AN: Thank you so much for your reviews! It was really good opening my mail and finding that so many of you had put the story and alert and stuff, so thanks. Here's Chapter 2... I hope it doesn't disappoint. the next chapter is already written, so I'd love to load really soon. Enjoy!

Chapter 2

'Hey stranger.' Nathan greeted Haley as he wandered into her room.

'Hey yourself.' She looked up from painting her toenails.

'I haven't seen you in a while.'

'It's been two days, Nate.' Haley rolled her eyes good-naturedly. 'What do you think?' She wiggled her toes at him as she lidded the bottle.

'Very nice.' He settled himself next to her on the bed.

'So, what's up?'

'Nothing much. Just came to see what you were up to.'

'Well nothing really. You want to watch a movie or something?'

Nathan smirked at her. 'Or something?'

Haley shrugged. 'Yeah, whatever. I don't have any urgent papers to write, so I'm at your leisure.' She teased.

He leaned in and started to kiss her. Haley pulled back, frowning.

'Um, Nathan?' He was now looking back at her with a matching frown.

'What's wrong?'

'What are you doing?'

'I was going to kiss you.' He said, managing to keep the 'duh' tone out of his voice.

'Why?' Haley rolled off the bed and stood up, arms folded.

'God Haley. What's with the third degree? It's not like it's the first time.' He was now mirroring her stance.

'Did you just come here to make out and sleep with me?' Her eyes were narrowed and she found herself growing more and more hostile by the second.

'What? No! I came here to see my friend who I hadn't seen in a while.'

'Then what's with the kissing?' She knew she probably sounded like a broken record.

'Why are you getting so bent out of shape about it?' Their voices were escalating with every syllable.

'Because.'

'Because what?'

'I just am, ok? I don't need to explain myself.'

'When you bite my head off when I've done nothing wrong, then you do need to explain yourself.'

There was a pause as they both caught their breath.

'Haley, what's wrong?' Nathan said calmly.

'Nothing.' She was being defensive now.

He scoffed at that. 'Fine. Nothing's wrong. Whatever.' They stood there, staring each other down. Haley felt completely helpless. She wanted to ask Nathan what she was to him. What their friendship was. Were they friends with benefits or what? What did he see them as? All of these questions had been plaguing her since her conversation with Brooke and Lucas. These feelings of vulnerability and the sudden need for everything to be defined were new to her. Foreign. She had to get acquainted with them herself; get a hold on her emotions before she showed them to anyone else. Anyone else meaning Nathan. She figured that Brooke, Lucas, Peyton and Jake had already deciphered these alien feelings.

After standing in silence for what felt like hours, Nathan finally muttered, 'I'm going to go. I'll see you later.' He walked out shaking his head while Haley re-situated herself on her bed, hugging her pillow to her stomach.

'What the hell just happened?'

'Whoa. What's up man?' Nathan had just slammed into his dorm after going for a walk. Lucas and Jake were playing around with NBA Live when they saw his unmistakable frown.

The last thing Nathan felt like doing was having a heart-to-heart with his brother. Lucas was way to in tune with "feelings" apart from when it came to his own. The wise older brother. Yeah, right.

He couldn't understand what had just gone down at Haley's.

'It's Haley isn't it?' Lucas asked, wanting to shake that gut feeling he had in the pit of his stomach.

'You're on the ball today big brother,' Nathan said as he went to the mini fridge to grab some beers. Throwing a bottle each at Jake and Lucas, he settled next to them on the beanbags.

'What happened?' Jake asked.

'You're asking me. I went over there just to hang out and we were going to watch a movie or something. So then I go to kiss her, and she completely freaks out man.'

As Nathan took a swig of his drink, Jake shot Lucas a look. An 'uh oh' look.

'What'd she say?' Lucas asked.

'I don't know. Something about did I just go over there to make out or sleep with her.'

'Did you?' Jake said bluntly.

'What? No! God, I went over there cause I hadn't seen her in a while. That's all. I'm not like some pervert who needs some motive or anything.' Nathan's frown was back in full form.

'Yeah, but honestly Nate, you might have wanted to see her, but tell me that part of you didn't want to get it on.' Jake raised his eyebrows at his friend.

'Jake, tell me that when you go see Peyton, or Luke, when you see Brooke. Tell me that "a part of you doesn't want to get it on".' Nathan threw back.

'Peyton's my girlfriend, Nathan, and Brooke is Lucas' girlfriend.'

'So?'

'So, there's a difference man. I'm in a relationship with Brooke. And all of that stuff is part of our relationship. It's what you do when you're dating someone, not when you're just friends with them. Protocol.'

