Yay, new chapter! While I have your attention, I just want to take the time to shamelessly plug another story. That being said, if you haven't already, check out my spoilerific season 9 one shot Not So Nice Homecoming based off of a possible Naley scene in season 9! Anywho, hope you guys enjoy this chapter and let me know what you think!

Chapter 9

"Get up, Nathan. We're going for a run," Dan Scott's voice boomed from the hallway outside Nathan's bedroom. He cracked open an eye and saw that it was only five in the morning; he still had an hour before he had to get up to get ready for his daily tutoring sessions. Groaning at the disturbance, Nathan rolled onto his side and closed his eyes again.

Just as Nathan was about to fall back asleep, his bedroom door swung up and light flooded in. "Ah, Dad, what the hell!"

"Get up, Nathan. We're going for a run."

"At five in the morning?" he asked incredulously.

"Yes. I want to get in at least twelve miles. You need proper conditioning if you're gonna beat my scoring record tomorrow against Cove City."

"I also need sleep."

"No, you don't. Now get up."

Nathan rolled his eyes at his dad. He knew he wasn't going to win this battle so he sat up and got out of his nice warm bed. "I'm up, happy now?" he asked miserably.

"Not until you put on some work out gear and get your ass down stairs," Dan said and walked out of the room.

Nathan sighed and walked over his dresser. He wasn't really surprised that his dad was being an ass; he was always one to him. All Dan Scott cared about was basketball and making sure Nathan didn't disgrace the Scott name and basketball pedigree. Dan had been pushing Nathan in basketball since the first time he was able to dribble a ball. Every conversation they ever had revolved around basketball in some way.

Nathan threw on a pair of black basketball shorts and loose t shirt. Slipping on some socks and his running shoes, he headed down stairs to meet his father who was waiting in the den.

"Are you gonna let me eat before we head out?" he asked, already knowing what the answer would be though.

"You don't need to eat. Grab a bottle of water and let's go."

Not wanting to start a fight this early in the morning, Nathan obediently walked into the kitchen and grabbed a water from the fridge. He made a mental note to call Haley when he got back and cancel his tutoring session, knowing he would probably miss it or just be too tired to be up to studying. Nathan returned to the den and followed his dad out the front door. The next twelve miles were sure to be hell.

Three miles in and all Dan had managed to do was insult Nathan. Nothing he did was right. Nathan was out of shape, drinking too much water, panting, weak, never going to break his father's scoring record; the list of insults went on and on. At this point, all Nathan wanted to do was deck his dad in the jaw and go back to bed. He wasn't going to though, he was going to grin and bear all the criticism and go to the game tomorrow night and break Dan's scoring record then shove it in his face that he's better than his wash out dad.

Dan says his knee injury in college was too bad to be able to let him continue to play pro basketball, but Nathan knew that that wasn't the case. Dan was just too afraid he'd suck if he ever returned to the game. He wasn't weak, his dad was.

"What are you, a girl? You can go faster than this, Nathan."

"I'm tired, Dad. Can we not slow down for a few minutes?"

"No, we can't. You're weak, Nathan and this is exactly why you'll never be able to beat my record. When I was your age, I was already playing the entire game, none of the breaks shit you do."

Nathan gritted his teeth to stop from having an outburst. He really should be used to his dad treating him like shit by now, but somehow he always found it affecting him.

Only a quarter of a mile to go and Nathan knew there was no chance in hell he was going to go to his tutoring session that was supposed to start right now. He didn't have his cell phone with him though, so he couldn't let Haley know he wasn't going to be showing up any time soon.

As soon as he got home from the brutal twelve mile run, Nathan jumped in the shower. Beforehand, he texted Haley apologizing and letting her know he couldn't make it to their tutoring session. As he stood underneath the hot spray, he let his muscles finally relax. He was sure they would be sore later on today, especially having basketball practice after school. At this point he knew he was going to need a miracle to not be completely winded tomorrow night.

