A/N: Hey guys. Wow I think this is the quickest I've ever updated! It helped that yesterday I drank way too much coffee and couldn't get to sleep, so I ended up writing the next chapter up. The reviews that you guys have written are also really helpful, they're really motivational, so I want to thank you guys for those. I really am flattered, especially since this is my first fic.

Jess2303 - I know you want a kiss, and don't worry its coming soon! I just want to get some things out in the next couple of chapters, about some of the other characters. Like this chapter will be having some confrontation, and I also want to bring in some Jake and Mouth in the next couple of chapters. But I have a certain way I want the NH kiss to come about, where they definitely won't be so clueless. I really hope you can stick with me until then, and I hope I don't disappoint.

annazhx - Don't worry, that cheerleading uniform is coming out very very soon!

fallenhero57 - Your review was really flattering, thanks!

Thanks everyone else too! Please read and review this chapter too. )

Chapter 9

"Are you going to be something else I have to survive? 'Cause I'll tell you something; I'm not up for that." – Erin Brockavitch

I can't believe this…

Nathan looked around, feeling slightly surreal. He was sitting in the library. The actual library.

People had been giving him odd looks since he first stepped in. Not that he could blame them. In all the years he'd been at THA, Nathan Scott had only been seen on the courts, or at the parties.

He never even stepped in the direction of the library.

Heck, he didn't even know where it was until today!

As the doors had opened and people turned, only to see Nathan Scott enter…well chaos erupted.

Books dropped to the floor…pens stopped in mid-air…glasses were re-adjusted… one kid actually fell out of his seat. And Nathan was pretty sure the librarian fainted from shock.

Needless to say, with all the whispers and stares in his direction, he was feeling very uncomfortable.

How did this even happen?!

Turning to his side, he saw her. Oh yeah.

Haley had wanted to come. And apparently that was enough reason for him. He had no idea what sprung this idea in his head but it was as if any excuse to spend time with her was good enough even if it meant stepping into the unknown.

He looked around curiously. This place is weird…and stuffy. REALLY stuffy. How do people even get work done?

Sighing he decided he might as well spend his time productively. He sat there watching Haley as she worked.

It wasn't hard to figure out why he would do anything to spend extra time with her. She was so genuine and down-to-earth. She didn't try to shamelessly flirt with him or constantly try to impress him either. She was just herself.

And she didn't let him get away with crap. The other day she even called him out on picking on Lucas!

He smirked. She was pretty damn awesome. And really pretty. Really pretty…

She was concentrating really hard, biting on her lip as she was off in thought.

And then as though a sudden light goes off, she lets go of her lip and immediately starts writing on her page. Her pen moving smoothly across the paper in her neat penmanship, while her other hand moved to her face – pushing her bangs out of the way as she worked.

Did I mention she's pretty? Beautiful even. Yep, at this moment while watching her working on algebra equations, in the library of all places, Nathan Scott decided Haley James was indeed a beautiful girl. Not utterly romantic – but hey, that's life. You can't exactly expect to figure this stuff out at the most opportune moments.

It just happens when it happens. For instance, when he realised that Haley James has the most perfect ass he'd ever seen.

It was actually on the way up to the library. They went up a spiral staircase, with her in front. Naturally, her ass was at his eye level…and he couldn't help it. He's a guy and it was right there taunting him.

He had to stop himself from actually grabbing it. He was now trying to contain the sudden images running through his mind.

God…that girl has one hell of an ass.

"Hey"

Shit, did I say that out loud??

"What did you get for question 4?"

She saw he hadn't even got his books out. Nathan just shrugged. He'd never liked calculus, mainly because he never got it.

"Aren't you going to do it?"

"No point."

"Why not?"

"Honestly? I haven't had a clue what we've been doing in calculus ever since I started the subject a year ago."

"So…you're failing?" She took his silence as a yes. "Well haven't the teachers tried to help?"

