The school bell rang with the halls of Tree Hill High flooding with bodies slamming into one another, all trying to either get to the cafeteria or outside for lunch. Small, scared freshman ducked and covered as all the upper classman came barging down the main hallway, headed for the doors.

"Can you believe that test in Trig? That was just torture!"

"Haley, you get an A on every test you take. I think you'll be fine," Nathan replied, patting her on the back. His blue eyes shot up after shoving the rest of his sandwich in his mouth, spotting his friend walking toward their little group. "Chris! Dude where have you been? I haven't seen you all morning."

Chris took a seat at their regular table, tossing his bag on the ground next to him. "I'm not having the best morning, Nate." Haley immediately stood and walked over, quickly taking the seat next to him. "Aww, what's wrong Chris?" She questioned with concerned eyes. Nathan rolled his eyes at his best friend's secret but obvious crush on the musician.

The trio had been friends for as long as they could remember. They grew up together, always at one another's house. Nathan and Haley were inseparable, knowing each other since they were in diapers. Chris Keller came along in the first grade, instantly making friends with the pair after an incident with Nathan Scott's older brother, Lucas. Nathan immediately came to Chris's rescue and became friends after.

"I don't feel like talking about it, Hales. But thanks," Chris replied, giving his friend a slight smile. Haley returned the smile, it quickly fading when she saw her older sister stomping their way.

"Would anyone be opposed to me killing the Queen Bee?" Taylor asked, sitting down next to her boyfriend. "Well it's nice to see you in such a cheery mood for a change," Nathan laughed, pressing a kiss to her cheek. "Shut up," she snapped, hitting him in the chest. "I seriously can't stand Peyton Sawyer and her little whore posse. Thinking they run this place? Bitch please."

"Well they kind of do, Taylor," Haley shrugged, grabbing her bag and standing up from the table. "And it's because people like you let them get under your skin, and they think they have some sort of control over you." Taylor watched her sister walk away then turned to Nathan. "Can you believe she just said that to me?" Nathan's blue eyes shot over to Chris, who was trying to keep himself from laughing. "Umm, well yeah. She's kind of right, Taylor," he said quietly. "You guys just suck!" she replied, standing up and walking away.

"Dude, your girlfriend is nuts. You know that, right?" Chris questioned, watching Taylor walk away. "Yeah, but she's just so hot. And looks beats sanity any day." Chris laughed and nodded his head, looking back at the doors as the bell rang. "I'll see you tonight at the Rivercourt, right? You have been bailing on me for the past week," Nathan said, standing up.

"Yeah man. Tonight for sure." Chris stood up and walked to the doors, watching Peyton get in her car. As he turned around, he bumped into a familiar redhead. "Oh shit, I'm sorr-oh hey, Rachel," his voice got softer. "Hey, I was actually coming to come talk to you," she said with a smile.

"Oh Chrisssss!" a voice echoed across the empty campus. "Are you coming or what?" Chris looked back at Peyton who was waiting in her car and nodded his head. "I'll see you later, Rachel."

The green eyed girl watched him ride off with the curly-haired blonde. "Yeah, see ya later," she whispered before walking back inside.