A/N SOOOO sorry for the long wait. but people kept asking me to continue and that's what kept me going. this is for everyone who was encouraging. hope you enjoy.

Friday Night

"Haley, get up. We're going out." Brooke said bounding into Haley's room and jumping on the bed.

"Mmph." Haley groaned out with her face smooshed into her pillow.

"Get up." Brooke said and slapped Haley's butt.

"Ow! Brooke, jeez. I've had a long week. Please let me enjoy my day of rest."

"There is a party tonight at Tim's house. We are expected to be there. Now, UP!"

"Why won't you just give me a day off?" Haley said grumbling and crawling into a little ball on her bed.

"Because. I'm your best friend and that is what I do." Brooke said rifling through Haley's closet.

"Nooooo." Haley said burrowing into her blankets.

"Haley?" Brooke said seriously. Haley cracked an eye open at her tone.

"Yea?"

"Look, I don't want to force you but I also don't want you to just mope around all weekend."

"Who says I'm moping?"

"It's ok you know. Nathan is a player." Brooke said casually as she turned back to the closet.

"What are you talking about?" Haley said at full attention.

"He has been acting a little weird lately. I figured you might have noticed."

"Why would I notice?" Haley said nonchalantly.

"Cause you're his tutor. I figured he'd spill his guts to you. I know none of us really take him seriously. Except for maybe Lucas."

"Well, I don't think anything is wrong. He's fine."

"Yea, although…maybe he's got a crush."

"What?" Haley said in alarm. Brooke continued without even hearing her.

"Oh my god, that's totally it. He's crushing on someone!"

"You know Brooke, I don't really think I-" Haley began before Brooke plowed ahead on her own agenda.

"Yes! But who? I mean it's Nathan. He could have any girl he wanted." Brooke said taping her fingers together in thought. Haley slowly shrank back into the ball she had originally been in and hoped Brooke didn't notice her. After all, what was a couple of kisses between friends? She kissed Lucas on the cheek all the time. Nathan was no different. Yea right.

"So you said something about a party?"

"Oh right! Now, get up." Brooke said and proceeded to dress Haley all the while rambling on about who could be Nathan's new crush.

Monday morning came bright and early. Too early for Haley. After trying to avoid Brooke as much as possible Haley had resigned herself to the fact that her best friend was never going to give up the search. Not that it really had anything to do with her or Nathan. Of course not. They were friends, and barely that. More like they had mutual friends.

As per usual, Brooke bounded into her room and proceeded to chatter on about things Haley wasn't interested in but for the sake of friendship she forced herself to half listen. The weekend had gone by like is usually did. Nothing spectacular had happened and now Haley was ready to begin a new week at school that would hopefully bring some excitement no matter how small it might be.

Nathan slammed his locker shut. His weekend had been like every other one in the last year and the only highlight of it was the party on Friday night. He didn't know when he started getting bored with his life but it had happened and the realization was like a slap in the face. But then, there were his friends who he was starting to appreciate more and more everyday. Lucas, with his brooding sense of humor, Peyton who still managed to smile despite everything, Brooke who always was able to cheer anyone up, Jake, who like Lucas, was someone with unfailing faith and trust in him. And then of course, there was Haley. Even though she didn't speak very much to him, when she did, he felt it deep within him. That small smile of hers that could speak volumes even though she didn't realize the effect it had on him. How could he have not noticed it for so long?

"Yo, Nathan. You ok?" Lucas asked his brother with a pensive expression. Nathan, never the most eloquent speaker, still was hardly ever this silent.

"Yea? No, I'm good man. Just thinking about some stuff."

"Alright, well come on. We're gonna be late again." The boys walked off together and Nathan couldn't shake the thought of Haley from his mind.

7th period

Haley entered the tutoring center and was surprised to see Nathan sitting in his usual chair. Not that he was usually late but he was never earlier than she was.

"Nathan, didn't expect to see you here so soon."

"We got out of class early." Nathan said with a shrug. He began to tap his foot nervously. Haley didn't notice.

"Ok, well I guess we can just pick up from where we ended last week." Haley said and pulled out some sheets from her bag. She began to flip through them and Nathan began to tap faster.

"Uh, Haley?"

"Yea?" Haley replied still looking through her stack.

"Can I ask you something?"

"Sure."

"Do you, I mean, can you, um…maybe if you have time could you maybe tutor me…at home?" Nathan asked looking at the floor. Haley's head snapped up at the last two words. The question hung in the air and Nathan bristled for the answer.

"If you don't want to, it's ok." He said wanting to kick himself. Haley felt her heartbeat speed up. What was he asking?

