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Chapter Three:


"We have nothing to worry about Tutor Girl! I mean look at these people. My Grandma can cheer better than them."

"Whatever Brooke," Haley snipped.

"Well it looks like "bitchy" is in season," Brooke teased. She nudged her best friend with her shoulder as they sat and watched the rest of the try outs.

Haley had been in a bad mood since she stood up to Rachel. Once she realized that she had forced herself into cheerleading once again she hadn't been having the most positive attitude.

Cheerleading wasn't who she was. It wasn't something that brought her joy like it did for Brooke. And it wasn't something that connected her to her mom like it did with Peyton. It was just something that distracted her from her problems during the last year of high school.

But looking back she realized it probably caused more bad than good.

Haley knew that she had changed. She didn't tutor anymore and she didn't sing. Two things that had once defined her weren't even a part of her life now. Her original and quirky traits had been taken away- right around the time that her heart was broken.

That's why she didn't want to cheerlead anymore. It made her a person that she didn't want to be. Something that she never thought she could be – popular.

Haley let out a breath. "Sorry Brooke. I just was trying to get away from cheerleading and now here I am." Haley looked over to Brooke who was looking at her with concern in her eyes.

"Hales. Do you remember the night last year when we won the Sparkle Classic?"

"Brooke, why does that matter? I'm telling you that I don't –"

Brooke cut her off and gave her a hard look. "Answer the question Haley," she ordered.

Haley rolled her eyes and mumbled "yes" under her breath.

"And do you remember how good that felt? When that judge announced for the first time ever Tree Hill Ravens had won that competition? Don't you remember that moment?"

"Of course I do Brooke. But I don't want to be a cheerleader! I don't want to check the mirror every second or wear the hottest brands. I just want to be plain old tutor girl again!" Haley's eyes welled with tears and she looked off into the distance.

"Hales look at me," Brooke grabbed Haley's shoulders and turned her towards her. "You know damn well why you changed last year and it wasn't because of cheerleading. You can be whoever you want to be and nothing will change unless you let it"

Haley looked down. "But I'm not the same anymore," she whispered brokenly.

"Yes you are Haley James. You've just lost yourself. And when you lose yourself you have two choices: find the person you used to be or lose that person completely. And you'll find her Haley because you are still the smartest, kindest and the best person I know."

Haley smiled at Brooke and pulled her in for a tight hug. "Thanks Tigger," she said. "You're the best."

The girls embraced for another minute until they heard someone approaching.

"Whoa sorry. Am I interrupting something?" Peyton asked.

"Nope," Brooke said with a smile. "Just a little Baley moment!"

Peyton and Haley laughed at their friend. She was irreplaceable that Brooke Davis.

"Well anyways, I have some good news for you guys," Peyton said excitedly. "I was just talking to Theresa and she said that you guys definitely made the squad!"

Brooke flew out of her seat and jumped up. "YES!" she screamed and started to dance around in a little circle.

"That's not all B Davis. She loved you guys so much that she is inviting you to the cheerleading/basketball party tonight!"

Haley went wide eyed. "Oh I don't know about that. I mean -"

"Oh hush Hales. You're going. Don't even try to fight it." Brooke gave her a stern look and Haley crossed her arms over her chest.

"Okay so it's settled. I'll go tell her you guys are in!"

"Thanks P Sawyer," Brooke smiled and waved and then suddenly stopped. "Oh my God!" she shrieked. "We need to go get ready! Come on Hales! Peyton come get ready at our place when you're done here!"

Brooke grabbed Haley's arm and began to lead her down the bleacher stairs and passed Peyton.

Haley blushed as Brooke dragged her through the gym. She looked back at Peyton who was watching them and laughing. She gave her a dirty look and flipped her off which only seemed to make her laugh harder.

Haley sighed and thought of the night ahead of her. She couldn't hide the feeling of dread that bubbled in her stomach. No matter how much she tried to convince herself that he wouldn't be there, she knew he would be. She had seen the headlines and heard the stories. "Hot Scott On and Off the Court" they had said and each one had been paired with a picture of a different girl draped on his arm at a trashy party.

