Here's the new chapter. Let me know what you think :] Mrs. Naley Scott-You'll find out the answer about the job in the next few chapters. And yes, you'll have to wait to find out about Nathan's mom. Thanks for your comment :]

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Nathan opened his screen door and entered his small one story home. It was a small home even for him. And with all the people that stayed over, there was barley any room to sleep or walk. His door was always open. Never locked. If someone needed a place to stay, Nathan's house was where they went. He would never turn them away.

"Why are you home so early? Don't you have work?" His dad asked concerned from the kitchen.

"I was fired because of these two." Nathan said pointing to Brooke and Peyton who were behind him.

"Nathan, I said I was sorry." Brooke said. The door shut behind Peyton. Peyton walked past Brooke.

"You lying?" His dad asked.

"No, I was really fired." Nathan answered slumping into the couch. He rubbed his eyes and looked at the TV. After loosing his job, all he wanted to do was relax and sleep. Peyton put her bag down and sat next to Nathan on the couch. She put her feet up on the coffee table and moved closer to him. Nathan wrapped his arm around her shoulder and she rested her head on his chest.

"Why were you fired?"

"Keith, Peyton and I got into a fight with this tramp and Nathan split us up. The teacher thought he was trying something on us." Brooke explained sitting down on the arm of the club seat next to the couch. If she had known ahead of time that Nathan was going to loose his job, she would've never hit Rachel. Or said something to her for that matter.

"That and he beat the shit out of Justin." Peyton added. Nathan pinched her arm. "Ow. What?" Peyton looked up at him and he shook his head at her.

"Are you serious?" Keith asked walking into the living room. "How many times do I have to tell you to stay away from that kid? He's going to get you in trouble. You get arrested, I'm not bailing you out." Keith started to walk back towards the kitchen.

"I didn't start it." Nathan said sighing, moving in his seat and moving his arm from around Peyton's shoulder.

"It's true. Justin did when he attacked us last night." Brooke said looking from Nathan to Keith.

"That doesn't make it better and you know that, Brooke. Nathan knows-"

"Oh my god, can we just drop this?" Nathan asked annoyed. "I know, I know. It was wrong. I should've let him gotten away with jumping me, trying to rape Brooke, talking about mom, and smacking Brooke's butt."

"Watch your tone." Keith warned.

"Fuck this." Nathan said getting up.

"And that mouth!" Nathan snatched his bag up and slammed his bedroom door as he entered it. Brooke and Peyton exchanged looks.

"You should give him a break." Brooke said pointing towards his bedroom.

"It's not like he's a bad kid. He's better than your other two sons." Peyton added sitting up. The bedroom door opened and they watched as Nathan emerged from it holding a pack of cigarettes. His jacket was off now and he was wearing a green t-shirt.

"You better not smoke those!" Keith yelled as Nathan walked by him.

"They're empty!" Nathan yelled exiting the house. The screen door slammed behind him. Brooke jumped as the door slammed. Brooke stared at Nathan through the screen door as Peyton stared at Keith. Both were waiting to see if Nathan or Keith were going to say or do anything. To make a move to the other one. An apology or even a look. Something.

"Watch the food." Keith said gently, walking towards the door. Brooke and Peyton watched, not moving from their seat. Keith opened the screen door and sat down next to Nathan on their front steps. "You got to watch that temper. It's not going to get you anywhere in life."

"It's not a temper. It's frustration and stress." Nathan said picking at his fingernail.

"I don't care what it is." Keith said in slight tone. Keith looked at his youngest son. He had changed so much over the years. He was forced to. He didn't really have a choice. And he could see how bothered he was. No matter what, Nathan didn't like arguing. It could've been about anything with anyone and he wouldn't like to do it. Or to hear it. Over the years, hearing his parents argue did a number on him. A big number. And Keith knew it. That's what hurt. Knowing that he was hurting his son all those years he spent arguing with his mother. All those years arguing over money, food, rent, their sons, anything they could think of. It had hurt Nathan growing up to watch his parents argue and to hear them argue. Over and over again. Day in and day out. Keith could still hear the words ringing in his head like a song.

"Listen," Keith said calming down. Nathan looked at his dad. "I know these kids. I had to go through it too. Just don't end up in jail."

"I'm not Cooper and Chris though." Nathan said moving his back.

"I know." Keith said nodding his head. "I just don't want you to end up like them. In jail or having an anger issue." Nathan rubbed his eyes again. He had heard it a thousand times. It was his job to prove that he wasn't his brothers and to reassure his father that he wouldn't end up like them. No matter what happened. No matter what life threw at him.

