Chapter 1a: We'll Make It A Threesome

October 2002

Freshman Year of High School

"In order to be eligible to play in my gym, for my team all players must maintain at least a C average. Now, I want you to try your best and not just for the minimum." Coach Durham, Whitey as he's known to most of the players, explained to the potential candidates for the upcoming basketball season.

Nathan Scott looked to his best friend, Tim Smith with worry. "TIM! What are we going to do? A 'C' average? We're so screwed."

"Speak for yourself Nate. I got myself a tutor," Tim stated proudly as they made their way from the gym to their lockers.

"Haley James?"

"No, not Haley. She refused to tutor me. Can you believe her? She said that it would be a 'conflict of interest' since we're friends. She doesn't think we'd get any work done, which is probably true. So to make it up to me she recommended someone for me. Gotta love Hales."

"Geez Tim, should I reserve my tux for the wedding?" Nathan joked.

"Ha… Ha… Ha… hysterical! How do you not have your own comedy show?" Tim replied sarcastically. "She's my best friend Nate… well, next to you of course. And besides, I'd rather have her as a friend than a girlfriend."

"Seriously dude, how did you two become such good friends anyway?" Nathan asked incredulously. "I go away for one summer and I come back to find the odd couple. I have nothing against Haley, but you two are just so different. It boggles my mind!"

"Funny. We both ended up in the same summer activity and bonded, that's all. No hidden love story."

"You couldn't have been more vague. And what summer activity? You don't do activities other than basketball and the last time I checked Haley was the least sporty person in Tree Hill."

It was just Nathan's luck that Haley had been walking past them, and heard the end of their conversation. "You know, if that wasn't true I'd be mildly offended," Haley joked.

"Hey Hales," Tim greeted. "I was just telling Nathan how we met, how I worked my charms on you and made you fall madly in love with me."

"Timothy Gregory Smith, would you please stop spreading such horrible lies!" Haley laughed. "You? Charming? Me making a basket is more believable!"

"Gregory?" Nathan whispered in disbelief after laughing at Haley's statement. Here he thought he was Tim's best friend, yet it was news to him Tim's middle name was Gregory.

"You should be grateful that I even talked to you after all the times you stepped on my toes while ba-"

Before Haley could finish, Tim interrupted her. "BASKETBALLING."

Haley looked at Tim confused. 'Basketballing?' she thought. 'Poor Tim needs more help than I imagined.' Haley shook her head sadly at Tim.

Tim gave Haley a confused look, followed by a look that said 'You'd better not say anything or I'll kill you.'

'Hmm… Tim obviously doesn't want anyone to know he…"basketballs". I could definitely use this to my advantage.' Haley gave Tim a smirk and Tim looked a little worried.

All the while, Nathan's eyes shot back and forth from Haley and Tim wondering if they were communicating through their minds.

"I was teaching Haley to play basketball. All summer I tried to teach her, but it was no use. She's just a lost cause." Tim sighed while patting Haley's head. "You're just lucky you're pretty James."

Nathan watched their banter with interest. He could see that even though they were completely different, they were good friends.

"Yes," Haley said through gritted teeth. "Tim tried to teach me to play ball. He certainly impressed me with his dancing around the court," Haley said with a smug look on her face.

Tim looked a bit nervous, which didn't go unnoticed by Nathan. Luckily for Tim the bell rang. "Oh, no there's the warning bell. Better get to class Hales. We wouldn't want our class's future valedictorian to be late for class," Tim said and gave her a little shove.

"Oh, before I forget Tim. I'm rearranging and painting my room."

"And…" Tim asked Haley confused.

"And I thought you'd want to help me tonight since you left so many balls all over my room," Haley replied smugly.

'Well played James… I've taught you well,' Tim thought. Just as he was about to agree to helping Haley, he suddenly remember he had another commitment.

"No can do Hales, I'm on rugrat duty tonight."

"Aw, you're babysitting Emily? I miss her." Haley gushed.

"Why don't you come over? I'd never hear the end of it if you didn't. 'Where's Hawey? I want Hawey.' I got to say, I'm a little jealous that my little sister likes you more than she likes me."

"Well, everyone who knows us, like me better you. Face it Tim, I rock." Haley laughed.

Tim laughed dryly at Haley then turned to Nathan. "Nate, why don't you come over, too. We could make it a threesome."

At that moment, Whitey Durham stepped out of his office and heard the end of Tim's statement. "Smith, it would be in your best interest to not discuss such personal matters. And for God's sake, treat the lady with respect!" Whitey joked.

"No… I wasn't… It wasn't like that…" Tim blushed while Whitey, Nathan and the rest of the student body in the hall laughed at him.

"Ok, play time's over. Time to get to class," Whitey ordered.

Haley, Tim and Nathan all began walking towards their next classes.

"Nathan, you want to come over?" Tim asked again.

Nathan stared straight ahead, making it seem as though he hadn't heard. After a minute, Nathan responded, "Oh, are you talking to me? I thought it was a two way conversation and I wasn't included."

"Oh, man, I'm sorry. I didn't mean to make you feel like that," Tim said apologetically.

"Yeah, I'm sorry Nathan." Came from Haley.

"I'm kidding." Nathan laughed. "You two seriously need to lighten up. Yeah, I'll come. But I swear Tim, if you even think of trying to get me into a threesome with you I'll kill you."

Haley and Nathan laughed at Tim while he tried defending himself. "I didn't mean that. I just meant that we could hang out together. You know, the three of us… A threesome."

As the word 'threesome' came out of Tim's mouth for the second time in five minutes, Haley and Nathan laughed harder.

"Please, can't we all just be mature. I'm surprised at you Haley. I expected this from Nate, but I never would have thought you would laugh at something so immature. I'm disappointed. Where did the future of America go?" Tim walked away shaking his head at the stunned duo.

Nathan and Haley were broken out of their stupor by the ringing of the bell.

"Did that just happen? Did Tim just call us immature? Well, I understand me, but you?" Nathan asked.

"He did. Well, we should get to class. See you at Tim's later, Nathan." Haley waved and made her way to her next class.

Nathan watched her leave and couldn't help but realize what Tim saw in her. She really was a great person and Nathan couldn't help but look forward to spending time with Haley James.

Hey everyone, here's the update. I'm calling it chapter 1a because it's a bit short. The next part is already written and just being beta'd by my fantabulous beta! Review it please because I don't know if anyone's reading this or not, and I would like to know what everyone thinks of it. If no one's reading it on here, I'm going to stop posting it here, so just sent me a review letting me know you're reading and hopefully like it. Thanks!