Disclaimer: I don't own One Tree Hill or James Lafferty (but keeping my fingers crossed)

God, why am I here, thought Nathan, standing in front of Karen's Café, he looked up and it began to snow. Just what he needed, to be cold and damp while begging this girl to be his tutor.

Flashback

Nathan woke up with a jerk as the last bell of the day startled him; he wiped the drool from his mouth and got up quietly. He was the last one to leave the room, but right before he reached the threshold of the door he heard his name.

"Mr. Scott," called a very calm Mrs. Morris.

"Yes." Nathan had rolled his eyes and let out of sigh of regret for falling asleep in class. He walked over to the desk and looked down at a bun of grey and white hair. Then the next thing he saw was a pair of green eyes burning a hold through him, he had to look away.

"Have a seat," she told him, and he obeyed, "I hear that Whitey is taking the team all the way this year?"

"We're hoping," replied a very nervous Nathan.

"Not if you don't past this class you won't be going," she said and that's when Nathan looked up. She smiled at him though and those piercing green eyes turned warm, she let out a small chuckle. "I'm sorry for scaring you like that, but I do have a solution. I will give you the name of the best tutor here, though it's up to you to seek her help."

"Sure. Thank you Mrs. Morris. I will take any help to pass this class as long as it means that I get to play," said Nathan was gratitude in his voice.

As he got up the leave the classroom she handed him a piece of paper, he thanked her again and walked out the door. While walking down the hallway to his car he opened the piece of paper. Once he was in the car he turned the radio on and pulled out of the parking lot, he at least now had a legitimate reason to talk to her, he thought.

End Flashback

Haley looked up to see Nathan Scott outside of her place of work pacing up and down talking to himself; she finished wiping the tables and went to the back to clean up the dishes. He must be here to see Lucas, Haley thought. She just put her headphones on and started to wash the dishes.

Nathan finally gathered up enough balls to walk in there; it wasn't like he hadn't walked in there before. His brother's mother was the owner of the place, it was just he had never noticed Haley before and he wondered what they would think if he saw someone he knew asking for her.

He walked up to the counter and sat down; he was instantly greeted by Karen, Lucas's mother.

"What'll it be Nathan," Karen asked.

"I need to see Haley," he simply stated.

"Now you better not be up to anything stupid. She's like the daughter I've never had. She's fragile; ever since her mother died her brothers and father have been over protective so don't do anything like I know you would."

"I know, I've already had a run in with Joey. I won't do anything like my normal self. I'm going to be different for a change, I'm going to be a gentleman because I need her help if I'm gonna play basketball this season."

"Oh, ok. I'll keep you to your word." With that she turned and went to go get Haley.

Karen walked back to see a dancing Haley, she just smiled to herself and tapped Haley on the shoulder. When Haley felt that tap she almost had a heart attack, when Karen noticed that Haley was holding her chest she couldn't help but say sorry.

"There's someone waiting for you out front," Karen said taking the plate Haley was washing from her.

"If it's a family member I really don't wanna deal with them right now. I'm calm," said Haley.

"Well I can tell you that you are definitely not related to this person. I really don't think that you would want to anyways. But when you do go out there, don't get your head stuck in the clouds when see this person, I don't want to see your heart broken."

"What do you mean my..." she was cut off by Karen.

"You heard me; I don't want to see you get your heart broken. Now go your guest is waiting." With that Karen pushed Haley out of the kitchen.

As Haley exited the kitchen Karen's words were swimming through her head, what did she mean "I don't want to see your heart broken"? I don't know what she meant, thought Haley. She walked over to the counter to see a pair of dark cobalt eyes staring right at her, she knew those eyes anywhere.

"What'll it be," asked Haley.

"You," Nathan said is a monotone voice.

"Whoa! I'm just gonna believe that I didn't hear that and now tell the truth."

"I am. I need you to help me pass Mrs. Morris or I can't play basketball."

"What's in it for me?" As she smirked Nathan couldn't help but notice her eyes gleam over with something he had never seen before or maybe he had.

"You get to spend time with me," Nathan said returning the smirk and stretching his arms back which made his shirt lift up to show some of his toned stomach; Haley couldn't help but to stare.

"You know my eyes are up here you know," he said. That snapped Haley right out of Lalaland.

"How do you know I was staring at you? Maybe I was actually contemplating on taking you up on your offer, but now I don't know."

"Please Haley I need this. I need to play; my whole life revolves around this year. Please!"

"No need to beg, I was gonna say yes anyways. So when do you want to start?"

"How about tomorrow after school tomorrow at my house?"

"No, can't. My father won't allow for me to go over to any boy's house. How about mine?"

"Sure," he said with a very nervous sigh. Great how am I gonna get around Joey without getting my face beaten in, thought Nathan.

As he got up the both exchange good-byes and numbers, but little did they know that they were think the same thing, could this get any easier?

AN: This is a longer chapter then the last two and I forgot to mention Haley doesn't have a mom that's why everyone is so protective of her. Thanks for the reviews they keep me going.