Thanks for the reviews and for reading the story.

I'm sorry it took so long for me to update, but I rewrote it a lot since I wasn't happy with the way any of them turned out. I tried to make the flashbacks as clear as I could. Sorry if I confuse anyone and it's so short. I had some longer ones, but they basically said the same thing. They were just really wordy. Ah, well. Enjoy!

I'm really interested on what you guys think about Mike after you read this chapter.

Chapter Fourteen

October 29, 208

Slamming his locker shut Mike started walking to the courtyard with Vegas. They had been hanging out more ever since Nathan started spending more time with Lucas and that group.

"What was up with Nate on Saturday?" Vegas asked as he idly checked out some cheerleaders.

Mike shrugged away the question, but once they left the building his eyes found Nathan and Tim sitting at the table with their new group. His mind flashed back to the conversation they had on Saturday.

-Flashback to Saturday Night-

Mike's eyes widened as he saw Nathan standing up; and a surge of disappointment went through him. Nathan must have won the bet and was here to collect. Mike shrugged philosophically; it figured, Nathan always won their bets.

When Nathan announced that they had to talk Mike merely nodded.

Opening the front door he walked in and gestured for the rest of the guys to come in.

Nathan was the first one in and he turned saying to Mike, "We need to talk about this privately."

Vegas scrunched his eyes in confusion, but when Nathan narrowed his eyes at him Vegas said bye and quickly left. Mike quietly laughed; Vegas was always giving into Nate without protest.

Tim shook his head when Mike rose an eyebrow at him, "I know everything; I'm not leaving."

Nathan grunted, not caring if Tim stayed.

Mike grabbed three beers out of the refrigerator and passed them around.

Nathan took a drink and asked, "Where's Paul?"

Mike rolled his eyes, "In Charlotte with his new girlfriend, he's not going to be back until Tuesday so I'm parent free until then."

Nathan shook his head, "Sorry man."

"Whatever, at least he's not on my case all the time," Mike brushed it off.

"If you ever miss that, just head over to my house," Nathan sarcastically offered.

Mike smirked, "No thanks, the devil is to be avoided. But this should make you happy; my dad told me Dan is going to meet them tomorrow with your mother."

Nathan visibly cheered up at the thought of both his parents being gone until Tuesday.

Mike stared at Nathan, who was currently rolling the frosty bottle of beer between his palms. "So what's up man? You win the bet?"

Nathan shook his head.

Mike blinked, "Well what the hell is going on?"

"You win, Mike. I'll give you the money tomorrow."

"You're not even going to try anymore? That's not like you Nate," Mike gaped in disbelief.

"Haley and I had a date tonight," Nathan blurted out.

"Wha-"

"I like her Mike, I don't want the bet to get between us so you win okay?" Nathan rubbed a hand over his head.

"You've never given up a bet before Nate."

"Mike." Tim spoke up from his corner of the room.

"What?"

"Don't be an ass; leave it alone. Tutor Girl is pretty cool."

Mike opened his mouth to argue when he remember the day that they all met.

-Flashback to ten years ago-

A six year Mike was playing by himself in the sandbox; trying to hold back tears. It was his first day at his new school, a second grader had taken his toy truck, and he missed him mom. A couple weeks ago he had come home with his Dad and him mom had disappeared. After reading a piece of paper that was lying on the kitchen table his dad told him that his mom was taking a vacation and wouldn't be back for a while. The next day his dad told him that they had to move.

"What's the matter?" Came from a voice behind him.

Spinning around he saw two boys from his class behind him. One was taller with dark brown hair; the other one had light brown hair.

"Nothing." Mike stared at his feet still trying not to cry.

The taller boy stepped forward, "I'm Nate and this is Tim. Do you want to go play basketball with us?"

"I'm Mike," Mike said and shook his head, glaring behind them at the boy who had his truck.

Nate turned around and saw a boy holding a truck and pointing at Mike laughing. "Why is that guy laughing at you?"

Mike blurted out, "He stole my toy."

"Are you just going to let him?" Nate demanded.

Mike shrugged.

Nate shook his head and sighed; he grabbed Mike by the arm and started pulling him to the boy. Tim giggled as he followed them, "Nathan's going to kick some butt again."

Nate wasn't listening, he was to busy explaining to Mike that you didn't let people step all over you. Once they started they would never stop.

Once they reached the boy, Nate pushed Mike in front of him and whispered, "Get it back."

Mike's voice wobbled but he still managed to get it out, "Give…. um give... me my truck back."

The older boy just laughed and Mike turned around and looked a Nate, silently asking 'What should I do now.'

Nate whispered, "Make him give it back to you."

Mike nodded and said more firmly, "Give my truck back."

The boy stopped laughing and stepped closer, "Make me, crybaby."

The older boy pushed Mike, and he stumbled into Tim.

