"Haley . . . Haley . . ." Lucas gently nudged his best friend who was fast asleep. After seeing that his attempts were not going to get him he resorted to more drastic measures, measures that guaranteed results. He reached under the covers towards Haley's bare feet and started tickling her soles. Instant results. A sleepy Haley started to fidget under Lucas's tickling. He tickled harder. Giggling erupted from under the covers. "Haley," he tried again "wake up buddy."

Finally she gave in. She lazily pulled the covers up from over her head as she slowly opened her eyes, squinting as she tried to adjust to the sunlight that was flooding her room. "What time is it?" she groggily asked.

"Seven." Lucas replied simply.

Haley shot up. Her mind began to race. It was seven in the morning, why hadn't she woken up and why was she suffering from a major headache?

"How you feeling?" Lucas asked, referring to Haley's condition yesterday.

Haley zoned out for a minute remembering her night, try as she might she couldn't recall every single detail but parts were still fresh in her mind, "Better," she lied. She wanted to tell him what she remembered, her stupid mistake last night, the deal, everything. But she bit her lip, she knew she screwed up last night but what was she to do? Everything was at stake.

Lucas nodded, stroking her hair oblivious to his best friend's distress. At least she was doing better, or so he thought. "I'll be downstairs while you take your shower."

Haley simply nodded. Lucas kissed her on the forehead before getting off Haley's bed and made his way to the door. He opened it, gave her a quick smile before stepping out and slowly closing it behind him.

Haley sighed and pulled her up knees to her chest, embracing them while deep in thought. She struggled with her thoughts, thinking hard trying to regain the events that had occurred but her headache was making it hard for her to think properly, until slowly it all came back to her.

Flashback

Lucas mentioning Nathan's name had stirred something in her. Something churned, deep in the pit of her stomach. She wrestled with the thought, the thought of him. She couldn't dare ask him, no not Nathan Scott of all people, could she?

Haley went back to Tree Hill High long after classes had been dismissed; creeping in the shadows till basketball practice was let out. One by one the players exited the gym but she stayed there, stationed behind the giant oak tree till he came along. Finally he exited the oak doors the last amongst all the players, his raven hair still wet from his after practice shower. Slowly she emerged from the shadows, making him curse in the surprise. She shyly smiled at him after mumbling an apology. He smiled in return and asked her why she was still at school so late into the hour. Again a smile played her lips as she mysteriously said, "Walk with me." Taken aback by her request he eyed her for a moment before reluctantly giving in, curiosity had gotten the best of him. And so they walked in silence, afraid to break the equilibrium that had formed before them. Silence. Only their shuffling feet and the rustling leaves could be heard. But the silence was getting to him, he coughed, the silence had to be broken. "Beautiful day," he commented. He wasn't fond of small talk but at least it broke the silence. She nodded in return, she knew she was avoiding the reason she sought him out but she found herself slowly chickening out. He just looked at her in reply; apparently she wasn't up for chit chat. Again they continued in silence. A breeze could be felt, she shivered but wondered if it was because she felt cold or from fear. She dismissed the thought and placed her hands in her jacket pockets, she didn't plan on this. Minutes of silence brought them at the docks. He stopped to face the water, stopping to take in the view. A breathtaking palette of colors as the sun sunk into the horizon. He glanced at her; she had positioned herself next to him the colors of the sunset reflecting on her face warming her features. She stole a glance but was surprised to see him watching her. Their eyes locked and a smirk formed on his face as a blush crept through hers. He let out a chuckle, the first sound that had been made between them in what seemed like forever. He motioned towards one of the many picnic tables that lined the bay, suggesting that they sit. She silently obliged, taking a seat on the hard wooden bench as he took the seat across from hers. Again they were met by silence.

He cleared his throat; it felt dry from the cold weather and his silent walk with her. "So . . ." he began.

"So," she repeated. She silently cursed herself for being such a coward.

He raised an eyebrow, clearly annoyed. He tried to be patient with her but she couldn't even carry on a decent conversation. "Look Haley, it was fun walking with you and all but if all we're gonna do is stare at each other than I'd rather leave, I have homework to do."

Panic filled her, he was obviously ticked. It was now or never, "I don't really do this you know," she reasoned with him but it was as if she was trying to reason with herself more than with him. "But you have to understand I'm in a tough situation."

He suddenly felt guilty, something was apparently bothering her. His face softened as he reached out his hand to place on hers, "Its ok," he assured her. "What is it Haley?"

