What if?

Series of one shots of what could have happened if slight events had changed during Naleys relationship.

I don't own anything of or related to One Tree Hill.

1x01 Pilot

What if Nathan had won the match between him and Lucas?

A few street lights illuminated the small basketball court beside the lake, while the crowd was screaming loudly, encouraging the two brothers, who shared nothing but hatred feelings, to continue the match that would cost neither of them so much.

All or nothing, that was the deal.

Nathan grew nervous as once again Lucas was able to steal the ball from him, turned and slammed the basketball with a jump shot right through the net.

It was now tied, which meant the final goal would decide about fortune or defeat.

Nathan was burning inside.

Who did he think he was? Showing up in his world? Did he not know who he was messing with?

Angry he didn't even try to move forward as he caught the ball, Lucas had thrown to him.

He noticed Lucas eyes boring into his, anticipating his next move. Nathan noticed his confusion.

In that moment he dribbled past him, jumped and dunked the ball aggressively.

Half the crowd erupted in cheers, while Lucas faded into the background to his friends and Mouth put an supporting arm around his shoulder.

Nathan smirked at the blonde Scott and clapped his hands evenly. „Not bad, looser."

Tim laughed and patted his best friend on his shoulder. „What a game, man!"

The dark haired boy just nodded. „Lets get out of here."

With a last glance at Lucas, they left, but not before saying: „We will miss you at practice."

In the next days everything pretty much turned to normal for Nathan.

He had made up with Peyton, even though she had rescued Lucas so he could be at the match.

Outside they once again portrayed the perfect couple. The cheerleader and the jock. Inside they were broken up.

However none of them seemed to be willing to let go. Somehow they always ended up together. No matter how wrong it was.

Even though they knew perfectly that they weren't meant to be. That they were a big screw up.

But maybe they thought they deserved no better. No love. Or they were too afraid of being lonely, maybe. Or maybe it was just lust.

Not only his relationship with Peyton but also his team grew back to normal. It was his again. He was once again the shining star and Lucas was out of the picture.

Whitney had given him a weird look once Lucas told him he decided not to play for the Ravens but Nathan could have cared less. The important thing was, he was out.

A week later, Nathan walked through the hallways and spotted Theresa, one of the cheerleaders at her locker and went over to her with a smirk.

He put his arm around her and she giggled. „You at the party tonight?"

She nodded in her girly way and he leaned in close: „Great. See you there."

Then he walked back to his own locker, but something stirred him. Somehow he felt watched.

He looked around and a short girl with auburn hair caught his attention.

The way she was looking at him made him feel weird.

She looked disappointed. Angry even. He furrowed a brow.

He hadn't seen her before so why did she seem so mad at him? Had he slept with her at some random party and forgot?

„What's your problem?", he approached her seconds laters and when she wanted to turn away from him, he caught her arm to make her face him again.

Haley ignored the little space that was between her and Nathan Scott while she intended to breathe normally. Why had she starred at him so long? Of course he was the one she hated most. He treated her best friend in the most cruel way. But showing her dislike so openly to him wasn't really solving anything and know her clumsy self had once again got her in trouble.

„Nothing.", she replied, trying to sound as bitchy as Brooke and her clan, but failing miserably.

She grew nervous with Nathan so close to her. It wasn't that boys made her nervous. But she knew who Nathan Scott was and somehow this closeness felt nothing like when she was with her guy friends.

Nathan smirked at the shy girl before her whose cheeks turned a light shade of red.

„Its nothing!", she said stronger this time and she released herself from him, turning away and walking quickly to her next class.

She knew then, then it was probably the last time she would ever speak to him again.

Lucas was no longer on the team and Nathan had no real motif to torture him anymore, since he got what he wanted.

Soon it would be back to normal. Soon it would be her and Lucas against the world with the River Court gang right beside them.

And Nathan would never be a subject. The brothers would avoid each other like before and Haley would never have to speak to him again.

It would be normal again. Like nothing changed at all.