"You know what Peyton said?" Keith asked watching kids passing on the street. Nathan looked at Keith. He slowly shook his head. "She said, you're better than my other two sons. Than your older brothers." Nathan looked down at the grass. He didn't believe it. Everyone choose Cooper and Chris over him. Everyone. He was used to it though. It had been happening since he was little. He would have to beg to tag along and when he did go with them, they ignored him anyway. Things had changed over the years though. When he was forced to grow up and change.

"I might have to agree with her though." Keith said slowly looking at his son. Nathan looked at Keith again. He wanted to hear him out. He was surprised to even hear his father say the words. Not many people gave him a compliment. "You're not like them. And the girls are connected to your hip." Keith said motioning towards inside. Nathan laughed. It was true. The girls were always with him. "It's because out of the three of you, you're the one that doesn't scare them. You're the one Brooke and Peyton are close to. I'm proud of you for that, son." Nathan looked at his dad and nodded his head. He could tell his father meant the words. It wasn't hard to tell when Keith was lying and when he was telling the truth. Keith gave his son a small smile and looked back at the street.

They sat there for a few moments not trading a single word. Just watching the world pass by.

"Nathan, this Justin kid. How much trouble could he cause?" Keith asked not looking at his son.

Nathan shrugged looking at the grass. "As much as he wants. He lives on their side."

Keith nodded his head. He put his hand on Nathan's shoulder and gave it a little squeeze. "It's okay, son. Everything is going to work out for you." He said. Nathan nodded his head. He wanted to believe him. He wanted hope. But, his life kept telling him no. Keith rubbed his shoulder and then swatted his head.

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"So, this kid Nathan? He trouble?"

"I already told you, it wasn't his fault! Why do you keep asking me that? Rachel started it. And the other two girls fought with Rachel. He just split them up and because," She took a moment to think. "He's poor and a guy or something you two just continue to assume that it was his fault." Haley leaned up against the banister for the stairs and stared at her father. She had been asked the same questions since she was picked up from school. She was getting tired of answering the same ones and tired of hearing them blame Nathan when he hadn't done anything.

"Okay." Dan said slowly walking towards her. "But what about Justin?" He wasn't ready to get his daughter in a bad mood. He just wanted to get the story straight.

"I don't care about Justin. He's not my friend. He started it with-"

"He's my friend." Lucas cut off. Both Dan and Haley looked at him.

"Yeah, but he's not mine. I don't care about your friends. They're-"

"How come you don't like any of my friends?"

"Stop interrupting me and I don't like any of them because they're all idiots and immature! Maybe if they would grow the fuck up and stop being pricks I would like them!" Haley yelled. She tossed her purse and stormed off. Lucas looked at Dan and shrugged.

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Haley leaned her hands on the kitchen counter and took a deep breath. She had to calm down. This would be the first time she was upset about how another student was getting treated at school. She didn't understand why they had treated Nathan so differently. He was human. A person with feelings. And they had just blamed it all on him because he was poor. She didn't understand why she was making such a big deal out of it or why she felt that way. It had never bothered her before. But, it did this time. For some reason, it did.

"Haley honey, what's wrong? I know it's not you fiancé."

"It's nothing." She lied. She knew she couldn't tell him. "Dad," She turned towards her father. She had always told him everything. He was the one she ran to when something happened. The one she spilled all her problems to growing up. He had always given her the advice she wanted or the advice she was looking for. He never turned her in the wrong direction.

"Would you- When you were my age, were you like Justin and them or…. I'm sorry, forget it." She looked back down at the counter.

"Baby, talk to me." Dan said putting a hand on her shoulder.

"I was just thinking."

"Bout what?"

"Nathan." She slowly looked at her father to see his reaction. She knew telling the truth was bound to get her in trouble but, it was killing her inside and she had no one else to talk too about it. Lucas wasn't an option and neither were any of her friends. Her father removed his hand from her shoulder and looked down at the counter with her.

"Oh." He said. Haley sighed and shook her head. She knew it was a bad idea. Her own father, the man who raised her, was even against them. She didn't want to be like the others. Everyone was equal in her book. Money or no money. It didn't matter in her book. It never had.

"Forget it." She said walking past him.