By the end of his shower, Nathan only had half an hour before school started. He got dressed and ate breakfast quickly before heading out.

Haley wasn't very impressed with her boyfriend. She wasn't mad that he couldn't make their tutoring session, she was pissed off that he only had the sense to text after she had already gotten there and waited for ten minutes. Walking across the quad to her friends, Haley had every intention of bitching at Nathan. Those intentions were dropped when she saw him though. He looked down right exhausted and appeared to not be in the greatest mood.

"Hey," she greeted everyone and sat down next to Nathan. He didn't even acknowledge her presence and she raised an eyebrow in confusion. "First you stand me up and now you don't even say hi? What's wrong with you?" Haley joked.

"Don't even bother talking to Mr. Grumpy Pants, Haley. He's been a grouch since he got here and won't tell anyone what's got him all uptight," Brooke said.

Haley frowned and leaned against Nathan's shoulder. "Take a walk with me," she said and grabbed his hand. When he didn't get up she pulled him up herself and he finally began walking alongside her. She walked them to a secluded area of the quad out of view from most of the student population that she noticed was staring at the two of them holding hands. "What's going on with you?"

Nathan sighed. "I just had a shitty morning, okay? I don't really wanna talk about it."

"Too bad. You're gonna tell me and let out all this anger you have bottled up now."

"It was nothing new. My dad was just being a dick. He got me up at five and made me run twelve miles with him and the whole time all he did was basically tell me how worthless I am."

Haley cupped Nathan's cheek with her hand. "I'm sorry, Nate. I didn't realize things were that bad at home."

"Yeah," Nathan shrugged. "I'm used to it by now."

"You shouldn't have to get used to being treated like that, Nathan. Do you want to talk about it at all anymore?"

"No, not really. All I can focus on right now is the game against Cove City tomorrow and breaking my dad's scoring record just because he thinks I can't."

"You can and you will," Haley confirmed.

"Thanks, Hales," Nathan smiled genuinely at her. "Now let's go back and hang out with our friends before first period." He laced his fingers with hers and led them back over to the table their friends occupied.

"A little make out session cheer you up a bit, Nate?" Brooke said jokingly.

Nathan glared at her and sat down in his previous spot, pulling Haley close to him. "How about we don't talk about Nathan," Haley suggested in an attempt to get the spotlight off her boyfriend. The rest of the group took her not so subtle hint and started chatting aimlessly about the first random topic that popped up.

Nathan spotted Tim walking alone from across the quad and stood. "I have to go talk to Tim," he said and kissed Haley lightly on the cheek. "I'll see you in class. Bye guys."

By the time last period rolled around, Haley had had it with school for the day. It seems the entire student body was made aware of Nathan and Haley's relationship. Every girl she passed was giving her dirty looks and every guy seemed to be checking her out, realizing she existed for the first time. This period was going to be the absolute worst part of the day for her though. Even with Nathan there, Haley knew Rachel was going to treat her worse than she ever had.

Walking into the class, Haley sat down in her seat in front of her boyfriend's who had yet to arrive. From across the room she saw Rachel glare at her and make her way over. She sat down in the empty seat next to Haley and laughed. "I hope you know, you and Nathan aren't going to last two seconds. Nathan doesn't do relationships and he wants me too much to be able to resist. He's gonna kick you to the curb by next week."

"Really? Because from what he told me, making out with you at the party on Friday was one of the biggest mistakes of his life."

Rachel glared at Haley again. She saw Nathan walk in and make his way over to them and a large smile formed on her superficial face. "Hey, Nathan," she tried to say seductively and placed a hand on his large bicep.

"Fuck off, Rachel. I have a girlfriend and I'll never be interested in you," he said gruffly.

Haley smiled sarcastically at the red head and she walked stunned back to her seat on the other side of the room. Haley turned around and looked at Nathan. "Are you feeling any better now?"

