I always don't like it when authors don't update regularly so this kind of means I dislike myself very much cause I thought I wasn't going to do that…..I'm so so so sorry to all the readers. I admit to being the worst author/hypocrite ever.

So to make at least some of you less pissed with me, I decided to make the characters grow up….a little bit. Enjoy reading and leave reviews.

Chapter 4

Life without friendship is like the sky without sun.
--Anonymous

6 years later

"And she shoots….and…..SCORES!" Mouth McFadden exclaimed into his pretend microphone.

"Yet another point for the Scames team ladies and gentlemen!" he adds.

"What the heck is a Scames?" a dumbfounded Peyton inquires

Mouth, looking slightly embarrassed, answered, "Uh…its Haley and Nathan's last name put together."

"Gosh, nobody does that. And besides, Scames sounds like something disgusting like an infection or something. Eww." Brooke said

Peyton just smiled at Brooke and Mouth and looked out onto the Rivercourt.

'Another game of basketball…wow, when will the madness stop' she thought.

It was always like this: Nathan and Haley against Jake and Lucas. And somehow the 'Scames' team always won. Haley was a great player but not nearly as good as Jake and Lucas who played on the eighth grade basketball team along with Nathan. But whenever Haley got the ball, she always made it. Well that might be because Nathan made sure that the boys weren't near her. He always gave her a boost of confidence when he encouraged her and then she always made it in.

"YAY for me….I rock at this sport!!!" Haley complimented…herself

"Good job Nate….we win again…how do we do it!!"

Nathan couldn't help smile at Haley's innocent grin that enveloped her young, thirteen year old face. Gosh his best friend really was one of a kind.

"Uh huh, yeah great. Woop-ti-doo, now can we go to Karen's and grab a bite to eat…please! You know an eighth-grader needs nutrition!" Brooke exclaimed.

"Sure Brooke. We know that the only reason you want to go to Karen's Café is because you want to eat. It has nothing to do with the fact that you're new crush, Josh Starutch, will be there." asked Peyton

"Oh please P.Sawyer.." Brooke said blushing. "That isn't it at all. Now, LET'S GO!"

"But wait, first since we won, Haley what do you want as your prize?" Nathan asks.

"Oh yeah….hmmm I want a piggy back ride!!! From either Jake or Luke since they lost…" Haley said while grinning

"Alright, we got to settle who will give this little monster a piggy back ride…I say we play rock-paper-scissor and the person who loses has to give her the piggy back ride." Jake compromises

"HEY! You all are privileged to know me! I think you guys should play rock-paper-scissor to let the winner give me a piggy back ride!" Haley argues.

"Right….alright Jake, loser gives her the ride."

"But Nate….what do you want as your prize?" Haley questions.

"Uhh….somebody pays for my food at Karen's?"

"But that's already free since duh, it's KAREN!" Mouth assures

"Oh, then whatever, it's okay I don't want anything."

"Awww….Nate you're so sweet." Haley gushes and then immediately hits Lucas when she hears him snorting to her comment.

After the LONG rock-paper-scissor duel, Luke ends up having to give Haley the piggy back ride. Nathan, Brooke, and Peyton talk amongst each other while walking in front of Luke who has Haley on his back and Jake and Mouth who are keeping conversation with them. As soon as the seven kids reach Karen's, Brooke hurries in to get the closest table available to a certain black-haired, hazel-eyed boy.

When all of them sit, they all order their usual. Peyton's being buffalo-chicken burger with fries. Brooke orders her salad with chicken strips and Italian dressing. Mouth orders his bleu cheese burger with extra bleu cheese. Luke and Jake order the chicken parmesan. Nathan orders pancakes with blueberries and whipped cream and Haley orders her waffles with just whipped cream knowing that she'll just steal some blueberries from Nathan who's sitting right next to her.

Brooke always thought that Nathan and Haley's weird habit of ordering breakfast at any time of the day was weird but she just accepted it. What was she supposed to do? Stop being friends with them because they have weird addictions…yeah, that would work out well.

When lunner (Mouth's special name…yes another one…for a meal between lunch and dinner) was over Brooke suggested to go watch a movie at the local theater. As soon as she said this, Peyton agreed with a "Yes! Let's do that." and Nathan with a "Yeah, I'm up to it." Haley knew something was up and then she suddenly thought of the reason why these three were jumping to the occasion.

"Tomorrow's a MONDAYYYY…the BEST DAYYYY….for a SCHOOL DAYYY!" Haley shouts.

The others look at as if she just grew a second head.

"Alright..since the three of you are missing your parental units, I shall take their place." Haley pauses and clears her throat. "Have you guys finished your homework?"

Brooke suddenly looks toward the boy a few tables away and tries to ignore the question. Peyton finds the table spread very interesting and Nathan starts to chew the side of his cheek. Haley suddenly realized all of their maneuvers and took action.

"Alright, Brooke what do you have to?"

"Ummm…a few stupid math problems. Alright, not a few, more like twenty but whatever." Brooke answers

"Peyt?" Haley questions her next student

"Reading the next kajillion chapters in To Kill A Mockingbird"

"Nathannn?"

"A…" cough "…..history….project." cough.

