(GRIN) Ooooo the reviews were lovely! Thanks for making me motivated to keep writing. Hope you enjoy the next one.

"Haley", Brooke singsonged.

"Yes Brooke?" Haley replied not looking up from her book.

"I'm bored. Wanna come out and play?" Brooke said hopping up onto Haley's bed.

"Mmm, maybe later. I'm busy right now."

"Come ooooooooooon! You've been all sulky and broody since Monday. What is wrong with you?"

"Brooke, it was Monday two days ago. Besides we cant go out and play because we have to go to school soon."

"Right, well sucks for me and I guess a party for you." Brooke said waving off the thought with a flick of her hand.

"Thanks." Haley replied dryly and got off her bed.

"So what're you up to after school today?"

"Nothing really. Just have a few tutoring sessions. I can meet you after practice if you want." Haley said shouldering her bag and pushing Brooke out the door and down the stairs towards the front door.

"Ok, practice is over at 4:30 today." Brooke answered climbing into her car.

"That's fine. I should be done by then."

"Alright off we go then. Maybe Peyton will hang out with me at school. Since you're obviously so "busy"." Brooke said air quoting which meant she had taken her hands off the wheel while she was driving.

"Brooke!" Haley yelled but laughing at the same time.

"I was watching." Brooke scoffed.

"I just want to get there in one piece. That's all I ask." Haley said with fake sadness in her voice.

"Oh shut it or you're going to be walking from now on." The rest of the ride was made with the two girls laughing and joking with each other. For Haley, it was the first time in two days that she hadn't been thinking about Nathan or his strange behavior.

7th Period

Haley sat at one of the tutoring desks and pulled out her books getting ready for Nathan who strolled in after waving to some people in the hallway.

"Alright teach, what's first?"

"I'm just your tutor Nathan." Haley said, more to herself than anything.

"Right. So does that mean I should call you tutor-girl?" Nathan said smirking at her.

"No."

"But you let Brooke do it."

"Brooke is Brooke. And she drives me to school and back." Haley said without looking up from her teaching plan.

"So is that your way of telling me you need to use me too?" Nathan said, his smirk widening as he stretched his arms above his head flexing in the process.

"I am not "using" Brooke. We're friends. And as for you Mr. Jokey, eyes on your work. We've got lots to do."

"Alright fine. But you started it." Nathan said smiling. It grew when he saw Haley fighting a smile of her own.

"Question 1 Nathan." Haley said tapping her pencil onto the math questions. Nathan sighed and got to work but after a few minutes spoke up again.

"It's ok, you know Haley."

"What?" Haley asked in confusion.

"You can smile. I'm not going to bite you." Nathan said his eyes twinkling and a genuine smile on his face.

"No, of course not. But I might if you don't stop distracting yourself." Haley said but this time she let a small smile slip onto her face. Nathan smiled back and went back to algebra.

Friday night

"Brooke are you dressed yet?" Peyton asked barging into Brooke's room without waiting for a reply. Haley followed in behind her but with less noise.

"Chill your grill P. Sawyer. I'm getting there."

"By the time you're ready the game will be over." Peyton said with her arms crossed.

"There! Finished." Brooke said stepping out of her massive closet in her cheerleading uniform.

"Haley! Great to see you. Glad you're not breathing down my neck like Curlzilla over there." Brooke said while grabbing her bag and jacket.

"A little love is all I ask for Brookie." Peyton said laughing.

"Well then that's all you're going to get." Brooke replied linking arms with both of her friends.

"Alright you two. I still need a ride to the game and that won't happen if you're both broken and bleeding." Haley said rolling her eyes at their antics. They all got into Brooke's car and drove off to the game.

Pandimonium. That was the only word that could be used to describe the scene that faced the three girls when they entered the gym. The stands were packed, the noise level was insane and the game hadn't even started yet.

"Alright Haley, see you after the game." Peyton said dragging Brooke over to the rest of the squad. Haley gave them a little wave and tried to maneuver through the crowd to find an empty seat.

"Yo, Haley. Over here girl." Skillz called out as Fergie and Junk scooted over to make room for her.

"Hey guys. Thanks for saving me a seat. Haven't seen you guys in a bit."

"Yea, where have you been hiding?" Junk asked her a hint of smirk appearing on his face.

"Nowhere. Just school and tutoring. Not like you guys wasting the day away at the river court." Haley said and the guys all wore matching faces of shock.

"Mmm, oh no you din't. She dun trashed our game." Skillz said.

"That aint right Haley." Fergie said nodding along with Skillz.

"Yea, we don't waste time. We appreciate our natural surroundings." Junk said. Haley felt a little bit bad but then stopped when they burst out laughing.

"Ha ha. Very funny." Haley said shaking her head and laughing. She had missed hanging out with her friends. With them there was no pressure of school or work or worrying if she was looking cute or not. They treated her like family and since hers weren't around all the time she really appreciated the way the guys took care of her.