"Can we just not talk, Haley? I need to get ready for the game tomorrow and I can do that a lot more easily without being distracted."

"Sure, whatever," Haley said annoyed and turned back around. The rest of class she didn't bother trying to start a conversation with him because it was obvious he still in a horrible mood. When the final bell rang she packed up her stuff and walked briskly out of the room and away from him. She grabbed whatever she needed for her homework out of her locker and started the relatively short walk home.

When she got there, like usual she was the first one home. She pulled out her phone and knowing it was a long shot, dialled the number of the one person who had always been there for her.

"Hey, long time no talk," he answered on the first ring.

"Hi, Jakey," she said guiltily, knowing she hadn't called her best friend as often as she wanted to.

"What's up?

"You sound sick," Haley ignored his question.

"I was, but I'm feeling better now that I'm hearing your voice. I took the day off, now what's going on that you're calling me when you know I'd be at school?"

Haley sighed. "Nathan was being a jerk today. Not to mention the girl that's been out to get me since I moved here hates me even more now."

"Wait, whose Nathan?"

Haley bit her lip nervously. She knew Jake probably wasn't going to be happy about this. "He's my boyfriend."

"I'm sorry, I thought I just heard you say that you've been living in a new town for two weeks and already have a boyfriend," Jake spoke calmly.

"No, you heard right," Haley winced, waiting for the blow out.

Jake laughed sardonically. "I really can't believe you right now. No doubt this guy is just trying to take advantage of you! You show up, heartbroken and let me guess, he swooped in a took care of you?"

"Well, not exactly, but he did make me feel better a couple times. You don't even know him Jake, so don't try to judge him. Besides, it's not like you hating my boyfriends is anything new to us."

"Hales, I hated all your old boyfriends because they were all complete assholes, and I'm sure this Norman guy is the exact same."

"His name is Nathan, and he's not."

"Really? Then why did you just call me up complaining about how much of an asshole he's being to you. I don't know about you, but I'd say that isn't a very good first impression of the guy for me."

"I called you because you're my best friend, I have no one to talk to and I figured you'd listen and be supportive of me. You've always said that no matter what you want me to be happy and I am happy, Jake, so can you just not be mad about this?" she pleaded.

There was silence on the other end of the phone. Finally, Haley heard Jake sigh. "Tell me what happened."

"He was just being an asshole during class. We meet up every morning before school and I tutor him, but he didn't show up this morning and he texted me after I had already got there and told me he wouldn't be coming. Then when I got to school he was in like the worst mood ever and we talked and he told me about all this horrible stuff his dad was doing and saying to him. It actually seemed like he was feeling a bit better, but then he just got up and left to go talk to one of his friends, and then in last period I was trying to talk to him and he snapped at me and told me he didn't want to talk because I was distracting him from focussing on the basketball game tomorrow night."

Jake gritted his teeth. "What is it with you and jackass basketball players?"

Haley ignored his comment and continued on with her rant. "I know his dad is a complete asshole and everything, but that shouldn't give him the right to be mean to me, right? All I asked was if he was feeling better and he bit my head off."

"I'm not siding with him, and this doesn't mean that I like him at all, but maybe the guy just needs some space. He's probably stressed out about the basketball game. You know how I sometimes get before a big game, and it's the exact same thing for him, he just needs to focus on it and prepare for it."

"So you're saying that the day before every basketball game this season I just have to completely back off and let him be an ass?"

"No, I'm not saying back off completely, just give him his space. Now tell me about the girl that's out to get you."

"Her name is Rachel and she's always had a thing for Nathan. He's never been into her though and she basically hates me and picks on me just because I was friends with him and now I'm sure it'll get worse now that we're dating," Haley huffed.

"Just ignore the bitch," Jake offered simply and Haley laughed.

"Why didn't I think of such a simple solution?" she said sarcastically. "I'll try to though."

"That's my girl. Don't let some jealous girl get to you."

Haley nodded. "How's everyone there?"

