Thanks for the reviews, guys! Originally, I planned to let you guys wait for about three to four days because I thought you could use a little suspense. When I was going to update, I couldn't upload my document so that took more days than expected. Please, please, please review . . . the last time I checked, it was more than 5000 hits but only 27 reviews, so please review. It would make me happier and write more . . . ) ------Sera

Disclaimer: I own nothing – but the plot.

Her books fell to the floor as Haley stared at him in utter shock. Nathan immediately ran to help her pick them up.

Haley's heart was beating like a drum against her chest and she sincerely hoped he didn't notice her hands were trembling as she gathered her things. She was suddenly nervous – scared, actually. Why? She had no idea and she had no intention to find out. It was times like this that made her want to curse karma or fate or whatever the hell they called it now.

He led her to the nearest seat and after a few moments, spoke up. "You feel alright?"

She nodded mutely, her eyes firmly fixated on her knees.

He noticed her silence and he cleared his throat. "Just so you know, I didn't know you were going to be my tutor either."

"I thought someone put you up to this." Haley said, after making him wait for a few awkward seconds.

Nathan laughed hollowly. "Believe me, as much as my grades suck, I really don't want this right now."

She stared at him, evidently offended.

He realized his mistake and was quick to explain. "It's not that I expected you to be my tutor, Haley. It's just that with everything going on between us –"

Haley shook her head. "Don't. Let's just get this over with," she opened the Math book and scanned the table of contents. "You're in equations of a circle now, right?"

He didn't answer right away. "Aren't you even going to explain that Chris situation?"

Haley sighed. "Not now, Nathan."

He slammed the table with his hand in frustration. "Why not now, Haley? Do you think I don't want to know why you were holding his hand?"

"You didn't seem to be so interested that night in Tric." She said rather coldly.

"I was mad then, Haley. Every cell in my body wanted to get away from there but I'm here now. I want to know about Chris."

Haley considered it for a moment. She opened her mouth to speak but then they were interrupted.

"You called?" A familiar voice drawled from the doorway. They looked up to see Chris Keller standing there, smiling in a very cocky and irritating sort of way.

"The girls' bathroom is down the hall, Chris." Haley snapped.

"No actually, I came here to wait for my student," he laughed at the incredulous looks on their faces. "I know, I know. It sounds impossible that a guy this handsome and talented could still have brains but hey, I'm a living, breathing miracle."

When he saw how unconvinced Haley was, he grinned. "You can go ask Miss Spencer if you want."

"I'd rather not waste my time on you." Haley said curtly and began to write down examples for her to explain.

"Why not? You were all too happy to back in Tric." Chris snorted.

Haley was halfway out of her seat. "Tell me something Chris, were you born an obnoxious asshole – or did you have to take lessons?"

Nathan grabbed her arm before she could get up. "He's not even worth it, Hales."

She nodded, threw him a contemptuous look and went back to tutoring.

"What's the matter, Scott? Afraid to cause a scene?" Chris challenged. Nathan ignored him. "Or is because she's here?"

"This has nothing to do with her." Nathan said quietly.

"Au contraire Scott, this has everything to do with her. I mean, if she hadn't seen you that night in Tric, she could've been my wife by now –"

Nathan flew out of his seat as he grabbed Chris by the collar and threw him hard against the wall. His face was merely inches away from Chris' and it took every ounce of resistance in him to stop himself from beating his ass. "Listen you homewrecker, I wanted to beat you within an inch of your pathetic life the moment I saw you with Haley but you were extremely lucky that I just walked away. So unless you want to wake up breathing through a tube, you stay away from Haley from now on. Got it?"

Chris was getting blue in the face but he managed to nod weakly.

"Good, now get out of here before I change my mind."

Chris staggered out of the room, coughing and massaging his throat.

Haley put a hand on his Nathan's shoulder. "Nate, you didn't have to do that."

"The bastard deserved more." He said harshly.

Haley shook her head, furious. "Personally, I think he should be pushed off a five-hundred-foot-cliff but really, Nathan. You could get yourself into a lot of trouble because of what you did. It could get on your permanent record. For all we know, it could wreck your chances of getting into Duke! Chris could be on his way to the Principal's Office by now! What the hell were you thinking? Don't even bother to answer that because I already know – you weren't thinking! Damn it, Nathan, you could be so stupid sometimes!"

He simply looked at her angry and frustrated face. And without another word, Nathan pulled here into his arms and held her close.

Ooh, you've got to love the drama! ;p