'Luke, haven't you ever heard of friends with benefits, or even just friends who occasionally make out?'

'Don't be an ass Nathan. And "friends with benefits" is usually agreed upon beforehand by both people, not just in your head.'

'Ok, I get that, but why is she having a problem with it now. We've done it before. Why now? It doesn't make sense.'

'Maybe the first couple of times were just like ok. Not a big deal. But she might not want it to become routine or habit.' Jake reasoned.

'Look Nate, she doesn't owe you anything like that, and you don't owe her. You're friends. No more. You're really good friends, but the line is the physical side. Platonic friends, which is "free from physical desire". '

Nathan rolled his eyes at his brother's dictionary definition of platonic.

'I know that but it's not exactly "free from physical desire". Haley's a big girl and she wouldn't have been willing if she wasn't attracted to me, and I'm obviously attracted to her. So it's not exactly platonic is it?'

'That might be true, man. But Haley's clearly not happy with the way your friendship is anymore. Why don't you ask her what she wants? Like just to be regular friends, or friends with benefit, or…'

'Or what, Jake?'

'I don't know man, just ask her. Talk to her. But make sure it's something that you want too. Something you're both happy with.'

Nathan took another pensive swig.

'What do you want Nate?' Lucas asked tentatively. This was the question that would show what was to become.

'Lucas, are you asking me whether I want Haley to be my girlfriend?' Nathan wasn't that dense.

'Do you?'

'If I wanted a girlfriend, then she'd probably be the person. But I don't even know if I want a girlfriend. I'm pleased for you guys, but I think I'm too young and stupid to have a proper relationship. And if I was with Haley, then I'd want it to be proper. I don't know if we'd work. Man, we fight a lot now and we're not even dating. I don't know.

'Well that's what you need to figure out.'

She pushed open the door to the practice gym, loitering by the door as she watched him practice free throws. They were, of course, flawless. Sometimes she liked to watch Nathan practising by himself. He had such concentration and dedication to this part of his life. His devotion was unshakeable.

He heard the door slam shut and turned around.

'Hey.' Haley waved awkwardly at him and wandered closer.

'Hey.' This was the first time they'd spoken since that bizarre incident in her dorm.

'That's a nice free shot you got there.'

'It's called a free throw Hales,' he amended kindly, smiling a little.

'Eh, potato, potahto.'

They had both drifted towards the bleachers where they sat hesitantly. Haley broke the silence. 'Listen Nate. I came to talk to you about the other day.'

'Yeah, I figured as much.'

Nodding, Haley continued nervously. She wondered why she was so anxious, it's not like she was about to pledge her undying love or tell him some earth-shattering news.

'I'm sorry for flying off the handle like that.'

Nathan shook his head in acceptance.

'I'm sorry for that, but,' Haley chose her next words carefully. The last thing she wanted to do was start another argument or offend him, 'but I don't think we should sleep together or anything anymore.'

'Ever?' Nathan's voice showed signs of surprise. He didn't know why, he either thought she would want to stop it or that she would say she overreacted and it was fine. He knew which option he preferred.

'Yeah. I think it's best. I mean, we've only done it a few times but I don't want our friendship to revolve around it, or us to expect it. Stopping it's not going to ruin anything, is it? We're friends, and I don't want to be friends with benefits. With anyone.'

Realizing that it was his turn to say something, Nathan looked up from the spot on the floor he'd been focusing on.

'If that's what you want.' His voice was rigid. Cold, even.

'What? Nathan.' She was taken aback by his frosty tone, and quite hurt.

'Well what do you want me to say, Haley? You've obviously made up your mind what you want. You've decided for both of us. So what do you want me to say?' He looked at her, his face unyielding.

'I thought you'd be a little more understanding at least.' She muttered.

'I understand perfectly Haley.' He bit out.

'No. You don't. All you understand is your ego being hurt. What, the big-man-on-campus Nathan Scott can't handle rejection? I don't want to sleep with someone I'm not dating. It's not me. Why can't you understand that?'

'I do understand that Haley. And I'm not trying to be a jerk and pressure you or make you feel bad, I just don't get where this sudden change of heart is coming from. I respect your morals, but I don't see why they've only just kicked in.'

'Look Nathan. I'm telling you what I feel. You know, it seems like all we ever do anymore is argue. The past five or six times I've seen you, we've fought. It's getting really old.'

'I know.'

'I'm just being honest with you,' Haley reasoned, ignoring the little voice in her head that was screaming 'No, you're not!'.

