home," Lucas said as he walked into his house later that afternoon.

Karen walked out of her bedroom and smiled at him, "How was school?"

"Okay," Lucas frowned as he remembered lunch. "You know how I told you that Nathan and I are getting along better?"

Karen nodded, "and that's great Luke. You should know your brother and I'm glad you're getting this opportunity to do so."

"I am too… but I think that he might be interested in Haley," Lucas said still frowning.

Karen laughed, "This surprises you? Haley is a beautiful, smart, sweet girl; I'm surprised she doesn't have them lined up around the block."

"It's… Haley mom, I don't want to picture her with guys, even my brother," Lucas shuddered a little at the thought.

"And I'm sure she doesn't want to picture you with girls, but that doesn't stop you from 'hooking up'," Karen said using air quotes while saying hooking up.

Lucas flushed, cripes this is my mom. We so shouldn't be talking about this.

"That's different ma," Lucas started.

Karen laughed, "I'm sure you think so, but promise me you'll give it a chance? Haley deserves to be happy and if Nathan or some other guy does that for her you shouldn't be the one to stop it."

Lucas nodded reluctantly; his mom did have a point.

"Speaking of dating, when I'm gone you WILL follow the rules right?" Karen asked sternly.

Lucas smirked a little and stepped closer to give him mom a hug, "of course I will and 'Keith is you'."

Karen laughed a bit, "You're going to do just fine. You and Keith will get along splendidly."

Lucas laughed, "Yeah sure, we'll get along 'splendidly.'

October 25, 2007

Aggravated, Jake ran his hands through his hair and thought about what he should do. He had to get to practice and his father had just called and told him that he was going to be late from work. His parents had been great about watching Jenny when they could but Jake had a big essay due the next day and if he didn't start it soon he wouldn't finish. Jenny was being too fussy for him to put her in the play pen. Deciding that this was a risk he was willing and wanting to take he picked up his phone and searched his call log for the number he was looking for.

Haley was laughing at something Nathan had just told her when she felt her phone vibrating against her leg, "Hold on, Nate." The two were hanging out in her living room talking as some reality show was playing on the TV. They were both ignoring it, but neither moved to turn it off.

"Hello?" Haley said cheerfully, not bothering to check the caller id.

"Hey, um… Haley? This is Jake."

"Oh hi Jake, what's up?"

Nathan's eyes narrowed as she mentioned Jake's name, he had to be up to no good.

"Yesterday you said you would help me out if you could, is that offer still open?"

Haley nodded, "Of course it is Jake. Anything you need."

Jake breathed out in relief, "Great, do you think that you could come over now?"

"Okay, I'll be there soon." Haley hung up the phone and turned to Nathan.

"Jake needs some help with something so I'm going to go over there," Haley told him as she pulled on her coat.

"What about tutoring? We haven't started today's lesson yet," Nathan protested weakly.

Haley shook her head, "I don't know Nathan, it might be a while. You are welcome to stay here and wait for me. Maybe get a start on your homework?"

Nathan nodded, "Sure." She wouldn't stay at Jake's too long if she knew that he was waiting for her at her house.

Haley smiled and waved as she headed out the door. Fifteen minutes later she was walking up the driveway of Jake's house, luckily she knew where he lived since she had gone with Lucas there to pick up Jake.

Haley knocked on the door and waited for an answer, when the door opened she reached over and gave Jake a hug, "Hi Jake, I'm glad you called."

Jake returned the hug and ushered her in, "Come on in Haley."

Haley sat on the couch and waited for Jake to start talking he was pacing in front of the couch and rubbing his palms on the front of his jeans.

Haley caught one of his hands as he walked past and pulled him onto the couch next to her. "Jake, if you aren't ready to tell me, you don't have to."

Jake shook his head and replied slowly, "no… I think I have to tell someone. But you have to promise that you won't tell anyone else, not even Lucas. Not yet, at least."

Without hesitation, Haley agreed, "Of course Jake."

"Okay, well…the thing is that…shit. Look it'll be easier if I just show you."

Haley watched as Jake went up the stairs, a few minutes later he walked down with a baby.

Haley cooed, "Oh she is gorgeous Jake, is she your little sister?"

Jake shook his head, "No she's my daughter, Jenny."

Haley's mouth dropped open in shock, "Daughter, wow. Well you have a beautiful daughter Jake."

Jake grinned, relieved that Haley accepted it so easily, "Thanks, she's great."