"Alright Brooke, Peyton you guys need to finish your homework! Brooke stop gazing dreamily at that perv over there" Haley points to the table where Josh Starutch is sitting. "Go home…come on giddy up girlies…goooo."

"And Nate…I'm presuming you need some help cause it took me a while to finish that history project by myself." Haley states

"Yeah…that would be great…thanks."

"You guys can go watch a movie or whatever since I'm going to help Nathan with his project." Haley says as if giving permission to the other three boys left at the table.

"Alright Hales, Nate…see ya." Jake says

Luke gives a goodbye nod and Mouth says "Catch up with you guys tomorrow."

After slaving over the history project for about two hours…Haley and Nathan are done.

"Hey Hales, just to show how much I appreciate your help…want some icecream?" and before Haley asks, Nathan adds "Yes, with the mini marshmallows and chocolate syrup." Haley's face breaks into a huge smile and nods her head eagerly.

Twenty minutes later, Haley and Nathan are sitting on his living room couch watching a rerun of 7th Heaven. Nathan got suckered into it by Haley's 'oh so sweet' innocent face.

"Alright, Nate…consider me a God send because I need to go home and finish some….homework. So you can stop watching 7th Heaven."

"WHAT! You didn't finish your homework….no way. And you helped me with mine and you didn't even finish yours. Sorry."

Haley couldn't believe it. First she thought he would be amazed at the fact that Haley James, the nerd, did not finish her homework and then call her a hypocrite but he didn't do any of that…except maybe the amazed part. He said sorry!? 'Alright, I'm not a God send, he is. I have such an awesome best friend!'

"Nate..don't worry about it. It's like a tiny prelab worth like a tiny portion of my grade."

"Alright that doesn't matter…go go go. I'm not letting you waste any more of your time. It's already 8..and you have to go to sleep soon. Gooooo! See ya tomorrow." Nathan said while ushering Haley out the door.

Next Morning

DING DONG

Nathan suddenly opens his door clad in his navy blue sweater and jeans.

"Yes, the school nazi has arrived, knocking at your door, ready to start the day!" Haley exclaims.

All Nathan could do was laugh, grab his school bag, along with the poster for his history project and head out the door with Haley.

Nathan, Haley, Jake, and Luke climbed onto the middle school bus grabbing their regular seats in the middle of the bus. In the beginning of the school year, Nathan wanted to sit in the back of the bus but Haley was stubborn in sitting in the front. But luckily they came to a compromise…right smack in the middle.

Brooke, Peyton, and Mouth got on the bus at the next stop grabbing their seats.

Finally, the bus arrived at Tree Hill Middle School and all the kids stepped out...most not ready to face the day but one very excited girl definitely ready to start the school day…guess who.

"Alright people are lucky to know me…see you all at lunch time." Brooke says while pulling Mouth to their first period Science class.

"Okay byeeee…..see you guys at lunch time…and hopefully with smiles on your faces..gosh, cheer up!" Haley chimes while walking away.

Lunchtime

"Alrighty, this lunch spot stinks…majorly." Peyton voices while sitting down to the group's lunch spot next to the garbage can in the cafeteria.

"I agree, this better change next year. In high school, we got to get a better lunch spot….we HAVE TO!" Lucas promises.

"Okay…chill Luke, we will." Haley says while laughing.

"So what are we doing after school guys?" Jake asks while unwrapping his sandwich.

"Well I am much deprived of girl time so guys are out for tonight." Brooke lazily says while looking desperately for a certain boy.

"You said no guys for today…so stop looking for that stupid perv." Luke stubbornly says.

"How come you guys call him a perv! He is not a perv! He is so sweet…and kind…and caring…hmmm" Brooke says going off to dream land again.

"Anyways, well what about foosball guys? At my house." Nathan questions.

"Yeah..I'm always up for foosball….wait, what's foosball?" Mouth asks.

Jake starts chuckling "It's okay Mouth, just come over…we'll explain it to you…in simple terms."

Peyton couldn't help herself from laughing out loud either.

"Okay, so Hales…what about Brooke's house tonight for our infamous girls night."

"Yes, that will be fine as long as everybody's homework" Haley says pointing to the rest in the group "will be done before we start tonight's activities."

"Gosh Hales…so proper. And should you be talking about finishing homework…ahem ahem" Nathan mumbles. Haley suddenly pokes Nathan under the table causing him to shut up.

"Yeah, yeah… Miss do your homework at home not at school before class starts." Brooke teases.

Suddenly the lunch bell rings signaling that the lunch period was over.

The group splits up with Jake and Peyton going to Math, Luke and Brooke going to History, and Jake, Haley, Mouth, and Nathan going to gym…probably so that Haley could embarrass herself. 'Lord knows that I can not play soccer…but I guess he likes testing me.' Haley thought as she headed off with Nate by her side.

I know the quote in the beginning of this chapter is kind of cheesy…but I thought it was cute.

Just to say this again….I'm soo sorry. I can't give any excuses since they probably aren't any. I appreciate all of you that reviewed…it really meant a lot. Thank you!

Please review…about the good and the bad…

Hope you liked it! Make me happy and press the little button… )

--angiie--