He shook his head.

"Do they say anything?"

"Nah. As long as I take us to the state championship, I can fail all I want." He felt really exposed here. She was amazingly intelligent, and here he was telling her how stupid he was.

Suddenly he felt really embarrassed. And that had never happened before. He usually didn't care what people thought of his academics. Most people didn't care.

Haley did.

"What about your parents?" Haley asked aghast.

Nathan snorted, "Yeah right. My dad doesn't give two shits about anything but basketball. My grades can suck but if I don't make that basket, I'm in for it." He ended bitterly.

Haley couldn't believe what she was hearing.

"And your mum?"

"She's never around" He replied vaguely. She didn't press it.

"So, how have you gotten through school so far?"

Nathan knew that was going to come up. He wasn't exactly proud of this, but he knew he couldn't lie to her.

"Well…most of my subjects are okay; I can pretty much get through. Just calculus, geometry – all that math stuff…er…mytutorsusallydoitforme."

Despite his efforts, she got exactly what he was saying.

"I can't believe this."

She looked shocked, and Nathan felt extremely guilty.

"Look Haley, I know it sounds bad-"

"Bad? It's worse!" At that the librarian looked over and shushed them.

"So the teachers all just let you off the hook because you play basketball?!" She shout-whispered.

"Yeah, pretty much. But it's not like anyone expects me to do well regardless."

"No Nathan this is unacceptable." She sounded stern. Nathan didn't know what to say, there was no point defending himself.

"Do the others know?"

"I'm not sure. I don't think so. Lucas might, but it's not like I'm gonna tell them. I'm not proud of it Haley…and it's not exactly easy to admit you're failing."

Haley looked at him clearly. He had the lost schoolboy expression on his face. He was ashamed of himself, she could tell that much. He had taken a leap of faith by telling her and she wasn't going to let him forget it. She wasn't angry at him in any way; she was pissed off at the so called schooling system here, and the lack of faith everyone seemed to have in him.

"It's not a big deal Haley." God, you've done it Scott, she's going to hate you now!

"Yes it is Nathan." She turned to him. "You may be an amazing basketball star, but that doesn't mean that your academic study should be tossed aside! It's just as important. God, what is wrong with the teaching here?"

Nathan blanched. "Wait, are you…you aren't mad at me?"

"What? No. Why would I be mad at you?"

"Well because, I cheat and don't work…" he trailed off lamely.

"No Nathan I'm not mad at you…though the cheating thing is really stupid. I'm just really pissed at the teachers here. And your dad." True to word she looked furious, "Nobody should make you feel like it's not possible for you to do well!"

Nathan sat there completely stumped as Haley went on. She ranted about how it was disgusting that people seem to think he was only worth how many baskets he scored. That education was just as important, if not more. What would happen if he could no longer play basketball? He'd need an education to fall back on. Were the teachers that stupid not to have considered that?!

He found it so invigorating to have someone stick up for him like that. He'd never had that before either.

Plus she was furious. And angry Haley was really hot! She was venting on his behalf, and all he wanted to do was grab her face and crash his lips into hers, to show her just how much he appreciated her.

"That's it." Haley got up and instantly moved next to him.

"Er…what's it?" Nathan was startled. He shifted on his seat; the last thing she needed to see was the boner he'd suddenly acquired.

"If no one else is going to bother, then I will." She had a determined look in her eye. "I'll teach you."

Whoa…well this is unexpected.

Nathan was speechless.

And then…

"I appreciate the thought Haley, but-"

"No, no buts Nathan. I know it is hard to admit that you're failing. Especially to someone who barely knows you." He shrugged. "But you can easily turn this around. You're not stupid…" She paused for a second, "…lazy maybe, but not stupid."

Well I did say she was honest.