Jake shrugged. "Pretty much the same as before. The guys all miss you, I think Junk probably took you leaving the hardest though, you know because he's always had a huge crush on you."

"What?" Haley laughed loudly. "He did not!"

"Yes, he did!" Jake laughed in response. "All he does is sulk now. I won't be surprised if he flies out to see you soon and never comes home."

She shook her head. "Speaking of flying out to see me, are you still coming out for Thanksgiving?"

"Yeah, I talked to my parents about it and they said its fine, they'll pay for my plane ticket. I was thinking about taking a few days off school and flying in on Monday and then leaving on the Sunday. How does that sound?"

Haley smiled giddily. "I can't wait! That means we only have to wait exactly four weeks to see each other. "

"I know, I can't wait either. I miss you so much, Hales."

"I miss you, too, best friend."

"On that note, I have to go, Skills is here to hang out. Call me soon, okay?"

"I will, I promise," Haley vowed and they each hung up the phone. Haley felt ten times better after talking to her best friend again. She was about to get a start on her homework when a loud knock sounded on her door.

"Shouldn't you be at practice?" Haley asked when she saw her boyfriend standing in the doorway.

"No, it's over now," he said. Haley looked startled at her clock. She didn't realize her and Jake had actually been on the phone for over an hour.

"What are you doing here, then?"

"I wanted to see you," Nathan shrugged.

"Oh, so now you feel like talking with me?"

"Look, Haley, I'm sorry about what I said in class. I'm just not good at the whole talking about my feelings crap and it's easier for me to just shut people out than to let them in and be vulnerable. The easiest way for me to get people to back off is to be a dick so that's what I did."

"You're going to have to let me, Nathan."

"I know, and I will. It's just going to take a bit of time."

Haley nodded and gestured for Nathan to sit on her bed with her. He immediately lay down on his chest next to her and wrapped a lazy arm around her stomach. He started kissing her neck and cheeks while his hand roamed the length of her body.

When Nathan moved so that he was lying on top of her and still kissing her forcefully, Haley started to feel uncomfortable, but didn't say anything. However, it didn't take long for him to start trying to lift her t-shirt over her head. "Nathan, stop."

He continued with his actions and forced her shirt up a bit higher so that the bottom of her bra was now exposed. "Seriously, Nathan, stop it," Haley protested again and pushed him off of her.

Nathan stood up looking annoyed. "What? Why are you acting like such a virgin? I wanna have sex with you, Hales, what's the big deal."

Haley rolled her eyes. "Okay, I may not be a virgin, but that doesn't mean that sex still isn't a big deal for me. I also know I definitely don't want our first time together to be like this."

"Like what?"

"Well, you're obviously still pissed off and I want you to be in a good mood. Not to mention that all my school books are spread out on my bed, and no doubt Lucas, Karen, or Keith will be home soon and I really don't want any of them to walk in."

"Oh my God, lighten up, Haley," Nathan said and within seconds he was back on top of her and trying to kiss her senseless. Again, Haley pushed him off of her and looked at him shocked.

"I want you to leave."

"You can't be serious," Nathan scoffed.

"I'm serious. Get out, Nathan," she said forcefully, walking over to her door and pulling it open wide.

Nathan shook his head in disbelief and stormed out of her room. On his way out, he passed Karen in the hallway just arriving home from the Cafe. She said hi to him but he gruffly walked passed her and slammed the front door behind him.

"Ugh, asshole!" Haley screamed out in frustration. Karen heard and glanced up the stairs uneasily. She heard Haley's door slam and her music turn on to full blast. Karen knew better than to approach her niece so quickly after a blowout with her new boyfriend and walked into the kitchen to get a start on dinner.

Up in her room, Haley couldn't help but think that maybe Jake had been right. It seemed the only guys she was ever interested were assholes that treated her like crap. She lay in her bed and let doubts of her and Nathan's relationship seep into her mind and plague her incessantly.