The whistle blew signaling the start of the game and the crowd leapt to its feet as the Ravens took an early lead. Haley yelled along with the crowd, groaning when the Ravens missed a shot and rushed down to congratulate them when they won.

Brooke had her arms wrapped around Lucas as he swung her around. Jake was busy kissing an exuberant Peyton and Haley was waiting for Lucas when a voice spoke into her ear.

"So I don't get a hug?" Nathan asked as Haley whirled around bewildered.

"Oh, yea…yes. Um, good game." Haley said awkwardly putting her arms around Nathan and he hugged her back bringing her body close to his. Even though he was sweaty Haley didn't even notice. Taking a step back she gave him a pat on the arm and went to find Lucas and Jake to congratulate them as well. Nathan got swept back into the crowd and the celebration continued all night.

Monday

Nathan walked into the crowded hallways and high-fived Jake near his locker.

"So how's the homework situation going?" Jake asked.

"Too soon to tell but I think I actually understand some stuff."

"Yea, Haley's the best."

"What do you mean?"

"Why do you think none of the guys on the team ever got benched because of poor grades?" Jake said with a quirked eyebrow.

"You mean…Haley?" Nathan asked impressed and somewhat jealous. So he wasn't the first one she had been able to help. Not that he was into her or anything and it was her job but still.

"Earth to Nathan." Lucas said waving a hand in front of his face.

"Yea, I'm here. Just…thinking about school. Later guys." Nathan said and walked off leaving his friends confused.

"Did he just say…?"

"Yea, I think he did."

Later that day Nathan walked into the tutor center a few minutes early and saw Haley finishing up with another student.

"So this is everything you need to know for your exam. I guess that's it unless you have anymore questions." Haley said noticing Nathan waiting by the entrance.

"No, that's everything. Thanks a lot Haley. See you tomorrow." A guy who Nathan vaguely recognized as being on the football team replied as he picked up his stuff.

"Nathan, come on in." Haley said motioning for him to come over.

"Oh Haley", the student said holding a small bag in his hand.

"Yes Justin?" Haley said looking up from her files.

"Uh, well I just got this for you. As a sort of thank you gift. So, thanks you know, for all your help."

"Oh that's so sweet of you Justin. But really you didn't have to get me anything." Haley said accepting the bag.

"Well it's not just from me. All the guys chipped in. Hope you like it." Just said and walked out. Haley opened the bag and took a small box. He eyes widened when she opened it and she saw a beautiful silver necklace with a small silver shaped book hanging from it.

"Guess they must really like you huh?" Nathan said sullenly tossing his bag on the table. Haley broke out of her stupor.

"Uh, yea I guess so." She replied completely missing the jealous tone laced into his voice.

"So what's up next tutor-girl?" Nathan said. For some reason he felt like bugging her.

"I told you not to call me that." Haley said with an irritated look.

"I don't tend to listen all that well. Kinda the reason I'm here in the first place."

"Well, then check your attitude at the door. I'm doing this to help you. Don't think I won't stop if you keep this up."

"Wouldn't dream of it." Nathan said and angrily flipped through his Algebra textbook. He was so angry that he didn't notice the paper cut he got.

"Nathan"

"What."

"You're bleeding."

"Huh?" Nathan said looking down at his hand and saw a rivulet of blood running down his hand. Cursing he got up.

"Come here. Let me see." Haley said and pulled out a first aid kit.

"You're not going to make it worse are you?" Nathan said mildly afraid.

"No, I'm going to give you a Band-Aid. Come here." Haley said and passed him one. Nathan struggled to open it without getting blood everywhere until Haley took it from him and gently put it on for him. She used a small antiseptic wipe to clean it and then wrapped his finger.

"Guess we better get back to work then." Nathan said. The feel of her hand on his felt good but he missed it when she removed it.

"Yea, I know you have plenty to do. And you have 38 minutes left. Come on." Haley said and sat back down at the table. Nathan sat next to her and worked on his equations occasionally asking her for help until the bell rang.

"Ok, well see you on Wednesday." Nathan said getting up and putting his stuff away. Haley was doing the same.

"Or tomorrow at lunch." Haley said. His comment was another reminder that they didn't really talk to each other in school.

"Yea", Nathan said ducking his head a little shyly, "And Haley"

"Yes Nathan?" Haley said with her back turned to him while she organized her stuff.

"Thanks."

"No prob-" Haley was cut off as she turned around and found Nathan standing inches from her. He towered over her and in one swift move he bent his head and gave her a quick peck right on the lips. Haley was once again caught completely off guard.

"Thanks, for this." Nathan said wiggling his bandaged finger at her.

"Um, yea. You're welcome." Haley said still dumbstruck. Nathan smiled a little and walked out. Haley fell back against the desk and once again wondered what the hell that kiss was about.

So you like? Let me know. More Naley to come depending on the reviews!

-elffy