Yep. He would definitely be there.

Before she knew it they had arrived at the apartment and Brooke was already spouting out orders. Haley rolled her eyes and tried to tune out Brooke.

This was going to be a fun night she thought to herself sarcastically.


"Yes! And that's how it's done boys," Nathan boasted. He put the controller down on the table and leaned back against the couch.

Lucas threw his controller on the ground and stormed off to get a drink. Jake and Nathan just laughed.

"Way to be a good loser bro," Nathan yelled to him.

Lucas walked back into the living room and tossed a beer to Jake and Nathan. "Whatever man. Even a blind dog gets a bone once in a while," Lucas jabbed.

"Oh please. I school your ass every time we play NBA Live."

"Yeah okay. The only reason you win is because you cheat Nate."

Jake shook his head as the brother began to bicker once again. "Children - Cool it," he said. "So are you guys heading to the party tonight?"

Lucas laughed. "When has my brother ever missed a chance to get drunk and have meaningless hook-ups?"

Nathan just smirked and took a drink of his beer. "When you've got it, you've got it. The ladies just can't resist me."

The boys chuckled because they knew he was right. Wherever they went girls of all ages were coming up to the tall, brown-haired, blue-eyed basketball player. And Nathan Scott was game for anything.

In the past year Nathan had managed to party even more than when he was in high school. In the beginning of freshmen year it was pretty minimal. He was still mending his broken heart. But once bitter and angry Nathan resurfaced, there was no going back.

He partied every single weekend and slept with a different girl each time. His brother tried countless times to stop him but there wasn't anything he could do. And before they knew it, Nathan had earned a love them and leave them title throughout Duke University that still continued to prevail.

"You know Nate. You're probably going to have to tone it down a bit this year. You know who will probably be at the same parties," Jake mentioned sheepishly.

Nathan rolled his eyes. "Now why would I care about her? She sure as hell doesn't deserve me sparing her feelings."

Lucas shook his head in shame. He hated that Nathan talked about her like this. But he knew that this was how Nathan behaves when someone hurts him. "Don't you think that you guys should at least be civil with one another?"

Nathan recoiled. "Hell no! She's nothing more than a selfish bitch and she deserves everything I say about her."

"No she doesn't! Stop saying shit about her Nathan. You may not care about her but I still do," Lucas defended. No matter how hurt Nathan was, Haley didn't deserve this.

Nathan scoffed. "Wow Luke. If I had known you cared so much about her than I would've let you date her."

"Oh cut that shit out Nate. You know she was my best friend a long time before we were even close to being brothers."

"Whatever. If you care so much about her maybe you should have stayed in Tree Hill instead of coming to Duke with me," Nathan said more calmly.

"You don't think I know that," Lucas yelled. "I know I should've been there for both of you and I wasn't. But I'm going to try and fix it. Alright?"

Nathan sighed and rubbed his hand over his face. "Fine Lucas. But I don't want anything to do with her. She is no one to me now and if you bring her up again I'm going to beat your ass."

"Well you could try," Lucas teased and then held out his fist. Nathan laughed and the two brothers bumped fists.

Nathan sat back down on the couch and picked up his controller again. Though this time a fight was avoided, he knew that there were some to come. Nathan had noticed this past year that Lucas felt guilty for losing contact with Haley after graduation. He knew that his brother couldn't just let go of his best friend when she was right under his nose.

Nathan didn't mind them being friends. It was just the idea of her being around him again. Eventually, she was going to be hanging out here, and coming along to parties and that wasn't cool with Nathan.

Just the thought of Haley James sent him into a fury. His muscles clenched and his blood boiled. There was no avoiding it. After everything that she had done, there was no way he could ever be civil with her. He wouldn't.

"Now boys, let's go kick off the basketball season the right way – with a party!"


"No way in hell am I wearing this Brooke. I look like a two cent hooker!"

Brooke stomped her foot and crossed her arms. "Haley, that's the point! You don't want to look like a frumpy old grandma at our first college party do you?"