"Uh, sure. If you think that you need it."

"Really?" Nathan asked surprised that she had even accepted his ridiculous request.

"Yea, I'd be happy to help." Haley said and sat next to him pushing some papers towards him. Nathan happily took them. She could have asked him to read an entire encyclopedia at that point and he wouldn't have cared.

"Thanks Haley." Nathan said and caught her gaze. He regained some of his old charm and gently took her hand in his. Haley's eyes darted to their hands. She didn't know what to do.

"Um, y-you're welcome." She managed to get out. Was it getting hotter in there? Breathing was becoming an issue as the seconds ticked by and he wasn't letting go of her hand. Then he gently released it and she felt her hand go cold.

"I guess I'll just get to it then." Nathan said and began working on his math problems. The small smile on his face didn't go unnoticed by Haley this time. They worked the rest of the hour in silence.

Basketball practice

Nathan dunked the ball again and ran back into formation. He had been on fire all afternoon and wasn't even feeling tired. Whitey blew the whistle signaling practice was over.

"Nathan, come over here." He called. Nathan jogged over.

"Yea coach?"

"I don't know what kind of fuel you're on kid, but whatever it is, keep it up. Well, as long as it's legal." Whitey added as an afterthought. Nathan just laughed.

"Don't worry coach. See you tomorrow." Nathan said and walked off to the locker rooms. He was on something alright. But he didn't think that even drugs could ever give him the type of high he was feeling at that moment.

Wednesday- Tutoring session

Nathan ran all the way to the tutoring room but slowed to walk just outside the door. He took a deep breath and walked in casually. Just as expected there was Haley sitting at her desk scribbling away. She looked up and smiled at him.

"Hey Nathan, have a seat."

"Ok." Nathan said and went to his usual table.

"Just give me a minute." Haley said and went back to her work. Nathan didn't mind at all. It gave him an excuse to look at her without her knowing. There she was. His Haley. And that is exactly what he wanted her to be. His.

"Ok, I'm done. Now did you have any specific problems on your hw so far?" Haley asked going into tutor mode.

"No not really. Just problem six here." Nathan pointed out. If he wanted this to happen he was going to have to do something soon. The anxiety was going to make him loose his mind.

"Oh, you just have to do this." Haley said writing out the solution. Nathan wasn't paying attention at all. Had her hair always looked that soft?

"Right."

"Nathan. Nathan? Nathan!" Haley almost yelled. Nathan pulled back startled.

"What?"

"You're not listening to me."

"Yes I am.

"Then what did I say?"

"You were explaining the equation."

"Very smooth." Haley said with an eye roll. His behavior was beginning to border weird.

"Sorry. Just, keep going. I promise I'll pay attention." Nathan said imploringly. Haley couldn't help herself when he looked at her like that. A face like that should just be illegal.

"Ok." Haley proceeded to continue for the rest of the hour and Nathan paid attention as promised although he took enough furtive glances at her without getting caught.

RING!!!!

They both looked up and Haley put her pencil down.

"Ok, well I guess if u need anymore help you know where to find me." She said standing. Nathan nearly jumped up out of his chair as well.

"Yes, right. So I guess I'll see you later."

"Yea." Haley said but neither one of them moved.

"So…bye" Nathan said but he couldn't pull away.

"Bye." Haley replied and finally pulled away. Nathan grit his teeth in frustration. There she was, the girl who had somehow captured his attention and wouldn't let go, bent over her desk ruffling through papers. His eyes zeroed in on her lips and he wanted to taste them again. Even if it was just another second, minute, hour. His mind was getting carried away again but he couldn't help it. He knew he couldn't keep this up. It wasn't fair to either of them but Haley stripped him of his usual charm and ease and he became nervous and shy.

"Did you need something else Nathan?" Haley asked looking up. She was a bit surprised he had been standing there for a full minute.

"Uh, no. Well, I was hoping maybe, you could help me with something."

"Sure. Do you still have a question?" Haley asked stepping away from her desk unknowingly backing herself closer to the corner. Nathan walked closer towards her

"Sort of."

"O-kay." Haley said suddenly feeling nervous. When did the hallway get so quite?

"It's just a small thing."

"Uh-huh" Haley said and took a small step back. Uh-oh. Her back hit the wall.

"I was wondering…"

"Yea?" Haley asked swallowing hard. She didn't recognize his expression but she felt slightly frightened and excited by it. Nathan didn't finish his sentence just dipped his head and kissed her. Not just a peck, definitely not a friendly kiss but a full on kiss. And this time, Haley kissed back.

A/N You like? reviews would mean a lot!