"Haley really, you shouldn't waste your time on me-"

"Stop thinking like that." She sounded so sure that Nathan felt compelled to listen. "Look, there's no such thing as a dumb person. At least, I don't think so. People can be lazy or neglectful…but no person is stupid, and that includes you. It's not right that people have been making it okay for you to fail class as long as you can dunk balls. And I'm not downplaying how hard you work towards basketball…but that just proves my point. That when you're determined and willing to try, you can pretty amazing at something. And I think that if you put in the time and effort, you can be just as brilliant in your studies."

Nathan smirked, "You think I'm amazing huh?"

Haley rolled her eyes, "I was talking about basketball genius. Figures you'd pick out that part of my so-called motivational speech."

Nathan's look suddenly became serious. "You really think I can do it?"

He hated to sound so vulnerable, but he couldn't help it. His academics were definitely a sore spot for him. His parents and teachers had given up on him in that area. And his friends never really cared much, probably because he acted like it wasn't a big deal.

But Haley was right, it was a big deal.

What if…if…basketball didn't work out? What would be left for him?

It was always such a foolproof plan that he never considered what would happen if it were to fail. Had his dad ever considered it?

"I know you can. You just need a little help." She smiled, "And lucky for you, I used to be one of the top tutors at my old school."

"Wow, you really are a geek." He teased and she slapped his arm.

"So, what do you think?"

Nathan sighed and looked her in the eye. He could tell she really just wanted to help him.

"Okay."

"Alright," Nathan almost laughed at the expression on her face. She looked like Christmas had come early.

As she began to make some notes that would hopefully make sense to him by the end of the session, Nathan realised just how close they were sitting. Her arm brushed his as she turned the page, and his skin tingled at the close contact.

Man, if this is just arm contact…I wonder what it would happen if our lips met…or… if I was to move in and out of her-Shit! Cool it; you're in a friggin' tutor session now!

That didn't help, his mind then conjured images of Haley in a tight school girl outfit, complete with the Britney Spears bunches.

Okay, need to think of something else NOW!

Haley was in serious mode and all set to help him out, and he was too busy trying to picture her naked and in various positions.

Crap…think!

Eventually it took thoughts of his Coach Whitey in the shower to cool down his thoughts. And then he was set to listen to her as she explained the basic rules of calculus.

And he found for once, he was willing to learn.

"You know, I really have no idea how to thank you."

"It's no big deal." She shrugged dismissively.

"No big deal?! Haley, I never thought I'd get this kind of stuff, and you had me doing exercises before the hour was up."

He looked so chuffed that Haley felt something inside her, a sort of fluttering.

They were on their way down from the library to catch lunch with the gang. They'd decided to meet up at the front doors, and then head out to a nearby café.

As they came out, other classes were emptying with students filing out.

"See I told you all you had to do was set your mind to it."

"Yeah, well you made it all so easy."

Before Haley could modestly shrug off his compliment, another voice rang out from behind him.

"She's definitely easy alright."

They turned to see none other than one conniving redhead.

Nathan rolled his eyes as Haley let out a frustrated sigh. She didn't know how much more of this she could take.

It was bad enough that Rachel took every opportunity to make her look bad in front of Nathan. But she'd recently taken to making comments in public for everyone to hear.

And there was only so much Haley could just ignore and let pass.

"Seriously Hannah, don't you think this is kind of pathetic. Following Nathan around everywhere. You'd think you go the hint by now. He's not gonna downgrade from someone like me to some tramp who can't give it up."

Several sniggers went round at that. Some people just laughed straight out. She looked around at all their faces.

And Haley James had reached her limit.

"Okay, that's it." she cried out loud. Everyone immediately stopped what they were doing and listened.

She hadn't noticed either, but her new friends had all exited classrooms and were making their way to her from different directions. Peyton and Brooke looked furious, and Lucas and Jake were equally annoyed.

But on hearing her voice, they all stopped where they were.

"First of all, my name's HALEY! Not Holly, Heather, Hannah, or any other stupid-ass names you can possibly think up. It's just HAY-LEE, if you call me something it will be that got it?"