"Brooke I hardly think that fabric qualifies as frumpy. Now, I let you do my hair and my makeup! Let me pick out my outfit," Haley stated.

"Fine. But don't come crawling to me when you can't find something."

Haley rolled her eyes. "I think I'll be fine Brooke." She went to her closet and began searching for a shirt to match her skinny jeans. "Hey Peyt, who's having this party anyways?"

"Oh this guy on the basketball team – his name's Vegas," Peyton said while she touched up her nail polish.

Haley nodded while pulling out a sequined purple crop top. Something cute yet classy she thought to herself. Perfect.

"So Peyton, is this Vegas guy cute?" Brooke questioned while wiggling her eyebrows in a suggestive manner.

Peyton shrugged her shoulders. "He's not bad," she said.

"Is he as hot as Jake though?" Brooke asked and then sent a secretive wink to Haley who giggled quietly to herself.

Peyton looked up at Brooke. "Wha-what?"

Haley and Brooke shared a knowing look at the panic that flashed across their friend's face.

"You know – Jake. He's tall and cute – great body. I think I might like me some of him," Brooke licked her lips i

"Uh well- uhm. That's uh nice," Peyton stuttered.

Haley nodded her head in agreement. "I was actually thinking of going after him too. He's a nice piece of ass that boy."

Peyton looked at Haley wide-eyed. "Are you guys messing with me?" She asked suspiciously.

"I don't know P Sawyer. Does it bother you that we find Jake attractive?" Brooke questioned.

"…Or that we want flirt with him at the party tonight?" Haley added.

"…Or that we want to –"

"Alright alright. You got me. I like Jake Jagelski!" Peyton exclaimed loudly.

Haley and Brooke smiled widely and high fived each other for their success.

"Well at least you finally admitted it! How long have you liked him?" Brooke asked.

Peyton fiddled with her fingers in her lap. "About a month," she whispered quietly.

"A month? We talk on the phone at least twice a week! Why didn't you tell us?

"I don't know," Peyton said. "I guess I just didn't want to say anything because we aren't even together or anything."

Haley walked over to the other girls on the bed and rubbed Peyton's shoulder. "Well does he feel the same way."

Peyton threw her head back dramatically and laughed. "Yeah right. We hang out all the time but I'm pretty sure he thinks of me as just a friend."

"You never know P Sawyer," Brooke chimed in. "He could secretly love you or something."

"I don't think so Brooke. He has a lot going on right now so I'm okay with just being friends with him. Can we please just drop it now?"

Haley and Brooke looked at each other puzzled. Despite their worries they nodded and dropped the subject of Peyton's love life.

"So are you girls ready for our first college party?" Brooke asked while clapping her hands together.

"Uh Brooke, this isn't my first college party. I've been here a whole year," Peyton said while smiling.

Brooke waved off her comment and stood up to smooth out her red tank top and black mini skirt. "Well they don't count P Sawyer. Hales and I weren't there so they obviously weren't fun!"

Haley laughed at Brooke and got up off of the bed to stretch. "Oh Tigger- can I borrow your black heels?" She asked.

"See I knew you would need my help!" Brooke boasted.

Haley just nodded. "Yep I always come back to the Brookie monster," Haley said and laughed when Brooke shot her a look.

"You know you guys would be lost without me," Brooke sang out while she skipped to her room.

Peyton just laughed and walked out of Haley's bedroom in her jeans and her blue camisole.

Haley just smiled fondly and looked back at the picture sitting beside her bed. It was one of her and Brooke last summer. When everything seemed to be falling apart, Brooke was there holding her up. "I know I would be," she said softly to herself and turned off the light and closed the door behind her.


Haley could hear the music blaring all the way down the hall. She could already see a few bodies passed out in the halls as she neared Vegas' dorm.

The closer she got to the party the more nervous she became. Parties were never really her thing. She was always kind of forced to attend them because of her friends. But she never really felt comfortable there. Except for when he was with her…

Haley shook her head and tried to get him out of her mind. No matter how much she hated him now, he used to be the biggest part of her life.

