Chapter Fourteen

"I can't believe I'm doing this."

"You said it was okay when I asked you," Nathan reminded him.

"I know, but that was in the moment and then I was thinking I'll get to do something important to help you guys with the case and prevent what happened to Brooke from occurring again and, besides, I had offered."

"But, now you're thinking…"

"I'm thinking after all these years of managing to stay away from Rachel Gattina I'm throwing myself headfirst into the dungeon," Lucas exclaimed.

"I don't think 2 years can be called 'all these years'," Nathan mused.

"Well, it's certainly a long time. Will the police force give me any compensation for my work?"

"Er…no."

Lucas grumbled and threw the rest of his books in his locker before slamming it shut.

"Does that mean you're not gonna ask her out?" Nathan asked, uncertainly.

Lucas frowned and then replied, "I already did. I saw her this morning after first period and I figured I might as well get it over with."

"What did she say?"

"Yes. And she wants me to meet her in the library in my free period."

"Does she have the same free period?"

"I don't know. But, it's Rachel. Why would she go to class?"

Nathan didn't answer Lucas' question. "But your free period is now," he realized.

Lucas nodded solemnly. "So I am off to my doom."

"Just remember to ask her –"

"About the drugs; I know, I know."

"Okay, and don't forget to seem casual –"

"I know! We went through it all last night, I haven't forgotten already."

"Sorry. But, don't do anything I wouldn't do."

"What do you mean?"

"Well she clearly wants to take you to those stacks at the back of the library she was at that day."

Lucas made a face. "No way! No, I'm meeting her in the library, but not there!"

"Just think," Nathan said longingly, "if this thing goes through with Rachel then I won't have to pretend to be 19 anymore."

"Yeah. It'll be kind of weird not having you around though," Lucas admitted.

"You need some more friends, man."

Lucas laughed. The second bell rang and the boys went their separate ways, although Nathan didn't have far to walk since his class was just at the end of the hallway. He was surprised to find when he entered it that the teacher was missing. Most of the students were already there, but the few who came in with him were reluctant to take their seats, seemingly wondering whether or not to leave before the teacher arrived. The decision was made for them when a teacher walked in and they quickly scrambled to their seats. When Nathan looked up from his desk, however, he was surprised to find that instead of his ancient political history teacher the man at the front desk was none other than…Chris Keller?

It was Chris Keller, but for some reason Nathan thought he looked different. His hair was - god, forbid – messy and his overall appearance just seemed flustered and out of place. Nathan privately wondered whether Haley had broken up with him. Considering his luck recently, she probably hadn't.

"Morning, kids. Mr. Hardman is sick today so I've been assigned to cover your class. However, I have much more important things to do so I'm going to give you the work Mr. Hardman set. You should all go to the library and don't do anything that would make Mrs. Hannigan kick you out." Chris then gave some of the sheets in his hand to the person sitting at the front of each row and then left without even making sure that everyone had a copy.

As soon as he was out the door everyone gathered their things but few, if any, headed to the library. Nathan thought about wandering around the school, but then chose the library since Lucas would be meeting Rachel and he wanted to be there if he found out anything important.

After a short walk to the library Nathan kept an eye around him once inside, but unfortunately didn't manage to spot either Lucas or Rachel. He went further into the library, finally reaching the back tables where he had been sitting with Lucas the other day when he had first 'met' Rachel. Today, this section of the library was empty save for one person sitting alone and working…Haley. That was all Nathan needed to choose his table.

He ended up sitting at one that was near hers, but not too close. After another fruitless glance around him for Lucas or Rachel Nathan sat, took his books out and pretended to work. Luckily for Nathan, Haley seemed fairly absorbed in what she was doing so she didn't notice that there was someone nearby staring intently at the side of her face.

A few minutes later, Haley looked up absent-mindedly and met Nathan's gaze. She smiled at him softly before getting back to her work. Nathan was a little unnerved by her reaction and decided it would be better if she didn't catch him looking at her again or she might wonder why he kept staring at her. If only she knew…

He took out a pen and tried to concentrate on the work in front of him, having been called up by his math teacher for not handing in homework and he had not been as nice about it as Haley had. Yet, even though he used math more now that he did lit he still couldn't get his head around some of the sums he was supposed to do. Sighing, he gave up and tried to catch another glimpse of Haley but to his surprise she was no longer sitting there. Nathan slowly realized that she must have finished her work and left while he tried to do the math. Stupid math.

Now that she was gone, and there was no sign of Lucas either, Nathan really had no choice but to try and do his homework. He spent the next three minutes trying to grasp what the question was asking him to do, although it felt like much longer, but was interrupted by the sound of someone calling his name. Turning his head he saw Haley standing next to him. "H-hi," he stammered.

"Hi Nathan. I'm really sorry to interrupt you; is that homework?"

Without a moment's pause he shut the book and shook his head. "It's nothing."

"Well, I was wondering if you minded helping me with something?" she asked.

It was only his surprise that made Haley think he was hesitating. "Sure."

Her face broke out into a smile that reached her eyes and Nathan decided that that was reward enough for whatever she wanted him to do. "Thanks. It's just this way." She pointed in the direction she meant and started walking, so Nathan got up to follow her, suddenly noticing that she was taking him behind the stacks where Rachel and that guy had been making-out.

He wasn't the only one who noticed. Brooke had been sent to the library by her teacher to pick up a book she needed for the class and hadn't been issued. She still wasn't used to the place and had gotten lost, ending up where Nathan was sitting; only Miss James had reached him before Brooke could ask him for help. She hadn't heard what they had said so the sight of Nathan and Miss James going behind the infamous make-out stacks sent her imagination running wild. Everyone knew Miss James was dating Mr. Keller, so it wasn't like anything would be going on. Besides, Nathan was good-looking enough to not have to fool around with a teacher, however young she was. Still, she just had to tease Nathan about this later!

But, back to now, she had to find that book. Brooke left the tables and went through different shelves searching for the author she needed. By pure accident she went down the aisle that was meant to have the books written by author's with surnames starting with the letter 'S' when she had meant to find 'R'. Realising her mistake she went to go to the next shelf but once she turned around she found she couldn't move. Because standing between the shelves directly opposite her was her Royal Highness Rachel Gattina. And she was kissing Lucas Scott.

A/N: Dun-dun-dun!  The next chapter will continue from here…Thank you SO much for all the reviews. 213! Eek!