'I'm just being honest. I don't want us to sleep together anymore. I'm sorry if that's not how you want it-'

'It's cool Haley. Whatever. We're cool.' Nathan interrupted before standing abruptly and bouncing the ball that he'd been holding. He walked slowly to the place he'd been practicing before.

Sighing, Haley got up and moved for the door. As she grabbed the handle she shouted across the gym, 'So, I'll see you later?'

He turned slightly and gave her an affirmative shake of the head, but said nothing.

'Dude, I know, I know. That last shot was awes-' Jake held his breath as Lucas opened his dorm door.

They could vaguely make out the silhouettes of Nathan and another in the dark. Neither seemed to notice the interruption.

Shutting the door hastily, Jake turned to Lucas. 'Let's go to Peyton's.'

'Yeah.'

They reached Peyton and Haley's dorm to find it empty.

'What is wrong with him?' Lucas shrugged in response.

'I mean, all week he's been chasing girls left, right and centre. I know it's Nathan, but come on.'

'I know. He's been on a complete bender. I have no idea what's set him off.'

'What's set who off?' The boys were interrupted by Brooke's inquisitive voice. Haley and Peyton stood behind her.

Three hours later, the sextet, now including Nathan were sat in a booth in a Tex-Mex restaurant near campus.

Nathan had steadily been ignoring Haley all evening. After her initial attempts to talk to him, she ignored him back. The pangs of hurt in her stomach were gradually intensifying. She knew why he was behaving this way. Why he'd been acting like this for most of the week. He'd been treating her like an ordinary acquaintance, not someone he was close friends with. She hadn't mentioned it to any of the others, but she knew they'd noticed. How could they not. They hadn't talked about it as a group until today.

-Flashback-

Three hours earlier

'What's set who off?'

Lucas and Jake told the girls what they saw in Lucas' dorm.

Between them, they thrashed it out. Haley stopping the "benefiting" with Nathan, followed by the emergence of his not –so-pleasant wild streak.

'Maybe his ego got deflated really badly so he wants to build it up again.' Peyton threw out.

'Yeah, but come on. His ego can't have been hit that badly.' Haley spoke up.

-End of Flashback-

After a dinner of stilted conversation, Jake and Peyton had gone back to his dorm, while Brooke and Lucas were going to meet up with her cousin who was visiting in town.

'Hales,' Brooke whispered as the remaining four walked to the car park. 'Do you want to come with us?'

Smiling at her friend's concern, Haley replied, 'Thanks Tigger, but I'm pretty tired. Me and Nathan aren't exactly going to be hanging out anyway.'

The girls linked arms and tottered along to where Lucas and Nathan were standing by the cars. The two cars.

Lucas shifted his weight from foot to foot.

'So Brooke and I need to drive to Carla's hotel…' He said uneasily. Everyone understood then.

'What's the problem? Me and Hales can take the other back to campus.' Nathan said, surprising everyone with his abrupt change of mood. Haley nodded, smiling to Brooke when she raised her eyebrows.

'Ok, then.' She said confusedly, before Lucas grabbed her hand and they got in the car. 'We'll see you later.'

Once they had driven off, Nathan, in a moment of gentlemanly behaviour, opened Haley's door for her. 'What the hell?' She thought.

After driving in silence for ten minutes, Nathan finally spoke.

'Why so quiet Hales?'

'Are you kidding me?' She spluttered. 'You've been ignoring me for the past week, and now you want to know why I'm quiet?'

He shrugged and turned the radio on.

Five minutes later they had reached the campus car park and Haley could not get out of that car fast enough.

As she walked quickly towards their dorm building, Nathan jogged up beside her.

'Haley,' he said.

'What?' she asked incredulously.

'Come on. Don't be like this.'

'Nathan! Listen to yourself! You're ridiculous!'

'Haley!' She sped up her pace. 'Look, Haley!'

'What?!' She halted sharply and turned causing Nathan to hurtle into her, their bodies collided. He put her arms around her waist. She put her hand in his hair. They brought their faces forward, and before they knew it, their lips were connected, fighting for dominance. The mood of the kiss was fierce and fast. Hot and angry. X meets Y.

Nathan pulled her body closer, while Haley ran her hands under his shirt, feeling the taut muscles of his back. When air became necessary, they tore their lips apart. His arms still encircling her waist, and her hands still stroking his back.

'Goodnight Nathan,' Haley murmured before pulling her body away and walking off without a backward glance.

He remained standing in his place, watching her retreating figure.

'What are you doing to me?'

Shaking his head, Nathan began to walk towards his room.