"You ready Hales?" Peyton asked as she stopped outside the door.

Haley nodded her head and whispered, "As ready as I'll ever be."

The three best friends walked into the dorm and each one of them noticed the immediate attention they received.

Haley felt even more uncomfortable and stayed close behind Peyton and Brooke as they made their way towards Theresa.

"Oh hey girls! So glad you could come. I take it you told Haley and Brooke that they made the squad right Peyton?" Theresa said.

Peyton nodded, "I sure did," she said.

"We are so excited! Aren't we Hales?" Brooke poked Haley in the side with her elbow.

"Ouch," Haley said quietly while looking at Brooke and giving her a glare. She then looked up at Theresa gave her a smile. "Yeah," she said nicely.

"Oh goody. Well I hope you girls enjoy the party. I'm going to go mingle."

Brooke waved goodbye to their cheerleading captain this year. "She's nice," she said to Peyton.

"Yeah she's great. But I should warn you she is a real tight ass when it comes to routines," Peyton commented.

"Oh so just like Brooke was last year," Haley said with a smirk.

"Ha ha Tutor Girl," Brooke said dryly. She looked around at the college people and immediately perked up. She pointed to a group of guys and excitedly said "Look! Its Luke and Jake! Let's go see them."

"Uh, I'm just gunna go get a drink. You guys want anything?" Haley asked quickly.

"Sure. Thanks Hales," Brooke said distractedly while watching Luke.

Peyton just shook her head. "No thanks, someone's got to keep an eye on Brooklyn here."

Haley nodded and parted ways from the girls. She squeezed her way through crowds of people to try and get to the kitchen.

She saw a few drunken frat boys checking her out and then heard them calling her over. Disgusted, she ignored them and sighed thankfully once she finally reached the alcohol.

Haley grabbed a couple red cups and began to pour the alcohol into them, making sure Brooke's glass wasn't too full. She knew how Brooke got.

"Wow, look what the cat dragged in. It's Saturday night; shouldn't you be studying or something?"

Haley cringed at the condescending voice. She took a big sip of the strong liquid and turned around.

"Well if you had half a brain, you would know that classes don't start until Monday. But you don't so that explains it," She said with a smug smile.

Nathan rolled his eyes at her. If it was up to him, he wouldn't have even approached her but of course she had to be where the alcohol was. He didn't even know she was here until he heard some guys from the team talking about her and Brooke.

"God what are you even doing here? You hate parties," Nathan questioned.

Haley's face turned red and she pointed her finger in his face. "DON'T act like you still know me. You don't," she said fuming.

Nathan smirked. "Oh but I do. You hate parties. You think they are pointless and irresponsible. You feel uncomfortable with everyone looking at you and–"

"Just shut the hell up already!" She snapped.

"My my Hannah. Always such a bitch?" Another voice asked.

Great, thought Haley. Just the person she wanted to see.

"First off, it's Ha-ley," she said slowly. "And second, I thought that was just you Rach-hoe?"

Rachel sneered at Haley and turned away. She sided up close to Nathan and rubbed his bicep.

"Natey, where'd you run off to? We were just getting to know each other!" Rachel asked in a whiny voice.

Nathan inwardly cringed at the clinginess of Rachel. He had bumped into her earlier and they had talked for a few minutes. In that time he realized that she had a nice body but an annoying personality.

He watched as Haley looked away uncomfortably and annoyed with Rachel flirting with him in front of her. He smirked. Why not make this more fun he thought.

"Sorry. How about we get to know each other more on the couch?" He asked confidently as he slid his hand down her back. Rachel grinned, pinched Nathan's ass and slowly retreated back to the living room.

Nathan watched her walk away and then turned to Haley. "I hope that didn't make you uncomfortable sweetie," he said with fake concern.

Haley narrowed her eyes and shook her head. "Please. You two obviously belong together. She's a fake bitch and you're a cocky asshole. A perfect match if you ask me," she said sarcastically.