Nathan's eyebrows shot up, Brooke blanched, Peyton's eyes widened, Lucas, Jake and everyone else had varying degrees of shock filled expressions.

Feisty Haley was finally out in the open.

And she wasn't backing down.

"Second, honey – you're calling me pathetic. Last time I checked, this guy," she pointed at Nathan but kept her eyes on Rachel, "dumped your sorry ass three weeks ago, and yet you're stalking him everyday practically begging to get laid." People 'oooohed' at that.

"Apparently you're not getting the hint…when a guy pushes you off him with a disgusted face that means he's just not that into you sweetheart."

A lot of the student body began laughing and whispering then. Rachel was stunned into silence. Who knew the new girl had guts? And attitude?

"I know it must be hard, but I'm pretty sure there are other guys out there who might get off on getting some with a walking talking STD… which you so pride yourself on being." The laughter was much louder. People were actually cheering her on at this point. And Rachel began looking around self-consciously. She'd never been on the receiving end of such a tongue-lashing; usually she was the one giving them.

"But one thing's for sure," Haley continued, "Next time your plastic ass is cranky from not getting any, don't take it out on me; because I've had enough of your pointless shit. You understand?"

And with that she turned her back on Rachel and stalked off in the opposite direction. People making way for her as she went.

Behind her she left a now whooping crowd, outwardly laughing at the redhead in the centre, and a couple of friends who managed to share looks of surprise and admiration.

And one with a look of complete awe.

I can't believe her!!

Haley was still venting to herself as she walked away.

She had to admit that it felt great getting that off her chest. She only wished half the student body hadn't been there to witness it.

Taylor will get a kick out of this.

She'd spoken to her sister recently on the phone about the whole Rachel debacle/Nathan crush/friendships with Brooke, Peyton and everyone. And Taylor had told her vehemently to put this stupid whore in her place…among other things.

'You'll end up keeping it all in and combusting one day Haley-bop'.

She never thought she'd see the day when Taylor was right.

Weirdly though her sister was getting a lot of things right nowadays.

She was too busy in her thoughts that she didn't hear the footsteps coming from a distance.

She was still in shock at what had just happened. She'd never been one to let people walk all over her. She'd grown up with six older siblings; she was raised to know how to hold her own.

She'd just wanted to fit in and not have to bitch-fight her way there. But Rachel just had to be that annoying!

The footsteps finally reached her.

"Aaaah!!!"

Figures Brooke would get to me first.

"Haley!" And Peyton wouldn't be further behind.

Haley stopped as they reached her, instantly collapsing onto her all the while hugging and squealing.

"That was fan-freaking-tastic!!" Brooke exclaimed as her and Peyton let go.

"Missy James, I so knew you had it in you!" Peyton grinned at her.

Haley blushed slightly.

"I know, I kind of blew up, and got really carried away-"

"Are you kidding?" Brooke interrupted. She linked one arm as Peyton did the other and they carried on walking. "That skank totally had it coming! I mean, it's lucky you totally tongue-bashed her. I was ready to come over and rip her goddamn fake hair out!"

"Yeah, besides everyone was waiting for you to retaliate. And god, did you make it good."

"Everyone?" Haley frowned.

"Yup, people were all making bets on when you were going to let rip." Brooke added casually.

"What? Why didn't you tell me?" I'm being bird watched and I don't even know!

"It wasn't important." Brooke shrugged, "Besides if I did, there was a chance that you wouldn't have done what you just did. And that would have been a real shame." She laughed, "I swear I've never seen Rachel so embarrassed."

"You really caught her off guard." Peyton agreed, "And she deserved every word"

"You completely outbitched her!" Brooke giggled.

"That's good I guess."

"The best" Brooke nodded eagerly making Haley laugh.

They took a seat at one of the benches in the corridor.