Haley held out her hands and Jakes passed her over, eyeing her to make sure that Haley knew how to hold her correctly. When he saw that Haley was expertly handling her, he smiled. Haley glanced up, "Lots of nieces and nephews, don't worry Jake, I got this. So how old is she?"

Jake proudly told her, "She's six months, nine days, and a couple of hours."

Haley bit her lip and asked, "Who's her mother?"

Hesitantly Jake said, "Well, uh… that's a long story. Too long for right now, but let's just say that she is out of the picture."

Haley nodded, not wanting to push, "So you are raising her all on your own?"

"No my parents help me out, a lot. Between the three of us we are trying to handle it, but I'm having some trouble."

"Can I help?"

"Uh, yeah. Do you think you could watch her for me tonight while I write my history paper?"

Haley nodded, "Sure, just let me call Nathan and tell him I won't be back for a while."

"You were with Nathan? Does he know that you were coming to see me?"

"We were hanging out and he's waiting at my house," Haley explained as she pulled out her cell phone. "I'm just going to tell him that I won't be back until late and I'll see him later."

"Okay, I appreciate this Haley," Jake told her gratefully.

Haley shrugged, "No problem Jake, that's what friends are for. I'm just going to go outside to call Nathan. I'll be right back."

October 26, 2007

Haley waited for Lucas on the docks, the Ravens had pulled off another victory and they were all going to a party at Nathan's. But before that Lucas and she had a tradition to keep; 'The Burning Boat'.

Haley looked at the plane tickets she had purchased for her parents as a surprise. They had called and said that they were in San Francisco visiting Matt and that they probably wouldn't make it home for a few more weeks, but they hoped to make it home for Thanksgiving. Haley had went ahead and bought them plane tickets so they could fly in to see her and then fly out and spend some time with the kids on the West Coast. But when she called them that morning they told her that they had changed their minds and were going to see Quinn with Matt for the holidays. They would try to make it home for Christmas. Haley hadn't told them about the tickets, because she didn't want to guilt them into spending time with her, but sucked, she hasn't seen her parents for months and she really missed them. She hated feeling it, but she was really mad at her parents. They would have never been able to fulfill their dream of living out of a RV without her, and now that they were they never made any time for her. She knew that she was more responsible than her siblings had been at her age, but it didn't mean that she didn't need her parents.

Haley's thoughts were interrupted when she heard Lucas calling her name; she turned and waited for him to reach her.

"Hey Loser," Haley greeted him.

"Geek," Lucas smirked.

"So what are you burning this year?" Haley question curiously.

Lucas pulled out a picture of Nathan and Dan clipped from a newspaper article previously this month.

Haley arched her brow in confusion. "I totally understand why you would want to burn Dan's picture, but why Nathan? You guys have been getting along lately."

"Wait a second," Lucas said before holding the picture and tearing it in half. "I'm only burning Dan's side. You know keeping the good, and getting rid of the bad."

"Cool, good idea." Haley replied as she fingered the plane tickets.

"What about you?" Lucas asked, staring at the tickets in her hand.

"Plane tickets," she said lightly.

"For who?" Lucas asked suspiciously, suspecting that it was for her parents.

"Who do you think? They won't be making it home for Thanksgiving, but they'll try for Christmas," Haley told him sarcastically.

Lucas rubbed a hand down her back, "I'm sorry buddy, I know you miss them."

Haley shrugged," Whatever."

"Well, my mom probably won't make it home for Thanksgiving, but you are welcome to have dinner with me and Keith," Lucas offered.

"I never doubted it," Haley teasingly replied. "Oh wait! I just got a fabulous idea, why don't I cook for us and we can do dinner at my house?"

"Great idea Hales, I didn't want to say it, but our dinner probably would have been a 'Hungry Man Thanksgivings Dinner'," Lucas said sheepishly.

"I know, why do you think I offered?" Haley winked at Lucas, then grabbed his hand and pulled him towards the boat. "Let's do this and get to Nathan's party."

"Okay, ready?" Lucas asked Haley and when she nodded they tossed each tossed their respective items into the boat, and watched as it burned.

"So where were you guys?" Peyton asked Lucas.

"Burning boat, we had to get rid of some stuff," Lucas told her.

Peyton glanced around the party, "Well you haven't missed much, except Tim table dancing about 10 minutes ago."

"Uh, yeah… I'm not really sorry that we missed that," Haley laughed picturing it. She spotted Jake across the room going into the kitchen. "I'm going to get a drink, want anything?"