Nate reached around and pushed the boy back, "Don't touch my friend."

Knowing what was coming Nate planted his feet; so when the push came he didn't fall down.

"Is that all you are going to do?" Nate laughed and hit the older boy in the face.

The older boy fell and Nate quickly picked up the fallen truck. By that time both Mike and Tim had gotten back up. Mike quickly took the offered truck and zipped it in the pocket of his shorts, making sure he wouldn't get it taken away again.

Just in time, because when the older boy's friends saw him on the ground they came rushing to his defense and started pushing the three younger boys around. Not taking it, they fought back so they were all fighting on the playground until one of the teachers blew a whistle and broke them up.

An hour later the three boys were sitting in the principal's office waiting for their parents. Nathan was the least bruised with a slightly reddened cheek, Tim had a split lip, and Mike had a black eye.

Nate and Tim were used to being in the office and knew what to do. They wanted to tell Mike but they kept quiet and as soon as the principal left the office to speak to someone they whispered to Mike not to say anything. Mike nodded, agreeing to do what they wanted.

And he did; when the principal came back the three of them wouldn't say a word about the fight, no matter how much the principal threatened. Only one parent showed up for each of them, and since they didn't care about the fight the principal gave up and gave them each a day's suspension.

It didn't matter to Mike, though; he had just found the friends he would have forever.

-Childhood Flashback over-

"Mike!"

His thoughts scattered as Tim's voice penetrated. "What? Sorry."

"Whatever, so we're okay on the bet? I'll give you the money tomorrow and it's over?"

With his mind still filled with the memory of their first meeting Mike felt incredibly guilty. They had been friends for a long time and he had let the irritation he felt for Dan and Nathan be bigger than it should. He had actually planned to fuck up Nathan's life.

Sighing, Mike shook his head, "No. Don't give me any money. We'll just call the bet off. We shouldn't have made it in the first place."

Nathan agreed, "We shouldn't have."

"I really hate your dad Nate."

Tim snorted, "Who doesn't?"

"True. I wouldn't have goaded you into the bet if your dad hadn't been on my ass that night Nathan," Mike tried to explain.

Nathan waved that away, "I shouldn't have agreed. Even back then I knew that I shouldn't mess with Haley, because of the Lucas factor. It's not like what's her name from last year."

They had made a similar bet the previous year, when they had been freshmen. There had been a junior transfer student, Shawna or something like that, who had made a big deal about only dating college men. It had only taken Nathan two weeks to sleep with her and dump her. And embarrassed that everyone knew that she had slept with Nathan, she had soon transferred to a new school.

"You feel guilty about that?" Mike asked, interested in the changes that Nathan was going through.

"I don't know man; I don't really feel bad for her. But at the same time I really don't want Haley to find out what a jackass I can be, you know?" Nathan got up and got more beers for the rest of them.

Mike agreed, even though he couldn't imagine caring about a girl that much.

"Haley's already pissed at me, I made such a big deal about it not being a date she thinks' that I'm embarrassed about being seen with her," Nathan scowled before taking another swig of his beer. "I'm going to smooth it over tomorrow."

"Is she really worth it?" Mike asked, inwardly cringing when he remembered that Haley had a staring roll in his plot to take down Nathan.

"She's great man; I don't know where it's going but I'm not going to lose her. That's why she can't ever find out that there was a bet," Nathan said, making his meaning clear to both his friends.

Tim shrugged, "I'm no going to say anything."

"It's over Nathan, forget about the bet." Mike said; ready to put it behind him.

Nathan nodded, relieved. "Jesus, I'm glad it's over. We are the only three people who know about the bet so it's going to be like there was never one."

Mike's eyes widened as he remember Peyton, Well fuck. Should I tell Nathan that Peyton knows about the bet? Nathan continued talking before he could decide.

"I haven't seen you much since I've started spending more time with Lucas and Haley and their friends, but you should come eat lunch with us Monday. Get to know everyone. The Rivercourt guys are okay"

Busy thinking about Peyton he absently agreed "Sure, Monday."

Mike came to the conclusion that he would have to be the one to talk to Peyton. Nathan would get pissed if he found out how far Mike had taken it.

-Flashback to Saturday Over--Back at School-

Remembering Nathan's offer Mike headed to his table with Vegas following him.

Reaching the table he looked for Peyton, he still had to find her. Not seeing her he turned his attention to the guys that Nathan was introducing him. Haley was a bit cold to him, but when he remembered what he said about Luke at the party he couldn't really blame her. Sitting down next to Tim, Mike shrugged. Only time would make her forget.

Brooke and Haley were talking about some shopping trip they were going on after school; while most the guys were talking about the Lakers game that had been on TV the previous weekend.

Letting the conversation flow around him, all he could think was that calling off the bet was the best thing that could have happened. Now he just had to talk Peyton.

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