"I just…I don't know what the hell her problem is." Haley told them. "I haven't done anything to her, and yet she's been ragging on me since day one."

She noticed Brooke and Peyton share a look.

"What?"

"Isn't it obvious?" Brooke said.

"What's obvious?"

"She's jealous."

"Jealous? Jealous of what?!" Haley was puzzled.

"Of you and Nathan." Brooke pointed out.

"What me and Nathan?"

Brooke gave Peyton a look to explain.

"Okay, basically Haley, Rachel's jealous because Nathan ditched her ass, and likes you."

Despite the fact that her heartbeat increased at those words, Haley raised an eyebrow.

"Now you're just talking crazy."

"Nope, no crazy. At least not this." Brooke said, "Hotshot is totally into you."

"No he's not." Haley said firmly, even though a part of her was telling her to shut up and listen to them.

"And you're into him too." Brooke carried on, as though there was no question about it.

"Don't try and deny it." Peyton warned as Haley opened her mouth.

"I'm not going to, because there's nothing to deny." Haley said indignantly.

"You can't fool us," Brooke sing-songed.

"Really Brooke, there's nothing going on between me and-"

"Haley!"

"…Nathan" She finished as the raven haired guy himself ran up to them. Lucas and Jake right behind him.

"That was awesome!" Nathan said grinning like a maniac. Brooke and Peyton shared a look again with Haley who rolled her eyes at them.

"Seriously unexpected, but long overdue." Lucas agreed, the same grin slapped on his face as his brother's.

"Thanks," Haley said as Jake high-fived her.

"I say, we go out and celebrate," Jake said, "Patty's ice cream parlour anyone?"

"And here I thought you were gonna take us to a bar Jakey," Brooke claimed.

"Hey, you all know ice cream beats beer any day!" Jake said seriously causing everyone to laugh.

"Well we know you certainly think so," Peyton poked at his stomach.

"What are you implying Sawyer?"

"Oh I think you know…Tubby." She smirked as Jake scoffed.

"Okay, before you two start your shit, how about we actually get going." Nathan ushered everyone out, placing himself next to Haley as they went. That encouraged another look from Brooke and Peyton, which she decided to ignore.

The whole way to the parlour, and while they got the ice cream, all everyone could talk about was the near catfight Haley just had.

Haley was surprised to see how proud they all were of her sticking up for herself.

"So how did it happen anyway?" Brooke asked, while taking a lick at her Strawberry Swirl. Haley didn't miss the heated look Lucas gave her then. How can she miss it? It certainly wasn't the first time she'd caught him staring at her, and she knew it wouldn't be the last.

She had a feeling the other Scott was the one hiding his true feelings.

"What do you mean?"

"Well, me and only got there for Rachel's bitch-out and your solo, but how did it actually start?"

Everyone besides Nathan was interested to know. He had seen the whole thing with a front row seat.

"There wasn't really anything else to it." She didn't know what else to tell them. "Nathan and I had just come down from the library and Rachel made some comment about me being easy, and it went from there."

Everyone suddenly looked shocked.

"What?" She and Nathan share a confused look. Both clearly missed out on something.

They all shared surprised looks, and Lucas deciding to speak for the rest of them turned to Nathan. "You were in the library?"

Nathan rolled his eyes. "And what?"

"I didn't even think you knew where it was," Jake added.

Brooke snapped her attention at Haley, "How the hell did you manage to get Nathan Scott in the library?!"

"Damn, what is the big deal," Nathan interrupted feeling the need to defend himself, "is it so hard to believe that I would go to the library?"

"Yes" they all answered at once.

"What were you doing there?" Peyton asked, still shocked.

"Calculus," both Haley and Nathan bit out defensively. They looked at each other in surprise and shared a quick smile before bringing their attention back. The other four seemed to be completely dumbfounded.

"You're shitting me" Lucas stated.