She looked up, surprised by his gesture and the tenderness of his voice, "It's just . . . It's . . . I'm in a tough situation right now," she reiterated as her voice began to crack. Sensing her distress he squeezed her hand, his gesture for her to continue. "And I wouldn't be asking you this if I—we—didn't really need it." He nodded as she continued, "You're my only hope." She pleaded.

His concern for her grew; he'd do anything for her to relieve her of her burden. "What is it Haley?" he asked her again hoping she'd further open up.

She closed her eyes and took a breath; she knew she had to tell him everything, even if she found it painful to say those words out loud. Saying it only made the pain more real, something she didn't want but had to in order to make him understand. "My mom . . ." she began but took a deep breath before continuing, "She's sick . . ." he suddenly understood her distress but kept silent in order for her to continue, "And she needs surgery immediately. . ." her voice began to crack.

"And," he continued, coaxing for her to go on.

"And surgery costs a lot of money," silence. ". . . Money we don't have." She concluded. Her eyes met the table as her feet shuffled underneath the table.

Nathan nodded, he understood. He reached out to bring her chin up so that their eyes would meet. Blue met brown and for a moment both held their breath. He broke their silence, "You want to borrow money for your mother's surgery?" he softly asked.

She quietly nodded before altering her gaze to the water. The serene waves were anything but what she was feeling at the moment. She started to lose hope; she knew this was a stupid idea from the start.

For a moment he stayed silent before he simply shrugged, "Ok."

"What?" she turned back to face him, unsure if she had heard him correctly.

"Ok, I'll lend you the money." he repeated. His words were music to her ears.

Happiness flooded her body as a grin stretched on her face and a twinkle could be seen in her eyes. 'Nathan Scott wasn't such an ass after all', silently jumping with joy. Unable to contain her joy she leaped across the table to hug him. Taken aback his arms awkwardly hung in the air until the urge to hold her became too strong. His arms circled her tiny waist, feeling so right as if her small frame willfully fit into his. He remembered their kiss in the library and how her hair smelt of strawberries, just like how it did now while the touch of her soft skin against his caused trembles throughout his body. If only the moment lasted a lifetime. After a few seconds her spontaneous action dawned on her and she pulled away sitting back down on her side of the table mumbling an apology while a blush crept through her cheeks. Suddenly his arms felt empty without her.

"It's alright; I know you've always wanted to do that." He joked. He smirked at her, yes that undeniable smirk that left her weak in the knees. She blushed even harder before playfully smacking him on the arm.

Silence. The breeze playfully stroked her cheek as she struggled with everything that had just taken place. She glanced at the water, she suddenly felt its stillness. He glanced at her from the corner of his eye, afraid she'll catch him watching her again. A wisp of her hair was out of place dancing with the wind, how he longed to tuck it back in place behind her ear but he resisted. She looked at peace; he couldn't help but think he had something to do with her new found peace.

"I'll pay you back, you know." She said out of the blue, her gaze still lingered with the bay.

"I know," he replied truthfully.

They went back to silence. This time it was him who was deep in thought. His mind was in action, surveying the situation. He weighed the pros and cons, it was a risk but he'd take it. "Haley . . ." he started.

"Mmm?" she acknowledged but still kept her eyes locked on the crashing waves.

"You know you don't have to pay me back."

"What!" her head jerked back towards him, surprised with what he had just said. "Of course I have to pay you back, it's the right thing to do, Nathan."

He shook his head, "No, no. I mean instead of paying me back you could . . ."

"What?" She pried.

"You could do me a favor instead."

She studied him quietly; he definitely looked serious about this. "And when you say 'favor' you mean do something for you?"

He nodded secretly hoping she'd agree.

"Is not against the law is it?" she raised a brow.

He chuckled, only Haley James would say such a thing. "Of course not!"

She let out a sigh of relief, of course she had to ask him that God knows how the mind of Nathan Scott worked. She thought about it for a moment, thinking there was definitely no harm in it but in the back of her mind something told her she'd later regret it. "Ok, I'll do it." Too late to take it back now.

Surprised but he didn't show it, he asked her "Are you sure?"

"Yes." She conceded. No turning back now.

"Sure?" he repeated. He wanted to make sure she was really alright with it.

"Yes," she said determinedly. Haley James didn't back out of anything. Though it was best if she did because unknown to her she was getting herself into deep water now.

End of Flashback

Haley groaned as it all came back. What had she gotten herself into now?She winced as she remembered, cursing herself for getting herself in such a foolish situation. She dug her head into knees as the gravity of her actions weighed down on her.

She was now Nathan Scott's girlfriend.

A/N: You guys didn't expect that twist did you? ;) Hope you guys liked that very looong update, gimme some love ok :)