"Haley, Haley." Dan called after her. She continued to walk towards the stairs. "Young lady," Dan quickly grabbed her arm. "Do not walk away from me when I'm talking to you." He said. "Now tell me what's wrong and what anything has to do with Nathan." He let go of her arm. Haley straightened out her dress and knew she would have to tell him. Or at least tell him part of it.

"Fine. I was just thinking about him. I mean he doesn't seem like a bad guy. He seems-"

"Haley, your mother and I explained this to you when you were younger. He lives on their side. He's not like us. He doesn't have manners and he doesn't know how to treat someone like you. He doesn't even have any money. Now Lucas," He took a step towards her. "He was raised right. Not in the wrong part of town or surrounded by the wrong people. You made a lovely choice to marry."

"I know but, that's not what I'm talking about. I meant-"

"Honey, you shouldn't befriend the boy just because you feel sorry for him. No one wants pity." And with that, Dan left her alone by the banister. Haley stood there with her mouth hanging open. She couldn't believe what she was hearing. She had heard the same thing every time. Never anything different. Never a different reason on why she shouldn't mix with the other kind. Or why she should stick to her own. They were the same reasons every time. No money. Wrong part of town. Their record. Their friends. It was like a never ending song that she was sung to over and over again. Anytime she wanted to mix with the 'bad crowd' of Tree Hill.

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The final bell rang and students started to gather their things, all quickly leaving the classroom, only a few staying. Nathan gathered his things and stuffed them into his bag, heading towards the door. Nathan continued towards the door, hearing laughter behind him. As he reached the door, he was hit hard from behind. Nathan bumped into another student causing his stuff and the students to fall on the floor, his pouring out of his open backpack. Students walked by Nathan and he watched as they passed, Justin leading the way. Amongst the group was Tim Smith, laughing along as Justin stared at Nathan with hate eyes. Nathan kneeled down and started to gather the items on the floor.

"Sorry, I wasn't…sorry." Nathan said. His mind was wondering. Nathan picked up the books and looked up. His eyes widened. He was not expecting it to be her.

"It's fine. Justin and his friends can be assholes sometimes. Especially Tim." Haley said giving him a smile. Nathan continued to stare at her. He thought it was one of his friends. Or one of his kind. Not one of their kinds.

"Sorry." He repeated. Haley smiled more and passed him his books as he passed her hers. Their hands touched for a brief moment, sending chills down her spin and up his arm.

"Thank you." She said straightening out her books.

"No problem. Um," Nathan looked at the doorway. Students filled the Tree Hill hallway. Justin and his friends were nowhere to be found. Nathan looked back at Haley. "Do you need help with those?" he asked pointing to the books. Haley stared into his eyes for a moment. She could see that he was nervous. It was written all over his face. She just didn't know what about. He gave her a small smile and she laughed snapping out of it. Her head was trying to play games with her. That had to be it.

"No, I don't. Thank you though for the offer. I'm good." Haley said. Nathan nodded his head. She gave him another smile and walked past him. Nathan slipped his books into his bag and zipped it up. "Hey, um," Nathan turned around and looked at Haley. She didn't say anything. Nothing at all. Just stared at the floor. He raised his eyebrows and slowly put his bag on his shoulder eyeing her. "Do you want to come with me to the movies tonight?" Haley asked nervously. Nathan's eyes widened. Was she really asking him out or was she playing a joke on him? Did she really want to go to the movies? It had to be a joke. He knew it couldn't have been true.

"I don't have any plans and my friends are all busy and it wouldn't be a date or anything. Promise. Its just….You…. You seem like a nice person and I would like to get to know you if that's okay with you but, if you don't want to go or if you say no, I understand. Even if you don't want to get to know each other, I get that too. I'm just looking for something to do and someone to hang out with on a Friday night. You were the first that came to my mind. Not that I was thinking about you or anything like that just… I don't mind if you say no. Really, I don't." Haley explained quickly. Haley took a deep breath. She had used one breath on her long ramble and for some odd reason, she felt a bit self-conscious in front of him. She wanted him to like her. She wanted him to say yes.

Nathan stared at her with his eyes wide. He didn't know what to say. He didn't want to be mean and say no because, obviously, she wanted him to go. But, he didn't understand her. Why him? She could've asked anyone else on a Friday night, but she chose him. Was she setting him up for something? Was she playing a joke on him like Sarah had done when he was little? He couldn't wrap his head around it.

"Nathan?" Haley asked interrupting his thoughts. Nathan snapped out of it and pulled his bag more onto his shoulder. Nathan licked his lips and opened his mouth, ready to give her an answer.