"God Haley, you must be some kind of miracle worker." Jake said, "To get Nathan not only to go to the library willingly, but you also make him do homework?"

"She's certainly doing something to him alright." Brooke muttered so only Haley could hear. The petite blonde's eyes flashed dangerously in her direction.

Nathan was about to do anything to change the subject when they were interrupted by an out of breath Mouth appearing next to their table.

"Is it true?!" He all but yelled, nobody missing the way his eyes darted to Haley.

"What are you talking about Mouth?" Brooke asked.

"I heard a rumour that Haley had a catfight with Rachel!" He sounded a little too eager.

"What?" Haley cried. "I didn't have a catfight… I just bitched at her."

They all chuckled remembering the scene.

"So…you didn't pull her hair?" Mouth asked.

"What? No!"

"Scratch her face?"

"No!"

"Bitchslap her repeatedly?" He asked hopefully.

"NO! Where did you hear this stuff?" Haley asked aghast.

Mouth looked almost disappointed as he sat down. "It's all around school that you guys had this massive fight by the lockers."

Haley sputtered, "What? How? But…everyone was there! We were outside the library and there was no physical fighting."

Peyton spoke up, "It's high school Haley, stuff happens, rumours spread, and nearly all the time the true story's never heard." They all shrugged sympathetically.

"At least it isn't that bad," Nathan tried to cheer her up, "People still believe that you kicked her ass, not the other way round."

"That's something I guess." Haley nodded. Well, there's no point getting upset about this. You made your bed James, now you have to lie in it.

Suddenly another person appeared at the table in the form of Skills.

"Yo dawgs! You'll never guess what I just heard!"

He looked at Haley, "Did you really have a catfight with Rachel?"

Everyone stifled laughs at the annoyed look on Haley's face. "Urgh no! I just verbally attacked the skank."

"So…you didn't punch her on the nose?" He asked.

"I didn't touch her!" Came her irritated cry.

"Get her in a headlock?"

"I wouldn't even know how!"

"Shove her in the pool?"

"Pool?! What pool?"

Skills shrugged, "I heard it all went down by the pool in the sports yard."

At this point Haley just groaned as her head fell on the table. Nathan graciously decided to tell Skills exactly what happened and where as Skills took a seat next to Mouth.

"Thank god!" Skills exclaimed when he finished.

Lucas asked on everyone's behalf, "Er…why?"

"Would you wanna miss out on a hot girl catfight in a pool?" Skills reasoned.

"Point taken."

They all grin and Brooke assures Haley not to worry.

"It'll die down after a while and people will find something else to talk about."

"Well I hope its soon," Haley answered, "I don't wanna be known as some psycho freak that goes around viciously beating people I don't like."

"I don't think anyone could see you that way Haley," Lucas pointed out.

"Yeah, you'll be fine. As long as no one mentions it any more." Jake says and they all agree.

Suddenly one more person stops at the table.

"Hey peeps!" Tim shouts excitedly, "Did you hear?! Did it really happen?"

He looked at Nathan and Haley, not noticing the looks everyone was giving him to shut up.

But for the second time that day, Haley snapped, "Oh for the love of god! No! It didn't happen! I merely screamed at the girl. Sure, maybe I used some harsh words and it's no doubt she deserved them…but I didn't physically attack her damnit! There was no hair-pulling slash face-scratching slash bitchslapping slash nose-punching slash head-locking slash pool-shoving slash my wrists if I have to go through this again!"

Finishing her tirade she turned to see everyone trying not to laugh.

"Oh, just go for it." And as she commanded everyone burst out laughing. Haley ended up joining in, it was hard not to.

Nathan could see the scared look on Tim's face, but honestly – Haley was a riot!

As it died down, everyone turned to Tim who'd cleared his throat.

Finally, albeit timidly he admitted, "Actually I was just gonna say, I heard a rumour that Nathan was seen in the library…doing calculus?!"

Silence.

And they all burst out laughing again.