When both Lucas and Peyton said no, Haley gave a little wave and started walking to the kitchen.

Lucas and Peyton stared at each other awkwardly for a few moments before Peyton spoke up, "Hey, I just wanted to tell you thanks again for last weekend."

"It was nothing Peyton, we're friends and friends help each other," Lucas told her shrugging away the thanks.

"Yeah…," Peyton said, trailing off.

Lucas cleared his throat and started looking around the room.

"Damn it Luke, I hate it that things are so awkward between us," Peyton said quietly but intensely.

Lucas shrugged and rubbed a hand along the back of his neck, "I do too, Peyton. I don't know what we can do change it now. You know I had feelings for you and you didn't want a relationship. That's going to be between us for a while."

"Luke, it's not that I don't care about you; there are other things involved here," Peyton told him.

"Like what?" Lucas asked, maybe if she told him what was bothering her they could get past it.

"Well, I just got out of a relationship and I'm not ready for another one; especially with my ex-boyfriend's brother."

Lucas looked irritated, "I know that Peyton, and since you told me that I haven't pushed you for a relationship, have I?"

"No," Peyton quickly told him.

"Then unless there is something else that is holding you back, there's nothing I can do to change your mind." Lucas told her frustrated, nothing was going to change.

Peyton wondered if she should tell him that she was pushing him away partially because of Brooke's feelings for him, but decided not to. It wouldn't make a difference and would only hurt Brooke.

Peyton shook her head, "There's nothing else."

Lucas sighed, "Okay, then we are both going to have to get over it Peyton. Because I can't look at you and not want you; that's not good for either of us."

Peyton felt the happiness fill her at his words, "Lucas I-."

She was interrupted by a bubbly brunette, "P. Sawyer! Hey girly." Brooke gave Peyton a hug and then moved closer to Lucas, "Hey Broody, you looked great out on the court tonight."

Lucas smiled down at her, "Thanks Brooke." Glancing up he met Peyton's eyes and looking back down he asked, "Wanna dance pretty girl?"

Brooke flushed with pleasure and nodded, "Let's go, later Peyt."

Peyton watched as Lucas led Brooke onto the dance floor and start dancing with her, Brooke pulled him close and whispered something that made him burst into laughter. Fed up with the whole situation Peyton walked over to the kitchen and squeezed past Haley and Jake talking about something important, judging by the look on their faces.

Peyton reached past and quickly took a couple of shot before she passed some guy in her math class, Craig, she thought his name was. He'll do, before she dragged him onto the dance floor to lose herself for a short while.

What the hell was going on? Why was Haley with him, again? Last night Nathan had been vaguely irritated when Haley called and canceled their tutoring session, but there hadn't been anything that he could do so he went home and finished his work there.

After the game tonight he had been waiting for Haley to arrive at the party, but somehow she had slipped in unnoticed so that by the time he did catch sight of her she was deep in conversation with Jake.

Nathan's eyes narrowed as he took in Jagielski; sometime was not right there. He had been different this season and even Whitey didn't give him much grief. When he noticed that Jake was gesturing to the bathroom and walked away from Haley, leaving her alone in the kitchen Nathan left the group he was standing with immediately and started walking to her, stopping abruptly when he noticed Brent Miller had just tapped heron the shoulder, What the friggin' hell was this?

Theresa narrowed her eyes at Nathan; this was the second time that he had walked away from her without a word for that loser. Pouting slightly she tried to take another drink when she saw that her cup was empty.

Theresa nudged Tim and asked, "Where's the good tequila?

Tim looked over from his conversation with Mike, "Nate has some in his dresser, I'll go get it in a minute."

Theresa's eyes lit at having a plausible excuse for going into Nathan's room and she softly said to herself, "Oh don't worry about it, I'll take care of it."

Smirking she made her way up the stair and found Nathan's room with ease, pulling open the top drawer she saw a card. Curiously she pulled it out and opened it; scoffing as she read. Once she finished reading she closed it and thoughtfully tapped a nail on it; her plan forming quickly.

Haley glanced over Brent's shoulder and saw Nathan standing in the middle of the room staring at her. Meeting his gaze, Haley felt something happen, she didn't know what but there was something in that dark blue gaze that penetrated to her soul, and she was drowning in him; at that moment she realized that she could fall for him and maybe she already had... and maybe... maybe... he was the guy for her. Mumbling a goodbye to Brent she started toward Nathan, and once she started moving Nathan broke out of his trance and hurried to meet her……

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