Here is the second chapter I'm posting for you guys! Hope you enjoy! Leave reviews :). I won't be able to update until about July 31st the earliest. Sorry! Until then... adios!

Chapter 7

It had been three days since Nathan had returned the journal to Haley, and it had been three days since she started to avoid him. After leaving their history class three days ago Haley went straight to the girls' bathroom, cried, and then went to the nurse to send her home. Mouth and GiGi had come over to find out what happened that day after school, but she could tell their didn't understand. They tried their best to comfort her, but she could see in their eyes that they thought she was overacting.

They just didn't get it that this journal was her life. I mean, literally her life. This journal had all her inner thoughts and rants. Things she wrote in there because she couldn't talk about it with anyone else. Stuff she wanted to keep behind her "walls." Now however, someone knew. Someone knew everything about her. Well, almost everything. "Thank god I ripped those pages out," she mumbled under her breath as she walked into her fourth period class.

This was her first day back to history class since the other day. She'd conveniently gotten a stomach ache or "spur of the moment" tutoring session to keep her from class, but today she had to finally face it… face Nathan. She took her seat next to Mouth and took a deep breath, happy that Nathan wasn't there yet. However, once the bell rang, she looked up to find his blue eyes piercing through her as he took the seat next to her.

"Okay class," their teacher began. "Today we will be presenting your projects. I'll just go down the list alphabetically by last name. Davis and Scott, you're up first."

As Brooke and Lucas went up to the front of the class, Haley was forced to turn to Nathan. She didn't want to, but she just realized that she hadn't worked on their project at all since the other day.

"Nathan," she whispered as he leaned his head over.

"Yeah," he said, happy that she's even acknowledging him.

"Did you finish our project?"

"No, I had no partner," he said with a little more 'tude then he'd meant for.

"Well, that's your fault," Haley said rolling her eyes.

"Haley, I…"

"Not now Nathan, please." She said giving him sympathetic eyes.

"Ms. James! Mr. Scott!" Their teacher scolded. "Since you two have decided to chat throughout the beginning part of Brooke and Lucas' presentation you will be going next."

"Shit!" Haley said under her breath. "Nathan, I haven't work on our project since the other day. That's what I was about to tell you!"

"What are we going to do?" Nathan said, getting flustered.

"Well… I guess just wing it. Whatever, I have a good enough grade in this class it won't really matter."

"Yeah uh…"

"Nathan, Haley, quit your chatter and get up here," the teacher demanded as Brooke and Lucas finished.

"The 90s," Haley began.

"A, uh, time of grungy clothes and tons of fads," Nathan continued.

"You had your uh, boy bands, one hit wonders, toys that only the 90s could think up, and of course, good television."

"Take Nickelodeon's 'Salute Your Shorts' for example or 'Secret World of Alex Mac'…" Nathan began.

"Um, Mr. Scott," their teacher stated. "While this is all very good information on pop culture in the 90s, we need to know about the history; the politics; the foreign affairs!"

"Well… Bill Clinton…"

"Ehem, anything other than that Mr. Scott."

"Uh…"

"Ms. James?"

"Uh… I'm sorry. Mrs. West, to be honest, we're not prepared. I've been absent from class and we haven't worked on this together since the other day."

"Ms. James I am surprised at you. Normally you are my star student! You know the rules though; it's you responsibility to get the work done. This isn't kindergarten I'm not going to baby you."

"I know. I know…"

"Well then Mr. Scott do you have anything to say to try and salvage you grade?"

"No," Nathan said, looking down at the ground.

"Then take your seats and see me after class for you grade."

As Nathan and Haley took their seats, their arms brushed against one another sending a tingle through both of them. Haley however, tried her best to ignore the feeling. Once they took their seats Nathan looked over at Haley, her arms were crossed across the desk and she was laying her head on top of them.

"Haley…"

"That was humiliating Nathan."

"I know Haley. I know. I'm sorry. I'm truly sorry," Nathan stated sincerely, but from the tone in his voice, Haley knew he wasn't just talking about their project…

After class Nathan and Haley went to their teacher to receive their grade. "Ah, Nathan and Haley. That was quite the err, presentation. Not exactly your best work Ms. James."

"I know, I'm sorry. A lots just been going on, I haven't been in class and I totally forgot about it."

"Now Ms. James…"

"I know what you're going to say, those are all just excuses, but it's the truth. Can we please just have our grade?"

"Yes. Now, while you to did seem to know the pop culture of the 90s, I was looking more for the political aspects of it. I'm sorry, but you're going to have to get a 65. It was a good attempt, but did not meet my requirements."

Haley stared at her teacher in shock. She was not used to seeing these grades, not at all. "Will this uh, will this affect my grade much?"

"It's safe to say that your grade will still be an A, Haley. Just don't make this a habit."

"I won't, that's a promise."

"Very well, you may go. But Mr. Scott may I speak to you for a minute," she said as Haley turned to leave the classroom. She looked back at Nathan… inot like she cared or anything…/i and noticed a concerned look on his face. Her curiosity spiked, but she kept walking. The last thing she needed was another complicated tie to her and Nathan's relationship.

Once Haley left the classroom the teacher turned to Nathan and began to speak. "Now Nathan, I know it's no news to you that your grade in this class isn't exactly high."

"I know Mrs. West. I've been trying my best here. There's just a lot going on you know, part of it being basketball."

"Yes, I know. And that brings me to my next point. This 65 has now made your grade a borderline D/C. And we both know in order to play you need at least a C average." Nathan visibly sighed at his teacher's word. This was not happening. "Now, it's not quite a D yet, but you're almost there. So I have a proposition for you."

"Okay, what is it. I've got nothing to lose right?"

"I think that you should get a tutor for the subject of history. It will allow you to understand the material better so you can bring your grade up, and allow you to play basketball without worrying if you'll still be able to stay on the team."

"A tutor?"

"Yes, Nathan a tutor. I'll go down to the tutoring center and set one up for you during your free period tomorrow. When is it?"

"Uh, second period…"

"Alright, second period tomorrow go down to the tutoring center and they'll take care of you."

"Okay…" Nathan said turning to leave the classroom.

"Oh, and Nathan?"

"Yes Mrs. West…"

"I'll make sure you get the ibest/i tutor down there. I know how much basketball means to you."

"Thanks Mrs. West," Nathan said smirking and leaving the room. After he left the classroom he looked around the hallway hoping to catch Haley. He had yet to actually talk to her since he returned her journal, but he wanted to so he could apologize and just basically sort it out. It's weird, how connected he felt to someone he had never really talked to. And yet at the same time, it felt so natural to him. Either way, he needed to talk to Haley soon. He could tell she was still hurt, and he hated that he was the reason for that. He needed to make it up to her, and he needed to make things right. And little did he know, but he would be thanking Mrs. West for much more than just salvaging his grade once he meets his new tutor.