"Well no one's asking you," Nathan said flatly.

Haley shot him a fake smile and turned around. She picked up hers and Brooke's cups and walked off without another word to Nathan Scott.


"Halesssss! Please, please, please?" Brooke begged. She bounced up and down with her hands on Haley's shoulders.

"God Brooke, how much did you drink?" Peyton asked.

Brooke just shrugged her shoulders and turned back to Haley. "Come on Hales. Let's just play one game!"

Haley shook her head again. "No Brooke. I'm not going over there. Rachel, Nathan and Lucas are there. Why would I put myself in that situation?"

"Because you love me! It's just one game of Never Have I Ever. What's the worst that can happen?"

Haley just gave Brooke a knowing look. Everyone knew that this game had a tendency to get out of hand.

"Hales, let's just play a game to please her. And then we'll leave alright?" Peyton said.

Haley exhaled and nodded her head. She watched Brooke cheer and then let her lead her to the group of people.

Ever since her run in with Nathan, she had been having a lousy time. Peyton wanted to hang around with Jake and Brooke just wanted to be around Lucas. That left Haley being an uncomfortable fifth wheel. Instead she tried to mingle around and talk to some other people but everyone was pretty much too drunk to socialize with.

Now here she was about to engage in a drinking game with people she really didn't want to be around. This isn't going to end well, she thought.

The three girls approached the group of people with their drinks in their hands. They squeezed in between the people and Haley stood awkwardly between Brooke and some guy.

"Hey Hales," Lucas said to her quietly.

Haley offered him a small smile and then looked away uneasily. This was all going to take some time.

"Okay I'll go first," said Vegas. "Never have I ever been so drunk that I went streaking through campus."

Everyone laughed when Lucas' face turned red and he took a quick sip of his drink. Brooke looked at him questionably and he shrugged in response.

"Okay, Never have I ever hooked up with more than one girl in a night," Lucas said.

Nathan smirked and looked directly at Haley while taking a long drink. Haley just shook her head in disgust and looked away. She noticed Rachel giving her the death stare and she rolled her eyes. What else was new?

"I'll go," Rachel volunteered. She looked condescendingly at Haley. "Never have I ever had sex."

Haley smirked and took a sip of her drink along with the rest of the group. "Wow, Rachel sorry you've never had sex," Haley said making everyone laugh.

"Please, like you've had sex. No way Haley the goody goody would do that," Rachel said rudely.

Haley just laughed. "Well if you don't believe me, why don't you ask your boyfriend there," she said.

Nathan clenched his fist and tightened his jaw. He didn't want to bring up the past right now but that's what she was doing in front of everyone. "My turn - Never have I ever kept a secret from the person I love and then lie about it to their face," he said while gesturing to Haley.

Haley pressed her lips together and took a drink. "Never have I ever gave my girlfriend an ultimatum and made her choose between me and her dream."

Everyone was silent as they watched the tension between Nathan and Haley. They noticed the vein popping out of Nathan's forehead as he took a drink.

"Never have I ever single-handedly destroyed a relationship by selfishly leaving with a random guy."

Haley stared wide-eyed at his smug face and look at the shocked faces around him. She looked down at the floor as her eyes filled with tears. Haley put her drink down on the table behind her and pushed her way through the crowd.

"Nice one ass wipe" she heard Brooke say before she was out of the dorm and running down the hall.

She took off her shoes and ran past groups of people without even caring. Tears were freely flowing and makeup was running down her face. Her breathing was becoming laboured but somehow she didn't feel a thing.

She ran so fast that her apartment was in view in what felt like a few seconds. She yanked open the door to her building and ran up the stairs skipping every second step.

Haley unlocked the door and slammed it closed behind her. She leaned her back against the door behind her and took a few strenuous breaths. Haley slowly slid down the wall until she was sitting weakly on the floor.

She buried her head in her lap and let out agonized sobs. She promised herself she would never cry over Nathan Scott again. She swore that her tears would be reserved for people who actually deserved them.

But that was all shot to hell now.